ISSN 2396-8907
WINTER 2016
The Big Interview Professor Maria Hinfelaar, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Glyndw ˆ r University, Wrexham West Cheshire & North Wales
Chamber of Commerce
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Chamber News
Chief Executive Officer’s Message A very warm welcome to you all as we head towards the end of another year. Some say time flies - well it certainly has this year for the Chamber! THE Chamber Team continue to deliver the events, seminars, training and marketing support that we know you need and want. Our commitment to meet the needs of our membership are at the forefront of our thinking and so we have made some recent, and much needed, additions to the Chamber team. These include our new Membership Executive, Jenny Kennedy, who is here to support recruitment of new members, Dan Ward and Tamzin Woodward who both take up Export Documentation Assistant roles within our International Trade Team. We are also joined by our new, and second Apprentice Melissa Kermode who will be providing administrative support within the Team. We now have a team of twelve who are here to assist and support you through every aspect of your membership and we aspire to grow the team further over 2017, so please keep them all busy and make the very most of what we have to offer you in the year ahead. I know that our management team of Sarah Jones, Debbie Stokes and Debbie Hancox are striving to ensure that we drive further value into the departmental products and services we offer to ensure that each and every one of our members gains the very most from their annual membership. Our continued growth as a business has seen significant change in our operations and our strategic approach as a key economic stakeholder across the North West. I hope that this is reflected in the opportunities we are able to provide our members to ensure we offer the highest possible value to every one of our growing membership. As we enter a new year
we have ambitious plans to maintain this trajectory of growth as we set about achieving our 5-year vision for the Chamber, which will lead us into our centenary year in 2021. As you all know, the Chamber is supported by an experienced and diligent Board of Directors; earlier in 2016 the board met to agree the Chamber’s representational and strategic focus for the next 5 years. A clear alignment of key priorities was reached and so moving forward the Chamber will focus its resources on four key areas, those being: • Infrastructure and connectivity across our region and beyond • Skills and Young People – Bridging the gap between business and education • International Trade – creating global ambition among the local SME community • Ensuring an Authentic voice for business is heard across our region and beyond The Chamber will, of course, ensure that we represent our members on all matters, big or small, in relation to providing economic growth and opportunity in West Cheshire and North Wales but shall also focus its attention clearly and succinctly on what we believe are four key areas which will significantly affect our economy in the coming months and years ahead. We will, however, need YOUR help in making our vision a reality so I would encourage you to contact us with any issues that you face as a business in West Cheshire and North Wales and specifically issues that fall into the areas of focus above. Our quarterly economic survey is a fantastic chance for businesses large and small to have their say. Government
Colin Brew Chief Executive Officer, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
and the Bank of England recognise our survey as the leading business survey in the UK and so please do all you can to take the time to complete it once the link arrives in your inbox. Together we can ensure the economic bar is raised and that opportunities that are open to other areas of the UK are also available to our own. And so I wish you well for the quarter ahead. I hope that you, your colleagues, your families and those close to you have a wonderful end to the year, a peaceful Christmas and a fantastic 2017.
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cover story
ISSN 2396-8 907
CONTENT
WINTER 20 16
WCNW WINT
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The Big Interview Professor Maria Hinfelaar Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Wrexham Glyndwr University
The Big Int
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Pages 24-2 5
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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Riverside Innovation Centre 1 Castle Drive Chester CH1 1SL T: +44 (0) 1244 669988 w: www.wcnwchamber.org.uk e: info@wcnwchamber.org.uk WCNW Enquiries: Beth Gittins e: b.gittins@wcnwchamber.org.uk The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Chamber. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format (including, but not limited to, any online service, any database or any part of the internet), or in any other format in any media whatsoever, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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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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Member News... Outwrite PR’s campaign is named best in Wales
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NEWS Chamber CEO wins prestigious Business Person of the Year Award
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE
22 GETTING STARTED
With Jane Bingham at Cheshire Garden
PERSON BEHIND 29 THE THE BUSINESS
International Trade
Martin John Davidson of Martin John Bespoke Tailors
38 24 HOURS WITH...
Nigel Brook at Cat’n’Mouse
39 TOP TIPS...
from Louise Wilson & Lisa Carew, Directors of Brighter Choices
40 NEW MEMBERS
A list of our new members
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Chamber News
Chamber CEO wins prestigious Business Person of the Year Award. WEST Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce are celebrating success following the award to its Chief Executive, Colin Brew, at this year’s Trinity Mirror Cheshire Business Awards. Colin received the accolade of Cheshire Business Person of the Year following deliberation from a panel of judges led by the award sponsors SAS Daniels. On a wonderful evening at Chester Cathedral, hundreds gathered to celebrate the best of Cheshire business at this annual showcase for the region. With guest host Lucy Meacock leading the evening Cheshire showed the best of its entrepreneurial spirit with twelve awards being presented to those businesses that really have gone above and beyond. Following the awards Colin Brew confirmed his delight at receiving his
award… “I feel overwhelmed but extremely proud to have gained this award and whilst I am personally delighted, it has not come without a lot of hard work and dedication on the part of numerous individuals and organisations that support the Chamber in all that it does. I would like to thank not only the Chamber team, who do most of the hard work, but also all those that work with the Chamber to create an economic environment where businesses can thrive.”
Accolade for Excellence in Customer Service Award at 2016 Chamber Business Awards CHESTER Zoo from Upton near Chester has been crowned one of the winners in the Wales & West Cheshire region heats of the Chamber Business Awards 2016. Now in their 13th year, the Awards are a highlight of the business calendar and they pay tribute to the key role that local businesses play in driving the UK economy. The Excellence in Customer Service Award winner, Chester Zoo, will now go forward to represent the Wales & West Cheshire region in the national finals, which take place in
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London in November. Francis Martin, President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “Businesses are the driving force of the UK economy. Their creativity, hard work and acumen are what makes us one of the world’s strongest and most resilient economies, and they deserve recognition for the crucial role that they play. “Our judging teams across the country are consistently impressed by the number of high calibre entrants in the awards, and this year’s
West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
competitors are no different. “The Chamber Business Awards are the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate our business community’s achievements, to take stock of the outstanding performances of UK businesses over the past year, and to encourage and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.” Home to 20,000 animals, in 125 acres of award-winning zoological gardens, Chester Zoo was last year named the best zoo is the UK and seventh in the world by Trip Advisor.
Proud to be involved in hundreds of conversation projects, home and abroad, the Zoo is a registered charity with the goal of being a major force in conserving the living world. Boasting over 1.74 million visitors every year and a Trip Advisor certificate of excellence, it is ranked the number one most popular destination in Chester, overtaking the beautiful heritage landmarks of the Roman Amphitheatre and Cathedral by a long mile.
Chamber News
Dan Wards Export Journey I STUDIED Business Level 3 Extended Diploma at West Cheshire College with the intention of finding a job afterwards. The course involved a compulsory work experience placement; my tutor had received an email about an opportunity to complete my placement at the Chamber and this was offered to me. I hadn’t heard much about the Chamber before my placement and felt it would be a great opportunity to learn more and to explore different areas of the business. I started by helping to create membership packs and attended a meeting for the planning of the summer 2016 cocktail party with our Membership Support Officer, Jenny Davidson. I was then shown the export documents and given an insight into the International Trade aspect of the business. I was shown how the documents are submitted to us which can be over the counter, by post and via the E-Z Cert website and the process of certifying the documents and the customer
service delivered. I also spent time with our Finance Manager Sarah Jones, looking at the accounts and different payment systems, and I helped generate new invoices during this time. I enjoyed my short time at the Chamber, getting to know about what the organisation does and how it works. On my last day, the Chambers Chief Executive Officer Colin Brew invited me into his office for an informal chat and the result of which was an interview later that week. Following this I was offered the role of Export Documentation Assistant, a role I started in July. My training and mentorship has been provided by Export Manager, Dave Roberts. He initially taught me the basics and then later the more indepth requirements of my role including the certification process. I have also been working closely with Matt Hodgson, we doublecheck the export documents which are mainly submitted electronically through the E-Z Cert website, to make
sure that they are correct and eligible for certification. My time spent with our Export Manager, Debbie Hancox, has been looking into the administration side of my role and assisting with the administration of our B.C.C accredited training courses and helping our new exporters. Over the last 5 months working at the Chamber, I have completed 9 courses which have given me a good knowledge and understanding of export documentation and international trade. I’ve also finalised my formal training with the British Chambers 2-day Certification Procedures Award plus the 1 day EUR/ATR course which I successfully passed. This allows me to stamp and certify documents in my own name. Attending these
courses and training sessions has been a great opportunity for me to gain skills and meet other people from within the accredited Chamber network. So far, my time at the Chamber has been extremely enjoyable. I am now fully certified and I look forward to being able to have the freedom to stamp documents in my own right and to help other exporters with all of their document and export needs.
Chamber Shortlisted for Success at Prestige BCC Business Awards Gala Dinner
L to Right Jennifer Kennedy, Beth Gittins, Melissa Kermode, Jenny Davidson, Debbie Stokes and Sarah Jones
WEST Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its recent success by being shortlisted for the ‘Excellence in Membership Services Category’ at the Annual British Chambers of Commerce Business Awards Gala Dinner. Running against 52 other Accredited Chamber’s across the country, statistically WCNW Chamber is up there
with the best for offering its member’s the greatest service and opportunities, our high rate of new membership recruitment and member retention serving as a testament to this. The success will see the Chamber’s membership team embark on a visit to the prestigious event, hosted in The Brewery, London, where the winner will be revealed. Watch this space!
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Strategic Members News Mercer & Associates Wealth Management become the Chamber’s latest Strategic Partners! NESTLED in the heart of the heritage city of Chester, Mercer & Associates Wealth Management provide bespoke financial planning service to Business owners, Private Clients, Trustees and Charities across the West Cheshire and North Wales region. This is delivered through personal face to face relationships founded on trust, excellent service and superior wealth management planning. They work with their clients to create a bespoke financial planning solution based on their individual circumstances through the implementation of straightforward or if necessary a complex, multifaceted plan. Speaking on behalf of the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of
Commerce, Debbie Stokes Membership Director shared an insight on what it would mean for both organisations now Mercer & Associates Wealth Management have solidified their relationship with the Chamber further. “We are delighted to welcome Mercer & Associates Wealth Management as our latest Strategic Partner. Throughout their membership, the team at Mercer & Associates have been actively involved and very supportive of the Chamber and our members. Our outlook and goals for supporting businesses in the local region complement each other and I very much look forward to working more closely with Mercer & Associates during the next twelve months”.
L to R David Wall, Mercer & Associates Wealth Management Ltd & Colin Brew, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
L to R, David Wall and Darren Mercer, both Mercer & Associates Wealth Management.
Being a dedicated and valued member of the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce since 2014, the company has now decided to take its membership to the next level by becoming the Chamber’s sixth Strategic Member. Mercer & Associates Wealth Management, representatives of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, pride themselves on their extensive range of knowledge, specialising in providing high quality personal advice on many aspects of wealth management, advising clients of widely differing financial resources and of all ages. Additionally, they assist businesses in the increasingly complex area of corporate financial planning, providing guidance on pensions, protection for directors, key employees or shareholders, mitigating/minimising tax
liabilities and tax efficient profit extraction. Speaking about becoming a strategic partner and recent alliance with the Chamber David Wall, Associate Partner of Mercer & Associates Wealth Management said “I am delighted we have been invited to become a Strategic Member of the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce. We are an approachable business and have worked closely with the Chamber over the last couple of years, taking our membership up to the next level enables greater access to our expertise and services and we want to assist Chamber members in growing and protecting their businesses”.
Chamber News You are invited to the Chamber Annual Charity St David’s Day Ball!
THE renowned Chamber Annual Charity St David’s Day Ball is back, and is set to light up your social calendar on Friday the 3rd March 2017. The event is generously being sponsored by Cullimore Dutton, a celebrated and highly successful legal firm, incorporating traditional values with a modern outlook. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Cycling 4 All – Pedal Power, a charity which provides truly accessible outdoor activities for all. Pedal Power is a specialist cycling service offering fun, achievement and therapy for people 222495-11-16WCNW HENLLE PARK GOLF CLUB EDIT with physical and learning size: BV 1/2L (181mm wide x 116mm high) difficulties as well as those
recovering from injury or illness – a real worthwhile cause. A complimentary glass of sparkling rosé is available on arrival, all before sitting down for a delicious three-course meal, with hot beverages and mints to follow. Speaking about last year’s Ball Dealer Principal Booking Details at Evans Halshaw Ford If you or your company would like to donate a prize for the Bretton, Scott Burns said charity auction or raffle, please contact Jenny Davidson on “Having booked a table of j.davidson@wcnwchamber.org.uk. 10 for me and my colleagues £42 for Chamber members (£35 + VAT per person) the Ball was a fantastic opportunity to socialise £50.40 for non-Chamber members (£42 + VAT per person) as one in the surrounds of Tables of 8 to 10 people can enjoy a 5% discount the beautiful Quay Hotel. For those guests wishing to stay the night, the Quay Hotel Breaking the stereotype of & Spa is offering a reduced rate of £120.00 bed & breakfast. a ball, the evening was a To book, please contact the hotel on 01492 564100 or fun filled night made even email reservations@quayhotel.co.uk and state that you are File: 222495-11-16WCNW HENLLE PARK GOLF CLUB better by the fact we raised Ad size: US A4 1/4P (87mm wide x 126mm attending thehigh) Chamber Dinner. so much money for charity!”
HENLLE P A R K GOLF CLUB
HENLLE PARK GOLF CLUB Ideal for Corporate Days and large societies.
Henlle Golf Club AT HENLLE we are well acquainted with hosting Corporate Golf Days, together with large societies, club matches, county matches and inter-county matches. Our impressive new club house , which employs two chefs in the state of the art kitchen, has capacity for up to 120 diners, providing great food for our Members and visitors alike. The new club house is ideal for corporate day entertainment following the golf, be it either a prize presentation, a post golf meal or an evening party. Situated on the side of the A5 Trunk road, Henlle is 5 minutes from Oswestry, 15 minutes from Wrexham and 30 minutes from the Chester area. The award winning
beautiful undulating Georgian Parkland Course has 19 Greens, purposely designed and constructed to USGA specifications. The variety of land contours, together with mature trees and lakes provide many interesting and varied holes. The course is complimented by free draining soil providing quality golf throughout the year. Competitive corporate golf packages are available to suit all levels of business. For more information please refer to our web site www.henllegolf.co.uk
HENLLE P A R K
222495-11-16WCNW HENLLE PARK GOLF CLUB EDIT.indd 1
GOLF CLUB
18 hole. Par 70. 6161 yd award winning course Set in beautiful undulating Georgian Parkland. • Superb USGA spec Greens. • New Club House. • Virtual tour of the Course available on ourwebsite www.henllegolf.co.uk
Henlle Park Golf Club. Gobowen. Oswestry. Shropshire. SY11 3LQ Tel 01691 670680
TOGETHER 28/11/2016 222495-11-16WCNW 14:12 HENLLE PARK GOLF CLUB.indd 1
WE’RE WELL CONNECTED 28/11/2016
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Strategic Members News Merry Marketing for a Happy New Year! CLIENTS often ask us whether they should continue B2B marketing communications throughout the Christmas break. Our answer to this is always “yes” however, there are a number of things to consider and ensure for continued success of your campaigns. • Not everyone will be on holiday! Recognise that the majority of your target market is not on holiday for the whole holiday period. With increasing mobility, few of us stop working completely, even when we are on leave.
• Know your holiday dates! Different countries celebrate different holidays so if you are marketing across multiple countries, get an understanding of the holiday dates for each and plan accordingly. • Research and Plan Many B2B prospects use the quieter holiday periods for doing research and to work on future strategy and plans. Take the time to research and plan ahead! • A new year, a new start Many people see January as the start of a new period and a fresh start to work. They are often open to seeing an opportunity to kick off new initiatives, renew drives to measure results, review budgets, etc.
• External events The closer you get to the holidays the harder it is to run a successful external event. If you are planning an event in the middle of December, it can be a struggle to achieve your numbers. • Less is more Most people dread coming in after a few days out of the office to a large inbox of emails. If you are running a campaign over Christmas it needs to stand out, be fun and creative and ideally personalised to avoid the delete button. • Test new channels Many prospects have more time on their hands to look at other channels whilst they are on holiday, spending more time on social media, so be sure to include these in your campaign planning!
Merry Marketing from the Umbrella Marketing Team!
What’s all the fuss about Employee Engagement? Justine Watkinson – Head of Employment, Hillyer McKeown Solicitors EE is fundamentally the nature of the relationship between an organisation and its employees. An engaged employee is one who is enthusiastic about their work and takes positive action to further an organisation’s reputation and interests. They show commitment, passion and energy towards work, translating into high levels of persistence with the most difficult of tasks. When an employer gets it right, the stats are impressive; • Highly committed employees try 57% harder, perform 20% better and are 87% less likely to quit • Engaged workforces on average improve an organisation’s income by 19% whilst those with low engagement saw income
decline by 33%. Unfortunately, according to a recent CIPD study, the level of Employee Engagement in many workplaces could be dramatically improved; • Only half of employees said their work was personally meaningful • Fewer than 1 in 10 people looked forward to coming to work with half of all employees viewing work as “just a job” • Only 33% of the UK workforce was viewed as engaged What can you do to improve levels of EE in your organisation? Some basic initiatives can empower employees and stimulating interest in the wider objectives of the business;
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Justine Watkinson – Head of Employment, Hillyer McKeown Solicitors
• Introduce Personal Development Plans for each employee. • Set up lunchtime forums, giving employees an opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts and ideas • Consider introducing an employee bonus pool • If the success of your organisation is in any way reliant on the performance
of its people, developing an EE strategy could be critical. • If you would like some help with your EE initiatives, please contact me to help unlock this untapped potential. Justine - m: 07961 075124, dd: 01244 616609, e: jw@law.uk.com www.hillyermckeown.co.uk
Busnes Cymru yn cynorthwyo RainbowBiz gyrraedd ei bot o aur “Rhoddodd Busnes Cymru y cyfle i ni ymgysylltu gydag ymgynghorydd busnes profiadol a allai ein cynorthwyo i ddatrys materion a rhoi arweiniad ariannol” Sue Oliver, RainbowBiz
Busin i ess in s Wa ss W le l s helps Rain i bowB in w iz wB i reach its pot of gold “Business Wales gave us the opportunity to engage with an experienced business adviser who could help us overcome issues and provide financial guidance” Sue Oliver, r RainbowBiz r,
03000 6 030000 busnescymru.llyw.cymru businesswales.gov.wales
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Strategic Members & Member News Ellis & Co highlights family business challenges FAMILY businesses face a unique set of challenges in order to be successful, according to Chester and Wrexham based Ellis & Co. Robert Ellis, Principal at the firm, regularly advises family businesses, from those starting out to some entering their fourth generation. Some of the biggest issues facing businesses include:
1 Different interests Some family members may need dividends to pay bills but others prefer to see cash retained in the business to expand its activities. 2 Lack of strategy With no clearly defined strategy for the business it can be difficult to get all family members to agree.
3 Succession planning Succession is often a problem. Older family members may be unwilling to step down or there may be no clear leader from the next generation to take the business forward. 4 Wrong skills Family businesses often try to shoehorn family members into roles they are ill-suited to. 5 Lack of scrutiny Family businesses can be unwilling to adopt good management practices, such as key performance indicators (KPIs), because they fear it will highlight shortcomings among family members.
Robert Ellis and the Ellis & Co Team
6 Attracting talent It can be hard to attract outside talent as candidates may feel career progression is blocked by a family member. Robert Ellis said: “Although there are special challenges that face family businesses, there are also many positives, such as a good trading history, plenty of cash retained in the business and a culture of everyone working together. “If problems do arise, they can often be overcome by bringing in non-family members to fill the skill gaps.” If you are a family business and would like to find out more about how Ellis & Co can help, please contact Robert Ellis: robertellis@ ellis-uk .com or 01244 343504.
Lynne Swinnerton celebrates 30 years in the Travel Industry BACK in June, Lynne Swinnerton of Lomani Luxury Travel in Wrexham celebrated 30 years of being in the travel industry. Lynne says that ever since she was a young child she longed for a career that would take her to far flung destinations and give her experiences of different countries and cultures. Starting her career at the age of 14, Lynne became a Saturday girl in a travel agency and has ever since been helping people make their holiday and travel arrangements. Lynne says that working in the travel industry has been the perfect career as it has enabled her to travel the world. “During my 30 years in the industry I have been to five of the seven continents, Africa was a particular favorite as it really fueled my passion for animals and conservation.
I have been incredibly fortunate… my job has afforded me some incredible experiences from luxury modes of travel to private island and luxury hotel stays, most recently at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.” “I would recommend a career in travel to anyone looking for adventure in their lives and I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done in my working life for a moment.” she said. Lynne adds that travelling so extensively has been truly incredible, but her proudest moment was launching Lomani in January 2014. “I primarily specialise in personalized tailor-made and luxury holidays and, being completely independent means that clients benefit from the option to travel with a wide and varied portfolio of travel companies.”
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Lynne Swinnerton on a South Africa Safari
The ethos of the business is all about offering the very best in customer service with 100% of post-travel questionnaires completed by new clients over the first two years of trading rating their booking experience as “Excellent” for: professionalism, knowledge, efficiency, courtesy and service - an exemplary endorsement!
MWL helps businesses across the region take advantage of the latest technology. Exciting new developments in MWL Systems’ Cloud service offerings are helping the region’s businesses take advantage of the latest technologies that will help them be more productive and up-to-date. DAVE Cottle Civil Engineering recently attended one of MWL Systems’ Business Breakfasts with a focus on Cloud Technologies. The company work in the public and private sectors of the construction industry in North Wales and the North West. As an award-winning organisation, they deliver a wide range of specialist services, including groundworks, road and sewage construction, street works, concrete works, excavation, remediation and property development. Attending MWL Systems’ event sparked their interest and gave them the ideas and impetus they needed to tackle their IT infrastructure upgrade and make much needed improvements.
Knowing MWL Systems is a trusted, local company, it gave them the confidence to take the next steps and they immediately contacted the team to arrange a follow-up consultation. Consultants at MWL were delighted to help and created a technology roadmap for the team at Dave Cottle, which allows them to plan and budget their IT strategy for the upcoming three years. Following this, due to an imminent need to replace aging hardware, a proof of concept was created to trial remote working and tablets using Office365 and OneDrive. The trial was a huge success and an immediate project was commissioned to migrate Dave Cottle
John Sides, Site Foreman of Dave Cottle, Civil Engineering operating a digger.
Phil Cottle, Director, Dave Cottle Civil Engineering (left) pictured using some of their latest technology with Hugh Valentine, Head of Cloud, MWL Systems.
Civil Engineering’s e-mail to Office365 and move the existing file structure to SharePoint Online. Having Office365 enables the company to utilise and get the benefits from the latest technology available to them and makes remote working very simple. The SharePoint platform means their files can easily be accessed on any PC or mobile device through a browser or application. The new platform has enabled the construction firm’s remote workers to have the ability to fill in forms while on the move at customer locations, which is a major plus. Nikki Jones, Dave Cottle Civil Engineering’s Finance Manager, said: “The solution provided by MWL Systems for our Cloud Services has transformed the way we work. We can now access all of our information on any devices anywhere in the world and this has enabled our team to collaborate much more effectively on important projects, increasing our efficiency and ultimately benefiting our clients. “We would have no hesitation in recommending
MWL Systems to other businesses, as the team made our migration to the Cloud seamless. In fact, they made something we had thought would be complicated to do, straightforward and pain free.” Matt Kingsley-Williams, MWL Systems’ Commercial Director, said “Dave Cottle Civil Engineering is now at the forefront of Cloud developments, using cutting edge technologies. We are delighted to have helped them achieve so much, they are a good example of a forward thinking company that understands how technology can help them achieve their business objectives. “Many other companies in the region could benefit from harnessing the latest IT, especially with the Cloud services now available. However, IT can seem too a complex subject at the moment for companies to tackle – that’s where our expertise can help, with our focus on demystifying the terminology and explaining things in laymans terms, helping firms achieve their objectives in the simplest and most cost-effective way.”
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Cheshire West Businesses promoted as part of the North West Financial Centre of Excellence THE Department of International Trade (formerly UKTI) have launched a series of regional Centres of Excellence to promote clusters of financial services businesses outside London. The North-West Centre of Excellence launched in Manchester earlier this year with companies such as Bank of America and Next Gear Capital flying the flag for Cheshire. Representatives
from foreign-owned banks based in London will now be invited to Lancaster House to hear about the opportunities outside the M25. Next Gear Capital have been keen to support the initiative, citing the local labour market as one of the key factors in their success. The company has relocated to larger premises on Chester Business Park and welcomed deputy
council leader Louise Gittins to their official opening. “We have been able to call upon the strong financial services skill base in Chester to set up the business in record time” said Managing Director David Mercer. You can access the report via www.nsafs.co.uk/ ukti-launches-north-westfinancial-centre-of-excellence/ or email us at invest@ cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Managing Director David Mercer with US colleagues celebrates the opening the NextGear Capital’s new office at Chester Business Park
Cheshire West & Chester Property Review now ‘Live’
Ellesmere Port Development Update Business Breakfast
new Storyhouse THE review of complex and major deals and Property Review 2015-2016 Chester Bus investment across Interchange, as part the borough has of the Northgate now been signed Development, off, evidencing alongside some another healthy exciting plans for year of growth new industrial this summary units supported by document brings European Funding. these investments The document to life. can be downloaded There have been a from Find it in Cheshire number of significant & Warrington www. opportunities, including finditincheshireandwarrington. the awarding of Enterprise co.uk/Upload/dd1f0944-1b4aZone status in Ellesmere 4dd0-a368-fb621a6394e7.pdf Port, Development of To find out more about the Northern Gateway investment opportunities Development Zone in Mid email at invest@ Cheshire, linked to HS2. cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Commencement of the
THE Development Board held a Business Breakfast in October, which was hailed as a great success. Chairman of the Ellesmere Port Development Board, Chris Farrow, said: “The Ellesmere Port Development update was extremely well attended by both local and international businesses. “It showcased commercial and housing land availability, key developments and opportunities in Ellesmere Port. Along with sharing the positive news that Ellesmere Port has so much to offer as an investment location.” Hosted by Ellesmere Port Development Board and Cheshire West and Chester
Cheshire West & Chester
Visit: invest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Council at West Cheshire College, Ellesmere Port campus presentations included an overview of the Cheshire Science Corridor Enterprise Zone and its strengths and the benefits to businesses looking to invest of the newly acquired Enterprise Zone status. If you would like to find out more about these investment opportunities then take a look at the Ellesmere Port Development Boards website www. ellesmereportdevelopment. co.uk or email us invest@ cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Your chance to sponsor ‘Storyhouse’ Chester’s hottest new Cultural Venue THE ambitious redevelopment of the Old Odeon site in Northgate Street will provide Chester with a fantastic new cultural centre. This fabulous venue will offer a new 800 seat theatre, 100 seat cinema screen and, uniquely, the city’s library. It represents an inspired investment in Chester of £37million, and has been kindly supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Arts Council England, MBNA and others. Storyhouse, as a registered charity
relies on the generosity of its audiences and supporters to bring work to life and make it accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. There are a range of ways that you as a business can get involved; you could make a donation, become a regular giver, sponsor a seat or be a corporate member. Your support is invaluable in driving forward a prosperous cultural future for Cheshire. By making a gift to Storyhouse, no matter how large or small, you will
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help ensure that this creative ambition is realised. Find out your company can get involved, contact Julie on 01244 409113 or julie@ storyhouse.com to explore options.
Superfast Business Wales BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE NOW on one of our January 2017 events Digital technology masterclasses and workshops available across Wales
JANUARY 2017 EVENTS Food and drink masterclass – EPOS, online sales and bookings software, online marketing, social media
PLUS ADDITIONAL MASTERCLASSES 2017 Construction – BSRIA, project planning, costing and management software, online marketing
Digital and online marketing masterclass
Dynamic social media for tourism businesses
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Cyflymu Cymru i Fusnesau ARCHEBWCH EICH LLE RHAD AC AM DDIM NAWR ar un o’n digwyddiadau mis Ionawr 2017 Dosbarthiadau meistr a gweithdai technoleg ddigidol ar gael ledled Cymru DIGWYDDIADAU IONAWR 2017
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TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Sanctuary Group invests 60 million in an effort to build 600 homes Over the next decade, Sanctuary Group will be investing in excess of £60 million building 600 new homes across Cheshire West. WITH a portfolio already comprising almost 7,000 properties in areas including Blacon and Lache, this further underlines the leading housing provider’s commitment to delivering the quality homes people need at a time when housing is in the national spotlight. The government aims to build one million new homes by 2020 and Sanctuary is playing its part by pledging to deliver 24,000 nationally during the next 10 years. Of the 600 new homes planned for Cheshire West, 80 per cent will be made available for either affordable rent or shared ownership with the remaining houses being for sale on the open market. They will be built by Sanctuary Group, which will also be starting work on a further 55 units for Cheshire West and Chester Council in January. Sanctuary has a proven track record of delivering homes for local people, having previously built family properties at Springfield Road in Malpas, Greenfields
in Upton, Avonlea in Lache and Essex Road in Newton. Crucially, all these projects have provided significant investment in the local economy by creating a number of employment opportunities across a variety of different skill sets. This new development programme won’t be any different. Where possible, the bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, joiners and electricians will be homegrown and live within the Cheshire West locality. Sites for the 600 new homes are currently being finalised and Sanctuary is continuing to seek out more development opportunities for the future. Peter Martin, Group Director – Development, said: “We are embarking on an ambitious 10-year national house building programme and this represents a significant investment in Chester, and Cheshire West in particular. “It will open the door to many opportunities for local people and we are excited by what lies ahead.”
Sanctuary has already delivered a number of developments in Chester
16 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
A Sanctuary property at Springfield Road in Malpas
He continued: “We are constantly looking for suitable development sites and are working with Cheshire West and Chester Council to identify further locations. “Similarly, if there are any potential partners who would like to talk to us about opportunities we would be more than happy to do so.” As well as new jobs, a number of apprenticeships will be created to support the developments, both onsite and in the management of projects. Sanctuary has a nationally recognised and respected apprenticeship programme and is committed to recruiting and nurturing individuals to be the best they can. Funding is set aside to train both apprentices and existing staff at Sanctuary’s National Maintenance Training Centre, in Sovereign Way, Chester, to ensure skills are fresh and up to date.
Known as the Octavian Centre, this dedicated purpose-built facility opened its doors in June 2014 and has seen more than 600 operatives qualify in a host of trades during that time. On top of providing a boost to the local economy, Sanctuary will be funding projects through its community investment programme as part of a commitment to support the areas in which it works. Previous examples of this have seen the installation of environmentally friendly lighting at Upton Village Hall, equipment provided for Blacon Youth Football Club and a sandpit provided for Blacon Primary School. If you would like to talk to Sanctuary Group about its development programme, please contact Development Manager Danielle Wrigley on 01244 305563.
Chamber recruits its second Apprentice from West Cheshire College THE West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce has just recruited its second Apprentice through the Apprenticeships team at the College. The Chamber’s first Apprentice, Beth Gittins, completed her Apprenticeship over the summer and has now secured a full-time position as a Membership Support Officer within the Chamber. As the new Chamber Apprentice, Melissa Kermode will be based in the Membership Support Department and will study the OCR Diploma in Business and Administration as part of the Level 2 Apprentice Framework. After recently completing her A levels, Melissa was considering progressing to university however, she felt that becoming an Apprentice would suit her better in terms of being able to work and study at the same time as earning a wage. Melissa said, “I was delighted to be offered the job with the Chamber to start my career. Initially, I will be working with the team on the organisation of events, dealing with membership enquiries and posting messages on the Chamber’s social media channels.” “I’m really excited about the future and looking forward to learning more about the Chamber’s departments and hopefully progressing within the company. Choosing the Apprenticeship route has been the right decision for me as it will enable me to gain the qualifications and experience I need for a successful career.” Apprenticeships update There are some key changes to the way Apprenticeships in England are funded. What is the Apprenticeship Levy? The Apprenticeship Levy is a new tax on businesses that will be introduced from April 2017. The levy can only be spent on an approved apprenticeship at any level. Who will pay the Levy? Employers with an annual payroll over £3 million and operating in the UK (including private, public sector and voluntary sector organisations) will have to pay the levy.
Melissa Kermode, the Chamber’s newest Apprentice What will be the cost for Levy payers? 0.5% of an employer’s total payroll with a £15,000 allowance to offset the overall cost. The levy will be paid to HMRC through the PAYE scheme and online tools will be available to employers through the new Digital Apprenticeship Service What will be the funding mechanism for Non-Levy payers? The government estimates that 98% of employers won’t pay the levy. These employers will be expected to make a 10% contribution and the government will contribute the remaining 90% of the cost of training an apprentice. Are there any incentives for businesses? Small businesses employing a 16-18 apprentice will receive £1,000 payment (in 2 installments) for taking on a 16-18 year old on an apprenticeship framework or standard, as well as 19-24 year olds who were formerly in care or who have an Education and Health Care plan.
Are there any incentives for small businesses? Employers with fewer than 50 people working for them will be able to train 16 to 18 year old apprentices without making a contribution towards the costs of training and assessment. The government will pay 100% of the training costs for these individuals Thinking of taking on an Apprentice? At West Cheshire College, we have a ‘Talent Pool’ of students who have already completed initial training and who are ready to start an Apprenticeship. Alternatively, as part of our service we will promote your Apprenticeship vacancy and support you throughout the recruitment process with our candidate matching and sifting service. If you need any further advice or guidance on employing an Apprentice or advice about funding changes, please call one of our team on 01244 656499 or email employers@west-cheshire.ac.uk
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Chamber Annual Ball West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce hosts it’s most memorable annual Black Tie Ball ever at The Chester Grosvenor THE Chester Grosvenor played host to a fantastic evening on Friday the 14th October, that included a Casino and disco dancing into the night, thanks to Dee 106.3’s own Gavin Matthews spinning the decks. Most importantly it was a fun opportunity for local businesses to dig deep and support an extremely important and worthwhile cause, with an impressive grand total of £5,300 being generously donated to Hand on Heart, courtesy of Chamber members. Hand on Heart is a charity with a simple goal; to prevent deaths in children as a result of cardiac arrest, by raising money and awareness. With one defibrillator alone costing around £1,000, it isn’t hard to understand why so many schools are still sadly without, and why fundraising is fundamental to educating people and ensuring that the correct equipment and training is available to communities. Addressing the audience before dinner, William Hogg, Chairman of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce drew attention to the achievements made in the last 12 months, highlighting Colin Brew, CEO of the Chamber’s recent win of Business Person of the Year Award at the Trinity Mirror’s Cheshire Business Awards and the many successes of the Chamber Team and its members.
Following on, Mike Spicer- Director of Research & Economics from British Chambers of Commerce, spoke about the wider network each member is a part of, and the opportunities and support that being a chamber member can give you. Speaking after the event, Colin Brew CEO of WCNW Chamber said “This year’s Chamber Annual Dinner and Ball surpassed all expectations, a fantastic
setting, great food and company and fundraising for our worthy charity, Hand on Heart. It was such a pleasure to see our members celebrate all their hard work and success over the last twelve months. Our award winners should be especially congratulated on their achievements and those who supported the organisation of the event should also be recognised for making it such a wonderful evening”
The winners of the Chamber Recognition Awards were announced as follows; Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by Insignia Resourcing Limited – Won by Altimex Ltd & ML Lighting Technology Ltd Start-Up Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – won by JS-PT Health Studio
Young Person/Apprentice of the Year Award – Sponsored by Arriva Buses Wales – Won by Beth Gittins of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Members Choice Award – Sponsored by Umbrella Marketing Team and Armadillo Events – Won by Sarah Bailey of Natwest Business Banking
Made a Difference Award – Sponsored by Kite Networks Ltd – Won by Carol Vella of Cheshire West and Chester Council
Export & International Trade Award – Sponsored by Glyndwr University Wrexham Glyndwr – Won by Becky Stark of Stark Export Focus Ltd
18 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Business Growth Award – Sponsored by Natwest Business & Commercial Banking – Won by Beehive Healthcare Ltd
Chamber Annual Ball Village The Hotel Club – Chester St Davids The Chester Grosvenor Emirates Liverpool Football Club Surf Snowdonia Jolliffe and Co Bodnant Welsh Food Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa The Wine School of Cheshire Regus Express Broughton JS-PT Lomani Luxury Travel Ltd On the Pulse of Perfumery Henlle Park Golf Club
Speaking after winning the Export & International Trade Award, Becky Stark of Stark Export Focus said “Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for the award you gave me. I think you could tell by my face that I was absolutely stunned – not often I am speechless!! I could not believe what I was hearing and was shaking for hours afterwards – even had to keep pinching myself to make sure I was not having an out of body experience. Thank you so much – you cannot imagine how much it means to me.” The winner of ‘Members Choice Award’ was Sarah Bailey of NatWest Business Banking. Unique to any other award, the winner was voted for by Chamber members across numerous events. Guests in attendance of these events were allowed to select a member of their choice and vote in a ballot box. A friend to all and a marvel in her field of finance, Sarah was the worthy winner, speaking after she said “I’m extremely honoured to be given the Member’s Choice Award, it was a complete shock. I really love seeing businesses grow and succeed in their ambitions, and to support those doing this makes me
very proud. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.” As an icing topper to what was a truly fantastic evening, one lucky guest was fortunate enough to find the ‘Golden Ticket’ hidden under their chair. Congratulations to Steve Pritchard of Evans Halshaw Ford Bretton, the lucky winner of a bottle of Laurent Perrier (kindly donated by Umbrella Marketing Team) and Afternoon Tea at Caer Rhun Hall. A great evening was had by all and the Chamber would like to thank members for their continued support and generous donations. An extended thank you is also expressed to what could only be described as a fantastic venue, who’s hospitality, food and ambiance was impeccable and truly lived up to its renowned and famous standards. Paul Ashton of Kite Networks attended the event, speaking after, he said “I just wanted to say thank you for a great evening at the Chamber Ball. We all thought it was a great night with some fantastic food and wine and everyone just seemed to be having a really good time. Thank you ever so much and we look forward to next year’s event.” The Chamber and Hand on Heart Charity would also like to offer a huge thank you to all the wonderful, generous companies who donated to our auction and raffle to raise funds for the charity. The companies were as follows;
Caer Rhun Hall Umbrella Marketing Team ChloBo Cullimore Dutton Solicitors Hillyer McKeown Solicitors Convivio Hallmark Hotel Chester Llyndir Hall The Botanist Chester JSW Insurance Luke’s Eating House and Gin Rickey’s
The Chamber is delighted to announce the grand total raised for the deserving charity was an exceptional £5,300 which will cover 5 schools across the West Cheshire and North Wales region. Speaking as a representative for Hand on Heart, Victoria Burrows spoke after the event about how the Annual Dinner provided invaluable support to their charity. “Hand on heart are extremely grateful for the Chamber and its members support on Friday evening. We are actively working in the region to raise awareness of how important it is for schools to have defibrillators on site. This funding will make five more schools heart safe by providing the defibrillator and training for both staff and pupils. There are hundreds of schools in the region many of which do not have this life saving equipment, we’d encourage schools and parents to contact us to see how we can assist with making every school in the region heart safe.”
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Events Roundup
October’s monthly networking lunch a huge success! NEARLY 50 guests attended West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce’s Networking lunch at The MacDonald New Blossoms Hotel in Chester, on the 27th October. After a relaxed networking session in the Blossom’s foyer, guests headed through to the Edgerton Room where they were treated to a exceptional two course main of seasoned, succulent chicken breast served with creamed potato and vegetables, followed by a mouth-watering New York
cheesecake and strawberry compote – delicious! David Thorley of England Boxing was the Chamber’s guest speaker for the event, taking guests on an informed discussion of how young talented boxers are scouted and the journey they make to reach Olympic standard. His presentation was hugely popular with all in attendance and generated a lot of interest and questions at the end. Melissa Kermode, The Chamber’s newest Apprentice was a guest in attendance, commenting
on her first Chamber event she spoke after “Today’s networking lunch was a fantastic opportunity to meet all of our members, it’s been really eye opening to see how relaxed and informal the Chamber’s networking events are and makes me realise why they are so popular.” Ending the event, Debbie Stokes Membership Director at the Chamber said “Again the Blossoms have blown us away with another exquisite event, the comments I have received today are a
Networking fun at Blossoms Hotel
testament to this. I would like to personally thank the team at the Blossoms whose excellent service and food helped make today such a fabulous event -I would also like to stretch my thanks to everyone who attended and made the event the huge success it was”
Luke’s Eating House wows again hosting its third networking event! PLAYING host to its third Chamber Networking Lunch, the modern and quirky Luke’s Eating House & Gin Rickey’s set the bar high with yet another fantastic event. Nestled in the heart of Chester, the swanky restaurant was the destination for over 50 guests to arrive, anticipating fine food and even greater conversation. With conversation filling the air, guests were seated. The main of Chicken Katsu Curry served with sticky jasmine rice & flaked almond went down a treat with all who attended. Following on from the main, the Chamber welcomed Cat Williams of Stay Calm and Content as a guest speaker to the room. As founder to her own company ‘Stay Calm and Content’, Cat spoke about her passion for teaching emotional resilience
and relationship skills to individuals, schools and workplaces. Working as a relationship counsellor and coach as well as an author, speaker and expert for the BBC, ITV and print media. Cat also spoke out about her experience of being a wife to a serving British Army Officer, this included Cat having to move multiple times to various countries across the globe. Originating from the village of Holt near Wrexham, she has now returned for the time being. Sharing with the audience an insight into how to best cope with personal and professional, stress, relationships and change, Cat also touched on her own self written, practical ‘Toilet Seat Therapy’ book and gave one person a chance to win a copy. Inspired by Cat’s therapy advice, guests eagerly
20 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Guest’s Enjoying lunch and networking at Luke’s & Gin Rickey’s
delved into dessert, of which was a selection of delicious ice creams and fresh sorbets, before having another opportunity to network. Debbie Stokes Chamber Membership Director said ‘Cat was highly entertaining, and I’m sure she made many members in the room including myself reflect on how we approach our day. I’d like to thank our friends at Luke’s Eating House & Gin Rickey’s, as always their food
and service was top class.’ Chamber Networking Events are an incredible way to broaden your professional contacts, raise awareness of your business and create strong friendships with likeminded business people from across your local region. The Chamber prides itself in the diverse array of local, member venues we offer, showcasing the beautiful area which within we live.
International Trade International Trade goes from strength to strength AS we plan Chamber international trade team activity in the final quarter of 2016, I thought this would be a good opportunity to re-cap on our activity so far this year and share with you how things have grown and developed within the international trade department of the Chamber. Our quarterly International Trade Forum, which was started on the 23rd April 2015, consisting of small but very keen group exporters, has grown from strength to strength. There has been a terrific response, great attendance and a real willingness from members, non-members, local businesses, partners and stakeholders of the Chamber to come along and speak at the meetings and share their expertise on international trade matters and teach best practice to those thinking of exporting for the first time or to those already exporting overseas. From May we decided to “theme” the forthcoming meetings to make them as interesting and relevant to our audience as possible and our fourth meeting was entitled “Intellectual Property Rights in China and BREXIT” (it was held pre EU Referendum). The debate was very ably chaired by Professor Phil Harris and it turned out to be lively one with a vote result of ‘Remain’ in the EU - how things have changed since then. This year also saw the creation of our new Import/ Export Clinic which came in response to questions raised at training courses. Mark Rowbotham attends the Chamber at the end of each month and is happy to have a half hour 1-2-1 session with you so that you
Left to Right: Debbie Hancox, Dan Ward, Matt Hodgson, Sarah Jones and Dave Roberts of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce
can ask him your questions on exporting and importing. Mark is a former Officer of HM Customs & Excise and is highly qualified in International Business, Export Management and Statistics and is a linguist. This year saw the implementation of the new Union Customs Code. In response to a need we identified with our exporters,
we decided to hold two new master classes on the subject which were very well attended and gratefully received by attendees. Another milestone for us this year is the recruitment of another export trainer Becky Stark who alongside Mark, delivers half of our accredited training courses. She has re-worked the content to deliver a very
West Cheshire & North Wales Export Training Courses 2017
interactive and enjoyable learning experience for the candidates. Becky is a graduate member of the Institute of Export and a qualified linguist with a passion for international trade. She has a graduate diploma in foreign languages for business (with commendation) and a distinction from the institute of linguists for French and we are delighted to have her commercial expertise complimenting Marks extensive export knowledge on our team. Our 2017 courses will consist of two sets running consecutively from the 1st February until the 30th June 2017. If you are interested in attending any of these or would like further information on training, please email info@wcnwchamber. org.uk to register your interest. Debbie Hancox - Export Manager WCNW Chamber of Commerce Day
Date
Wednesday Friday Wednesday Friday Wednesday Friday Wednesday Friday Wednesday
1st Feb 2017 10th Feb 2017 15th Feb 2017 24th Feb 2017 1st March 2017 10th March 2017 15th March 2017 24th March 2017 29th March 2017
Friday
7th April 2017
SET 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Introduction to the Export Process: Export Documentation and INCOTERMS Agents and Distributors Letters of Credit and Methods of Payment Inward and Outward Processing Preference Rules of Origin Explained Import Procedures & Customs Audit Procedures Dangerous Goods and Export Controls Customs & V.A.T A.E.O Compliance & Requirements (Half Day) / Customs A.E.O Import/Export Procedures (Half Day)
SET 2 1
Introduction to the Export Process
Wednesday
26th April 2017
2
Export Documentation and INCOTERMS
Friday
10th May 2017
3
Agents and Distributors
Wednesday
10th May 2017
4
Letters of Credit and Methods of Payment
Friday
19th May 2017
5
Inward and Outward Processing
Wednesday
24th May 2017
6
Preference Rules of Origin Explained
Friday
2nd June 2017
7
Import Procedures & Customs Audit Procedures
Wednesday
7th June 2017
8
Dangerous Goods and Export Controls
Wednesday
16th June 2017
9
Customs & V.A.T
Wednesday
21st June 2017
10
A.E.O Compliance & Requirements (Half Day) / Customs A.E.O Import/Export Procedures (Half Day)
Friday
30th June 2017
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Getting started “ I was invited to man the Society of Garden Designers stand at Grand Designs Live at the NEC in Birmingham.” Name: Jane Bingham Job title: Garden Designer From: Cheshire Garden To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background. A design graduate who has working experience in the following disciplines: Sales & Marketing, Retail Management, Interior Design, Buying, Systems Development, Project Management, HR and Health & Safety. What made you set up the business? I am passionate about bringing great design into everyday gardens so that they can be enjoyed all year round, whether it be entertaining friends and family, relaxing with a book and a drink, watching children playing or simply admiring the planting from inside. I support the Royal Horticultural Society’s initiative to green up grey front gardens by combining creative planting with the need to park cars off road. As well as the benefits to the environment, I am keen to promote the well-being benefits of green spaces and gardening itself to the general public.
How and when did the idea come about? Since I’ve owned my own home I have increasingly enjoyed gardening but I think the initial spark came from my grandfather, now aged 102. He patiently taught me the basics and has given plants to plant in my own garden ever since. More recently when I worked for the well-known locally based wedding venue company Country House Wedding Venues, I was introduced to a very special courtyard garden at one of the wedding venues. The design blew my mind when I first saw stepped into it and I later learnt it had been designed by the great garden designer and plantsman Piet Oudolf. Who are your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation? My target audience ranges from the uptown elite with large urban homes, through to empty nesters in the suburbs, wealthy landowners and village family properties. The client’s budget needs to be substantial enough to cover hard landscaping, planting and other garden features such as structures, water features etc. – from £15,000 up to £50,000 and upwards!
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What have been your main achievements? a Six gardens in my first year and a half of trading – the three I pride myself on most are the following; • Garden in the Leafy Suburbs • Elsie’s Garden at Smarties Nursery • The Contemporary Cottage Garden
-And difficulties? a Making time for myself! I am so committed to making a success of the business that I can often end up working until the small hours.
b RHS Flower Show Tatton Park – 19th–23rd July 2017 I am designing a show garden in conjunction with the Mid-Cheshire Hospitals Trust Charity (Leighton Hospital, Crewe) in aid of Dementia Care in the Community.
What attracted you to entrepreneurship? Why was this? I want to be in control and make a success of my passion.
c. I was invited to man the Society of Garden Designers stand at Grand Designs Live at the NEC in Birmingham, 19th-23rd October. I was on the stand on Saturday 22nd October promoting the benefits of choosing a garden designer who is a member of the society and the benefits to designers of joining. d. I have entered one of my designs to be considered for the Society of Garden Designers awards. Yet to hear whether I have been shortlisted!
b Making decisions on whether to carry out some business tasks myself or engage experts to help.
What are your career aims and aspirations? I would like to become one of the best garden designers in the country and run a practise employing a team of experts. What message would you give to fellow entrepreneurs or people looking to get involved in setting up their own business or organisation? • Investigate grant opportunities • Join business networking groups • Seek the help and support of experts in your field • Keep an eye on your cash flow – cash is everything!
BCC News
BCC Quarterly Economic Survey: Mixed picture emerges post-referendum The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey – Britain’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey, based on more than 7,000 responses from firms in Q3 2016 – shows a mixed picture, with an improved short-term performance in the manufacturing sector set against a further slowdown in growth in the services sector. THE survey – the first covering the period after the EU referendum – shows that manufacturers enjoyed improved domestic and export sales compared with the previous quarter, with some benefitting from sterling’s recent fall. Meanwhile, the balance of service sector firms reporting improved domestic and export sales was at the
lowest level seen since 2012. The survey’s results suggest that the UK economy is still growing – albeit at a lower level than before the referendum – and supports the BCC’s forecast for growth of 1% in 2017.
The survey suggests that near-term uncertainty following the vote to leave the European Union has led businesses to lower their expectations for hiring, turnover, and investment in plant, machinery, and training.
Given this mixed picture, and muted business investment intentions, the BCC is urging the government to use next month’s Autumn Statement to boost business confidence – by giving the green light to key infrastructure projects, and by introducing measures that ‘crowd in’ business investment and job creation.
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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The Big Interview Name: Job title: From:
Professor Maria Hinfelaar Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Wrexham Glyndwr University April 2016
WCNW: To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background. Before joining WGU, I was President of Limerick Institute of Technology in Ireland, which was an equivalent role to being Vice-Chancellor of a university in the UK. I have always worked in education – starting out as a teacher of Business English in my native country, The Netherlands. I have always loved working with students, even though I don’t spend time in the classroom anymore. I hold qualifications in English Language and Literature and in Business, and have published research articles in two different fields: internationalisation and higher education policy. I’m a fanatical cyclist and find this a wonderful antidote to the rigours of leading a university. There is nothing like trying to hold my husband Graham’s wheel on some of the testing climbs in North Wales – fortunately there is always a descent to look forward to so I actually get the chance to admire the scenery. Both of us used
to ride competitively when we lived in The Netherlands – yes the roads are flat there, but don’t underestimate the strong winds. WCNW: What is the history of Wrexham Glyndwr University? As you can imagine, this was largely before my time… WGU acquired university status in 2008 but its predecessor colleges date back to 1887 (the “Wrexham School of Science and Art”). So we have several generations of alumni stretching back over 125 years by now, across subject areas as diverse as jewellery making, engineering, social care, accountancy, journalism and many more. Unfortunately we don’t have them all on the database but it would be fascinating to see where their lives took them. WCNW: What are your main responsibilities? Put simply, the job as ViceChancellor of a university is to ensure that we deliver what we promise to our students, that they value
24 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
their experience with us, and that the outcomes of their education and research projects contribute something- in terms of their own career prospects and the society in which we all live. This obviously involves making strategic choices because no university can offer everything, and managing our resources: finances, estates and above all our staff. WCNW: What does a typical day involve? Well let’s check my diary… tomorrow morning I start with chairing the fortnightly Vice-Chancellor’s Board meeting, then I am doing a welcome address as part of a conference organised by our Business School, I have a catch-up meeting with the WGU Students’ Union, and then I have to catch a train to London for Universities UK meetings the next day, followed by a dinner with political representatives in the evening. I’ll use the time on the train to read documents, check emails etc. My diary is a feat of logistics so it is just as well I have excellent staff in the office.
The Big Interview WCNW: Who are your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation? WGU is “the University of and for the North-East of Wales”. Two thirds of our students are from Wrexham Borough, Flintshire and Denbighshire, but we also attract significant numbers from across the border and indeed other parts of Wales. When I met all our new recruits on our induction day a couple of weeks ago I did a quick straw poll and it transpired we also have half a dozen from Ireland and even one adventurous student from Scotland! Our international students hail from Germany, France, Spain, Poland, China, Malaysia and Russia. Some of them study for WGU qualifications in colleges in their own country through franchising. We offer qualifications at undergraduate level including foundation degrees, and postgraduate research opportunities – the diversity of subject areas we offer across the sciences and technology, business, the creative industries and the health sector is pretty staggering, but I suppose that is a reflection of the complex society we live in. WCNW: What projects are you currently working on? Let’s focus on a few things outside WGU – I sit on the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, the MerseyDee Alliance Board and the North Wales Business Council. We are jointly working on the Growth Bid for North Wales. So I am getting to know the “A55 Corridor” rather well – not just as a theoretical concept but as a busy road on my way to various meetings. WCNW: How have things gone since you joined WGU? I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far and have experienced a warm welcome in Wales. One key difference from what I was used to in Ireland: meetings and events not only start on time, they also finish on time! It’s almost like being back in Holland. WCNW: Any difficulties? If so how did you overcome them? When I joined WGU it had come through a really tough time. Thanks to local support and a determined Board of Governors, who persuaded the Welsh government to support the university through the appointment
David Elcock, Director of Finance, Dr Claire Taylor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maria Hinfelaar, Vice-Chancellor, Lynda Powell, Director of Operations, Pete Gibbs, HR Director
of an interim management team, the university has now turned the corner and is financially viable again. When the Interim team had completed its task, I was recruited to lead the further development of WGU and that is an exciting and rewarding task. The staff teams and the students’ union are right behind me. We got a tremendous boost this summer when the students rewarded us with a huge jump in their satisfaction rating under the National Student Survey; in fact we were among the top ten risers up the rankings in the NSS in the whole of the UK university sector. WCNW: Did you ever think ‘I’ve taken on too big a risk’? Never!!! WCNW: Looking ahead, what are your main aims for the organisation? There are phenomenal opportunities in the region, with a number of industry sectors expanding such as advanced manufacturing, health sciences, financial services, tourism and hospitality, I aim to drive up student numbers and deepen links with industry and the community, so that WGU will underpin the ambitions of the region – we need more young people from North Wales staying in the region to study here and move into careers. There has been a problem of ‘leakage’ because
somehow young students and their parents felt that the grass was greener on the other side and they needed to leave the area to do well for themselves. That is definitely an incorrect perception – there is plenty for them here on their doorstep. I also have ambitions to expand enterprise, innovation and incubation facilities offered by the University. Given the challenges posed by Brexit, I think it will become more important for our graduates to be entrepreneurial and to find new ways to export products and services to markets further afield. On a different note – WGU is developing a new investment strategy for its learning environment and the estate. Too early to reveal anything yet but watch this space…. WCNW: What message would you give to others who aspire to lead an organisation? Never underestimate what you are capable of – and it may involve stepping outside your comfort zone by switching to a different job or location. As I have found personally through living and working in three different countries, you will bring a fresh outlook every time. This will give you a competitive edge if you are ambitious.
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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ADVERTORIAL
Emergency Rescue and Recovery Team Outreach Rescue provide highly experienced, professional and well equipped Emergency Rescue and Recovery Teams (ERRT), holding all relevant qualifications to work in industrial environments. The availability of an experienced rescue team ensures everyone working in a hazardous environment remains safe throughout the duration of the task, whether the task involves Confined Spaces or Working at Height. Confined Space Rescue Team: Fully equipped team, at whatever level required, ensuring complete safety and evacuation cover for your workers. The team will have all rescue systems set up, installed and tested, prior to any tasks being initiated.
EACH Rescue team would usually consist of three personnel (more if required after Risk Assessment of Task), made up of rescue specialists with both technical and casualty care expertise gained through years of operational experience. The minimum standard of Casualty Care knowledge is FPOS Intermediate, with the added advantage of a HCPC Paramedic as part of the team. We are totally self-sufficient, providing all technical, medical and communication equipment. For rescue cover in a Confined Space environment, all monitoring and Breathing Apparatus (EES and SCBA) is also provided. SERVICES INCLUDE: Site Risk Assessment: A visit prior to the date of task to gain experience of the planned work and to produce a Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) to comply with on-site Health and Safety policy. Confined Space Attendant: To ensure each worker is properly equipped, with their location known in order to comply with regulations. Standby Person: The person in charge of the confined space, with all responsibilities including Permit to Work and Control of Access.
Casualty Care: To manage any incident and to provide appropriate treatment and evacuation in an efficient and clinical way at Paramedic level, prior to handing over to definitive medical care. Our rescue team members have extensive experience of operating in problematic environments. Dealing with casualties suffering from injuries or illness in such environments often requires treatment and evacuation to be simultaneous which is why the Outreach Rescue ERRT have rescue systems in place, prior to any chance of an incident occurring, as time is often at a premium. Onsite Assistance: The ability to interact with other site personnel to assist with safe systems whilst constructing our own Rescue plans, minimising personnel in risk areas for prolonged periods of time. Health and Safety Monitoring: Safety Advisors – we can provide independent site advice to help ensure safety procedures are in place and being followed and will liaise with all interested parties to help ensure compliance. Liaising with the onsite Contracts Manager or Health & Safety Officer the ERRT Team Leader/ Supervisor would not just provide a Risk Assessment for the rescue team but also provide continuous monitoring of the environment to ensure access is safe for team members and employees.
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Team Qualifications and Experience: City & Guilds Medium Risk Confined Space 6105-52 • City & Guilds High Risk Confined Space 6105-53 • City & Guilds Emergency Rescue & Recovery of Casualties from Confined Space 6150-55 • City & Guilds Top Man in High Risk Confined Space 6150-54 • City & Guilds Level 3 Understanding planning, supervising and managing working at height. • IRATA level 1, 2 & 3 • Rope Rescue Supervisor • First Person on Scene Intermediate/ Advanced • Hazardous Area Paramedics (HCPC registered) are available as team members if required • Swiftwater Rescue Technicians (Advanced) • Water Safety and Rescue Email: enquiries@outreachrescue.com Website: www.outreachrescue.com Tel: +44(0) 1248 601546
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2016 View the 2016 winners at awards.enforbusiness.co.uk
WINNERS ANNOUNCED EN Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2016 celebrate the best in the North West The 15th annual EN Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebrated the region’s best and brightest entrepreneurs at the Mere Golf & Spa Resort, Knutsford, on 3 November. With host Justin Moorhouse at the helm, the black-tie event featured speaker Nicholas Wheeler, founder of Charles Tyrwhitt, who discussed the trials and tribulations of being an entrepreneur, and how he built his business from an idea at university to an internationally acclaimed gentlemen’s outfitters. There was also after-party entertainment from The Twentysomethings. The main event, of course, was the EN Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. It was a big night for Reg and Louis Rix, founders of Carfinance247. Reg was picked up the NW Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Assurant, with judges’ commendations going to James Blake of Hello Soda and Matt Bullas of Click Consult. Meanwhile, Louis collected the award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Salford Business School. Ben Wilson of Thornton & Ross and Mylo Kaye of Dreamr picked up judges’ commendations. Leisure Entrepreneur of the Year went to Ross Mackenzie, the man behind Manchester’s Black Dog Ballroom Group and The Liars Group. In another hard-fought category, the award for Financial & Professional Services Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by MC2, was claimed by Scott Marshall of Roma Finance. Paul Cheetham of Sedulo Group and Shazda Ahmed of Monarch Solicitors received judges’ commendations.
Christian Gleave of Review Travel was named Business Services Entrepreneur of the Year. Digital Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by KPMG, went to James Blake of Hello Soda. Graham Shapiro of Reggie Enterprises collected Technology Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by the University of Manchester. Property Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Kuits Solicitors, was Stephen Beech of Manchester-based Beech Holdings. In the company awards, Reggie Enterprises made it a double for the night by picking up Start-up of the Year, with a judges’ commendation for Handrail Creations. Knutsford’s own Crawford Healthcare took home the International Trade Award, sponsored by HSBC. A judges’ commendation went to ParkCloud. Most Entrepreneurial Company, sponsored by Untapped Potential, went to UD Group, with a commendation for Paper Salad. The Swansway Group was named Family Business of the Year, sponsored by Equilibrium Asset Management. A judges’ commendation went to Francis Kirk & Son. Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by the Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF), went to Glossop Cartons. A judges’ commendation went to Handrail Creations. The night also raised £3,790 for the Wheeler Family Charitable Trust, which was set up by after-dinner speaker Nicholas Wheeler and donates to charities including the Prince’s Trust, Child Bereavement UK and the Just Nepal Foundation.
Untapped Potential REFRESHING RECRUITMENT
We regularly visit MBNA, Money Supermarket, Bank of America, several head offices of high street banks, Total Fitness in Chester and various wedding fayres throughout the region, which have all been very well received.
The Person Behind the Business Martin John Davidson of Martin John Bespoke Tailors An overview of yourself and role. After setting up and running a successful manufacturing business for over 20 years, supplying national housebuilders I decided to have a complete change of direction. Having experienced and endured both stressful and demoralising high street disasters over the years and having a passion for fashion, 4 years ago I embarked on creating a new brand for bespoke tailored suits and shirts for men, either in the comfort of their home or workplace. I work with all types of men, from business owners, to directors and sales people, and generally men who like myself take great pride in their appearance. What are your aims? Our brand is becoming more and more popular as we now have many customers being recommended to us from existing customers who in turn are buying more and more suits and shirts from us. It is now my ambition
to expand our brand with travelling tailors in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, we are constantly on the lookout for the right people to come and join us on our journey. Our philosophy is to expect a mix of experience, skill, creativity and passion. We also aim to develop ourselves within the world of social media and have established accounts on Linked In, Twitter and Facebook. What is a typical Monday for you? Monday’s start off with a trip to the gym around 6am for an early morning workout followed by breakfast. That sets me up for the day and I’m able to get into the office nice and early. After checking e-mails and any enquiries from social media (Facebook, Linked-In, Twitter) we then set about our weekly blogs for the week. Our first blog normally goes out on a Wednesday and our second, increasingly popular, ‘Style Tip’ on the Friday. I then book in times and dates for our forthcoming exhibitions throughout the month.
What’s the best bit of having a job like yours? The most satisfying part of my job is the look on my customers faces when they first try their new suit / shirt on, I like to make them feel good about themselves. No two men are the same shape or size and some find it challenging to find something that fits them perfectly, a lot of the time they wear something just to make do. A high quality tailored suit or shirt that fits properly makes men feel and look better about themselves and without realising gives them more confidence. We use phrases like “Dress to impress’’ and “Be looked not overlooked” We are encouraging men to fill their wardrobes with stylish suits and shirts that are unique to them and fit correctly. Was a role like this what you aspired to? No, but after selling my business and contemplating life I decided to do something I had a real interest in. Any special memories to share? A really important memory and time in my business was when a facility was offered to us by our cloth suppliers, Holland & Sherry, to measure people on London’s famous Saville Row, which was a fantastic achievement and will always be a very important time in the life of my business. What do you do to relax? My wife and I have a cabin by the beach where we often take our threeyear-old granddaughter, watching her grow takes my mind off the stresses of work and gives me a great sense of pride. In an ideal world – what else would you like to be? An adventurer! Travelling the world like a modern-day Indiana Jones, experiencing for myself what this beautiful planet has to offer.
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Member News Outwrite PR’s campaign is named best in Wales A PR CAMPAIGN by a Moldbased agency has been named the best in Wales. Outwrite PR won gold in the integrated PR campaign category at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Cymru Wales awards. The company’s work to promote fellow Mold business Jackson Fire & Security was praised by
the judges for being a “well thought through campaign”. The judges’ citation also singled out the extent to which the campaign led directly to new contracts for the fire and security specialist. Integrated PR campaigns use multiple offline and online channels concurrently in pursuit of a single business objective.
Anthony and Stacey from Outwrite PR (centre) accept the award from Lloyd Morgan, Rockadove, (left) and Eleri Siôn, BBC Radio Wales, (right).
Well-planned integrated campaigns produce amplified results for the client, compared with using a single tactic, such as a press release, in isolation. The digital PR agency, which was one of six organisations on the shortlist, triumphed at the awards ceremony at City Hall, Cardiff. The annual PRide Cymru Wales awards is the biggest date on the PR calendar in the country. Outwrite’s founder and managing director Tracy North said: “This win highlights that we are no longer just a press agency. “We have been shouting about the benefits of integrated PR and marketing for a number of years. Hopefully, this endorsement illustrates that not only are we right, but we are one of the best agencies to do it. “We have a special and talented team at Outwrite. This award recognises the hard work and enthusiasm shown by everyone on it.”
Outwrite’s work for Jackson Fire & Security has also been shortlisted in the best use of digital PR category in the CIPR PRide North West awards. The winner will be announced on Thursday 3 November at the Midland Hotel in Manchester. Jackson Fire & Security managing director Steve Jackson said: “Outwrite has really lifted our profile. It is definitely responsible for an increase in new customer inquiries. “As the business owner, I know Outwrite’s brand building and PR activity works, as we are winning big contracts, when historically we wouldn’t have even been invited to tender.” Outwrite, which was founded in 1994, was shortlisted for two further PR awards last year. Its clients include the Wales Air Ambulance, Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, engineering, environmental and planning firm Caulmert and housing association Grwp Cynefin.
80 year old Airport employee Cliff on hand to celebrate Aer Lingus’ 80th Anniversary IT WAS 80 years ago on the 14th of September 1936, that the very first Aer Lingus Dublin to Liverpool flight took to the air and to celebrate the occasion, the Aer Lingus Charitable Foundation brought its 1936 De Havilland DH-84 Dragon aircraft named ‘Iolar’ to Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) on the 14th September 2016. On hand to welcome the aircraft was the Airport’s oldest serving employee, 80 year old Cliff Johnson
who works for Omniserve at the Airport and who provides assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, helping them to pass through the Airport and onto and off aircraft smoothly. The Aer Lingus Charitable Foundation Charitable then took Cliff and a handful of lucky Airport employees drawn from a hat, on a once in a lifetime opportunity of a brief flight on the 80 year old ‘Iolar’ aircraft over the City of Liverpool.
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80 year old Cliff Johnson, oldest serving employee of Liverpool John Lennon Airport
What if…
...you couldn’t open for business tomorrow? It would be a crisis and a disaster for you, your team and your customers. All you need is a simple plan to stay open! Severe weather challenges mean that many businesses face the prospect of serious disruption this winter; but it’s no longer just a seasonal crisis. Your company’s ability to respond and recover from any severe disruption such as a flood, fire or failure of the technology that we all rely on, could determine the future of your business. Business resilience simply means you can continue to trade during adversity. Simply being prepared will ensure your business can withstand any disruption. We can help you with your plan. To meet the needs of SME’s in the UK, KCL has developed the excellent Resilient60© toolkit a new innovative approach to strengthening your business’s resilience capabilities. Resilient60© will help provide your business with an effective contingency plan of action in just 60 minutes! Working with KCL experts and our unique approach, we can
develop the resilience capabilities that will keep your business open when others have been forced to stop trading. Ensuring your business is more resilient and prepared, will save you hours of heartache and worry; it can also keep your business open during a crisis! Your business and brand reputation is essential to your customers. Resilient60© is being used by companies across the North West; it is now available to members of the Chamber of Commerce at a 50% discount until the 6th of January, 2017.
“All businesses need to know what to do in a crisis – does yours?” Paul Kudray MSc FICPEM CBCI AMBCI Fellow of the EPC International Business Resilience Leader Paul Kudray used his experience and skill to create and develop Resilient60© specifically
for SME businesses, simply because business continuity management (BCM) can often be too complicated, time consuming and costly. He is an international leader in business resilience consultancy. An ex-emergency services commander with an exemplary 32 year career in the UK healthcare sector, including 7+ years as the Director of Resilience for one of the world’s largest ambulance services, the NWAS NHS Trust. He now works with private and public sector clients around the world advising them about emergency and business continuity management. For more information on Resilient60© and Business Continuity Management please contact paul@kudrayconsulting.com or visit kudrayconsulting.com/resilient60/
ADVERTORIAL
SMART METERS AND YOUR BUSINESS – HOW THEY CAN HELP YOU GET YOUR ENERGY COSTS UNDER CONTROL
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MOST of us have by now read or heard something about smart meters. But with the million and one things the average small business owner has to do every day, how many of us can honestly say they’ve taken the time to understand all the ins and outs and the pros and cons of getting a smart meter? So we’ve teamed up with Smart Energy GB – the voice of the smart meter rollout – to give you all the key info on what they are, how you get one, and how you can use them to make life easier and keep costs down. What is the smart meter rollout? By 2020, every household and many small businesses will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade unprecedented in scale. It will improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure and bring the same benefits already enjoyed by over 4 million homes to small businesses across England, Scotland and Wales. How does it benefit me and my business? The key attribute of a smart meter is that it communicates information about your energy use in near real time. This gives you as a small business owner two key benefits that you may well not be getting already.
1 No more estimated bills and you’ll only pay for the gas and electricity actually used As a small business, cashflow management is perhaps the most important juggling act, and anything that causes uncertainty is a problem. Imagine if you had to arrange for someone to come and check the number of text messages you’d sent every quarter? Or if your web hosting service sent you estimated invoices every month, only to land you with a big bill at the end of the year? Because smart meters send energy readings directly to suppliers, estimated bills and inconvenient meter readings will become a thing of the past, as is the looming threat of being hit with an unexpectedly large bill in the future due to incorrect estimates. So you’ll only ever pay for the energy you’ve used. According to Citizens Advice, the cost of mains electricity is currently the main concern of nearly 50% of all small businesses and estimated billing can make it very difficult to budget for energy bills, especially over the winter months that can incur a considerable amount of debt. Accurate information on energy use can help small businesses make sure they’re on the best tariff for them. 2 Help you identify where savings can be made As it shows near real time information about your energy use in pounds and pence, your smart meter can help you identify what’s costing you the most (and it may well be something unexpected). According to The Carbon Trust, existing smart meter data has already revealed that businesses use around 46% of their energy outside normal working hours (6pm-8am) and smart meters can help identify appliances that are big culprits. You probably don’t give a moment’s thought to the energy consumed by the tatty old fridge/freezer in the back room, but it may be using a lot more than you think. Your smart meter can help you work out if you
could save significant sums by upgrading to a more efficient one. How do I get one? Your smart meter is installed by your energy supplier. Many small businesses will be able to get a smart meter at no additional cost but some might be charged for part of the upgrade such as installation and access to information about energy use. This will depend on your energy supplier and tariff but if there are any charges the supplier is obligated to tell you about them up front. Depending on your supplier and tariff you will be offered a variety of ways of monitoring your energy consumption quickly and easily. These include from hand-held digital displays, to websites and apps. If you operate from rented premises and you have a contract for the supply of gas and electricity, you can still claim your smart meter (though it’s probably best to inform your landlord of your plans). If you don’t have a contract for the supply of gas and electricity you should still check with your landlord to see if it’s possible to get a smart meter for the building. Installation work will only take around 2 hours depending on the type of property and energy suppliers will try to work with you to find a time that’s convenient for you to minimise disruption to the business. To find out more about how to get a smart meter from your energy supplier, or anything else about the smart meter rollout, visit www.smartenergyGB.org/ small-businesses
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Corporate Health
STRESS – the modern age virus?
“STRESS” is a word that has grown in our vocabulary over the last 50 years. Stress, as you may be aware, can be the contributing factor in so many symptoms and illnesses of the so-called “modern age”, and can be the reason for many lost working days within businesses. In fact, stress-related illnesses are recorded as one of the largest reasons for absenteeism in this Country. Stress is not actually an illness in itself, it is our response to a “stressor” (eg difficulties at work, at home, marriage, divorce, money worries, death of a loved one) In fact anything can cause you stress in your life if it is something that triggers anxiety which you cannot cope with. Stressors do not have to
be something devastating - It can be something as trivial as; being late, your car breaking down, work load – in comparison to the death of someone close to you, those things are trivial, but the individual reaction to stress is very personal, and what will cause anxiety in one person may not in another.
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Most of us know about the “flight or fight” response. Due to the defence mechanisms working within us, any perceived “threat” usually will trigger an increased release of adrenalin, and later, cortisol. These chemicals within us help our bodies to prepare for the “threat”, by increasing our heart rate,
which pumps more blood to the muscles, and major organs, making us more alert, and ready to deal with the threat or indeed, run away. Unfortunately, the longer or more often we need to maintain this level of response, the more problems with our health it can cause. Research has shown that an overproduction of adrenaline, noraadrenaline and cortisol, depletes the immune system, and leaves the body open to attack – ironic isn’t it? In short bursts, these chemical responses work well, getting us ready for action, but if these responses become the
Corporate Health norm or very frequent, our immune system will take a battering and this is when real problems with our health can happen. A prolonged release of cortisol is known to assist in longterm depression problems. However, some level of stress is necessary. In manageable levels, it makes you more focused, motivated, and helps you to think of solutions to your problems. It is only when those levels become unmanageable that difficulties arise. The effects of high stress levels can deplete the immune system quite rapidly, and as mentioned above, can leave your body unable to cope physically. Stress-related illnesses can include:- repeated headaches/migraines, File: 222664-11-16WCNW White Friars increased blood Ad size: BV 1/2L (181mm wide x 116mm high)pressure, shingles, excema, stomach
ulcers, irritable bowel, panic attacks, and, dare I say it, heart attacks and strokes. But stress responses can also be responsible for longer term illness like depression, ME, fibromyalgia, something that can lay people low for months, even years. You may have seen this in people you know, or EVEN YOURSELF. In a work environment, it is very difficult to really know how people are if you do not know them personally, and although staff may talk about their personal lives at work to some extent, eager advice from work colleagues may not be the best solution. The Health & Safety Executive lays down guidelines for employers to be aware of the health and wellbeing of their staff, and to do all they can to
prevent accidents and illness at work, including psychological and emotional responses to work-related stress. Employers have a “duty of care” to their staff, and employees may take action against their employer if they feel that their needs have not been met in this regard. Please also note, that Managerial and Executive staff also need to be aware of their own stress levels. STRESSED EMPLOYERS PRODUCE STRESSED STAFF – THAT’S A FACT! High levels of stress within the workplace can be a fact of life, but it is how we deal with it that makes all the difference. If you care about your business, then you must also care about the staff within it, because without them, you would not have a business to run!
WHITE FRIARS COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY White Friars offers a safe and completely confidential setting, conveniently situated in the centre of Chester and working with clients from Chester, Wrexham and the surrounding areas. We pride ourselves on delivering a high quality, effective and compassionate service to our clients, with respectful consideration to confidentiality and personal dignity. Our team of therapists/counsellors will work with you to help find clarity and perspective, develop coping strategies and deal with recent or long standing personal issues, to improve your well-being and resilience. Collectively, our team has decades of professional experience and a diverse skills-base (Person Centered, Integrative Counselling, CBT, EMDR, Psychodynamic, and Transactional Analysis) which
222664-11-16WCNW White Friars.indd 1
makes White Friars Counselling and Psychotherapy a unique, effective and compassionate service.
Please get in touch to ask about our stress management workshops and organisational consultancy services.
PRIVATE SERVICES: We offer face to face counselling for individuals and couples, to help with issues such as anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, trauma, phobias and OCD. CORPORATE SERVICES: Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides professional support to employees to help work through personal concerns that may impact on well-being and work-performance. Our EAP service also deals effectively with instances of work-place trauma, critical incident debriefing and mediation.
Call or email us on: T: 01244 312 809 E: info@whitefriarscp.co.uk www.whitefriarscp.co.uk
05/12/2016 12:34
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
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Apprenticeahips
Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Robert Halfon Robert Halton, MP
MY passion for apprenticeships and skills stems from a simple truth: they represent a huge ladder of opportunity for those seeking work, giving thousands of people of all ages the chance to go as far as their talents will take them. They are a powerful engine for social justice The government is focused on ensuring that regardless of background or ability, every young person in the UK has the chance to make their first step into work. That is why apprenticeships and specifically the apprenticeship levy is so important. It has real power as a change maker. Some employers have been calling for the levy to be delayed and not come into force in 2017. While I understand the concerns, any postponement would just delay the opportunity to create more apprenticeships and I don’t believe we can postpone opportunities for the next generation. This levy will allow us
to double the annual level of spending on apprenticeships between 2010-11 and 2019-20 in cash terms to £2.5 billion. Coming into force in 2017, the apprenticeship levy will change the way apprenticeships are funded. It will be paid by employers with a pay bill of £3 million or more -which is only two per cent of employers. But what’s different about the levy is that those employers that do pay it will get their money and more to spend on their own apprenticeship training. This is because of the 10 per cent top up we will be applying: For every £1.00 paid, employers get £1.10 to spend. The levy funds will appear within their personal digital account through which they can choose and pay for apprenticeship training in England. The Government is also committed to ensuring that the very smallest businesses continue to play an important role in giving people their first step on the career ladder. So for those smaller businesses that don’t pay the levy we’re proposing to pay 90 per cent of the costs of training.
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That’s almost every employer contributing just 10 per cent to the training costs of an apprenticeship from next year. But we’re not stopping there – employers with fewer than 50 employers who take on apprentices between 16 to 18 years old will get 100 per cent of their training costs paid for by the government. That’s all training costs covered. This is not just about England however; it’s about the UK as a whole and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also have access to their fair share of the levy – they will be able to make their own arrangements supporting employers who want to take on apprentices. To transform the skills base of our country and to boost our economic productivity, we need more skilled workers now and for the future. I know many of you reading this article will be facing the challenges of trying to find the right people to drive your business forward. That’s why we are fully backing apprenticeships. We know that they work for businesses. Research shows that many firms are able to recoup the cost of training
Apprenticeahips
within one or two years of an apprenticeship finishing. The levy will give companies genuine control of the training they buy so they can make sure they have the best people to grow and compete on the world stage. Nobody understands the skills employers need better than employers themselves. As well as being able to choose and pay for apprenticeship training directly, the apprentice reforms give employers of all sizes the power to design apprenticeships that focus on the exact skills, knowledge and behaviours needed. So, as well as meeting our manifesto commitments, we must increase
the prestige of apprenticeships and continue to change our culture so we really become a country fit for apprenticeships and skills. We must also make certain that those on low incomes and with disabilities have apprenticeship opportunities - ensuring that the disadvantaged have access to the life chances that apprenticeships bring. Of course, I will be carrying on the great work that has already been done around apprenticeships. Members may have even seen our new Get In Go Far TV adverts promoting the amazing things you can be achieved through an apprenticeship. I will be banging the drum and
getting the message out there that top apprenticeships are as good as top university degrees - that apprenticeships are more than a credible alternative to ‘traditional’ routes and a real asset to every business large or small. Employers should take this opportunity, to come forward and give your views on our proposals for funding apprenticeships. We will listen to what you have to say because we want to make this truly work for everyone. Let all of us - government and business work together to make these fundamental reforms around apprenticeships - succeed. If we do, we can all be optimistic about the future of our next generation.
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HOURS WITH...
Name: Nigel Brook Job Title: Director Company: Cat’n’Mouse A brief overview A typical day for Nigel Brook of CatnMouse design, a company covering a wide range of business marketing products from the essential business card and stationery to pull up banners or exhibitions. What types of disciplines do you usually work with? We enjoy working with a varied selection of business from large corporate brands to smaller privately owned companies. Our work includes straightforward informative pieces or we could be given free reign with our creative juices, alternatively working alongside the client to help with their product development. Tell us a little about yours and your company’s background.. My business partner brings the design experience to the team, I contribute the printing knowledge and sales background. My career started as a printer quickly progressing to represent a printing equipment supplier, as a member of the sales team. Within this role I became more aware of the latest printing technology and this led to being approached to work with an ink company. Wanting to reduce my time away from
home and restore my work life balance my partner and I launched CatnMouse. How do you begin your day? I’m always up early, I will see my children off to school then I will go into the office. What does your morning usually involve? A large part of the morning will be taken up with updating clients on their jobs, sending out proofs then turning my attention to any quotes required. We pride ourselves on the service we offer our clients, waiting days for a quote or a reply to questions is frustrating and makes us question the professionalism of a company, therefore this is something we aim to avoid. How many people do you work with? We are a small family team, and we call upon the support of local companies as and when needed. This allows me to keep a close eye on all jobs, no client will be lost in the system. Do you work in the evening? The evening is a great ‘quiet’ time to catch up, as I never know what job is going to come in I like to have my desk clear ready for the next days events. Working through the night
38 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
and walking out of the studio with a coffee listening to the dawn chorus is not unknown for us but it is an event we try to avoid. What are the best parts of work and why? The highlight of my week would involve meeting current clients and new ones particularly when in a lovely local pub or restaurant. Meeting likeminded business people, the diversity of the work we produce and not having a fixed timetable, every day is different. Any particular challenges? Time, I always need more! Scheduling work to ensure we meet deadlines, meeting clients and giving them the time they need to discuss requirements; keeping
on top of suppliers, quick turnaround on quotes, keeping in touch on social media, finding time to look to the future and keeping informed of the latest products available to our clients - Time is my biggest challenge! What plans for the future? We are constantly coming up with fresh ideas for new products. We currently have two new ideas we are looking to expand into the pet market with a range of personalised pet products and on the complete opposite end of the spectrum I am in the process of setting up a new business social group. Most importantly we are looking forward to working with new clients and continuing to grow our company.
Top Tips
10 f hiring the right employee top tips for
from Louise Wilson & Lisa Carew, Directors of Brighter Choices
L to R Lisa Carew & Louise Wilson of Brighter Choices
Define the job description, duties, responsibilities and the skills required. Talk to the person who is currently doing the job as they will be able to give you all the details and make sure your job description is up to date.
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Prioritise the key requirements needed for the position and the qualifications, traits, characteristics, and experience you need.
Determine the salary and benefits – do your research on the current marketplace and make sure the salary package is competitive and in line with the requirements of the role.
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Discuss with your recruitment agency and agree the placement fee. The cost of your and/or your department’s
time and the time invested in a possible failed search, is worth working with an agency. Recruiters have an alreadydeveloped pool of candidates. They provide a second pair of experienced eyes to help you with your search. Perhaps use the recruitment agency for a temporary member of staff. It could be a solution to “try a person out in a position” or if you are not sure what you need for the long term. Temporary employees can also provide a useful buffer for the ups and downs of the business cycle so that you do not have to affect your core staff during down times. Plan the timescales, the interview process and the interview stages involved. Don’t leave too much time in between reviewing the CVs, interviewing and making the job offer as good candidates can get snapped up elsewhere and then you are back to the beginning of the process.
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Establish the interview questions that you will ask the candidates. Relate them to the role and encourage the candidates to demonstrate their skills and experience. Remember they should be doing most of the talking!
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Conduct the interviews and create a short list. Assess which candidate(s) will add overall strategic and personal value to your workplace.
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Review feedback from employees involved in the interviews. Select the
candidate, make the job offer, check references and any background checks required. Ensure the induction and training plan is in place prior to their start date. It is crucial that a new member of staff feels valued from day one and this will ensure that.
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Give regular feedback on performance and their development – everyone likes to be told that they are doing a good job and also gives you the opportunity to highlight any areas of improvement.
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Brighter Choices was established in 2005 to offer a better approach to employers. They have set out to make themselves different by truly understanding the company’s requirement at the outset, and by putting forward only those candidates they feel will make the grade. They are a dedicated team of professionals with over 30 years collective experience in recruitment and their aims are clear; to raise the standards by recruiting quality staff who can compliment and enhance the workplace. They cover the North West region and pride themselves in their knowledge and familiarity in the local area – which results in a higher quality service for customers. They believe that recruiting new people to your organisation should be an enjoyable experience. After all, you’re trying to get the right staff in place to help your business to grow.
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
39
New Members ACAS
Trudy Davies Third Floor, Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF14 3UZ 02920 768124 cardiffevents@acas.org.uk www.acas.org.uk
Anywhere VA
Rosie Thompson Cefn-y-bedd 07800 634106 rosie@anywhere-va.com www.anywhere-va.com
Art in Chester
Chloe Randall Chester 07922 027766 artinchester000@gmail.com www.artinchester.com
Cafe Rouge Chester
Lucy,Newton 29 Bridge Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 1NG 01244 315626 chester@caferouge.co.uk www.caferouge.co.uk
Canolfan Cynghori Ynys Mon Citizens Advice
Jackie Blackwell 6 Victoria Terrace, Holyhead, Ynys Mon LL65 1UT 01248 722652 jackie.blackwell@ynysmoncab.org.uk www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ynysmoncab
CH1ChesterBID
Denbighshire County Council
Mike Horrocks County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 1YN 01824 706896 econ.dev@denbighshire.gov.uk www.denbighshire.gov.uk
DPB Will Writing Services
David P Burgess Middlewich 01948 219138 dave@dpbwillwritingservices.co.uk www.dpbinsuranceservices.co.uk
EAZI-Apps
Carl Critchlow 9 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 1RS 01244 403680 carl.critchlow@ch1chesterbid.co.uk www.ch1chesterbid.co.uk
Martin Haley 37 Whites Meadow, Great Boughton, Chester, Cheshire CH3 5SR 01244 794142 martin@eazi-apps.co.uk www.eazi-apps.com/4business
Stephen.Massey The Old Rectory, St Mary’s Hill, Chester, Cheshire CH1 2DW 01244 637535 admin@back-doctor.co.uk www.back-doctor.co.uk
Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Finance Wales
Bakery Consulting Service Ltd
Christleton International Studio
Back Doctor Chiropractic Clinic
John Bridson Llys, Middle Lane, Denbigh, Clwyd LL16 3UW 01745 818773 jbridson2@sky.com
Beck Carpet Cleaning
John Beck 1 Greenvale Park, Hawarden, Flintshire CH5 3DP 01244 532538 john@beckcarpetcleaning.co.uk www.beckcarpetcleaning.co.uk
BG Healthcare Consultancy
Bryan Griffiths 47 Cotebrook Drive, Upton, Chester, Cheshire CH2 1RB 01244 381450 bryan@bryangriffiths.com www.bryangriffiths.com
Caer Rhun Hall
Kevin Baxter Conwy, Gwynedd LL32 8HX 01492 650012 info@caerrhunhall.co.uk www.caerrhunhall.co.uk
Joanne Darlington Bickley Hall Farm, Malpas, Cheshire SY14 8EF 01948 820728 jdarlington@cheshirewt.org.uk www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Chris Hayward OPTIC, Ffordd William Morgan, St Asaph, St.Asaph, Denbighshire LL17 0JD 01745 535174 chris.hayward@ financewales.co.uk www.financewales.co.uk
Katie Ryan Queens Park High School Campus, Queens Park Road, Chester, Cheshire CH4 6AE 01244 677535 ryank@ christletoninternationalstudio.co.uk www. christletoninternationalstudio.co.uk
Hallmark Hotel Chester The Queen
Customer Touch Point
Hannaman Material Handling
Rick Kirkham Bryn Ford House, Bryn Ford Street, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 7RD 07714 767194 rick@customertouchpoint.co.uk www.customertouchpoint.co.uk
David Jamieson Coaching
David Jamieson Chester 07476 258344 info@davidjamiesoncoaching.co.uk www.davidjamiesoncoaching.co.uk
40 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Collette Gartside Hallmark Hotel, City Road, Chester, Cheshire CH1 3AH 0330 0283402 collette.gartside@ hallmarkhotels.co.uk www.halmarkhotels.co.uk
Stacey Downey Unit 52, Third Avenue, Zone Two, Deeside Industrial Park, Deeside, Flintshire CH5 2LA 01244 288652 SLD@Hannaman.co.uk www.hannaman.co.uk
In Xpress
Ross Jermy Office 1, Unit M032, Mile Oak Industrial Estate, Maesbury Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8GA 01978 806300 ross.jermy@inxpress.com www.ixpwrexham.com
Inspired Technology Services Ltd
Ian Burns 175 John Wilson Business Park, Whitstable, Whitstable, Kent CT5 3RB 01227 271120 sales@inspiredtech.co.uk www.inspiredtech.co.uk
Kappi Limited
Riaz Islam Regus House, Herons Way, Chester, Cheshire CH4 9QR 07508 028172 riaz@kappidrinks.com www.kappidrinks.com
Keysteer Investments Ltd
John Holden-Ross Drake House, Cadbrook Park, Northwich CW9 7RA 07903 844173 jholdenross@gmail.com
Keystone Energy Ltd
Clifford Glenn 63 Prince’s Drive, Colwyn Bay, Conwy LL29 8PW 0845 2992468 cliff@keystone-energy.co.uk www.keystone-energy.co.uk
Kudray Consulting Ltd
Paul Kudray Chester 07918 183925 paul@kudrayconsulting.com www.kudrayconsulting.com
Land & Lakes Ltd
Gill Ronaye Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9PL 01539 822894 gill.ronaye@landandlakes.co.uk www.landandlakes.co.uk
Las Iguanas Chester
Matthew Ballard 4 Pepper Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 1DF 01244 313932 chester@iguanas.co.uk www.iguanas.co.uk
Liverpool Tours For You
Helen Penny Wirral, 07914 685099 liverpooltoursforyou@gmail.com www.liverpooltoursforyou.co.uk
New Members Meres and Mosses Business Environment Network (MMBEN)
Tom Hayek Shropshire Wildlife Trust, 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6AH 01743 284276 info@meresandmossesben.co.uk www.meresandmossesben.co.uk
Moneypenny
Cody Silvester Moneypenny, Western Gateway, Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough LL13 7ZB 0345 1233700 cody.silvester@moneypenny.co.uk www.moneypenny.co.uk
Nick Hodson Management Consultant
Nick Hodson 2C Heritage Court, Lower Bridge Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 1RD 01244 645899 nick@nickhodson.co.uk www.nickhodson.co.uk
Nicoll Financial Solutions Ltd Nigel Nicoll 18 Bryn Ownnen, Denbigh, Denbighshire LL16 3PJ 01745 407168 nigel@nfsltd.co.uk www.nfsltd.co.uk
People Knowledge Group Ltd
Portal Business Centres
Sallie Maskrey Bridgewater House, North Road Industrial Estate, Ellesmere Port, Merseyside CH65 1AF 01925 445656 info@portalbusinesscentres.co.uk www.portalbusinesscentres.co.uk
Protos Networks
Joe Joinson 4 Chester Road, Saltney, Ferry, Chester, Cheshire CH4 0AG 01244 679852 joe.joinson@protosnetworks.com www.protosnetworks.com
Ramparts Corporate Support (UK) Limited
Caroline Wright 2nd Floor, 3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, Lancashire M3 3EB 0161 9149785 carolinewright@ramparts.eu www.ramparts.eu
RBS Bank Commercial Banking
Martin Johnson 15 Foregate Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 1HD 07799 868203 martin.johnson1@rbs.co.uk www.rbs.co.uk
RBS Bank Personal Banking
Lynne Hayes-Clarke Northwich 07508 113474 lynne@ peopleknowledgegroup.co.uk
Helen,McCue 15 Foregate Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 1HD 07721 233547 helen.mccue@rbs.co.uk www.rbs.co.uk
Phillipa Reynolds
Release with EFT
Phillipa Reynolds Chester 07795 438370 phillipareynolds7@gmail.com
Polyroof Products Ltd
Nick Roberts Furness House, Castle Park Industrial Estate, Flint, Flintshire CH6 5XA 01352 735135 export@polyroof.co.uk www.polyroof.co.uk
Angela Newall Winsford 07495 186562 angela@release-eft.co.uk www.release-eft.co.uk
Risc IT Solutions Ltd
Jeremy Keane Church Walks Business Centre, Church Walks, Llandudno, Gwynedd LL30 2HL 01492 862780 information@riscitsolutions.com www.riscitsolutions.com
Scenario Marketing
The Cheshire Garden
Seashore No4
The Fine Dining Company
Select Mortgages North West Ltd
Tree Frog Digital
Terry Goodwin Harwarden 01244 535551 terry.goodwin@scenariomarketing.co.uk www.scenario-marketing.co.uk Jane Hawkes Unit 1B, Mereside Industrial Park, Fenns Bank, Shropshire SY13 3PA 0333 4447444 jane@seashoreno4.co.uk www.seashoreno4.co.uk
Christopher Collins 388 Chester Road, Little Sutton, Cheshire CH66 3RA 07809 690080 chris@selectmortgagesnw.co.uk www.selectmortgagesnw.co.uk
Slater and Gordon
Victoria Jones 26 Nicholas St, Chester, Cheshire CH1 2PQ 01244 357400 VJones@walkersmithway.com www.slatergordon.co.uk
Stag Creative
Andrew Tilston No 7 Roberts Terrace, New Crane Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 4JD 07931 649558 hello@stag-creative.com www.stag-creative.com
Stay Calm and Content
Cat Williams Holt, Wrexham 01829 271838 catstaycalm@gmail.com www.staycalmandcontent.com
The Accounts Centre
Liz Aspin Milton Green Farm, Whitchurch Road, Chester, Cheshire CH3 9DS 01829 770915 lizaspin@theaccountscentre.co.uk www.theaccountscentre.co.uk
The Bunbury Bag Company Alex Abberton 39 Liverpool Road, Chester, Cheshire CH2 1AB 07884 237497 thebunburybagcompany@ gmail.com www.thebunburybagcompany.co.uk
Jane Bingham Chester 07534 414909 jane.bingham@ thecheshiregarden.co.uk www.thecheshiregarden.co.uk Oana Mocanasu Pear Tree House, Unit 4 Drumian Hall Farm, Newton Lane,Tattenhall, Chester, Cheshire CH3 9NE 01829 770934 oana@thefinediningcompany.co.uk www.thefinediningcompany.co.uk Christopher Grice Viscount House, River Lane, Saltney, Flintshire CH4 8RH 01244 535760 chris@treefrogdigital.co.uk www.treefrogdigital.co.uk
White Friars Counselling and Psychotherapy Kerri Crewe 29 White Friars, Chester, Cheshire CH1 1NZ 01244 312809 info@whitefriarscp.co.uk www.whitefriarscp.co.uk
Worldpay UK
Tammy Burnell The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AF 07342 081603 tammy.burnell@worldpay.com www.worldpay.com
WR Legal
Sara Robertson Greenfield Office, 1 Hall Lane, Connahs Quay, Flintshire CH5 4LY 01244 831555 sararobertson@wrlegal.co.uk www.wrlegal.co.uk
Wurkplace Ltd
Mark Whitfield Unit 14, Office K, Old Marsh Farm Banks, Old Marsh Farm Road, Deeside, Flintshire CH5 2LY 0844 8117050 mark@wurkplace.co.uk www.wurkplace.co.uk
TOGETHER WE’RE WELL CONNECTED
41
What Feature I’m passionate about Your opportunity to get to know Chamber Board Director: Robert Ellis, Principal of Chester and Wrexham chartered accountants and business advisors Ellis & Co, explains his passion for helping business owners chart a course for success. “AS a long-time sailor, I understand all too well the importance of navigating the right course. “The same carefully planned approach is required whether you are starting out in business or putting in place your exit strategy. “I love nothing more than meeting business owners, finding out about their opportunities and challenges and then helping them shape and implement the right strategy to suit both their personal and business aspirations. “I expect my great team at Ellis & Co to provide our clients with the best possible accountancy, audit and tax services. “Where I believe we excel is in giving our clients the very best possible business advice. We want to be there for them whether they are starting out, embarking on a period of sustained growth, undertaking company acquisitions or considering handing the baton to a new management team, selling or retiring. “We regularly help our clients in all sorts of ways – whether it be forming new companies, strategic planning, securing vital funding, ensuring they pay no more tax than is necessary, inheritance tax planning or building a property portfolio. “As well as the support we give our clients, I am equally passionate about ensuring everyone at Ellis & Co is able to work in a dynamic, fun and rewarding environment. “This allows the team to invest time understanding our clients. In order to provide the best possible service, we need to know what they want from their business and their life. Ultimately, we
want to be their business partner from supporting them with their first ever financial forecasts through to the day they want us to help them achieve their preferred exit strategy. “To finish with a sailing analogy. While only a handful of sailors are ever good
42 West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
enough to win Olympic Gold medals, many more find their sailing hugely rewarding. It is exactly the same in business. The common denominator between the two is the need for good planning.” www.ellis-uk.com