Featuring: SME News- Q3 2023 Research and Development Funding Specialists Set on helping small- to medium-sized UK enterprises with their cash credit and tax relief needs, Minerva Innovation Group is a boutique research and development funding specialist firm that has its clients at the forefront of everything it does. And, with a certain knack for assisting niche SMEs within a variety of sectors, Minerva Innovation Group has come to earn SME News’ title of Best Boutique Research & Development Funding Specialists 2023. On average, its clients are able to generate cash benefits equal to 2.72% of their turnover; 7.30% of their wage bill; and £1,333.87 per employee. Here, we explore how this came to be.
Welcome to the 2023 Q3 edition of SME News magazine, where we provide you with all the latest news, announcements, and features about some of the best upand-coming enterprises around the United Kingdom. As Q3 draws to a close, there continues to be a lot to celebrate in the world of SME. Autumn is too upon us and we’re delighted to be embracing the season of reflection and change. As such, this issue is packed to the brim with outstanding businesses hailing from a vast array of sectors who truly welcome transformation just like the trees welcome their change from green to orange. Our thriving enterprises are truly deserving of celebration, raising the bar for their respective industries, such as leadership mentoring and coaching, facility management, mortgage lending, recruitment, brand growth and marketing, and many more. Also among our award recipients is our Best Boutique Research & Development Funding Specialists 2023, Minerva Innovation Group, led by Director, Adam Pearce. It is a boutique company on a mission to help small- to mediumsized enterprises with their cash credit and tax relief needs. Discover how, with passion and drive, Minerva Innovation Group has come to help its clients reap in the cash benefits equal to 2.72% of their turnover! We at SME News hope you find the stories within these pages to be insightful and wish you a prosperous few months ahead. In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming you back again soon for our final issue of the year. Editors Letter Phone: +44 (0) 203 970 0018 Website: www.lux-review.com Rebecca Scotland Editor
Contents 6. News 9. Minerva Innovation Group: Research and Development Funding Specialists 10. OvationXL: Never Forget That You Are Unique 12. Smalley Hot Tub Services Ltd: Bubbling Hot Business 13. Specialised Orthotic Services Ltd: Best Special Seating Systems Clinical Services Provider 2023 14. St. James Facility Management: Best Bespoke Facility Management Services 2023 - Cheltenham 16. Vehcam Ltd: Safety Solutions Sorted! 18. Bluestone Mortgages: Best Complex Credit Mortgage Lender - England 20. Blue Bull Recruitment: Best in Class for Business Recruitment 21. Mood Bears: Because Sometimes We All Need Someone To Talk To 22. Ei4Change|: Accredited Online Courses in Emotional Intelligence 24. RedEye: Delivering Best-in-Class Marketing Automation 25. Innovate Accountancy Limited: Accountancy Practice of the Year 2023 - Suffolk 26. Mercer Marsh Benefits: A Fond Farewell 28. Vintage Sofa Co: Exquisite Vintage Stylewith a Sustainable Heart 29. AAA Caring Caretaker Ltd: Caring About Cleaning 30. Daniela Aesthetics & Beauty: Best Aesthetics Practitioner 2023 - North Hertfordshire 31. Ecrubox Digital: Most Ambitious Brand Growth & Marketing Agency 2023 - West Midlands 32. Adstral Fulfilment: Order Fulfilment Services That Transform Online Businesses 34. The Cloak and Dagger Tour: Most Unique Immersive Tour Operator 2023 35. ARVRA Wellness: Health and Wellbeing for Everyone! 36. 3Deo Ni: Helping People Make Great Decisions 38. Pure Physiotherapy: A Leading Light in Physiotherapy 39. Bark Like A Big Dog: Let the little dogs bark like big dogs! 40. Wayout Property Ltd: Property with Passion – Building with Realism 41. La Dante in Cambridge: Linguistic Excellence in Cambridge (and Beyond!) 42. Macsoflondon Medical Aesthetics & Cosmetic Specialists: Best Non-Surgical Anti- Ageing Skincare Clinic 2023 44. MCG Healthcare: A First for Primary Care Recruitment 45. Trident Search: Incredible Recruitment Services for an Unstoppable Industry 46. Blue Florist: Best Same Day Flower Delivery Company 2023 - London 48. United T & C Limited t/a Dormeo UK: Your Memory Foam Mattress Specialists 49. The Binge Box: Barnstaple's Leading Independent Bakery 2023 50. StaffSavvy: Staff Management Platform Developer of the Year 2023 52. Digital Devices Ltd: Best Independent IT Infrastructure Equipment Provider 2023 - Europe 53. CURNO LIMITED: Best Locum Management Platform 2023 54. Shore Stays: Best Family-Run Holiday Experience 2023 - Cornwall 56. Jason Threadgold Funeral Director: Best Family-Run Funeral Directors 2023 - Lincolnshire 57. Bobble Digital Limited: Strategic Digital Growth 58. White Event Production Ltd: The Main Event
Contents 59. Water Plus: Best Business Water Retailer 2023 - West Midlands & SME Environmental Excellence Award 2023 60. Paragon Marketing Projects: A True Paragon in Tele-Marketing 61. Maze: the Home of Incredible Luxury and Artistic Design 62. Prestidge Carpentry Building Ltd: Best Custom Property Renovation Company 2023 - Midlands 63. Perception Accounting Limited: A Vision for Better Finances 64. Lindley Forklift Training Ltd: Best Forklift Training Company 2023 66. Industrial Trading Solutions Ltd: Providing Expert Solutions for the Hygienic Sector 67. Vcheck Ltd: Best Vehicle History Checking Services Provider 2023 68. Birdfynn Accountants Ltd: Distinguished Tax Planning Services 70. The Verdancy Group Ltd: Green Pioneers Lead The Way 71. Hii communications limited: Bespoke, Empowering Telecommunications 72. The Cake Craft Company: Best Cake Decorating Supplies eTailer 2023 73. Tayyaba Jordan: Most Innovative Wellbeing Experts 2023 74. Halle Health: Best Domiciliary Care Providers 2023 - Walsall 75. EB Critical Engineering Services: Most Trusted Engineering Support Provider 2023 - Cheshire 76. Inicio Group: Providing Essential Support to the Vulnerable People 78. Needhams Nurseries: Best Family Run Wholesale Plant Nursery 2023 - Yorkshire 79. The Edinburgh Boiler Company: Renewable Specialists of the Year 2023 - Scotland 80. Estetica Dental Lab Ltd: Best Cosmetic Smile Design 2023 - London 82. Re-Source: Best Waste Management Sustainability & Carbon Net Zero System 2023 83. Arbor Cultural Ltd: Sustainable Tree Management Specialists of the Year 2023 - Southern England 84. Beautiful Wales: Best Luxury Holiday Cottage 2023 - Wales
SME News Q3 2023 | News Anymoment launches revolutionary experiences marketplace Platform to help businesses strengthen company culture as well as offer unique experiences for individuals Press Release: 26th September: Anymoment, the innovative experiences marketplace, has announced its official launch on 26th September 2023. The platform has been created to transform the way companies and individuals discover and enjoy diverse, curated experiences in offices, homes and at private venues. Anymoment, which will initially launch in London, as well as locations in Southeast Asia - Singapore and Phuket - will cater to the growing demand for team building and corporate entertaining, as well as experiences at home, post the Covid-19 Pandemic. In the era of hybrid working, team building is now a fast-growing sector with businesses focussing on elevating company culture as employees split their time between home and the office. According to the Team Building Service Report 2023*; ‘the global Team Building Service market size was valued at USD 3299.19 Million in 2022 and will reach USD 9929.66 Million in 2028, with a CAGR of 20.16% during 2022-2028’. Anymoment’s corporate concierge will support companies’ culture strategies with experiences that can strengthen teamwork, build interpersonal relationships and help grow affinity with themselves as employers. Founded by Mark Brimblecombe, a seasoned hospitality veteran, Anymoment was born during lockdown whilst Brimblecombe was searching for activities for his own family. Recognising how extraordinary, shared experiences impact people's lives, Brimblecombe set out to create a platform that ‘brings the thrill of restaurants, live performances and exclusive venues directly to your doorstep’. Brimblecombe's vision for Anymoment has attracted key board advisors and investors including Julian Persaud, the former Global Head of Operations at Airbnb Experiences and former Managing Director at Google Southeast Asia, and Ravi Chandran, the former Chief Executive Officer of Thailand's Laguna Resorts & Hotels. Their combined expertise will drive the development of a dynamic marketplace where members can effortlessly explore a diverse range of immersive encounters tailored to their interests, preferences and location. Anymoment offers team building experiences that ignite performance and build culture. From African drumming workshops to rockstar music studio experiences and wellness sessions that rejuvenate the mind and body - there’s something to get every team into an unstoppable rhythm. There are also experiences with well-known faces like football legends Liam Brady and Trevor Stevens, who will host talks and bring insights from their decorated careers, as well as dining experiences with distinguished chefs. Acting as a bridge, Anymoment connects passionate creators with those seeking unique experiences. Each one is meticulously curated by skilled and passionate individuals from around-the-world, ensuring that users can find entertainment, learn something new or indulge in a oneof-a-kind experience. Anymoment helped plan lots of fun entertainment to support our annual charity ball at the Savoy, where our team had the best time. A talented magician performed incredible tricks, a caricature artist sketched funny cartoons of us in under 2 minutes, and the star performance from DJ Jeremy Healy was fantastic. The entertainment made this year's ball the most fun one we've had! Everyone was up and dancing, and we had an absolute blast.” - Chitra, Chandran Foundation “I can take people on a journey. They may not have ever imagined doing this particular thing, and being able to do it at home with a click of a finger is what makes Anymoment so appealing.” - Vanessa, Experience Creator Following the initial launch, Anymoment will expand its unique experiences to more locations throughout the UK, Thailand, Singapore, and, next, across the globe.
SMEs repay over £5 billion in first six months of 2023 to erode pandemic debt pile • Bank of England figures on SME lending show net repayments accelerate to £5.3 billion in H1 2023 • Surge in borrowing to survive the pandemic followed by spike in interest rates driving growing urgency to erode debt Analysis of the Bank of England’s data1 on SME lending shows that through the first half of 2023 SME’s saw net lending decrease by £5.3 billion. The research by Ebury, the global financial technology firm helping to simplify international trade for SMEs, highlights the urgency with which businesses are now making debt repayments in the aftermath of the various COVID-19 loan schemes and the rising cost of servicing that debt. Through 2020, SMEs saw net borrowing spike to £43.9 billion – including £28.1 billion borrowed in the two months of May and June alone – to survive the pandemic amid unprecedented restrictions and economic shutdown. However, in 2021, SMEs made total repayments of £7.5 billion followed by a further £8.5 billion in 2022. The pace of repayments accelerated through the first half of 2023 reaching £5.3 billion as the cost of borrowing becomes increasingly problematic for businesses. It means since 2021, SMEs have repaid a total of £21.4 billion – 49% of the borrowing taken on in 2020. The majority of SME lending was provided through the government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) schemes, of which Ebury was an accredited lender. The Government’s own figures2 show that £25.9 billion was loaned out to around 100,000 firms under the CBILS scheme – under a third (30%) of CBILS facilities have been repaid. That business support was launched amid a broader package of help including additional loans, the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, capital repayment holidays, extended overdrafts and asset-based finance. Phil Monkhouse, Head of Sales at Ebury, commented: “The pandemic drove SMEs to take on an unprecedented level of borrowing in a bid to survive the economic shutdowns imposed to tackle the spread of COVID-19. “Three and half years on from the outbreak of the pandemic, we are still seeing the ramifications of the financial decisions businesses had to take to keep the shutters open. SMEs are continuing to eat into the mountain of debt, yet the changing macroeconomic environment has injected a fresh sense of urgency. “Many SMEs will be struggling amid the wider pressures on the economy, but the increase in interest rates pushing up the cost of servicing debt will be particularly painful. We expect to see businesses strive to pay down their borrowing as quickly as possible to minimise interest payments and get back into the black.”
SME News Q3 2023 | 8 a a a "Quote"
Set on helping small- to medium-sized UK enterprises with their cash credit and tax relief needs, Minerva Innovation Group is a boutique research and development funding specialist firm that has its clients at the forefront of everything it does. And, with a certain knack for assisting niche SMEs within a variety of sectors, Minerva Innovation Group has come to earn SME News’ title of Best Boutique Research & Development Funding Specialists 2023. On average, its clients are able to generate cash benefits equal to 2.72% of their turnover; 7.30% of their wage bill; and £1,333.87 per employee. Below, we explore how this came to be. Research and Development Funding Specialists Operating within a multitude of unique sectors, from veterinary medicine and farming to architecture, Minerva Innovation Group has set out to be the go-to for any SME looking to reap financial benefits through R&D cash credits. Not only is it looking to solve the lack of specialised financial service providers, but Minerva Innovation Group has showcased an overwhelming determination to set a new standard throughout the funding industry. This is accomplished through its vast wealth of expertise. Where scientists are able to provide technical R&D analyses, and accountants are able to produce tax calculations, Minerva Innovation Group manages to deliver both. As for how, Minerva Innovation Group expressed that this is only made possible through its comprehensive team of individuals, each equipped with postgraduate experience in the field of finance, science, or both. For instance, human medicine and veterinary medicine reports are drafted/reviewed by a doctor with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees as well as Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons. Combine this with multiple years of R&D funding experience, and you’ve got a collective that’s more than ready to assist every client that requires it. Minerva Innovation Group’s team consists of a range of R&D tax consultants, each accompanied by sector specialists who are able to truly understand where clients are coming from. All of its specialists are nothing short of professional within their respective fields of science, allowing them to leverage their knowledge in order to connect with each SME they work alongside. As a result, it has the ability to handle multiple sides of the R&D funding sector, all whilst adhering to equal amounts of quality and efficiency. It's this unique structure that truly makes Minerva Innovation Group unlike any other within the financial services industry. Its sector specialism is simply unmatched, granting it the opportunity to build a vast array of quality partnerships throughout a myriad of areas. One such partnership concerns Arioneo, for whom Minerva Innovation Group is its preferred funding specialist for all UK-based Arioneo Horse Racing clients. And, due to its presence in the horse racing field, Minerva Innovation Group has gone on to support HEROS, a charity focused on retaining and rehoming ex-racehorses in ways that are able to help children with special educational needs. This all serves to demonstrate an unwavering sense of passion throughout Minerva Innovation Group’s practises. It recognises the importance of quality and considerate R&D funding and seeks to deliver on all of its promises in the hopes that it can foster an undeniable sense of brilliance. We would like to extend our congratulations to Minerva Innovation Group for earning itself the title of Best Boutique Research & Development Funding Specialists 2023. Its work exemplifies the never-ending possibilities of the R&D funding industry, so long as you’re willing to find the right people with the right attitudes. If you can do that, then no goal is unobtainable. And, with such a resolute vision for the future, we’re sure that Minerva Innovation Group will continue to flourish and introduce its invaluable services to a plethora of new SMEs in the near future. Contact: Adam Pearce Company: Minerva Innovation Group Web Address: www.minervainnovation.co.uk/ "Minerva Innovation Group visiting HEROS at the annual 2023 sponsors and donors event"
SME News Q3 2023 | 10 OvationXL offers bespoke 1:1 leadership and business performance mentoring plus group strategy sessions, operating primarily within five business sectors: Law, Energy, Global Food Distribution, PR/Communications, and Education. It has recently been voted Best Leadership Mentoring and Coaching Provider 2023 – UK in the SME Business Elite Awards. Following this we had a chance to catch up with CEO Robin Johnson to find out a little more. First and foremost, Robin believes in making running a business fun again as happy teams are profitable teams. OvationXL is in the business of enhancing soft skills, although it is the first to admit that they are anything but soft. Quite the contrary in fact, as oftentimes an organisation’s growth and profitability can hinge on its clear communications plus creating truly distinctive service offerings – and that’s not as easy as you might at first believe. We all need to present ourselves in ways that make it easy for our prospects to pigeonhole us so they remember us whenever there’s a need. Whilst professional senior and middle level business performance mentoring generates a reliable Return on Investment within any sector, OvationXL chooses to focus. As Robin points out to us, it’s important that organisations don’t sow their seeds too thinly; advice he both offers and lives by. For example, he brings 20+ years’ experience supporting law firms in leadership, strategic and commercial thinking, focused rainmaking to streamline the attraction and conversion of profitable new business from the right types of client, teambuilding, public speaking, and much more to boot. Aside from law, OvationXL actively supports four other sectors. Each of these is critically important to society and the economy and all benefit from the hard-hitting, evidencebased leadership development that OvationXL provides. Every one of a candidate’s eight bespoke mentoring themes is measured against 470+ other leaders, allowing you to identify your true potential and how to get there. It’s exciting, tough, and laser-focused, so not for the fainthearted. It stretches you well beyond your natural comfort zone. The fast-paced initiative might cover motivational leadership ‘behaviours’, self-belief, negotiation and delegation techniques, advanced communication skills (something we all should have learnt about years ago), enhanced selfawareness combined with the awareness of others, plus something it calls ‘waste of time management’. Perhaps none of us realise how much time is really wasted in a day, so this topic is often a real eye-opener. The ideas help us all move forward from unproductive ‘busyness’. OvationXL might also cover advice on how to hold those difficult conversations that Robin has renamed ‘Solution-Focused Conversations’ that are easier to do, and much harder to put off and put off. In combination, the effect of OvationXL’s services magically fuse to help its business clients achieve greater efficiency and increased profitability. Valued long-time client David Pryce, the Managing Director of Fenchurch Law, even describes Robin as a ‘magician’. OvationXL follows a number of guidelines or ‘rules’ when it comes to promoting its own business to the wider market, and when advising clients on making improvements. The first of these is to take a narrow focus by not spreading yourself too thinly. Robin has witnessed too many companies taking a kind of scattergun approach to sales, wanting to be all things to all people and they usually miss their target. This is not an efficient way to work, and instead Robin uses the metaphor of becoming a sniper. He uses this line a lot during new business presentations and came unstuck just once when pitching to the Ministry of Defence. “It resulted in a deathly silence, but we still won the contract”, Robin quipped. The second important factor is to strive to be the very best on at least one aspect of what you do. Robin supplements his business knowledge by spending an inordinate amount of time reading books on business management, and researching the latest trends. This is how to stay ahead of the curve and succeed. The third rule for OvationXL means carrying a fairer share of the risks for your clients. Appointing new providers takes guts, so he does everything he can to ease the decision. For example, in addition to the eight hours of paid for mentoring that Robin and his team provide over three or four months, OvationXL offers ongoing advice for the next five years at no further cost – something that is surely unique in the mentoring industry. “None of our competitors would ever dare match this crazy promise that we have offered for more than 15 years”, Robin added. This winning approach not only proves OvationXL’s confidence in its ability to genuinely make a tangible difference to its candidates, but it provides a rich stream of high quality onwards referrals from delighted customers. Linked to the above is the need to know your subject inside out. To this end, Robin has written a 1,500-page manual capturing hundreds of issues brought forth by many of his 470+ candidates. This manual helps to provide well-structured mentoring sessions, and offers many different solutions for problems presented by current candidates. The fourth rule concerns bringing real world commercial experience to the table as a professional coach/mentor. This is essential to being taken seriously, as clients don’t want textbook learning, they value real life lessons. Robin himself used to run a multi-millionpound corporate communications agency in central London, and learned many lessons along the way that have stood him in good stead. The final rule is to mimic chameleons. Knowing that different buyers have different needs requires an agile approach, and makes interventions fun and interesting. OvationXL’s team often notice that executives are often working round the clock and yet failing to turn a profit and sometimes struggling with their health. It likens this working practice to a continuous pounding of the treadmill, that leads to devastating burnout, which isn’t what running a successful business should be about. In its experience of helping to turn businesses around, changes are almost invariably needed across multiple areas. Perhaps the ‘leaking bucket effect’ needs to be repaired, personnel conflicts addressed directly, or maybe the sales team are wasting inordinate amounts of time chasing prospects who are never ever going to buy from them, or falling headfirst into the auto-discounting bear trap. Almost invariably it is the combination of changes that are required to move the needle. OvationXL’s popular 1:1 in person mentoring service is invariably booked up for two months in advance which is a terrific and enviable position to be in. Of course, during the recent COVID-19 pandemic all work both within the UK and further afield had to be conducted via Never Forget That You Are Unique
“I can’t recommend Robin highly enough as a law firm leadership coach. He knows his market really well, and is highly effective at helping to bring clarity to difficult situations. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't benefit from his insights, and his unique and structured approach to coaching. He's a magician." - David Pryce, MD Fenchurch Law TEAMS or ZOOM, but now the company is back up again to 91% in-person support. This is usually preferable for both the candidate and the mentor/coach as it allows non-verbal signals to be detected more easily. With such a high client demand, it is gratifying to hear that Stephanie Boyce, the immediate past President of the Law Society of England and Wales, has just joined the OvationXL leadership mentoring team. Accomplished public speaker Stephanie provides services in change management, diversity & inclusion, executive coaching, and legal consulting. She is undoubtedly to be a tremendous asset to the busy team. Stephanie is to join forces with Robin and Linda Duberley. Linda began her career as a journalist on national newspapers before moving to Sky News as a presenter, Fox News as a foreign correspondent and ITV as a current affairs/consumer presenter. During her tenure at Sky News she moved across to the SMT to re-structure and run the broadcaster’s communications department. Finally, three months ago OvationXL launched a set of six economic training videos aimed at bringing on the skills of Heads of Department – one of OvationXL’s sweet spots. Several clients have taken out whole year licences and love them with several already re-booking for second years. The most popular video package includes one in-person two-hour presentation with Robin or one of his senior team so that particular challenges and opportunities can be discussed with the experts. As the world of business is changing under our feet, Robin feels that entrepreneurs have to be tenacious, and not let go in the face of initial failure. There are going to be bumps in the road, but when something isn't working it is vital to behave differently. Otherwise, of course, you're just going to get the same results. Whilst working with OvationXL is often described as tough, fast-paced and stretching, it is frequently described as being ‘results driven’, ‘transformative’, and ‘great fun’ – so hardly surprising that they picked up the prestigious Best Leadership Mentoring and Coaching Provider 2023 – UK in SME’s Business Elite Awards. Contact Details Company: OvationXL Web Addresses: www.OvationXL.com and www.leadershipeducation.co.uk Contact Name: Robin Johnson
SME News Q3 2023 | 12 Bubbling Hot Business Providing hot tub servicing, repairs, and sales, Smalley Hot Tub Services Ltd (Smalley) is a family-run business with its sole focus being on providing exceptional customer service. We find out more as it celebrates success in the SME News Business Elite Awards. Smalley Hot Tub Services Ltd repairs and services all makes and models of inflatable hot tub. With local customers that drop their hot tubs off to be worked on, Smalley also attends people’s homes if necessary in order to make the service as quick and easy as possible for customers. Additionally there is a courier service that the company uses to organise collection and return of inflatable hot tubs, as well as liners and pumps, covering the whole of the UK and Ireland. “We carry out work on inflatables and rigid tubs, as well as swim spas and hydro pools,” explains Justine Smalley, one of the firm’s owners. “It's incredibly important to us that no one is left without help – Every customer is just as important as the next and if help is needed, that's what we provide.” The company was born during lockdown whilst Justine’s husband, Chris was furloughed from the Royal Navy and had taken to fixing family and friends’ hot tubs for them. Before the couple knew it, word had spread and soon Chris and Justine were seeing all makes and models of hot tub being dropped off for them to reinvigorate! “By repairing these hot tubs, we were helping people save money by not having to buy new,” Justine continues. “We are stopping waste products going to landfill and we are building a legacy for our own family.” Having accidentally stumbled unknowingly on a huge gap in the market, business kept on coming and by 2021 the firm had branched out into acrylic tubs too – eventually leading to it becoming a retailer. Today, Smalley has become a brand that people can trust, a brand that not only services and repairs, it also sells some of the biggest names in the hot tub world, such as Sunbeach, Lay-Z-Spa, Intex, and Catalina, as well as a range of own-brand chemicals and other accessories. “Our customers are our number one priority,” Justine elaborates. “This is our main core value and we will not be beaten on customer service. We treat everyone how we would expect to be treated – with respect, honesty, and by doing right by them. Our repairs, workmanship, and parts used are all to the highest standard they can be. We will not compromise on these key factors.” The company is proud to be the UK’s only manufacturer endorsed warranty repairer (as of November 2021) and the warranty repair team for Cosy Spa, through Net World Sports Ltd. As well as this, both Chris and Justine have passed their FGAS City and Guilds certification to prove that they are as educated, trained, and legally compliant as can be. This acts to reassure customers that Smalley is qualified to not only install but also to carry out repairs and annual servicing, which is a legal requirement for pressurised gas pumps. Regarding marketing activities, the firm has an active Facebook page and website, as well as a presence on the Google business platform. This allows its customers to access the company for repairs but it also provides free advice to anyone that needs help with troubleshooting problems with their hot tub functions, chemicals, or usage. More recently, Smalley has started to install and supply air source heat pumps, which is a big step for and promotes one of its core values of making hot tubs affordable and sustainable too. “We work incredibly hard to ensure that the hot tubs we promote and sell are as energy efficient as possible,” Justine enthuses. “This is very important for our customers but also for the planet. Less energy means less cost for our customer and less damage to the planet. It is important to us to promote good, quality products that work well and are affordable.” In February this year, Smalley even launched its own customer loyalty scheme through the website where people can earn points to spend on future purchases through the online shop. “We wanted to give something back to our customers and also to help them out with the costs of running their hot tubs and maintaining their chemicals. Alongside this, we launched our Blue Light and military discounts with a 10% discount to all eligible customers. Again, a way we can give back to the people that support us and chose to buy through us.” Recently, Smalley Hot Tub Services gained notable recognition within the SME News Business Elite Awards 2023, receiving the title of Most Trusted Hot Tub Repair Company 2023 - East England. Now, as the future is looking bright, it seems the family-run enterprise has big plans for further developments. Having recently launched an inflatable hot tub warranty repair scheme that allows customers to pay monthly, the firm is now hoping to upgrade this to include acrylic hot tubs and air source heat pumps in the coming year, feeling this to be an affordable way to spread the costs of running a hot tub. Contact Details Contact: Justine Smalley Company: Smalley Hot Tub Services Ltd Web Address: www.smalleyhottubservices.co.uk
There’s an obvious ethos that frames Specialised Orthotic Services alongside its services and products: compassion. A mission to provide a genuinely life-changing experience to someone who needs it. Two of the team’s most prominent products and innovations are the P Pod, a beanbag seating system that provides full postural support for the user and the Miko with Flexi Seat – a modular seating system with pushchair wheelbase. Both are, without question, best in class examples of their type. But that standard is considered, in every way, the baseline for SOS. SOS are dedicated to providing a service that is second-to-none for specialist seating needs. They put their customers and clients at the heart of everything they do because they know that posture is incredibly important. With effective early intervention and continual clinical follow up, postural management can make a real difference to end users’ lives, their health outcomes, and their well-being. Their vision is to provide the best possible innovative specialist seating systems coupled with a quality service to their clients no matter how complex their needs. They achieve this by working closely with individuals, clinicians, and carers to prescribe products which deliver practical solutions ensuring that the end user’s needs are met to help them better face their daily challenges. But let’s take a closer look at the two incredible products we mentioned earlier, starting with the P Pod. The award-winning P Pod combines comfortable beanbag seating with the high level of support from a moulded seat. Available in 11 standard sizes or custom moulded it is one of SOS’s most popular products it fills the gap between comfort and postural support. It’s this sort of innovative design choice that has forged SOS’s formidable reputation in this industry. Secondly the Miko with Flexi Seat, created for family life on the move provides a comfortable, adjustable solution for daily postural management and mobility. A modular style seating system and buggy, the Miko Flexi offers a range of postural support options as standard and is available in two sizes supporting users from one year old and up. Ultimately SOS have created something special indeed, helping to drive momentum towards accessibility and the highest quality of care. For that, and many other reasons besides, the team were recognised as Best Special Seating Systems Clinical Services Provider 2023 – well-deserved in every way. Specialised Orthotic Services Ltd Contact: enquiries@specialorthotic.com Address: Unit 126-127, Fauld Industrial Park, Fauld Lane, Tutbury Staffordshire DE13 9HS United Kingdom (Great Britain) Telephone: UK: 01283 520400 International: 0044 1283 520400 If there’s one thing that is certainly becoming more and more prevalent across our culture and society, it’s the drive to accommodate and innovate for those that have additional needs. It’s overdue, of course. Yet, this movement is welcome, nonetheless. In this landscape, Specialised Orthotic Services Ltd (SOS) has become a true standout in this space. Best Special Seating Systems Clinical Services Provider 2023
SME News Q3 2023 | 14 34 | UK Enterprise Awards 2023 Apr23402 Best Bespoke Facility Management Services 2023 - Cheltenham Based in Gloucestershire, St. James Facility Management Ltd. delivers bespoke property services such as cleaning, security, maintenance, chauffeuring, and pet sitting, serving both corporate and private clients. To benefit the businesses and individuals it serves, the company is committed to maximising the quality of its work. Here, we take a detailed look at its offerings and how it works to consistently deliver excellence. For over three decades, Michael Judge worked in the security sector, providing a diverse client base with detailed threat assessments and cost-effective security solutions to effectively identify and counter any threats. He also gained extensive experience delivering security operations and training packages on behalf of governments and private clients across the world. Following this impressive career, Michael was inspired to found St. James Facility Management in order to improve people’s lives and boost businesses’ productivity. To do this, the company offers a range of 5-star services to corporate and private clients across Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. Firstly, the company provides commercial and domestic cleaning services, run by professionals who aspire to achieve the highest standards. Its offerings include housekeeping, regular cleaning, deep cleaning, one-off spring cleans, end of tenancy cleaning, contract and office cleaning, build cleans, and apartment block cleaning. Secondly, St. James Facility Management delivers security services such as mobile patrols, static guarding, loss prevention, gate house duties, retail security, CCTV monitoring, corporate security, and security training courses. All of the company’s security officers are highly trained in areas such as search awareness, surveillance, counter surveillance, emergency evacuation, and first aid. Before it takes on any new contracts, it conducts a full risk assessment to identify any notable areas of concern. Thirdly, St. James Facility Management provides property maintenance services, including plumbing, tiling, carpentry, electrical, flooring, painting, decorating, and grounds maintenance. The company maintains the highest level of competence and integrity in the work it does, so it has become a preferred supplier to many, taking on a range of essential and aesthetic jobs. Lastly, St. James Facility Management’s personal services include luxury chauffeuring, security driving, house sitting, and pet care. The company’s premium chauffeur services are available at any hour all year round, delivered by professional drivers who are utterly committed to ensuring that every journey is as secure, comfortable, and relaxing as possible. Its house and animal sitting services have also been hugely successful, always delivered with a primary focus on security, discretion, and reliability. Many of St. James Facility Management’s services are used by corporate entities as well as individual private clients. In recent years, businesses have started to favour outsourcing various non-core business functions in order to free up company employees to focus on their primary tasks. The outsourcing of facility management services is successfully used in various sectors, including the public sector, retail, professional services, healthcare, technology, logistics, manufacturing, and education. By working with a specialist service provider like St. James Facility Management, companies can focus on the core aspects of their business, boosting their overall operational efficiency. As well as this, they can trust that all tasks will be completed by experts, meaning that work will be done to a much higher standard and in a more efficient manner. Facility management is a demanding and dynamic profession. Those who work in the industry are likely to face consistent professional, interpersonal, and even emotional demands on a daily basis. A good facility manager learns to tackle these demands while continuing to serve the changing needs of their workforce. To this end, St. James Facility Management prioritises its demonstration of a number of key competencies. Firstly, it strives for technological creativity. When facing a multitude of new challenges every day, it is essential for facility managers to have the ability to seek creative solutions. Similarly, they must be adaptable and able to handle urgent situations in a cool, calm, and collected manner. Furthermore, facility managers must demonstrate a great deal of compassion and empathy. Many of their responsibilities focus on creating a happier and healthier working environment, so they must be able to put themselves in the shoes of their workers. This is essential for avoiding employee burnout and creating a more innovative, inclusive, and engaged workplace. Lastly, Michael believes in taking a data-driven approach to running his facility management business. He strives to add value by analysing things like facility spend, contractor performance, and quality of service. He then sets out to proactively identify cost outliers and specific areas for improvement. This is key to delivering the best standard of service to clients. As a result of the outstanding services it provides, St. James Facility Management has garnered an impressive 4.3-star rating on Trustpilot. Reviews praise the professional, skilled, and efficient nature of its security services, as well as the in-depth knowledge and extensive experience reflected in its training programmes. As well as this, corporate and private clients alike highly recommend both its cleaning and security services to others. Considering the abundance of positive feedback it has received, it is no surprise that St. James Facility Management has been awarded Best Bespoke Facility Management Services, Cheltenham, in the UK Enterprise Awards 2023. We congratulate Michael and his team on this accomplishment and wish them the best of luck in all their future endeavours. Contact: Michael Judge Company: St. James Facility Management Web Address: www.sj-facility.co.uk
UK Enterprise Awards 2023 | 35 Best Bespoke Facility Management Services 2023 - Cheltenham
SME News Q3 2023 | 16 Safety Solutions Sorted! Offering an innovative range of vehicle safety solutions, Vehcam Limited provides bespoke vehicle camera systems with the end goal of enhancing a company fleet’s security and efficiency. As the firm celebrates success in the Business Elite Awards 2023, we learn more about it from Director, Julie Hill. Established in February 2011, Vehcam Limited started out as a familyrun business and today it draws on more than 30 years’ expertise in the design, installation, manufacture, and supply of vehicle safety and security systems. Vehcam has produced a comprehensive, quality, and reliable safety product range for all vehicle types including HGVs, vans, cars, forklift trucks, and mobile plant machinery. The firm passionately believes in a tried and tested range of systems to aide and alert drivers, with the added benefit of identifying safety risks, whilst protecting and assisting all vehicle users including the driver, cyclists, and pedestrians. Vehcam’s hero product is a highly innovative vehicle camera monitoring system, offering up to eight cameras per unit, which can be positioned to suit a business’s needs. The product not only satisfies the increasing demand for a comprehensive system, it also helps to ensure efficient, safe, and secure driving. All the data is stored in a central UK data centre allowing clients access to their data whenever required, and the firm can review triggered video event files escalating driver behaviours as requested by the client. “Our system is not only about collision capture,” explains Julie Hill, one of the firm’s Directors. “It mainly focuses on safety and coaching driving habits in hope that it reduces risk taking driving behaviours. Our system is not all about looking for negatives as visual evidence can go a long way to exonerate drivers where a dispute is raised.” The benefits of using Vehcam include: vehicle camera technology; capture evidence in the event of an incident; reduce insurance premiums; records additional data such as speed, time, and GPS; combat theft and unsafe stacking due to the functionality of infra-red and motion detection cameras; mobile connectivity options to record incidents and GPS data; access data and recordings wherever you are, via the fully managed web based system; remote monitoring; telematics; compliance, safety, and security equipment; and managed fleet reviewing event service. The dedicated team at Vehcam are constantly innovating and developing new features to keep in line with the ever-changing government legislation, however it is client satisfaction that is the firm’s number one priority. “We are fully committed to giving great customer service,” Julie enthuses. “This commitment is reflected by our ISO accreditation which ensures that we maintain a quality management system along with our VCA Certification that puts our customers' satisfaction to the forefront of our business.” Recently, for its diligence and dedication to its customers, Vehcam gained notable recognition in the SME News Business Elite Awards 2023, being named Best Vehicle Camera Manufacturer 2023 - North West England for its efforts. Julie has some final words of advice to others looking to start up their own small business. “Hard work and commitment pays dividends in the end. Look locally for a Chamber of Commerce and become a member as they have a full range of knowledge between all of their advisors that are inhouse, and if they don't have the answer they might know someone who does.” Contact: Julie Hill Company: Vehcam Ltd Web Address: www.vehcam.com
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SME News Q3 2023 | 18 With the cost-of-living crisis in full swing, hundreds of mortgage deals were halted or changed as market turmoil took hold of the UK economy. This prompted concerns about higher base rates and how that could affect mortgages and their affordability. A recent study by FinancialReporter suggested that 45% of UK homeowners were struggling to cope with the increase in their household bills and, of course, rising mortgage costs affect affordability too, with many borrowers finding they cannot borrow as much as they'd like, or discovering that suddenly they no longer fit the standard criteria required by lenders. Bluestone Mortgages is a specialist mortgage lender specialising in dealing with adverse credit and complex cases. The firm’s varied range of products has been specifically designed for people who fail to fit the high street banks' traditional customer profile. Not only this, but the company’s service is special, too, as it promises to treat customers as individuals and make decisions based on their circumstances, not their credit scores. Bluestone prides itself on being able to offer residential products to those who've encountered unforeseen financial issues. People should not be prevented from achieving their dreams of homeownership due to experiencing a life event. “We understand each customer is different,” explains Steve Seal, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer. “For many people, getting a mortgage can be a challenge made even harder by the stringent lending criteria and automated underwriting of many high street banks. “As a specialist mortgage lender, we take our job very seriously. Therefore, we're committed to being a responsible lender, and our highly experienced underwriters will take a holistic view of every customer’s profile to ensure we consider their circumstances and give credit where credit is due.” Serving clients who fail to meet the ‘vanilla’ criteria laid out by high street banks is no mean feat, and Bluestone aims to help those disenfranchised from the mainstream mortgage market. The business works alongside mortgage brokers to help clients with complex credit profiles and find a solution with the best possible outcome. Buying a home is a big deal, and Bluestone Mortgages (Bluestone) is committed to helping make it happen. Whilst most mortgage lenders make their decisions based on credit scores, Bluestone Mortgages knows that this model doesn’t work if finances have taken a hit due to changing life circumstances. Instead, the firm works with its clients to understand their stories and provide them with accessible and flexible mortgages so that they can buy their dream homes. CEO Steve Seal enlightens us on the firm’s offering. To this end, the firm’s ongoing commitment to supporting customers with complex credit differentiates it in the mortgage industry. “With more people facing complex financial challenges, the business has invested in training on supporting vulnerable customers,” Steve elaborates. “In addition, to help customers struggling amid the costBest Complex Credit Mortgage Lender - England
of-living crisis, Bluestone proactively engaged with every customer, signposting them to charities if needed and encouraging early dialogue if they have any concerns.” Quite simply, Bluestone cares about its clients, and this has become even more evident as it attempts to successfully navigate the recent cost-of-living crisis that has swept through the UK. With more people facing complex financial situations due to the rising costs of everything, from food and energy to heating and clothing to fuel and lifestyle activities. However, even in financial difficulty, borrowers must know that options are available and that Bluestone can guide the way. Another industry challenge that Steve has noticed lately is that non-bank lenders are often funded through the capital markets and have experienced an uphill battle with the swap rates and market volatility throughout 2022 & 2023, eroding the expected margin on mortgage loans. The recent sale of the Bluestone business to Shawbrook Bank will provide the firm with significant support in overcoming this challenge. Steve quickly praises his dedicated team, whom he describes as “integral” to the business's success and daily facilitating of strong customer outcomes. “By leveraging human input at almost all customer journey stages, our team ensures our outcomes are clear, efficient, and robust,” he enthuses. “Our internal culture supports this; we’re committed to ensuring staff are professionally fulfilled and are huge advocates of internal progression and opportunity creation.” The qualities that Bluestone looks for in new talent include communication and technical skills, teamwork ability, demonstrable experience, and a clear synergy with the firm’s philosophies and beliefs toward supporting customers in the mortgage sector of the financial services market. Potential recruits must also possess the ability to be flexible and change with the internal and external factors (macroeconomic) of the industry, as well as respond to the robust governance and process management of it all to ensure that customers are well served. In particular, a skill that Steve feels is essential to the complex credit financial market is empathy, often lost in financial services when clients are viewed merely as a number rather than a person. Once again, this is where Bluestone differs. Recently, for its dedication and commitment to helping customers who have been adversely affected regarding obtaining a mortgage, Bluestone gained notable recognition in the UK Finance Awards 2022 and was crowned with the prestigious title of Best Complex Credit Mortgage Lender – England. However, this worthy accolade is just the beginning as Steve continues to tell us about the firm's future, including its exciting growth plans and initiatives, which include a robust product development pipeline with several offerings scheduled for release in the coming months and beyond. With the support of Shawbrook, we aim to accelerate these plans,” he says proudly. “Both organisations share a common approach of providing specialised finance on a large scale, combining technology, data, and personal interaction. “This fusion of models, leveraging technology and human touch, will deliver a seamless digital experience with fast decision-making and guaranteed funding.” Contact Details Contact: Steve Seal Company: Bluestone Mortgages Web Address: www.bluestonemortgages.co.uk
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