4 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION 5 ISSUE 1 Issue 2 A BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS www.shropshirebiz.com MAGAZINE DSDGSLFD FDFDSFS FDFJ IFFDF Ddfg dfgdfgfg sdf sddfdfdfd fdfgfgffdf fdgbdf gugioz xhg djsygc dygcdgfdfb Plus: Building Careers FOOD FOR <strong>THOUGHT</strong> A century of success Vine of the Times Never Truly Off Duty Dipping toes in to Congratulations. You did it. You survived everything that 2016 had to throw at you! Politically, and economically, it has to go down as one of the most tumultuous years in living memory. And if the truth be known, we’re all still trying to digest the upheaval, on both sides of the Atlantic, which has implications for every economy in the developed world. So, how are you feeling about things? Gauging the temperature of the Shropshire economy as we set off on the 2017 rollercoaster, it certainly seems to be a mixed picture. For every owner or manager fretting about impending threats, there’s another licking their lips at the potential to exploit opportunities. Here at Shropshire Business, we’re taking a glass half-full approach. Thank you to everyone who was kind enough to say such good things about our launch issue – we hope we can live up to your lofty expectations going forward. If that first edition was something of a scenesetter, this one gets stuck into some of the key issues in vital areas of the Shropshire economy. The construction sector, for example, clearly has some medium to long-term concerns, but right now our big building companies are working flat-out. English wine is on a roll, too, and we meet a businessman who is about to put Shrewsbury well and truly on the map with some mouthwatering vineyard plans. But we’re not raising a glass to everything right now. One of the perils of the modern working world is the pressure to be on duty 24/7, courtesy of that omnipresent mobile phone and tablet. Can you relate to this? If so, take a look at what one HR expert has to say about the perils of failing to maintain a sensible work-life balance. We’ve also got a fascinating insight into the life of a Bank of England agent, courtesy of Glynn Jones, who was born and raised in Shropshire, and is well versed with the quirks of our business climate. uncharted waters One of the things I love so much about Shropshire is its ability to surprise. Around the most unexpected of corners, you stumble across a gem of a business making waves on a global scale. Kadai Firebowls, based near Church Stretton, is one such example, naming Game of Thrones and Tom Cruise’s production crew among its A-list customer base. But however successful you may be, there’s always scope to learn. Our columnists offer advice on a vast array of topics, from hosted telephony and pay-per-click advertising to trade agreements, succession planning, and apprenticeships. We’ve also got more news from the commercial property and farming sectors, picture galleries from business social gatherings, and news of who’s been on the move in our regular Appointments section. Have you got something to say? We’d love to hear from you. Tell us what you are up to, and let’s all share a happy, fascinating and prosperous 2017. Carl Jones, Editor Magazine editor: Carl Jones editor@shropshirebiz.com Online editor: Henry Carpenter henry@shropshirebiz.com Advertising: sales@shropshirebiz.com General enquiries: info@shropshirebiz.com ONLINE Web: www.shropshirebiz.com Twitter: @shropsbiz Facebook: facebook.com/shropsbiz Linkedin: Shropshire Business (shropshirebiz.com) ISSUE 2: JAN / FEB 2017 Shropshire Business is published by Wiggly Worm Media Ltd. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission of the editor. The publishers have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information in this magazine is accurate at time of going to press. 6 15 25 Contents 6 Built on dreams 11 Bridging the gap 12 Beware snooper’s charter Opulent lifestyle 14 Apple of the eye Mini department store 15 Cheers to vineyard 20 New service Transit specialist 21 Stitch in time Book of greats 22 Clear ideas 24 Future workforce News in brief 36 25 Always on duty 28 Interns join team Benefit from Brexit Rio inspires website 29 Car plant cranes National living wage 30 Export 32 Engineers in training 33 Pitfalls of loss 34 More rights Pop-up practice Pension plot 36 Banking on feedback 38 Return of the dam 42 52 39 Fire in his belly 42 Commercial property 46 Technology 50 It all adds up 51 Honorary membership 52 Charity 54 Trump’s triumph 55 British Chambers of Commerce 59 Farming 64 Social Scene 68 Personal Finance 70 Appointments 59 64 68 Wiggly Worm Media accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information and material contained in this publication. The views expressed by our columnists are not necessarily those held by the publisher, or editor. Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company: www.magprint.co.uk 30 39 46 55 70