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BUSINESS WEST MEMBER NEWS MEMBER NEWS


The latest news from Business West Chambers of Commerce members. To update us on your news, email membernews@businesswest.co.uk


MESSAGE FROM MEMBERSHIP


BY PHIL BRIDGEMAN MEMBERSHIP MANAGER AT BUSINESS WEST


Have you survived GDPR? With so much hype and lengthy discussions about the changes to data privacy, we know many members have been busily preparing for the deadline. Here at Business West we take


your data very seriously and are committed to the privacy and security of it. Our Privacy Statement is available at www.businesswest.co.uk/privacy. It explains the types of personal data we may collect about you and how we’ll store and handle that data, and keep it safe. From time to time Business West


provides information highlighting other services and other relevant opportunities that may be of interest to its members and the wider business community. If you don’t wish to receive these communications, you can choose to opt-out. Alternatively, you can unsubscribe at any time. Have you ever considered


writing a blog for our website? Writing a unique piece of content can raise your profile and increase awareness of your business. It’s a way of taking part in your local business community and becoming trusted. Would you like to contribute? Get


an idea of the sort of content we feature by browsing our member blogs and keep up-to-date with the latest thinking. Take a look at our blogging guidelines in the Resources section of our site. You can then simply login to your member account where you can publish directly. Did you remember to enter the


Chamber Awards? We’re hopeful that Business West Chambers of Commerce members will be selected for this prestigious accolade. Watch this space!


Tel: 0800 980 2789 Email:


phil.bridgeman@businesswest.co.uk 12 insight JULY/AUGUST 2018


Members partner with balloon fiesta


With its 40th anniversary on the horizon, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (BIBF) has formalised its relationship with two Business West Chamber of Commerce members. Bristol Energy is the official


partner of the event and commercial law firm Thrings is the event’s long-standing official legal partner. The fiesta is Europe’s largest


annual gathering of hot air balloons, attracting more than half a million visitors to the city over four days. Upwards of 100 balloons as well as live entertainment, aerobatic displays, fairground rides, food, drink and children’s entertainment will fill Ashton Court Estate again between 9 and 12 August 2018. As part of the new agreement,


Thrings will continue to provide strategic and legal advice to the world famous event during the year- round planning process. This will include assistance from the firm’s specialist company and commercial, intellectual property, planning, property, environmental, licensing, litigation and employment teams. Along with Business West and


Bristol’s Balloon Fiesta is the biggest in Europe


‘The fiesta is Europe’s largest annual gathering of hot air balloons’


business breakfast for the fifth year running – bringing together members of the


local business community to discuss a hot


official fiesta partner for 2018, Bristol Energy and Thrings will be hosting the BIBF’s annual


topic affecting the city. Chaired by TV and radio broadcaster Steve Le Fevre for a second time, this year’s early


risers will meet at 6am to hear local experts talk about the pros and cons of technological advances in artificial intelligence for Bristol’s businesses and communities. The ballooning event’s connection with the business and legal world dates back to its roots, with the Bristol Junior Chamber being the first organisation to run the fiesta for a 10-year period.


Apprentice campaign taking off


Just 40 days into Weston College’s ambitious target of 200 apprenticeship pledges in 100 days, the college has reached the halfway point – persuading 110 businesses to agree to take on an apprentice. Among the businesses that have pledged are


Alliance Home Groups, Restor8, Ketchup, One Big Circle and the NHS. Their pledges have taken on a diverse range of apprenticeships, across professions such as: customer services, adult care, business administration, commis chef, IT and management. Another organisation which has agreed to take on apprentices during the campaign is Thatchers Cider,


which has pledged to hire a commis chef apprentice, a business admin apprentice and an IT apprentice. Phil Smith, visitor services manager at Thatchers


Cider Company, said: “We are very excited to support Weston College’s 200 in 100 campaign. We see apprenticeships as an effective way of building our workforce. In an industry where there is a skills gap, developing and training our own chefs and giving them real life experience is crucial.


For more information and to pledge go to: www.weston.ac.uk/200in100. You can also email the apprenticeship team at enquiries@weston.ac.uk or call on 01934 411594.


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