This round-up features:

• Newly-formed Ashridge Group announces new appointment
• B P Collins announces significant promotions
• High Wycombe company’s US expansion
• TVWIB celebrate International Women’s Day
• New gluten free ales from The Chiltern Brewery
• Young entrepreneurs benefit from expert advice

Newly-formed Ashridge Group announces new appointment

Ashridge Group has announces that Freddie Guilmard has been appointed as Non-Executive Director and Board member.

The announcement coincides with the newly-formed parent company Ashridge Group, which consists of Ashridge Security Management, Ashridge Facilities Management and Cognitious Ltd, providing specialist security and facilities services to public and private sector organisations.

Managing Director of Ashridge Group, Mark Walker, said: “We are excited about bringing Freddie into the team to help support growth of the business, especially as we recently formed Ashridge Group as a parent company to our brands. He is equipped with a rich skill set, and will help to conceptualise our growth plans and apply strategic thinking to our operational processes across the group. He is a great asset and we look forward to a prosperous future.”

B P Collins announces significant promotions

Bucks law firm B P Collins has announced two major promotions taking effect from May 2017. Simon Deans – who has been with the firm for 20 years and is currently practice group leader of the Corporate and Commercial team - will be promoted to senior partner. Alex Zachary will become their practice group leader.

The promotions come following the decision of Chris Hardy to step down from his roles as the firm’s senior partner, and as a partner in the property practice, to become a consultant for B P Collins.

High Wycombe company’s US expansion

Mediplus, a High Wycombe healthcare manufacturer, has announced an American partnership deal that will ensure that US patients receive quicker access to their products.

Mediplus, who specialise in Urology and Anaesthesia products, will work with a growing number of specialist distributors to launch a selection of new products in the US. The products which are all British made in High Wycombe, include a pioneering Foley catheter insertion system, S-CathTM System that prevents bowel injuries from occurring.

The transatlantic partnership will include introducing warehousing and logistics facilities in Houston; allowing Mediplus to deliver their products anywhere in the USA quickly and more efficiently.

James Urie, Sales & Marketing Director of Mediplus, said: “The US health care model is moving to value-based care which requires adoption of new technology.

“Both of our products, S-CathTM System and CapnomaskTM are breakthrough solutions that can improve patient care and reduce the risk of harm to patients and providers, while simultaneously raising the standard of patient care and safety. The US is a strategic market for us and it would be difficult to have this level of engagement without the ABHI's help.”

Mediplus have had a busy 2017 already, as earlier this year they launched a pioneering IV administration set at Arab Health 2017, the largest healthcare exhibition in the Middle East.

TVWIB celebrate International Women’s Day

To celebrate the recent International Women’s Day, Thames Valley Women in Business (TVWIB) invited local entrepreneur Angela Spang to discuss her female focussed medical device company and her other business successes.

Angela, who owns several businesses including JUNE MEDICAL, based in Marlow, inspired members by sharing secrets of her route to business success, her drive to save the NHS money and her passion for supporting overseas medical charities. Members were particularly interested in her commitment to training surgeons, her move from corporate life to self-employment and her motivation to achieve success.

TVWIB is a membership organisation to help inspire and grow businesses that meets on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm at the Chartered Institute of Marketing in Cookham. They welcome guests and potential members.

See www.tvwib.co.uk or email membership@tvwib.co.uk for further information.

New gluten free ales from The Chiltern Brewery

Four of The Chiltern Brewery’s best-selling, multi award winning permanent bottled beer range have recently been certified as gluten free. Nothing has been taken in or left out - but the beers are now officially designated ‘free of gluten’.

The number enjoying gluten-free products in the UK is growing at about 13% a year.

“I can’t tell you how pleased we are with this new offering and to think that those intolerant to gluten can enjoy our great range of award-winning ales – in such a variety of styles too,” said Tom Jenkinson, Head Brewer and Co-Director.

Young entrepreneurs benefit from expert advice

The winners of Thame’s Small Business Saturday Young Entrepreneurs Competition in December 2016 attended a brainstorm session at the offices of Buckinghamshire Business First members CarmichaelUK recently, where they received expert advice on how to develop their winning business ideas.

The brainstorm, attended by young entrepreneurs Tom Wylam, Amelie Mason and Philippe van Caloen, was hosted by competition judges Tim Luscombe (Thames Valley Business Advisers), Rod Carmichael (CarmichaelUK), Lottie Moore (Mindset Metaphors) and Katy Dyer (style and image coach).

The Young Entrepreneurs’ Competition is a new venture, sponsored by CarmichaelUK, a Thame-headquartered recruitment company serving the construction industry. Managing director Rod Carmichael said, “The competition offers a brilliant platform for young talent. It’s important that young people can express themselves outside the standard GCSE route to market, and they should be encouraged to try new ideas. Entrepreneurs don’t all have to come from one place, you can start your journey by doing something different. The markets have changed dramatically in recent years and clients are challenging us to find people who can show talent, ideas and innovation.”

For more information about the Young Entrepreneurs Competition, contact Helen Johns: sbsthame@gmail.com / 0771 743 4983.

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