In the news...
Platform People (BGP 2011) breaks record to achieve Investors in People Gold Standard
Business consultancy and recruitment organisation Platform People were recently awarded both the Investors in People Gold Standard and ISO 9001, the first company in the UK to earn IIP Gold at their first assessment and within a record-breaking four month period.
Platform People, which specialises in working with the Investment Platform market, was established in July 2010, and has, at first assessment and from start to finish in only four months, been awarded both the Investors in People Gold Award and the ISO 9001 Quality Management standard – an achievement that has never been done before.
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February 2011
H20 Car Valeting Centres (BGP 2008) plan to clean up at the sales
Cleaning up at the sales will have a whole new meaning at Westfield Stratford City this month as shoppers will be treated to a stellar car valeting experience.
H20 Car Valeting Centres is set to open its largest outlet yet at the Olympic Village site, creating over 60 new jobs over the coming months. The Westfield Stratford City operation will include two premium valeting centres along with a new roaming waterless hand car wash service covering all car parks at the shopping centre.
The car valeting company has earned a celebrity following thanks to its outstanding approach to customer service. The H20 experience includes neat tricks like web cams, to allow clients to watch their car being valeted, complimentary bike hire in the summer months, free newspapers and surprise gifts left in clients' cars.
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January 2011
Cause4's Michelle Wright (BGP 2011) enjoyed double success at the Future 100 Awards and Startups Awards 2011
Michelle was named one of Future 100 Top Ten Winners for 2011 recognising young social entrepreneurs. Michelle went on to receive Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the Startups Awards 2011, where Cause4 was also a finalist in the hotly-contested Social Enterprise of the Year category.
The Future 100 Awards recognises the sucess of young entreprenuers who demonstrate entrepreneurial flair and innovation in progressing a responsible business venture.
The prestigious Startups Awards, recognise the UK’s most creative, innovative and ambitious new businesses across the private sector and Third Sector.
December 2011
Evergreen Fund for Growing Businesses launched
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Evergreen Fund for Growing Businesses. It has been established through the generosity of past participants of Cranfield's BGP, to enable aspiring entrepreneurs who need financial support to participate in the Cranfield BGP.
The Fund will assist deserving businesses that will benefit significantly from BGP.
Paul Tombs, BGP past participant and founding donor said "The BGP has been so vital to the development and success of our business over the last decade, that we felt inspired to give other growing businesses the opportunity to participate in the UK's most successful programme for the development of owner-managers."
Find out more about the Evergreen Fund for Growing Businesses…
November 2011
McAuliffe Civil Engineering (BGP 2010) named ‘Best Small Family Business’ at the 2011 Midlands Family Business Awards,
beating strong competition from a variety of companies across the West and East Midlands.
Some 30+ business entered the awards, which were set up by the Wilson Organisation to recognise the success and competence of family owned and run businesses across the Midland’s region. McAuliffe, which was established in 1971, had to demonstrate strong family values, product and service development, good governance and commitment to the community within their category, against some strong competition.
Speaking about the award John McAuliffe said: “To receive this award is a real honour and supports our entire family ethos which runs throughout the business. We have worked hard to establish a company that has strong values and moral principles, which all too often get lost in the drive for profit and success. We see ourselves as different from the rest building long term relationships with our Clients and all of our employees work hard in contributing to our success.”
McAuliffe Civil Engineering offers a variety of environmental services, including the remediation of contaminated land, demolition and haulage, to the construction sector.
November 2011
Yapp Brothers see increased sales of 300% through social media usage
The FT on Saturday 15 November 2011 featured the Yapp Brothers of which alumnus Tom Ashworth BGP 2008 is co-owner.
They supplied the champagne at Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding without realising it through a customer of theirs. It was picked up on Twitter and they have seen an increase in champagne sales of 300%! Click here to see the full article.
October 2011
Guy Rigby shares his insights in The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Building and Selling a Business
We are delighted to be associated with From Vision to Exit, authored by Guy Rigby, Head of Entrepreneurs at Smith & Williamson. Guy’s book features extensive commentary from David Molian, Director of the Business Growth & Development Programme [BGP], as well as case studies of businesses with Cranfield connections, such as Moonpig. Many of the key themes and lessons learned on BGP are emphasised in From Vision to Exit, which charts the entrepreneur’s journey from start-up through to sale and life after exit. We wish Guy all the very best with his new book.
SPECIAL CRANFIELD DISCOUNT available when bought directly from the publisher Harriman House – please quote ‘FVTE2011’ to receive your discount.
Smith & Williamson Accountants & Business Advisors are a long-standing supporter of entrepreneurship at Cranfield.
September 2011
Lara Morgan (BGP 1999) reveals the secrets of her success
In her new book, More Balls than Most, founder and former CEO of Pacific Direct, Lara Morgan (BGP 1999) tells an inspirational story of how she built a globally recognised company from almost nothing and sold it for a value of £25 million.
She describes the moment in 1998 when she decided to enrol on Cranfield’s Business Growth & Development Programme (BGP). This decision, she says, changed her business life forever. Driven by a determination to learn from the best, Lara reveals how she acquired the business acumen to become CEO of one of the UK’s fastest growing small companies. Lara received the Cranfield Management Association Entrepreneur Alumna of the Year Award in 2009 and is now focusing her passion on a new venture, Company Shortcuts, an online platform for entrepreneurs to increase their effectiveness and accelerate growth.
July 2011