Tuesday, April 1, 2014


Business Argus


Call to firms: Smarten up our city for NATO


IN NEWPORT


By Jo Barnes 01633 777240 jba@gwent-wales.co.uk Twitter @SWABusiness


THE imminent arrival in the city of Newport of the heads of government of all the NATO countries has prompted one Newport firmto issue a chal- lenge to the business communi- ty in the city. The Kymin Group,which has its headquarters in Bridge Street, has throwndowna challenge to other firms in the city to look their best for the visit by the world’s most powerful leaders. Kymin chairmanGerald Davies


said:“We take the arrival of the NATOconference as a hugely important occasion for Newport. To put it into perspective, the last one, in 2012, was in Chicago. “To celebrate, Kymin has had a completemakeover of our premis- es in Bridge Street. Nowwouldn’t it be great if every business prem- ises received some attention? Anything from complete redecora- tion to new signage, ormaybe a couple of windowboxes of flow- ers. Howabout cleaning the win- dows of upper stories?” Gerald said it was not just busi- nesseswhich should enter into the


Rugby star at golf event


ST PIERRE, the Marriott hotel and country club near Chepstow, is inviting golf enthusiasts to take part in a charity golf day on April 10 in support of Cardiff’s Velindre Hospital. The day includes an 18-hole


game on the Championship Old Course followed by a dinner in the company of Welsh rugby leg- end Jonathan Davies, who will then take part in a question-and- answer session with guests. St Pierre’s director of sales


Robin Crane said: “We are very excited to have Jonathan Davies join us. We’re sure that he’ll help make it a night to remember.” For more details call 01291


635249.


The Newport branch manager of gap personnel, Martin Ford, with colleagues Rebeka Knight and Gareth May


NATO MAKEOVER: Newport finance business Kymin has redecorated its office in readiness for the arrival of world leaders in the city later this year. Inset: The team at Kymin


spirit of a welcome rejuvenation for the city. Gerald said: “Iamsure the coun-


cil will be planning a special effort in the parks and throughout Newport. “Itmay be said that the govern-


ment leaders will not be seeing much of Newport, cocooned as they most probably will be in the Celtic Manor Resort within a ring of steel security, andmaybe that’s right. But, nevertheless, there will be 7,000 journalists, photogra-


phers and media types from around the world visiting Newport to cover the meeting. “The eyes of the world really will


be upon us in Newport.Weshould all do something to help give a good impression of our city.”


HR Network makes a return


AHIGH-PROFILEHRnetwork has been relaunched in SouthWales, providing interactive seminars to keepHRprofessionals up to date on their ever-changing field. Newport-based recruitment and training specialist Acorn has teamed up with specialist business solicitors Greenaway Scott and financial advisors Seer Green to revive the SouthWalesHR Network, a support system forHR directors, managers, consultants and advisors. Members will be able to discuss


new regulations, meet other man- agerswho are facing the same issues and share best practice. The SouthWalesHRNetwork


was originally launched in 2005, running five events per year in partnership with Cardiff Chamber


sions and auto-enrolment. Sarah Jones, marketing manager


L-R: Sarah Jones, marketing man- ager at Acorn, Kate Matthews, HR consultant at Greenaway Scott, and Siobhan Mail, director and corpo- rate pensions expert at Seer Green


of Commerce, but the initiative was put on hold in 2008when the chamber went into administra- tion. The network is being re- launched a week on Thursday (April 10) at Cardiff’s Park Plaza Hotel with a free-to-attend seminar on the topicalHRsubject of pen-


at Acorn, said: “The refreshedHR Network will give members a place to discuss common technical and legislative issues, and to learn from the opinions and advice of leadingHRprofessionals. It should give companies a real boost.” Siobhan Mail, director and cor- porate pensions expert at Newport- based Seer Green, said: “There is a clear requirement in theSMEsec- tor for a forum of this nature; far too many businesses fail to utilise the value of human resources. “Managing and administering


day-to-dayHRoperations, as well as providing training to keep up with the latest statutory regula- tions, all consumes valuable time but is vital to a firm’s success.”


INDEPENDENTindustrial recruit- ment specialist, gap personnel, has received two major awards in a month by securing gold status accreditation from Investors in People and a two-star rating in the ‘Best Companies Engagement Survey’. The survey is conducted by Best Companies Limited, an independent and authoritative research company specialising in workplace engage- ment. Receiving the IIP gold status for a second time places gap personnel within the top four per cent of UK companies, and the award is widely recognised as an indicator of world- class best practice. Further, the two- star rating gained in the Best Companies survey is described as “a demonstration of outstanding levels of engagement”. Managing director Mark Roberts


said: “It’s no accident that we have been successful in these two prestig- ious initiatives. To obtain the highest award for our investment in our peo- ple is evidence that our regard and care for staff has naturally led to gap personnel being considered as one of the best companies to work for in the UK.


“Our employees are the heart of


this company and they have clearly bought into our corporate vision, training and development pro- gramme. Iamproud of them.Weaim to be the best in our industry and awards such as these are a great encouragement,” saidMrRoberts. AnIIP assessor spent seven days at


gap’sWrexham-based head office interviewing company staff from 19 branches located around the country, including the staff from the Newport branch. In an executive summary provided


by the IIP after the assessment, gap personnel was described as “having strong leadershipwhich continues to develop a culturewhere people are passionate aboutwhat they do, are motivated to performwell and are inspired to develop within the busi- ness”.


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Double honour for recruiting specialist


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