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Tamworth & Lichfield 1 Pop up a stand or just pop in! 15th Quarterly Issue Business E-Brief Welcome Welcome to the first electronic version of the Business Brief but the last Welcome message from me as Chair of the Business and Economic Partnership. As you may recall from the last edition we have decided to move to an electronic version following a review of the funds available to produce the hard copy. In making this decision the circulation size has reduced so if there is anybody you feel would benefit from reading the Business Brief please forward it on to them. Or encourage them to register their business on www.thinklocal4business.co.uk and they will automatically receive future issues of the E-Brief. My decision to step down from the BEP was a combination of a number of factors but I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody involved in the Partnership for their support over the last 3 years of my chairmanship. We have during this time been responsible for several notable achievements including the development and subsequent agreement of the Economic Strategy for Tamworth and Lichfield, the recent free business support package and a website for the BEP which will be launched before the next edition. The success of the BEP and indeed the Business Brief is not just down to a few individuals but is a consequence of you the small and medium sized businesses being involved. With your support we have created a voice for business that otherwise would not have been heard and this issue is full of more news stories than ever from local businesses. I wish you all and your new Chair Deb Baker every success for the future, thank you again. Peter Farmer (Chair of the Business and Economic Partnership) Due to the popularity and success of the last Pop Up Show held in April, the Business and Economic Partnership (BEP) is putting on another no frills business to business exhibition aimed at locally based businesses on 26th September 10am - 3pm, this time at the prestigious Tower Suite at Drayton Manor Park. Building on a winning formula and this time adding a mix of free seminars, the Pop Up Show aims to helps businesses raise their profile locally, grow and develop their networks and most importantly win business, all for a small charge of £70 + VAT. All you need to exhibit is a pop up banner, some business cards and two members of staff! If exhibiting isn’t for you, why not come along as a visitor for free, learn something new at our seminars and network with over 40 local businesses! For more details about the show or to book a stand contact Matt Fletcher on 01827 709 382 or email [email protected]. View the pop up show web page on www.thinklocal4business.co.uk Find us on ThinkLocal4Business.co.uk Now delivered electronically to Thinklocal4business.co.uk users, local businesses and public sector organisations "We picked up a number of valuable leads potentially worth over £40,000 from visitors and other exhibitors at the April show." Chris Blunt, MD - The Bus Stop Group, Lichfield

Business Brief Autumn 2012

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Page 1: Business Brief Autumn 2012

Tamworth & Lichfield

1

Pop up a standor just pop in!

15th Quarterly Issue

Business E-Brief

WelcomeWelcome to the first electronic versionof the Business Brief but the lastWelcome message from me as Chair of

the Business and Economic Partnership.

As you may recall from the last edition we have decidedto move to an electronic version following a review of thefunds available to produce the hard copy. In making thisdecision the circulation size has reduced so if there isanybody you feel would benefit from reading theBusiness Brief please forward it on to them. Orencourage them to register their business onwww.thinklocal4business.co.uk and they willautomatically receive future issues of the E-Brief.

My decision to step down from the BEP was acombination of a number of factors but I would like totake this opportunity to thank everybody involved in the

Partnership for their support over the last 3 years of mychairmanship. We have during this time been responsiblefor several notable achievements including thedevelopment and subsequent agreement of theEconomic Strategy for Tamworth and Lichfield, therecent free business support package and a website forthe BEP which will be launched before the next edition.

The success of the BEP and indeed the Business Brief isnot just down to a few individuals but is a consequenceof you the small and medium sized businesses beinginvolved. With your support we have created a voice forbusiness that otherwise would not have been heard andthis issue is full of more news stories than ever from localbusinesses.

I wish you all and your new Chair Deb Baker everysuccess for the future, thank you again.

Peter Farmer(Chair of the Business and Economic Partnership)

Due to the popularity and success of the last Pop Up Show held in April, the Business and EconomicPartnership (BEP) is putting on another no frills business to business exhibition aimed at locally basedbusinesses on 26th September 10am - 3pm, this time at the prestigious Tower Suite at Drayton Manor Park.

Building on a winning formula and this time adding a mix of freeseminars, the Pop Up Show aims to helps businesses raise theirprofile locally, grow and develop their networks and mostimportantly win business, all for a small charge of £70 + VAT.

All you need to exhibit is a pop up banner, some business cardsand two members of staff! If exhibiting isn’t for you, why not comealong as a visitor for free, learn something new at our seminarsand network with over 40 local businesses!

For more details about the show or to book a stand contact Matt Fletcher on 01827 709 382 or [email protected]. View the pop up show web page on www.thinklocal4business.co.uk

Find us onThinkLocal4Business.co.uk

Now delivered electronically to Thinklocal4business.co.uk users, local businesses and public sector organisations

"We picked up a number of valuable leads potentially worth over £40,000 from visitors and other exhibitors at the April show."Chris Blunt, MD - The Bus Stop Group, Lichfield

Page 2: Business Brief Autumn 2012

Business news in brief

2 Now delivered electronically to Thinklocal4business.co.uk users, local businesses and public sector organisations

Design firm takes on planning expertRugeley-based GMP Design, one of the leading UK pub, club and restaurantdesigners, has taken on Ben Rayner to join the company’s project team and act as anin-house planning consultant to help clients with local authority planning issues. Ben,aged 24, has a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University ofBirmingham and brings a broad knowledge of planning requirements, nationalplanning policies and building compliance issues. Ben is a member of the Royal TownPlanning Institute. Originally from Suffolk but now living in Longdon, Staffordshire, Bensaid, “Planning can often be a difficult and complicated process, particularly whenworking within the UK licensed leisure, bar and nightclub sector. I was appointed aspart of GMP Design’s commitment to clients to ensure that the whole process goessmoothly right from the start.”

GMP was established 20 years ago by Rugeley businessman Neil Morten and hasmajor contracts throughout the UK, Europe and the Far East. Neil Morten said, “Ben isable to assist our clients by providing comprehensive planning advice and consultationas well as undertaking full planning applications. He is also able to complete thenecessary, and often complex, reports and planning submissions and is able to attendplanning committees on behalf of our clients. He is a real asset to our business and tothat of our clients.”

Care home number2 for ISCA leading West Midlands carehome has appointed Lichfield-based Ian StrachanCommunications Ltd to handle itspress relations. Beech Hill Grangein Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfieldhas brought Ian StrachanCommunications on board toraise its profile as it prepares forthe opening of a major newextension. Beech Hill Grange isregistered as a care home withnursing for the over-65s. Theextension will make it one of thelargest in the area. This is thesecond care home organisation inthe Ian Strachan Communicationsportfolio. The consultancy alsohandles PR for Homecroft Limitedwhich runs Wyndley Grangenursing home on the edge ofSutton Park. Ian Strachan said,“Beech Hill Grange is a forward-looking care home with big plansfor the future and I am delightedto have been given theopportunity to help the homeraise its profile.”www.ianstrachancommunications.co.uk

BoxMart’sBritbox® set torevolutionisethe gift boxmarket!

Lichfield based BoxMart is about to shake-up the gift box industry with thelaunch of its BritBox®! After two years of development the company hasdeveloped a premium gift box which has the appearance of a luxury rigid boxbut the convenience of a flat pack. And, as its name suggests, the BoxMartBritBox® is designed and manufactured in the UK with the potential forsubstantial cost and time savings compared to Far East alternatives. JoanneOfford, Managing Director of BoxMart, explains: “Whilst ‘fold flat’ rigid boxesprovide obvious benefits such as reducing transport and storage space they aretraditionally manufactured in the Far East. We are now able to offer a Britishalternative that dramatically cuts lead times, reduces transport costs andconsiderably limits environmental impact. The very first customer we presentedthe concept to has committed to using the BritBox® for a pan-EuropeanChristmas launch in 2012.” For more information visit www.boxmart.co.uk

The BritBox® developed in Lichfield

Disclaimer: The Business and Economic Partnership has taken all reasonable precautions to ensure thatinformation contained in this document is accurate but stresses that the content is not intended to belegally comprehensive. It is recommended that no action be taken on matters covered in this documentwithout taking full advice.) If you do not wish to receive the Business Brief please contact Matt Fletcher on01827 709 382 or email [email protected]

GMP planning expert Ben Rayner

www.gmp-international.com

Page 3: Business Brief Autumn 2012

Business news in brief

3

Five lady accountants from Lichfieldand Leicester based InspiredAccountants have raised £755 for StGiles Hospice by taking part in thisyear’s Lichfield Solstice Walk.

www.inspiredaccountants.com

PowaStation, a Lichfield dealer inelectric bikes, has added a new rangeof folding bikes to their range. TheGreenZebra brand of e-bike is highlythought of and are able to travel at 15mph with a range of 35 miles percharge and fold into a object half thesize of the original bike.

www.powastation.co.uk

A unique investigative businessservice to help companies andbusiness individuals to bring recklesscompany directors to book, establishaccurate valuations or clarify financialcircumstances has been launched byleading local accountancy andbusiness adviser firm Adams Moore,based in Tamworth.

www.adamsmoore.com

South Staffordshire College iscelebrating the publication ofGovernment statistics which show itis the most successful college in theregion for the second year running.The College, which has campuses atCannock, Lichfield, Tamworth andRodbaston (Penkridge) has out-performed others by achieving anoverall success rate of 84%, a full tenpoints above some of itsneighbouring colleges.

www.southstaffs.ac.uk

Business Bites

Now delivered electronically to Thinklocal4business.co.uk users, local businesses and public sector organisations

Inspired new fuel card and new appointmentas accountants shift into top gear

Inspired Accountants has formed an alliance withForecourt Fuels and appointed Steven Payton as adirector as the Midlands based practice looks tocontinue its growth within the region. Their fuel cardsolution is a service to help stop high petrol and dieselcosts eating into the profits of their clients with savingson average of 3 pence per litre. Steven Payton joinedInspired Accountants as a tax consultant in January andhas been able to make a significant contribution towardsthe practice’s growth strategy. Paul Bulzacchellimanaging director at Inspired Accountants said: “Stevenhas past experience of working for HM Revenue &Customs and some of the leading accountancy firmswithin the UK. So to attract someone of Steven’s calibrewas a great step forward for the practice.”

G-Scapes of Lichfield were awarded a Silver Gilt medalfor their “Inside-Out” show garden at Gardeners WorldLive at the NEC in June. It is their first venture intoconstructing a show garden and the G-Scapes team were

chuffed to win a SilverGilt RHS medal. Thegarden, designed byDaniel Gee, comprisedof a social space withfire pit, sandstonepaving, a hugeterracotta pot waterfeature, seating and anoutdoor kitchen area

with BBQ. The garden also featured bespoke walling thatcombined wood and stone and screening, which hasprompted many enquiries and new business for the familyrun firm. The garden was featured on the BBC2Gardeners World programme which was recorded at theshow and presenter Joe Swift chose the featured‘charcoal maker’ as his favourite product of the show. TVand radio interviews are available on G-Scapes facebookpage. G-Scapes, which began in 1973 receivedsponsorship from another local family firm, Tippers andthe paving company Marshalls. Malcolm Gee of G-Scapes said "It's great to work with another localbusiness with whom we have built a relationship with overmany years." www.g-scapes.co.uk

Knitting its way to a UK first, new independent store, Faroe Born, has opened itsdoors at the Heart Of The Country in Lichfield. Bringing a full range of distinctknitwear and woollen yarns to the city, the family-owned company will beimporting exclusive Sirri Wool products from the Faroe Islands to this flagshipstore and also online at www.faroeborn.com. Part of the appeal is that no twoproducts are alike. Each item is made using traditional Faroese techniques andorganic, dye-free wool. The sheep are sheered in theirnatural habitat, not indoors or in pens and, as local lawstates that only 70,000 sheep are allowed on the FaroeIslands at any one time, production numbers are limited.Since opening the shop has had enquiries from all over theUK after hearing that it stocked jumpers which used thesame yarns made famous by the cult BBC drama TheKilling starring Sarah Lund. The Foroese Prime Minister willbe at Faroe Born’s VIP launch in September.

www.faroeborn.com

www.inspiredaccountants.com

Unusu-Wool firm opens in Lichfield

Faroe Born knitwearno two items are the same

Left to right new director Steven Payton and PaulBullzacchelli – MD, Inspired Accountants

Silver Gilt medal success for G-Scapes garden

Left to Right: Amy Tipper, Marketing Director - Tippers Builders Merchants, Malcolm Gee, MD – G-Scapes, Joe Swift, TV presenter onBBC2 Gardeners World, Daniel Gee, Director and Designer of the Inside Out garden - G-Scapes, Liz Gee, Finance Director – G-Scapes)

Page 4: Business Brief Autumn 2012

4 Now delivered electronically to Thinklocal4business.co.uk users, local businesses and public sector organisations

New appointments andpromotions at Ansons Ansons has announced the appointment of anew member of staff in the firm’s CommercialProperty team. This appointment closely followsa number of promotions and appointmentsdemonstrating the firm’s commitment to growthacross all its chosen areas of law. RebeccaWhittaker joined the firm in August havingmoved from Lanyon Bowdler in Shrewsbury.She is an expert in both Commercial andAgricultural Property. Jon Rowley also joins thefirm as a new trainee and will be based in theCommercial Property team. The newappointments follow the appointment of anumber of staff to Associate, havingsuccessfully completed Ansons’ Development

Programme. Congratulations go to Adam Penn from the Personal Injury Team,Julie Tomasik from the residential team and Shelly Wainwright from the Wills andProbate team. The appointments come on the back of a successful year for thefirm which, in a difficult economic climate, has increased its client base inStaffordshire, particularly within Cannock and Lichfield, and been recognised inthe Legal 500 directory of the top 500 UK law firms. www.ansonsllp.com

Business news in brief

South Staffs College and Francesco Grouppartnership is a cut above!South Staffordshire College hasentered into a partnership withone of the largest, award-winning hairdressing groups inthe UK. The Francesco Group,with 35 branches across theMidlands, will provide trainingto Level 2 and Level 3Hairdressing students based atthe College’s Cannock andTamworth Campuses and theLichfield and BurntwoodVocational Centre. Francesco isalso establishing commercialsalons in High Green inCannock and Aldergate inTamworth, where the South Staffordshire College hairdressing studentswill be taught to the highest Francesco standards. The graduate salonswill be run by College lecturers, already trained by Francesco’s staff.Alongside their hairdressing activities, the students will enjoy working in arealistic working environment, managing the reception desk and otherduties involved in running a salon. In addition they are also expected tocomplete hairdressing theory, tutorial and develop practical skills at therequired level. South Staffordshire College and Francesco’s are confidentthat this new partnership will provide the students with an excitingopportunity to experience the world of work, creating vital hands-onexperience, for professional hairdressers of the future.

www.southstaffs.ac.uk

Quiss growthcreates jobopportunitiesTamworth based IT outsourcingspecialist Quiss Technology isbenefitting from the growing trendfor organisations to outsourcebusiness processes in search ofimproved efficiency. Terry Faria isthe latest to join the firm’smanagement team, with a remit tofurther develop the company'stelecommunications offering. Terrybrings with him, more than 25years’ experience of innovation innetwork and communicationsolutions for businesses of allsizes. In March this year, MattRhodes was appointedCommercial Services Manager, tohelp expand the hosted solutionsdivision of the business and toliaise with software vendors tohelp them develop their Softwareas a Service (SaaS) offering. AndyMichael, Managing Director ofQuiss Technology commented“Our continuing growth has seenus employ six new technical staffand an apprentice since the startof 2012, with a junior currentlydoing an NVQ. I'm confident theselatest appointments not onlystrengthen our service provision,but will increase opportunities toattract new clients seeking theefficiencies that outsourcingundoubtedly offers.”

Adam Penn, Personal Injury Team,Ansons LLP

Students practice hairdressing skills

Andy Michael, Managing Director- Quiss Technology

Page 5: Business Brief Autumn 2012

5Now delivered electronically to Thinklocal4business.co.uk users, local businesses and public sector organisations

Ask the experts – about electrical workSponsored by: DK Electrical

Q

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We asked David Kemp, owner of DK Electrical, to tell us what every business and homeowner needsto know about electrical work and solar energy installations.

What is Part P and why do businessesand homeowners need to know aboutPart P?

Part P is part of The Building Regulations; itcame into force in Jan 2001 and became a legalrequirement in January 2005. It is concerned withdomestic electrical installations. The aims of PartP is to create a legal benchmark for domesticelectrical installation safety, include other aspectsof The Building Regulations into electricalinstallations and create a scheme for installerswho by demonstration and assessment meet thecriteria to carry out electrical work within thebounds of Part P. As a homeowner, agent ortrade working in homes you have a LEGALobligation to notify your local authority BuildingControl of ANY electrical work considered‘Notified Works’ including electrical work inkitchens, bathrooms, outside, in outbuildings,involving new circuits, replacement fuse boards,re-wires and central heating control wiring and soon; the list is quite extensive.

How do I notify my local authorityBuilding Control of ‘Notified Work’ I’vehad carried out?

You can employ any ‘competent person’ andsubmit Building Control Plans for approval priorto carrying out the work and pay your BuildingControl to inspect and test the work oncompletion at a cost of £80-200*. Or use a Part PRegistered Installer (like DK Electrical) who is

able to report on your behalf and have aBuilding Control Completion Certificate issueddirect to you.

What is Solar PV and is it suitable forbusinesses?

Solar PV is any installation, usually solar panels,utilising the sun’s energy to produce electricity.Depending on the size of installation, quality ofpanels, quality of inverter site geography and ourweather they produce varying amounts ofelectricity which can be used within a home orbusiness to reduce electricity bills or sell back tothe grid as a residual income. Use an approvedinstaller to ensure a safe and effective system isinstalled and to take advantage of governmentschemes you must use a Micro-GenerationScheme Certified Installer. Most installations arecompleted within a week and the installerarranges all aspects of the work from design toconnection and commissioning, applies forgrants and communicates with your energyprovider to ensure your energy is fed into the gridand saves you money! Over the 20 yearguaranteed lifetime of a typical installation atypical return on investment should be no lessthan 8%! Ask your financial advisor where youcan get that kind of GUARANTEED return!

*taken as an average of the various local buildingcontrol departments.

Q

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Q

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Page 6: Business Brief Autumn 2012

6 Now delivered electronically to Thinklocal4business.co.uk users, local businesses and public sector organisations

"We are a uniquely low cost, high worth networking group covering Tamworth, Lichfield and Brownhills, we meetevery Tuesday from 7am to 8:30am at the Grill Inn at Drayton Manor Park. We enable business owners to meet andforge on-going relationships with other business owners in a relaxed, informal yet professional environment. We arealways on the lookout for new members and have vacancies at present for forward thinking businesses. We offervisitors the opportunity to come to three meetings without commitment, try before you join.

The meetings are always lively and productive, some examples of business generated are; a £4000 per yearcontract for property inspection reports, a new top ten client for our accountant, a maintenance contractor who is amember working as the exclusive maintenance contractor with our letting agent, our web designer has madecomplete overhauls to several members websites and referrals that followed from that, our office supplies membernow supplies the majority of our members, our design and print member has picked up regular clients since joining.

If you would like to know how you can get more business without stuffiness then come along and give us a try, agreat breakfast to boot."

Contact: Chairman, Dave Harper 07914 048915 www.businessb4work.co.uk

Spotlight on business networkinggroup – Business B4 Work

Business networking is an effective and low-cost way to market your business and generate sales, and wehave a thriving community of business networking groups in the Tamworth and Lichfield Area. If you have nottried business networking before, why not give it a try? Here’s a list of our local business networking groups.

4 Counties Networking Group www.fcng.co.uk

B2B Tamworth www.b2bclubnetworking.co.uk

Best Of Lichfield www.thebestof.co.uk/lichfield

Business AM www.businessam.net

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group www.lichfield-tamworth-chamber.com

Connect www.connectingwomen.co.uk

Professionals At Cathedral House Business Breakfast Club www.cathedral-house.co.uk

Women In Rural Enterprise Network www.wireuk.org

BNI – www.bni-europe.com/uk

Business 1st – www.business-1st.org

Tamworth Breakfast Group – www.tamworthbusinessbreakfastclub.org.uk

The Women’s Business Clubs – www.thewomensbusinessclubs.comBusiness B4 Work - www.businessb4work.co.uk

If you know of any other local business networking groupsplease send your details to Matt Fletcher at TamworthBorough Council, see contact details on back page

This issue we put the spotlight on one of the newest business networking groups in the area. We askedthem to tell us about their group and this is what they said.

If you would like us to put a spotlight on your local business networking group please contact Matt Fletcher as soon as possible.

Page 7: Business Brief Autumn 2012

7Now delivered electronically to Thinklocal4business.co.uk users, local businesses and public sector organisations

Starting from October 2012, every employer will have to enrol into a workplacepension if you have workers who:

l are not already in a qualifying workplace pension

l are aged 22 or over

l are under state pension age

l earn more than a minimum amount a year (currently £8,105 - figure maychange each April)

l work or usually work in the UK

The actual date your organisation will begin automatic enrolment depends onthe size of your company. Employers will have to automatically enrol andcontribute to a worker's workplace pension if the worker earns over theminimum amount (currently £8,105 a year). There is a minimum percentage thathas to be contributed by the employer. You will receive a letter from ThePensions Regulator giving you the date when the law applies to you (alsoknown as your 'staging date'). This letter will be sent 12 months before yourstaging date. For more information visithttp://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/employers orhttp://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/workplacepensions.html

BNF updateThe Business Networks Forum isrun by local businesses for localbusinesses with assistance from thelocal councils' BusinessDevelopment Team. It givesbusinesses a voice on local andnational business issues.Ambassadors from local networkinggroups and individual businessesand organisations such as theFederation of Small Businessesattend. At the meeting in June themain topic was Access to Financewhich is a subject often raised asbusinesses strive to invest forgrowth. An enlighteningpresentation was delivered by aguest speaker from Handelsbanken.The main topic for the forthcomingmeeting on October 15th is toaddress an issue identified by manybusinesses regarding parking, roadsignage and traffic flow in Lichfieldand Tamworth. All local businessesare welcome to attend BNFmeetings. Please contact MattFletcher. Contact details on page 8.

be preparedBe prepared foryour newworkplace pensionobligations

For more information contact [email protected], Tel: 02476 236290or visit www.thinklocal4business.co.uk/show @tl4business

Why not attend the official opening of the Think Local 4 Business Show, whereyou will be able to network with some of the regions best businesses.Now in its 9th consecutive year, the TL4B Show is becoming an increasinglysuccessful event providing the ideal opportunity for local companies to cometogether and do business. Through the inventive mix of informative seminars,networking opportunities, the Meet the Buyers event and exhibition bothvisitors and exhibitors are provided with valuable information, time andbusiness growth prospects all in one day.This year the event will be held at the brand new prestigious venue StGeorge’s Park located adjacent to the newly built National Football Centre,this unique venue is the perfect place to capture your winning spirit.An inspirational location to think local, score some valuable business andsmash your corporate goals!

Page 8: Business Brief Autumn 2012

David Kemp of DK Electrical, Tamworth is certainlynot letting doom and gloom in the economy affect hissuccessful electrical business. David’s reputation foroutstanding service and quality has lead to the rapidgrowth of the business and the appointment of twoadditional electricians. A highly qualified andexperienced electrician David has been trading asDK Electrical for almost two years. David says “I putour success down to the fact that I am a professional businessman. Our goal is toput professionalism back into the trade and we break the mould of thestereotypical tradesman. We put the customer first, we arrive on time, we ensurethat we are fully prepared and have the materials required for the job.” DKElectrical’s business is built on recommendations from satisfied customers,attendance at local networking events and through strong connections in thetrade who provide reciprocal business. www.dk-electrical.com

Local business networking groupB2B Tamworth measure the amountof invoiced business generated fortheir members by their members,and at the end of August hadachieved invoiced business of over£270,000 in the last eight months.This is equivalent to their target forthe whole of 2011. The group is oncourse to achieve their overalltarget for 2012 of £300,000 ofinvoiced business and are on theirway to reaching £1 million since thegroup was formed in 2009.www.b2bclubnetworking.co.uk

Jon Cartwright worked in themaintenance department ofBirmingham Prison for seven yearsuntil the threat of redundancyforced him to rethink his future andfind the key to a new career. Jon isnow the owner of a Lockritefranchise as a self employedlocksmith covering the Lichfield,Tamworth and Sutton Coldfieldareas. Instead of providingassistance to those locked up he’shelping those who find themselveslocked out! 07801 733 788

Chartered Accountancy PracticeHaines Watts are celebrating afterbeing crowned Auditor of the Yearfor Small and Medium SizedEnterprise at the recent FinanceDirector’s Excellence Awards. SteveButler, Senior Partner in HainesWatts Tamworth office comments,“What makes this award particularlyimportant to us is that the awardwas voted for by more than 1,000Finance Directors and key financedecision makers in our preferredmarketplace of owner managedbusinesses. It’s this type of awardthat matters because it’s voted forby real business people not anacademic panel of experts.”www.hwca.com

Business news in brief Business Bites

8 Now delivered electronically to Thinklocal4business.co.uk users, local businesses and public sector organisations

Electrifying growth and newrecruits at DK Electrical

Tamworth marketing consultancy, RoarMarketing Limited works in partnership withthe Business & Economic Partnership toproduce the Tamworth and Lichfield Business Brief.Contact Karen Nicholls at Roar Marketing,[email protected], www.roarmarketing.co.uk.

Matt Fletcher’s department is the central link between thepublic sector and local businesses, so if you have anyqueries about any of the articles in this issue or just don'tknow who to speak to on business issues please contactMatt on 01827 709 382

or email [email protected]

For sponsorship and advertising opportunities pleasecontact Karen Nicholls or Matt Fletcher and please sendyour news stories for the Business E-Brief (with picture orlogo) to Matt Fletcher at Tamworth Borough Council.

The BusinessBrief is collated,written anddesigned inTamworthand Lichfield

Radion was one of the UK’s leading washing brands inthe 1990’s but fell into obscurity until Essex based HeleyInternational spotted a gap in the market, bought thebrand and tasked their long term design company PHd

design in Lichfield to come up with Radion for today… butwithout losing past loyalties. PHd design set about creating a fresh take on theold brand and packs ready for the relaunch. David Tobin from HeleyInternational said that PHd had met the challenge with its visual eagerness andinterest and been enthusiastic all the way along from concept to completion. Tosee the new Radion log onto www.phddesign.co.uk

New look for Radionbrand from PHd

Contact us

Matt Fletcher, SeniorEconomic DevelopmentOfficer, Shared ServiceTamworth BoroughCouncil and LichfieldDistrict Council

Tamworth based, Interiors for kids supplies large scale art work,vinyl graphics and bespoke signs to businesses and schoolsthroughout the West Midlands area. They were so thrilled withtheir recent projects that they’ve invested in a brand new websiteto showcase them. “We have been fortunate to be involved inseveral high profile arts projects in Sandwell as part of thegovernment’s Building Schools for the Future programme.Wehave expanded our services with vinyl graphics and bespoke signs to complementour artwork. We have also been involved with Wolverhampton City Council, in thepromotion of healthy eating environments in school dining rooms, with creativeartwork.” says Interiors For Kids, Deb Whittaker. www.interiorsforkids.co.uk

Interiors For Kids showcase theirwork on new website

Remember Radion? Lichfielddesign firm brings back the brand

Left to right Stephen Fox,Lead Electrician, David Kemp,Owner and David Edgington,Electrician – DK Electrical

Large scale artworkby Interiors For Kids