business focus 17


of the month Haines Watts, Chartered Accountants,


Questions over German politics impact UK


As the heavyweight in Europe, Germany has a huge impact on economic policy. This is a worrying time because Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, is at risk of being ousted in their September elections, despite being the most popular politician in the country.


Merkel’s popularity is in no small part due to her slow, cautious approach to the European financial crisis, which has worked much better than many feared. Things can change easily


though and the politics are unfolding as I write, with results of recent local elections looking tricky for Merkel.


This is very important to the UK because policies backed by Germany affect economic growth within Europe, the risk of default on sovereign debt and the strength of European banks. It impacts UK exporting businesses and UK banks.


As growth slows in Europe and unemployment rises it will be important for


Grundon sets new standards in the Thames Valley


Grundon’s operations across the Thames Valley have played a major role in helping achieve a company- wide certification system, thought to be the first of its kind in the waste management industry.


The company’s BSI-approved Integrated Management System, which meets the requirements of PAS99 as well as OHSAS18001, ISO 14001 and ISO9001, is the result of a two-year programme to raise standards across the three key areas of health and safety, environmental management and quality management.


The project was spearheaded by compliance manager Toni Robinson and IMS manager Nicola Currant, who are based at the company’s head office in Benson, near Wallingford, Oxfordshire.


“We’re thrilled to have completed the IMS programme and, thanks to some terrific teamwork, we passed the BSI audit with flying colours,” said Robinson. “Lots of people talk about an integrated approach to improving


standards, but not many companies are able to actually achieve it.


“You can’t deal effectively with waste management unless you really focus on the three key areas of the environment, quality and health and safety. We worked hard to see how we could achieve improvements at each of our operations, increase communications between teams, standardise processes, and deliver real operational benefits for our customers.”


The Grundon team believes it is the first time that the BSI certification has been awarded to every single operation across a waste management company’s divisions, including its materials recovery facilities, offices, estates departments and vehicle workshops.


With operations throughout the south of England, Grundon employs around 700 staff in total and is the UK’s largest family-owned waste management company.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MARCH 2013


presents a series of articles based on the HW blogs. They offer analysis, reviews and comments and welcome your feedback at www.hwca.com/blog


writes Simon Garrett, partner at Haines Watts


Germany to support stronger initiatives (Europe- wide banking reform, stimulation of domestic demand in Germany, increasing competition in services, and, further down the line, some form of European debt mutualisation).


Angela Merkel could win the election in September but she may be a weakened leader by then and unable to push these kind of initiatives through – a concern to both Europe and the UK.


One thing is for sure, whoever does get in will have a long road ahead of them. Let’s hope they’re up to it.


For details on financial matters see below.


Details: www.hwca.com


UBS back on top in Global Private Banking Survey


UBS has beaten its close rival Credit Suisse to regain its crown as the world’s leading private bank after a three-year hiatus, according to Euromoney’s 10th annual Global Private Banking Survey. For the past three years, UBS had ceded its position as the top ranked private bank to Credit Suisse, but after making material progress in repairing its reputation in the US and in its core market of Switzerland, UBS has succeeded in returning to the top position it had held since Euromoney’s benchmark survey was first published in 2004.


UBS was also recognised in the regional private banking awards, taking the number-one ranking in western Europe and Asia – ousting long-standing leader in the region HSBC, which fell to third behind Citi – while improving its position in North America, where it is now ranked fourth from fifth last year, and in Latin America and the Middle East, among other important regions.


Phil Di Iorio, chief executive of JPMorgan Private Bank, commented: “Being global as a private bank is critical to long-term success because both markets and clients have become more globalised. We are growing fastest in markets outside of the US, with a particular focus on expansion in Asia and Latin America.”


www.businessmag.co.uk


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