THE SENTINEL NEWSPAPER - Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce

Transcription

Focus
Focus (Print): ISSN 1757-4943
Focus (Online): ISSN 2051-9567
SPRING 2015
T H E O F F I C I A L M AG A Z I N E O F S TA F F O R D S H I R E C H A M B E R S O F C O M M E R C E
THE SENTINEL NEWSPAPER
1970
2015
PLUS
UP CLOSE WITH
NATHAN WALTON,
NEWS, EVENTS AND
THE LAUNCH OF THE
CHAMB-AR APP
1
2
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
WELCOME TO THE SPRING EDITION
OF FOCUS MAGAZINE.
IT IS difficult to avoid the General Election
at the moment, so I'll get it out of the way
first and say that whatever the outcome,
you can be assured that this Chamber
will continue to represent your views and
lobby for a fairer system of conducting
business, whilst creating an environment
to encourage growth and create jobs, and
in turn, wealth for Staffordshire.
March's Budget had some positive
notes, namely a full review of the business
rate system, cuts in corporation tax
and the abolition of National Insurance
Contributions for under 21s.
It was also great to hear Stoke-onTrent mentioned as being one of 20 new
housing zones set to receive government
technical support and investment. As
well as helping to meet the area’s growth
aspirations, it should also be good news
for our construction firms and other
suppliers to this sector.
I am delighted that the Chamber has
secured a second tranche of Regional
Growth Fund money. There is now
an additional £4 million in the Stokeon-Trent and Staffordshire Jobs and
Growth Fund available as grants toward
capital expenditure on premises, plant,
machinery and infrastructure. The last
round of funding was fully committed and
created or safeguarded 1050 jobs. The
Chamber is currently taking expressions
of interest and anyone wanting to
apply should email jobsandgrowth@
staffordshirechambers.co.uk.
I'll end on the positive news that we
now have a brand new Chamber within
our group, Staffordshire Moorlands
Chamber. We will be actively looking
to attract more members from the
Moorlands, typically an area with a high
number of business starts who succeed
and grow. An interim Board has been
formed and John Capper has been
elected as interim President. I'm sure
you'll join me in wishing John well in his
new role in building an even more vibrant
business community in the Moorlands.
Jonathan Mitchell
President
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
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45
FOCUS SPRING 2015
03Welcome
Hear from President, Jonathan Mitchell
06News
Read what the Chamber and members
are saying
12
Finest and Futurefinest
Finest Comes to Stafford
16 Stafford News
The big commute campaign
18 Internal Trade
The cyber security challenge
20Staffordshire Moorlands News
New Chamber of Commerce is formed
21
Chamber Policy
Quarterly economic survey Q1 results
24 Let’s do Business 2015
Chambers unite to connect
Staffordshire Businesses
24
41 Business Doctors
What are the pros and cons of
becoming a limited company?
46Membership
Profile Plus member spotlights
16
4
Chamber Office
Commerce House, Festival Park,
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST1 5BE
01782 202222
40
publications@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
01782 202222
Focus magazine is published on behalf of
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce by
Excel Publishing Company Ltd. and printed
by Buxton Press
Excel Publishing Company Limited
6th Floor, Manchester One
53 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3LD
Tel: 0161 236 2782
www.excelpublishing.co.uk
Editorial and Advertising
20
Caroline Ackroyd
caroline.ackroyd@excelpublishing.co.uk
0161 661 4151
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.
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.
13
5
CHAMBER NEWS
SPECIALIST HELPLINE FOR BUSINESS
CRIME VICTIMS LAUNCHED
Sue Arnold, Jane Gratton, CSupt Jeff Moore
A NEW service which offers
free expert support and
guidance to Staffordshire and
Stoke-on-Trent businesses
who are victims of crime has
been launched.
Police and Crime
Commissioner Matthew Ellis
has commissioned the Business
Crime Matters strategy to
help beat business crime and
promote economic growth.
Staffordshire Chambers of
Commerce is running the service
after successfully bidding for the
initial six-month contract.
His deputy, PCC Sue Arnold, is
spearheading the new Business
Crime Advisor service which will
be launched in January, backed
by Staffordshire Police.
Business Crime Advisors will
be available to all local firms
whether they report the crime
to police or not and offer victims
specialist and confidential
support in areas such as security,
insurance, ICT recovery and
reputational damage.
A new dedicated website www.businesscrimematters.
com - containing full contact
details is now live. Businesses
are able to contact advisors by
ringing a special helpline on
01782 900239.
Deputy chief executive of
Commerce, Jane Gratton, said:
“Crime against business can
result in a loss of productivity,
staff morale and profitability.
Sadly, in some cases, crime
leads to business failure and
job losses.
“So it is vital that we help
business victims of crime to
continue to trade and support
them to reduce the cost and
impact of that crime. Business
Crime Advisors will offer advice,
information and signposting
to specialist services, not only
to help the firm deal with the
immediate crime, but also to
help build resilience against any
future incident.”
The service will run until
31 August when it will be
reviewed as part of ongoing
plans for a wider Victims
Gateway in Staffordshire.
CHANGES TO GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT SHOULD HELP BUSINESSES
SMALL BUSINESSES across
splitting up big contracts, and
Staffordshire should benefit from
by removing unnecessary bid
new legislation and changes to
criteria and questionnaires for
Government procurement.
low value contracts.
At the end of March,
A new version of the
new legislation came into
Contracts Finder website,
force, opening up the public
which launched on February 23,
sector’s £187 billion spend
should also make it easier and
each year to businesses.
quicker for companies to find
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The new rules aim
to make
opportunities to bid for.
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it easier for SMEs to bid by
Businesses will be able to raise
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concerns anonymously about
unfair buying practices through a
‘mystery shopper’ option.
Deputy chief executive
of Staffordshire Chambers
of Commerce, Jane Gratton,
said: “Anything which makes
it easier for Staffordshire’s
SMEs to bid for - and win public sector contracts is to
be welcomed. “For small firms, getting
paid quickly is crucial, so the
commitment to a 30 day
payment term is also good news. “This is a hot topic for
businesses and so they will be
looking for evidence of real
changes and improvements. I’m
sure that they will be quick to
point out where any barriers or
problems continue.”
08/04/2015 10:54
Commerce's Let's Do Mentoring
programme is celebrating after
signing up its 100th mentor.
Let's Do Mentoring provides
support and guidance to
businesses based in Staffordshire
to help them prosper.
By putting together leading
industry professionals with local
business people, companies are
offered invaluable guidance
and expertise that fosters
future growth.
The 100th mentor to sign up is
Simon Kavanagh, from Industrial
and Commercial Finance.
Let's Do Mentoring,
which was formed in 2006
and is currently supported
by the European Regional
Development Fund, is
managed by Adele Cope and
run by John Thompson,
Mentor Broker, Leila Green,
Business Mentor Support,
and Ann Steele, Business
Information Services Officer.
CHAMBER NEWS
LET’S DO MENTORING – 100TH MENTOR SUCCESS
Leila Green & John Thompson
John said: "We are thrilled
to have had our 100th mentor
to sign up to the programme.
"Our mentors provide
invaluable support for
businesses. They can provide
a different way of thinking or
working which allows a company
or an individual to flourish."
Leila added: "The
programme is continuing to
go from strength to strength
and we are extremely proud to
have had 100 mentors sign up
to Let's Do Mentoring."
The programme is fully
funded to all Staffordshire
businesses and provides 12
hours support from one of
the top mentors in the team;
members of Staffordshire
Chambers of Commerce
receive 15 hours.
Anyone looking for
mentoring help should
email john.thompson@
staffordshirechambers.
co.uk or leila.green@
staffordshirechambers.co.uk
or call 01782 213929.
ASCOT BUSINESS SOLUTIONS TACKLES TERRORISM,
SECURITY AND FRAUD RESPONSIBILITIES
MARK INGRAM, Managing
Ascot Business Solutions to
Director of Ascot Business
view the company’s latest
Solutions, is on a mission to
new product Greenbox , a
assist organisations across the
device designed to solve the
UK in the battle against identity
growing problem of ensuring
fraud, immigration crime and
that prospective employees
to aid those with increased
and customers are exactly
responsibilities to deal with
who they say they are, or face
possible terrorist threats.
tough financial penalties.
File:
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Local MP for Stafford,
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Jeremy Lefroy recently visited
Terrorism Bill will bring
additional responsibilities for
local authorities, educational
institutions, the NHS and
police forces to comply with a
duty to have due regard to the
need to prevent people being
drawn into terrorism.
Launched in January, just
as the French terrorist attacks
shook the world, the benefits
of the device are evident.
Mark Ingram and
Jeremy Lefroy (right)
Greenbox ensures that the
data collection necessary
for compliance to the Act is
collected in an efficient, userfriendly and cost effective way.
www.nsconferencecentre.co.uk
enquiries@nsconferencecentre.co.uk
Tel: 01782 714888 Fax: 01782 715422
Charity Reg. 200843
(North Staffs Medical Institute)
2111914-4
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MEMBERS NEWS
JHPS GARDENS LIMITED PAVING
THE WAY FOR BRIGHT FUTURE
STOKE ON Trent based
gardening and landscaping
firm JHPS Gardens Limited
has secured another £50,000
plus landscaping job.
Their client based near
Barlaston has instructed JHPS to
carry out the major renovation of
their huge back garden.
Jason Harker, director of
JHPS said: “This job is great
news for both us and the
client. We have got a lot
of work to do over what is
normally our ‘quiet period’ and
of course the client has got the
best team to implement their
vision for their amazing back
garden.”
JHPS Gardens is a
fast growing private and
commercial grounds
maintenance and landscaping
company with a team of 15
whose niche market are clients
that expect a high quality finish
along with excellent customer
service.
They are looking to expand
the business further by
purchasing a warehouse and
office space to enable them
to carry out consultations inhouse, which will allow them to
showcase their previous jobs
to prospective clients. Also,
they will be able to expand
their professional team further
which will be great news for
Staffordshire. With the new
premises in the pipeline and an
increase in new clients they feel
that it is the best time to also
revamp their website, too.
The team at JHPS are also
experts in the remediation of
Japanese Knotweed under the
name of Japanese Knotweed
Expert Limited which is part of
the JHPS group. Having one of
only a few fully qualified PCA
Jason Harker
surveyors in the UK means
that they can provide you with
all the necessary reports and
certificates needed to satisfy
a lender’s criteria and raise a
mortgage against a Japanese
MCL EXPORT STRATEGY GOES GLOBAL
COMPOSITES MANUFACTURER
MCL Group Industries has begun
a big 2015, revealing its plans to
export worldwide for the first time. The Staffordshire based
manufacturer has over 10
years track record of exporting
throughout Europe, shipping its
engineered composite products
for the utility, construction
and infrastructure markets to
Sweden, Iceland, Germany,
NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME SCHOOL
A Top 100 School THE TIMES The Daily
Telegraph £3.5 million ‐ Stinton Science and Library Project
Now Open! Open Days! Denmark and Holland.
MCL has placed itself
as one of Europe‘s leading
manufacturers and suppliers
of composites, and this year it
has set its sights further afield
by initiating deals in countries
such as Australia, Libya,
Romania, South Africa and the
United Arab Emirates.
Its products include gas
and electricity meter boxes;
underground access chamber
systems and kiosks used daily
in the gas, electricity, water,
highways and rail markets; and
Radlock, an innovative roadplate used when excavating
carriageways during roadworks.
Last year, MCL exported
over 100,000 units and it
hopes to more than double
this over the next 12 months by
growing business worldwide.
Mark Owen, Business Director
at MCL Infrastructure, said: “We
have been supplying composite
products across Europe for over
10 years now and this is the first
year we are aiming worldwide
because demand has grown too
great to ignore. Our products
offer both technical and
commercial advantages to our
export clients, which could be
utilised within all evolving utility
and construction markets.
“The unique design of many
of our products means that we
are able to ship them in such a
way as to utilise every inch of
space in costly air/sea freight,
thus not transporting fresh
air. Buyers have already found
that our lightweight, strong
products can solve engineering
and technical problems that no
other products can.
“Export will play a
significant part in our sales
strategy with MCL already
applying time, resource and
support to selected countries
and markets worldwide.” You are welcome to visit at any time • 82% A*‐ B Grades, A Level, Summer 2014 • “Outstanding” Pastoral Care • Transport from Stafford, Eccleshall, Stone, Market Drayton, Congleton, Nantwich, Leek, Uttoxeter An HMC School for Girls and Boys aged 3 to 18 0 1 7 8 2 6 3 1 1 9 7 Mark Owen, Business Director at MCL Infrastructure
8
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HERE’S TO 2015 . . . A CONTINUED YEAR OF GROWTH!
STAFFORDSHIRE, CHESHIRE
North Wales regions for the
and North Wales’ leading
recruitment of temporary and
recruitment agency KPI
permanent personnel in the
Recruiting has now expanded
Industrial, Commercial, Driving
its recruitment services to the
and Technical sectors. It has
North Cheshire region. This,
provided excellent and reliable
following a request from a
recruitment services for over
major client expressing their
100,000 people since it
desire to use the specialist
opened its doors in 2008.
recruitment services of KPI
The new office complete with
Recruiting across its group.
KPI Recruiting’s revolutionary
The new office in Central
candidate ‘training and
Warrington is part of an
induction’ centre will create an
ambitious expansion plan which
initial 5 new internal jobs, with
will now see KPI Recruiting offer
its full portfolio of recruitment
services across Staffordshire,
the North West and North
Wales. 2015 is deemed to be
a very exciting and ambitious
year for KPI as their tenacious
expansion plans continue,
with further branches opening
throughout the year.
KPI has long been
established as the leading
Business Development Manager Steve
recruitment business
in the Focus KPI
O’Neill proudly opens the door of KPI
File: 210451-4
Staffordshire, Cheshire
and
Recruiting’s new office in Warrington.
further experienced recruitment
professionals strengthening the
team and apprentice positions
giving opportunities for young
education leavers to begin
their careers.
“It’s a great achievement to
be expanding once again in
such a short period of time.
We have a great internal team
who have shown tremendous
commitment and passion that
has seen us have huge growth
with an enviable reputation.
Our team share the vision and
the passion of its directors and
it is also their belief that our
clients receive an unparalleled
level of service and that service
must be as cost effective as
possible within the recruitment
agency marketplace.” said
KPI Director Ryan Jardine. He
went on to say “I would like to
thank our existing customers
who continue to give us repeat
business that has given us
stability and put us in the
210451-4 Focus KPI edit.indd 1
fortunate position to have
ambitious expansion plans.”
The new geographical
presence of the Warrington
office will open up new
catchment areas for KPI
Recruiting to attract more
skilled and experienced job
seekers as well as the ability to
provide reliable, reactive and
accurate recruitment services
to businesses in the North
Cheshire, South Manchester
and Merseyside regions.
We would love the
opportunity to work with
new clients throughout 2015
and if you also believe that
you will be increasing your
head count then now is the
perfect time to discuss your
recruitment strategy.
If you are looking to recruit
industrial, drivers, commercial
or technical staff, please
give us a call to discuss your
requirements with a sector
specialist on 01782 712 230
31/03/2015 09:19
For perfect candidates every time
t: 01782 712230 w: www.kpir.co.uk
210451-4 Focus KPI.indd 1
31/03/2015 09:24
9
CHAMBER NEWS
STAFFORDSHIRE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
LAUNCH CHAMB-AR APP
STAFFORDSHIRE CHAMBERS
of Commerce are the first in
the UK to communicate with
members using an exciting
new digital technology called
Augmented Reality.
It means members can
download a free app and
access huge amounts of
information and actions just by
pointing their mobile phone or
tablet at a trigger in the world
around them.
The app recognises the
trigger – which could be a
photograph, logo, pattern on
a plate and much more – and
streams a choice of videos,
documents and weblinks
straight to the device. There are also interactive
options to use the device
touch screen to visit websites,
buy products or services, give
feedback and much, much more.
Chamber Chief Executive
Sara Williams said: “We’re
tremendously excited to be
the first Chamber in the UK
to adopt AR technology and
launch our own app.
“People who download it
will have easy access to our
latest news, the support we
can give to business and the
services we offer to members.
“And anywhere they see the
‘Scan here’ logo in our literature
and displays, the app will launch
rich, interactive presentations
with opportunities to interact
with the Chamber and make the
most of our services.”
The app package has
been supplied by Chamber
members ooh-AR, who
Sara Williams CEO of Staffordshire Chamber
provide specialist AR services
around the world.
Customers already making
the most of the company’s
services include JCB, Twinings
Tea, First UK Bus, Scotrail and
First Great Western Trains.
ooh-AR Director Dave
Smith said: “Use of AR
is accelerating rapidly
and we’re excited to be
supporting Staffordshire
Chambers as a first adopter
of this exciting new
technology.”
• You can download the
free Staffs Chamb-AR app
from App Store or Google
Play. To use the app, just
follow the instructions
below and to find out more
visit ooh-AR.com.
SEAN TAKES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
SEAN CANAVAN, founder of PM
Training and a mentor for the
Chamber’s Let’s Do Mentoring
programme was awarded the
Lifetime Achievement Award
at the Sentinel Business
Awards in March.
Sara Williams, Chief
Executive of Staffordshire
Chambers of Commerce,
said: “Sean was a very worthy
people for so many years with
his can do attitude.
“PM Training was formed
in 1982 and is continuing to
support people to this day and
beyond. It has helped more
than 11,000 youngsters in North
Staffordshire into employment
“We were so proud to see
so many members on the roll
of honour list, too. It is a huge
winner of the award, his story
is a truly remarkable one.
Here, we have someone who
has had the foresight and the
passion to inspire scores of
testament to their work and
how they represent business in
Staffordshire.
“The Sentinel Business
Awards highlights each year just
10
how many fantastic businesses
and business people there are
across Staffordshire. It gives us
an opportunity to take a step
back and look at how strong
business is in our area.”
Sean Canavan with Sara Williams
developed by leading insurers
and is administered by the Fire
Protection Association.
Business Support Lead for
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue
Service, John Berrisford said:
“A fire in a business can put
staff and customers lives at risk,
damage stock and premises,
and make it impossible for a
company to carry out its dayto-day work, impacting not
only on the organisation itself,
but on its employees, suppliers,
Linda McQuade and John Berrisford
customers and the general
economy, which then of course
STAFFORDSHIRE FIRE and
promoted by the service
impacts the wellbeing of the
Rescue Service has teamed up
and backed by Staffordshire
communities we serve.
with Staffordshire Chambers
Chambers of Commerce.
“We urge businesses to take
of Commerce to encourage
The downloadable ‘Resilient
the necessary steps to ensure
Staffordshire businesses to
Business Software Toolkit’ can
that their buildings are as safe
protect themselves from arson.
be accessed in the business
as possible from fire and other
A free downloadable toolkit
support service section
disasters, whether there are
which gives organisations a
of the service’s website,
accidental or deliberate.”
step by step guide on how
www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk.
Head of Enterprise for
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to reduce their risk is being
The toolkit has been
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Commerce Linda Mcquade
added: “We are pleased to be
able to partner with Staffordshire
Fire and Rescue Service on this
initiative. Maintaining effective
operations in times of crisis
should be high on the agenda for
all businesses.
“Teaming up with
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue on
this initiative aligns nicely with the
work we are already doing on the
Business Crime Matters helpline
for the Office of the Police
and Crime Commissioner in
Staffordshire. The fact that both
services are being offered free of
charge can only be good news
for business in the county.”
For businesses who
require immediate additional
support, John Berrisford
can be contacted on 01785
898916. For more information
about business fire safety visit
www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk.
CHAMBER NEWS
STAFFORDSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE TEAMS
UP WITH STAFFORDSHIRE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
100% PASS RATE PUTS
ACCOUNTING ON COURSE
FOR PLATINUM RATING
NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME
COLLEGE (NULC) students
have achieved a 100%
pass rate on five different
accounting courses.
Twenty-six NULC students
sat worldwide Association
of Chartered Certified
Accountants (ACCA) exams
in December and, when their
results arrived, all of them had
passed. This bucks a national
average pass rate of 48%.
The clean sheet was for the
Accounting Fundamental
papers (F4, F5, F6, F7 and
F8). NULC students also
exceeded the national results
Gold approval in 2013, which
gives recognition to the
quality of tuition provision
and support for accounting
students. The College can
now set its sights on the
Platinum level award.
To achieve the Gold approval
the College demonstrated
its commitment to quality by
fulfilling a range of challenging
performance targets relating
to infrastructure, student
feedback, quality of tutors
and best practice provision of
ACCA tuition and support.
Said NULC ACCA/CIMA
Coordinator Sarah Champ:
in the Professional Papers
where 77% of students
passed P2 and 50% passed
P3 against the national score
of 50% and 48% respectively.
NULC was awarded ACCA
“Most of the students
are sponsored on these
professional qualifications
by their employers so we are
pleased to be providing such
a great return on investment.”
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FINEST AND FUTURE FINEST
FINEST COMES TO STAFFORD
For over 10 years finest has played an integral part in the
growth of professional service firms in North Staffordshire
- and now it has come to Stafford.
A LAUNCH event took place
at the Swan Hotel in Stafford
early in January to officially
launch finest in Stafford.
The Stafford finest
pilot programme has been
formed to develop a robust
professional business service
network in Stafford and the
surrounding areas.
12
Louise Dubber, finest and
futurefinest co-ordinator, said:
"The launch event went really
well and we had plenty of
interested parties on the night.
“We have plenty of events
planned throughout the year,
including First Thursdays with
professional development key
speakers, meet and eat events and
networking and social events.
“There are so many benefits
of joining finest and we would
urge anyone interested in
joining to get in touch.”
They include regular
networking opportunities
through professional, focused,
informative and stimulating with
key speakers, professionally
focused, informative and
stimulating events, publicity,
representation on professional
issues, public procurement,
business environment, office
space and skills.
Other benefits include
opportunities to grow through
access training, quality
assurance, links with education
and international trade.
Pilot membership is valid
to 31 December 2015, and
members joining after June
2015 will be offered a 30 per
cent discount on membership.
1) Level 1 Membership costs
£150+VAT (or £95+VAT for
Chamber members) for one
named individual membership.
This would be aimed at those
individuals meeting the
membership criteria who will
be expected to get maximum
benefit engagement.
2) Level 2 Cluster Membership
costs £395+VAT (or
£225+VAT for Chamber
members) for up to four
named individuals from one
business. This membership is
aimed at larger professional
business services sector firms
where there may be different
individuals who would attend
different events.
Ian Dudson, Carrie Rossie (Squadron Leader, RAF), Sara Williams (Chief Executive,
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce) and Col Richard Maybery
Sara Williams, chief executive
of Commerce has pledged to
of Staffordshire Chambers of
help raise awareness
Commerce, attended a Lunch
of the Armed Forces Regular
Reception and Briefing event at
Reserve among employees
Keele Hall to sign the Chamber's
within the Stoke-on-Trent and
Corporate Covenant and to urge
Staffordshire region to provide
others at the event to follow.
support for those serving, as
The Corporate Covenant is a
well as families and veterans,
written and publicised voluntary
who are seeking civilian
pledge from businesses who wish to
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BPMF
employment or starting
new
their concrete support
businesses in the area.
for the armed forces community.
All Corporate Covenants
include a core statement
of commitment that those
adopting the scheme sign up to.
This covers the two key
principles of the Armed Forces
Covenant, which are:
1) No member of the Armed
Forces community should face
disadvantage in the provision of
public an commercial services
compared to any other citizen.
2) In some circumstances,
special treatment may be
appropriate, especially for the
injured or bereaved.
The Chambers were invited
to attend the event by Brigadier
G Wilson from the 11th Signal
and West Midlands Brigade.
For over 20 years, the
Ministry of Defence has
sponsored national and regional
support for the Reserve Forces
and employers under the banner
of Supporting Britain's Reservists
and Employers (SaBRE).
Sara Williams said: “The
Armed Forces play a crucial part
in the economy of Staffordshire
as well as providing a necessary
service to the country. “We are proud to support
the Armed Forces Covenant
and have benefited from having,
within our workforce, reservist
and ex service personnel who
have brought a range of skills
and experience to our business,
which has benefitted us
The Potters’ Club is unique in the area, offering the highest standards
of food and hospitality for many miles around.
Corporate and individual memberships are available and the club
is open to all business people who need to use the good quality
facilities. As well as dining in our restaurant there are private rooms
for seminars, informal meetings and private dinners. It is the perfect
place and where you will always receive the warmest of welcomes.
The Potters’ Club is ideally located for ease of access opposite
Stoke on Trent railway station, and minutes from all major road and
motorway networks.
Federation House, Station Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2SA UK
Phone: 01782 848869 Fax : 01782 411617
Email: info@thepottersclub.co.uk Web: www.thepottersclub.co.uk
206911-4-15 FOC BPMF.indd 1
13
08/04/2015 15:54
MEMBER NEWS
CHAMBER PLEDGES SUPPORT TO ARMED FORCES
COVER STORY
New Sentinel Building
THE SENTINEL HAS BEEN KEEPING WATCH ON
STAFFORDSHIRE FOR 160 YEARS
The long and rich history of The Sentinel newspaper means it can stand
shoulder to shoulder with other well-known iconic Potteries names such as
oatcakes, Wrights Pies, Stoke City and Port Vale.
THE SENTINEL has been
part of family life in North
Staffordshire for 160 years and
the newspaper and its staff
celebrated last year when it
was awarded the honour of
the Freedom of the City of
Stoke-on-Trent.
It has also embraced a
new ‘digital-first’ approach
which has seen its website
go from strength to strength
(an average 70,000 unique
visitors log on to www.
thesentinel.co.uk every day).
Now, you don’t have to
wait until the next morning to
read the latest signing at The
Brit or Vale Park – you can
see the news straight away
on the website or via social
media (along with all the
stats and reaction).
Journalists are encouraged
to Tweet as much as possible
– often from the scene of
breaking stories – which
means the paper has become
even closer to the heart of
communities around the city.
However, the bread and
getting home, putting the
kettle on and reading your
copy of The Sentinel. And
many people still agree –
around 40,000 copies of the
paper are still sold each day.
Now under the ownership
of Local World, The Sentinel
is the eighth best-selling
regional daily title in the UK
– a great achievement when
you consider Stoke-on-Trent
is only the 22nd biggest city.
Indeed, The Sentinel remains
the largest-selling newspaper
staggered throughout the
day might be long gone, and
The Sentinel is no longer an
evening newspaper, but there
is no doubt the paper remains
an integral part of Stoke-onTrent and Staffordshire and
it is always willing to fight on
local issues which matter most
to the people of the Potteries.
This is primarily because most
of its staff, both editorial and
commercial, are Local and Proud
– as the newspaper’s slogan
goes. They have a genuine stake
journey for Martin who in
October of last year became
the paper’s first local Editor in
more than 40 years.
Having delivered the
newspaper as a teenager in the
mid-Eighties around his native
Sneyd Green and Smallthorne,
he joined The Sentinel as a news
reporter in 1998. Since then he’s
held roles as varied as Deputy
News Editor, News Editor, Head
of Content, Assistant Editor,
Deputy Editor and columnist
before getting the big chair.
butter newspaper still offers
what feels like a comforting
presence when it arrives
through your letterbox.
There’s still nothing quite like
in the Local World Group (with
a bigger daily circulation than
Derby, Leicester, Nottingham,
Hull and Bristol).
The days of seven editions
in local communities.
Martin Tideswell, a local
lad done good – as they say,
has worked at the paper for
17 years. It has been a long
Martin, an avid Port Vale
supported, said: “During the time
I have been with The Sentinel,
so much has changed that I
dare say those returning to
14
Sentinel Staff outside the offices in 1920
Old Sentinel building 2004
our newsroom after leaving in
1998 simply wouldn’t recognise
it as the same operation. When
I first joined, there were seven
editions in total and the whole
of the morning was devoted to
hitting deadlines which began
around 9am.
“The then deputy editor
would ring me, the news
editor at the time, from the
bath at 7am for an update on
the news list and to make a
final decision on the splash.
No pun intended!
“Back then we were still
a 24/7 operation – but the
deadlines for the various
editions – First, North, Cheshire,
Moorlands, Newcastle, City
Final and Late Extra, were what
dictated our work patterns.
“But even though the
operation has changed, we’re
still here for our readers
through the good and the bad,
in print and online.”
All Sentinel journalists,
around 50 of them (far more
than any other media outlet
locally) are now regular
Tweeters and between them,
have tens of thousands of
followers online. Martin himself
has well over 4,000.
Where people used to only
be able to tell The Sentinel
over a breaking story via
the telephone, now it’s
possible to break one via a
smartphone through Twitter,
Facebook or email.
“It may seem incredible
media, in particular, would be
an absolute game-changer.
“These days the vast
majority of people have smart
phones or access to the
internet via home or work PCs,
laptops or tablets.
“The public's appetite for
information is as voracious
as the need to comment on
what's happening in the world.
Our journalists engage with
our readers in more ways
than ever before thanks to the
digital age which we live in.”
It isn’t just the website,
newspaper or social media
aspects which make The Sentinel
so special, however. There’s far
more to The Sentinel newsroom
in 2014 than just writing stories
and taking photographs.
Last year, The Sentinel
Business Awards celebrated
its 20th anniversary. This year
marks the 40th anniversary
now,” added Martin, “that
until relatively recently many
newspapers paid little heed to
the internet. I don’t think anyone
quite appreciated how social
of the City of Stoke-on-Trent
Sports Awards.
Last September, the
hugely-popular Our Heroes
Awards staged its ninth
Martin Tideswell
Michelle Gesell
gala dinner. All the events
are organised, scripted and
staffed by Sentinel journalists.
And that’s not even
mentioning the 40th birthday
celebration events for Robbie
Williams, which included a tourist
trail in his honour across the city.
Last year the newspaper was
also instrumental in helping stage
the inaugural Stoke-on-Trent
Literary Festival.
The Sentinel continues
to reach out to readers and
businesses across North
Staffordshire and South Cheshire
- during 2014 more than 150,000
people entered a huge range
of competitions from ‘Win your
mortgage’ and ‘Win a £5,000
dream Christmas’ to the everpopular ‘Baby of the Year.’
Also, within a 12 month
period, more than 150,000
samples were given away to
readers ranging from loaves of
bread and Easter eggs to pet
food and Lego. Commercially,
more than 142,000 adverts
appeared within The Sentinel’s
portfolio - allowing businesses
to connect with readers.
New Sentinel Building
15
COVER STORY
The Sentinel’s managing
director Michelle Gesell said:
“It's an exciting time for your
Sentinel under the ownership of
the Local World group and we
are genuinely looking forward
to the challenges ahead.
“Thanks to the skill, dedication
and commitment of our staff
across all departments we see a
bright and prosperous future.”
In September 2013, The
Sentinel upped sticks and
relocated from their home of
almost 30 years at Festival
Park to a heritage building in
the city centre – a gorgeous,
Grade II- listed former Sunday
school building on Bethesda
Street in Hanley.
Michelle says the building
has been well received by both
staff and the public.
She added: “It's a fascinating
building boasting elegant
windows, high ceilings and
Minton tiles. Indeed, it's a
building which ideally suits a
heritage brand like The Sentinel
and, crucially, it puts us in the
heart of the Cultural Quarter
and close to the emerging
Central Business District.
“The new location certainly
makes it easier for our 100
or so staff to interact with
readers, important contacts
and key clients.
“We've lovingly restored
our new home to its former
glory while transforming it
into base fit for a modern
publishing business.”
The Sentinel website
can be found by visiting
www.stokesentinel.co.uk
and the newspaper is printed
Monday – Saturday – long may
that continue.
STAFFORD NEWS
WORKING TOGETHER TO RECRUIT NEW DIGITAL TALENT
STAFFORD COLLEGE has
teamed up with Microsoft
Partner risual Limited to
open a new Academy for
ICT professionals in order to
address a growing shortage
of digital skills.
Estimates from the Science
Council suggest that the
ICT workforce will grow by
39 per cent by 2030 and
research from City & Guilds
revealed that three quarters
of employers in the IT, Digital
and Information Services
sector were facing skills
shortages. However figures
show that insufficient ICT
apprenticeship vacancies
are being created, with over
10 applicants competing for
each vacancy in 2013/14.
risual Limited and Stafford
College are working together
to buck this trend, with a new
academy set to open at the
college later this month.
Richard Proud is a Director
at risual Limited, which
operates nationally from its
headquarters at Staffordshire
Technology Park. He said:
“risual’s growth is fuelled
by raw talent; part of our
company ethos is to be able
to take young people, give
them opportunities within
the business, help them to
develop their career and give
them training.
Gill Moss, Curriculum
Area Manager, said: “We’re
delighted to be beginning a
new relationship with risual
- developing the Academy
in order to provide a cohort
of ICT learners with the
opportunity to progress
into Level 2, 3 and Higher
Apprenticeships.
Alun Rogers, Co-Director
at risual, added: “We are
on a trajectory to grow our
business. In five years we will
probably be a 500 person
business, creating more
opportunity for people locally
and the local economy. I
don’t think we would be able
to reach this level of growth
without developing our
Apprenticeship schemes and
we look forward to our new
relationship with Stafford
College to support this”.
CROFT ARCHITECTURE STEPS IN AFTER A
DEVELOPER FALLS FOUL OF A ROGUE "ARCHITECT"
FAILURE TO check the
credentials of an "architect"
has proven costly for a West
Mildands developer.
Daldar Singh Sandhu is more
than £20,000 out of pocket due
to planning mistakes made by
a company wrongly advertising
themselves as an architect.
Work began on a
development of apartments
in Hockley, Birmingham
around three years ago.
While the development has
been built, Mr Singh Sandhu has
been unable to complete it due
around the building's facade,"
said Mr Singh Sandhu.
"At one point, I could have
been told to pull the building
down and that would have
been devastating as I have
ploughed my life savings into
the project."
Mr Singh Sandhu was
the unwitting victim of a
company using the word
"architects" in its name. What
he didn't know was that the
company had no legal right
to use the title.
A complaint to the Architects
the Architects Act 1997.
The defendant was also
ordered to pay ARB £4,800
in costs at the hearing before
Birmingham Magistrates Court
in October 2012.
Mr Singh Sandhu has now
turned to Stafford based Croft
Architecture to solve their
planning problems.
Chartered Architect Carl
Croft said: "The ARB is a
statutory body established by
Parliament. Companies can only
call themselves an architects'
practice if they are headed by a
use a registered architect for
building projects.
"Property is generally by
far the most important and
expensive thing that someone
will own. We have to ask,
why you would take the risk
of failing to use a registered
architect when drawing up
development plans?
Carl is one of three fully
qualified Chartered Architects
among the team at Croft
Architecture which has offices
at the Staffordshire Technology
Park, Stafford. Croft Architecture
to a series of planning issues.
"It has cost me over
£20,000 more than it should
have done so far and we are
still solving planning matters
Registration Board (ARB)
resulted in the business owner
being fined a total of £3,500
after being found guilty of using
the title architect in breach of
registered architect.
"While anyone can work
on building designs, we would
always recommend that
home and building owners
is also a RIBA (Royal Institute of
British Architects) Chartered
Practice, which ensures
that further standards of
performance are met.
16
COMMUNICATIONS AND
broadband experts Keycom and
Vision Fibre Media have worked in
partnership to supply state of the
art fibre optic broadband to one of
London’s best known addresses.
Residents of the Barbican
can now enjoy speeds of up to 1
Gb/s (one gigabit per second) –
the UK’s fastest broadband.
The fibre optic network has
been supplied and installed by
Keycom to Vision Fibre Media
who provide TV, Broadband
and Telephony to the City of
London’s Barbican Estate.
Residents are able to choose
broadband packages with speeds
ranging from 20Mbs up to 1Gbps.
The fastest option is around
68 times faster than the UK
average broadband speed.
Keycom and Vision Fibre
Media worked together in 2014
to provide superfast broadband
to London’s exclusive Kings
Chelsea housing development.
Ian Ratcliffe, Director of
Vision Fibre Media, commented:
“Barbican residents can now
enjoy the fastest broadband in
the City of London, including
TV and super-fast video
streaming without buffering.”
“We are delighted to renew our
successful association with Vision
Fibre Media,” said Meri Braziel,
Managing Director of Keycom.
“At the Barbican, we have
been able to install fibre optics all
the way into the properties which
means that the system benefits
from unlimited capacity.
“Barbican residents had
previously endured slow and
unreliable connections with
speeds of around 6Mbs.”
The service is currently
being rolled out to the 2,000
properties in the Barbican.
The Government classifies
speeds of 20 Mbps and above
as superfast broadband.
Keycom provides
broadband services to a wide
range of sectors including
student accommodation,
hospital accommodation and
military accommodation.
Exceptional broadband
speeds are backed up by 24
hours a day support from
staff at Keycom’s Stafford
based offices.
THE BIG COMMUTE CAMPAIGN AIMS TO HELP
WORKERS CHOOSE SMART TRAVEL OPTIONS
of Commerce continues to
work in partnership with
Staffordshire County Council
in the delivery of Inspiring
New Travel Options (INTO). Funded by The DfT’s Local
Sustainable Transport Fund
(LSTF), INTO is opening
access to jobs, education and
services in Stafford, through
the promotion of smarter
travel to work choices, such
as cycling, lift sharing, using
public transport and walking.
In early 2015, INTO
launched The Big Commute
Campaign, supporting
employees at businesses in the
centre and eastern quadrant
of Stafford. The campaign
has been launched to coincide
with the start of a programme
of major investment works
by Severn Trent, to install
approximately 20km of new
water pipes and 5km of new
sewers to the east and south
east of the town, with some
road closures and potential
congestion and delays at peak
times of the day.
Travel information packs
have been handed out to
many of the town’s key
employers and those who
have already engaged with
the INTO initiative. There is
a limited supply of bus taster
tickets for non-bus users, who
may consider trying the bus. These will be issued on a first
come, first served basis. A lift sharing website
(http://share-a-lift.co.uk)
will allow users to search for
lift sharing partners and the
walkit.com website offers A to
B walking route information
and plots the quickest route
to work, letting you know how
many calories you will burn
along the way.
The Chamber’s business
advocate, Declan Riddell said:
“This is a great opportunity for
businesses and their staff to think
about their travel to work choices. Rather than having to drive into
work each day, why not consider
lift-sharing with a colleague? “Catching the bus or train
can get you into work without
Declan Riddell
the hassle of driving and for
those who live close enough to
work, walking and cycling could
be a great way to beat the
queues and boost your fitness.”
If your business would like
advice and information on the
travel to work options for your
staff, please call Declan Riddell –
01785 257057 – Declan.riddell@
STAFFORD WEDDING CATERER WINS ANOTHER AWARD
KEMP & Kemp Catering in
Stafford are celebrating
after being named ‘Wedding
Caterer of the Year’ for the
second year running at The
Wedding Industry Awards.
Their business now caters for
over 50 weddings a year across the
West Midlands and beyond and in
are trained in hospitality or
catering, yet five years ago they
decided to set up a wedding
catering business in their 50s.
They set up in 2010 in a spare
room with no loans or borrowings
(or customers) and through their
enterprise built up a reputation
for amazing fresh food, precise
excited that our brides and
The Wedding Industry Awards
understand us and our special
approach to wedding catering.
“We set up the business
because we just knew there
were people wanting our sort
of fresh, simple tasty food at
their wedding who couldn’t
Richard added: “Without
Karen’s food, we would be
nothing, but the quality of what
she produces makes selling
our offer so easy. I see it as my
role to make sure the amazing
food is served at its tip-top best
and that nothing distracts on
what can be a fast-moving day
2015, they are already booked to
cater in Yorkshire, Bedfordshire,
The Wirral and Wales, as well as
many weddings closer to home.
Neither Richard or Karen
project management and stylish,
uber-efficient service.
Five years later, their story
is a successful one.
Karen said: “We are so
find it easily.
“Now they can, and we
are delighted that it has been
recognised for the second
year running.”
with lots of priorities. I’m also
delighted that our approach to
project management seems to
be so warmly appreciated by
our customers.”
17
STAFFORD NEWS
KEYCOM AND VISION FIBRE MEDIA HELP THE BARBICAN TO
BUZZ WITH BRITAIN’S FASTEST BROADBAND SPEEDS
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
LONG TERM EXPORT SUPPORT CONFIRMED FOR SMALL
AND MEDIUM SIZED FIRMS IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
THE GOVERNMENT has signed
new five-year contracts with
locally based providers to deliver
export support to businesses.
In the West Midlands, the
winning bid from West Midlands
Chambers of Commerce
LLP, including Staffordshire
Chambers of Commerce, was
supported by all six regional
Local Enterprise Partnerships
(LEPs) as well as the region’s
Universities, Science Parks, local
MPs and many businesses.
The Chamber teams will
be working with the LEPs
and other local partners to
ensure that International Trade
services are delivered to meet
the needs of local businesses
in line with LEP priorities.
All the providers will
be locally based, helping
companies start exporting
or increase their overseas
business by finding customers
in new markets, taking part
in trade shows and exporting
online around the world.
The lengths of the
contracts also mean that
English companies will be
eligible to bid for up to £100
million in additional export
support through the European
Structural & Investment Funds.
Rob Lawley Head of
International Trade for UKTI,
Staffordshire, said:
“This really is excellent
news for the Chamber, the
International Trade Team and
Staffordshire businesses.
“We can continue the
important work we undertake
with companies and because
the new contract is for five
years it provides a great level
of stability which will give
us time to develop new and
innovative support packages.
“The Government’s
challenge of doubling exports
to one trillion by 2020 and
increasing the number of
companies exporting from
one in five to one in four is
challenging, but we are now in
a great place to deliver these
aspirations.”
Chambers of Commerce said:
“Staffordshire Chambers
has a successful history
of delivering international
trade support to businesses
across the region, having
delivered the programme
for the past eight years. Our
distinctive model of local
delivery, our vast connectivity
and our extensive business
networks, together with our
understanding of UKTI, make
us the perfect partner.”
MEASURES TO HELP UK BUSINESSES FACE
THE CYBER SECURITY CHALLENGE
NEW MEASURES to help UK
businesses face the cyber
security challenge and help
our cyber security companies
tap into the US market have
been announced.
The Prime Minister visited the
United States for talks with President Obama in January and cyber
security was high on the agenda
as the government steps up its
efforts to combat cyber threats
against the industry.
New government support to
keep UK businesses stay safe in
cyberspace includes:
•
a new cyber security envoy
has been appointed to help
British small businesses
and first-time exporters
promote their business
interests across the
US. Andy Williams will
be based in the British
Embassy in Washington
and help boost UK-US
cyber security deals
•
an updated ‘10 Steps to Cyber
Security’ guide which shows
18
Rob Lawley, head of UK Trade & Investment for Staffordshire
businesses how to combat
cyber threats
•
new research published
today by the Department
for Business, Innovation
and Skills (BIS) which
shows top UK companies
are improving their
responses to cyber
threats. The results of the
annual ‘Cyber Governance
Health Check’ for FTSE350
companies shows
increased awareness and
action, along with areas for
improvement
•
industry by cyber criminals
and how to stop them
Rob Lawley, head of UK Trade
& Investment (UKTI) for Staffordshire said: “We need to make sure
the UK remains one of the most
cyber secure places in the world to
publication of a new report
from GCHQ detailing
the common cyberattacks used against
do business.
“It’s great news that even
more companies have signed up
to our Cyber Essentials Scheme
THE BUSINESS, Innovation
and Skills Committee has held
its third evidence session in
its inquiry into the impact of
the Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Partnership (TTIP)
on the UK economy.
The Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Partnership is a series
of trade negotiations being carried
out between the EU and US. As a
bi-lateral trade agreement, TTIP
is about reducing the regulatory
barriers to trade for big business,
things like food safety law,
environmental legislation, banking
regulations and the sovereign
powers of individual nations.
John Longworth, Director
General of the British Chambers
of Commerce (BCC) said: "While
it is true that freer trade between
the EU and the United States
would unlock opportunities for
many British businesses, it could
create challenges for others. The
cheerleaders for TTIP are overly
optimistic — and its detractors too
categorical in their opposition.
“Businesses want far more
transparency and consultation in
the TTIP process, and some tell
us they have many unanswered
questions. Could TTIP undermine
the UK’s existing trading
advantages with the USA? Could it affect the benefits the
UK has had as a ‘front door’ to
Europe for US investment? Will
our companies really get access
to opportunities in US states?
How can we have a TTIP when
the EU has no effective internal
market? Businesses want these
sorts of questions addressed,
but feel they are caught in a
black-and-white debate between
multi-nationals on one side, and
anti-TTIP campaign groups on
the other."
John Longworth, Director General of the
British Chambers of Commerce
TRENTHAM GARDENS IS CROWNED
BBC GARDEN OF THE YEAR
PEOPLE FROM Staffordshire
are celebrating as Trentham
Gardens is voted Garden
of the Year in the BBC 2015
Countryfile Magazine Awards.
The Estate beat off
competition from the
Royal Botanic Garden in
Edinburgh, Alnwick Garden in
Northumbria, Kew Gardens in
Surrey, and The Lost Gardens
of Heligan in Cornwall to
scoop the prestige award.
Trentham Gardens
The popular Trentham
Gardens Estate in
Staffordshire includes the
famous Italian Gardens, a
beautiful walk around the
mile long lake, a children’s
adventure play area and maze,
and the Monkey Forest home
to 140 endangered Barbary
macaques. The Estate also
boasts the Trentham Garden
Centre and Shopping Village,
with an eclectic mix of shops
and eateries.
Philip Atkins, Leader of
welcomed the result and
said: “This is great news
for Staffordshire and even
more proof that our county
is both a great place to visit
and live. Beating off such
tough competition from wellestablished gardens from all
over the country is a real coup
for Staffordshire.
“With leading UK theme
parks in Alton Towers and
Drayton Manor Park, to Stately
Homes such as Shugborough
Hall and roaming countryside
like Cannock Chase, our
great county really has
something for everyone.
And, with Trentham Gardens
and this latest accolade I’m
was compiled by the BBC
Gardener’s World team before
going to a public vote.
“We have so many people
to thank for this,” says Mike
Herbert, Director of The
Trentham Estate. “I think we
all feel a little humbled by the
support we received from
all parts of the country, but
especially locally. Trentham
is one of those places that
welcomes you, and makes you
feel like it’s your own.
“It has only just started
to sink in: we’ve realised our
dream of national recognition
in such a short time. Our
gardening team deserve
special praise, obviously, but
I think this award really needs
to be dedicated to everyone
who is now a part of The
sure we can look forward to
welcoming even more visitors
to the county.”
The shortlist for the
Garden of the Year Award
Trentham Estate – our visitors,
and to the people of Stoke-onTrent and Staffordshire who
have taken our attraction so
much to heart.”
19
BCC / MEMBER NEWS
INQUIRY INTO IMPACT OF TRANSATLANTIC TRADE
AND INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP ON UK ECONOMY
STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS NEWS
NEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS FORMED
IN THE STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS
New shadow Board - Suzanne Davy, Patrick Redmond,
John Capper, Jane Gratton, James Miller, Kath Ferns,
Mark Brammar and Peter Hamilton
BUSINESSES IN Staffordshire
Moorlands have joined forces
to form a new Chamber of
Commerce.
The new Staffordshire
Moorlands Chamber will
provide a wide range of
support services to businesses
of all sizes and sectors.
A Shadow Local Area Board
has been formed to ensure that
the services provided meet the
specific needs of businesses in
the district and provide a voice
for their views and needs. John Capper of John
Capper & Co has been being
elected Interim President. Chief Executive of
Commerce, Sara Williams, said: “The new Chamber has been
formed to create a stronger
single business voice for the
Staffordshire Moorlands area.
“Its aim is also to provide
practical local support
services to businesses, from
new entrepreneurs through
to more long-established
global companies, and work
together with the established
and successful local initiatives
to increase the influence of the
business community.
“It is an exciting
development and I hope all
businesses will get involved.”
John Capper said: “Help
and support is available on the
ground, here in the Staffordshire
Moorlands, to help entrepreneurs
start-up new businesses. We also
help SMEs and large firms to win
new business locally, nationally
and internationally. Tailored
business training is available
for firms to develop their staff
and managers. “We provide a platform for
local businesses to work with
MPs, local authorities, partner
organisations and other
business groups to ensure we
have the right conditions for
growth and job creation.”
This new Chamber is part
of the accredited Staffordshire
Chambers which provides an
umbrella for six Chambers in the
county. The collected Chambers
can draw on a team of over 40
staff, providing expert advice and
information to help businesses
realise their growth potential.
Staffordshire Chambers
of Commerce has been
in existence for over 200
years – the first association
was established in 1813 and
became incorporated in 1949.
It was borne out of a desire
from businesses to meet and
trade together.
For more information
and how to join, visit www.
staffordshirechambers.co.uk/
moorlands.
ROWING FOR HEROES
SPORTS STUDENTS from
Buxton and Leek College have
completed an epic 10-hour
Row-a-Thon on static rowing
machines at Brough Park
Leisure Centre in Leek, to raise
money for the military charity,
Help for Heroes.
The Level 3 Sport,
Coaching, Development &
Fitness students started out
on their journey in September
2014 when, as part of their
course they were tasked with
developing individual pitches
to their peers to explain what
event they would like to plan
to raise money for a charity of
their choice. The students then
voted and learner Aiden Ball’s
pitch - a Row-a-Thon from
Leek to Windermere in the
financed and promoted.
On the day of the event,
eight of the students took it in
turn to row for 30 minutes for
the 10 hours, totalling a two and
a half hour row over the day for
each of them. Their target was
to complete the 116 miles from
the Leek Campus of Buxton &
Leek College to Windermere.
However, the students
managed a whopping 130.4
miles. Donations were collected
throughout the day from users
of the leisure centre in Leek.
Centre manager Ian Sales
said: “The event has created a
real vibe in our reception area.
We have a great link with the
College – the students often
use our facilities and it’s nice
to be able to help out.”
auction and a cake sale to raise
more money for the charity.
Many of the 11 students are
in their final year of College and
have been offered places at
university doing various courses
including sport and teaching.
Picture shows: Learners
James Blurton, Aiden Ball,
Tara Wilson, Chelsea Wilcock,
Charlie Belfield, Nathan Ferns,
Ross Simcock, Joes Middleton,
Liam Ngwashi and George
Mycock are pictured with
Lake District - proved to be
the most popular amongst the
learners. Each of the students
were given roles to ensure the
project was well managed,
The group also organised a
tombola and gave away prizes
donated by local businesses and
sold the Help for Heroes wrist
bands. They hope to arrange an
So far the students have
raised over £1,000. You can
sponsor the students by
popping into the Leek Campus
reception off Stockwell Street.
Councillor Brian Johnson,
Principal of Buxton & Leek
College, Len Tildsley and
Brough Park Centre Manager
Ian Sales.
20
Jane Gratton,
Deputy Chief Executive,
of Commerce
QUARTER
1 1– –2015
RESULTS
QUARTER
1 2015
– 2015
RESULTS
QUARTER
RESULTS
60%
40%60%
60%
40%
40%
Over
the
3 months…
Over the
past
3 past
months…
Over the past 3 months…
170
170
170
45%
45%
45%
28
28
28
services sector
services sector
manufacturing
services sector
manufacturing
manufacturing
said investment
responses
said investment
plans for plant and
said
plans
for investment
plant and
machinery
had been
plans for
plant
and
increased
machinery
had
been
machinery
had been
increased
increased
responses
responses
56%
56%
56%
55%
55%
55%
Up 9%
on the last
51%
51%
51%
Up 9% quarter
thought UK Sales
on the
last
Up
9%
had increased quarter
on the last
thought UK Sales
quarter
Up 11%
had
increased
thought
UK Sales
had increased
on the last
Up 11% quarter
on the
last
thought UK Orders
Up
11%
had increased quarter
on the last
thought UK Orders
had
increased
thought
UK Orders
had increased
55%
expected turnover to improve
over the next
12 months
expected
turnover
to improve
10%
reported
an increase
Over the past
3 months…
reported
an increase
40%
expected profitability would
improve over the next 12 months
expected profitability would
improve
over the
next 12 months
expected
profitability
would
improve over the next 12 months
£
over the next 12 months
££
35%
10%reported
a decrease
10%
35%
reported
35%
a decrease
remained
50%
50%
reported
the same
reported
an increase
55%
55%
47%
47%
47%
expected turnover to improve
over the next 12 months
quarter
Export salEs
Export salEs
Export salEs
said investment plans
said investment
plans
for training
had been
investment
plans
increased
forsaid
training
had
been
forincreased
training had been
increased
a decrease
50%
50%
of firms are
are operating
operating at
below full
50%
50%
full capacity
capacity
remained
the same
remained
the same
££
35%
££35%
££
35%
stated that they felt the price of
goods and services would
increase over the next 3 months
of firms are
are operating
stated that they felt the price of
Top three
factors
affecting
yourwould
business
operating at
belowexternal
full
goods
and services
firms are capacity
full of
capacity
are operating increase
statedover
thatthe
they
felt3the
price of
next
months
operating at
below full
goods and services would
full capacity
capacity
40%
40%
£
Top three external factors affecting your business
of respondents said their
workforce had increased
36%
Top three external factors affecting your business
35%
that their workforce would
44% said
£
£
said that their workforce would
24%
35% 36% 24%
44%
36%
35%
STAFFORDSHIRE
BUSINESS
MANIFESTO:
FOR
24%
44%
cash availability
said that their workforce would
cash availability
competition
competition
energy/fuel costs
energy/fuel costs
of respondents said
we should remain in the
with powerscosts
returned
competition EUenergy/fuel
back to Westminster
3% AND 40%
12%
9%
GROWTH,
ASPIRATION
ENTERPRISE
cash availability
thought there
was a shortage
of skilled manual/
WITHtechnical
THE runworkers
up to the
thought there
thought there
was a shortage
was a shortage
of professional/
of semi/unskilled
policy makers
managerial
workers
General Election on May 7th workers In the run up to the local
of the Chamber said “Business
important
voice for businesses
of respondents
said
we should remain
the
is the lifeblood of the economy,
acrossinStaffordshire.
It tells the
EU with powers returned
of respondents
said and key influencers
back
to Westminster
2015,
Staffordshire
Chambers
elections, the
creating wealth, employment
politicians
thought
there
thought there and general
thought there
we should remain in the
a shortagehas
was a of
shortage
was
a shortage
ofwas
Commerce
launched
itsCommerce
Chamber
will be
and opportunities for everyone
what support
Staffordshire
Chambers
&
Industry
Ltd,engaging
EU with powers
returnedthey need to
www.staffordshirechambers.co.uk
of skilled
manual/
of
professional/
of
semi/unskilled
Commerce House, Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire
Business Manifesto.
politicians and
in Staffordshire. That’s why itback to Westminster
be able to support and create
thought
there
thought therewith partners,
thought
there
technical
workers
managerial
workers
@StaffsChambers
Staffordshire ST1 5BE Tel: 01782 202222
was a shortage
was
a shortage
was a shortage
workers
The
manifesto reflects
influencers
to ensure the
is vital that we create the right
growth, aspiration and enterprise
of skilled manual/
of professional/
of semi/unskilled
thetechnical
priorities
and concerns
is heard on the
conditions for entrepreneurs
across the county.
workers
managerial business voice
workers
workers
of Staffordshire
businesses
manifesto
to start new businesses and
To see a copy of the
Staffordshire
Chambers
of Commerce & key
Industry
Ltd, issues, including
Commerce
House,
Festival
Park, Stoke-on-Trent,
and is the
result
of extensive
transport, infrastructure,
for small, medium and large
Staffordshire Business
12%
12%
9%
9%
3%
3%
40%
40%
consultation
and debate.
It
skills,
exporting,
of Commerce
& Industry
Ltd, energy,
Commerce opportunities
House, Festival Park,
identifies
and Stoke-on-Trent,
employment land, premises
@StaffsChambers
sized firms to invest, grow and
Manifesto or to have your
Jane Gratton, Deputy Chief
Executive of the Chambers said
“This manifesto provides an
or contact our Policy Team
on 01782 202222.
create new jobs”
say, visit our website www.
barriers to growth, as well as
recommending actions and
interventions by business and
and revitalising our towns and
city centres.
Jonathan Mitchell, President
@StaffsChambers
21
CHAMBER POLICY
STAFFORDSHIRE
STAFFORDSHIRE
STAFFORDSHIRE
QUARTERLY
ECONOMIC
SURVEY
QUARTERLY
ECONOMIC
SURVEY
QUARTERLY
ECONOMIC
SURVEY
EVENTS
QUESTION TIME WITH STAFFORDSHIRE MPS
FOUR OF Staffordshire's MPs
attended a business Question
Time event at Commerce
House in February.
The event hosted by the
Chamber and finest was the last
Left to right: Bill Cash MP, Karen Bradley MP, Phil McCann,
Rob Flello MP and Joan Walley MP
opportunity for local MPs to face
up to a business audience before
the General Election in May.
The panel consisted of Bill
Cash MP, Joan Walley MP,
Karen Bradley MP and Rob
Flello MP and was chaired by
BBC Radio Stoke reporter,
Phil McCann.
Questions covered a wide
range of subjects including
entrepreneurs relief, late
payment, availability of
finance for SMEs and training
for young people.
ARE YOU FIT TO NETWORK EVENT
DOZENS OF members attended
the ‘Are You Fit to Network’
event at the end of February.
The event highlighted
how businesses can create
an environment that fosters
good health and wellbeing for
their staff, reducing sickness
absence, improve productivity
and reducing staff turnover.
Attendees at Are You Fit To Network were treated
to healthy food options
At the event, those attending
found out about clear evidence
linking workplace wellbeing
programmes with financial
benefits such as reduced
sickness absence, improved
productivity and reduced
staff turnover.
They also discovered how
they could access up to £500
towards a sustainable project
to enhance the health and
wellbeing of their employees.
They also learned how they
could achieve the nationally
recognised Workplace
Wellbeing Charter award and
how through keeping fit in the
workplace they can support a
local charity.
BUDGET BREAKFAST
BRITANNIA STADIUM was
the venue for a Post Budget
Breakfast presented by Dains
Accountants in association
with the Chamber.
Dains taxation partner. Ann
Diggins gave a comprehensive
run-down of the Chancellors
Budget statement which
included many facts from
opened the proceedings
with a brief summation
of the Chamber's annual
submission to the Chancellor
and gave thanks to Dains for
their ongoing support to the
local business in providing
such a succinct summation
of the Budget.
Ann Diggins presented a prize
behind the headlines, as well
as the more widely reported
headline grabbing measures.
Staffordshire Chamber
Deputy CEO, Jane Gratton,
to Mark Wood of M&M Signs &
Graphics for guessing correctly
the number of times (65! )the
word "tax" was mentioned in the
Budget statement.
22
Ann Diggins and Mark Wood
The Workplace Wellbeing
Charter provides employers
with an easy and clear guide
on how to make workplaces
a supportive and productive
environment in which
employees can flourish.
THIRTY-FIVE PEOPLE were
in attendance at the inaugural
meeting of the One2Three Club
in Stafford, showing that the
appetite for quality business
education amongst new and
young businesses is strong.
The Riverbank Restaurant
at Stafford College played
host to the breakfast gathering
and even a 7am start proved
no barrier to attendance, as
entrepreneurs gathered to
network and share best practise
on all issues related to running a
small business.
The club is exclusive to
Staffordshire and is open to
graduates of the Ready for
Business programme as well as
to businesses established for
less than three years with fewer
than 3 employees. Meeting
in a confidential environment
provides the opportunity to
safely build networks and
access advice and support
that will see small businesses
succeed and thrive.
There are plans in place
to roll out to other areas of
Staffordshire in the near future.
One2Three Club facilitator
Stuart Walton said:
“We are really pleased with
the response we got for the first
One2Three meeting this month
at Stafford College. Over thirtyfive new and young start-up
businesses attended to tell the
room what referrals they wanted
and to listen to the presentations.
The feedback has been excellent
and we feel we are hitting
the right balance between
networking and education which
is why we set up the One2Three
club to serve our target market.
CHAMBER TRAINING
THE EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE
WORM FOR THE ONE2THREE CLUB
We look forward to growing
the membership in the coming
months in Stafford, and opening
further clubs across the county.”
To find out more about
membership of the One2Three
Club, contact Simonetta
Mitchell on 01782 202222
or email one2threeclub@
PORTMEIRION ARE THE FIRST COMPANY IN THE COUNTRY TO BE
AWARDED THE INVESTMENT IN YOUNG PEOPLE (IIYP) AWARD
Nora Senior and Ben Foster
PORTMEIRION GROUP are the
first company in the country to
be awarded the Investment in
Young People (IiYP) award.
Ben Foster, an employee
at Portmeirion Group,
received the award in March
at a special celebratory
ceremony at Staffordshire
Chambers of Commerce.
Ben has recently completed
his engineering apprenticeship
at the company and has
been chosen to receive the
award as he represents the
company’s commitment to the
development of young people,
the focus of this new award.
The IiYP Award has been
developed by Young Chamber
Ltd to recognise the considerable
time and effort committed by
the UK’s small and medium
sized companies towards the
development of employability
skills and identification of
potential career options by our
young people.
The award recognises the
practical support provided by
companies in nine separate
areas and each application is
independently verified prior
to Young Chamber approving
the award.
Sara Williams, Chief Executive
of Staffordshire Chambers
of Commerce, spoke at the
celebratory ceremony. She said:
“We would like to congratulate
Portmeirion Group on being
named the first company in the
country to receive this award.
“We are delighted a
Staffordshire company is the first
to receive the award. It’ll bring
many benefits for Portmeirion
Group and demonstrates
to customers and the wider
community their commitment
to investing in and supporting
young people into employment.”
The award to Portmeirion
Group was made by Nora
Senior, current President of the
British Chambers of Commerce
with whom Young Chamber
Ltd works closely. The Young
Chamber brand has recently
been adopted by the BCC the
as the one that its members will
use in their work to support the
interface between young people
and their local businesses.
CERAMIC SKILLS ACADEMY ILLUSTRATES THE ROAD AHEAD
CERAMICS COMPANIES in Stoke
on Trent and Staffordshire have
joined forces with the Ceramic
Skills Academy to help create an
interactive career pathway and
animated video that can be used
by students, parents, teachers and
careers advisors alike, to get an
idea of the opportunities that
are open to young people in the
so the CSA has commissioned
the creation of an interactive
careers pathway document
from Verso Creative and an
animated video on the ceramics
industry from Reels in Motion.
The careers pathway is
seen as an important way to
help bridge the gap between
education and industry as is
among the people who will
directly influence the choices
of young people in their future
careers. Showcasing the
dynamism and diversity that
exists in the ceramics industry
is a critical factor in attracting
young people to the industry.
Linda McQuade, Ceramic
Skills Academy Director explains:
enough to have the input of
a number of world renowned
ceramics companies. Both
resources will be presented in
a way that is interactive and
visually appealing to young
people. We want to show young
people and their parents that a
career in the ceramics industry
is a viable option and it isn’t all
ceramics industry.
Understanding the routes
into specific roles is key to
helping young people make
decisions on their future careers
viewed as a key output of the
ceramic skills project. The
pathway and video are part of
a concerted effort to raise the
perceptions of the industry
“Addressing skills shortages
within the ceramics industry has
been a key driver in pulling the
pathway document and video
together. We’ve been fortunate
about production, there’s so
much more on offer.”
23
LET'S DO BUSINESS
LET’S DO BUSINESS 2015
DATE: 25th June 2015
TIME: 10:00am - 4:00pm
VENUE: Uttoxeter Racecourse, ST14 8BD
COST: FREE to attend
JOIN US at Uttoxeter Racecourse
event is not to be missed.
for this exclusive Networking
This is the Chamber’s
event which will attract hundreds
flagship event and the
of delegates from a broad
aim is to create a platform
range of business sectors. This
for anyone who wants to
County wide exhibition will see
promote their business and
members from all Chambers
network in the local business
and this event is a must for any
across Staffordshire come
community. The event also
business looking to connect
together to network, make new
puts Staffordshire on the map
and share information with
connections, attend our business
as the place to come to do
new and existing contacts. The
growth seminars and ultimately
business. Networking is one
event will also raise valuable
File: 213036-4-15FOC Slaters Edit
do business! With over 700
of the most effective
ways to
funds for the Midlands Air
18777
Slaters
CA Focus
Qtr page
V2.pdf
1
23/03/2015
15:42
delegates at
the 2014
event,
this Magazine
promote
and Ad
build
business,
Ambulance.
The event is a showcase for
the very best local companies
to come together and promote
their products and services to
decision makers from across the
region. Exhibiting will enable
you to raise the profile of your
company and meet the hundreds
of visitors attending Let’s
Do Business 2015, this year’s
SLATERS IS A SUCCESSFUL AND
GROWING CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Slaters is a successful and growing Chartered
Accountants, dedicated to delivering excellent
services to clients through our friendly but
professional approach.
C
M
We specialise in supporting all aspects of owner-managed
businesses from sole traders to groups of Limited companies
through our range of services.
Y
CM
MY
We shall be exhibiting at the Let’s do Business Staffordshire
event on the 25th June so please do come along and visit us there.
CY
Alternatively we do offer a FREE, NO OBLIGATION initial meeting
to anyone wishing to discuss their business.
CMY
K
Let Slaters take care of your financial wellbeing,
while you get on with the important work of
running your business.
Get in touch
01782 566101
Contact@SlatersCA.co.uk
www.SlatersCA.co.uk
DEDICATED TO DELIVERING
excellent services to clients
through our friendly but
We are a firm that is built
on traditional values, and we
specialise in supporting all
aspects of owner-managed
businesses from sole traders to
groups of Limited companies.
Our team of friendly and
approachable, highly skilled
specialists are on hand
to support all aspects of
your business, including
accountants, tax experts,
payroll specialists and business
and financial advisors.
We have one key aim – to
financial wellbeing, while you
get on with the important work
of running your business.
help you make the most of your
business. We aim to be the
friendly face that you can turn
to at any time, offering bespoke
packages tailored to meet your
business needs.
Let Slaters take care of your
25th June so please do come
along and visit us there.
Alternatively we do offer a
FREE, NO OBLIGATION initial
meeting to anyone wishing to
discuss their business to see
how we can help.
Our services include:
• Management Accounts
• Accounts Preparation
• Corporate Tax
• Personal Tax
• VAT
• Tax Planning and Consultancy
• Payroll / RTI
• Book-keeping
• Auditing
• Business Planning
We shall be exhibiting
at the Let’s do Business
Staffordshire event on the
24
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LET'S DO BUSINESS
File: 212581-SPR-15 FOC Yarnfield Edit
GET UP TO SPEED WITH
YARNFIELD CONFERENCE CENTRE
FOR NEARLY 5 years since its
re-launch in late 2010 Yarnfield
Park has been helping people
and organisations from a diverse
range of sectors to achieve
their conference, training and
development goals.
It has successfully built a national
reputation for delivering both
residential and day events. The
centre has built its foundations
on one core message: that it
exists to help organisations grow,
inspire and empower people by
providing them with the location,
facilities and environment to
achieve their goals.
In early 2015 the venue
announced that a major
programme of investment
would shortly commence.
The venue which has seen
significant growth in its training
and conference business over
the last 4 years will be upgrading
all areas of its business, from the
bar and restaurant through to its
accommodation and event space.
Richard Smith, head of sales
and marketing “We are thrilled
to see this multi-million pound
investment into Yarnfield Park.
Two years ago we invested
£0.25m in our superfast
internet and Wi-Fi solution and
immediately saw the benefits of
such a significant project. This
latest and much larger investment
will see upgrades across all areas
of the centre”. Yarnfield Park
identified the need for investment
following a period of consultation
with key clients and an analysis
of future requirements within
the training and conference
sectors. The multi-million pound
investment will start within
months and is due to complete
within 2 years.
The centre offers a diverse
range of facilities with 25
meeting spaces (including the
450 capacity Knighton Suite),
338 bedrooms, free car parking
and a central UK location. The
internet and Wi-Fi service is one
of the fastest available at any
venue in the UK and offers a
dedicated 300Mbps connection
allowing for up to 800 devices to
be connected at any one time.
Such has been the venue’s
success that over the last 12
months it has welcomed over
50,000 delegates through its
doors. The groups have been
drawn from a wide range of
occupations and professions.
From the young footballers of
the Nike Academy and police
dog handlers to midwives,
engineers and doctors, there
has certainly never been a dull
moment.
If you are interested in seeing
how we could help you grow,
feel inspired or be empowered
call the sales team on 01785
762900 to learn more or come
and speak with Jane Hemmings
or Samantha Martin at the Let’s
Do Business event.
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25
LET'S DO BUSINESS
LET’S DO BUSINESS 2015
25th June 2015, Uttoxeter Racecourse, ST14 8BD, 10:00am - 4:00pm
event is set to be the busiest
event yet in terms of networking
and the potential to do business.
The best practice session
speakers are selected to
enthuse other businesses with
comments: “ Staffordshire
their motivation and secrets
is spectacularly successful at
of success, and include a real
breeding and encouraging
mix of backgrounds and levels
new, small, exciting firms full of
of experience.
dynamism and promise. There
The workshop will provide
is no shortage of enterprise
expert advice and top tips
in this county but there is a
across four varied subject areas.
shortage of shouting about it.
Seminar topics are Network Your
So full marks to everyone who
Way to Success, How To Legally
is planning to exhibit or attend
Murder Your Competitors, How
our exhibition.”
to generate and close more sales
“Exhibition stands sold
and Sell more, sell more easily.
out three months prior to the
File: 213500-4 Focus CMC Partners Edit
Chris Plant, Director
at Greater
event and we have received
Birmingham Chambers
a huge number of delegates
booking to attend on the day,
we expect this years event to
surpass the success of 2014,
we are confident of attracting
over 1000 visitors – making it
the biggest business event in
the County again!”
Sara Williams, CEO of
Commerce, adds: “Let’s Do
Business fully emphasised
the Chamber’s culture
of connectivity, bringing
together businesses from
across the region in a
vibrant hub of opportunity.
It was fantastic to see so
many businesses engaging,
building new relationships
and growing their prospects.
Chambers of Commerce said:
“We are hoping to build on
last year’s excellent event,
where it was fantastic to see so
many businesses building new
relationships, engaging with
each other and growing their
prospects.
“Let’s Do Business is an
event which fully emphasises
the Chamber’s culture of
connectivity and it brings
businesses together from
across the region.
CALLING ALL SME BUSINESSES –
YOUR SUCCESS IS EVERYTHING!
CMC PARTNERS have been
delivering local, personalised
business advice to owners
of small and medium sized
businesses since 1989. Our
experienced partners work with
business owners, to plan and
prepare for every stage of their
business journey. We support
owners with their business to
start up, grow and increase their
business value in preparation for
their eventual exit or sale.
CMC Partners are refreshingly
different from others. We
take a long term approach
to working with owners and
engagements start with
To find out how CMC can
support you through your
business journey visit your local
Partner, Richard Lloyd, at the
CMC Partners stand. Not only
will Richard be able to offer
you invaluable advice about
building a successful business,
he is inviting you to book a
complimentary workshop on
one of the following topics –
understanding their objectives.
Once CMC know what owners
want to achieve, we help to
plan and guide them along
the path. We believe your
success is everything!
support your overall business
objectives. Are you finding
it difficult to identify the best
channels to communicate
with your target market?
Unclear about how successful
213500-4 Focus CMC Partners Edit.indd 1
26
1 Implementing an effective
marketing strategy
A marketing plan is an
essential tool for any growing
business. It provides direction
for marketing activities to
your current marketing tactics
are and how to improve them?
2 Developing a 3 year
growth plan
Growing a business requires you
to become a skilled manager
and entrepreneur able to plan,
lead and organise your business.
Are you finding it challenging to
finance growth in your business
without external sources of
capital? Experiencing problems
building your markets and
generating sales needed to fund
growth in your business?
Richard Lloyd
3 Planning for a successful
from your business that will
protect your wealth. Are you
unclear about the value of your
business? Having difficulty
positioning and preparing your
business to make it attractive
to a prospective buyer?
To take advantage of
this opportunity, or to
discuss any other business
challenges you may be
facing, simply visit Richard
business exit
Thinking about life without
your business is hard; but
planning your exit strategy is
unavoidable. It’s a fundamental
– it is essential to plan an exit
at the CMC Partners stand.
Alternatively call 07973 415
351 or visit his website
http://www.cmc-partners.
co.uk/cmc-partners/richardlloyd/ to register online.
14/04/2015 11:06
LET'S DO BUSINESS
WIN A TRACK DAY EXPERIENCE IN
THIS FABULOUS CATERHAM SIGMAX
WITH M&M GROUP
Visit our stand at Let's do Business,
Uttoxeter Racecourse 25 June
SAY HELLO to us at the
M&M Group stand at Let's
do Business, Staffordshire's
Premier business event of
the year for your chance
to win an exhilarating track
day experience in the M&M
Motorsports Caterham SigMax.
The car is owned and raced
by M&M Group founder and
MD Mick Whitehead.
Mick will accompany you
on an adrenalin-fuelled day
out on track where you
will get instruction and the
opportunity to ride in this
amazing car.
We are Staffordshire's largest
independent accident repair
shop and are approved by both
leading motor manufacturers
and insurance companies.
We offer the following services:
•Accident repairs
•Mechanical repairs
•Servicing
•MOTs
•Steering and suspension
safety checks
•Alloy wheel repairs
•GardX paint protection
•Dynamometer tuning
• Air conditioning servicing
•Paintless dent removal
01782 315241 | mmvehiclerepairs-uk.com | info@mmvehiclerepairs-uk.com
We offer a wide range of
services including
• Vehicle livery
• Vehicle wraps
• Tray signs
• Fret-cut lettering
• Banners;
• Pop-ups and exhibition signs
01782 501199 | mmsignsandgraphics-uk.com | info@mmsignsandgraphics-uk.com
Your perfect IT partner.
We provide Microsoft based
solutions to your IT needs.
From initial consultancy to full
system management, our team
of highly trained technicians do
all the hard work so you can get
on with running your business.
01782 342228 | mmtechnologies-uk.com | info@mmtechnologies-uk.com
27
LET'S DO BUSINESS
2015 EXHIBITORS
Adgifts Online Limited
Blue Sky Corporate Finance
AIB Solutions Ltd a
Branston Golf & Country Club
Alexander Accountancy
Britannia BNI
Alice Charity
Burton & District Chamber of
Commerce Logo
Arbonne International
Aspire Business Consultancy Ltd
AstlePaterson Limited
Burton & South Derbyshire College
Auditel (UK) Limited
Burton & South Derbyshire
College - Beauty Parlour
B&M Office Machines Ltd
Babcock Training Ltd
Barclays Bank Plc
Barringtons Ltd
BCRS
Business Development Centre CIC
CMC Partners
Keycom Plc
Coin-A-Drink Ltd
KPMG LLP
Creative Starfish
Lawson Taylor
Dains
Little Trove
Dean Statham
Lyme Communications
East Staffordshire Citizens
Advice Bureau
M&M Group
Else Solicitors LLP
Izen Energy Systems
Circus Starr
Kangaroo Marketing and
Design Limited
Make Some Noise
Midshire Business Systems
Clear Solutions Wealth and Tax
Management Ltd
File: 211681-4-15 FOC OCNWM
Clearview Traffic Group Limited
Jenks & Cattel Engineering Ltd
JSW Insurance
KaneAtron
mindandbodysolutions.net
Moneycorp - Chamber Foreign
Exchange
Open College Network West Midlands
Working in partnership with employers to develop the
skills businesses need
Open College Network West Midlands work with a range of employers to offer nationally
recognised vocational qualifications and bespoke accredited training across industry sectors.
Open College Network West Midlands can work with you to:
l
l
l
l
Quality endorse your organisations existing training delivery programmes
Develop bespoke qualifications to meet your staff development needs
Develop and accredit bespoke training units for your staff development needs
Accredit any existing internal training you may already deliver.
New fully accredited online business courses coming soon.
For a free consultation and review of your workforce development and training needs please
contact a member of the Business Development Team and quote F01.
T. 01902 624 230
W. opencollnet.org.uk
AccesstoHEatOpenCollegeNetworkWestMidlands
211681-4-15 FOC OCNWM.indd 1
28
OpenCollegeNetworkWestMidlands
@OpenCollNet
30/03/2015 16:02
PM Training
Stafford College
Moorland Contract Cleaning
Print Monster
M-piric IT Consultancy &
Support Limited
Project Fire Products Ltd
Commerce & Industry Ltd
pay compensation and legal
fees.
Uttoxeter
Racecourse
Qdos Consulting Ltd
Staffordshire University Campus
Quiet Storm
Stoke on Trent City Council
NoBlue
Reflex Print
Verso Creative
Stone
Junction
LimitedLAW SERVICE
RESOLVE
EMPLOYMENT
Office of the Police & Crime
Commissioner
Richard Jacobs Pension &
Trustee Services Ltd
Sylvester Business and Coach
Personal Coaching
Open College Network West
Midlands Region (OCNWMR)
Richard Shakespeare Disability
Consultants Limited
Othello Martin James
programmes
nt needs
elopment needs
.
P M Wallis Training & Consultancy
25/03/2015 14:48
Voiceboxx
Tag 4 Communities
West Midland Reserve Forces &
Cadets Association
Wilson Gunn
WPA Health Insurance
Security Services
Xceeda Group
Shaker UK Ltd
Yarnfield Park Training and
Conference Centre
The Moat House
Slaters Chartered Accountants
d training needs please
208554-4-15 FOC Tinsdills.indd 1
The M J Barrett Group
Signal 1
Parker Software Limited
To find out more call 01782 652300 or visit www.tinsdills.co.uk
Tempest Vehicle Services Ltd
Sandon Hall
Open Road Learning Ltd
s to offer nationally
across industry sectors.
Contact us to see how we
can help your business avoid
employment disputes and
minimise their impact.
Vantage Motor Group
Team Telemarketing
Sandler Training
evelop the
18777 Slaters CA Focus Magazine Qtr page Ad V2.pdf
1
23/03/2015
15:42
g.uk
workWestMidlands
from making claims against
you; however, you can protect
UK
Investment
your Trade
business &
from
having to
Purple Energy Limited
Newcastle Under Lyme College
nds
to:
You cannot Studio
stop employees
TWorld
Prompt PC Limited
m-viron (Staffs) Limited
Theseus Safety Systems
Limited
Yes Agency
7637 Yarnfield Focus
Half Page.indd
1
212581-SPR-15
FOC Mag
Yarnfield.indd
1
10/03/2015 16:20
14:57
18/03/2015
Verso_Chamber_Focus_Magazine_A4_Advert_2015.indd 1
25/03/2015 17:30
Yes Response Limited
Thornton & Lowe
@OpenCollNet
Pedrollo Distribution Limited
Pertemps
Slaters is a successful and growing Chartered
Accountants, dedicated to delivering excellent
services to clients through our friendly but
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Tinsdills Solicitors
Spectrum Telecoms
C
LET'S DO BUSINESS
Monitor Environmental Ltd
RECOMMENDED
We specialise in supporting all aspects of owner-managed
businesses from sole traders to groups of Limited companies
through our range of services.
We shall be exhibiting at the Let’s do Business Staffordshire
event on the 25th June so please do come along and visit us there.
Alternatively we do offer a FREE, NO OBLIGATION initial meeting
to anyone wishing to discuss their business.
Let Slaters take care of your financial wellbeing,
while you get on with the important work of
running your business.
Call us for advice on:
0845 8888001
Get in touch
01782 566101
hostingsystems
Contact@SlatersCA.co.uk
www.SlatersCA.co.uk
213036-4-15FOC Slaters.indd 1
25/03/2015 14:35
.uk
02/04/2015 15:07
Down to earth Internet from the heart of Staffordshire
Working locally with your business to make the most out of the Internet
Internet Services
Business Solutions
Web Development
b Broadband & Fibre
b Hosting
b Email (POP/Cloud)
b Domain Names
b Cloud Servers
b SSL Certificates
b IT Support
b Cloud Backup
b Licencing & Office 365
b Telephone Lines
b Virtualisation
b Security
b Website Solutions
b Business Databases
b Email Marketing
b E-commerce
b Bespoke Development
b Responsive Design
t&
or
pp ata
Su K D
UK U
212647-4-15 FOC Housing Systems.indd 1
Cloud
hostingsystems.uk
Business Internet Service & Solutions Provider
31/03/2015 09:30
29
LET'S DO BUSINESS
SEMINAR INFORMATION
AND GUEST SPEAKERS
NETWORK YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS
WITH ROB BROWN 10:00AM – 10:35AM
HOW GOOD a networker are
you? You may think you're
okay, but most people are
pretty poor. In fact, 60% of
networkers operate at beginner
level - not confident and skilled
enough to really make anything
happen from their networking
efforts. But it’s not totally your
fault - you've probably never
been taught how to network
effectively. Yet you can’t
escape it. If you want to create
more business opportunities
and to raise your profile,
attending business events,
going to networking groups
and joining membership
organizations are often the
best things you can do....
IF YOU CAN MAKE
SOMETHING HAPPEN!
In this unique seminar, top
networking expert and founder
of the Networking Coaching
Academy Rob Brown, will show
you that confident, productive
and effective networking
is 100% coachable.w You’ll
get the chance to take the
Networking Success
Test™ and rate yourself
against the world’s best
networkers. You'll also receive
great tips to raise your game,
whatever your level, together
with a special Executive
Summary on The Four Types
of Networkers, plus a special
invitation to join the Networking
Coaching Academy.
HOW TO LEGALLY MURDER YOUR
COMPETITORS ONLINE CHARLIE HUTTON 10:40AM – 11:10AM
HERE’S JUST a LITTLE of
what you’ll discover…
• How to get the exact name
and email address of every
man, woman and child who
is ever likely to become
one of your customers
• The one thing you can do to
instantly make your marketing
a success. (Hint: It has
NOTHING to do with SEO, Pay
Per Click, or social media.)
• How to use cheap little online
ads to generate an enormous
number of daily leads
• How to turn those leads
into hot qualified customers
while simultaneous helping
them ALOT.
You will leave this session your
will walk away with a mapped
out 3 step lead generating
system. The proven “new rule”
of online marketing that you
can start using immediately to
double your sales and profits.
Once you kick this into gear,
you’ll seize so much market
share your competitors won’t
know what’s hit them.
HOW TO GENERATE AND
CLOSE MORE SALES –
STEPHEN MEGSON 1:15PM – 1:45PM
GET THE tools, techniques
and framework necessary to
manage your key business
opportunities and convert
30
more of your opportunities
into sales.
Using a proven approach
to reading buyer behavior,
to identifying/developing
buyers’ needs supported
by proven tools and
methodologies that have
at managing key business
opportunities, develop an
understanding of buyers’
needs at each stage of the
you will understand more
intuitively what your prospect
is looking for.
This structured approach
been successfully applied in
complex sales environments.
It will help the individuals
you to be more effective
buying cycle and using this
insight to implement the right
influencing strategy.
£1500 boost for
your business
Apprenticeship Grant for businesses
employing less than 50 people
available now.
•Free Recruitment Service
•Training paid for
•Gain loyal, skilled new talent
•Boost your competitive edge
What’s stopping you?
For details contact our
Business Services Team today:
Tel: 01782 603603
Email: business@stokecoll.ac.uk
Visit: www.stokecollege.ac.uk/business
*Apprentice must be aged 16-24, and business employing less than 50 employees,
taking on an Apprentice for the first time in at least 12 months. Maximum of 5
grants can be applied for.
Burslem Campus:
Moorland Road, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, ST6 1JJ
Cauldon Campus:
Stoke Road, Shelton, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DG
EE 03 Focus 2015 March
LET'S DO BUSINESS
SEMINAR INFORMATION
AND GUEST SPEAKERS
SELL MORE, SELL MORE EASILY –
7 SIMPLE STEPS TO SAVE YOU TIME, MONEY AND
MAKE MORE SALES. - PETER JONES 2:00PM – 2:30PM
LETS FACE it, sales is the
lifeline for most businesses,
yet it’s the last thing we work
on improving for ourselves or
our team. How much money
could you make if you were
not writing proposals for
people who will never buy
from you? If you could stop
discounting, stop inconsistent
sales results or could stop
hiring sales people who don’t
work out, how much more
valuable time would you have?
How about if you could on-
board and ramp up new staff in
half the time. How much more
money could you make?
Sounds impossible? Well
that’s why we’re here… to give
you a 7 simple step platform
that will save you time and
make you money.
Sandler Training is a
global training organisation
with over three decades of
experience and proven results.
Sandler provides sales and
management training and
consulting for small-to mediumsized business as well as
corporate
training for large companies.
Our proven methodologies
FLOOR PLAN
BOOKING INFORMATION
• To reserve your exhibition stand space at this event email k.williams@chase-chamber.com
• To register your interest as a visitor at this exhibition, book here:
http://www.birmingham-chamber.com/BCCG/Events/EventDetails.aspx?event=4349
32
33
LEGAL & FINANCE
File: 210408-04 Focus BIC Edit
HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BIC’S
SPECIALIST INTENSIVE ASSISTANCE FUND
• Help introduce new systems
to help you work more
efficiently or innovatively
THE BIC’S SPECIALIST
So if you need to pay
Intensive Assistance Fund
somebody to help you to do
recently increased to £4,500
the following or similar activity
is financed by the European
and you fit the eligibility criteria
Regional Development Fund
then contact the BIC:
and has now been running
for 2 years during which
• Work on developing a new
time the BIC has awarded
product or process for your
more than £250,000 to over
business
125 companies helping them
• Help with introducing a new
to pay for specialist
advice.Focus BICIT or financial system
File: 210408-04
• Help with the introduction
or improvement of your
e-commerce offering
• Work on a marketing
strategy for your business or
a new product or service
• Help identify new markets
for your business whether at
home or abroad
• Help introduce or install new
equipment
There are a number of
ways the BIC can help as
long as you are looking to
pay for external expertise or
consultancy advice.
This fund which represents
25% of a company’s overall
expenditure on that particular
project continues until
December 2015 and the
BIC welcomes enquiries
from eligible companies
or professional specialist
consultants who are working
with eligible companies in
Staffordshire.
Interested companies should
ring the BIC on 01782 333798
or visit www.thebic.co.uk
210408-04 Focus BIC Edit.indd 1
30/03/2015 15:43
Up to £4,500 Available to pay for
Specialist Consultancy Advice
Specialist Advisor Fund - £4,500
If you are a Staffordshire based small or medium sized business in one of the following
sectors:
ICT, Creative Digital, Medical Technology, Renewable Energy, Building
Technology, Business & Professional or High Value Added Manufacturing
£4,500 is available on a 25% contribution from the BIC towards specialist intensive
assistance to help your business grow through Innovation. Funds can typically be used
to pay towards patent or trade mark attorney fees; specialist design advice; IT or
financialadviceorstrategicmarketingadvicefornewproductsornewmarkets
“The Assistance the BIC has given us has assisted our 58% growth in our turnover “
Extramile Communications Ltd - 13 November 2014
01782 333798
www.thebic.co.uk
enquiries@thebic.co.uk
210408-04 Focus BIC.indd 1
34
31/03/2015 11:24
LEGAL & FINANCE
File: 205963-4-15FOC Beswicks Edit
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS AGAINST
EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY LEAVE
EMPLOYEES ARE moving more
now than they used to and
businesses often lose valuable
experience, historical customer
knowledge and perhaps most
importantly, relationships forged
by those employees with their
customers.
The rise of social media,
such as LinkedIn, makes it
easy for employees moving
to competing businesses to
keep in touch with customers,
suppliers and colleagues.
Nick Phillips, Partner with
Beswicks Legal, explains below
how employers can combat
these issues.
Garden leave
Including a garden leave clause
in the employment contract
of your key employees means
you can impose a period of
garden leave on exiting senior
employees. This means that
whilst they remain employed
during their notice period, they
are forced to stay away from
work and can have no contact
with customers, suppliers or any
work related contacts.
The period of garden leave
allows an employer to protect
their business by putting in play
a process of protection with
colleagues, customers, suppliers
and other work colleagues
without interference from the
leaving employee.
Notice Periods
Employees sometimes resign
with immediate effect and
do not provide the employer
with adequate notice. This is a
clear breach of their contract
and employers can take action
against the employee through the
courts for breach of contract.
Employers are sometimes
tempted to give short notice
periods to benefit from paying
as little notice pay as possible.
However, with key employees,
it is often more valuable for
the employee to remain in
employment during the notice
period so the employer can control
what they do and sue for breach of
contract if they leave in breach.
Therefore it’s important when
agreeing the initial contract to
ensure the notice period stated
in an employment contract
reflects the time it will take to
find a suitable replacement.
Restrictive covenants
Contractual clauses seeking
to prevent key employees
from competing with the
employer, soliciting or dealing
with customers, suppliers or
other employees or poaching
employees are common place.
Covenants are often drafted too
widely and from an employer’s
205963-4-15FOC Beswicks Edit.indd 1
Nick Phillips
perspective can end up being
worthless as they prove difficult
to enforce. The effect of badly
drafted covenants can be hugely
detrimental to an employer
as they often do not have the
desired deterrent effect.
If you would like advice on your
employment contracts or help
with restrictive covenants, notice
periods or garden leave clauses
please contact Nick Phillips at
Beswicks Legal on 01782 404706
or nick.phillips@beswicks.com
27/03/2015 14:16
BUILDING SOCIETY ANNOUNCES RECORD PROFITS
STAFFORD RAILWAY Building
Society has enjoyed yet
another exceptional year with
record profit levels boosting
its capital ratios; measures of
million after taxation (2013:
£1.02 million), which when
added to the General Reserve
gives a total of £16.97 million
(2013: £15.52 million).
£261.46 million (2013: £247.93
million) – an increase of £13.53
million or 5.46%.
Liquid assets comprising
cash, bank balances and
authorised investments were
also up to £83.6 million (2013:
£82.3 million), while despite
the challenges of the ongoing
low interest rate environment,
savers’ balances increased
during the year by 5.2% to
£243.6 million.
The Society also lent £44.1
million (2013: £29.4 million)
to borrowers – £42.7 million
was advanced on 429 new
mortgages and £1.4 million on 47
further advances. Total advances
secured on residential property
and other loans increased during
the year to £177.1 million (2013:
£165 million).
financial strength and stability.
For the year ended 31
October 2014, the Market
Square based Society
reported a profit of £1.45
The Society has also grown in
size and strength over the year
and improved in its core markets
of mortgages and savings,
with total assets amounting to
Chief Executive Susan
Whiting said: “This is all the
more impressive given that the
stringent requirements of the
Mortgage Market Review were
Susan Whiting Chief Executive
introduced during the year.
Thanks to our experienced
mortgage team, these changes
were effected smoothly and
efficiently and our lending
policies remain as prudent and
sensible as ever.
“The Society is also proud
of its appeal to new savers and
ability to retain loyal existing
members – indeed there has
been steady growth in savers’
balances over the last five
years because we are able to
consistently provide them with
competitive, in some cases
market-leading, rates of interest.
“These results also
demonstrate continued faith in
the independent mutual model,
because we don’t pay any profits
out to external shareholders,
plus we aim to treat all
members fairly and to balance
the interests of investing and
borrowing members as equitably
as possible within the framework
of market forces.”
35
LEGAL & FINANCE
HOLIDAY PAY CASES WHAT DO THEY MEAN TO YOUR BUSINESS?
Many employers will have heard about the landmark judgements
on holiday pay. These decisions have sent panic waves throughout
the business community as employers are worrying that they will be
liable for thousands in holiday back pay.
THE FINANCIAL implications
of the decisions are potentially
huge and therefore should be
taken seriously. This detailed
briefing note attempts to clarify
some of the points raised by
these significant rulings.
Before we look at the cases
in more detail it is important to
understand what the statutory
minimum holiday entitlement is
currently. The statutory minimum
holiday entitlement is 5.6 weeks.
This entitlement includes:
• 4 weeks deriving from the
Working Time Directive
(WTD) (referred to as
“Regulation 13 holiday”
throughout this briefing
note); and
• An additional 1.6 weeks
deriving from the Working
Time Regulations (WTR)
(referred to as “Regulation
13A holiday” throughout this
briefing note).
Prior to the recent holiday
cases, workers with a settled
pattern of work were paid
A number of European
decisions cast this position
into doubt and there was also
uncertainty regarding how these
European decisions impacted on
UK law. The co-joined appeals
of Bear Scotland Limited v
Fulton & another, Hertel (UK)
Ltd v Woods & others and
AMEC Group Ltd v Law & others
(referenced to collectively as
“Bear Scotland” in this note)
provided some clarification on
holiday pay in the UK.
NB Bear Scotland
concerned Regulation 13 leave
and therefore only strictly
applies to Regulation 13 leave
and not the additional 1.6
weeks of Regulation 13A leave.
Bear Scotland – what was
decided?
Prior to Bear Scotland, the
European Court of Justice (ECJ)
held that holiday pay entitlement
should not be limited to basic
salary but must correspond to
“normal remuneration” and in
the case of Williams & others v.
Trading Limited where the
ECJ decided that commission
payments should be taken
into account when calculating
holiday pay.
In Bear Scotland the
Employment Appeal Tribunal
(EAT) was required to decide
how the ECJ decisions above
should be applied to UK law.
The EAT confirmed in Bear
Scotland that Regulation 13
holiday (4 weeks) for workers
with a settled pattern of work
must be calculated based on
pay that is normally received
(“normal remuneration”) and
must include:
• Payments linked intrinsically
to the performance of the
tasks which the worker is
contractually required to
perform; and
• Payments which relate to
the worker’s professional
and personal status.
by reference to their normal
hours. This usually meant
basic salary and disregarding
overtime (except guaranteed
compulsory overtime).
British Airways plc (a case that
concerned pilots) should include
flying supplements.
This was confirmed in the
case of Lock v. British Gas
to justify the label “normal”.
However the EAT did not specify
what period of time would be
regarded as “sufficient”.
All parties were given leave
36
Payments have to be made
for a sufficient period of time
to appeal by the EAT.
Unite union which
represented the claimants
confirmed that it would not
appeal the decision. Given
the EAT’s finding regarding
normal remuneration is based
on previous ECJ decision
it is unlikely to change and
therefore no appeal has been
made by the employer.
What should now be
included in Regulation 13
holiday pay?
Overtime pay?
There are 3 categories of
overtime:
1. Guaranteed (compulsory)
overtime: where even if the
employee is not called onto
work it, the employer is
liable to pay them for it.
2. Voluntary overtime: where an
employee cannot be required
to work it and the employer
does not have to provide it.
3. Non-guaranteed overtime:
where the employee is
obliged to work overtime if
required but the employer
is not obliged to provide
overtime or pay in lieu if it is
not provided.
this. This is on the basis that
when on holiday, workers suffer
a financial disadvantage as they
are unable to earn commission
during this time and therefore
holiday pay must include an
element for commission to
offset this disadvantage. We
are still awaiting clarification
on how commission should
be calculated for holiday pay
purposes. The ECJ previously
stated that it must be based on
average commission earned
“over a reference period which is
considered to be representative”.
Allowances?
Payments which are intended
to exclusively cover occasional
or ancillary costs arising at the
time the worker performs the
tasks required by the contract
are not included in Regulation
13 holiday pay. Therefore travel
or subsistence expenses are
excluded but where an allowance
is more in the nature of a bonus
for performing certain tasks or
performing them under certain
conditions or at certain times, it
should be included. For example
flying supplements as in the case
of Williams (see above).
Productivity, attendance or
performance bonuses?
Yes. In Wood and others
v. Hertel (UK) and Another,
the Tribunal rejected an
argument that an incentive
bonus arrangement based
on hours worked and an
individual performance
based element were not
intrinsically linked to the
performance of tasks the
workers were required to
perform under the contract.
Therefore these bonuses
should be included in
Regulation 13 leave holiday
payments. This could also
apply to bonuses based on
team performance and not
just individual performance.
Annual discretionary (and
other) bonuses?
Bonuses are potentially
the biggest grey area and
where we are likely to see
future litigation.
01782 846 441
2125147-4-Focus Grindeys.indd 1
30/03/2015 14:21
37
LEGAL & FINANCE
a settled pattern has developed
Guaranteed compulsory
over a sufficient period of time
overtime was already included
to justify the label of “normal”
in holiday pay for the full 5.6
pay. However, given the
week entitlement.
uncertainty that remains about
As a result of Bear Scotland,
this element, future cases are
non-guaranteed overtime
anticipated.
should now be included in
In all cases of overtime, it
Regulation 13 holiday pay. This
must be regularly worked in
is because it is required by
order to be included in the
the employer and therefore
holiday pay calculation. The
intrinsically or directly linked to
worker will need to show that
a worker’s work.
payment has been made for
Voluntary overtime was not
a sufficient period of time
dealt with definitively in Bear
to justify the label “normal
Scotland. However, it seemed
remuneration”. Therefore
to be accepted in Bear Scotland
isolated occasions of working
that even if the workers could
overtime will probably not
reasonably refuse the overtime,
count. However in the absence
it did not mean that element
of further guidance on what
of pay was less intrinsically
amounts to a “sufficient period”,
linked to the performance of
this will need to be decided on
tasks set out in the contracts.
a case by case basis.
Employers should therefore
not assume that all voluntary
Commission?
overtime will be excluded from
The Employment Tribunal has
the calculation of holiday pay
very recently confirmed in Lock
under the WTD. It is possible
(referred to above) that holiday
that the tribunal will interpret
pay should include an element
File: 2125147-4-Focus Grindeys
voluntary overtime Ad
assize:
forming
for commission and the WTR
A4 1/2L (185mm wide x 130mm high)
part of normal remuneration if
should be interpreted to reflect
LEGAL & FINANCE
On one hand, bonuses are
generally intrinsically linked to
performance of some element
of the worker’s contract.
(Although a Christmas bonus
paid equally to all staff,
regardless of service might
qualify.) Even so, would
it be right to include an
annual discretionary bonus
within the scope of “normal
remuneration”? If annual
bonus should be included,
then anything shorter than
a 12 month reference period
will not be sufficiently
representative.
Arguably, provided the
bonus received is unaffected by
the taking of holiday, the worker
will have already received the
relevant bonus payment in
respect of the period of holiday
and will not be entitled to more.
However bonuses (especially
discretionary bonuses) are
often linked to performance
and there is a risk that a worker
who takes less holiday may
perform better over the year
and achieve a higher bonus.
Standby and emergency callout payments and “acting
up” supplement
Yes these should be included
as they are intrinsically linked to
the worker’s work.
Historical liability for
holiday pay
Underpaid holiday pay can be
claimed as an unlawful deduction
from wages claim under the
Employment Rights Act 1996
(ERA). An unlawful deduction
claim based on a “series of
deductions” must generally
be brought in a tribunal within
3 months of the last in the
series. Therefore the series of
deductions could potentially go
back to when the WTR came
into force in October 1998.
38
Before the decision in Bear
Scotland, employers were
understandably concerned
about the possibility of back pay
claims for underpaid holiday pay
stretching back many years.
However, Bear Scotland
confirmed that underpaid
holiday pay cannot be claimed
as a series of deductions
where more than 3 months has
elapsed between deductions.
This means that any gap of
more than 3 months has the
effect of breaking the series.
This limits the scope of claims
stretching back many years.
In addition, Bear Scotland
also established that it is for
employers to determine which
type of leave is being taken,
i.e. Regulation 13 holiday
or Regulation 13A holiday.
Therefore, in the absence of
an agreement to the contrary,
employers could determine
that the four weeks or
Regulation 13 holiday is taken
first, with the additional leave
being the last taken during the
holiday year, thereby breaking
the series of deductions.
Deduction from Wages
(Limitation) Regulations 2014
– what are they?
Just before Christmas, the
government introduced
the Deduction from Wages
(Limitation) Regulations 2014,
designed to limit the impact of
Bear Scotland on businesses.
The Regulations do two things:
1. They limit most unlawful
deduction claims, including
claims for holiday pay, to
two years before the date
the ET1 is lodged. The new
limitation period will apply
to claims presented on or
after 1 July 2015; and
2. Explicitly state that right
to paid holiday under the
WTR does not confer a
contractual right to paid
leave. This will prevent
workers bringing holiday
pay claims as breach of
contract claims in the civil
courts. This comes into
effect from 8 January 2015.
Does one instance of correct
payment break a series of
deductions?
Probably not, but this
remains a grey area as it was
not explicitly dealt with in Bear
Scotland. The EAT did not
reach a view on whether an
irregular series of deductions
(with no gaps of more than 3
months) could amount to a
“series of deductions” under
the ERA or whether any
instances of correct payment
break a series of deductions.
Therefore, until this point is
resolved, it would not be safe
for employers to rely on one-off
instances of correct payment as
breaking a series of deductions,
e.g. paying all workers a
notional overtime/commission
payment on the August or
Christmas bank holidays.
At the moment, if an
employer wants to protect
itself from future claims and
minimise the likelihood of
retrospective claims it will need
to consider ending, rather than
simply interrupting, the series
of deductions. This could be
achieved by starting to pay
Regulation 13 holiday pay
correctly and continuing to
do so. Workers would need to
bring a claim within 3 months
of the last salary payment from
which a deduction has been
made. Provided the employer
does not then start making the
unlawful deductions again, any
worker who has not brought a
claim will be time-barred from
doing so (providing the worker
cannot obtain an extension of
time to issue a claim).
Should employment
contracts be amended in
light of Bear Scotland?
As there is still scope for
further case law following Bear
Scotland, many employers will
not want to commit to how they
treat certain elements of pay for
holiday purposes. As such you
could simply refer only to the
fact that employees will receive
“paid holiday” in your standard
contracts of employment.
Arguably this may not comply
with section 1 of the ERA which
requires an employer to give
holiday pay particulars which
are sufficient to enable the
employee’s entitlement to be
precisely calculated.
Alternatively, some
employers will want to make
clear that they have made a
positive choice, either to include
certain elements of pay within
“normal remuneration”, or to
regard holiday pay as based on
basic salary only.
Those opting to be explicit
about basing holiday pay on
normal remuneration may
wish to distinguish between
Regulation 13 holiday and
Regulation 13A holiday. Only
Regulation 13 holiday has to
comply with European law
but Regulation 13A holiday
does not and therefore can be
more limited. Equally making
that distinction could be
administratively too difficult. The
distinction may also be removed
in time if the WTR are amended.
What do you do next?
1. Review working patterns
to assess how much
commission, overtime and
other allowances are paid.
2. Consider how holiday is
currently paid and calculate
how holiday should be
calculated in light of Bear
Scotland.
3. Seek legal advice on if and
how any changes in holiday
pay should be introduced
and what amendments
may be required to your
employment contracts.
4. Seek legal advice on steps
required to mitigate your
exposure to back dated
holiday pay claims.
Clare Thomas
March 2015
LEGAL & FINANCE
File: 208554-4-15 FOC Tinsdills Edit
TINSDILLS SOLICITORS ANNOUNCE
THEIR NEW SERVICE FOR EMPLOYERS
IN ORDER to help local
businesses minimise the
potential for employment
disputes and their
consequences, Tinsdills are
now offering their Resolve
Employment Law Service.
Employees are more aware
of their legal rights under the
employment legislation than
they ever were. It is therefore
imperative that employers
maintain their internal HR
documents, contracts, policies
and procedures to ensure they
are properly equipped to deal
with any potential employment
disputes. The employer who
is not up to date with their
obligations is at a higher risk of
facing an employment tribunal
claim.
The new fixed price service
is intended to help businesses
208554-4-15 FOC Tinsdills Edit.indd 1
avoid employment disputes by
ensuring that their clients are
operating to the best standards
of employment practice
and procedures. Tinsdills will
undertake an annual review of
key employment documents and
procedures. In the event of an
issue arising, Tinsdills will provide
expert advice by telephone on HR
issues when it is needed, enabling
companies to deal with any
employment disputes swiftly and
effectively.
Tinsdills’ service includes
an insurance policy which
will provide cover for legal
costs and most awards
and settlements of up to
£250,000 per claim if, after
all of the support and advice
provided, an employment
tribunal claim should occur.
Elaine Goodwin,
Employment Law Solicitor at
Tinsdills comments:
“Any claim issued against your
business by an employee can
be very costly both financially
and to the reputation of your
business. At Tinsdills we believe
that prevention is better than
cure and this service offers you
expert advice and support to
minimise these risks and all for a
competitive fixed fee”.
To find out more about how
Tinsdills can support, advise
and protect your business
against employment disputes,
please contact Elaine
Goodwin on 01782 652 300.
27/03/2015 11:43
You cannot stop employees
from making claims against
you; however, you can protect
your business from having to
pay compensation and legal
fees.
Contact us to see how we
can help your business avoid
employment disputes and
minimise their impact.
RESOLVE EMPLOYMENT LAW SERVICE
To find out more call 01782 652300 or visit www.tinsdills.co.uk
208554-4-15 FOC Tinsdills.indd 1
25/03/2015 14:48
39
MANUFACTURING
EMMA BRIDGEWATER TOUR PROVES
TO BE A HUGE SUCCESS
biggest success stories and those
who attended learned the rich
history behind a business that
epitomises The Potteries.
“It was the first time we
have held a tour like this one at
Emma Bridgewater and I think
businesses took a lot away
with them.
“To hear about a business
that puts their staff first is always
pleasing and this was plain to see
STAFFORDSHIRE
MANUFACTURERS Forum
members of Staffordshire
Chambers of Commerce were
treated to an educational and
inspirational tour at one of
Stoke-on-Trent’s most wellknown and iconic brands,
Emma Bridgewater.
The tour, which took place in
January, saw forum members
gain an insight into the practices
of the Emma Bridgewater
factory, which is based in
Lichfield Street in Hanley on the
banks of the Caldon Canal.
Tom Nadin, sector co-ordinator
for Staffordshire Chambers
of Commerce, said: “Emma
Bridgewater is one of the area’s
as we toured their facility.”
Established in 1985 by the
businesses’ namesake, Emma
Bridgewater and her husband
Matthew Rice have created
a global iconic brand with a
phenomenal growth story.
The tour highlighted the
practices used at the factory
by workers, including casting,
finishing, fettling and sponging,
firing and decorating and glazing.
Tom added: “One of the
highlights of the tour was
speaking to staff who work there
and seeing how committed they
are to their work.
“Emma Bridgewater is a
brand Stoke-on-Trent can be
proud of and the skills that are
used have stood the test of time
and have become a modern
pottery phenomenon.”
Anyone interested in joining
Staffordshire Manufacturers
Forum can contact Tom Nadin
by calling 01782 202222
HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY FOR GRENVILLE ENGINEERING
GRENVILLE ENGINEERING
Ltd is celebrating a milestone
after reaching its 30 year
anniversary.
Established in December
1984 founder Mark Barratt set
out with a vision to continue
the legacy on from his father.
Grenville Engineering started
its journey with five shop floor
staff and a manual punch and
strippit machine.
company employs around 50
staff and continues to bridge
the skills gap with a successful
apprenticeship programme.
Recognising the need to
evolve with the digital age, the
company initiated a full scale
rebrand and launch of a new
website last year.
Marketing Manager, Atia
Bukhari said: "It has been an
exciting time for Grenville with
The company exhibited for
the first time in their history
at the MACH show, one of
the UK’s largest events for
Manufacturing Technologies.
As a result of the successful
show the company raised its
profile among leading industry
manufacturers and won a
substantial contract estimated
around half a million.
Despite a challenging
the next two years. The firm
also continues to expand
its production staff with a
permanent night shift that has
been operational following a
number of successful contracts.
Grenville Engineering
implemented a new expansion
plan last year through
acquisition of a new factory
unit to increase capacity and
better serve its customer base
by offering faster lead times.
Mark Barratt, Managing
Director added: "Completing
the 30 year milestone is a
fantastic achievement and
a proud moment for all at
Grenville Engineering.”
Over the forthcoming year
Grenville Engineering will
be presenting a number of
Spanning three decades the
organisation, based in Stokeon-Trent, has weathered two
recessions and maintained
a growing workforce. The
the rebrand and the launch of a
fresher looking website. We have
received positive feedback from
customers and visitors to the site
which is very encouraging."
economic climate, Grenville
Engineering achieved the
£4million target set for 2014
and plans to achieve an annual
turnover of £5million over
initiatives to celebrate its 30
year success. The company
will debut at SubCon 2015
and anticipates another
successful year.
The Grenville Engineering team
40
BUSINESS DOCTORS QUESTION:
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF
BECOMING A LIMITED COMPANY?
Catherine Lo
THE KEY to the answer lies in
the question.
A limited company is a
separate entity in its own
right, which means that the
owners (shareholders) have
no liability themselves for the
contracts, relationships, debts
or liabilities of the company
other than what they paid for
the shares. In the event things
go wrong and the company is
wound up, assuming that all
rules have been followed, the
directors will not be personally
liable for any financial losses
Solicitor
suffered by the company.
A limited company is a
better vehicle for borrowing
money and granting security
as it can give a floating charge
over its assets, something
individuals or traditional
partnerships cannot do. As
the business grows and
becomes more complicated, a
company structure can assist
with succession planning and
provides the opportunity to
offer employees ownership
incentives to retain and
motivate them. Taxation can be
another significant advantage
over other forms or business
vehicle, particularly where
profits are re-invested.
However, with the privilege
of the corporate structure come
the publicity and administrative
requirements and governance
imposed by legislation, in
particular, the Companies
Act 2006, for example, filing
annual accounts, annual returns
and corporation tax returns.
Furthermore, in some areas,
limited liability is being eroded
by funders’ requirements
for personal guarantees
from directors in addition to
company security and also
the way in which Directors can
be personally liable under for
example, health and safety and
insolvency legislation.
There are pros and cons in
using a company as a trading
vehicle for your business. If
you would like to discuss
business ownership or matters
touched on by this article,
please contact Catherine Lo
by emailing Catherine.Lo@
Beswicks.com.
BUSINESS DOCTORS QUESTION:
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF
BECOMING A LIMITED COMPANY?
Andrew Bentley
SETTING UP your business
as a limited company is very
different to operating as a sole
trader or partnership. With
an unincorporated business
the owners’ assets are not
separated from the business and
therefore at risk from business
failure. A limited company is a
separate entity from the owners.
Generally, owners’ assets are
only at risk to the extent that
guarantees have been given by
them on the company’s behalf.
Having a company also
means that the affairs of the
Commercial Services Director
business and the owners must
be kept separate. Unforeseen
tax consequences can ensue
from blurring these lines. This
does not, however, mean that
a company structure is not tax
efficient.
If you operate as a sole trader
or a partnership you pay tax
on the profits you make in an
accounting period, irrespective
of the amount drawn out of
the business. This can lead to
a particularly inefficient tax
structure as income tax is paid
even on reinvested profits.
Operating as a limited
company, corporation tax is
paid on business profits made
but the company owners only
pay tax on those profits when
they are extracted.
Generally corporation tax
rates are lower than income tax
rates. Furthermore, certain tax
reliefs e.g. R&D tax credits and
patent box, are only available to
companies.
Largely because of the
asset protection available to
shareholders, a company has
to file financial information
annually with Companies House;
this information being publicly
available to anyone willing to pay
a small fee. Smaller companies
can, however, file abbreviated
accounts which give minimal
information and allow potentially
sensitive business information
such as turnover and profit
margins to be protected.
There are many pros
and cons of operating as a
limited company. Ensuring
your business is structured
appropriately is critical to
future success.
THE QUESTION WE ARE FOCUSING ON FOR THE
NEXT EDITION OF FOCUS MAGAZINE:
‘HOW IMPORTANT IS SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN IT COMES TO ORGANISING YOUR MARKETING PLAN?"
We would value a response to the above question from any member that feels they are able to advise.
Please submit your answer by 10th May, 200 words maximum, email publications@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
41
BUSINESS DOCTORS
BUSINESS DOCTORS
MEMBER NEWS
LISTERS CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF THEIR ELITIS BRAND
IN 2004, Lister Trade Frames
of Stoke on Trent embarked on
an ambitious plan to develop a
retail brand specifically for their
trade installation customers.
After several late nights,
numerous cups of coffee and
the occasional argument, the
Elitis brand was born.
"We wanted to arm our
trade customers with their
own retail branding that had
all the bells and whistles used
by the larger multinational
companies," said Marketing
Manager, Daniel Shaw. "It was
very much a labour of love and
in the early days of the brand,
we'll admit we weren't sure we
had done the right thing."
However 10 years later and
the Elitis brand has been a
huge success for Listers and
more importantly for their
customers who adopted the
brand. Offering brochures,
websites, van livery, signboards,
drop cards and so much more,
Elitis gave Listers trade installers
everything they needed to present
themselves more professionally
and grow their sales.
"The main aim of the Elitis
Brand was to be attainable,
practical and desirable for our
customers," said Daniel, "we
couldn't create something
where the price prohibited them
making the best use of the brand.
So we produced many of the
features and benefits free of
charge and the more costly items
like websites, were available at a
vastly reduced rate."
Since the first days of the
launch, Elitis has blossomed
into not only a recognised
brand for the installer, but
also the homeowners who
were starting to specify the
Daniel Shaw and Dean Armstrong of DNH Installations
MOTIVA REVEALS GROWTH PLAN AFTER RECORD SUCCESS
Peter Davenport, managing
director of Motiva
FLEET SPECIALISTS Motiva
Group have revealed ambitious
plans to double the size of the
business within three years on
the back of record results.
Stellar growth hit
unprecedented levels in 2014
with an impressive leap in
fleet size sparking end-ofyear figures which reveal
operating profit jumped by
more than 50 per cent.
Peter Davenport, managing
director of the Longtonbased company, has already
launched a campaign to
capitalise on that progress.
He has revealed a milestone
objective to more than
double fleet size again by
2017 and insists a target of
12,000 vehicles – which would
represent an increase of more
than 107 per cent in three years
– is now well within reach.
Mr Davenport, who has
sparked extraordinary success
for Motiva Group since leading a
management buy-out in 2006,
said: “2014 was a tremendous
year for the company with
record performance leading to
figures well beyond even our
most optimistic targets.
“But we don’t want to stop
here and have put plans in place
for even more spectacular
growth in the next 12 months
and beyond.
“We have a long-term vision
for expansion and doubling
the size of the business in three
years is a key part of that.”
Operating profit for 2014
was £1,600,000 with turnover
at £42 million and fleet size
reaching more than 5,700 (both
increasing by 22 per cent).
Mr Davenport puts that
success down to three major
initiatives along with the addition
of several new products.
He added: “We set out
this year to press home the
advantage of our move into
new headquarters in 2013.
“We launched a concerted push
for growth with a fresh, far more
targeted and sales-focused approach
and that has paid big dividends.”
TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE PRESS
NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE
Press is celebrating ten
years of trading with a
business was originally based
at the Business Village at
Staffordshire University.
At Easter, the work of Dr
William Cooke, the well-known
local historian, saw two of
presented during a morning
session at St Joseph’s
Academy based on the
move to Brampton House in
Queens Street in NewcastleUnder-Lyme.
The move happened
earlier this year, after the
Since the inception of
North Staffordshire Press,
they have published over 40
titles for authors from home
and abroad.
his books, ‘Theatres of War’
and ‘Scrambling to Glory’
published and available to buy
via Amazon.
The company has also
publishing industry, following
on from the successful work
with the British Council for
academics from Sri Lanka
and India.
42
BRAMPTON RECRUITMENT
based in Staffordshire and
Cheshire has secured a
contract to work alongside
leading UK employment
agency Brook Street.
The partnership means
Brampton Recruitment will
now have customer service
and administrative roles
available in Government sector
organisations throughout
Cheshire and Staffordshire.
The deal comes after
Brook Street researched the
Newcastle-under-Lyme and
Knutsford based agency,
and were impressed with the
service they were able to offer.
Charlotte Walker,
Recruitment Team Leader
at Brampton Recruitment,
said: “This is the first time
we’ve worked with Brook
Street, we are really happy
to become their recruitment
partners of choice.
“Brook Street is keen to put
opportunities back into local
businesses, and these roles will
be for Government and wider
public sector organisations
including council positions
based around the area in Crewe,
Knutsford and Macclesfield.
“What it means is that
we will have a number of
vacancies in these different
departments on our books at
a time, which is great news for
MEMBER NEWS
AGENCY SECURES NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
TO FILL GOVERNMENT ROLES
The Brampton Recruitment Team
jobseekers looking for good
quality career opportunities in
the public sector.”
For more information about
these roles and the other
positions Brampton has to
offer call 01782 667591 or visit
www.bramptonrecruitment.co.uk
ST. MODWEN GETS GO-AHEAD FOR NEW
RETAIL CENTRE IN BRANSTON
ST. MODWEN’S plans to create
a new local retail centre and
meeting place in Branston,
Burton-on-Trent, have been
granted planning permission
by East Staffordshire Borough
Council.
Located off Main Street
in Branston Village, the new
‘Branston Square’ centre will
boast five new shops, car
construction of the centre and
when the shops open for trading.
Branston Square is part
of a 175 acre Staffordshire
community called Branston
Leas that is being developed by
St. Modwen that will also boast
660 family homes enjoying
views of the River Trent, play
facilities, green space and
hundreds of new jobs.
Leas, Branston Square will
help cater for the expanding
community. Construction work
is set to begin this spring and
the Square is set to open for
trading in 2016.”
Councillor Mike Ackroyd,
chairman of Branston Parish
Council, said: "Branston Square
will be an important addition
for our local community,
garden becoming an important
meeting point and a centre for
our expanding community.”
The new Branston Leas
community is quickly coming
to life. Construction work is
underway on the 660 three,
four and five bedroom family
homes, and an extension to
Rykneld Primary School is
due to complete this summer.
parking, bicycle storage and a
new community garden with
high quality landscaping and
public seating. Around 20
jobs will be generated in the
Ian Romano, senior
development surveyor at St.
Modwen, said: “With more
than 600 new homes now
under construction at Branston
complementing and enhancing
the excellent shops we already
have on Main Street. As a safe
and welcoming environment for
all, we envisage the community
Work on the new Burton
Gateway Business Park,
which is set to create up to
1,500 new local jobs, will
begin later this year.
43
MOVERS & SHAKERS
&SHAKERS
MOVERS
particular niche for dealing with estates
which include agricultural land and the
application of Agricultural Relief for
Inheritance Tax purposes.
DANIELLE BOURNE
LAUREN OAKLEY
Industrial PR agency Stone Junction has
appointed Danielle Bourne, formerly the
owner-founder of Newcastle based Lyme
Communications, as a senior account
manager. Danielle's appointment
increases the workforce to a team of six,
with further recruits expected in the first
quarter of 2015.
Lauren has joined Staffordshire
Chambers of Commerce as an Events
Enterprise Apprentice.
Lauren is a former Holden Lane High
School and Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form
College pupil and has gained A-Levels in
Dance and an A-Level in English.
Her role at the Chamber specialises in
customer services.
DANIELLE NEWBON
Bowcock & Pursaill solicitors have
appointed law graduate and trainee
solicitor Danielle Newbon to their team.
Danielle, a Staffordshire University law
graduate, joined the firm, who have
offices in Leek, Uttoxeter and at Festival
Park, having gained a distinction in her
legal practice course.
She will be based at the firm’s Carter
Street office in Uttoxeter.
Stoke on Trent College Chief Executive
Sarah Robinson, who will now be
dedicating more time to the strategic
future of the College.
44
IPS Ceramics has announced that it has
appointed Rob Brennan as Commercial
Director. Rob has worked as commercial
manager since IPS was set up in 2010
and before that held management
positions in the predecessor companies
of Acme Marls and Dyson Thermal
Technologies.
LOUISE DUBBER
Louise Dubber has now joined the
expanding JSW Insurance Team as a
Management Assistant and is looking
forward to a new challenge working
alongside the Chamber to promote JSW
Insurance Services.
Louise previously worked for Staffordshire
Chambers of Commerce in the
membership team and was the finest and
futurefinest Co-Ordinator. Louise is well
known to Chamber members and the
professional services sector in the area.
KEVIN SMITH
Stoke on Trent College have welcomed
new expertise to their leadership team to
help drive forwards their success.
Kevin Smith joins Stoke on Trent College
as Principal after several successful
leadership roles within Further Education
across the North West.
Kevin, who has over 25 years’ experience
in education, will support the work of
ROB BRENNAN
MELANIE HAYWOOD
Melanie joined Grindeys as Head of the
Wills, Trusts and Probate department
in January 2015. She has specialised
in this area of law for over 14 years
and has a wealth of experience in will
writing, complex trust administration,
estate planning and estate administration.
Melanie is a fully qualified STEP solicitor
and she is very experienced in dealing
with wealthy clients, and also has a
STEPHEN
HARGREAVES
STEPHEN HARGREAVES has joined the
Haywood Sixth Form Academy as Work
Based Learning Lead from his Executive
Officer post in the Department for Work
and Pensions.
He will head up a team of Work Based
Assessors for the Academy’s new Work
Based Learning programme.
Mame Diouf, Steph Altham and Tony Altham
LIFELONG STOKE City
supporter Steph Altham from
AdGiftsOnline Limited had
a birthday and Christmas
surprise when the company
was the Official Match
Sponsor for the Stoke City
versus West Bromwich
ABOUT ME:
Albion match in December.
AdGiftsOnline used the
event to launch their fresh new
brand identity to the 28,500
fans at The Britannia Stadium
on the main and pitch-side
screens. Steph’s day got even
better when she went on to the
ADAM BREARLEY
pitch before kick-off to meet
the two captains and match
officials followed by manager
Mark Hughes in the dugout. She
later named Mame Biram Diouf
as the Man of the Match.
Her highlight was
discovering that she was sat
CHARLIE STROE
KARENA PAWLAK
next to the Stoke City legend,
Terry Conroy, for lunch. Steph
saw Terry score the winning
goal for Stoke against Chelsea
in the 1972 League Cup Final
at Wembley, which gave the
pair plenty to talk about.
Managing Director, Tony
Altham, said: “It was a pleasure to
support our Premiership football
team and we enjoyed meeting
the captains and awarding Mame
Biram Diouf with the Man of the
Match trophy.
“The sponsorship allowed
AdGiftsOnline to showcase our
new branding to thousands
of people in our city and
reinforced our position as a long
established local promotional
merchandise distributor.
“All that said however,
meeting Terry Conroy and seeing
Steph chatting with one of her
all time footballing heroes was a
wonderful surprise bonus. The
day ended perfectly with another
win for Stoke City.”
LIONEL GRANT
Organisation
Stoke City Football Club
Stone Junction
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
Bennett Architectural Aluminium
Position
Corporate Sales Manager
Senior PR Account Executive
Membership Recruitment Officer
Managing Director
Did you know that I...
was chosen to represent GB at
Tough Mudder in America in 2014
speak five languages?
have a Villa in Florida, 15 mins from Disney
can play the bagpipes
Pets
Cat
Oreo the cat
None
Cairn Terrier
Favourite food
Fray Bentos Pie
Chocolate
Lobster
Indian
Favourite drink
Beer
Real ale
Veuve Cliquot Vintage
Peroni
High street or online
High Street
Online
Either, as long as its designer handbags
Online
Facebook or Twitter
Facebook
Facebook
Both
Twitter
I really like
Live Comedy
Reading and writing
Eating in posh restaurants with
Family & Friends
Positive people
I can’t stand
Bad Manners
Bananas – yuck!
Mr Bean
Negative people
Favourite TV show
Gogglebox
Arrested development
Graham Norton
Mad Men
Favourite film
Gladiator
Amelie
Bridgett Jones
National Lampoon’s Animal House
Favourite band/artist
Iron Maiden
The Doors
Robbie all the way
The Clash
I support
Stoke City FC
Equal rights for men and women? (No
football interest here, sorry!) J
Dougie Mac
Glasgow Celtic
Ideal place to be
With family
On a beach
South Beach, Miami, Florida
Celtic Park on a European Night
Ideal place to live
Koh Samui - Thailand
Canada – it’s gorgeous!
London
if Celtic park had rooms!!
Me in a word
Loyal
Direct
Driven
Glaswegian
45
MEMBER NEWS / ABOUT ME
CITY SURPRISE FOR LIFELONG POTTERS FAN STEPH
MEMBERSHIP
PROFILE PLUS
Enhance your membership by upgrading to a premier
package – Profile Plus, for further information, please
contact Daryl Williams on 01782 202222
PROFILE PLUS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
KNIGHTS
Knights creating new ways of delivering
legal and professional services
KNIGHTS, THE professional
services firm with its head office
in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is
changing the way in which legal
and professional services are
delivered in the UK.
In 2012 they became the
first professional services firm
in the UK to attract private
equity investment. It was the
granted an Alternative Business
Structure licence in January
2013 which allowed the firm to
further leverage that investment
and to continue its ambitious
expansion plan to become a top
100 law firm by 2017.
Under the leadership of CEO
David Beech, the firm has taken
major steps towards realising
its ambitions. In the last two
years the firm has opened a
Chester office and appointed
over 80 professionals, taking
staff numbers to more than
200 across the businesses
three offices in Staffordshire,
Cheshire and Gloucestershire.
David said: “Since Knights
attracted private equity
investment, our business model
has facilitated both innovation
and growth. Our business
has sufficient capital, and a
management structure, to make
commercial decisions quickly in
the interests of our clients and
the business as a whole.
“In turn, this enables us
to invest in cutting edge
technology and high quality
recruits so that we can compete
with larger professional service
firms and provide our clients
with the most up to date and
cost effective service.”
As well as being a full service
commercial firm, Knights
has developed particular
specialisms in real estate, mines
and minerals, landed estates
and renewable energy. Knights
also has a highly regarded
private client team including
a tax and trust team advising
individuals on how best to
manage and protect their
wealth for the future.
Knights is also able to offer
non-law services and so far
has recruited a team of seven
town planners and a corporate
tax team.
“Knights is not like a
traditional professional services
firm,” said David. “Having a
specialist and experienced
management team to lead and
direct the firm enables lawyers
to focus on delivering results
for our clients. The managers
manage and the lawyers
practise law.”
PROFILE PLUS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
STOKE CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
Britannia Stadium is showing the way
with host of events in 2015
STOKE CITY are well known
for their success in the Premier
League, but the club also has
a commitment to delivering
outstanding results off the
pitch too – making the Britannia
Stadium the ideal venue for all
your event needs.
The stadium provides the
stage to host the biggest
and best clubs in England,
and also the backdrop to a
whole host of non-football
related events of which the
club’s events team can offer
bespoke hospitality packages
for companies looking to
PATRONS:
46
46
entertain clients differently.
Friday 30 January saw
the Sir Stanley Matthews
Centenary Dinner celebrations,
in March there was An
Audience with Gordon Banks
and Asmir Begovic, and in
April, a Big Darts Night 2015
event will be held and in May,
the End of the Season Awards
Dinner will be held, celebrating
The Potter's on fieid successes
in 2014/15. Plenty more events
are planned for the rest of
the year, too – a calendar can
be found by visiting www.
stokecityfc.com/vip/events.
The darts event will see
four first-team stars step up to
the oche and join darts aces
Adrian "Jackpot" Lewis and
Dennis "The Menace" Priestley.
Club captain Ryan Shawcross
tops the bill and he'll be joined by
team-mates Phil Bardsley, Peter
Odemwingie and Steve Sidwell for
the ever-popular event, sponsored
by Lister Trade Frames.
Lewis, the current world
number three who will be
sponsored on the night by
Curry & Bevans, Priestley, who
was the first man to win both
the BDO and WDC (now PDC)
world titles, and the players
will be joined on stage by
referee and compare John
Gwynne, who will ensure 'best
of order' throughout the night
in his own inimitable style.
Tickets for the event in the
Tony Waddington Suite are
available now, priced at £40
and including a basket meal.
To book your spot at the
event - or to make an enquiry
regarding sponsorship deals contact Della Birchall by phone
on (01782) 592212 or via e-mail at
della.birchall@stokecityfc.com.
For more details on events
at Stoke City FC, contact
Events Manager Della Birchall
by phone on (01782) 592212
or by e-mail at della.birchall@
stokecityfc.com.
NEW MEMBERS
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
1st Time Clean
07841 834582
clint@1sttimeclean.co.uk
www.1sttimeclean.co.uk
Commercial & Industrial Contract
Cleaning
Alpha Engineering Solutions Ltd
01782 774444
sales@alphaeng.co.uk
www.alphaeng.co.uk
Manufacture of Components for Oil &
Gas, Scientific and Medical Industry
Back On Track Strategies
0330 1002823
teejay@backontrackteens.com
www.backontrackteens.com
Global Transformation of
Confidence and Self Worth in
Young People
Circus Starr
01260 288690
info@circus-starr.com
www.circus-starr.co.uk
Touring Circus
Coach 247
07534 156113
john.duncan@coach247.co.uk
www.coach247.co.uk
Coaching/Mentoring
CV Recruitment
01782 662612
info@cv-recruitment.co.uk
www.cv-recruitment.co.uk
Recruitment Agency
Digital Roar
07989 402203
hello@digitalroar.co.uk
www.digitalroar.co.uk
Website
Downings Recycling and
Waste Management Ltd
01785 253786
downings@btconnect.com
www.downingltd.co.uk
Recycling & Waste Management
Easy Composites
01782 454499
sales@easycomposites.co.uk
www.easycomposites.co.uk
General Manufacturing
EPX Technical Services
01785 878311
info@epx.ltd.uk
www.epx.co.uk
IT Technical Services
Eternal Iris Ltd
01782 537176
ben@eternaliris.com
www.eternaliris.com
Film & Photography
Foresters Friendly Society
02380 229655
mail@forestersfriendlysociety.co.uk
www.forestersfriendlysociety.co.uk
Financial Services and Membership
Organisation
Iron Maidens
01782 325256
bookings@ironmaidensltd.co.uk
www.ironmaidensltd.co.uk
Laundry Services
Pinnacle Technology
08008 766799
enquiries@pinnacleplc.co.uk
www.pinnacleplc.co.uk
Service Metals
0844 8487020
sales@servicemetals.co.uk
www.servicemetals.co.uk
General Manufacturing
Jasmin Olivia
01782 202201
info@jasminolivia.co.uk
www.jasminolivia.co.uk
Health and Beauty
PJW Accounting Ltd
01889 586431
paul@pjwaccounting.co.uk
www.pjwaccounting.co.uk/
Chartered Accountants
So-Visual
01785 254656
info@so-visual.co.uk
www.so-visual.co.uk
Commercial Photograpy & Graphic
Design
JHPS Gardens
01782 396168
info@jhps-gardens.co.uk
www.jhps-gardens.co.uk
Private & Commercial Grounds
Maintenance
Jon Cruttenden Photography
01538 384210
jon@joncruttendenphotography.com
www.joncruttendenphotography.com
Photography
JSW Accountancy Services Ltd
01782 711637
jswilliamson@jsw.co.uk
www.jswaccountants.co.uk
Accountants
Kason Corporation Europe
01782 597540
sales@kasoneurope.co.uk
www.kason.com
Engineering
L M Bateman & Co LTD
01538 361654
helen.beswick@lmbateman.co.uk
www.lmbateman.co.uk
Manufacturer
Lawson Taylor Research &
Consultancy
07808 738939
enquiries@lawsontaylor.co.uk
www.lawsontaylor.co.uk
Advertising and Design
Lilac Productions Ltd
01785 887859
steve@lilac-films.com
www.lilac-films.com
Film production
Mylite UK Ltd
01785 711604
info@myliteproducts.com
www.myliteproducts.com
General Manufacturers
Nature Consultancy Ltd
01782 768656
admin@emotions-clinic.co.uk
www.undoyourstress.com
Drug Treatment, Therapy Clinic,
Counselling
Outserve Ltd
07515 358621
info@outserveweb.co.uk
www.outserveweb.co.uk
Personal Summits
01785 711102
info@personalsummits.com
www.personalsummits.com
Consultants
Princes Regeneration Trust Middleport Pottery
01782 499766
john.lowther@princesregeneration.org
www.middleportpottery.co.uk
Charity
Print Monster Ltd
01543 462323
hello@printmonster.co.uk
www.printmonster.co.uk
Digital Printing Company
Prospects Personnel
Management Ltd
01782 209998
info@prospectspersonnel.co.uk
www.prospectspersonnel.co.uk
Recruitment
Rapiscan Sysytems Ltd
08455 040408
dashworth@rapiscansystems.com
www.rapiscansystems.com
Security Scanning Service
Risk Assessment Solutions Ltd
01785 330022
kb@rams.org.uk
www.rams.org.uk
Health & Safety Consultants
Sandler Training
01782 514822
roy.johnson@sandler.com
www.m6.sandler.com
Training
Sylvester Business Consultants
02071 270841
info@businessconsulting360.co.uk
www.businesscoaching360.co.uk
Consultants
Talent Match
01543 303030
tms@talentmatchstaffs.org.uk
www.talentmatchstaffs.org.uk
Charity
TDV Productions
07576 392356
tdvbookings@gmail.com
www.tdvproductions.com
On Line Video Advertising
Tollgate Hotel & Leisure Ltd
01782 313029
mail@tollgate.co.uk
www.tollgate.co.uk
Hotel & Leisure
Tri-Tech 3D Printers
01782 814551
info@tritech3d.co.uk
www.tri-tech3d.co.uk
3D Printing
Wizzard Technical Designs Ltd
01889 227900
office@wtd-ltd.co.uk
www.wtdesigns.co.uk
Website Design, Social Media,
Cloud Tech
CSR SURVEY
We are trying to gain a
thorough understanding
of the Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR)
practices of organisations in
Staffordshire. We would like
to find out how important
CSR is to businesses, what is
already being done in this area
and what support is needed
in order to help businesses
develop their CSR activities.
We would appreciate you
taking the time to fill out this
short survey.
As a thank you, one lucky
entrant will be chosen at
random to win a free ticket
to the 2015 Staffordshire
Business Awards on 9 July at
Staffordshire Showground!
www.staffordshirechambers.
co.uk/corporate-socialresponsibility-survey/ Thank you in advance for
your cooperation.
47
MEMBER NEWS / Q&A
Q
A
services for start-up business,
such as the mentoring
service, and business
workshops and seminars.
WHY BECOME A
CHAMBER MEMBER?
Selina Rudzik, Founder, Rudzik Personnel
source of information and a
good platform for launching
a new business.
1. Why did you become a
Chamber member?
2. How has your business
benefited from joining the
Chamber?
3. Which events have you
attended since joining the
Chamber and how useful
were they?
For self-employed
individuals like myself, the
business world can be a very
lonely place whereby the
majority of conversations
you have are with potential
customers or service users.
My main reason for joining the
Chamber was to be able to
take advantage of networking
opportunities within the local
business community and
to meet other like-minded
business people with whom
I could build good business
relationships. I also wished
to have access to support
Aside being able to
attend business events and
networking with other local
businesses, I have gained a
lot of useful knowledge from
the workshops and seminars
I have attended. The advice
given to me during the
Business Initiative and Lets Do
Mentoring schemes have also
helped to give me a clearer
focus about where I want my
business to be in the future
and invaluable advice about
how to get there. I have also
found the Chamber's 'Focus
Magazine' to be a great
I've attended many of the
events hosted, supported or
organised by the Chamber,
namely Speed Networking,
Spotlight, Enterprise Club,
and various business
workshops and seminars.
Most recently I attended the
IT Family Fun Day in Stone
which allowed me to bring
along family members, enjoy
a festive BBQ and meet
Santa! The networking event
generally attract a lot of
local businesses, and so I find
them a great opportunity
to make new contacts and
catch up with existing ones.
The business workshops and
seminars are always very
informative and cover topics
that are relevant to start-ups
or SME's who wish to expand
their knowledge within a
particular discipline.
4. What would you say to anyone
thinking of joining the Chamber?
Join today! Or, at least get
in touch to find out how the
Chamber could help your
business to grow. The staff are
very friendly and approachable,
and won't try to 'sell' the
benefits because the benefits
speak for themselves.
To speak to Staffordshire
Chambers of Commerce’s
Membership team about
becoming a member, call
01782 202222.
ACCUTRONICS CELEBRATES A YEAR OF INNOVATION AT
AMERICA’S LARGEST MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY SHOW
INTERNATIONAL BATTERY
manufacturer Accutronics
joined thousands of medical
industry suppliers and service
providers at MD&M West in
February in Anaheim, California.
The conference allowed them
to showcase their latest products
from its Entellion range.
The theme of the 2015
conference was a celebration of
30 years of medtech innovation,
and Accutronics has proven it is
products, both of which will be
exhibited at the event.
Most recently, Accutronics
introduced the CMX Series, a
range of innovative smart batteries
and chargers. With the increase
in the use of portable medical
devices, such as acute ventilators
and anaesthesia workstations, the
new smart battery fulfils the needs
of manufacturers of high powered
medical devices.
During the summer the
charge capability and can be
used around the world, thanks
to its wall mounted power
supply. The credit card battery
range provides OEMs with a
rechargeable range of Lithium
Ion professional batteries
for portable and wearable
medical devices.
“The medical market is a
challenging environment and
there’s a constant demand
on medical OEMs to produce
we’ve been able to develop a
range that meets the need
more than up for the challenge.
During 2014, the independent
battery expert launched two
new products to add to its
range of smart portable power
company also introduced the
CX6100, an innovative desktop
charger for its groundbreaking
credit card battery range.
The new charger has a rapid
innovative portable devices,”
explained Rob Phillips, managing
director of Accutronics.
“Thanks to our understanding
of the market requirements
for high energy density
and high power discharge,
without compromising on
safety and reliability in lifecritical applications.”
48
MANUFACTURER JOHNSON
Tiles has relaunched Prismatics,
its longest-established tile
range – introducing hexagon
shapes for the first time.
Prismatics offers one of
the biggest colour ranges of
British-made ceramic wall
tiles, with a diverse palette of
68 different gloss and matt
shades in five different sizes,
including a selection of the
new hexagon shapes available
in 13 key colours.
New on-trend tones have
been added to the range,
increasing the number of
neutral, dark and warmer
shades in co-ordination with
existing colours.
To refresh the Prismatics
palette, Johnson Tiles
collaborated with colour
consultant Ptolemy Mann, who
worked alongside Johnson
Tiles Creative Director Darren
Clanford to build new emphasis
on trend-leading shades for the
range, such as new addition
Blackberry, a rich aubergine
tone that coordinates perfectly
with other neutrals.
Darren Clanford said:
“Refreshing Prismatics –
which was first launched over
30 years ago – was a huge
undertaking. It was already
one of the biggest and most
comprehensive plain colour tile
ranges available in the UK, our
challenge was creating fresh
colours that genuinely are new
and would enhance the range.
“Ptolemy Mann, who worked
with us at Clerkenwell Design
Week to create the Prismatic
Landscape colourwall to
preview the range, helped us
with colour selection. She has
been the perfect partner to
bring our new collection to
MEMBER NEWS
JOHNSON TILES REVAMPS CORE PRISMATICS RANGE
Prismatics ceramic wall tiles
life. The aim was to create a
modern, balanced range of
colours that work individually,
mixed in tonal groups or
used as an injection of colour
alongside neutrals.”
ALL CHANGE AS M&M SIGNS & GRAPHICS HAS DESIGNS ON GROWTH
Mark Wood, centre, with Craig Wheaver and John Beech
A MAJOR investment in staff
and equipment at M&M Signs
& Graphics is aiming to act as a
spur for growth of the division.
M&M Signs and Graphics
has been running for over 12
years, predominantly providing
vehicle livery and wrapping to our Vehicle Repairs and
external customers.
The changes began
in August 2014 with the
appointment of Mark Wood as
manager of the division.
Mark brings a wealth
of experience to the job
having run his own signs and graphics business in Tenerife
for 12 years supplying print
and signs to hotels, clubs and
attractions on the island.
Craig Wheaver has joined
as production manager and
brings nine years of experience
specialist knowledge of vehicle
wrapping.
John Beech has also
recently joined as a sign fitter
/ manufacturer. John ran his
own sign company alongside
full time employment but is
looking forward to the exciting
challenges offered at M&M.
Mark Wood commented: "I'm really excited about the
challenge ahead. M&M Signs &
Graphics already has a great
reputation and I will be working
closely with my new team
to build on this foundation, becoming more innovative,
creative and excelling in
everything we do.
Each member of the team
has extensive knowledge
of their specialism and the
industry as a whole. We
work with the customer from
conception to fitting and realise
that adherence to branding is of
paramount importance."
We have also invested in
new equipment including a
vinyl plotter and a print and
cut machine for stickers ,
labels and signs."
JOBS FROM WASTE IN TAMWORTH
A TAMWORTH engineering
company is reporting
"phenomenal growth" with
the help of a grant from
the Staffordshire Chambers
of Commerce Jobs and
Growth Fund.
A & S Compaction Ltd
specialises in the repair and
refurbishment of machinery
for the waste and recycling
industries.
"From fixing waste
compactors on site, we have
now grown to provide a full
service with our own engineering
facilities offering the capabilities
to repair and refurbish machinery
for the waste compaction
industry," explained company
director, Emma Reeves.
Emma joined the company,
around five years ago and
is now part of a two-strong
and Growth funding to aid a
move to new premises on the
Lichfield Road Industrial Estate,
Tamworth, earlier this year.
The company applied for
Regional Growth Fund support
through Staffordshire Chambers
of Commerce's highly successful
Jobs and Growth Fund which
is backed by the Government's
Regional Growth Fund.
More than £3 million of
Matt Hustwit, Jobs and Growth
Fund programme manager at
Staffordshire Chambers, said: "The
project is on course to meet our
target of creating 900 jobs by the
end of the current financial year.
"Firms have until the end
of the year to apply for the
current funding round, and
there is still time for companies
who are looking to create jobs
to make an application."
The one man business
became a limited company seven
years ago when Stan's son, Tom
joined the business and plans
were put in place for expansion.
management team, alongside
husband Tom, following the
death of A & S founder, Stan.
Business has boomed since
a decision to apply for Jobs
support has so far been
approved for jobs and growth
projects from the Staffordshire
fund with a potential to
generate at least 900 jobs.
Applications are assessed
by the chambers of commerce
before going forward to the
Staffordshire Local Enterprise
Partnership board for approval.
49
UP
UP CLOSE
CLOSE
NATHAN WALTON
Managing Director JSW Insurance
Can you tell us more about yourself and
your career path so far?
Describe the main duties as the MD of
JSW Insurance?
Yes, I’m in my mid 40s and father to
brilliant kids, Oliver 20, James 15 and
Caitlin 10. I set the business up in 2003
having spent my career working within
the insurance industry. I started life off as
an insurance trainee pretty much from
leaving school, passed my insurance
qualifications and took a shareholding in a
small broker firms called Crick Walton & Co,
that business grew rapidly, joined a larger
privately-owned broking group in 1995 and
was then acquired by a large insurance PLC
in 2000. I enjoyed working for the lager
group but had always know that I wanted
to be master of my own destiny which is
why I opened up JSW in 2003.
As Founder of Business I have
headline responsibility for delivery of
overall objectives, its operations and
overall company development. I oversee
the sales in the business - setting and
managing the sales targets. I am
responsible for developing and managing
the strategy for JSW. I also have a large
portfolio of clients that I personally
manage. It’s definitely It’s not a 9 to 5 job!
How have your experiences throughout
your career helped you in your current role?
I became a manager early in my
career. I worked with a variety people,
whose skills I was keen to learn from…
the good the bad & the ugly!!
I have been very privileged
to work with some of the
industries big achievers.
This gave me the drive to
want to run my own
business and
make JSW the
success it is.
What is a typical day in the office like?
No two days are the same. From
the day to day running of the business,
managing 35 staff over five locations,
traveling to and from the offices, clients
and of course the world of email. Any
one in my positon will know that its 24/7.
This is why I love the buzz of running my
own business.
How is JSW performing - what are
the challenges ahead for the next 12
months?
JSW is out performing against industry
standards. We have seen organic growth of
almost 25% this year, which is testament to
our staff. We believe in the power of local
networking and have been members of
the Chamber since the business began and
we were founder members of finest and
Futurefinest. In the next 12 months we will be
looking to strengthen these relationships.
Insurance is an ever evolving market
as more transaction happen online, we
are making sure that our IT infrastructure
will be able to handle the advances in the
market. We have recently opened our 4th
branch office in Chester, as well as our
locations in Newcastle under Lyme, Halifax
and Melton Mowbray.
What would you say that needs to be
worked on to further Staffordshire's
regeneration?
Securing the HS2 Stoke hub to me is vital
for the development of the area. We need
to make sure we improve our transport
infrastructure to ensure we are not the
forgotten city between Birmingham &
Manchester. Businesses working closely
with delivery partners such as the City
Council and the LEP is essential.
As a Profile Plus member of The Chamber,
what do you think JSW can do to offer
support to other businesses across the area?
As the appointed insurance brokers to
Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, we
feel this is a fantastic endorsement of what
we are about. All Chamber members can
take advantage of a free review of their
insurance with the client knowing that
they will receive the same professional,
personal service. As a Profile Plus member
we have invested in the Chamber and
feel we are ideally placed assist our fellow
Chamber members.
50
WE’RE ODDS
ON FAVOURITE
Furlongs
TO BE YOUR
NEXT EVENTS
DESTINATION
OF FLEXIBLE
SPACE
• Conference and Exhibition Suite contained
in our Prince Edward Grandstand
• 18 meeting/syndicate rooms
• Free WiFi
• In-house catering
• AV and media equipment
• Large open event/festival space
• Dedicated events team
• Conference and meeting capacity
2-500 delegates
• Stunning views of the
Staffordshire countryside
• M1 and M6 only 30 minutes away
20% off your next
conference or event!
Quote: ‘Let’s Do Business 2015’
FOR MORE DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR EVENTS TEAM
www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk
01889 562561 | events@uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk

THE SENTINEL NEWSPAPER - Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce

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