bbp midlands - edition 60

Ed

ition 60

T: 08000 807 809E: [email protected]

www.bbpmedia.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS POST

bbpMedia

33773_HorseWorld 06/01/2016 14:04 Page 1

C O N T E N T SChurchill 4

Get some Relief! 5

AECOM 6

MCS Corporate Strategies 7

ONEPOST 8

MCA Group 9

Lewis Onions 10

Insolvency 11

Coface 12

Technology in Business 13

Little Orchard 14

Intelligent Point of Sale 15

Midshire 16

Go Direct 18

National Apprenticeship Week 2016 19

TDM Wyre Academy 20

South & City College 21

JTL 22

Footprints in the Sand? 23

Stratford Energy Solutions 24

Nortek Global HVAC 25

Freeths 26

Growth and Technology 27

Senturian Security 28

Quantem Consulting LLP 29

DEK Images 30

HeliDrone Surveys 31

FireFly Aerial Innovation 32

Vincent Interior Contracts 33

Air Control & Development 34

A Call to Action 35

AFI Group 36

Aston University 37

Birmingham Runner 38

Fruitdrop 39

we clean 40

Inspire Healthcare Services 42

Merton Group 43

Johnson Fleming 44

New Leaf Health 45

Macmillan 46

Let’s get together 47

Alternative Venues West Midlands 48

Go Ape 49

The Arden Hotel & Leisure Club 50

SACO The Serviced Apartment Company 51

Southside 53

The Old Rep 54

DanceXchange 55

Welcome to Edition 60 of the BirminghamBusiness Post, the free magazine for theMidlands business community packed withnews, tips and stories from across the region.

In this edition we feature the role of technologyin shaping practices in both the Constructionand Business Sectors. We celebrate NationalApprenticeship Week, feature the vibrantBirmingham district of Southside, and start aseries on reducing our Carbon Footprint.

Business Finance features strongly with articleson Business Taxation, and on Recovery andInsolvency. We continue our popular series onConferences, with advice on venue choice,while looking at what employers can offer toimprove the health of their workforce.

Next time more on Finance, Health andWellbeing, Pensions and Carbon Reduction.

In the meantime take a look at the website,bbpmedia.co.uk and keep sending yourbusiness news and stories to us [email protected] we will featureas many as we can.

BBP Media11 Canalside Office Complex,Lowesmoor Wharf,Worcester WR1 2RR

Tel: 08000 807 809Fax: 01905 726 467E: [email protected]: www.bbpmedia.co.uk

Publisher: PIL (Europe) LimitedPrint & Design: Heron Press UK

ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDReproduction in whole or part prohibited withoutpermission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictorialmedia for this publication are sent at owners risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PIL (Europe) Limited or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorialsubmissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope.

DISCLAIMERWhilst every effort has been made to ensure that advertsand articles appear correctly, PIL (Europe) Limited cannotaccept responsibility for any loss or damage causeddirectly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarilythose of its publisher or editor.

Birmingham Edition 60 Contents_Layout 1 06/03/2016 20:21 Page 1

Buy-to-let WoesIn the Summer Budget lastyear the Chancellorannounced that thegovernment would betackling the perceivedunfairness that landlordswere able to claim interestrelief at their highest marginalrate whilst individuals whoown their own homes wereunable to claim any relief.

This statement seems toforget that landlords arerunning a business whilst a

homeowner isn’t and a basic principle of running a business isthat you can claim a tax deduction for costs incurred.

However, the fairness or otherwise of the proposed changes isnot the subject of this article – we will assume that the rules willbe enacted as currently proposed. Havingsaid that, it is important to bear in mindthat we might see changes along theway and whilst it is important to startplanning, no one needs to rush intoactually making changes.

There appears to be some confusionaround what has been proposed. Thechange is to bring in a restriction forinterest relief, not to abolish it completely.Therefore there will still be some reliefavailable but it will be restricted to basicrate (20%) under the proposed changes.

The second point to note is that asproposed, the restriction only applies toresidential property investors. It doesn’tapply to commercial investors orowners of furnished holiday lets.

Furthermore, much has been made of the factthat companies are not affected by the proposed rules. On theback of this there is a flurry of activity to consider incorporatingproperty portfolios.

However, it is important to remember that companies currentlypay tax at 20% so they are already restricted to 20% relief bythe nature of the tax calculation. For this reason there is nopoint in trying to apply such a restriction to companies.

Incorporation may be the answer for some taxpayers, butcertainly not everyone. Each case needs to be considered onits own merits. There are many considerations including:

• Do you need to extract all of the profits from the company,for example if you use the profits to live on? If this is thecase, there will be an additional tax charge when you extractthe funds from the company. This needs to be factored intothe overall tax cost.

• Will the bank allow mortgages to be transferred to acompany? Will they renegotiate the interest rate you arepaying?

• What level of tax will you pay on the way into the company –particularly capital gains tax and stamp duty land tax?

• What running costs will you incur going forward and will thatnegate some of the savings from incorporation?

The limit on the relief starts from 6 April 2017 and will bephased in over 4 years – the full restriction is

intended to be in place (20% relief only)by 2020/21.

So what can landlords do in anticipationof the changes?

Some landlords are considering sellingsome or all of their property portfolios inorder to repay some or all of the debt.

Others are considering incorporation, butbe aware that this route is not appropriatefor everyone and advice should be soughtfor the reasons set out above.

Lastly, some landlords will sit tight and paythe extra tax.

Whatever the eventual chosen route, the keymessage for all landlords is to ensure that they are taking advicesooner rather than later and certainly ahead of the changes.

Birmingham officeStephanie Churchill

Mobile: 07813 434195 Phone: 0121 632 2008Fax: 0121 616 0555

[email protected]

Stephanie Churchill - Director

33745 AP_HorseWorld 18/02/2016 16:05 Page 1

4

There are a range of reliefs andincentives available to companieswhich are prepared to invest intechnology and innovation, or inimprovements to their commercialpremises, including energy savingmeasures and upgrading their businesstechnology through the tax system.

Although many businesses may be awarethat these reliefs exist, large sums remainunclaimed, as many businesses don’trealise they qualify, or view the process ofclaiming as long and complicated.

It need not be; there is plenty of help outthere. The larger accountancy firms havein-house specialists, and while regularaccountants may not have the necessarybreadth of expertise, there are specialistfirms that will work with them to prepareyour claim.

R&D Tax Credits This scheme is aCorporation Tax relief designed toencourage spending on R&D activities andenables companies that incur costs indeveloping new products, processes orservices to receive a cash payment or taxdeduction. The average annual claim for anSME claimant, across the UK, currentlyruns over £51,000, and can therefore bean incredibly valuable source of fundingwith up to 33.35% of a company’s R&Dspend being available as a cash repaymentfrom HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Basically if you have incurred costs duringthe development of a new machine,service, prototype or process, or even juston part of it, whether the product or

process comes to a successful conclusionor not, you can claim.

Thus engineering firms adapting a processon the shop floor to work more efficiently,a farmer using his ingenuity to improve thefunction of his milking parlour, even a foodproducer bringing a new process tomarket may be able to claim. The keyattribute is that the technology is animprovement on what went before.

Research & DevelopmentEnhanced Credit (RDEC) This relatedscheme introduced from April 2013applies to larger companies; over recentyears the rates have increasedsignificantly to further encourage claims.

Patent Box This is another relief whichrewards innovation. There were somechallenges from our European partners tothe provisions of the original scheme, so arevised Patent Box regime aligns benefitsmore closely to R&D activity carried out inthe UK.

To opt into the Patent Box, a companymust have undertaken qualifyingdevelopment by making a significantcontribution to the creation or developmentof the patented invention, or a productincorporating the patented invention. Youcan only benefit from the Patent Box if yourcompany is liable to Corporation Tax andmakes a profit from exploiting patentedinventions. Your company must also ownor exclusively license-in the patents andmust have undertaken qualifyingdevelopment on them.

Capital Allowances in general refer tosums of money a UK business can deductfrom the overall corporate or income tax onits profits. If a company has spent moneyon buying, improving or altering businesspremises they are likely to be able to obtainsignificant tax savings through claimingcapital allowances, even if expenditure wasincurred some years ago.

But be aware, due to a change inlegislation from April 2014, if you ignorethe capital allowances when buying abuilding, then all allowances will be lost forgood. It is important to carry out duediligence to ensure that the previousowner has claimed any allowances due,as it will no longer be acceptable to keepthe sale contract silent on CapitalAllowances.

Historically, this may have kept theoptions open but would now most likelydeny all allowances, not only for the nextpurchaser but also for all futurepurchasers of the property.

Capital Allowances also apply to the costof anything you buy for use in yourbusiness; vans and cars, machines,scaffolding, ladders, tools, equipment,furniture, computers and similar items youuse in your business, includingexpenditure on plant and machinery.Capital Allowances can also be claimedon research and development facilitiesand equipment (Research andDevelopment Capital Allowances).

It should be remembered that all landlordsare running a business whether a largecommercial, residential or mixed portfolio,or simply an individual who has investedtheir pension pot in a couple of buy-to letproperties, they too are eligible for taxdeductions for costs incurred.

Articles such as this can only skim thesurface; businesses should talk thepossibilities through with a specialist tax advisor.

Get some Relief!

33885 1PG_Transport Warehousing 04/03/2016 12:20 Page 1

5

AECOM’s Fiscal Incentivesteam have a clear message –“we save our clients money”.

The team is formed of highlyexperienced and dedicatedasset taxation specialists with awide range of professionalqualifications from surveyingand engineering through toinvestment, taxation, accountingand sustainability.

They assist clients in reducing their tax liabilities by identifyingassets and investments that attract tax relief. In some casesmore than half of the project expenditure (including professionalfees) will be eligible for relief against taxable profits.

This year alone the team identified over £1 billion of capitalallowances, creating a direct financial saving for their clients ofover £200 million.

Particular services include:

• Capital allowances consulting

• Land remediation relief consulting

• Research and development relief consulting

• Property-related VAT and International Customs Duty mitigation

They undertake due diligence on potential acquisitions anddisposals, providing advice on the availability of relief andproviding the necessary contractual clauses and documentationto secure all available benefit.

Capital expenditure can be analysed on new builds, fit outs,conversions and refurbishments, with works in existingproperties often providing the most lucrative returns in terms oftax relief.

Fiscal incentives are increasingly being used to support thesustainability agenda in buildings and the firm’s earlyinvolvement provides the best opportunity to implement aneffective strategy focussing on green incentives via thespecification of qualifying equipment and installations.

Enhanced Capital Allowancesprovide 100% relief or a 19%payable credit (subject torestrictions) for expenditure onprescribed energy or water-saving technologies. Theseare available in the year thatthe expenditure is incurred,allowing for a full andimmediate benefit.

Whilst AECOM’s FiscalIncentives team can add valueat any stage of a project ortransaction, their earlyinvolvement can have themost impact. Recent changes

to the capital allowancerules mean that carefulplanning is required whenconsidering a propertypurchase or disposal toensure that the benefit ispreserved. Interactionduring the preparation ofthe bid or tenderingprocess also allowsAECOM to proactivelymanage the tax reliefprocess and enables theimplementation of thebest methods forenhancing the claims andtax relief available.

Their involvement increases the opportunity to create additionalproject cash flow through tax relief by:

– Identifying project-specific tax and fiscal incentives.

– Forecasting the flow of available reliefs to assist in the reporting process.

– Maximising recovery through enhanced capital allowances and other high-yielding reliefs.

– Advising on “green” initiatives, including renewable technologies.

AECOM works with a wide range of clients across all sectors,ranging from small business and private investors tointernational and world renowned organisations, with a particularfocus on the property sector, working with such high profilebusinesses as British Land, Prologis, Gazeley and Hammerson.

The firm’s network of offices throughout the United Kingdomenables them to provide specialist advice to their clientslocally.The firm’s international capability and knowledge of taxdepreciation regimes worldwide also enables them to providelocal solutions globally. They have a history of operating in manyinternational jurisdictions such as Singapore, Malaysia, Australia,South Africa, Russia, Scandinavia, India, Poland and Spain. Theywork with local tax agents to provide enhanced segregation ofproject expenditure for tax depreciation purposes.

For more information about the firm and its wide range ofservices, please visit the web site www.aecom.com

Tim Jackson leads the AECOM Fiscal Incentives team and canbe contacted on: 020 70617167 / [email protected]

Tim Jackson - Director

33713_HorseWorld 10/12/2015 08:50 Page 1

6

It is sometimes difficult to convince UK companiesthat some of their activities qualify as research anddevelopment and that this is very generouslyencouraged and supported by the Government. This isso whether they pay tax, (e.g. start-up,) make tradinglosses or pay taxes on profits. Each of thesescenarios attracts tax credits payments.

The qualification for making R&D Tax Credits Claims is that yoube a registered entity e.g. Ltd or Plc. This very simplerequirement applies for Patent Box Claims and the recentlyannounced Creative Industries Video Games Tax Relief, claimsfor which are also based on Research and Development TaxCredits and other attractive incentives for games, video andanimation technologies.

Recent revisions to the schemes have improved access;however, care must be taken to observe HMRC’s CorporateIntangibles Research & Development (CIRD) regulatory referencedocument. CIRD is not onerous; it gives regulatory guidanceabout the fairly flexible and inclusive terms for identification of

what is R&D for these purposes and how to produce valid claimsthat can be supported if queried. Claims should be based onaccounting and work records, include a brief technical report andrefer to records and sources that can be verified if asked.

Research and Development Tax Credits and Patent Box areseparate schemes; however, they are best applied together inorder to gain maximum benefits and protect created IP. Bothschemes are valuable, retrospective and intended to be ongoingto encourage research, new products, innovation and expandingtechnologies.

Whatever your activity, it is advisable to consider the availability ofthese schemes, as it can often be a matter of mix and match toachieve optimum advantage. A company might fall into severalcategories dependent on activity.

The UK is now a global centre for creative technologies, thedevelopment of video games, animation, film making and therapidly growing support industries for these activities. TheGovernment recently introduced Video Games Tax Relief (VGTR).This applies if games are British, are intended for supply and25% of the core expenditure is incurred in the EuropeanEconomic Area (EEA). VGTR allows generous ongoing corporatetax reliefs. The continuous thread of financial support runningthrough these schemes is based on valuable corporate taxcredits and reductions in marginal corporate tax rates.

Support through tax relief is an on-going economic driver forresearch and creative industries. Don’t doubt it: use it!

Join us on...

[email protected] 01926 512475 www.mcs-corporate.com

Research and Development: You Are Not Alone

CORPORATE STRATEGIES LTD

MCS


7

Following deregulation of the postal service, ONEPOST was established in 2005 to ensure that postal mailers understood all the choices they had and knew how to maximise their postal budget.

Data Services

International Mail

Bespoke pick pack and post ervices

Localised Sorting Centres

Production Services.

Save on the things you send

Proud to support our local business community

ONEPOST Manging Director, Graham Cooper

42 Martingale WayPortisheadBS20 7AW

T 0800 138 3551F 0844 249 2912E [email protected] www.onepost.co.uk


8

Where the company is loss-making, the company can obtain a welcomeinjection of cash by giving up the losses now in return for a payable R&D taxcredit from HMRC worth as much as 33.35p for each £1 of the eligible R&Dexpenditure.

The specialist mca R&D team has many years’ experience in successfullyhelping companies maximise their R&D tax credit claim. Headed up by DrAndrew Jupp, a former PhD research scientist, we are able to ask thequestions that make the difference and spot opportunities in areas that manypeople would not consider involved innovation or creative thinking.

R&D tax credits are yours by right. Contact us for an initial no-obligation discussion.

www.RandDexperts.co.ukDr Andrew Jupp

e: [email protected] t: 0121 784 5818

R&D tax credits help and encouragecompanies to invest in innovation anddevelopment of new ideas. But manybusiness owners are either unaware of theexistence of R&D tax credits, think thatthey do not apply to their business, orbelieve that they are hard and costly toapply for. It’s not just men in white labcoats; many businesses qualify.

R&D tax credits enable companies that incurcosts in developing new products, processes orservices to receive an enhanced tax deduction,and for an SME which is loss-making, an actualcash payment as a credit from HMRC. R&D taxcredits are a very valuable source of funding formany businesses.

There are 4 key criteria for determining whetherthe work being done qualifies: the scientific ortechnological advance, the scientific ortechnological uncertainties involved, how andwhen were the uncertainties actually overcome,and why was the knowledge being sought notreadily deducible by a competent professional?

Qualifying costs are staff and consumable items.So, where an SME incurs expenditure of£100,000 on qualifying R&D, it can deduct£230,000 when calculating its taxable profit, orloss. So the additional £130,000 would be anextra deduction from taxable profit and thecorporation tax saving would be £26,000.

But don’t just listen to us – this is what some of the people we haveworked with say

Saddle Makers: our client was involved in the design and manufactureof equestrian goods made out of traditional leather. However, theparticular items (saddles and bridles) being made by the companywere designed in a novel and unique way, which gave the products acompetitive edge and contained elements of design and technologythat was substantially different from the way in which similar itemswere manufactured. Paul Belton, Chairman of Albion Saddlemakers Ltdsaid: “mca’s unique approach allowed us to vastly increase our claimover and above any other specialist R&D consultancy. Andrew’s abilityto glean information from us, and then create a comprehensiveproposal was instrumental in maximising our claim. mca's expertisehas had a massive impact on our business and we would stronglyrecommend them to other developing businesses.”

Training and consultancy company: this company undertakes twodistinct functions, one of which we indentified as potentially eligiblefor R&D tax credits. We suggested using split contracts of employmentto clearly separate out the remuneration, and hence costs, whichqualified for R&D tax credits. Ricky Ricks, one of the co-founders ofTSC said: “Until we discussed R&D tax credits with mca, we were notaware what benefit they could bring to us. mca’s creative approach,and suggestion that we clearly split our reward between the differentroles we have in the business was instrumental in us being able makea significant claim.”

Research & Development (R&D) TaxCredits – are you getting all you could?You may be surprised at whichcompanies can qualify

Dr Andrew Jupp

mca groupChartered Accountants & Business Advisors

Specialists in success


9

SMEs and start–up businesses can face difficultieswhen it comes to financial matters, particularly asoften, in the early days, they are run on an extremelytight budget and are thus especially vulnerableduring difficult trading periods.

Even in a well-structured business, cash flow and bad debtproblems can arise. A major customer may themselves go out ofbusiness and default on payments; then again some customerssimply choose to defer payment for unreasonable lengths oftime. A missed delivery deadline through no fault of your ownmay result in penalty payments or the order being rejectedleaving you with unsold goods and no prospect of payment.

Sometimes several smaller issues, rent or rate rises, increasedstaff costs, a competitor opening up nearby can all combine toleave the smaller business or start-up concern in such aparlous state that, without the right advice, the business ownermay feel, albeit reluctantly, that they have no choice but to “putup the shutters”.

However, no matter how bad things may seem, there is often away out. Lewis Onions Solicitors are a niche insolvency firmspecialising in all aspects of corporate and personal insolvencyas well as business turnaround, restructure and recovery.

Their professional team combines broad business experiencewith a friendly can-do attitude and professional financial know-how. They offer advice and support to individuals in a broadrange of financial situations and their practice is not limited toany particular form of business whether by constitution, size,trade, type or location.

Birminghams finest...specialising in insolvency matters

The firm advises insolvencypractitioners, directors andshareholders, creditors, debtors,landlords and other third partiesaffected by the legal andcommercial aspects of both formaland informal insolvencyprocedures. They regularly interactwith the Insolvency Service and itssolicitors and have a good trackrecord in defending and settlingdirector prosecutions, whethersuch proceedings have been issuedor are simply contemplated.

We spoke to Ruth Shillam, a Director and senior solicitor atLewis Onions who said that seeking advice at an early stage isoften key to dealing with issues which may otherwise beterminal. She said, “Our expertise enables us to assist thoselooking for ways to avoid a formal insolvency procedure. Weregularly advise businesses on corporate restructuring,refinancing and streamlining, and, in appropriate cases, weadvise on the merits of using a solvent liquidation in a schemeapproved by H M Revenue and Customs”.

The firm can assist all those affected by insolvency proceedingson either side including those wishing to acquire assets out ofan insolvent estate from an insolvency professional and thosewishing to recover sums due by an insolvent entity.

If you are concerned about the financial health of yourbusiness, contact Lewis Onions Solicitors about putting a planin place before things go any further.

Lewis OnionsS O L I C I T O R S

Ruth Shillam Director and senior solicitor

Telephone0121 200 7240 to arrange a

confidential discussion with amember of the team,

email, [email protected] or visit their web site for more

information www.lewis-onions-solicitors.co.uk


10

There are many reasons it maybecome necessary for a business tocease trading or restructure. A singlelarge bad debt, loss of a key customeror fundamental cash flow problemscould all necessitate action.

All businesses rely on being paid forgoods and services properly and on time,and regular predictable cash flow is thekey for any business’s survival.

It is often the lack of good credit controlsystems that can lead to outstandingdebts accumulating, resulting in poorperformance and even insolvency for yourbusiness. Regularly updated cashflowforecasts can provide an early warningsystem of any potential cashflow shortage.

Cashflow forecasting and credit controlare vital ways of reducing risk. Goodcredit control helps improve the balancesheet of the business, and reduces thechances of insolvency.

Insolvency is defined as the inability to payone’s debts as they fall due or if yourassets are worth less than your totalliabilities. The first is sometimes called'cash flow insolvency' and the second'balance sheet insolvency'.

A business may be cash-flow insolventbut balance-sheet solvent if it holdsilliquid assets, particularly against shortterm debt that it cannot immediatelyrealise. Conversely, a business mayhave negative net assetsshowing on its balance sheetbut still be cash-flow solventif ongoing revenue is ableto meet debtobligations, and thusavoid default: forinstance, if it holdslong term debt.

In a nutshell acompany which isunable to pay off itsdebts is referred to asinsolvent, or to betrading as insolvent.Directors risk civil and criminaloffences if they knowingly allow acompany to trade whilst insolvent,so action must be taken as soon

as problems become apparent. It is vital atthis stage to enlist the help of a licencedinsolvency practitioner, usually accountantsor solicitors who specialise in restructuringor insolvency.

The worst thing you can do is to bury yourhead in the sand. You stand a far betterchance of reaching a successful resolutionif you take action as soon as you identifya potential problem, instead of lettingthings drift until the business is in crisis.

Once a business is insolvent there arevarious core options available tomanagement and creditors

If long-term prospects are good, you maybe able to arrange additional financing: forexample, by taking out a new loan,factoring your debts, chasing customerswho owe you for prompt payment, sellingnon-essential assets or borrowing againstassets.

You mayalso be

able tonegotiate a

compromiseagreement with

your creditors - forexample, by offering

revised payment terms -particularly if you makeyour creditors aware thatthe alternative may bethe delay and cost ofinsolvency proceedingswith the risk that thecreditors will receiveless or nothing at all.

A more formal debt repaymentarrangement can be negotiated, by yourinsolvency practitioner in the form of aCompany Voluntary Arrangement which isa formal agreement reached between acompany and its creditors. It revises theterms of a loan agreement so that themonthly payments become easier tohandle and/or the length of the loanincreases. This method of negotiationtypically offers a higher rate of successthan an informal proposal recommendedindependently by the business itself.

When the outcome seems hopeless andcreditor pressures are becoming too muchto bear, entering into administrationvoluntarily is an option that should beconsidered. Voluntary Administration is aformal procedure in which the directors ofa company appoint a licensed insolvencypractitioner to act as the administrator(interim chief executive) of the business.

In administration all legal actions takenagainst the company are halted for 8weeks, during which time theadministrator assumes full control of the

business with the goal of repaying asmany debts as possible and/or arrangingagreements with creditors. If a compulsoryliquidation or receivership seemsimminent, acting quickly to put thebusiness into administration may be theonly way to postpone and possiblyprevent the dissolution of the company.

Sometimes, there is only one solution fora failing business - a dignified and orderlycomplete cessation of trade, but, if thereis a core business that is profitable, orpotentially profitable it may be possible toavoid a formal insolvency procedure.

Many viable businesses that go intoinsolvency could be saved given accessto appropriate advice and funding lines.This is where specialist advice may beable to save your business and,importantly, your professional reputation.

Insolvency

33869 1pg_Transport Warehousing 02/03/2016 16:45 Page 1

11

And yet in the context of the economic uncertaintieshighlighted above, Birmingham companies cannot afford toincur a bad debt which could hit their cash flow and weakentheir financial stability. Worryingly, it was recently reported byLloyds Bank that the average small business in the WestMidlands was owed more than £107,000 in outstandinginvoices5. However, by recognising these common red flagswhen dealing with prospective customers, you can helpminimise the risk of a costly setback:

• Lack of transparency eg if it is difficult to determinewho owns the company, whether it is part of a group, itsbusiness address.

• Reluctance to provide financial information on requestsuch as turnover, authority to obtain a banking reference.

• Trying to impose a trade reference. You should be freeto approach the company of your choice from two orthree options.

• A poor credit rating. Use an independent creditchecking service to obtain an objective assessment ofthe risk of non-payment and act accordingly. Cofaceclients have access to instant online credit opinionsbased on the specific amount of credit they wish toextend.

• Attempts to change your established payment terms egrequests to extend the due date by a few days.

Of course, every business must determine its own appetite forrisk but in our experience prevention is always better than cure.The adrenalin rush of making a big sale is somehow never assatisfying as receiving a customer’s payment on time.

For further information about Coface, contact us on 01923 478111 or visit www.cofaceuk.com

Next time, we’ll explain how credit insurance canprotect you if the worst happens.

References1 Monetary policy summary, Bank of England, 4 February 2016http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/Pages/news/2016/002.aspx

2 Country risks again under tension in 2016, Coface, 26 January 2016http://www.cofaceuk.com/News-Publications/News

3 Revealed: Britain’s start-up hotspots, Sunday Times (paywall), 10January 2016http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/small_business/article1654303.ece

4 Midlands Perspectives, Midlands Economic Forum, January 2016http://westmidlandseconomicforum.co.uk/images/uploads/MEF_TheMidlandsPerspectiveJan2016.pdf

5 Cash flow nightmares grow as average small firm owed more than£100k, Birmingham Post, 25 January 2016 http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/finance/cashflow-nightmares-grow-average-small-10775813

Warning signsThe world economy has been hit by ‘turbulence’ andBritain is not immune from the effects. However, asCoface’s Grant Williams explains, Birmingham businessescan still prosper if they take sensible precautions againstbad debt.

While Britain remains one of the fastest growing developedeconomies, market volatility and slowing global growth recently ledthe Governor of the Bank of England (BoE), Mark Carney to publiclydefer an expected rise in interest rates. In voting to maintain thecurrent bank rate, the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee votedunanimously to maintain and made reference to “the likelypersistence of the headwinds weighing on the economy.”1

As one of the UK’s most economically resilient andentrepreneurial places, Birmingham should be able to withstandthese more challenging trading conditions. According toStartUp Britain, more than 14,000 new businesses wereestablished in Birmingham in 2015, the highest figure outsideLondon3. Meanwhile, a report called Midlands Perspectivessuggests that GDP in the region during the last quarter of 2015grew by 0.7%, compared with national growth of 0.5%4.

Coface’s latest evaluation of country risk2 highlights theconsiderable political and socio-economic risks facingdeveloped and emerging economies in 2016. The key points are:

• Uncertainty surrounding the outcome of elections inthe United States and Britain’s EU referendum is likely toaffect business confidence.

• Growing corporate indebtedness in China andemerging countries is a cause for concern. Companydebt now represents more than 160% of China’s GDP.

• Coface is cautiously optimistic about the Eurozone (a key market for companies in the South West region).Insolvency figures in Germany, France, Italy and Spainare improving.

• For the UK, Coface predicts GDP growth of 2% in 2016,a fraction down on the 2.2% growth achieved in 2015.


12

Technologyin Business

New technologies are streamlining themodern business world;communications are faster simpler andmore efficient.

That The Independent newspaper shouldchoose to move to an online only offeringis perhaps one of the strongest signs yetof the shift in reading habits brought aboutby the internet, as people flock to the likesof Buzzfeed, mobile apps, social mediarecommendations and news aggregatorsto keep informed on current events.

Such online communications are an idealformat for marketing your products andVideo marketing has been shown to giveyour communications an edge. Onlinemarketing provides channels ofcommunication that reach a far wideraudience, particularly through socialmedia, than previous generations couldonly dream of. The GPS facility on mobilephones even enables you to targetconsumers in a particular location anddirect them to your restaurant, bar, visitorattraction or retail store.

Once in the premises the customer maywell pay for their purchases at anElectronic Point of Sale Terminal.EPOS has been around forsome time but previously, mainlyin the form of a cash registerneeding a power source,and could be quiteexpensive and timeconsuming to set up.

Card use is now sowidespread, especiallythe new contactlesspayment cards, thatdata indicates thatone in six of uschoose to shopelsewhere if wecan’t use our cards.Such widespreaduse of our flexiblefriends means thatretailers can nowuse a simple andmore convenient formof electronic paymentfacility, from their iPador even theirsmartphone.

Connecting a portable chip-and-pindevice to your smartphone or iPad, bymeans of a small cable can enable you totake payments wherever you have mobiledata coverage or Wi-Fi, you never need tomiss a sale and it’s as secure as aconventional chip-and-pin reader.

Taking payments is only just the beginningfor the modern point-of-sale (POS) device.This retail touchpoint can also bringmarketing, pricing, inventory control,customer service, and loyalty programsupport to the sales transaction, and allfrom your iPad!

So with all your stock data, sales figures,and ordering managed online throughyour device, and perhaps stored, andbacked up in the cloud, does paper stillhave any place at all?

The paperless office once seemed like thenatural endpoint of the computingtechnology that has revolutionised

production and accounting. Justas stock control systems andfinancial information havebenefited from computerisation,

the paper document thatforms the basis ofbusiness in generallooked like it couldeasily be replaced byelectronic alternatives.

However, whilethe amount ofpaper in usehas fallenconsiderably,there are nosigns of

paper beingbanished from

the officeentirely.Sometimes

paper is stillbest, for example

when viewingdevices impose on

how much of adocument you can view

at once, with a set screensize through whichdocuments must bedisplayed. You’re unlikely to

want to read an 80-page report on yoursmartphone! Paper, on the other hand,can be spread across a table, pinned allover a wall, and consumed in anyenvironment with sufficient lighting.

The advent of a new newspaper in aconvenient tabloid style format, stapled forease of handling offering an easily readsynopsis of current events rather thanopinions, The New Day, signals a shift inthe way we want to absorb information,and with book sales on the rise, it wouldseem that for some applications we stilljust like printed paper

Print is also a key component of any effectivemarketing strategy, but the actual quantity ofpaper used can be optimised by theapplication of the appropriate technology.

Software can be added to any ManagedPrint Solution (MPS) to manage andcontrol a company’s printing. Its featureswill reduce waste; encourage responsiblebehaviour and make users anddepartments accountable for their printingand copying, and has been shown toreduce a company’s printing costs by asmuch as 15%.

Or harness the power of the internet, by aHosted Desktop, a virtual environment thatallows the user access to all your businesssoftware programmes, files and documents,anywhere, at any time. The concept is idealfor mobile workers, allowing teams tocollaborate in the virtual environmentwithout the need to print out documents.

Business technology is coming of age, withnew ideas and applications coming onstream every day. No longer seen as theonly answer to every problem but,nevertheless, bringing businesses large andsmall, exciting, efficient and timely answersto many of the everyday challenges andconcerns all businesses face.


13

Lewis Webster, MD of Little Orchard, says, “ The one thing we all need to respect now is that C level executives, as well as consumers, have less time to spend deciding if their time should be invested in looking at you and your products. Video can say the key points in 30 seconds”. “If you want to show your customers respect, show them a short – well crafted – video ”. Little Orchard has been producing video content for some of the leading global brands from Emirates to Bentley, GSK to M&S, ASDA to Sunseeker. For more visit littleorchardmedia.com or call 08458387396.


14

In a world where business owners are looking for fastand effective ways to run their premises, simplicity is key.It is a principal that the founders of Intelligent Point ofSale know only too well. Robin Knox and Paul Waltoncome from a hospitality and leisure background, havingworked in the fast moving environment of pubs andclubs. But it was when Robin was setting up his ownretail leisure business that the idea for a nimbleelectronic point of sale (EPOS) system was trulycrystallised.

Robin and Paul developed the UK’s first cloud-based, iPadEPOS application, intelligentpos®, which provides a low cost,cutting edge, fully customizable and scalable solution forentrepreneurs and businesses of any size. Since the companystarted trading in 2013, customer numbers have grown rapidlywith current users ranging from shops, pubs, bars, cafes,restaurants and clubs with a single till system in one locationthrough to multiple terminals across multiple locations.

Why would an iPad EPOS system be advantageous?

Aside from being cheap and easy to set up, it is a productivityinvestment as much as an investment in equipment. Recordingand monitoring sales information is an integral part of anybusiness and an EPOS system provides automatedmanagement reporting to save valuable time. By collating salesinformation into actionable business insights, businessperformance can be assessed more accurately and efficiently.

An EPOS solution, such as intelligentpos, will synchronise witha cloud-based backup system, to ensure that business data isboth secure and accessible. The system tracks everytransaction, staff member and terminal, information that can beaccessed remotely, in real time and from any location forcomplete management control.

Business accounting is another aspect of running a businessthat can be simplified. An iPad EPOS system provides accessto a cloud-based reporting dashboard, meaning that there is notime wasted sifting through old receipts and performing manualcalculations.

Then there is easy and efficient stock control. With itsintegrated advanced stock management options, the likes ofsuppliers, pack sizes and new products can be added to thesystem in seconds. Intelligentpos comes with purchase dataand stock management as standard features.

Another advantage of using an iPad based EPOS system is thatthe tills can be mobile. This creates total freedom in terms ofwhere to process a customer’s order. Staff become mobile andable to take and complete the order, and take payment whilethey are with the customer, enhancing the overall experience.Although most commonly used in restaurants, this level ofmobility makes intelligentpos perfect for events and festivals.

EPOS has many clear advantages for any business thattransacts with customers, but as the founders of Intelligent Pointof Sale knew, price is critical, especially in a start-up or smallscale operation. Their aim was, and continues to be, to put bigbusiness tools into the hands of businesses of all sizes. As aresult, intelligentpos benefits from all of the features expected ofa traditional EPOS system, but at a fraction of the cost.

intelligentpos is available for just £39 per month for the servicewhich includes software licence, hosting, updates and supportfor a single iPad terminal, and £29 per month per device foradditional terminals. Consumers also have the option topurchase all the hardware necessary to set up and starttransacting as quickly as possible: it is simple and in today’smarket, intelligentpos offers entrepreneurs and business ownersa real competitive advantage.

www.intelligentpos.com [email protected] 404 5805 or 0333 202 1025

intelligentposR

Paul Walton & Robin Knox, Intelligent Point of Sale


15

Print is still a huge cost tobusinesses both large and small,and as such needs to be treatedas something that won’ t go awayany time soon.

What steps can you take toreduce office print volumes?

1. Implement a Managed PrintServiceA Managed Print Service (MPS) enablesbusinesses to gain control over the way theyprint, focusing on, reducing the amount ofduplicated print jobs, unnecessary colour usageand the removal of the requirement forexcessively overpriced print cartridges forsmaller ‘off the shelf’ printers. Otheradvantages of a well-tailored ‘MPS’ caninclude, improved document security,automated toner dispatch and environmentalbenefits such as reduced power consumptionand carbon footprint.

Quocirca estimates that almost 50% of largeenterprises (over 1,000 employees) are nowusing some form of MPS, more so in very largeenterprises. However, more and more startupsand younger businesses are now adopting anMPS that can grow with them, to avoid highcosts, a lack of control and an unnecessaryimpact on the environment.

2. Add PaperCut to your MPS

PaperCut is a simple software that can beadded to any MPS solution to manage andcontrol a company’ s printing. Its featuresreduce waste, encourage responsible behaviourand make users and departments accountablefor their printing and copying.

By adding PaperCut software to your existingprinter fleet it is guaranteed to reduce yourcompany’ s printing by 15%, industry standard.

PaperCut allows businesses to easily manageand set rules around print volumes and typesof printing. It also allows finance and ITmanagers to accurately budget for print spend.

Midshire is one of the country’ s top PaperCutsoftware solution centres and currently hasover 85,000 users with PaperCut installed tomanage their devices. All types of business canbenefit from using PaperCut, including: legalfirms, SMEs, local authorities and schools.

Since way back in 1975 when Business Week publishedan article about ‘ the office of the future’, the term‘ paperless office’ has been widely used, even more so since the introduction of tablets and smart devices.

Midshire is the Midlands’ leading independent supplier of photocopiers,printers, managed print services and document management solutions;currently servicing over 11,000 UK installations.

Midshire explains how companies can work towards the ultimate goal of a paperless office and looks at some points for consideration.

In 2015, nearly 3 trillion pages were printedworldwide using desktop or freestanding multi-functional photocopiers and printers.

The idea of businesses aiming to reduce their print output makes perfectsense. This would result in lower printing costs, a reduced carbon footprintand the possibility of working in a more efficient way. But will there everbe a time where businesses can operate completely free of paper?

Technological developments will continue to affect the way that we workwith documents and call into question whether we need that physicalpiece of paper as much as we used to.

Only 21% of businesses have seen a significant reduction in print sincewe started using tablets and smartphones, with 39% of businessesreporting no real impact to their print volumes.

5 steps towards an (almost) paperless office

33805 DPS_HorseWorld 25/02/2016 11:11 Page 1

16

3. Switch to a Hosted Desktop

A hosted desktop is a virtual environment that uses the internetto give you access to all of your business software programmes,files and documents, anywhere in the world, at anytime.

Hosted desktop is ideal for mobile workers and meansteams can easily collaborate in the virtual environment. Thiscollaboration and flexibility reduces the need to print outdocuments because you always have access to what youneed. A hosted desktop is easily scalable, offers a high levelof security and reduces the need for IT support.

Midshire has developed its own in-house hosted desktopservice called Desktop Monster. With data centres in the UKit means you can have full peace of mind about where yourdata is stored.

4. Move to Office 365

Office 365 brings all your office business tools together onany device in real time. With additional tools for collaborationand communication including: video conferencing, instantmessaging and the ability to facilitate online meetings, Office365 can enhance teamwork and add value for anyorganisation’ s IT solution whether large or small.

Making the move to Office 365 will bring many benefits tobusinesses, giving them access to enterprise gradetechnology and functionality.

Online collaboration will reduce a company’ s need to print.

5. Make Meetings Interactive

With mobile working ever on the increase, companies areused to employees working from multiple locations. Bymaking meetings interactive or using video and webconferencing tools, it can reduce the need for printingagendas and follow up documents.

Notes and annotations can be added on screen to websitesand documents, even giving you the ability to highlight andoverlay areas and notes. Work can be accessed andcollaborated upon in real-time.

Using interactive touchscreens users can be working on thesame projects at the same time but from multiple locationsor branches within a firm.

You are not just reducing unnecessary print but also limitingtravel time and the associated carbon footprint.

In summary, we don’ t believe a ‘ paperlessoffice’ is the goal for most organisations.Instead, many are working with MPS providersto focus on controlling their print processesand using new technology to its fullest, inorder to reduce their print output.

For more information contact:Midshire IT Solutions SpecialistStephen Pettitt on: 0121 796 [email protected] visit www.midshire.co.uk


17

From running two articulated lorries to operating afleet of 16 in just one month - if any business lives upto its name it is Go Direct.

The company did more than just meet one of the biggestchallenges in its 15-year history, it rolled up its sleeves and goton with it so directly that the number of vehicles rose to 25within 18 months.

And business is still booming. Last summer saw Go Directcombine two leased transport sites and open a secure two-acre site with 5000ft² of unit space in Essington,Wolverhampton. Its further success with storage contracts havealso seen five acres - that’s three times the size of Wembleyfootball pitch - dedicated to the service.

Go Direct a specialised driver recruitment agency started in2000 by husband-and-wife directors Gary and Karen Oliver hasmany exciting developments planned for this year.

Things went well for the first few years, and that includedsuccess through the recession of 2008/9, but in response tochanging market conditions a decision to diversify saw thearrival of a dedicated transport division in 2011.

The first truck was supplied to DHL, for whom Go Direct hadalready spent several years as a preferred supplier of reliefdrivers, and proved so successful that a second truck wasadded at DHL’s request within a year.

In 2012, however, DHL vacated its pallets contract for theMidlands and after being invited to tender for two areas, GoDirect Transport secured the single area for which it haddecided to apply.

Since then, its fleet has grown to 31 vehicles and is the soletransporter, for that original client, in the Midlands region.Growth alongside this client has led to the company operatingnationally and serving many other clients.

Meanwhile, its recruitment and training divisions continue to gofrom strength to strength. Go Direct established its head office,home to recruitment and training, in Hawks Green, Cannock in2013. Ensuing investment and redevelopments saw a fully-

equipped multimedia classroom as well as two additionaloffices and a dedicated FLT training area added to the site.

Today its RTITB and SQA accredited training centre delivers arange of courses, including HGV driver training, lorry mountedcrane (HIAB), driver CPC, ADR (hazardous goods), manualhandling and first aid.

There’s more to come in 2016. Wolverhampton is the site forGo Direct’s recently DVSA approved HGV Test centre set toopen in late spring. Whilst the Cannock site will see the recentlypurchased selection of brand new 10’ and 20’ containers tooffer secure self-storage facilities for business and members ofthe public alike.

As Go Direct’s growth continues, Gary praised his workforcewho have been with him on the journey to success.

“Their commitment and dedication has been fundamental to allof the company’s achievements,” he said.

For more information, visit www.godirect.org.ukAlternatively call 01543 579898 (Training & Recruitment)

or 01922 417794 (Transport)emaill [email protected]

[email protected] or [email protected]

Recruitment / Training / Transport


18

National Apprenticeship Week is upon us once again,the event this year runs from 14th-18th March.Co-ordinated by the Skills FundingAgency and the NationalApprenticeship Service, the week willinclude hundreds of events andactivities across England to showcaseapprentices and apprentice employers.

There is a rising tide of appreciation forapprenticeships as employers find thatapprentices tend to be keen to learn, eager,well motivated, flexible and loyal to thecompany that invested in them. Anapprentice is with you because they want tobe - they have made an active choice tolearn on the job and made a commitmentto a specific career.

Events right leading up to NationalApprenticeship Week are already wellunderway across the Midlands, with a JobsFair for Women on 7th and 8th of March inNottingham, and Information and Advicesessions about Apprenticeships andTraineeships taking place in Shrewsbury onthe 8th, Telford on the 9th, and in Ludlowon the 10th.

Then things really kick off on the 14th withInformation and advice sessions inOswestry and Leicestershire, also on the14th British Gas will be holding an OpenDay in support of National ApprenticeshipWeek. By then events will be in full swingwith The National Apprenticeship Show inthe MK Arena in Milton Keynes on14th and 15th. ApprenticeshipJob Fairs are also being heldin Worcester, Tresham, andKettering on the 14th whileon that day too Derby willbe celebrating the launchof their new TrainingCentre.

The 16th sees an Apprenticeshipevening hosted by Nital Academy inNorthampton, an ApprenticeshipRoadshow hosted by CrackerjackTraining in Edgbaston, Birmingham,and an Apprenticeship Showcase inWolverhampton.

On the 17th of March StephensonCollege will be holding an ApprenticeshipCompetition on their Coalville andNottingham sites where current apprenticesfrom a range of companies will demonstratethe skills they have learned in variouscompetitions and Nottingham Central Collegewill be hosting an Apprenticeship Job Fair. Toround things of there will be a Pop up Shopoffering apprenticeship Information inWorcester on the 19th March.

Parents, school leavers and businesses arewarmly encouraged to come along to any ofthese events to find out more about theopportunities Apprenticeships, HigherApprenticeships and Traineeships offer. Formore information about any of these eventsplease visithttp://eventsmap.nas.apprenticeships.org.uk/

Employers take on apprentices throughoutthe year, but National Apprenticeship Week isabout celebrating the crucial role thatapprenticeships and traineeships play inupskilling the nation and increasingproductivity.

Apprenticeships are thriving in England andNational Apprenticeship Week will celebratethe positive impact that both apprenticeshipsand traineeships have on individuals,businesses and the wider economy.

With the government being committed to 3million apprenticeship starts over the next 5years, employers, apprentices, businesssupport organisations, colleges and trainingorganisations and schools across thecountry will be encouraged to support theweek by hosting activities to showcase theachievements and benefits ofapprenticeships.

Last year’s week aimed to encourage moresmall and medium sized businesses to takeon apprentices and promote the range andbreadth of apprenticeships on offer,including those at higher level and withinblue chip companies.

Sue Husband, Director of the NationalApprenticeship Service commented, “Lastyear’s National Apprenticeship Week sawsome tremendous achievements, but I wantNational Apprenticeship Week 2016 to bethe best yet. I am looking forward to onceagain raising the profile of apprenticeshipsand traineeships and celebrating theimportant role they play in equipping peopleof all ages with the skills that they need toprosper in their lives.”

The National Apprenticeship Serviceis part of the Skills Funding Agency,which is an executive agencysponsored by BIS to fund skills

training for further education (FE) inEngland. They support over 1,000 colleges,private training organisations and employerswith more than £4 billion of funding eachyear. The National Apprenticeship Serviceco-ordinates and promotes the delivery ofapprenticeships in England.

National Apprenticeship Week

2016

33871 1pg v2_Transport Warehousing 04/03/2016 12:44 Page 1

19

Developing IT and Digital Sector TalentTDM Wyre Academy, a specialisttraining provider delivering TechIndustry Gold apprenticeshipprogrammes, is working withemployers across the Midlandshelping to reduce the IT and digitalsector skills shortage.

With the escalating costs of universityeducation and a general growingacceptance that some traditionalacademia choices are not necessarily the best fit for everyone, the apprenticeship route is rapidly gaining popularity amongyoung people and their parents, and has already achievedstrong industry recognition.

TDM Wyre Academy believe it is important for all young peopleto be aware of the full range of opportunities open to themupon leaving school or college, which includes apprenticeshipprogrammes. It is also equally important that employersunderstand the benefits of apprenticeships if they are to fullybenefit from the the talent pool available in the local area.

Derrin Kent, managing director of TDM Wyre Academy said; “ITand Digital apprenticeships are ultimately supporting businessgrowth across the Midlands by developing young people from thelocal area, mentoring them at the outset of their careers, andproviding a platform to build strong career paths in the sector.TDM is employer focused, we partner closely with employers whowish to develop skills and talent in their businesses.”

Despite their increasing popularity, there still remains somemisconceptions about apprenticeships. TDM Wyre Academytackles some common myths:

Myth Number One: An apprenticeship is only for 16 - 18 year olds.Busted: An apprentice can be any age from 16 upwards. Anyoneof any age can be apprenticed and the opportunities are increasingfor all ages under the new Trailblazer Apprenticeships.

Myth Number Two: Apprenticeships are for people who arenot seeking higher level qualifications.

Busted: Increasing numbers of young people are now choosing anapprenticeship as they recognise that they can gain valuable realwork experiences, on the job learning and a wage, whilst gainingrecognised qualifications with real progression opportunities both interms of job prospects and level of qualifications.

TDM delivers Tech Industry Gold Advanced and Higher Level ITand Digital Marketing apprenticeship programmes - the HigherLevel is equivalent to a foundation degree.

Myth Number Three: An apprentice won’t be productive for ages.Busted: TDM’s thorough and robust filtering and selection processmeans we recruit talented and motivated individuals who are eagerto progress their careers. Apprentices are keen to get the depthand breadth of experience that a job role in the IT and Digital sectorcan offer. Training providers, particularly those accredited as TechIndustry Gold, work with employers to ensure quick return oninvestment for new recruits. Apprentices can fill roles in areasincluding software development, web design, technical support anddigital marketing.

Myth Number Four: Apprenticeships are only for new recruits.Busted: An apprenticeship is a learning and developmentopportunity for both new recruits and existing staff.Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to develop individualsfor the next stage in their career, and help organisationsprepare for the future by up-skilling or retraining staff.

Myth Number Five: We’ll have to wait until September for anapprentice to start.

Busted: TDM Wyre Academy is responsive to employers’ needsand businesses can start an apprenticeship programme at anypoint in the year at a time that suits the business’ requirements.

For further information about TDM Wyre Academy Tech IndustryGold IT and Digital Marketing Apprenticeships phone 0333 10 100 68 (local rate) or see wyreacademy.com orfollow @TDMwyreacademy

Photo: Tech Industry Gold IT Apprentices celebrating theirachievement with TDM Wyre Academy.

Celebrat ing Apprent ices ' Achievements

33710_HorseWorld 27/11/2015 11:06 Page 1

20

33649_HorseWorld 20/01/2016 10:38 Page 1

21

Apprenticeships can be the perfect opportunity for youngpeople who are not looking to pursue further academicstudy and who want to avoid student debt. They provideessential skills for the modern workplace while enablingyou to earn while you learn.

JTL offers electrical, plumbing and heating & ventilatingapprenticeships across the Midlands and has its NationalCentre of Excellence located in Mill Street, Birmingham. Anyone wanting to know more about the excellent opportunitiesavailable can simply talk to the tutors and trainers by callingand asking to drop in to see the centre for themselves.

JTL, a not for profit charitabletraining company, is one of thetop work-based learningproviders in England andWales. The apprenticeships onoffer provide a range ofalternative opportunities foryoung people to university.They combine practical trainingwithin a job with study at JTL’sCentre of Excellence or a localcollege and are offered topeople aged 16 - 24.

Matt Gray, trainingmanager for JTL, says:“There are still lots ofdifferent opportunities outthere and apprenticeshipsmay just offer the future you

are looking for. Our trainers can be on hand to talk about theopportunities available, and to share their own personalexperiences of doing a particular job. A visit to our Centre ofExcellence offers a great opportunity to find out more withouthaving to commit to making a decision. You can head along onyour own, with a friend or with members of the family.

“Apprenticeships offer young people the opportunity to getahead of those at university, as not only will they already have ajob, they also won’t have the burden of high student loanrepayments once they’ve finished their degree courses andfound work. We would urge anyone interested in finding outmore about the apprenticeship option to call us to make an

appointment and come along to take a look for themselves.There’s nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain.”

An Apprenticeshiplasts for 2-4 yearsand givesparticipants theopportunity to gainjob specific skills,to study towards arelevantqualification, towork alongsideexperienced staffand earn a wage

and receive holiday pay. All JTL apprentices train with adedicated Training Officer, who will support you and youremployer throughout your apprenticeship.

As well as apprenticeships, our Birmingham centre also offersTraineeships – foundation programmes to help school leaversget work ready which often lead to apprenticeship opportunities– and a range of full-time and part-time courses in Plumbingand Electrical skills, so if you do not have an employer atpresent, why not consider one of these courses as a back-up?They are free of charge if you are aged 16-18 and some ofwhat you have learnt will count towards the apprenticeshipprogramme when you do get an employer.

JTL: High quality apprenticeships in theheart of Birmingham

Matt Gray

For more information contact JTL Birmingham on0121 503 5853 email [email protected]

or visit www.jtltraining.com


22

Despite progress in reducing carbonconsumption complex policies arestymieing government initiatives tomeet the UK’s carbon budget targets.

The Climate Change Act which waspassed in 2008 established a frameworkto develop an economically credibleemissions reduction path, committing theUK to reduce emissions by at least 80% in2050 from 1990 levels. This target wasbased on advice from a CCC (ClimateChange Commission) report.

The CCC undertakes an annualassessment on whether the UK is oncourse to meet its carbon budgets, andreports this progress to Parliament. Thisincludes tracking the latest emissions dataand involves identifying underlyingprogress, as opposed to fluctuationsrelated to temporary factors.

The Commission has found that despitebeing currently on track to outperform thefirst two carbon budgets, largely reflectingthe impact of the recession, that the UK isin danger of missing its post-2020 climatechange goals unless it strengthens lowcarbon policy and sets longer term targets.

While it notes successes in terms ofinvestment in wind power, reducedemissions from new cars, and boilerreplacements, the CCC highlights howproblems with the delivery of energyefficiency improvements in thecommercial, industrial and residentialsectors, along with the slow uptake ofelectric vehicles and heatpumps, and delays to thedevelopment of carboncapture and storage (CCS)technology have combinedto push the country off itsrequired emissionreduction trajectory.

The independent body's annualprogress report details how ratherthan reducing emissions by 31 per centbetween 2013 to 2025, as required underthe Fourth Carbon Budget, the country iscurrently on course for a 21 to 23 percent reduction in emissions by the mid-2020s. "When we're looking forward,particularly to the mid-2020s andachieving the fourth carbon budget, we're

identifying a gap between currentmeasures and that budget," Adrian Gault,acting chief executive of the CCC said.

However, the CCC argues there is nojustification for the government to waterdown the fourth carbon budget and assuch the lengthy report sets out a seriesof proposals for ensuring post-2020emissions targets are still met.

For example, Gault said businessescurrently face a number of policiesaddressing energy efficiency, which candilute the desired outcomes and imposeadministrative burdens. As a result, theCCC recommends these various policiesbe rationalised, so that there is just onemechanism to deliver a carbon price thatgives an incentive for energyefficiency improvements andanother to deliverinformation on thebenefits that result fromenergy savingimprovements.

Schemessuch asESOS, amandatoryenergyassessmentscheme fororganisationsover acertainsize

and withhigh energy

consumption,administered by the

Environment Agency,provides recommendations from

qualified energy assessors which arenot mandatory but can provide a usefulguide to where businesses can makesubstantial savings.

Organisations that qualify for ESOS mustcarry out ESOS assessments every 4years. These assessments are audits of theenergy used by their buildings, industrialprocesses and transport to identify cost-effective energy saving measures.

Organisations must notify the EnvironmentAgency by a set deadline that they havecomplied with their ESOS obligations. Thedeadline for the first compliance period, 5December 2015, has now passed.

Bill Hughes Managing Director, Legal &General Property Chairman, GreenProperty Alliance Chairman, CarbonPenalties and Incentives Project SteeringGroup, commented, “Industry bodies andleaders have a vital role to play insupporting Government by activelyencouraging their members to improve

their knowledge of energy andcarbon efficiency measures andpolicies. Equally, the business ofpolicymaking should beresponsive to industry feedback,protecting against unintendedconsequences of legislation

and ensuring that policy goalsare achieved with the greatest

level of efficiency, all the whiledelivering benefits for our economy andwider society.”

In a statement, the Department of Energyand Climate Change said: "The ClimateChange Committee recognises the goodprogress we have made in many areaswith emissions now around 24% lowerthan in 1990 and renewables producing15% of all the UK’s electricity generation.By cleaning our power supply, makinghomes and businesses more energyefficient and driving low carbon growthacross industry we are confident the UK’scarbon emissions will continue to fall at anincreasing rate."

Footprintsin the Sand?

33884 1PG_Transport Warehousing 02/03/2016 14:43 Page 1

23

Unit 2, 1 Avenue Farm Ind. Est. Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 0HREnergise your business

If capital expenditure is the hurdle then call us as we

are also able to o�er fully funded, Solar PV systems

for your premises reducing your energy costs and

carbon emissions at NO COST to your business.

CONTACT US TODAY ON: 0844 259 [email protected]

WWW.COMMERCIALSOLARSOLUTIONS.CO.UK

YOU SAY‘ROOF’WE SAY ‘GENERATOR’Do you have 20m2 of roof space or more on your business premises?

Is your building a large energy user?

Do you need to reduce energy costs?

Do you wish to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your “green credentials”?

If you answer yes to any of these questions then Solar Energy could well be the answer.

Commercial Solar Solutions is a new division of Stratford Energy

Solutions providing expert advice, design and installation of

commercial Solar Systems.

Stratford Energy Solutions was formed in 2010 installing renewable

energy technologies including Solar PV and Solar Thermal, Air and

Ground Source Heat Pumps and Biomass Boilers.

The Solar business has continued to grow and with recent changes

to the Feed-in Tari� we have a department focused totally on Solar

Energy for commercial buildings including: warehousing, factories,

agricultural, schools and public sector buildings.


24

With tough government targets to reducecarbon emissions by 80% by 2050 it is moreimportant than ever for companies to investin carbon reducing technologies to improveenergy efficiency.

Chris Jones, Product Manager for Airblocexplains how air curtains can help to offersignificant cost savings and reduce carbonemissions.

Initiatives such as the Carbon ReductionCommitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRCEES) are encouraging companies to invest incarbon cutting technologies and with 40 percent of CO2 emissions in Europe beinggenerated by commercial buildings the pressureto reduce carbon production will only increase.

Ideal InvestmentAir curtains are an ideal solution and whenspecified correctly, can offer a payback periodas short as 12 months making air curtains a lowcost, high impact, energy saving solution.Airbloc energy efficient air curtains can cutenergy loss by up to 80% and deliver a uniformflow of air to separate interior and exterioratmospheres, maintain the internal climate, offersignificant cost savings and vastly improveworker comfort.

Air curtains work by using a fast movingairstream to seal the gap created by opendoorways. In winter they keep warm air in andcold air out; but the biggest potential savingsfrom air curtains come in the summer monthsby reducing cool air wastage, thus cutting thehigh cost of air conditioning. Cooling anenvironment is significantly more expensive thanheating it.

As well as the inevitable increase in energy bills,opening and closing external doors can affectinternal temperatures, and reduce employeecomfort – especially for those working close todoorways.

Putting a stop to energy lossEnergy efficient air curtains such as those supplied by Nortek GlobalHVAC, can be positioned directly over or down the side of a doorway.When doors are opened in heated buildings, colder external air flows inthrough the bottom part of the opening, while internal air flows outthrough the upper part. In air conditioned buildings, the opposite applies.Over door air curtains deliver a uniform flow of air across the full doorwidth that separates the interior and exterior atmospheres.

As well as their energy saving capacity, aircurtains also have ‘hidden’ benefits. Overdoor air curtains induce warm air downfrom high level that would otherwise be lostthrough the roof, thus helping to de-stratifythe building and eliminate cold spots.

To optimise their operation, air curtains canbe connected to a low cost control unitsuch as the SmartElec2 from Airbloc,reducing both power consumption andenergy costs by up to 50%. The attractiveunit offers a number of control options to

suit all applications including MODBUS protocol, adjustable thermostatslinked to door sensors, outside temperature sensors and timers toensure the units only operate when required.

The latest addition to theSmartElec2 is the proportionalcontrol algorithm which drivesthe leaving air temperature ofthe door curtain up when theoutside temperature drops andreduces the leaving airtemperature as the outsidetemperature increases – thusgiving a fully automatic controldelivering huge energy savings.

With energy efficiency set to remain high on the business agenda,organisations need to consider the latest energy saving technologies.With a simple and effective installation of air curtains on shop doors,businesses can keep employees happy, save money on bills and finallyclose the door on unnecessary energy loss.

For further information, please contact Lisa Adams MarketingCommunications Executive

Telephone: 01384 489 741 Email: [email protected]

Visit our Website: www.ambirad.co.uk

Follow us on twitter

Like our LinkedIn Page

Join our Circle on G+

Close The Door On Energy Loss

33843 AP_BBP Template 18/02/2016 15:11 Page 1

25

Freeths’ Birmingham office can now offer a full rangeof development related services having recentlyrecruited two specialist lawyers into their existinghighly skilled Real Estate team. Perveen Akhter is thenew Construction expert and Zoë Walker specialisesin Planning, Environmental and Highways Law.

This allows Freeths to deal with all aspects of a developmenttransaction from the identification of the site; securing it by wayof purchase, conditional contract or promotion agreement;obtaining planning permission (or reviewing existingpermissions); procurement; setting up the correct constructiondocumentation to ensure that the development progressessmoothly; and realising the value through the sale or lease ofthe completed development.

Key contacts within the Freeths’ Birmingham Real EstateTeam are:

Richard Beverley

Managing partner of the Birmingham office, Richard has over 25years’ experience working on a wide variety of real estate andprofessional indemnity matters.

Mitchell Ball

A partner in the team, Mitchell has over 20 years’ experience inreal estate and banking law. Acting on behalf of a range ofclients, including developers and investors, one of Mitchell’s keyspecialist areas is the retail sector.

Nathan Holden

A real estate partner and head of the Local Government team atFreeths, some of the areas Nathan specialises in are localgovernment law, compulsory purchase orders and town planning.

Perveen Akhter

A senior associate at the firm, Perveen specialises in non-contentious construction law matters, including advising onprocurement, drafting and negotiating DevelopmentAgreements, building contracts, consultants appointments,collateral warranties, bonds and Parent Company Guarantees.Perveen acts for owners of sites, contractors, sub-contractors,funders and developers, as well local authorities. Perveen alsoadvises clients on renewable energy projects, in particularadvising and negotiating EPC Contracts and operation andmanagement contracts. Her experience covers both the privateand public sector.

Zoë Walker

An associate in the team, Zoëspecialises in planning andenvironmental legal matters,involving negotiating andsolving planning, compulsorypurchase and highwaysproblems and helping to secureplanning permission. Zoë hasexperience of dealing with andadvising on a number ofdifferent types of developmentand enforcement issues.

Richard Beverley Mitchell Ball

Nathan Holden Perveen Ahkter

Zoë Walker


26

All the indicators are that theCommercial Construction sector isrecovering from a period of slowgrowth as the economy improves.

The influential purchasing managers’survey, Markit, which measures currentpurchasing activity in the market and is akey indicator of trends within the sector,released data in January showing that theMarkit/CIPS purchasing managers’ surveyrose to 57.3 in December, reboundingfrom a still-strong seven-month low of55.3 in November. Readings in excess of50 indicate that activity is increasing.

Tim Moore, Senior Economist at Markitand author of the Markit/CIPSConstruction PMI®, said:

“UK construction companies finished2015 in a positive fashion, as overalloutput growth recovered from November’sseven-month low. Commercial buildingwas the main engine of growth, with thisarea of activity expanding at the strongestpace since autumn 2014.

“Across the UK construction sector as awhole, the latest survey indicated a strongdegree of optimism about the outlook for2016, with firms mainly citing a strongpipeline of commercial developmentprojects and new housing starts. Therewere also reports that sustainedimprovements in UK economicconditions had led to upbeatexpectations for clients’ budgetsetting for the year ahead.”

Alongside the upturn in the sector thedrive to contain costs and facilitateoperations by means of new processesand technologies remains strong. Thegrowth in technological applications foruse in the construction sector is stillevolving, but greater market acceptanceof smarter field management systems, willgive forward thinking organizations atangible commercial edge.

More than ever construction workers arebeing tasked to integrate data into theireveryday work and in 2016 we’ll see anincreasing number of constructionworkers getting instant access to the datathey need via personal devices for fasteranswers and increased productivity.

Duane Gabor, Alliances & BusinessDevelopment at QuickBase, says, “Asconstruction companies are being pushedto lower costs and increase operationalefficiencies we’ll see an increase inbusiness applications that help automateprocesses, share data in real time andprovide centralized and searchableinformation for users across job sites.

“In 2016 we’ll see an increase in tech-driven machinery on the jobsite to operationalizeconstruction equipment.Sensors allow organizationsto gather information directfrom the source and port itinto centralized businessapps to track everythingfrom the wear and tear onequipment, GPS locationsof trucks or even fuel

consumption across onsitevehicles.”

In an encouraging finding nearly 65percent of builders say on a scale of 1to 10—with 10 being “VeryComfortable” with new technology—thatthey are at least an 8. While this is a self-diagnosis, it is still encouraging. Theaverage comfort level of builders, nomatter their role, is 7.8. That average

drops to 7.4 for builders that donot perform an IT role, whilethose that do perform an ITrole claim an 8.4 averagecomfort level.

When asked if they could get anytechnology approved to start usingtomorrow, construction professionals gaveresponses ranging from the overwhelmed“I don’t need anything else to implementthis year,” to the daring - automatic‘smart’ drone that operates on its ownand inputs own data, to the practical -seamless remote access with fullfunctionality and zero connectivity/speedissues.

The use of aerial drones for surveypurposes is becoming a norm, allowing aliteral overview of the whole site andespecially useful for tasks such as visualinspections of places dangerous ordifficult for humans to reach, such asbridge undersides and curtain walls.Developing technology also will allowdrones to connect with workers andmachinery to power and monitor thejobsite through monitoring stockpiles,directing earthmovers, trackingproductivity and much more. Drones alsowill become tools for more than just datacapture and transmission, with load-bearing capacity to haul equipment, movematerials and transport tools. The realquestion isn’t if drones will continue togrow in use, but how they will beregulated.

Companies interested in deploying dronesdo need to register their unit and complywith the rigorous Civil Aviation Authority(CAA) framework which specifies that theymay only use a drone pilot who has beenassessed as a skilled operator andcomplimented by competent GroundCrew and Payload.

The story across the commercialconstruction sector is all about growth,greater demand, more governmentsupport, an upturn in hiring, greaterrecognition of the value of training and theincreasing acceptance and application ofexciting new technologies.

Growth and Technology

in the Modern Construction Sector


27

Established in 2006, Coventry based, SenturianSecurity have rapidly established a first ratereputation for professionalism.

The company have recently opened a new office at TamewayTower on Bridge Street in Walsall, but their clients can restassured that they will continue to receive the same high level ofservice that they have come to expect from Senturian.

Their range of services includes manned guarding, gatehouseservices, dog handling, door supervisors and event securitystaff, but what sets them apart is their attention to detail.

When you first contactSenturian they can carryout a free security auditand assessment, and afterlistening to your specificconcerns, will put togethera cost effective packagetailored to your individualrequirements, offering youcomplete peace of mind.

Their highly trained staff are all thoroughly vetted and hold SIAlicences for each sector that the staff work in. A competitivepackage of pay and benefits, allied with management supportand development, enables them to recruit and retain highlymotivated and well qualified security officers.

Manned Guarding is an ideal solutionfor Commercial and IndustrialPremises, Distribution Centres andWarehouses, Construction Sites andHotels. Manned guarding has beenshown to be far more effective thancctv alone, a trained professional isable to observe a situation and make ajudgement, often seeing far more thanthe cameras, and then takeappropriate action. Guards aresupported by means of a 24 hour

control room, when required, lone worker devices and mobileback-up. Where required Senturian will install patrol monitoring

devices on the client’s premises and present the client withperiodic patrol print outs.

The use of guards in addition to CCTV and alarms providesgreater security and although it costs more, loss prevention,business continuity and lower insurance premiums may welloutweigh the costs.

Controlled access to your site? Whether you need Reception,Concierge, Gatehouse or Door Supervisors, Senturian have itcovered. Their security officers present that all important firstimpression to visitors and staff to your site through aprofessional and courteous approach combining security skillswith customer service

Senturian can provide stringentaccess control to yourpremises, permittingemployees and designatedvisitors only within the client’schosen code of practice,giving you the benefit of secureaccess control, efficient visitormanagement, and securegoods in /out processes.

In 2007 Senturian extended their service s by introducing DogHandlers, and have found that a uniformed Handler and dogprovide a highly visible deterrent to potential intruders or troublemakers. This service is ideal for the patrol of areas with arestricted line-of-site e.g. large construction sites, warehousesand distribution sites and railway yards.

Dogs are especially useful in dangerous situations, e.g. areaswith gang related problems, underground car parks and areasof high crime and can be used for the protection of persons,property and people under threat.

Additionally, they can offer Event Security, Car ParkManagement, operate Fire Safety registers, and a range ofother security related services, if fact whatever your securityrequirements, be it Guarding, Reception or Event managementyou can rely on Senturian to have the appropriate fully trainedprofessional officers for the role.

PEACE OF MIND FROM SENTURIAN SECURITY

mannedguarding

reception &gatehouse duties

dog handling

door staff &event security

emergency callouts

For more information, or to book a free confidentialsecurity assessment, please visit the website,

www.senturiansecurity.co.uk or telephone

0800 999 2721


28

Quantem Consulting LLP are Chartered Surveyors whoplan, control and manage the cost of constructionprojects, improve cost effectiveness, reduce risk andsecure value.

Established in London in 2006 and having opened an office inBirmingham in 2014, the practice is now celebrating its tenthyear of business and is delivering projects across the UK andfurther afield. The partnership’s philosophy is to be fair, honestand hardworking, with a strong senior delivery focus and thisapproach has enabled them to work on a diverse range ofprojects and sectors.

Their philosophy of ensuringthat all clients have the bestadvice to inform effectivedecision making, in order todrive forward thedevelopment process, andtheir constant focus onidentifying potentialopportunities to increasevalue, has resulted in aprestigious client list from allsectors including The CrownEstate, Legal & General,National Grid plc, Jaguar

Land Rover, Arena Leisure, MIRA, Brighton College, Victoria’sSecrets, Calthorpe Estate and the Dolphin Square Foundationamong many others; it is a client list as diverse as theconstruction experience of their team. Indeed Quantem proudlymaintains that their principal strength comes from theexperience and quality and dedication of their staff and partners.

The main services which they provide are Cost Management,Employers Agent, Building Surveying, Building ServicesEngineering Cost Management, and Principal Designer, allfocussed upon delivery of their Clients and projects objectives.

Strict risk management disciplines are at the core of theirpractice and their stated goal is, “To ensure that our clientsachieve their expected objectives within tight budget andprogramme constraints. We are committed to maximising ourClients’ success criteria”

Their range of services also include working as an Employer’sAgent, providing the practical expertise to liaise with thecontractor managing the Clients interests and ensuring that theproject is delivered on time and on budget. The requirements ofevery project are different and Quantem’s understanding of notonly the construction sector but of broader business concernsenables them to adapt their approach to the individual client’sneeds whatever their role on the team.

Lee Jones, lead Partner in the Birmingham office said “Webelieve that clear, effective and timely communication is the majorcontributor to successful project delivery. Realising our client’saspirations necessitates a structured approach to each projectand a framework to work within changing project environments.”

The Building Service Engineering Cost Management serviceforms part of the core cost management delivery for all theirprojects. The direct appointment of specialised BuildingEngineering Cost Management on technical and servicesengineering focussed projects provides a number of benefits formany clients. They have successfully worked for Developers,Owner Occupiers, Tenants and Building Managers and also tosupport other Project Management, Quantity Surveying andEngineering practices.

A key component in all property development is a thoroughproperty survey at acquisition, tenancy completion or at varioustenancy breaks and Quantem offer a comprehensive BuildingSurveying service to add value and protects Clients or tenantsinterests at each stage.

Health and safety compliance with regulations is of everincreasing importance within the construction industry and theirservice complies with the statutory requirements when carryingout construction work.

It will be readily observed that Quantem’s services are entirelyfocused on achieving the best results for their clients at wellcontrolled costs, therein lies the secret of their success.

For more information please visit their websitewww.quantem.co.uk

or to arrange a confidential discussion of the feasibility ofany future project that you may have under consideration

please telephone 0121 233 9222and speak to Lee JonesMonday to Friday.

Quantem Consulting LLP

Our strength comes from the experience and quality of the

Partners and Staff

Lee Jones


29

DEK IMAGESThe popularity of drones with theconstruction industry is soaring, as DeanRussell of DEK Images well knows.

They’ve been an integral part of the TV, film,music video and photography sectors for sometime now, but increasingly drones or UAVs -Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to give them their fullname - are helping to build cities and housesacross the world.

DEK Images, based in Kinver, Staffordshire, hasa diary packed with documentary and Indi-filmmaking appointments and its industry-leadingquadcopter is flown aloft for weddingcelebrations, to showcase golf courses and tocapture extreme sports as well as beingfocussed on behalf of estate agents to createstunning aerial images which are then used aspowerful marketing tools for house sellers.

But now company owner and UAV pilot Dean isbusier than ever flying the drone to enablesurveyors and construction industryprofessionals to scrutinise buildings of allshapes and sizes from on high.

“We conduct aerial inspections and surveys onhard-to-reach roofs and buildings,” he explains.

“This offers a range of benefits to building firms,engineers and surveyors, including savingmoney on the cost of hiring cherry pickers,being able to access harder-to-reach areas andimproved safety as no-one needs to putthemselves in dangerous positions to carry outan inspection.”

Drones, Dean adds, are also able to capture images from specific heightswhile a structure is in the planning stage, thus enabling planners to see exactlywhat the new building will overlook and what it is overlooked by.

And it is now possible to produce accurate 3D maps which are proving criticalfor pre-site analysis and to document any build.

“At DEK Images we practise and promote safe UAV flying, adhering to strictCivil Aviation Authority guidelines,” stresses former music video and short filmproducer and editor Dean, who has been interested in all things flying man andboy, getting many hours of flight time in a bulldog and glider while with theRAF air cadets.

“Our UAV can fly between 18 and 20 minutes, which gives us plenty of time tocapture greatness.”

Drones are not the only things hitting the heights at DEK Images - dedicatedto only the very best standards, Dean and his team pride themselves on theirwork and pledge that they will always keep going on a project until thecustomer is happy.

“We’re a friendly bunch who work closely with clients,” he smiles. We want toensure that we achieve the perfect shot while staying safe in the air.”

To find out more about DEK Images and its full range of services - and to see photos andfilms captured by the UAV - visit www.dekimages.co.uk/home/4588034998Alternatively telephone 07833666009 or email [email protected]

premier aerial photography and film at affordable prices

Using specialist software DEK Images is able to produce threemain models.

1. Orthomosaics - georeferenced orthorectified maps.

2. Terrain models - accurate topographic modelling with DSMs and DTMs.

3. 3D models - Detailed, accurate 3D models.


30

Business is taking off, quite literally, for acompany which helps building surveyors tobecome even more eagle-eyed.

HeliDrone Surveys provides drone inspections,giving surveyors their very own eyes in the skyand the ability to scrutinise the mostinaccessible of structures without usingexpensive cherry pickers or scaffolding.

The airborne solution was devised by CharteredBuilding Surveyor Roy Emmerson and buildingcontractor Mike Szkoda who, with their fellowprofessionals, had spent much of their careershead scratching as they pondered ‘just how dowe inspect that?’.

They realised the answer was a cameramounted drone but, as Roy recalls, there wasmore to it than just buying a machine andshouting ‘chocks away’.

“There are stringent rules and regulations,” hesays. “The Civil Aviation Authority requires thepilot meet a minimum standard involving atheory examination, practical flying test andapproval of our operations manual.

“We also must produce standard riskassessments and method statements prior toarrival, notify air traffic control for approval andhave a sizeable public liability insurance cover.”

Upon arrival at any site, before even starting thedrone, the team establishes first and secondarysafe zones and runs a series of vital pre-flightprocedures. Upon starting the machine, the first

requirement is to let it establish its GPS location so that it returns ‘home’ in theevent of any problem.

Launched in September 2014, Roy and Mike have found the concept of droneinspections has quickly taken wing, despite some scepticism.

But Roy feels they’ve quickly proved sceptics wrong, pointing out that thedisadvantages, such as inability to fly during strong winds, photographicimages blurred by rain or the replacement cost (or worse) of a tree or buildingstrike, are far outweighed by the advantages.

Since launching, HeliDrone Surveys has undertaken surveys nationwide,ranging from large industrial facilities to small city-centre terraced houses; butnow things are really starting to go sky high.

“Our initial aim was to photograph hard-to-reach places, but we have alsobeen asked to produce a film clip for an online marketing brochure andpretend to be a helicopter arriving at a wedding reception venue,” says Roy.

“In truth, what we can do is probably only limited by imagination, so the morepeople ask of us, the more we strive to provide.”

To find out more about HeliDrone Surveys, visit www.helidronesurveys.co.ukAlternatively email [email protected] or telephone 01279 874379

These include:

• Reduced health and safety risks as there are no people orplant up in the air only a drone with in-built safety features.

• Minimal disruption due to absence of a cherry picker orscaffolding which may need to obstruct the main entrance oroccupy parking spaces.

• High resolution photographs and continuous filmfootage, available within hours, often downloadable to USBwhile still on site.

• Monitors giving clients a drone’s eye view, enabling them todirect the flight path or request greater study of elementsnewly discovered by the equipment.


31

f i r e F L Ya e r i a l i n n o v a t i o n

If you think the best use of a drone is to send it flyingaway to capture pretty pictures for promotional imagesand video, then think again.

These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are fast becoming theconstruction industry’s instrument of choice when it comes toup-close, high definition inspections of hard-to-reach places orgathering high-spec data for technically advanced surveys.

Such data gathering requires specialised operations using theright equipment and operations by companies who understandthe unique challenges of a construction site setting.

And that’s where Balsall Common’s FireFly Aerial Innovation istaking things to new heights.

Focusing on the construction, property and heritage sectors,the company uses drones to give clients new insights into theirassets through outstanding videos and stills across a range offormats.

“Historically, aerial images and data could only be gathered viamanned aircraft, rendering many aerial outputs beyond most

budgets and timescales,” says FireFly’s Stuart Taylor.

“However, the UK’s commercial drone industryis revolutionising the way organisations

work by offering aerial imaging,which includes mapping,inspection, modelling andmeasurement and at a realistic andpractical cost.”

For the construction industry thisbrings many advantages.

With their ability to convey hugeamounts of information via imagesrather than text and technicalinformation, drones are a quick and

effective way of gathering survey data fora variety of CAD and 3D modelling software.

With an increasing variety of payloads available, theconstruction industry is using them to carry out more

and more different types of survey, such as thermal imaging,LiDAR and multi-spectral.

And of course they do take those pretty images - dronefootage is the perfect way for developers to showcase theirsites or to regularly convey site progress to key stakeholders.

“Aerial shots of current or completed works carry real impactand convey a huge amount of information such as locations,scale and environment. Aerial footage can also benefit theplanning and consultation stages of a project” says Stuart.

Every project FireFly undertakes is within the rigorous CivilAviation Authority (CAA) framework and involves a drone pilotwho has been assessed as a skilled operator andcomplimented by competent Ground Crew and PayloadOperator.

“Construction sites are dangerous environments. Would youwant unqualified, inexperienced operators working around yoursite? ” asks Stuart. “Furthermore, it is a legal requirement toobtain a CAA license to operate UAVs if they are to be usedfor any form of commercial purpose. It’s worth bearing inmind that without that license, there’s no insurance.

But potential customers need not bedaunted by the strict proceduressurrounding drone services – FireFly takecare of all of that.

“We handle all the regulatory and safetyprocesses to give clients confidence in theaerial solution, carrying out acomprehensive planning process and on-site risk assessment to make sure we getfor them the best shots possible withinUK flying guidelines,” says Stuart.

For more about FireFlyAerial Innovation andits services, go towww.fireflyai.comAlternatively [email protected] telephone 07913 81928307530 674601


32

GEA Group were struggling to fit three of itscompanies under one roof, until Vincent InteriorContracts took up the challenge. GEA could not find aproperty that suited their requirements until theyrealised how Vincent Interiors could transform anindustrial warehouse to meet their exact requirementsof office accommodation and warehouse space, not tomention the staggering amount they would save inrent over 10 years by taking on the warehouseproperty rather than offices which would still not workfor them.

What’s more – with a 12 weekdeadline Vincent Interior’sskilled workforce completedthe design and installation ofnew windows, mezzaninefloors, partitions, ceilings,electrical, IT, plumbing, carpetsand office furniture within 8weeks, thus bringing GEA a

huge cost saving. The entire project is a classic example ofVincent Interior Contracts signature modus operandi.

“Vincent Interiors works alongside all of its clients from the firstoutlining of their requirements and costing through to the finalinstallation, ensuring they are completely satisfied every step ofthe way” explains Managing Director Keith Vincent.

“Every project we undertake is viewed on an individual basisand we give each the care and attention required to maximiseits potential both in terms of space utilisation and overallaesthetic effect, while being mindful of budgetary restrictionsand implementation timescales.”

Vincent’s expertise has been applied to a host of office, factoryand warehouse fit-outs and refurbishment projects togovernment sites, schools and universities.

A CAD design andconsultancy service formpart of the busy portfolioand Vincent InteriorContracts also regularlywork with Architects onlarge-scale installationschemes providing a fullproject managementservice if required.

Vincent Interiors look forward to giving your business a trulyinspired working environment, something out of the ordinary – asolution exactly designed and tailored to your needs.

To find out more about the services and facilities,including a FREE site survey, available from Vincent

Interior Contracts visit www.vicltd.co.uk

Alternatively telephone 01384 295463 or email [email protected]

Vincent Interior Contracts LtdBuxton House, Dawley Brook Road,

Kingswinford DY6 7BD

VINCENT – The Complete Office and Factory Fit-Out Specialists.

Vincent

• MOVING

• EXTENDING

• DOWNSIZING

• SPACE CREATING

• REFURBISHMENT


33

ACD is a family run business with a focus on customer care, which has designedand installed thousands of air conditioning systems from single split units andducted packages through to large VRV/VRF systems, but what sets them apartis their commitment to offer the best air conditioning installations, with the bestcustomer service at the right price.

ACD constantly review the latest developments in the sector and an ongoingprogramme of staff development and training means you can always be surethat they will recommend the most suitable system currently available and that itwill be fitted by an appropriately qualified team.

The company started out by working for just a few blue chip retail clients andshop fitters with just 4 members of staff. Since that time, due to word of mouthreferrals, recommendations and recently, a targeted programme of webmarketing, the company has grown organically from £600k pa to in excess of£2.2m, and employs 14 staff.

Although their impressive client list includes household names such as TheEntertainer, Laura Ashley, Clarks Shoes, Tommy Hilfiger, and the Salvation Army, clients cover the spectrum from large multi-nationals and single retail units to domestic installations.

Michael Robey MD, emphasises the company’s focus on customer care saying,“We are a national air conditioning company, so our service covers all of the UK,but we offer the local air conditioning feel, giving all our customers peace of mindwhere warranty and service is concerned.”

Simon Robey, Director said, “Renewable and efficient energy is a priority for mostcompanies and with the latest technology in heat pumps now being offered weplan to excel in that market place, and continue to increase our client base byproviding quality installations in accordance with best practice.”

For more information about the range of products and services they offer pleasevisit the web site www.aircontrol.co.uk or www.daikin.co.uk, or telephone 01922455523, and let them show you just how comfortable your premises canbecome with the right system, and how you can relax knowing that this is onecompany that offers all the back-up it promises.

For more information about the range of products and servicesthey offer please visit the website www.aircontrol.co.uk or

telephone 01922 455523, and let them show you just how comfortable your premises can

become with the right system, and how you can relax knowing thatthis is one company that offers all the back-up it promises.

“A breath of fresh air in customer care,” Air Control & Development’s slogan says it all.

www.aircontrol.co.ukAir Control Development Ltd

The company specialises in the installation, serviceand maintenance of air conditioning and ventilationsystems including full mechanical packages forretail, commercial, industrial and leisure premises.They are approved by major manufacturer (DaikinD1+ installers) and offer a warranty of up to 5yrs.

Air Control & Development Ltd (ACD) was established inMarch 1994, and understands just how daunting it canbe, given the complexity of the market and the hugerange of systems and companies out there, to choose areliable and trustworthy company to quote, install andmaintain a new air conditioning or ventilation system.

33821_HorseWorld 21/01/2016 10:09 Page 1

34

The World Health Organisation tells usthat a healthy workplace is one whereworkers and managers work togetherto protect and promote the health,safety and wellbeing of workers andthe sustainability of the workplace.

In order to do that we have to consider notonly how the physical work environmentaffects health and safety, but also how thework organisation and workplace cultureaffects health and wellbeing, how peoplelook after their personal health and howworkplaces can help to improve the healthof workers, their families and othermembers of the community which theworkplace sustains.

Evidence shows that, when organisationsproactively improve their workingenvironments by organising work in waysthat promote health, all adverse health-related outcomes, including absence andinjuries, decrease, thus improvingproductivity, a strong case for taking fortaking action!

We’re all responsible for the lifestylechoices we make, but employers canmake healthy choices easier for their staff.A business culture of support andflexibility, healthy adaptations to theworkplace, and on-site wellbeing activitieswill all encourage your workforce to takepositive steps for healthy living.

Many larger companies outsource much ofthe responsibility by enlisting the help of aprofessional occupational health provider.Such companies will help with pre-employment screening, sickness absencemanagement, healthcare assessments ofthe workplace itself and deal with a raft ofgeneral concerns that a thoughtfulemployer will wish to address.

The general advice to take exercise and toeat healthily is advocated by healthprofessionals on all sides. Some relativelysimple steps, if you will forgive the pun, canbe taken within the working environment.

Offering a choice of healthy snacks such asfruit, and fresh water or fruit juice, ratherthan just the usual vending machine fare ofhigh fat choc bars, crisps and fizzy pop, willbe appreciated by many. There are anumber of companies who will deliver freshfruit and wholesome freshly madesandwiches daily. There is a statutoryobligation on employers to provide freshdrinking water, but for those who don’t liketap water, replace some of the cans of popwith bottled water and fruit juices, orperhaps consider installing a water cooler.

There are lots of ways to build more activityinto the working day too, desk boundemployees in particular should take theopportunity to stand up and move aroundwhen possible, just standing up for shortperiods, perhaps while on the phone, is verybeneficial to the employee’s overall health.

Research indicates that remaining seated fortoo long is bad for your health, regardless ofhow much exercise you do otherwise.Excessive sitting has been linked with beingoverweight and obese, type 2 diabetes,some types of cancer, and premature death.

Prolonged sitting slows the metabolism,which affects the body's ability to regulateblood sugar, blood pressure and breakdown body fat.

A panel of leading experts who reviewed theevidence on sitting for the reportrecommended taking an active break fromsitting every 30 minutes. All-day movementis now seen as being just as important forthe maintenance of good health astraditional exercise.

A Call to Action

Walking meetings, taking advantage of anyopen spaces, or at the very least, opening afew windows, safety and our climate ofcourse permitting, are all simple affordablemeasures that can bring a host of benefits,not least because your workforce willrecognise that you care about their healthand well-being.

Other suggestions to encourage moremovement include making the stairwells moreattractive and using signage to encourage theuse of stairs rather than lifts, involvingemployees in organising a workplace activityprogramme, and encouraging supporteractivities and sports programmes in andoutside of the workplace, for ideas visitwww.bhf.org.uk/thinkfit

Another increasingly popular measure isencouraging employees to walk or cycle towork. Or you could make productivityrewards and incentives health related a fruitbasket rather than chocolates, a visit to aspa rather than a few bottles of wine, thereare plenty of ideas out there.

Some gyms offer corporate memberships;consider participating in an extendedscheme so that it is not just the privilegedfew that benefit, but the whole team. Or, fora real work out, quite literally, take your nextteam building event out of doors at one ofthe many centres offering carefully plannedoutdoor activities.

Of course not all your employees will beable to participate in every activity, due toage or disability, so choose yourprogrammes with care to allow for thebroadest participation possible, and getthose figures jumping!

12773 1pg_Layout 1 19/02/2016 11:41 Page 1

35

!

IOSH NEBOSH

NRSWACITB

Book your training online at utntraining.co.uk or call 08707 871 511

Health & Safety courses for professionals

IPAF

PASMA

Online courses now availableUTN now offer a range of interactive courses that you can complete at a time convenient to you.


36

Getting out from work to work out is a great way torefresh and recharge not only the little grey cells butbody and soul too.

That’s why Birmingham’s Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock SportsCentre is dedicated to helping businesses look after theiremployees’ own health and fitness.

Owned by Aston University and recently awarded the Investorsin People Gold Award, the centre has already partnered withsome of the city’s most prestigious organisations through itsAffiliated Memberships scheme. Now it is issuing an invitationfor more companies to join this particular team.

“Local businesses who take out this membership with usreceive discounted rates so they can provide cheaper gymmemberships to their employees,” explains Sport Marketingand Development Officer Ben Lonsdale.

“The special fee is not only available on our membership butalso on our pay and play activities, so those who are notinterested in using the gym can still play sport and be active ata discounted price.

“If any organisation is interested in setting up an affiliated ratefor their employees, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

There’s certainly plenty of activities for everyone to choosefrom, whether they be an affiliated company employee or asporting city resident.

And the 100+ station gym brings workout fans flocking, eagerto use the state-of-the-art Life Fitness machines withcardiovascular equipment, fixed weight resistance machinesand free weights.

If you need some vital kit for your chosen activity, take a look inthe Centre’s shop, which is stocked with swimming gear,including plugs, goggles, hats and arm bands, and racquetequipment - balls for squash or table tennis and badmintonshuttle cocks.

There’s also a hire facility incorporating badminton, squash andracket ball rackets, table tennis bats and balls for assortedsports.

The advent of 2016 sees the centre introducing even moremore fitness and yoga classes as well as some free exerciseworkshops for gym members on different topics.

“The aim of these is to help customers gain a bit moreunderstanding of how to train for their desired goals and to givethem the opportunity to ask our instructors any questions,”says Ben.

“The topics we have covered so far are running and basicnutrition for exercise.”

Just a five to 10 minutes’ walk from the Wesleyan, a friendlywelcome awaits all those looking to achieve a healthier, fitterlifestyle whether it’s through membership or the pay and playoption.

A modern 21st century facility, home to the 100 year-old swimming pool (the region’s oldest), complete with originalpool-side changing cubicles, the centre offers a host ofleisure activities and services including:

• modern sauna, steam and changing rooms• fitness and yoga classes• badminton• squash• indoor and outdoor football• netball• basketball• handball• dodgeball• adult swimming lessons• personal training

To find out more visit www.aston.ac.uk/sport

which details the centre’s opening times and the completerange of sporting facilities and services available


37

Dave explained: “Keepingabreast of all the latestadvances in sports shoetechnology has been quitechallenging, but oddlyenough, the designs ofsome of the latest modelsresulting in minimalist orbarefoot running hasbrought running back to itsnatural format harking backto days of “Man the Hunter”.

Dave is building up the email ordering side of the business, sothat he is able to service customers from a wider area, bothnationally and internationally. He tells us that thanks to their widerange, this on-line side of the business has really taken off.

Visit www.birminghamrunner.comTelephone 0121 7456007

Email [email protected]

64 Stratford Road, Birmingham B90 3LP

BIRMINGHAM RUNNERHuge range of running shoes & clothing

Keeping Midlands athletes on their toes for nearly 30years, The Birmingham Runners Shop specialises in allthings to do with running.

Dave Ireland, took over the well established business (1983,)previously based at Robin Hood Island, in 1996. He is a formerPE Teacher and rugby player with Leicester Tigers and hasalways been a keen runner, competing with Peterborough AC inthe 70s, Wye Valley Road Runners early 80s and since 1985has been a member of Sparkhill Harriers in Birmingham. Davehas a PB of 2hours 45min for the marathon.

Dave has always been actively involved in sports and leisureactivities, even running a travel company specialising in skiingholidays for a time. Running and Athletics has always been hisfirst love, however, so when the opportunity arose to buy TheBirmingham Runner, he jumped at it.

Since then the business has consistently led the way in theprovision of professional specialist advice and runningequipment to Midlands’ athletes and fun runners. As thebusiness started to grow Dave looked around for largerpremises, and in 2006 he bought the present premises, whichhas customer parking at the front of the store, and is just a littleway further down Stratford Road.

Running is an increasingly popular method of keeping fit, butfor the beginner there are a lot factors to take into account.Simply donning your old tennis shoes and heading off for thefirst time is likely to result in sore feet, aching muscles and theabandonment of your new fitness programme before it haseven got off the starting block.

Professional advice and the right shoes are the essentials toget your regime off to a good start. Discuss with staff at TheBirmingham Runner your levels of fitness and what you arehoping to achieve, they will assess your gait with their excellentVideo Gait Analysis Service which is FREE when purchasingsome running shoes. They have a huge stock holding so youwill always find what you need, from their collection of men’sand women’s running trainers, cross country running spikes,and middle distance and track and field spikes.

everything we do is designed to meet your needs, to help grow your business and protect your wealth. Situated in Birmingham’s City Centre we are ideally placed to serve businesses across central England providing you

and support.

We have a good We have a good relationationship with relationationship with

BIRMINGHAM RUNNER BIRMINGHAM RUNNER and wish to congratulate and wish to congratulate them on their continued them on their continued

success. success.

wealth. Situated in Birmingham’s

Rutland House, 148 Edmund Street, Birmingham B3 2FD

T: 0121 236 0465 F: 0121 236 1465E: [email protected]: www.macintyrehudson.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM RUNNERH

33826 1pg_Carford Group 15/02/2016 15:53 Page 1

38

Make your workplace more fruitful, and harvest thebenefits of happier staff

If an army marches on itsstomach, in the world ofbusiness, keeping your‘troops’ satisfied andstocked up with dailyessentials such as fruit,coffee, tea and milk canmake a real difference tomorale, and therefore,productivity.

But instead of having to find the time to keep running to theshop yourself to keep pace with your team’s needs, why not letFruitdrop take care of them all?

With its head office in Bristol, Fruitdrop was set up in 2007 byBen Thompson. He had spent more than a decade working forbig accountancy firms, but admits: “My move from beancounter to banana counter was somewhat unplanned.”

The idea took root (pardon the pun) during a spell as an internwith a bank in Sydney, Australia, where Ben “saw first-handhow workplace fruit benefits both employee and employer.”

Those benefits include not just increased morale and a chanceto get some proper nutrition while at work, but ultimately, ahealthier workforce which really appreciates having readyaccess to a supply of tasty snacks which can help fend off thetemptation to fill up on less healthy alternatives.

“Research has shown that healthy employees can be up to20% more productive than unhealthy ones,” Ben points out.“So our service provides an easy and effective way to helpdeliver the equivalent of an extra workday every weekfrom those healthy employees.”

Alongside its selection of fresh fruit, businesses canalso order Nutriboxes for delivery direct fromFruitdrop. These small packages of snacks arespecially chosen for their healthy, gluten-freecontents so that they keep hunger levels low andensure a high level of nutritional value – perfect forwhen your staff need to stay on the ball, especiallywhen you don’t have a supermarket nearby.

As a finishing touch to help keep your premises lookingcheerful, Fruitdrop can also provide selections of beautifulfresh flowers which make an attractive and colourfulcentrepiece for a reception area or meeting room.

You can choose from two fruit box options. Both theEssentials and Seasonal boxes contain 50 pieces of fruit, andprices start at £20 per box, with no extra charge for delivery.

As a rough guide, Fruitdroprecommends picking one boxper delivery for every 20 to 25employees. They’re happy totailor the boxes too, toaccount of your staff’sindividual preferences and tominimise wastage.

Deliveries in Bristol, Bathand surrounding areas are usuallycarried out on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the companyaims to ensure that all orders arrive before 11am.

More than 3,000 clients are serviced weekly by 70 employeesand a fleet of more than 50 vans, while Fruitdrop now sellsmore than two million bananas every year. Yet if they were laid

end-to-end, the number ofboxes Fruitdrop delivers eachweek would stretch the lengthof the Clifton SuspensionBridge (1,352 feet) nearlytwice!

To be sure of yourrequirements and booking slot,give them a call today – with aspecial introductory discountavailable for a limited period asa ‘thank you’, and to give youthe chance to sample thebenefits for yourself.

www.fruitdrop.co.uk/bbp

Give Fruitdrop a try today, and get 25% off the price ofyour first four weeks’ deliveries of fruit and Nutriboxes.Simply mention ‘BBP’ when you place your order to qualify forthis introductory offer. Order online at Fruitdrop.co.uk or by calling 0845 643 5301. Its staff are also on handon this number to answer any questions, or to take details of any variations to standard fruit box orders.

33791_HorseWorld 25/02/2016 11:44 Page 1

39

we clean | Rubery House | The Avenue | Rubery | Birmingham | B45 9AL

www.wecleanltd.com or call 0121 453 6191

[email protected]

Awards Managing Director, Mike Bone said we clean first entered Loo of theYear Awards in 2014 and won a number of awards, all of their entries wereexceptionally clean and well maintained. The loos entered in 2015 were invarious clients’ locations including the British Motor Museum, BirminghamTown Hall, Birmingham Hippodrome, Selly Oak Trust School, the BirminghamSymphony Hall and other prestigious office buildings.

The passion of the we clean management team for delivering only Cleaningrelated services has demonstrated that such focus can achieve exceptionalresults in Washroom Cleaning Standards”.

Their well-deserved success is based on pride in what they do, they are totallycommitted to enhance the profile of their people and professionalise thediscipline of cleaning generally by ensuring that their cleaning teams are fullytrained, highly motivated and professionally presented so as to create the rightimage for you and your business.

we clean have developed the appropriate skills and techniques for all businesslocations from major venues, office and industrial premises, washrooms and

The Birmingham based CommercialCleaning Company we clean has swept theboard at the Annual UK Loo of the YearAwards, widely recognised as the nationalstandard for 'Away from Home' toilets.

This is the first time in the Awards’ twenty eightyears history that a cleaning company hasachieved this top award and was in recognitionof being awarded Platinum Awards for every oneof their entries.

In addition a long serving employee of we cleanBaba Secken was awarded the Individual UKAttendant of the Year Award recognising hisoutstanding work and dedication as LeadHousekeeper at Brindleyplace, where we cleanprovides 900 hours of cleaning support perweek with 13 full time staff.

Formed in 2003 by directors David Harker and Paul Concannon we clean and its SeniorManagement team has over 100 years’experience of the Cleaning Industry, and inresponse to being presented with the Award PaulConcannon commented:

“These awards mean that we are the best cleaning company in theUK and that we train and employ the best cleaning operatives in theUK”.

“The awards are in recognition of every one of our 400-plusfrontline cleaning staff. They are our Kings and Queens and whatmakes our business. This award goes out to them.”

Whilst David Harker added:

“As a company, we clean is all about Birmingham and the widerMidlands area. As a team we are immensely proud to serve themajor venues that are considered to be the ‘front door’ for visitorsto the West Midlands. The success of our business has been builtupon our simple but effective ethos – we clean and proud of it – asdirectors of the business we have passionately encouraged all of ourstaff to take pride in their work.”

delivering high quality, tailored cleaning service solutions

Baba Secken


40

we clean | Rubery House | The Avenue | Rubery | Birmingham | B45 9AL

www.wecleanltd.com or call 0121 453 6191

[email protected]

Discover the range of NEW Vauxhallsat your Local Commercial and Business Specialistsserving the West Midlands.

new car & van offers

service & parts

business users

motability

offers

Finance available on New Vauxhall at CMS*

0% APR

“ We are proud to support We Cleanwishing them all the best for the future

CMS Vauxhall Kidderminster

“

Visit CMS at www.cmsvauxhall.co.uk or call 01562 535 975

*Terms and Conditions Apply. Over 18s Only. Finance supplied by Vauxhall Finance.

HYDRO BLAST SURFACE RESTORATION LTD

TEL: 0845 548 0173� Drives, Patios, Paths & Decking� Paint and Graffiti Removal Service� Industrial Cleaning� Monument Cleaning� New Build Cleans� Shop Front & Sign Cleaning

Any Surface, Any Time, Anywhere

“We are Proud to support We Clean Ltd”

EXTERIOR STEAM CLEANING SPECIALISTS

windows, carpets and soft furnishings to the detailed andspecialist cleaning required for the modern Hi Techcommunication systems on which businesses rely.

When you first contact we clean a member of the managementteam will visit your premises to discuss and establish yourrequirements. After you entrust your cleaning requirements tothe we clean team their highly professional and experiencedContract Management team will take over. They are responsiblefor ensuring that cleaning specifications are met and wherepossible, exceeded, and that the service is delivered both safelyand efficiently whilst regular client review meetings are formallyscheduled to evaluate service performance.

We clean really understand cleaning.

Paul and David would also like to thank Inspire Health Care,The Merton Group, CMS Vauxhall, and Hydro Blast Surface

Restoration for their support for this feature.


41

Inspire Healthcare Services are delighted to congratulateDavid, Paul & the team at We Clean Ltd on winning Loo ofThe Year at the National Loo of the Year Awards. We haveworked with We Clean for a number of years and they havealways demonstrated their commitment and professionalismto all their customers and it is no surprise that they havewon this prestigious award.

InspireHealthcareServices areproviders ofwashroomservices andclinical wastedisposal. Weinstall andservice stateof the art

hygiene equipment for company washrooms and also operate aclinical waste disposal service.

The business was founded in 1998 and we have built anenviable reputation for high service standards and customersatisfaction. At Inspire we offer the same care and attention todetail to all our clients, and work with them to provide theproducts and services best suited to their needs, be they smallindependent businesses or large multi-national companies.

The facilities provided in your washrooms can be a keyindicator of your concern for the safety and well-being of youremployees and visitors. Staff appreciate up to date facilities;hand dryers that work, appropriate products conveniently tohand in a vending machine, effective sanitary disposal and anodour free environment.

Unpleasantodours andairbornebacteria canseriously affectyourorganisationand Inspireoffer a rangeof sterilisationunits to clear

embarrassing odours and eliminate bacteria in the air and onsurfaces, including MRSA, influenza, and pneumonia. Thesecan also improve sickness levels amongst staff and visitors byreducing the number of airborne infections.

Our highly experienced and professional team understand theindustry and will offer advice on a wide range of products,together with ways of becoming more ECO friendly by reducingwater usage and CO2 emissions.

We have helped hundreds of businesses reduce their water coststhrough use of water management systems. As well as significantcost savings of up to 70%, there is also a benefit to theenvironment by reducing the amount of water your business uses.

At Inspire Healthcare we arecommitted to reducing theimpact our operations, and thewaste our customers generate,have on the environment. Aspart of our carbon footprintreduction programme we planall our operations to keepvehicle movements to aminimum while still maintainingour well-deserved reputation forcustomer service.

Among our other services, Inspire offer clinical waste disposaland collection services to dental practices, doctors surgeries,health centres, clinics, vets, hospitals, pharmacies, tattooists,acupuncturists, chiropodists and, in fact, any business withclinical waste to be disposed of safely and efficiently. To furtherminimise vehicle movement we operate our own Waste TransferStation to manage customers waste at our facilities prior toonward disposal.

We can also assist in the completion of pre-acceptance auditswhich are essential prior to the removal of any waste from yourpremises.

At Inspire Healthcare we provide services across Central UK,including: Birmingham, Coventry,Leicestershire,Northamptonshire,Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire,Staffordshire, Wolverhampton,Dudley, Walsall, Telford,Worcestershire, Gloucestershire,Bristol, Milton Keynes,Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire,Shropshire, and Peterboroughand can also provide Nationalcoverage when required.

For more information please visit our web site www.inspirehealthcare.co.uk to take a tour of our interactivewashroom or for more informationgenerally.

To speak to someone please ring either, Freephone 0800 195 7818 email [email protected] fax your enquiry to 0121 753 0552


42

Having supplied quality cleaning products to We Cleanfor a number of years the Merton Group is delighted tocongratulate David, Paul and the team on winning Looof The Year at the National Loo of the Year Awards.

The Merton Group are the UK based manufacturer of theSupagreen range of premium recycled disposable paperproducts and have been trusted distributors of quality cleaningand hygiene solutions, for 38 years.

Having experienced year on year growth since inception in1978 they are proud to say that their success has been built onproviding top quality products and first rate customer caresupported by state-of-the-art technology.

Working to the highest possible standards is just how they dothings, and this commitment to excellence has been recognisedby quality standard ISO 9001.2008 approval for bothmanufacturing and supply. They are, as you would expect,members of all relevant trade associations, including theprimary body of the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers’Association, and operate to recognised Health and Safetystandards including COSHH, CLP and REACH. Theircommitment to service and customer care is reflected online bytheir ability to supply bespoke wallcharts, MSDS and technicaldata via their support website, 24/7.

MGUK has maintained a long standingcommitment toenvironmental issues,believing that it ispossible to produceeffective high qualityproducts withoutdamage to theenvironment, and takecare to only develop eco-friendly cleaning andhygiene products.

As part of their commitment tocausing the least possible damageto the environment MGUK areencouraging clients to buy fromthem direct and take part in freeproduct rationalisation exercises,thus cutting costs whileminimising carbon emissions.


43

within two months of your re-enrolment date. If you don’t haveany eligible staff, your re-declaration deadline date will be theday before the third anniversary of your original declaration ofcompliance.

“Ensure that your staff is put into an auto-enrolment pensionscheme within six weeks of your re-enrolment date. You mustthen write to them within this six-week window. You only needto write to the staff affected by re-enrolment.

“If you have eligible staff, you’ll need to follow the same stepsas when you first auto-enrolled them. The pension scheme youuse must meet the auto-enrolment criteria: it’s likely that you’llalready have a suitable scheme in place if you automaticallyenrolled any staff at your staging date.

“Once you’ve automatically re-enrolled eligible staff, they remainin your scheme unless they to opt-out or cease membership.There is a one-month window in which staff can opt-out. If theychoose to do so, you’ll need to process their opt-out noticesand keep records accordingly.

“Ultimately, my advice is to not leave things to the last minuteand risk non-compliance.”

Tasha Hartley is a qualified consultant for JohnsonFleming, leading workplace pensions and

employee benefits specialist. For moreinformation please contact us on

0121 571 223 or [email protected]

Automatic Re-enrolment: How it works

Auto re-enrolment is a sizeable task, requiring proper planning.Consultant Tasha Hartley explains how businesses approachingtheir re-enrolment date need to prepare.

“You’ll have three months either side of the third anniversary ofyour staging date to choose your re-enrolment date. This givesyou a six-month window and you must have the same re-enrolment date for all staff you have to enroll.

“You’ll need to undertake an assessment of your staff todetermine which employees you must re-enroll. This applies toeligible staff that did the following, more than 12 months beforeyour chosen re-enrolment date:

• Opted out of your auto-enrolment pension scheme

• Ceased active membership of your pension scheme after the end of the opt-out period

• Stayed in your pension scheme but have chosen to reducethe level of pension contributions to below the minimum leveland who meet the age and earnings criteria.

“If any of these happen within 12 months of your chosen re-enrolment date, you may decide to automatically enroll theeligible staff, but you’re not required to do so.

“If you don’t have any eligible staff to re-enroll, you’ll still needto re-declare your compliance. Your deadline to re-declare yourcompliance will depend on whether or not you have any eligiblestaff to re-enroll.

“If you have staff to automatically re-enroll, you must complete there-declaration of compliance

[email protected] 01527 571300@JohnsonFleming

33707_HorseWorld 16/11/2015 15:02 Page 1

44

Designed to minimise employee downtime & department disruption, New Leaf Health’s ‘15 minute health checks’ consist of a selection of tests including Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and BMI that help your employees establish their current health status.

Increase performance Reduce Absenteeism Improve MoraleThere are many statistics that support the fact that employees who feel valued and respected by their employers out perform those that don’t. It is also proven that employees who feel cared for by their employer are 27% more likely to stay with them for five years and more.

One of the biggest differences in absenteeism is between those employees who are not active and those who exercise. Non exercisers have a 46% greater absence rate than those who are active, just one exer-cise session per week can make all the difference.

Individual, team, department and company wide morale is vital for stability and growth within any company large or small. Simple achievements like a positive health check or one that helps employees focus on lifestyle changes are a real benefit individually and collectively.

‘15 minute health checks’ from the UK’s leading provider of Workplace Health & Wellbeing programmes

Visit our dedicated 15 minute health check website or call us today for more information

Friendly practitioners trained & experienced in delivering health related information in a non-threatening positive manner, chat through the results & provide information that empowers & inspires long lasting lifestyle changes.

T Powered by New Leaf Health

T: 01384 [email protected]


45

Often one of the biggest concerns can be starting the initial conversation with the individual who has been diagnosed with cancer. Initiating conversations and keeping communication channels open are key steps in gaining an understanding of the individual needs and support required in the work place. It’s also important to discuss arrangements for keeping in touch with your employee before their absence, and to maintain appropriate contact with your employee during periods of sick leave.

Macmillan at Work

Macmillan at Work has been designed to help line managers, HR and Occupational Health professionals support employees with cancer, or those caring for someone with cancer. The Macmillan at Work team will be at the Health and Wellbeing Conference 8-9 March at the National Exhibition Centre – if you are attending, why not visit our stand or come to the workshop we’ll be running at the conference on Tuesday 8 March at 9.25am.

guidance and resources Macmillan provides, visit macmillan.org.uk/atwork. You can also email the team at [email protected] or call 020 7840 4725.

Each year, almost 120,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer in the UK, and with survival rates improving and people retiring

This is why Macmillan has developed workplace training, guidance and resources to support HR and Line Managers with managing cancer in the workplace.

For people with cancer, staying in or returning to work can be hugely positive.

how to support someone with cancer, as there are a number of challenges they may face.

In the workplace, reasonable adjustments are often needed to help deal with the side effects of cancer and its treatment. Fatigue, pain and depression are some of the common side effects, so making reasonable adjustments such as

medical appointments can make a big difference to someone affected by cancer. In addition as cancer is classed as a disability under the Equality Act or Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), employers are required to make reasonable adjustments if the location, working arrangements or a lack of extra support (auxiliary aids) puts someone with cancer at a substantial disadvantage.

It is important to remember that each person may require different support. So how can businesses equip HR professionals and line managers to provide the best individual support for staff they manage, while adhering to organisational policies?

Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). MAC15957


46

Let’s get together

As Hayley Mills sang, “Let’s gettogether, we can have a swinging time,”and, dependent on the style of meetingyou are organising, some of the venuesdesigned to foster team-building maygive you just that opportunity!

Whether informal activities or moretraditional board room or conference styleevents, all business meetings have certainkey ingredients. They allow time fornetworking among staff, provide anopportunity to share ideas, emphasizeteamwork and inform employees andmanagement alike of new developmentswithin the company or among clients.

Information sharing is an important keyingredient, meetings held within the officeamong staff, or meetings between acompany and its client, provide anopportunity to share information. Thiscould be as simple as sharing updates onfinancials or recognizing new employeesto more complex issues, such as contractnegotiations, new client presentations oraddressing problems with an account. Anactual meeting pinpoints a time and placeto have in-depth discussions without otherdistractions or work getting in the way.

Decide who is to lead the discussion andstructure your meeting carefully by settingan agenda which should be circulatedprior to the meeting. Creating an effectiveagenda is fundamental in planning aproductive meeting, as is a clearly statedobjective. Make sure to communicate thisobjective prior to the meeting so that allparticipants can prepare in advance. Thissimple step will assure that the meetingcan benefit all parties involved andaccomplish its goal.

Structure will help to ensure that thevaluable time set aside is usedproductively. An agenda also ensures thateveryone understands the rules of the

meeting - waiting until the end ofpresentations to ask questions or leavingdiscreetly if an immediate need must beaddressed, for example. We can forgetthat the participants have as muchresponsibility to make meetings time-efficient and effective as the personchairing the meeting.

Poorly structured business meetings canbe a serious drain on companyproductivity, and the more staff involvedthe greater the loss of output. Therefore itis worthwhile ensuring that only those whoreally need to be there for theircontribution are present, othersconcerned having had an opportunity toraise any issues contained in the agendapreviously and memos can always becirculated afterwards.

Business meetings can also provide theperfect team working environment, be itamong staff or between client andaccount manager. It provides a forum withwhich to set team goals and brainstormways to meet them, considering inputfrom everyone in the meeting, versus justone person. When the meeting is betweenclient and company rep, the teamworkmay happen in the form of feedback,when the client may suggest certainthings, to which the other party mayrespond and go back and forth in adialogue until a consensus is reached.

Meetings these days are no longer justface-to-face, the use of technology –conference calls, video conferencing,online document sharing or webinars – ison the rise and if, planned well, virtualmeetings can be as effective as face toface. So given the time that can be takenup and the ease of communication viaemails and social media, do we need tohold staff meetings at all?

Yes we do. We are social beings, yet areincreasingly spending time alone at theworkplace since much of our work is doneon the computer. Also, with flexible worklocations and schedules becomingincreasingly common, it can bechallenging to schedule opportunities forface-to-face time with colleagues. Whenpeople experience stress as variousdeadlines loom, often the first thing to getpushed aside is the staff meeting.

Regular staff meetings serve to remindemployees that they are part of a teamand that there is more going on than theirown immediate concerns. Meetingsprovide opportunities for mutual supportand collaboration, get people talking andproblem solving together. It can besurprising how a quick meeting can helpalleviate stress and re-energize the group.

Another benefit of holding regular staffmeetings is to create an opportunity fordifferent layers of the organization to alignaround current priorities andorganizational goals. A common complaintis that employees don't have enoughaccess to information. Regular staffmeetings can mitigate this. As formanagers, it is a great way to touch basewith your staff and get a "quick pulse"about how your team is doing.

So indeed, “let’s get together” as often asyour business allows, schedule time forregular meetings in the office and awayfrom base, your company productivity andteam morale will all improve.


47

The venues are suitable for a widevariety of events including, but notlimited to: conferences & exhibitionsfor up to 200 people (depending onthe centre); seminars; meetings;training; secure parking; securestorage; exercise classes; rehearsalspace; and film locations.

The numbers and size of facilities vary across all of the centres, howeverall centres do include a main hall; classroom(s) / breakout room(s); and teaand coffee facilities. The majority of centres also have projector facilitiesavailable for those who require them for their presentation.

All of the centres are within easy toreach locations with good transportlinks and secure parking on site.

These unique centres attract avariety of large and small & mediumsized corporate clients from sectorssuch as government agencies;education sector; health & fitness;not for profit and charities.

Further details of all of the centres can be found at www.alternativevenues.org/wmand enquiries can either be made via the website or direct to the Alternative Venues Team on 0121 427 5221 ext.: 236 or [email protected]

Alternative Venues West Midlands ismanaged by the West Midland ReserveForces’ and Cadets’ Association wholook after the interests of Reservists andCadets, of all three services, throughoutthe area. As a non-profit makingorganisation the income derived fromlettings is re-invested into the Reserveand Cadet Estate.

There are over 30 Reservist Centres availableto hire throughout Birmingham & WestMidlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire,Warwickshire, Worcestershire andHerefordshire. All of the centres are uniqueand offer a variety of rooms for an array ofevents.

Within Birmingham & West Midlands there are10 Reservist Centres available to hire fromCoventry, the outskirts of Birmingham and upto Wolverhampton.


48

Reach new heights as ateam with Go Ape.Both Go Ape Cannock Chase and WyreForest are a stones throw from Birmingham.

Whatever name you give it – bonding,teambuilding, camaraderie – we strive to inspireand connect your team. One of the main reasons whycompanies book team building trips is to improvecommunication among their tribe. Go Ape definitely ticks thatbox. Up in the trees, your tribe will be communicating with oneanother almost constantly – whether it’s a pep talk at the startof the course, giving one another the all clear to clamber up theropes, or sharing advice on how to tackle one of our trickiestobstacles (like our stirrups).

Go Ape is all about good honest fun, it encourages friendshipsand improves teamwork – and best of all, it’s all happens in astunning forest away from it all. Unlike cringe-worthy team-

building activities, our kind of team-building iswhat we like to call ‘organic’; it happensnaturally as you help each other during youradventure.

Whizzing through the trees on our zip wires and exploring theforest floor on our Segways (Forest Segways only available atCannock Chase) is a sure-fire way of injecting a bit of spirit intoteam-building. This kind of team building establishes a strongsense of trust, motivation and rapport. All tribes leave us withhuge grins across their faces and that, to us, meanswe’ve succeeded in our mission.

Go Ape Corporate Events have been running for a number ofyears at our 29 Go Ape locations – our customers tell usthey’re the best. Swinging through the canopy, wiping out atthe bottom of zip wires and going on an adventure bringspeople together like nothing else we’ve ever seen. It reallydoes. We put together a package that works around what youneed and when you need it. Obviously, this all focuses arounda forest adventure, but if you want meeting room facilities, threesquare meals, and more, we can make all that happen too.

Get in touch with our Go Ape Corporate Events Team to getyour tribe in the trees. You can rely on our friendly teamto guarantee you a day out you’ll never forget.

So, what are you waiting for? Book a team building day withthem today.

For further information or to book, visit www.goape.co.uk

or telephone 0845 643 9281

33789_HorseWorld 11/01/2016 09:30 Page 1

49

Conveniently situated on the main A45 near Birmingham Airport and closeto the M42, the Arden can proudly claim to offer some of the mostversatile conference, banqueting and exhibition facilities in the area - fromstylish board rooms to impressive banqueting rooms.

Whether for 200 delegates or just 2 the Arden will have the right meeting spacefor your purpose. From among their many choices the Henley Suite with its ownbar is able to accommodate 200 delegates either theatre or banqueting style, andis ideal for large meetings, exhibitions and banquets. The Millennium Suite, able toaccommodate 25 delegates board room style or 100 theatre style, is also verysuitable for larger meetings and exhibitions. The Conservatory, the Warwick, or theHampton will each hold 50 comfortably, but there are a range of other larger andsmaller options including 6 boardrooms and a number of smaller rooms suitablefor one to one meetings or interviewing.

The hotel offers a wide variety of packages For those who need things kept simplethey offer ‘All Inclusive Meetings’ which include full day room hire, unlimited tea,coffee, Mineral water and cordial throughout the day. The use of a flipchart and anLCD projector and screen is included, and the hotel provides free parking andcomplimentary wireless internet access for the convenience of their clientele.

If you’re looking for a unique event look no further than their ‘Tailor MadeMeetings’ They know that planning an event is hard work, but they are there tomake your life easier. Their experienced events team will ensure that your eventruns smoothly and to your satisfaction. When your whole meeting or event isbespoke, it would be a shame to ruin it with triangular sandwiches. Why not lettheir Executive Head Chef craft a menu specific to your meeting giving it thepersonal touch you deserve? Their Events Operations Team will work throughoutthe day and night to ensure that your event caters to your needs.

They also offer standard Day Delegate Rates including three servings of tea andcoffee, room hire, equipment, and lunch, or the 24 hour package additionallyincludes one night’s accommodation, three course dinner, full use of the leisurefacilities, and a full English breakfast.

Food, glorious food! The Arden understands that long conference or businessmeetings are hard work and that the refreshments and lunch breaks are ofparamount importance so just like their room offerings they keep their menus andservice as flexible as possible. Want bacon baps or Danish Pastries with yourcoffee, or a full ala carte menu in the hotel restaurant? Your conference organiserwill be happy to arrange whatever you need.

As with everything they do at the Arden, they always offer great value for money;conference organisers should take advantage of the favourable accommodationrates available to conference delegates.

The Arden Events Team are available to take your call, please call the team at the hotel on

01675 443221or email at [email protected]


50

Now employing more than 200, SACO was founded in 1997 and operates andmanages 800-plus apartments in the UK including Birmingham. Thecompany’s stunning Aparthotel in the heart of Brindleyplace offers a range ofspacious studio, one and two bedroom apartments - each with a balcony andamazing views across Birmingham. Each apartment has a real wow factor interms of space and design and the onsite team offers a very warm welcome24/7.

The company offers a further30,000 apartments across220 key destinationsthrough Partners in 52countries across the globe.SACO will be opening itslatest Aparthotel in the heartof the City of London thisSpring. The Cannon willfeature 77 cleverly designedapartments, the fastest freeWiFi in town, an onsite gym

and a lovely lounge area for guests to meet, relax and work in.

Further SACO Aparthotels will open in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dublinand Amsterdam in 2017.

“When it comes to servicedapartments, clients andagencies are looking for theright apartment, in the rightlocation, at the right price,”says Jo.

“Whether you contact usonline, on the phone or inone of our stylish properties,you’ll feel the SACOWelcome.

Our resourceful and dedicated team takes the time to listen and understandyour business needs, making it easy to find the perfect place to stay while youget on with the rest of your job, confidentthat your assignees will be relaxed, secure,recharged and ready to work.”

To find out more about SACO and toview its accommodation, visitwww.sacoapartments.com

Alternatively telephone 0121 643 8585

or [email protected]

Whether you’re managing corporatemobility for a company or need to relocatean individual, team or family, having SACOThe Serviced Apartment Company at yourside opens the door to thousands of stylishapartments worldwide.

SACO prides itself on offering spacious, greatvalue apartments as an alternative to hotels,whether guests are staying away for a night,week, month or year, bringing them the freedomto feel like they’re a part of whichever citythey’re staying in.

A serviced apartment is like a hotel but with somuch more. Guests can enjoy an expanse ofspace that is fitted out to the highest standardallowing them to sleep, work and relax withease. There is also a stylish, well equippedkitchen enabling them to self-cater, entertainand even do their own laundry.

SACO also offers something extra – the SACOWelcome, the company’s commitment tooutstanding customer service which is deliveredwith enthusiasm, energy and resourcefulness,whether a guest is booking for a night or a year.

“Great service has always been part of whatmakes us special, but now we’re raising thebar,” says Jo Redman, Marketing Director.

“The SACO Welcome isn’t just about beingfriendly and helpful, it’s about really listening toour customers, being resourceful and using ourexperience, ingenuity and our extensive networkof apartments to find ways we can help. We’rehere for whenever you need us, using our localknowledge and experience to help you makethe most of your stay.”

Staying away from home just gotgreat. Serviced apartments aroundthe world.


51

All about quality and customer service inthe heart of the community.Family owned and run for three generations, Our Plaice,owned by Gregg and Caroline Howard, is a traditional fishand chip shop serving top quality proper fish and chips.

All their food is freshly prepared daily onsite, to use Caroline’s own words, “Fromlocal potatoes so fresh that the dirt isstill on them and sustainably andresponsibly sourced fish, all cut andprepared on site and cooked usingtraditional frying methods.”

For quality and freshness it doesn’tcome any better than that as their many regular

customers and numerous national and local awards prove. 08452 505 605 www.tquality.co.uk

Proud To Supply Our Plaice

Among their most recent successes, JamesHoulston, has just received the accolade ofbeing voted one of the top six young fishfriers in the country and the only one in theMidlands at the National Fish Friers awards.

Celebrating the best young fish friers across thecountry, The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the YearAward encourages the younger generation in theindustry to nurture their individual skills and talent.

Caroline said, “James has worked with us for over7 years and is a valuable member of our team. Hisknowledge and expertise in our industry issomething we are very proud of.”

Our Plaice not only has branches in Kidderminster andHagley, please visit the website for menus and directions

www.ourplaice.co.uk but will bring their traditional fish to you by means of

their outside catering chip van, something a littledifferent for weddings, birthdays and other events!

OUR PLAICE

N

ATIONAL AWARD WINNING

FISH AND CHIPS

Owner Jeff Warren is“over the moon” withStarChip Enterprisebuilding on the previousyear’s success bywinning the "Best MobileFish & Chip Operator"2016 from the NationalFederation of Fish Friers,the body that promotesquality in the fish andchip industry.

Last year, “boldly goingwhere no other” mobile fishand chip operator has gonebefore, led to them beingfirst mobile Fish and ChipOperator to be nominatedfor the “Best Seasonal Fishand Chip Operator”.

StarChip Enterprise serves the outlying communities in ruralWorcestershire, throughout the Vale of Evesham, providingfreshly cooked, delicious fish and chips to their many regularcustomers and care homes.

Jeff told us, "Me and my staff are alltrained under "The NationalFederation of Fish Friers to makesure we are all well trained and thatour food would be consistentlydelicious. They’ve been training chefs for over 150 years”. 08452 505 605 www.tquality.co.uk

Proud To Supply StarChip Enterprise

Best MobileFish & Chip

Operator

Now Jeff wants to promote theprovision of top quality fish andchips from mobile operatorsfurther afield by offeringfranchising packages with thehope of taking fish and chips toother UK destinations with asimilar geography to the Vale,where the elderly andvulnerable might beencountering similar travelissues in outlying villages.

So if you're looking to start a mobile food business and want to learnfrom the National Mobile Fish & Chip Operator of the year, franchisingwith StarChip Enterprise could be for you. You'll find more information

about Jeff's franchising opportunities on the StarChip web sitewww.starchipenterprise.co.uk

EnterpriseStarChip

EnterpriseStarChip

33847 and 33846_HorseWorld 04/03/2016 11:37 Page 1

52

SouthsideSouthside is the new name forBirmingham’s most diverse city centredistrict, vibrant and exciting, the areais home to the Chinese Quarter, thecity's Gay Village and Theatreland andoffers an eclectic mix of bars, cafes,restaurants, shopping andentertainment.

The change dates from the end of May2009, when Birmingham City Councilapproved plans for a £530,000environmental improvement scheme at theheart of the city. The changes includedextending the avenue of street trees to thefull length of Hurst Street and parts ofKent Street; widening pavements tocreate space for café bars to provideoutdoor seating and brighter street lightingwith decorative lanterns.

Chinatown with its stone pagoda andChinese architectural flourishes around theArcadian is just five minutes’ walk from there-vamped New Street Station and adjacentto the Bullring, enabling visitors to combineshopping with the Chinatown experience.

A stroll round Birmingham’s Chinatowntakes in a myriad of restaurants and cafésoffering authentic menus from NorthernChina all the way to Malaysia, with someof the city’s hippest nightspots inbetween. Feel like dancing off yourdinner? If you’re into funky house, electroor a bit of fun-filled karaoke, Chinatownhas the venue for you.

Theatreland is always bustling with afantastic range of live productions andexciting performances. The Hippodrome,the UK’s busiest theatre, plays host to anincredible range of large touringproductions, the finest comedy and musicperformances every year and is also hometo the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

The International Dance Festival,produced by DanceXchange inpartnership with the Hippodrome, runs

from May 1 to 22, and will see the streetsand squares of Southside alive withdancers, free-runners and acrobats,performing both on and between highpodiums raised above the crowds ofshoppers, and staging ground-breakingdance performances and awe-inspiringpop-up presentations, from an impressiverange of international dance companiesand artists.

Popping up in the streets and squares willbe a brand new work, Phone Box,featuring impressive feats of acrobatic andphysical dance moves in and on a vintagered telephone box.

Throughout each evening there will bewealth of other outdoor activity andinternational food stalls, creating a festivalbuzz in the heart of the city.

Just down the road is the beautifulAlexandra Theatre, another must-stop formajor touring productions. Whilst, hometo the Birmingham Stage Company andbringing newly written works to the city,the Old Rep Theatre on Station Street is aBirmingham institution.

The Old Rep will be offering a vibrantprogramme of sell-out comedy, dance,drama and top quality work for families,The Old Rep has introduced a newprogramme of creative, educational andtraining opportunities for the youngpeople, families, artists and thecommunities of Birmingham and beyond.Local young people are able to enjoy theopportunity for direct contact with visitingprofessional companies, through a seriesof workshops, Q&A sessions and accessto the rehearsal process.

The nearby Electric Cinema is the oldestoperating cinema in the country andshows an envious programme of newreleases, vintage classics and the best ofworld cinema in comfort and style.

For comedy lovers, the Glee Club hostsup-and-coming performers as well asstars of the stage and screen.

Birmingham has a large LGBT communityand the village is renowned for its lively,cosmopolitan environment and free-thinking attitude. The village centresaround Hurst Street, only a short walkfrom Harvey Nicholls in the Mailbox or thebrand-packed Bullring if you’re shoppingbefore the party starts.

The area is overflowing with fabulousbars, clubs and restaurants so whether it’sa quick coffee, amazing cabaret or discoyou’re after, you’ll find a venue to love.

One of the highlights of the year isBirmingham Pride which is usually held overthe May Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

Birmingham Pride is the largest free LGBTtwo-day festival in the UK, it boasts aCarnival parade, live music, cabaretmarquee, village green - and the friendlieststreet party you’ll ever visit.

The village is also the centre ofNovember’s SHOUT festival, featuringfilms, visual arts performances and LGBTcommunity events. Growing every year,the festival includes provocative,entertaining and challenging queer film,visual art, music, theatre, literature andcommunity events hosted by venuesincluding Birmingham Museum & ArtGallery, MAC (Midlands Art Centre), TownHall, St Pauls Church and The Fox.

Southside demonstrates you everythingyou need to know about Birminghamitself. It’s a creative and buzzing scene,welcoming and with plenty to show off!


53

01213599444

CallUs

The oldest purpose-built repertory theatre in the UK, TheOld Rep has been described as a hidden gem ofBirmingham, where innovative new work thrives alongsideover 100 years of theatre heritage. It is managed andoperated in partnership with Birmingham OrmistonAcademy. www.oldreptheatre.co.uk

The Old Rep has recently re-launched under a bold new vision, asa young people-driven venue in the heart of the city, inspired byBirmingham and the Midlands’ diverse and creative community.

Alongside a vibrant programme of sell-out comedy, dance,drama and top quality work for families, The Old Rep hasintroduced a new programme of creative, educational andtraining opportunities for the young people, families, artists andcommunities of Birmingham and beyond.

The theatre is rapidly becoming a premier venue for comedy inthe city, and saw sell- out performances from Lee Nelson andChris Ramsey in 2015 as part of the Birmingham ComedyFestival. A packed programme for 2016 has featured LeeNelson, back by popular demand, and performances fromStephen K Amos Jenny Eclair, Hal Cruttenden and the sold outRomesh Ranganathan.

Exciting new talent and contemporary performance work hasseen the venue hosting Frantic Assembly’s Ignition programme,supporting new work by emerging Midlands and national theatreand dance-makers, and producing The Culture Catwalk, acommunity stage at Birmingham Weekender, the city’s largestever arts festival.

2016 started with a bang seeing the Old Rep hosting anexciting new season of performances, made and produced inBirmingham, and began with a double bill on Thursday 28January from multi-award-winning Theatre Ad Infinitum and newMidlands company Mandala Theatre.

Then in February the Birmingham based Sonia Sabri Companyworked with students from Birmingham Ormiston Academy tocreate a curtain raiser piece to accompany Salaam on Thursday4 February. Sonia Sabri Company also offered a fantasticopportunity for local Kathak and Tabla students to immersethemselves into an intensive Kathak Camp at The Old Rep, 15-19 February.

The Old Rep is a brilliant venue for families wishing to introducetheir children to the thrill of live performance as before every oneof the top quality works for families the theatre offers free craftsessions for children with Rokiel Entertainment.

Local young people enjoythe opportunity for directcontact with visitingprofessional companies,through a series ofworkshops, Q&A sessionsand access to the rehearsalprocess. This mentoringrelationship is a keycomponent of The OldRep’s New Work Nightsprogramme: a series ofevents which presents workin progress fromBirmingham theatre-makersalongside top quality touringproductions, and are

structured to encourage connections and conversationsbetween audience members and the performing companies.

The Old Rep also continues to host some of Birmingham’s mostcelebrated amateur companies, as well as theatre and musicalsperformed by BOA students, and are proud that over 3000people have participated in its creative activities andperformances since the re-launch in September 2015.

To enquire about the forthcoming programme, or to book tickets, please visit the web site www.oldreptheatre.co.ukonline booking fee applies

The Old Rep would like to include a special offer for ourreaders

50% off tickets to see their family work, dance or dramashows with the code BUSINESSPOST.

This offer is valid for: Ray Peacock: Here Comes Trouble (Thu 24 March),

My Pet Monster & Me (Sat 9 Apr), Shazia Mirza: The Kardashians Made Me Do It (Sat 9 April),

and Tiff Stevenson: Mad Man (Sat 23 April)

33765 AP_CD Engineering 17/02/2016 09:51 Page 1

54

The festival celebrates the wealth of impressive theatre venueswe have in the city including the Birmingham Hippodrome, TheBirmingham Repertory Theatre, The Crescent, and further afieldWarwick Arts Centre. The theatre programme will feature livemusic and contemporary dance, hip-hop, flamenco, ballet, SouthAsian styles and much more, appealing to all tastes, includingthose new to dance. The festival also offers social dance eventsin a host of styles designed to get you dancing, includingbhangra, Bollywood, swing, lindy-hop, jazz, jive and flamenco.

With representatives from Belgium, Canada, The CzechRepublic, Cuba, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, TheNetherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK andUSA, IDFB 2016 truly is a world of dance in one city.

Funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council,IDFB’s place-making credentials reaffirm Birmingham as anattractive destination to visit, or set up business, live, study andbe entertained.

IDFB is DanceXchange’s largest project and a shop window forits programmes, produced work, and seasons of dancepresented in The Patrick Centre (Birmingham Hippodrome).DanceXchange also supports the professional development ofartists and nurtures talented young people who will be thedancers and choreographers of tomorrow. A small organisation,DanceXchange has big plans for the future and is keen todevelop new partnerships to strengthen the profile and impactof their work and achieve more for the city. If you are interestedin finding out more about their programme or ways to getinvolved as participants or supporters, get in touch withDanceXchange’s Development Manager Husne Begum [email protected]

For more IDFB 2016 information visit www.idfb.co.uk

International DanceFestival Birmingham2016 brings a worldof dance to one city

A robotic car hitting some shapes, performers interacting withan iconic British red phone box, and dancers on huge cubes onthe streets of Brum.

It can only mean one thing - International Dance FestivalBirmingham (IDFB) is back.

From May, 1 to 22, IDFB 2016 will stage ground-breakingdance performances and awe-inspiring pop-up presentations,bringing an impressive range of international dance companiesand artists to the city.

Produced by Southside-based DanceXchange, in partnershipwith Birmingham Hippodrome, IDFB has amassed animpressive list of credentials since the inaugural festival in 2008:twenty-one commissions; 25 world and UK premieres; 416 freeevents and 25,000 participatory experiences. The last festival in2014 generated over £2.6 million of economic activity for thecity, winning the UK Theatre Award for Achievement in Danceand attracting considerable media attention.

Highlights this May include a series of awe-inspiring freeoutdoor performances produced by DanceXchange to premiereat the festival. The Machine Show will take over CentenarySquare from 11-14 May with spectacular dance and live musicfrom French electro-rock band Rinôçérôse. Throughout eachevening there will be wealth of other outdoor activity andinternational food stalls, creating a festival buzz in the heart ofthe city.

Popping up in the streets and squares will be a brand new work,Phone Box, which will amaze audiences with an impressive featof acrobatic and physical dance moves in and on a vintage redtelephone box. Also touring unexpected places both within andoutside Birmingham city centre, is Ride, an energetic dance twiston a road movie theme, built around an iconic car that comes tolife and reveals its own hidden surprises.

The hit of Birmingham Weekender 2015, Cubes, returns for anencore at IDFB, as dancers, free-runners and acrobats performboth on and between high podiums raised above the crowds ofshoppers.

33743_HorseWorld 24/02/2016 16:38 Page 1

55

T: 08000 807 809E: [email protected]

www.bbpmedia.co.ukbbpMedia

bbp midlands - edition 60

Documents