Tag Archives: Bath

News

Booming sports and advertising Group unveils new director

A TALENTED creative added a splash of colour to the leadership of a pioneering sports, advertising, exhibitions and signage business.

Rowan Freeman is now a director of the award-winning Dragon Group, based in Cardiff and Radstock, near Bath.

The company – which has clients across the UK and beyond – includes Dragon Signs, Dragon Digital, Route Media, Sportin Wales and Colour Studios, the exhibition and display arm of the Group that Rowan will head-up as part of her wider remit.

Employing more than 80 people, the organisation is led by Managing Director Rhys Harrington and has poured significant investment into refreshing and rebranding while remaining at the forefront of innovation and technology.

Hailing from Cardiff, Rowan has spent almost a decade in creative, administrative and management roles and was thrilled to take the next step in becoming a key part of the Group’s executive team.

Her focus is on sustainability, organic growth and fostering new partnerships in multiple sectors nationwide.

“I will be working across the Group with a specific responsibility for Colour Studios, that’s going to be a big part of my role going forward,” she said.

“I’ve loved every second so far and been made to feel so welcome by everyone here, it’s a learning curve but together we are already coming up with lots of ideas.

“It’s an exciting time as we are targeting different markets, with an emphasis on the exhibition space and expanding our services and supply of bespoke, recyclable product displays while exploring the firm’s year-round offering.”

Rowan added: “Dragon Group acquired Colour Studios just last year and there has been a lot of investment in machinery and the buildings in Radstock, but the biggest USP is the experience and skill of the staff, many of whom have been with us for decades.

“Sustainability is the core focus as a Group, in our journey to becoming net zero and for the loyal clients we have in Wales, the UK and overseas.

“I am thrilled to now be in this position, it is far more than a job and allows me to be creative and work alongside some hugely talented people whose skills cross over and complement each other across the Group.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support, I’ve been very lucky to have a great network of friends, family and colleagues who have inspired me to believe in myself and capitalise on this incredible opportunity.

“I am proud to be a part of Dragon Group and am confident we will continue to grow, to do amazing things and be bold and inspiring, for our customers and the sectors we operate in.”

With clients including Holland and Barrett, Leekes, FAW, Transport for Wales, dafabet, Travis Perkins, Leicester Tigers, the RNLI, universities across the UK, and Apetito, Dragon Group is one of the fastest-growing companies in Wales.

Rhys congratulated her on the new position and said: “Rowan is an asset to the Group; she has been a valuable member of the team for more than six years and is already making strides in her new role as Director.

“She has a great vision for Colour Studios and its place in the market, which will help us to continue raising standards and our reputation.

“We wish her the best of luck for the future, and I’m sure she will have a big impact on our strategic direction and especially our efforts to lower our carbon footprint and become a net zero organisation.”

For more news and information from Dragon Group, visit the website www.dragon-group.co.uk and follow them on social media.

News

NEWS: Bath’s Sulis Hospital first year anniversary – UK’s first private hospital where 100% of the shares are owned by an NHS Trust

June 2022 marks the first anniversary of Sulis Hospital in Bath, acknowledged for providing outstanding levels of patient care, and twelve years of new thinking in healthcare. It’s the UK’s first private hospital where 100% of the shares are owned by an NHS Trust.

Sulis Hospital, formerly known as CircleBath prior to the Royal United Hospital acquisition, continues to offer the same high standards of care for both private and NHS patients.

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a heightened appreciation for health and wellbeing, reinforcing the need to re-evaluate healthcare environments. The revolutionary Sulis Hospital embraces and uses nature in its built environment to enhance wellbeing and improve recovery times for patients. Originally designed by Foster and Partners, the hospital’s inherently flexible design has allowed the building to adapt to the changing needs of covid safe pathways and continue to deliver a holistic approach to healthcare [more here: https://www.fosterandpartners.com/plus/biophilia-in-design/].

Sulis Hospital is the first private hospital in the UK where 100% of the shares are owned by an NHS Trust. The hospital’s private patient care model benefits all by allowing any additional income, earned through private care, to be reinvested in high-quality services for all patients at the two hospitals, Sulis and the RUH. The acquisition by the RUH has grown the hospital’s services, increasing capacity for both NHS and private patients. This is particularly important at a time of recovery for NHS waiting lists nationally.

Simon Milner, Hospital Director Sulis Hospital said: “This is a new way of thinking in healthcare, benefiting all. Collaboration with the RUH NHS Trust has excellent benefits. The true value of our ability to preserve and contribute towards the NHS while at the same time offering the same high level of private patient care is being realised. We benefit in terms of governance and best practice while at the same time creating extra capacity to treat NHS patients. 

“Our vision is to drive innovation in healthcare, transforming how patients are diagnosed, treated, and rehabilitated. Nationally acclaimed consultant surgeons choose to see and treat patients at Sulis Hospital because we’re different, attracting patients from around the UK. Sulis Hospital offers over 350 treatments across 40 different specialities from cardiology to orthopaedic and ophthalmology to general surgery. A combination of new surgical techniques, including robotic hip and knee surgery, and advances in anaesthesia has led to a shift to same day surgery for common procedures facilitating a faster recovery for our patients.”

Cara Charles-Barks, Chief Executive Royal United Hospital said: “The RUH and Sulis have a long-established positive relationship highlighted in 2020 when Sulis Hospital provided a COVID secure environment for RUH elective and cancer patients. The collaborative approach has helped cut NHS waiting times not just at the RUH but across Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire with over 1,000 NHS patients waiting for over 2 years, being seen and treated at Sulis over the past 12 months, taking them off the waiting list.” 

Tessa Cox, private patient at Sulis Hospital said: “I chose to be seen and treated at Sulis Hospital privately as I didn’t want to wait, however I was also aware that by opting to go private I was making space on the NHS waiting list for someone else. What I hadn’t realised but am delighted to understand is that as Sulis is owned by the RUH therefore any profits go back into the local health economy supporting both hospitals. It means I was contributing to the NHS not taking from it. This really is unique.” 

As well as always maintaining a positive culture Sulis Hospital benefits from one of the best clinician-to-patient ratios around. Staff benefits include competitive salaries, annual pay awards, life assurance, private healthcare, flexible working opportunities, and a commitment to supporting professional and personal development. In the 2022 staff survey, staff demonstrated high levels of staff engagement, especially around role clarity, trust, and teamwork.

News

DeltaNet International Bolsters eLearning Capability with Cylix Integration

DeltaNet International, a global eLearning provider of compliance, health and safety and performance training solutions, has today announced the growth of its business through the integration of Cylix Limited, which was recently acquired by parent company Marlowe plc. Following this expansion, DeltaNet International will also be aligned into Marlowe plc’s new WorkNest brand. 

Cylix Limited, an eLearning software platform based in Bath, was acquired earlier this year with a total enterprise value of £1m. It provides accredited equality, diversity, wellbeing and health and safety eLearning courses to organisations within the UK. 

From today, Cylix customers will have an opportunity to access an expanded library of 200+ compliance, health and safety and performance courses, in addition to fresh content in different formats to help them re-invigorate training, keeping learners engaged. Cylix brings strong expertise working with various sectors, such as education and public sector organisations, including the University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh and LSE. 

WorkNest is a collective of employment law, HR and health and safety support services, comprising specialist companies within Marlowe plc. The integration strengthens DeltaNet’s offering, as the leader of Marlowe plc’s eLearning platform, within the WorkNest brand. DeltaNet will continue to retain its autonomous position within this group, and the investment of the collective will further drive the organisation’s growth in specialist eLearning. 

Darren Hockley, Managing Director at DeltaNet International, said, “We are very excited to welcome Cylix into the DeltaNet family. Both organisations share a strong commitment to delivering quality eLearning courses and providing first-class customer service. The array of talent and the 150+ years of industry expertise joining the DeltaNet team will enhance our skills to continue furthering our growth and providing courses which matter to our customers.” 

Steven Price, Managing Director and Owner at Cylix Limited, commented, “Our customers can continue their exciting journey with us through DeltaNet’s state-of-the-art eLearning Platform, Astute LXP, and a wider collection of courseware, whilst retaining access to our current high-quality content. Since our acquisition by Marlowe earlier this year, it is clear that we share the same vision to strengthen the quality of courses and support to organisations looking for compliance, health and safety, diversity and wellbeing eLearning.”

News

Saltford  financial  adviser  achieves chartered status 

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has awarded the prestigious ‘Chartered Financial Planner’ title to Graham Sneddon of Sneddon Financial Planning Partnership, who simultaneously became fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

Chartered Status is the profession’s gold standard for financial planners and is only awarded to individuals that meet rigorous criteria relating to professionalism and capability. All Chartered Financial Planners commit to the CII’s Code of Ethics, reinforcing the highest standards of professional practice in their business dealings.

To date, just over 5,000 individuals have achieved Chartered status, showing that this is a highly exclusive award reserved for the leading individuals within the financial advice market.

Graham Sneddon offers clients a face to face Wealth Management service, dealing with all aspects of their financial planning.

Graham Sneddon, says: “I am extremely grateful to have received such prestigious external recognition of my professionalism. I have always been committed to providing high-quality service and receiving chartered status is a big personal milestone.”