December - Somerset Chamber of Commerce

Chamber
REPRESENTING AND WORKING FOR SOMERSET BUSINESSES
www.somerset-chamber.co.uk
SOMERSET
December 2012
Somerset - An Award
Winning County
“As the Hinkley Point C project hots
up in the spring of 2013, the
Somerset Chamber will continue to
be at the forefront of supply chain
development and business support”
- Rupert Cox
See page 2
Lead Story
New Business Plan for
2012 –2015
See page 3
Flooding
Somerset Flooding
See page 5
Town Chamber
Wellington Business
Association News
See page 7
College News
Somerset Education
See page 12
Scan this code with
your smartphone to
visit the Chamber
website.

Rupert’s Review
You can find the Somerset Chamber of Commerce
on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Great things are around the corner for the Somerset
Chamber in 2013 and we want our members to benefit
from such opportunities.
A committed client base is
something that every
business yearns for and
the Somerset Chamber is
no different. This is why at
the AGM at the end of
November we were
delighted to recognise the
thirteen companies that
have been Somerset
Chamber members for 10 years – and this follows
another twelve companies that we recognised for a
achieving a similar landmark last year.
From manufacturing to waste management, from sport
to leisure, from healthcare to charities and from
exporting to education, each have seen the benefit of
Somerset Chamber membership in helping their
organisations to grow and achieve great things here in
Somerset.
The role of honour includes:-
Express by Holiday Inn Ltd
GerberEmig Group Limited
Kings College
Nat. Blind Childrens Society
Old Mill Accountants
Seepex UK Ltd
Somerset Care Group
Somerset County Cricket Club
Somerdale International Ltd
St John Ambulance
St Margaret Somerset Hospice
Strode College
Viridor Waste (Somerset) Ltd
Working closely with UKTi there will be a greater
emphasis on international trade with the 2013
Somerset in Business Conference, the new
International Trade Forum and an overseas trade
mission for food & drink businesses all pushing the
advantages of international trade.
In partnership with Plymouth University and Somerset
County Council we hope to develop the Open Innovation
project further to help businesses consider the merits of
collaborative working and utilising innovative business
techniques to help their businesses to grow.
As the Hinkley Point C project hots up in the spring of
2013, the Somerset Chamber will continue to be at the
forefront of supply chain development and business
support. With over 1100 Somerset firms expressing an
interest in the project we need to make sure that these
companies are well place to get business from the
project. To achieve this we will work with local
authorities and other specialist agencies so that we get
best value for the financial investment that is being
made in this area of activity.
So in closing my final review of 2012, I would like to
thank my dedicated staff who work tirelessly on behalf
of members. I would also like to thank ALL our
members for their support of the work of the Somerset
Chamber in the last year - and for several members
over many years, and I hope that we can continue to put
the Somerset Chamber at the heart of business
influence in the county and beyond, and in-so-doing to
continually support the growth of the Somerset
economy which is our ultimate objective.
Our Patrons
A big thank you to the Patrons of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce whose continued
support is vital to the growth of the Chamber.
FRONT COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF CHARLES GLOVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Supporting the Growth of the Somerset Economy
For the Somerset Chamber to continue its
growth, the Somerset economy needs to grow
which is why the 2012-2015 business plan is
entitled “Supporting the Somerset Economy to
Grow” and to support this strategic objective for
the county, the Somerset Chamber will focus of
5 priority areas being:
Membership
Lobbying & Representation
Business Growth
Communication & Profile
Project Management
Below is set out a little more detail on each of these
objectives.
MEMBERSHIP
Target –700 members by 31st October 2015 being
representative of the Somerset business community
For the Somerset Chamber to remain an influential force
within the Somerset business community it needs to
continue to grow its membership. The membership needs
to be as representative of the Somerset economy as
possible with balance of size, sector & geography.
Relationships also need to be maintained with the Town
Chamber network as well as other business organisations.
The long term aspiration to have 1,000 members by 2020
LOBBYING & REPRESENTATION
Target – To maintain our status as being at the hub of
business influence in Somerset.
Chambers of Commerce across the UK have become the
respected voice of the real economy. The BCC network of
accredited Chambers is heard at the heart of Government
and recognised as a valued contributor to policy making
with such bodies as the Bank of England. The BCC is in
regular dialogue with senior Ministers and Civil Servants
making sure that they understand the issues facing the
business community and endeavoring to influence
government policy for the betterment of business.
For the Somerset Chamber to be fully representative of the
Somerset business community this national level of
influence needs to be replicated in Somerset.
BUSINESS GROWTH
Target – To deliver activities that support the Somerset
economy to grow
The Somerset Chamber is serious about supporting the
growth of the county’s economy, so it will deliver a range of
programmes and activities that it hopes will deliver growth.
The Chamber recognises that its influence over such
growth could be very proactive by delivering projects, or
light touch by being a sign-posting information channel.
The growing expertise that the Chamber is gaining makes it
perfectly placed to drive inward investment and to bring
real economic benefits out of the Hinkley C development by
supporting supply chain development and job creation.
Furthermore, the Chamber will use the experience gained
from the Hinkley Supply Chain project to develop a more
comprehensive supply chain programme.
COMMUNICATION & PROFILE RAISING
Target – To communicate with 25% of Somerset
businesses by 31 st October 2015
It is recognised by the Board of the Somerset Chamber that
its communications with members and other stakeholders
needs to continue to improve at a faster rate than its
increase in membership.
This is why that for the first time a key objective of the
business plan is dedicated to communication at all levels.
This is already being achieved to some extent by the
investment of dedicated personnel to take this work
forward.
To be fully representative of the Somerset business
community it is imperative that the Chamber
communicates with as many businesses as possible, most
will hopefully be Chamber members at either a county or
town level, but it is also important to recognise the
Chamber’s responsibility to all businesses in the county.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Target – To maintain at least two external project contracts,
and to seek additional revenue generation
Chambers of Commerce do not survive and grow on
Chamber membership alone, and the Somerset Chamber is
no exception.
It is vitally important therefore to seek out and deliver
economic development projects that support members,
increase membership potential, and more importantly,
provide additional revenue to help build capacity within the
organisation in order to deliver value-added benefits to
members.
To read the full Business Plan visit:
www.somerset-chamber.co.uk
3

British Chamber of Commerce
BCC: Borrowing will exceed OBR forecast by
around £15bn
BC: Unlocking house building will boost
growth, but government must go further
Public sector net borrowing in October 2012 was
£8.6bn, compared with £5.9bn in October 2011
Commenting on the speech by the Deputy Prime minster
on housing, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the
British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
Commenting on the public sector finances for October
2012, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British
Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The public sector borrowing figures were much worse
than expected in October. Excluding special factors, total
borrowing so far this financial year was more than £7bn
higher than in the same period of 2011. Unless there
are distinct improvements over the next few months,
borrowing for the entire financial year could exceed the
OBR’s budget forecast by around £15bn. This
unwelcome news will only put more pressure on the
Chancellor as he prepares for his Autumn Statement in
early December.
“Despite the announcement that interest payments for
the gilts purchased under the QE scheme would be
transferred from the Bank of England to the Treasury,
the deficit will still take a few years longer than expected
to reduce.
“To maintain credibility, the government must persevere
with a realistic plan to reduce the deficit over the
medium term. But there is also a risk that if weak growth
continues, borrowing could overshoot even further,
which could in turn threaten the UK’s credit rating. The
government should look to make cuts in areas such as
welfare reform, pensions and the size of the civil service
to ensure that the structural deficit is gradually reduced.
We will also be looking to the Chancellor to announce
measures in his Autumn Statement that will boost
growth and enhance the productive capacity of the UK.”
“In our submission to the Chancellor ahead of the
Autumn Statement next month, the BCC called for a new
fund to unblock stalled developments, so the
government’s pledge to provide £225m is a welcome
step in the right direction. Addressing this shortfall is
essential for growth, with the slump in construction
output a major factor behind the negative growth that
we saw in 2011 and early 2012. Not only will this
investment boost the economy by creating thousands of
jobs in the house building sector, it will also benefit a
large number of UK-based firms and suppliers.
“But unblocking stalled sites alone is not enough. We
would challenge the government to be more ambitious
and increase the Homes and Communities Agency’s
(HCA) target by a further 100,000 homes by 2015,
which would provide a substantial return in economic
growth. Research* shows that investing in house
building has a multiplier effect, with each pound
invested creating £2.09 of economic output. The
government must seize this opportunity and build the
homes needed for a sustainable future, and a lasting
economic recovery.”
www.britishchambers.org.uk
4

The Energy Bill
The Energy Bill – What might it mean for
Somerset businesses?
The recently published Energy Bill puts in place
measures to attract the £110 billion investment which
is needed to replace current generating capacity and
upgrade the national grid by 2020, and to cope with a
rising demand for electricity.
The Bill, which has been developed by the Department
of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), includes
provisions for:
Contracts for Difference – long-term instruments
to provide stable and predictable incentives for
companies to invest in low-carbon generation;
Investment Instruments – long-term instruments
to enable early investment in advance of the CfD
regime coming into force;
Capacity Market – to ensure the security of
electricity supply;
Conflicts of Interest and Contingency
Arrangements – to ensure the institution which
will deliver these schemes is fit for purpose;
Renewables Transitional – transition
arrangements for investments under the
renewables obligation scheme, and
Emissions Performance Standard – to limit
carbon dioxide emissions from new fossil fuel
power stations.
Furthermore the Bill looks at an alternative payment
model for contracts through what is now known as
Electricity Market Reform (EMR). In addition to EMR,
the Energy Bill will also improve regulatory certainty by
ensuring that Government policy and Ofgem are
aligned.
Chief Executive of the Somerset Chamber, Rupert Cox
commented:
“While this is quite a complicated Bill for businesses to
comprehend, it does address some of our concerns
about energy security, consistent supply and
assurances on cost. In the short term costs look likely
to rise as the Bill allows generating companies to
garner an additional £7.6b from customers by 2020 to
be ring fenced for investment in low carbon energy
generation”.
For those in Somerset keeping an eye on the Hinkley
Point C development, Government now appear to have
given comfort to EDF Energy (and other energy
investors and suppliers) on what can be charged for
electricity in the future through the EMR which will help
them make their final investment decisions on whether
or not to build Hinkley C.
EDF Energy’s Chief Executive, Vincent de Rivaz
commenting: "The introduction of the Energy Bill is a
very positive
step," but
suggesting
that they
needed to
see the
detail of the
proposals
before
commenting
further.
EDF Energy’s Chief Executive Vincent de Rivaz
SOURCE: WWW.DECC.GOV.UK
Join the Somerset Chamber of Commerce
Membership offers support and
advice to help you increase your
profits and also helps the Chamber
increase its influence.
Membership includes:
Effective business lobbying and
representation at local, regional and
national levels through accreditation to
the British Chambers of Commerce and
membership of the South West
Chambers of Commerce.
A range of FREE services provided
through the British Chambers of
Commerce. Access to nine exclusive
Chamber offers from national and
local Premier Providers.
Business Networking events with the
opportunity to network with up to 2,000
Chamber Members from across
Somerset and throughout the South
West.
Informative seminars to share knowledge
and best practice including
Meet-the-Buyer events.
Initial FREE publicity for new Members in
Chamber News and on the website
www.somerset-chamber.co.uk.
For more details please call
01823 444924, email
manager@somerset-chamber.co.uk or
visit www.somerset-chamber.co.uk.
5

Somerset Flooding
As the November flooding in Somerset subsides businesses across the county are not
just counting the cost of the disaster, but are raising concerns about how they might get
their premises insured in the future.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has suggested that talks with Government about flood related insurance
are at "crisis point" and could leave 200,000 homes and businesses across the UK without cover. The proposal
put by Government to the industry is being considered, but at the time of going to press “Chamber News” can
report an impasse that could lead to rising insurance premiums or even no cover being offered to the worst
locations in Somerset.
An existing agreement between the ABI and Government, reached in 2008, obliges insurers to provide cover for
high-risk properties while the government continues to improve flood defences. The ABI wants the government to
share the risk for the areas with the most homes at significant flood risk - defined as a greater than one in 75
chance of flooding in any given year.
Nick Starling, director of general insurance at the ABI, said that the government had turned down its "elegant"
solution.
"Our members are out there looking after people who have been affected by these tragic floods and this means
that we want a solution even more now after the difficult events of the weekend," he said.
Trudy Brown, Personal Lines Manager at Higos Insurance Services Ltd, Somerset Chamber members, commented
“We are hopeful the ABI and Government will reach an agreement, allowing households and businesses at
high-risk from flooding to continue to access insurance beyond the current deal, which ends in June 2013.
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is actively involved in trying to secure a long term solution and
there are live options still on the table - such as ‘Project Noah - aimed at ensuring home insurance in flood-prone
areas remains widely available and fairly priced.
Higos has close relationships with our panel of insurers,
ensuring each property within a flood risk area is treated
on its individual merits, allowing us to provide cover
wherever possible”
Contact Higos Insurance
Services
www.higos.co.uk
6

Wellington Business Association
Wellington has a new organisation focused on promoting business and commercial
development in the town and surrounding area. The Wellington Business Association
[WBA] has emerged from the former chamber of trade and commerce.
“I believe that Wellington needs and deserves an organisation
that offers support, information and advice, and networking
opportunities for businesses throughout the whole Wellington
area,” said Ian Stock, newly-elected chair of the WBA.
“Unfortunately the old chamber was struggling to maintain
membership and had perhaps become perceived as rather old
fashioned. The WBA aims to include all businesses from our
major manufacturers to one-person start-ups, as well as
business services and retailers.
“We’ll be offering businesses a number of opportunities to
network, learn and socialise. Networking events are one of the
best ways that businesses make new contacts, exchange
experiences and ideas, and do business together, thereby
maintaining money within the local economy,” Ian added
Other officers of the new WBA, elected at the final AGM of the
Wellington Chamber of Trade and Commerce are Keith
Wheatley (AroundWellington.co.uk) as Vice-Chair, Mike Crew
Ian Stock (Chair of WBA from 3Spheres UK) and Mike
Crew (Treasurer of WBA from MJC Financial) with new
WBA member Jane Osborne from The Old Sale Room.
(MJC Financial) as Treasurer. Sue White, retiring Chair of the Chamber, becomes President, and Jane Burden
remains as Secretary.
The WBA’s events programme will mix networking events with more formal meetings. The networking events will
be held in various locations around the Wellington area, to encourage different businesses and organisations to
meet, and join the Association.
For more information about the Wellington Business Association got to www.wellingtonchamber.co.uk
Affiliate Town Chambers
Axbridge Chamber of Commerce
01934 733078
www.axbridgechamber.co.uk
Mike Sartain, mike.sartain@hale-events.ltd.uk
Burnham-on-Sea Chamber of Commerce
www.burnham-on-sea.com
Mark Newman
Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce
www.bridgwaterchamber.org.uk
Steve Leahy, talk@bridgwaterchamber.org.uk
Frome Chamber of Commerce
07887 641469
www.wessexchambers.org.uk
Neil Howlett
neil.howlett@fromeharris-harris.co.uk
Ilminster Chamber of Commerce
01460 54364
www.ilminsterchamber.org.uk
Sarah Calhaem, sarah@theteetree.co.uk
Shepton Mallet & District Chamber
01749 344995
www.shepton.biz
Ian Jarmaine, ian@swanatshepton.co.uk
Taunton Chamber of Commerce
01823 322288
www.taunton-chamber.co.uk
Colin Barrell, colinstearoom@hotmail.com
Watchet Chamber of Commerce
01984 634 565
www.visit-watchet.co.uk
John Richards, chairman@wacet.co.uk
Wellington Chamber of Commerce
01823 661982
www.wellingtonchamber.co.uk
Ian Stock, Ian.stockwellingtonchamber.co.uk
Yeovil Chamber of Commerce
01935 804999
www.yeovilchamber.org
Gina Farnborough, secretary@yeovilchamber.org
IS YOUR TOWN CHAMBER OR
BUSINESS GROUP MISSING?
Find out more about the benefits of
Affiliating to The Somerset Chamber.
Call 01823 444924 or email
manager@somerset-chamber.co.uk.
Alternatively visit www.somerset-chamber.co.uk
7

New Members
November’s new members
Archant Life
Tim Randell
01803 860761
www.somerset-life.co.uk
Ardenham Energy Ltd
John Westerman
01823 747052
www.ardenhamenergy.co.uk
Avalon Telecom & Technologies
Nigel Lewis
01458 448226
www.avalontele.com
Brewin Dolphin
Investment Management
Christopher Rew
01823 445785
www.brewin.co.uk
Compass Disability Service
Disability Equality Charity
Richard Pitman
01823 282823
www.compassdisability.org.uk
Cornwall Glass & Glazing Ltd
Paul Garrard
01278 781500
www.m5glass.co.uk
Dome Marketing Ltd
PR & Marketing
Kirsty Mode
01460 30785
Etavoni Ltd
Engineering Solutions
Alan Forster
01761 420774
www.etavoni.com
Jon PG Ltd
Sound Hire Equipment
Jon Wood
01458 210326
www.jonpg.co.uk
Lexus Bristol
David Bowden
0117 916 5555
www.bristol.lexus.co.uk
Live Action Media
Corporate Video Production
Ron Tanner
01278 684720
www.liveactionmedia.co.uk
‘Innovative Corporate Video Production’
We offer a full video production service
from initial programme concept to
finished article. To guarantee a quality
product, we shoot edit and master on
our own equipment to the latest high
definition broadcast standards.
We believe we have the right technology in the hands of the right
people.
Our mission is to be innovative. We want to make programmes that
are refreshingly different: meaningful programmes, programmes that
work!
Our experience is extensive in all areas of video production including:
Minsterstone
Architectural Stone
Varyl Chamberlain
01460 52277
www.minsterstone.ltd.uk
ProCo IT
Business IT Services
Richard Daw
01823 663535
www.proco-it.com
SJM Training Consultants Ltd
IT Training & Consultancy
Sally Williams
01823 433431
www.sjmtraining.co.uk
The Wilkins Safety Group
Jon Wilkins
01458 253682
www.wilkinssafety.co.uk
TorFX
Foreign Exchange Provider
Mark Falber
07825 837549
www.torfx.com
Trig Engineering Ltd
Plastics Precision Machines
Jamie Williams
01278 440007
www.ensinger.co.uk
corporate image, sales and
promotion, practical training,
awareness and internal
communications and the list
of our clients includes Rolls
Royce, Boots
and Clarks International.
www.liveactionmedia.co.uk
Contact the team
Vikki Waterman
(Contact Rupert via Vikki)
manager@somerset-chamber.co.uk
Sue Higgins
events@somerset-chamber.co.uk
Jenn Chidley
jennchidley@somerset-chamber.co.uk
Hugh Graham
membership@somerset-chamber.co.uk
Kim McDonald
kimmcdonald@somerset-chamber.co.uk
Chris Langdon
business@intosomerset.co.uk
Gerard Tucker
invest@intosomerset.co.uk
8

Project News
Somerset Chamber and EDF Energy
congratulates 1,000th Somerset firm
More than 1,000 Somerset businesses have now
registered on a dedicated website as potential
suppliers to the multi-billion pound power station
project planned at Hinkley Point.
To mark the occasion, EDF Energy and the Somerset
Chamber of Commerce called in to congratulate the
1,000 th local firm to complete its registration. Sterling
Services Ltd, based near Taunton, specialises in
architectural precast concrete and is hoping to secure a
contract to supply material to the Hinkley Point C project.
Kevin Lazenby, Director of Sterling Services, said “Sterling
Services Ltd registered to be part of the Hinkley Supply
Chain having learnt about it from a Construction Industry
breakfast. We are delighted to be the 1,000 th company to
register and having traded from our premises in Hatch
Beauchamp, Somerset for the past 15 years, we feel that
we are ideally placed to supply the Hinkley C projects.
“We employ over 30 staff within our manufacturing facility,
together with a separate design office and installation
teams we have successfully completed many major
projects all over the U.K and Channel Islands and hope this
is just the first step in providing our quality products to the
Hinkley site.”
EDF Energy has already awarded £61 million worth of
contracts across the south west, with £25 million of this
total going direct to firms in Somerset.
Local contracts include a wide range of goods and services,
such as plant hire, training, catering, carpenters, building
firms, tree-planting and scaffolding. Companies in
Bridgwater, Taunton, Burnham-On-Sea, Cannington,
Glastonbury, Highbridge, Minehead, Watchet, Yeovil,
Weston Super Mare, Bath and Bristol are among the 200
south west firms to have already been awarded contracts.
The high number of local registrations is the result of a
partnership between EDF Energy and Somerset Chamber
of Commerce to capture the capability of local suppliers
and to ensure that this capability is promoted to EDF
Energy and its main contractors.
The hinkleysupplychain.co.uk website has also been used
to keep local suppliers informed about the project and
work package timetables and Somerset Chamber manage
a number of supply chain events to inform and promote
effective engagement for local suppliers. EDF Energy has
also established a local supply chain team to offer advice
and support to Somerset firms.
Rupert Cox, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber of
Commerce, said: “It’s really positive to be working so
closely with EDF Energy to secure opportunities and
benefits for local firms. The online registration process is
straight forward and is attracting a wide range of
businesses who we can then communicate with. We’re
continuing to work directly with local firms to explain the
varied opportunities and give them some guidance on the
likely requirements and procurement process.”
Chris Squires, Lead Supply Chain Engagement Manager for
EDF Energy, commented: “This is a great milestone to have
reached. Local firms could benefit both in the construction
phase, as well as the 60 year operational life of the
proposed station. I’d encourage other local companies to
register their interest as there will be many millions of
pounds worth of work on offer.”
Richard Soper, Sterling Services, Chris Squires, Lead Supply
Chain Engagement Manager, EDF Energy, Rupert Cox, Chief
Executive, Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Kevin
Lazenby, Sterling Services celebrate the 1000 th sign-up
Jamie Driver, local supply chain manager for EDF Energy,
added: "Companies may tend to think that as it's a nuclear
power station, the work is all very complex and somehow
won't be for them. However, we're looking for companies
that can supply all the trades, goods and services that a
construction project involves, just on an Olympic scale.
Then there are all the things that the workforce will be
spending their wages on locally. My message to local
companies is to register your interest now, because there
is help available to position your business to benefit. But
we can't use you if we don't know about you."
The proposed Hinkley Point C power station will provide
around 25,000 jobs over the construction period, as well
as 900 permanent jobs once operational. The project will
also create around 400 apprenticeships. £7.1 million has
been invested or committed to by the energy company to
improve local skills and training at West Somerset
Community College and Bridgwater College to increase
employment opportunities for local residents.
Companies interested in finding out more about the
Hinkley Point C supply chain can visit;
www.hinkleysupplychain.co.uk
Hinkley Point C is subject to planning consent and a final
investment decision by the end of the year.
Contact the Chamber Call 01823 444924, email manager@somerset-chamber.co.uk or visit www.somerset-chamber.co.uk
9

Member’s News
Top Industry Award for South West
Recruitment Specialists
South West recruitment specialist, Meridian Business
Support, has been awarded the coveted title
‘Best Company to Work For (more than 250 employees)’
by the Institute of Recruitment Professionals Awards at
a glittering ceremony.
Creating an Impact! …Regional design and
marketing agency bucks economic trend!
Taunton-based Impact Design & Marketing has
welcomed the arrival of three new recruits this
autumn. The appointment of a new Sales & Marketing
Director, a Client Services
Manager and an Office
Administrator not only
underlines the agency’s
ambition to further expand
their impressive client base,
but to keep current
customer service and
engagement levels at the
very top of their agenda.
The new recruits are as follows:
Meridian’s exceptional work environment and
Innovative company structure was recognised by the
judges, with the prestigious accolade celebrating its
professional excellence and the inspirational work it
carries out within the recruitment industry.
The win comes during an incredibly successful year for
Meridian, with the company given the ‘Candidate
Service Award’ at the Onrec 2012 Industry Awards,
before being named ‘Best Credit Control Team’ by the
North West Finance Awards and ‘Best Embedded
Recruitment Team’ at the highly regarded Recruiter’s
Awards for Excellence.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)
chief executive, Kevin Green, said: “The 2012 winners
join an elite group of ambassadors for the industry who
set world class standards to which all recruiters can
aspire. The high volume and calibre of entries this year
demonstrates how the REC’s commitment to raise
professional standards is having an impact across the
industry.
Helen Harvey, Meridian’s Regional Manager in the
South West says “It’s a superb achievement and serves
as a recognition of the success we’ve had in creating a
supportive company environment, where we strive to
recognise the hard work and commitment of the
wonderful staff across our 80-branch network.”
Pete Lloyd, the new Sales & Marketing Director
Theresa Wyrwoll is the new Client Services Manager
Chloe Lingard-Hards Office Administrator
www.impactknowhow.co.uk
Prestigious quality mark benefits clients
and staff, says Somerset law firm boss
The chairman of Somerset
law firm Battens Solicitors
has said its latest legal
industry stamp of approval
provides an assurance of
‘best practice’ for clients
and staff.
Battens Solicitors has secured the Law Society’s law
management quality mark, Lexcel, for the sixth year
running.
The Yeovil-based firm underwent a rigorous assessment
including onsite inspections and background checks.
Lexcel is an optional accreditation scheme for law firms
and in-house legal departments designed to show that
a practice meets high client care
and business management
standards.
www.battens.co.uk
www.meridianbs.co.uk
10

Member’s News
New office for Yeovil accountants Old Mill
Yeovil accountants and financial
planners Old Mill have moved to the
newly refurbished town centre property
Maltravers House after outgrowing their
Goldcroft office.
Old Mill has been in Yeovil since 1998, but in that time, staff numbers
have grown from around 40 to 85, and the current office is bursting at
the seams. Although the move was needed for practical reasons, Old
Mill is looking forward to the positive impact that a modern working
environment will have on staff.
“The new Yeovil office will be such a massive step forward in terms of
providing a place for our people to work creatively, efficiently and
flexibly,” said Stuart Grimster, Head of the Yeovil Office. “The buzz that
the move has created amongst our staff is amazing and it is clear
people are genuinely excited at the thought of our bright, airy and
colourful new offices being their new place of work.”
“It is vital that successful companies like Old Mill continue to support
the local economy in this way. Fantastic working environments including
the latest technology are a key component in being able to employ and
retain the best people in the region; our aim is to continue to grow Old
Mill and offer great career opportunities for local people so this move is
an essential part of our plan.”
www.oldmillgroup.co.uk
11

College News
Nearly 40 top apprentices and their employers have been celebrated at the second
annual Yeovil College and North Dorset Technical College
Apprenticeship Awards.
Apprentices from across Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Devon received awards in
24 categories, nearly double the number presented in 2011. Highlighting the range
of Apprenticeships available at the College, the awards included those for
Intermediate and Advanced courses in Carpentry, Plumbing, Business Administration,
Contact Centres, Customer Service, Health & Social Care, Childcare, Hairdressing, Professional Cookery,
Engineering, ICT and Print.
Guest speaker Rupert Cox, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber
of Commerce, spoke of the key relationship between training
providers, employers and apprentices which makes
Apprenticeships work and the importance of having a good
attitude in the workplace and seizing progression opportunities.
He said “Thank you the employers for investing in young people.
We know you need the right staff to do the roles required to make
your business more profitable. We are very lucky that some of the
best colleges in England are here in Somerset and that Yeovil
College is part of a great network of training providers.”
www.yeovil.ac.uk
Great Success for Somerset Training Providers
This month has seen the completion of the latest 100 Day
Apprentice Campaign across the county, and what a success it
has been! In 100 days the teams have recruited 702 new
apprentices in the important 16-24 age bracket, far exceeding
any expectation. They have also exceeded the record breaking 515 apprentices recruited in the first campaign.
The training providers include Richard Huish College, Somerset College, Bridgwater College, Yeovil College, Strode
College, Somerset Skills and Learning and Acacia Training, all helped and supported by the Employment and
Skills Board, the National Apprentice Service and the Somerset Chamber and FSB.
The group has been led by Graham Knight from Strode College and Vice Chair of the Somerset Chamber. Graham
says “This has been a fantastic result and I am very proud of the way we have really opened opportunity and
changed lives. But although the campaign ends now the apprentice drive does not! Any local training provider will
be glad to still hear from businesses wanting to get involved, or they can contact me direct to help them along the
way”
Yeovil College Director of Employer Engagement and fellow Somerset board member Tim Hunt said “When we
took part in the first 100 day long Apprenticeship campaign three years ago, we could never have imagined the
impact it and its successors would have. Grow Somerset Talent has met and greatly exceeded in its aim of
creating 100 new Apprenticeship opportunities, while its reach in terms of how many more people have learned
about this sort of training is immeasurable. We hope that both students and members of the Somerset Chamber
feel much better informed about the range and benefits of apprenticeship training.”
Contact Graham: Call 01458 844476 or email gknight@strode-college.ac.uk
12

An Educated Somerset
£400 million will be spent at a number of
English colleges to upgrade facilities and
resources, with £110 million coming from
the Government.
Projects at 56 English colleges
range from the launch of a
state-of-the-art civil engineering
academy, to transforming
classrooms into vocational
workshops.
Making the announcement at the
Association of Colleges (AoC)
Conference, Business Secretary
Vince Cable (pictured left) said:
"These projects will transform the learning
environment for thousands of students across the
country, providing them with state-of-the-art facilities
and modern resources that will help them fulfil their
potential.
"Addressing gaps in skills is an important part of our
industrial strategy. This initiative is another example of
how Government is working in long-term partnership
with industry to give them more confidence to invest,
hire and grow."
Examples of successful bids include:
South Essex College of Further and Higher
Education raising almost £40 million which will be
combined with nearly £3 million grant support to
build a new town centre site. It will have facilities
ranging from mechanical engineering workshops to
student training kitchens.
A new £4 million agriculture
building at Bridgwater
College in Somerset which will
address the growing demand for
specialist rural skills and develop
closer links with the agriculture
industry in the region.
Government is investing £110 million, through the
Skills Funding Agency, which is matched with £302
million investment from colleges.
In May this year all colleges were invited to apply
for up to £3 million for individual projects, with an
expectation that the facilities will be ready to use
by September 2014. The resources are aimed at
colleges that have not received significant funding
in the recent past.
SOURCE: WWW.BIS.GOV.UK
World of work Day
240 year 10 students from Heathfield School worked
alongside members from the business community to
explore themes relating to the world of work.
With its extensive network of Business Partners and
their expertise students explored interview techniques,
lifelong and transferable skills and how best to present
themselves to potential employers.
The workshop provided a realistic, nuts and bolts
experience that helped demystify life after school, and
deepen students’ understanding and appreciation of
what is involved in striving for a successful and
fulfilling career.
Enterprise Coordinator Wil Lowndes comments “At a
time when so much of the wider curriculum is under
threat the school’s commitment to delivering cross
curricular projects that provide such invaluable
learning experiences has never been stronger.”
www.heathfield.somerset.sch.uk
A new £7.7 million creative industries building at
Kingston College.
£8.1 million on refurbishing the campus and
building new arts facilities at Burton and South
Derbyshire College.
Business people and students from the Heathfield School world
of work day.
13

Business News
Business Records Checks re-launched
Business Records Checks are being re-launched by HM Revenue &
Customs (HMRC) following a review and extensive stakeholder
consultation.
The substantially redesigned Business Records Checks programme now involves a new step-by-step approach,
with a much greater emphasis on education and support.
Businesses need to keep records which can clearly demonstrate they are meeting their tax responsibilities. From
this month, HMRC will send letters to businesses it believes may be at risk of keeping inadequate records,
advising the business that HMRC will be phoning them to discuss their business records. This call will then take
the customer through a set of questions to assess the customer’s record-keeping affairs. Depending on the
outcome of this conversation, HMRC will then determine whether the customer could benefit from tailored
educational support and whether a Business Records Checks visit is necessary.
Where a visit reveals the customer is keeping inadequate records, HMRC will provide guidance on what the
customer needs to do to improve their record keeping. HMRC will then arrange a follow up visit, normally three
months later, giving the business a reasonable time to make the necessary improvements to their record-keeping
processes. If, on the second visit, the records have not improved to an adequate standard, then HMRC may
charge a penalty.
The Business Records Checks programme will be rolled-out, region by region, over a 14-week period. The planned
timetable for visits to re-commence is as follows:
London & Anglia – 26 November 2012
South East England – 14 January 2013
Scotland – 14 January 2013
Northern Ireland – 14 January 2013
Central England – 21 January 2013
East of England – 28 January 2013
North Wales & the North West of England – 28 January 2013
South Wales & the South West of England – 4 February 2013
HMRC’s Director of Local Compliance, Richard Summersgill, said:
“We’ve listened to businesses and agents, and revamped our Business Records Checks programme to make it
more streamlined, targeted and better focused on education.
14
“The visits offer benefits for
businesses at risk of keeping
inadequate records. Adequate records
help businesses pay the right amount
of tax at the right time, thereby
avoiding interest and penalties for
errors and late payment, whilst also
giving HMRC greater assurance when
a business submits its tax returns.”
For more information
Tel: 07860 359 544
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk

Somerset Business Awards
Top Somerset businesses celebrate
success at the Somerset Business Awards
New to Somerset Award
Sponsored by inward investment body,
Into Somerset.
Somerset Businesses are recognised at the Somerset
Business Awards 2012.
Over 280 people from the county’s leading businesses
attended the sell-out event at the Somerset County
Cricket Ground to find out who had won this year’s
hotly contested awards. The event organisers
commented that the standard of the entries this year
had been exceptional, whilst the number of
companies entering was up by 20 per cent, proving
that the popularity and prestige of the Somerset
Business Awards continues to increase year on year.
Main sponsors, Albert Goodman, which has offices
throughout Somerset, opened the annual Somerset
Business Awards. Managing Partner of Albert
Goodman, David Griffin, commented, “It is so
important for us to be involved with the Somerset
Business Awards. We want to celebrate the
entrepreneurial skill, enthusiasm and commitment
that is so prevalent in Somerset’s businesses. We are
very proud to acknowledge this and applaud it.”
This year’s winners are:
New Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by design and print
company, Glyder Ltd
The winner was Blackdown
Shepherds Huts and George
Bannister and Will Vickery
accepted the award and
commented, “This is great.
We want to thank all the
small companies that have
helped supply parts for our
business and to our friends, family and customers,
who have supported us throughout. We feel very
privileged and honoured to win.”
THE RUNNERS UP WERE STEP SUCCESS AND
VINTAGE FAIR ARTS CAFÉ.
The award went to Prolift Access
Ltd. Andrew Pearson and Andrew
Martin accepted the award and
commented, “This is brilliant and
we want to say a massive thank
you to everyone that believed in
us. Our aim was to bring the
heart back to our business and
bring employment back into the
area. We look forward to a bright future here in
Somerset. From here we will get bigger and better but
we can’t be any prouder than we are now.”
THE RUNNERS UP WERE M5 GLASS CENTRE AND
LITETILE LTD.
Service Excellence Award
Sponsored by Blueloop, IT services
The award went to leading
mortgage and insurance company,
Cooper Associates Ltd. Samantha
Cooper, Managing Director,
accepted the award and said, “It is
a huge privilege to be accepting this
award, from an organisation that is
so prestigious and well recognised
as the Somerset Business Awards.
Since starting, Cooper Associates has had the aim of
offering an unparalleled-level of service in the
financial services sector. Without the support and
hard work of our great team, this award would not be
possible. So thank you!”
RUNNERS UP WERE: MYAKKA LTD AND THORNE
SEGAR.
Best Exporter Award
Sponsored by
Foot Anstey LLP
The award was presented to Hilton
Herbs and Martin Brooks, Production
and Export Manager, collected the
award and said, “Thank you so
much for this. I am honoured, it has been an
Cont…/
15

Somerset Business Awards
extremely difficult year for us and this means the world
to me and the 17 guys back at work.”
THE RUNNERS UP WERE UNWIN SAFETY SYSTEMS
AND SCM HANDLING LTD.
The Albert Goodman Family Business
Award
Sponsored by the Somerset Business Awards main
sponsor Albert Goodman.
The winner of the award was Monkton Elm
Garden & Pet Centre and David Bellman
collected the award. He comments, “This is
wonderful and after a
life-long dedication to
Somerset and our garden
centre, I am now handing over
to my son in law, Mike.” Mike
Lind said, “It is absolutely
wonderful to be involved with
this business. It is a well
established business, which
has been running for 30 years
and employs more than 100
people. We are proud to be a
Somerset business, there is no where better to be
based.”
THE RUNNERS UP WERE SOUTH WEST PENINSULAR
TRAINING AND GADSBY.
recognise that BAM Construction is actively involved in
this.”
RUNNERS UP WERE 3 DIMENSIONS CARE LTD AND
ADPR LIMITED.
Charity of the Year Award
Sponsored by Clarke Willmott LLP.
The winner was Stand Against
Violence and Adam Fouracre said,
“I am really pleased to accept this
award and want to thank everyone
within the charity, including the
volunteers and charity trustees, We
started as small campaign six years
ago and have been on a fantastic
journey, working in collaboration
with great businesses, locally and
nationally. Our work has reached thousands and our
educational work has improved behaviour and reduced
violence and offending. It has been an exhilarating
experience and we have all worked very hard to get
here. We have great aims for the future and are excited
for the expansion of the charity and being able to
deliver new community projects. This award means we
have credibility and will increase our awareness.”
THE RUNNERS UP WERE ST JOHN AMBULANCE AND
DORSET AND SOMERSET AIR AMBULANCE.
Skills for Growth Award
Sponsored by Somerset Employment
& Skills Board.
The award was presented to BAM
Construction Ltd. Lorna Lewis
accepted the award and said, “We
are delighted to win this award. The
timing is perfect as we, today,
launched our Skills Academy,
which came about from working
with fantastic Bridgwater schools. It
will provide work experience for
young people, support schools with
curriculum activities and ensure jobs are advertised
locally. We want to be a part of up-skilling the vast
supply chain in Somerset. Winning this award helps
16
Collaborative Innovation Award
Sponsored by the Open
Innovation Initiative.
The award was presented
to Gary Gabriel
Associates. Duncan
Clayton and Daniel
Kennard accepted the
award and commented,
“We really didn’t expect to
win this award, but we are
honoured to win and it means an awful lot to us.
Collaboration is something that is at the heart of the
business and it has really helped us grow through
these very difficult times. If you collaborate properly,
with the great companies around you, the innovation
comes naturally.”

Somerset Business Awards
THE RUNNERS UP WERE FUTURES FOR SOMERSET
AND GERBER JUICE CO LTD.
Marketing and Promotion Award
Sponsored by public relations agency,
ADPR,
The award went to leading insurance broker, Higos
Insurance
Services Ltd. Neil
Wyatt, accepted
the award and
said, “It means a
lot to be able to
receive this
award, especially
as the insurance
sector is a very competitive market. Through our
marketing, we try to differentiate ourselves from others
and put across the benefits of using an insurance
broker. The TV advertising was a risk, thankfully it paid
off.”
RUNNERS UP WERE HILTON HERBS AND HALL OF
NAMES EUROPE.
Business of the Year 6-50 Employees Award
Sponsored by EDF Energy.
The winner was Taunton
Fabrications Ltd and
Jason Rigby accepted the
award. He commented, “I am
completely blown away. I can’t
believe that we have won and I want
to thank our brilliant team for their
continued hard work. It is truly
fantastic.”
THE RUNNERS UP WERE PLUM COMMUNICATIONS &
PR LTD AND RUBIX SOLUTIONS UK LTD.
Energy Efficiency Award
Sponsored by Somerset County Council
against all the other
‘bigger boys’. When
visitors come to our site,
we get them to realise
how enthusiastic we are
about energy efficiency
and recycling at our site.
Thank you very much.”
RUNNERS UP WERE YARLINGTON HOUSING GROUP
AND POWRMATIC LIMITED.
Business of the Year 0-1 Employees Award
Sponsored by the Somerset
Chamber of Commerce.
The award was presented to The
Langport Leveller and Somerton
Sentinel and Andrew Lee
accepted the award. He said,
“Thank you very much. For such a
small company it is a
tremendous piece of recognition.
We only launched two years ago
and it grows every month. It is a
reader-driven business and I couldn’t do it without the
readers and of course, my wonderful partner.”
THE RUNNERS UP WERE ETERNITY CRYSTAL LLP AND
HALL OF NAMES EUROPE.
Business of the Year 2-5 Employees Award
Sponsored by Lentells Accountants.
The winner was Pardoes Bevins Human
Resources Limited
and Becky Bevins and Claire
Rowswell, collected the award,
commenting, “This award is
truly fantastic, it shows the
reason we are here and I must
thank our great team. It means
a great deal to us and shows
that our hard work is well
recognised. Our heart is
definitely in it.”
The award went to Thorney Lakes Caravan and
Camping Park of Langport, Richard England and
Sally Gilliam accepted the award who
commented, “I really wasn’t expecting to win, especially
THE RUNNERS UP WERE UNWIN SAFETY SYSTEMS
AND EVOSITE LTD
Cont…/
17

Somerset Business Awards
Business of the Year 51+ Employees Award
Sponsored by Higos Insurance
Services Ltd Co-operative Society
The award was presented to Clarke Willmott LLP and
Philip Allen and Kate Gardner
collected the award. Philip
commented, “Life is an amazing
adventure and our business
started with its humble roots in
Somerset. Since 1898, we have
now grown to six offices,
employing more than 500 staff. I
want to say a huge thank you to
everyone, including our private,
individual clients and the larger
businesses.”
WITH THANKS TO:
Presenter - Matt Faulkner BBC Somerset
Photographer - Charles Glover Photography
Media Sponsor - Somerset County Gazette
PR Support - ADPR Ltd
Trophies & Marketing material - Glyder Design & Print
Film production - Bridgwater College
Staging, lighting & AV equipment - Bright Productions
Musical Entertainment - Giles Adams, Character
Graphics
Flowers - Dotty Daisy’s Florists
Cheese Boards - Somerdale International
For the kindly donated raffle prizes;
Somerset County Cricket Ground
Mount Somerset Hotel
THE RUNNERS UP WERE YARLINGTON HOUSING
GROUP AND RADSTOCK CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.
18
Contact the Chamber Call 01823 444924, email manager@somerset-chamber.co.uk or visit www.somerset-chamber.co.uk

Next Events
Christmas Nibbles
Date: Wednesday 19th
December
Time: 16.00 –18.00
Venue: Equity House, Taunton
Cost: F.O.C
The Somerset Chamber of Commerce and
Clerksroom invite you to Christmas nibbles
at Equity House
Christmas is fast approaching and as a thank you for
your support over the past year and in a bid to spread a
little Christmas cheer, Somerset Chamber and
Clerksroom are inviting members and non-members of
the Chamber to join us for a glass of bubbly and some
Christmas nibbles.
Pop in for a quick glass of bubbly or stay for the
afternoon, we look forward to seeing you.
If you wish to come along let us know, email, tweet or
give us a call;
Email us: events@somerst-chamber.co.uk
Tweet us @ChamberSomerset
#ChamberNibbles
Tel: 01823 444924
Business to Business Dinner
Date: Tuesday 22nd January 2013
Time: 19.00
Venue: The Battleborough Grange Hotel
Cost: Members £28.00 Non-Members £38.00 (inc VAT)
Food Provided: 3 course meal + coffee
What better way to start the New Year, then
with our popular networking dinner!
The first Business to Business Dinner of 2013 will take
place in the North of the county at The Battleborough
Grange at Brent Knoll. Held in conjunction with
neighbouring Town Chambers of Axbridge, Highbridge
and Burnham on Sea we can expect to see around 50
people attend.
Guests will be treated to a 3 course dinner, and enjoy
the usual table moving format of the event that will
ensure that you get to meet as many people as possible
during the evening. There will also be adequate
networking time before and after dinner.
Past dinners regularly attract around 50 people to each
event, and we anticipate this event to be as popular. An
ideal way to begin the New Year!
Kindly sponsored by Positive Wealth Creation Ltd
For more information on any of our events, including sponsorship opportunities,
please email events@somerset-chamber.co.uk or call 01823 444924
19

Somerset Chamber Events Calendar
For more information on our events, including sponsorship opportunities, please email Sue
at events@somerset-chamber.co.uk or call 01823 444924
(All costs inclusive of VAT)
Ladies Christmas Afternoon Tea - Tuesday 4th December
Don’t Miss our last ladies networking event of 2012.
Time: 14.00 Venue: Mount Somerset Hotel Cost: Members £15.00 Non Members £20.00
Partner/Sponsor
Business to Business Dinner - Tuesday 22nd January 2013
Join us for our first business dinner of the 2013. Start the year as you mean to carry on!
Time: 19.00 Venue: The Battleborough Grange: Members £28.00 Non Members £38.00
Pension Auto Enrolment Breakfast - Thursday 31st January
Hear the latest on employment law changes including key information on Pensions Auto-enrolment.
Time: 07.45 Venue: Monks Yard, Ilminster Cost: Members £12.50 Non Members £17.50
Partner/Sponsor
Partner/Sponsor
Bank of England Update - Thursday 28th February
Partner/Sponsor
Join us for breakfast and an update from a member of the Monetary Policy Committee
Time: 07.45 Venue: Yeovil Town Football Club Cost: Members £15.00 Non Members £15.00
Meet the Chamber
More than 40 people joined the Somerset Chamber on the 25 th October in Somerton, for an opportunity to meet
the Chamber team and to have an update on all the services and benefits that the Somerset Chamber can offer
its members. Due to busy schedules, the Chamber team are not often together all at once, so this event really
was useful for those people who wanted to talk to each individual staff member about topics directly related to
their business, and staff offered assistance in return.
Representatives from Westfield Health and Axa PPP presented their companys and how the accreditation through
the British Chambers of Commerce can help save Chamber members money and create a useful recruiting tool by
way of private insurance.
As you are all aware, membership of the Somerset Chamber is an excellent way to stay up to date with all the
business developments within the county, as well as promoting and raising the profile of your company. If you
know of a company who you think would also benefit from membership of the Chamber please email
membership@somerset-chamber.co.uk
Images from the Meet the Chamber breakfast, Somerton
Call 01823 444924
For queries please email events@somerset-chamber.co.uk