|
South Wales Business Awards 2010 Technological & Innovative Business of the Year HI Guys Week four of our nominee spotlight begins today. This week we’ll be focusing on Technological & Innovative Business of the Year. The nominees are as follows: ThinkBuzan ThinkBuzan Ltd is one of the world’s leading organisations in creative thinking and brain-based learning. Its award-winning software tool, iMindMap, now has over 150,000 users in 83 countries, with its global-reach rapidly expanding. With users from 3 year old children to multi-national corporates such as Microsoft, Google and Pepsi, iMindMap manages to straddle any type of user from education, business to home across the world. +44 (0) 20 71 177 173 i-PAT Ltd i-PAT teaches internet safety awareness to adults and children. 90% of children are at risk, yet less than 50% of adults know to protect them. 1 in 7 teachers have been cyber-bullied. Companies are increasingly being targeted as a result of careless comments posted online. I-PAT works in innovative ways with Schools, Councils, Companies and Organisations to stop this happening. 02920 090 178 science made simple Ltd science made simple acts as a bridge between scientists and the public. They bring exciting and engaging educational experiences to over 70,000 school pupils each year, and their innovative approach has won awards and critical acclaim. The company was started by former Welsh Woman of the Year, Wendy Sadler in 2002 as a spinout from Cardiff University, and has since grown to employ 9 people and establish regional offices in Norwich and Bolton. By working closely with scientists and engineers, science made simple brings cutting edge science to life in schools and at science festivals. Using state of the art technology alongside everyday materials, the presenting team explain everything from space telescopes to supersonic cars, in ways everyone can understand. From its small headquarters in Cardiff, the company has a huge impact across the UK and overseas. In the past 18 months staff have travelled to Libya, Hong Kong, Malta, Sweden, Poland, Germany and Singapore to deliver their unique brand of technological translation. The company has developed a number of ground breaking projects including 'Visualise' A theatre show exploring science in silence. The show has toured through the UK, Europe and Asia, receiving rave reviews, like this. "It's not often children's theatre truly inspires but this defies anyone, no matter what their age, not to stare in wonder as two techno-clowns present an altogether different kind of science class... This is inventive, well-imagined stuff that keeps a smile on your face from start to finish."**** 4 stars The Scotsman, August 2008 As well as creating a sustainable and successful small business, Wendy has established a company with real impact. This has been recognised by a number of awards including: 2009- Royal Academy of Engineering Public Promotion of Engineering Medal 2006-Institute of Acoustics Award for Public Engagement 2006 -EU Descartes Prize for Science Communication 2004- Women into Science, Engineering and Construction Excellence Award Find out more at www.sciencemadesimple.co.uk O.T.T Pouch The OTT Pouch is an innovative company that designs storage products for children in education. The products are especially useful for SEN & Disabled pupils that have been intergraded into mainstream schools. Our chair satchels keeps everything to hand without the need to move from a seated position, very useful for the homework chair too! The new home-Field Workbook is a must for all children in education. Further information can be found at www.ott-pouch.com Mazuma Mazuma was established as a brand in July 2006 by Lucy Cohen and Sophie Hughes after identifying a niche opportunity in the accountancy market for low cost, reliable and easy to use accountancy services for SMEs. The pilot office has run from July 2006 to the present day and having successfully franchised the business model in October 2008 the Directors recently expanded the company further by opening the Mazuma Hub in South Wales in December 2009. The Mazuma Hub services customers who have very simple accounting requirements, nationally from one centre. The Hub deals with very small businesses (e.g. lifestyle businesses and 'one man bands'), that have short turnaround times and do not require the expertise (or high fees!) of larger firms. Mazuma is an accountancy service with a difference. It focuses on providing a range of simple out-sourced accountancy services to a market place which is currently over charged for this service. The main markets for Mazuma are small businesses, sole traders and the self employed. The reason these sectors have been focussed on is that there is a general lack of interest from other accountancy providers in this “high volume, low fee” market. By marketing Mazuma’s services as individual products and using increased technology and communication, the service offered has been regarded as fresh and modern in contrast to the traditional perception of accountancy as being dry and dull. Mazuma has solidified its place as a truly different accountancy service with the innovation of our Purpleforce service which provides a monthly, full compliance service to small businesses. There is a very large market for Mazuma’s services and we aim to be the largest single provider of compliance work to UK small and micro businesses. 0845 310 5654
|
3rd
Sep |
||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | |||
|
South Wales Business Awards 2010 New Start-up of the Year HI Guys Week three of our nominee spotlight begins today. This week we’ll be focusing on New Start-up of the Year”. The nominees are as follows: Zulu Engineering Services Ltd Chris Mellows launched Zulu Engineering in December 2009. He started his career 20 years ago as a mechanical engineering apprentice with BP Chemicals at Baglan Bay. Since then he has worked in the UK's power generation, oil & gas and petrochemical industries. During his career he has unfortunately experienced redundancy three times. The most recent being February 2009. It was this most recent experience that prompted him to take the 'leap of faith' and start his own business. The name Zulu always seems to be a talking point...although it has nothing to do with the movie! It’s named in honour of Chris' Grandfather who sadly passed away recently. "He served on HMS Zulu during WW2 and he was always a hero of mine, so it was fitting to name the company in honour of him". Zulu Engineering offers consultancy services to UK industry with particular emphasis on joint integrity management for process pipe work. With ever more challenging environmental, legislative and economic demands being faced, the need to reduce leeks and emissions is greater today than ever before. Steps to eliminate leaking joints as part of a joint integrity management programme will therefore help drive down costs and remove unacceptable risk. "Its only a matter of time before Government legislation comes in regarding how industrial installations monitor the safe and correct methodology for installing process pipe work in hazardous areas. Our experience means we can strive to become a leader in our field and offer Industry our best practice techniques for achieving their goals" From initial discussion, survey and consultation through to execution of work, Zulu Engineering offers a professional bespoke service After securing its first contract to global silicon technology leader Dow Corning, and only in its ninth month of operation, the business is already beginning to experience growth. The Company now employs three full time Engineers. Future business development hopes to see Zulu expand throughout South Wales industry (and beyond). T-Box Solutions Limited T-Box Solutions started trading in September last year from its base in Cardiff. The company was formed by Mr John Chichester to offer a green alternative to plastic bags for the retail sector. T-Box is
Following early trials it became apparent that the T-Box system sped things up very quickly through the check out. Following extensive trials with the retailers, it was found to be up to 25% quicker through the checkout, thus not only making it a green alternative to the plastic bag it also offered huge savings in time for the retailers as well as the shoppers. M: 07590383537 Lulu & Boo Organics ltd When ill health forced me to leave my career as a make-up artist, I decided that it was time to change my way of life. My skin had become extra sensitive to many of the products that I’d previously used on a daily basis, and I realized I had been starving my skin of the vital nutrients required to keep it healthy. I started eating organic food and experimenting with aromatherapy and herbal remedies, creating special blends for my own skin which helped my health and skin improve dramatically. Through these experiments I discovered a real passion for holistic health and decided to pursue a career in aromatherapy and herbalism. Combining my earlier experience as a make-up artists and my extensive holistic training, creating an organic handmade skin and body care range was the natural next step, and Lulu & Boo Organics was born. With a lot of pleasurable research I believe I have created a fantastic range of organically certified beauty products that will benefit women of all ages and skin types. Lulu & Boo Organics Ltd Renew Fitness Retreat Ltd Renew Fitness Retreat is a bespoke boot campoffering tailored weight loss & fitness courses for women who want a healthy holiday in a contemporary countryside retreat. They believe 'no one size fits all' so their personalised and customised 4 and 7 day courses will help clients achieve real results and a healthy mindset. Their outdoor activities, lifestyle therapies and holistic treatments will help women kick start their fitness, lose weight, detox, de-stress and improve their health and wellbeing. What makes them so different to other boot camps is their team of professional athletes and personal trainers, as well as their in-depth facial, nutritional and dietary analysis and free consultations with their experts. They offer a sustainable solution to improving health and fitness, leaving the client feeling great inside and out. T: (029) 2143 2016 Eye Candy Boutique Eye Candy Boutique launched in the heart of Cowbridge on the 3rd April 2010. Eye Candy Boutique was founded by Amy Lunnon and Kellie Ann Harris. People describe Eye Candy as Aladdin's cave. We sell unique fashionable, yet affordable clothing, shoes, bags and accessories. Kellie and I have a passion for fashion and offer honest and informed style advice. It's important to us that our customers leave with the perfect outfit for them. Kellie is a qualified Image Consultant and carries out on an appointments basis Colour analysis, Wardrobe Wedding and Personal Shopping. It’s remarkable what a difference wearing the correct colour and style of clothing makes. First impressions count and at Eye Candy we endeavour to ensure those first impressions positive ones. M: 07847 394 745 or 07870 867 220 |
3rd
Sep |
||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | |||
|
South Wales Business Awards 2010 - Female Entrepreneur of the Year HI Guys Week two of our nominee spotlight begins today. This week we’ll be focusing on the “Female Entrepreneur of the Year”. The nominees are as follows: Abi Carter- Forensic Resources Ltd Abi Carter launched Forensic Resources Ltd, based at the Cardiff Business Technology Centre, Senghenydd Road, in January 2008, and the company has gone from strength to strength in the last two years – surmounting the current economic downturn that has plagued so many SME’s. Forensic Resources offers a range of expert witness services to legal teams throughout the UK. Working mainly with defence solicitors, providing re-analysis of prosecution reports and giving expert testimony in court, the company has gained a shining reputation as a respected and experienced force within the fields of criminal investigation. Abi also works with private investigators, private clients and sports teams in her day-to-day work, which demonstrates the flexibility and comprehensive range of services that Abi’s successful company offers. Forensic Resources Ltd delivers optimum results that cross industry boundaries through a combination of innovation, determination and passion, and is this that stands as a testament to the excellence that is Forensic Resources Ltd - within such an incredibly specialised industry. In recognition of this, Abi was awarded a Certificate of Achievement in 2010 for the ‘successful launch, sustained growth and development of a graduate start up company’ by Cardiff University Commercial Development Division. Abi is a qualified forensic archaeologist who is also sub-contracted by a mass disasters emergency services company, and can be deployed worldwide on a 24 hour notice period. Abi is on the board of Young Enterprise and a committee member of Women in Management and the Cardiff University Innovations Network. Abi was awarded with the prestigious position of Honorary Tutor to Cardiff University in 2008 and was mentor to the winning team for the i-Solve challenge earlier this year, run by Cardiff University’s Research and Commercial Division. Abi was shortlisted for the Welsh Women Mean Business Awards in March 2010 in the ‘Best Business Female Newcomer’ category and has recently been showcased on the front cover of Business in Wales (April/May 2010 edition). Abi is a trained Welsh Assembly Dynamo Role Model and gives roughly 1-2 speeches a week to young and budding entrepreneurs or students who feel they may like to pursue a business future. Abi is very committed to supporting and enhancing the young people of Wales and helping them realise their business potential and encouraging them to run with their inspirational ideas. Abi loves to motivate and encourage people and so will be undertaking some lecturing in October this year for the Forensic Science course run by Cardiff University’s Life Long Learning Centre. Abi has come across some people who are shocked that she is a young female running such a ‘CSI’ company, which has made her more and more determined to make Forensic Resources an international affair so that everyone can see that it can be done by a young female! Abi has been asked to be a female speaker for the Institute of Welsh Affairs – Database of Expertise, which she is looking forward to. As previously mentioned, Abi is on the committee of Women in Management South Wales (WiM), which promotes women in high ranking jobs by asking female guest speakers to talk about how they rose to their positions. Abi aspires to be a speaker at one of the events in the future, as opposed to simply a facilitator and committee member. Tel: 02920 647 043 Lucy Cohen/Sophie Hughes (Joint Application) – Mazuma Mazuma was established as a brand in July 2006 by Lucy Cohen and Sophie Hughes after identifying a niche opportunity in the accountancy market for low cost, reliable and easy to use accountancy services for SMEs. The pilot office has run from July 2006 to the present day and having successfully franchised the business model in October 2008 the Directors recently expanded the company further by opening the Mazuma Hub in South Wales in December 2009. The Mazuma Hub services customers who have very simple accounting requirements, nationally from one centre. The Hub deals with very small businesses (e.g. lifestyle businesses and 'one man bands'), that have short turnaround times and do not require the expertise (or high fees!) of larger firms. Mazuma is an accountancy service with a difference. It focuses on providing a range of simple out-sourced accountancy services to a market place which is currently over charged for this service. The main markets for Mazuma are small businesses, sole traders and the self employed. The reason these sectors have been focussed on is that there is a general lack of interest from other accountancy providers in this “high volume, low fee” market. By marketing Mazuma’s services as individual products and using increased technology and communication, the service offered has been regarded as fresh and modern in contrast to the traditional perception of accountancy as being dry and dull. Mazuma has solidified its place as a truly different accountancy service with the innovation of our Purpleforce service which provides a monthly, full compliance service to small businesses. There is a very large market for Mazuma’s services and we aim to be the largest single provider of compliance work to UK small and micro businesses. 0845 310 5654 Andrea Beardshaw – Sing and Inspire Founded in 2008 by professional singers and call centre managers Andrea Beardshaw and Georgina Jones, Sing and Inspire is an arts based training, motivation and development company. They work with businesses across the UK to help train staff to use their voices more effectively and improve business results. In their first full year of trading, Sing and Inspire have won a prestigious Art’s and Business award and secured a long term contract with the only Welsh company in the Financial Times Top 100 Companies to Work For. They have an impressive client base which includes the likes of the Admiral Insurance group, Black horse, T mobile, and the Principality. Most recognizable for their Company choirs, Sing and Inspire have appeared on two television programmes and have taken their company choirs to gigs in the Royal Albert Hall, St David’s hall, numerous hotels and functions including many networking events. Most notably they have provided the main choral entertainment for the Ryder cup events this year. The company also provides short term team building events, and various training courses on vocal health, NLP and attitude which are unique in the UK market place. Andrea Beardshaw, co founder of Sing and inspire, originally trained as an opera singer and classical musician. She has been a professional singer in the music industry for over 15 years, performing mainly as a solo artist but also in bands and as a session singer. She has written music in collaboration with many producers and is currently recording her latest album with her band. Andrea has been a leading Welsh music industry voice coach for the past 10 years and has over 18 years experience of teaching music. Her track record is second to none. She has taught people who have appeared on Broadway, in the West End, X factor finalists, Britain’s got Talent finalists and chart successes! She has also successfully mentored and managed bands and has her own independent record label, RedBetty Records. Andrea spent 4 years in management in the Centrica group before becoming a full time musician. Andrea‘s future ambitions include completing her first e-book this year, and embarking upon her motivational public speaking career with Georgina. There are also plans to set up the Sing and Inspire school of voice which will coach professionals in voice delivery and presentation skills. Sophie Turner/Christina Adams - @Work Wales Sophie Turner and Christina Adams set up their business @workwales Ltd on 1st January 2008. During this time they have been successful in developing a reputation as a highly professional, responsive and reliable business. They have quickly expanded their team and now employ 5 full time members of staff in their office based in the heart of Swansea. As young, Welsh, Female entrepreneurs in their twenties, Sophie and Christina are committed to making their business a success and aim to expand their services nationwide in the near future. They have both been recognised for their success and were 2009 finalists in the “New Business” category in Swansea Bay Women of the Year Awards. Sophie and Christina are both committed to helping people find employment and are also focused on helping businesses identify the necessary staffing solutions needed to maintain productivity if staffing levels decrease or employees take sick / holiday leave. They have both worked in the industry for the past seven years and deal with both temporary and permanent requirements in all industries. (0)1792 344220 Louise Samuel – Just Perfect Catering and Events Ltd Just Perfect Catering was founded by Louise Samuel and defined by her drive and creative flair from the outset. Just Perfect Catering has now evolved into a truly formidable food company. With an event, retail, consultancy and fixed contract division Just Perfect Catering has earned its reputation as Wales’s leading specialist catering company and as a member of the catering industry elite. 01656 871717 |
9th
Aug |
||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | |||
|
South Wales Business Awards 2010 South Wales Business Awards 2010 HI Guys This week kicks off our build up to the awards on the 1st October 2010. Each week we will be highlighting a different category of nominees. Week 1 sees us focusing on the “Young Entrepreneur of the year”. The nominees are as follows: Young Entrepreneur of the year Jon Petrie - DS Music UK (Ltd) T/A DS Music® DS Music® is one of the most comprehensively stocked sheet music specialists in the UK, stocking over 8,550 different products including: over 7,000 different sheet music books, a range of accessories, music gifts, musical instruments and more. DS Music® provides high product availability with specialist product knowledge, in-depth music advice and information as well as musical instruments on affordable hire-purchase or finance schemes. The company’s highly-qualified teachers currently give instrumental music lessons to over 100 students on a one-to-one per week. For more info please visit: www.dsmusic.co.uk or call 01600 772770 Ben Smith - gingenious Ltd gingenious is a multi platform design and new media agency based in Cardiff, one of Europe’s fastest growing and most vibrant young capital cities. We are a young, highly experienced company, with a drive and focus on delivering quality work to a range of clients across many industries. We strive to produce the best service and we work hard to sustain excellent working relationships with all our clients, enjoying every step along the way. We hope you enjoy our endeavours, and look forward to hearing from you soon! www.gingenious.com Natalie Daghestani - Crystyled
Crystyled - an amalgamation of the words 'crystal' and 'styled' offers a high end bespoke transformation service for everyday products using the highest quality sparkling Crystallized™ Swarovski Elements. Robert Dance - Rock .I.T. RockIT is a leading IT Support company offering Proactive Managed IT Services to businesses throughout South Wales. RockIT was created with three key principles in mind – providing industry leading response times, technical excellence and truly caring for clients. We pride ourselves on consistently maintaining high levels of quality in everything we do. Connecting the dots with your technology can be confusing, time consuming, and costly. We will act as your IT Support Department providing you with full “in-house” service. From hardware and software to disaster recovery, taking responsibility for making it all work together seamlessly. What makes ROCKIT so unique is our ability to identify company ‘Pain Points’. In 2009 our average response to support requests was an amazing 24.8 seconds and our current clients benefitted from an average downtime of just 2.43 minutes per month… 50 times less than the industry average. Selecting the right IT Support Company to look after your computer network and IT equipment can be challenging. The technology nowadays is complex and there are so many support companies to choose from. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to compare one company with another. We honestly believe that when you consider all the facts, you will be absolutely convinced that RockIT is the best provider of IT support and consultancy available to you. To find out how our professionalism and expertise can help your company improve profitability please visit our website at www.RockITspecialists.com or call on 01656 767 222 to arrange a FREE Network Evaluation. Nathan Dicks - Rewise Learning Ltd My name is Nate and I am the managing director and founder of Rewise Learning Ltd. Rewise Learning Ltd develops and provides innovative: - Educational resources (Learn-Thru-Music) - Educational services (Learn-Thru-Music Workshops) - Corporate team-building/training services (Sing-In-Success) The USP of my company focuses on the innovative use of music and technology, for example: - GCSE English Learn-Thru-Music is a series of audio based learning/revision resources comprising of educational songs and educational lyrics sheets. The resource has been developed in collaboration teachers, students and professional musicians. See www.learnthrumusic.co.uk - Learn-Thru-Music workshopsare interactive learning and team building sessions where students of all ages and walks of life work together, with the assistance of professional musician mentors and relevant specialists, to create unique songs that inspire students to learn about set topics. See www.learnthrumusic.co.uk/workshops - Sing-In-Success team-building workshops are interactive training and team-building sessions where colleagues work together, with the assistance of experienced professional musician mentors, to create unique songs. No prior singing or production experience is necessary. Our workshops specialize in strengthening and harmonizing teams. Sing-In Success-workshops can be tailored to meet the specific needs and requirements of your institution or company. They are designed to be challenging, fun and relevant. See www.singinsuccess.com
|
2nd
Aug |
||
Sponsored by:
 |
 |
|
