Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023
SME News is thrilled to announce the return of the Welsh Enterprise Awards. Now entering the seventh year, this annual awards programme highlights the hardworking SMEs in the Welsh nation. With over 290,000 companies registered in Wales, and January 2023 alone witnessing the launch of 1,683 new Welsh enterprises, the Welsh business landscape is continually expanding. Over 3% of UK businesses are based in Wales, many of which are new start-ups. In fact, Wales has seen the highest increase in the number of start-ups in the past 12 months, demonstrating that the Welsh market is going from strength to strength. The Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023 aims to showcase the companies that are deserving of recognition. Similar to the diverse nature of the Welsh business market, this awards programme recognises companies and individuals from a multitude of industries. So, whether you’re from the Scientific sector, based in Retail or building the future through Construction, the Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023 is the place to display your achievements. Regardless of your business background, the Welsh Enterprise Awards features the best companies in the nation and this could be your opportunity to present your accomplishments and establish yourself as an award-winning company. Editors Letter Phone: +44 (0) 203 970 0018 Website: www.lux-review.com Sofi Parry Editor
Contents 4. Totec Recruitment: Best Family-Run Recruitment Agency 2023 6. Sturgess Mortgage Solutions: Mortgage Broker of the Year 2023 - South Wales 8. Badger Ecology LTD: Most Trusted Wildlife & Environmental Consultancy 2023 10. Navigation Security Services: Best Security Services Firm 2023 12. Alcumus SafeContractor: Best Health & Safety Accreditation 2023 14. My Discombobulated Brain: Best Mental Health Advocacy 2023 15. Samson Drilling Services: Best Site & Ground Investigation Company 2023 – South Wales 16. Hair Clinical Ltd: Best Hair Loss Clinic 2023 - South Wales 17. Pentre Tech LTD: Leading Champions in Education Technology 2023 18. Pride Solutions Derby Ltd: Best Railway Systems Engineering & IT Support Company 2023 19. La Beauté Boutique Health & Beauty: Best Full-Service Beauty Salon 2023 - South East Wales 20. Auto Spares Wales: Best Local Automotive Parts Store 2023 - Gwent 21. Hexa Finance Limited: Most Client-Focused Financial Services Business 2023 22. Focus MEP: Excellence in Building Services Engineering 2023 23. Clear Out Cardiff Environmental: Most Trusted Environmental Waste Management Company 2023 - Cardiff 24. Metal Seagulls: Most Innovative Aerospace Engineering Company 2023 25. Jessie's Dog Hotel: Best Small Luxury Dog Boarding Kennels 2023 - North East Wales 26. RPW Radon Wales Ltd: Best Radon Detection & Reduction Specialists Company of the Year 2023 27. Atom Scaffolding Ltd.: Most Trusted Scaffolding & Construction Company 2023 - North Wales 28. Agxio: Most Innovative Life Sciences AI Technology Company 2023
SME News Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023/ 4 Founded in 1973, Totec Recruitment is one of Wales longest established recruitment companies, providing total staffing solutions for large scale projects across the UK and abroad. It is the agency’s mission to match highly skilled workers with employers requiring staff. Totec Recruitment is passionate about providing a qualitative service to both clients and candidates. In celebration of its 50 years of successful trading, Totec Recruitment has received our award for this year’s Best Family-Run Recruitment Agency. The company, previously run by the late Brian Phillips, originally began trading as Total Technology Engineering Ltd. as an employment agency of volume staff for projects completed by Totec’s Engineering Design consultancy and its engineering-based clients. Totec prides itself on its familyoriented approach, with four generations of the Phillips family having worked for the company. In its infancy, Totec Recruitment and Totec Design worked exclusively on supplying engineering and technical personnel to local oil refineries and Scandinavian oil field exploration companies. The business has received widespread acclaim within this field but has since diversified into other sectors to strengthen its market position. Totec Design originally operated as a part of Total Technology Engineering Ltd. but separated in 2000. The group has now earned a stellar reputation for providing high-quality engineering design services to the utilities industry. For over 30 years, Totec Design has partnered with major UK water utility companies and Tier 1 contractors working for Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. During this time, the company has completed the engineering and mechanical design of over 200 modular skid packages for worldwide usage. Totec Design remains a leading supplier of engineering design services to the steel and heavy engineering industries. In 2008, Totec moved to its new offices in Swansea Enterprise Park to further establish its presence and provide improved facilities for its staff and clients. By operating from the same group offices, Totec Design and Totec Recruitment can easily collaborate. Totec Recruitment is able to use Totec Design’s workforce to provide temporary and permanent employees to its engineering clients. Totec Design can also source engineers from Totec Recruitment’s candidates to use for its engineering design projects. During the 2008–2010 recession, Totec Recruitment was chosen to assist in the government’s job search program, which led the business to interview almost 1000 local unemployed professionals and provide them with guidance in their search for new employment. The program was soon expanded to include university graduates, whom Totec supported with one-on-one sessions and seminars. Totec also advised companies that were dealing with workforce rationalisation. Its straightforward ethos of maintaining strong relationships with its clients and candidates allows Totec to plan contingencies and foresee clients evolving needs. This strategic approach allows the business to provide efficient solutions to meet the recruitment needs of its clients and consistently deliver its cost-effective services. Totec serves several prominent clients and has established a long working relationship with many. Totec’s team of highly trained consultants is committed to delivering timely responses to meet the demands of its clients and candidates. Its professional consultants and support team deliver transparent advice to create a tailor-made total staffing solution. Totec has a comprehensive range of recruitment services available, including telephone interviews, screen filtering, reference checks, competence testing, and client/candidate feedback. At Totec, staff understand that looking for employment can be frustrating. It is the company’s objective to always provide a personal, welcoming service and offer consistently supportive advice throughout the recruitment process. Its expert team aims to help candidates secure a new position that suits both employees and employers. Totec offers every candidate reassurance that their CV will be handled by recruitment specialists with in-depth knowledge of their job role and sector. Prior to an interview, the team will inform clients what to expect and offer presentation help. Candidates will also be supplied with post-interview feedback. Despite the pandemic, Totec has experienced steady growth and been awarded new business by domestic and international companies. These companies work in the fields of oil and gas process design, equipment manufacture, wind turbine design and manufacture, renewable energy, steelwork, and water treatment technology, to name a few. Totec continues to specialise in the engineering sector but has Best Family-Run Recruitment Agency 2023 Left to Right in photo: Mike Barker, Dan Phillips, Tracey Eynon, Viv Phillips (MD), Rhiannon Lambert, Josh Phillips The late Brain Phillips (Founder)
expanded into other industries to support the development of the recruitment industry. In recent times, the recruitment industry has developed, and businesses have adapted the way they fulfil their customers’ demands. These changes have included remote working, further reliance on AI tools, and internal upskilling. Totec stays agile in its approach with customised contract agreements to suit individual needs. The company is a member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and adheres to all statutory guidelines, providing reassurance to all parties involved. By utilising the latest efficient database management systems, the company can ensure its maintains streamlined operations. Its hitech systems are frequently updated through candidate networking, new campaigns, and individual assignment searches. With its realtime technology, Totec is able to accurately match candidates to open vacancies and quickly assemble a highly skilled workforce. Totec recognises that the continuous hard work of its staff has paved the way for the company’s ongoing success. Through its employees’ steadfast commitment, Totec is able to consistently form new connections with clients and generate further business. These practices are fundamental to Totec’s future development and continued prosperity. 4theRegion, in Southwest Wales, is a purposedriven engagement hub and membership alliance. Through its membership, Totec helps to promote collaboration and empowerment for likeminded businesses in South Wales. The company has also recently joined the TEAM network, the UK’s largest network of independent recruiters, in order to develop supportive working relationships with other independent recruiters. The TEAM network’s support services include training, legal advice, legislative information, and TEAM exchange, where recruiters can collaborate and share candidates for mutual benefit. The future looks promising for Totec Recruitment as it continues to build on its 50 years of successful trading. The company aims to support its region by collaborating with businesses and organisations across South Wales. Totec Recruitment remains steadfast in its commitment to developing strong client relationships and continually striving for excellence. It is the company’s mission to continue providing total staffing solutions to companies across the UK and abroad for years to come. For its delivery of outstanding results and client-centric service, Totec Recruitment has received our award for this year’s Best Family-Run Recruitment Agency. Contact: Viv Phillips Company: Totec Recruitment Web Address: https://www.totec-recruitment.co.uk/
SME News Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023/ 6 The much-admired and highly recommended Sturgess Mortgage Solutions firm is so confident in its services, it promises not to charge a penny until its clients’ mortgage has been offered and approved in full. This is the sort of top-quality service you can expect from an estimable and acclaimed team that boasts over 60 years of industry knowledge and experience. It provides the highest quality advice throughout clients’ home-buying experience, and helps them to fully understand what is entailed in meeting appropriate financial aspirations. Sturgess Mortgage Solutions will always ensure that clients are given the right advice in all aspects of their financial lives. The company fully understands the vital need to thoroughly review financial circumstances, which is why it has a wider team of expert advisers it can draw on regarding such areas as pensions, investments, tax planning, wills, trusts, and estate agency services. The firm steadfastly believes in its core value to put its clients at the heart of everything it does. Every decision is carefully considered, and always made with the best interests of the client in mind. As the business has grown, this is a value that has remained unwavering as it is the major aspect that enables Sturgess to provide clients with a superlative service. Sturgess Mortgage Solutions prides itself on offering a one-to-one service to all its clients. It has multiple offices, which enables it to see clients face to face at a time and location that is suitable for them. In a world where it is becoming the norm to communicate via online and automated channels, Sturgess still believes that relationships built through traditional, face to face meetings can’t be beaten. It prizes the human touch as a crucial way of fostering trust, which is essential for people who are considering what is potentially the biggest purchase of their lives. That being said, it is of course delighted to be able to rely on technology when it comes to communicating with clients who live a little further away. This is what enables Sturgess to work with people from all over the UK, with the company striking the in person/digital balance just right. It determines to offer all clients choice, and adapts to provide whatever is most appropriate for their individual needs. “At Sturgess Mortgage Solutions we provide a quick, consistent and quality service ensuring that we always find the best mortgage to suit you.” As an independent firm, there is a built-in distance between Sturgess and its clients’ property purchase manoeuvres that just isn’t there for many estate agents attempting to run their own ‘in-office’ financial Swansea based Sturgess Mortgage Solutions is known and trusted for putting people and property together. The multi-award-winning broker offers independent mortgage and protection advice for clients spanning the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. Its overarching aim is to provide a holistic, bespoke service to a diverse array of valued clients. Mortgage Broker of the Year 2023 - South Wales
services. It empathises (to a degree) with such businesses, but worries that it must be very difficult to remain completely neutral given the fact that they are also acting on behalf of the house sellers. With Sturgess Mortgage Solutions there is no such conflict of interests, which undoubtedly makes it a better choice for many who feel more relaxed knowing their financial advisor is independent and separate from the house sale. In terms of industry trends, Sturgess Mortgage Solutions is cognisant of the fact that on the High Street more and more branches of banks and building societies are closing. It realises, sadly, this means that the general public are losing the ability to speak to someone face to face about issues that concern massive parts of their lives. Sturgess strongly believes that the personal, human side of business is absolutely key, and essential when it comes to making important decisions. That’s why it will always offer a face-to-face service, even during these uncertain times. Sturgess Mortgage Solutions is located in Swansea, which it eulogises as being a brilliant place to run a business. The city has many developments in place to assist new businesses, making the journey significantly easier for many. Swansea also has a diverse range of property options, spanning a wide array of different price points. This means that no two clients are ever the same, and makes for a very exciting workplace for the entire team at Sturgess. The company loves the fact that it is able to work with, and help, clients who come from all walks of life. As previously mentioned, one of the most important considerations at Sturgess is the premise of putting its clients at the heart of everything it does. To this end, whenever it is looking to recruit new members of staff, it is important to focus on finding people who like to help others. Knowing the job can be lonely at times makes it vitally important to have a reliable team who can work well together, help each other out, and push the business forward. The company is always keen to recruit people with excellent customer service soft skills as it stands by the adage that ‘people buy people’. In an industry such as property purchase/mortgage advice, this is a factor that becomes more important each passing day. Looking to the future, currently the business is working on a proposition that involves working with employers throughout South Wales to offer mortgage and protection advice as an additional employee benefit. It also understands better than many how important it is in troubling times to try and pull people away from digital price comparison websites and actually speak to a human about their financial needs. It is resolved to try and help employers take some of the stress off workers’ shoulders. On a final note, and in light of winning Mortgage Broker of the Year 2023 - South Wales in the Welsh Enterprise Awards, Sturgess Mortgage Solutions would just like to say a huge thank you to all of its clients, business relations and introducers who help it to help more and more people every day. It’s worked incredibly hard, in a short space of time, to build up some fantastic relationships with truly phenomenal people in the property industry throughout Wales. Ultimately, all it ever wants to do is provides clients with a high-quality, seamless experience. Company: Sturgess Mortgage Solutions Web Address: www.sturgessmortgage.co.uk Contact Name: Shaun Sturgess
SME News Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023/ 8 Most Trusted Wildlife & Environmental Consultancy 2023 Badger Ecology Ltd – a UK-based ecological consultancy – is set on providing ecological mitigation solutions for construction, civil engineering, Government level projects and disease mitigation. Join us as we explore the extent of Badger Ecology Ltd’s services, and how its work has contributed towards the construction and wildlife industry. Badger Ecology ltd - owned and managed by George Walters MCIEEM – is an ecological consultancy that leverages its team’s immense wealth of expertise to provide a variety of services and solutions alike. Comprised of an environmental project manager, whose experience in the management of public sector contracts within the ecological field and multiple experienced ecological consultants, Badger Ecology Ltd promises talent in droves. In turn, these wildlife professionals have equipped themselves with a deep knowledge of wildlife law and legislation – a quality that has assisted a host of clients throughout the UK. Having overseen over 300 ecological site surveys since its inception, Badger Ecology Ltd has garnered quite the region-wide reputation. Delivering services such as habitat suitability surveys, invasive species surveys, protected species surveys, preliminary ecological appraisals, ecological impact assessments, artificial badger sett construction and closures, ecological site supervision, project management, monitoring surveys, badger surveys, and bait-making surveys and tracking studies. Badger Ecology Ltd promises assistance in every vein. Its guidance is nothing short of exemplary, no matter the service, which ultimately places it in the perfect position to make a real impact to clients projects, both large and small. Though Badger Ecology Ltd has a wealth of services at its disposal, the one that truly distinguishes it as a collective wanting to offer tailored bio-security solutions to the farming community across the UK with its badger vaccination programs. As the name suggests, this method of reducing the spread of Bovine TB is simple. Once captured, the badgers will be injected with BCG, before being released back into their natural habitat. The aim is to greatly reduce the risk of Bovine TB spreading between badgers and cattle. Among its other services, this perfectly demonstrates Badger Ecology Ltd’s most differentiating characteristic – it’s a pragmatic collective that focuses on delivering solutions that fall in line with its nature. This is accomplished, all whilst maintaining a consistent level of environmental sustainability and innovation. One of its most notable examples is the badger-specific project management that it conducted on the A40 improvement works. By leveraging its extensive skillset, Badger Ecology Ltd has managed to secure a positive environmental impact on this project, all whilst maintaining a future legacy for Pembrokeshire’s wildlife in this area. Though its consultancy is small, Badger Ecology Ltd has already become an invaluable partner for some of the most significant infrastructure projects across the UK. This doesn’t mean, however, that it has neglected its duty to assist private landowners and small development projects – on the contrary, it has remained committed to a consistent level of excellence, regardless of who requires its services. Badger Ecology Ltd demonstrates an intrinsic understanding of the needs of individuals throughout the region, and has gone above and beyond in devising solutions that will have a lasting, positive impact on both people and wildlife alike. In addition to these impressive feats, Badger Ecology Ltd boasts a variety of further accomplishments that we are very eager to share. When we spoke with George Walters of Badger Ecology Ltd, he detailed how “… we have held multiple public sector contracts, ranging from habitat surveys, DNA hair sampling projects, badger surveys, and badger vaccination, which have all been delivered successfully. We are familiar with the needs and requirements of Natural Resources Wales, Natural England, the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, APHA and DEFRA and have completed work under protected species licenses for the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales over 140 times…”. Clearly, Badger Ecology Ltd holds an unwavering commitment to providing expert solutions to its clients. Badger Ecology Ltd stands as proof that people and nature can work in harmony, as opposed to disrupting one another’s lives. It promises solutions that are founded on dedicated research, extensive expertise. Badger Ecology Ltd stands as an exception. Through delivering services that are both incredibly accessible, and filled to the brim with passion, it exemplifies a drive to invite change, without having to drastically alter a natural pattern in order to achieve it. It’s for this reason that we are incredibly excited to share that Badger Ecology Ltd has a multitude of plans that it looks to bring to fruition in the coming years. Having recently won a Welsh Government contract to vaccinate badgers as part of a farm biosecurity drive in Anglesey. The project, as with Badger Ecology Ltd’s current operations, aims to reduce the spread of Bovine TB within the area, and will run until 2026. Truly, Badger Ecology Ltd has a brimming future ahead of it, and we can’t wait to see how its services continue to improve the state of the region’s ecology. For too long has Bovine TB been widely viewed as an impassable obstacle. Thanks to consultancies like Badger Ecology Ltd, badger vaccination programs seem to have become the new solution. Contact: George Walters Company: Badger Ecology LTD Web Address: https://badgerecology.co.uk/
SME News Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023/ 10 Navigation Security Services was opened by Managing Director David Jones in December 2005. For David, the intention behind this endeavour was to open a local company, run by local people, brimming with local knowledge. Cynon Valley, where the firm is located, is a deprived area with a high level of unemployment, so through the curation of Navigation Security Services, the company has been able to remedy this matter and give back to its local community. Both David and Head of Contracts & Sales Rhys Edwards possess a background in the military, and thus boast a unique perspective of what is required from a security service and its systems. We speak with Rhys to learn more about the how the firm operates and the ways its services can be successfully implemented to suit client needs. With more than 50 years of combined knowledge and experience of the security industry between Navigation Security Services’ directors and management team, the company prides itself on an innate ability to offer a bespoke security service that can be tailored to each individual client. In the nearly two decades since its inception, the company has worked incredibly hard to establish itself as a key player in the security field and has collaborated with some major blue-chip companies thanks to its excellent track record of staff and client retention. The firm offers an unparalleled host of security services to every potential client, inclusive of static site security, mobile patrols, key holding, and guard dog handling. Through its partner company Navigation Security Cameras, customers can also utilise rapidly deployed CCTV solutions. Moreover, the company’s unbridled commitment to safety has resulted in a free site survey and risk assessment being implemented prior to any site security being carried out, and this is then all included in the on-site assignment instructions, assuring everyone is well-versed in all of the details and nuances. A 24-hour control room comprises a key component of the company’s professional and accountable offerings, and it is available for the firm’s officers and clients to access at any time. Although the company is based in Wales, Navigation’s expert team of officers can be deployed anywhere in the UK on relatively short notice, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. This showcases a keen commitment by the team to their craft and reinforces customer safety as underpinning the business’ ethics. David has always been keen to grow Navigation Security Services and expand it into the successful business that it is today. Early on in the company’s lifecycle, it was realised that constant interaction with clients was the key to success and thus the way forward for the firm. While other companies seem keen to focus solely on the present, the Navigation team are determined to craft on-going and lasting relationships across the board. As a direct result of this philosophy, the company has nurtured partnerships with clients that stem 15 years or more. Navigation Security Services spends a great deal of time researching and developing as a company, allowing for the time and the means to effectively differentiate itself from the competition. Rhys explains, “while looking at industry competitors, we quickly realised what they were lacking and what we needed to make our guarding different”. Following on from this, body worn, client-led PPE was added as a part of the service, and upon realising that most security companies are reliant on third party CCTV towers, the firm decided to develop its own, with the carbon neutral manufacturing of towers now taking place in Wales. Navigation’s body of work is incredibly impressive, with work having been carried out on projects that are on both national and international scales. Chief among these is the company’s providing of services for the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The firm was approached by G4S and asked to assist in safeguarding the football games held in Cardiff. In just a 24-hour window, more than 20 officers were deployed to cover the Marriott and Hilton hotels, where the players stayed. Ultimately, this was a testing time for officers, who had to quickly settle into their roles in front of the public and media. Moreover, Navigation has provided its security services to the shared site of the Royal Welsh Show and South Wales Kennel Club events for more than ten years now, with these events seeing in excess of 3000 attendees. Officers supplied are required to check all vehicles entering and leaving the site, as some of the display dogs are incredibly value and prime candidates for theft. The teams at these events consist of 18 officers in the day and 10 at night, and the same team has been deployed year-onyear as they are familiar with the site and event organisers. Likewise, the Navigation team proudly supplied both static and mobile security for Balfour Beatty while it was working on the government’s HS2 project. During this tenure, the company’s team of officers were consistently having to deal with protestors and demonstrators and were frequently bombarded with an array of both verbal and physical assaults. Other challenges included the factor that the works that were often carried out on sites that intercepted overhead pylons, so all officers were made to undergo extensive training to guarantee they could work safely and compliantly on the sites. Outside of its exceptional security services, the company has always looked to give back to charity, and to this end, free Best Security Services Firm 2023
security has been provided to charity and fundraising events, such as a bonfire that occurred shortly after Covid-lockdown, that saw all proceeds raised be given to Cancer Research. Furthermore, Navigation has donated generously to its local Santa Appeal charity, which distributes selection boxes to children across the Cynon Valley. Additional sponsorship efforts undertaken by the business are the supporting of a local football team, which would have ceased to exist without the sponsorship, and local professional boxer Kieran Jones. In the same vein, Navigation has recently opened a boxing gym that is specifically designed to support the local youth communities, in an area where a distinct lack of after school activities was present. This project was a great success, and the firm thus decided to open the gym up to adult classes that promote exercise and mental well-being throughout the community. Thanks to a stellar reputation in the local area on the back of these noble projects, the company was approached by DWP and Tydfil Training and Communities to aid and remedy local employment issues. Recently, Navigation has affiliated itself with the Disability Confident programme, something that it has been highly commended for by its clients, big or small. The company being recognised as a firm that does things right is the culmination of many years of growth and hard work. Today, Navigation Security Services has the privilege of servicing many clients, from blue-chip down to start-ups and one-off events. Rhys’ heartfelt response that this award means the world to the company, is testament to its modest and integral nature, which is sure to lead to continued success for the next 18 years, and beyond. Contact Details Contact: Rhys Edwards Company: Navigation Security Services Web Address: https://www.navigationsecurity.co.uk/
SME News Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023/ 12 Best Health & Safety Accreditation 2023 Alcumus SafeContractor strives to provide organisations with clear and consistent visibility in relation to their supply chains, assisting them in the mitigation of financial and reputational risk, in turn saving them vital time and money. Through an innovative, user-friendly digital platform, organisations are provided an accurate account of its on- and off-site suppliers, allowing for a baseline of its compliance in such essential areas as SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement), ESG, and of course, health & safety. The SafeContractor platform also provides organisations access to more than 35,000 verified suppliers and accredited contractors across a diverse range of specialties, allowing for the sourcing of safe, compliant, and ethical partners. We speak with Gemma Archibald, CEO at Alcumus SafeContractor, to find out more about the operation of the business and how it continues to thrive in the marketplace. For more than 20 years, Alcumus SafeContractor has been supporting hiring clients as well as onsite and offsite suppliers, today working with over 55,000 organisations globally. Through its groundbreaking supply chain management solution platform, clients can help reduce their risks and manage events across the supply chain, whether anticipated or not. Endlessly beneficial, the firm provides businesses with the peace of mind that their supply chain is both secure and resilient, with contractors given a platform to demonstrate that they meet the necessary health and safety requirements, as well as a host of other factors such as diversity, equality, and sustainability, all in one handy and easy to use product. Boasting the largest team of in-house health, safety, and ethical auditors in the UK, Alcumus SafeContractor’s overarching vision is “to create a better working world with the safest, most ethical global network of responsible buyers & suppliers.” The company’s technical experts support suppliers and contractors in the collating and submitting of all necessary compliance documentation to its digitalplatform, and all team members adhere to the company’s core values, which include knowing your stuff, being a team player, being brave, and most importantly, enjoying the journey. Organisations have traditionally been concerned with their suppliers’ compliance regarding health and safety legislation. More recently however, Alcumus SafeContractor has seen an increased demand from clients to manage their suppliers’ commitment to ESG-related topics, inclusive of carbon reporting, human trafficking, forced labour, and equality and diversity. With an ever-increasing number of consumers and investors choosing to take their business to companies that possess upstanding moral and ethical values, organisations have a greater need now than ever before to demonstrate their commitment to these principles. Having continuously developed its supply chain compliance solutions to keep up with shifts in attitudes and industry trends, Alcumus SafeContractor is able to ensure its clients can effectively capture these evolving requirements. With fierce competition in the sector, Alcumus SafeContractor has adopted an array of strategies to differentiate itself and establish a reputation as a company at the forefront of the market. One key method to achieving this is the company’s team of in-house technical experts, all qualified and experienced health and safety professionals who rigorously audit their clients’ supply chains, improving important areas such as health and safety, to meet their desired standards. Another noteworthy way this is undertaken is through a comprehensive supplier onboarding process. By taking this task off their clients, they are left completely free to focus on other critical tasks, while remaining assured that the experts have got things covered. Moreover, the firm is set apart by its credentials, boasting the claim of being one of the first SSIP registered members to become UKAS accredited, opening the company up to a higher degree of external scrutiny to ensure operations are running smoothly. Alcumus SafeContractor is also, “absolutely fanatical about delivering a great service”, with every client afforded a customer success manager who offers guidance and possesses the ability to answer any and all questions. Alcumus SafeContractor also comprises an independent health & safety and HR consultancy solution, SafeWorkforce, designed to help organisations understand and meet their H&S and HR requirements. SafeWorkforce provides businesses with the tools to proactively reduce risks to their employees and to their business while strengthening policies and equipping teams to implement them throughout the organisation. As a company that celebrates its nationality and Welsh status, Alcumus SafeContractor is exceptionally proud to have the privilege of interacting with Welsh people on a daily basis. From employees to clients, Welsh people are famous for their kind demeanour and being pleasant to do business with. Moreover, the firm works tirelessly to ensure that local Welsh suppliers are used wherever possible, taking a proactive approach to the managing of its global footprint while simultaneously being able to support local business and SMEs wherever possible. Never content to settle, Alcumus SafeContractor offers a fast-paced and ambitious environment that is always striving for more. The expert team is passionate about truly understanding their customers, making sure that the products and propositions for success are at their disposal and that all of their evolving needs can be effectively and efficiently catered for. Through this approach, the company has experienced growth year-on-year, and this is down to its magic ingredient – its amazing people. Some of the brightest talent in the country is recruited, and a culture is fostered that nurtures innovation and fresh ideas every single day. Looking ahead to the future, Alcumus SafeContractor assures that it has an array of exciting projects in the pipeline to be announced and introduced over the next three years or so. From global expansion through to expanding its portfolio of products and clients, the future is certainly bright and filled with endless opportunity. Gemma encourages anybody who is interested in the company’s services to regularly visit its website and social media platforms for exciting updates. Whatever the future of the company has in-store, its commitment to providing stellar health and safety and SSIP accreditation, combined with an unwavering dedication to excellent customer service and recruiting and nurturing the best and brightest talent Wales has to offer, stands the company in excellent stead for the future. Alcumus SafeContractor is more than deserving of this award for its outstanding solutions, which are sure to continue to innovate and revolutionise the industry. Contact: Karina Hicks Company: Alcumus SafeContractor Web Address: https://www.safecontractor.com/
SME News Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023/ 14 Best Mental Health Advocacy 2023 Looking after our mental health is incredibly important, and so is knowing where we can turn to as a business to help support ourselves and our employees. Founder of My Discombobulated Brain, who have won a title in the Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023, Laura Jane Dernie shares how they can help. Growing up, Stone Cold Steve Austin was my favourite wrestler and "discombobulated" is his favourite word. He says that his brain is discombobulated from being beaten around the head with too many steel chairs. My brain is discombobulated from a chemical imbalance which has caused a mental illness…and that is how we got our name, My Discombobulated Brain. I started My Discombobulated Brain, or MDB as we call it for short, after my personal mental illness struggles following the birth of both my children. However, this was not my first experience of it. My best friend Jonathan took his own life when we were just eighteen years old. With 1 in 4 people suffering from a mental health condition, we all have a story we can share, whether we suffer directly or know someone who does. This is why we will only ever use real people’s stories told from their point of view, in order to help others see that they are not alone. “Knowing that people get what it's like makes me feel more comfortable about what I experienced and still experience today; knowing that people also need help, just like I did at my lowest point, keeps me pushing forward. I love MDB because it helps me to be me - quirks and all - but also helps me have the confidence to help other people too.” – Alex We believe in educating people about the difference between mental health, which everyone has, and mental illness, which not everyone has. Mental illness is usually something that needs treatment through a medical or trained professional, however, mental health is something that we all have and need to look after like we would any other part of our bodies. Our free geolocation app is the first of its kind to provide users with the nearest location that will provide a safe space, mental health first aid, youth mental health first aid or medical support as they need it. The initial launch in Cardiff has been very well received and we are looking for partners and businesses to help us expand it to other areas. We have signed up partners such as Lush, Brewdog Cardiff, Waterstones, Museum of Cardiff, St David’s Hall and more. We want to expand further into the UK and then worldwide. We run several projects, from our innovative support app, work with schools and business mental health auditing, support, and mental health first aid training. We are also working on our pioneering mental health support at festivals and other public events. We run purely on donations, grants, and sponsorship, so any support is gratefully received. To continue our work, we want to partner with businesses across the UK, as well as assist them with their own mental health strategies, policies, and support for their employees. It is through partnerships with businesses, like yours, that allows us to do the work that we do. We have so many ways that you can support us to not only continue our work but to grow and help more and more people. For more information on how you can help us, or we can help you, please, contact me directly at Laura@mydiscombobulatedbrian.com Contact: Laura Jane Dernie Company: My Discombobulated Brain Web Address: https://mydiscombobulatedbrain.com/
Samson Drilling Services has been providing exemplary site and ground investigation solutions across the UK for more than 20 years. The firm offers a host of engineering services inclusive of site and ground investigations, soil/rock testing, geotechnical services, contaminated land surveys, cable percussive boreholes, settlement calculations, phase 1 investigations, and dynamic probe testing. Having proudly worked across the UK in a host of sites including power stations, transformer sites, railways, motorways and roads, as well as over water and on environmental sensitivity sites, the team are well-experienced in tackling projects of all shapes and sizes. We speak with Founder Paul Osborn, to learn more about the business and its three decades of success. Best Site & Ground Investigation Company 2023 – South Wales Paul started his business in 1995, carrying out site investigation across a host of UK sites, and boasting an impressive portfolio of projects such as working on the London 2012 Olympics, as well as carrying out investigations for the M4 relief road and Hereford bypass. Stemming from this wealth of experience is a diverse list of clients across the UK, all utilising Samson Drilling Services’ unparalleled experience levels. For Paul, the success of the business lies in his core principle of carrying out the required work to specification with as little disruption as possible. Through this exceptionally high standard of efficiently delivered work, the company has established a network of satisfied clients whose needs are always catered for. Moreover, all employees at Samson Drilling are fully qualified up to an NVQ Level 2, hold current and valid CSCS cards, and are PTS trained. This is in addition to possessing the added benefit of BESC and National Grid training qualifications, so clients can remain rest assured in the company’s promise to provide nothing less than the best. Quality and reliable service is always delivered, with excellence strived for in every project. Echoing the immortal words of John Ruskin, the firm believes that a client’s decisions regarding their project should not be made on cost alone. As Ruskin once said, “If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.” This approach serves to underpin the ethics of the business, as while its costs are reasonable and competitive, the high calibre of service a customer will receive cannot be adequately substituted for a lower price. As a proud Welsh company, Paul and the team stay up to date on the latest developments in their region and wider country, in order to remain an organisation that is at the forefront of the industry. Currently, Wales is seeing a trend towards rotary drilling services, but with the Welsh Government simultaneously cutting infrastructure projects, a decline in work has been experienced across the sector. Despite this, there are several key benefits to being a Wales-based organisation. Of course, it is a great place to live, but the relationship Wales has with the UK has meant that Samson Drilling has formed some great partnerships with local companies that have utilised the skills of Paul and the team and kept the company thriving for almost 30 years. However, the recent changes in speed limits across the country to 20mph has not only impacted Samson Drilling, but a plethora of other companies relying on travel as well! In order to stimulate success across the board, the company adopts an internal culture of fairness, equality, and safety at all stages of its operations. To this end, Paul is adamant that he would never ask an employee to carry out a task that he would not do himself. With this ethos, plans for the future are now, and always have been, to work hard with the repertoire of great clients that the company has amalgamated from more than 28 years of service. A recent project that the team have been working on is the redevelopment of Mumbles Pier in Swansea. When this is completed, it will be a major boom for Wales, and the team are immensely proud to have been involved in a project of this calibre. Speaking on behalf of Samson Drilling’s continued successes, Paul explains, “I feel very humble to have received this award which would not have been possible without the support of the various companies I have worked with, so thank you for all of your support over the past 28 years.” Contact: Paul Osborn Company: Samson Drilling Services Web Address: https://www.samsondrilling. com/default.htm
SME News Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023/ 16 Best Hair Loss Clinic 2023 - South Wales Hair Clinical is on a mission to help clients fall back in love with their hair. The clinic provides diagnoses and treatments for those struggling with hair and scalp issues. With many affordable and effective treatment options available, Hair Clinical is passionate about working with clients to bring new life to their hair. Here we learn more about Hair Clinical and Founder Lisa Thomas who has recently taken on a clinic in Harley Street and made her trichology dreams come true. Based in West Wales, Hair Clinical is Pembrokeshire’s first and only accredited Trichology clinic. The company has grown from humble beginnings to offer its lifechanging solutions to people suffering from hair loss and scalp issues within its community. Founder Lisa Thomas began her journey to becoming a trichologist when she was seven years old. Due to a scalp condition, Lisa has, on occasion, experienced hair loss herself. She understands the worry that people suffer with hair loss, giving her empathy with her patients. Through extensive research about her condition, Lisa discovered the profession of Trichology. Although unable to leave her job at the time, Lisa ultimately undertook several years of studying to qualify with the International Association of Trichologists (IAT). In 2019, Lisa made the brave decision to open a clinic in West Wales. She chose to build the business in her local area in order to help patients within her own community. Four years later, Hair Clinical has established itself as a pioneer in its industry and aims to exceed clients’ expectations through its products, treatments, and consultations. The clinic’s location is ideally suited to offer clients privacy when visiting, with a restricted car park behind the building. As the only Trichologist in West Wales, Lisa’s services are in high demand, with referrals from GPs and dermatologists. Over the course of four years, the clinic has successfully treated hundreds of patients and will continue to expand its reach to help more people rebuild their confidence. Hair Clinical offers a full in-house diagnostic and therapy suite that includes Laser Therapy, Digital Imaging Consultations, Steam Therapy, Laboratory Diagnosis, Micro Needling, Scaly Scalp Treatments, Hair Loss Stabilising Solutions, and much more. The clinic delivers its therapeutic offerings by utilising advanced technology and highquality equipment. A home-rental option will soon be introduced for patients unable to afford the machines themselves. The first of its kind in West Wales, Hair Clinical has also recently launched its new wig service. This year, the company began fitting undetectable prosthetic pieces for patients with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia. The clinic is passionate about improving the lives of those suffering from hair loss with its beautiful, human-hair wigs. Hair Clinical has further expanded its Trichology offering to include more phototherapy treatments with its Dermalux machine, a clinically proven treatment designed to promote skin and scalp health. It is Hair Clinical’s fundamental concern to deliver the highest level of clinical care and safety to its patients. The clinic is dedicated to consistently providing an excellent standard of customer care. Founder Lisa Thomas recognises that every patient has been on a unique journey. Individuals often experience years of denial and GP rejection before finally accepting their hair loss. From first contact, Hair Clinical’s professional team aims to reassure new patients and book an initial consultation to identify their worries and concerns. The client’s hair and scalp are examined, and a personalised treatment plan is designed after the first appointment. Hair Clinical believes it is important to build collaborative relationships with GPs and provide education. The relationship is mutually beneficial, with GPs able to refer patients to the service and the clinic able to obtain blood tests and medication. All patients receive follow-up consultations to see how their treatment is progressing. In recent developments, Hair Clinical has rented out a new premises in order to create more wigs to support Oncology patients. Hair Clinical has used the additional space to build a prosthetic fitting area and more treatment rooms. Hair Clinical works hard to maintain relationships with leading UK dermatologists and GPs to offer its patients high-quality solutions. The clinic continues to produce amazing hair regrowth with its suite of therapeutic offerings. Lisa Thomas is dedicated to further expanding the clinic’s services and products to reach more clients and help them fall back in love with their hair. For its clientcentric approach and exceptional customer care, Hair Clinical has received our award for this year’s Best Hair Loss Clinic - South Wales. Contact Details Contact: Lisa Thomas Company: Hair Clinical Ltd Web Address: hairclinical.co.uk Telephone: 01437 764144 / 020 7299 0396
For organisations of all kinds, it is essential that technology works when it’s supposed to. This is especially true in education, where technical difficulties can take precious learning time away from children and young people. However, the reality is that things will probably go wrong at some point in time. In these difficult situations, schools and businesses alike need to have access to a responsive IT support service that won’t make them wait a week or more for issues to be resolved. This is where Pentre Tech comes in, offering a number of support packages that can be tailored to meet the client’s needs and required budget. Through its remote support services, Pentre Tech is able to fix clients’ technical issues on the spot, often before they even notice the problem. Through its meticulous desktop support services and a 24/7 monitoring system that runs every day of the year, the company can resolve most problems immediately without needing to schedule an in-person visit. However, if the team are unable to fix something offsite, they will swiftly send a highly skilled IT support technician in to tackle the problem. Furthermore, Pentre Tech offers emergency response and backup services, as part of which it will provide support to clients if their servers crash. This is a fairly uncommon event but can have disastrous consequences. The company’s safety net ensures an exceptionally fast response time, with remote support and engineers on hand to protect clients’ systems. In addition, Pentre Tech delivers cloud backup services, as part of which it will protect their critical data with offsite backups. Alongside its IT support services, Pentre Tech also provides clients with hardware and software solutions at competitive prices, saving them precious money. The company’s team are seasoned specialists in education technology and are therefore highly familiar with what teachers need to do their jobs effectively and what students need to learn. Pentre Tech’s installation and support packages ensure that clients benefit from market-leading connectivity. The company’s broadband and fibre to the cabinet services are often the most cost-effective solution. However, it also offers secure and dedicated fibre leased lines, as well as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) when nothing else is available. Moreover, with Pentre Tech, clients can say goodbye to patchy and unstable Wi-Fi. The company offers network systems that are designed to provide them with great wireless signal strength and seamless coverage in all necessary areas, including complete outdoor grounds coverage if needed. Impressively, Pentre Tech was a silver award winner in the Champions in a Crisis category at the Business Champion Awards 2022. The company received this esteemed accolade for its provision of outstanding IT support work, which played a significant role in ensuring that primary school IT systems continued to run throughout the pandemic. This was important for enabling children to learn from home and ensuring that teachers could carry out their lessons effectively despite the circumstances. Pentre Tech’s primary objective has always been to go above and beyond to ensure that children and teachers have the IT services they need, empowering learning through the use of technology. As a small family run firm, the company was thrilled to win such a prestigious award and it meant a lot to the whole team. Pentre Tech prides itself on its ability to offer the best customer service to its clients. For this, the company has received a number of positive reviews, including one from Jamie Long, who comments, “I have had the pleasure of working with Steve and the Pentre Tech team for many years. It is hard to put into words how amazing they have been, and even harder to quantify the amount of time and money they have saved us! No question, query, issue, or job is a problem – you ask, they do. Everything is handled quickly, professionally, efficiently, and always in the best interests of the customer.” As a result of its unparalleled standard of service, Pentre Tech has been named Leading Champions in Education Technology in the Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023. In the future, the company hopes to grow within all areas, utilising its technical skills to provide both teachers and students with a better experience all round. Contact: Steve Sinnott Company: Pentre Tech LTD Web Address: www.ptes.co.uk Serving Cheshire and the Wirral, Liverpool, and North Wales, Pentre Tech is an education technology company that offers a range of on-site, remote, and cloud-based IT solutions, along with the best technical support. Since its establishment, the company has amassed more than 20 years of experience delivering a truly comprehensive approach to schools and businesses in the education sector. Leading Champions in Education Technology 2023
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