Fast-growing 848 lures leader from UK telco giant

Former BT executive Chris Ainslie strengthens young team

The 848 Group, the cloud services company behind the ‘Virtual CIO’, today announced the appointment of the experienced sales leader to its rapidly growing team. Chris Ainslie, who is an expert in team management and motivation, has been appointed as a director at the Stafford-based company.

Ainslie joins The 848 Group from BT where he was Managing Director of Global Partners, responsible for sales worth more than £500 million a year. Having previously held senior leadership positions at Energis and HP, he has a wealth of experience in managing transformational programmes, global P&Ls, delivery and sales. The 848 Group has ambitious plans for 2012 after having just been named provider of the Government’s G-Cloud initiative, an area in which Ainslie will play a major role.

With such a breadth of knowledge in sales and technology, Ainslie hopes to bring the expertise gained at such large scale companies to make a real impact to the 848 Group. During his 15 years in the IT sector he has proved his sales prowess with the ability to deliver ambitious results, whilst receiving high ratings of satisfaction among his staff.

A spokesman for The 848 Group said: “We are pleased to have Chris join us at 848 at this exciting time for the business. Cloud service and our ‘Virtual CIO’ offering are driving a lot of growth and we look forward to the ideas and experience that he can bring to the board. As we continue to lead the way in cloud services it is vital that we have have the best team working with us as the UK wakes up to the innovation available from the cloud.”

Chris Ainslie, Non-Executive Director, The 848 Group commented on his new position: “I am incredibly excited about my new role, 848 are at the forefront of Cloud technology, making it available to real clients and capable of fulfilling their needs. There has been so much hype around what Cloud computing could offer and 848 are the first company to really move away from this and start delivering systems that are making a real difference.”

Formed in 2010, The 848 group has established itself as one of the UK's foremost Cloud Computing vendors. They provide advice on how best to exploit the cloud computing phenomenon irrespective of vendor, fad or trend.

848 guides businesses through the process of moving from premise based IT systems to a cloud based solution including cloud solutions for accounts, customer records, email, calendar, document handling and ecommerce. 848 are positioned as the ‘Virtual CIO’ for growing businesses.

BT Business advises SMEs to prepare for London 2012 economic boost or risk missing out

BT Business has revealed that a lack of preparation could see some of the UK's small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) miss out on an economic boost from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nearly a third (30 per cent) haven't yet taken basic measures according to new research by BT.

The new survey conducted by BT of 600 UK SMEs finds overall attitudes are positive despite tough economic conditions.

Fifteen per cent of SMEs said they are already involved in London 2012 and of those, 58 per cent are supplying products and services to the organisers. Even if they don't expect to be directly affected themselves, more than two in five (41 per cent) said they have customers in London who will be affected by the Games - and that this in turn will affect their organisation.

Around one in five expects to profit from the Games. 33 per cent in the private sector anticipate a sales hike and SMEs in the public sector expect service quality to improve. More than one in five (22 per cent) expect new international business opportunities both during and after London 2012.

64 per cent of SMEs expect some negative effects, with supply chain disruption, higher hotel costs, staff attendance and a knock to productivity high among concerns. More than one third of SMEs expect resourcing difficulties when staff want time off or are not able to get to work. Positively, more than three quarters (76 per cent) of the largest SMEs already have flexible working policies in place and one in ten will be asking logistics staff not to take leave during London 2012.

Asked about the impact on supply chains, 64 per cent expect some disruption but 40 per cent of these (25 per cent of the total) are not doing anything, seemingly leaving their business continuity to chance.

These issues could threaten hopes of a business boost in light of previous BT research on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, which found that roughly half (49 per cent) of local companies felt they could have done better from the event or missed out on opportunities.

Colin Hansen, the former British Columbia Minister responsible for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, said: "British SMEs should be optimistic because the Olympics had a huge economic benefit in Vancouver and across Canada as a whole. But the scale of the event was much bigger than anybody expected and many companies just weren't geared up for how big the opportunity would be."

Graham Sutherland, managing director, BT Business said: "Despite the tough economic times, our customers tell us that they're positive about the opportunity to grow and develop their businesses during the Games. With less than seven months to go, we encourage them to prepare now to make the most of the potential profits on offer, by putting systems and processes in place that allow them to deliver an exemplary service to their customers."

For more information see http://business.bt.com/london-2012.

BT offers small businesses a 'Kickstart'

BT Business has launched a finance scheme offering start-ups the chance to lease up to £15,000 worth of technology and telecommunications solutions. Under the 'Kick Start Scheme', in conjunction with Shire Leasing, new businesses trading for under three years will be eligible for funding subject to credit vetting.

BT's 'KickStart Scheme', available through BT Local Business, aims to help small businesses raise funds in a challenging economic climate and to avoid having to rely on bank loans, overdrafts or credit cards.

'KickStart' offers start-ups the opportunity to purchase a range of technology and communications products and services including business telephone systems, business mobiles, handsets, connection charges, software licences and IT equipment such as laptops, as well as small business IT support. The scheme is open to all industry types and has very flexible underwriting, aimed at delivering higher acceptance levels for new-start companies. An average £3,000 loan will cost less than £20 per week and can be added to as the business grows.

Declan McGlone, general manager of BT Finance, BT Business said: "The UK has an average of 270,000 start-up businesses every year. In light of the current economic climate we want to help these businesses access the products and services they need to get their new venture up and running. Our 'KickStart Scheme' offers finance over a fixed term, at a fixed rate, making it easier for customers to budget."

One business that has already benefitted from a similar scheme with Shire Leasing is A.I. Global Media Ltd. The publishing company, established in November 2010, needed funding to purchase a technology and communications solution for its eight staff working on a new corporate finance publication.

Jane Peter, director, A.I. Global Media Ltd, said: "When starting out, it was crucial to launch the business in the most cost effective way possible. We needed to install a BT Versatility phone and broadband system, so that staff could work on the magazine straight away, but couldn’t afford any major spend. The leasing scheme allowed us to get the equipment we needed at a fixed rate and also meant we keep what capital we had in the bank to ensure we had some cash flow. This scheme really helped us get our business off the ground and we now have over 53,000 subscribers to our magazine."

Karina Knudsen, Head of Business Development at the British Chambers of Commerce also welcomed the launch: "The BCC has long called for more support for small businesses. Financing that specifically helps start and grow new ventures will considerably reduce the current credit difficulties that owners face."

New and existing BT Business customers will be able to take up the 'KickStart Scheme' offers as long as they have been trading for under three years, subject to a credit check. For more information about 'KickStart' and other BT products and services, interested parties can contact BT Local Business at www.btlocalbusiness.co.uk.