The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 34: Dec/Jan 2017/18 | Page 3

CONTENTS NOTE FROM THE EDITOR INSIDE THIS EDITION 4 BUSINESS NEWS A round-up of the latest business news 2017, what a year it’s been! At the beginning of the year I invested my time in the Swindon & Wiltshire Growth project and took advantage of the 12 hours free growth funding that’s currently available for SMEs (find out more on page 4). Working with Oxford Innovation, I mapped out where the business was, where I wanted it to go and worked out how I was going to achieve my ambitions both personally and professionally. I created a three-year plan with set goals and I’ve referred to this throughout the year. I also created short-term goals, based around my magazine deadlines. Being a complete pessimist about these things and finding the term ‘visualising success’ a bit cheesy I really didn’t think I would see a difference, but I have. By sticking to my plan and constantly remembering the goals I set, I’ve not only hit them, but I’ve smashed them! Our fourth-anniversary edition in September marked the biggest issue of The Business Exchange so far, but that record was soon to be broken as this magazine has overtaken it! As we move into 2018 and our fifth year in business, our plan is to keep growing, keep listening to our advertisers and readers and keep creating products in print and online that are engaging and bring marketing results. New for 2018 is The Techies, a Business Exchange initiative to celebrate the innovation and entrepreneurship of the IT community in Swindon and Wiltshire. If you’re based locally and work in tech, you need to enter. Turn to page 5 to find out more. We wish all of our readers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2018. My top tip would be, set your new year’s resolutions now, stick to them and who knows where you’ll be this time next year. Anita Jaynes Editor: Anita Jaynes E: [email protected] T: 01793 847966 8 APPOINTED Recent appointments made in Swindon and Wiltshire 12 FINANCE Financial news and advice to help your business 19 LEGAL Bower & Bailey’s Simon Read reviews the 2017 property market 20 PERSONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TBE experts provide top tips and advice for getting ahead in business 22 CELEBRATING BUSINESS IN BRADFORD ON AVON Focus on the 2017 BoA Business Award winners 25 TECHNOLOGY On the Tech Couch with ojo 26 FOCUS ON GDPR Local experts give their insight into the new General Data Protection Regulations 32 CREATIVE THINKING The latest news and information from the creative industry 38 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY News from the commercial property sector 40 REVVED UP Geoff Maxted reviews the Peugeot 308 SW 43 IN PROFILE Mike Lloyd, Haines Watts Swindon 50 CONNECT Networking events happening in Swindon & Wiltshire ADVERTISE WITH US RAISING YOUR PROFILE WITH THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE IN 2018 Are you planning your marketing strategy for the year ahead? If so, why not give us a call? We offer bespoke packages combining print, online and social media to ensure your message is heard. We are passionate about supporting local businesses and helping them grow. Being a local, independent publisher we pride ourselves on our reputation and building campaigns for clients that deliver results. That’s why so many of our advertisers renew their activity with us. Please get in touch to receive our media pack including our testimonials. Special Features: Fiona Scott www.fionascottmediaconsultancy.co.uk Design: Juicy Designs www.juicy-designs.com Motoring: Geoff Maxted www.drivewrite.co.uk Artwork: Studio Creative Services www.studio-cs.co.uk Social media: David Bolton www.tainbrae.co.uk Print: Acorn Press www.acornpress.co.uk SEND US YOUR STORY To send in your business news email us at the following addresses: Swindon & Wiltshire [email protected] T: 01793 847966 Bath & Somerset [email protected] T: 01225 300043 SALES ENQUIRIES Sian Swift Business Development Manager THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE KEY STATISTICS - PRINT Readership: 15,000 Circulation: 5,000 E: [email protected] T: 07710 566 145 Follow us on Social Media @TBESW Facebook.com/tbeswindonandwilts “The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire” THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017 3