Take it away Ian!

I joined Buckinghamshire Business First two months ago and already I am let loose with my own business support column!

By way of an introduction for the majority of you that I haven’t yet had the pleasure of speaking to, my background is commercial. I was originally in market research, then for a long time was involved directly in marketing, then most recently in sales. I have first-hand knowledge of running a business, having run my own for 10 years.

My role at Buckinghamshire Business First is as your first point of contact for support and advice. Whilst I do not know everything, I will try and answer any question put to me or point you in the direction of someone who can. That is one of the things we do at Buckinghamshire Business First – directly provide the support you need or get you to the person or organisation that can help you.

So, where should I start? Well as a membership organisation, starting with you, our members, makes sense.

Firstly, we are here to support you directly with our hotline of 01494 568941, or via email: [email protected].

We are also the voice of business in Buckinghamshire, which means that in order to represent you I need to know the issues you are facing. What is stopping you growing for instance? What skills are your staff lacking? Are you struggling to find suitable premises? Is the fast approaching launch of the national living wage causing you a headache?

Your views and comments are not just welcome, they are encouraged.

As well as contacting me directly, you can also get involved on our LinkedIn group. You can use this to start a dialogue with me, but crucially, with other businesses too. You can post conversations that will allow other members to comment and you may find that the answers to your queries lie within the Buckinghamshire Business First membership.

So please do get in touch with me if you have any comments or questions about how to develop your business in Buckinghamshire: 01494 568941 / [email protected].

For those biography fans out there, here’s a little blurb about me:

With a degree in Mathematical Statistics and Operational Research, I started my working career at A C Nielson in Oxford as a Market Researcher. Keen to use the data I had previously supplied, I joined H J Heinz, again in an Analyst role. Lured by the attraction of household appliances I joined French company Groupe SEB, which numbers Tefal, Rowenta, Moulinex and Krups among its brands. I became Marketing Director and later General Manager, which, along with having run my own small business for the last 10 years, has given me a broad experience base.

Having written the definitive guide to New UK Breweries in 1998, I then lived the dream by running my own business working with both local and national breweries.

But an inquisitive mind and a desire to assist led me to join Buckinghamshire Business First. The business support role is perfect for me. I get a real buzz out of finding solutions to problems faced by businesses and having lived in Haddenham for nearly 30 years, I have great local knowledge that will prove in valuable as I undertake this exciting role.