The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 38: Aug/Sept 2018 | Page 3

CONTENTS NOTE FROM THE EDITOR INSIDE THIS EDITION Welcome to our celebratory fifth birthday edition. I can’t believe it’s been five years since I set up The Business Exchange (TBE) and printed our first issue for Swindon & Wiltshire. I love running TBE and my passion for supporting local businesses and their people is stronger than ever. Business to me is all about relationships and going the extra mile. Since the beginning I’ve been determined to create a trusted brand and publication for both our readers and advertisers and will continue to invest in our customer experience in the years ahead (read page 38 to read our expert’s column on the importance of customer experience). Our latest business investments include updating the design of the magazine - you may notice some changes to this issue and investing in our website’s user journey and search engine optimisation. I believe it’s important to not stand still in order to succeed, you can’t be complacent. In this issue we list Swindon & Wiltshire’s top 100 businesses ranked by turnover. I always enjoy compiling this feature. Companies get a real kick from being listed and it’s great to see all the social sharing after going to press, congratulating local firms on their successes. We’re so fortunate that our economy is boyant in areas where business confidence is strong - see page 5 for Lloyds Bank’s latest research which highlights transport, communication and construction as particularly positive sectors. Our top 100 table is dominated by firms that fit into these categories (turn to pages 22-24 to find out who’s made the cut.) A HUGE thank you to all of our advertisers, contributors and supporters who have helped us along the way. Here’s to the next five years! Enjoy reading this special edition. Editor: Anita Jaynes E: [email protected] T: 01793 847 966 Special Features: Motoring: Fiona Scott www.fionascottmediaconsultancy.co.uk Geoff Maxted www.drivewrite.co.uk 4 BUSINESS NEWS A round-up of the top business news 8 APPOINTED Recent appointments made in Swindon and Wiltshire 11 FINANCE Milsted Langdon asks, ‘Are you ready for Making Tax Digital?’ 13 LEGAL 10 Minutes with Bower & Bailey’s Eugene Murphy 14 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE TURNS 5 Cover story: TBE looks behind the scenes 18 START-UP SEPTEMBER The launch of our annual start-up competition 22 SWINDON & WILTSHIRE’S TOP 100 The ultimate guide to the area’s most successful businesses 27 PADDY BRADLEY’S PROUDEST MOMENT The CEO of one of Swindon and Wiltshire’s most strategic business organisations reveals his proudest achievement 28 TECHNOLOGY The latest news and information from the IT industry 32 REVVED UP Geoff Maxted reviews the Audi SQ7 33 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY News from the commercial property sector 42 CONNECT Networking events happening in Swindon & Wiltshire ADVERTISE WITH US RAISING YOUR PROFILE WITH THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 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. Design: Juicy Designs www.juicy-designs.com Artwork: Studio Creative Services www.studio-cs.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 2018 3