business@bridgend Spring 2016

01656 815322 | business@bridgend.gov.uk Economic Development Unit

business.bridgend.gov.uk

spring 2016

Business excellence categories revealed at awards launch!

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Meet Ian Jessopp, Chair of Bridgend Business Forum Page 3

Bridgend seals the deal!

Keltic Fires turn up the heat

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Businesses invited to ‘unmask their excellence’ at awards launch!

A panel of judges will shortlist to three potential winners, with the overall winners announced at the Bridgend Business Forum Awards ceremony and gala dinner, which will be held at the Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel, Coychurch on Friday 23 September 2016.

All businesses based in Bridgend County Borough are eligible to enter and have until Friday 8 July 2016 to apply.

Ian Jessopp, Chair of Bridgend Business Forum said: “This is the fourth year the forum has organised this competition, and celebrating excellence remains at the heart of the Bridgend Business Forum Awards.

“We strongly urge organisations of any size and stature to get involved in this year’s awards, either by submitting an application or sponsoring a category – many past winners and supporters have acknowledged the results as enormously beneficial.”

(L to r) Council Leader - Councillor Mel Nott OBE, Kathryn James – ROCKWOOL UK, Sian Lloyd, Ian Jessopp, Ian Kellie – ROCKWOOL UK.

Businesses in Bridgend County Borough are being given the opportunity to ‘unmask their excellence’ at the Bridgend Business Forum Awards 2016.

BBC TV presenter and journalist, Sian Lloyd, joined members of the local business community at the Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel, Coychurch recently, to launch the Bridgend Business Forum Awards 2016, sponsored by Rockwool UK. Organised by Bridgend Business Forum and supported by Bridgend County Borough Council, the launch event was wellattended by local businesses, sponsors and supporters of these prestigious business awards which have become a much anticipated event in the business calendar.

Businesses in Bridgend County Borough have the opportunity to enter the following eight categories:• Business Student of the Year • Start-up Business of the Year - sponsored by Graham Paul Chartered Accountants • Service Business of the Year – sponsored by Handelsbanken • Manufacturing Business of the Year - sponsored by Berry Smith Lawyers • Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Finance Wales • Bridgend Tourism Business of the Year

Head of Public Affairs at ROCKWOOL UK, Ólöf Jónsdóttir, said: “ROCKWOOL UK is proud to sponsor this year’s Bridgend Business Forum Awards, which are a fantastic celebration of the inspiring individuals and businesses in our local community. We would like to wish all entrants the best of luck and look forward to meeting the winners at the ceremony in September.”

The 2016 award sponsors include, ROCKWOOL UK, Berry Smith Lawyers, Bridgend College, Finance Wales, Graham Paul Chartered Accountants, Handelsbanken, kksolutions and United Graphic Design.

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Leader, Councillor Mel Nott OBE, added: “We should never underestimate the vital role that small and medium-sized businesses in Bridgend County Borough play in driving our local economy. These companies should be acknowledged and celebrated – this is why the council is proud to support these awards, which provide the perfect platform to do this.

“I would urge all businesses across the county borough to submit an application to gain the recognition you and your employees truly deserve.”

Details of the awards including application forms are available on the website: www.bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk You can also keep up-to-date with awards by following the forum on Twitter @Bridgendforum #BBFAwards and on our Facebook page.

• Creative Industries Award – sponsored by Bridgend College • Innovative Business of the Year An overall winner will be drawn from the leader of each category and will receive the Bridgend Business of the Year 2016 award, sponsored by Rockwool UK.

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Main sponsor:

Meet Ian Jessopp: the man in the hot seat… time for my business, as it was at the time when kksolutions was being established. I was new to the area so it was an excellent opportunity for me to link in with other businesses and get our name out there - it was a nobrainer, really.

I met a number of businesses and contacts through the business forum which has led to me working with them. I’ve also found it an advantage when completing tender documents to state that I am a business forum member and the vice-chair, which give my business added kudos and credibility.

Ian Jessopp

Following his recent appointment as Chair of Bridgend Business Forum, we caught up with Ian Jessopp for a chat about his new role and where he sees the future direction of forum going…

How long have you been involved with Bridgend Business Forum?

I joined the business forum when it started almost eight years ago. I initially got involved by sponsoring some of the business events. I then was nominated for the vice-chair position by Alison Hoy the chair at the time. The nominations went out to a member’s vote and I was fortunate enough to be voted in as the Vicechair in 2014.

Why did you get involved with the BBF? I thought the BBF was a great initiative for businesses in Bridgend County Borough, there was no other organisation representing local businesses at the time. The forum was set-up at a particularly opportune

With 694 members, a very vibrant and informative programme of business events and regular consultation with our members, I truly believe the business forum has set a very high benchmark and should be held as a positive exemplar for the region.

What are the future priorities for BBF? We have seen membership grow year on year and we’d still like to increase our membership, we know there are approx. 4,000 VAT registered businesses in Bridgend County Borough, so there is still an untapped market for us to recruit members to the business forum and of course, membership is free!

The bigger our membership, the louder our voice and the stronger our business representation will be, particularly for small and mediumsized businesses (SMEs) which are the lifeblood of the local economy in the county borough.

What are your plans for the BBF? I’m looking to build on the already strong foundations of the business forum and we are grateful to the council for its continued support.

I am looking to improve two-way communications with members, by seeking their opinions and input into the future direction of the business forum. The forum has the opportunity to input a number of strategic plans for the business community in the county borough.

The council and the forum have recently undertaken an independent review of business support services and business forum activities in the county borough. We had 200 responses to the survey, the results of which will be published shortly. We intend to use the information we’ve gathered from this survey to help us shape the provision of Bridgend Business Forum services in the future.

I am also keen for the Bridgend Business Forum to link-in with other business clubs and forums in South Wales in order to share best practice or work in partnership on initiatives and business events. I believe a collective of business forums / clubs would also have a strong representation with national initiatives such as the City Deal agreement.

We will also be looking to welcome a new vice-chair to the business forum and will shortly be contacting our members to ask for nominations, followed by a vote for nominees amongst the members.

Again, I would urge you to put yourself or a colleague forward for the role as we’d like to get some input into the future activities of the forum. If you would like to discuss the role, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

We’re also looking forward to another bumper year as far as the business forum events with the launch of the business awards in May and the ceremony in September – I have a feeling it will be our busiest awards to date!

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Speed networking business breakfast – the smarter way to network

Imagine making more contacts in one hour than some people do in a year!

Welcome to Bridgend’s smarter speed networking business event - an intensive session of two-minute mini-meetings.

This corporate take on speed dating is the perfect place to start filling your book with contacts and people spanning a range of different sectors and industries. It's all about maximum impact - after your two minutes each way is up, the whistle blows, and you change partners!

Whether you’re sourcing a new supplier or need someone to package your product. Are you on the lookout for a mentor in your chosen industry? Or are you searching for a potential business partner? The possibilities and outcomes are endless.

Upcoming dates:

Exhibit at the event: There are only five opportunities available to host a display stand at this event. The Bridgend speed networking business breakfast will provide your company with the opportunity to have exposure to an audience of over 60 companies and the opportunity to sell your products and services to these delegates on a face to face basis at the end of the session.

Stand information: 1 x banner stand per company. A small table will be provided.

Further information on the event contact Mary Pope, Business Events & Networks Co-ordinator on 01656 815320.

To book your place email:business@bridgend.gov.uk or visit: www.bridgendbusinessforum.co.uk

22 June • 14 September • 16 November Time: 7.30am for 8 until 10am Venue: Heronston Hotel & Leisure Club Cost: Free to attend (breakfast included)

Dates for your diary 2016 22 June 2016

29 September 16

Speed networking business breakfast Heronston Hotel & Spa, Bridgend 7.30am for 8am until 10am

Cybersecurity and data protection seminar Waterton Centre Waterton Industrial Estate, Bridgend 8.30am for 9am until 11am In partnership with Barclays Bank and Berry Smith Lawyers

29 June 2016 Social media in business Waterton Centre, Waterton Industrial Estate, Bridgend 8.30am for 9 until 11am

14 September 2016 Speed networking business breakfast Heronston Hotel & Spa, Bridgend 7.30am for 8am until 10am

23 September 2016 Bridgend Business Forum annual dinner and awards ceremony Coed y Mwstwr Hotel, 7pm – 7.30pm – 11.30pm Cost: £50.00 +VAT per person, tables of 10 available.

Hosted by BBC TV Presenter Sian Lloyd Main sponsor: ROCKWOOL UK Ltd

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16 November 2016 Speed networking business breakfast Heronston Hotel & Spa, Bridgend 7.30am for 8am until 10am

9 December 2016 Bridgend Business Forum annual Christmas lunch Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel, 12noon for 12.30pm - 3pm Cost: £40.00 +VAT per person, tables of 10 available.

Guest speaker details will be announced shortly.

To book your place email: business@bridgend.gov.uk For more information call Mary Pope on 01656 815320

Local business news

TSW announced as ‘Excellence in Community Relations’ award winners TSW, a leading provider of organisational development initiatives, apprenticeships and social inclusion solutions is recognised throughout Wales for its success in improving organisational effectiveness through the alignment of strategy, people and processes.

TSW were recently announced as the winners of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce ‘Excellence in Community Relations’ award for their dedication to life changing Social Inclusion programmes that have led to real and sustained positive differences for the individuals, families and communities of Wales.

charities, local authorities and private sector organisations to develop community focused initiatives with real impact.

The focus of all community projects, initiatives and investments implemented by TSW are based firmly upon positive impact, revitalising local communities and supporting them to prosper and flourish in a sustained and beneficial manner.

If you would like to discuss any of TSW’s Social Inclusion programmes or partner with TSW to develop a project then please contact Trystan Jones, Head of Social Inclusion to discuss further Trystan.Jones@tsw.co.uk or 07720 740 023.

TSW have been involved in a range of community initiatives during the past year, supporting people who’ve found themselves marginalised and disadvantaged to develop personal and transferable skills and positive attitudes. Social Inclusion initiatives have seen them partner with schools,

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Local business news

Reap the rewards of co-working in Bridgend with indycube CIC Whether you’re a freelancer, business director or part of a small team, working from home can be a buzzkill.

Without coworkers and colleagues, it can get lonely, dull and frustrating.

This is why indycube CIC have set up cost-effective co-working spaces all over Wales, and there’s one right here in Bridgend. indycube Bridgend is located at the Innovation Centre, Bridgend Science Park. The office space is anchored by Edward Shorney, who runs Go Rookie, a UCAS-style platform for apprentices to connect with employers and vice versa.

Ed said: “We have 15 desks and one meeting room, which is free for members, so there’s plenty of space for productivity! Like all indycube spaces, there is also fast WIFI and all the free tea and coffee you can drink! More importantly, however, are the coworkers you will gain through becoming part of a shared openplan office.”

“Two regular businesses operate from indycube, Bridgend - Go Rookie and Mint Online Marketing. There are also those who come in on a day to day basis, such as freelancers or people with small start-up businesses."

Ed believes that the Welsh business economy is doing well, with plenty of young people entering into self-employment and launching their own businesses, he believes that coworking can be a huge benefit in furthering their success.

At the moment, indycube is home to digital marketers, social enterprises, developers and digital story tellers. It’s a creative space with its own meeting room and a friendly atmosphere.

You can try out coworking absolutely free with one of indycube’s Free Day Passes - get in touch with mari@indycube.cymru for more information.

Follow indycube on Twitter Get in touch with mari@indycube.cymru for more information on indycube.

Business turns up the heat with new showroom Keltic Fires has turned up the heat with it's new showroom, displaying the latest in heating style and technology thanks to joint support from Bridgend County Borough Council and Tata subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise.

The family business aims to be a leading supplier of gas, electric and wood-burning fires and fireplaces, catering for the higher end of the market.

Launched very recently by business owner Jay Parry, the new showroom on Bridgend Industrial Estate has already reached sales targets ahead of expectations for its first year of trading.

Jay, who has 13 year’s experience in the market, has ambitious plans for the new venture.

He said: “Keltic Fires aims to be the South Wales foremost vendor of gas, electric and wood-burning stoves and fireplace surrounds.

“We are aiming to open a showroom in Bristol within three years and take on a team of fitters to install the fire and fireplaces.”

Jay feels there is a gap in the market for high-end products, adding: “Homes are becoming more modern and style conscious, and the fire is the heart of the home. People are demanding more sophisticated and stylish products and we aim to deliver them!”

The business stocks leading brands including Dru, Gazco, Valor and Paramount, and offers a one-stop-shop in terms of design ideas, site survey and fitting. “We can deal with it all, making the process as simple as possible.”

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Jay says the support he has received from Bridgend County Council and the Kickstart programme has been most helpful, as well as the support he was given by Business In Focus. The Kickstart programme, run jointly by the council and Tata subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise, provided a £1000 grant which helped in refurbishing the premises and creating the new showroom.

He said: “The help I have received has been very important and has played an important part in getting the business up and running.”

Glyn Thomas of UK Steel Enterprise commented: “Keltic Fires is an ambitious business with plans to grow and has made an excellent start since the new showroom opened. We wish them all the best.”

Bridgend seals the deal with nine other local authorities

Council leaders and Ministers sign City Deal agreement

Bridgend County Borough Council was one of ten South East Wales local authorities to sign a £1.2 billion City Deal agreement – aimed at improving the economic growth prospects of the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR).

Bridgend County Borough Council Leader Mel Nott OBE was joined by leaders of nine other South East Wales local authorities, along with the Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Greg Hands and the First Minister Carwyn Jones AM, who formally signed the ‘Heads of Terms’ for the City Deal at Admiral’s head office in Cardiff.

It is hoped that the ‘City Deal’ will generate in excess of £1bn worth of investment to the Cardiff Capital Region – which includes Bridgend County Borough – over the next 10 to 15 years, with local partners in the CCR expected to deliver as many as 25,000 new jobs, and £4 billion of private sector investment across the region.

The City Deal will help boost economic growth by improving transport links, increasing skills, helping people into work and giving businesses the support they need to grow.

It will also establish strong governance across the region through a Cardiff Capital Region Cabinet. Through this, the ten local authority leaders will join up decision making, pool resources, and partner with business.

Both the UK and Welsh Government are contributing £500 million to the CCR Investment Fund respectively. The ten local authorities in the CCR will contribute a minimum of £120 million over the duration of the Fund.

Decisions on the prioritisation of the proposed schemes other than the Metro will be taken by a CCR Cabinet, in consultation with business leaders and education professionals.

The ten local authorities have committed to adopt an assurance framework for the Investment Fund, which will be agreed by the UK and Welsh Governments, to ensure good value for money and that proposed projects are underpinned by a robust business case.

In order to deliver the CCR‘s City Deal commitments and a longer-term economic strategy, the ten local authorities have requested greater financial autonomy and flexibility. As part of this City Deal the Welsh Government will explore with the Cardiff Capital Region: • The devolution of business rate income above an agreed growth baseline to provide funding for the City Deal programme.

• Providing the ability to levy an infrastructure supplement.

• Creating the option for the local authorities to use alternative finance sources.

• Removing conditions around some specific Welsh Government grants, to allow funding to be pooled at the regional level in areas such as school support and interventions that seek to address poverty.

The First Minister said: “We have lobbied hard for a City Deal for the Cardiff Capital Region and put more than £500m on the table to support improving transport infrastructure within the region. Today’s announcement sees that vision become a reality – it is a vote of confidence in the region and a huge economic boost.

“Central to the success of a City Deal is the close collaboration and partnership between all ten local authorities. It is a great example of what can be achieved by coming together for the greater good of our Capital region.”

For further information on the City Deal, visit: http://cardiffcapitalregioncitydeal.wales

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Bridges into Work 2 - Bridgend

Bridges into Work 2 is an exciting project supporting economic development in Bridgend by providing opportunities for skills development, training, gaining qualifications, volunteering and work placements. The Bridges into Work 2 project tackles the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing the labour market by helping them gain the vital experience and skills needed to find long term employment.

The project works in partnership with local employers to source job opportunities for Bridges into Work 2 participants and matches local people to local businesses helping them to gain and sustain employment.

Bridgend, Caerphilly, Aneurin Leisure and Merthyr Tydfil have joined together to strategically develop and run Bridges into Work 2, with Torfaen as Lead Sponsor. The project partners are planning to use this round of European money to help make a real difference for people in the region.

The project is part-funded by ESF Convergence and provides a comprehensive range of learning, preparation for employment and training activities. It provides a boost to individuals and opportunities for developing skills in areas that are in demand by employers. Free vocational courses such as food hygiene, first aid, health and safety skills and transferable skills such as literacy and numeracy, confidence building, IT and formal qualifications are available through the project.

The project is available to residents in Bridgend who are economically inactive or long term unemployed, living outside Communities First areas and are aged 25 or over. The project aims, by January 2018, to help over 98 people directly back into work, and more than 200 to achieve new qualifications.

If you are interested in finding out more about the project, or would like to recruit staff through the project, please call the Bridges into Work team on 01656 815317. Email: Bridgesintowork2@bridgend.gov.uk

Bridgend businesses to benefit from digital technology – you could be one!

More than 200 businesses in Bridgend County Borough are set to benefit from investment from the European Regional Structural Funds (ERDF) and the Welsh Government to help them make the most out of superfast broadband enabled technologies over the next five years.

The new Superfast Business Wales service provides free, independent advice and guidance to help businesses identify, adopt and exploit the opportunities that technology can create. The service can help businesses reduce costs, increase sales to existing customers, find new customers and increase profits.

Created specifically to help small and medium sized business, the service provides: • Advice on how to use Cloud technology, social media, CRM systems etc to increase profits • A free website review to evaluate how effective your website is and how it measures against competitors.

• Inspiring Action Workshops to give businesses the confidence, skills and knowledge to exploit the benefits of digital technology • Access to expert digital business advisers

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David Marnell, Superfast Business Wales Programme Manager said: “We often find that business owners find it difficult to keep up with the ongoing growth of business technology and see how it fits with their business. Our service is here to give free impartial advice to help businesses navigate through this minefield and create a realistic action plan that aims to boost productivity and increase efficiency.

“Our new team based in offices at Bocam Park is looking forward to working closely with businesses to improve the way they use technology, offering both strategic and practical support. We are urging Bridgend businesses to contact us to find out more about the service.”

Call: 03000 6 03000 quoting Superfast Broadband advice Visit: businesswales.gov.wales/superfastbusinesswales/ E-mail: superfast@businesswales.org.uk