LATEST CHAPTER NEWS

12/4/10

A recent recruit to the Kent Eureka Chapter of BNI has already proved it is a force to be reckoned with.

Ashford-based D&D Autos only joined the chapter last summer but has quickly demonstrated what fellow members who have used the garage already knew – it’s one of the best.

The family-run garage was presented with Kent Invicta Chamber's award for Excellence in Customer Service 2010 at a glittering awards ceremony in Canterbury at the end of March.

The award recognised the fact that D&D bucked the recession by moving to modern, purpose-built premises - despite the economic downturn - so that it could offer its customers a wider range of services in smarter and more accessible surroundings.

Now the company is hoping that it will also do well in the prestigious Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBAs) when the winners are announced this summer.

The company, which was also presented with a special Highly Commended award in the chamber’s flagship Business of the Year category, moved from a jumble of different premises in Victoria Road in February 2009.

Owner Derek Pestridge realised that he was unable to provide either the quality or the choice of services he wanted to offer from his existing buildings, and after failing to find anything suitable he moved the business to Moat Way on Orbital Park, just off the A2070.

“The relocation to Moat Way gave D&D the space and facilities we needed to provide our valued service across a wider range of activities,” said Lorraine Fuller, who represents her father’s business at Wednesday morning meetings.

“It set us apart as an independent garage that has made its mark amongst the multi-million pound dealerships on Orbital Park.”

This year’s awards attracted a record number of entrants and were judged by a panel of top names from the county’s business community. The customer service category was sponsored by Lloyds TSB.

D&D now has collective fingers crossed for similar success in the Customer Service and Commitment and SME Business of the Year categories in this year’s KEiBAs – and Lorraine’s fellow BNI members will keep theirs crossed too.


22/3/10

Award-winning Simon says: “I’ll just read my press release”

Ashford Eureka financial services expert Simon Webster didn’t need to prepare his 60-second presentation to fellow BNI members at the first meeting of 2010.

Simon simply read out the press release announcing his company’s success in winning top-level approval for the quality of the advice it offers.

The press release, issued the previous day, was prepared by fellow BNI member Malcolm Triggs, of Go4 Marketing and Public Relations Ltd.

It pointed out that the award means law firms in Kent and beyond will be encouraged to recommend the services of Simon’s Wye-based company Facts & Figures: Chartered Financial Planners.

Facts & Figures is the only firm of chartered financial planners in Kent to have been granted “professional” status by the SIFA (Solicitors for Independent Financial Advice) organisation.

SIFA is endorsed by the Law Society to help firms of solicitors find appropriately-qualified IFA (independent financial advice) firms that they can recommend to clients who need a comprehensive package of professional advice.

Only about 70 firms are recognised nationally by the SIFA and just five of them are in Kent.

Simon was quoted as saying that he was “delighted that SIFA has recognised our chartered status, our high standards of client care and our professionalism.

‘We already work with a number of lawyers and accountants and with this latest endorsement we are looking forward to developing other relationships throughout the south east.”

The announcement means that Facts & Figures is now listed in the SIFA Directory of Professional Advisers (www.sifa-directory.info), which is promoted to solicitors through the Law Society’s web site.

“This enables solicitors to search for the most suitable financial adviser for their clients’ needs based on location, specialisation and charges. Anyone whose solicitor recommends a financial adviser should check that the firm being recommended is listed in the directory,” added Simon.

“SIFA recognises that solicitors need assistance to integrate financial advice into their work with clients, and the support it provides helps to bridge the gap between legal and financial work,” Simon explained.


3/11/09

Ashford BNI members Kingsfords support All About Eve, ovarian cancer charity

The other week one of the Kingsfords team managed to fulfil what most clients believe Solicitors do, play golf.

I made up a foursome representing Ashford Eureka BNI Chapter (not a Hells Angels Chapter, but part of a networking organisation) which included Peter Greenwood of Greenwood Graphics, John Roberts Landlord of the Worlds Wonder Public House and Peter Jones of PJs Computer & Photcopier supplies and repairs.

The team wondrously managed to negotiate itself in to equal last place after 18 holes of joyful banter although with our combined score from a quiz in the evening we were able to drag ourselves away from last place.

But how does this relate to Eve? Contrary to popular belief Solicitors do in fact spend most of their time chained to the office, however this event was a Charity day co-organised by Colin Batt of Colin Batt removals and was arranged as a fund raising event for “The Eve Appeal”.

Caring for women is at the heart of what the Eve Appeal do. Ovarian cancer is a cruel disease that accounts for more UK deaths than all the other gynaecological cancers put together. The Eve Appeal was set up to save women’s lives by funding ground breaking research into gynaecological cancers.

Each year in the UK 6,600 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 4,400 women die from the disease. Ovarian cancer remains an under-profiled and under-funded cause.

But there is now real hope for the future. Research funded by the Eve Appeal looking at changes in DNA has found evidence that stem cells, the “master” cell of the human body, are involved in the origins of cancer. This groundbreaking work opens up a completely new opportunity to identify women at risk of ovarian or breast cancer independent of any family history. There has also been great improvements made in early diagnosis which as with all diseases the earlier they are detected and sometimes before any symptoms have manifested then the more successful the resultant treatment.

However, as with all good causes in order to carry on and fund further research and generally promote awareness there is a constant need for a stream of funding. If you are interested in finding out more about the Eve Appeal and make a direct donation then please visit their website at www.eveappeal.org.uk.

Most importantly the day raised £7,000.00 which has then received further matched funding raising a total sum £14,000.00 for the appeal.


25/10/09

Ashford BNI is broadcasted on TV

Various members of Ashford BNI have been featured on both ITV Meridian and BBC South East because of a group effort to assist our publican member, the World's Wonder. Click here to read the full article.

3/4/09
Red Alert leads the way by offering high-tech help

BNI member Red Alert Telecare has picked up a top award from the Kent Invicta Chamber

Clive Gawler’s new company helps councils introduce high-tech care systems that keep older and vulnerable people out of hospital. Click here to read full article

Shelling out, and about, for the Kent Air Ambulance

Shelley Hathaway-Batt of Ashford based Colin Batt Removals will be getting up at the crack of dawn for the next 2 months in aid of the Kent Air Ambulance. The Ashford group have adopted the Kent Air Ambulance as its chosen charity for 2009. Click here to read full article

WE ARE MOVING VENUE!

As of the 7th January we will be meeting at the newly refurbished Ashford International Hotel.

To see more Ashford BNI news, please click here.