One of the benefits of co-investment in Buckinghamshire Business First is that we can shine a light on our invested members.

Read all about some of these members below...

Heart of Bucks – Ambassador investor

By Heart of Bucks

Heart of Bucks is the community foundation for Buckinghamshire - a funding organisation that supports essential local charities and community groups.

Working in partnership with individuals, businesses and public sector organisations, we deliver funding to hundreds of not-for-profit groups that are helping to improve the lives of people in Buckinghamshire.

An array of different projects and organisations have received funding since we awarded our first grant in 2000, from cancer support groups, befriending services and counselling sessions, to support for children with additional needs, rough sleepers or ex-offenders.

We run fundraising campaigns throughout the year and have just launched ‘Winter Warmth’, which helps vulnerable people who struggle to keep warm during winter. This year the campaign is supported by local celebrity Sir David Jason. 

As one of the largest charitable funders in the county, during 2020/21 we distributed £1.5m in funding - our biggest year to date.

Membership with Buckinghamshire Business First has been invaluable to us in numerous ways. It has given us exposure to countless community-focused organisations, helping us drive awareness about the work we do and what we can offer. Not only that, but the membership has allowed us to make many important connections through various networking events.

Direct the money you normally spend on Christmas cards to a good cause this year

If you wish to make a charitable donation in lieu of Christmas cards this year, doing so through Heart of Bucks will guarantee you support those most in need in our county.

All donations to Heart of Bucks will go into our Community Investor Fund, which simplifies charitable giving for businesses and enables us to direct much-needed funding to a wide range of local not-for-profit organisations.

Last year, we received donations from a range of different businesses, including LP Motor Engineering. MD Peter Williams explains why they decided to support Heart of Bucks at Christmas: “As a locally-focused company, we wanted to give back and make a difference in our own community after a difficult year for everybody. It felt good and the right thing to do. Sending out Christmas cards to our customers takes a lot of effort as well as cost for a small garage like us, so this helped us while helping others.

“Donating the budget to local, visible projects meant we have become part of something bigger. We were able to move quickly, making the donation, and include information about what we did through our company social media accounts and Christmas email.”

If you would like to make a donation online, please click here. Heart of Bucks also accept donations by cheque or BACS - please email giving@heartofbucks.org for more information.

Neo PR – Ambassador investor

By Neo PR

It’s been a challenging 18 months for all businesses - and organisations have had to adapt.

Neo PR, a B2B & B2C tech PR agency did just this. Managing Director, Ashley Carr comments: “We had a complete re-think of the space we needed as a business and decided to move from a permanently fixed office to a touchdown space where we could come together for meetings and socials, moving away from the 9-5.”

It’s important to keep a positive work culture during this time, with Neo PR receiving the ‘Employee Recognition 2020 Award’ by TinyPulse, recognising the PR agency for nurturing a culture of appreciation.

Joining Buckinghamshire Business First has also been a key part of that journey, via the MD Ngage programme, helping to bring businesses together to learn, grow and help one another. While times have been busier than ever, MD Ngage is a great opportunity for busy MDs to work on the business, rather than in the business. Buckinghamshire Business First also provide information, advice and help for business development and growth, which has been crucial during recent challenging times.

Communication, both internal and external, remains key during a crisis and as we head out the other side. The way we communicate with our teams and clients has changed - probably for good - and adapting your communications strategy during this period has become crucial. And with the current difficulties of recruitment during the year of the ‘great resignation,’ it is paramount that you communicate positive messages to attract and retain great people for the organisation.

PR continues to play a vital role in driving new business and acquiring the best talent.

Total Carbide - Ambassador investor

By Total Carbide

Total Carbide, part of the Versarien Plc Group, is one of the European leaders in the design and manufacture of tungsten carbide wear parts. 

Based at Westcott Venture Park, the company sells to a global customer base covering 40 different industries, producing bespoke products for a wide spread of wear applications. These range from all aspects of the oil and gas industry, through aerospace and defence to breakthrough technology designed to cut the weight of rockets.

The company is a member of the Government’s SPRINT programme and is the engineering facility behind the Westcott Space Cluster, working in collaboration with the space and rocketry sector to bring their innovations to life.

Total Carbide is dedicated to providing employment opportunities for ex-armed forces personnel, and was awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award 2021. The company was also awarded Apprentice and Young Person Employer and Company of the Year at the Buckinghamshire Business Awards 2021 in June.

Total Carbide has been a Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) member for a decade and is also an Ambassador investor. Managing Director Andreas Hohmann also became a non-executive director in late 2021.

BBF membership has facilitated many benefits, including funding to improve its digital footprint as well as help preparing for Brexit.

Discover the benefits of co-investing in BBF

Read all about your co-investment opportunities here, or email us at: membership@bbf.uk.com