Bristol Life - Professional Services Special 2018

ARCHITECTS

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SPECIAL

BRISTOL AT WORK WE MEET THE PROFESSIONALS MAKING THE CITY BUZZ

F I N A N C E / R E C R U I T M E N T / P R O P E R T Y/ L A W / B U S I N E S S S E R V I C E S MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 1

BUSINESS SPECIAL

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ristol’s an increasingly important player on the national business playing field. It’s a centre of innovation, acumen and excellence, and it seems as if every time we wander around Temple Quarter there’s a shiny new name logo over a shiny new doorway; meanwhile, the city’s most established, historic practices seem to go from strength to strength, from Queen Square to Clifton and beyond. Just to get a sample of this professional offering – from the legal eagles to the financial wizards, the property experts to the essential business service guys – we spoke to a wide cross-section of experts and asked: So, how’s business?

THE LAWYERS Barcan+Kirby

Lucy Harttrup, marketing manager Tell us a bit about your business

We are a mid-sized full service law firm with six offices across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Tell us a business fact of which you’re particularly proud

We have a very high number of female employees; at last count we were around 80% female. Even in the partnership there is nearly 60% women (the industry norm is below 24%). We offer flexible working opportunities for all staff, male or female, and the firm is dedicated to ensuring that employees can have a good work/life balance.

Irwin Mitchell

Work/life balance – what’s the secret?

Tell us about your community/charity involvement

I have two children aged three and five, so it’s very important to me to get the work/life balance right. I work flexibly, as does my husband, so we share childcare responsibilities. I live a 10-minute walk from the office so I don’t have to worry about a lengthy commute, I have a great team and my boss is fantastic. I have lots of time to spend with both of my children, and at the same time I am finding my career to be both challenging and rewarding. Who says you can’t have it all? www.barcankirby.co.uk

Lucy Harttrup

Lilly Drakoulakou, business development executive We are privileged to have the responsibility of representing clients through some of the most challenging times of their lives. From having suffered injury due to medical negligence in the maternity suite, to having been the victim of a life-changing road traffic accident or being diagnosed with mesothelioma due to being exposed to asbestos during one’s employment history, most of our clients share one thing in common and that is that they need more than just legal help to kick start their journey to recovery and plan ahead for their loved ones.

This is the reason why, as a firm, and even more as an office, we have developed really strong ties in the community with a number of different local charities and support groups who we support, and get advice from, to empower our clients through difficult times.

By getting to know these charities, all our legal members of staff have come to grow really fond of their causes, and the important role they Lucy Harttrup have to play in our local community, and as a result we regularly volunteer at their events, sponsor their activities and take an active role towards helping them fulfil their roles.

Some of the charities we support locally are Flamingo Chicks, Headway Bristol, BBAFS and Cerebral Palsy Plus amongst many others. Colleagues from our office are also responsible for the running of the Henbury Boccia Group as well as chairing the Children with Additional Needs Network.

Apart from the charities and support groups we signpost to and support, every year we choose an office charity we fundraise and volunteer with which for this year is Off the Record. In 2017 our office raised £10,000 for The Anchor Society. The funds are being specifically ringfenced to help support and develop the walking sports initiatives for older people across Bristol – helping them to keep active and remain sociable. www.irwinmitchell.com

“Even among the partners, 60% are women . . .”

Team Irwin Mitchell

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BUSINESS SPECIAL VWV

Margrielle Blake, conveyancing associate What challenges are your clients facing?

The conveyancing landscape is changing and sellers and buyers have many obstacles to overcome when moving, and understanding the process of conveyancing can often be frustrating. In order to help my clients overcome the challenges, I provide a no nonsense approach, keeping the lines of communication open and explaining each step so my clients are fully informed.

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

“Competing for and keeping talent is a battle for many businesses, particularly in the engineering, tech and professional services”

Working for VWV gives me the opportunity to work in Henleaze and the city centre, as we have offices in both locations. Particularly at Henleaze, I have access to local knowledge about the wonderful properties in the surrounding KERRIE HUNT areas. In the wider area, Bristol and the property market continues to grow and I believe it has a lot to offer for a wide range of individuals. There is something to suit everyone and their budget.

What areas do you specialise in?

Kerrie Hunt

THRINGS

Kerrie Hunt, partner, corporate & commercial Tell us a bit about your business

National law firm Thrings has been at the heart of the South West business community, in various incarnations, for more than 300 years. Lawyers in our Paragon offices in Bristol have a well-deserved reputation for providing exceptional legal advice to individuals, entrepreneurs, large corporates and multinationals on a range of commercial, property and personal matters, working alongside them to help them succeed and grow.

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Bristol is an exciting, vibrant and prosperous city which continues to attract and retain some fantastically talented people. We have two excellent universities and a world-class creative and tech sector that, together with the city’s green and smart city credentials, ensures that Bristol remains a great place to do business. For us, this means we get to work with some really innovative businesses and individuals.

What challenges are your clients facing?

While uncertainty around Brexit continues to make strategic planning a challenge for some clients, other day-to-day hurdles lie elsewhere.

Competing for and keeping talent is a battle for many businesses, particularly in the engineering, tech and professional services.

Another area to watch is artificial intelligence – or AI, the potential of which was debated by 200 leading business professionals at Thrings’ early-morning breakfast event at the recent Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. www.thrings.com

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I specialise in residential property work/conveyancing and have acquired an extensive breadth of knowledge in my 15 years of experience, spanning a wide range of property transactions from individual home owners to large developments. Having my length of service combined with the breadth of transactions I have managed, means I am well placed to ensure the buying or selling of a property(ies) is as smooth as possible. www.vwv.co.uk Margrielle Blake

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

Change for a Quarter: the 21st-century hub of new Bristol businesses

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BUSINESS SPECIAL THE FINANCE EXPERTS

Tony Anderson

Anderson Financial Management Tony Anderson, managing director Tell us a bit about your business

Anderson Financial Management is a chartered financial planning firm based in Clifton, providing bespoke financial planning and wealth-management services to individuals, businesses, families, trusts and charities all over the UK. We focus on working closely with our clients and building long-term relationships, rather than being merely transactional.

The cornerstone of our approach is consistent, transparent and thorough advice delivered through regular face-to-face meetings. In short, our job is to make complex financial planning decisions easy for our clients.

What areas do you specialise in?

“The cornerstone of our approach is consistent, transparent and thorough advice delivered through regular face-to-face meeting”

We offer two distinct wealth management services. A personal service, focusing on Tony Anderson areas such as pre/ post-retirement, investment and intergenerational financial planning, preserving wealth for our clients and future generations. A business owner service, tailored to entrepreneurs, directors and partners in LLPs, which focuses on the unique challenges they have in structuring their financial planning, both for themselves and their businesses. Bristol is alive with entrepreneurial spirit and we are thrilled to be sponsoring the ‘New Business’ category at the Bristol Life Awards!

invaluable support to those living with cancer and we couldn’t be more proud to be able to support them in their fantastic work. We are also a keen sponsor of Old Bristolians RFC at both junior and senior levels. www.andersonfinancial.co.uk

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

Bishop Fleming

Community engagement is very important to us. Our charity partner is the amazing Bristol-based Penny Brohn UK. Penny Brohn UK offers Roger Pimblett

Roger Pimblett, partner – corporate and business services What areas do you specialise in?

I work with a broad range of entrepreneurial businesses. Each has unique needs, from accounting support and budgeting, to more complex strategic matters such as ownership structure and exit planning. Tax is an important element of our work, ensuring clients comply with the law and take advantage of planning opportunities. As a growing business ourselves, we understand the challenges facing our clients and we work with them to overcome them.

What challenges are your clients facing?

While many clients have bounced back from quieter times, others continue to struggle. Ensuring they all have access to accurate, relevant and timely financial information and advice equips them to make informed decisions to respond quickly to opportunities that arise.

Economics aside, we have dedicated specialist teams helping our clients cope with a seemingly ever-increasing legislative burden.

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

We are passionate about supporting the communities in which we work and live. We run an annual work experience programme for students to gain an insight into the world of accounting and the opportunities that exist. We also regularly sponsor the Bristol Rugby Community Foundation’s ‘Break The Cycle’ campaign. In July of this year 14 of our people collectively rode 945 miles! We are currently planning community events to celebrate our centenary in 2019. www.bishopfleming.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

A thoughtful moment at Bristol Private Equity Club

Bristol Private Equity Club Jerry Barnes, founding director

Tell us a bit about your business

Bristol Private Equity Club (BPEC) enables those who have been successful in business to pass on their expertise and vital funds to businesses with a bright future.

In return for investing in a business we take a significant minority equity stake and have the right to attend board meetings. We nominate a member to help with the investment process and potentially act as a mentor thereafter.

The club was founded in May 2016 and has grown from six to 70 members, primarily supporting Jerry Barnes projects requiring between £100,000 and £500,000 of equity funding. Some £3.6 million has been invested so far, in a wide range of businesses.”

“As our portfolio grows, so does the benefit for Bristol”

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of

I am proud of the fact that we are putting something back into the local economy. Far from being just a group of successful people looking for a hot investment opportunity to increase our own wealth, we only look for investments with a strong connection to Bristol. As our portfolio grows, so does the benefit for Bristol. www.bristolprivateequityclub.com

Ernst & Young

Andrew Perkins, managing partner, Bristol; Andy Blackmore, head of financial services, South West and Wales.

Tell us a bit about your business

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. In the South West and Wales, we serve a wide range of clients from fast-growing entrepreneurial start-ups through to large privatelyowned, FTSE 350 companies and some of the world’s leading multinational companies. We employ nearly 400 people in the region, with plans to grow to over 500 people in the next two years, and our teams have particular strengths in aerospace and defence, power and utilities and financial services.

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Andrew Perkins

Andy Blackmore

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Bristol and the wider South West & Wales region continues to be a thriving and economically prosperous region, as well as an important market for EY, which is reflected by the firm’s continued investment.

The region continues to be one of the top financial services centres outside of London, employing tens of thousands of people and contributing billions to the local economy.

EY has invested with the opening of a dedicated regional financial services practice in Bristol, which has seen extensive growth over the past four years. EY has also invested across the other sectors as it sees the South West as an important region. The region has great companies, from new, fast-growth entrepreneurial organisations to well-established companies – many of which need a financial advisor to sit alongside them and help them grow.

What challenges are your clients facing?

The digital economy is fast-moving and the future is largely unknown.

But what we do know is that the digital revolution is disrupting every industry, and no-one will be immune to the changes all businesses need to prepare for.

EY recently teamed up with Business West to deliver Innovation South West, a digital conference where we invited South West businesses to explore practical ways that digital and technological advancements can be utilised to gain competitive advantage and avoid risk. At EY, we are always looking to help our clients find new ways of thinking and acting as our world continues to be disrupted by technology and innovation. www.ey.com

BUSINESS SPECIAL HANDELSBANKEN

Jo Norton, Bristol office branch manager Tell us a bit about your business

Handelsbanken is a local relationship bank that has a different perspective from many other banks. We are driven only by our customers, designing tailored solutions to suit their demands. Because we are not target-driven, we can take a long-term view, investing time to get to know our customers, their needs and ambitions. Our customers benefit from only dealing with people they know – experienced bankers who understand the local market – and the majority of all lending decisions are made within the branch.

Tell us a business fact you are particularly proud of

“Because we are not target-driven, we can take a longterm view, investing time to get to know our customers”

For nine years running, Handelsbanken has come top in an independent satisfaction survey of UK personal and business banking customers (EPSI Rating, 2009-2017), and most recently ranked top in four of the five categories identified by the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) JO NORTON independent service quality survey for business banking. We believe this shows just how much our customers value our long-term relationship banking, of which we are very proud.

What challenges are your clients facing?

Brexit is continuing to cause uncertainty for many of our customers, but one thing they can be sure of is Handelsbanken’s commitment to the UK market for the long term. While there may be changes to the

Jo Norton

way we are structured in order to meet UK regulatory requirements, it is simply ‘business as usual’ for our customers with all of our branches continuing to provide local, personal and digital banking to individuals and businesses in communities across the UK. www.handelsbanken.co.uk

Jeff Durant and director Katie Moss

OTIUM

Jeff Durant, managing director

Tell us a bit about your business

Otium Partners is a family office specialising in managing the financial affairs and lifestyle needs of busy people. We focus on giving people back time – the one thing we cannot create more of. We use our expertise to manage and co-ordinate a range of financial needs from tax and legal to investments and banking. Our specialised debt advisory service helps individuals and businesses raise finance for all types of property and business needs. Our lifestyle concierge service manages not only the complex issues our clients face but also the practical day-to-day tasks that take up time.

What challenges are your clients facing?

Everyone has a busy life; at work and at home and sometimes juggling priorities can be a real challenge.

With so much to do and get organised, often the “less interesting”, yet still important, tasks just don’t get done. Our role is to quite simply get things done for our clients, from the complex to the more mundane.

Tell us a business fact you’re proud of

We have come through our first year with a great reputation and strong brand recognition and are building the business to the next level. www.otiumpartners.com

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THE RECRUITMENT FIRMS Element Recruitment Dan Morris, regional director

Tell us a bit about your business

Element Recruitment was founded in January 2016 by tenured recruiters Steve Colegate and Steph Jenkins; I joined them a couple of months later. From our city-centre location, we specialise in accountancy, business support, administration, HR and architecture recruitment in Bristol and across the wider South West. We’ve grown rapidly to a team of 18 specialist, experienced recruiters. Since opening we’ve helped 656 people find new career opportunities.

What’s the secret of your success?

Our rapid growth is due to every individual in the market who’s trusted us with their careers and company vacancies. We deliver a personal, ethical and successful service, benefitting from repeat business and being referred to new individuals along the way.

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

Mike Livings

Jelf

Mike Livings, branch director

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of

I passed my professional insurance examinations and the Institute of Leadership and Management examinations in the same year!

Preparing for these while maintaining a day job was challenging but I’m acutely aware, as I was back then, of the importance of professional qualifications in providing quality advice and guidance to my clients. In today’s business environment, clients need to feel confident in the level of investment in the people they entrust to deliver value to their organisation.

As a Bristol based start-up, we know the importance of being part of a community and value those relationships. So, we joined Badminton School’s sixth form for their careers week, running presentations on CV-writing, job-seeking and graduate applications. We attended the North Somerset Careers Convention, writing several prescriptive, career advice blogs on topics relevant to their experience, and took part in mock interviews at Priory and Worle Schools.

As Bristol City FC supporters, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sponsor local football teams: Mendip Broadwalk FC U12’s team and Long Ashton Juniors FC U7s. We’ve given our time free of charge to give talks as part of outplacement services, for companies going through large-scale redundancy programs. www.element-recruitment.co.uk

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

I devote a lot of time and effort to organisations focused on the environment. An example is Bristol Zoo, an award-winning conservation and education charity.

I encourage contacts and clients to engage in conservation activities through their own networking and employee engagement with the end result being a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Mike Livings

“I encourage contacts and clients to engage in conservation activities through their own networking and employee engagement” most proud of in your business career?

What are you

My appointment as managing director at a previous firm. The rewards and challenges that came with the position enabled me to grow and progress to the point where I am today. One of the most important lessons I learned is that clients that share the company’s values will stay with you. It is a lesson I have carried with me and one that continues to serve our business well. www.jelf.com

Dan Morris xxxxxxx

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

“Local commercial clients are keen to embrace technological advances and modern working practices” Lee Bignall of Mobius, who built Cargo at Wapping Wharf for Umberslade

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Proper job Looking for a maintenance contractor you can trust? Call Mobius Works . . .

L

ounges was founded in 2002 by a trio of long standing friends.

Starting with their first restaurant, The Lounge, on North Street, Bedminster the chain now comprises of more than 120 restaurants throughout England and Wales. The restaurants are well known for their quirky yet very comfortable interior designs.

In 2017, Mobius Works was appointed as one of the group’s maintenance contractors for restaurants located throughout the South West and the Midlands.

Throughout the region, Mobius’ dedicated team is on hand seven days a week to respond to any emergency maintenance requirements and repairs. These have included leaking roofs and damage to property doors, windows and

interiors and ensure the restaurants are safe and able to trade as normal with minimal disruption to business.

When asked his reason for selecting Mobius, Sam White, head of maintenance at Lounges said: “I was very impressed with Mobius’ approach from the start, and it was clear they had a very good understanding of our requirements.

“It is a pleasure to work with the whole Mobius team. They always do what they say they will do, we are kept up-to-date with clear information, and the job is always completed in a timely manner and at a fair price.”

Mobius is a leading integrated services company offering electrical, mechanical and build services for commercial, industrial and luxury residential projects.

If you have an upcoming project, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch today for a noobligation consultation. ■

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

Team Heat Recruitment (with some Bears, sporting shirts sponsored by the company)

Heat Recruitment

BUSINESS SERVICE

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of

Mel Beeby Clarke, director

Chris Birtle, learning & development director

We are the first recruitment company in Bristol to be awarded with the Workplace Wellbeing Charter by Public Health England. It goes against the grain to how recruitment companies have traditionally been perceived and it’s something we are extremely proud to have been accredited for. Wellbeing is inextricably linked to staff engagement, motivation and retention, which are all pivotal to us succeeding in such a competitive market.

What challenges are your clients facing?

Recruiting highly skilled candidates within our markets (engineering, insurance, FS, legal and IT) remains a difficult task for the vast majority.

While many businesses have a direct hiring model to complement an external recruitment strategy, most clients recognise that the skill in recruitment isn’t just finding a CV online. Where a good recruiter can really add value is in helping to target more ‘passive’ candidates, and crucially, managing and influencing the process for clients and candidates. It’s here where we can really help our clients attract the top talent in the market.

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

“Most clients recognise that the skill in recruitment isn’t just finding a CV online”

So we had 21 of our Chris BirTLe employee’s recently take part in Tough Mudder at Badminton to raise money for Changes Bristol, a fantastic charity to that runs mental health support groups in Bristol. We also host an annual charity golf day which this year is set to be our biggest yet, with approximately 72 players expected for the day to help raise money for Fairshare, another Bristol based charity. As a Bristol-based company we feel it’s important to support local charities.

We also took a big leap this year to become an official shirt sponsor to Bristol Bears, so hoping for a successful season! www.heatrecruitment.co.uk

Ambitious PR

Tell us a bit about your business

We’re a Bristol-based independent PR agency with a team of experienced public relations, digital and marketing professionals. We’re also the team responsible for bringing the successful Social Media Week to the city – curating an event that attracts over 2,500 delegates across 30 plus events around Bristol.

Share a business fact of which you’re particularly proud

Earlier this year we were named Best Public Relations Agency in the UK with under 40 staff at the national RAR Drum magazine awards.

We were really excited to win this award, as we were competing with the cream of the industry nationally, and the award was based purely on client feedback.

What areas do you specialise in?

Our core area of expertise is in corporate and business-to-business communications founded in media relations and digital PR expertise.

We work across a number of sectors including legal, financial, commercial property, Mel Beeby education, healthcare Clarke and pharmaceutical, which gives us a good overview of the business landscape and the trends shaping the South West and beyond.

We’re experienced in media, influencer and blogger relations, digital PR, content marketing, copywriting, stakeholder mapping and engagement, social media management and crisis and issues management. www.ambitiouspr.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL Business West

Tara Gillam, head of enterprise

Tell us a bit about your business:

Business West is a not-for-profit company whose purpose is to remove barriers to business growth to make this area the best place to live, learn and work. We achieve this by helping businesses to start, grow, innovate and export, as well as lobbying government on their behalf to tackle key challenges.

What areas do you specialise in?

I manage the Enterprise Services team which covers all our projects and services which help businesses to start, grow and scale-up.

Our team support businesses across the whole of the South West, we provide business advice, help accessing funding, and also specific support in areas such as marketing and business planning. We also have Tara Gillam marketing workshops and business planning workshops running monthly in Bristol for new entrepreneurs – you can book these on the Business West website.

“Over the past five years the Enterprise team have helped over 750 businesses to start trading”

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of?

20,000 businesses have connected with Business West since our launch, and over the past five years the enterprise team have helped over 750 businesses to start trading and created an additional 600 jobs in these businesses. Alongside this we have supported 522 businesses to access over £4.5M in Start-up Loans. www.businesswest.co.uk

Tara Gillam

Latchams Direct

Amanda Woollaston, head of marketing Tell us a bit about your business

Amanda Woollaston

Latcham Direct is a market-leading provider of data, digital print, digital marketing and fulfilment services. We work with customers throughout the UK, enabling them to increase customer engagement through multi-channel personalised communications. We have a secure production site in Hengrove, Bristol and employ over 100 people.

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Latcham Direct has its roots firmly in South Bristol, and a great many of our staff are local people. The city is continually growing and changing, attracting large blue-chip, media and other businesses, which is great; however, there are a few fundamental issues that need to be resolved, particularly within South Bristol to attract inward investment and for more businesses to settle here. Transport, infrastructure and available sites for business development is lacking. This needs to be addressed so that local people can take advantage of local jobs.

What areas do you specialise in?

I head up the marketing function for Latcham Direct and since joining the business in April 2017, I have restructured the marketing effort, working closely with our MD Mike Hughes to make the most of our brand, target core sectors and raise the profile of the business as a UK provider of specialist services. So, no two days are the same. My role which is supported by our marketing assistant, encompasses digital and social media, brand development, events, PR, campaign management, strategy and CRM management. I also support the wider sales function with appointment setting/lead generation and I am continuing to manage a major initiative that looks at the way in which we evaluate and manage bid opportunities. www.latchamdirect.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL Mobius

Lee Bignall, managing director

Lee Bignall

Tell us a bit about your business

Mobius is a leading integrated services company providing innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and luxury residential sectors.

What areas do you specialise in?

Our services cover every aspect of electrical, mechanical or build projects from the initial design and installation right through to ongoing maintenance: Electrical – As a leading team of expert electrical contractors, we’re proficient in the design and installation of all types of commercial, industrial and residential electrical applications.

Mechanical – From concept to completion we project manage the design and installation of all the services every building needs to make it function in the Lee Bignall optimum way.

Build – We excel in the delivery of firstrate building services including refits and refurbishment projects for business and high-end residential clients.

Maintenance and compliance – For many businesses ensuring compliance in the face of increasingly complex regulation can be something of a challenge. Our reactive and planned maintenance and compliance services give clients peace of mind and the freedom to focus on running their business.

“Despite the industry being perceived as being stuck in its ways, we find the Bristol market very innovative and dynamic” What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Despite the industry being perceived as being stuck in its ways, we find the Bristol market very innovative and dynamic. Local commercial clients are keen to embrace technological advances and modern working practices, and we find residential clients to be discerning, busy professionals, with a taste for quality, technology and no appetite for hassle or managing multiple trades to get the job done successfully. www.mobiusworks.co.uk

Westcom SW

Andrew West, sales director

Tell us a bit about your business?

Westcom (SW) Ltd is an approved partner of both EE and BT business products and services. With a trading history of more than 25 years, Westcom has seen a great deal of changes to the telecommunications industry.

What areas do you specialise in?

As an EE business-approved partner, Westcom prides itself in offering a personal and tailored service to local business. We offer an accountmanagement service for all our business customers, endeavouring to build strong relationships with an understanding of the customer’s ongoing needs. It’s the rapport and understanding that our account managers develop with the customer, that creates lasting business relationships. This service is at the core of Westcom’s approach to business. Putting our customers first and providing unbiased, honest advice and solutions.

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of

Andrew West

I am particularly proud to say that I have developed a business that has grown to be sustainable and durable, even throughout times of economic difficulty. I have dedicated more than 25 years of my life to developing Westcom, and I am equally proud of the dedication and hard work of my staff over the years. I hope to see Westcom remain as strong as it is now, for another 25 years. www.westcomltd.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

Domus Holmes

Jerome Lartaud, director

Tell us a bit about your business

Domus Holmes Property Finder provides an independent property finding service. We find properties, negotiate the purchase price and manage the conveyancing exclusively for buyers. We have over 20 combined years in property, through law, investment and development, that have given us an extensive network of contacts which we use to find properties. Because we tailor our service to suit our clients, their requirements and their budget, we have acted for buyers from all walks of life, with infinite reasons for purchasing property. And the properties we have been asked to search for have been equally as varied – from a garage to a large industrial space.

What challenges are your clients facing?

Julian Cook

THE PROPERTY SPECIALISTS Burston Cook Julian Cook, director

What are you most proud of in your business career?

Starting from scratch at the age of 27, I sent a photograph of my first ‘To Let’ signboard to my late father who supported me by guaranteeing my business loan. Four years later, I sent him a copy of my loan account statement showing it had been fully paid off. 25 years on, Burston Cook has this year won the EGi Award as the Most Active Commercial Property Agent in Bristol, based on transactions secured – I wish I could raise a glass with him now, and I am sure he would be proud.

Many buyers believe that registering with their local estate agents means that estate agents are looking out for their interests. What they don’t realise is that estate agents are retained by the seller, and they are legally obliged to act in the best interest of the seller.

So it’s quite remarkable that buyers gamble such large sums of money without any professional help of their own. That’s where buying agents come in: we level the playing field by representing the buyer and dealing directly with the seller’s representative, the estate agent.

Tell us something about you that people would feel surprising?

Our cat, Lea, is our HR manager! Also, as a property lawyer, Claire Russell has acted for a number of extremely famous people…who, of course, must remain nameless. www.domusholmes.co.uk

Jerome Lartaud and Claire Russell

Tell us a bit about your business

As the most active commercial property agent in Bristol (EGI Awards 2018), we aim to keep ahead of the market and to maintain our position as Bristol’s leading commercial property advisors.

We are a wholly independent local practice based only in Bristol, and specialising only in Bristol and the surrounding areas. We Julian Cook act for many major national clients and handle some of the largest office transactions in Bristol, however, we also recognise the need to serve the smaller local business-occupiers in Bristol, and all client work is treated with the same level of enthusiasm and professionalism.

We are a wholly independent local practice based only in Bristol and specialising only in Bristol”

Tell us something about you people might find surprising

I failed my first year at university! www.burstoncook.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL Savills bristol

Vicky Dudbridge, director Tell us a bit about your business…

Francine Watson

Knight Frank

Francine Watson, associate

What areas do you specialise in?

I work within the residential department at Knight Frank LLP, heading up our new homes team in the South West region. Our dedicated new homes teams are based in the residential sales offices of Bristol and Bath, along with our site sales team in Exeter.

We specialise in a variety of areas, including consultancy work during the development stages of a scheme, sales and marketing advice and property sales.

Savills Bristol is part of a global real estate business.

Founded in the UK in 1855, we operate across the property spectrum, offering a comprehensive range of specialist advisory, management and transactional services.

Our clients benefit from the friendliness and perspective of a local agency, along with the scope and best-in-class expertise of a leading international business.

What areas do you specialise in?

Vicky Dudbridge

“Despite stamp duty changes and Brexit uncertainty, the need for homes in Bristol has kept transactions ticking over”

I think we would all agree that Bristol is a truly fabulous city, which has really blossomed into the place we know and love today. It is a welcoming city for all ages and interests, with an eclectic mix of people at its heart. Over the years, we have seen the city’s brownfield sites transformed into thriving places to live, work and play. What is exciting is this has created a ripple effect on other areas close to the centre and Temple Meads such as Bedminster and Southville.

With two offices in Bristol, we are the South West’s largest property agency team, covering all aspects of commercial, residential and Francine Watson development markets.

I am a director in our residential development sales team, and look after the sale and marketing of new-build developments in the Bristol area. I help clients to build the right scheme in the right place and support buyers in finding the property that is right for them.

Can you sum up the state of the Bristol property market in 2018?

What predictions do you have for the Bristol property scene in 2019?

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Bristol has a very good local economy so the property market has held strong. While other property markets may have suffered at the hands of stamp duty changes or the uncertainty of the Brexit negotiations, the need for homes in and around Bristol has kept transactions ticking over.

Career opportunities for graduates and professionals; the availability of help-to-buy schemes; excellent schools for families and luxurious properties for people looking to downsize have kept the market resilient. www.knightfrank.co.uk

2019 is shaping up to be an exciting time in the new-build sector in Bristol, with the launch of several significant schemes, which together will support the continued success of the city as a vibrant and soughtafter place to live. Wapping Wharf on Bristol’s thriving harbourside, Factory Number One in buzzing Bedminster and the Chocolate Factory in Greenbank are just a few developments that we will be bringing to market next year, offering more choice than ever before. n www.savills.co.uk

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Explore Cardiff The city’s seven unique Victorian and Edwardian Arcades have been attracting shoppers for over a century.

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isiting Cardiff’s arcades couldn’t be easier, just an hour from Bath or 50 minutes from Bristol by train. Set in the heart of the city and a short walk from the railway station, the arcades contain over 100 independent stores, eateries and bars making it easy to see why Cardiff is known as the City of Arcades.

Built between 1858 and 1921, the arcades were originally home to Cardiff’s fortune tellers and apothecaries before becoming the bright and airy shopping malls of the Victorian and Edwardian era. As you walk through the different arcades, you’ll notice the varying architectural styles; from the stunning hand-painted gothic style floors of Duke Street arcade, which links Cardiff Castle to the High Street; to the balconies and arches of Castle Arcade.

Escape the crowds, and remember how great shopping can be as you wander through each arcade.

Start the day with breakfast at one of the many independent cafés, such as Waterloo Tea, recently voted the Cardiffian’s favourite arcadebased business, in Wyndham Arcade. Alongside a breakfast menu including smashed avocado and Turkish eggs, they also serve a range of over 60 teas sourced from India, China, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Japan.

Housing some of Cardiff’s unique clothing stores, fashion lovers will find everything from the vintage styles of Princes and Paupers and Sobeys Vintage, through to more contemporary

designs at boutique designer store Dot Clothing, alongside big names like Pretty Green and Fred Perry.

Brides-to-be are well catered for, with several bridal stores and jewellers including Perfection Bridal and contemporary jewellers Brooklinde Designer Goldsmiths. Grooms-to-be should head to Hawkes Essentials to find their perfect suit, with The Brogue Trader providing the dancing shoes, whilst the mother-of-the-bride and bridesmaids can enjoy a glass of prosecco at Nine Yards.

Lunch is an international affair, with Americanstyle subs and hoagies at New York Deli, Italian pasta and pizza at Café Minuet or Viennese pastries and open sandwiches at Wally’s Delicatessen and Kaffeehaus. Vegans will love plant-based Ruin Café serving up everything from brunch through to cocktails.

Stroll through the many specialist shops, stocking everything from art supplies at The Pen and Paper and board games at Rules of Play through to music store PMT and Cuban cigar shop Havana House. Take in a piece of Cardiff’s history with a visit to Spillers Records, the oldest record store in the world.

You can easily make a weekend of it by

staying at Hotel Indigo, which is situated in Dominions Arcade. It combines traditional and contemporary Welsh aesthetics to create the perfect place to stay. Dine at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, located on the hotel’s top floor, before finishing off the evening with a bespoke cocktail at Gin & Juice in Castle Arcade.

Still need help planning your visit? Go to www. thecityofarcades.com to explore the full list of businesses and hear from some of the owners themselves. n

Share your stories, photos and memories with FOR Cardiff by using #cityofarcades and see Cardiff from a new angle. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 31

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Pitfalls of probate In the second of a series of articles AMD SOLICITORS discuss the pitfalls of DIY probate.

In this instalment Sarah Burgess, a solicitor dealing with contentious and non-contentious probate, highlights some of the issues she has come across.

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here have been many occasions when an executor of a will has come to our firm for advice after beginning to administer an estate but things haven’t gone according to plan. Our job is to help the executors progress the estate efficiently while keeping the beneficiaries well-informed so

that the executors themselves do not become personally liable for causing loss to the estate.

The legal costs involved in resolving a dispute or rectifying any errors will often far outweigh the initial costs of seeking professional legal advice regarding the estate administration.

If you find yourself named as an executor in a will, you should be aware of the most common pitfalls to avoid:

1. NOT PLACING TRUSTEE NOTICES It is a good idea to place Trustee Act notices in the newspaper because these advertise for any creditors to come forward within two months of the notices being placed and protect executors from becoming personally liable to creditors who come forward after the estate has been distributed.

2. DISTRIBUTING THE ESTATE TOO SOON AND OVER-DISTRIBUTING TO BENEFICIARIES This mistake is quite common, especially as beneficiaries often put pressure on executors to finalise estates quickly. However, there is a legal process that needs to be followed which takes time.

You do not want to be in the very awkward position of having to try and claim money back from a beneficiary who may have already spent it!

A recent and catastrophic example of an executor distributing the estate too soon can be seen in Harris as PR of Helena Norma McDonald v HMRC where the executor submitted an inheritance tax account to HMRC but before receiving tax clearance from them, he distributed the estate to the beneficiary because the beneficiary had agreed to pay any tax due.

“YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE IN THE VERY AWKWARD POSITION OF HAVING TO TRY AND CLAIM MONEY BACK FROM A BENEFICIARY WHO MAY HAVE ALREADY SPENT IT” However, the beneficiary has since absconded to Barbados, and because the law says that it is the personal representatives who are liable for any inheritance tax due on a deceased person’s estate, the court has ruled that Mr Harris now has to make the payment of £341,278 to HMRC. Executors could also face fines and penalties from HMRC if they do not pay the inheritance tax due for an estate on time or are found to have submitted an inaccurate account through negligence. ■

For advice on wills, inheritance tax, lasting powers of attorney, administration of estates and all other private client issues, please contact Sarah Burgess or another member of our team on 0117 962 1205, email probate@amdsolicitors.com or call into one of our four Bristol offices.

100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ 15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS 139 Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL 2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 33

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Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

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www.burstoncook.co.uk

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

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