Sutton Coldfield Sutton Coldfield


Chamber of Commerce


Sutton Coldfield Chamber Patrons


CONTACT: Julia Gray T: 0845 603 6650


New adventure: Warwick and Penny Kay with Dave Taylor


Pollution in town is affecting young people


Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council is backing the Eco Sutton Campaign after learning that the town’s air quality could be impacting on the health of young people. John Heywood of Eco Sutton presented


research to the Planning and Highways Committee. He outlined research that has been carried


out into the air quality in the town, following extensive testing and analysis during school term times and in holiday periods. The study, which was funded by the Town


Creative firm’s move is the next big adventure


A Sutton Coldfield creative firm has designs on a successful 2018 – after moving premises and expanding its team. Adventure Graphics has relocated from its


Coleshill Street offices to a new site at Station House in Midland Drive, on the edge of Sutton Coldfield town centre. The move coincides with Penny Kay, wife of


owner and creative director Warwick Kay, joining as business development manager.


‘Adventure provides an excellent design and support service’


Warwick says these developments will help


Adventure build on a number of recent successes, which include working with the local Business Improvement District (BID) and designing the Sutton Coldfield Town Council website. He said: “We have had a few great years on


Coleshill Street and Adventure has grown more than we had hoped. “We want to be able to offer our clients,


current and new, even more of a personal and all-round service and moving to the new offices has given us a huge boost. With Penny on board too we can really step up to the next level.” Warwick took over Adventure in 2006 and,


working alongside senior designer Dave Taylor, has overseen its growth from a small-home based business into a firm with a strong presence in Sutton Coldfield. The addition of Penny to the team has allowed


Adventure to enhance its services by offering in- house copywriting and project management. Penny said: “Warwick and Dave have done


such a great job – Adventure provides an excellent design and support service and their clients love them. “Hopefully I can contribute by using my past


experience in HR, training and a number of other areas to help us grow even further.”


Council and the Postcode Lottery, shows that pollution levels in the High Street were particularly poor, reaching 42 micrograms of pollution per cubic metre of air. If this was the mean annual reading, then the


legal level would be exceeded. The readings in Jockey Road also give rise for concern. Chairman of the Planning and Highways


Committee, Councillor David Allan, said: “The committee was alarmed to hear that the town’s highest areas of pollution are on the regular route of many students from Sutton College, Bishop Vesey’s and the Girls’ School. “We will be asking colleagues on the Town


Council to read this report in detail and consider what action we can take to reduce pollution levels in Sutton Coldfield. “Our work on reducing traffic outside


primary schools will be part of a wider solution, and the promotion of electric vehicle technology by the Mayor for the West Midlands is also an important step. “We would also urge Birmingham City


Council to prioritise its existing work to improve air quality in our town.” John Heywood of ECO Sutton


said:“Cutting carbon emissions in our Royal town poses a particularly big challenge due to the high number of car owners. However, we hope that car users will start to balance the convenience of driving against the proven health risks for children.”


Businesses warned not to rush into recruiting


A Sutton Coldfield HR expert has warned business owners against “knee-jerk” recruitment as they set out their plans for 2018. At the turn of the year, many businesses begin


putting into place their plans and goals for the next 12 months. This often includes ambitious expansion plans


which, in turn, lead to increased staffing levels. But Sara Abbott (pictured), director of HR Dept


North Birmingham, has warned hasty recruitment often results in big expense, time wasted and the wrong candidate being given the job. She advises undertaking a review of existing


staff and processes and making sure recruitment processes are as thorough as possible.


“Recruitment is time consuming and can be


very frustrating,” said Sara. “Every candidate that comes for an


interview the manager is hoping will be the right one so they can get back to the real job. “Preparing questions in advance


that test out the claims in the CV and that give the applicant a chance to demonstrate their attitude, probably the most important aspect is vital. “Many interviewers make the mistake


of employing someone because they are like them, must be a good guy because he supports my team. This is a well-known mistake in HR that


even has its own term – ‘halo’ recruiting. “Also remember interviews go both ways – prospective employees are checking to see if your business fits with them so a well conducted interview and a chance to meet other members of the team gives a positive impression. “Following a good process from


job description through to onboarding the new recruit will


make a huge difference. “We help a lot of companies with


recruitment, at any stage through the


process and have a national network we can utilise to get you the best candidate.”


February 2018 CHAMBERLINK 43


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