ISSUE 1 Issue 7 www.shropshirebiz.comA BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS MAGAZINEFREE DSDGSLFD FDFDSFSGIFT OF THE FDFJ IFFDF DdfgGABB dfgdfgfg sdf RAISE A GLASS TO sddfdfdfd fdfgfgffdf WINE TRAILBLAZER fdgbdf gugioz xhg djsygc dygcdgfdfb Plus: Perils of the Best paid jobs Farming, technology Christmas party without a degree and manufacturing Pure Telecom have delivered every time Pure Telecom are unique in that they have a dedicated single point of contact for all aspects of our telecoms infrastructure – essential in the smooth running of our multi- site business. They respond quickly and really understand the way we work, giving me the confidence that as we grow our business they are the right partner. Mark Bebb Managing Director Salop Leisure For more information call www.pure-telecom.co.uk the team on 01743 244 933 e [email protected] @puretelecom /puretelecom Michael Place, Anchorage Avenue, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6FG Pure Telecom have delivered every time INTRODUCING THE TEAM Pure Telecom are unique in that they have a dedicated single point of contact for all aspects of our telecoms infrastructure – Pictured above: (back) Steve Oliver, Jayne Smallman, Nick Jones, Alan Brittain, Katherine Lear, Graham Mills essential in the smooth running of our multi- (front) Natasha Boaden, Chimene Felton, Jane Ward & Sarah Pryce site business. They respond quickly and really understand the way we work, giving me the s things get more complicated, why not entrust our team to helping you make brilliant decisions? A Senior Partner Practice with St. James’s Place Wealth Management, we can provide excellent service confidence that as we grow our business they whilst we benefit from the support of a FTSE 100 company. are the right partner. A We provide a comprehensive wealth management service, offering specialist face-to-face advice tailored to you. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: Mark Bebb • Investment Planning Managing Director • Inheritance Tax Planning Salop Leisure • Retirement Planning • Intergenerational Planning For further details please contact: NICK JONES Principal Tel: 01743 240968 For more information call www.pure-telecom.co.uk Email: [email protected] the team on 01743 244 933 e [email protected] @puretelecom /puretelecom Web: www.njwealthplanning.co.uk The Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner Practice’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Michael Place, Anchorage Avenue, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6FG 4 INTRODUCTION ISSUE 1 Issue 7 www.shropshirebiz.comA BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS MAGAZINEFREE DSDGSLFD Thank you for FDFDSFSGIFT OF THE FDFJ IFFDF DdfgGABB dfgdfgfg sdf you that’s the number one cardinal sin. RAISE A GLASS TO ell, what a way sddfdfdfd fdfgfgffdf WINE TRAILBLAZER We’ve been busily refining our fdgbdf gugioz xhg to celebrate our djsygc dygcdgfdfb distribution network over the past 12 first birthday – months to meet a growing demand, Wbeing shortlisted for the which is no mean feat with Shropshire prestigious Magazine of the being such a big old county. If you’d like to receive a copy, or Year title at the Midlands know of someone else who would, Media Awards, and going please drop us a line; but don’t forget, you can also download a free pdf Plus: Perils of the Best paid jobs Farming, technology on to pick up a ‘highly Christmas party without a degree and manufacturing version of the publication from our commended’ accolade! website. We’ve certainly been delighted with There’s been much talk over these how our magazine, and website, have past few months about the merits of Magazine editor: been received over the past year. We’re going to university, versus a potentially Carl Jones delighted that our esteemed peers in the [email protected] less expensive vocational option. Does it industry are equally impressed. really still pay to graduate? Online editor: On behalf of the whole team, I want Well, in this issue, we look at some Henry Carpenter to say a huge thank-you to everyone of the best paid careers available [email protected] who has supported us in helping to to workers without a degree . it’s make our debut year such a success. fascinating to see how closely these Editorial design and layout: But this is no time to be resting on mirror the areas where Shropshire Paul Naylor our laurels. Anyone in business will tell currently has the most severe skills Advertising: [email protected] General enquiries: [email protected] ONLINE Web: www.shropshirebiz.com Twitter: @shropsbiz 12 29 Facebook: facebook.com/shropsbiz Linkedin: Contents Shropshire Business 6 Perils of the party (shropshirebiz.com) 10 In the USA ISSUE 7: NOV / DEC 2017 12 New partnership 14 Grant funding Shropshire Business is published by Wiggly Worm Media Ltd. Reproduction of this magazine 17 15 Future engineers in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission of the editor. 16 Proud association The publishers have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information in this magazine is 17 Wine marvel accurate at time of going to press. 22 Your voice Wiggly Worm Media accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information 23 Follow the leader and material contained in this publication. 24 Renovation sensation The views expressed by our columnists are not necessarily those held by the publisher, or editor. 25 Fresh water idea Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company: www.magprint.co.uk 24 26 Bright future INTRODUCTION 5 a great first year shortages. Food for thought, there. host of expanding companies, all the the dreaded And from food, we move to drink for latest investment news in a month drink could our big interview this issue, catching up when the Chancellor unveils his autumn leave colleagues with wine entrepreneur Roger Gabb, budget, and reflections on the first nursing more than whose Telford-based company helped interest rates rise in a decade. a hangover the to change the way we buy our reds and But this issue wouldn’t be following morning. whites. complete, of course, without Not to mention expecting you to be Manufacturing, a look ahead to an equally generous boss when it’s pay transport and Christmas. review time! logistics were The office And given the current sensitivities the topics festive over potential sexual harassment cases, on the party is which stretches from Hollywood to the menu always a House of Commons and many points in at a delicate between, it’s more important than ever dinner balance to ensure you follow the rules which our hosted – shun it Shropshire experts lay down. by completely and However you are celebrating, we Barclays you’re accused of hope you have a great Christmas and and the being a miserable bah New Year, revelling in lots of reasons to Ironbridge Gorge humbug Scrooge who shatters office be optimistic about the local economy in Museums Trust, and we’ve got the morale. 2018. inside story. Lavish too much cash on an all- See you on the other side. Plus, you’ll find reports on a whole expenses paid affair, however, and Carl Jones, Editor 33 42 58 28 Peak of fitness 50 Getting the best from staff 29 Agent is a winner 52 Growing pains 30 Armed sevices supported 56 Retirement boost 31 Preview of centre 58 Public speaking 32 Celebrating small businesses 60 Canal plans 33 In need of a degree? 61 Christmas workshop 36 Beyond boundaries 62 Consider migration 65 38 Increase in rates 63 Coveted status 40 Manufacturing and transport 65 Major investment 42 Great visitor numbers 66 Energy solutions 43 Roaring success 67 Overseas courses 44 Firm grows 68 Hard earned cash 45 Sincere approach 70 Appointments 48 Balancing act 74 Going mobile 70 6 SPECIAL REPORT “Christmas parties serve several important functions, including a tool for employers to thank their staff,” says Phil Godsal of Iscoyd Park Drink and be merry - but stay professional By Carl Jones l Enjoy yourself l Get to know people from other areas of the organisation ant to hear a truly l Discuss personal interests frightening statistic? l Dance Apparently one in l Network with senior staff Wfour of us will ‘enjoy’ an illicit “But you can’t use the festive bash as an excuse to force yourself on the colleague snog at the annual office you’ve had a crush on for the last 12 Christmas party this year. months unless you want to end up on the Nothing wrong with an innocent cuddle, wrong side of a sexual harassment claim,” she adds. right? But just wait until the post party Posting unflattering pictures of your hangover sets in and your colleagues boss or colleagues on Facebook is also off remember exactly what you did and said limits. after having one Snowball too many. This, Ishbel says, could lead to a loss For all its attractions, the office of reputation and trust between staff, and Christmas party is fraught with peril for both in serious cases bring your employer into employers and employees alike. disrepute. And lots of them are down to the “Bosses should avoid the perils of dreaded booze. tipple-tattle – discussing office politics Ishbel Lapper, from HR Solutions and promotion prospects whilst knocking Shropshire, says: “It’s no surprise that back the booze in a less-than-confidential the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Ishbel Lapper from HR Solutions Shropshire environment.” Development reckons 10% of workers bullying, discrimination and other To be really on the safe side, HR know of a colleague who has either been ‘inappropriate behaviour’.