Page 3 - Business in Focus Annual Report 2017 v2

2 ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017 BUSINESS IN FOCUS 3

FROM OUR CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS

Working with our delivery bring them to fruition. Our first Geraint Evans (Chairman) Nirmal Chhabria, Director of Projects
partners across Wales, we Bootcamp to Business event Gorsedd Ltd SIMEC
have successfully established was a huge success and 27 Keith Thomas (Vice Chairman) John Sheppard, Consultant
the Welsh Government’s new businesses have been started Verve Management Ltd South East Wales Economic Forum
Business Wales Advisory service by young people during
and volumes are steadily the year. Katy Chamberlain, Chief Executive Steve Hudd, Managing Director
building. The new service to This year saw two further Business in Focus Ltd SPS Ltd
growing businesses is gaining locations added to the property Jonathan Good, Area Manager
traction and feedback from Barclays Bank plc Appointments since 31st March 2017
Business in Focus faced clients on quality and the portfolio, expanding our
another challenging year during impact of the service to new footprint into Newport and Dr Charles Smith, Deputy Leader Gerald Kelly,
the financial year April 2016 and established businesses is Rhymney. The portfolio now Bridgend County Borough Council Director Professional Services
to March 2017. Contract wins positive. During the year we stands at a value of over Nicola McNeely, Partner Sony Global Manufacturing
had secured the company’s were asked to augment delivery £10.5m, housing 301 SMEs Capital Law & Operations Corporation
position for the medium term, by establishing the Business and its continued growth is Victoria Fisher,
yet following a complete Wales Entrepreneurship Hub in testament to our robust client Robert James, Partner Local Business Development Manager
organisational restructure and Wrexham, a business incubator. offer and experienced team. Geldards LLP Lloyds Bank plc
relocation of our teams we Activity has begun with the Following an intensive Christopher Richards
were tasked with mobilisation facility due to open early in recruitment programme during Senior Commercial Manager
of two new services involving the New Year. 2016/17, I am extremely HSBC Bank plc Retirements
significantly new elements proud of the workforce we John Bevan, Consultant Jennifer Griffiths retired as
of delivery. Our new Start Up Loan team now boast and would like to a Director on 5th April 2016
established themselves well, take this opportunity to thank JB Consultancy
doubling the amount lent to each member of the team for Jenny Jones LLB, Partner David RH James retired as
£2.3m with more than four their dedication and support Morgan Denton Jones a Director on 26th July 2016
loans being drawn down each throughout a demanding year. Andrew Jones LLB, Elisabeth Burnett retired as
week. We continued to enjoy Cardiff Business Banking a Director on 26th July 2016
low default rates and attribute Following a period of significant Natwest Bank plc Haydn Davies retired as
this to the strong planning and change, we now look ahead a Director on 28th March 2017
forecasting work carried out by to cementing our status as Councillor Robert Bevan, Cabinet Member
our advisors prior to the loan the premier business support Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC
application stage. organisation in Wales. We
have a strong foundation on
The Welsh Government’s which to build for the long term
Big Ideas Wales programme future of the organisation and
was a new area of work for its personnel, becoming an
the company, working with employer of choice and building
young entrepreneurs to our customer base.
stimulate business ideas and