THEBUSINESSTHE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR DORSET, WEST HANTS AND SALISBURY

No. 181 OCTOBER 2014 Established 1994

F o r t h e l a t e s t n e w s v i s i t t h e w e b s i t e a t w w w . b i z m a g . c o . u k

Delivering your news to business leaders for 20 yearsFEATURING: BUSINESS NEWS | FINANCE MATTERS | LAW LINES | SPECIAL FEATURES

NeW TAX AND ACCOUNTING APP FROM MAZARS

people on the movesponsored by

Accounting & FinAnce, it, HR, oFFice & commeRciAlwww.bondwilliams.co.uk

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BonD WilliAmSP R o F e S S i o n A l R e c R u i t m e n t

ContentsOn the frontMazars launch free tax and accounting app. See page 12.

Opinions expressed within this publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of The Business, but legal responsibility cannot be accepted for errors, omissions or misleading statements. The Business is fully protected by copyright. Nothing contained within this magazine may be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher.

© The Business (Dorset) Ltd 2014 All rights reservedISSN 1354-3806

The Business magazine is mailed free-of-charge to named business people within Dorset, West Hants and Salisbury. Recipients are occasionally contacted to maintain correct mailing details and to provide information regarding special features. Contact us to receive the magazine or to be removed from the mailing list on 01425 471500.

Editor: Gill Bevis

Tel: 01425 471500E-mail: mail@bizmag.co.uk

Website: www.bizmag.co.uk

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The Business (Dorset) Ltd9 Gainsborough Road,

Ashley Heath, Ringwood BH24 2HY

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2 people on the move

5 business news

11 employment talk – SMEs duped by job seekers

12 finance matters

13 risk management

14 special feature – Hotel | Restaurant highlight

18 Rowan White Photographic – Telling stories in pictures and words

20 techno times – Make a date with CheekyBoo

21 the voice – Scottish referendum comment

22 law lines – Learn how you can do business abroad

24 special feature – families at work

26 network news

27 driving force

29 transport focus

News on the Grapevine

Grapevine Telecom in Poole has secured the services of Ricki Hill to manage its rapidly growing Unified Communications and fixed line arm of the business to complement the existing business mobile products and services that are the cornerstone of the company. Ricki brings over a decade of experience in VoIP, hosted telephony and internet connectivity to the Grapevine team and is available to provide free of charge communications reviews to all sized companies in the region.

Hot on the block

Deacon Managing Director Nigel Feast has been named as one of the leasehold world’s Hot 100 for the second year running. The list is compiled by News on the Block magazine and recognises the most influential people in the residential leasehold property sector.

The boss

The 150 staff at Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown have a new General Manager. Matt Hill, who started with Haskins as a Retail Assistant at the centre in 1995, has returned to Ferndown as the General Manager. Since 2006, Matt has been both assistant general manager and then general manager at one of the sister centres at West End, Southampton.

Welcome aboardTara Rezaei is the new Digital Marketing Executive for Condor Ferries.

Promotions

Tim Dunford and Zoe Ball have been promoted at the south coast office of Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management services group. Tim moves up to Manager within the tax division, from Assistant Manager; while Zoe has been promoted to Assistant Manager, from Senior, at the firm’s audit arm.

Harbour CFO

Poole Harbour Commissioners has appointed Doug Kettlewell FCMA – a financial leader with extensive global senior management experience – as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Britain’s best baker

A top cake decorator who once decorated a Royal wedding cake, has been crowned the nation’s Baker of the Year at the Baking Industry Awards 2014 – the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.Mark Bennett, who is Managing Director of recently launched Patisserie Mark Bennett in Sherwood Avenue, Poole, won the prestigious accolade after also branching out into artisan breads and launching a small chain of shops in just two years.

L-r: Hugh Dennis, Mark Bennett and Steve Wells

Fight night

Paul Woods at the CRN Fight Night being announced the winner!

Paul Woods, Managing Director of Bournemouth-based business Astute Ltd has recently taken part in the CRN fight night raising £2,867 for Autism Wessex.CRN Fight Night hosted its seventh event this year after raising over £180,000 since the first fight in 2008. It is always a great event with over 450 industry professionals cheering on the heroes who fight to raise money for their nominated charities.

Heavenly staffDomestic Angels has recently promoted Marie Raggett and Lisa Cooper to Team Leaders as the business goes from strength to strength.

New motorcycle divisionClose Motor Finance, part of Close Brothers Group Plc, has appointed Julian Oliver as Motorcycle Account Specialist in the south west.

New route

Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries has appointed Mark Slawson OBE as Fleet and Technical Director.

Technology at workAccording to a recent CBI/KPMG London Business Survey, it will be the technology and creative industries that will drive London’s growth in the next five years, closely followed by professional and financial services.However, employers ranked retaining key staff, and a lack of appropriately skilled job seekers, as the biggest concerns over the next year. The majority of firms (52%) are increasing headcount, and only 15% are continuing with a recruitment freeze, down 3% on the previous quarter.This edition of The Business includes an article on page 20 which highlights the steps being taken to getting more women in the tech industry; the November magazine will include a special feature titled ‘Technology at Work’. This will focus on companies in our area that are playing a key role in the technology sector.

Gill Bevis, EditorThe survey was carried out between 7th May and 3rd June 2014.

Surveyor starts

MC Plan & Site Services, a leading firm of independent building inspectors in the south, has welcomed Jamie Edwards to the team.

Firm addition Porter Dodson has welcomed Mark Banham to its Dispute Resolution team following completion of his two-year training contract with the firm.

Personality counts

Greendale Construction Ltd’s HR/Finance Director, Maria Seabright, attended the prestigious CITB Pride of Construction Awards in Billingsgate, London, on 10th September 2014, hosted by presenter, comedian and actor, Alexander Armstrong. Maria attended the event having been shortlisted to one of just three exceptionally strong finalists for the CITB Personality of the Year.

LA trainees

L-r: Francesca Rhodes, Kiri Canavan, Sian Rowland, Tim Woollard, Victoria Hudson, Annabel Bond, Jackie Rushton and Phiroze Daver

Eight new trainee solicitors have started their two-year training contract with Lester Aldridge (LA).Francesca Rhodes, Kiri Canavan, Tim Woollard, Victoria Hudson and Annabel Bond joined LA this month, with Sian Rowland, Jackie Rushton and Phiroze Daver already working at LA in different roles. They join nine other trainees who have just started their second year at the firm.

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Blue Chip delivers £0.5m IT refresh for Sunseeker International

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The Secret of Success is not to be a SecretTel 01202 874079 • gareth@wordcaster.net

WPR Wordcaster Public Relations Business News

business news

IT specialist, Blue Chip has delivered a £0.5m IT Infrastructure system refresh for Sunseeker International, manufacturers of the world’s finest motoryachts.

While the existing system implemented by Blue Chip in 2007 had worked very well, the company had expanded and was experiencing a significant data growth year-on-year leading it to rethink its IT strategy. Blue Chip’s Sales and Marketing Director, Anthony Green, said, ‘We were one of three companies invited to tender and our proposal provided a forward thinking, end -to-end solution that embraced new technologies, whilst also incorporating project design, implementation and our industry leading 24/7 support.’

Blue Chip implemented the £0.5m enterprise solution, comprising technologies from VMware, Citrix EMC, and Veeam. As Sunseeker was already virtualised, the major IT refresh focused on replacing ageing core infrastructure with new enterprise technology that gave Sunseeker higher performance, additional functionality, enhanced resilience and room for future expansion in line with the company’s growth strategy. In addition, Blue Chip provided Sunseeker’s Disaster Recovery (DR) and a new Backup Solution via its datacentre facilities. Blue Chip will continue to provide full support and maintenance via its 24/7 Service Desk which is crucial for an international company operating in different time zones.

l www.bluechip.uk.com

expansion plans for Hendy PowerHendy Power, the award-winning industrial and marine engine division of the Hendy Group, has confirmed that it is set to relocate its entire sales team to brand new facilities at Swanwick Marina and move the repairs and service side of the operation to larger premises in Leigh Road, Eastleigh.

Speaking at the PSP Southampton Boat Show, Hendy Group Managing Director Paul Hendy said the division, set up in 1968, has enjoyed exceptional growth and the £250,000 investment in new facilities would enable Hendy Power to continue its planned expansion in this area.

Swanwick Boatyard – the new home of Hendy Power sales team

Store & Secure wins top award for UK self-storage industryBournemouth-based self-storage company Store & Secure has won a UK self-storage industry’s top award!

Facility Managers Lucy and Sophie Maidman walked away from the ceremony with the award for ‘Best Facility UK, Independent Operators 2014’ – and have now been shortlisted for the similar category at the European awards in Sweden on 30th October.

The awards were held jointly by The Federation of European Self Storage Associations and the Self Storage Association United Kingdom.

Lucy Maidman of Store & Secure

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If you’re looking for a new challenge, have recently been maderedundant or need a new start talk to SOS recruitment!

Contact a member of the SOS team now:Call: 01202 292888 | Click: jobs@sosrecruitment.co.ukCome in: 181-183 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1JUOr to: 212 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1PDwww.sosrecruitment.co.uk

WHY NOT GET A FRESH START THIS AUTUMN

We specialise in Contract, Temporary and Permanent recruitment at all levels, covering:Administration, Banking, Business Development, Customer Service, Finance, HR, Insurance, IT, Legal, Management,

Marketing, PR, Property, Sales, Construction, Engineering, Industrial, Technical, Healthcare and Domiciliary

business news

Acting on behalf of Siemens Benefit Scheme, joint agents Goadsby and CBRE are pleased to report that the last vacant unit at Priory Industrial Park has now been let to Precision Fabrications Ltd.

Commercial Recycling has renamed its popular BH waste grab bag collection service to Easy Bag. Visit the new website www.easy-bag.co.uk

Royal Mail Group has announced the Stroke Association as its new charity partner for the next two years.

Southampton Airport has received a Which? Recommended Provider accolade in the consumer champion’s latest UK airports survey. The survey found that smaller airports are, on average, providing a better experience than larger ones and Southampton made it into the top six airports in the UK.

Bournemouth has been named as one of the highest growth areas in the UK as part of an economic study by financial advisors Grant Thornton.

The Weymouth BID will launch ‘Freaky Streets’ a Halloween celebration providing lots of fun activities for the half term break in October. Businesses are invited to create the ‘Best Freaky Window Display’ which will be judged by the public.

Teachers Building Society has announced a record-breaking month for mortgage lending and savings deposits in August 2014. The Wimborne-based mutual saw the amount of mortgage lending rise by 50% year on year to £9.1m, the highest amount of lending in one month in its near 50 year history.

Digital Trading has designed and launched an intelligent online search portal for listing properties for sale and to let in the UK and internationally.l www.propertymutual.co.uk

There’s mortar DWP Housing Partnership

Steve Wells outside the St Swithuns Rd development in Bournemouth

Dorset’s biggest private landlord has completed three new developments in Bournemouth, creating 33 homes. DWP Housing Partnership invested almost £2.5m on the sites in St Swithuns Road, Windham Road and Cromwell Road. They are part of an on-going commitment to create more affordable, self-contained homes in the area.

Demand for these types of properties means that the new flats were filled immediately after completion. Already the landlord has over 3,000 tenants and is adding to that number all the time.

Including developments in progress, DWP Housing Partnership has in the last four years committed to invest £13.5m in new builds across Bournemouth and Poole.

DW 2014 123 X 185 29/4/14 11:02 Page 1

The Christmas Decorators help Dorset businesses step into a stress-free Christmas in styleWhile the season to be jolly can be the most prosperous time of the year, it can be a stressful time for staff dealing with spikes in sales, leaving little time for hanging decorations. But, argues David Britton, Managing Director of the newly opened Dorset branch of ‘The Christmas Decorators’, getting your business into the Christmas spirit is one of the best ways to increase staff morale and productivity over the festive season – and it doesn’t have to be stressful.

David says, ‘One of the most important factors in meeting increased demand over the Christmas period is a motivated workforce. Festive decorations can go a long way to brightening a stressful atmosphere, keeping the Christmas spirit front of mind and helping staff pull together as a team.

‘However, many businesses find themselves squeezed for time in the run up to Christmas, this is where The Christmas Decorators’ service can be a real gift.’

Not only are The Christmas Decorators experts in designing bespoke festive décor for business exteriors and interiors, the service includes decoration installation, disassembly and, importantly for businesses strapped for space, year-round storage.

With a range of clients, from Tower Park to Dike and Son’s independent supermarket based in Stalbridge, The Christmas Decorators are able to cater to any number of styles, from

nostalgic Victorian décor to cutting edge modern themes.

Decorations are available to hire or purchase and prices begin at £500, with installations ranging from a single Christmas tree to fully-themed winter wonderlands with twinkling lights, garlands and wreaths.

To find out more, please visit www.thechristmasdecorators.com and select ‘Dorset office’ from the contacts page, or call 01258 839194.

Liz Lean PR has wrapped up a new contract with The Christmas Decorators. The contract will see the Sandbanks-based communications firm develop a fully integrated communications strategy for The Christmas Decorators, including all media relations.

Tanner & Tilley Town Planning celebrated 20 years in business during September on-board The Princess Caroline Party Boat.

Epson has launched the first-ever portable business projector to feature QR code connectivity.

Some 44% of working mums would consider sharing their maternity leave with their partner, according to a survey by Workingmums.co.uk

The Ropemakers pub in Bridport raised nearly £2,000 for Parkinsons UK at its 25th Birthday Bash.

Dorset hairdressing chain, Synergy, has expanded its portfolio of salons further with the introduction of a fourth outlet in Penn Hill, Poole.

British brands including Dorset’s Lush sign trade deals with IndiaIconic British brands are flocking to India to take advantage of booming growth and ever increasing spending power. The retail sector in India is currently worth £309bn, with growth of 25% a year expected by 2016. British companies including United Biscuits, Lush Cosmetics and Pavers Shoes are taking advantage of India’s growth with new ventures recently announced.

Dorset-based Lush Cosmetics, the iconic brand from the British high street, is expected to open its first shop in India after receiving approval from India’s Ministry of Commerce. The shop in Mumbai would give the company an initial foothold in the country.

BRAND+SOUL DELIVERS FOR THE PRIME MINISTER

The Brand+Soul team

Dorchester-based design consultancy, Brand+Soul, has designed and produced an interactive Learning Resource about the British Armed Forces as a special commission for Prime Minister, David Cameron. It aims to raise awareness within schools and encourage greater understanding about the diverse work of the Armed Forces and the incredible commitment they make to protect and secure our future.

Bridport company signs cooperation agreement with UMOAmSafe Bridport announces the signing of a cooperation agreement with Polish defence company UMO, to work together to launch AmSafe Bridport’s Tarian® rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) armour system into the Polish defence and security market.

AmSafe Bridport’s experience in developing Tarian, a revolutionary, lightweight and flexible RPG vehicle armour system, combined with UMO’s track record in establishing advanced, specialised military hardware products into Poland’s Special Operations Command and Police units, means that this agreement will offer UMO’s customers the latest in RPG protection technology for defence and security vehicles, both within Poland and on international peace-keeping missions.

Tarian is a highly effective solution for protection against RPGs and also the world’s lightest. Developed in close collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), the Tarian system has been extensively tested – including over 750 live shots – in the UK,

France and the USA. This testing verified Tarian’s high level of performance and multi-hit capability. Tarian was launched in 2009 and it is now fitted to a variety of British military vehicles, including those in service in Afghanistan, following a £10.6m order from the MOD in 2012.

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business news

Customer-centricity key as business builds on successRebrand highlights business’s continued customer commitmentDorset Chartered Accountancy and Financial Services business, Ward Goodman, has undergone a significant rebranding process, highlighting the ever-increasing focus on the importance of its customers’ needs, whilst building on an already successful history of helping people for over 25 years.

With a refreshed logo and new company tagline of ‘Your Success is our Business’, Ward Goodman highlights the importance of continually delivering client centric services that are focused on helping companies, and individuals, achieve their financial goals.

Ward Goodman’s services are delivered through a director-led strategy, with key client managers in support. Together, these specialist teams hold a proven ability to pro-actively help customers to achieve their objectives.

Ian Rodd, Managing Director at Ward Goodman said, ‘With the customer at the core of the rebrand, we have been able to evolve our company’s service design, meaning that no matter whether a client requires our expertise in accountancy, financial management or our suite of other important services, customers will have one key point of contact as their primary liaison – something that will make our already outstanding customer experience even greater!’

Tim Barna, Marketing Consultant at CW Marketing, worked with Ward Goodman on the rebrand: ‘Through this project, we’ve helped Ward Goodman realise their company vision of working even more closely with their clients. In doing so, Ward Goodman will cultivate deeper relationships with their existing clients, and start the right conversations with new prospective clients too.’

The rebrand modernises the already well-known logo, whilst Ward Goodman continues to maintain its trusted name, and continues to offer financial and business advice, led by a hardworking team of industry experts.

To find out more information, visit www.wardgoodman.co.uk

‘One to Watch’ by the Sunday Times

L-r: Andrew Mabbutt, Managing Director and Matt Eames, Sales Director, Feefo

High AspirationsTristan Webb, Managing Director of Aspire Insurance Services and a colleague scaled some dizzy heights in September as part of a 6 day challenge for charity.

Paul Francis and Tristan climbed North Africa’s highest peak, Mount Toubkal in Morocco in aid of Epilepsy Research UK.

Tristan said: “The charity is very close to our hearts, as Andy’s 7 year old daughter Emelia suffers from epilepsy and, being a parent myself, I can’t begin to imagine how this must affect the whole family.”

Epilepsy is a debilitating condition that can strike ANYONE at ANYTIME and it turns lives upside down. It affects 1 in 103 people and tragically results in the sudden death of 500 to 1000 people in the UK every year.

For more information on Andy’s story and to donate, please visit http://Uk.virginmoneygiving.com and go to ‘Paul and Tristans Toubkal Challenge’ page.

For more information regarding the products offered by Aspire Insurance Services, or to see how Tristan may assist you to find the correct level of cover, telephone 01202 851165 or visit the website at www.aspireinsure.co.uk

Tristan Webb and Paul Francis

Too tattooed to work?With one in five Britons now having an inkedmasterpiece on their skin, it’s no surprise that tattoosare making their mark on the workplace.

Employees are widely reporting feeling "discriminated”against because of their body art and many job applicantsare feeling "victimised” because of their tattoos. Can youdiscriminate at the recruitment stage though? Is it evendiscrimination if the candidate ticks all the right boxes, butyou turn them down because they have a tattoo?

Under the Equality Act 2010, it is possible to discriminateat the recruitment stage (and even earlier at the jobadvertisement stage). As with employees, applicants canbe discriminated against in respect of one of the nineprotected characteristics (age, disability, genderreassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancyand maternity, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation).

In terms of tattoos however, unless it can be shown thetattoo is linked to someone’s religion or belief, it is notactually discriminatory to refuse to employ someonebecause of their ink. Indeed, tattoos and piercings arespecifically excluded from constituting a “severedisfigurement” under disability discrimination legislation.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)have produced guidance for employers to follow during therecruitment process and a detailed Code of Practice whichurges employers to open up job opportunities to a varietyof potential candidates so that the best talent can besourced, whilst avoiding stereotypical assumptions.

It is not unlawful for employers to have anti-tattoo policies,although with the increasing number of young people now"getting inked”, it may become more difficult for employersto turn talent away because of tattoos. Likewise, withmany online petitions and tattoo-lovers lobbying for the lawto change, it is possible that it may be amount todiscrimination in future.

For further information please contact:

Jemma Pugh, Solicitor01202 702627 jemma.pugh@LA-law.comwww.lesteraldridge.com

Radikls expansionRadikls.com has acquired the Portsmouth-based internet services company Siteweave – www.siteweave.net.

After 12 successful years in business the owners will now retire.

Pet store to the rescue of Waggy TailsThe pet store group PamPurredPets raised over £1,181 for the Dorset based animal rescue and rehoming charity Waggy Tails Rescue, thanks to the support of suppliers and business contacts from the pet trade who attended the company’s annual fun day. Based from the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst, the guests participated in kayaking and split into teams for laser combat.

Suppliers also pledged to donate over £1,700 worth of dog food.Anyone who can offer support for the charity, or would like to foster

or rehome an animal, should call 01202 875000.

l www.waggytails.org.uk

L-r: Nicky Chapman with Pixie, Steve Fowler and Chrissie Davies

New production for talented TV teamStitchcombe Productions, alongside UK production team Kate Beal and Matt Blyth, based in the south, have announced the acquisition and full ownership of the UK production company Talent TV South, which will now be known as Woodcut Media.

Woodcut Media will focus on the production of documentaries, specialist factual and factual entertainment, as well as lifestyle programming. In addition to working with broadcasters in the UK on local commissions, the company will also be looking to expand further into the international production arena over the coming months.

Matt Blyth and Kate Beal

Feefo has been selected for The Sunday Times Tech Track ‘Ones to Watch’ list, beating off hundreds of other private companies to be singled out as a firm expected to achieve significant growth in the near future.

The Tech Track 100 list, published in September, reflects companies with the fastest growing sales over the last three years. Each year, a handful of businesses are also highlighted as ‘Ones to Watch’, including firms like Feefo that have experienced significant growth but have not yet accrued enough years of trading to qualify for the main list.

Feefo, the global feedback engine, has grown from five to 60 employees in just four years, with over 1600 businesses across retail, travel and financial services now using Feefo to gather ratings and reviews from genuine customers, including major household brands such as Expedia, Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts, Axa Insurance and Travelzoo.

Burgess Marine acquires Meercat Workboats

Britain’s largest independent ship repairer Burgess Marine has successfully acquired Hampshire-based Meercat Workboats Ltd.

Meercat, which will retain its own brand name, currently builds custom road transportable multi-role workboats up to 18m in length at its yard in Portchester, near Portsmouth.

With plans to expand, the company has

appointed Jason Coltman as Managing Director. Burgess Marine, which has its headquarters in Dover, is already

building two wind farm support vessels for Mainprize Offshore Ltd.The company will complete these builds and then launch the two new vessels as Meercats.

Subject to berth availability, the aim is to exhibit the first of these two new vessels at Seawork in 2015 in Southampton.

Burgess Marine also has facilities at Southampton Portsmouth, Gosport and Portchester among its depots nationwide.

Jason Coltman

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business news

New AS350 helicopter joins the Airways Aviation UK fleet

The new AS350 based at Airways Aviation at Bournemouth Airport.

Ollie Pennington, Managing Director of Bournemouth-based Airways Aviation Group took delivery of the latest aircraft to join its Bournemouth Airport based fleet. The near new AS350 Squirrel helicopter, worth £1.5m made the flight from London to Bournemouth in just 35 minutes.

The widely used AS350 will also be available for advanced training and type ratings including pilots wishing to convert to a turbine powered helicopter.

The UK base currently trains approximately 20 student pilots a year and since September is also offering additional specialised Aviation Foundation theory course for those who are looking for a well structured pathway and wish to gain a first step to their formal Commercial Pilot License training.

Councils rewarded for small business support

FSB representatives, councillors and council officers attending the FSB Small Business Friendly Awards

Councillors and officers, involved in economic development, from across Dorset were brought together for the sixth annual Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Small Business Friendly Awards. These awards identified the best small business friendly initiatives undertaken by the region’s local authorities, and also highlighted the benefits for the county’s small businesses.

The winners were: Most Innovative ‘Small Business Friendly’ programme, project or campaignBoURNEMoUTh BoRoUGh CoUNCIL – for the introduction of the Bournemouth Community Finance Company which has been a trail blazing initiative, and is now offering loans to fledgling, micro and small businesses based or actively trading in Bournemouth.

Best All Round Small Business FriendlinessDoRSET CoUNTy CoUNCIL – the council was presented with this award for its continuing commitment to support business. The council currently offers a wide range of initiatives designed to help local SMEs, including a commitment to ensuring sufficient broadband coverage.

The awards were introduced by the FSB Wessex Regional Vice-Chairman, Tim Colman who praised the councils for their commitment to small businesses within their respective areas.

Charity cliffhangerHelen Stacey from Aspire Jobs and her friend Claire Hudson Cooper, who works as a paediatric nurse for Julia’s House, along with Claire’s sister and auntie, recently abseiled down 85ft cliffs in Portland on behalf of the charity Julia’s House.

The fundraising total raised by Helen is at £1,700 so far which Helen says: ‘is way beyond what I ever could have imagined – people have been so generous including family, friends and clients.’

She added, ‘It’s obvious a lot of people wanted to see me go over a cliff! I cannot thank everyone enough for their support and donations – it’s for such a worthwhile cause.’

If anyone would still like to donate they can contact Helen at Aspire Jobs on 07974 429217.

Uniform Management & Branded Products

01202 473311taylormadedesigns.co.uk

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Helen Stacey

Engage Executive Jobs will be introducing its new Executive Recruitment Director, Sally Bennett, when it holds a recruitment workshop with Hannah Cook from Young Enterprise for the Poole Chamber on 15th October 2014.

Sally joins Engage having gained a wealth of knowledge across recruitment and HR management, with over 12 years’ experience working in both agency and corporate organisations. Being keenly aware that people are key to the success of a business, and recruitment of the right people in a timely manner essential, Sally’s previous role as Business Partner at Farrow and Ball saw her recruiting on a global basis, including direct campaigns and management of third party agency relationships and working in partnership with different functions across the organisation, offering advice on additional areas of people management.

Jobshop UK and Engage Executive Jobs Director, Frances Miles, said: ‘One of Sally’s strengths is her ability to source top executive talent across the UK to match with relevant roles and assignments for a variety of clients and their business needs. In the current market, it is now more important than ever to look after and know your candidate base, and have the network to meet your client’s needs in a smart way. Sally definitely brings this expertise to Engage.’

Along with Jobshop UK and Engage Executive Jobs Director, Tracey Wood, Sally will give attendees to the Poole Chamber workshop a round-up of what the job market is looking like for recruiting staff and how this has changed over the last 12 months, as well as practical advice on how to ensure that you are the ‘employer of choice in a candidate short market,’ and how to get the edge over your competitors.

Sally will also be assisting with mentoring and advising students as part of Jobshop UK and Engage Executive Jobs’ involvement with the Young Enterprise programme.

employment talk

1 The Triangle, Bournemouth BH2 5RY Tel: 01202 674488 | www.engageexecutivejobs.com

ENGLISH FOOD & DRINK FIRMS PLAN MORE THAN 65,000 NEW JOBS WITHIN NEXT FIVE YEARS

Firms in England’s food and drink sector are planning to create tens of thousands of new jobs in the next five years, according to a new study by Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

The report, Global Ambitions, found an industry with soaring confidence and plans to invest, innovate, create new jobs and expand across the globe.

The study, which surveyed English producers and manufacturers of alcohol, fresh produce and food and

drink products, was completed to understand the opportunities and challenges faced by companies in the UK’s largest manufacturing sector.

Optimism in the sector is certainly high with 89% of respondents saying that they expect to grow over the next five years. The majority plan to take active steps to grow by developing new products (77%), entering new markets (70%) and creating new jobs (70%).

The research indicates that food and drink firms will create a startling 66,942 new jobs in England over the next five years.

David Richardson, Regional Director, Head of Manufacturing, Mid Markets at Lloyds Banking Group, said, ‘England’s food and drink industry weathered the recession well and has the same optimism and tenacity that has underpinned its success so far. The report paints a positive picture for the long-term – this is an innovative and ambitious industry set to create a huge number of employment opportunities.’

David Richardson

Sally Bennett, Recruitment Director

SMes duped by job seekersAs many as 18% of small and medium sized firms across the south west have received a fraudulent reference for a potential job candidate, a survey has revealed. Of that number, more than two fifths (44%) say that it has happened between one and five times in the last five years alone, while a third state that they have received more than 10 dishonest job references in that time period.

The figures, which are drawn from the Close Brothers Business Barometer, a poll of SME owners and senior management across the UK, also suggest that the most commonly received false references in the south west are for entry or low level positions (44%), followed by mid-level positions (33%).

Robin Goddard, Regional Director for Close Brothers Invoice Finance in the south west said, ‘The scale of reference falsification in the region is quite surprising but also alarming. Employee fraud could pose a significant threat to a small business both in terms of its image, reputational damage and ultimately financial wellbeing.

‘An artificial reference could be used to exaggerate experience, cover up breaks in employment, or to conceal an otherwise poor recommendation from a former employer. It’s not difficult to imagine how hiring someone who has in some way deceived you about their work history could potentially cause serious issues down the line.’

The Close Brothers Business Barometer also found that more than half (58%) of employers in the south west are unaware of the existence of websites that offer fictional references in return for a fee.

‘Managing the risk of employee fraud should be high on the list of priorities for all businesses and it merits attention in a firm’s overall risk management strategy,’ added Mr Goddard.

l www.closeinvoice.co.uk

Sally Bennett to head-up Engage Executive Jobs as

Executive Recruitment Director

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finance matters

MAZARS LAUNCH TAX AND ACCOUNTING APP A new tax and accounting app for your mobile phone has been launched by international accountancy and business advisory firm, Mazars.

This easy-to-use app brings useful advice and guidance about tax affairs as well as money saving tips direct to your phone. With a series of tax tools, it will help simplify your daily taxes with just a press of a button.

Functions include a handy business mileage tracker which keeps a reliable record of business miles as you travel as well as a currency converter for those international business trips.

When it comes to dealing with those dreaded tax returns, the easy-to-use Tax Facts table provides relevant tax rates so you can calculate an approximate guide to how much tax you will need to pay. It will even help calculate your level of stamp duty when moving house. And to keep that business brain alert, there’s a regular brain teaser with a prize draw for submitting the right answers.

‘The Mazars app is perfect for business owners, financial directors and managing directors who want quick and reliable updates on money matters,’ said Richard Meller, Director of Tax with Mazars. ‘We have developed it specifically with our client needs in mind offering a 21st century approach to professional financial advice.’

The Mazars Tax Tools App can be downloaded free from the iTunes store https://itunes.apple.com/app/mazars/id900536632?mt=8

The App is also available for android devices.

Richard Meller

Banking on businessLloyds Bank Commercial Banking has appointed Paul McCluskey as Head of Professional Practices for SME banking, where he will lead a 100-strong team of relationship managers, supporting the growth of law and accountancy firms across England and Wales.

Get started with a start-up loan

Chris Darlow

Budding entrepreneurs across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight are being encouraged to take up government backed start-up loans to launch their enterprises.

with submitting a business plan, which is part of the process.

Additionally, WSX will arrange for a mentor to work with the business for 12 months after the loan has been disbursed.

A Financial Times report indicated that 20% of failed businesses would still be trading had they sought qualified advice and guidance from the start.

Chris Darlow, from WSX Enterprise, said, ‘Over the last

year around 16,000 new start-up businesses were registered in Hampshire and Dorset and many more were in the process of launching.

‘The failure rate is too high and we need it to come down significantly. This is why the initial guidance and subsequent mentoring support is so important. In many cases the free support programme is as important as the money.

‘The loans are available as long as a business has been trading for less than a year, and they are

strongly encouraged to apply through WSX.

‘We’re aware that there are many businesses starting up and some may not realise that both the loans and free support are available.

‘I’d encourage them to get in touch with us and apply for a loan which could make all the difference.’

National Minimum Wage The National Minimum Wage rates increased on 1st October 2014.Different minimum wage rates apply depending on the

circumstances of the worker. Factors such as a worker’s age, the provision of accommodation, travel time and uniform hire can all affect how much a worker is owed and must be taken into account by the employer.

To check what rates you should be paying to each worker visit www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage

Business support specialist, WSX Enterprise, is working in partnership with delivery partner South West Investment Group, which administers the loans - the minimum amount being £500.

With a competitive interest rate of 6%, this government scheme is aimed at giving embryonic enterprises the nourishment to start, develop and grow.

WSX Enterprise will provide the necessary guidance to applicants

By Bilal Khan, Head of Compliance at Daisy Group Plc

needs to put in place as its risk treatment. A proactive approach to patch management and penetration testing can be key. There is a lot of useful information to help you understand risk ranging from government guidance, ISO standards, such as ISO 31000, to professional bodies.

What constitutes a risk?Business risks are diverse and range from IT, environmental, reputational, credit, regulatory and financial risks. Often these risks fall into more than one category. For example, failure to comply with environmental regulations can result in a regulatory fine and damage to a company’s reputation. Understanding the activity that a company undertakes and conducting risk assessments can help assess potential threats, the likelihood of events occurring and the impact those events could have.

Responding to riskForward planning and senior management involvement is important. Defining your risk assessment methodology, risk appetite and risk tolerance are also early steps in the process. However, there are many factors to

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) 2014 report into risk management and corporate governance, companies need to increase their understanding of risk.

Many businesses focus on financial risks, particularly in the years since the recession. However, businesses should make themselves aware of risk in a wider context, and if or how they want to treat them.

A good risk management system cannot be the sole responsibility of one qualified member of staff, or indeed staff purely in managerial positions. In reality, employees through various levels of a company contribute to managing risks.

As an example, in relation to IT risk, embedding good information security controls through a business can address many vulnerabilities. That is why in most organisations, it is company policy that employees change their password on a regular basis. But it does not stop there. The likelihood of vulnerability being exploited can vary depending on threats a business faces and its understanding of controls it

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consider when responding to a risk. You can avoid the risk, transfer it, mitigate or accept it. Your business should have a clear risk assessment methodology that helps to make the final decision.

Mitigating riskWhen taking action to mitigate risk, it’s worth considering what you are already doing, how that is working and whether anything else needs to be done. Also take the time to think about who can control the risk- is it one department or is it all members of staff? Make sure you fully understand the risk and what you are trying to achieve in terms of your risk management system.

If your company is dependent on IT then your IT provider may be able to help. If you are using cloud services your provider may have implemented the appropriate ISO 27001 controls, or better still, have achieved independent certification. This could reduce the likelihood of IT risks occurring.

Working effectively with your IT and telecommunications provider to implement the appropriate packages can reduce your business risks.

Visit www.bizmag.co.uk2014 October 13Visit www.bizmag.co.uk October 201412

hotel |restaurant highlight

Daish’s Holidays open for 2014 Turkey and Tinsel bookings Daish’s Holidays, the chain of hotels on the Isle of Wight and south coast of England and Group Travel Awards Most Group-Friendly Hotel Chain 2014, is taking bookings for its Christmas themed break.

From October until December 2014, holidaymakers can enjoy a festive four-night stay at any of the company’s seven seasonally decorated hotels. The Turkey and Tinsel breaks involve a different Christmas theme every night: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.

Daish’s Holidays’ seven hotels are in some of the most sought-after resorts in the UK.

In 2014, Daish’s Holidays acquired two hotels in prime locations in Weymouth. The Hotel Prince Regent and Russell Hotel are located on the seafront, just a short walk from the shops and town centre attractions.

Prices for the Daish’s Holidays Turkey and Tinsel breaks start from £139 per person.

l www.daishs.com

ChristmasPARTIES 2014

Suitable for small and large groups. Our party nights include a 3 or 4 course meal, hats, crackers, novelties and disco until 1.15am.

Additionally our fun Casino Theme Nights include everything our Party Night does and more:

Blackjack Table Professional Croupiers Roulette Table Novelty Money

PARTIES

2 0 1 4

So if you’re looking for something different then book now to avoid disappointment.

For full details request a Christmas Events brochure today.

Book now, call 01202 552262

Priory Road, Bournemouth BH2 5DH

sales@trouvillehotel.com | www.trouvillehotel.com

Head of hotel expansion for Europe

Simon Walford

Meininger hotels have appointed Simon Walford as Head of Development for Europe.

Simon’s appointment will help attain Meininger’s objective to establish a presence in all key European cities within the next five years. Meininger hotels currently have 16 hotels in 10 European cities.

Summer salesThe Hotels & Leisure Division of Goadsby reports a busy summer season with a number of hotel sales having been concluded. Certain selected sales include the 26 bedroom Water Garden Hotel fronting the busy Christchurch Road, the stylish Topaz Hotel in the heart of Bournemouth’s renowned West Cliff and Washington House, also on the West Cliff, a sympathetically refurbished Grade II listed building.

Selling off a combined quoting price of £2.5m, each of the three purchasers were, unusually, local to Bournemouth with quite diverse and varied business plans.

Ian Palmer, Divisional Director, commented, ‘Whilst every transaction seems to be increasingly difficult to conclude, we have enjoyed quite a successful run of hotel sales of late. The quality of purchasers has markedly improved, with cash rich individuals accepting that economic conditions are now

Topaz Hotel

Water Garden Hotel

Washington House

right to withdraw their savings and invest, in spite of continued limited support from the lending institutions. I would reasonably expect this trend to continue into the autumn, and hopefully beyond.’

With a number of further hotel sales currently in solicitors hands, Goadsby is actively seeking new instructions to replenish its register.

Portland’s four star retreat closes, but looks to new beginningsThe Ocean Hotel and Spa, based on the Isle of Portland, has announced its closure as a four star hotel. Managing Director Verna Herry says, ‘We have worked tremendously hard in recent times to build and market the hotel as a welcoming spa retreat and our four star status from Visit England endorses this. However, with the building work on the new Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy about to commence we now

recognise that the hotel and its location is no longer an attractive destination for guests seeking a luxurious peaceful break.’

Verna further commented, ‘My personal passion has always been focussed on training and sharing knowledge. In time we will re-locate our business and create a spa and training academy that will not only provide wonderful treatments but also offer training to students interested in health and beauty.’

THe SAFARI HOTeL, Westcliff, is in the popular coastal town of Bournemouth. Within a five minute walk you can access seven miles of golden sands, Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth International Centre, Oceanarium, Bournemouth Gardens and Town Centre providing regular public transport links.

THe SAFARI HOTeL offers 14 letting rooms (all en suite), licensed bar, restaurant providing 32 covers, which can also be hired privately and tailored to your needs for business meetings and small functions.

The business is built on excellent customer service and enjoys a strong reputation with the local community and as such has a high level of regular and repeat custom.

THE Safari HoTEl

FOR BOOKINGS CALL: 01202 290782OR EMAIL: safaribistrohotel@hotmail.com91 ST MICHAELS ROAD, WEST CLIFF, BOURNEMOUTH, BH2 5DR

THE NATION’S BEST INNA Dorset pub owned by Palmers Brewery has been named Inn of the Year in the Good Pub Guide 2015. The New Inn at Cerne Abbas has also been awarded the county’s Dining Pub of the Year title for the third time.

Landlord Jeremy Lee said he was delighted and proud that The New Inn had been selected as the nation’s best inn.

‘It is all about being consistent in what we do,’ he said. ‘From the minute a guest picks up the phone to book a room, to the welcome they get when they arrive, the comfort of

our accommodation, the food and service, to the breakfast awaiting them in the morning, we want them to enjoy the whole experience.’

The New Inn has 12 comfortable letting rooms equipped with all the facilities expected by today’s discerning guest. Each room is named after a local chalk stream, including the infamous River Piddle.

The former 16th century coaching inn, which is Grade II listed, underwent a major refurbishment in 2012 in one of the biggest single refurbishment projects ever undertaken by the Bridport brewery.

The Chewton Glen recently reclaimed its place as Number 1 UK Holiday Hotel at the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards.

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hotel | restaurant highlight

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BATES RESTAURANT350 Charminster Road,Bournemouth, BH8 9RXTelephone: 01202 240310Open Tuesday - Sunday.Lunch from 12 noon.Evening meals from 6.30pm.Dinner A La Carte£20 - £25.Starters £3.75 - £7.50.Mains £12 - £18.Saturday Night Table d’hôte £22.95.Sunday lunch 3 course menu £14.50.

For casual dining in homely surroundings John and Cheryl Bates restaurant offers you an extensive new a la carte menu and wine list. A good selection of meat, fish & vegetarian dishes with additional daily specials are all available. Special dietary requirements, such as gluten free and vegetarian catered for.

Party bookings for up to 45, with table sizes from 1 to 18 persons.

www.batesrestaurant.co.uk

An ACE achievement

Chicken Shack spreads its wingsJust 11 months after opening their first Rotisserie Chicken restaurant in Boscombe, the founders of Chicken Shack have launched unit number 2 in Winton. AFCB Steve Fletcher cut the ribbon on what was a momentous day for this casual dining start up.

Picture by Christian Lawson

New Manager at The Grosvenor Arms

Weymouth eateries flock to be part of 6 week foodie event Feast Weymouth, supported by Weymouth BID, takes place throughout the month of October until the 15th November. Weymouth’s top eateries have come together to provide fantastic menus at great prices as a way to celebrate all of the great independent restaurants, pubs and cafés there are in Weymouth.The Roundhouse Hotel, Gloucester House, Acqua Beach Weymouth, The Esplanade and B&B Weymouth are all offering discounts on rooms throughout the Feast promotion and Weyline and Fleetlilne taxis are also offering 10% off journeys to and from participating venues.Participating eateries include:Acqua Beach WeymouthThe Balti House The Bluefish Café & RestaurantChilli’sThe Crow’s Nest in the SquareThe Dining RoomThe Dorset Burger CompanyEAT: DorsetThe Galley BistroThe George Bar & Grill The Gurkha Bars & RestaurantThe Handmade Pie & Ale HouseIl PortoMallamsMarlboro RestaurantMing WahMoby Dick’sThe Monkey’s FistOasis Bistro & Wine RoomThe Portland Pizza CompanyThe Red LionSenseShelley’s RestaurantThe Ship InnThe Spice ShipVaughan’s BistroWaffle On Zafran

Nathan Bryant has been appointed General Manager at The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury, which is well known for its excellent food under the direction of Head Chef, Neil Duffett.

Nathan was previously with the ETM Group, which owns London pubs and restaurants including The Botanist in Sloane Square. At ETM Nathan was

General Manager for a number of the group’s key restaurants including The Angel and Crown and The Cadogan Arms. Nathan will be supported by Assistant General Manager Diana Nagle, who has held several positions in luxury hotels worldwide and has recently joined the team to develop the experience guests receive when staying at the hotel.

Executive Chef Matthew Budden of the Highcliff Grill at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel has been named European Chef of the Year after receiving the Marriott Europe Award for Culinary Excellence (ACE). Established in 1998, the award identifies and recognises chefs who have a passion for great food and who have emerged as true culinary leaders.

Out of the 53 nominated chefs all over the globe, Bournemouth-based Budden came out on top for Europe in recognition of his work and effort towards

the local community and food sustainability

The ACE award is the third Marriott Europe award that the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel has been honoured with during 2014; with Matthew being presented with the Food and Beverage Culinary Achievement Award in April and his chef apprentice Dusan Osadsky winning the Europe-wide Dessert competition in May with his own creation of White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Fresh Seasonal Strawberries and Basil.

Visit www.bizmag.co.uk2014 OctoberVisit www.bizmag.co.uk October 201416 17

www.tmb.uk.comhello@tmb.uk.com

You and your customers make the perfect team. Every business needs happy customers in order to succeed, here’s 6 tips to enhance those relationships.

1. Plan aheadCreate a timeline of activities which you plan to do throughout the year to enhance your relationships and manage their projects to keep in regular contact. Don’t just respond to them when they ask for help, actively seek out new ways to communicate and let them know you’re there.

2. Communicate regularlyCommunicate with your customers on a regular basis via an enewsletter. Let them know about your news, new product releases, recent achievements, industry news and how your company can provide them with what they need.

3. Happily every afterValue your customers’ opinions by asking how you could improve your product or service for future developments. Customers often have great ideas (from adding an extra button to your buying process to offering greater online support). Treat them as partners rather than customers to really build upon the relationship.

4. Ask for feedbackDon’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Collect testimonials and use them on your website to show the world the great things your customers think of your products and service. It shows your customers that you value what they think, and it shows prospective customers that you care.

5. Create brand ambassadorsLoyal customers can become your best ambassadors by recommending your product or service through word of mouth. Give them the best experience, reward them for their loyalty and they’ll be sure to recommend you to their friends, family and networking connections.

6. Get clever with the competitorThe competitor will always be just around the corner waiting to lure your customers away with smarter technology, a wider product offering and multi coloured unicorns.

But one bond they cannot break is the powerful relationship between your team and your customers.

MARKETING MASTERY

01202 483244

About the author: Dom Yeadon, e-marketing consultant of 18 years, heads up digital marketing agency TMB in Poole and specialises in increasing revenues through improved marketing communications.

You + your customers= the perfect team

Mike Lombard of UKh2o, the Westbourne based specialist supplier of Kinetico water softening systems, and all matters relating to plumbing and heating, has been in the plumbing industry for over 20 years, and started fitting water softeners when his wife opened Ripples luxury bathroom showroom in Westbourne.

Many families now have ‘wet rooms’ instead of, or as well as, traditional bathrooms. Soft water doesn’t cause staining to the grout between the tiles and no lime-scale can form either, which is perfect for bathrooms, of all types. Shower cubicles, tiles, sinks and baths therefore do not become stained with the calcium which is dissolved in water.

Mike commented, ‘The water supplied throughout

most of Dorset is classified as

being “hard”, so wet rooms and bathrooms benefit

in many ways from having a water

softener installed.’

The Ripple effect...

Mike Lombard

Ripples showroom is open six days a week, and Victoria, owner, welcomes all enquiries about bathrooms and wet-rooms. To contact Ripples please call Victoria on 01202 766886 or by e-mail bournemouth@ripples.ltd.uk and to find out more visit www.ripples.ltd.uk

If you would like to contact Mike at UKh2o for a no obligation consultation, call 01202 653006 by e-mail mike@ukh2o.co.uk or to find out more you can visit www.ukh2o.com you can see customer testimonials at www.reviewcentre.com

are there significant financial savings to be made, but as energy usage is reduced there will be less emissions contributing to global warming too, complying with the long term aims to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.

Kinetico is a world leading water treatment specialist with over 40 years experience and pioneered the non-electric valve, they still lead the world today. Together, UKh2o and Kinetico offer the perfect solution to all water treatments, with both Industrial and commercial systems being available.

He continued, ‘The installation of a water softener will prevent ongoing limescale damage to plumbing and heating systems, showerheads and other wash-room features, as well as provide the benefit of a limescale free environment which is particularly significant in the shower areas.’

With soft water, up to 75% less detergent, washing powder, soap and shampoo is used, and the latest government figures estimate a saving of up to 25% on energy bills due to washing machines, boilers and hot-water cylinders remaining more efficient.

With ‘green issues’ being so high on the governments agenda it would appear that there may be a case for all homes to be fitted with a softener. Not only

Limescale deposits could be avoided.

A one-stop shop... for press releases and photography guaranteed to get you noticedRowan White Photographic telling stories in pictures and words for 29 yearsFor all your photographic requirements from Architecture to Web, from Conference to PRA coffee and a chat will cost you nothing... ‘One call to me and I’ll come to you.’

Contact Noel White on 01202 518618 or e-mail: noel@rowanwhite.co.uk

19R O WA N W H I T e P H O T O G R A P H I C t e l l i n g s t o r i e s i n p i c t u r e s a n d w o r d s

Condor Office Solutions Ltd, the locally based supplier of photocopier and print solutions has recently become the first Canon partner to win a newly introduced prestigious European Award.

Condor Office Solutions wins european Award

Call: Tom on 02380232444

More than ever, employees are demanding a balance between their working lives and their family lives – a trend that has been gathering momentum, particularly over the last 5 years.

Get your company noticed with corporate and PR photographyRowan White Photographic is a one-stop shop for press releases and photography.

Noel White and his team are recognised for their creative flair and professional approach. They are the preferred choice of many hotels, restaurants, manufacturers, architects, interior designers, retail shops, PR companies, advertising agencies and cosmetics brands throughout the UK and especially within Dorset, Wiltshire & Hampshire.

Noel White comments, ‘Just a close-up shot of a handshake is not enough. Creativity is a very important part of the work we do and we pride ourselves on providing creative and effective ideas that make your event unforgettable.’

If you have an event to be covered, a story to be told, or would like to be featured on these pages call Noel White on 01202 518618 or e-mail noel@rowanwhite.co.uk

Paternity suits...

The second, and even more significant in respect of employers, is that with effect from 5th April 2015 legislation will come in to force giving increased leave to co-parenting employees. Shared parental leave regulations will be further enhanced and eligible parents will be able to share between them up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay. The compulsory maternity leave period of two weeks for the mother will remain, in addition to the 50 weeks of shared leave. This will enable parents to take leave simultaneously or to interchange

their leave, whichever is more appropriate.

Lesley commented, ‘This new legislation is good news for employees, but for employers there may be serious implications in deciding how best to cope with the effect this new legislation will have on the operational functionality of their businesses. Additionally, expectant parents will want to exercise their rights, so employers need to familiarise themselves with the rules and set up procedures for administering leave requests’.

To arrange a confidential, no-obligation FREE half hour consultation please phone Lesley Walford on 01202 739249 or e-mail lesley@consensusemploymentlaw.co.uk

you can find out more about Consensus by visiting www.consensusemploymentlaw.co.uk

Lesley Walford

With this in mind, Lesley Walford of Consensus Employment Law feels that employers need to be fully aware of new legislation which is about to be implemented.

As of 1st October 2014, the first of two changes in allowable leave for expectant mothers and fathers will come in to force. Firstly, under the new shared parental leave legislation it is proposed to allow the husband, civil partner or partner of the pregnant woman the right to unpaid time off to attend up to 2 ante-natal appointments.

Andrew Thomas of Canon UK Ltd commented, ‘Building a sustainable business and making the most of the resources we use is very important to Canon. That’s why we decided last year to introduce a new Sustainability award, recognising a Partner who has either taken steps to improve the sustainability of their own business, or who has helped a customer to meet their sustainability goals by delivering a Canon solution. The inaugural Sustainability award goes to Condor Office Solutions from the UK.’

In response, Rob King, Sales Director of Condor Office Solutions

stated that, ‘Condor has used its knowledge of a specific industry to successfully target and help a number of customers to meet their print and cost requirements whilst also implementing an environmentally friendly solution using Canon factory-produced new copier models.’ He continued, ‘We are already recognised by Canon as being the best all round photocopier and print solution supplier in Southern England, so this new award will serve to further enhance our ever growing reputation.’

For more details of Condor office Solutions products please contact Rob or Joe on 01202 537709, or by e-mail on rob@condoroffice.co.uk joe@condoroffice.co.uk or you can find out more by visiting www.condoroffice.co.uk

Visit www.bizmag.co.uk October 201418 19

QUAYSTONE: THE POWER BEHINDwww.bizmag.co.uk

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QuarterPage.indd 1 20/04/2011 18:24:59

techno times

Make a date with CheekyBooNew Dorset-based company CheekyBoo launched at Bournemouth University during September’s Freshers Week.

CheekyBoo is a new, fun and easy-to-use dating/social networking app that is available to download free on the Apple Apps Store.

Developed by local businessman Ben Mitchell, the app has been designed to service a multi million pound industry, which is proving that more people than ever, are using the power of social media and online dating to meet their dream partner.

The secret to CheekyBoo’s success is in its simplicity. It is free to download and incorporates GPS/3G tracking so that you can detect other CheekyBoo users to within 1,000 metres of your current location. There is no fixed database so the people you can search for are always changing, keeping the results fresh and up-to-date. With no additional fees to pay, you complete your profile and can have up to 9 pictures and a character bio.

Taking Bournemouth and Poole by storm, Bournemouth University agreed that the app could be promoted at its Freshers Week. With an influx of 4,000 students the numbers of downloads is set to rocket.

CheekyBoo is currently in preparation stages for the app to go nationwide in 2015, meaning that the potential number of possible matches will keep on increasing where ever you are in the UK.

l www.cheekyboo.me

Taking little steps to getting more women in the tech industryTech entrepreneur, and ANS Group Founder and Chairman, Scott Fletcher MBE has praised the government for taking the initiative and encouraging more women in the tech industry, but British firms must also take action.

Having been in the tech business for 20 years, I have seen the industry boom and now we’re looking at a digital

economy where most new businesses IT is an integral part of, or is the be all and end all of their business, it is essential that, as an industry, we expand and offer more opportunities for everyone. Particularly now the economy is recovering we are seeing demand for labour far outstrip supply and it is only going to get worse.

My aim is to ensure that there are more women in the tech industry.

It may seem like a simple challenge, but there are an alarmingly small number of women in the digital economy. If you compare the UK’s record to say, India and China, we have a poor record in hiring women.

I have always been looking to hire women, but not enough are applying for tech-related roles. With ANS’s Cloud Academy, which was launched in the summer of 2013, only two women have ever applied for the apprenticeship, compared to over 100 young men. This is simply not good enough.

At the moment, girls see IT and think it’s a boy’s subject and are therefore likely to go for more creative roles. The education system needs to tell them that computing is a very creative subject. It’s just that at the moment, schools are teaching ICT which, in theory, is advanced secretarial work rather than modern web, or mobile application development.

Thankfully, however, I have noticed that the government is seeing this as a problem.

I met with e-skills, the technology sector’s skills council funded by the government and they offer projects and support to young people looking into excelling in the technology sector – something I have been campaigning for a long time.

e-skills fund projects running with various universities up-and-down the country, but they also concentrate on those younger to get them into the digital economy.

More specifically again, they have initiatives which encourage more women to get into the technology sector. Programme such as CC4G (Computer Clubs for Girls), an initiative aimed towards girls as young as 10, used in over 200 primary and secondary schools in the UK is a promising start to getting more women in the tech industry.

It is great to see that there are government funded schemes like e-skills which are taking the effort to encourage more women in the tech sector.

But the government cannot work alone in encouraging more women in the tech industry. We need them as technology continues to revolutionise the way we live and work.

‘Don’t run with scissors!’The word business advisers have been pushing to the fore in recent years has been ‘resilience’.

If something goes wrong, will your business still be able to function? What, if the ‘unexpected’ happens, would you do if your income stream suddenly stopped? It’s not so much saving for a rainy day, but what if a rainy day makes your roof cave in?

One doesn’t have to be a pessimist to think the worst case scenario when some vandal glues your locks, or you lose the only set of keys you have to your shop... the burglar alarm contract you allowed to lapse and a member of staff left the back door unlocked and all the cashmere jumpers have gone overnight... there’s a power cut and all your food stock has perished...

It’s amazing how many businesses keep their bins close to their properties, yet it takes one rogue match or a passing opportunist arsonist to test the Fire Brigade’s response time.

How about that telephone cable that’s dangling within arm’s reach?Should anyone pull it overnight, you could be waiting all the next

working day for your customers to call!How do jewellers lose stock to someone with a pickaxe handle or a

brick? Surely, unbreakable glass has been around a long time; hanging bandit proof sheets of glass on chains behind your main windows sees them swinging but unbreached, frustrating the smash-and-grabber.

Yes, it costs a bit more.Have you an insurance policy for income replacement should illness, or

any of the other unexpected bad fortune above strikes?Sometimes we can’t trust in luck alone and have to engineer ‘resilience’

into our business plans (like a spare engraving machine!).Our mums’ told us never to run with scissors, nor with the bulls of

Pamplona... so don’t trust in luck.Nigel P. hedges, the small voice in Business

the voice

Nigel P. Hedges

Social media is so much more than posts and #hashtags

To make social media really work for business you need a defined strategy at the start. Whilst a process with focus on key commercial business outcomes is increasingly necessary in order to avoid the ‘time drain’.

Often businesses adopt social media with a scattergun: think about it when we get there approach. However, this does nothing to embed it into your business and can leave you feeling disheartened with results, and could leave you susceptible to a PR disaster when that funny, satirical, ill considered post goes viral.

To see a host of examples of where big and small names have got it wrong, Google ‘social media PR disaster’. Social media is an opportunist, both good and bad. It provides any business with a worldwide stage to showcase its personality, develop an identity, create imaginative stories and become an influencer far exceeding traditional marketing activity. Todays audience has grown up with technology – they can buy from competitors anywhere around the globe, 24 hours a day; as much as this is a limitation it is also a wonderful opening.

Business though needs to get it right. With a little work at the start you can create a powerful marketing platform. To make social media really work for your business join ‘Breaking Social Media’ for a series of local, no-nonsense, zero-to-hero workshops that will help you demystify social media and embed it into your business so you can move on to your next priority. Beyond exploring the ‘how to’, Breaking Social Media examines customer behaviour, commercial outcomes, brand personality, risk and reputation, providing essential tools that can be rolled out across all marketing communications to ensure you are robust, considered and unique.

l www.breakingsocialmedia.co.uk

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Scottish referendum commentStewart Dunn, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive, said, ‘Scotland’s historic decision to remain part of the United Kingdom will be a relief to many business people and a disappointment to others, but it was a decision for the Scottish people alone to make. Businesses will now expect Westminster and Holyrood to reach a devolution settlement that is clear, fair and swiftly executed. If Scotland is to take greater responsibility for its own tax and spending decisions, it is only fair that this activity is not subsidised by increased costs levied on businesses here. Any devolution deal for Scotland should trigger a new debate on local autonomy in England. Local businesses deserve a say in how a new, less centralised UK is governed in future.’

Visit www.bizmag.co.uk2014 OctoberVisit www.bizmag.co.uk October 201420 21

Learn how you can do business abroad

Warner Goodman Commercial is pleased to announce a forthcoming seminar on ‘Doing Business Abroad’, an evening of presentations in Southampton for SMEs interested in trading, expanding or operating overseas.

By some estimates, the decision to trade internationally can result in profit and income increases of over 20%. It is for this reason that the UK government has placed such a high priority on encouraging international trade among British SMEs.

The seminar will focus primarily on trading with the United States and

European mainland and will cover issues that are of most concern to SMEs including cross-border tax considerations and the treatment of VAT. As well as external speakers, the presentations will include members of the Warner Goodman International Commercial team with Geoffrey Sturgess discussing the challenges of international contracts, US Attorney at Law and UK Solicitor Jonathan Strassberg presenting on how to minimise the commercial risk when training in or with America, and Aled Williams advising on how to trade with the Far East.

Steve Grant, Head of Warner Goodman Commercial, said of the event, ‘Our International Commercial team has expanded considerably within the last couple of months, and so we are using this opportunity to share their vast experience and knowledge with businesses in Hampshire. Many businesses are now looking at overseas markets, but a large percentage of them are unaware of the pitfalls, and this is where our seminar will assist.’

The free event will be held on Wednesday 15th October with registration beginning from 5.30pm.

To book your place, e-mail karenhill@warnergoodman.co.uk

sponsored by:law lines

Taking Care of Business Our Business Legal Services:

T: 01202 525333 E: email@ellisjones.co.uk www.ellisjones.co.uk

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To fi nd out how we can help you call us on 01202 294566 or visit www.steeleraymond.co.uk

My business has been through huge change during the many years I’ve worked with Steele Raymond. I know I can always rely on them for trustworthy and forthright advice.

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Steve GrantDecline in tribunal claimsNew figures released by the Ministry of Justice reveal a 71% drop in employment tribunal claims compared with the same period in 2013.

The Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 turns 40The Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 fulfils a very real need for the protection of the health and safety of people at work where they are likely to be exposed to hazards and risks that are significant. By the end of this year the act will have been in place unchanged for 40 years. Every government review of the legislation since it was introduced, there have been three in the life of this present government, has found no grounds to recommend change. Indeed on every occasion they have upheld the legislation as entirely suitable and fit for purpose.

Unfortunately however, there are many people and organisations who have jumped on health and safety as a reason to avoid doing something they don’t want or can’t be bothered to do. They detract from the real purpose of the act and have led to stories in the press characterised by the ‘elf and safety’ jobs-worths.

To counter those who take this approach the Health and Safety Executive set up a panel through which apparently silly health and safety rules could be challenged. Issues which it has considered have included:

A parcel courier stating that for health and safety reasons customers cannot drop or pick up parcels at their local depot. On investigation the company policy was found to be that parcels could be both dropped off and picked up at any of their depots. At one depot a manager had over-ridden the rule, using health and safety as an excuse, because it was commercially more advantageous to do home pick ups and deliveries.

A deaf employee with a hearing dog who accompanies them to work was told that it was against ‘health and safety’ to empty and refill the dog’s water bowl with fresh water using the sink in the kitchen nearest to her workstation. She was expected to take the bowl into the toilets: going through three doors, two operated by a pass system, to dispose of the water and then collect cups of water from the kitchen to fill the bowl at her desk. The Health and Safety Executive response was that there are in fact no health and safety regulations which could conceivably stop the filling, or emptying, of a working dog’s water bowl in a kitchen area.

The key point is that health and safety at work is about taking sensible pragmatic steps to control hazards and avoid risk based on the likelihood of injury, ill-health and its severity.

Peninsula’s Health and Safety Service clients receive sensible pragmatic advice from their allocated consultant and can call a 24 hour advice line for support and answers to issues as they arise.

To discuss your business requirements call 07791 594697.

BL Claims expandsBL Claims Solicitors has made three key appointments following its launch as a new brand.

The firm, which specialises in clinical negligence, personal injury and travel claims, has appointed David Healy as a Partner and head of the personal injury team.

David joins the firm from Sampson Coward in Salisbury. Originally beginning his career in commercial and private litigation, he now has more than 15 years’ experience dealing with clinical negligence and personal injury claims.

He specialises in multi-million pound clinical claims, usually involving brain or spinal cord damage, cases with clients who

have been involved in motorcycle and cycling accidents and claims against the armed forces.

Deborah Lewis, also previously of Sampson Coward, is another new appointment. She has more than 14 years’ experience in personal injury litigation and specialises in injuries arising out of accidents at work, particularly as a result of dangerous equipment or unsafe workplaces.

She also has experience with clients who have been involved in road traffic accidents, particularly those involving serious injuries.

Martin Usher, previously of Berrymans Lace Mawer, joins BL Claims Solicitors as an Associate. Martin has seven years’ experience and has dealt with a broad range of claims. He specialises in high value and catastrophic injury claims.

BL Claims Solicitors is part of the Blake Morgan group which was formed following the merger of Blake Lapthorn and Morgan Cole at the beginning of July.David Healy

STEELE RAYMOND STRENGTHENS TEAM WITH NEW APPOINTMENTSDorset commercial law firm Steele Raymond LLP is delighted to announce the recent appointments of Senior Associate Simone Ritchie and Partner Sue Adams.

experience. She is returning to her home town of Bournemouth having spent her career to date in Manchester, where she studied at the University of Manchester and Manchester Business School. Since qualifying as a solicitor, Simone has amassed a very significant range of experience at DWF LLP and more recently Eversheds LLP, one of the world’s largest corporate law firms.

Sue Adams will join the tax team, reinforcing its position as one of the strongest tax teams in a law firm in Dorset. Dual qualified as a solicitor and chartered tax adviser, she has many years’ experience in all aspects of private client work. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), and holds a distinction in the STEP advanced diploma in UK tax for international clients.

Chairman Tim Stone commented, ‘Steele Raymond

continues to be at the heart of commercial law in Dorset. We have very ambitious growth plans to further underline our market leading position, so we’re delighted to be welcoming such high calibre solicitors to the team.’

Steele Raymond provides trusted legal advice to successful businesses and individuals.

Find out more at www.steeleraymond.co.uk

Sue Adams

Simone will join the firm’s top tier rated dispute resolution team, bringing with her a broad range of property litigation

Simone Ritchie

Winchester attorneys grow and rebrandAs the demand for protecting intellectual property has grown, Chapmanmolony has expanded its team of highly skilled patent and trade mark attorneys. To reflect the larger team the company has now rebranded to Chapman+co.Based in Staple Gardens in the centre of Winchester, Chapman+co is one of the fastest growing firms of UK and European patent and trade mark attorneys. As well as having offices in Cardiff, London, Warwick and Swansea, the company has a network of trusted overseas attorneys, which enables them to operate around the world.

Visit www.bizmag.co.uk2014 OctoberVisit www.bizmag.co.uk October 201422 23

families at work

The Essence of Family BusinessHoburne Holiday Parks has been shortlisted for another national award in a photographic contest.

The photo competition titled The Essence of Family Business attracted entries from companies across the country. This picture taken at the outdoor pool at Hoburne Bashley in New Milton has been listed as a finalist for the Abstract award.

Winners will be announced at a gala reception and dinner in London during October.

Paul Andrews, Founder and Managing Director of Family

very ‘essence of family business’, which was our intention. Awards will be given to the winners of the three categories, Heritage, Generations and Abstract with an overall winner of the Essence of Family Business 2014.

‘The judges have a tough decision to make, but, notwithstanding that there will be winners, all of the photographs are an incredible insight into families that work together, the way that they have evolved over generations and the great variety of sectors that family businesses operate in.’

Bridging the family business generation gap

� 80% of the next generation of family business leaders have big ideas for change and growth

� 88% say they have to work harder than others to ‘prove themselves’

� And 59% say gaining the respect of their co-workers is biggest challenge

� Report identifies three gaps to bridge for family businesses: generation; credibility; communication.

The transition from one generation to the next can make or break a family business; and as the ‘baby boomers’ hand over to the ‘millennials’, the risks of getting it wrong have never been greater.

The results of recent research by PwC, talking to more than 200 family members likely to take over family businesses in 21 countries worldwide, looks specifically at the issue of succession and how family firms prepare for these changes.

The report identifies three areas where a mis-match of styles, ambitions and plans could cause difficulties for UK family businesses which account for over 9 million jobs, around UK

£80bn in annual tax receipts and nearly a quarter of total GDP*.

The generation gapHenrik Steinbrecher, PwC global middle market leader, says, ‘The world has changed out of all recognition since the current generation took over, and the pace of change can only accelerate in response to global megatrends like demographic shifts, urbanisation, climate change and new technology.

‘The handover for ‘first generation’ businesses – those making the transition from start-up venture to family firm – is commonly the most fraught. Of those taking over under these circumstances; 20% say they’re not looking forward to running

the business, compared to 8% for respondents as a whole.’

The credibility gapBearing the family name can work against the next generation. 88% say they have to work harder than others in the firm to ‘prove themselves’. 59% consider gaining the respect of their co-workers is the single biggest challenge they face.

Promotion to CEO is no longer automatic for the next generation, with a growing number of family businesses being prepared to make tough succession decisions. The survey revealed that 73% said they were looking forward to running the business one day, but only 35% thought that was definite, and as many as 29% thought it at best only fairly likely.

The communications gap There’s a tendency for some in the older generation to overestimate how well they have run the business, while underestimating their children’s capacity to do this as competently as they did.

Sian Steele, PwC Partner and family business specialist in the

UK, says, ‘Members of the current generation often comment that their children aren’t sufficiently entrepreneurial and aren’t prepared to put in the long hours they did to build the business while, down the hall, their children are wishing their parents would embrace new technology and new ideas.

‘This sort of impasse can slow down decision-making and lead to the phenomenon of the “sticky baton”, where the older generation hands over management of the firm in theory, but in practice retains control over everything that matters.’

The survey reveals that as many as 64% think the current generation will find it tough to let go.

Henrik Steinbrecher, PwC global middle market leader, concludes, ‘Firms that manage succession well are those that plan many years ahead – ideally, five to seven years in advance – accompanied by ‘sensible conversations’ that address roles, responsibilities, and timings.’

* Source: Institute of Family Business, The UK Family Business Sector: Working to Grow the Economy, Nov 2011.

Business United, who are hosting the awards, said, ‘There are some truly beautiful images from

family firms all over the UK, a real vibrancy and diversity to them and they really demonstrate the

How VoIP can help families at workWith the increase of small businesses in the UK market, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) is becoming ever more popular due to the low cost and flexibility the service offers. VoIP allows users to make both local and international calls over the internet moving away from traditional land lines making long-distance phone calls inexpensive.

VoIP Unlimited receives requests daily from small businesses looking for cost effective ways to work from home. As experts in VoIP services working with trusted partners, VoIP is able to offer a range of options, including services that not only enable employees to work from home, but also present themselves in multiple locations.

This is achieved through number mobility, a benefit of VoIP; as long as IP connectivity is present, the phone device can use the same number virtually everywhere in the world. This is perfect for working at home and in the office; call logs, call features and voicemail access are upheld also. Conference calls can be achieved through using VoIP allowing business owners to project a more professional image of their company while saving money, particularly when calls within the same VoIP platform are free of charge.

To find out more about the ways VoIP Unlimited can help your family-run business reduce costs and improve communication with customers and suppliers, please visit www.voip-unlimited.net

VoIP Unlimited is offering you the chance to win a free VoIP Unlimited mug*. There are words hidden within the puzzle below. Simply find the remaining nine words and tweet @VoIPUnlimited a picture of the finished puzzle to claim your prize.

*Conditions apply, for details visit www.voip-unlimited.net/competition-details/

Bournemouth electrical firm marks half a century in business

Gillian and Richard Drewitt with members of staff outside their headquarters in Ringwood Road, Poole.

To help celebrate its anniversary Drewlec is sponsoring the Bournemouth Hospital Charity and Macmillan Caring Locally ‘Light up the Prom’ event on Friday 24th October at Bournemouth Pier.

The Drewitt Group was founded in 1877 and combines Drewlec Electrical Services, Drewsons Building Maintenance and Drewsons Plumbing and Heating Services.

The company launched when Charles Henry Drewitt started a building business in New

Drewlec Electrical Services, part of the renowned Drewitt Group in Bournemouth, is celebrating 50 years in business.

Since 1964, the firm has provided electrical services to commercial clients across Dorset, Hampshire and southern central England. Drewlec expanded and developed its expertise in

the early 1990s by adding the installation and maintenance of fire alarm and emergency lighting systems to its offering.

Drewlec has recently completed the installation of a brand new fire alarm system in Poole’s Forest Holme Hospice. Other clients include Hedge End Retail Park in Southampton and Sibbett Gregory. Malden, Surrey. His son Charles

James Drewitt, known as James, moved to Bournemouth in 1911 where he established Drewitts.

The Drewitt Group is now run jointly by brother and sister Richard and Gillian Drewitt. Gillian said, ‘Fifty years is a fantastic milestone for Drewlec and we are proud of what we have achieved in that time. We pride ourselves on providing a high quality service and we are lucky to have had a dedicated and skilled workforce to represent our business.’

Wimborne 01202 882456wimborne@dibbens.co.uk

3 West Borough | Wimborne | Dorset | BH21 1LU

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Road test: Volvo V40 By Tim Saunders

Facts at a glanceT4 SE (Nav) 5dNew price range: £18,995 - £31,900Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 51mpg0-60mph: 7.5secs

Hills show a car’s mettle.I live in an area rich in a variety of differing landscape, which ranges from flat to

steep. Just round the corner is a particularly awkward hill for those walking up it or pushing a pushchair. I know. So when I drive many cars up it there are few that actually surprise me in their ability to tackle it.

But the 1.6-litre 177 bhp Volvo V40 T4 does. Bear in mind that even nowadays most cars still prefer to be warmed up before being driven. I never have the time to do this and so no sooner have I started the metallic silver five door hatchback it is confronted with this hill. We’re in second gear and it flies up it without a stutter. I am impressed.

Deep down I will always be a petrol head despite the fact that necessity demands that I drive a more sensible and efficient diesel. The Volvo is a remarkably fast family hatchback that will hit 60mph from standstill in 7.5secs and go on to 140mph!

It’s a phenomenal car; a five door hatchback that sits low to the ground like a sports coupe. It therefore doesn’t disappoint when being driven. The driving position is first class. The seats are supportive. The six speed manual gearbox is slick. And it sticks to the road and corners at speed brilliantly, giving the driver supreme confidence. The ride is quite hard as one might expect from a sports car. After all this is a T4; the particularly sporty Volvo. I’m a little unsure about the design of the rear but despite this it is certainly distinctive with hints of earlier Volvos. The test model is finished in a rather conservative metallic silver where perhaps a louder colour such as sky blue might be more befitting as indeed might black alloy wheels...

Inside, the luxurious interior features heated and cooled front leather seats, air conditioning and all round electric windows.

This is a fast, slick sports car that is also a good size five door family hatchback. It is not just fast but also safe thanks to its plethora of

safety features which include intelligent cruise control. When this is engaged it automatically measures the distance from the car in front and brakes and accelerates accordingly.

Parkers, the car experts, say: ‘Volvo, sick of BMW and Audi taking the limelight in the medium hatchback segment, has thrown down a gauntlet in the form of its V40. An all-new car, the Volvo V40 is a sleek and classy looking five-door hatchback that will target the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Engines include a low-tax 1.6-litre diesel engine that emits just 94g/km of CO2 with a claimed average fuel economy of 78.8mpg. That means it’ll be seriously efficient and cheap to run for company car drivers and private buyers alike. Volvo also offers a version with a T5 petrol engine that produces 254bhp, allowing the V40 to get from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds. Typically, Volvo safety is high on the list with all manner of active systems that are available as standard or as optional extras. It is the first proper five-door hatch that the Swedish company has made for a long time, and because Volvo wanted a car with a low-slung bonnet it had to think outside of the box to conform to pedestrian safety standards.

‘So, it stuck an airbag under the bonnet. This unique system features a bank of seven sensors in the front bumper that activates the airbag if it thinks the car is about to hit a pedestrian. The system then lifts the rear of the bonnet clear of the engine and puts a cushion over the base of the windscreen and front pillars. In a belt-and-braces approach there’s also a camera on the front that’ll prompt automatic braking if it detects an obstruction. Inside there’s some nice touches including newly designed seats, a frameless rear-view mirror and a backlit gearknob.’Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz

Top speed: 140mphPower: 177bhp

network news

New club offers free support to people considering self-employment

Christine Collins

Swap your bed for a sleeping bagHomelessness charity, the Society of St James, urges local people to swap their bed for a sleeping bag and help give homeless young people a future through a fundraising event.

The Society of St James is partnering with other charities across the UK as part of a national initiative called End Youth Homelessness. The flagship event of the partnership is the country wide Sleep Out held at various locations on 6th November 2014.

The Sleep Out will happen in the Guildhall Square, Southampton, on Thursday 6th November from 7pm to 7am.

Participants pay £25 to register and commit to raising a further £250 in sponsorship.

l www.ssj.org.uk/sleep-out

A growing nest in Bournemouth

Nest Space is a bright, professional studio in Bournemouth town centre, perfect for growing businesses.

Business Membership launch at Pavilion Dance South WestBournemouth and south west dance charity, Pavilion Dance South West, is introducing a new business membership ‘Business Supports Dance,’ in a drive to connect local businesses to the valuable work that the organisation does across various sectors of the community within the arts, health and education sectors.

The launch event will take place on Thursday 19th October from 4.45pm at its Bournemouth venue, Pavilion Dance. Key business people and their families are being invited to a special performance of Ballet Black’s Dogs Don’t Do Ballet, a hilarious adaptation of Anna Kemp’s popular book about a small dog with big dreams.

Deryck Newland, Artistic Director of Pavilion Dance South West, explains this slightly unusual combination: ‘Business and families operate very much in the same space. More now than ever the “health” of our businesses affect families, and equally the same is true – health and happiness of family life affect the wellbeing of businesses’ workforces.

‘This is a perfect opportunity to bring ‘family’ and ‘business’ together and tell a story about a key facet of our work. Benefits include an opportunity to engage with a relaxed creative environment, attend our special events, entertain clients as well as take advantage of meeting space and discounts on staff packages for dance that promote a healthy work force.’

A club for people wanting to start their own business has launched in Weymouth and Portland, supported by funding from EU’s European Regional Development Fund.

Membership of the New in Business Club is free of charge and it provides a forum for people to explore the challenges and opportunities of starting a business. The Club is aimed at those with little or no experience of being self-employed but are attracted to the idea of being their own boss. It also helps people in the early months of trading.

The club is organised by Christine Collins, Enterprise Adviser for Weymouth and Portland, WSX Enterprise.

Attendance is free but places are limited and must be booked in advance.

For more information contact Christine Collins on 07740 403942.

World’s top networkers reveal the secrets to their successThe thought of networking is something that strikes fear into many people and drives others to tears of boredom, but in today’s connected world, networking, both online and offline, can be the key to achieving business goals. Effective networking means establishing a reputation for your expertise that sets you apart from competitors, but how can you develop the skills to network effectively?

Help is at hand from a new book, The Complete Guide to Professional Networking by Simon Phillips, which outlines strategies, practical techniques and exclusive tips from some of the world’s most successful networkers to achieve powerful results.

Published by Kogan Page the book is priced at £19.99.

Nest Space, a professional co-working studio for freelancers and small businesses based in Bournemouth town centre, has recently celebrated its first birthday.

The Nest network is going from strength to strength as more small businesses discover the productivity and networking benefits of co-working. More than 50 companies are now part of Nest, many of whom run their businesses from

the beach-side studio on a part-time or full-time basis. Members include writers, designers, social media professionals, illustrators, photographers, film-makers, web developers, app developers, game developers, 3D designers and audio editors.

Nest also hosts regular events – many of which are open to the general public – from creative lunchtime talks, to keynotes with world-renowned speakers such as Mike Hayes, former CEO of SEGA.

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PCP fuelling boom in new car sales

As the UK new car market enjoys its 30th month of successive growth in August, the biggest contributing factor to the boom is the use of personal contract purchase (PCP) schemes, says Sales and Marketing

Director of Close Motor Finance Paul Kaye.‘The wish to trade up after years of recession

is part of the picture, as is performance, fuel efficiency and safety advances of new models,’ explains Paul. ‘However by far the biggest factor is finance, especially the use of PCP schemes and eye-catching, low interest rates.

‘FLA figures show that 75% of all private new car buyers now use dealer finance, compared with just 5% in 2008, so there is a clear cultural shift away from an ownership model towards a renting or leasing model.’

He adds, ‘Buyer behaviour certainly appears to be changing and that’s true in terms of choice of finance products themselves.

‘PCP is increasingly replacing the old-fashioned hire purchase (HP) agreements, the biggest difference being that a PCP plan will give a much lower monthly payment than an HP.’

Paul says, ‘As we enter the second major registration month of the year, the automotive retail sector is anticipating a further bumper month of new car sales as the continuing growth trend shows no sign of abating.

‘According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, new car registrations for 2014 are predicted to be 8.1% up on last year. As we’ve seen in previous years this will likely have a knock-on effect, driving up used car stock over the coming months.

‘These new car figures certainly seem to reflect the feedback we are getting in the marketplace. In a recent Close Motor Finance survey of more than 200 dealerships of all sizes across the UK, two thirds (66.5%) of respondents said business was better than this time last year, 28% said it was about the same and only 5% felt it was getting worse.

‘We predict further strong growth for finance products that can be tailored to meet a range of customer budgets by offering flexibility on key contract terms. We are continuously evaluating our product portfolio to provide the best deal for our customers, whilst delivering added value to our dealer partners’ businesses.’

Paul Kaye

Visit www.bizmag.co.uk October 201426 2014 October 27

transport focus

New vehicles for West Hants Club

L-r: Peter Elviss, Chief Executive of the West Hants Club with Julian Boughton CEO of Alan & Thomas.

Local firm invests over £2m in new machinery

Isle of Purbeck and Poole-based stone, aggregates and sheet piling group Suttles, has invested over £2m altogether over the last quarter to further bolster its machinery and transportation fleet, due to increased demand and to replace some of the older fleet with newer, more environmentally-friendly models.

This sizeable investment is spread over its three divisions, including Suttle Stone Quarries, Suttle Natural Stone and Suttle Projects.

Director of Suttles, Chris Suttle, said ‘In addition to investing in essential new company equipment, Suttle Stone Quarries is also investing in a further LGV driver position, where the applicant will be sponsored to take a new LGV Driver training scheme, followed by on the job training to become a professional driver to Suttles’ extremely high standards.’

For further information about Suttles, call 01929 439444.

Aftersales serviceTower Park-based Breeze Volkswagen has strengthened its offering by introducing a new aftersales call centre and service team to ensure customers receive high levels of technical expertise from the point of purchase.

Specialists will be on hand to book vehicles into the workshop, remind customers when their MOTs and services are due and advise on mechanical and technical issues.

Amanda Taylor, former Business Manager at Breeze Volkswagen who has worked at the showroom

for over a decade, has been promoted to Service Manager and will head the aftersales centre.

Dorset’s only independent chartered insurance broker, Alan & Thomas (A&T), has cemented its relationship once again with The West Hants Club in Bournemouth by renewing its sponsorship of the club’s vehicles.

The club, based in Talbot Woods, has just taken delivery of a new Nissan mini bus and electric Nissan Leaf car and Alan & Thomas has stepped up once again to share the running costs. In return, the A&T badge is prominently displayed on both vehicles.

Used for transporting the club’s junior and senior members all over the country to tennis competitions, the vehicles are an important asset for the club and one which Chief Executive Peter Elviss is extremely grateful for. ‘A lot of our junior members rely on the club to provide transport to tournaments up and down the country so we are particularly appreciative of the support from Alan & Thomas. Our relationship goes back a long way and we are pleased to see it continuing.’

Avon Material Supplies ‘Grab’ - a new 26 tonne lorryDorset-based supplier of recycled aggregates, Avon Material Supplies (AMS), has taken delivery of a brand new 26 tonne, 6 wheel grab lorry. The versatile lorry will join the 20 strong fleet of lorries that AMS currently operates across Dorset, Somerset and West Hampshire.

The grab lorry has been manufactured by commercial vehicle experts Scania and supplied through its own dealership in Poole. This order comes in addition to the seven 32 tonne tipper lorries Scania has supplied to AMS during the last 12 months.

renault.co.uk

BUSINESS USERS ONLY. Finance provided by RCI Financial Services Ltd, P.O. Box 149, WD17 1FJ. Subject to status. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands) to apply. At the end of the contract you will not own the vehicle. Further charges may apply subject to mileage and condition at end of contract. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.renault.co.uk or your local dealer for full details. All prices exclude VAT. Offers available valid on eligible vehicles when ordered and registered by 30 September 2014. Example based on (3+35) 3 rentals in advance followed by 35 monthly repayments, 10,000 miles per annum on a non-maintained contract (you are responsible for all maintenance and servicing costs) with non-metallic paint. Our dealership introduces customers to a limited number of financial providers including RCI Financial Services Ltd.†Warranty applies to new vehicles up to a period of 4 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first (first 2 years unlimited mileage). Renault Assistance Roadside Cover is provided by our approved roadside assistance partners. Cover from months 0 to 36 includes assistance at the roadside and home, national recovery, onward travel and European cover. Cover from months 37 to 48 includes Roadside and Homestart (including a local tow to an authorised Renault dealer).**EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving style, road conditions and other factors.

WESTOVER POOLE573 WALLISDOWN ROAD,POOLE BH12 5BATEL 01202 970324

WESTOVER SALISBURYCHURCHFIELDS ROAD,SALISBURY SP2 7PWTEL 01722 440529 WWW.WESTOVERGROUP.CO.UK/RENAULT

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW RENAULT TRAFICALL-NEW RENAULT TRAFIC SL27 ENERGY dCi 120 BUSINESS

47.9mpg COMBINED**

5.2m³ LOAD VOLUMECLASS-LEADING LOAD LENGTHDAB RADIO4 YEARS WARRANTY†

4 YEARS ROADSIDE COVER†

FROM £199 PER MONTH* ON CONTRACT HIRE

FROM £ 215 PER MONTH ̂

At Westover , you can have it all. Including the lowest CO 2 for this kind of car, the biggest boot on the market and one-touch folding seats. Add to that excellent driving dynamics, plus advanced i-Cockpit controls with 9.7” touchscreen, and the New 308 SW is your new business leader. Contact us today to arrange a test drive.

The offi cial fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) and CO 2 emissions (g/km) for the 308 range are: Urban 35.8 – 80.7 (7.9 – 3.5), Extra Urban 61.4 – 97.4 (4.6 – 2.9), Combined 48.7 – 91.1 (5.8 – 3.1) and CO 2 129 – 82 (g/km). MPG fi gures are achieved under offi cial EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not refl ect actual on-the-road driving conditions.^Rate refers to the 308 Active HDi 92. Rentals are subject to VAT and are payable monthly. For 308 models 6 rentals in advance followed by 35 monthly payments. All rentals are based on 10,000 miles per annum and include metallic paint and Peugeot Assistance. Business users only. A guarantee may be required. Over 18’s only. Written quotations from Peugeot Contract Hire, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, RH1 1QA. Offers apply to eligible vehicles supplied and registered from 1st July 2014 until such point they may be withdrawn by Peugeot Motor Company at any time and without notice. Calls may be recorded for training purposes.

WESTOVER POOLE 573 Wallisdown Road, POOLE, BH12 5BA 01202 830442 www.westovergroup.co.uk

WESTOVER CHRISTCHURCH Stony Lane, CHRISTCHURCH, BH23 1EZ 01202 830441 www.westovergroup.co.uk

WESTOVER SALISBURY Brunel Road, SALISBURY, SP2 7PU 01722 441172 www.westovergroup.co.uk

Visit www.bizmag.co.uk2014 OctoberVisit www.bizmag.co.uk October 201428 29

TfL awards new maintenance contracts to Siemens Two new traffic control maintenance services contracts have been awarded to Siemens by Transport for London (TfL). Commencing October 2014, Siemens will maintain traffic control equipment in the north and north east London regions, representing two of the five contracts that will see London’s traffic signals upgraded to the latest, energy-saving technology, as well as expanding the use of intelligent traffic signals and new crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. Worth in total around £317m for up to eight years, the five contracts cover over 6,200 traffic signal sites, 149 variable message signs and 56 over-height vehicle detectors across the capital.

Business Travel Network launched to help local businesses improve staff travelA brand new travel initiative to help businesses give their employees better sustainable travel options has been launched across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

The Business Travel Network is supported by Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset local authorities to offer employers practical advice and resources to help implement sustainable solutions to support staff travel.

The network is open to employers of any size located across the three towns.

Ian Kalra, Three Towns Travel said, ‘The Business Travel Network is a fantastic initiative which supports our commitment to give people better options for how they travel such as walking, cycling, car-sharing or using public transport.

‘Joining the network is free and I would recommend any local company to take advantage of this service and reap the benefits.’

By committing to implement a simple travel action plan, businesses can take advantage of the following package of network benefits:

� expert advice and support to help address transport issues � travel clinics to help promote sustainable travel to staff � a range of public transport offers and incentives � discounted cycle and equipment purchase and maintenance sessions

� free online journey matching tools � bespoke public transport, walking and cycling maps � assistance with Three Towns Travel match funded grant applications

� access to free events, training sessions, workshops and challengesTo find out more about joining the Business Travel Network and our

offer to local businesses visit www.businesstravelnetwork.org

CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON NEW VEHICLE HIRE RECEPTION CENTRE

Dave Wolfenden stands where the new all-weather reception centre will be built.

Construction has started on a new rental reception facility at the Abacus Vehicle Hire Centre in Andover. The construction will include a purpose built reception, multi-bay washing facility and parking area. It will also provide an undercover vehicle check in/out area for people hiring cars, vans and trucks.

Managing Director Dave Wolfenden says that the £500,000 project, on the one acre of land adjacent to their current centre, will be completed by February 2015.

Roads revolution sees extra 900 miles of capacityRoad users will see around 900 extra lane miles of road capacity added to England’s strategic highway network by 2021 – a third more than was provided in the previous decade.

The boost is thanks to a huge £24bn investment – the biggest since the 1970s – which will see annual funding for enhancements to our motorways and major A roads triple over the next six years. Investment includes more than £9bn on maintenance, £6bn of which will be spent on resurfacing 3,000 miles of the strategic road network.

The period 2001 to 2010 saw construction of 574 lane miles. This government has committed to 60 new road schemes, the majority of which will be completed by 2021, subject to value for money and deliverability. This will provide 962 miles of new road, 35% more miles of road per year than under the previous government.

More road schemes are expected to be added to the programme following the 2014 Autumn Statement, which could include solutions identified as part of six feasibility studies that are looking at dealing with some of the most notorious and long-standing hotspots on England’s roads, including the A303 in the south west and the A47 in the east of England.

transport focus

DP World Southampton opens on SundaysDP World Southampton is now open on Sundays to give cargo owners an extra day to collect cargo as British businesses prepare for Christmas!

Visit www.bizmag.co.uk2014 OctoberVisit www.bizmag.co.uk October 201430 31

All successful business relationships

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call us on 01202 875 900 or visit www.wardgoodman.co.uk

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