The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 42: April/May 2019 | Page 3

CONTENTS NOTE FROM THE EDITOR INSIDE THIS EDITION In this issue we celebrate the Chippenham Business Awards (cover story), turn to page 10 to find out who won. On page 12 we also talk-up the Techies, our IT & Technology Awards for Swindon & Wiltshire taking place this May at Hartham Park. Award schemes are a great way of generating positive PR for your business. They help with brand awareness, provide public recognition of your teams’ efforts, help boost staff morale, give credibility to future customers, boosts your hiring stature among new recruits and can sometimes lead to new investment or partnership opportunities. I was really impressed by the Chippenham Business Awards. It was the first year The Business Exchange was involved as a media partner and myself as a judge. The award ceremony itself was a fun evening and it was great to champion local companies and their successes. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists - very well deserved! I now can’t wait for The Techies on 9th May. It will be a real showcase of the innovation and entrepreneurialism of our local tech community. If you’re doing great things with tech and are based in Wiltshire enter before the competition closes on 8th April. On page 14 you can read a special In Profile with our Techies judge, Ali Hadavizadeh. We are also pleased to report on some exciting projects in this edition that will really make a difference to our region once complete. Turn to page 4 to find out more about Swindon’s snow dome and page 26 to see the vision for Swindon’s Science Park. Keep up to date with local business news throughout the month by visiting our website and signing up to our e-newsletters. Happy reading. 4 BUSINESS NEWS A round-up of the top business news 7 APPOINTED Recent appointments made in Swindon and Wiltshire 8 FINANCE Purple Lime introduces its ‘zest for Xero’ training courses 9 LEGAL 10 Minutes with Bower & Bailey’s New Build Property Expert 10 COVER STORY: CHIPPENHAM BUSINESS AWARDS 2019 Discover this year’s award winners 12 THE TECHIES 2019 Have you entered yet? 14 IN PROFILE Meet Techies judge and owner of Acorn Biz Solutions, Ali Hadavizadeh 18 TECHNOLOGY The latest news from Wiltshire’s thriving tech sector 20 CREATIVE THINKING Why your business needs video 26 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Architect unveils vision for Swindon Science Park 30 REVVED UP Geoff Maxted reviews the Jaguar I-Pace 32 POSITIVE BUSINESS The latest news from the third sector 34 CONNECT Networking dates for your diary ADVERTISE WITH US RAISING YOUR PROFILE WITH THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE IN 2019 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 Are you planning your marketing strategy? 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. We have a 56% business owner/ director level reader profile, we reach the key decision makers- the data proves it. Please get in touch to receive our media pack including 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 email address: [email protected] T: 01793 847966 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 2019 3