theChamber

theChamber

Voice&VisionofSurreyBusiness| M a r c h - A p r i l 2 0 1 4 www.surrey-chambers.co.uk | ÂŁ3.95 (where sold)

Airport debate moves into final stages See centre pages

Spotlight On:

International Trade:

This edition we focus Expert support for on Surrey Heath pg 12 documentation pg 22

Chamber Events: Book your place now! pg 45

Contents

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Voice & Vision of Surrey Business March-April 2014 www.surrey-chambers.co.uk

Welcome to theChamber from our Chief Executive Louise Punter

Surrey Chambers are at the forefront of the Aviation debate this month hosting “The Future of Aviation” bringing businesses the opportunity to hear from the key stakeholders in the airport expansion debate, including CEO’s from Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. better coordination with the police, local authorities, and key agencies listening to the needs of businesses and acting accordingly.

Although there will not be a final decision on Britain’s long term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election – a national debate is already underway. Surrey sits in between two of the major players and Surrey Chambers will be listening to our members and leading a campaign to make sure that the right decisions are taken.

The Met Office announced the wettest winter on record earlier this month and Surrey has been one of the hardest hit areas with many homes and businesses affected. The knock-on effect of absent or concerned employees will also have taken its toll on local companies. In the weeks to come, we will be joining the British Chambers of Commerce in advocating for: A fair deal from insurers, help for affected companies, action on transport resilience and for

The Growth Vouchers Programme launched in January has seen nearly 1000 businesses apply and over half a million pounds worth of vouchers allocated. The programme aims to build key evidence about the impact of strategic advice and has been created to help inform future government policy. Businesses that apply to the programme will either receive face to face assessments, an online questionnaire or a voucher worth up to £2,000.

Businesses that are allocated a voucher can use it to subsidise taking on expert advice in one of five areas and will need to match the subsidy with their own funds. In an ever changing environment we continue strive to keep businesses informed on what help is available. www.surrey-chambers.co.uk

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Introduction Chamber News Member News Spotlight On...

24 Hours With...

Affiliated Chamber International Trade Development Cover Feature Big Interview Getting Started Ask the Expert

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Finance Legal Leisure Design Technology Showcase Social Media Chamber Events Business News Member Spotlight Chamber Chat Member Benefits New Members

Editorial and General Enquiries

Production Manager

Surrey Chambers of Commerce Unit 14a, Monument Way East, Woking, Surrey GU21 5LY Tel: 01483 735540 Fax: 01483 756754 Email: info@surrey-chambers.co.uk

Fern Badman Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: studio@benhampublishing.com

Chief Executive: Louise Punter Finance: Caroline Cherryman

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Editor Ella Parkes Tel: 01483 735545 Email: marketing@surrey-chambers.co.uk

Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited 3tc House, 16 Crosby Road North, Crosby, Liverpool L22 0NY Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com

Media No.

Disclaimer The Chamber is published for the Surrey Chambers of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members in the county. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at Surrey Chambers.

Views expressed in The Chamber are not necessarily those of Surrey Chambers of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission of the Editor. © 2014.

Advertising and Features

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content.

Jane Gercken Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: janegercken@benhampublishing.com

Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

Published March 2014 © Benham Publishing

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Introduction

A word from our

President I live on the Heathrow flight path and the backdrop of aircraft noise is something I am very used to and it was not a major consideration when I chose where to live. Most of my in-laws and many friends have worked in the aviation industry and the presence of Heathrow and Gatwick have been very significant factors in the shaping of much of the Surrey business community. A huge number of Chamber members benefit directly and indirectly from these two airports.

The only persuasive argument I have heard for a complete re-location of our airports is the logic of the wind directions. The historic investment in terms of the existing economic and social infrastructures are too ingrained to be disturbed in my opinion and realistically we should improve what we have. “We are where we are” so to speak, although Boris may well disagree.

Infrastructure investment is critical to support a thriving business community and convenient and efficient international travel is essential. When I started in business with Menzies many years ago, international travel was something you did to get a sun tan. We were a local firm of accountants and there really was no call for it. I recall Bracknell being an exotic business destination!

Time moves on and many of our clients demand that we have an international perspective and as a consequence our staff now regularly travel the world. Email and telephone are fine but if you are serious about international business then you need to meet face to face. Demand for air travel will inevitably increase and we cannot keep sitting on our hands on this issue or other European hub airports will look to capitalise on our prevarication.

Expansion of one or both airports must happen now.

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Kevin Hurley Cybercrime is the fastest growing means of committing crime worldwide. Many criminals engaged in ‘traditional’ criminality, such as theft, fraud, targeting of vulnerable people, are turning to computerised methods to offend. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people in the UK in the last year have had their online accounts broken into and cybercrime now costs the UK approximately £27 billion a year, most of that being costs to businesses in the UK. Two-thirds of young people report being a victim of cyber bullying.

We have identified a gap in co-ordinated education and prevention of cybercrime in Surrey. To address this, my Deputy, Jeff Harris, has set up a Surrey Cyber Safety Group – which includes representation from the Chamber of Commerce - with the aim of looking at how this gap can be closed. Whilst criminals in cyberspace don’t operate within or recognise geographical boundaries, crime prevention messages and education can be delivered in a geographic area, diverting criminals away from individual and victims living and working in the Surrey area.

One initiative arising from the Cyber Safety Group is the recruitment of Surrey Cyber Champions – volunteers with an IT background willing to give some time to train others – be that older residents, small businesses and other groups – in cyber safety. If you would be interested in volunteering as a Cyber Champion or would support any of your employees with the relevant skills to volunteer, we would love to hear from you. If so, please contact my office on 01483 630 200 or email SurreyPCC@surrey.police.uk.

Thunderbolt shortlisted for the prestigious event Toast of Surrey It’s nearly been a year since Thunderbolt Digital Ltd starting trading in Surrey with offices located in the idyllic Georgian town of Farnham, providing outstanding website design, development and marketing services to startup businesses, small emerging companies along with established companies, who require an established web agency expertise, but don’t want to pay the over inflated prices that some agencies govern due to large overheads.

At times it might have felt like a neverending crusade, but with the latest news that Thunderbolt Digital has been shortlisted in the “Business of the year 2014” category within the annual prestigious “Toast of Surrey” event we couldn’t be any happier.

The Toast of Surrey showcases the skills & strengths of a business community often valued as the engine of the nation’s economy, to celebrate the achievements with their county professional peers.

Taking place in front of over 200 of the counties influencers on Thursday 13th March 2014 at the impressive G Live venue in Guildford, Surrey.

The Thunderbolt team are delighted to see that all of the collaborative efforts over the past year have finally come to fruition.

A big thank you goes out to all of our clients and the people, who allowed us to grow, develop whilst being able to give back to the local community. www.wearethunderbolt.com Tel: 01252 413757

Chamber News

Surrey Chambers introduce new member Milford Golf Club At Milford Golf Club we cater for a variety of local businesses and golf societies.

We’re within a 15 minute drive of nearby towns such as Guildford, Woking, Farnham and Aldershot, and easily reached from the A3 or M25. Our club atmosphere offers the perfect opportunity to build business or personal relationships through a wonderfully social sport. Our stunning 18 hole course, designed by Peter Allis and Clive Clark, is set in the beautiful Surrey countryside and offers a wonderfully tranquil setting. This par 69 parkland course measures 6000 yards and provides a challenge for golfers of all standards so you’ll have plenty to discuss in the clubhouse.

We offer: • Corporate Golf Memberships • Meeting Room Hire • Corporate Golf Days • Private or Corporate Functions

Please contact us to book a tour of the facilities or discuss how we can support your business.

Call Kevin Bonner on 01483 419 200 option 2 or email milford-sales@crown-golf.co.uk.

Eco Rewards - An innovative new scheme to reward green travel choices Surrey Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Smartran Ltd, is delighted to offer a new, innovative scheme to reward green travel choices by employees in Surrey. This is a low risk and compelling proposition which is based on proven reward and cashback schemes.

The objective is to encourage people to switch from using the car and reward them for regularly and continually using alternative means of travel, including cycling, walking, car-sharing and public transport. Eco Rewards can be exchanged for free offers, discounted products and cash-back financial rewards from 1000’s of online retailers.

Top 6 benefits to Surrey Chambers members: 1 Reduction to peak time traffic, pollution and congestion in the area

2 Health benefits to the individual if they regularly cycle or walk to work, therefore improving staff efficiency and lower absenteeism 3 Journey times for buses and other vehicles improved 4 Strain on car parking space alleviated 5 Can help achieve CSR objectives 6 Financial incentive to employees – giving something back to them For further information please contact Tracey Carter on 01483 735540 or email tracey.carter@surrey-chambers.co.uk.

Never a better time to experience Guildford!

With the help of Experience Guildford, there has never been a better time to bring your business to the town.

The Business Improvement District (BID), who celebrate their first birthday in March, have just launched a new site which details all the available retail and office space in Guildford town centre. The project came from a conversation with local property marketing specialists, The Completely Group. Dom Millar, The Completely Group’s MD said: “We are very keen to support the UK’s high streets and central business districts, so we were delighted to work on this pilot project with Experience Guildford.”

The popular Privilege Card, launched a year ago offering discounts across the town centre to staff of Guildford businesses, will this year be extended further so more people can take advantage of these exclusive offers.

The Customer Service Awards of last summer will be repeated; free car parking during Guildford Summer Festival and at Christmas will again help drive footfall for the town centre; the Town Rangers or ‘Bluecaps’ are on hand 7 days a week to assist with first aid, security and act as a helping hand to businesses and visitors alike; the Best Bar None Awards (now annual) mean that a night out in Guildford is of an outstanding quality.

General Manager, Amanda Masters said: “The last 12 months have been a whirlwind of projects and events, all designed to make the customer experience of Guildford a great one, to help the town centre thrive and grow and to attract more businesses, retail or otherwise to come here. Now with the new property site, I hope that more businesses will see Guildford as the place to set up and recruit in”.

For more information on available space in Guildford www.guildford.completelygroup.com and for information on the BID activities and how to get involved go to www.experienceguildford.com.

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Member News Surrey entrepreneur launches new business Chris Lane, the entrepreneur, who built the Chris Lane Tennis & Health Club in Woking, before selling it for £9.2 million to Whitbreads PLC in 2002, is back.

Leisure Club, LTA Tennis Club of the Year and numerous awards for management.

He wants to share his experience, knowledge and passion for a great customer experience.

Chris is launching a new business called PtS – Profitability through Service – designed to help Surrey SMEs increase profits by focusing on staff and training them to wow customers with outstanding customer care. This was the ethos, which grew the turnover of his Club from £200,000 to £4 million.

Lane’s career took him from being a sports teacher, to a tennis professional before creating the Tennis & Health Club from debt finance. He started with 200 members in 1985, which grew to 6,000 when he sold 17 years later in 2002. The staff also increased from 12 to 150 and the Club was renowned for its innovative management practice and outstanding level of customer care.

It included 16 tennis courts, a gym, exercise studios, health and beauty, swimming pool, extensive children’s facilities and a nursery school. Awards included The Outstanding UK

“I love empowering and developing people’s potential,” says Chris Lane, “and this is what PtS is all about with an emphasis on outstanding customer care and trusting those within the business to deliver it themselves without being over-managed. Ultimately, it’s about behaviour change within your own business delivering powerful results.”

“Customer service does NOT make money but outstanding customer care contributes directly to the bottom line. You cannot teach customer care, only develop a culture from within your company that generates a spirit of care from within your team.”

“When people are involved in something larger than themselves and, if within that, you recognize them for the individual contribution, they will nearly always truly exceed your expectations.” But, as Howard Shultz of Starbucks said, “You cannot expect them to exceed the expectations of the customer, if you do not exceed their expectations of how they are managed.” www.ptsbusinessconsultancy.com

Think you know the YMCA? Think again!

Guildford YMCA’s Riverside Conferences should be the first choice for any business planning a corporate event.

It would be difficult to match the excellent value for money in such a central location.

Overlooking the River Wey yet only minutes away from Guildford’s shopping centre, train and bus stations, Guildford YMCA in Bridge Street has an excellent track record for hosting small to medium sized training sessions and conferences.

Whether you need a room for a small strategic planning group or space for a presentation to 100 people, we can meet your requirements. Three recently refurbished conference rooms offer flexible, airy accommodation equipped with all the audio visual facilities one would expect, as well as a free Wi-Fi connection.

The in-house catering offers something to suit every taste and pocket – customers can mix and match for a tailor made package. Delegates can enjoy a choice of buffets in the conference room or dine in the public restaurant where the selection of hot lunches and lighter choices is freshly

prepared and changes daily. In the warmer months our riverside terrace is a popular spot for a lunchtime break.

Our Bridge Street building is also a hostel offering en suite bed and breakfast accommodation for delegates if required. And it is now home to our Youth Programmes department. Profits from our conferencing activities are used to fund some of our life changing, charitable work with local young people in Guildford and the surrounding area. Choosing to use our facilities also benefits disadvantaged young people.

Our conferencing team, Terri and David will be happy to show you around and discuss your requirements. We are confident that using us once will win you over so we’re offering 50% off room hire for a first time booking to fellow Surrey Chambers of Commerce members. The booking should be confirmed by 30 April for a 2014 event. Please mention your Chambers membership at the time of booking.

Please direct enquiries to conferences@guildfordymca.org.uk or Terri Colley on 01483 448782. Information regarding the conference accommodation can be found at http://www.guildfordymca.org.uk/conference_facilities.htm

BSG Training – getting to the heart of IT training We’ve all sat in IT training courses and thought “This is not relevant to me”, says Claire Shaw, founder of BSG Training, adding: “In the current economic climate, businesses can ill afford to waste employees’ valuable time out of the office on courses that don’t cover precisely what they need.”

At BSG, none of our closed end user training comes ‘out of the box’ and every course is carefully tailored. Our experienced trainers work closely with our clients to establish their requirements, we then develop a bespoke training package for them. This ensures our clients get maximum value from their training.

We offer a range of solutions from one to one training, train the trainer and lunch & learn sessions to more traditional class room style training. And we cover all areas of IT, from Excel and Oracle

to SharePoint and collaborative tools such as Lync. For End User IT Training, delivery is in bite size modules which are practical and precise. We can train everyone from individuals to groups of 1000+ members of staff.

Our trainers are always one step ahead in their skill set, ensuring we’re always delivering the most up to date technology courses.

We carefully match this wealth of experience to your needs, selecting the most appropriate trainer for your business. We are a small local business but our extensive network of highly skilled trainers allows us to be competitive and flexible in our approach.

To find out more about how we can help you, please contact Claire Shaw at Claire.shaw@bsgtraining.co.uk, or call on 01932 260606 or visit us at www.bsgtraining.co.uk.

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Member News

A new way of networking gets the New Year off to a successful start…

At Raycross Interiors, we excel in being creative and wanted to start this year by hosting a networking event with a difference. An event that ensured that those who set their alarms for the early start would certainly be rewarded.

ITSD – complete IT solutions for Surrey and beyond Established in 2001, IT Service Desk Ltd (ITSD) provides a one-stop-shop for IT support.

The majority of our clients are Company Head Offices who have limited or no IT support.

We can provide a complete IT service – acting as a virtual IT department, tailoring our support to meet their needs.

Our experienced staff will be based on site, maintaining and updating systems; we also support mobile devices, enabling clients’ IT to operate wherever and whenever they need it.

Some of our clients require an off-site service, so we provide assistance remotely. We can operate a help desk service, accessing employees’ workstations to solve issues quickly and effectively. All calls placed to our helpdesk are

It was an ideal opportunity for Raycross to showcase a stunning showroom to members of the Construction & Property Forum, whilst giving ample opportunity for them to network on a one to one basis in a very relaxed and informal environment. Delicious hot breakfast canapés, a selection of Danish pastries with freshly brewed coffee and tea greeted guests on a cold, miserable winter’s morning. A ‘live’ cooking station was also available for members to indulge themselves with blueberry pancakes and see some of the latest must-have kitchen appliances in action.

David Mitchell & Toby Howell from Mitchel Evans Architects presented to us the insights on modern architecture. With their presentation running through our own Home Cinema Display, the theme of modern & creative design worked extremely well.

Guests continued to enjoy our hospitality until 10.00 am and left us with very positive feedback of a great event. We in turn left them with a bag of goodies and a lasting impression of a very

dealt with by our team in Walton on Thames.

We have experience of working with a variety clients, ranging in size from 20 to 500+ employees. We operate seven days a week, 7am to 10pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, including bank holidays.

We pride ourselves on operating as smoothly as possible for our clients. Whilst our clients are based across the UK, we are keen to build on our links with the local community.

For more information about ITSD, please email neil.mccracken@itsd.com, or visit us at www.itsd.com.

impressive showroom.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Illman of Anise Catering – www.anisecatering.com for providing the delicious breakfast for our event. This was provided on a complimentary basis in order that revenue from ticket sales could be donated to Woking Hospice.

Surrey Chamber of Commerce Membership Offer: Raycross Interiors are delighted to offer all Surrey Chamber members a complimentary 1 hour design consultation in the showroom (worth up to £595) for their next home project. In order to benefit from this exclusive offer, please pre-arrange an appointment with one of our design consultants by calling the reception team on 01932 346336 or by email – sales@raycross.co.uk and quoting SURREY CHAMBER. For details on all the products and services we provide, please visit our website at www.raycross.co.uk.

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Member News

Superfast Surrey connecting the county Superfast Surrey is a project funded by Surrey County Council, BT and The Department for Culture Media and Sport.

This complex engineering project aims to bring access to fast, reliable fibre broadband to homes and businesses in the more rural, difficult to reach areas by the end of 2014.

Superfast Surrey’s ‘programme area’ will provide fibre access to an additional 84,000 homes and businesses.

As more and more services are delivered online, having access to fast, reliable broadband is increasingly important to homes and becoming essential for businesses.

It’s not just about being able to surf, upload or download data quickly. Even when several users are on the same connection, it will be possible to upload photos, video files or complex graphics to the internet in seconds. Employees and customers will be able to send and receive large files easily with less time spent waiting for complex web pages to download. Video communication becomes more of a reality allowing people to join from various locations, even internationally.

To find out more and keep up to date with the programme’s progress, visit www.superfastsurrey.org.uk and use the postcode checker to find out more about your local area.

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Clandon Wood Surrey Hills Natural Burial Reserve appoints operations manager Clandon Wood Surrey Hills Natural Burial Reserve has announced the appointment of Fran Hall as their new Operations Manager.

Fran is a qualified funeral director and is highly experienced in working with the bereaved.

She has an in depth understanding of the funeral industry and has several years’ experience of managing a natural burial site.

She is also an avid supporter of the Natural Death Centre Charity that runs the Association of Natural Burial Grounds, which gives free impartial advice on all aspects of bereavement and funeral arranging.

Fran said: “Coming to Clandon Wood is like coming home.

There’s something very special about this place and the people who are working here,

it’s not just the beauty of the surroundings that makes it so different to anywhere else, it’s the feeling you get when you come through the gates and are welcomed with such warmth and genuine kindness.”

Simon Ferrar, Clandon Wood’s founder and General Manager added, “We are delighted to have Fran on board. She has a wealth of experience within the funeral industry as well as a great deal of empathy and understanding of the bereaved.

She will be a great asset and we look forward to a new and exciting year ahead.”

Located at the foot of the Surrey Hills between East and West Clandon, Surrey’s largest natural burial ground is

managed as a nature reserve creating wildlife habitats as part of its sustainable management plan.

For more information please check the website at www.clandonwood.com or telephone on: 01483 479614.

For information on the Natural Death Centre Charity see their website at www.naturaldeath.org.uk.

BTU Group of companies celebrates half a century Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Diana Lockyer-Nibbs, visited BTU Group headquarters to help the business celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.

new works to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and all other building services installations.

The company, which is based in Weyside Road, Guildford, was formed in 1963 by Alan Merritt to ensure that people have access 24/7 365 days a year to support and repairs for heating services

Design & Build has become an integral part of the industry and is an area where BTU excels, with a team of in-house consultants and a CAD department.

Paul said: “I speak proudly on behalf of the directors and the company in saying that we’re delighted to be celebrating 50 years of excellent service to the industry.

A private family business chaired by Paul Merritt for the past 20 years, it has a turnover of £13 million and employs more than 100 staff and engineers.

Over the past 25 years, BTU (Installation and Maintenance) Limited has developed into a specialist buildings services engineering company providing mechanical and electrical design, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance services.

The company provides full facilities management for the private and public sector and carries out all types of renewal and maintenance, including

“BTU will continue, committed to our philosophy of working in partnership, to provide continuous improvement in everything we do, both now and in the future.”

A supporter of many charities, BTU plans to celebrate its anniversary with a series of events throughout 2014.

Member News

G Live reports increased audiences and a broader programme G Live’s second full year of operation has seen the Guildford town centre venue present more live shows than in its first year with 188 live events in the Main Hall.

Attendance, at over 136,000, was also higher than Year One. 60% of visitors to the venue are within a 30 minute drive; a further 40% come from London, the Home Counties and further afield including overseas visitors, with the very positive impacts on the local economy that this brings.

In addition to the successes on the stage, G Live has returned a profit in Year Two, enabling a profit share arrangement between Guildford Borough Council and HQ Theatres & Hospitality. The

Council’s subsidy per attendee reduced from £2.52 in Year One to £2.37 in Year Two. G Live’s Director Alvin Hargreaves said: “New venues typically navigate a tricky postopening period as they build their reputation, databases and audiences. G Live is no exception, but we are more than satisfied with the speed at which the venue is becoming established in the industry and we’re absolutely delighted with how local audiences have responded to the ever-growing programme of events. We’ve already seen some great concerts in a whole range of formats, all enjoying the relative intimacy of the space and the venue’s excellent acoustics. ” G Live’s conference and private events activity also increased compared to Year One, further supporting Guildford’s business tourism offer.

Renoir comes to Woking Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) will be the focus of a free exhibition at The Lightbox gallery and museum in Woking. Renoir was at the forefront of the Impressionist Movement. His paintings are characterised by their vibrant depictions of light and colour in a series of loose, clearly visible brushstrokes.

The exhibition will bring together some of his most distinctive works held in British collections today, and tell the fascinating story of how they found their way into public museums and galleries in Britain.

Born into a working class family in Paris 1841, Renoir began his artistic career apprenticed to a porcelain painter, later painting blinds and murals to raise money to attend art school. In 1862, he entered the Ecole des BeauxArts where he became friendly with Sisley, Bazille and Monet.

Working side-by-side, Renoir and Monet depicted many of the same scenes along the banks of the Seine and exhibited together at a number

of Impressionist exhibitions.

Following a visit to Italy in 1881 Renoir was greatly impressed by the work of the Renaissance Masters and by the mid 1880s had broken with the Impressionist Movement to adopt a more precise, classical technique. In his final years he took to sculpture.

The exhibition ‘Renoir in Britain’ is on show until 20 April.

2014: A big bard year ahead for GSC For Surrey’s professional Shakespeare company, Guildford Shakespeare Company, 2014 looks set to be a benchmark year as they unveil ambitious plans to drive the company forward over the next three years.

The aim is to engage with more than 12,000 people over the next 12 months through professional theatre and education programmes created, delivered and performed right on their doorstep, giving more people a positive and sustainable experience of the world’s most famous playwright.

Matt Pinches, one of the two founding Producers, commented: “A successful producing theatre company is a unique asset for Guildford and its cultural and economic well-being, and now is the perfect time for GSC to embark on an ambitious programme of development.”

In April,GSC will be joining the national celebrations for

Shakespeare’s 450th Birthday with a series of special events culminating in the 3rd popular Sonnet Walk Weekend.

For their 9th Summer Season, another cracking open-air double-bill of audience favourites will see the company return to the Castle Gardens with the brilliantly funny Twelfth Night at Guildford Castle in June, followed in July by the rousing Henry V at their awesome new venue Guildford Cathedral.

Finally, an inaugural Autumn Season will bring the year to a close with a unique staging of Chaucer’s bawdy classic The Canterbury Tales.

More details can be found at www.guildford-shakespearecompany.co.uk.

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Spotlight on...

Looking to the future in Surrey Heath The Surrey Heath area has plenty to recommend it with initiatives under way to boost local business ranging from retail to the arts. This feature examines some of the work being done.

Surrey Heath – open for business Surrey Heath is in the north-east of the county, flanked by Hampshire and Berkshire and includes the towns Camberley and Frimley.

Surrey Heath company just keeps growing!

There are exciting plans to revitalise Camberley town centre, with a brand new retail and leisure offer. The landmark regeneration project is part of Surrey Heath Borough Council’s vision to rejuvenate the town and will deliver an estimated £100 million investment in Camberley. Included in the vision are new and improved shops, a department store, creation of quality public spaces and more choice of restaurants.

Connect with local businesses Surrey Heath Borough Council is hosting its twice-yearly Business Breakfast meeting later this month.

Open to Surrey Heath business ratepayers, the event offers a chance to network, exhibit and find out more about doing business locally.

Taking place on 28 March, the breakfast will incorporate the first ever Surrey Heath Business Awards. Celebrating the best of local businesses and entrepreneurs, the awards will share success stories with the wider community, through a range of categories from Best Export Business to Best New Business. To find out about entering the awards please go to http://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/business/ shbas Exhibition display space is available for all businesses at competitive rates, offering the chance to raise the profile of your company or organisation among the 160 or so delegates that will be attending.

To register to attend or find out more visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/business.

You can also follow regular updates about the Business Breakfast meeting on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SHBCBusiness.

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Camberley is also the home to one of Surrey’s most wellknown Outsourced IT Support companies – projectfive.

This friendly local firm have been supporting Surrey businesses for the past 11 years, helping them to solve their computer problems and implement efficient technology solutions into their businesses.

The company was founded by Steve Coburn, and has enjoyed strong growth in the last few years, thanks to the enthusiasm of the wonderful team they employ. And, that team is growing. projectfive always recruit staff from the local area and have opportunities for graduates to join their team and help look after their local customers.

floor in St. George’s House – part of a thriving local business community on Knoll Road, in the heart of Camberley Town Centre.

With annual growth rates exceeding 30%, it’s hardly surprising that projectfive had to take additional office space last year.

And, if you get the chance to go and visit them, then do so – their offices are bright, fun and you always get a warm welcome from the team. They even have a meeting room with floor-to-ceiling Whiteboards and an orange pool table – perfect for those creative brainstorming sessions!

They now occupy the whole of the second

www.projectfive.co.uk

Theatre venue upgrade adds quality conferencing facility Following a refurbishment in September, Camberley Theatre now enjoys an enhanced conferencing suite with a range of well-equipped function rooms as well as a Café Bar with restaurant dining and in-house chef to tailor a menu for your event. space and since the refurbishment there are more reasons than ever to utilise the venue.

The timing of the refurbishment coincides with a step change in programming at the Theatre. Following their programming development they are now attracting bigger names than ever including Milton Jones, Lee Mack, violinist Nigel Kennedy and Julian Lloyd Webber.

To discuss your conferencing requirements please call 01276 707600.

The main function room offers a welcoming and well lit space suitable for a variety of seating arrangements including boardroom and banquet style comfortably seating up to 100 attendees.

The auditorium of the theatre is ideal for an AGM or business dinners with theatre seating for up to 400.

For residents of Surrey Heath with a love of the Theatre, Camberley Theatre is also becoming a venue of choice for weddings, private parties and family celebrations. We host regular business breakfasts, company gatherings and networking events in the

All rooms are equipped with audio-visual equipment and the in-house team are on hand to support your event with their technical theatre and event expertise. The auditorium also includes an induction loop and is wheelchair accessible.

And the modern art deco inspired Café Bar is open daily to the public for hot drinks, snacks and lunches.

The venue has visitors using the space for business meetings and networking. Part of the Café Bar space can be made into a separate conference room where there is a relaxed sofa area with large screen audio visual facility should this be required.

Situated in Knoll Road, Camberley the venue is ideally positioned with good transport links, just a five minute walk from the station, bus stops nearby and ample car parking in Knoll Road car park.

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Spotlight on...

Camberley town centre defies national trends Despite recent reports, Camberley town centre has defied national retail trends over the Christmas period and seen a positive increase in both footfall and sales. events which have further increased footfall and sales for the town.

They provided residents and visitors with a number of good reasons to choose Camberley over the competing towns.

Recently reported national figures suggest a decrease of -4.5% in footfall for December; while Camberley town centre saw a 1.6% increase compared to 2012.

It’s safe to say that not all high streets are struggling.

These will have a lasting effect as well, as shoppers will remember Camberley in a positive light. Their popular Little Book of Offers saw as many as 700 redemptions for one of the retailers and their town centre Christmas Light Switch On saw an increase of 16% in footfall year on year.

Early reports of December sales figures also indicate an increase compared to last year. A huge boost to the town centre and its retailers.

A packed events programme throughout December from the BID team helped to profile the town centre and what it has to offer. On top of that, the BID team secured periods of free parking over the festive season in all three main car parks. A great incentive for residents and shoppers to choose Camberley over the competition.

Camberley Business Improvement District (BID) team Collectively Camberley are very pleased with recent promotions and

Managing Director for Collectively Camberley, Zoe Griffiths said: “It was fantastic to see our town centre thriving

over the Christmas period; especially as National trends are not as positive.

Camberley shoppers receive a fantastic customer experience with our retailers – something you simply cannot get online.

“Events and promotions throughout the year have encouraged new shoppers into the town and shown them what we have to offer. I’d like to thank our retailers and their staff for their hard work, along with the local residents and visitors for their continued support of Camberley town centre businesses.”

Looking for an alternative to your usual conferencing facility?

Camberley Theatre is ideally situated in the heart of Surrey Heath with spacious conferencing facilities ideal for meetings, seminars, training courses, conferences and corporate entertaining.

Our function rooms offer: • Free wireless internet in all rooms • Data Projection facilities • DVD, Blu Ray and video play back facilities • In-house technical support • In-house caterers • Natural daylight • Flipcharts, pads and pens available • Day delegate rates • Wheelchair access Our Theatre Auditorium is also available to hire for your event.

Excellent transport links to the M3 motorway and A30. Only 5 minutes from Camberley Station, direct bus links, and public car parking behind the Theatre.

To book your event at our venue, call us on 01276 707600 or email camberley.theatre@surreyheath.gov.uk or visit www.camberleytheatre.biz

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Member News

Putting care at the heart of the business Geoff Lane, CEO at Regal Care, with more than 10 years’ experience in senior roles in healthcare and social care, asks how care home managers’ skills and experience can be better supported to deliver quality care. Geoff describes how the implementation of a Quality Management System from SCC member IPROS enabled this at Regal.

How did we succeed?

• Create a culture of team working with clear transparency, spiced up with healthy internal competition.

• Empower and train home managers to take decisions and carry them through • Introduce a Quality Management System (QMS) to create a single focus for improvement.

In Regal we selected a solution from specialist software service provider IPROS CUBE, with their Assured Compliance service.

The project team was based

around a core group of home managers and senior operations managers to deploy the Internet cloudbased audit system which addressed our key challenges.

This was done in just a few weeks.

Self-Audit, managed actions Home managers complete self-audits on a two month cycle across ten key areas, from infection control to health & safety and all points in between.

Each item of non-compliance has a specific action plan with due dates and owners. Spot checks are shown against

each manager’s own assessment. The system reminds managers to complete their audits and their actions.

Trends in each key area and each home are easy to spot and the results for all homes are openly reviewed each month in regional management meetings.

Good Care is Quality Care The system has been well

We never forget that for our residents the home is their home and it should feel that way. Our home managers are all personally committed to this approach.

Business advice – is it worth the money?

By Ian Parker of Henchards

Advice is a funny thing. We love it when we get some help that pays off whether in our personal life or in our business. However the thought of paying for advice can often be a barrier to getting the help that is likely to make a big difference.

But look across almost all aspects of life and the most successful sportspeople, performers and business owners point to coaches, mentors, advisers and nonexecutive directors as fundamental to their success.

And key to that success is being open to the following: • Advice is an investment. You can wait until you really need some advice and then ask or you can adopt the mindset that it is never too early to invest in an adviser to make the most of emerging opportunities and to help pre-empt potential issues • A good adviser is focused

16 theChamber

received by CQC and commissioning inspectors who can see that issues are being identified and addressed in a systematic manner.

Occupancy in the homes has increased in some cases by more than 20%.

first on the relationship. The principle benefit of an adviser is not just the toolbox or new ideas they have, it is the power of collaboration and having extra horsepower alongside you.

So what might you look for in considering an adviser? The following criteria provide a start point: • Someone with whom you can spend time and share confidences • An advocate for your business • Independence and experience – but not necessarily in your industry • Flexible in approach and willing to configure their service to your objectives • Interested in getting inside your business • Relevant testimonials Ultimately it comes down to what you want to achieve, both personally and for your business, so be clear about your requirements, set your expectations accordingly and be open to thinking differently. Are you ready to take the next step?

24 hours with

When 24 hours means 24 hours For Cameron Avery, a feature on ‘24 hours with...’ could turn out to be just that since his job can see him work round the clock at a moment’s notice.

Cameron co-founded Fidelis Security in 1998 and has run the company ever since, overseeing its offer of keyholder services for homeowners and organisations and also operating regular mobile patrols.

He said: “No day is the same and, because we run a 24-hour service, we could be called out at any time of the day or night.

“We look after people’s houses if they are away for a period of time. You could have someone who is away on business, for example, and their burglar or fire alarm goes off and we respond to that as part of the service.

“It may turn out to be a false alarm but one of our team still has to attend, whatever time it is, weekdays and weekends included.

“For example, we had a school this week which had lots of decorations hanging up in a classroom and a convector heater standing on the floor below.

“The air from the heater made the decorations waft about and trigger an alarm, which we attended.

“We deal in the unusual and we are available round the clock so you are never quite sure what the day will bring.

“I do try to keep office hours but, as I am called out if there is a major incident, such as a burglary at premises for which we are responsible, that can be difficult.

“I am also a locksmith, which means that I get called out if my skills are needed there as well, say if there has been a break-in.

“We deal in the unusual and we are available round the clock so you are never quite sure what the day will bring.”

“We employ six people full-time and I have a book-keeper and admin support to help me run the company because I never know what is going to happen next.

“We got a job recently when there had been a break-in at a premises and we needed to have someone on site for a number of hours until the site was made secure.

“There is not even a typical week; there are 168 hours in a week and I could work fifty of them or a hundred!”

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Recruitment

Unitemps at the University of Surrey help GnoSys Global with their plasma project The Unitemps department at the University of Surrey has been set up on the Stag Hill campus since August 2011.

They work with local businesses to find students and graduates paid work experience assignments and permanent employment. Science and technology company GnoSys Global has recently benefitted from hiring two students from Unitemps to support them with a research project on plasma applications.

Would you recommend using Unitemps to other businesses?

Yes. It is a cost effective method of getting some good people to work on your shortterm deadline project. It has certainly helped us out.

Chris has been working at GnoSys on a temporary basis since October - here’s what he had to say…

What attracted you to the job as Research Assistant?

We asked Henryk Herman from GnoSys how it has been going…

Tell us a bit about your business GnoSys is an R&D company dedicated to innovation in electrical insulation materials development and in assessment technologies for existing and new materials operating in electrical assets. It started off as the Polymer Research Centre at the University of Surrey looking at wider aspects of polymer engineering, and stepped out in 2006.

Unitemps are supporting you with a particular research project, can you tell us how it is going?

Joining polymers can be quite difficult, so we have been exploring the use of plasma technologies, particularly atmospheric plasma, to clean and condition polymer surfaces for joining. A company on the research park discovered us when they were

searching for plasma expertise locally, as they were looking at uses in the healthcare business, and we have been working with them for a number of years. The workload has been very variable, and Unitemps were able to provide staff with the right attitude to engage with the work and provide the torrent of data that has been required. The project itself has recently overcome a significant barrier to applications, in that it has been demonstrated that the effects of plasma can be quite deep seated.

I was initially attracted to the role as I was looking for work or experience in research after unsuccessfully chasing PhD’s.

Recruitment for full time positions can take some time in the current market and a temporary job could fill that gap whilst enhancing my CV. The work at GnoSys was also not too far removed from work I had undertaken during my Masters project so felt I would be well suited.

What have you learnt from your time working at GnoSys? My time at GnoSys has been invaluable in giving me firsthand experience of working in a commercial research company as well as expanding my range of practical skills.

How will this experience help you in the future?

The experience has undoubtedly been very useful for my future employment and I have already seen the benefits in terms of the number of responses and interest from prospective job applications.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

I would ideally see myself holding a permanent scientific research or analytical role and possibly looking to do a PhD in the field.

For more information about working with Unitemps at the University of Surrey, go to www.surrey.ac.uk/business/ unitemps

How has hiring temporary staff from the University of Surrey helped your project?

It’s the punctuated excitement caused by potential new applications for the technology that require a quick answer.

We couldn’t offer a permanent position in this area, yet wanted people who were interested and could contribute immediately. In both cases we were treating our temps as experts in quite a short time.

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Affiliated Chambers

Woking Chamber of Commerce Formed in 1899, Woking Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest Chambers of Commerce in the South East. It was originally known as Woking & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce and it represented mainly the traders, or retailers, in the town although that emphasis changed gradually over the years to encompass many professional and service industries. Now known simply as Woking Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber has just this last month launched the Woking Independent Retailers Group with a view to representing and supporting retailers in the town once more.

Affiliated to Surrey Chambers of Commerce, we share office space and work closely with Surrey Chambers to the benefit of all our members who can attend each others meetings at the member rate.

Joining Woking Chamber offers many benefits such as monthly networking meetings at the Ambassadors theatre, a business to business exhibition, Woking Means Business which takes place at the HG Wells Conference & Events Centre every October, listings on the website and the printed directory, Members Offers and Members Events features on the Chamber website, a printed and online newsletter.

We also have close ties with Woking News & Mail and Woking Advertiser who both give the Chamber superb coverage. We enjoy excellent relations with Woking Borough Council who are both helpful and supportive, with officers joining our sub committees.

Mike Webb

Stuart Wright

The AGM takes place on March 26 in WWF’s beautiful theatre when current president Mike Webb from Repropoint will hand over to Vice President Stuart Wright from Barnbrook Sinclair.

Other interesting events planned by the Chamber include a visit to the Shah Jahan Mosque in Oriental Road and a dinner at the House of Commons hosted by Jonathan Lord MP which takes place on Thursday 8 May. Full information about the Chamber, its events and joining information can be found at www.wokingchamber.org.

Shah Jahan Mosque

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International Trade

Using letters of credit, drafts and bills The use of Letters of Credit has increased significantly by UK exporters and importers because of the global economic situation, political insecurity in some markets and the withdrawal of credit insurance cover.

The UK Government has now introduced The Letter of Credit Guarantee Scheme via UK Export. The intention is to stimulate exports to emerging markets by sharing the credit risk associated with Letters of Credit from these markets. This should contribute to a further increase in usage. The major international banks report that between 60% and 70% of documentary submissions by exporters are rejected on first presentation because of non compliance with the conditions of the LCWe believe that the main causes of rejection are a lack of understanding of the underlying principles of a documentary letter of credit and a failure to construct a workable LC that directly relates to the sales or purchasing contract.

These failures can lead to increased costs for all parties, loss of goodwill, delayed payment and possible default. To use Letters of Credit effectively importers and exporters will need to fully understand the dynamics and terminology of an LC, the role of each party, the importance of the shipping documents and the level of security offered.

Surrey Chambers are hosting a seminar that will therefore examine the Letter of Credit process in detail and offer guidance on how to create a workable credit. It will consider the different interests of the exporter, importer and the banks and methods of reducing the risks for all parties.

Date: Wed 19 March For more information about this seminar and other international trade training days visit www.surrey-chambers.co.uk or give the international trade team a call 01483 735 540.

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“Made in Surrey

By Lewis Scott, Export Chief for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) South East

When most people in the UK think about Surrey, they probably think about stockbrokers and leafy suburbs. I doubt very much indeed that advanced manufacturing and world class engineering feature very highly on their list of Surrey characteristics.

As director of UKTI in the South East, I’m keen to showcase the fantastic manufacturers already operating within Surrey as well as encourage more firms to follow their lead, take advantage of the support offered by UKTI and grab the opportunity to get exporting.

For one of the best small satellites in the world, look no further than Guildford where Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) exports state of the art satellites to 30 countries across the world - recently securing contracts in Kazakhstan, China and Taiwan. With the support of UKTI they were able to expand beyond the domestic market, increasing their revenues to £520m and securing jobs in their high tech Guildford factory.

Just a little further along the road in Woking you’ll find an example of the best automotive engineering in the world, McLaren P1, exporting to nearly 30 countries in the world. Using advanced Formula 1 Technology, McLaren’s supercars can be found on race tracks and exclusive resorts across the world, from Asia to South America, and are a super-speed testament to Surrey manufacturing.

- Sold to the World”

“Working with UKTI we continue to broaden our international reach. Today the vast majority of countries are interested in, or are pursuing, a space programme.”

With UKTI support, this success can be extended to small and mid-sized businesses across the county: We run events, offer market research, escorted trade missions overseas, and one-to-one specialist advice from locally-based international trade advisers.

Some highlights coming up include; Exporting for Growth seminar, featuring expert speakers like Jo Fairley, Co-Founder of Green & Blacks,

Website Optimisation for International Trade workshop, and in April, we will be hosting our fourth Export Week, with events planned across the county.

Steve Young, Head of International Business SSTL said: “Working with UKTI we continue to broaden our international reach. Today the vast majority of countries are interested in, or are pursuing, a space programme. Our relationship with UKTI has proved

absolutely fundamental, not only in entering new markets, but also securing contracts.

We are currently pursuing opportunities in new markets such as South America and we are confident we can continue to grow.”

To follow the example of the companies mentioned here or to find out more about the export events we run in the South East, you can contact UKTI South East on: 08452 789 600 or email: info@uktisoutheast.com.

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Development

Apprenticeships – the facts about why they can help your business Apprenticeships are the watchword in business, enterprise and government funding at the moment. At Guildford and Merrist Wood Colleges they are offered in a huge range of disciplines and have been growing year on year. What are the facts behind this trending?

Most importantly, 96% of employers taking on an apprentice report benefits to their business. Fresh blood means fresh ideas. It also impacts on staff morale – not only are you investing in staff and their training but you are seen and felt to be doing so.

This in turn tends to lead to an improvement in products and services. 72% of businesses report improved productivity as a result of employing an apprentice and the average person completing an apprenticeship increases productivity by £214 a week.

Apprenticeships also provide targeted skills for your business – they are supported by nationally recognised frameworks and offered by recognised training providers.

Because apprentices spend most of their time in the workplace (typically four days a week, with one day at College) you can see an instant impact and influence the development of their skills and knowledge.

Last year Guildford Borough Council started employing apprentices through the Guildford College Group.

Chris Burchell, Local Economy Manager said: “Guildford Borough Council strongly supports apprenticeships and identifying ways to provide much needed work experience for young people. We have been working closely with the Guildford College Group to bring in ten apprenticeships

across a range of different departments from legal and businesses services through to parks and countryside. This is proving a great ‘win win’ for us as a Council, but an excellent way for young people to gain confidence and new skills”.

Whatever your area of business, you can be sure that there will be apprenticeship for it. If you do take on an apprentice you’ll most likely also receive government funding towards their training.

You’ll be helping your own business and helping a young person gain qualifications that will set them up for life. More and more local businesses are catching on to the obvious benefits and signing up. Can you afford to miss out on this trend? Find out more at www.servicestobusiness.net or call 01483 448530.

Facts from www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Values should be contagious In Part 1 of this series, we identified what company values are but how do you decide what your company’s core values are going to be? Here’s my ten point plan:Involve everybody in the company not a chosen few Take time – A brainstorm round the boardroom table might get your juices going but you’ll have to work harder than that to identify a set of valuesbased behaviours that your staff will buy-in to living with.

Allow at least a year from start to finish.

Do anonymous staff survey If “how people behave around here” represents values in action it’s sensible to find out what staff would like as their guiding values.

Create volunteer peer groups - 6-8 people mixed by level and function from across the whole company meet at least twice to identify “Our Top 6 most preferred values” then nominates a spokesperson to represent them centrally Create a company Values Group - start with each peer group rep presenting their findings to each other and to the leadership team - then the negotiations begin!

Use a strong independent facilitator - the senior team is involved but not in charge of the process.

Over three quarterly meetings the working group debates what the values proposed mean and hones them down to a maximum of ten words Add example behaviours the final meeting discusses what each word would really mean in practice Publish to all staff - ideally present, but at minimum, publish the ten words and supporting notes. Ask staff to vote for their Top 5 Leadership Team - endorses the final five and commits to implementation For more information about joining an Academy for Chief Executives group in Surrey, contact Gordon Bromley at gordon.bromley@chiefexecu tive.com or call him on 07802 461431.

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Cover Feature

Airports debate moves into its final stages The Airports Commission’s independent review into airport capacity and connectivity in the UK has concluded that there is a need for one additional runway to be in operation in the south east by 2030.

Its analysis also indicates that there is likely to be a demand case for a second additional runway to be operational by 2050.

The report, published before Christmas, announced that it will be taking forward for further detailed study proposals for new runways at two locations:

Gatwick Airport • Gatwick Airport Ltd’s proposal for a new runway to the south of the existing runway

Heathrow Airport (two options) • Heathrow Airport Ltd’s proposal for one new 3,500m runway to the northwest • Heathrow Hub’s proposal to extend the existing northern runway to at least 6,000m, enabling the extended runway to operate as two independent runways.

The next phase of its work will see the Commission undertaking a detailed appraisal of the three options identified before a public consultation in the autumn.

The Commission has not shortlisted proposals for expansion at Stansted or Birmingham but says there is likely to be a case for considering them as potential options for any second new runway by 2050. In its final report the Commission will set out its recommendations on the process for decision making on additional capacity beyond 2030.

The argument for additional capacity at Heathrow Heathrow argues that it offers the fastest, most cost effective and most practical route to the hub capacity the UK needs and that its shortlisted option could be delivered by 2026 for £17bn.

The option could operate within climate and air quality limits and, for passengers, there will be a greater choice of destinations, airlines and flights at lower airfares than from a hub airport built from scratch elsewhere, says the airport.

Sir Howard Davies Chair of the Commission said: “The UK enjoys excellent connectivity today. The capacity challenge is not yet critical but it will become so if no action is taken soon and our analysis clearly supports the provision of one net additional runway by 2030.

Heathrow says: “The UK is in a global race for trade, jobs and economic growth.

The international economy is changing with the rise of emerging markets like Brazil, Russia, India and China. There are only six hub airports worldwide that have regular, direct connections to more than 50 long-haul destinations.

“The Commission will now focus on the challenge of appraising the three options, further assessing the case for a new airport in the Thames Estuary, and delivering a robust final recommendation to government in summer 2015.”

“The UK needs more hub capacity and we do not believe that Gatwick is able to support long-haul flights to growth markets. We have always recognised the importance of point to point airports like Gatwick and the links they can provide to destinations with strong leisure demand like New York, Los Angeles and Florida.

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“But that won’t solve the UK’s lack of long haul connections to emerging markets around the world that are important for future business and trade. Only a hub airport, with its transfer passengers, can support these routes.

“Large hub airports with a home-based, major network airline will increasingly shape the nature of intercontinental connectivity.

London has one of these Premier League hubs and also has the natural advantages of geographic location and local demand, which should mean that the UK is a winner, but unlike its competitors, the UK is hampered by a lack of hub capacity.

“A third runway at Heathrow would deliver greater economic benefits to the UK than any other option for new runway capacity. It will create jobs, facilitate trade, boost spending to the wider economy and improve public finances. We estimate that benefits of £100 billion present value (PV) would accrue to the UK from expanding Heathrow.“

“A third runway at Heathrow would deliver greater economic benefits to the UK than any other option for new runway capacity.”

“Today, Gatwick supports new connections to key destinations across the globe – from China and Russia to Vietnam and Turkey.”

Gatwick puts its case Shortlisted airport Gatwick says: “Today, Gatwick supports new connections to key destinations across the globe – from China and Russia to Vietnam and Turkey. This summer, it will add direct links to Jakarta and New York.

“The progress Gatwick has made to date shows you do not need a ‘mega-hub’ airport to deliver the connections passengers want.

“In fact, a two-runway Gatwick would deliver the same level of connections as a three-runway Heathrow – and in some scenarios more – plus many other significant benefits over the competition.

“Importantly, putting a new runway at Gatwick would have much less environmental impact than an expanded Heathrow – affecting around one twentieth of the number of people impacted by Heathrow today. It would also remain within the legal air quality limits, which Heathrow breaches today.

“What’s more, reducing reliance on one

dominant airport will give passengers a greater choice of airlines and destinations, more competitive prices and better service overall.

“Passengers at London’s airports would also be less vulnerable to the effects of disruptive events such as snow than if there was a single mega hub.

“Gatwick is the most affordable option at between £5bn and £9bn. It would be privately financed and open by 2025 – several years before the other options.

“Gatwick would also share the cost of improving rail and road infrastructure with the Government, which only requires minimal investment. Today Gatwick already has direct links to 129 stations around the South East and central London is less than 30 minutes away on direct services. It is also next to the M23.

“Finally, expanding Gatwick will help spread the economic benefits of airport expansion - £1.66bn per year and around 19,000 new jobs - across the South East rather than concentrating it in one location, meaning many more local people and businesses would benefit.”

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Cover Feature

“As London continues to grow to the East and high-tech industries along the London to Cambridge corridor grow Britain’s economy, Stansted has a critical role to play in supporting the country’s economic growth.”

M.A.G acquired Stansted Airport on 28 February 2013 setting a clear strategy to make it the best airport in London and announcing details of a £230million investment programme to improve services and facilities for passengers.

In the first six months of ownership M.A.G not only attracted airlines back to Stansted but secured long-term growth deals with easyJet, Ryanair and Thomas Cook and so the timing for transforming and improving terminal facilities couldn’t have been better as the airport embarked on a return to growth.

Following consultation with airlines and other business partners an £80million project to transform the terminal building was announced in June 2013. Key highlights included building a new security search with extra lanes and double the size of the previous facility; extending the departure lounge by more than 60%; providing additional seating, several new units and greater choice of shops, bars and restaurants; new walkthrough World Duty Free.

The case for Stansted Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of Stansted owner M.A.G. said: “Stansted welcomes the Commission’s support for measures to increase capacity at the airport in the short term, including improving rail links between the airport and central London. We also support the Commission’s finding that Stansted is one of the viable options for a runway beyond 2030.

“Stansted has a bright future, indeed we are the only London airport that can grow substantially in the next ten years. Since we

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took ownership, we have already signed up new airlines and destinations to meet growing passenger demand. Our immediate priority is to continue to transform the airport experience for our passengers.

“As London continues to grow to the East and high-tech industries along the London to Cambridge corridor grow Britain’s economy, Stansted has a critical role to play in supporting the country’s economic growth. At the right time we will bring forward proposals for a second runway at the airport to support this growth.”

The terminal transformation project marks the dawn of a new era for Stansted and significant investment is being made under new ownership to change the way Stansted is viewed and make it the best airport in London.

Modern air travel has significantly altered the way in which passengers use terminal facilities, more so at Stansted where 50% of passengers now check-in online, travel with hand luggage only and by-pass traditional check-in procedures and head straight to security.

The terminal re-design not only makes better use of space and improves the passenger experience but is moving the airport and its facilities into a new and modern age that’s mindful of what passengers need now and looks ahead to prepare for the future.

Thames Estuary Airport

by Foster + Partners

The proposed Thames Estuary Airport responds to key policy challenges, including Britain’s rising population and the need for sustainable economic growth.

The global economy is becoming increasingly fragmented to reach 75% of the world’s economy, as Britain’s air routes currently do, there must be direct access to 55 more cities by the end of this decade.

However, aviation is a globally competitive industry and the Government cannot dictate how airlines configure their routes or where they base their operations. Creating an aviation strategy to benefit the economy and passengers means attracting airlines, and enabling competition – something only possible at a single hub airport.

A new Thames Estuary Airport on the Isle of Grain is the most effective way to increase aviation capacity in the South East for the long term. The proposed four-runway hub airport can open with capacity for 110 million passengers per year, and has the flexibility to grow to 150 million passengers per year and beyond. Aircraft can approach the airport over water, relieving five million Londoners of the noise, pollution and dangers of flight paths over the capital.

No major standalone investment in surface access would be required and the location capitalises on the eastward thrust of London’s development. The airport could be accessed from Central London in less than 30 minutes via high-speed rail and the proposals maximise the use of existing transport infrastructure, including Crossrail. The site is also close to the South East’s major ports, allowing for the integration of rail, sea and air freight.

The airport has a viable private funding model and the planning process would be identical to a third runway at Heathrow.

Construction of a new airport would take the same time as the latest proposals from Heathrow, fewer homes would be relocated, and without the constraints of an urban site, it would be more costeffective to build. The new airport will provide a major source of income for the local economy, with an anticipated 100,000 new jobs.

In addition, the project can provide the catalyst for the investment needed to create new habitats to replace the foreshore wildlife habitats under threat from rising sea levels in the Thames Estuary.

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Big Interview

Why backing Heathrow is good for business Rob Gray, Campaign Co-ordinator of Back Heathrow talks to The Chamber – on why Surrey businesses will benefit from supporting this exciting new campaign

airport. Heathrow is a huge asset to these communities and many residents are fed up with it being constantly criticised by a small rump of people who simply don’t speak for them. We’ve also received the support of a significant number of chambers, trade organisations, companies and unions. Numbers are vital so we need individual members to support the campaign!

Q Heathrow expansion was ruled out in 2010 but the airport keeps bouncing back – how?

A: The case to grow Heathrow is incredibly strong – every time politicians and decision-makers take a cold, hard look at the evidence, the airline economics, the long-haul hub model, it is crystal clear to many where the answer lies.

Rob Gray is pictured holding some of the responses from Back Heathrow supporters.

Q What is Back Heathrow?

A: Back Heathrow is a group of residents, businesses and organisations who have come together to campaign for a secure future for Heathrow and to give a voice to those who want the UK’s premier airport to thrive. We support expansion because we want to protect both the 114,000 local airport jobs and the 250,000+ jobs in Surrey and the wider region that depend on a flourishing Heathrow.

Q Why was Back Heathrow set up?

A: After the Government created the Airports Commission to find a solution to the UK’s aviation dilemma, we realised that supporters for Heathrow needed to be heard. Polls regularly show that the vast majority of local residents feel the benefits of living near Heathrow outweigh any

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disadvantages – our campaign was set up to give these people a voice. We are also campaigning against the Mayor of London and others who want to see the airport closed down and redeveloped as housing.

Q What response have you had?

A: Since we launched four months ago, 20,000 residents living in communities around Heathrow have already told us they support our campaign. It’s incredibly moving – we’ve been contacted by WW2 veterans who have lived close to the airport since the 1940s to 18-year-old apprentices. We’ve had supporters take our petition into places of worship, put up posters in their shops, visit their local politicians, attend meetings and write to their local newspapers.

Don’t forget, these people have not been heard before but they are proud of the

Heathrow is the only hub airport in the UK (no country has two genuine hubs). The hub model enables airlines to provide long-haul flights on an economical basis because they can bring passengers together from many departure points and add them to other passengers who start their journeys locally in order to fill the planes.

Heathrow is one of only six airports in the world that currently support more than 50 long-haul routes. But because it is full, there is no room for airlines which operate to a hub model to offer the new long-haul routes to cities in markets such as China, India, Russia and South America that UK businesses require. Those airlines would have to move their operations abroad to another hub airport with spare capacity, such as Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Dubai.

Q So you don’t support a second runway at Gatwick?

A: Yes, good luck to Gatwick! But a runway should not be built there at the expense of Heathrow expansion. The UK’s hub airport is full - you have to deal with Heathrow first, that is where the blockage in the system lies. Then you can let the

"75,000 jobs in Surrey depend on Heathrow" market decide but I haven’t yet seen airlines stampeding from the hub at Heathrow to Gatwick.

Q Isn’t Heathrow ‘too difficult’ for politicians?

A: Any airport expansion will be difficult – like all major political decisions. I love the way some think a new runway at Gatwick would be the ‘easy’ option – as if protestors and politicians would not descend en masse to campaign against.

Growing together: Your business and Heathrow Keep jobs and growth in Surrey – back Heathrow!

Here are some ways you could help: • Promote the campaign by simply circulating this online petition link to business contacts, employees, colleagues and friends www.backheathrow.org/pledge • Ask your friends, neighbours and colleagues to sign our Back Heathrow paper petition

In the past, there has been a theory trumpeted by opponents, that supporting Heathrow is a vote loser for local politicians. However, political parties are finally realising that is an election myth.

Recent polling by Populus showed that the majority of residents in the boroughs surrounding Heathrow were more likely to back candidates that favour expansion.

• Write a letter to your local newspaper (we can provide contact details)

Q: Why should a Surrey Chambers member care about your campaign?

• Write to a local politician (we can tell you who they are)

A: Look at your own business – do you want it to grow or shrivel up? If Heathrow isn’t allowed to grow then it will certainly shrivel up, spelling bad news for Surrey businesses. A report for Surrey County Council showed that 75,000 jobs in Surrey are dependent on Heathrow. The net difference between ‘doing nothing’ and building a third runway at Heathrow is 35,000 Surrey jobs. More jobs means more money spent locally – hopefully with your readers.

• Be willing to speak to local journalists about why Heathrow matters

Q How can Surrey businesses support Back Heathrow?

A: See the panel opposite! We know people are busy, so it couldn’t be easier to support. With the help of Surrey Chambers members we can get a good result for businesses and employees in Surrey.

• Display your company logo on the Back Heathrow website

• Display Back Heathrow campaign materials – from posters to bumper stickers • Follow us on twitter @backheathrow • Like us on facebook

For more information, email Rob Gray on rob@backheathrow.org or call him on 07760 883495. www.backheathrow.org

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Getting Started

Ask the Expert

Getting Started

Name: Business Name: Start-up Date: Website:

Prem Gyani Social Outsourcing Ltd 1 October, 2013 http://socialoutsourcing.co

Q1. Tell us a bit about your business?

We find 18-25 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds, put them on an apprenticeship in a local college, sit them in our nurturing office environment under the watchful eye of our experienced mentors and teach them our social media technology. We then match them with local SMEs.

Q2. What motivated you to set up the business?

I was mentored by Penny Power OBE, who has been working for decades to create opportunities for our ‘Born Digital’ youth. I saw the challenge that young people from more disadvantaged backgrounds had and knew they would excel in social media services.

Q3. What gives your business the ‘x-factor’?

We solve three problems; the need to find employment for young people, the need for more SMEs to enter the digital economy and the need for a social enterprise to be a profitable and replicable model.

Q4. What did you find most challenging when starting up the business?

Convincing my wife that I needed to take a significant amount of cash out of our

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house equity to start the company. Finding the right apprentices. Working with lots of banks till I found RBS and got fabulous support to get an EGF loan.

Q5. What has been your greatest business success to date?

Growing a client from sales of 25 to 250 units per month within three months. Opening up volume international markets for them in Dubai, Denmark and Hong Kong. Not to mention getting their product featured in an American TV show! All done by a 20 year old apprentice who had previously been out of work for 12 months.

Can neuroscience help us to be better business leaders?

Sociologists tell us that in the UK we face a demographic time-bomb, predicting a return to the ‘war for talent’ of the turn of the last century.

Manufacturers are suggesting that we are short of engineers for future growth.

So, the implication for each of our businesses is that employee productivity, return on capital employed and potential for innovation are factors that must be managed differently in a volatile and unpredictable, while expanding, marketplace.

But do staff welcome business activities which might introduce change? Neuroscience is bringing a new dimension to people management. Brain imaging technology such as fMRI, EEG and CAT scan is showing that change is hard for people, so understanding what it takes to grow and improve has to be taken seriously.

When you think of the following: • What motivates people?

• How do we function?

• How do we work best in teams?

• What are we capable of?

• What are our limitations? we are delving into areas of the brain which will respond either positively or negatively to our interventions. The process called neuroplasticity is ‘the constant rewiring of neural connections in the brain in response to experience.

In supporting their teams, managers can help their staff to:

Q6. What has been your lowest moment?

• Be more productive

Losing our first account because I over committed.

• Collaborate better with others, and

Q7. In terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next 5 years?

when they understand better the functioning of the brain.

My ambition is to set up 40 profitable franchises across the UK within five years.

For further information, contact Stuart Mitchell, Stuart Mitchell Group on 01483 423 943 or email: stuart@stuartmitchellgroup.com.

Q8. What would your top tip to someone thinking of starting up their own business?

Plan the first six months and get your finances sorted out.

Don’t over commit. Know how you are going to find your clients and why they ‘must’ buy from you. Be prepared to change course quickly and often. Smile a lot!

• Handle pressure more efficiently • Facilitate change in others effectively

Finance

How to increase employee engagement It’s easy to see how a happy and motivated workforce can help businesses achieve higher levels of performance. But how do you create a highly engaged organisation in the first place?

Although the route may be challenging, creating a culture that increases employee engagement can be done simply and at minimal cost.

Engagement is largely related to how individuals feel within their roles. Therefore, the easiest and most direct way to increase engagement is to modify the way individual jobs and teams are organised.

Create a genuine desire to involve staff and a willingness to place trust in employees can be done using these few simple steps.

1 Ask employees for their input and then act on it.

The first two areas, autonomy and variety, can be improved by asking staff for help. This tells them you care and encourages them to become masters of their own destiny.

Asking employees to evaluate their jobs and think of ways to improve productivity, performance or job satisfaction will immediately get them thinking proactively.

Implementing their suggestions is personally rewarding process for employees, and incremental improvements in the way jobs are done will translate into significant benefits.

2 Give detailed feedback on performance at all levels Job significance is determined by an employee’s perception of their role and its impact. Too often, employees turn up for work but have no idea how their role fits into the overall picture. Simply explaining this link will help them understand – and value – their contribution more clearly.

For example, helping a customer services team member understand how complaints become lost customers, and explaining the value of each retained customer, creates a direct correlation between their job and the performance of the business.

If the team’s year-end bonus is then linked to prompt resolution of complaints, customer services staff will soon appreciate their potential to impact the business. The goal should be for all employees to understand how their actions affect your business and its customers.

3 Get the basics right There are a number of areas you can easily address to encourage greater engagement.

These are: • Have a clear organisational structure and reporting lines • Be clear about the responsibilities and impact of each job within your business • Let staff provide input and control over their working environment and how their job is done • Reward staff equitably, in line with the market rate • Recruit the right people with the right attitude into the right roles • Manage performance fairly and appropriately • Give staff good feedback on their performance and recognise those who put in extra effort • Offer good training that is relevant to jobs and provides real development opportunities Setting up a business is one thing, but becoming expert in employee engagement is a whole different ballgame.

For further information please contact Ed Hussey, HR Director on 01784 497100 or email ehussey@menzies.co.uk.

How can you reduce the cost of producing year end accounts?

It’s a fact of life that we all need to file year end accounts, whether we are a sole trader, partnership, limited company or LLP. It’s often a painful process both for you and your pocket.

The figures your “High Street” accountants produce are historical and of little help for the ‘here and now’ and there always seems to be a large bill at the end of it. So how can you reduce the cost and receive more meaningful and timely information?

Your typical accountancy firm will charge hundreds of pounds per day for their time, so why would you give them a list of invoices written up in a cashbook or spreadsheet or, worse still, a box of receipts when a part-time finance manager could process all of this on an accounts system at a fraction of the cost?

Keeping your bookkeeping up to date will not only save you money at year-end by ensuring your accountants only need to deal with statutory and taxation matters, but you will also benefit from having current figures at your fingertips so you can make meaningful decisions about your business.

The information you give to your accountant at year-end will be so complete and ready to go!

Your Right Hand Finance Team can help you bring clarity to your numbers by providing part time financial management. Visit www.yourrighthand.co.uk, email hello@yourrighthand.co.uk or call Jennifer on 01252 820002.

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Legal Charles Russell Restructuring Partner, Guildford–based Roger Elford, comments on

THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY IN THE SOUTH EAST Roger Elford is a partner in Charles Russell LLP’s Corporate Recovery and Insolvency team.

It is widely recognised that the South East is one of the most prosperous areas to live and work in the UK and recent statistical analysis of the area shows that the region is going from strength to strength with house prices averaging £319,408, well above the national average of £242,000 and rising, fuelled by the high demand of London residents seeking to move away from the capital.

As a consequence individuals and companies alike are looking to increase their revenue and recent statistics reported by the Insolvency Service suggest that companies are finding ways to survive. In the fourth quarter of 2013 we saw a decrease of 7.4% on the previous quarter and 7.1% on the same quarter in 2012.

Individuals too seem to be avoiding insolvency procedures with a 2013 decrease of 4.6% on the same period in 2012. The South East is responsible for nearly 15% of the UK’s economic output, which is a figure undoubtedly assisted by the region’s low unemployment rates (6% in Q2 of 2013, compared with a national average of 7.8%).

A recent report by Surrey and Hampshire County Council published in December 2013 (before the flooding) showed that business confidence was improving in the South East, increasing from 23.9% in Q3 of 2013 to 35.9% in Q4 of 2013. Furthermore, a survey has shown that more than three-quarters of businesses in Surrey are primed for growth in the next two years.

Confidence in the South East is likely to be further buoyed by a number of key developments proposed for the area including: • Potential expansions to London airports and Crossrail will likely result in an increase in activity in engineering, construction and professional services sectors in the area, leading to increased employment and revenue for the region; • Kentucky Fried Chicken GB have signed up for 31,476 sq ft of office space to set up their new headquarters in Woking; • South East-based high street bank, Metro Bank, is set to create 500 jobs across 12 new branches in the area, and • Oil and gas company Hurricane Energy has revealed plans to raise £18 million through an AIM flotation resulting in a valuation of the Godalming business at more than £270 million.

Growth in the UK remains sluggish but all the indicators suggest that the South East will continue to buck the trend for the foreseeable future.

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Leisure

Good start to the year This year has seen Foxhills kick start the year by continuing to improve the guest experience within the resort by investing a further £420,000 within their Poolside Bedrooms.

The Poolside Rooms are spacious with generous proportions, located deep within Foxhills country estate, yet conveniently positioned by our private residents pool and only short walking distance to the Manor House, healthspa and country club facilities including the Manor Golf Course and tennis courts.

the décor whilst paying subtle homage to athletic flare within the resort.

The first phase of the refurbished Poolside Rooms are now available for guests to enjoy whilst the talented team continue with the finishing touches to the remaining 12 rooms.

A design pallet of zinc, pewter and stone colours spiced up with jewel-like accents of citrus yellow, tangerine and hot pink set the scene; whilst luxurious super king hypnos beds, dressed with sumptuous quilted bedspreads await to envelop the weary guest after a long journey, promising your feel better than when you arrived.

Join Foxhills and raise a glass with our exclusive “celebratory package”. Enjoy one of our new poolside suites before 30th June 2014 and our friends at Moet will treat you to a bottle of Moet Imperial Brut to enjoy during your stay. To book call 01932 704500 or email reservations@foxhills.co.uk.

The elegant furniture and stylish lighting, accompanied with bespoke walnut veneer, polished nickel and marble add to the tranquil atmosphere; whereas the trio sets of graphically enhanced black & white photography of swimmers, golfers and tennis players add the finishing touches to

Foxhills, Ottershaw, Surrey is a familyowned and family-friendly resort. Just 20 minutes from Heathrow and close to Windsor, Ascot, RHS Wisley and Thorpe Park, Foxhills is spread over 400 acres at the heart of which stands a beautiful 19th Century Manor House.

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Design

Business advice… from the tattoo parlour?

Tattoos have been in the news several times recently.

David Dimbleby caused a bit of a stir by having a scorpion inked on to his right shoulder on camera, and when it was reported on Radio 4 that Sainsburys have hired 25-year-old single mother Jack Monroe, her body art was more newsworthy than the popularity of her thrifty food blog.

Given that having tattoos removed is more expensive – and often much more painful – than having them done in the first place, anyone considering one would do well to heed the words of tattoo artist Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins: “Good work ain’t cheap. Cheap work ain’t good.”

For your FREE copy of our e-book “Good Design is Good Business”, visit http://www.fdk.co.uk/blog-posts/good-design-isgood-business.

This also makes very good business advice. The branding of your business may not be as permanent as a tattoo, but Sailor Jerry’s aphorism is just as pertinent: like a cheap tattoo, an ill-conceived logo or piece of marketing could convey something entirely different from what you intended.

It makes good sense, therefore, to engage someone with the right expertise and experience to make sure that the image or message you’ve chosen to represent you and your business is appropriate.

If price is an issue, invest in good advice and guidance and make savings by undertaking some of the implementation processes yourself. Be wary of anyone offering goods or services with a free design service thrown in; if you don’t attach any value to the design of your logo/stationery/packaging, you can be pretty sure that the supplier isn’t going to go the extra mile to ensure that it’s properly reflecting your core beliefs and ethos.

In the end, you should be happy with the final result and confident that it delivers the intended message, after all you may have to live with it for some time, but before you sign off the final proof, just take a moment to check your scorpion has the requisite number of legs.

Marian de Kretser Partner Foster de Kretser Design Consultants marian@fdk.co.uk 01483 243565

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Technology Showcase

Welcome to our Technology Showcase March/April 2014 I have been pondering about the word ‘technology’. To me its everyday use describing all things gadget-related means it has lost its power and true meaning. To set the record straight here is a snappy little definition: Technology is the development, application and combination of science, engineering, maths and the arts to create improvements in life, society and the environment.

Why does it matter? By not understanding the real scope and scale of technology we limit our appreciation of it and of those who make it all happen.

From the academic research and clientfocused designs to manufacturing commercial and industrial products, the heroes of technology just keep on delivering.

Four great examples of technology in action are the organisations featured in this edition of our Showcase. I hope you enjoy learning more about them.

Finally, if you run a manufacturing, engineering or IT company and want to join us for our next TechNite please email me on elaine@eh-enterprises.com to arrange your personal invitation.

The desire to discover For more than 70 years, Canon has been delivering leading edge imaging technologies to customers across the world.

Established in 1937, it has grown into a global company operating in a diverse range of markets, including Business Solutions, Consumer Imaging, Broadcast & Communications, Medical Systems and Industrial Products What has helped Canon stay at the forefront of its industry? Investment in research and development and customer focus. Ideas and innovation combined with in-depth understanding of tangible enduser benefits ensure that the company provides businesses and consumers with reliable, stylish and advanced technologies.

Canon recognises that future success also lies in this continual creation of

extraordinary new products and investment in R&D. The Canon Global Group annually invests more than 8% of consolidated revenue in research and development; significantly more than many other companies. The R&D itself is focused on a variety of areas including: text and image retrieval technologies, 3-D graphics, speech recognition and natural language processing, image communications, plus networking technology.

Interestingly, many of the technologies Canon develops are embedded in other products, devices or software solutions.

Take for example their recently launched healthcare IT solutions for storing digital

21st century manufacturing success Pentagon Plastics Ltd is a family run plastic injection moulder based in Horsham, West Sussex.

Elaine

Dr Elaine Hickmott helps technology companies grow and thrive.

To increase profit and generate valueadded opportunities #AskDrElaine. www.eh-enterprises.com.

Elaine is also Surrey Chambers’ Technology Ambassador.

40 theChamber

They have been trading for over 40 years and offer a wealth of experience alongside a pro-active and youthful approach to business. Rightly they are proud of their heritage and are staunch supporters of UK manufacturing.

production service for bespoke customer products over a wide variety of industries.

To support this service they also provide Design Assistance, Rapid Prototyping and a full on-site Toolroom manufacturing a vast array of quality mould tooling.

The core of their business is the Injection Mould Shop where their moulding machines are kept busy providing a repeat

As a modern manufacturing company they pride themselves in playing an important part in the whole product development

Hot design needs breadth and balance Furnace is an industrial design consultancy with experience across a wide range of sectors, from concept vehicle studies, through furniture and aircraft interiors to engineering prototypes. images and medical records.

Bob Pickles, Head of Corporate and Government Affairs for UK and Ireland, said: “At Canon we believe in the power of image: the power to communicate quickly and easily, to convey the slightest of subtleties, to elicit the strongest emotions and to simplify the most complex of tasks.

Our brand platform ‘You Can’ captures the essence of our brand and is designed to inspire our customers to explore their creativity and be empowered by our technologies. With Canon – You Can.” To learn more please visit www.canon.co.uk.

process and are expert at working alongside their customers to bring innovative ideas to the market place.

Pentagon is currently going through a regeneration program of self-funded investment which has already seen them refurbish their offices and complete their improved Toolroom facility. In combination with their re-branding, social media success and work with local universities promoting career opportunities, their activities are taking them forward to new heights with a raised business profile within their local community and the polymer industry.

Managing Director Paul Edwards said, “These are very exciting times as the business develops and we are working hard to manage the growth whilst focusing on customer service. I am immensely proud of the Pentagon team and see a bright future ahead.”

With so much happening at Pentagon it is obvious that they are building a profitable business as well as providing employment opportunities, developing talent and supporting their local community.

To learn more please visit www.pentagonplastics.co.uk

Owen Evans, Furnace’s founder and design director, said that the key to their success in these different areas is a broad knowledge of the elements of each project, and the ability to balance these throughout the different stages towards a successful outcome.

“You need strong creative ideas plus the understanding of how to make them real.

Some of our work is focussed very much on the style and user experience of a product or vehicle, other projects are much more concerned with the engineering design and performance of a system. The key is to understand what the important drivers are, and to use these to meet the client’s needs.”

The same principle applies to the design and procurement of prototypes and demonstrators, an area that has been increasingly active for Furnace in the past few years.

Owen said: “We now have a myriad of new prototyping and manufacturing techniques available as well as more traditional methods. This means there is always a range of options for producing a product, particularly when moving from one or two towards small or large scale production. At Furnace we understand the various options and know which will meet the client’s need.

For some projects CNC machining is the right choice, others rapid prototyping, but still a significant number of projects need the skill of a traditional tool-maker or model-maker.”

Design is obviously at the heart of Furnace.

What they also bring is extensive experience and knowledge of what is needed to take a design from concept to reality.

To learn more about Furnace, please visit www.furnacedesign.co.uk or email owen@furnacedesign.co.uk.

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Technology Showcase

TIP Accelerating industry-university TECHNOLOGY Windows XP & Windows 8 Revisited relationships in Surrey “To make the most of the potential, our world-class universities must contribute to regional and national prosperity, we need to offer a clear and simple way for businesses to access higher education.”

National Centre for Universities and Business, October 2013

Tony Richards Managing Director, Computer Strategies Some months ago I warned you that Microsoft are stopping support for Windows XP in April 2014.

Hopefully by the time you read this you will have replaced all those computers running Windows XP. They probably came with the latest versions of Microsoft Office so your users are all getting used to a refresh of technology.

Recent activity across UK Government has been aimed at understanding how to enhance innovation in business, ensuring British companies remain at the leading edge of high-tech product delivery.

Universities will play a key role in any viable solution and the University of Surrey is already leading the way.

Prof. Alan Brown said: “At the University of Surrey we have an excellent enterprise pedigree, and are world-class in several areas of research. Part of this success is down to strong business ties. Alongside the Research Park, there are several new flagship initiatives including the Veterinary School and 5G Mobile Technology Innovation Centre, both of which are public-private collaborations. Accelerating this impact via open innovation and agile delivery methods, the Surrey Business School is also rapidly expanding the University’s thought-leading footprint.”

To further strengthen relationships between businesses and universities in Surrey and

42 theChamber

nationwide, a new approach is being piloted by a private venture called Unities.

This start-up is working to accelerate industry-university collaboration via three services. A technology platform to facilitate industry access to the latest research and to showcase each university’s expertise and facilities, a research brokerage which creates and manages collaborative projects for industry and universities; a student hub creating a dynamic mechanism to bring young academic talent to businesses.

Unities, with its team of thought-leading academics and well-connected industry professionals, helps shape the nature of collaboration, anticipates future innovations, and helps businesses unlock growth potential within UK universities.

Unities’ pilot at University of Surrey is running until April 2014. If you would like to learn more or get involved please contact info@unities.co.uk.

How are you all finding the new computers and software? The changes/improvements don’t seem as exciting as they used to and it is harder to demonstrate the business benefits that arise from the change.

As Microsoft resellers, we were keen to introduce Windows 8 where there was a suitable opportunity. It has performed acceptably and has proved very reliable.

Has it offered our users any real benefit the answer is probably no. The major reason our users moved to it was to ensure their computers would last as long as possible.

Windows 8 has not had good press and the business take up has been very poor.

With Microsoft giving a date of Spring 2015 for the release of Windows 9 we feel the market is going to leave Windows 8 behind. We will now only supply Windows 8 if one of our clients specifically request it.

We are very busy moving clients to hosted email, normally Office 365. Are you all following that route? Real business benefits with significant cost savings are being seen by all our clients. www.computerstrategies.co.uk

Social Media

Could using social media get you and your business into hot water?

A recent event hosted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Surrey branch provided food for thought on the use of social media and the possible legal implications. Guest speaker Holly Powell-Jones who is a local freelance journalist shared some great examples of when it can all go horribly wrong (and it does!)

Heated words can end in very hot water…

Just because you are writing something sat in your office or on your sofa in front of the TV doesn’t mean it might not have serious legal implications. Surrounded by laptops, smartphone apps and tablets, it’s effortless and easy to respond to something in an instant – post a comment here, have a rant on Twitter there – but you should consider whether your actions might be construed to step outside the boundaries of the law. Some of the potential legal issues when using social media include defamation (libel and slander), copyright and trademark infringements, breach of confidence, contempt of court, the Data Protection Act and privacy, to name but a few!

Your tweets, status updates and reviews are out there in the public domain, you are in fact now a publisher or broadcaster, and they are there for all the world (literally) to see (unfortunately!). If you think the internet offers a free rein to say whatever you want, you need to reconsider – and quickly!

How just 140 characters can get you into a lawsuit!

There have been several high profile libel cases surrounding Twitter, including Sally Bercow’s tweet referencing Lord McAlpine.

So beware what you write in your bite-sized tweets, status updates and comments on your social networks (personal and business pages), because they are all covered by UK laws.

It has been reported that online libel cases have doubled in recent years due to the social media explosion, so don’t think that social media is still a grey area in the eyes of the law – it’s really not.

Want to find out more?

CIM Surrey branch is running a “The Law and Social Media” seminar on 18th March 2014 hosted by law firm, Stevens & Bolton LLP from 6.30-8.00pm at their offices in Guildford - Wey House, Farnham Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4YD. For more information and to register for the event, see the CIM website http://www.cim.co.uk/Events/BranchEvents.aspx.

Sarah Orchard Director, Orchard Marketing Associates Vice Chair, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Surrey Branch Follow us on Twitter: @cim_se Join our LinkedIn group: CIM Surrey LinkedIn Group

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Chamber Events

Key events coming up in Surrey Chambers’ calendar Open 18 Hole Golf Competition at West Hill Golf Club Date: Time: Location: Price:

25 March 2014 08.00 – 17.30 hrs West Hill Golf Club, Woking Members £60.00 Non Members £75.00 + VAT Open 18 Hole competition open to all business people.

Join us as a team of 3 or 4 players and entertain your own clients or as a solo player and we will place you in a team.

08.00 hrs Full English Breakfast, 18 Hole competition followed by lunch and prize giving, finishing by 17.30 hrs.

Chamber Connections – Guildford Breakfast

Chamber Connections – Surrey Heath Breakfast

Chamber Connections – Elmbridge Breakfast

Date: 01 April 2014 Time: 08.00 – 09.30 am Location: The Mandolay Hotel, Guildford Price: Members £10.00 Non Members £20.00 + VAT Come to and join us for breakfast at the Mandolay Hotel - it’s a great way to start the day, meet new people and get well fed into the bargain!

Date: 10 April2014 Time: 08.00 – 09.30 am Location: The Camberley Theatre, Camberley Price: Members £10.00 Non Members £20.00 + VAT Being held in the recently refurbished Café Bar Restaurant at Camberley Theatre this networking breakfast gives members and non members the opportunity to meet likeminded business people in the Surrey Heath area.

Date: Time: Location: Price:

Designed to give you the opportunity to meet and discuss local issues, share best practice with decision makers and widen your own network of customers and suppliers.

24 April 2014 08.00 – 09.30am The Hilton Hotel, Cobham Members £10.00 Non Members £20.00 + VAT Come and join us for our informal networking breakfast designed to give you the opportunity to meet and discuss local issues and widen your own network of customers and suppliers.

For further Chamber Connections – Betchworth Breakfast

Members Networking Evening

Date: 26 March 2014 Time: 08.00 – 09.30 am Location: Hartsfield Manor, Betchworth Price: Members £10.00 Non Members 20.00 + VAT Come and join us at this informal breakfasts being held at Hartsfiled Manor, midway between Dorking and Reigate.

Date: 08 April 2014 Time: 18.00 – 20.00 hrs Location: The Manor House, Godalming Price: Members FREE Non Members £30.00 + VAT Get Connected! Surrey Chambers of Commerce brings it members the opportunity to network free of charge. One of our popular evenings, the event is a networking reception with a short talk from Surrey Chambers. This is free to members, who may also bring one guest at no charge.

They are designed to give you a regular opportunity to meet and discuss local issues, share best practice with decision makers and widen your own network of customers and suppliers.

Open 18 Hole Stableford Golf Competition at Foxhills Club & Resort Date: 15 April 2014 Time: 12.30 – 20.30 pm Location: Foxhills Club & Resort, Ottershaw Price: Members £65.00 Non Members £80.00 + VAT Members of the Surrey Chamber Golf Society benefit from reduced rates, offering considerable savings for themselves and their guests at golf days. Call Richard on 01483 735546 for details or for information on joining the SCGS.

information regarding forthcoming events visit the Chamber website

www.surreychambers.co.uk theChamber 45

Business News

University’s economic impact is £1.4 billion A report which looks at the economic impact of the University of Surrey has revealed that, in 2012/2013, the Institution and its Research Park generated 1.4 billion for the UK economy and supported almost 16,200 jobs in the area.

Produced by independent economic development consultancy, BIGGAR Economics, the study considers both the direct and indirect impacts that the University has on the town the region and the country and is a useful insight into the overall benefit of having a top ten UK University located in the area.

The study found evidence that the University generates £6.45 economic impact for every £1

it earns, and indirectly supports six other jobs elsewhere in the UK economy for each direct job at the University. In addition, it concluded that the University generates a broad range of wider, unquantifiable benefits including: the provision of high quality sports and leisure facilities at Surrey Sports Park, significant contributions to the local community by student volunteers and a wide range of educational benefits to local children as a result of University-led events and activities.

According to University of Surrey Vice-President, Greg Melly, the report is welcome affirmation of the important role played by the University in Guildford: “Over the last ten years, the University has been going from strength to strength, and we were delighted to make

Expansion for the Pod… Prompted by demand for storage, The Storage Pod has now filled the last empty floor with ‘Pods’ giving a record 85% occupancy. However, the driving forces behind the increase in demand aren’t always what you’d expect.

With 50% of all purchasing done online, The Storage Pod is now home to over 60 businesses managing their efulfilment easily and conveniently out of units.

Lionel Smith, Managing Director of the Pod said “This

is a far cheaper solution for many businesses than having separate office and warehousing facilities. They also don’t have to worry about Council Tax or Business Rates; just the rent of the Pod.”

it into the top ten of UK universities in 2013. We are attracting an increasing number of high quality students and staff who are enjoying considerable success here at Surrey. This, in turn, is drawing influential partners to the University who are keen to pledge support for major projects such as the 5G Innovation Centre and the new School of Veterinary Science.

“We are keen to continue on this upward trajectory and are heavily focussed on ensuring that we take full advantage of the positive position that we have worked hard to reach. We recognise that further growth will present both opportunities and challenges and we are committed to working with the community to find the best way forward for the University and Guildford Borough.”

Another noticeable increase is due to families choosing to extend their homes, rather than moving house; temporary storage is the obvious solution to the decluttering and clearing required. However, they then come to enjoy their free space and think of their storage as simply a part of the house extension and an accepted monthly overhead: well worth paying for secure, flexible, convenient and (a source of reassurance at the moment) dry storage!

The Storage Pod advise on how best to pack the pod to ensure easy access to the contents; and, if you wrongly estimate the size of pod you need, they can up or downsize you with no penalty after the contract is signed.

For more information, contact Lionel Smith on 01932 353700 or lionel@thestoragepod.com.

Supporting excellence The Surrey Research Park is recognised as a centre of excellence in technology, science, health and engineering.

Owned by The University of Surrey, The Surrey Research Park currently houses over 140 businesses, including leading players such as the satellite company SSTL, Lionhead Studios, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Ltd, IDBS, Optegra and many start-up businesses.

The University of Surrey and The Surrey Research Park have created an extensive and valuable network for companies, with collaborative work, research opportunities and worldrenowned facilities available.

There is a comprehensive business incubation network on site with entrepreneurial and administrative support available and links to the University, including the South East’s leading Angel Investment Network, the Surrey 100 Club.

The Surrey Research Park provides flexible letting, from 150sq ft. serviced suites up to 20,000sq ft. office complexes. Situated in the thriving knowledge-based economy of Guildford in the SE of the UK, The Surrey Research Park’s location gives companies easy access to fast rail links, major UK airports and key road connections. The site is within walking distance of the recently built Surrey Sports Park, hotels, and close to Guildford Town Centre. It is a beautiful place to work, with buildings set in a tranquil environment featuring landscaped areas and lakes.

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Member Spotlight Greg Melly, New Business Hub Vice President, for Guildford College University of Surrey Greg is one of the University of Surrey’s Vice Presidents, responsible for a number of operational departments as well as the Institution’s commercial operations.

He holds Executive responsibility for the University’s interests in Surrey Research Park, the Surrey Sports Park and all commercial development of intellectual property generated by research discoveries.

Greg is focussed on the growth agenda and his team provides the operational and commercial drive behind academic initiatives such as the Vet School and the new 5G Innovation Centre. He is currently leading the University’s proposals for developing an area of University-owned land as part of Guildford’s new Local Plan.

Greg said:

“This is a crucial time for both the University and the town of Guildford. Both are successful, both have huge potential and both need to focus on the need to grow. As a top ten UK university, Surrey is keen to work with the town to ensure that we can all plan for, and look forward to, a bright future.”

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A wealth of Seeking experience funding

Services to Business, part of the Guildford College Group, have recently opened a hub at the Surrey Research Park to provide easy access to training and development courses, as well as offering modern apprenticeships.

Based in the Surrey Technology Centre, the team are hosting monthly breakfast networking events taking the form of ‘Bitesized Workshops’ which have been designed to introduce companies on the Park to some of the local employers that the College has already engaged with in order to share the positive impact that skills development has had on their business.

Julie Kapsalis says,

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to be part of the ever expanding business community at the Surrey Research Park and to help companies with their training requirements.”

Madeleine Coleman is the Funding Executive at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre which is one of the country’s leading regional theatres.

Louise Kelly is a Recruitment Consultant at the University of Surrey.

She’s enjoyed a career in HR, recruitment and marketing and has brought a wealth of experience to her role in the Unitemps department, which is the University’s own employment agency.

She focuses on building relationships with local businesses who want to benefit from bright and enthusiastic staff. Louise loves the buzz of placing students into jobs where they are going to gain great work experience.

The department was awarded franchise Location of the Year for 2013 in recognition of its

Julie Kapsalis, Director of Business Development, Services to Business, Guildford College Group

continued growth and excellent client feedback.

“We are an intimate venue with 590 seats so are unable to support ourselves from ticket sales alone, hence the need for my role. I live locally and am aware how important the Theatre is to the local community. I am seeking funding from a variety of sources including corporate supporters, donors, events, our unique Vanbrugh Club and legacies.”

Chamber Chat Take control of your energy supply

5 minutes with...

Thom Gibbons, Director, Callmaster Mobile Explain Callmaster Mobile to someone unfamiliar with the business:

Business EnergyPlus • Exclusive to Total Gas & Power customers • An Energy Health Check to improve your energy efficiency • Gas Automated Meter Readings for accurate billing • Regular updates on energy market trends and energy saving idea

Fix for Five • Fix your contract for up to 5 years to make budgeting easier • No need for a dedicated energy manager • A price is agreed for a unit of energy (p/kWh) • Option to use an easy direct debit payment method, saving you money

Mike Coppack Head of SME Sales

Callmaster Mobile is an independent consultancy that helps small and medium sized businesses make the most of their telecommunications strategy. From smartphones, office phone systems and vehicle tracking solutions to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), MDM (Mobile Device Management) & MDO (Mobile Data Optimisation) the telecoms world can be a minefield for business owners.

Our customers trust us to provide the best tailored solutions for their business.

The digital world has changed the way we communicate and businesses can no longer view telecoms as just a utility, successful companies need to stay connected across multiple platforms around the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we help them to do this.

Our customers range from sole traders to internationally renowned grocery companies but they all have the same requirement from us, to keep them talking.

What 3 words would you use to explain your company?

Service, trust & passion.

What differentiates your organisation from others?

My colleagues. They go the extra mile, they don’t pay lip service to customer service, it

is the single factor that drives their working day, from our team of directors with over 20 years telecommunications experience to our 2 apprentices fresh into the workplace, our goal is the same. We are always striving to improve, we don’t sit still or rest on our laurels instead we make it our business to know about and understand the technologies that will make our customers great at what they do.

What is your vision for the future of the business?

I want us to be THE trusted advisor and telecommunications partner of choice for businesses across Surrey and the South East. We also plan to grow our service offering internationally as many of our larger customers spend a great deal of time, or have offices, in other countries and they want the Callmaster Mobile team with them wherever they are.

What advice would you give to a company considering setting up in Surrey?

Identify your target market, make sure your offering is relevant, always think of your value from the customer’s point of view, share your knowledge and get involved. If Surrey is purely your base then don’t forget you are surrounded by people who probably already know the customers you want to speak to. If Surrey is your customer

heartland then be local, be vocal and do your part to keep Surrey the heartbeat of the economy. There is no better place to do business.

If you were telling another business person about the chamber what would you say?

Forget everything you think you know, clear your mind of the misconception that the chamber is just stuffy old men in boring meetings. The chamber IS its members and they are highly talented, from diverse backgrounds, full of industry leaders who are all here to be successful, why wouldn’t you want to get involved?

And finally, as a Surrey business, what do you see as the local key factors for success/growth over the next 12 months?

To continue the success Surrey has already seen we need the infrastructure to support our prize asset, our people, to work wherever and whenever they need to. So improved transport links (I live 11 miles from my office and would need to take 3 trains and 1 bus to use public transport) and greater availability of high speed data connectivity are two things I think Surrey should be leading on. Throw in access to funding and greater support for vocational education and you might see I am very passionate about us all being successful, there is plenty to go around.

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Member Benefits

New Members

Discounted Services for Members of Surrey Chambers of Commerce AXA PPP Healthcare Members of Surrey Chambers of Commerce can benefit from these two services provided by AXA PPP Healthcare.

Health at Hand – when it’s a question of health – the answer’s right at hand Available to Surrey Chambers of Commerce members, the Health at Hand information service is on call around the clock. Qualified nurses are available night and day to give members the benefit of their expertise giving your staff and their families peace of mind, supporting your company’s duty of care.

holder, are able to maintain contact with their customers, prospective clients or suppliers, should they have to stay in hospital or are suffering from health problems that prevent them from being accessible or able to communicate effectively.

Personal Business Assistance

In the event that this should occur, members can call the Chamber to activate this service with one of our personal assistants.

AXA PPP Healthcare is helping Chamber members to keep their business moving in their absence. This service ensures that members, the main policy

To benefit from either of these two services contact the Surrey Chambers team on 01483 735 540.

Member to Member offer from The Colbornes Group Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda Colbornes are a long-established dealership group with franchises across Surrey, Hampshire and Hertfordshire.

As a member of the Surrey Chambers of Commerce, we are delighted to be able to offer excellent deals to fellow members on purchases of new company vehicles.

To find out more about how we can help your business with any Volkswagen, Audi or Skoda vehicle requirements,

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contact Beki Lacy, Fleet Sales Executive, by email at beki.lacy@colbornes.co.uk.

For further information about the Colbornes Group and our dealership locations visit www.colbornes.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!

Surrey Chambers of Commerce welcomes its latest member companies: a2 Milk (UK) Ltd Aldershot Town FC Belvoir Lettings & Property Management Business Interior Solutions Camberley Theatre Chiddingfold Golf Club Dance Woking Direct Cleaning Services Southern Ltd Extreme Studios Ltd Furniturelink Hall Fine Food Exporters Hedleys Solicitors Jace Training Jankel Ltd JTech National Ltd Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce Mane Chance Sanctuary Merrist Wood College Milford Golf Club N Brealey Ltd NatWest Outstand Propitas Samuels Corporate Ltd Skanska UK Plc Social Outsourcing Ltd Surrey Coalition of Disabled People Sutton & East Surrey Water plc Tenants History Ltd Terrafiniti LLP W Stirland Ltd West Surrey Golf Club