Andrew Robinson, who last year succeeded his father as managing director of Gloucestershire-based weld overlay cladding and fabrication specialist Arc Energy Resources, has been selected as the 2016 Institute of Directors (IoD) South West Family Business Director of the Year.

Commenting for the IoD, regional director Simon Face says: “Andrew’s success is an excellent example of a second-generation leader who has evolved the business, driving their own path and strategic direction in a niche sector which has made a hugely positive impact.

“It is great to see clear thinking, positive planning and thorough business knowledge shining through towards real results.” he says.

This latest announcement builds on Andrew’s previous success with the IoD, having received the Director Development Award in 2014. This was related to his performance when studying for the IoD Certificate in Company Direction, and provided a lot of positive exposure for Andrew and Arc Energy Resources.

Presented at a prestigious ceremony at Ashton Gate stadium, the South West Family Business Director of the Year award was based on Andrew’s achievements within the business over the last twelve months. These include a brand new workshop, a strong succession plan, and record turnover of £6.5 milion despite difficult market conditions in the oil and gas sector.

Andrew has also driven a big increase in research and development spending, resulting in the acquisition of three new cutting-edge pieces of technology: a bi-cathode rotary head cladding system; a robotic welding cell; and the next generation of conventional cladding stations, designed and built in-house by Arc Energy’s experienced engineers.

Andrew joined the family firm in 2008 working in the Supply Chain department, but swiftly took on additional roles. “I went on to develop our environmental management system, take on shop floor scheduling and project management.” says Andrew.

Having taken on more and more enjoyable responsibilities, Andrew realised in 2012 that he should be treating his role in the company as a serious aspiration. “I completed management training and subsequently directorship training with the IoD and, in 2013, was appointed to the Board of Directors. In 2014 we finalised our succession plans in which I became managing director, and I published my six-year business plan.” he says.

Since then Arc Energy Resources has expanded profitably into new markets, increased the capacity of the premises and been awarded the prestigious Investors in People Silver award, plus Health and Wellbeing. On a personal level, Andrew’s activities outside the business have included engaging with local schools and careers events.

“The biggest long-term issue facing our sector is a lack of young skilled workers and I believe industry has a significant role to play in encouraging young people to consider a career in engineering.” says Andrew. “It’s such an exciting place to be and with so many opportunities, we need to let children, parents and teachers know what is available to them.”

Andrew is a member of the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing sector group and, alongside representatives from companies including Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Sellafield and other major nuclear operators, sits on the Advisory Board to the National Skills Academy for Nuclear.

“It’s a real honour to receive this award and great to be recognised for my hard work.” says Andrew. Looking to the future, he adds: “My success in the recent IoD awards also qualifies me to represent the South West region in the National Director of the Year awards in London, in October. So there is much to look forward to!”

Gloucestershire-based Arc Energy Resources – a specialist in weld overlay cladding and fabrication services for the oil & gas, nuclear and water industries worldwide – has been awarded a prestigious Investors in People Silver Award, an upgrade to the Bronze Award it has held since 2013.  The Company also received the Good Practice award for Health and Wellbeing.

Announcing the new awards, company director Rosemary Robinson says: “The Investors in People award recognises that businesses go above and beyond expectations in the way they develop, support and motivate staff. Since winning the Bronze Award standard, with each subsequent assessment we have been able to demonstrate real improvements to our systems.” She adds that Investors in People is not something achieved by simply ticking a box or preparing for an audit, it is something that is central to a business. “We live it.” she says.

Commenting on the news, Rosemary’s son and Arc Energy Resources managing director, Andrew Robinson says: “It is exciting to have this accreditation as it demonstrates that we go above and beyond expectations to ensure that our staff are well managed, trained and developed.”

For the new award, an additional 20 assessment objectives were considered within the IIP Framework, including 92 additional evidence requirements and an initial assessment against the IIP’s Health and Wellbeing Award.

As Rosemary explains, the Health and Wellbeing Award is special because it shows that, in addition to the IIP Silver requirement, the company is investing significant resources into the ongoing health and wellbeing of its staff, which is good for them and for the Company.

She adds that the way this affects staff was demonstrated when, in 2015, one of our employees, Charlie Fryer, won Employee of the Year in the Cotswold Life EMI awards, and Arc Energy Resources won the Stroud Life Family Business of the Year and overall Business of the Year.

The Investors in People framework, which is suitable for organisations of any size and in any sector, transforms business performance through people, helping companies to achieve their objectives by targeting specific priorities within the organisation.

Arc Energy Resources was first accredited as an Investor in People in May 2004 and successfully reviewed in 2007, 2010 and 2013.

Summarising, Investors in People Practitioner Mary Walsh says that all of the core requirements were met and she was therefore delighted to confirm that Silver level accreditation has been awarded. She was further delighted to confirm that all of the requirements of a further Health and Wellbeing Award were also met and the new Award was added to Arc Energy Resources’ achievements, together with a clear understanding of the success and the costs of company’s health and wellbeing strategy.

The IIP review also noted that strategic planning has improved significantly, learning and development continues to be well structured and staff describe a longstanding open culture where people are listened to and constructive feedback is encouraged.

Andrew Robinson, Managing Director of Gloucestershire-based Arc Energy Resources, has been shortlisted for the Institute of Directors (IoD) South West regional Director of the Year Awards.

Andrew has been at the helm of the Eastington-based family business since 2014, during which time the company has delivered record turnover and strong profits. This has been achieved through workshop expansion and procurement of a number of new cutting-edge technologies that have put the company in a strong position against its commercial competitors. Their prime customers are in the oil and gas industry but Arc Energy Arc Energy Resources also supplies petrochemical, power generation, defence and nuclear sectors. In addition, some twenty percent of its work is also exported.

Following his appointment as Managing Director of Arc Energy Resources, Andrew developed an ambitious six-year business plan emphasising 15% year-on-year growth. As a result, in 2015 the company achieved record turnover of £6.3m and maintained a strong profit level. He also initiated a number of exciting projects, including expansion of the workshops and procurement of three new cutting-edge technologies. This level of investment, coupled with the company’s technical prowess and strong client relationships, puts Arc Energy Resources ahead its competitors.

Commenting on the value of the IoD Awards, Andrew says: “Having received very positive exposure from winning the IoD SW Developing Director of the Year award in 2014, I am now applying for this year’s IOD award to celebrate my results as Arc Energy’s MD, as well as those of everyone in the business; and I wanted to build on our efforts and prove we could all could all achieve more.

“This is a good time to apply for the award, as it showcases the link between my directorial input and the tangible results the business has achieved, which also gives confidence to Arc Energy’s staff that the company is in safe hands, after passing onto the next generation.”