Simon steps up to the Chair

On a drizzly, cloudy morning, around 90 businesspeople arrived at the YMCA at 6.45am for the May meeting of Newark Business Club.

Simon Gabbitas, the new chairman of the club, welcomed everyone to the meeting. Currently celebrating his ten-year work anniversary, Simon has been a member of Newark Business Club for the past decade and has served on the committee for the past five and a half years.

The roving mic was passed around the room, giving everyone the opportunity to introduce themselves and their businesses.

Bluechip – Embroidery & print

May’s meeting was sponsored by Wrigleprint, local garment printers and embroiderers. Scott Wrigley, the founder of Wrigleprint, gave an interesting inside view of his business in the first presentation. He set up Wrigleprint in 2014 and initially ran the business from his garage in his spare time. It grew quickly, so he decided to quit his day job. He moved the business into new premises in Balderton, acquired a van, and took on the first full-time member of staff.

Wrigleprint has upgraded its garment printing and embroidery equipment using the latest direct-to-film (DTF) technology. Their clients include well-known brands such as the NHS, Rolls Royce, Bentley and the Salvation Army, as well as a wide range of local businesses and organisations. They supply branded workwear via contracts or bulk orders but also fulfil one-off or small orders. They work closely with schools to supply school uniforms and leavers hoodies, setting up a web shop on behalf of each school and delivering orders to schools on a weekly basis, giving a free bag of Haribo sweets with each school order.

In addition, they supply branded sports kits to boxing clubs, football clubs and other sports teams and are the exclusive branding supplier for Notts County Women’s FC football team. They also kitted out the serving team in the final of The Great British Menu on BBC television. Wrigleprint don’t just do garments, they also print event banners, large-format posters and other promotional materials for businesses, charities and other organisations, and help businesses and schools to rebrand.

Scott is taking part in the 20 4 20 Challenge in which he’s aiming to raise £20,000 for charities. He’s done seven challenges so far, including ultra marathons. If you would like to support him, he has a Just Giving page.

Scott commits to 20 4 20 challenge for charity

Charity begins at home

As part of Newark Business Club’s Charity of the Quarter initiative, three local charities gave five-minute presentations about the wonderful work they carry out in the local community

Matt Colbourne and Andrea Ward from Beaumond House told of how the hospice has supported 25,000 local patients over the past 35 years through its inpatient, hospice at home, and day therapy and wellbeing services.

It provides support for 550 patients and their families each year. When asked what “hospice” means to them, their day therapy patients gave a variety of answers, including “caring and helpful,” “talk in confidence,” “safety, security and support,” and “living your life.”

Peter Wingrove, the CEO of Shawmind, described the charity’s Headucation project, in which it works with schools to address mental health issues. There is a huge need for their services because, according to a survey carried out in 2021, one in six young people aged from five to 16 years has a probable, diagnosable mental health condition.

Shawmind takes a preventative, proactive approach to a young person’s mental health, helping them to build mental fitness for better life outcomes.

Claire Clements and Jackie Wilson, the co-founders of Positively Empowered Kids, are passionate about inspiring kids to shine their brightest. Both had experienced struggles with their mental health when younger and wanted to pass on to children the information, tools and techniques that had helped them. Positively Empowered Kids is a small charity that works with the community as well as with children, parents and schools. It organises inter-generational workshops involving children and elderly people and corporate wellbeing sessions that are fun, energetic and playful. A Family Wellbeing Festival is also held every year.

Following a vote by all attendees, Newark Business Club’s charity of the quarter was announced. Positively Empowered Kids’ inspiring work in the local community will be supported by a total donation of £500 from the club and Newark Round Table.

Motorfinity and beyond

After table networking and a coffee break, Leanne Cooper, the Business Development Manager of Motorfinity, a patron of Newark Business Club, talked about the Motorfinity’s growth of 61% over the last six months. They now employ 48 team members and, after moving to a new HQ in February 2022, they are now expanding again and looking to recruit 20 new staff. They make corporate car leasing easy and hassle-free and have strong relationships with a plethora of car manufacturers that allow them to offer discounts of up to 32% on new car prices. Motorfinity is active in the local community, having raised over £40,000 for local charities, including the Children’s Bereavement Centre, in 2022 alone.

Spotlight of Business – Monthly business card draw winners

Fusion of Minds

Fusion Design are a long established graphic design company based on the outskirts of Newark in the little hamlet of Alverton. Founded in 2004 by creative directors, Ian Wallace and Catherine Powell, Fusion Design comprises a small, friendly team of talented designers, dedicated to providing outstanding design solutions for print and web.

Our values are simple. We pride ourselves on great client communication, outstanding design, and a conscientious attitude to providing excellent customer service.

Our clients success is at the heart of what we do. Over the past 20 years we’ve helped many businesses grow and achieve their full potential. We take the time to get to know you and your business, building great relationships and working as a team, to raise your brand awareness and get the right message out to your target audience.

If you’re looking for a professional, friendly team, who can provide you with creative branding, stationery, stunning website design, brochures, flyers, banners, packaging, newsletters, advertising and much more, Fusion Design are the right choice for you. Give us a call on 01949 358 008, or email us at studio@fusiongraphicdesign.co.uk.

For further information please visit our website www.fusiongraphicdesign.co.uk. Take a look at some examples of our work and read some of our lovely client testimonials. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you too!

First Timer – with stationery offer!

3WM Office Supplies Please is a well-established online business supplier based locally on Millgate in Newark. It supplies over 50,000 top-branded and cost-reducing budget business supplies across categories such as general stationery, office furniture, technology, printing supplies, packaging & mailing, facilities management, workwear, safety & PPE.

Their quality systems are ISO 9001:2015 certified, allowing them to operate as an approved supplier directly into thousands of UK businesses and public sector operations, shipping on a next day delivery service every night for orders placed before 5pm.

As a local business they will support you in any way they can and will always go the extra mile to provide you with cost-effective high-quality products and services. Generous credit terms of net 30 days are available for businesses and they provide dedicated account support, working with you to understand your needs and providing just the right solution for you.

Orders can be placed online at www.officesuppliesplease.co.uk, and they are available to help from 08:30 to 17:50 on working days and can be easily reached by calling: 01636 557421 or email: sales@officesuppliesplease.co.uk

You can get a 10% discount off your first order by quoting NEWARKLOCAL!

Write up Roz Andrews, RA Writers For Hire