BUSINESSES in South Oxfordshire are being invited to register for the South and Vale Business Breakfast on Tuesday, February 21, and hear how a local start-up grew to become the world’s largest jet tender manufacturer.
Business Breakfast
This free event includes a light breakfast followed by presentations about issues affecting businesses and a question and answer session. The Key note speaker will be Mathew Hornsby, Sales Director and co-founder of yacht and powerboat specialists, Williams Jet Tenders, based in Berinsfield. Mathew will be sharing the story of how Williams Jet Tenders went from a local start-up business to the world’s largest jet tender manufacturer building over 700 boats a year.
Following the Brexit vote of 2016, Garry Young, Senior Advisor at the Bank of England, will be sharing his thoughts on business uncertainty and economic prospects and what it means for local businesses.
The Business Breakfast takes place on Tuesday, February 21, from 7.30am at the De Vere Oxford Thames Hotel, Henley Rd, Sandford on Thames, OX4 4GX.
Cllr Robert Simister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “It would be great to see as many businesses as possible join us for the Business Breakfast. This will be a fantastic opportunity to hear about and discuss what’s happening in the local area and hear directly from the Bank of England about what Brexit could mean for local businesses.”
INSURANCE broker, J Bennett & Son, has become a new shirt sponsor for Thame Town Cricket Club.
Right to left:- Peter Sutcliffe (MD, JB&S), Mark Nicholl (Director, JB&S), Matt Swain (Vice-Chair TTCC), Andy Jinman (Marketing Manager, TTCC)
Their Director, Mark Nicholl, said that he has enjoyed supporting the club over the past year, so when the opportunity for sponsorship arose he was keen to get J Bennett and Son more involved.
In Mark’s own words: “Thame Cricket Club is based at the heart of the Town and as a resident I have really enjoyed their regular events and fixtures. Clubs like these are incredibly important to the community but, for them to continue to thrive, they must be supported by local businesses. It’s a pleasure to be able to be a major sponsor for the next two years and at J. Bennett & Son we are very much looking forward to helping them fulfill their next chapter, the main target of which is of course the development of a brand new clubhouse.”
At the signing of the sponsorship deal last week, Matt Swain, Vice-Chair of the club, thanked Mark and MD Peter Sutcliffe for their generous support, on behalf of the hundreds of people in the local area who benefit directly and indirectly from the club’s coaching, playing and social activity, female and male, young and old.”
J. Bennett & Son now join Mobalpa kitchens as one of the club’s main sponsors. For more details of the club’s activities, visit the cricket club’s website: LINK HERE
AN e-learning technology company based in the Thame area is celebrating after being listed as one of the fastest growing technology companies in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA 2016. These awards feature rising technology companies across the entire Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.
The Me Learning team celebrate their achievement
Nether Winchendon based Me Learning, a specialist provider of quality e-learning solutions to both private and public organisations, has been ranked in 360th position. The company specialises in working with the social care sector, charities, education and health and currently works with 110 local authorities in the UK and has over 250,000 registered learners.
Nick Richards, co-Founder of Me Learning said: “Since starting the company in 2005 we have seen steady growth as our breadth of courses develop, and our customer base grows and grows. To be considered and even included in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA 2016 is testament to the consistently high quality of work our team produces. We were delighted to be included in 2015 but to reach 360th in such a wide global region for 2016 is fantastic news – let’s see if we can be even better placed next year!”
“Innovation is more than technological advancement; it’s also a state of mind,” added Paul Sallomi, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and global technology, media and telecommunications industry leader. “The winners of the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 program in EMEA recognise that this new type of thinking is essential for business success. We look forward to your continued leadership in introducing new tools that can enhance the personal lives of consumers, and drive growth for companies worldwide.”
Rankings for this international award are based on percentage growth over a four year period. Me Learning’s growth tripled in this period and grew at a staggering 322%, catapulting them into the top 500 for this geographically wide region.
In order to be considered for the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA 2016, entrants must prove a base-year operating revenue of at least 50,000 Euros and current-year operating revenues of at least 800,000 Euros. Headquarters must be based in the EMEA region and should be a technology company that ‘develops or owns proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company’s operating revenues’.
For further information on Me Learning please visit www.melearning.co.uk or follow on @MeLearningUK
THE Speaker’s theme at January’s monthly Business Networking meeting hosted by The Late Breakfast, will be: ‘I don’t know what to say!’ presented by Sarah Fletcher, creator of Mushroom Souffle – Social Media Magic.
The Late Breakfast – Monthly networking
When planning your Social Media for business…is the first thing that comes into your head “I don’t know what to say?”
You’re not the only one!
Sarah will help you break through that block. Discover why we all need awesome social media content, how to brainstorm and create it, and acquire great tools to make you stand out from the crowd.
Venue: The Spread Eagle, Cornmarket, Thame. BOOK HERE
FIRST prize winner in the Thame Small Business Saturday draw, Kathryn Clamp, joined local celebrated Cook-Caterer, Katie Ryder Richardson for a two-hour cookery lesson, just in time to help Kathryn plan her Christmas catering.
Katie Ryder Richardson (right) shows Kathryn how to roll a chocolate roulade
Kathryn, of kc4business, won first prize in Thame’s Small Business Saturday Prize Draw, held on Small Business Saturday on December 3. With Katie Ryder Richardson’s guidance, she was able to cook a fantastic gourmet meal for two at Katie’s home, and then takes it home with her to enjoy with a partner.
Kathryn came to Small Business Saturday in Thame last month, where she took part in a variety of free-to-attend workshops and one2one sessions with organisations including the FSB, supporters of Small Business Saturday.
Kathryn commented, ‘Winning first prize in the Small Business prize draw was, quite simply, the icing on the cake!’
Kc4business, based in Thame, is a business development and sales support consultancy offering clients, particularly SMEs, an extension of their business without the cost and need to commit to a full-time member of staff.
Contact kc4business at kathryn.clamp@kc4business.co.uk or on 07484 124614.
RED Kite Radio, the new radio station for Thame, Haddenham and the surrounding villages, has moved a step closer to launch after being awarded two grants. The cash from the Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust and The Rothschild Foundation, based at Waddesdon Manor, means that the station is now even closer to hitting the airwaves in late Spring 2017…But it still needs more cash.
Welcoming the awards, Chairman of Red Kite Radio, Mark Chapple said: “We’re over the moon with this grant funding which puts us in a stronger position as we move closer to our launch in Spring 2017. We’ve been lucky enough to receive funding from the Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust and the Rothschild Foundation to the tune of nearly £7000. Much of this money will be used for essential transmission equipment and work to build and renovate our studio at the Haddenham Garden Centre. I’d like to thank both organisations for their kind generosity.”
The Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust operates two beers festivals in Haddenham, including the recent Winterfest. So far it has raised over £220,000 for good causes in our community.
Founder Mark Zeall at the microphone of Summerfest Radio
Chaired by Lord Rothschild himself, the Rothschild Foundation supports Waddesdon Manor and gives grants to a variety of charitable initiatives including local good causes situated close to the 19th century property.
The radio station urgently needs to raise a further £3000 to get on air in 2017.
“As a not-for-profit radio station licensed by Ofcom, we will be completely funded through grants, donations and the sale of advertising and sponsorship to local businesses and traders,” explained Mark. “Very soon we’ll be in a position to release a number of founder sponsorship packages at a heavily discounted rate to local businesses. The money raised will help us plug the gap and fund essential fees like music copyright (PRS & PPL). We’re asking local businesses to register now on our new website www.redkiteradio.com
“Local people who’d like to donate money or office equipment can also get in touch via the website.”
Red Kite Radio, based at the Haddenham Garden Centre, will provide hyper-local programming for Thame, Haddenham and the surrounding villages on 107.2fm. Staffed primarily by volunteers, it will follow the successful Summerfest Radio broadcasts in support of the Haddenham beer festival – Summerfest.
SMALL businesses, young entrepreneurs and retailers alike were big winners from Small Business Saturday, held in Thame on Saturday, December 3.
Samantha Bond (left), Keith Slater and Helen Johns
Samantha Bond, the Downton Abbey actress, came to Thame to judge and present the prizes for the best window displays in the Small Business Saturday Christmas window display competition. From 18 entries submitted, Samantha and retail expert, Keith Slater, chose the three winners.
The Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery, revealed the winners at the end of a busy day, packed with workshops and one-to-one advice sessions, to celebrate Small Business Saturday in Thame, at Christchurch in the Upper High Street. The winner’s trophy and a case of prosecco went to Deli No 5, in Buttermarket, Thame. The second prize of a bottle of prosecco went to Bizzie Lizzie, the flower shop in Upper High Street, and the third prize, also a bottle of prosecco to Shaw Trust, in the High Street. These two will also receive marketing tips from Keith Slater and the winner, Hannah from Delic No 5, will receive marketing consultancy from Keith.
Helen Johns, Mayor of Thame Linda Emery and John Howell MP
Five finalists in the SBS Young Entrepreneurs Competition pitched their business ideas, Dragon’s Den style, to a panel of expert judges chaired by Tim Luscombe of Thames Valley Business Advisers. Three winners were later announced at a packed reception at The Spread Eagle Hotel. The winners’ event began with a performance by talented young singers from Stagecoach Thame.
Tom Wylam with his winner’s trophy
The prizes, sponsored by CarmichaelUK, included a first prize of £500, a trophy, and business mentoring for 12 months which went to Thomas Wylam of Princes Risborough School for his idea CupCycle, based on recycling plastic coffee cups.
Tim Luscombe presents Amelie Mason with her trophy
The second prize went to Amelie Mason of Lord Williams’s School, for her idea, Magical Maths, based on a new maths app, and the third prize went to Philippe van Caloen of Oxford Brookes University for his idea WeCoach, aimed at helping students apply for their first job. Present were John Howell MP, the Mayor of Thame, The Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery, and invited guests from among Thame businesses.
Philippe van Caloen (left) with John Howell MP
Earlier in the day, Small business owners had flocked to Christchurch to attend nine, free-to-attend workshops and one2one sessions given by business experts on subjects ranging from understanding business finance to digital marketing and how to get the right customers for your business. Attendees were also entertained by performances from Thame Pop Choir and Stagecoach Thame’s dance troupe. Small businesses were also invited to place their business cards in a prize draw to win fabulous prizes, including a cookery class at the home of Katie Ryder-Richardson, celebrated local chef and caterer, a meal for two at the Thatch, and vouchers to spend at the Book House, 2Wheels, Racquets Fitness Centre, the Cutting Rooms, Jack & Alice and others.
SBS Thame Co-ordinator, Helen Johns, said: “It was big wins all round! The Small Business Saturday organising team are grateful for the support of 21st Century Thame, our sponsors, including several local companies, Thame Town Council, and South Oxfordshire District Council, for making this highly successful event possible. We are also grateful to Thame TV for videoing the whole day. “
The sponsors of Small Business Saturday Thame 2016, were Booker Tate, Taylor Wimpey, Richardson’s Group, XT Brewing, Travelodge, ASM, DAF, K & A Scaffolding, Carmichael UK, Time For You Domestic Cleaning, The Sanderum Centre, Thame Cars, Mobalpa, MP Printers, Abbotts Office Solutions, Thame Town Council, South Oxfordshire District Council.
More information on Small Business Saturday, an annual event that puts small businesses nationwide under the spotlight, can be found at https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com and on Small Business Saturday in Thame at www.smallbizthame.uk.
AFTER a spate of thefts of tools from vehicles and sheds in the area, Thames Valley Police have issued nine tips for keeping your tools safe:
Lock ‘em up!
It might seem obvious, but keeping your tools locked securely in a storage shed, or garage is a must-do. Thieves go for easy targets, and if yours isn’t easy, they might look elsewhere. We know that taking all your tools off site or unloading the van each day is a pain, but if it saves you losing your tool, then you win.
Image courtesy of romseyandvillages.co.uk/
If you must leave your tools on site or in your vehicle, securing a heavy duty tool box to the inside of your vehicle with a lock on the tool box will make it more difficult.
Secure your site
A badly secured site is an invitation for thieves. Ensure there are no gaps in fencing and that you have a decent padlock preferably secured to a locking plate to minimise bolt cutter leverage. Consider an alarm system, especially towards the end of builds when valuable goods have been stored.
Don’t leave your tools in a trailer or vehicle
This is making it too easy for thieves. You’ve even done the hard work of removing them off site, all they need to do is steal your car or trailer and drive away. Unload your vehicle each night, or store it securely in a garage that is alarmed.
If this is not possible, install a vehicle alarm. The more deterrents the better chance your tools have of staying yours.
Engrave / Mark your tools
Engraving your name, phone number or postcode into your tools may act as a deterrent to thieves by making your tools more difficult to sell. Engrave deep and engrave well to prevent it from being sanded or grinded off too easily. Another alternative is to us a permanent UV marker pen and write your details on the tools. It is invisible but could assist the police to identify any recovered stolen items. It is best to keep your markings consistent using the same mark for each tool.
Add a toolbox alarm and tracking device
Adding a toolbox alarm and clearly marking your toolbox as being alarmed will further deter thieves from stealing your kit, while a modern and relatively small GPS tracking devices will help track down your kit if it is stolen.
Do a regular stock take
It might sound boring and a waste of time but by doing a regular check of your tools and equipment regularly (ideally daily or weekly) you know exactly if and when a tool goes missing. You can also note any required tools or accessories before you need them meaning you save the time of dashing out to the hardware store mid-job!
Note your tools’ serial numbers and photograph them
If your tools do get stolen, having serial numbers and photos will help track them down, and prove they are yours if they are recovered. It’s not a big effort and could be the difference between getting your tools back or having them sitting on the shelf at a pawn shop. If you mark your tool by engraving them or UV marker, also make a note of what tools are marked.
Report thefts to the police
By reporting to the police any theft of tools and supplying images and serial numbers then police are able to cross check that information with any stolen goods recovered. By reporting it and providing evidence (pictures, serial numbers, receipts etc) that the tools are yours, you may get them back. Tools do get recovered, all is not lost, but it can be hard to identify where they are from if we do not have the full information from the owner.
Have insurance
Do not make the mistake of not insuring your tools, they are your daily business after all. Get a good insurance policy and make sure you read the policies fine print so you know exactly what your responsibilities are and the circumstances in which they might deny a claim.
The other steps you take such as taking a regular stock take, serial numbers and photographs should help with your claim, but there is no guarantee; read the fine print.
Contact us
For further information or advice in relation to Crime Prevention, please contact the Thame & Wheatley Neighbourhood Policing Team via email: ThameWatlingtonChinnorNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk Please note, this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report a crime or for urgent matters.
Alternatively, you can contact the local neighbourhood team by calling us on the police non-emergency number 101 or if it is an emergency and there is a crime in progress, then dial 999.
DO you own a small business? Thinking about taking on staff? Employing an Apprentice could be the way forward for you. Around two-thirds of Oxfordshire’s Apprentices are employed by small businesses and this Small Business Saturday (December 3), and the organisation, Oxfordshire Appprenticships are encouraging more small businesses to discover the benefits of employing an Apprentice.
L-R Sue Martin Downhill, Ben Hedger and Simon Martin
Racquets is a family-run fitness centre in the heart of Thame with something for everyone. In addition to a wide variety of squash coaching and clubs for all ages and stages, there’s an extensive range of fun fitness classes on offer from core boxing to hardcore spin. You can work out in one of three gym zones and then relax in the Racquets lounge. As well as sport, Racquets is also a centre for socialising – the lounge is open every evening and the large function room is used for everything from children’s parties to business get-togethers.
The centre is run by husband and wife team, Simon Martin and Sue Martin-Downhill. It’s a small business, employing around 25 people, with some part time – equivalent to 10 full time staff.
Around five years ago, Sue was involved in running another business that was taking on its first Apprentice. She could see how employing an Apprentice at Racquets would be an affordable way to recruit a new member of staff who could grow with the business and learn how to do things the Racquets way. The centre employed their first Apprentice, Jack Shrimpton, to work as a personal trainer in the gym. He was followed by a second Personal Trainer Apprentice Ellis Quarterman. Both Jack and Ellis are now full time Racquets employees, providing group and one-to-one personal training.
Following the success of the first two Apprentices, Sue decided to introduce an Apprentice into a different area of the business – squash coaching. Ben Hedger, 18, has been playing squash at Racquets since he was four and is currently working towards becoming a professional player. Sue and Simon offered him the opportunity to join them as a Squash Coach Apprentice once he left school.
This was a fantastic opportunity for Ben. He’d get paid for doing the sport he loves, whilst working towards a Level 2 coaching qualification which is paid for as part of the Apprenticeship. He jumped at the chance and started his Apprenticeship with Racquets in September 2016.
Ben’s role involves coaching groups of year Five and Six children from a number of local schools. Ben also works on reception, including one evening a week and provides cover for other staff members when required. This enables him to develop valuable customer service skills alongside the coaching skills and experience he is gaining every day.
Sue explained: “Before Ben started, we didn’t have the capacity to offer as many school-time sessions. Now we are able to give squash coaching to all Year fives and sixes in the three Primary schools in Thame all year round. It can be difficult for small businesses to afford to hire an experienced member of staff, but employing an Apprentice means we can afford the extra pair of hands and we can train them to fit the needs of our business.
“Now that Ben’s here and has been able to take over coaching the kids, I have more time to devote to marketing the business and growing our customer base. I also have more time for admin now that I’m not coaching all the time. Ben’s Apprenticeship covers the cost of his coaching qualifications, and the external training he gets takes the pressure off us a bit and things like maths and English are taken care of.”
Ben completed A Levels in PE, Business Studies and History at Lord Williams School in Thame before joining Racquets. He said: “I liked the idea of going to ‘uni’ but for all the wrong reasons! I knew that an Apprenticeship would enable me to earn money instead of getting into debt. I am also aiming to go pro this year and working here means that I get to pursue my goal and I have the benefit of my bosses also being my coaches!
“My role involves coaching kids and I do all the group sessions. Lots of kids approach me and ask for individual coaching too, once I’ve coached them in a group. It’s a flexible and fun working environment and I love working doing something I enjoy.
“Rob from Icon Training comes in to see me once a month. We do about three hours work and he also sets me things to do. The questions are all about the club and the business, so I find it easy to integrate the job and the learning parts of my Apprenticeship. My advice to anyone thinking about an Apprenticeship would be to make sure you consider your options and find something you enjoy. The best thing about an Apprenticeship is that you’re earning money while you’re learning and gaining experience in the workplace.”
If you’re interested in employing an Apprentice to help grow your small business and would like some help to get started, contact Oxfordshire Apprenticeships on tel: 01865 323477 or email: info@oxfordshireapprenticeships.co.uk. They can come and visit you in your workplace and talk it through with you. Visit: www.oxfordshireapprenticeships.co.uk/employers for info.
There’s a fantastic range of workshops and one-to-one sessions taking place in Thame this Small Business Saturday (3rd December), offering advice and support for small businesses on topics such as finance and digital marketing. Visit the Thame Centre First website for details and booking: http://www.thamecentrefirst.org/small-business-saturday.html.
THE contestants for Thame’s Young entrepreneurs competition, have been limbering up their presentation skills, ready for their big day on Saturday.
L to R – Philippe van Caloen, Jean Gamester, Carly Ward, Chris Wylam (representing Thomas Wylam), Amelie Mason
Five of them attended a Workshop at Christchurch, Thame, with Jean Gamester of Semaphora Consulting, who specialises in developing people, training in public speaking and communications skills.
Jean provided her time free of charge to the young entrepreneurs, who are all under 30 and live in Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire. The finals of the competition are being held in Thame next Saturday, December 3, as part of a series of events for Small Business Saturday. Prizes for the winners include a first prize of £500 cash and mentoring for 12 months, with trophies for three winners.
For more information about Semaphora or to connect with Jean Gamester go to www.semaphora.com, @JeanGamester, or email Jean@Semaphora.com.
For more information about Small Business Saturday in Thame go to www.smallbizthame.uk or search on twitter for #SBSThame or email the organisers at sbsthame@gmail.com. Follow Small Business Saturday Thame on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thame.Smallbiz2016/
