CONTENTS
THE TEAM
Editor & Founder Anita Jaynes anita @ tbesw . co . uk 01793 847966
Editorial Support Ben Carey & Nick Batten press @ tbesw . co . uk
Special Features Fiona Scott Fiona @ fionascott . co . uk
Design Juicy Designs www . juicy-designs . co . uk
Artwork Studio Creative Services www . studio-cs . co . uk
Printed by Acorn Press www . acornpress . co . uk
On the cover Artist Gem Van Gils painting her Swindog for The Big Dog Art Trail . Photo credit : Mad Mash Media .
Advertising Sales Sian Swift Business Development Manager Sian @ tbesw . co . uk T : 07710 566 145
Follow us on Social @ TBESW The Business Exchange South West tbeswindonandwilts businessexchangesw
© The Business Exchange South West Limited 2023 . Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly , The Business Exchange South West Limited cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication . The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor . All rights reserved . This publication is copyrighted and no part of this publication may be used or reproduced without the written permission of The Business Exchange South West Limited .
KEY STATISTICS
Readership : 15,000 Our audience : 56 % business owner / director level
44 % partner , manager or senior executive
04 10 16
SAS : Who Dares Wins contestant to speak at TBE ’ s Charity Conference & Expo
REGULARS
04 Business News 12 SWLEP 14 Finance 22 People 24 Creative Thinking 30 Technology 36 Positive Business
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Video content
EDITOR ’ S NOTE
Podcast
Welcome to this special edition of The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire which is all about celebrating creativity , innovation and some of the amazing work which is taking place in our area .
Turn to page 5 to read how one local firm has been recognised by the government for its fantastic international trading achievements , helping to grow the UK economy .
On page 6 , we put the spotlight on the Swindon and Wiltshire businesses and individuals who stole the show at the national Great British Expos Business & Community Awards which recognise those who are blazing a trail and realising their full potential .
Our cover story is The Big Dog Art Trail , the UK ’ s first-ever balloon dog art trail
Cover story : The latest news from The Big Dog Art Trail
FEATURES
27 Meet the Techies winner , Scaled
which is soon to be unleashed in Swindon , raising essential funds for local children ’ s hospice charity , Julia ’ s House .
Our cover star is Gem Van Gils , just one of the local artists taking part in the event . Turn to pages 10-11 to find out more about the ‘ Swindogs ’, the artists , the key dates in The Big Dog Art Trail calendar and how you can get involved . The Business Exchange is a proud sponsor of the event and can ’ t wait for the trail to go live on Saturday 15th July .
On pages 20-21 we meet some of Swindon and Wiltshire ’ s makers in our ‘ Made in Wiltshire ’ feature . We showcase the diversity of talent in our region , from precision engineering products made in our area , to specialist electronic components , to more traditional skills such as a tailoring and baking .
The Techies , The Business Exchange award scheme which recognises excellence
More news at : www . tbebathandsomerset . co . uk and www . tbeswindonandwilts . co . uk
20
Made in Wiltshire : Meet the Makers
Win an MG4 electric car for the year with Electrix
PEOPLE
36
32 10 Minutes With ... Kate Liddington , Executive Director , Ridgeway Hospital
35 John Davies : Is it me ?
Positive Business : Stepping to it for Star Scheme
in the local tech sector is now open for entries . On page 27 , we hear from one of last year ’ s winners , Scaled , on what the team has been up to since winning at the Techies 2022 and how the award has helped the business with its growth journey .
After reading this issue , I hope you feel inspired and proud to be a part of the Swindon and Wiltshire community . I know I am !
Anita Jaynes E : anita @ tbesw . co . uk T : 01793 847 966
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2023 3