28 thursday april 16, 2009 business - handelsbanken · 28 thursday april 16, 2009 gazette...

basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/business28 Thursday April 16, 2009 Gazette

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Stressful timesfor employeesWORK-related stress is wide-spread among Hampshirefirms, according to researchfrom Business Link.

Around 60 per cent of smalland medium-sized businessowners and senior managersacross Hampshire and the Isleof Wight reported that staffhad experienced work-relatedstress.

And 47 per cent did not knowwhere they could turn foradvice on how to support astaff member who reported suf-fering from work-related stress.

Commenting on theresearch, Deborah Wyatt, fromBusiness Link, said: “Stressoften surfaces at times ofchange, such as the currenteconomic downturn.

“Business Link has manypractical tools to help busi-ness owners and managers toidentify, and tackle, stress intheir company.”

A guide on how to deal withstress is available at busi-nesslink.gov.uk/southeast/stress.

Zurich signsup Medicess VOCATIONAL rehabilitationcompany Medicess, based inSherborne St John, hassigned a groundbreaking dealwith insurance giant Zurich tohelp deliver their specialistmedical care.

Doctors and rehabilitationexperts will work alongsidephysiotherapists, occupationaltherapists, psychologists andemployment experts to delivercare services to a wide rangeof Zurich’s customers sufferingfrom illness or injury.

Director Matthew Beardsaid: “We’re delighted to beworking with a dynamic com-pany like Zurich, and hopethat this new contract will leadto us increasing our alreadyvery talented workforce.”

Networking nightis just the TonicYOUNG business people arebeing invited to spend anevening with North HampshireChamber of Commerce andIndustry (NHCCI) at the TonicBar, in London Street,Basingstoke.

The networking event takesplace on Wednesday, April 29,at 5.30pm. It costs £10.35 formembers and their guests and£13.80 for non members.

For more information callNHCCI membership servicesmanager Jill McDonagh on01256 352275.

Bank tops customer satisfaction pollSTAFF at Handelsbanken inBasingstoke say they are delightedafter the bank topped a nationalopinion poll for customersatisfaction.

The survey by EPSI Rating is thefirst of its kind for the UK bankingsector and is based on a Europe-wide model that has been used tobenchmark banks in 11 othercountries for over 20 years.

The survey’s co-ordinatorProfessor Jan Eklof, said: “Thissurvey shows that customersatisfaction with Handelsbanken issignificantly higher than theindustry average and that thebanks customers are also veryloyal.

“This separates Handelsbankenfrom other specially analysedbanks in the study and depictsresults which are consistent withsurveys undertaken in othercountries.”

The Swedish bank, which has anAa1 rating from Moody’s InvestorsService, opened its Basingstokebranch in 2008 and it is one of 62in Britain.

Branch manager Craig Ward,based at Matrix House, on BasingView, said: “Having satisfiedcustomers is somethingHandelsbanken has always focusedon and the survey demonstratesthe success of Handelsbanken’s oldfashioned approach to banking.

“We believe in growing ourbusiness in a safe and consideredway with the emphasis on a verypersonal relationship withindividuals and businesses.

“The fact that we’re a largeSwedish bank with stable finances,and a good credit rating byinternational rating agencies alsogives comfort to our customers.”

●● Craig Ward (left) of Handelsbanken,Matrix House, Basing View, with histeam Andy Williams, Kevin Jelley, DavidShadbolt Pic by Andrew McCargow

Kitchen firm scoopstop award from Neff

A BASINGSTOKE companyhas landed a top award for thesuccessful way it has spreadthe word about its thrivingbusiness.

Two Guys Kitchens, based inArmstrong Road, on the DaneshillIndustrial Estate, collected the NeffExcellence Award for the Best Use ofAdvertising and Marketing in theUK.

The event was organised by built-inkitchen appliance brand leader Neffand a gala dinner took place at theCeltic Manor Resort near Newport, inSouth Wales.

Tony Marshall, managing directorand owner of Two Guys Kitchens,which is a Neff specialist dealerknown as a MasterPartner,accepted the accolade at the grandfinale of Neff Futures 2009 – thefirst major national new appliancelaunch for the Neff brand in fouryears.

Two Guys was selected as theunanimous winner of the Best Use ofAdvertising and Marketing in theUK category by a five-strong judgingpanel, which included the editors oftwo national magazines – Beautiful

Kitchens and The Designer – for theinnovative ideas and well-plannedlocal publicity achieved for its

Basingstoke showroom.In addition to receiving an engraved

commemorative glass vase trophyfrom Neff brand manager HannahWatson and celebrity host DaraO’Briain, Mr Marshall also won aluxury weekend for two at GleneaglesHotel in Scotland. The company willalso feature in more advertisingorganised by Neff.

Delighted with the award, MrMarshall said: “Winning the award isgreat for the company and all thestaff who work here. Getting up infront of 450 people to pick it up wasfantastic.”

Neff sales director Mike Jarrettsaid: “The Neff Excellence Awardsrecognise those who excel at beingfirst class in every aspect of theirbusiness.

“Two Guys Kitchens personifies allthe values we hold dear – quality,service, professionalism andenthusiasm. We’re very proud to callthem our partner.”

This weekend, visitors to the TwoGuys Kitchen showroom will be ableto see the award when the companyholds an open day from 10am to 4pm,where there will be cookingdemonstrations by Neff.

By Richard Garfielde-mail: richard.garfield@basingstokegazette.co.uk

website:basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/business

●● Left to right: Neff brand manager HannahWatson, Two Guys Kitchens managing directorTony Marshall and his partner Julia Noakesand comedian Dara O’Briain

Pic by Steve Pope

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