Soaring Communications

Posts Tagged ‘Chief Executive’

Mobile Telecoms specialists Virtua, in partnership with iBwave, are not only developing innovative communications solutions for their clients but they are also changing the way business is done.

Traditionally businesses tend to sit groups of people together based on their job roles and their need to be close to a fixed phone line. For most this is the standard way of working but it is not necessarily the most beneficial or productive way of running a business.

Virtua, chief executive, Andy Watts: “Today people tend to use their mobiles to conduct business and no longer need to be desk bound. Recognising this fact a number of forward thinking organisations are adopting a new type of telecoms facility called Fixed Mobile Convergence or FMC.“

The technology works by installing a small box on the wall of an office enabling staff to communicate more easily using dedicated mobile handsets at much cheaper call rates.

This way of working could revolutionise the way businesses communicate by freeing up staff so that they can work anywhere within an office complex without the need for a fixed location.

Virtua are currently using their knowledge of the technology to set up the complete FMC solution for their clients and utilising iBwave’s unique set of technical tools to plan and implement the systems.

Watts concludes: “The most important element of these projects is in the planning and deployment phases and by using iBwave’s tools, coupled with our own experience, our clients can be sure of receiving a cost effective, optimised and robust phone system that will enable them to work more productively and more efficiently”.

The London City Selection, launched at International Confex in February, has forged a partnership with the Meetings Industry Association (MIA) to ensure all members are AIM accredited.

A board has also been formed to ensure the London City Selection continues to grow and develop.

Aim Accreditation

“If we are to promote the City of London as a leading events destination it is vital we back up our claims with credible qualifying criteria.  In a decision taken by our new board and current members it was agreed that the AIM accreditation scheme (the only accreditation scheme for the meetings industry and endorsed by VisitBritain) is the most appropriate for our purposes.”   London City Selection chair and Barbican business development manager, Samme Allen.

All current and new members of The London City Selection will be required to have the AIM Entry Level accreditation at the very least, which includes a code of practice, legal compliance and grading criteria.

Allen continues:  “The London City Selection’s key goal is to develop the City of London as a world leading destination for business events, meetings, conferences, exhibition and parties.  Accreditation demonstrates each venues commitment to excellence and ensures we are working together to provide the best possible standards across the whole membership.”

MIA, chief executive, Jane Evans: “Accreditation is vital for venues and destinations wishing to market themselves at the highest levels and AIM provides the perfect platform.  Our standards – from Entry to Gold, ensure we can reward venues throughout their development, growth and improvements.  It is very exciting to be working with a consortium such as London City Selection, which will also add further value to our newly formed Destination Group.

New board

In a further development, the London City Selection has created a board to oversee the destination’s development.  As a Barbican led initiative, the board will be chaired by Samme Allen, supported by:

Membership officers:    Ed Bolling (Ironmongers Hall)  Carol Anderson (The Mermaid)

Marketing officers:         Diane Waldron (HAC)  Jihane Mamouri (Crowne Plaza Shoreditch)

Events officers:                 Ros De Vekey (America Square)  Aimee Luxton (The Brewery)

Finance officer:                 Anthony Hyde (Barbican)

Partnerships officer:       Brendon Smith (etc. venues)