ISSN 2396-8907
SPRING 2016
Local business going places
The Big Interview Ashley Rogers, North Wales Business Council
West Cheshire & North Wales
Chamber of Commerce
Chamber News
Chief Executive Officer’s Message A slightly belated, but very warm New Year welcome to you all on behalf of myself and the Team at the Chamber. TIME continues to ‘fly by’ and it’s hard to believe that we are already at the end of the first quarter of 2016. I can only assume that our continued activity and growth as a Chamber has prevented me from watching the clock and as we maintain our current momentum it’s exciting to think of what the remainder of 2016 has in store for us as a business. The Chamber has some great plans in place to ensure that every one of our members will gain a real value from their association with the Chamber – I do hope that YOU are making the most of your membership? Debbie Stokes and her Team have a host of events and services which we are sure will help YOUR business grow in the coming months so please be sure to make the very most of your membership in the coming weeks and months. Similarly our International Trade services continue to evolve and develop. The Chamber is working closely with key partners across the country to ensure a suite of Export services are at YOUR disposal so if you are considering new markets then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Team. On a strategic basis the Chamber continues to be the main voice of business in West Cheshire & North Wales. Through our engagement with local government, key governmental institutions and other partners we are continuing to lobby on behalf of the business community on those key issues that affect us all such as transport and infrastructure, business support, the gap between young people and business, business ambition and International Trade to name but a few. As the emergence of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ continues to develop
and with ‘devolution’ within England a current ‘hot topic’, our Chamber is helping to play a key role in how West Cheshire & North Wales fits into this new landscape – our work with the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, the North Wales Business Council and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board is helping the Chamber to deliver the views of its members and specifically the SME community. Nationally we have some big decisions to make as a nation this year. Our role within Europe will be debated heavily and the views of business will be essential in assisting voters in terms of which box they tick at the referendum. Internationally, the continued uncertainty on the global economy may force us as a nation into further austerity and may have an impact on business performance and the general economy across the world. We have a lot to do and a lot to consider in 2016. Britain’s fortunes will depend on UK government policy coupled with the efforts of the business community. There’s so much that needs to be done, from infrastructure and tax to skills and export support. 2016 must be a year of action, focused on preparing the British economy for the future. Building a true partnership between government and business, like so many other successful economies around the world, is absolutely essential. As a Chamber we can only do this with your help and support so please continue to engage with our Chamber, let us know the issues you face as a business, ensure you make the very most of your membership with us every day of every week and let us work together to steer our local, national and international economies to prosperity.
Colin Brew Chief Executive Officer, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Many best wishes for the year ahead.
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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cover story
ISSN 2396-8 907
CONTENT
SPRING 20 16
Local busin ess going place s
The Big Interview
The Big Int
24 erview
Ashley Rog ers, North Wal es Busines s Council West Chesh ire & North Wales
Chamber
of Commer ce
Events Round Up Networking Fun from the region
West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Ashley Rogers, MD Gill & Shaw Ltd / Chairman – North Wales Business Council
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Charlotte Maloney Marketing and Communications Officer Riverside Innovation Centre 1 Castle Drive Chester CH1 1SL
Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in the magazine, neither the Chamber nor the publisher can accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies it contains.
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32 Spotlight On... Cheshire West, right at the heart of the north west of England
North Wales Businesses White Paper
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NEWS A roundup of the region’s news
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE
WCNW International Trade Forum & Launch of Member area of Website
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GETTING STARTED
With Jane Marshall Principal Consultant/Director Marshall HR Consulting Ltd
28 WHITEPAPER
Welsh Government Biased and Not Doing Enough, say North Wales Businesses
30 24 HOURS WITH...
Michelle Collins, Director / Owner, Pink Spaghetti PA Services
39 TOP TIPS...
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Clara from Zebra Marketing shares some top-tips on how to effectively market your business.
40 NEW MEMBERS
A list of our new members
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Chamber News Ellis and Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers have joined forces with the Chamber of Commerce by becoming Strategic Members THE Chester-based accountancy firm have been Chamber Members for a number of years and, as a result, have developed strong and lasting ties with the
organisation, a relationship which they will continue to build upon over the next year. Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers was established in
Colin Brew Chief Executive Officer, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce and Robert Ellis Principal, Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants
1989 by the firm’s Principal, Robert Ellis. Today, the firm now helps support over 400 businesses from across the region and continues to grow and expand its client portfolio year-on-year. Ellis & Co play an active role both within the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce and the wider community, often collaborating with local charities and organisations to help develop the region. Ellis & Co is now regarded as one of the leading accountancy and business adviser firms in the region, with the new Chamber partnership further reinforcing their reputation in the area. Over the next 12 months, the firm will work in close partnership with the Chamber team to help achieve its vision to build local economic strength, whilst also taking the opportunity to continue to raise their profile in the region.
Speaking at his firm’s Chester-based office, Robert Ellis said ‘I’m delighted to have been invited to become a Strategic Member of the Chamber. Ellis & Co have worked closely with WCNW Chamber for many years. They have been an excellent support to the business and this gives me the opportunity to support both their existing and new Chamber Members in the future.’’ Debbie Stokes, Membership Director at the Chamber of Commerce said ‘’We are extremely happy to have Ellis and Co join us as Strategic Members, they have always been heavily involved and active within the Chamber and the business community, so we are really pleased to reinforce our goals through this new partnership. 2016 is shaping up to be an exciting year for both Ellis & Co and the Chamber.’’
Umbrella Marketing Team join the Chamber as Strategic Members 2016 AT just over a year old, Umbrella Marketing Team continues to go from strength to strength and have now partnered with the Chamber of Commerce as Strategic Members for 2016. With a recently expanded team and an expansive portfolio of clients, Umbrella Marketing Team’s reputation continues to grow as the company establishes itself as
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one of the leading marketing companies in the region. Since joining the Chamber, Umbrella Marketing Team have taken a proactive approach, getting involved in all aspects of Chamber life from the Start-Up Club to the general networking events and have often led presentations with tips on how to help businesses develop their marketing
West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Claire Davies, Head of Marketing Services for Umbrella Marketing Team with Colin Brew Chief Executive Officer, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Chamber News strategy. After working together closely with the Chamber since joining as Members, the team have forged a strong relationship with the organisation. Through their new role as Strategic Members, Umbrella Marketing Team will continue to benefit from the support of the Chamber, whilst also utilising the Chamber’s many
business connections from across the region. Upon becoming Strategic Members, Claire Davies, Head of Marketing Services at Umbrella Marketing Team said ‘’We are delighted at having been invited to become one of the Chamber’s Strategic Members as we launch into our second year of business. We have always been so active within the Chamber
so having the opportunity to strengthen our ties by partnering as Strategic Members is brilliant. We are so excited as to what lies ahead for our company over the next 12 months and I am sure our new partnership with the Chamber will help us achieve our goals moving forward.’’ Debbie Stokes, Membership Director said “having worked
with Umbrella Marketing Team since their early days, it has been fantastic to see the team expand rapidly and the company undergo such a massive period of success. As a new business, they have already established themselves within the local region and we hope that through their new role as Strategic Members, their success continues well into 2016.’’
Hillyer McKeown are the latest Chamber Member to partner with the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce as Strategic Members. THE firm have been providing legal advice to clients in need for more than 70 years. Hillyer McKeown’s focus on exceptional client service is inherent to their success as they are committed to working with clients across Cheshire, Merseyside, the Wirral and North Wales. The firm have recently opened new offices in Chester and as a result of the new location; new connections are being created in the city. By joining the Chamber of Commerce as Strategic Members, the firm hope to strengthen their ties within the region and further cement their reputation as one of the leading legal firms in the North West. The new partnership with the Chamber of Commerce will see the firm work closely with the Chamber over the next 12 months and marks the beginning of an exciting time for the firm and the Chamber. With a large commercial client base, the firm already possess a strong understanding of what businesses need in order to succeed and now through their role as Strategic Members, they hope to gain a deeper understanding of the local business community.
Colin Brew Chief Executive Officer, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce with Justine Watkinson of Hillyer McKeown
Colin Brew, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber said ‘It’s fantastic to see Hillyer McKeown join as Strategic Members as we launch into 2016. The firm are passionate about helping clients grow their businesses and therefore share a similar vision to the Chamber in their desire to take a proactive approach in promoting business growth in the region. We
look forward to working with them over the next 12 months and building long lasting connections with the firm.’’ Richard Burnett, Partner at Hillyer McKeown commenting on the new partnership “it was clear to us that there was tremendous synergy between the goals of the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber and the impact
that we want have on the business community in this area. We want to encourage economic growth in the region and by becoming the Chamber’s strategic legal member, it gives us a tremendous joint platform to help support that growth”. The new partnership marks an exciting time for both teams looking ahead to what 2016 has to offer.
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Member News
20% passenger increase in January makes it 12 months of continued growth at LJLA INCREASES in passenger numbers seen at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) in recent months continued
throughout January, with 20% more passengers choosing to fly through LJLA compared to the first month of 2015.
January’s figures completes 12 consecutive months of growth at Liverpool with just over 300,000 passengers
passing through the Airport in January – 50,000 more than the same period last year. Strong passenger figures on established routes, in addition to new services launched earlier last year to Amsterdam, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh and Riga, have all contributed to the growing numbers as more passengers chose to fly through LJLA in January. 2015 was Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s busiest year since 2012 with an 8% passenger increase compared to 2014. Further passenger growth at Liverpool is expected to continue throughout 2016 with new and additional services due to commence in the coming months, reflecting the continued upsurge in business at the Airport.
Hand on Heart Wins Guardian Charity Award HAND ON HEART has been chosen as one of the top five UK charities to be honoured in the Guardian Charity Awards. The Manchester-based charity was honoured in a ceremony which took place at the Guardian Offices in London on 1st December and will now receive a £3000 prize fund along with a full training and support package. Hand on Heart CEO Victoria Burrows comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this prestigious
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award to receive this vote of confidence from the Guardian is a real honour and the prize and support package will allow us to help even more young people in 2016 and beyond.” Hand on Heart aims to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young people, to provide or fund defibrillators in schools and to educate young people about SCA and provide them with Basic Life Support training.
West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Founder and Chairman David Howarth comments: “I’m so proud of what we have achieved over the last three years and it is fantastic to receive national recognition for all that hard work. We still have a long way to go to ensuring every child in the UK goes to school in a heart safe environment and that every child can save a life by learning how to perform basic life support. Receiving this award will help raise the
profile of Hand on Heart which is fantastic as it will ultimately help us achieve our objectives.”
Member News
Coleg Cambria – officially excellent! IT’S official! Coleg Cambria has been rated as excellent by Estyn, achieving the highest inspection grades of any college in Wales for its Further Education provision. A team of Estyn inspectors spent two weeks at the college in November 2015 rigorously scrutinising every aspect of its work. In their final report published today, Estyn judged Coleg Cambria as “Excellent” for its current provision and prospects for improvement, the top two overall judgements.
“...success rates for substantial courses are excellent and place the college in the top quartile of all colleges in Wales.” Chair of the Governing Board, John Clutton, delighted with the report which states that the principal and governing body provide the college with strong, clear and effective leadership, said: “On behalf of the Board of Governors of the college I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in delivering or supporting this success. Cambria is only just over two years old, but it is already achieving the ambitions we set out prior to merger”. In the report, inspectors say that learner behaviour around the college is exemplary and that the college’s care, support and guidance package is sector leading. It also states that success rates for substantial courses are excellent and place the college in the top quartile of all colleges in Wales. Inspectors also highlight the fact that the college has
an exemplary strategy and highly effective practice to develop literacy and numeracy skills for learners. David Jones, Principal/Chief Executive said “The outcomes from our Estyn inspection are remarkable, and confirm Coleg Cambria’s position as a leading UK college, serving North East Wales and our regional cross-border economy. I am indebted to students, staff, governors and all our partners for their amazing commitment and support. I am so proud of everyone associated in any way with Cambria”. North Wales AM Aled Roberts: “This truly is an excellent report which is a credit to both staff and students. It highlights how Coleg Cambria plays a vital role in improving the skills base in North East Wales placing it at the forefront of developments to improve the regional economy”.
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TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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International Trade
West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce International Trade Forum is a world-class success THE third WCNW Chamber International Trade Forum was held on 9th February 2016 at the Riverside Innovation Centre, Chester and was attended by over 50 guests. Hosted by the Chamber’s Export Team and supported by a number of key speakers from across the region, the team run the forum with the aim of helping international traders with the exporting process and to ensure they maximize their growth potential when doing business overseas. With an early morning start, guests were greeted in the business lounge with hot breakfast and beverages and had the opportunity to meet, network and chat with fellow exporters from across the region before making their way into the conference suite for the Forum to begin. Over recent years, the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce international trade team has continued to grow and as a result has developed partnerships with key organisations, including working closely with the British Chambers
of Commerce, Welsh Government, UK Trade & Investment and banks. With such strong connections in the exporting community and with contacts across a range of sectors, the International Trade Forum is ever-growing in both size and popularity. The Forum began with a quick ‘Ice Breaker’ and Flip Chart Exercise from Becky Stark of Stark Export Focus. Barclays Bank also joined in the event, where Amanda Fulton-Russell, North West & North Wales Senior International Channel Manager gave a presentation on ‘Supporting You in Trading Internationally’, highlighting their commitment to helping address the challenges around the export process and how they are committed to help their customers deal in international trade with the implementation of a dedicated team of advisors and support packages at Barclays. This year marks the largest re-write and modernisation of the Customs regulations ever seen with the introduction of the new Union Customs Code. With the changes
The third WCNW Chamber International Trade Forum
coming into force on 1st May this year, guests had the opportunity to hear from Mark Rowbotham of PORTCULLIS ISC Customs Consultancy. As a B.C.C Accredited Trainer and ex-HMRC, Mark gave a topical presentation on ‘The Year of the Union Customs Code implementation’ and the implications of the UCC for both importers and exporters alike.. The event will be hosted by HM Revenue & Customs and our
trainer and ex HMRC Officer Mark Rowbotham. It is very competitively priced and if you would like to book a place on the event please visit our website http://wcnwchamber.org.uk/ event/unions-customs-codeand-authorised-economicoperator-seminar. To book onto our B.C.C Accredited Export training courses please visit http://wcnwchamber.org. uk/exporting/internationaltrade-training.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE THE International Trade Forum is part of a fantastic initiative by the Chamber to help local businesses get involved and thrive in the world of Export. If your company is already exporting or are just looking to break into
the Export marketplace, the International Trade Forum is a great place to start. Come along, meet fellow importers and exporters, and learn valuable exporting information and best of all, the event is free-of-
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charge for all Chamber Members! Our next quarterly International Trade Forum will be on the Wednesday 18th May 2016 at 12 noon and will include lunch, please pencil in your diaries and we really look forward to
seeing you there. Our next quarterly International Trade Forum will held be on at the Twickenham Suite, Mollington Banastre Hotel & Spa, Chester on Wednesday 18th May 2016 at 12 noon.
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TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Getting started “I help businesses create and implement the right people agenda for their business, which is focused on delivering the organisations strategy and goals.”
Name: Jane Marshall Job title: Principal Consultant/Director From: Marshall HR Consulting Ltd Age: 47 To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background. After completing a languages and business studies diploma at St Johns College Manchester I started work as a trainee at a printed carton manufacturer in Old Trafford. I moved south in my early 20’s, initially to Cambridge and then onto London. In Cambridge I worked for an independent financial adviser and attained the financial planning certificate which gave me a solid understanding of pensions, investments and life assurance – later to become extremely helpful in HR for reward and employee benefits. I fell into HR (as many of us do) while working for an IT business and during my tenure there year 2000 issues, downsizing and a reverse merger presented some interesting people challenges. I decided HR was definitely for me and studied for my CIPD qualifications including employment law whilst also taking on more demanding HR roles.
What made you set up the business? After almost 20 years in HR, I spent the last 7 working extensively across Europe and whilst I loved what I did I wanted to change how I worked and regain some balance back into my life. Confident about the experience I had behind me, starting my own business seemed like the natural choice. How and when did the idea come about? I’m passionate about great people management, business and making a positive difference to help organisations grow and get the best from and for their people. Who are your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation? Businesses who employ people – whatever their size or type. I enjoy working with owner managers of SMEs and Senior HR or General Managers who have the drive to help their organisation
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grow and who depend on their people to help them deliver results. I help businesses create and implement the right people agenda for their business, which is focused on delivering the organisations strategy and goals. I also help SMEs with general HR support and guidance, e.g. HR policies, contracts of employment and general people management advice.
What are your career aims and aspirations?
What have been your main achievements and difficulties?
What message would you give to fellow entrepreneurs or people looking to get involved in setting up their own business or organisation?
I’d say the main achievement is making the leap from an in house HR Director with a large team to Consultant. It’s a very different way of working but I love it and wish I’d started sooner. The main difficulties, as with any new business, are all to do with finding new clients. It takes time, clear focus and determination and you have to put the time into quality networking to make it happen. What attracted you to entrepreneurship? Why was this? The ability to make a difference, work with a variety of businesses, freedom from office politics and not be afraid of speaking my mind – it’s what I’m now employed to do!
To establish a solid reputation as a go to expert for both strategic and general HR support, which helps local businesses grow and succeed. To grow Marshall HR Consulting sufficiently to be able to employ a team with the same values who can help me to expand the reach of support available.
If you have the drive and determination to succeed – just do it. Organise your finances to alleviate some of the pressure to allow yourself time to develop your business. Ask for help and take advice along the way – don’t struggle on your own, there are some fantastic organisations and independent folks out there who can help.
Sanctuary’s £6 million care home opens its doors
Leading housing and care provider Sanctuary has further increased its presence in Cheshire with the opening of its new flagship care home at Upton Dene. PROVIDING residential, nursing, dementia and palliative care in luxurious surroundings, the first residents moved into the £6 million home, which has 74 en-suite bedrooms, at the start of January. Upton Dene, adjacent to the Countess of Chester Hospital, is the latest addition to Sanctuary’s portfolio of care homes, taking the number nationally
to 68, meaning more than 3,400 residents currently benefit from our services. More than 70 jobs, ranging from care assistants and team leaders to registered nurses and chefs, are being created at the Caldecott Close home, bringing a welcome boost to the local economy. This is in addition to the significant number of local people employed and apprenticeships supported
by Sanctuary and its appointed contractors Castlemead during the construction process. Caring staff are on hand to attend to residents’ needs in a relaxing environment, which includes spacious lounges, a dining room where the in-house catering team serve home-cooked meals, hairdressing and beauty salon and a therapy room. A sensory garden, with pathways specifically designed for wheelchairs, allows residents to indulge their horticultural hobbies. Mark McCarthy, Managing Director – Sanctuary Care, said: “Providing residents with uncompromisingly high standards of care in comfortable surroundings is paramount for Sanctuary Care and Upton Dene is an excellent example of this. “Our staff are dedicated to ensuring the needs of each and every one of our residents are met so they can
live their lives as they choose.” Upton Dene is the latest in a line of significant investments by Sanctuary Group in Chester. Other recently completed schemes include the new Business Enterprise Centre and housing at Blacon Parade, family accommodation in Malpas, and homes for rent and shared ownership at Lache in Chester. Sanctuary is now looking forward to developing further sites in Cheshire following the launch of its most ambitious development programme to date which will see the delivery of 24,000 new homes across the country over the next decade. Sanctuary is always interested to hear about potential sites in the area and you can discuss any potential opportunities with Andrew White or Danielle Wrigley on 01244 305563 or email development.northwest@ sanctuary-housing.co.uk
Types of care: • Residential • Dementia • Nursing • Palliative • Respite For more information about Upton Dene Residential and Nursing Home, please call Hilary Price on 01244 569825 or email hilary.price@ sanctuary-housing.co.uk
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Cloud thinking – MWL Systems’ Hugh Valentine and Matt Kingsley-Williams are pictured with (right) George Tubb from Microsoft
Every Cloud has a silver lining! IT experts at MWL Systems have bolstered their existing team with a Cloud Technology expert who will help Chamber members and companies throughout the region get to grips with the many benefits of the Cloud. THE North Wales based company has recruited Hugh Valentine to ensure its clients get the best possible advice on the Cloud – one of the most important and significant advances in IT for many years. Hugh, aged 29 and from Bangor on Dee, joins the team with 10 years of Microsoft specialist knowledge under his belt, and having deployed cloud technologies for a large number of businesses ranging from small companies all the way to enterprise customers of 10,000+ users. For any individual or company looking to explore how cloud technologies can help them and their business, Hugh’s arrival is a real boon. His skill is in assessing how the cloud can really add
business benefit, identifying specific uses and advantages of hosted applications such as SharePoint, Microsoft Office365, Azure, and Windows Servers. Using his technical background, Hugh has the ability to fine tune and further develop Microsoft solutions to provide tangible results and maximum ROI for customers. Matt Kingsley-Williams, MWL Systems’ commercial director, said: “Many businesses would like to gain a better understanding of the new technologies available today. IT has never been straight forward and this is also true of the ‘Cloud’. Even though the industry as a whole is putting a lot of effort into promoting cloud-based initiatives, many companies are still confused
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and therefore cautious about ‘the Cloud’, which is still a pretty abstract concept. This lack of clarity could hinder confidence levels and result in businesses missing out on the very real advantages this new range of technologies can bring. The good news is that anyone thinking of embarking on their cloud journey can come to us at MWL Systems for the best possible advice and assistance. Like all our consultants, Hugh’s positive, friendly approach is a great asset when understanding clients’ needs, getting to the heart of their specific requirements and developing a roadmap and report of recommendations for utilising Microsoft services within a business.”
Having worked with all types of companies using real world knowledge and applications, Hugh is able to translate a customer’s needs and requirements into the best and most cost effective cloud solutions for businesses today. Said Hugh “I’m an enthusiastic, driven individual who likes to provide solutions for sometimes complex problems customers bring to me, helping companies innovate and improve whilst keeping an eye on cost. I’m really happy to have joined a brilliant North Wales based company with over 30 years of experience, and will help add a range of new products for customers and growth over the coming years.” If you’re considering a move to the cloud, before you do anything else, get in touch with MWL Systems and leverage this knowledge and experience.
Up-skill your Workforce now with an Apprentice Work experience is a chance for learners to gain the skills employers want, gain experience in the sector they’re interested in and helps to bridge the gap between education and employment. What are the benefits of work experience? Work Experience students can provide numerous benefits to your business including:
NOW is a better time than any to train your existing staff through Apprenticeships. The government is in the process of implementing changes to Apprenticeship funding which will require employers to increase their investment in their Apprentices’ training. By taking part in the Apprenticeship scheme now you could reduce the impact of any cost increases which are due to be implemented in April 2017. Apprenticeships can help to improve your business:
70% of surveyed employers said Apprenticeships improved their product quality or service. Your employees could benefit from relevant training leading towards recognised qualifications, including maths and English. Many qualifications taken outside of an Apprenticeship can be more expensive and by undertaking an Apprenticeship staff can gain these qualifications as part of the framework. The College’s qualified assessors will support and monitor the progress of your Apprentice to ensure they achieve and add value to your business. We offer over 50 Apprenticeship frameworks to suit your needs including:
• Accounting • Dental Nursing • Management • Construction Trades • Business Improvement Techniques • Business • Customer Service • Logistics • Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair • Health and Social Care For further information call the employer hotline on 01244 656499 or email employers@westcheshire.ac.uk Work Experience Students can give you the edge… Can you help shape the future workforce of the region by offering a Work Experience Placement to a West Cheshire College student? We are currently looking for a range of work experience placements with local employers to assist our students in developing their skills and personal qualities in the workplace.
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• An improvement in productivity and efficiency • An additional resource for your business at no financial cost • Gain a fresh perspective from our talented students during their training • Development of recruitment channels; building links with College students can help to attract them into jobs and reduce recruitment costs • Students can work on projects for your business that your current workforce may not have the time or resources to do • Students follow study programmes at the College that involve practising their skills in real work environments which means they have already gained work skills they can transfer to the workplace
• Work placement students are currently training in the following disciplines and therefore can easily slot into roles in your organisation: • Art and Design • Media and Games • Performing and Production Arts • Business • Computing • Fashion Industries/Retail • Hair and Beauty • Travel and Tourism • Early Years Education • Health and Social Care • Sport • Uniformed Public Services • Applied Science • Construction • Motor Vehicle • Engineering Throughout the duration of the placement our Coordinators will support you and the student to ensure it is a positive experience and provides measureable outcomes for your business.
For further information call Lynne Barrett on 01244 656343 or email L.barrett@west-cheshire. ac.uk.
The Person Behind the Business Emma Jones, Managing Director at Bunjee Products
What’s the best bit of having a job like yours?
An overview of yourself and your current role. Born on a farm in North Wales and privately educated in North Wales until 16, I then went to London to train as a PA at St Godrics Secretarial College. I worked for some fascinating and successful people – amongst one of them was PA to Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE. My last job was PA to the two fashion gurus – Susannah & Trinny. MyBunjee was devised on a ski lift in the Alps – not wanting to drop or lose my mobile off the slopes. I have lived in Chester since my divorce 11 years ago and live with my son Harry Oscar, 11. What are your aims? To make myBunjee a global brand known for it’s unique, practical and handy safety gadgets. Describe your role. As the business is still very small it’s very much a hands on, daily job I have from checking orders first thing in the morning, liaising with our factory in China on production, to following up sales leads, and preparing for the various trade shows we have scheduled for the year.
I work from home so this gives me flexibility to spend it with my son when he returns from school. I can also work from anywhere in the world – all I need is my laptop and wifi! I love dealing with people from all over the globe, we have distributors in Dubai, Malta, South Africa, Australia, Hawaii and New Zealand! I have to be a little bit cautious of the time I spend at work as the time differences mean I am up early talking with China and up late talking with the USA – so self discipline and remembering to switch off is very important when running your own business. Was a role like this always what you aspired to? I had actually imagined myself to be married, living in the countryside with loads of children and animals around me - and my life couldn’t be further from this! I had no idea I was going to be running my own business one day, I know it sounds strange but it literally happened by accident! I enjoy being my own boss; the positives totally outweigh the negatives. Any special memories to share? The most special memory has to be winning the Dragons’ over in the Den in November 2012. We did a great presentation to them, although I pretended to drop my mobile in front
of them, they were slightly horrified but it was a set up to get them to realise that myBunjee is a great product for preventing your phone from smashing, being lost or stolen. The Dragons loved us and we had four of them wanting to invest – live TV doesn’t get much better than that! Tell us a bit about what you do outside of work to relax. I spend time with my son Harry, taking him to Chester Rugby Club on Sunday mornings. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, meeting new people is always stimulating and interesting too. In an ideal world, what else would you like to be? Retired living and spending 6 months a year on a Caribbean island and 6 months enjoying the ski season in the Alps– you did ask! What advice would you give to anyone starting out? Take advice from people who have been there and done it! Never be afraid to take a step forward into the unknown. Believe in yourself and your business. Treat your staff well; they are the ones who are going to help you build your business. Weigh up the pros and cons of any business deals, take legal advice if necessary. Make sure you patent and trademark any of your inventions – there are some real sharks out there!
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Member News Keycom helps the Moneypenny Foundation build a brighter future for unemployed young women in Wrexham Keycom is helping the Moneypenny Foundation to transform the lives of unemployed young women in Wrexham. The Moneypenny Foundation was set up in 2014 with a mission to “help unemployed young people to move from being prisoners of circumstance to pilots of their own lives.” Keycom has become an Employee Partner with the Moneypenny Foundation after offering to deliver IT training to young people on the scheme. Diane Aplin, Director of the Moneypenny Foundation, said: “Keycom are near neighbours of Moneypenny on the Wrexham Technology Park and we approached them to ask whether they would offer training support. “The IT courses they
produced were fantastic and received positive feedback and results. “Keycom then said they wanted to be an employer partner of the Moneypenny Foundation, taking on trainees to give them real work experience. “This has gone very well with trainees gaining experience in areas such as administration, collating course information for Keycom Training and booking customers on courses.” Now in its second year, the Moneypenny Foundation is already seeing results. In year one, four out of five trainees are now in employment, and 2015
is set to be even more successful with five trainees in employment and a further three being supported towards work. The Foundation works closely with agencies including the Department of Work and Pensions, Youth Justice, hostels and the leaving care team in Wrexham to provide opportunities for young women. Philippa Watts, Director of Training Services at Keycom, said: “The Moneypenny Foundation is filling a major gap in support and empowering young women in Wrexham who may not have had the best start in life. “We were pleased to be able to offer our support to the Foundation Programme by providing a day’s free training and taking on four of their apprentices for four weeks
work experience each.” The Moneypenny Foundation is the charitable arm of Moneypenny, the UK’s leading outsourced switchboard and telephone answering service.
Eclipse Creative Consultants Achieves Google Partner Status ECLIPSE Creative Consultants Limited, based in Vicars Cross, Chester has been recognised for its Google best practices by achieving Google Partner status. The continued growth of Google as an advertising tool has led the Chester based marketing agency to make this area key focus. Three members of the Eclipse team went to Google’s London headquarters earlier this year to complete the Advanced Google AdWords exams. Each member of the team passed the exams and earned the highly regarded Google AdWords certification. Eclipse has since been
working closely with Google and has been accredited with Google Partner status. This highlights Eclipse’s expertise in helping their customers gain the best exposure for their business through Google’s digital product range. The Google Partner status comes in the form of a badge which can be displayed both online and offline by an agency to demonstrate their trusted knowledge of Google advertising, and the fact they adhere to Google’s best practices. “We are extremely proud to have achieved Google Partner status. As an agency we have put significant investment
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The accreditation also gives us access to the latest research and product updates, ensuring we stay ahead of the curve into our digital team this year, and this demonstrates our credibility as an agency to undertake a range of Google advertising for clients. “The accreditation also gives us access to the latest research and product updates, ensuring we stay ahead of
the curve” commented Mark Astbury, director. Eclipse recently unveiled its new Digital division which, coupled with its Google accreditation, highlights the agency’s commitment to the ever changing world of digital marketing.
Member News North West Agricultural Accountants strengthen their team HOWARD Worth Chartered Accountants are pleased to announce the strengthening of their agricultural team
with the appointment of Dylan Jones. Commenting on the appointment Richard Barnett
L-R Suzanne Preston, Dylan Jones and Richard Barnett
the firm’s Managing Partner said “we are delighted to welcome Dylan to the practice. With our growing agricultural client base it is important we have the very best people in place to work with our farming clients”. Dylan is a qualified Certified Accountant and brings over 20 years’ experience in the accounting profession. He joins us from a Cheshire based accountants where he specialised in the agricultural sector. Richard added that he had known Dylan for several years and it was clear from talking to those who knew
him that he was held in the highest regard. He has a first class reputation in the agricultural sector and will be a tremendous addition to our team. Dylan is also a fluent Welsh speaker and looks forward to developing working relationships with farmers in Wales. On joining the practice Dylan said “I am delighted to be joining such a well-respected agricultural practice. From the moment I first met the partners it was clear that they had the same approach to client service that I do and I am looking forward to being part of a progressive practice”.
Cheshire legal firm appoints local marketing partner LEADING Cheshire law firm, Jolliffe & Co LLP has appointed Marketing PRojects as its new PR and marketing agency partner. The London and Cheshire based agency will help support and deliver a marketing strategy as it continues to rapidly grow and develop its legal practice in the North West and North Wales. Marketing PRojects was chosen because of its extensive knowledge of the legal sector. The agency has previously held contracts with other law firms. The partnership is part of s’ ongoing strategy to increase its visibility in Cheshire, the North West and North Wales and build a regionally recognised brand through a range of targeted online and off line media campaigns and events. Simon Williams, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial for & Co LLP said; “Marketing Projects have demonstrated they have knowledge within our industry, delivering results for other legal firms. Enlisting their services is part of our multi-media integrated
marketing strategy to raise our profile, communicate with new clients and to stay in touch with our existing ones. “We made a commitment to continue to expand our legal services in the city centre as our business grew and our major investment in new office premises at No. 6 St. John’s Street will help maintain a vibrant business environment in Chester. Our new office is a magnificent building in the heart of the City of Chester, which has undergone significant refurbishment including investment in enhanced state of the art technology and dynamic networks. We also have improved access for clients including underground car parking, and the close proximity to Chester Railway Station provides the opportunity to use sustainable travel options for our workforce and clients.” Jane Harrad-Roberts, Managing Director for Marketing PRojects said; “We are proud to be working with the team at , together with their
existing agencies to fulfil the partnership’s marketing objectives. We’re passionate about innovative digital media as well as ensuring that there is relevant off line activities that matter to the organisation and their clients. Multi-media and social media is a very powerful tool for businesses and that includes solicitors to reach out to their target clients whether they are individuals or corporates. We feel we can increase the firm’s online presence and help establish it as a regionally recognised brand.” Jolliffe & Co LLP was founded 150 years ago, maintains ISO accreditation
and is Legal 500 listed. It is endorsed by the Times and the Sunday Times, and has affectionately earned the nickname ‘Jolly s’ for attention to client care and satisfaction. Marketing PRojects is an award-winning PR and marketing agency with offices in London and Cheshire which provides a full marketing package for companies including coaching businesses for growth. The agency is both technical and creative in its approach, delivering a range of marketing services including SEO, social media, video and brand collateral. It celebrates 21 years in business this year.
Jane Harrad-Roberts with Simon Williams
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News
Cross-government approach at heart of new drive to boost exports A new whole-of-government approach to boosting British exports delivered through a transformed, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), focused on priority markets and sectors, has been announced today by Trade Minister Lord Maude. UKTI WILL be at the centre of this new approach, overseeing and co-ordinating export performance on behalf of the cross-government Exports Implementation Taskforce, led by Business Secretary Sajid Javid. Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: To improve the UK’s export performance we need to get the whole of government mobilised and working towards the same goal. By putting a refocused UKTI at the centre of a co-ordinated cross-government approach relevant departments will share expertise to get UK businesses exporting. Trade Minister Lord Maude said: To move the needle on exports and meet our commitments we need to do things differently. We want to make the UK the easiest country in the world to do trade with by making it easier, faster and simpler for more UK businesses to start exporting, generating a
more vibrant export support marketplace, and giving more financial support to exporters. The use of new, lower-cost, digital technologies will help us do more for businesses, more efficiently. We will co-ordinate the energies of the whole of government on boosting exports, sharing responsibility across departments, harnessing their deep sector knowledge, focusing on priority targets, and monitoring progress closely. UKTIwill be at the heart of this work, as well as retaining its remit to attract and support investment to the UK, but we are bringing together all of government to play a role. To increase the value of exports, UKTI will concentrate resources on those markets and sectors in which the UK is or can be a strong competitor. It will also bring together the best of public and private sector experience to develop targeted export campaigns connecting international demand to UK supply. As
part of this process, UKTI will locate sector experts in other mainstream government departments during early 2016, including the creation of a Great British Food Unit based in DEFRA. This will better leverage specialist knowledge and existing relationships with business, and join up policy and operational delivery. With sector ministers accountable for the export performance of industries, sector-led campaigns will become increasingly joined up with domestic policy and the deep expertise our customers are seeking, maximising the chances of export success. Departmental ministers responsible for wider policies for their industry sector will oversee the development and delivery of sector export plans. To increase the number of exporters, UKTI is focusing on transforming its digital service, using new technology to meet the needs of more businesses and increase cost efficiencies. The 5-year Exporting is
GREAT marketing campaign launched in November 2015 to drive up the number of new exporters is one part of this work, and has already generated more than 4,750 applications for export opportunities. In addition, having consulted UK businesses to find out what they need to help boost their exports, UKTIis now developing a single digital platform to help businesses find the export information, support, and advice they need, be it from government or private sector providers. Where export services can be provided by the private sector, with no or little value provided by government’s involvement, the government ultimately intends to exit that market and will focus instead on fostering an invigorated private sector export support marketplace. UKTI will continue to provide a range of cross-sector support including enhanced support for trade missions and fairs, GREAT marketing and events, and access to ondemand export opportunities.
NATIONAL LIVING WAGE IS COMING INTO FORCE The new National Living Wage is coming into effect, so make sure you understand what will be required from you and your business. From April 2016, the Government’s new National Living Wage becomes law. Workers aged 25 and over will be legally entitled to a
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new minimum pay rate of £7.20 per hour. You need to ensure that: • Employers are aware of, and comply with, this new legal requirement. • Eligible workers know that they are entitled to the NLW, and what to do if they are not being paid the correct amount.
News
Worried about auto-enrolment? Well don’t be as our checklist for SMEs is here to help! As auto-enrolment represents the biggest change to pensions in many years you’ve probably heard about it by now. It’s something that every employer, no matter what size, needs to deal with. And here’s why for those of you still in the dark. The law on Workplace Pensions has changed and every employer in the UK must put certain staff into a pension scheme and contribute towards it. In a phased process over the next three years, every employer will have to enrol eligible staff into a pension scheme. Failure to do so will result in fines from £50 to £10,000 per day depending on the size of the business. And whilst automatic enrolment into workplace pensions has been rolling out across the UK since 2012, it is only now that 1.8 million small and micro employers need to act. So using various information sources, including The Pensions Regulator, we’ve put together this checklist to help you get things right with some useful links to further information. When do I need to act? Find out your ‘staging date’. The staging date is the date that the new law applies to your company and is determined by the size of your largest PAYE scheme. The easiest way to find out your staging date is by visiting The Pension Regulator’s website and make sure you have your PAYE reference to hand.
Review your workforce Workers who need to be automatically enrolled, also known as ‘eligible jobholders’, will be: • Aged between 22 and the state pension age (between April 2016 and November 2018, State Pension age for women will increase gradually to 65. Between December 2018 and October 2020 the State Pension age for men and women will increase gradually to 66). • Working in the UK, or someone who usually does. • Earning above £10,000 (this may change depending on the tax year). Review your existing pension arrangements or select a qualifying scheme If you have an existing pension arrangement then you need to check that it qualifies as an autoenrolment scheme. Your current provider will be able to confirm this and if it doesn’t then you may be able to amend your policy. If you don’t have a scheme in place already then it’s best to speak with an independent financial advisor (IFA) or pensions advisor who can help you to find the best one for your business. The Association of British Insurers and NEST are useful resources and there’s
Kirsty Craig of Kirsty Craig Associates
a qualifying scheme tool available on The Pensions Regulator website. Communicate with your team You’ll need to inform all your workers about the changes in writing (email is fine) and your communication must be specific to the individual. There is a range of letter templates to help with this. Integrate your scheme with your payroll To manage The Pensions Regulator’s requirements, you will need some form of auto-enrolment software and this needs to integrate with your payroll. Payroll companies have been working hard on ensuring that their applications can handle auto-enrolment requirements so they are well placed to advise you. Register with The Pensions Regulator Employers are required to inform The Pension
Regulator about how they have fulfilled their autoenrolment duties and this should be done online, shortly after your staging date. You’ll need to keep records about enrolled workers, their status within the scheme, the payment of contributions and the qualifying scheme itself. You’ll also need to keep monitoring your entire workforce as circumstances may change so they become eligible and you may have to automatically enrol them. Contribute! After your staging date you must contribute to the pension scheme on behalf of your workers. Minimum contribution rates will be introduced gradually over a six year period (20122018) and this is known as ‘phasing’. The minimum employer contribution will change from 1% to 3% over this time period.
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Events round up Networking Fun & Food at our Christmas Lunch at Luke’s Eating House & Gin Rickey’s OVER 50 guests joined us for our special Christmas Lunch event, held at Luke’s Eating House & Gin Rickey’s, Chester. Getting together, there was a festive cheer in the air as members came together for a jolly good Chamber get-together. As guests made their way into the contemporary venue, they were greeted by the Chamber team and given a raffle ticket in the hope of being able to win some special Christmas prizes. Attendees sat down to enjoy a festive dinner; a delicious
turkey Christmas lunch with all the trimmings and gravy, followed by scrumptious mince pie with ice cream for dessert. David Wall of Mercer & Associates Wealth Management Ltd said ‘the
Christmas event was packed out with a great atmosphere and created a wonderful networking event. The food was exemplary and the Chamber events are going from strength to strength.’’ It was then time for the Chamber Christmas Quiz with some special prizes up for grabs. Clara Hughes from Zebra Marketing was the worthy winner of the quiz who won a bottle of Laurent Perrier and in joint second place, Jenny Birch from Passport Language Solutions and Angella Rawsthorne
from Claire House Hospice. There was plenty of yuletide cheer, networking and lots of fun. Debbie Stokes, Membership Director said ‘’We’re certain our guests had a jolly good time and there was a great turnout as always. It’s wonderful to see more and more members coming along to our events and getting involved! We’d like to extend thanks to our members and co-hosts at Luke’s Eating House and Gin Rickey’s, who are so welcoming and the food is always great.’
The Festive Chamber Networking Event ‘was a wonderful way to end the year!’ THE event marked the final event of the year for the Chamber and it was wonderful to see so many Chamber members, both new and old gather together for the festive get-together. The event was hosted at the contemporary and stylish Abode Hotel, based on the edge of Chester’s iconic racecourse. In the Champagne Suite, guests were greeted
with a glass of warm mulled wine and a festive mince pie as they escaped the cold winter weather outdoors. There was plenty of chatting amongst attendees and more importantly, plenty of networking as individuals from a range of sectors and organisations came together for the event. Speaking at the Abode, Josh Brown from TechnoSpark said ‘the Chamber events are so
beneficial to attend, as a relatively new business it provides a great opportunity to network with likeminded people from across the region. The venues are always great and all attendees are friendly and welcoming.’ Chamber Membership Director, Debbie Stokes said ‘What a fantastic way to round off a fantastic year for the Chamber of Commerce. What a fantastic way to round off a
fantastic year for the Chamber of Commerce. We’d like to thank the team at the Abode Hotel for hosting the event with us, they were wonderfully accommodating and the venue is brilliant.” As guests left the venue, they were presented with a special thank-you gift from the Chamber Team, starting the festive season in the best way possible… with chocolate!
Chamber Summer Cocktail Party 2016 The countdown is on to the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Cocktail Party at the Eaton Estate, Chester on Thursday July 7th 2016. On behalf of the President, Chairman and the Board of Directors, the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce would like to formally invite you to join
us for our Annual Summer Cocktail Party. The annual celebration takes place in the spectacular surrounds of the home of the Chamber’s President, His Grace the Duke of Westminster. There will be delicious food, sparkling drink and a wonderful opportunity to come together for a wonderful evening and meet and
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network with Chamber Members from across the region. There will also be a classical entertainment showpiece, in fitting with the traditional grounds of the venue. We would like to extend our invitation to all Chamber Members and look forward to welcoming you to this prestigious event. Places are limited and
we highly recommend you book early to avoid disappointment. To find out more or to book your ticket, please contact the Chamber team on 01244 669988 or email j.davidson@ wcnwchamber.org.uk.
Events round up The Chamber’s first Lunch Event of 2016 kicked off with a Burns theme at Llyndir Hall Hotel THE Chamber monthly lunch events are always highly popular and January’s lunch was no exception with over 45 guests joining together for a delicious 2-course lunch, generously co-hosted by the team at Llyndir Hall Hotel. As guests sat down ready to enjoy their meal, the Haggis starter was presented to the room in traditional Scottish fare. Kate Harcus from AVOW took to the stage to address and carve the haggis whilst accompanied by a musical bagpipe accompaniment, before it was served up to hungry guests. In keeping with the Burns Night Theme, Dougie Eaglesham took to the stage to read a ‘Tom O’Shanter’ with plenty of gusto and Celtic vigour. Main course was a scrumptious turkey dinner with
all the trimmings, followed by delicious sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Speaking at the lunch, David Roberts from The Alternative Board said “today’s Burns-themed lunch was excellent. I made some very good new business connections, re-connected with some that I haven’t seen for a while, and we all enjoyed a lovely meal. Dougie’s Tam o’ Shanter was a particular highlight! The event was very well organised as always”. As tea and coffee was served, guests had the opportunity to hear from Angella Rawsthorne from Claire House Hospice, who gave a presentation on fundraising and the important work the charity do all year round to better the life of terminally-ill children. Debbie Stokes, Membership Director added ‘What a great lunch event to kick off our
busy events calendar for 2016, it was great to welcome everybody back and Llyndir Hall were really fantastic. We’d like to thank Stephen Scoullar, General Manager at Llyndir Hall Hotel and the rest of the team there.The food, venue, staff and
company was of an exceptional standard. We’d like to thank everybody who took part today, including Dougie and Kate who enhanced the Burns-night theme and Angela Rawsthorne from Claire House for her wonderful presentation.’
West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce hosts another successful ‘Round the Table’ Networking Breakfast WITH an early morning start, guests gathered at the Holiday Inn Chester South for a breakfast networking session. Having recently undergone a massive refurbishment, the event was an opportunity for the team at
the Holiday Inn to showcase their spectacular new venue as guests gathered together in the new lounge area. With over 60 delegates in attendance there was plenty of friendly chatter as guests took the opportunity to get
to know their fellow Chamber Members and also enjoyed a spot of breakfast. The team at Holiday Inn Chester South provided a delicious hot breakfast buffet including pancakes, bacon, pastries and a continental-style breakfast selection, making sure all guests were fuelled up and ready for the ‘Round the Table Networking Session’. The Chamber’s Round the Table Networking Events are a fun and friendly way to make connections and network in relaxed, informal setting. Each table appoints a captain and after going ‘round the table’ and introducing themselves, guests then swap seats and meet new guests. The event provides an excellent opportunity to
share your business cards and connect with likeminded businesspeople from across the region. Simon Gee from Golf & Business Together said ‘it was an excellent event this morning, great to see so many people both new and regular. It was really well organised as always and a fantastic breakfast!’ Speaking at the venue, Debbie Stokes, Membership Director at the Chamber said ‘We want to say thank you to David Pickering and the team at Holiday Inn Chester South, it’s fantastic to come back and hold our event at the newly refurbished venue, the staff have been so hospitable as always and the breakfast they provided was absolutely delicious.’
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The Big Interview
Name: Ashley Rogers Job title: MD Gill & Shaw Ltd / Chairman – North Wales Business Council From: Prestatyn Age: 44 WCNW: To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background. AR: I grew up in Prestatyn (but was baptised in Chester) and my first job was working in the family business on the North Wales coast in the Tourism sector. University in Yorkshire studying Marketing and then after graduation, as I love travelling, saw something of the world backpacking to China, Australia, Israel and more. Back home, and off to study Italian and Spanish in Florence and Madrid and then my first role in Product Marketing, in Birmingham. During my career I’ve worked in Commercial Management / Marketing in small, medium and global businesses and for the Irish Govt. in International Trade Development (Enterprise Ireland)…. at home and
overseas (France / Holland / London)... so very wide experience but always in Commercial Management roles. WCNW: What made you set up the business? AR: During a career break walking Land’s End to John O’Groats, I was approached by a number of businesses in the North West / North Wales, to handle their marketing. I set up Gill & Shaw and went from there. I’m also Chairman of the North Wales Business Council (NWBC), which is the umbrella organisation for the Private Sector in North Wales. The NWBC was set up to bring all the key business organisations e.g. Chamber of Commerce / IOD / FSB / CBI etc… together as one voice for the region
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covering all sizes and types / sectors of business. WCNW: Once the idea was formed, what did you do next? AR: Gill & Shaw was pretty straight forward, as it was demand generated, so the basics really e.g. bank account / insurance and website etc… WCNW: What are your main responsibilities? AR: For Gill & Shaw its key account management and running of the business. For the NWBC it’s about working to achieve our strategic priorities e.g. moving the Private Sector forward and securing the best environment for our Members to succeed in.
The Big Interview WCNW: Was it hard getting others to see your vision? Or invest? AR: For Gill & Shaw, again this was demand driven. On the NWBC it’s a question of showing Members / Partners the benefits of working together. WCNW: Any difficulties? If so how did you overcome them? AR: The major difficulty every business experiences is having sufficient resource, and you just have to make hard decisions as to the amount and kind of work you bid for. WCNW: Did you ever think ‘I’ve taken on too big a risk’? If so, how did you overcome it?
WCNW: What does a typical day involve? AR: Very varied. Today it’s Client work on Social Media to kick off and then a working session on Business / Inward Investment for North Wales with the NWEAB (our equivalent of a LEP / City Region). Then back to the office and development work on helping to secure Rail Investment for North Wales / Cheshire. WCNW: Who are your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation? AR: Gill & Shaw’s target audience is SME businesses in the region and for the NWBC it’s all about working with our Members e.g. the Chamber, and also Partners e.g. NWEAB, Welsh Government. WCNW: What projects are you currently working on? AR: The large projects would include development work around filling the Skills & Finance gaps for businesses in the region and also supporting our case for Rail investment e.g. Electrification of the mainline / improved services to Manchester Airport WCNW: How have things gone so far? AR: Well. Really happy with both Gill & Shaw and the progress of the NWBC.
AR: Never, I always evaluate fully and make sure I’m comfortable even with the worst case scenario, that way no risk is “too” big. Risk is part of business and you need to be comfortable with that to succeed. WCNW: Looking ahead, what are your main aims for the organisation and how would you like it to develop? AR: To pick up more export market consultancy. On the NWBC, our aim is to improve the business environment and infrastructure, to enable our Members to further support their businesses.
AR: Churchill for how he inspired people as a great leader, but was as fallible as the next man…he made some great decisions and some poor ones. Charlie Chaplin for starring, writing, directing and funding the film “The Great Dictator”. WCNW: What are your career aims and aspirations? Is there anything else in particular you’d like to achieve in your lifetime? AR: From personal perspective, I’d like to take on a few more challenges similar to my Land’s End to John O’Groats trek. From a career perspective to add more emphasis onto my economic development work for Wales. WCNW: What message would you give to fellow entrepreneurs or people looking to get involved in setting up their own business or organisation? AR: Focus on the fundamentals to start with (no expensive offices as a start up!), so getting traction in the market and continue to develop your product / service. Be prepared that your proposition in 2 years’ time, may be very different from the idea you start with. Try not to be too precious about making change s to your product / service idea, if market demand necessitates it.
WCNW: How have businesses and individuals responded to what you’re offering? AR: Great. Gaining traction on both Gill & Shaw and the NWBC is testament to that. WCNW: What attracted you to entrepreneurship? Why was this? AR: A combination of working in the family business from a young age (gave me the work ethic and business appetite) and experience in global businesses like Newell Rubbermaid and Enterprise Ireland, gave me the strategic vision to think about the bigger picture (apologies for the cliché!). WCNW: Are there any particular people, business leaders or others you look up to? What have you learned from them?
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British Chambers of Commerce News
West Cheshire & North Wales Quarterly Economic Survey Quarter 4 – 2015 Results THE British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is the largest and most
representative independent business survey of its kind in the UK. Each quarter over 7,000 businesses from across the UK participate in the QES. The survey
questions businesses on a wide range of issues, including: home sales and orders, export sales and orders, employment prospects, investment,
To take part in the next QES, keep an eye out in the ‘Support’ section of the website. recruitment difficulties, cash flow, confidence and price pressures.
34% said domestic sales had increased will increase investment in workforce & training
56% said export sales had increased
will increase investment in machinery & equipment
22% said their workforce had increased over the last 3 months 26 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
British Chambers of Commerce News
BCC Statement from Nora Senior, President of the British Chambers of Commerce “The British Chambers of Commerce is a non-partisan organisation, and as such, decided not to campaign for either side ahead of the European referendum on 23rd June 2016. Its neutrality in the referendum debate reflects the real divisions that exist in business communities across the UK. “JOHN Longworth and the BCC Board recognise that John’s personal view on the referendum is likely to create confusion regarding the BCC’s neutral stance going forward. In light of this, John has taken the decision to step down as Director-General and his resignation has been accepted by the Board with effect from 6 March 2016. “No politician or interest group had any influence on the BCC Board decision to
suspend Mr Longworth. His subsequent resignation was agreed mutually between Mr Longworth and the BCC Board, and there were no external factors involved. The only views taken into account were those of the BCC Board and the BCC’s owners, the UK accredited Chamber Network. “All representatives of the BCC have the right to personal and political views on the key issues of the day. However, they are not expected to articulate these
views while acting in their professional capacity, as their views could be misconstrued as representing the position of the organisation as a whole. “The BCC will continue to use its position to reflect the varied views of the business communities it serves, articulate their concerns, and seek greater clarity and information from both sides. “The Board would like to thank John for his significant contribution to the development of the BCC, and
Nora Senior, President of the British Chambers of Commerce
wish him well for the future. “Adam Marshall will be carrying out the DirectorGeneral role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is appointed. Please direct enquiries to Allan Williams in the first instance”
BCC: Raise career aspirations of young women to achieve gender parity BCC launches report on ways to boost the number of women entering well-paid, science & technology and engineering careers on International Women’s Day THE report, A Model for School and Business Partnerships, outlines ways to change attitudes to career-related gender stereotypes in education. The report demonstrates some effective methods of raising young women’s aspirations in well-paid science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)-related careers, where candidates are in great demand by employers. By inspiring young women to take up
highly-paid STEM careers, we can look to narrow the gender pay gap. Some of the key recommendations for schools and businesses to consider include: • Encouraging teachers to engage with their local business community, to improve their own understanding of the range of industry sectors and job apprenticeships in their vicinity.
• Inviting businesses to be involved in lesson plans, to widen awareness of the career paths available to women, and to improve the focus on equipping young people with the skills and knowledge needed to enter the workplace. • Promoting direct engagement between business leaders and pupils, including workplace visits, talks and presentations, to let students meet business role models and change their preconceptions about the types of people who work in specific industries. Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan said:
“To really end the gender pay gap in a generation we must tackle its causes and make sure that no one is held back because of their gender or background. That means ending the myth that some jobs are ‘just for boys’ and encouraging more girls to consider careers in the highest paid sectors, particularly in STEM subjects. “What better way to excite and inspire young people than by businesses and schools working together to show girls the variety of career paths open to them in these sectors. This programme does just that and I congratulate the British Chambers of Commerce on its brilliant work.”
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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North Wales Business Whitepaper
Welsh Government Biased and Not Doing Enough, say North Wales Businesses Introduction
In November 2015, the North Wales Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with DTM Legal, carried out a study of 50 businesses in North Wales. This spot-check of regional sentiment explored how confident industry is about the year ahead, and how senior decision-makers in North Wales feel local and national government, and external agencies, can help support their growth. WHAT was revealed was a sector that, while buoyant about prospects in the next 12 months, does not feel it currently has the right toolkit in place to underpin expansion in the future. The study indicates that respondents feel the national and local government is simply not doing enough to help Welsh businesses, or that the assistance available is not being packaged in the right way; well over a third (40%) of
respondents said they found accessing support and advice from publically funded agencies problematic. Overall, our study has painted a picture of a business community that feels things are going well, but knows that they could be better. It showed how industry in North Wales feels unsupported by the Welsh Government, and is unsure that it has the skills and infrastructure required to take growth to the next level.Â
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Confidence and concerns Compared to this time last year, the vast majority of respondents felt more bullish about the general outlook for the North Wales Economy, with 68% saying they felt more confident and 22% saying their confidence levels were about the same as this time last year. Only 8% of respondents said they felt less confident than they had done a year ago. When it came to what is influencing these levels of confidence, 44% of respondents said their optimism was buoyed by the performance of both the UK economy and the local/ regional economy. However, as always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating and, encouragingly, the majority of respondents (58%) said that it was
“If industry in the region is ticking along so healthily without support, you do wonder just what might be achievable if they received more support.” their own business performance that was the source of their positivity. Other factors were more negligible. Inflation was cited by just 4% of respondents as a reason to be cheerful and interest rates by only 14%. Media reporting was also helping some 12% of those surveyed to feel optimistic. Interestingly, economic stability in Europe was seen as much less of an issue, with only 6% of respondents saying they worried that what happened in the Eurozone may have a negative impact on their bottom line. A further 16%, however, said they were apprehensive about the ramifications of an in-out referendum. Closer to home 18% said the ability (or otherwise) to hire staff with the skills they need was a source of anxiety, suggesting that the skills shortage is a serious problem in the North Wales area. Stimulating growth A combination of targeted local action and national changes were identified as what is needed in order to stimulate growth. Improving local/regional infrastructure was the preferred action by some margin, with 28% of respondents saying they felt that this would help stimulate the local economy. Similarly, 18% said that targeted initiatives for local job creation would be of benefit. When asked to identify what the most crucial strategic issues are with
regards to improving the business growth prospects in Wales, broadband connectivity was placed at top of the leader board, with 60% saying they felt it was ‘very important’. The next most important necessary change was identified as more focus from the Welsh Government on North Wales issues, with 42% saying this was very important. Improved transport infrastructure (41%) and better marketing of Wales as an investment destination (30%) were also seen as important ways to stimulate growth. Less pressing issues were the reorganisation and simplification of local government, which was deemed very important by 24%, and streamlined access to public funding opportunities, which was identified very important by 26% of respondents. Obstacles to Growth Access to skills (37%) and access to finance for investment (33%) were identified as the two largest obstacles for growth. Access to finance for working capital was also identified as a problem by 18% of businesses. Other obstacles came from within the businesses themselves, or through working culture. For example, 20% of those surveyed said that an uncertain order book was stymieing growth, while 22% said that a culture of late payments frequently caused them cash flow issues and prevented them from moving to the next level. It was clear that many businesses also felt they were not getting the support they needed from government and external agencies; 14% of respondents felt that a lack of access to specialist advice for growth plans was holding them back. This is perhaps borne out by the response to the next question of how easy or difficult it is to access business advice and support for growth from publically funded agencies in North
Wales. While just over a third (37%) said it was easy, the same number said it was quite difficult, with another 8% saying it was very difficult, meaning more than 40% of respondents found accessing support and advice from publically funded agencies problematic. Summary Colin Brew, Chief Executive Officer at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, added: “We are delighted with the level of responses to this survey and the positive views from the local business community as to what the future looks like. As we begin to move away from the economic difficulties of the last seven years it is refreshing to hear of the upward turn in terms of our local economy and specifically the confidence within our own SME community but much more is needed to sustain further growth. “Support services for local business, investment in key infrastructure and a better understanding of the economy of North Wales is required from Welsh Government to make this happen”. Discussing the results, Richard Thomas, a Partner at DTM Legal who is also Chair of the North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “This was certainly a mixed report card for the economy in North Wales. “On the one hand, it is good that so many businesses are positive about the year ahead, and even more so when we consider that the this positivity is largely sparked by what they’re seeing in the profit and loss sheet in their own businesses. “Less pleasing is the fact that so many companies clearly feel they are unsupported by their government and are having difficulty accessing the support they need from local agencies. “If industry in the region is ticking along so healthily without support, you do wonder just what might be achievable if they received more support. “It is also imperative that the powersthat-be take heed of the misgivings around how well the current talent pool and infrastructure is able to support growth in the region, and take remedial action as appropriate. “Overall though, we are heartened by what our panel has revealed. Business in North Wales is clearly doing well, but – with the right support – could be doing much better.”
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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HOURS WITH...
Name: Michelle Collins Job Title: Director / Owner Company: Pink Spaghetti PA Services
A brief overview Pink Spaghetti PA Services was set up seven years ago, there are now 14 franchisees across the UK. How long have you been in this role? Pink Spaghetti Chester and North Wales opened for business on 6th January 2015. What types of disciplines do you usually work with? I have a diverse group of clients ranging from other work at home mums to businesses with up to 100 employees, these include dance schools, restaurants, a builders, a hairdressers and business coaches. They all have one thing in common recognising the benefits of outsourcing their social media and other specific tasks as and when they need to.
A little about your background
How many people do you work with?
What are the best parts of work and why?
I started my working life in restaurants becoming a company trainer that worked across the UK to open new sites. As a Chartered Member of the CIPD and CMI I then moved to a Cheshire based role working for the Probation Service moving from training into HR and spent a number of years as the Head of Human Resources.
I currently have one person working with me part time, I also enjoy working as a virtual team with the other Pink Spaghetti Franchisees sharing latest information, tips and tricks online.
The diversity of the role, the different people and tasks and I love seeing a plan come together. Sometimes a task can seem small but can make a big impact on the clients business or work life balance.
I try, but this is the first thing that gets missed when busy.
How do you begin your day?
What is a typical afternoon?
Singing loudly (badly) to wake the 5 and 7 year old, then safely depositing them at school.
I organise my work in blocks of an hour, I will frequently have several deadlines to meet for different clients so carefully plan the afternoon to ensure that all can be met. I pick the children up from after school club at 5.15pm and then it’s a few hours for the family.
Do you have a long commute? Across the landing! What does your morning usually involve?
Do you make time for lunch? Any particular challenges? Managing a house renovation in Chester for an Australian client who kept running out of money! Trying to juggle quotes, builders, money transfers and manage long distance communications was quite a task. What plans for the future? To give the opportunity of outsourcing flexibly to more businesses by growing my team over the next two years.
Do you work in the evening? Networking or client meetings generally take place in the morning, I occasionally fit in a Pilates class but like to be back home no later than 11.30am to ensure that I have time to focus on clients tasks. Exceptions to this include extended client meetings such as the work I complete for restaurants in both Liverpool and Manchester, I regularly pencil in a day onsite with them to plan their social media and provide admin support.
30 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Any special anecdotes? I enjoy working some evenings, this gives me the flexibility to spend more time with the children. When do you finish work? I always finish by 9.30pm to make sure that I have time to wind down before sleep.
Strangest request was to sell a 6ft Wooden Soldier! When I went to the lock up to release him the man who came to collect didn’t have cash so I followed him with the soldier on his trailer to a cash point, I sat in the car doubled with laughter at the scene.
Launch of new office space puts Chester on the map as business destination The first office building in Chester’s £100m Central Business Quarter has been launched in the city, marking a major economic boost to the region. MUSE Developments unveiled One City Place to an audience of property agents, council dignitaries and businesses this week as the pioneering force behind the transformation of Chester’s commercial offering. The 70,000 sq. ft. Grade A office space next to Chester Railway Station is the first of seven offices to be built by 2028 as part of the new 500,000 sq. ft. business quarter, which will bring more than £96m to the city’s economy. Phil Mayall, development director at Muse, said: “After
18 months of construction, we’re extremely proud to launch One City Place as an exciting new business destination in Chester. Cheshire West and Chester Council has invested more than £1.5m into new public realm, designed by urbanism specialists Broadway Malyan. Residents, commuters and visitors can now walk out of the station and through the ‘Carriage Shed’ which features a new glass roof, ‘living’ wall, planting and paving, directly into the new business quarter. Deputy Leader of Cheshire
West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “The launch marks an exciting and prosperous new chapter in Chester’s history as the Central Business Quarter is one of the largest business developments in the city in recent years. Guy Butler, chairman of Chester Growth Partnership, said: “The completion and launch of City Place is significant for the future of Chester. It also further emphasizes the importance of the railway station and the infrastructure links which must be enhanced – this is
an area of particular focus for the Chester Growth Partnership. We support and thank Muse for their commitment to the city and look forward to further phases of development.” Over the next 15 years, it is estimated that the Central Business Quarter will create 3,500 jobs, provide 200 new homes and exciting retail opportunities, as well as a new hotel and leisure facilities. The One City Place development was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and The North West Evergreen Fund.
Chester Growth Partnership
Guy Butler
LEADERS of a taskforce striving to make Chester “an even greater place to live and work” say the city must capitalise on plans for a Northern Powerhouse and deliver improved transport infrastructure to secure maximum economic growth.
The Chester Growth Partnership – formerly Chester Renaissance – has set out priorities that focus on attracting more investment, retaining visitors for longer and securing the benefits of being a key player in the Northern Powerhouse. Under the chairmanship of Guy Butler, who was appointed in the summer 2015, the partnership will focus on a number of areas including investment, housing and infrastructure. Mr Butler said: “This is an exciting and challenging time for the Chester Growth
Partnership. Every partnership member is 100 per cent committed to making Chester an even greater place to live and work and we need to capitalise on the opportunity to be part of a vibrant region”. “The Northern Powerhouse and HS2 are going to have a significant impact on Chester over the next 20 years and for the benefit of the economy l believe we need to be working collaboratively and strategically to maximise the impact of growth for Chester and the sub region. Cllr Samantha Dixon, Chester Growth Partnership
member and leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The Chester One City Plan and the delivery of the key projects currently under way - including the Business Quarter, Northgate and the Cultural Centre – remain at the heart of delivering an attractive and vibrant city of the future.” “The challenge for the partnership is to ensure we are an integral part of the sub-regional architecture and work with partners in the North of England and North Wales to maximise economic potential for all residents.”
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Spotlight on...
Cheshire West a Place to Invest
Cheshire’s key location right at the heart of the north west of England makes it the perfect place to relocate as it is home to some of the UK’s major employers; MBNA and M&S Bank, Urenco,GM Vauxhall Motors, Encirc to name but a few. The region is a major area for enterprise and because of its rail, air and road links it means that it’s within an easy commute from the big cities of Liverpool and Manchester making it the ideal base for business. Additionally, the borough is served by the two major airport, Manchester and Liverpool. In fact, it is for this reason that Cheshire is one of the UK’s most attractive, accessible and central meeting points. Manchester and Liverpool John Lennon International Airports are both just 30 minutes to Chester and even closer to other parts of Cheshire. There are also fantastic motorway links too- the M6, M62, M56 and M53- so that while the county is rural it is certainly not remote. Plus, there’s a huge choice of conference facilities, top class restaurants and hotels forming part of the local visitor economy. There are plenty of reasons to invest in Cheshire West. The Cheshire Workforce Impressively, more than one third of the Cheshire West workforce possesses a university degree, which is greater than the national average. The proportion of the working population in high value jobs - managers, professionals, technical workers - is also above the average for both the North West and the UK, providing plenty of opportunities for businesses. Among the educational institutions in Cheshire West are the University of Chester West Cheshire College, Mid Cheshire College. Across
Stefan Green Landscapem Townscape and recreation - winner
these establishments there is constant investment and expansion in education and training facilities, with plans in place to capitalise on the pre-existing experience and skill base. The area has world-class strengths, particularly in advanced manufacturing, food and drink, energy and nuclear, financial and insurance services, and is home to wellknown global companies such as Bank of America, Vauxhall Motors, Roberts Bakery and The Hut Group. The borough has a flexible and entrepreneurial population with more than 80% of working-age people economically active, and also scores highly for the number of new businesses formed, and per head of population. Our Area Across the borough there are four key regeneration areas intended to drive economic growth; these comprise of Chester Growth Partnership, Ellesmere Port Development Board, Mid
32 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Cheshire West College
Develop Capability Ltd provides Cyber Essentials Certification The media is constantly reporting cyber-attacks such as the loss of corporate data, intellectual property or customers’ financial details. The consequences can vary from regulatory fines, reputational loss to cancellation of contracts. Cyber criminals could have access to systems for days, months or years without being detected. The government has taken steps to reduce the levels of cyber security risk in its supply chain through the Cyber Essentials Scheme which defines a set of controls to provide organisations with basic protection from the most prevalent forms of threat coming from the internet. Cyber Essentials aims to help organisations implement basic levels of protection against cyber-attack, demonstrating to their customers that they take cyber security seriously.
The scheme is available at two levels: • Cyber Essentials - an independently verified selfassessment. Organisations assess themselves against five basic security controls and a qualified assessor verifies the information provided. • Cyber Essentials PLUS – a higher level of assurance. A qualified and independent assessor examines the same five controls, testing that they work in practice by simulating basic hacking and phishing attacks. By implementing the five basic security controls around 80% of cyber-attacks could be prevented. The scheme is now mandatory for some Ministry of Defence (MoD) and central government contracts which
involve handling personal information and providing certain ICT products and services. Develop Capability Ltd, based in Helsby, is an approved Cyber Essentials Certification Body and is well placed to help businesses of all sizes to achieve the Basic and Plus levels of certification to this national standard. Achieving the standard provides confidence to customers and partners with whom they share information. Bal Matu, Managing Director, who is also a registered ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, has been delivering Audits, Consultancy and Training in Information Security Management for over 20 years explains “It is easy for businesses to protect themselves from cyber-attacks using some simple controls that are included in the Cyber Essentials Standard. We use a collaborative approach to
help organisations implement the controls and achieve this nationally recognised certification”. Over 1000 businesses have achieved the standard and on a recent trip to the USA Prime Minister David Cameron said “We need to make sure the UK remains one of the most cyber secure places in the world to do business. It’s great news that even more companies have signed up to our Cyber Essentials Scheme to keep themselves safe and we will continue to invest in supporting companies of all sizes with their cyber security”. The fee for applying for Cyber Essentials Certification is £300 plus VAT and involves completing and submitting an on-line self-assessment questionnaire.
Develop Capability Ltd Hillview House, Bates Lane, Helsby, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 9LJ T: 01928 723701 E: ce@developcapability.co.uk www.developcapability.co.uk
Pictured is Bal Matu receiving his Cyber Essentials Certification Body Certificate from the IASME Consortium CEO, Emma Philpott.
Spotlight on...
“Businesses looking to relocate to the area are also well catered for, with a skilled workforce of 500,000 people located within 30 minutes’ drive time.” Cheshire Development Board and the Chester Growth Partnership. The newly formed Chester Growth Partnership has recently unveiled a new set of priorities to make the city ‘an even greater place to live and work’. Chester’s position is truly accessible to all parts of the UK, utilising our own local facilities and those of our City Region partners. With future investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure such as HS2 rail link and the Second Mersey Crossing, this connectivity will further strengthen Chester’s accessible central location. The Chester Growth Partnership - formerly Chester Renaissance - has set out priorities that focus on attracting more investment, retaining visitors for longer and securing the benefits of being a key part of the Northern Powerhouse. The partnership will focus
its attention on delivering the five work streams of investment, dwell, engage, housing and infrastructure. Ellesmere Port heritage as an industrial powerhouse remains significant today. 20 per cent of local jobs are manufacturing – well above the regional and national averages. However, new employment uses and state-of-the-art retail and leisure developments, new green spaces and modern housing, are an equally important part of modern life in the town. Ellesmere Port’s success has been built on its excellent strategic location within the Cheshire/ Liverpool City region and North Wales/ Warrington/ Manchester corridors. Key local sectors include chemicals, energy, automotive, retail, distribution and financial services, and the town’s established business base includes a number of international players such as
34 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
UCEA Ellesmere Port
GM Vauxhall and Essar Energy, and cutting-edge technology companies including EA Technology, URENCO,CF Fertilisers UK and Innospec. In addition, major leisure and retail operators are represented by leading brands such as M&S, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Village, The Coliseum and the ever expanding Port Arcades in the Town Centre. Businesses looking to relocate to the area are
also well catered for, with a skilled workforce of 500,000 people located within 30 minutes’ drive time. There is also available employment land with sites in and around the town, with further land in the area designated to accommodate significant numbers of new homes. Mid Cheshire, includes the towns of Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich, and is an area that provides companies with an excellent
The Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub
Spotlight on... operating environment and their employees with a firstclass quality of life. This is evident from the existing varied and successful industrial and commercial base which includes leading business names like Rolls- Royce DGS, Tata Chemicals Europe and Northwich-based bakers Frank Roberts & Son. Businesses in the Mid Cheshire area benefit from exceptional transport links by road, rail, and air, enabling them to serve customers effectively across the UK, Europe and beyond. Companies looking to relocate to the area also have a wide choice of highquality business parks and development sites. The chemical industry is a major source of employment in the area however other important sectors include food and
drink, packaging, IT and telecommunications, logistics and distribution and financial and professional services. The Rural and Market Towns area of Cheshire West and Chester Council represents approximately 85% of the total land area of The Borough. In excess of 40% of the Borough’s population lives in the rural area. It is important to recognise that the rural area covered by The Rural Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan extends beyond the countryside and smaller villages. It includes the larger villages and market towns of Malpas, Tarporley, Frodsham and Neston. Its attractive natural and built environment, heritage and cultural infrastructure are a key part of The Borough and significantly improve the quality of life on offer. Cheshire West and
Findit: Cheshire and Warrington Business Support Portal
Chester Council recognise that the rural area plays a key role in the character and economy of the county. The quality, scale, growth potential and outwardfacing nature of West Cheshire’s economy, coupled with its strategic spatial
positioning, mean our subregion really matters. Carol Vella Senior Economic Development Officer Business Growth Service Cheshire West and Chester Council
Marks and Spencers
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
35
Apprenticeships
Grow your business with an apprenticeship There has never been a better time for a business to take on apprentices. THE Welsh Government has recently announced an extra £5m for apprenticeships in 2016-7 which will support an extra 2,500 apprenticeships across Wales. Completion rates are at an all-time high with more young people now realising the benefits of a more direct and vocational route into employment that allows them to earn while they learn. Hundreds of businesses across a range of sectors in Wales are already realising what apprenticeships can do for their business but the Welsh Government is now calling for more employers to follow suit. What are the benefits? Taking on apprentices can boost an organisation in many ways including improved productivity, a more satisfied and skilled workforce as well as reduced training and recruitment costs.
• 77 per cent of businesses who have trained apprentices agree it has made their company more productive. • 88 per cent of businesses think that apprentices resulted in better motivation among their workforces. • National standards and qualifications linked with hands-on training means apprentices are well trained and productive. • Apprentices are responsive and motivated with broad,
36 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
transferable skills, while directly matching the needs of the organisation they are working for. Apprenticeships can be tailored to suit the business so employers can benefit from improving the skills of their workforce in the areas it needs. • Successful completion rates of apprenticeship frameworks remain well over 80 per cent in Wales. • There is a low turnover amongst apprentices because they have a meaningful career path to follow and are loyal to the organisation that has invested in their development. • Many apprentices continue working within the business once they have earned their qualification. Some go on to hold senior management roles within the company, bringing a significant return on investment.
How does it work? Apprentices are aged 16 and over. They earn while they learn alongside experienced employees to gain ‘on the job’ skills. They also receive training from an approved college or training provider. The business covers their wages and the Welsh Government pays for most of the training. Apprenticeships cover over 100 different frameworks across a range of business sectors and the training they are given is directly relevant to the organisation. The apprentice will work towards nationallyrecognised qualifications, starting at one of three levels - the Foundation Apprenticeship (Level 2), Apprenticeship (Level 3) or Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4 and above). The apprenticeship can take between one year and four years to complete.
Apprenticeships Businesses of any size and sector can take part in the Apprenticeship Programme. Through the Skills Gateway for Business, Careers Wales and its network of training providers, the Welsh Government provides support from the outset, from recruitment to funding. Training providers work with businesses to deliver work-based training programmes for apprentices. They work with businesses to complete the necessary paperwork, help with the
recruitment process, agree dates for the apprenticeship training to start and can provide a wide range of further advice along the way. Careers Wales runs the Apprenticeship Matching Service which is a free, online recruitment system to help employers to find the right candidates for an apprenticeship within their business. It gives businesses a free platform to advertise apprenticeship positions within their company. Individuals can search by
sector, geography, job role and type. As well as advertising online, businesses can filter applicants and invite them for interview through the service. Welsh language and bilingual apprenticeships Apprenticeships can be studied in English, through the medium of Welsh or even bilingually, depending on the needs of the business. Running a Welsh language apprenticeship can make a business stand out from its competitors and can
improve customer service for some businesses as well as attract new customers.
The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with the support of the European Social Fund. If you’re interested in finding out more about taking on an apprentice and the benefits they can bring to your business, visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/ skillsgateway/ or call 03000 6 03000.
The Alternative Board
Accountability
Experience
Solutions Objective
Valuable Challenge Professional
Growth
Creative
Focussed
Inspiring
Motivating
Confidential
Expert
Trusted
Enjoyable
Board members meet monthly to learn from each others' successes and challenges, and gain advice on how to take their business to the next level. Members benefit from 1-2-1 executive coaching sessions, as well as having access to TAB’s business improvement tools.
Collaborative
Support
The Alternative Board (TAB) is positioned to help local business owners grow their companies, increase profitability and improve their lives by participating in peer advisory boards. The boards that we create, manage and facilitate comprise owners, managing directors and CEOs who run non-competing businesses.
Honest
is growing
To find out more and take advantage of a no-cost ‘Test Drive’, contact David Roberts on 07899 910293 | DRoberts@TheAlternativeBoard.co.uk http://NE-Wales.TheAlternativeBoard.co.uk
38 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Top Tips
Clara from Zebra Marketing shares some top-tips on how to effectively market your business. Simplistic and realistic When it comes to delivering the campaign, it’s got to be manageable. If you have a small team or don’t have the budget to utilise an agency or recruit new staff, it needs to be realistic. You can’t afford to create a campaign that is going to take over all your time. For example, if you are using a form of direct marketing or running a competition, make sure you can handle the amount of people targeted. Start with targeting small numbers and work your way up. Or if you are creating a social media campaign, ensure you have the sufficient amount of resources to respond to any engagements quickly and effectively.
Getting the message Big budget marketing and PR campaigns set out by some of the big hitters in business can make setting out to create a campaign seem daunting and almost irrelevant to small businesses. Trying to compete with the standards the big earners are producing can seem impossible, which can make small businesses reluctant to even try. Simplicity is key You don’t need a big budget to engage your audience, you just need to understand your business and your customers. A simple campaign can be achieved on a much smaller budget using the vast number of tools in the marketing/PR toolbox. This small budget will then turn into a bigger budget in the future, if the campaign is managed properly and is successful. It’s all about what you have to say… Your message is the most important part. What do you want to get across to your customers? Investing in appropriate communication tools,
such as press releases, direct mail or advertising can allow you to spread this message to your target audience through different platforms from social media and websites, through to printed material. You also need to find out which way is best to target your audience. Social media can reach the widest target audience compared to any other platform and it’s completely free, but this isn’t the best channel for everything! Ensuring you have the right message being shared from the correct platform is key. This is the simplest objective and should be a main priority. Adapt to now… Communication methods are changing all the time, creating new ways to communicate. You need to adapt and change alongside to benefit from these. Who knows what the most used platform will be in two years’ time, but businesses need to be prepared to utilise them. The easier you can adapt, then the less time and money is spent on communicating using the wrong platforms.
Word of mouth Networking for small businesses is vital. The relationships that are built are mutually beneficial to both parties. Utilise networking to spread the word about your campaign through the people you meet. The campaign itself can be used as talking point when meeting new people at networking events. That conversation might be the start of very beneficial relationship and can help spread your message organically. Stand out from the crowd Be creative! It doesn’t need to be expensive to be imaginative. Utilise what makes you different in your campaign and catch the attention of your target audience that way. In an age where people are bombarded with emails, do something different. Send them a leaflet, letter or informative newsletter that includes a fun and unique call-to-action. You will be surprised how refreshing it is for a person to see something tangible in a day full of digital.
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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New Members AB Marketing Limited
Carol Anne’s Florist
England Boxing
Anne Byrne Tarvin, Chester CH3 8HD T: 07866 452525 E: anne@abmarketinglimited.com www.abmarketinglimited.com
Suzanne Smith 237 Whitby Road, Whitby Village, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 6RT T: 0151 3555373 E: carolsflorist@btconnect.com
Paul Bourbage English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 5DA T: 0114 2235634 E: enquiries@englandboxing.org www.englandboxing.org
Added Assets & Associates Peter Hurst Chester T: 07929 147836 E: peter@addedasset.com www.addedasset.com
Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust Fran Miller 146 London Rd, Northwich, Cheshire,CW9 5HH T: 01606 333125 E: fran@cheshirecarerscentre.org.uk www.carers.org/cheshire
Adrian Waters Chartered Architect
Clearly Simply Truly Marketing
Adrian Waters Old School House, Rhes-y-Cae Holywell, Flintshire CW8 8JG T: 01352 780379 E: adrian@adrianwatersarchitect.co.uk www.adrianwatersarchitect.co.uk
Management Ltd Cynara Livera Hill View, Church Street, Tarvin, Chester, Cheshire CH3 8NA T: 01829 740865 E: cynara@cstmarketingmanagement.co.uk www.cstmarketingmanagement.co.uk
Aiden Associates Ltd Keith Webb Aiden House, Wynnstay Hall Estate Ruabon, Wrexham LL1 6LA T: 01978 812036 E: keithwebb860@btinternet.com
Alderley Park Ltd Martin Mochan Alderley Park, Alderley Edge Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4TG T: 01625 238600 E: martin.mochan@mspl.co.uk www.alderleycc.co.uk
Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW) Kate Harcus Ty AVOW, 21 Egerton Street, Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough LL11 1ND T: 01978 312556 E: kate.harcus@avow.org www.avow.org
Brooke Solutions Harriet Brooke Oswestry T: 01691 239112 E: harriet@brookesolutions.uk www.brookesolutions.uk
Bunjee Products Ltd Buffy Swinnerton Chester T: 01244 888579 E: buffy@mybunjee.com www.mybunjee.com
Credit Management Group UK
Events Genie Sarah Vernon Chester T: 01244 346457 E: sarahvernon@events-genie.co.uk www.events-genie.co.uk
Fuller Safety Simon Fuller 22 Connaught House, Riverside Business Park, Benarth Road, Conwy, Gwynedd, LL32 8UB T: 01492 588073 E: enquiries@fullersafety.co.uk www.fullersafety.co.uk
Rebecca Davies Innovation House, Power Road, Bromborough, Wirral, Merseyside CH62 3QT T: 0845 0540504 E: contact@cmgroupuk.com www.cmgroupuk.com
Inside Out of Chester Ltd
Cullimore Dutton Tania McGee Friars, 20 White Friars, Chester CH1 1XS T: 01244 356789 E: tania.mcgee@cullimoredutton.co.uk www.cullimoredutton.co.uk
Kathy Owen Unit 5, Project House, Glendale Business Park, Glendale Avenue, Sandycroft, Flintshire CH5 2QP T: 01244 637420 E: kathy.owen@kitenetworks.co.uk www.kitenetworks.co.uk
Develop Capability
Mdecon
Bal Matu Hillview House, Bates Lane, Helsby, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 9LJ T: 01928 723701 E: bal@matu.co.uk www.developcapability.co.uk
Matt Tuck 26 Castle Street, Conwy, Gwynedd, LL32 8AY T: 01492 581165 E: matt@mdecon.com www.mdecon.com
Julie Rowland 37 Prenton Place, Handbridge, Chester, Cheshire CH4 7DW T: 01244 683024 E: insideoutofchester@outlook.com
Kite Networks Ltd
Ecobikeads
Myddelton College
Sam Howarth 2 Beeches Lodge, Cuddington, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 2EH T: 01244 960193 E: samhowarth@ecobikeads.co.uk www.ecobikeads.co.uk
Peakes Lane, Denbigh, Denbighshire LL16 3EN T: 01745 472201 www.myddeltoncollege.com
40 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Noble Isle Limited Felicity Cossa 145 Edge Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside,L7 2PF T: 0800 1577838 E: felicity@nobleisle.com www.nobleisle.com
New Members Sue Bethell - Nutrition Fitness
Rukhsana Nugent Training Solutions
Uprint Limited
Sue Bethell Old School House, Rhes-y-Cae, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 8JG T: 01352 780379 E: sue@thediettutor.co.uk www.thediettutor.co.uk
Rukhsana Nugent 92 Llandudno Road, Penrhyn Bay, Llandudno, Gwynedd LL30 3HL T: 07743 827962 E: rukhsanapnugent@aol.com www.rnts.co.uk
Michael Shaw 2 Well House Barns, Chester, Cheshire CH4 0DH T: 0800 0890 595 E: corporate@u-print.org www.u-print.org
Onyx Health
SBARC
Vision Consulting Group
Jeanette Starkey 110 St Marks Road, Saltney, Chester, Cheshire CH4 8DQ T: 01244 560670 E: info@onyxhealth.co.uk www.onyxhealth.co.uk
Siwan Owen Sales Office, Gallows Point, Beaumaris, Anglesey LL58 8YL T: 01248 810594 E: siwan@sbarc.net www.sbarc.net
Stephen Lloyd Moorcroft, Guilden Sutton, Chester, Cheshire CH3 7HA T: 01244 560605 E: s.lloyd@v-c-g.co.uk www.visionconsultinggroup.co.uk
Pioneer House
Serekinti
WhisperTree
Piers Goodall Pioneer Business Park, North Road, Ellesmere Port, Merseyside CH65 1AD T: 0151 5504500 E: reception@pioneer-house.co.uk www.pioneer-house.co.uk
Daniel Schraibman Denbighshire T: 07599 519427 E: daniel@serekinti.com www.serekinti.com
Jayne Ford Chowley 1, Chowley Oak Lane, Tattenhall, Cheshire CH3 9GA T: 01948 770190 E: info@whispertree.co.uk www.whispertree.co.uk
r2jmedia Mark Jones 6 Penry Street, Rhos, Wrexham, Cheshire LL14 1DF T: 0843 8860811 E: r2jmedia@gmail.com www.r2jmedia.com
Phil Broeders 21 Evans Business Centre, North Road, Service Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 1AE T: 0151 3573456 E: phil@specs2u.co.uk www.specs2u.co.uk
Regus Express
Tension Control Bolts Ltd
Helen Pullin Chester Services, M56 Junction 14, Elton, Chester, Cheshire CH2 4QZ T: 07788 897040 E: helen.pullin@regus.com www.regus.co.uk
Gillian Gould TCB House, Clywedog Road South, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough LL13 9XS T: 01978 661122 E: ggould@tcbolts.com www.tcbolts.com
Rich Fagan & Sons
Specs2U Ltd
Rich Fagan Fairhaven, Main Road, Lower Kinnerton, Chester, Cheshire CH4 9AE T: 01244 318578 E: richtreeworks@hotmail.com www.richfagan.co.uk
The Business Affiliate Group
Richard Carr Consultancy
The Potential Choice Ltd
Richard Carr 34 Gwalia, Nant Parc, Johnstown, Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough, LL14 2TS T: 01978 845532 E: carrchrd@aol.com
Stuart Cross 20 Park Road West, Chester, Cheshire CH4 8BG T: 07542 505334 E: stuart@thepotentialchoice.com www.thepotentialchoice.com
Right Sort Mailing Co
Thrass UK Ltd
Marcus Pipe Unit 29, Penley Industrial Park, Penley, Wrexham County Borough LL13 0LQ T: 01948 831000 E: marcus@rightsort.com www.rightsort.com
Alan Davies The Willows, 18 Long Lane, Upton, Chester, Cheshire CH2 2PD T: 01244 323079 E: alandavies@thrass.co.uk www.thrass.co.uk
David Pratt Llandudno T: 07931 682361 E: businessaffiliategroup@gmail.com www.businessaffiliategroup.com
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
41
What Feature I’m passionate about Your opportunity to get to know: Patrick Kingsley Williams, Managing Director of MWL Systems I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT… Technology, and in particular the internet, is often blamed for many of the ills that beset society in the twenty first century but it’s my belief that this isn’t necessarily fair. We are told that communities are in danger of falling apart owing to so-called social media and good communication links which allow people to live and work in different places. Small local shops and service providers are squeezed out of our high streets and small towns by the growth of huge companies sometimes offering lower prices yet often inferior and impersonal levels of service. Almost anything can now be bought on-line and this can be a boon at times but doesn’t always lead to satisfaction. We’ve all seen examples of cases where large scale does not mean efficiency. Huge projects, particularly those in the public sector, overrun by years and cost many millions of pounds more than they should. I believe that there is still a very important place for small scale operations organised on a local or regional level. It takes the resources of an enormous multinational company to build a nuclear power station or an ocean liner but SMEs are the backbone of the economy as we are frequently told by the government. Increasingly we are seeing a backlash against globalisation where
communities take matters into their own hands if they are faced with the loss of essential services. In the small rural village of Llanarmon-yn-Ial, where I live, the only pub closed six years ago, followed three years later by the village shop. In both cases members of the community joined together and, as volunteers, resurrected these businesses which are now thriving. The benefits of this approach are felt at all levels and I’m proud to have been of help in some way and would do so again if the opportunity arises. The village attracted the attention of Prince Charles and the Duchess of
42 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Cornwall last July and the royal visit was followed up later that month by a feature on BBC Breakfast. In my business life as MD of MWL Systems I am very aware of our corporate social responsibilities and our position within the business community of the region. We always use the services of local suppliers wherever possible and recruit locally too. It’s my firm belief that many tangible and intangible benefits accrue from this principle and that those large organisations in the region, especially those who are funded by taxpayers’ money, would do well to take the same approach.
Social Business Wales is funded by Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund. It is delivered by the Wales Co-operative Centre and is part of the Business Wales service. Ariennir Busnes Cymdeithasol Cymru gan Gronfa Datblygu Rhanbarthol Ewrop a Llywodraeth Cymru. Fe’i darperir gan Ganolfan Cydweithredol Cymru fel rhan o wasanaeth Busnes Cymru.
Don’t let your business wither and die because of poor succession planning Growing a business takes time.
withdrawal from your business.
Unfortunately, if you get your succession strategy wrong it can be a bit like taking an axe to your family tree.
If you would like to know more about employee ownership, please visit http://businesswales.gov.wales/ socialbusinesswales/employee-ownership or call and speak to one of our Enquiry Officers on 03000 6 03000.
Employee ownership offers a dynamic alternative to traditional exit strategies. A move towards employee ownership could allow you to plan a phased
Please quote ‘EO2016’.
Peidiwch â gadael i’ch busnes wywo a marw oherwydd cynllunio olyniaeth gwael Mae datblygu busnes yn cymryd amser.
gynllunio i gilio o’ch busnes cam wrth gam.
Yn anffodus, os ydych chi’n cael eich strategaeth olyniaeth yn anghywir, gall ymdebygu ychydig i dorri eich coeden deulu gyda bwyell.
Os hoffech chi wybod mwy ynglŷn â pherchnogaeth gan weithwyr, ewch i http://businesswales.gov.wales/ socialbusinesswales/cy/perchnogaethgan-weithwyr neu ffoniwch 03000 6 03000 er mwyn siarad gydag un o’n Swyddogion Ymholiadau.
Mae perchnogaeth gan weithwyr yn cynnig ffordd amgen ddynamig i strategaethau ymadael traddodiadol. Gallai symudiad tuag at berchnogaeth gan weithwyr eich galluogi i
Dyfynnwch ‘EO2016’ os gwelwch yn dda.