Tag Archives: staffordshire

Finance and Banking, Finance News, News, North of England

Innovative approach from Minerva is providing solutions

A North Staffordshire financial planning company has invested in top class technology to enhance the client experience.

Founder of Minerva Financial Solutions Nicola Conway decided to introduce document management platform DocPortal in February this year, to help with the storing of important documents and information and to allow for a more efficient service. DocPortal stores personal and business documents, while clients can also access the app, allowing Nicola and her team to communicate and share information directly.

Nicola Conway, Founder of Minerva Financial Solutions, says: “In a world where we spend a lot of time storing information electronically, and accessing it digitally, it is important to be able to keep important documents in one place. We wanted to help clients to be able to access what they needed with ease and that’s why we introduced DocPortal into the business.

Nicola adds: “The app really can help to store someone’s important life documentation in one place. Our finances, life policies and even legal papers are really important and need to be stored in a way that can be accessed by family members on the occasion of a death, which can be a very difficult time for relatives to be dealing with such issues. However, as you can appoint digital executors within the app, these documents can be accessed more easily and help minimise the added stress of those challenging circumstances.”

Minerva Financial Solutions have now shared the DocPortal app with more than 300 clients. As well as arranging financial documents, users are able to upload personal information such as photographs and favourite trips if they wish, along with other day-to-day documents.

“Our experience is that it’s like having a filing cabinet in your pocket – but without the large amount of paper,” adds Nicola.

“Information can be uploaded instantly to the app and people can go back and look over things themselves in their own time. We’ve found it very useful and many of our clients have been keen to use it.”

Minerva Financial Solutions is an Appointed Representative of St James Wealth Management and is based in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Events, Midlands News, News

Fabulous fiesta to celebrate summer in Shropshire and Staffordshire!

Live music, artisan food and crafts will all be on offer at a summer bank holiday fiesta at a stately home on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.

Weston Park will welcome guests of all ages to the event on August 28 and 29. The whole estate, in Weston-under-Lizard, will be open to explore, including the house, the woodland adventure playground, the miniature railway, Temple Wood and Capability Brown’s stunning 18th century landscaped grounds.

Marketing manager Andrea Webster said: “Bring your picnic blankets and settle in for music, food and crafts from our fabulous trader line-up. You’ll be able to grab something delicious to eat from the street food village and a pint of local ale from Hobsons Brewery, and there will be a traditional fun fair with a fun house and dodgems for the children.

“We’ll have over 30 artisan food and craft traders, live music from Giles & Sully and Synergy Live Band, drumming workshops from the fabulous Hit the Dhol team, and Alison’s Bee Class, where our younger visitors can learn more about bees and roll their own candle.

“The house will be open from 1pm each day, where you can see a world class collection of fine and decorative arts, some of which dates back over 500 years.

“We’re all looking forward to a great bank holiday day out and we would love to see you there.”

The fiesta is open from 10am to 4pm each day. Discounted tickets are available in advance of the event, or visitors can pay on the day. Under-fours and Weston Park members get in free and don’t need a ticket, and dogs on leads are welcome.

Advance tickets cost £5 per person, with house admission an additional £2 per person. Advance tickets are available online until 9am on each day.

Gate admission costs £9.50 for adults, £8.50 for senior citizens, £5.50 for children or £28 for a family ticket. House admission is an additional £4 per person.

Visit the booking site to buy tickets. For more information about Weston Park, visit www.weston-park.com/

Construction, News

Record year in business for Midlands fit-out and manufacturing firm

Staffordshire-based balustrade specialists SMART Balustrades is reflecting on a successful year as it records its highest output levels to date and sets sights on further growth in 2021.

Family business SMART Balustrades specialises in the fitting and manufacturing of bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, Juliet and platform balconies, and handrails for the commercial and residential sectors.

Recently named as the third fastest growing balustrades company in the UK by Plimsoll, the company reported record months in July, August and November this year, with turnover up 20% from 2019.

After making a number of key hires earlier this year, the firm is now nine strong, with further plans to expand its team in the new year, as it continues to invest in the manufacturing side of the business.

All of SMART Balustrades’ fabrication and assembly is done in-house at its Burntwood production facility and it has recently made a significant investment of £30,000 in a specialist tube drilling machine, which will accelerate production by up to five times.

Despite the challenges of 2020, the business has remained strong; working in buoyant markets such as residential and education.

Notable residential projects delivered by the firm this year include a balustrade scheme in Lewes, a platform balcony scheme in Luton and a roof terrace balustrades scheme in Bournemouth.

The company is also working on a substantial project for national hotel brand Fairmont on its new Fairmont Windsor Park hotel, next to Windsor Great Park. Works include the installation of stainless steel and structural glass balustrades for the hotel’s stairways, terraces and spa areas.

David Hough, managing director and co-founder of SMART Balustrades, said: “We couldn’t be happier ending this year with record results for our business.

“Despite the pandemic, we’ve continued to adapt to the market, offering new products and services such as platform balconies as the demand for outdoor space increases.

“Like most construction-based companies, installation slowed down due to uncertainty onsite, but once social distancing guidelines had been clarified and necessary safety measures were put in place we were back to normal levels of output.

“It’s been a different year for everyone to say the least, but we look forward to continuing to learn and grow in 2021 and beyond.”

Jonathan Hough, contracts director and co-founder, added: “Being up 20% with our year-on-year growth is an incredible achievement, especially in the current climate and we have ambitious growth plans for 2021 – with a target of 35% further growth.

“Manufacturing remains a key part of our business, and next year we will continue to invest in our equipment and our team to increase efficiency and productivity. The tube drilling machine is a worthwhile investment and throughout 2020 we have invested in systems, accreditations and staff, to put ourselves ahead of the rest.

“Thank you to our brilliant team who have been resilient throughout the year, and our clients who have continued to support us.”

SMART Balustrades is part of the Unitech Group, and it designs and manufactures its products at Unitech Group’s 75,000 sq. ft. production facility in Burntwood, Staffordshire.