affiliates magazine - issue 1

CITY ISSUEWealth Management Advice

India comes to Grace Road

Dressed to Impress

I s s u e 1 2 0 1 1

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15 Market Street, Leicester LE1 6DN Tel: 0116 249 5790 www.toniandguy.com

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www.affiliatesmagazine.co.uk 1

Affiliates Magazine is published by Greenshires Group Ltd, 160-164 Barkby Road, Leicester, LE4 9LF Tel: 0116 202 2732

THE ParTnErsBobby Dhanjal Wealth Management92-94 Charles Street, Leicester, LE1 1FB Tel: 0116 251 8020

Douglas Wemyss Solicitors18 Friar Lane, Leicester, LE1 5RA Tel: 0116 299 9199

Leicester Tile Centre551 Saffron Lane, Leicester, LER2 6UN Tel: 0116 283 4068

Stu-nique FitnessTel: 0782 881 8261

Chutney Ivy41 Halford Street, Leicester, LE1 1TR Tel: 0116 251 1889

M Cubed Chartered Accountants186 London Road, Leicester, LE2 1ND Tel: 0116 298 6604

THE MagazinEEditor: Lee ParkinTel: 0116 202 2720Email: [email protected]

Publishing Manager: Lisa RothTel: 0116 202 2726Email: [email protected]

Art Editor: Lee ItalianoTel: 0116 202 2736Email: [email protected]

Copywriter: Virginia Hart

Photography: Andy Ward of Brill CreativeTel: 07540 722 628Email: [email protected]: www.brill-creative.co.uk

ADvErTISIng:

Victoria SimmondsTel: 0116 202 2730Email: [email protected]

Tracey KitchenTel: 0116 202 2729Email: [email protected]

SuBSCrIPTIonS:

Tel: 0116 202 2732Email: [email protected]

WElcoME...to the first issue of Affiliates Magazine.

We are publishing quarterly with the next issue to hit

the executive desks of Leicestershire in September.

Affiliates Magazine provides a network for like

minded businesses to come together to pool and share

ideas and resources. There will be a series of events held

in the coming months so keep your eyes peeled if you

want to be Affiliated! We will introduce local businesses

and services, bringing new innovations and different

ways of working to the table. We will be giving you the

matters from the region that affect you as business

owners and managers. And as we are here to act as a

platform dont be afraid to give your opinions, share

your ideas or successes - we’d love to hear from you.

In our first issue we talk about the stock market,

a beginners guide, which will cover different aspects

in future issues. We introduce our newly elected

Mayor, in advance of our exclusive in depth interview.

There are profiles from our Affiliate companies and news

from the region. Our sporting favourites Leicestershire

Foxes offer a money can’t buy prize in our exclusive

competition. We hope you like what you see.

And if you want to be kept in the Affiliates loop,

please contact [email protected]

to register and receive the monthly E-zine.

Hello andContacts

DISCLAIMEr: Affiliates Magazine is fully protected by copyright; no part of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted without the complete and express permission of the publisher. All unsolicited material submitted are at the senders own risk and the Publishers or Affiliates Partners do not accept liability for the return of any photos or artwork submitted for possible publication. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material in the publication, no responsibility can be accepted by either the Publishers or Affiliates Partners for inaccuracies or discrepancies, howsoever caused, in any material we accept for publication. Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Please be aware that you use and act upon the information published in the advertisement pages entirely at your own risk. The Publishers and the Affiliates Partners are not liable in contract, tort (including, without limitation, negligence) for any pre-contract or other representations or otherwise out of or in connection with the products or services advertised or for any economic losses (including without limitations, loss of revenues, profits, contracts, business or anticipated savings.) or any loss of goodwill or reputation or any special or indirect or consequential loss resulting from advertisements. The editor’s decision whether or not to include material in the publication is final and no correspondence will be entered into. No responsibility can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork, editorial or advertisements that breaches the copyright or any other intellectual property rights of third parties. The views and opinions expressed within this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers or Affiliates Magazine or any featured parties.

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4 News

7 Introducing: Sir Peter Soulsby

8 The Rules of Engagement

11 Local Business: Greenshires Group Ltd

12 Promoting Good Practice

15 It’s Just Not Cricket

18 A Tale of Three Brothers

20 The Story of a Business Partnership

23 Time to invest?

25 BSJA Business Partnership

27 Profile: Stu-nique

28 From Saffron Lane to the Strand

31 Taking Stock of your Situation

35 Profile: East Midlands Airport

36 Dressed to Impress

38 Profile: The Prince’s Trust

41 A Passionate Romance with Food

44 The last word: Brett Deacon

Contents

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www.affiliatesmagazine.co.uk4

THE NEWSHalf cENTury laNdmarkA supplier of catering equipment solutions to industrial, commercial, leisure and hospitality markets in the UK is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Sammic Ltd of Troon Industrial Park, Leicester is part of a group of six companies based in Europe managing a distribution network covering than 60 countries, with a range of products for food preparation, washing systems and snack bar equipment.

Founded in 1961 by local businesspeople, the company began as a manufacturer of equipment for food preparation and today supplies an extensive product range that is recognised to be simple, reliable and affordably priced.

liTTlE SHop of HorrorSThe musical comedy ‘Little Shop Of Horrors’ is a wonderfully entertaining show about a hapless florist shop assistant called Seymour who finds his chance for success and romance through the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed! ‘Little Shop Of Horrors’ will have audiences singing all the way home – but gardening will never quite be the same again!

Kilworth House Theatre lies amidst the magnificent surroundings of the 38-acre Kilworth Estate in South Leicestershire. With the opportunity for a pre-theatre picnic on the lawn or dinner in the hotel’s stunning Orangery Restaurant, Kilworth House open-air Theatre offers a magical, unforgettable summer experience.Tickets £20–£28 Book tickets on 01858 881939 (Mon–Fri 10am–4pm) or at www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk

laNd’S ENd aNd bEyoNd A Stamford venue finding agency is working with top names to provide suitable and cost-effective locations for conferences, meetings and awards dinners.

Trinity Conferences offers a free service to clients to find the perfect venue in the UK or abroad, The agency negotiates rates, identifies best prices and cost savings and presents a detailed proposal.

Trinity Managing Director, Jacqui Kavanagh is well known in the industry and has many years of experience working in hotels and for agencies and also takes an active role in the industry associations. “I formed Trinity Conferences as I am passionate about raising and maintaining high standards of service throughout the industry,” she commented. “I understand that nobody knows your event better than you do. So, our approach is to consult, add value and provide expert advice and support. We are happy to share everything we know about the venues with our clients and work together to run a successful conference.”

The company also offers event management, doing as much or as little as needed – this includes strategic event consultancy, travel logistics and airport transfers, booking of entertainers, bands, musicians and caterers.

SpiN off for claudE South African born Claude Henderson, one of Leicestershire’s top spin bowlers has some cracking events planned for his Testimonial year. He has been a regular feature in the County squad since 2004 and is a favourite amongst players and fans alike. In recognition of his role, both on and off the pitch, Claude was granted a Testimonial year by the Club and has chosen ‘Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People’ as his nominated charity.

His organising committee is holding a series of events throught the year and the next one is ‘Cricket & Curry’ on Wednesday 22nd June at the Windsor Tiffin, Burbage. Wicket keeper and raconteur, Paul Nixon hosts the evening with input from Claude, Club Captain, Matthew Hoggard and overseas player, Andrew McDonald.

There’s also a dinner at Stapleford Park with guests from the England cricket team, Stuart Broad, Jonathan Trott and Grahame Swann and an ‘Auction of Promises’ at Leicestershire County Cricket Club in October. This is a good opportunity to bag yourself a bargain, with over 70 lots donated - everything from dog walking, beauty treatments, signed memorabilia, meals cooked in your own home to a vasectomy!

ALL THE LATEST BUSINESS NEWS FOR LEICESTERSHIRE

iN THE bagA Leicester leatherwear manufacturer has teamed up with a marketing service agency based in Mountsorrel to launch a range of handcrafted satchels.

‘Zatchels’ is a new UK fashion brand that has been created, developed and driven by Dean Clarke and Brian Brady, the owners of a small manufacturing business in the centre of

Leicester. The men have chosen agency, Mulberry Square to promote their new products. “This is one of the most comprehensive product launches we’ve ever undertaken for a client.

“We’re delighted about the reaction so far, especially from fashion and trade journalists, and potential trade buyers,” said Mulberry Square managing director, Craig Johnstone. “The satchel is the ‘must have’ style accessory for 2011and Zatchels has launched a truly iconic British collection of satchel style bags that’s caused a stir since it was discretely introduced to fashion observers and stylists during London Fashion Week. Frankly, our biggest problem has been keeping a great announcement under wraps and curbing everyone’s enthusiasm and excitement while we worked on the website and completed all the pre-launch tasks. We’re confident that Zatchels is a winner, not only in its market but as a local business developed in the style of traditional British craftsmanship This was essentially a UK launch but already we’re getting interest and media coverage from overseas.”

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Rail useRs online and on tRackAll rail passengers using EastMidlands Trains services toLondon now have access to theinternet while they travel, thanksto a new on-board WiFi service.

This means that all passengers travelling from stations on the mainline route to London including Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Market Harborough, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough can now fully benefit from this new service.

David Horne, Customer Service Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We are very pleased with how the WiFi service has been received by our customers and we have received some very complimentary feedback on how fast and easy it is to use.

“Through the £15 million refurbishment of our trains to London, passengers are set to benefit from a greatly improved travelling environment. The full introduction of our WiFi service really will help to enhance the customer experience and will help travellers to work even more efficiently whilst on the move.”

East Midlands Trains WiFi service offers passengers easy access to the internet, email and other online applications, whether for work or leisure purposes. First Class passengers benefit fromcomplimentary access to theservice, whilst other passengers pay a small charge using a debit orcredit card through the onlinesecure payment page.

The winners of this year’s East Midland’s National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Awards were recently announced at a ceremony held at the Rolls Royce Learning and Career Development Centre.

Individual winners included a Derby-based commercial vehicle dealer and an apprentice plumber from Nottingham with Leicestershire-based companies picking up commendations in many categories.

In ‘Small Employer of the Year’, Tower Tool Company Limited from Wigston, was highly commended for its role in training apprentices in engineering and manufacturing technologies, with praise for its MD for recognising that ‘apprentices bring numerous benefits to the organisation: in supporting succession planning; transferring skills within the workplace; reducing recruitment costs; contributing to an increased turnover of £650k; increasing the depth of skills and supporting the company to survive the economic turmoil, without losing a single employee.’

Spira Projects Ltd from Leicester also landed a commendation in the ‘Medium Employer’ category for nurturing 12 apprentices following the Construction, Planning and Built Environment – Construction framework, supported by Leicester College. It was noted that, ‘…over the past 5 years, Spira has only recruited apprentices and this strategy has noticeably increased their productivity, quality of product and greater efficiency, with turnover rising from £3.4 to £4.5m. The Apprenticeship Programme has helped the company to retain its competitive edge as a cost effective high quality manufacturer.’

In the same section, Slack and Parr Ltd, precision engineers in Kegworth, employs 34 apprentices and its work was also recognised. Its MD firmly believes that their Apprenticeship programme is now more than ever ‘the life blood of the company.’ They offer a comprehensive, bespoke but flexible training programme to enable the company maintain the high quality products in order to sustain competitiveness in a demanding world market. They have reduced the engineering skills shortage by training apprentices with approximately 48% of all employees in roles across the company, having been apprenticed at Slack and Parr.

Barcelo Hotels UK, based in Hinckley and Leicester City Community Health Trust from Thurmaston were highly commended in the ‘large employer’ category. Barcelo has some 100 apprentices across the UK, supported by Babcock and Central Sports learning providers, and is currently working with their top chefs to develop a Level 3 Academy. The company knows that ‘Apprenticeships are fundamental to the

success of the business, not only at recruitment stage, but with the motivational aspects and retention of staff.’

The Health Trust has 74 apprentices following business administration, customer services and team building and management frameworks, in conjunction with Prostart UK. The Trust recognised in 2009 that they had a mature, ageing workforce, with few young employees. Their first Apprenticeship programme has produced great rewards for the Trust and apprentices – one securing a University place to become an occupational therapist. They now have an annual target to introduce a new cohort of apprentices and career pathways into clinical and finance roles. They said, “Our apprentices are enthusiastic, have a desire to achieve, they boost morale and more noticeably we have seen an improvement in patient care.”

Karen Woodward, Regional Apprenticeship Director for the NAS in the East Midlands said: “This year’s awards were a terrific showcase of the outstanding wealth of Apprenticeship talent that we have across the East Midlands. Given the volume and high calibre of entries we received, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the winners for this superb achievement.

“It’s been a tough year for businesses and the economy, but the awards have given Apprenticeships the chance to shine - showing that they are key to growth during the economic upturn. All the finalists demonstrated what makes Apprenticeships so successful, not only in the East Midlands but throughout England. The winners are now ambassadors for Apprenticeships and for the region’s dedication to this programme.”

Apprenticeships offer young people a training route that combines work-based learning with theory and a recognised qualification, whilst employers experience a range of benefits when hiring an apprentice, including motivated, skilled staff and increased productivity. More than 33,000 people, of all ages, are engaged on the Apprenticeship programme in the East Midlands. Winners of the regional heats will go through to the national finals.

This year, the NAS in partnership with City & Guilds, is looking for England’s Top 100 Apprenticeship employers. As well as the four employer category winners, the 24 best other employers in each category will be honoured in the Top 100 Apprenticeship employers list. The Awards received a record number of applications with over 1,600 entries – an increase of over 25% on last year.

For more information on Apprenticeships, visit apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600.

east Midlands appRenticeships awaRds

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Quick CVBorn in Bishop Auckland on December 27 1948, our new Mayor has lived in Leicester for over 40 years. He is married with three daughters and six grandchildren. He was educated at City of Leicester College of Education and Leicester University and served on the City Council as a councillor from 1973-2003 and as leader for 17 years. Becoming ‘Sir’ Peter in 1999 and then Labour MP for Leicester South in 2005, he held this position until resigning earlier this year to enter the Mayoral election.

On 5th May, achieving a significant first vote majority, Sir Peter clinched the vote and is now the man with ‘full decision-making powers’ for the people of Leicester. He takes the job for a 4-year term and has chosen Rory Palmer to be his Deputy, along with 6 ‘assistant mayors’.

But what does this mean for business in the City?In the Mayoral pre-election manifesto, Labour claimed to ‘recognise the important role that business, the unions, the third sector… all have in working with democratically elected councillors.’ It goes on to state, in a section headed ‘Leicester – a place to do Business’; ‘As well as supporting and encouraging existing enterprise, Labour recognises that Leicester needs to be much better at attracting private sector inward investment and public sector relocations’. Sound sentiment that the business community hopes will create meaningful action backed by Sir Peter. “I believe that having someone who has been elected by the people of Leicester and who is then clearly accountable for the decisions made by the council must be a step forward. I was elected on a very clear manifesto and fully expect to be held to account for the delivery of what I pledged to do in that manifesto.” Sir Peter has made a solid start to the new job, most recently tackling the city’s bus operators and like Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, is seeking to take control of the transport service – will we be getting ‘Peter’s Pedals’?

He is also vowing to tackle employers paying less than the minimum wage, an issue he targeted when he was leader of the Council. He will be looking closely at factories and home workers. At the outset, Labour said that the first 100 days would be time to ‘establish clear timetables for our plans’ and he certainly seems to be getting his hands dirty by visiting groups and organisations around Leicester and meeting with leaders and individuals from communities across the city. It’s early days, both for Sir Peter Soulsby and the new system – there are many observers charting his progress to see if this ‘experiment’ in directly elected Mayors is a provincial success. Watch this space…

Affiliates Magazine will be getting up close and personal with Sir Peter, look out for our exclusive interview in the September issue. If you have a question for our newly elected Mayor please drop us a line.

SIR PETER SOULSBYIntroducing

C I T Y M A Y O R


It’s almost 2 years since Bobby Dhanjal decided the high street bank he worked for no longer offered his clients the service, or products, that truly fulfilled their needs.

“I was at the top of my ‘corporate’ game and had enjoyed national acclaim for providing sound guidance and advice, but things changed

as the banks grew - they seemed to lose sight and understanding of their core customers and I just couldn’t put up with it anymore.”

Within minutes of meeting him, you realise Bobby is a man whose expertise, experience and exuberance is far beyond the norm for an independent financial adviser. This humble job-title greatly belittles his passion and knowledge of the sector and certainly does little to explain his recent phenomenal success.

“Everyone needs to manage their income – in these difficult economic times more than ever – and the sooner people recognise this fact and do something about it, the better it is for the individual, their family and the economy in general. Many think that they do not earn enough to take financial advice but in reality, these are often the ones who can benefit the most from taking a long hard look at their money situation – and that’s where I can help.”

Adhering to this basic premise, Bobby along with his wife Lisa, created Bobby Dhanjal Wealth Management, opening shop-fronted offices to give easy, relaxed, walk-in access to both corporate and private clients. He is almost evangelical in his belief that aside from family, ‘financials’ are the biggest commitments in life and can be the cause of much stress and anxiety.

“Over the last 40 or so years, as a society, we have all become accomplished consumers – no longer adopting the make-do-and-mend attitude. We now want the latest technology, the newest fashions and modern luxuries in our homes. This is not necessarily bad, but it does have a knock-on effect with economic consequences; the creation of ever-increasing demand.

“However, the last couple of years have seen a shift in this emphasis

as the recession has bitten deeply into our everyday lives – with costs slashed and budgets tightened. But it is those forward thinkers – both business and personal – who took the initiative years ago to take stock of their financials, who are now better prepared to weather the downturn, not just the super-rich, also the average man or woman on the street.”

Bobby knows that the application of his clear objectives to create viable financial solutions gives his clients complete control over their situations. They receive regular reviews and weekly email bulletins to ensure up-to-the-minute feedback to maintain top-rate yield on investment portfolios and savings.

“However, when we talk about wealth we must also address the matter of debt management – a ‘head in the sand’ attitude is not the answer to what can become a crippling situation if not carefully handled. I don’t make judgements, that’s not my business, but I do make calculated suggestions to ease the pressure and to empower the individual or the organisation. Making the first step in recognising you need help is both brave and critical.”

But Bobby is not such an idealist as to think that he alone has the magic wand. He knows that to achieve goals, other professionals need to be included in the process. “Solicitors and accountants are also instrumental in providing a holistic wealth management regime. By

combining our skills, we can work to alleviate business and personal crises – perhaps the untimely death of key personnel, sudden redundancy or reaction to events out of am individual’s control – these sorts of occurrences can decimate a business or create major upheavals to family life. Together we can offer ‘first aid’ or contingency planning to get things back on track and moving in the right direction.”

As Bobby continues to talks passionately about personal wealth and finance, you get the distinct impression he speaks from the heart. His demeanour, body language and dialogue all shout confidence, assuredness and determination – this is a man who has, in just 2 years created a new style financial advice service that is challenging the established ‘rules of engagement’. This is a man of whom you will hear much more…

“Everyone needs to manage their income”

The rules of engagemenTChallenging

Bobby Dhanjal Lisa Dhanjal Kalpesh Ruparelia Aimiee Keen Ranbir Makh Vina Devani Adam Kelsall

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The rules of engagemenT

Rohit Prajapati Rikesh Bathia Tom Verey Chirag Devani Edward Willday Danny Patel Hariom Mistry

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www.bobbydhanjal.co.uk | [email protected]

BOBBY DHANJAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT

THE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO FINANCIAL PLANNING WHERE RECOMMENDATIONS

ARE TAILORED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS & OBJECTIVES

Bobby Dhanjal Wealth

Management is a firm

of independent financial

advisors, located in

Leicester city centre, with

three strategic locations, it

aims to serve the needs of

businesses, professionals

and families throughout all

of the United Kingdom.

Our financial advice is

designed to be sustainable,

ensuring our plans will

remain effective in the

future, despite changes

to your circumstances.

We work with additional

professional bodies

including solicitors and

accountants, allowing us to

offer you a holistic wealth

management service.

Our company is

distinguished by our

personal service; we offer

the benefit of a single

relationship for all your

financial needs.

We would like to thank

you for taking the time

to consider our services

and proposition. Should

you choose to engage our

services, we look forward

to building a strong and

rewarding relationship

with you, your family

or business and that

is best achieved by an

independent viewpoint.

Bobby Dhanjal Wealth Management is a trading style of gateway financial advisors which is directly authorised and regulated by the financial services authority

13 King StreetLeicesterLE1 6RN

Telephone: 0116 2548 899

92 -94 Charles StreetLeicesterLE1 1FB

Telephone: 0116 2518 020

11 Bowling Green StreetLeicesterLE1 6AS

Telephone: 0116 2554 211

BDWM_.indd 1 07/06/2011 10:23


ADAPT & RESPOND

Almost a quarter of a century ago an ambitious school-leaver joined the Greenshires printing empire, taking his place on the commercial team and diligently working on all aspects of the business – becoming manager, director

and then promoted to MD 6 years ago.“I know it sounds clichéd, but so much has

changed in the time I have been here,” said Paul. “In my early days, the company had two production sites – one here in Leicester and the other in Kettering. The Northamptonshire base is now home to our stock management system, a facility whereby a client can access their printed stock or merchandise via the web, place the order and receive delivery the next day. Print orders can also be placed via the web, clients can create their own artwork from a range of pre-designed templates. This system is very cost-effective for clients, especially those with multiple outlets, for example, ten pin bowling venues, that often hold particular events needing only very short runs on a single item of promotional material. All other activity takes place under the one roof here in Leicester. This includes all our lithographic, screen and digital printing along with design and publishing services – which is quite a rare occurrence in our sector and a real bonus for customers, as delivery times are greatly reduced.”

How has the company performed in the recent economic slowing?“The business has experienced – and continues to go through – a period of change, and one not necessarily forced by the downturn. No longer do we provide just printing but a far more rounded marketing service. This has been a considered strategy as we recognised that we had decisions to make; stay as we were, providing high quality printing and take drastic action to streamline the operation or expand our offering to include data management, mailing and web-to-print.

“Although two thirds of our turnover comes from our specialist, high-end quality litho printing of brochures and magazines, the faster-growing, remaining third is for 3D point-of-sale collateral – a sector in which we have experienced exponential growth and an area in which we will continue to invest.”

Investment may have been strictly ‘off limits’ for many organisations, but at the end of last year, Greenshires purchased a new digital press, a HP FB7500. This machine significantly speeds up printing compared with the traditional screen process, yet maintains the quality of display print.

“This equipment has further added to our capability of delivering product to market in very quick time,” added Paul. “This puts us ahead of the competition as few other suppliers can match our turnaround times – it’s what gives us a crucial business edge and has attracted many new customers. For every 12 month period, 10 -15% of our client base is made up of new accounts and we are pleased to boast car manufacturer, Bentley and retail fashion leaders, Next, as just a couple of our famous names! But, of course, we also work with smaller organisations designing and producing brochures, promotional material and magazines. Our publishing department continues to grow, with a number of our own titles on sale through major newsagents – this an area where we see great potential and we are looking forward to launching new titles over the coming few years.”

Talking of the future, what’s in store for Greenshires?“As technological advances continually change the way we work, business planning has become a complex and ever-evolving procedure. We are constantly re-evaluating what we do, how we operate and also listening to the demands of our clients. As a Board, we are driving the business towards becoming a complete marketing services provider – where we offer marketing teams a complete package, including development in variable data options. Our clients want to communicate with their customers on an individual level, and with flexible printing operations we can provide exactly this, without compromising on quality and service. Web-to-print will also become an increasingly critical aspect of the business, as clients will continue to seek better value and flexibility from their print provider.

“These are challenging times for all businesses but we believe we are in good shape to adapt and respond to changing market needs – I’m looking forward to the next 24 years!”

In good shape to

You can tell by the voice alone that Paul Heath is a Leicester success story. Confident and knowledgeable but with a hint of mischievous intent, this is the man at the top of one of the city’s longest established print suppliers. Here he tells AffiliATes why it’s no longer just about ink on paper…

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good practice

Word on the street claims the usually stolid working style of solicitors maybe undergoing something of a shift as a fresh face on the scene is setting about challenging age-old

practices… to better suit clients. I can imagine that this last statement has

left you in a state of confusion – law firms adapting their services to meet the needs of their customers? Surely not?

But, it’s true. And the author of this evolution is Sameer Karim, a thirty-something graduate who left University less than 10 years ago yet is now senior partner and owner of the long-established Douglas Wemyss Solicitors (DWS) in Leicester. “Litigation and dispute resolution was, and still is, my law specialism but in the last 3 years I have discovered a greater passion – business.”

At the tender age of 29, Sameer became owner of DWS, a traditional lawyers working from dated offices in an unfashionable part of the city, but with an enviable reputation and tremendous potential. “Overnight, my career changed. No longer was I an employee turning up, doing my bit and then trotting off at the end of the day. I was a business owner with responsibilities to staff, as well as clients and also a whole lot of worries!”

His first step was to relocate to a more prestigious address in Friar Lane – rubbing shoulders with the better-known names in the city’s law scene. “It was a difficult economic time and the outlook was uncertain, but I knew that to make any headway we had to be seen in the right places – the move was crucial in giving the business the kudos it deserved, and needed. But, as other industries and sectors struggled, in turn, we felt their pain. The property market was faultering, so less conveyancing work came in – I had to look again at the business model and find ways to make us ‘recession proof’.”

Sameer created new departments, ones less dependant on external economic affairs and retrained existing staff in transferable skills. This became the default survival mode for DWS over 2008 and ‘09. Sameer clung to his staff and

Promoting

As Affiliates discovered, the world

of regional solicitors is being

shaken by a lively young mover

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streamlined the practice – with everyone taking on extra responsibilities, he says it was a ‘true team effort’.

But isn’t this just a tale of brave business in the face of adversity? Not entirely, as Sameer has not only remodelled the existing core of DWS, but has designed daring diversifications and ingenious add-ons. During 2010, as we witnessed the first chinks of light break the darkness of the downturn, DWS launched its ‘mobile legal services’ – with typical courage and conviction. Solicitors visiting clients at their homes or workplaces, at times to suit them but without added costs. Who’d have thought it? “This is not so much about solicitors; it’s more about business. We only have the one ‘product’ and that is constant. However, we do have flexibility on how we deliver that product and that’s where you need to be creative, so we are!”

This year has also offered opportunity and with his usual zeal, Sameer opened the first walk-in legal shop in Leicester – to make legal advice more easily accessible.

“Many people are put off seeing a solicitor as they believe it will be too expensive or are alienated by what they perceive to be the formalities often associated with law firms. This legal shop addresses those concerns and makes it easy for anyone to walk in off the street – without an appointment and to see a qualified solicitor – without initial charge. It’s open 7 days a week until 6pm – how many other solicitors offer that level of service?”

Sameer went on to explain that this shop is in readiness for October when the profession sees the introduction of what is being called ‘tesco law’, whereby reforms will allow consumers to purchase such services as will writing or property conveyancing, as easily as they would as buying beans from a supermarket. “There’s no business sense in retaining the old superior attitude that is often pointlessly adopted by some solicitors. Come the autumn, we will all be thrust into a fiercely competitive arena and DWS is determined to be one of the leaders. The changes we are introducing are groundbreaking and we continue to look forward to doing the things others dare not!”

Sameer also proudly informs us that Douglas Wemyss Solicitors has recently been awarded the prestigious award ‘Law Firm of the Year 2011’ voted for by Leicestershire Law Society. Recognition for the firm and its desire to be different.

73839_p12-13 DWS_ok.indd 13 07/06/2011 09:54

Winners of “LAW firM of THe YeAr 2011”

voted by Leicestershire Law Society

CONTACT DETAILS

Head Office: 18 Friar Lane, Leicester, LE1 5RA

t: (0116) 2999 199 f: (0116) 2999 099 e: [email protected] w: www.d-w-s.co.uk

Winning Law Firm of the Year is a true appreciation that we provide the best service for our clients. This award is recognition of our innovation. We are a firm that is willing to take risks, to stray away from the traditional “stuffy” solicitor role and actively encourage our staff to do the same. It has been proven that doing things differently pays off.

Although small in size, we are not small in scope. We are a firm that is boldly breaking new ground whilst never losing sight of what we are and what we do best.

We are now Leicester’s recognised leading law firm for breaking the mould and being bold enough to revolutionise the way legal services are provided. Therefore we are ever more focused on our clients and more determined on keeping the innovation going.

Contact me personally and I pledge to take care of your requirements.

Sameer Karim CEO direct mail: [email protected]

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

BUSINESS LAW:• Commercial: Business Purchases/Sales • Dispute Resolution• Commerce & Technology • Corporate Transactions• Commercial Conveyancing • Property Litigation• Restructuring & Insolvency • Employment Law

PERSONAL LAW:• Family Law • Wills, Trusts & Probate • Residential Conveyancing• Employment Claims • Immigration • Disputes • Debt• Road Traffic Offences • Personal Injury Claims

MEETINg FACILITIES • London • Birmingham • Burton on Trent • Loughborough

DougLaS WEMySS SoLicitorS:

“The Game ChanGers”

73839_DOUGLAS_WEMYSS_FP.indd 14 07/06/2011 09:28


The cricket season is well under way and excitement is building as the Leicestershire Foxes slog it out in what has become one of the most popular forms of the game – Twenty20 (t20).Taking just 3½ hours, this shortened version of

cricket attracts thousands of spectators to the County Ground at Grace Road. It’s fast-paced, full of drama (as you never know quite what will happen next) and is accompanied by music, singing and good, family fun.

And this year, the opposition is stronger than ever, as the World Cup-winning India squad, will be visiting Leicester at the end of August, as part of their preparations to face England.

“Teams come to Leicestershire knowing that the Club has a history in t20,” said Club Chief Executive, Mike Siddall. “We are the only county to win the competition twice, so our opponents know there will be a battle.

“We have some bright young stars, like James Taylor who plays for the England Lions and Josh Cobb. Their dynamism is coupled with the experience and know-how of our senior players, so will make us worthy opponents for the all-star Indian side who are expected to bring a strong team to Leicester - as this is India’s only t20 warm-up match of the tour - so will give spectators the chance to watch top players in action. It’ll be a cracking game!”

This fixture against India is already a sell-out, but Affiliates has four pitch-side tickets to give away to one lucky winner – see p29 for details.

But before that massive match, the Foxes face some strong teams from around the counties. The likes of Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire are all keen to get their hands on the coveted trophy and are hungry for t20 success, but the Foxes’ players love this game and know they are equal to the challenge.

This year, the Club is offering a new t20 ‘Four Pack’ ticket, where supporters choose

any of the four Friends Life t20 group home games for the discounted price of £40. Spectators can also buy match tickets in advance or on the day.

crickeTIt’s just not

a n d i t ’ s n o t j u s t c r i c k e t – a s A f f i l i A t e s f i n d s o u t . . .

Continued on p17

73839_p15-17 LCCC_ok.indd 15 07/06/2011 09:55

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17

Continued from p15

It’s stylish hospitality for corporate events

The perfect setting for hospitality

Entertain in a stylish executive suite with private bar and viewing balcony. Our package includes:• Two course buffet

• Tea, coffee and snacks on arrival

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Prices start from £50 per person plus VAT.

Discover why LCCC is more than just cricket, call Tracey Branson on 0871 2821879 or email [email protected]

CommunityCounty cricket in Leicestershire is not just about the players you see on the pitch – it’s about encouraging youngsters to take part in sport and building community spirit.

“Over the last few years, we have sent staff members to either play for, or act as ambassadors for the Club with local teams that play in the Everards Premier Division,” added Mike. “A number of our players came through the ranks at local level, like Josh Cobb and Greg Smith, who play for Kibworth, and Harry Gurney, James Taylor and Nathan Buck, who play for Loughborough Town CC. “Others, such as Academy player, James Sykes, plays for Stoughton and Thurnby, while players including Claude Henderson and Paul Nixon are ambassadors.

“We like to be involved in the local scene and this season, we have offered local clubs free transferable membership passes for LV=County Championship and Clydesdale Bank 40 games and also sent players to support the NatWest Cricket Force initiative, where clubs have a day of doing all of those jobs required to get a ground in shape ahead of the new season.”

HospitalityEntertain in a stylish executive suite with private bar and viewing balcony.

Our package includes:

• Two course buffet• Tea, coffee and snacks on arrival• Reserved parking spacesPrices start from £50 per person plus VAT. Discover why LCCC is more than just cricket, call Tracey Branson on 0871 2821879 or email: [email protected]

Win!

Four, pitch-side tickets for the India t20 game on Monday 29th August 2011

This is the only way to see the India game, as all other tickets are sold out!

For a chance of winning this fantastic

prize, answer the following question;

Who is the current captain of Leicestershire County Cricket Club? Is it;

a) Paul Nixon b) Matthew Hoggard c) Jigar Naik

Email your answer to; [email protected] by 2nd August 2011.

Entrants must be over 18 by the closing date. One lucky winner will be drawn at random from correct entries, on 03/08/11 and notified by email. Tickets subject to usual LCCC terms & conditions.

73839_p15-17 LCCC_ok.indd 17 07/06/2011 09:57


The frothy cappuccino releases a gentle cloudlet of steam as the barista delivers the much-needed mid-morning reviver to the glass counter at Hotel Maiyango, in Leicester city

centre. We have dropped in for coffee and catch-up with Azam Mamujee, who is buzzing with business enthusiasm.

“Hello! What a fabulous day?”

From the first, warmest welcome, you realise this is a man who appreciates life; he smiles, offers a hand and immediately sets you at ease – not all the stereotypical accountant. There’s no clipboard, calculator or notepad in sight.

“Where shall we start?” he asks.“Let’s start with you…”

Azam came to Leicester 38 years ago with his parents and two brothers but aged only 9, tragedy hit the family when his father died. However, he left a lasting legacy of trust and solidarity, as his sons ably supported their mother and did all they could to become ‘fine young men’ - with a good education and excellent job prospects.

Their father would not have been disappointed, as the three brothers are fulfilling their potential and now working together as M Cubed Accountants & Business Advisers – coming to this union after starting their careers with some of the best-known names in the financial and manufacturing world.

“I won a scholarship to Loughborough Grammar School and went on to study economics at Cambridge,” explained Azam. “I joined Deloitte after graduating and enjoyed 11 years with them, dealing with clients from across many sectors. I was involved with lots of business transactions – from raising finance to stock floatations and everything in between! It was a great training ground, as you get to know what works and what doesn’t! I was also lucky enough to spend 4 months on secondment in Australia and I am very appreciative of the experiences afforded to me during my employment - as

it allowed me to amass the knowledge and expertise I now use to benefit our clients. One of my brothers worked for CAP Gemini, the other at United Biscuits – handling major brands, including McVities, so they too gained invaluable skill sets.

“But as ‘master of my own destiny’, I knew the time was right to go it alone – without it being alone, as my brothers were joining me. We have the same ambitions and the same entrepreneurial streak that runs through the

family, along with the shared beliefs, ethics and values that can often be missing from larger organisations. We also felt we had the personal resources to start the business – drive, energy and enthusiasm.”

That was 5 years ago, and with Kaaeed and Zahir, Azam now works with a range of companies and individuals from across the country. They have driven the company to continual year-on-year growth and are now preparing for the next stage of development.

“We are delighted to be in a position to expand our services, but we have not reached this point without the sacrifices and sheer hard graft that go into building a business. We understand the ups and downs and our clients know we speak from first-hand experience.”

Azam goes on to explain that, with his brothers, they know that as the world – and its economics – change, they need to continually adjust to meet the ever-evolving needs of clients.

“Two thirds of our practice is now advice, guidance and adding value to commercial organisations – examining working practices and devising ways to make the business operate more smoothly. We use the latest technology and toolkits to help identify areas of concern. For example, we have just helped an organisation increase turnover from £2m to £10m by acting as ‘guides’ – identifying the opportunities and avoiding the money pits. By doing this, the

entrepreneurial owners were also relieved of the burden of the responsibility of the day-to-day financials and

were free to grow the business.”By now, the coffee froth has dissolved,

and Azam asks if he has said enough. “Enough for a dissertation.”

“Good, we can save some for next time!” And sure enough, he’s right – there’s plenty more to talk about – we didn’t mention the work he does on the board of Curve or his love of theatre nor did we mention the Himalayan adventure or his work on the governing board of the University. So much more to tell…

THREE BROTHERSA tale of

As AffiliAtes discovers from one of Leicester’s leading accountants…

“drive, energy and enthusiasm”

73839_p18-19 MCUBED_ok 2.indd 18 07/06/2011 09:58

www.affiliatesmagazine.co.uk 19Photograph was shot on location at Hotel Maiyango. www.maiyango.com

73839_p18-19 MCUBED_ok 2.indd 19 07/06/2011 09:58


Leicester’s Cultural Quarter has been hailed as a regeneration success. This old part of the city is now home to some of the most creative organisations in the country and is

fertile ground for new business ventures – including one very unlikely partnership.

Affiliates meets the Bangladeshi restaurant manager and the English property developer who have joined forces to deliver an Asian eating experience like no other, but it’s not all been plain naan…

It’s one thing to renovate dilapidated buildings; quite another to have managed one of Leicester’s favourite Indian eateries, so seeking to bring the two skills together might seem a rather improbable task. But through the complex, and often tangled, network of Leicester’s business community, Simon Postlethwaite (bricks and mortar) sought out Shaf Islam (spice and relish) to create an innovative new restaurant in an old wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Halford Street.

“I already owned the building, with residential lettings above ground floor but with permission for a food outlet on street level,” explained Simon. “The previous tenants had moved out so I was left with an empty shell – what was I going to do? Then, in a mad moment, I thought I might enjoy a nerve-jangling challenge and couldn’t see why I shouldn’t be involved with a restaurant myself. There was one small problem… I knew absolutely nothing about running one – so needed help!”

Shaf was known in the city for his management of the popular Shimla Pink on London Road. He too was on the look out for a fresh adventure. “Simon came to me last autumn with a proposal to create a different sort of Indian eatery. I was interested to hear his ideas and quite liked the thought of working with someone new. So we agreed terms on this project – one that used his business sense and my experience in food preparation.

“However, one of our first clashes came over the name. I was keen on ‘Spiceworks’ but Simon thought it too similar to other businesses and wanted to avoid any confusion. We both liked ‘Mango Chutney’, but our advisers thought it was too ordinary. We needed to convey the feel that although we were serving Indian food, it was not a traditional Indian restaurant, so the name too had to be something out of the ordinary. We recognised that The Ivy in London is a well-known name and we liked the idea of suggesting that same feel of stardom and glitziness – so in a light-bulb moment, Chutney Ivy was born!”

Happy with the name, Simon set about creating a stylish eating environment. The pair wanted chic without imposing; smart but no pretence and Indian unaccompanied by distinctive aroma! So whilst interior designers

set about the brief, the builders installed state-of-the-art air conditioning to duct cooking smells away from the dining room.

Time was ticking and Shaf knew they ought to be open for the busy festive season, but the place had to be right. “We have just the one opportunity to impress diners, so getting the food, service and ambience just-so was vitally important - in moments of sanity, I just knew that it wasn’t possible! Staff in catering facilities are notoriously difficult to attract and retain, and on several occasions we were ‘gazumped’ by other places stealing our chefs. But the financial burdens forced us to open, so in fear and dread, we unlocked the doors - but very quietly! Every day we were continually improving service, adjusting menus, attending to glitches and avoiding any advertising or promotion – a heart-stopping gamble.”

But open they did and through to the end

of 2010 they enjoyed a surprisingly steady trade, even hosting a couple of Christmas parties and a few festive gatherings.

It wasn’t until earlier this year that Shaf and Simon felt truly comfortable that the restaurant was complete, so have launched themselves into promotion and advertising. Rounds of meetings with designers, photographers and journalists have seen the restaurant featured in newspapers, magazines, dining guides and reviews. But it was their inclusion in what seemed a risky business initiative that allowed them to thoroughly test the market – Groupon.

For the uninitiated, Groupon is an online voucher scheme giving bargain deals on all sorts of leisure activities. For the ‘host’ provider, margins are shaved to an absolute minimum but allows them to ‘advertise’ to the ever-burgeoning numbers of Groupon

clients who, in turn, get the chance to try a new place at a fraction of the menu price, everyone’s a winner, right?

“At first, we thought it was a great idea but after niggling thoughts and numerous

calculations, we couldn’t see how we’d cover costs and how it could possibly work for us,” added Shaf. “After extensive re-negotiation, we penned a new ‘deal’ and signed the contract with trepidation, we again gambled and waited. We need not have worried though, as over 650 bookings for two people were received – 1300 diners to impress. And that’s just what we must have done, as the repeat bookings have been unimaginable, it’s worked fantastically well!”

It’s now June and the Parisian-cafe windows to Chutney Ivy have been flung open to the pavements and diners enjoy the cosmopolitan, metropolitan vibe of the Cultural Quarter for luncheon and dinner. In restaurant terms, it’s still early days, but for this unlikely combo, it seems like they’ve ‘hit the right note’, ‘stolen the scene’ or should that be ‘broken a leg’ – culturally speaking, of course!

“in a light-bulb moment, Chutney Ivy was born!”

a business partnershipThe story of

73839_p20-21 CHUTNEY IVY_ok.indd 20 07/06/2011 10:00


73839_p20-21 CHUTNEY IVY_ok.indd 21 07/06/2011 10:00

41 Halford Street, Leicester LE1 1TR - Tel: 0116 251 1889

www.chutneyivy.com

• Business Lunches

• Stylish Bar and Late Lounge

• Venue Hire Available

• Open Plan Kitchen

• Elegant Dining Room

• Pre Theatre Menu just £14.95

• Reduced NCP Parking Rates

“contemporary dining space, combined with traditional Indian hospitality”

‘at the heart of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter’

73839_CHUTNEY IVY_FP.indd 22 07/06/2011 09:23


InvestPublic Relations? In this climate, would money not be better invested elsewhere, or even kept in the bank or back pocket until the clouds part?

Well no, not really. It’s actually a good time to invest.

History has taught us the world is littered with corporate corpses, companies that cut back dramatically on marketing activity because of recession, and then never made it back to the limelight again. The savvy ones maintained a level of spending, even upped it, in order to see off competition. You just have to get a bit clever and in today’s environment of social media, online video clips, online news feeds, etc. there are so many more opportunities to do just that.

Millions of viewers go online everyday to watch video clips... dogs on skateboards and people doing unusual things with cars are popular on YouTube. But, in addition to the daft, dangerous and ridiculous, the new video phenomenon presents a wonderful opportunity to put something eye-catching into marketing and PR activity.

Video on your website is an advantage too, as more and more people make buying decisions based on what they see and hear, hence the boom in viral marketing.

Creativity should be at the heart of everything we do as marketers and PR communicators, whether it be corporate identity and brand management, a media relations campaign, designing a website, developing a direct mail campaign, or organising and managing an event.

And while every picture is generally worth 1,000 words (or 500) there are exceptions. Take the photograph of the chairman or chief executive, trustees, staff and local councillors, dressed formally smiling at the camera. Yes, take it, and bin it.

Use photographs of people doing things, undertaking activities that are meaningful to the story. Bland, middle aged people in suits don’t have the impact that the bland middle aged people in suits think they have.

Use photographs that are colourful, vibrant and warm the heart. Use them with short sentences and plain English and make me want to remember your organisation, not forget it.

Don’t just churn out press releases. Sometimes I have to break the news to clients that their idea for a press release is...well, not to put too fine a point on it, naff.

So, instead of a blatant product puff or announcing that the background colour has been changed on the company’s website, a journalist’s attention is best attracted through the truly news-worthy, inspired or unusual.

A great time to

“You just have to get a bit clever”

“You just have to get a bit clever”

73839_p23 PR feature_ok.indd 23 07/06/2011 10:01

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

Bringingcompanies and

individualstogether

Enjoy the potential of new revenuestreams, business partnerships andmoney can’t buy hospitality whilstsupporting an Olympic sport andassisting with the delivery of medalsfor Great Britain.

Key Facts:• 4.2m people in the UK riding on a

regular basis• £4bn per annum is spent within

the equestrian industry in the UK• 1.2m people visit the top ten

shows alone• Equestrianism is one of the fastest

growing sports

British ShowjumpingNational Agricultural Centre Stoneleigh Park Kenilworth Warwickshire CV8 2LR Tel: 02476 698800 Fax: 02476 696685 Email: [email protected] Website: www.britishshowjumping.co.uk

BUSINESS_PARTNERS_A4:Layout 1 10/11/10 14:36 Page 24


Partnersa

s Britain’s leading equestrian governing body, British Showjumping launched a new Business Partnership initiative last year. This aimed at

promoting not only the appeal of one of this country’s most popular and iconic sports, but also to identify successful commercial opportunities too.

With equestrianism in general, and showjumping in particular, now one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, British Showjumping identified a number of new initiatives, which has already attracted interest from a number of well known high street brands and corporate big guns.

“The Business Partnership has created an environment where we can work proactively alongside those within it, creating a package that meets a company’s needs and objectives, while also assisting us to meet the sports performance needs,” explains British Showjumping’s head of communications Maria Clayton. “For some organisations it may be that they want exposure at top level with television coverage, for others just some great ‘money can’t buy hospitality’ that they can bring their key customers to throughout the year. By structuring the Business Partnership in this way, we could really listen to each individual’s needs and tailor our resources to meet them.”

But rather than turning to well worn equine brands, the organisation has targeted non-specific equestrian businesses, which have had little or no prior involvement with this sector.

“For instance, we recently worked with a leading automotive manufacturer,” says Maria. “Having looked at their existing activity and how they were working with their dealerships across the county show circuit with tradestands, we put together a partnership package that encompassed the county shows they wanted to be present at. Via our sport, we were then able to offer arena-side tradestands in key areas, access into shows they hadn’t been able to get into before, TV exposure and national newspaper coverage for almost the same level of investment.”

According to Maria, the key to success is all about listening to the potential partners’ needs and identifying objectives and then building a package to meet requirements. “There is a basic framework that we start with, but it is pretty rare that we ever stick to it!” she says. “Every businesses needs are different, so whether it’s wanting to network across our top owners and riders or building a package for TV coverage – it’s all feasible, we just need to work closely together and be honest in respect of what we want to achieve from it. “

British Showjumping has put itself firmly on the marketing map and last year’s appointment of chief executive Iain Graham, who comes from a proven commercial background, has further helped deliver change on strategic planning and re-structuring, which has already proved invaluable.

“I would consider showjumping to be a sport that has one of the most financially stable spectator audiences,” says Iain. “It is also a relatively untapped market. When you consider that across the top 10 county shows alone there is a footfall of 1.2million people, the majority of whom are ABC1 category, it’s astonishing. It is also a sport which not only has tremendous family appeal, but it also attracts a younger female enthusiast

with a passion that tends to continue for the rest of their lifetime. Recently, we have seen a number of High Street names coming into the sport so it looks like people are beginning to see the sport for the value it can return.”

According to Maria, a major part of the appeal in offering hospitality at key events lies in the opportunity to network across key investors and owners, as well as family appeal. “I have been told by many of the male investors that when mentioned to wives and children

hospitality days at showjumping events are never turned down. It makes a great change to the traditional golf days and that it’s superb that he can bring his family with him for the day and drive home knowing they’ve had such a quality time together.”

The appeal of the sport is highlighted also partly thanks to the support and participation of popular celebrities, including England rugby captain Phil Vickery, who partly owns Robert Smith’s international show jumper, Raging Bull Vangelis S. Other well known ambassadors include Amy Guy (Sky 1 Gladiator), celebrity fitness trainer Angie Best, model Jodie Kidd, DJ Sara Cox and six-times cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson.

“Household names such as Harvey Smith and David Broome still generate terrific interest with both of them sitting on the board,” says Maria. “Other names such as Tim Stockdale have brought the sport to the fore with his involvement in the Celebrity Showjumping for Comic Relief and other television activity he’s involved with. We also have Ellen Whitaker who is popular with the media, especially with her recent engagement to Henry Cavill, who has been announced as the new Superman in next year’s blockbuster.

“With a sport that combines tradition, majestic, speed, braveness, power, gender equality and glamour, what more could you want to help promote your business?”

For more information visit www.britishshowjumping.co.uk

PerfectWith more sports’ governing bodies

and businesses joining together to help

raise mutual awareness of worldwide

brands, British Showjumping is paving

the way with a successful initiative

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

Bringingcompanies and

individualstogether

Enjoy the potential of new revenuestreams, business partnerships andmoney can’t buy hospitality whilstsupporting an Olympic sport andassisting with the delivery of medalsfor Great Britain.

Key Facts:• 4.2m people in the UK riding on a

regular basis• £4bn per annum is spent within

the equestrian industry in the UK• 1.2m people visit the top ten

shows alone• Equestrianism is one of the fastest

growing sports

British ShowjumpingNational Agricultural Centre Stoneleigh Park Kenilworth Warwickshire CV8 2LR Tel: 02476 698800 Fax: 02476 696685 Email: [email protected] Website: www.britishshowjumping.co.uk

BUSINESS_PARTNERS_A4:Layout 1 10/11/10 14:36 Page 24

“People are beginning to see the sport for the

value it can return”

Pictured from top to bottom:Sarah Cox, Jodie Kidd, Phil Vickery, Angie Best, Johnny Nelson and Amy Guy

Maria Clayton

73839_p25 BSJA Business_ok.indd 25 07/06/2011 10:03

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The kettlebell or girya (Russian: гиря) is used to perform ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training, resulting in weight loss and body conditioning.

Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell’s center of mass is extended beyond the hand, similar to a clubbell. This necessitates ballistic and swinging movements. By their nature, typical kettlebell exercises build strength and endurance, particularly in the lower back, legs, and shoulders, and increase grip strength. The basic movements, such as the swing, snatch, and the clean and jerk, engage the entire body at once, and in a way that mimics real world activities such as shoveling or farm work. A more natural work-out!

Luckily in Leicestershire we have one of the leading experts in this hugely successful area of fitness. Stuart Matthews of Stu-nique Fitness provides personal fitness solutions as well as running group

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A business or workplace group assessment can be completed under consultation, free of charge and with no obligations. Stuart will meet the group and provide tailored solutions and recommendations based on the general fitness levels, providing a bespoke plan.

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73839_p27 STU-NIQUE_ok.indd 27 07/06/2011 10:04

28

To The STrandHow did you become involved?I started my working life as a carpenter then joined Dad’s new venture as a tile fixer but when he retired 16 years ago, I took over the reins.

How has the business grown?From a small shop in St Andrew’s Road, we now occupy a 600 sq ft showroom in Saffron Lane, along with a storage facility of 9,000 sq ft on Burgess Road. Of course, this has also meant an increase in staff and we now have a 12-strong sales team with 4 full-time in admin and accounts.

How has the downturn affected your business?We began to feel the impact of the recession about 2 years ago – we felt it early on. Since then, we have made cutbacks, like many other organisations in the city, and have taken every opportunity to cut costs – including simple things, like making sure the showrooms lights were not turned on until it opened at 9am.

We were also forced to look closely at our products. Before the economic squeeze we purchased about 95% of our tiles from UK and the Eurozone, but as the finances tightened, we looked to other sources and found the same, if not better quality at keener prices in Brazil, China and Turkey. But this meant we had to adopt different buying patterns, as discounts were only available on bulk orders. So, we now stock most of our tiles, meaning that customers can leave with their order.

In reality, we believe that the downturn has really done our business a favour – as it made us examine our working practices and look at the details – without it we’d probably we doing the same ol’ thing as before!

What are your plans for the next 12 months?A trade warehouse. We’ve bought land next to our existing storage and are looking to develop the site. It will mean demolishing the existing building and constructing a purpose-built warehouse that will be able to accommodate our growth for the next 5 years.

We are also looking at new suppliers in India and America. These new products will give customers even greater choice.

We’re keen to continue our input into the local community by sponsoring a local youth football team and our commitment to helping the environment will take another step forward as we invest in a cardboard and plastic bailer. This move also makes financial sense as instead of paying for the waste to be taken away, once it is bailed, it can be sold.

How do you see the business in 2016?Our aim is to continue to build stronger links with designers and architects working on large corporate commissions. The new site will feature a specialist showroom/studio for these clients, away from the gaze of the general public. We are also planning an online tile centre with free local delivery.

I think we will also see a tightening of environment and recycling legislation – this will impact on us, so we have to remain vigilant.

What projects have you been involved with recently?We have just started working with a regional property developer, so are supplying tiles to their new-builds. We were pleased to supply flooring to the new Jaguar garage in Leicester and were very privileged to have been part of the refurbishment of the Savoy Hotel on The Strand in London.

What differentiates your business from the competition?Our people are key to our success. Our showroom staff are all very knowledgeable and as a company we have over 30 years of experience.

We’re big enough to cope but small enough to care. This applies to customers and also the tilers who come us to us for their supplies - we make sure everyone gets good service.

What’s the colour of your top selling tiles?Beige!

“We’re big enough to cope

but small enough to

care”

From Saffron Lane

I f y o u n o l o n g e r e n j o y y o u r j o b – c H a n g e I t !

That’s just what John Newcombe’s father did 32 years ago, after he found himself working for new bosses. He packed his samples and set-up his own ceramic tile retail outlet, Leicester Tile Centre.Now, John is the man in charge of what has grown to become Leicester’s premier supplier of wall and floor tiles for use in private and commercial settings. He talks to Affiliates about the business…

www.affiliatesmagazine.co.uk

73839_p28-29 LTC_ok.indd 28 07/06/2011 10:07

www.affiliatesmagazine.com 29John pictured with his wife Lisa

73839_p28-29 LTC_ok.indd 29 07/06/2011 10:07

Visit www.leicestertilecentre.co.uk for images of and directions

to our showrooms

ltcleicester tile centre limited

established 1979

Opening Times

monday to Friday: 8:00am to 5:30pm

saturday: 8:30am to 5:00pm

Closed sunday

551 saffron Lane Leicester LE2 6UN Tel: 0116 283 4068 Fax: 0116 244 0443

Unit 4 Burgess RoadLeicester LE2 8QL

Tel: 0116 283 8893Fax: 0116 283 1513

• Professional & helpful staff

• Thousands of metres of wall and floor tiles from around the world all in stock

• Ongoing special offers throughout the year

• Large two storey showroom on Saffron Lane and a natural stone showroom at our Burgess Road trade warehouse

• Specialist commercial projects department

• Free delivery service

73839_LEICESTER TILE CENTRE FP.indd 1 06/06/2011 15:51


Wouldn’t you love to be a business owner but never have to go to work? Imagine, sitting back, watching your company grow then collect the dividend cheques as the money rolls in! This might sound like

fantasy, but it’s closer to reality than you might think.Yep! We’re talking about owning stocks - one of the

greatest tools ever created for building wealth and part, if not the cornerstone of, nearly any investment portfolio. So, understanding how they work is essential to building your empire…

Just a couple of decades ago, owning stocks was thought as being only for the rich but they are now the vehicle of choice for growing wealth. Demand from the ‘average’ person, coupled with advances in trading technology, has opened up the markets so that nowadays almost anybody can own stocks.

What is a ‘stock’?It’s a share in the ownership of a company - representing a claim on the company’s assets and earnings. As you acquire more stock, your ownership stake increases. Whether you say shares, equity or stock, it all amounts to the same thing.

Being an Owner Holding stock makes you one of many owners (shareholders) and, gives you a claim (albeit usually very small) to everything the company owns. Technically, you own a tiny sliver of every piece of furniture, trademark and contract, along with an entitlement to a share of the company’s earnings, as well as any voting rights attached to the stock.

A stock is represented by a stock certificate. This is a fancy piece of paper that is proof of your ownership. In today’s computer age, you won’t actually see this document as your brokerage keeps these records electronically (known as holding shares ‘in street name’). This makes share trading much easier – you no longer physically, have to take share certificates to the broker, it’s just a click of the mouse.

Being a shareholder of a public company does not entitle you to a say in the day-to-day running of the business. Instead, it’s one vote per share when electing the board of directors at annual meetings. For instance, being a Microsoft shareholder doesn’t mean you can call up Bill Gates and tell him how you think the company should be run.

The management’s task is to increase the value of the firm for shareholders. If this doesn’t happen, the

Stocktaking

of your situation

Continued on p32

“one of the greatest tools ever created for building wealth”

73839_p31-32 STOCKS_ok.indd 31 07/06/2011 10:08


shareholders can vote to have them removed, at least in theory. In reality, individual investors don’t own enough shares to have a material influence - it’s really the large institutional investors and billionaire entrepreneurs who make the decisions.

For ordinary shareholders, not being able to manage the company isn’t such a big deal. After all, the idea is that you don’t want to have to work to make money, right? The importance of being a shareholder is that you are entitled to a portion of the company’s profits and have a claim on assets. Profits are sometimes paid out in the form of dividends - the more shares you own, the larger the dividend. Your claim on assets is only relevant if a company goes bankrupt. In that case, you’ll receive what’s left after all the creditors have been paid.

Limited liabilityAs an owner of a stock, you are not personally liable if the company is not able to pay its debts. Other companies (such as partnerships) are set up so that if the organisation becomes bankrupt, the creditors can pursue the shareholders and sell off their assets to retrieve monies. Owning stock means, no matter what, the maximum value you can lose is the value of your investment - you can never lose your personal assets.

Debt vs. Equity Why does a company issue stock? Why would the founders share the profits with thousands of people when they could keep profits to themselves? The reason is that at some point every company needs to raise money. To do this, companies can either borrow (by taking a loan from a bank or by issuing bonds) or raise funds by selling part of the company, which is known as ‘issuing’ stock. Both methods are known as ‘debt financing’. Equity financing is advantageous for the company, as it does not require it to pay back the money or make interest payments. The shareholders only have the hope that the shares will someday be worth more than what they paid for them. The first sale of a stock, which is issued by the private company itself, is called the initial public offering (IPO).

It is important to understand the distinction between a company financing through debt or equity. When you buy a debt investment such as a bond, you are guaranteed the return of your money (the principal) along with promised interest payments. Not so with an equity investment.

By becoming an owner, you assume the risk of the company not being successful - just as a small business owner isn’t guaranteed a return, neither is a shareholder. If the company fails, shareholders don’t receive any money until the banks and bondholders have been paid, as your claim on assets is less than that of creditors. Shareholders earn a lot if a company is successful but they also stand to lose their entire investment if the company folds.

Risk It must be emphasised, there are no guarantees when it comes to individual stocks. Some companies pay dividends but many others do not, and there is no obligation to give them, even for those firms that have done so in the past. Without dividends, an investor can make money on a stock only through its appreciation in the open market. On the downside, any stock may go bankrupt, in which case your investment is worthless.

Although risk might sound very negative, there is also a positive - taking greater risk can bring greater returns. This is the reason why stocks have historically outperformed other investments, such as bonds or savings accounts as over the long term, an investment in stocks has attracted an average return of around 10-12%.

In our next issue we talk in more detail about bonds and investments

Continued from p31

73839_p31-32 STOCKS_ok.indd 32 07/06/2011 15:46

Greetham Valley in Rutland is the ideal venue for holding informal meetings to large corporate conferences, with very easy access via the A47 and the A1.

Our superb state-of-the-art conferencing facilities in a beautiful and tranquil setting offer a range of air-conditioned meeting rooms catering for every requirement, for between 2 and 292 delegates.

Both our residential and non-residential conference packages can be tailor-made to suit your business needs, with the assistance of our corporate co-ordinators.

Alternatively, you may prefer to have virtually a free hand in creating your own event, from selecting the most suitable rooms and equipment, choosing menus, booking bedrooms and agreeing any ancillary services such as floral arrangements and entertainment.

Boasting two superb 18 hole championship golf courses, a nine hole par 3 Academy course and professional tuition from our N1 Golf Academy, golf is a popular post-conference activity at Greetham Valley for individuals or groups. We can also provide other leisure or corporate activities using our extensive on-site team-building facilities.

We offer a range of corporate and society day packages whilst our 35 bedroom Hotel allows our guests to enjoy superb ‘Stay and Play’ golfing breaks.

Why not call Claire, our corporate co-ordinator, on 01780 460444 for more details of all Greetham Valley’s facilities.

Greetham Valley Hotel, Golf and Conference Centre Wood Lane, Greetham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7SN t: (01780) 460444 e: [email protected] www.greethamvalley.co.uk

A-roundplaying

73839_p33 Greetham.indd 33 07/06/2011 09:30

eastmidlandsairport.com


We mean business.East Midlands Airport.

*Onward connections are available to these and many more worldwide destinations with bmi and Star Alliance airlines via Brussels.

** 30 minutes free. Terms and conditions apply


Executive Lounge

Meet & Greet Car Parking

Express Lane

Free Wi-Fiaccess**

Aberdeen AmsterdamBelfastBerlinBrussels

CologneCopenhagen*GlasgowGuernseyJersey

MunichParisPragueToulouseVienna*

Insider Business ad.indd 1 26/5/11 16:27:43


BUSINESSW

ith excellent transport links and easy access to the heart of England and beyond, East Midlands Airport is a growing business which connects over 4 million passengers each year with

the world, serving more than 90 destinations. East Midlands Airport is also a major contributor

to our local economy and provides employment to thousands of people from across the East Midlands, in over 100 businesses; including a very successful freight operation. The airport is the largest pure freight airport in the UK and home to the UK’s largest express freight operations - DHL, UPS and TNT as well as Royal Mail, playing a critical role in the global cargo network and supporting many local and national businesses.

Many thousands of UK businesses require fast, secure and reliable international express services, allowing them to operate effectively and compete in the global economy. Approximately 1200 tonnes of cargo is carried through East Midlands Airport on a daily basis and Royal Mail handles a quarter of the country’s first class mail.

The airport also has a rapidly developing international route network with long established sun, ski and city break routes with new destinations being added at every opportunity. The airport’s comprehensive range of destinations also includes key business

destinations including Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, Glasgow, Munich, Paris, and many more.

And what’s more, at East Midlands Airport you’re only one connection away from sixteen additional European business hubs via Brussels Airport; including Vienna, Copenhagen, Oslo, Geneva, Stockholm, Berlin, Hamburg, Milan, Nice, Lyon, Toulouse, Madrid, Rome, Bilbao, Vilnius and Marseille.

The airport knows that whenever you travel on business, it’s important to have the tools to keep you on the move. So whether you’re en route to the UK’s major cities or further afield to chart new opportunities, it has the route network to support your business network. If you’ve forgotten to send an important email, buy travel insurance, foreign currency or research the web, don’t worry, East Midlands Airport has plenty of helpful services readily available to make your journey as easy as possible.

You’ll always be connected at the airport, with free WiFi for 30 minutes and you can stay productive in the Penauille Servisair Executive Lounge, which is open to all departing passengers irrespective of your airline or class of travel, for a small charge. The lounge has a range of exclusive benefits; including friendly staff, a bar with complimentary beers, wines and

spirits, soft drinks and snacks, plus a complete range of current newspapers and magazines and full business facilities, including writing desks, internet access, telephone and fax.

Passengers travelling on business can also take advantage of a VIP ‘Meet and Greet’ service, a convenient valet parking service for passengers, located in the airport’s short stay car park. Drop your car off right next to the terminal and friendly staff will ensure it is waiting for your return. If you’re looking for more, why not book your car in for a service, whilst on business at the airport’s on-site Auto Service Centre.

If you’d prefer to do everything at the touch of a button, the ‘Travel Extras Store’ has everything you need whether you’re away on business or searching for the sun. The on-line store provides customers with accessible information and on-line booking for car parking, private jet hire, overseas assistance, car rental, hotels, flights, holidays, travel money, security express lane tickets and much more.

And don’t forget, if you’re doing business closer to home; why not make an impression by bringing your guests to this vibrant hub and using one of the on-site hotels to host your next conference.

With much to offer all passengers from across the region and further afield, East Midlands Airport really is the place to do business.

The place to do

E a s t M i d l a n d s a i r p o r t

73839_p35 EMAirport_ok.indd 35 07/06/2011 10:09


ImpressWhat should we be wearing this season?I hate that question!

Why?In terms of men’s suits, I don’t put priority on following fashion to the letter. It is more important that a man feels comfortable in what he is wearing – if he feels uncomfortable it will show. A suit helps its owner give an impression to those around him – a well made, perfectly fitting suit in a style that suits the wearer will give a great overall impression.

So fit is vital?Absolutely! Our customers come in all shapes and sizes. I carefully select a range of styles from coveted brands including Armani, Hugo Boss, Pal Zileri, Paul Smith, Nicky Wallace and William Hunt to compliment a range of shapes and styles.

My team can help customers select a suit that they will look fantastic in, and our on-site tailor ensures that each suit fits perfectly.

What colours are in fashion?In terms of fashion we are seeing a trend towards light ‘silver’ grey suits and navy and black continue to be popular.

What about suit styles?Controversial!! The silhouette of the suit certainly has moved to a slimmer style. This can look really stylish but is not flattering for everyone. A larger man will only look bigger if he wears an overly-slim suit (believe me, I should know!). A more realistic and wearable interpretation of this trend is seen in slimmer lapels and narrower trousers.

However, for my toned and trim customers we do offer slimmer suits which are a speciality of Paul Smith and Hugo by Hugo Boss.

How about a man who wants to look really special?We are seeing a revival of the use of interesting twists and quirky details. For example, contrast stitching, striped inserts within collars, covered buttons, panel details on lapels and striking buttonholes.

Our Nicky Wallace suits are a fantastic example of this. Nicky’s designs breathe contemporary life into traditionally made suits. We are really excited about this brand and are launching a new venture with Nicky himself, offering custom made suits.

How about shirts and ties?There will always be occasions where a tie is called for. However, like it or not, it is becoming more acceptable to wear a suit without a tie. This has led to a whole new world of interesting shirts with contrasting edges on collars and cuffs.

Dressed to

Top: Hugo Boss suit £499

Middle: Hugo Sandals £85, Stone Island Tees £65, Giorgio Armani Sunglasses £215

Bottom: Hugo Boss: Bag £425, Wallet £89, Shirt £99, Tie £75 Paul Smith: Cufflinks £65

73839_p36-37 CHRIS SCOTNEY_ok.indd 36 07/06/2011 10:10


So what should I be wearing when I am not in the office?My best advice would be to visit us – our entire basement floor is dedicated to casualwear.

But sales pitch aside, something that makes you feel good, an outfit that works together and is easier to wear than more formal clothing. Polo shirts and jeans in super soft denims are very popular now. This look can be quite traditional or highly contemporary depending on which brands that you are wearing. Our Luke Roper polo shirts for example are really quirky.

What sets your store apart from the competition?Mix of brands: From the modern Nicky Wallace to the traditional Pal Zileri.

Expert help: My team can offer experienced advice if required.

Range of Sizes: We fit real people of all shapes and sizes. Ranging from 34 to 54 chest in short, regular and long fittings.

Depth of Choice: I will stick my neck out and claim to have the largest suit collection in the Midlands.

On-site tailor: I can’t emphasis enough that fit is vital.

Relaxed Atmosphere: So, no pressure, refreshments on tap, on-site carpark, out of the city centre.

Continuity: Our customers know they can rely on us to offer a super selection of suits, to reflect what is in fashion and to give excellent service.

Chris is so confident that you

will find a suit to fit your needs

that he is offering £50 offany full priced suit

when you mention this article

Christopher Scotney Designer Menswear is situated at 130 London Road, Leicester, LE2 1EB. Tel: 0116 254 3957

www.christopherscotney.co.uk

AffIlIATES ta lk to Christopher Scotney , Owner of Leicester ’s premier designer menswear store

Above left: Pal Zilleri suit £979

Above right: Pal Zilleri suit £979

Below left: Nicky Wallace suit £1299

73839_p36-37 CHRIS SCOTNEY_ok.indd 37 07/06/2011 10:10

AffiliAtes www.affiliatesmagazine.co.uk38

Prince’s TrusTT

he Prince’s trust is the UK’s leading youth charity helping to change young lives. the Prince’s trust works with 14-to-30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. last year the Prince’s trust helped more than 3,500 disadvantaged

young people across the east Midlands. More than three in four of these moved into work, training or education.

the Prince’s trust delivers a number of programmes in leicestershire, helping the region’s most disadvantaged young people to turn their lives around. the trust’s enterprise Programme helps young people to start-up their own business or find work. the team programme is a 12-week personal development course giving young people the skills and motivation to find a job. the trust also has short two-week vocational courses in a number of industries to develop skills in specific sectors.

How to get involved to help disadvantaged young people from leicestershire, the Prince’s trust needs to raise £450,000 across the east Midlands this year. the youth charity relies solely on voluntary donations from the private and public sector, as well as individuals and communities. Just £3 a month can provide two weeks’ support for a vulnerable young person, helping them find their first job. Just £50 could provide the first day’s training for an unemployed young person to start up in business.

You can help make a difference and change young lives – and your local community - for the better.

You could: • Fund a programme or course giving a group of young

people an opportunity for a better future• Choose The Prince’s Trust to be your charity of the year

and raise funds individually or through your company• Trek through the Himalayas or ski through the Arctic to help

raise vital funds to help vulnerable young people in your county • Witness life changing stories and sponsor an award at

our annual Celebrate Success awards ceremony• Volunteer to mentor a young person and help them

overcome personal barriers• Enter The Trust’s Million Makers competition, competing

with other local businesses to raise money for the charity.

What are the benefits? • Opportunities to network with other influential businesses

through the Prince’s trust Midlands leadership Group • Chance to attend exclusive events, including the glitzy

Prince’s Trust Winter Ball in Leicester• Meeting inspirational young people and seeing how your

contribution is making a difference in your county• Meet your Corporate Social Responsibilities through a

partnership with the Prince’s trust.

To find out more about how you and your business can get involved with youth charity The Prince’s Trust, contact Namita Patel on 0116 204 5598 or [email protected] or visit www.princes-trust.org.uk

The

J o H N o ’ R e i l l y, R e g i o N a l d i R e c T o R f o R T H e P R i N c e ’ s T R u s T i N

T H e e a s T M i d l a N d s , c o M M e N T s o N H o w T H e y o u T H c H a R i T y i s

T a c k l i N g y o u T H u N e M P l o y M e N T a N d P o v e R T y i N l e i c e s T e R s H i R e

In Britain there are enough unemployed young people to fill every football stadium in the Premier league, with almost 200,000 left queuing outside. With youth unemployment levels continuing to reach record highs, the prospects for a generation of young people are looking increasingly bleak.

Here in Leicestershire almost one in five young people (19 per cent) are trapped on benefits. this untapped potential is a tragedy, not only for the young people – but also to our regional economy, which stands to lose millions if we don’t help them into work.

At the Prince’s trust, we know that most young people have the determination and willingness to find jobs, but thousands lack the skills, confidence and opportunities to do so. Many have struggled at school or grown up without a role model, thinking no-one cares. Often, these young people end up on a downward spiral towards long-term unemployment, drug and alcohol addictions and poverty, struggling to see anything positive in their lives.

A new report published by The Prince’s Trust and RBS, which highlights a clear aspiration gap between the UK’s richest and poorest young people, shows that thousands of young people from the east Midlands’ poorest families tragically believe they will

John o’Reilly

73839_p38-39 PRINCES TRUST_ok.indd 38 07/06/2011 15:49

AffiliAteswww.affiliatesmagazine.co.uk 39

achieve “few” or “none” of their goals in life.the findings also show that a staggering

one in five young people in the region (19 per cent) think they will “end up on benefits for at least part of their lives”.

Only by re-engaging young people, can we hope to reinvigorate leicestershire’s economy and tap into this lost potential. Young entrepreneurs, in particular, are crucial to fuel our economic recovery. A report published by the Prince’s trust and Citi foundation shows that disadvantaged young people in leicestershire are already boosting the regional economy by more than £1.1 million by setting up their own businesses or finding work through the trust’s enterprise Programme.

this, alone, is proof that our county can reap the rewards of economic growth by investing in young people and helping them turn their lives around.

Organisations like the Prince’s trust can help these young people realise their potential and, in many cases, transform their lives. for the economy, there is a double benefit: boosting the business sector whilst reducing the benefits bill.

We meet inspirational young people every day who are determined to turn things around for themselves. take Michelle, from leicester, who faced a difficult childhood after her parents separated. Her mum struggled to provide everything the family needed and she began to believe that she’d get nowhere in life and sadly her ambitions started to fade. After leaving college because she couldn’t afford the costs, she was desperately unhappy, and thought there would be no second chance for her. she approached the trust and things started to look up. Michelle has now managed to turn her life around and is the proud owner of her own make-up artist business.

small businesses – like Michelle’s - may not be making big headlines but collectively they make a huge difference to the health of our economy by creating new jobs in areas where there are none.

it is imperative that Government, charities and employers work together to ensure all young people get the support they need - and deserve - to move into the workplace. We cannot afford to take the risk that the immense talent we have across leicestershire goes to waste. Now we need further funds to support more young people across the region, helping them escape long-term unemployment and poverty for good. Many of these young people will become the employers of tomorrow, providing services that our county needs. By helping today’s young people, we are investing in tomorrow’s economy.

Michelle Edwards

73839_p38-39 PRINCES TRUST_ok.indd 39 07/06/2011 15:49

From an intimate table for two, to a vibrant tablewith friends, Cini can help you to enjoy a range ofwonderful occasions throughout the year...- Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, christenings...- Mothers Day- Fathers Day Opera Evening- Christmas- New Years Eve

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To book a table, arrange a party or conference,or to discuss your specific requirementscontact the Cini Team... T: 0116 2863009E: [email protected] High Street, EnderbyLeicestershire LE19 4AG

Authentic Italian cuisine served in ourstylish restaurant and bar in Enderby

Relax with friends over a drink or lunch, while our Chefs guide yourlittle ones through making their very own Pizza, or messy Bolognese...Available with a choice of soft drink for only £5.00!Saturday lunchtimes (12-2pm) and Monday-Friday during school holidays

Take cover! It could get messy... but a load of fun!MiniChefs

Cini Full Page Adverts:Cini Full Page Adverts 26/05/2011 17:41 Page 2


with foodt

ucked away neatly in the bustling suburban village of Enderby is one of the gems of Leicestershire’s eateries. Cini has been serving top Italian fare from an ever-changing menu for nearly 10 years now. Chef and proprietor Andrea Paduano says, “Cini has a passionate romance with food, we love each client to leave feeling they have

shared our passion.” It’s no easy feat to keep a quality restaurant fresh whilst anchoring menus to the history steeped motherland, something that regular trips home for Andrea provide. “I like to immerse myself in the Italian culture and always feel full of new ideas when I return. Creating new and adapting old dishes to bring Italia back to Cini.”

In addition to the restaurant, Cini is home to a range of conference and meeting rooms, with overnight accommodation to boot. Providing a discreet and relaxing venue to host the sales proposal, business presentation or off-site board meeting. Coupled with the first class food, Cini is a pleasing business venue, even if the meetings are not so!

Business lunch bookings can take advantage of the competitively priced lunchtime menu with delights such as a roasted goats cheese and grilled vegetable salad coming in at under £8.00. Coining the phrase ‘Let’s do lunch more often’, Cini has to provide very little persuasion.

“we love each client to leave feeling they have shared our passion”

A passionate romance

73839_p41 Cini Restaurant_ok.indd 41 07/06/2011 10:13

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WORDThe last

Twenty-nine- year-old former Leicester Tigers back row forward Brett Deacon joined Gloucester RC on a two-year deal last season. The younger brother of England international and Leicester Tigers’ Louis Deacon, Brett now lives in Cheltenham with his girlfriend Ellie.

B r e t t D e a c o n

What is your earliest memory of the sport?My parents tell me that they used to take me to watch my father Paul play in a local team at Wigston when I was a few weeks old but I don’t remember that! I started playing at the age of six and was selected for the under 13 team at the age of eight. I became obsessed by the sport and my brother Louis and I played rugby in the back garden at every opportunity. The thing I love most is the teamwork and feeling of camaraderie – there’s nothing like being part of a tightly knit group.

Who is your all time sporting hero?Easy, it’s got to be England captain Martin Johnson! He’s one hard man and inspirational. After winning the World Cup in 2003, he wanted to come back to Leicester and that speaks volumes!

What do you listen to while driving?My favourite CDs are Kings of Leon – I download albums onto my IPod and plug it into my car. I also like listening to Ferne Cotton on Radio 1 because she is great at introducing new names and bands. However, unlike my brother, I don’t sing in the car!

What would you choose – steak or fish?Medium rare sirloin steak every time! I don’t like cooked fish, but I do eat sushi.

I enjoy cooking for Ellie at home and can do the basics well. Mostly I stick to a strict diet of meat and salads.

What do you like about Leicestershire?I love the rural side and the pretty landscapes around Market Harborough. Although I grew up in a town, now I’m getting older I’m turning into a country boy and love the rural ideal. The great thing about Leicester is that you’ve got easy access to both town and country.

What makes you happy?When I’m not training I like to take time off and chill out, going out to lunch and just kicking back. However, I do get bored easily and when I had an operation on my ankle last year and had to lie on the sofa for two weeks, it almost drove me mad!

What makes you sad?Being on my own... if I’ve got spare time I drive to see family and friends in Leicester. I especially love going to see my 18-month-old niece Marley.

What was the last favourite book you read?Bravo Two Zero by former SAS operative Andy McNab. I’m not too keen on fiction as I prefer fact and I’m quite into history and military subjects. It took me about aweek to read that book in bed.

Favourite tV programme?OK I admit it, I’m an Eastenders fan! I’ve watched it since I was about 10 years old and try not to miss an episode!

three words to describe your personality?Cheeky, Motivated and Loyal.

are you a night owl or an early bird?A night owl, but if I don’t get 12 hours sleep my girlfriend says I turn into a grumpy old man!

Who is your best friend?My brother Louis. We’re quite close in age, grew up together and as the younger brother, he looked out for me. We confide in each other and before I moved, used to hang out together a lot. I think of him as my friend, my brother and my Dad!

three things you can’t live without?My family, sport and Ellie!

You win a million on the Lottery, what do you spend it on?I’d swop my Jaguar XFS for a Ferrari!

73839_p44 WORD Brett Deacon_ok.indd 44 07/06/2011 10:14

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