Case Studies               Presenting comments from finest members on the business benefits of being members:

Harris Lamb Chartered Surveyors Harris Lamb’s Associate Director, Andrew Groves, spoke about the decision to join finest:   “As a new firm to Stoke-on-Trent, we joined as part of our networking strategy. We have benefited from several informative, locally focused events and have made some very valuable contacts within the North Staffordshire business community.”   Membership is, of course, a decision for each individual firm, but increasingly professional service businesses are seeing it as a natural choice.   Grindeys Solicitors “The local legal field is competitive, but finest was the perfect catalyst for firms in the area to work together with a common business development goal,  the result being a clearer understanding of the opportunity in hand, our local market and each other.   This collaboration, the first of its kind in this area, has created a common bond between the legal firms involved and has set a precedent and an acceptance of the adage 'two heads are better than one.'   Ann Fisher, Head of Corporate/ Commercial Law, Grindeys Solicitors   Plinkfizz Marketing Consultancy “finest is a great initiative because, through the events in particular, it creates a forum where professional service businesses can learn from each other and from the excellent speakers. It has helped me quickly understand the North Staffordshire business landscape”   Julie Grant, Managing Director of Plinkfizz, Marketing Consultancy To meet the movers and shakers in the local business community, public or private sector, be seen at finest events.   The Hanley Economic Building Society Cris Hammond, HR Manager at The Hanley Economic Building Society made a valuable connection:   “Having made contact with Dave Chesters of Track Training Services Ltd through finest, he made me aware of of funding via Business Link for leadership development. After further discussion and contacting Business Link I was delighted to receive funding for the training. This is an excellent opportunity for us to invest in our employees and to work with Track Training Services Ltd in what we hope will be a successful relationship.”   Keele University Keele University spoke about business relationships forged through finest,   “finest linked Keele to IP management specialists at Kent, Jones & Done, providing valuable support to the spin-out of two new medical technology companies. Following a finest event, we made contact with MPCG Ltd who assisted us to recruit senior management staff. We envisage future benefits in terms of graduate employment and professional advice for our spin-out technology companies.”