County Business Volume 29 Number 11 October 2011 SWINDON...

Volume 29 Number 11 October 2011

Fuel for thefuture:Swindon gets onthe hydrogenhighway

Page 3

It’s not just desksand chairs:

The latest trends inoffice design

Pages 10&11

CountyBusinessPublishing

www.swindon-business.net01793 615393 [email protected]

News Brief

SWINDONBUSINESSNEWS

Key appointment at SBN

Experienced marketing professionalAnita Jaynes has joined SwindonBusiness News publisher CountyBusiness Publishing as businessdevelopment manager. Anita’s role isto develop the range of advertisingand marketing opportunities acrossthe company’s expanding portfolio ofpublications, websites and events.Anita replaces advertising managerAnn Freegard, who recently left thecompany after more than 20 years.

Coming up next month...

In November Swindon Business Newswill focus on the rural economy,analysing the unique issues affectingbusinesses in non-urban areas. We willalso look at Swindon’s rail industry,investigate how innovation is boostingmanufacturing and highlight thefinance available for growingbusinesses.

November’s issue will also featureour indispensible guide to Christmasparties and events.

Accountants count charity success

A six-strong team from Swindon-based Banks Chartered Accountantsraised more than £1,000 for WiltshireYoung Carers by running in theSwindon Half Marathon. The effortby the team – Neil Elsden, AndyBarlow, Tracey Heath, LouiseRhoades, Travis Fowler and AbbiePaginton – was the second fundraiserheld by Banks for Wiltshire YoungCarers, its adopted charity for 2011. Agolf day in June raised £500.

Mini sales are mightier than ever

UK sales of Minis roared ahead bymore than 16 per cent to 38,147 so farthis year, helping owner BMW clockup a 10.5 per cent increase in totalsales in a market that has declined byfive per cent. BMW has recentlylaunched the new Mini Coupé whilethe continued success of theCountryman range is also boostingsales. BMW makes most body panelsfor the Mini at its Swindon plant.

Exporting for GrowthThe basic tools for success in

international marketsPages 8 & 9

Swindon Business News and law firmWithy King have teamed up to developa series of Business Life Cycleseminars to help owner-managersweigh up their options and make theright decisions at vital stages in theircompany’s development.

The first takes place on October 19at the National Self Build andRenovation Centre, Lydiard Fields,Swindon, when property, employment

and corporate partners from WithyKing will provide practical advice andguidance to owner-managers in theirfirst years of trading. Withy Kingadvises owner-managers who haverecently started a business or are in theearly years of trading.

To book a place at this free eventcontact Anna Arakcheeva on 01225352 833 or via email:[email protected]

Brigitte Chandler, the Swindonlawyer once dubbed the scourge ofBritish Rail for her compensationfights for industrial diseasesufferers, has been appointed headof office at law firm Charles Lucas& Marshall’s base in the town.

An industrial disease lawyer ofconsiderable repute, Brigitte hasspent all her professional life inSwindon. She joined Charles Lucas& Marshall eight years ago afterworking at Townsends.

She has successfully won

millions of pounds of compensationfor victims of asbestos disease anddeafness claims, many of themformer workers at Swindon’s railworks.

Brigitte has appeared innumerous Court of Appeal casesand established new law. She takesover from Hugh Ellins who willcontinue to develop the firm’scommercial property, developmentand planning law practice as well asspecialist dental practices panelwork.

Amajor leisure centre is to be built on derelictland at North Star, Swindon – bringing tothe town the first of a new generation of

indoor sports destinations.Swindon Borough Council is close to signing

the deal with an unnamed operator which plans tobuild a string of similar centres across the UK.

The 14-acre site, which once housed the Clare’sEquipment factory making supermarket check-outsand shelving, has been cleared and is ready fordevelopment.

Forward Swindon, the town’s economicregeneration company, has spent two years workingwith the council on the ambitious project, which isexpected to generate a large number of much-needed jobs.

While the new centre will be close to the Oasisleisure centre, it is unclear whether it would replaceit or act as a complementary attraction.

Forward Swindon has been active in looking for

a developer or operator to build and run thelargescale centre. Its marketing briefing forproperty consultants included the possibility of aregional-scale events arena, indoor snow facilityand ice rink.

Such a venue would attract visitors to the townfrom a wide area, boosting the economy andpotentially acting in parallel with the DesignerOutlet Village and Steam museum at nearbyChurchward.

Forward Swindon’s marketing material says:“This exciting development opportunity will formpart of the transformation of Swindon’s central areaand the town's objectives and aspirations for thefuture.”

It comes as the first signs of progress are beingmade in upgrading the town centre for severalyears. Work has started on the forecourt area atSwindon railway station, which will create a newgateway to the town, while plans for the £350m

Union Square scheme are taking shape.The scheme will develop a new quarter for the

town with offices, homes and upmarket stores.However, the former college building at Regent

Circus remains a blot on the landscape with thecouncil seeking ways to get the eyesore buildingdemolished while construction work on the cinemascheme is stalled.

Council poised to approve largeleisure centre plan at North Star

Sink or Swim? Withy Kingto hold key business seminar

Top industrial disease lawyergets key role at Swindon firm

The Oasis Centre

26 Wood Street, SwindonWiltshire SN1 4AB

Telephone: 01793 615393

Fax: 01793 610553

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.swindon-business.net

Editor: Robert Buckland

Production Editor: Owen Fishwick

Business Development Manager:

Anita Jaynes

Administrator: Jackie Hall

Sales Executive: Claudia Carr

Controlled circulation: In excess of

8,000 copies per month

© Copyright 2011

Published by County Business Publishing Ltd.

Printed by Acorn Press

County Business Publishing also publishes a rangeof business newsletters: Swindon BusinessNewsletter; Bristol Business Newsletter; BathBusiness Newsletter and Estates West Bulletin, aproperty deals newsletter.If you are interested in receiving a free sampleplease call 01793 615393.

Events

People• Paul Knight has beenappointed by EEF, themanufacturers’organisation, to head upthe support it providesto industry across theSouth West. As theorganisation’s newregion director, he willbe responsible for theservices delivered tomember companies but will also represent theneeds of manufacturing to regionalpolicymakers, with the aim of helping to shapea business environment that creates a morebalanced economy. There are an estimated11,500 manufacturers in the South Westemploying around 265,000 people andcontributing more than £12bn to the regionaleconomy.

• Lisa Keefe ofSwindon solicitorsCharles Lucas &Marshall hasqualified as agraduate member ofthe Institute of LegalExecutives. Lisajoined the firm’sresidential propertyteam in March 2010and is an experienced conveyancer. Toachieve graduate membership, Lisa has spentyears in home study, ultimately passing theProfessional Higher Diploma in Law and

Practice, which is assessed at honours degreelevel. In her final exams she specialised inconveyancing practice, land law, criminal lawand the law of willsand succession.

• Swindon-basedcommunications andPR agency SoaringWorldwide haswelcomed SarahCarless to its team asa reputation manager.Soaring Worldwidehas doubled in sizeyear-on-year since itsfoundation in 2006, and Sarah will be a part ofthe company’s strategic growth plans. AdamBaggs, managing director of SoaringWorldwide, said: “We are confident thatSarah’s background and experience willenable her to make a valuable contribution tothe growth of the company. It’s an excitingtime for Soaring Worldwide, and we lookforward to Sarah’s influence and enthusiasm:in particular, her industry knowledge andexperience of working across a range ofsectors in PR and marketing.”

• Banks CharteredAccountants hasappointed PaulaForbes-Smith to therole of accountsmanager. Paulastudied at Liverpool

University and spent a further year in the cityworking for a firm of accountants beforejoining Swindon-based Banks 11 years ago. AFellow of the Association of CharteredCertified Accountants, she has undergone allher training with the Old Town firm. Alongsidefellow accounts managers Louise Rhoadesand Ben Haines, Paula will oversee the teamdealing with the accounts of business clientsranging from sole traders to limitedcompanies.

• Julian Alexander hasjoined SantanderCorporate Banking asregional director fromBarclays, where he wasthe head of real estatein the Midlands withresponsibility for theregion’s main propertyaccounts. In his newrole, Julian will be based at Santander’scorporate business centre in Bristol, leadingthe bank’s South West team of corporate andcommercial banking experts. The team isresponsible for managing existing customerrelationships and sourcing new business tosupport the continued expansion of SantanderCorporate Banking throughout the region.Julian is well-known in the corporate bankingmarket, having also held key roles at HBOS.He has a very successful track record,spanning more than 17 years and brings a mixof leadership and relationship managementexperience to Santander Corporate Banking.

Sink or Swim: Getting the Basics Right When: October 19 Where: National Self Build andRenovation Centre, Lydiard Fields,SwindonContact: Anna Arakcheeva on01225 352 833 or via email:[email protected]

The Networking HubWhen: November 10, 12pm-2pmWhere: Basepoint, SwindonContact: 01793 608800 or [email protected]

Corporate Taxation Reform SeminarWhen:November 15, 8:30am-10:30amWhere: De Vere Village, Swindon,Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, WhitehillWay, Swindon, SN5 7DWContact:www.rsmtenon.com/events or [email protected]

Domestic Violence and Abuse – Whatemployers need to knowWhen: November 21 from 10amWhere:Steam Museum,ChurchwardContact: David Latham [email protected]

Swindon Chamber of CommerceBusiness BreakfastWhen: October 21, 7:30am-9:30amWhere: De Vere Village, Swindon,Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, WhitehillWay, Swindon, SN5 7DWContact:www.thamesvalleychamber.co.ukCost: £19.20 (members), £25.20(non-members)

• Send your events to SwindonBusiness News [email protected]

CountyBusinessPublishingSwindonBusinessNewsBristolBusinessNewsBathBusinessNews

Paul Knight

Lisa Keefe

Sarah Carless

Paula Forbes-Smith

Julian Alexander

Charity event for Olympic team

Chordiem Events, in conjunction with De Vere VillageHotel Swindon, is organising a great fun, yet tough fitnesschallenge with the aim of raising £3,000 for the GreatBritain Rhythmic Gymnastics Group Squad includingSwindon gymnastic star Jade Faulkner. The team arecurrently qualifying for the 2012 Olympics, but with verylittle funding available they are doing everything they canto raise funds themselves.

This special event takes place on Saturday November19, starting at 7pm. Chordiem hopes 16 teams of two willstart a 24-hour Duathlon Challenge at the De Vere Village’sleisure club. Anyone interested in taking part shouldcontact Chordiem on 01793 887632 [email protected]

ContactsForward Swindon01793 429250

GWE Business West08458 505066

Business Link0845 600 9966

SSEP01793 429259

Fast Forward0808 178 3657

First Great Western08457 000 125

Bristol Airport0871 334 4344

Swindon Council01793 445500

Wiltshire Council0300 456 0100

Chamber of Commerce 01753 870500

OakenhallBarnes GreenBrinkworthChippenhamSN15 5AQOffice: 01666 510140Mobile: 07973 452323

All enquiries contact:John Saunders and

Paul Mabberley07749297174 Visit swindon-business.net for all the latest news and events

October 2011

Business News

PR and marketing specialists Vox haveopened a new office in Bristol.

Director Sue Pycroft, who togetherwith Julie Margerum opened the firstVox office in Swindon in 2002, said theexpansion into Bristol reflects increasedbusiness in the South West, as well ason the national stage.

“Until a couple of years ago mostof our clients tended to be eitherWiltshire or London based,” said Sue.

“But recently we have been

working with more clients from theBristol, Bath and Gloucestershire areasas well. Having a base nearer thewestern end of the M4 corridor was thelogical next step for us, and as Bristolis also such a major centre for creativeindustries it’s an obvious choice for oursecond office.”

Vox’s new Bristol office is onColston Avenue in the city centre. Formore details go to:www.voxonline.co.uk

The UK’s first open access hydrogen vehiclerefuelling station has been officially launched inSwindon – putting the town at the centre of

innovation for what many believe will be the motoringtechnology of the future.

The station, at Honda’s South Marston carmanufacturing site, will be open to anyone developingor using hydrogen-powered cars, vans or trucks.

In a ceremony attended by local dignitaries,business people and the media, Honda seniorengineer Thomas Brachmann used the filling station torefuel a Honda FCS Clarity hydrogen-powered car.

The facility is designed to look like, and operate inthe same way as, a conventional filling station.Refuelling takes less than five minutes.

Built and operated by industrial gases companyBOC, the project is the result of a partnership betweenHonda, BOC and Swindon’s economic developmentcompany Forward Swindon.

BOC UK managing director Mike Huggon said:“This is not an experiment. It’s a piece of the jigsaw thatleads to the sustainable society we are all craving.

“This station is state of the art. It can fill hydrogenvehicles from scooters to passenger cars and buses.”

Pointing out that it works with swipe-cardtechnology, he joked: “We even have a Nectar pointsscheme.”

Experts say hydrogen has huge potential as asustainable transport fuel, creating no emissions otherthan water vapour. Hydrogen-powered cars can travelaround 270 miles on a full tank and are twice asefficient as a diesel car and three times more efficientthan a petrol one.

Yet while all the major vehicle manufacturers aredeveloping hydrogen-powered models, there are fewrefuelling facilities available to UK users meaning take-up is likely to remain low.

And in a catch-22, the major fuel companies will notinvest in new facilities while there are very few hydrogen

vehicles on the road. The automotive and low-carbonindustries are urging the Government to do more topromote the use of hydrogen-fueled vehicles.

The Swindon station can fill vehicles at both 350 barand 700 bar – the two standard filling pressuresadopted by the world’s major vehicle manufacturers.

A range of hydrogen-powered vehicles includingpassenger cars, light commercial vehicles, anambulance, a taxi and a London bus were on displayat the unveiling – with the bus used to ferry guestsbetween the Honda site’s car park and the fuel station.

Richard Kemp-Harper, lead technologist fortransport and energy at the Swindon-basedTechnology Strategy Board, said: “The change from

conventional transport systems to sustainable, low-carbon alternatives is one that can only be madethrough businesses and government working inpartnership to develop innovative solutions.

“This new refuelling station gives a real glimpse ofthe role hydrogen can play in practice. It is a greatexample of the kind of collaboration and innovation weneed.”

Pictured above: Thomas Brachmann, head of electrical powertrain R&D at Honda, Mike Huggon MD of BOC in the UK & Ireland,Ian Piper CEO Forward Swindon, Richard Kemp-Harper of theTechnology Strategy Board, Mike Godfrey chief engineer at HondaUK in Swindon.

Pioneering hydrogen filling station opens

Vox PR expands into Bristol

FACT FILEHydrogen-powered cars canbe refuelled in minutes,unlike electric cars whosebatteries take hours torecharge

They can travel about 270miles on a full tank

They have no emissions -no carbon monoxide, carbondioxide or any other gas, justwater.

Hydrogen is the mostabundant element in theuniverse and is extremelyefficient as an energy carrier

Hydrogen for cars ismainly generated by steamreforming of natural gas

It can also be extractedfrom water via electrolysisand produced fromrenewable energy sourcessuch as solar, wind andhydroelectric power.

Swindon pioneering housing and regeneration agency GreenSquare Group hasacquired heating contractor and consultant G W Sparrow, also based in the town.

GreenSquare was formed in April 2008 and includes housing associationsOxford Citizens and Westlea, commercial subsidiary Oakus Estates and in-houseconstruction firm Tidestone. It also works in partnership with designer KevinMcCloud’s company Hab in the joint venture Hab Oakus.

Family-owned G W Sparrow was established in 1974 and provides plumbingand heating services across Wiltshire. Managing director Robert Sparrow willcontinue to head the business as it develops further as part of GreenSquare’sOakus subsidiary.

GreenSquare director of commercial management Tom Pritchard said: “GWSparrow is already a company with firm foundations and a long-establishedcustomer base and we think that, under our ownership, the company has greatscope to further develop and grow in the future.”

Lead corporate finance adviser on the sale was accountants and businessadvisers Baker Tilly in Bristol with legal advice coming from Bond Pearce’soffice in the city.

GreenSquare builds forfuture with acquisition

Barclays is launching a series ofbusiness lending clinics designed tobolster business lending by gettingsmall businesses to think aboutborrowing and give them theconfidence to invest for growth.

The clinics launch as recentstatistics show that only 15 per cent ofbusinesses applied for borrowing inthe last year, reflecting a crisis ofconfidence among businesses. Theresearch also reveals that while 42 percent of businesses think they will geta business loan before they apply, 75per cent actually succeed, indicatingthat many businesses don’t believe

they can get finance. The Swindonclinic will take place on November 10at Barclays’ branch in High Street, OldTown, between 08.30am and 10.00amand which will aim to reach around 30local businesses.

Barclays business people willanswer key questions on lending andwalk businesses through the loanapplication process, with alternativefinance providers on-hand to providea fully rounded picture of all thefinancial options available.

For further information visitwww.barclays.co.uk/businesslendingclinics

Local businesses get tobank on lending clinics

October 2011

Business News

Sharon Omer-Kaye of RSM Tenon looksat ways to prepare for the rising costeducation

This year’s new students aresettling into university lifeknowing that the demand for a

place was higher than usual, ahead of theintroduction of the increased universityfees next year. From September 2012,universities in England & Wales will beallowed to raise tuition fees to up to£9,000 per year and to date many havehad plans to charge the full £9,000approved.

The rising costs of tuition feestogether with essential living expensesincluding rent, study materials, food andof course the obligatory social life thataccompanies university life means thatstudents could be spending anything inthe region of £15,000 per annum whilstat university. As a result Graduates willnot just be leaving university with adegree but will also have a mountain ofdebt to contend with as they beginworking life.

In addition to rising incomes,families have also seen average schoolfees increase by more than 10 per cent ayear over the past few years. Little helpis available to parents as specific ‘schoolfees funding products’ can no longerkeep up with this increase and have beenwithdrawn.

The consequences are that it is nowmore important than ever for parents tobe considering the issue early andplanning ahead if they intend to paytowards the costs of their children’seducation. Typically, most parents willdo this out of their taxed income. In realterms, this means that university andschool paid out of income that hasalready suffered a up to 51 per cent tax.If you earn in excess of £150,000, the taxcharged could be in excess of 60 percent!

If you own shares in a profitablecompany there may be an alternative

method of extracting your hard-earnedcash in order to fund your children’suniversity and school fees in a far moretax efficient manner.

Careful planning will make itpossible to plan in such a way to fund theuniversity fees without incurringsignificant income tax charges in theprocess. In order to use this planning youmust be a shareholder of a company andyour children must be aged 18 or over.

If you are grandparents and areshareholders in your own company thenit may also be possible to fund yourgrandchildren’s school fees. If thegrandchildren are just embarking ontheir school life spending time nowlooking at how school fees are structuredcould save your family more than adecade’s worth of tax charges.

Income tax charges have recentlyincreased and whilst the personalallowances (a tax free allowance) hasincreased (although this is graduallywithdrawn once your income hits£100,000), the amount of income subjectto the higher rates of tax has alsoincreased. Planning for university andschool fees can be a good way tomitigate family tax burdens and also togive your children or grandchildren amuch-needed good start in life.

For further information email:[email protected]: 01793 603300

Learning the lessons ofplanning for school fees

Profits and sales atSciSys increase butit remains cautiousin tough marketsMajor contract wins from the BBC, theEnvironment Agency and the EuropeanSpace Agency helped push up half-yearsales and profits at specialist IT servicesgroup SciSys.

The new business also helped theChippenham-based group improve itsmargins at a time when public spendingcuts are impacting on many of its markets.

Pre-tax profits rose by 83 per cent to£1.1m in the six months to June 30 againstthe same period last year with revenue up 5per cent to £22m.

SciSys supplies high-end services andbusiness-critical IT systems to the space,government, defence, environment andmedia/broadcast sectors.

While its clients are predominantly blue-chip companies, government and quasi-government organisations, thegroup has not been immune from tighter budgets and spending cuts.

But the contract success with media groups such as the BBC, forwhich it is working at the corporation’s new Salford headquarters, with theEuropean Space Agency on the Galileo test satellites and the EnvironmentAgency on carbon reduction programmes proved, according to chairmanand founder Mike Love, that the group was in good shape.

He said: “The group is moving forward positively, taking gradual butsustained steps to improve its margins.”

So far this year SciSys has won contracts with an underlying value ofmore than £20m and its environment and government & defence divisionshave completed a number of major projects.

Kaplan Financial, the UK’s leadingprovider of accountancy and financialtraining, is offering Swindon firms ofall sizes a wide range of courses fromits Bristol centre as well as home studyand online learning facilities, alongwith onsite apprenticeship training.

Kaplan Financial’s Bristol base isjust behind Temple Meads train stationin the new Temple Quay development,making it very convenient forSwindon firms.

The centre prepares students forprofessional accountancy (AAT, ACA,ACCA, CIMA) and tax exams (ATT,CTA). It offers a mixture of day,weekend and evening courses to be asflexible to student needs as possible.

Kaplan Bristol is an exam centrefor all AAT, ACA, CIMA and ACCAcomputer-based assessments.

A spokesman said: “We aim tosolve our clients’ training needsthrough providing structured andsupportive learning programmes forexam-based training, continuingprofessional development and/ordelivery of internal developmentprogrammes.

“Whether you are interested instudying independently or looking toour organise training on behalf of yourcompany trainees, contact ourdedicated student and client servicesteam on 0117 954 1377 or visitwww.kaplanfinancial.co.uk/bristol.”

Kaplan Financial combines 50years of educational excellence, withleading on-line learning technologies,award-winning materials and theindustry’s most experienced andsuccessful tutors.

Swindon firmsoffered financialtraining

Basepoint Swindon is to launch aquarterly networking event for localbusinesses and Basepoint Licensees.

Called The Networking Hub, itholds its inaugural meeting onThursday November 10 and willprovide the opportunity to network,meet new people, generate newbusiness and also listen to a guestspeaker.

Al Keck, managing director ofToinfinity, who is a recognised leaderin e-commerce management andonline marketing, will talk at theNovember event about how toachieve the best results fromwebsites. The talk will be followed byan informal question-and-answersession.

Lyn Chapman, centre managerat Basepoint Swindon in Westlea,said: “The Networking Hub will be afantastic way for local businesses tocome together in an informal way todiscuss their business ideas andissues.” The event is from 12noon to2pm. Attendees will also be providedwith free lunch and refreshments.Basepoint Swindon has 88unfurnished office and workshopunits across three buildings.

Basepoint to host

networking event

October 2011

Business News

Workers at major Swindonemployer Halcrow who ownshares in the business could

receive cash windfalls worth thousands ofpounds after its directors agreed to a £124mtakeover.

Engineering consultancy Halcrow,which employs 500 staff at Burderop base,is being acquired by major US group CH2MHill. The deal is subject to the approval ofits shareholders and the High Court, but isexpected to be completed next month.

Halcrow was founded in 1868 andspecialises in major transport,environmental and other infrastructureprojects across the globe.

It has worked on many of the world’slargest construction projects from theChannel Tunnel rail link to London’sCrossrail, to airports, sea ports andmotorways in North America, China and theMiddle East.

It employs 6,000 people in nearly 100offices globally. Its long-standing Swindonoffice is the largest of its 20 regional officesand around the same size as its London HQ.

Originally a partnership, since 1990 the

business has been majority owned by theHalcrow Trust, a fund set up by its formerpartners.

Of the 20.7m shares in the company, thetrust owns around 74 per cent with thebalance held by more than 1,100 employees.

Once the takeover has been approvedthese staff will be able to sell their shares forcash or new shares in the enlarged business,potentially earning them thousands ofpounds.

Staff were told of the acquisitionthrough a video broadcast to all offices.Each then received an explanatory emailand could find out more information on adedicated intranet site.

In line with major engineeringconsultancies worldwide, Halcrow has beenhit by a combination of the economicslowdown and increased rivalry in its majormarkets.

As a result, last year’s £8.8m pre-taxprofits were almost half of the previous yearwith sales slipping by nearly 8 per cent to£468m and the firm was forced to make 500staff redundant.

Chief executive Peter Gammie admitted

that Halcrow had approached Denver,Colorado-based, CH2M Hill as the twobusinesses have worked together for manyyears on projects.

“The consolidation, which reflects anincreasing trend in our industry, will createa very significant value proposition forclients. We are very complementary in termsof our skills and our markets so, where weshare geographies, we are reinforcing oneanother rather than duplicating,” he said.

CH2M Hill chairman and chiefexecutive, Lee McIntire added: “Thisacquisition is a game changer for our clients.

“Our global footprint will be deeper andour bench strength will be even more robust.By combining our resources and leveragingour collective technical know-how, we willset a new standard for the marketplace. Bestof all, our two firms are ideally suited interms of cultures, markets, geographies, andwe have a shared long-term vision for thefuture.”

A Halcrow spokesman said it was“business as usual” at the Swindon site andstaff would continue to be updated as thedeal progressed.

Kent team-buildingfirm is taken intoPlanet Pursuits’ orbitSwindon event management company Planet Pursuits hasacquired Mind Adrenaline Events, a Kent-based team-building business, in a move that will spur further growth andreduce the firms' running costs.

Planet Pursuits director Simon Maddison said: “We’ve hadgood operational links with Mind Adrenaline. The businesshas a great reputation and excellent client base but hasprimarily concentrated on team development events, whereaswe offer a much wider range of event management services.”

Mind Adrenaline was one of the first companies to buy alicence for Planet Pursuits’ innovate Spy-based global teamgame Spy-Inc.

Planet Pursuits aims to extend the range of its eventsservices to Mind Adrenaline’s client base. Mind Adrenaline’srange of team building programs will be incorporated into itsexisting portfolio of team development challenges.

Planet Pursuits was launched 10 years ago, at first offeringbasic stag and hen packages from its country house venue,Purton House, near Swindon. Within a year its diversified intothe corporate market and began staging team-buildingevents and then corporate fun days, theme parties andconference management services.

The firm’s Swindon Christmas Parties, which started in2005, have become very popular and its Spy game hasenjoyed global success. More recently, the firm won thecontract to host lingerie giant Triumph International’s125thanniversary event.

Accountancy courses at Swindon CollegeAs the top performing college in Wiltshire, Swindon Collegehas been successfully providing accountancy courses tofinance professionals in the South West for the past 25 years.Any company, no matter what products or services theyprovide, always needs a book-keeper, payroll staff or anaccountant. Accountancy is not just about the work carried outby chartered accountants but embraces a broader spectrumof jobs, such as financial advisors and financial technicians.Now with its flexible pay-per-unit delivery style and coursesranging from manual book-keeping through to ACCAprofessional accountancy courses, studying for anaccountancy qualification with Business First could not beeasier and in many cases could be highly subsidised byGovernment funding*. For further information on Accountancyand Financial qualifications and courses, contact the BusinessFirst Team on 01793 498404 or email:[email protected]*Eligibility criteria applies

Halcrow staff in line for payouts asfirm accepts £124m US takeover

A unique awareness event aimed atemployers on the impact of domesticviolence and abuse is attractingwidespread support from key figures inSwindon.

The Mayor,Cllr Ray Ballman,pictured, hasalready acceptedan invitation as hasSwindon Councilchief executiveGavin Jones.

BBC Wiltshirebroadcaster MarkJones will chair a discussion panelwhich includes campaigner andfounder of AAFDA (Advocacy AfterFatal Domestic Abuse) Frank Mullaneat the event - the result of a link upbetween AAFDA, SwindonCommunity Safety Partnership and theSwindon Mindful Employer Network,which is managed locally by RichmondFellowship Wiltshire.

Among the speakers are NeilBlacklock, an expert on domesticviolence with the national charityRespect, and Swindon CommunitySafety Partnership Domestic ViolenceCo-ordinator Lin Williams.

The event takes place on Monday21 November at the Steam museum,Churchward.

To book contact David Latham [email protected] or01793 433571

Event to raiseawarness ofdomestic violence

The Business Foundation and Enterprise Scheme, which aims toplug the gap left by the withdrawal of Business Link services, hasbeen officially launched.

Spearheaded by former Business Link advisor Keith Farmer,and sponsored by Swindon-based chartered accountants Banks, thescheme plans to provide advice and assistance to new businessesand those seeking to grow.

Speaking at the official launch at the County Ground, Keithsaid: “The scheme aims to support start-ups and establishedbusinesses which have reached a point where they need some extrahelp and advice. We want to create wealth in the local economy andsee it grow.”

The scheme offers two levels of support for a nominal fee - half-day training courses, covering basics such as legal structures,marketing, finance, business planning and cash flow, and one-to-one sessions with Keith, offering bespoke business advice.

Businesses can opt for either or both sessions, which will beheld at Banks’ Old Town offices

The scheme will also work closely with the JobCentre, offering

free advice to unemployedpeople wanting to start abusiness.

Banks director RichardMathews added: “There is areal need for business advicein Swindon. We’re not doingthis as a money-makingexercise - the nominal fee forthe advice sessions is just tocover the costs. Keith has allthe expertise following his career in banking and Business Link andwe wanted to offer that up to Swindon businesses and those juststarting up.” Representatives from a range of businesses, includingmanagers from local branches of the major banks, were at thelaunch to lend their support. It is likely that banks will refer businessclients to the scheme. Experts will also be drafted in to run specialistseminars on a variety of topics. For more information or to bookfor a course contact Shelly Hacker of Banks on 01793 616284.

Group plans to make up for missing link

Richard Mathews and Keith Farmer

October 2011

Company Law

Swindon law firm Thrings has beenranked among the regionalheavyweights of the legal sector

with rivals Withy King and Clark Holtnamed as major players in the market.

The latest Legal 500, the legalmarket’s annual ‘bible’, places Thrings,which also has offices in Bristol andBath, as one of the top 14 firms in theSouth West in a table traditionallydominated by Bristol-based practices.

Legal 500 identifies the firms andindividuals who are setting the pace inthe region and, as such, has become anindispensable resource for anyonebuying legal services. It is basedentirely on research carried out amongfirms’ clients and peers.

Things, which rebranded recentlyfrom its earlier name Thring TownsendLee & Pembertons, shares equal billingwith Clark Holt and Withy King assecond-tier players in the corporate andcommercial market (M4 corridor).

Legal 500 singles out John Daviesat Thrings for leading the team whichadvises clients across sectors includingaerospace, oil and manufacturing.“Highlights included acting forDynamatic Technologies onrestructuring to streamline its UKoperations. The team maintains fruitfulrelationships with banks including

HSBC and NatWest,” says the report.John is named as one of the South

West’s ‘leading individuals’ along withThrings colleagues Andrew Braithwaiteand Peter Cusick.

“Clients say Withy King is ‘moreproactive and better networked’ thanmany competitors,” Legal 500 says.“David Cavaliero is highly rated andempathic, and Katharine Mortimer isalso well regarded.”

Highlights for the team includedsecuring an equity investment, andacting for Homes Caring for Autism ona refinancing deal with RBS. The teamalso advised new client Hanfrageo onrestructuring.

Withy King’s head of clinicalnegligence Simon Elliman is namedamong the region's leading individuals.

Clark Holt advised the shareholdersof Christchurch Court on thecompany’s sale to Sovereign Capital,and acted for Kelway on its acquisitionof managed services specialist ISCComputers. Richard Clark heads theteam, which includes the ‘extremelyknowledgeable’ Philip Humphreys,who ‘goes above and beyondexpectation’, according to Legal 500.The report places Clark Holt partnerJeremy Holt among the region’sleading individuals.

Across the region, Legal 500 says2010 was a less turbulent year for lawfirms compared to 2009 with positivesigns for 2011.

“Certainly, the region continues tobenefit from the willingness of clientsto move work out of the City as valuefor money remains a key driver inchoosing legal services,” it adds.

It identifies education as a stronggrowth area for many firms withconversions to academy status asubstantial source of work.

Debt recovery work has also beenon the increase, as the consequences ofthe economic downturn continue tomake themselves felt.

“Renewable energy projects are animportant area of work for agricultureand estates teams, as landowners realisethe potential of turning land over fordevelopment; pensions remains a livearea against a background of publicsector cuts; and professional negligenceclaims are on the rise,” says Legal 500.

While the region is less reliant onthe public sector than some other areasof the UK, large-scale spending cuts hitmany specialist practices across theregion “as clients increasinglyscrutinise the cost/performance ratio,and fund increasingly skilled in-housedepartments” the report says.

The legal landscape is constantly changing, making it difficult fordirectors to keep up with a seemingly endless stream of newrules and regulations. Here, solicitors from Withy King’s

commercial teams in Swindon highlight a few of the most recentdevelopments and signal changes to be aware of over the next fewmonths.

Facebook dismissal found to be unfair

Employers are being urged to tread carefully when taking action againstemployees who post comments about their workplace online. In a recentcase, a Tribunal found a decision to dismiss an employee for postingcomments on Facebook about her working day, was unfair. Employersare advised to take a common sense approach. In addition to a clearlydrafted and well communicated policy, some attempt should be madeto assess the potential damage that that the posted comments couldcause.

Mind your Ts & Cs

Recent cases involving contractual disputes serve as a timely reminderto be aware of key provisions within customer and supplier contracts.This is important to ensure the business does not inadvertently act inbreach of contract, miss an opportunity to enforce a potentially valuableelement of the contract or give notice to end the contract which may onlybe permitted at certain times.

Protect your website from new .xxx domains

Domain names ending .xxx which are aimed specifically at the adultentertainment industry, are now available for registration, opening upmany web addresses which were previously unavailable. Owners ofexisting trademarks have until 28th October to apply through one of theICM Registry’s accredited registrars to block registration of their trademark as a .xxx domain.

Expired leases pose risks to landlords and tenants

The period to negotiate a new lease between a landlord and a tenantcan be extended by formal agreement but if it isn’t, there are risks toboth parties. Tenants may be pursued as trespassers while landlordsmay inadvertently grant a new protected lease to their tenants, makingit much harder to get them to leave at the end of the term.

For further information on these or anyother business issues, please visit

www.withyking.co.uk or contact Alex Pyatt,head of the commercial team at Withy KingSolicitors in Swindon on 01793 536 526 or

email [email protected]

Alex Pyatt

Local heavyweights rankedin latest Legal 500 ‘bible’

Key players: Richard Clark of Clark Holt, Katharine Mortimer of Withy King and John Davies of Thrings

Swindon lawyer Paul Trincas has beenchosen as one of the athletics officialsfor the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Paul, a partner and head ofcorporate services at Charles Lucas &Marshall, will be part of the Games’high-profile Athletics Team withresponsibility for ensuring the trackand field of play in the main OlympicStadium are properly prepared,maintained, marshalled and supplied.Further, more specific details of hisrole will be notified to him shortly.

Paul said: “I thought my chances

were not that great given that some250,000 people had applied to be partof the Olympic Games – and theyneeded less than 200 to be part of theAthletics Team. When I was told byemail, I had to read it twice to reassuremyself it was true.”

Paul will need to be available for11 days of the track and field events.He may also be contacted to officiateat the Paralympics Games.

“I love athletics and to be part ofsuch a great occasion will be theexperience of a lifetime,” said Paul.

Lawyer Paul selected as 2012 Olympics official

Paul Trincas

October 2011

Finance

The Swindon office of HainesWatts, the national firm ofaccountants and business

advisers, was delighted to be invitedto be a sponsor and present at the firstThinking Ahead Conference in Bristolin September.

The conference was the brainchildof Mark Freeman, the chief executiveof Charity Business and was puttogether by Mark and his team, whichis also based in Swindon. With morethan 150 attendees the event has beenacclaimed as a great success in termsof the content and approach to thetopics covered, the format of the dayand the opportunity for delegates tomeet sector experts and peers withinthe charity sector.

Mark Freeman said: “We wantedto provide an event specifically for theSouth West, focusing on the criticalissues facing charities, not-for-profitorganisations and social enterprises.Charity Business has developed theThinking Ahead programme, which isa collaborative initiative that allows usto share our knowledge and give backto the sector through educationalevents and other collaborativeactivities. This conference was thefirst of a series of events that we areplanning and will allow us theopportunity to inform, discuss anddebate shared experiences with thethird sector.”

Sue Plumb, partner at HainesWatts Swindon, added: “The day wasa great success with manyrepresentatives from charityorganisations attending from acrossthe South West. As a partnerresponsible for a portfolio of charity

and not-for-profit clients I think it isparticular important theseorganisations share experiences andideas; this forum provided an excellentopportunity for this to happen.”

Haines Watts provides auditservices to more than 150 charities andadvise many more on issues such asSORP compliance, public benefit,VAT, tax-effective giving, trading,Charity Commission guidance,internal controls, trusteeresponsibilities and governancematters.

For further information pleasecontact Sue Plumb 01793 533838([email protected]).

The next Thinking AheadConference will take place in Londonon March 21, 2012. For moreinformation contact:[email protected] or call: 01793 554 209.

‘Great success’ forCharities conference

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is levied on atransfer of assets to other people ortrusts. Elsa Littlewood of Monahansexplains more.

IHT is most commonly paid inrespect of an individual's estate ondeath. However, it is often perceivedas a voluntary tax because withcareful planning, it is possible toreduce or remove any liability.

The Tax LiabilityWhen you die, the size of your

taxable estate is calculated as the totalvalue of all of your possessions andassets, including cash, property,investments and business interests,less any available exemptions andreliefs. If the taxable estate exceedsthe ‘nil rate band’ of £325,000 thenthe excess is taxed at 40 per cent.

Any unused ‘nil rate band’ may betransferred between spouses or civil

partners following the death of thesurviving spouse or partner,potentially doubling the nil rate bandfor the survivor to £650,000.

Inheritance Tax is a complexsubject, particularly for those withestates larger than the nil rate band,but there are many things that can bedone to minimise your liability;particularly where there is a businessor agricultural interest in the estate.

To help you understand if youhave an issue, and to identifyopportunities to reduce any potentialIHT liability, Monahans have justintroduced a fixed price IHT reviewand report. For £100 plus VAT, anestate planning specialist will meetyou to review your assets and willprovide a brief report on anyopportunities to reduce your liability.

For more information on this

subject or to arrange for a fixed priceIHT review, contact Elsa on 01793818300 or email her at:[email protected]

Inheritance Tax . . . The optional tax!

Small businesses in Swindonare being offered freeexpert advice from

chartered accountants as part ofa recently-launched initiative.

The Business Advice Service(BAS) aims to help small companies and start-ups withbusiness and financial advice to spur economicgrowth.

Small and medium business (SMEs) owners cancontact accountants in their area on a variety ofissues, both large and small, and there is no futureobligation.

Some 200 Institute of Chartered Accountants inEngland and Wales (ICAEW) practices across theregion have already signed up to offer the initial freeconsultation under the scheme.

ICAEW’S latest quarterly Business ConfidenceMonitor (BCM) showed regulatory requirements (36per cent), access to capital (26 per cent) and latepayment from customers (26 per cent) are now greaterchallenges to companies’ performance than a yearago – all issues that an ICAEW chartered accountantcan help with.

ICAEW executive director Robin Feith said: “Start-ups or growing small businesses need the best adviceto succeed at a time of fragile recovery and limits on

public spending. There is a clear need for expertbusiness advice which helps SMEs and start-upbusinesses become engines of growth.

“In response, the Business Advice Service will offerSMEs the opportunity to discuss their business with aqualified chartered accountant through a free initialconsultation. ICAEW Chartered Accountants will beable to offer expert advice on a whole range of issuesfacing them – from starting a business to turnaround,restructuring, financial management or taxationissues.”

The scheme was launched in Bristol by the LordMayor Geoff Gollop, an accountant himself, who said:“Small firms are the bedrock of the UK economy butsome also need financial management support. Thisservice is an example of how businesses can worktogether and will hopefully lead to local economicgrowth and potential job creation.”

Small businesses can find details of ICAEWchartered accountants in their local area atwww.businessadviceservice.com . Those participating

Sue Plumb

West accountants launch freesmall business advice service

More than 200 accountants in Englandand Wales sign up to service that willallow SMEs to seek free financial advice

Independent financial advisersMonahans Financial Services hasbeen ranked among the UK’s topthree firms for innovation in usingtechnology to provide excellence incustomer service.

The firm, part of Monahanschartered accountants which has anoffice in Swindon, collected theaccolade in the recent Aberdeen UKPlatform Awards, which recognisebusinesses that have enhanced theirclient service and investment

proposition over and beyond that oftheir competitors. MonahansFinancial Services recently changedthe way it manages clients’investments, moving them onto asingle – or wrap – platform.

This has saved investors’ timeand given them more control overtheir wealth. In a very short time,more than £80 million of assets havebeen moved into the MonahansWealth Management Service andclients have benefited from the

enhanced levels of service provided.The sector-beating performance wasrecognised at the gala dinner at theMarriott Hotel in London’sGrosvenor Square. MonahansFinancial Services managing directorSteve Missen said: “This is a fantasticreward for all the hard work theteam have put into the introductionof our new look wealth managementservice and builds on our charteredstatus, which itself is a reflection ofthe quality of advice we provide.”

Monahans ranked in top three for innovation

Elsa Littlewood

October 2011

Travel

Green businesses looking to tradeoverseas received export advice at therecent Environmental Trade Show UK(ETS UK).

Expert advisors from UK Trade andInvestment South West (UKTI),Business West and Enterprise EuropeNetwork (EEN) were on hand in theInternational Trade Lounge at the eventon October 13 at the University of theWest of England Exhibition andConference Centre in Bristol.

Organised by Low Carbon SouthWest, ETS UK brought together thebest in environmental and low carbongoods and services. The event had morethan 100 exhibitors and drew around2,000 visitors.

UKTI South West international

trade advisor Andrew Fraser said:“This event was the perfect platform forUK organisations to showcase theinnovative products and technologiesthat lie at the heart of the country’semerging environmental sector.

“We provided one-to-one guidanceto companies wanting to realise theiroverseas trade ambitions and gaveadvice on the best routes available toachieve their international objectives.”

Low Carbon South West chairmanAlan Bailey added: “Low carbontechnologies are recognised as a keysector for economic growth in theSouth West and we have manybusinesses here that are not onlythriving in the UK, but also enjoyinginternational success.

Exporting

You’re all set to export.But, how do you get paid?It’s a common issue for exporters. After all the hard work and effortbuilding contacts, getting the price right and securing the order, you areall set to go ahead and do business. But how do you get paid?A Letter of Credit can guarantee payment for export and provideconsiderable security for the exporter.When you export your product or service, your buyer’s bank opens aLetter of Credit and assumes the risk of paying for the goods specified.This contains details of the strict terms and conditions you need toadhere to for the bank to make payment. If your company meets all ofthe stated conditions, payment is guaranteed.There are different types of Letter of Credit including ConfirmedIrrevocable Letter of Credit, Irrevocable Letter of Credit, TransferableLetter of Credit, Back to Back Letter of Credit, Standby Letter of Credit.The cost to UK business through the presentation of non-compliantdocuments under Letters of Credit is estimated to run into hundreds ofmillions of pounds a year.However these costs do not take into consideration the potentialdamage through loss of reputation and impact on future business.It also does not take account the impact on cashflow and payment maybe delayed for longer or at worst never received. Preparation of all documents called for by a Letter of Credit requiresmeticulous care and attention to detail. Staff undertaking them needknowledge of both the shipping world and the banking industry. Theyalso need ongoing update training.Business West international trade services manager Catherine Stephenssaid: “Exporters are looking for the added security that a Letter of Creditcan give them. Rather than just invoicing customers they are not leavingit to chance.“A Letter of Credit is complex and interpretation of the rules can poseproblems. On average exporters only get their paperwork correct 30 percent of the time which can lead to delays. However, we have a 95 percent success rate which explains why companies come to us from allover the country.”For further information visit www.letters-of-credit.co.uk or call 01275 370716 or email [email protected]

Eastern Airways has increased flightsfrom Bristol Airport to Aberdeen andLeeds-Bradford from two to three eachweekday to meet rising demand.

Eastern Airways’ commercialdirector Kay Ryan said: “Ourconveniently timed services are by farthe quickest way to get to Yorkshireand north east Scotland and save

valuable time compared to groundtransport alternatives.”

The airline has has been operatingfrom Bristol since 2004. Weekdayflights to Leeds-Bradford andAberdeen will now depart at 6.45am,12.05pm (Mon-Wed), 1.45pm (Thu-Fri), and 5.15pm (Mon-Wed) and 6pm(Thu-Fri).

Flights from Aberdeen, Europe’soil capital, will depart at 6.50am,11.30am (Mon-Wed), 3pm (Thu-Fri)and 5pm. Leeds Bradford flights toBristol take off at 8.15am, 12.55pm(Mon-Wed), 4.20pm (Thu-Fri) and6.35pm.

A Sunday service will continue toboth Leeds-Bradford and Aberdeen.

EasyJet is to introduce flights from Bristol to Naples,bringing to 43 its number of destinations from theairport.

The budget airline, which has raised its full-year profitguidance, said fares on the route would start at £31.99 (one-way, including taxes). The three-times-weekly service willoperate from May 12 to September 1 next year.

Naples, Italy’s third-largest city, is popular with visitorsthanks to its lively atmosphere and proximity to some ofItaly’s most famous landmarks. Mount Vesuvius and Pompeiiare easily accessible from the city as well as the islands ofCapri and Ischia.

EasyJet, which has 10 aircraft based at Bristol, with an11th operating during the peak summer season, carries around3m passengers annually through the airport.

Shaun Browne, Bristol Airport's aviation director, said:

“A scheduled service to southern Italy is a welcome additionto easyJet's summer programme from Bristol. Not only doesit open up exciting holiday options for South West travellers,it also provides an opportunity for the region’s tourismindustry to take advantage of growing interest from the Italianmarket.” Meanwhile easyjet says more corporate passengersflew with it in the second half and it will now return around£190m to shareholders.

Second half revenue per seat rose six per cent — at theupper end of expectations — and it has already sold around athird of the seats for the first quarter of its next fiscal year.

The airline will pay a 9p dividend per share for the yearand has decided to return a further 35p per share by way of aspecial dividend in light its strong recent performance. “Takentogether this provides an estimated total cash return toshareholders of £190m or 44p per share,” said EasyJet.

High-flying Easyjet launches

Naples route from Bristol Airport

Regional airline boosts services to Leeds and Aberdeen

With the economy continuing tostruggle, the government seesexporting as one of the few

ways of generating growth for UK firms.However, many companies consider

exporting too difficult, costly or time-consuming to pursue, despite thepotential rewards.

Research shows exporters tend to bemore innovative and are able toovercome tough trading conditions.

The latest quarterly South WestExport Barometer staged by Bristol lawfirm Osborne Clarke shows thatexporters in the region are prettyresolute.

Partner Paul Killen said: “Over thesummer we interviewed a number of

exporters in the region to find out howthey had been impacted by the manyglobal and domestic events that haveoccurred this year.

“With so many international anddomestic events affecting the economy,you might expect these businesses to beexperiencing problems related to them.

“Our survey shows that it’s actuallythe traditional issues that are having animpact on the region's exporters. Oilprices, currency fluctuations andregulation have been bugbears forexporters for years and despite wars,revolutions and natural disasters theycontinue to cause major headaches forSouth West companies.

“Further, while many exporters feel

Green export gets growingat environmental trade show

Breaking down Swindon Business News continues its quarterlyseries of features on exporting by looking at thenuts and bolts of doing business overseas.

October 2011

Exporting

By Dave Atkinson, area directorfor Lloyds TSB Commercial inGloucester and Oxon

Exporting offers a world ofopportunity to small andmedium sized enterprises

(SMEs) in the South West, butperceived barriers can stopbusinesses from exploring thepotential opportunities that exist inother countries.

If trading in the domestic marketcan be difficult at times, then tradingoverseas – in different currencies,with different regulations and often ina different language – is going to beeven more of a challenge. However,the rewards can be considerable.

Evidence from UK Trade andIndustry has found that companiesthat export enjoy a jump inproductivity of 34 per cent in the firstyear. Yet research commissioned byLloyds TSB Commercial last yearfound that only a quarter of SouthWest SMEs have caught onto thepotential benefits of global exportmarkets.

By far the biggest worry amongfirms is that there would not bedemand for their product or serviceoverseas. Other concerns includefears about possible late payments, alack of resources to explore newmarkets and worries about potentialbad debts.

International specialists

Lloyds TSB Commercial haslocally-based international specialistswho can help businesses to addresssome of these challenges. Forexample, simply making andaccepting payments in a foreigncurrency has associated risks asexchange rates can work againstbusinesses expanding into foreignmarkets and can be costly.

Our international managers arededicated to supporting businessowners to ensure they maximise theopportunities as well as mitigate therisks. With extensive knowledge ofthe products and services businessesneed to help them export, they canprovide guidance that best suits yourneeds, from trade finance and lettersof credit to international paymentsand exporting guarantees.

These specialist trade productscan also be accessed online, allowingyour business to monitor, operate andcontrol international trading moreclosely and effectively on a day-to-day basis.

Foreign currency accounts, whichare available to any business holdinga Lloyds TSB Commercial sterlingbusiness current account, can makepayment and collection of foreigncurrency easier as well.

We can also arrange overdrafts inmost currencies as well as loans fromover £25,000 and forward exchangecontracts, all of which can helptowards removing some of the risksof adverse exchange rate movements.

We can tailor repayments so theycan be met from foreign currencyearnings, so a business can usemoney received in a foreign currency

to repay a loan in the same currency,meaning there is no need to exchangeit into sterling first.

Financing exports

When your business is movinginto international markets, yourfinancing needs will increase,whether that’s for short-term cashflow requirements or longer-terminvestment.

Lloyds TSB Commercialprovides a range of trade financingfacilities to help finance exportgrowth and manage these new riskswhen trading internationally. Financecan be tailored to a business’ tradepattern and structured so that salescan be turned into cash moreeffectively.

Getting the right finance in placeis not only important for exportsuccess, it can also help you win newbusiness. For example, improvedcash flow may allow you to winfurther sales by enabling you to offermore generous credit terms.

Help to export

Lloyds TSB Commercial can helpyou to manage your payment risksand funding needs when exporting.For example, using products such asdocumentary letters of credit can helpan exporter to link delivery of goodsdirectly to payment by the buyer’sbank.

Making the switch easy

Perhaps you are already anexporter, but would like more supportfrom your bank? Or maybe you wantto start trading internationally butwant some help and guidance? Weunderstand how daunting changingbanks can seem, but moving youraccount to Lloyds TSB Commercialis easier than you might expect.

If you want to tap into potentialgrowth from overseas markets, pleasecontact our local team based inSwindon - Tim Burden, InternationalManager on 07921 105 530 or SteveClutterbuck, Relationship Manageron 07921 548 417. Or for moreinformation visit:www.lloydstsb.com/exporting

Specialist support tohelp you trade overseas

Lloyds TSB Commercial is a trading name of Lloyds TSB Bank plc and Lloyds TSB Scotlandplc and serves customers with an annual turnover of up to £15M. Authorised and regulated bythe Financial Services Authority. Lending is subject to a satisfactory credit assessment. Wesubscribe to the Lending Code; copies of the Code can be obtained fromlendingstandardsboard.org.uk. Licensed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 underregistration numbers 0004685 and 0198797 respectively. CHANGES IN THE EXCHANGERATE MAY INCREASE THE STERLING EQUIVALENT OF YOUR DEBT. All enquiries forforeign currency accounts will be referred to a specialist manager who will provide moreinformation about charges for these services upon request.

Dave Atkinson

Presentation

Discrepancy Fee

Cost of Funds

Telex Fees

Total

Other Costs

£125,000

£75

£389

£25

£489

(based on 8% for 14 days and for -illustrative purposes only)

• Damage to reputation• Loss of Business• Non payment• Staff time

Illustration of associated costs

Four things exporters should do thisyear to sustain business growth:

• Actively explore the opportunities presented by thenewer growth markets• Understand and plan for the challenges the next12months will bring• As funding to government bodies is cut, seek outadvice from professional and membership organisations and commercial sources• Continue to lobby for initiatives that support exporters and reduce red tape

Source: The Osborne Clarke South West ExportBarometer

confident, the recent shock news aboutredundancies at BAE shows that eventhe largest companies are vulnerable tochanges in their export order book.”Key findings from the Barometer show: • 60 per cent of exporters say the levelof exports was not affected by the eventsof the last year.• Small and medium-sized firms in theSouth West are uncertain but optimisticabout exporting over the next two years,with three quarters expecting theirexports to account for more of their salesover the next two years.• Oil price rises affected more exportersthan any other factor – this is expected tocontinue to have the most impact onexporting in future• Compliance and regulation areincreasingly an obstacle to exportactivity

If deciding whether to export in thefirst place is difficult enough, thenresearching markets, setting upagreements with agents and distributorsand, finally, getting paid are all prettydaunting challenges regardless of theeconomic climate. UK Trade andInvestment, the government’s exportboosting agency, runs the Passport toExport Service which assesses acompany’s readiness for international

business, and helps it build internationaltrade capacity

For more experienced exporters,UKTI’s Gateway to Global Growthservice helps them diversify into newmarkets.

It recognises that internationalbusiness is complex for even the mostexperienced of exporters.

Gateway to Global Growth is a freeservice to experienced exporters offering

a 12-month programme of strategicsupport tailored to their needs to helpgrow their business overseas.

It offers a strategic review with anexperienced international trade adviser toconstruct a next-steps action plan;guidance and mentoring from exportprofessionals and support on specialistsubjects. It also includes access to UKTrade & Investment’s internationalnetwork; assistance with marketresearch, language and culture andnetworking opportunities to learn fromother exporters.

A UKTI spokesman said: “Gatewayhelps firms maximise the opportunitiesand reduce the risks of entering newmarkets; overcome barriers to new anddifficult markets; develop companyskills and save time and money inachieving international trade goals.”

UKTI has partnered with BritishAirways to offer new and recent (fromApril ‘11) entrants to its Passport andGateway to Global Growth schemes anenrolment bonus of 3,120 points whenthey join BA's On Business loyaltyprogramme. These points can be used forreward flights, cabin upgrades and hotelaccommodation. To be eligible firmsmust have two to 10 years’ exportexperience or be an innovative company.

the barriers to exports

Paul Killen

October 2011

Office Interiors

Office interiors specialists AbbeyBusiness Equipment is making amark on Swindon with its one-stop-shop approach.

From designing new officelayouts to fitting, furnishing and oldfurniture disposal, the company'has secured contracts with someof the town's largest businesses.

Among its recent projects wasone for Fairchild Semiconductors,the leading global provider ofsemiconductor technologiesformerly based in WoottonBassett.

The three-month projectutilised each of the AbbeyBusiness Equipment specialistservices, beginning with anextensive design brief for the newoffices on Swindon’s Windmill HillBusiness Park.

Abbey Business Equipmentsales director David Giles said:“The brief was very specific. Thebusiness required a new officedesign that would create amodern working environment withincreased space.

“We were also tasked withrelocating the client from itsprevious office, fitting their chosenfurnishings and also disposing oftheir existing, unwanted furniture,which we ensure is doneresponsibly. The project was verysuccessful in terms of both serviceand meeting the deadline.”

Cheltenham-based AbbeyBusiness Equipment specialises inrelocation planning, spaceplanning and CAD (computer-aided design), office interiordesign, cabling infrastructuredesign, furnishings andequipment.

It also offer a comprehensivebusiness equipment departmentproviding tailor-made digitalprinting and documentmanagement for businesses of allsizes.

Sheila Robison at FairchildSemiconductors said: “The designand fit out of the new property wasinnovative and simple with fullfocus on function, cost andaesthetics both for the businessand people populating the space.It has given us an office spacewhich has boosted the well beingand enthusiasm of the staff whoare now benefiting from Abbey'sefforts.”

For more information, contactAbbey Business Equipment on01242 263444 or visit:www.abbeybusinessequipment.com

CASE STUDY

Step inside Plantronics recentlyrefurbished office in WoottonBassett and you enter a

workplace like few others.Library-quiet and vibrantly

coloured, the atmosphere and décorare more the VIP lounge of a topinternational hotel than a workingoffice.

Sound-proof pods allow staff tohold meetings without disturbing otheremployees and huge sofas and softfurnishings make break-out areas morelike chill-out zones.

In stark contrast, and well awayfrom the workspaces, a drum kit sitsproudly in the staff relaxation area –proving that not everything atPlantronics is whisper quiet.

Of course, for a company at theleading edge of acoustic technology,Plantronics, which makes phoneearpieces and headsets for thecorporate market, has a vested interestin the office of the future.

So much so that the US firmdecided to make its Wootton Bassettoffice – which is it’s main Europeanbase – a showpiece for how smarter

working can be achieved throughdesign and acoustics.

Plantronics, whose globalheadquarters are in Santa Cruz,California, may not be shouting aboutits innovation in interior design – intrue West Coast fashion – but it isproud.

Much of the work has been carriedout by George Coffin, the firm’sfacilities manager for Europe, MiddleEast and Asia, who has becomesomething of an expert in the acousticproperties of cushions, wall coveringsand floor tiles – a far cry from hisprevious job in the Army’s RoyalCorps of Signals.

But, as he points out, they bothinvolve communication. ForPlantronics, communication in all itsmeanings is vital. To prove itsproducts are the most technologically-advanced on the market, it needs todemonstrate them in action – which iswhy the offices are designed to takeout most of the sound from staffvoices, whether on the phone ortalking, by using soft furnishings andabsorbent wall coverings.

The quiet revolution Creating a better office environment used to involve littlemore than a fresh coat of paint, some new desks and apotted plant or two. But to recruit, retain and inspire theright people, forward-thinking organisations know theyneed to look at all aspects of the workplace – from thesoft furnishings and lighting to the type of coffee in itsvending machines. Here we look at why every elementof an office reflects the business using it.

Fairchild getsthe Abbeyhabit for itsnew look office

October 2011

Office Interiors

“When I first came here it was atypical 1980s office,” says George,pulling a curtain around a sofa tocreate a sound-proof meeting area inthe middle of the office.

“The first thing we looked at wasintroducing a wow factor. Buteverything - the chairs, the desks, thefloor and wall coverings - are here fora reason, whether because of theiracoustics or to improve the flexibilityof way we work.”

Staff were engaged from the wordgo in helping design and equip theoffice - even the sort of coffee in thevending machines provided bySwindon’s Bespoke Coffee Company,which was only too happy to workalongside Plantronics to add to theflavour of the working environment.

Plantronics employs 120 people inthe UK but flexible working – whichis also part of demonstrating theflexibility of the technology, meansonly about 60 are based at WoottonBassett.

Plantronics knows its customers

need them to talk the talk – albeitquietly.

A different take on interiors comesfrom Oaktree Interiors - one of theleading specialists in office design &build, project management, fit-out,refurbishment works and furnituresupply.

The firm relishes the opportunitiesto create dynamic and inspiring workplaces for its customers throughout theUK.

Years of experience has resulted inthe formation of a talented team whooffer a full professional advice service.

Glenn Roberts at Reading-basedOaktree said: “Our dedicated teams ofprofessionals have wide rangingexpertise covering every aspect of ourindustry so that you can be assuredthat our solutions and proposals meetthe demands and expectations of a 21stCentury working environment. Wehave the ability to build stunningcommercial interiors which earn praisefrom our clients and the respect ofmajor manufacturers.”

The firm has recently beenworking with some of the area’s best-known companies on design and buildprojects, including Intel and CatalentPharma Solutions as well Patheon UKin the recent past.

When Cirencester pharma suppliesfirm Vygon moved into Swindon’siconic former Motorola building ittook the opportunity to redesign theoffice and meetings areas of the once-time factory.

The firm brought in Cirencester-based 3Sphere to redesign the interiorsafter tripping out and completelyrefurbishing the existing 20,000 sq ftground floor offices in the nowrenamed Pierre Simonet Building.

taking place in office design

October 2011

Christmas

Removed from the frantic pace of corporate life,the tranquillity of Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa isentirely conducive to productivity and efficiency

and provides a delightfully different aspect tobusiness life.

The business facilities are popular withorganisations that have used the hotel and spa forboard meetings, incentives for staff and team-buildingevents, as well as product launches for the carindustry.

The Conference Suite comprises a boardroombenefiting from natural daylight, which seats up to 24boardroom-style and 60 theatre-style. Smallermeetings may also be accommodated in the SittingRoom. The private cinema seats 40 and is perfect forpresentations and product launches. In addition,there are three gallery rooms used for breakoutmeetings, hospitality and exhibitions. There is also abusiness centre.

The hotel, just 20 minutes from junction 17 of theM4, is easily accessible from Swindon, Bath andBristol.

Alongside the outstanding business facilities,Whatley Manor offers the very best in relaxation andgastronomy with two restaurants to choose from. LeMazot, the informal brasserie, serves lunch and

dinner daily with set lunch menus from £19. TheMichelin two-starred restaurant The Dining Roomserves dinner Wednesday to Sunday. The DiningRoom is featured in the Which? Good Food Guide2012 with a score of 8 out of 10 and is the onlyestablishment in Wiltshire to appear in this years’guide. The restaurant has moved up one place to13th from last year in the guide’s top 50 restaurantsin the UK. The hotel has 15 rooms and eight suites, allindividually decorated. Guests can explore the 12acres of beautiful English country gardens or relax inthe spa, Aquarias; the perfect therapy after an intensemeeting, and a treat for partners attending. Aquariasfeatures a large hydrotherapy pool, thermal cabins,salt scrub showers and wave dream sensory room.There are excellent golf courses nearby and otheroutdoor activities may be arranged. Why not try a Pololesson at nearby Beaufort Polo Club or an invigoratingTai Chi session. These group activities are great fun,effective in boosting morale and developingmanagement skills. For further information and tobook call events on 01666 834 026 [email protected]. Visit:www.whatleymanor.com for full details on WhatleyManor Hotel & Spa.

Meet and relax at Whatley Manor

The Biplob, Old Town’s popular andlong-standing Indian restaurant, has anew look ready for the Christmasseason after an extensiverefurbishment and expansion.

The restaurant, in Wood Street, cannow seat another 70 guests followingconversion of the former chemist’sshop on the groundfloor into a moderndining room - adding to its traditionalbasement restaurant and introducing amore relaxed way of dining. Morethan 150 guests can now enjoy fine-dining in three separate party rooms asthe refurbishment has also allowed theBiplob to open a small bar for around15 guests to enjoy privacy away fromthe main dining areas - ideal for smallChristmas gatherings.

The high standard of Bengali-based cuisine will continue with a thirdchef joining the Biplob’s vastly-experienced team in the kitchen.

The refurbishment has introduceda more modern and relaxedenvironment to this highly-popularrestaurants.

Each area of the new-look Biplob

has been given a name to reflect itsdifferent style, with the basementrestaurant now called the Bilash Suite– meaning relaxation – the newgroundfloor restaurant named theBalaka Lounge after this type offlamingo, reflecting the fact that theBiplob is not just confined to the lowerfloor but has also flown upstairs. Theprivate bar is called the Berloti - aplace where you can take a break.

Co-owner Rokib Ali said: “Wehave been part of Old town life formany years and this refurbishmentmeans we will continue to be so for along time into the future.

“Our new look brings a new styleof Indian dining to the area in time forthe Christmas party season and we arealready getting a lot of interest frombusinesses looking to host theirChristmas parties in the Biplob.”

The new-look restaurant recentlyheld an opening party attended by theMayor of Swindon Ray Ballman.

Indian restaurant getsitself a stylish new look

Juvals, the ladies’ fashion shop inWood Street, Old Town, has awonderful range of clothes andaccessories now available asthoughts turn to Christmas.

One of the advantages of Juval’sis the personal attention Val and herstaff give to customers, while theybrowse in an relaxed way to findexactly what they want.

This year’s winter collectionincludes a great range of fashionableknitwear, such as long cardigans ingreys and blacks, often lifted bysome bright colours such as fuscia.

Overall, winter colours are navy,black and browns, and the range ofevening wear at Juvals – includingsome very sparkly gowns – is ideal ifthere are some Christmas parties inyour diary.

Call Juvals on 01793 513196

All the latest

Winter fashion

at Juvals on

Wood Street

October 2011

Property

October 2011

Property

Developer Gazeley’s massive B&Qwarehouse scheme at SouthMarston has won Deal of the Year(over 50,000 sq ft) at the IndustrialAgents Society (IAS) annualawards.

The 800,000 sq ft distributioncentre is the largest of three unitson Gazeley’s 98-acre G. ParkSwindon site and was handed overto B&Q six weeks ahead ofschedule in May 2011. The hotly-contested award recognised thisearly completion along with

Gazeley’s ability to deliver the£70m project in just 32 weeks, partof which fell during one of theworst winters on record.

The prize was collected by

Gazeley’s UK operations directorAlex Verbeek at an awardsceremony in London’s Park LaneHotel. Alex said: “This was a toughcategory with some strongcompetition and we are delightedwith the result. The project at G.Park Swindon was a keydevelopment for us in 2011 andthis award is testament to the effortand dedication of the whole teaminvolved.”

The category was sponsoredby Dowley Turner Real Estate.

Five new occupiers have moved into office units atHighcross’s Pine Court development in Kembrey Park,including a nursery which is already providing a valuable

service to businesses based in the area.Pine Court is a new development of two-storey office units

ranging in size from 1,130 sq ft to 2013 sq ft.Highcross director Nick Turner said: “These latest lettings

reflect the success of our new rent incentives at Pine Court, as wellas the quality of the scheme, with its self-contained, well-specifiedoffice buildings.

“The units are ideal for occupiers who want to be part of awell-established, managed business environment with the addedbenefit of their own front door and identity.”

The new occupiers include FCS Computer Systems, aninternational services provider to the hotel industry which hasmoved its Europe, Middle East and Africa division into Unit 3,Pine Court, from serviced offices in Swindon town centre,renaming it FCS House.

Regional head Eric Rogers said: “Our seven-strong team nowhas not only a peaceful place in which to do business, but alsospace to expand. These are offices we can be proud to invite bothour hotel and reseller partners to, and reflect FCS’s owncommitment to growing our business here in EMEA.”

Unit 2 has been let to Optima Defence & Security, whichspecialises in developing end-to-end capability, equipment andtraining for the military, police and counter-terrorism sectors. Thecompany, which has moved to Kembrey Park from Bristol, was

attracted to Pine Court by theself-contained office, classroomand storage facilities, as well asits location between customercentres in Bristol and London.

Also new to Pine Court isSandvine Consulting Services, anetwork policy control company,which has taken Unit 4 to give itsEurope, Middle East, Africa andAsia-Pacific region consultants,support and sales staff anoperational base for the firsttime.

Practice manager MarkShaw, is delighted his team nowall work out of the same building, which was a key driver behindthe move. “I was very impressed with Highcross’ professionalism,the help they gave, and how easy they were to do business with,”he said.

Highcross has converted Unit 6 for Swindon nursery Oops-a-Daisy Childcare, providing a convenient, high-quality service forcompanies based on the park. The nursery, which provideschildcare from birth to school age, and after school and holidaycare up to 11, had been looking for larger premises and the unit atPine Court provided the space needed.

Nursery head Deborah Baigent said: “Pine Court’s location,

with a wide range of companies based on the doorstep, offersexciting potential for further growth of our business.”

Highcross has also let Unit 9 to independent financial adviserStatehouse and its associated companies Nicholas BrownConsultants (accountants) and Purple Patch (businessconsultancy).

Commenting on Pine Court’s appeal, managing director NickCowen said: “I can sum it up in one word – activity. The wholepark is buzzing.”

Joint agents for Kembrey Business Park are Keningtons andLoveday and Loveday.

Gazeley wins deal of the year for B&Q warehouse

Success at Pine Court development as new occupiers take space

October 2011

In Gear

Specialist housing developer Sarsen Housing Association has bought thesite of a former NHS health clinic in Goldney Avenue, Chippenham, fordevelopment.The 0.4-acre site, which had been cleared and made ready for

redevelopment, was sold by property agents Alder King on behalf of theNHS subject to planning. Sarsen has since secured planning consent andstarted construction on site.The site, to the north west of Chippenham town centre, is in a

predominantly residential area.Sarsen owns and manages around 6,000 homes for rent and shared

ownership across the South West and has built nearly 2,000 homes in theregion for residents since 1995.

The all-new Hyundai i40 Tourer is thelatest addition to the ever expandingHyundai range at local dealer, Pebley

Beach in West Swindon Motor Park. Since its launch in September, the response

has been extremely positive. Demand to testdrive the new model has been high, withcustomers pleasantly surprised by the finish andimpressed with the quality of the car.

Stylish, spacious and efficient, the i40 hasit all. Because of the benefit-in-kind and low

road fund license, it is proving particularlypopular as a fleet model. With Blue Drivetechnologies the i40 can deliver 65.7 mpg andproduces CO2 emissions from 113g/km –which is beneficial to both the company andend user.

The i40 also comes with a Five-Year TripleCare package, which includes a Five-YearUnlimited Mileage Warranty, Five-YearRoadside Assistance and Five Years of AnnualHealth Checks. Prices start from £17,395 on the

road. Every i40 Tourer incorporates high levelsof equipment designed to help keep fleet driverssafe - ESP, seven airbags, ABS, Brake Assistand Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) -Bluetooth with voice recognition - andreassured - with Hyundai’s Five-Year TripleCare package, the i40 Tourer boasts anunlimited mileage warranty (not available fortaxi or private hire usage) and five years’roadside assistance.

Pebley Beach director Dominic Threlfall

said: “We can offer discerning fleet managers -and their drivers - a complete package with thei40 Tourer. Whatever the size of their fleet, theycan enjoy the benefits.

“From driving down the cost of ownershipand lowering the tax efficiency of our vehiclesto improving the on-the-road experience - ouraim is that both companies and drivers benefit.”For more information or to book a test drive,call Pebley Beach Hyundai on 01793 644777 orvisit pebleybeachhyundai.co.uk

Positive results and high demand to test drive new i40

Sarasen buys-up former NHS site

SWINDONBUSINESSNEWSTelephone: 01793 615393www.swindon-business.net

Construction company Beard’s Swindon office hasachieved record turnover and orders so far this year,putting the group on course for a strong annual

performance despite the impact of the economic slowdownand government cut backs on the sector.

The office achieved turnover of £15m during the eightmonths to August – an increase of 125 per cent on theprevious year – while it secured orders for new contractsworth more than £14m. Combined, these achievementswill ensure the company exceeds its budgets this year.

The strong performance is due in part to a number ofregional authority framework agreements in Wiltshire,Gloucestershire and Berkshire which have added toBeard’s traditional strengths. As well as winning a bid tobuild a £2m-plus arts and design centre at Cheam School,the Swindon team won three new MoD contracts under a

relationship with Aspire to improve facilities at Larkhilland Bulford Garrisons and has been selected as a supplierto projects under the Ministry of Justice framework.

Beard’s Swindon construction director Marc Bayleysaid: “This is a really good performance from the team.Business remains difficult, but the 10 frameworkagreements we are involved with puts us in a goodposition.

“Not surprisingly alterations, renovation andimprovement works represent a larger proportion of thebusiness at the moment and our property services team isparticularly busy. Accolades for health and safety from ourwork with the MoD and our recent Investors in PeopleGold Award – one of just a handful of constructioncompanies to have achieved this level – shows we aregetting the other things right too.”

Beard building on its successwith positive outlook for 2011

Swindon’s multi award-winningIndian restaurant, the Jewel in theCrown, is offering outside partycatering for businesses for up to400 people this Christmas.

Companies looking forsomething special for the festiveseason can simply book their ordernow with the restaurant from achoice of menus and leave the restto the Jewel in the Crown’s expertchefs who will produce a mouth-watering selection of dishes whichwill be delivered for theirChristmas party. While outside

catering is becoming more popularfor businesses this Christmas, theJewel in the Crown’s landmark200-seat restaurant in VictoriaRoad is already strong receivingbookings for parties in December.

The restaurant, which hasbecome a Swindon institution sinceit opened in 1987, is available tobook outright for large gatheringsor can be divided into four suitesfor smaller parties, each offering aself-contained venue, including therefurbished basement restaurant,which is now ready for the party

season. The Jewel in the Crown isoffering value-for-money menusthis Christmas to suit any budget.Owner Mr Muzammil Ali said:“Companies just need to tell ustheir budget and how many guestswill be coming and we will producea wonderful Christmas meal forthem which they can enjoy in one ofour private suites.

“We believe we are offeringSwindon’s best value Christmasparties this year for people to enjoyin wonderful surroundings.”

For bookings and furtherinformation, contact the Jewel inthe Crown on 01793 522687.

Indian restaurant offers outside catering

Get moving with mobilesRoger Goodwin of DigitalTrading Creative will be the guestspeaker at the next SwindonChamber of Commercebusiness breakfast.

Roger will help delegatesgain an understanding of howcan benefit from the currentrevolution in mobile technologyand capitalise on this ever-changing market.

The event is held at the DeVere Village on Friday, October21 from 7:30am to 9:30am.

Attendance costs £19.20 formembers and £25.20 for non-members. For more details visit:www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk

County Business Volume 29 Number 11 October 2011 SWINDON...

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