Tuesday 31 May 2016

Doosan Infracore Machine Tools acquired by MBK Partners reports Machinery Market



The newly created Doosan Machine Tools Co Ltd was officially launched on 2 May, following the recent acquisition of Doosan Infracore Machine Tools BG by the Korean company MBK Partners.  

At a special ceremony held at the newly launched company’s Changwon factory in South Korea, senior management representatives presented its ambitions and plans for the next 40 years.  

New Start 40 focuses on the company continuing to grow its share of the global machine tool market, with the aim of becoming one of the top three suppliers in the medium term. Doosan Machine Tools (then called Daewoo Machinery) was launched as part of Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery on 1 July 1976. It was subsequently acquired by Doosan Group and operated as part of Doosan Infracore until 2 May this year.  

Currently, Doosan Machine Tools Co Ltd operates three manufacturing facilities, four subsidiaries and 18 technical centres; it also has a global network comprising 122 dealers — including Leamington-based Mills CNC, which is not only the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland but also a long-established Technical Partner.

Thursday 26 May 2016

CIMA West Midlands - Retired members’ lunchtime cruise on 15th June


We welcome you to join us for a lunch and cruise aboard the Countess of Evesham, a 70ft restaurant cruiser going out of Stratford-upon-Avon.  

CIMA has exclusive use for this cruise. Please arrive no later than 12.15pm as the cruise departs at 12.30pm. You will have an excellent two course lunch whilst cruising along the river for one and a half hours, returning at 2pm. 

Date:  15 June 2016 – 12.15pm to 2pm   

Location:  Countess of Evesham, Bancroft Basin, Bancroft Gardens, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BA 

Price: £20.50 (incl. VAT) 

Comments: Two course lunch and river cruise included. 

Find out full details of the Countess of Evesham at http://www.countessofevesham.co.uk/  

You can pay online at www.cimaglobal.com or download a booking form and return to Julie Witts with a cheque payment for £20.50. Please ensure you book your place by Wednesday 8 June.

Thursday 19 May 2016

Focus on Construction supplement in Birmingham Post

The Birmingham Post has taken a look at the construction industry this week in a special supplement.
Who's Who in Construction is sponsored by Aldridge-based Shaylor Group and examines the changing market place.
With Paradise, HS2, Arena Central and countless new student accommodation projects, the construction industry in Birmingham is booming right now.
Shaylor peers into its crystal ball and assess the Government's Construction 2025 strategy while Speller Metcalfe talks adaptations and negotiated contracts.
Stepnell also looks at some of the work it has been carrying out.
Who's Who in Construction can be read online via our PageSuite software or in the latest edition of the Birmingham Post.
For future supplements and advertising opportunities, contact Tony Williams on tony.williams@trinitymirror.com or call 0121 234 5262 or 07970 728 274.

Tuesday 17 May 2016

Shaylor Group plc – ‘Double Delight At Celebrating Construction 2016 Awards’ reports Tanith Hood


We are extremely proud to announce our success in this year’s prestigious Celebrating Construction 2016 Awards in Birmingham on Friday 13th May. 

The win of the night was in the ‘Heritage’ category, where our outstanding work on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Wing restoration was acknowledged. The project saw the restoration of the oldest part of the RSC’s theatres, with work being carried out on both the façade and interior of the Grade II listed building. We would like to congratulate Heritage Specialist Richard Sapcote, Contracts Manager Rob Leonard, Site Managers Bob and Phil Tatton and Quantity Surveyor Dan Manley on this fantastic achievement.  

Alongside this award, we also received Highly Commended in the ‘Project of the Year’ category, for the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) project. As only the third project of its kind globally, it has deservedly attracted national and international media attention. We weaved our way throughout the woodland in Staffordshire to carry out extensive works setting up the site including construction of access roads, a Co2 storage compound and installation of 1,000 meters of pipework throughout the forest for the distribution of the Co2. In addition, we also achieved our now infamous helicopter delivery method for installation of over 100 25m high masts. The success of this project is thanks to a great deal of people and hard work - Project Manager Dave Disney, Quantity Surveyor Nigel Meehan, Site Managers Sean Hall, Paul Cheese, Paul Roberts, Stan Tweede, Scott Orton and Chris Moore, M&E Manager Neil Cappell and Senior Contracts Manager Phil Wrixon.  

This is the second acknowledgement the BIFoR project has received, with it also being named winner of the ‘Environmental Award’ last year at the Building Safety Group Awards. As well as this amazing achievement, Dave Disney has also been shortlisted for the Construction Manager of the Year Awards for his performance on BIFoR, and we wish him the best of luck for the rest of the process.  

Many congratulations to all involved in these award winning projects!

The CFO Agenda 2016: Culture. Strategy. Change. on 28 June in London with Sir Clive Woodward & Alistair Darling presented by Financial Director


Tuesday 28th June 2016

Waldorf Hilton, London

8:30 - 9:00 

Delegate registration and refreshments

9:00 - 9:10 

Chairman's welcome and opening remarks

Richard Crump, Editor, Financial Director

9:10 - 10:10 

Keynote: Sir Clive Woodward

The Rugby World Cup-winning head coach and Team GB director of sport will provide rare insight into people management and driving culture, while setting out your own path to success.

He will also share his experiences on the front-line in the upper echelons of both sport and business.

Followed by Q&A with the audience

10:10 - 10:55 

How to instil effective change management culture

Finance Directors increasingly act as arbiters of organisational change. Working closely with CEO to devise change strategy, it is often the CFO and finance function that is responsible for making the numbers add up. Increasingly, CFOs are charged with managing the ‘change teams’ and monitoring the relevant KPIs. This panel will discuss how they instil change culture throughout their organisations.

Panellists:

Mark Evans, Chief Financial Officer, 02 UK

Talita Ferreira, Chief Financial Officer, BMW Group UK Ltd.

David Tilston, former Chief Financial Officer, Innovia Group

Followed by Q&A with the audience

10:55 - 11:15 

Morning networking break

11:15 - 12:00 

Pensions – taking control

Company pension schemes may have been set up in the past, but they affect the future. This session will provide the latest thinking on how you, as FD, can help to control your pension scheme rather than it dominating the agenda. Our expert panel will outline how to approach pensions risk management, setting an appropriate governance structure in place, and the latest funding options available. They will also outline the government’s direction of travel on pensions.

Chair:

Gareth Tancred Gareth Tancred, Chief Executive, Pensions Management Institute

Panellists:

Richard Dowell, Head of Clients, Cardano

Bina Mistry Bina Mistry, Head of UK Corporate Pensions Consulting, Willis Tower Watson

12:00 - 12:45 

Corporate culture – an abstract concept for CFOs

A failure in culture invariably lies at the heart of corporate scandal – from dodgy accounting figures to fake emissions data and any number of notable governance failings. But what does a healthy corporate culture look like and how can it be assessed. What role does CFO and internal audit-type functions play in its creation and assessment.

Panellists:

Ian Smith, CFO, Clydesdale Bank

Gilly Lord Gilly Lord, Head of Regulatory Affairs, PwC

12:45 - 13:45 

Networking lunch

13:45 - 14:15 

The Digital Finance Function

CFOs and their finance teams are increasingly expected to drive new digitally enabled business models. This session will explore how finance teams can expand their knowledge of technology, analytics and business partnering to capture, develop and analyse new performance metrics to understand the value created by new intangible drivers using the latest cloud-based tools and technologies.

Chair:

Peter Cochrane, Former Chief Technology officer, BT

Panellists:

Mark Nittler, VP Enterprise Strategy, Workday

Followed by Q&A with the audience

14:15 - 15:00 

Do companies have a duty to avoid tax?

Attitudes to aggressive tax planning are changing. The public, investors and stakeholders expect higher standards of tax compliance and more transparency from large businesses about the way they approach taxation. But is it the duty of Finance Directors to minimise tax exposure within the labyrinthine tax system created by politicians.

This discussion examines latest attitudes to tax planning and the impact of greater international harmonisation of tax rules and increased reporting of taxation policy by large corporates.

Panellists:

Jolyon Maugham, QC Barrister, Devereux Chambers

Stephen Herring, Head of Taxation, Institute of Directors

Meg Hillier, Chair, Public Accounts Committee

Followed by Q&A with the audience

15:00 - 15:30 

Afternoon networking break

15:30 - 16:15 

The business of deciding on EU membership

The UK public has decided. Their vote on whether to stay, or leave, the EU will have a fundamental impact on the direction of business. Can corporates rise above the fallout of the decision, or do they need to rethink their approach to dealing with Europe?

This panel examines the economic, commercial and regulatory impact post EU Referendum.

Panellists:

George Buckley, Chief UK Economist, Deutsche Bank

Vernon Bogdanor, Research Professor, Institute for Contemporary British History

Followed by Q&A with the audience

16:15 - 17:15 

Keynote: Alistair Darling, former Chancellor of the Exchequer  

Alistair Darling will talk about his experiences as chancellor, and his thoughts on the impact upon business of the UK’s EU Referendum.

Followed by Q&A with the audience

17:15 - 17:20 

Chairman's closing remarks

Richard Crump, Editor, Financial Director

17:20 

Drinks and canapés 



Wednesday 11 May 2016

CBI MSB Summit in London on 7th July - 'Meeting The Productivity Challenge'




Meeting the Productivity Challenge
09:00 – 10:00    Registration, refreshments and networking
10:00 – 10:05    Welcome and housekeeping
Steph McGovern, Breakfast Business Reporter (CONFIRMED)
10:05 – 10:10    Opening Address
                        Paul Drechsler, President, CBI (CONFIRMED)
10:10 – 10:30    Q&A - Paul Drechsler, President, CBI and António Horta Osório, CEO, Lloyds
                        Facilitated by Steph McGovern
10:30 – 11:00    Keynote address and Q&A
Rt Hon Anna Soubry MP, Minister of State for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise (CONFIRMED)
11:00 – 11:25    Morning refreshment break and networking
11:25 – 12:25    Breakout sessions
  • Training a productive workforce
Facilitated by: Pippa Morgan/Neil Carberry, CBI
Case study: TBC
Ability to build skills at all levels is a defining factor on whether a business is productive or not. Training your own staff can be a cost-effective route to increasing capabilities, but the UK’s system for training apprentices in particular is undergoing a fundamental shift, impacting all businesses. This session will help MSBs understand the changes and challenges they face, but also the benefits and opportunities building skills can bring to a workforce.
  • Taking a long-term view
Facilitated by Rob Fontana Reval, CBI
Case study: Charles Tywritt TBC
Developing the skills to implement long-term strategies and change management in a business is critical for MSBs who are looking to diversify their business or move in a new direction. Yet the task can appear complex, impacting on day to day operations with the need to ensure such changes do not impact on business performance in the short and medium term. This session will help MSBs understand the benefits and gain insights into developing a long-term approach and how it can be successfully implemented.
  • Building an international business
Facilitated by Ben Digby, CBI
Case study: TBC
Lots of mid-market firms export their goods and services, but as with the rest of the British economy, many do not consider overseas markets as an opportunity for growth and expansion. In a tough and highly competitive international environment, this will session explore what is holding back companies, dispel some of the myths and outline why they should embrace the export opportunity.
  • Providing finance for mid-sized firms
Facilitated by James Ashton Bell, CBI
Case study: FinnCap TBC
The financing landscape for MSBs has changed dramatically in recent years, with a rich and varied market emerging. Each year, more and more alternative finance providers have entered the arena. Understanding what type of finance is right for a particular business is critical for MSBs making long-term investment decisions. This session will look at how the market has changed, what options companies should consider before accessing a new form of finance, and the benefits and challenges firms can face when working with different finance providers.
  • Staying innovative in a growing business
Facilitated by Laura Smith, CBI
Case study: Innovia Group TBC
A healthy and growing innovation eco-system is critical to the UK’s long-term economic success. Mid-market firms have a proud legacy of developing new and exciting technologies and innovations, yet the UK underperforms when investing in R&D. Addressing this issue is essential for our international competitiveness and as a place to invest and grow a business. This session will look at some of the steps MSBs have taken in becoming more innovative in their business, the benefits it has bought, but also the challenges and what stops companies from making this critical investment decision.
12:25 – 13:25    Lunch and networking
13:25 – 14:25    Afternoon breakout sessions (earlier sessions repeated)
14:25 – 14:50    Afternoon refreshments and networking
14:50 – 15:20    The Productivity Review: An interview with Sir Charlie Mayfield (CONFIRMED)
                        Facilitated by Steph McGovern
15:20 – 15:50    In Conversation with:
Richard Clothier, Managing Director, Wyke Farms (CONFIRMED, confirm speech time)
Dani Saveker, CEO and Founder, Families in Business (invited)
                        Facilitated by Steph McGovern
15:50 – 16:20    Keynote address and Q&A
Martha Lane Fox CBE, Co-Founder of Lastminute.com (to be invited)
16:20 – 16:30    Closing remarks
Josh Hardie, Deputy Director General, CBI (CONFIRMED)
Steph McGovern
16:30 – 18:30    Networking drinks reception





Monday 9 May 2016

Lord Digby Jones Tenth Annual Harvey Nash Business Lecture – ‘In or Out of the EU – What’s Best For Britain?’ on Thursday 19th May at the NEC Crowne Plaza


Shaylor Group plc FD, Paul Hooper-Keeley, with Lord Digby Jones
Date: Thursday 19th May 2016

Time: 8am registration/breakfast

Presentations: 8.30am

Networking: 9.45am

Close: 10am

Venue: Crowne Plaza Birmingham, NEC, Pendigo Way, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham , B40 1PS. 

RSVP:  Leigh Cole

Tel: +44 (0)121 717 1939

Email: leigh.cole@harveynash.com

In the upcoming EU Referendum we face a decision that comes along once in a generation: to opt in or out of a reformed EU. There’s no doubt that this is a choice that will have implications whatever the outcome. At this lecture Lord Jones will, in his usual straight-talking style, put forward the case for and against, and why he currently feels inclined to consider himself a ‘reluctant Out’ voter. Whatever your viewpoint, this event is an opportunity to hear and debate the perspective of a respected business leader, as well as openly share your own views through Q&A, our online poll and discussion and debate with your peers. Lord Jones is well qualified to comment on the EU. He’s been a former Minister of State for UK Trade & Investment, a former Director General of the CBI (well accustomed to Brussels in both roles) and is now a Cross Bench Peer in the House of Lords. Further, he holds a number of advisory and non-executive positions in a wide variety of British companies, including Chairman of Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. Lord Jones continues to be at the forefront of helping shape Britain’s future. Opinionated, insightful and always highly entertaining, Lord Jones’ breakfast lecture is an opportunity to step back and think about the forces shaping our world, as well as to network with your peers.

Justin Urquhart Stewart heads the CIMA Prestige Event at Birmingham’s Council House on 23rd June – ‘The Global Economy, Brexit, the US Presidential Campaign: what it means and how it impacts us all’


This prestige key event for business leaders, directors and senior management, sponsored by HSBC and Moore Stephens LLP, promises to be one of the key events in the West Midlands business community calendar. This event is a hugely topical and relevant event, on the day that has been described as ‘the date we vote on one of the biggest decisions in our lifetimes’ 

The evening starts at with a drinks reception and a hot buffet followed by our keynote speaker: - 

Justin Urquhart Stewart, one of the most recognisable and trusted market commentators on television, radio, and in the press. Justin will give a very entertaining and irreverent view of the global economy, how it is performing, where the dangers lie, the myths we are fed and what the data really tell us. 

We will also be joined by Andrew Miskin, FCMA, CGMA, CIMA's current Deputy President, who will be CIMA president at the time of the event.

There is an opportunity to ask questions, enjoy a hot buffet and network with your fellow CIMA senior members and CIMA Committee members.
Justin with CIMA West Midlands Chairman, Paul Hooper-Keeley
Date and time:

Thurs 23 June 2016

6.30pm registration

7.00pm Keynote speaker

9pm approx. finish (but many of us will remain there until 10pm for the announcement of the exit polls of the EU Referendum) 

Location:

Birmingham Council House

Victoria Square

Birmingham B1 1BB 

Cost:

Free of charge

RSVP:



Sponsors:

HSBC & Moore Stephens LLP


Friday 6 May 2016

TED Talks: The official TED guide to public speaking by Chris Anderson was published this week

In Ted Talks Chris Anderson, head of TED, reveals the inside secrets of how to give a first-class presentation. Where books like Talk Like TED and TED Talks Storytelling whetted the appetite, here is the official TED guide to public speaking from the man who put TED talks on the world's stage. 'Nobody in the world better understands the art and science of public speaking than Chris Anderson. He is absolutely the best person to have written this book' Elizabeth Gilbert. 

Anderson shares his five key techniques to presentation success: Connection, Narration, Explanation, Persuasion and Revelation (plus the three to avoid). He also answers the most frequently asked questions about giving a talk, from 'What should I wear?' to 'How do I handle my nerves?'. 

Ted Talks is also full of presentation tips from such TED notable speakers as Sir Ken Robinson, Bill Gates, Mary Roach, Amy Cuddy, Elizabeth Gilbert, Dan Gilbert, Amanda Palmer, Matt Ridley and many more. This is a lively, fun read with great practical application from the man who knows what goes into a truly memorable speech. In Ted Talks Anderson pulls back the TED curtain for anyone who wants to learn how to prepare an exceptional presentation.

Wednesday 4 May 2016

The FD Surgery by Real Business at The Royal College of Surgeons, London, on Wednesday 18th May


Curing the minor niggles and major headaches afflicting Finance Directors 

Finance Directors: Looking for a cure to those minor niggles and major headaches? 

Time to make an appointment at the FD Surgery 

You’re an FD who does far more than just crunch the numbers. 

You shape your firm’s strategy. 

You are responsible for everything from recruitment to IT - and premises to suppliers. 

You thrive on the rewards of being in the driving seat - but can find it a lonely and stressful existence when expert and peer-level advice is hard to find. 

The FD Surgery has been designed to give you just this, and will diagnose and treat all the ailments you face to ensure the very best of health for your business. 

With a programme created by Real Business, the UK’s most-read website for high-growth businesses, and a range of industry experts, you’ll join fellow FDs for this highly interactive day. 

The FDs’ Excellence Awards 

From 17:40pm, presented by Just Eat's Finance chief Mike Wroe 

Celebrating the UK’s very best accountancy firms, banks, technology providers and other suppliers and advisers – as voted for by more than 1,856 Finance Directors in the 2016 FDs’ Satisfaction Survey. 
http://realbusiness.co.uk/article/32526-the-fd-surgery