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basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/business 28 Thursday April 16, 2009 Gazette Business Sponsored by You can also check out Business news – sponsored by – at basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/business In Brief ▼ For daily updates of local news, sport and other information, check out The Gazette’s website at basingstokegazette.co.uk Stressful times for employees WORK-related stress is wide- spread among Hampshire firms, according to research from Business Link. Around 60 per cent of small and medium-sized business owners and senior managers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight reported that staff had experienced work-related stress. And 47 per cent did not know where they could turn for advice on how to support a staff member who reported suf- fering from work-related stress. Commenting on the research, Deborah Wyatt, from Business Link, said: “Stress often surfaces at times of change, such as the current economic downturn. “Business Link has many practical tools to help busi- ness owners and managers to identify, and tackle, stress in their company.” A guide on how to deal with stress is available at busi- nesslink.gov.uk/southeast/ stress. Zurich signs up Medicess VOCATIONAL rehabilitation company Medicess, based in Sherborne St John, has signed a groundbreaking deal with insurance giant Zurich to help deliver their specialist medical care. Doctors and rehabilitation experts will work alongside physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and employment experts to deliver care services to a wide range of Zurich’s customers suffering from illness or injury. Director Matthew Beard said: “We’re delighted to be working with a dynamic com- pany like Zurich, and hope that this new contract will lead to us increasing our already very talented workforce.” Networking night is just the Tonic YOUNG business people are being invited to spend an evening with North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NHCCI) at the Tonic Bar, in London Street, Basingstoke. The networking event takes place on Wednesday, April 29, at 5.30pm. It costs £10.35 for members and their guests and £13.80 for non members. For more information call NHCCI membership services manager Jill McDonagh on 01256 352275. Bank tops customer satisfaction poll STAFF at Handelsbanken in Basingstoke say they are delighted after the bank topped a national opinion poll for customer satisfaction. The survey by EPSI Rating is the first of its kind for the UK banking sector and is based on a Europe- wide model that has been used to benchmark banks in 11 other countries for over 20 years. The survey’s co-ordinator Professor Jan Eklof, said: “This survey shows that customer satisfaction with Handelsbanken is significantly higher than the industry average and that the banks customers are also very loyal. “This separates Handelsbanken from other specially analysed banks in the study and depicts results which are consistent with surveys undertaken in other countries.” The Swedish bank, which has an Aa1 rating from Moody’s Investors Service, opened its Basingstoke branch in 2008 and it is one of 62 in Britain. Branch manager Craig Ward, based at Matrix House, on Basing View, said: “Having satisfied customers is something Handelsbanken has always focused on and the survey demonstrates the success of Handelsbanken’s old fashioned approach to banking. “We believe in growing our business in a safe and considered way with the emphasis on a very personal relationship with individuals and businesses. “The fact that we’re a large Swedish bank with stable finances, and a good credit rating by international rating agencies also gives comfort to our customers.” ● Craig Ward (left) of Handelsbanken, Matrix House, Basing View, with his team Andy Williams, Kevin Jelley, David Shadbolt Pic by Andrew McCargow Kitchen firm scoops top award from Neff A BASINGSTOKE company has landed a top award for the successful way it has spread the word about its thriving business. Two Guys Kitchens, based in Armstrong Road, on the Daneshill Industrial Estate, collected the Neff Excellence Award for the Best Use of Advertising and Marketing in the UK. The event was organised by built-in kitchen appliance brand leader Neff and a gala dinner took place at the Celtic Manor Resort near Newport, in South Wales. Tony Marshall, managing director and owner of Two Guys Kitchens, which is a Neff specialist dealer known as a MasterPartner, accepted the accolade at the grand finale of Neff Futures 2009 – the first major national new appliance launch for the Neff brand in four years. Two Guys was selected as the unanimous winner of the Best Use of Advertising and Marketing in the UK category by a five-strong judging panel, which included the editors of two national magazines – Beautiful Kitchens and The Designer – for the innovative ideas and well-planned local publicity achieved for its Basingstoke showroom. In addition to receiving an engraved commemorative glass vase trophy from Neff brand manager Hannah Watson and celebrity host Dara O’Briain, Mr Marshall also won a luxury weekend for two at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland. The company will also feature in more advertising organised by Neff. Delighted with the award, Mr Marshall said: “Winning the award is great for the company and all the staff who work here. Getting up in front of 450 people to pick it up was fantastic.” Neff sales director Mike Jarrett said: “The Neff Excellence Awards recognise those who excel at being first class in every aspect of their business. “Two Guys Kitchens personifies all the values we hold dear – quality, service, professionalism and enthusiasm. We’re very proud to call them our partner.” This weekend, visitors to the Two Guys Kitchen showroom will be able to see the award when the company holds an open day from 10am to 4pm, where there will be cooking demonstrations by Neff. By Richard Garfield e-mail: richard.garfield@ basingstokegazette.co.uk website: basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/business ● Left to right: Neff brand manager Hannah Watson,Two Guys Kitchens managing director Tony Marshall and his partner Julia Noakes and comedian Dara O’Briain Pic by Steve Pope A Place To Do Business
