8 Business Argus In brief...


Tax deadline SMALLbusinesses across Gwentwho file their tax returns on paper are being urged to avoid spiralling penalty charges by ensur- ing they meetHMRC’s October 31 deadline. John Thomas,who runs


TaxAssist Accountants in Newport, said: “Just one day late and you’ll have to pay the taxman£100, even if there is no tax to pay, or you pay the tax due on time. “The longer you delay


the more the cost rises and the current regime of penalty charges could spi- ral up to £1,600 – that’s something small business owners will want to avoid at all costs. “Although the deadline


for online tax returns isn’t until January 31, many small businesses still file their tax returns on paper, and that deadline is October 31. Some might be due a tax refund, so the quicker they file the soon- er that money can be in their bank account.”


Co-operating THEWelsh Government has committed to adopting the recommendations of a report on developing the co-operative and mutual business model inWales, economy minister Edwina Hart has announced. The report, by theWelsh Co-operative and Mutuals Commission under the chairmanship of Prof Andrew Davies, sets out 25 recommendations on cre- ating a culture and envi- ronment inwhich co-oper- ative ways of doing busi- ness are the norm, not the exception. Prof Davies said: “Co-operatives and mutu- als have the potential to transformour economic fortunes, as well as improve our public servic- es. Nowis the time to embrace our co-operative tradition inWales and put it at the centre of the pub- lic and private sector.”


Unique course AUNIQUEmasters course in resolving conflict and disputes has been launched at the University of SouthWales, giving Wales a fresh approach to avoiding costly court bat- tles.


The MSc in dispute reso- lution is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators to Fellowship status, andUSWis cur- rently the only university inWales with this recogni- tion.


CIArb is one of the


world’s leading expert bod- ies on arbitration and alternative dispute resolu- tion.


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


ECONOMY minister Edwina Hart has visited Europe’s leading provider of character confectionery, Bon Bon Buddies, at its Blackwood headquarters to discuss growing the business’s exports. Currently, Bon Bon Buddies


sells its products in more than 40 countries worldwide and, with recent investment from theWelsh Government’s Innovation Vouchers scheme, the busi- ness is looking to further expand its operations in both the domestic and interna- tional markets. TheWelsh Government support of £27,360 will be used by Bon Bon Buddies to invest in new, innovative technology to help further drive the business’s produc- tivity. Edwina Hart said: “Bon


Bon Buddies is a very inno- vative company with plans to increase its own brand con- fectionary and Iampleased support through the Innovation Vouchers scheme will help it develop new prod- ucts and get them to market faster. “Iamalso delighted to hear about the company’s plans to


GOVERNMENT SUPPORT: Managing director of Bon Bon Buddies Chris Howarth


increase exports significant- lywhich is vitally important for our economy and I wish the company every success in the future.” Managing director of Bon Bon Buddies, Chris Howarth,


said: “Bon Bon Buddies has humble beginnings, with the business starting from the front room of myhome. “In 21 years, we’ve grown


the brand from strength-to- strength and exports have


certainly had an important part to play in this success. “Bon Bon Buddies has ambitious plans to continue to grow and expand the inter- national markets we operate and sell to, and working


It’s time for companies to shine at Welsh Contact Centre awards


GWENT-BASED companies and individuals in the Welsh contact centre industry have until Wednesday, November 5, 2014 to put forward their case to collect an award at the Welsh Contact Centre Awards 2014. For the 17th year running, entries to theWelsh Contact Centre Forum-organised awards are open. Aglamorous ceremony at


theWales Millennium Centre in March will see top indus- try performers celebrated for their contribution to a sector worth £650 million to the Welsh economy, in front of more than 700 people. The awards have a tradition


for a surprise big name host, with last year’sMCAlan Carr following David Walliams, John Barrowman and Rob Brydon in the role. The awards will see more


than 30,000 employees and 100 companies vying to win


AWARDS: Welsh Contact Centre Forum MD Sandra Busby


one of 17 awards, including new categories forHR Manager of the Year, Diverse Workplace and Contact Centre Leader. Winners last year included Newport-basedWales&West Utilities. Sandra Busby, managing director of theWelsh Contact Centre Forum, said:“Wales’ economy relies on its contact


centre industry to the tune of £650m per annum and this is secured by recognising and rewarding quality. “This iswhat theWelsh Contact CentreAwards have done. “For the first time this year,


we’re introducing a public online vote to decide 50 per cent of the marks for the Contact Centre of the Year


categories.We’re hoping this interactive element will add something different to make the experience this year col- laborative like never before.” The awards are free to enter


and are open to anyWales- based, inbound or outbound customer communication network that employs more than five people – call cen- tres, contact centres, shared services centres, IT help desks, in-house or out- sourced businesses. Entries that meet the crite-


ria will be shortlisted as finalists and judged by an independent group of indus- try experts via panel inter- view.


Finalists in the in-house


and outsourced Contact Centre of the Year categories will not be judged by the panel but will be subject to a site visit and online vote. Finalists will be announced in November.


Follow us on Twitter: @SWABusiness


Tuesday, October 14, 2014


Bon voyage for minister in visit to sweets irm


closely with theWelsh Government,who champion the importance of exports, is an important partnership for us. Our aim is to increase the proportion of non-UK sales to two thirds of total sales, thanks to the recent invest- ment from theWelsh Government, we’re able to purchase new technology that means we will have a far more agile innovation, research and development process across our products and brands.” Bon Bon Buddies has eight dedicated European sales and logistics facilities with further distribution in Central Eastern Europe, China and Middle East. The confectionery company


has enjoyed significant export growth in the United Arab Emirates, having first entered the market in 2011. Last year Bon Bon Buddies opened up new markets in Kuwait,Omanand Bahrain and its export achievements were recognised with a Queen’sAward for Enterprise for International Trade, one of the UK’s high- est accolades for business success. It has plans to grow sales to increase turnover from £40 million in the last financial year to more than £60 million within the next three years, with the aim of winning a 20 per cent market share across Europe.


Funeral director opens new premises


FUNERAL director Martin Watts has opened a new funeral home in Caldicot. Martin’s company, called


Ian Watts & Son, was estab- lished by his late father in 1968 and has historically been run from the Forest of Dean. Martin said: “I would like


to thank everyone for their kindness and support. My staff and I are passionate about providing a personal- ised service at a lower cost than many other funeral directors with free help and advice at a time when peo- ple most need it.” His new base is at 168-170


Newport Road, Caldicot. The Caldicot Funeral


Home was previously occu- pied by Averil Wakeham Solicitors.


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