MEMBERS’ ZONE IN BRIEF


Move turns out best for Zest


Helvetic Airways has launched a new route between Bristol and Zurich. Flights linking the South West with the Swiss financial centre began in December 2011 and will operate three times a week. The new service will link businesses across the region to one of Europe’s major financial centres – Zurich is home to the world’s fourth biggest stock exchange and is a centre for banking and insurance, pharmaceuticals, and high technology industries, as well as the world’s largest gold trading market. Flights will be operated by a Fokker 100, and tickets can be purchased via www.helvetic.com.


Bristol Zoo Gardens has received two top awards from the British zoo community at a prestigious awards ceremony. The Zoo won ‘best research project’ and ‘best education project’ at the annual British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) awards. The research project award was given for an in-depth study on the nocturnal northern giant mouse lemur in Sahamalaza National Park, north-western Madagascar, while the education project award was for ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, designed to highlight the importance of biodiversity in celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010.


The proposed merger between Stroud College and Filton College has been given the go ahead by John Hayes MP, Secretary of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning. From 1 February 2012, the legal name of


the new merged organisation will be South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. John Huggett, Filton College Chair of Governors, said: “The Secretary of State’s decision to approve the merger gives us the green light to join together two high-performing colleges so that we can innovate and grow. “It is a merger of equals, with each college


in a strong financial position and well- matched in terms of our ambitions to increase learning – and life – opportunities for all our students.”


Bristol law firm Gregg Latchams is celebrating after having its green credentials recognised with an industry award. The firm was named joint winner of the


Environmental and Legal Sector Alliance Award, alongside Burges Salmon, at the Bristol Law Society Annual Awards 2011. Judges were particularly impressed with the firm’s commitment to promoting environmental issues, including committing to reducing its carbon footprint by 10 per cent under the West of England Carbon Challenge. Partner Paul Hardman, who heads the firm’s


‘green’ team, said: “As a firm we have worked hard to champion green issues, both internally and across the South West, so it is wonderful to have these efforts recognised.”


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Local businesswoman, Wendy Manister of Zest Concierge, is delighted to have finally moved her business to the area of Bath in which she grew up. Zest was previously based in Limpley Stoke, but Wendy felt that her specialist concierge service needed to be more accessible to all her clients, and that by being in the centre of Bath she could achieve this. Now based just off Widcombe High Street,


Wendy and her team are a two-minute walk into Bath and their new premises are much more accessible to clients.


Zest specialises in giving people the gift of time by providing executive support to businesses and lifestyle management to individuals who need to offload some of the extras from their lives. Services include Events & Project Management, PA Support and Market Research, as well as co- ordinating house moves and holidays,


Wendy Manister of Zest Concierge


cleaning and personal shopping. Wendy said: “Our aim is to take stress out of peoples’ lives, and we do this by quietly and efficiently getting on with whatever people want of us. We love our work because it’s so rich, varied and rewarding – especially when people tell us what a difference we’ve made to their lives.”


L-R: Peter Brooks, Managing Director,Office Watercoolers SW Ltd, Steve Webb MP and BWCA chairman John Dundon


Local MP chills out at watercooler firm’s party


L Business West Update JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012


ocal MP Steve Webb joined the party as a successful Yate-based company celebrated its 10th birthday recently. Office Watercoolers South West Ltd. was


‘I am proud to be able to employ around 30 local people’


started ten years ago by local man Peter Brooks and now enjoys a turnover of £1.4 million. Peter said: “We have a come a long way since four of us started the business in September 2001 from my front room! We now provide chilled water and hot beverage machines to over 2,000 firms across the region, and I am proud to be able to employ around 30 local people.” Mr Webb MP said: “I am always pleased to have the opportunity to visit local firms and Office Watercoolers are a real local success story. The team at OWC are proud of what they do and I wish them every success for the future.” The MP also learned about Stay Cooler!, a campaign launched by the British Water Cooler Association (BWCA) to encourage employers to make sure workers keep well hydrated after research showed consistent hydration can help improve workplace concentration, reduce headaches and prevent feelings of tiredness, anxiety and irritability. John Dundon, BWCA Chairman said: “The message of the BWCA campaign is ‘keep water coolers in the workplace’.”


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