The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire March Edition 2013 | Page 18

IN PROFILE

Nicky started her career in July 1979 with HSBC where she
worked extensively with the bank’s business client base.
In 1991 she was seconded to Great Western Enterprise in
Swindon and 23 years later she is still with the company, now
known as Business West, as a Director.
She was Chief Executive until March 2005. Following the Group’s
restructure she became part time Executive Chairman and
remains Chairman of GWE Holdings Limited, one of the two
shareholders of Business West.

NICKY ALBERRY
Earlier this year Nicky became Chairman
of Excalibur Communications, the
Swindon based mobile landline and
IT solutions business. Nicky joined the
team in the quest to grow Excalibur
rapidly into 2014 and beyond. Outside
of work Nicky was a founding member
of the Swindon Cares Fund Raising
Appeal. The appeal has now raised
almost £300,000 for community and
voluntary organisations in Swindon.
Motivated by helping people in business
fulfil their potential, Nicky certainly cuts
an admirable figure.
What was your first job?
I grew up in Torquay and when I was very small I would
help my mum prepare the cream teas in a local Tea shop.
My job was to make the little “butter curls” & I got paid
for doing this.
My first serious job though came along in 1979 when I
joined Midland Bank (now HSBC).
I had left school with good A levels and I was really lucky
because the manager I worked for encouraged me to study
for my banking exams.
Once I had qualified as an Associate of the Chartered
Institute of Bankers, I was moved to Cornwall and became
the first female manager appointed in the county in 1984.
It was quite unusual at that time for women working
in the bank to study and then to pursue a career in the
business side of the banking world – traditionally they had
worked more in a training or HR role.

What is the highlight of your career?
Undoubtedly being Chief Executive of Great Western

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Nicky is Chair of Influence, Swindon’s Strategic Economic
Partnership and Vice Chair of the Swindon and Wiltshire Local
Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Enterprise in Swindon (now Business West). I have loved
working for the Company and particularly enjoyed my time
as “The Boss”.
I’m most proud of the work I did to develop a range
of services for small businesses that became part of The
Business Link offer. I was really disappointed when the
Business Link face to face service was closed down and
reduced to a website only.

What motivates you?
I’ve been really lucky with my career – I have enjoyed
working for HSBC and also Business West. I enjoy being
part of something that can help people in business fulfil
their potential – whether starting up or growing a business.
That’s why I was really pleased to be asked by James Phipps
to Chair his company Excalibur – an opportunity to help,
support and guide but also for me to learn all about this
exciting fast changing sector.

If you could share one pearl of business
wisdom, what would it be?
Surround yourself with capable and talented people – your
job is easy then! A friend of mine who was Chief Exec
of a very large retail business told me years ago that you
only need to do 1 thing right in business – recruit the right
people for the right job. Often easier said than done….

Who is your business inspiration?
My Stepfather Frank. He ran his own marine engineering
business, and my brother took the company over from
him. He worked very hard, he was good at what he did. He
looked after his customers and he helped them when they
needed it. When I was younger, and before the days of
Computers I would write out his invoices and help with his
VAT returns. All things we did at weekends!.

In your new role as chair of Excalibur
Communications, where do you aim to
take the company in 2014 and beyond?
I very much see my job as helping and supporting James
and his executive team to deliver the business plan.
Excalibur is growing really quickly, we have opened new
offices in both Bristol and Cardiff and just recruited a

number of new people into the business. The world of
mobile and IT is very dynamic and we want to stay at the
forefront of the sector – providing excellent service and
support to our customers.

How does your LEP role help businesses
in WIltshire?
I’m Vice Chairman of the Swindon and Wiltshire Local
Enterprise Partnership. We are a partnership between
Swindon Borough Council, Wiltshire Council and business.
Our role is to determine local economic priorities
and then undertake activities to drive economic growth
and the creation of local jobs. We are also a channel of
funding from central government to support a range of
programmes and projects.
We’re currently working with government to develop a
Strategic Economic Plan for 2015 onwards which identifies
the economic priorities for our area and the funding
required to bring these forward .

CSR is important to you, what tips
would you give those looking to
embrace helping charities?
CSR is a very wide subject – I like to think of it as how a
company can make a positive contribution to society. In
Swindon and Wiltshire we have very many companies
both small and large who are engaged in this agenda
– whether looking at minimising their environmental
impact or encouraging their staff to be engaged in some
charitable or voluntary activity or work. I would like as
many businesses as possible to become more involved with
their communities.

Next month we talk to Chris Lennon, Head of Office
at Lockton Companies LLP

THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2013

TBE March 2104 v AJ QUQ