Southwark business today July 2015

Southwark

Business Today Issue 4: June 2015

Southwark - at the heart of London’s river cruise scene p18 Spotlight on Dulwich p10

Women in Business p14

Voice from Westminster p23

A STUNNING COLLECTION OF 3 & 4 BEDROOM TOWNHOUSES AND 1,2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS ON THE EDGE OF KENNINGTON PARK.

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A development by

Welcome Contents

Welcome to

Southwark Business Today

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he Southwark Chamber of Commerce and Industry magazine for all Business in Southwark

My vision for the chamber is to try and engage more of Southwark’s 8,000 businesses for our mutual benefit, especially by demonstrating the commercial and social benefits of networking with other local companies. Four growth areas I am particular keen to push through promotional groups are: • IT • Tourism • Speciality foods • Arts

To utilize the skills and experience of the committee we have the following specialist directorships: business liaison groups, employment, education/apprenticeships, equal opportunities, events, finance, legal, liaison with major corporates, publicity, website, welfare.

I was honoured to have been elected Chairman of Southwark Chamber of Commerce, the first person on record to serve a second term during its 90 years history.

I thank my predecessor Barry Martin for his 3 years unstinting work, leaving a great team of active people with a real commitment to civic improvement. I live and work in Southwark, an exciting area which is really ‘happening’ but with huge potential to achieve much more, to which I hope I can contribute.

I am most pleased that Sonia Sutton, former secretary to numerous Southwark Mayors, has joined us as our administrator, her contribution will be invaluable. We will continue holding interesting regular events within the many prestigious locations that Southwark offers, including the Summer Boat Trip. Anyone interested should contact us ASAP. We already have 80 bookings, and winter tour of the Palace of Westminster.

I look forward to meeting more Southwark businesses and a busy year.

Richard Kalmar Chairman Southwark Chamber of Commerce & Industry

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Cage Rattlers Up Front Up Front Education Matters Remember when.....

Spotlight on Dulwich Women in Business Trading with Russia Thames Leisure Cruises Big Interview Voice from Westminster Up Close Cyber News Hospitality Business news Last Word Chamber Membership

Southwark Chamber of Commerce Southbank Technopark 90 London Road, London SE1 6LN 020 7403 9922 Email: admin@southwarkcommerce.com www.SouthwarkCommerce.com

Enquiries

John Dean Email: deangriss@btinternet.com

Editor

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

Publisher

June 2015 © Benham Publishing

Published

Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com

Advertising and Features

Mark Etherington Email: mark@benhampublishing.com Media No.1445

Studio

Disclaimer

Southwark Business Today is published for Southwark Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members businesses in the Borough.

All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at Southwark Chamber of Commerce.

Views expressed in publication are notnecessarily those of Southwark Chamber of Commerce.

Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission of the Editor. © 2015.

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

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

Southwark Business Today

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Cage Rattlers

The Chambers Cage Rattlers he Chamber examines some of the big issues facing our businesses - and demands action!

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RUBBISH!!

Are we turning the clocks back to Victorian times, to when people were employed solely to shovel rubbish from the streets?

I ask this because I am fed up of trying to walk along pavements that have piles of rubbish sacks and discarded cardboard boxes at regular intervals.

Businesses are told to ‘place your refuse bags on the pavement’ for later collection on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.

Who decided it was acceptable to have all this ugly eyesore on our pavements. Borough High Street (Historic Highway see Cage Rattlers issue 3) is a prime example, we are in a very popular tourist area, hosting visitors from all over the world, do they really want to see piles of smelly rubbish along their route, is this how we want to portray Southwark to them.

We expect people to dodge round piles of rubbish, trip over cardboard parcels, and squeeze along those parts of the pavement taken up by rubbish. It’s like going back to the bad old days of this historic street.

We as a business pay our rates, in fact we pay our rates twice, to Southwark Council and to Better Bankside, yet our streets are strewn with rubbish.

Whoever thought it was better to have the rubbish on the pavements instead of in a bin needs to try and

walk along Borough High Street on a Wednesday afternoon at 5.30!

Southwark Council / Bankside - What do you think of it so far?

- RUBBISH (with apologies to Eric and Ernie) (Name and address supplied)

What's happened to our Evening Paper I do long for the days when we had a proper Evening Newspaper - in fact I remember when we had two.

Today’s Evening Standard is written and printed by early morning apparently there are later editions but try and find them.

Hardly up to the minute news to read on the train home is it. We at least deserve the teatime cricket scores and some idea of how the stock market is doing.

It seems to be full of magazine and

celebrity type articles with no world news content and full of adverts.

What's more it now being a freebie it is only collectable at a few points in the Borough – I am a 10 minute walk away from the nearest newsstand.

(Why not put them in pubs?)

I would happily pay one pound for a later issue to be in my Newsagent.

Is it time someone resurrected the Evening News.

(Name and address supplied)

Election Pamphlets Being a resident as well as having business premises (paying both lots of Taxes) in the Borough I have received an enormous amount of Electioneering pamphlets through the letter box.

All offering the usual promises for our votes with an emphasis on jobs and apprenticeships for residents of the Borough.

If that’s a promise then why are all of these pamphlets printed everywhere but in the Borough.

There are plenty of local printers, struggling to employ local people who would be more than capable of printing this material and grateful for the work.

Putting this work elsewhere just does not tally with their promises.

(Name and address supplied)

What’s rattling your cage? Write and let us know Email at admin@southwarkcommerce.com

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Southwark Business Today

Up Front

Southwark Mediation Centre S

Councillor Peter John, Southwark Chamber of Commerce Business Meeting 7th May saw Southwark Chamber organised a business Q + A meeting for members at Southwark Council’s Tooley Street offices and invited Leader of the Council Cllr Peter John to address.

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outhwark Mediation Centre (SMC) has been established in the community for almost three decades.

Southwark Business pay over £250,000,000 per annum in business rates most of which ends up in the Council’s budget (businesses do not even get a vote in the Council Elections), so it was with anticipation that 40 local businesses waited to hear how council intends to invest this budget on business projects to encourage and help companies grow, to employ locally and in turn pay more business rates…

- when business prospers so does the Borough.

Unfortunately we were disappointed. Cllr Peter Johns’ main business thrust appears to be the formation of more ‘Bids’.

Bids are appointed to look after certain sections of the Borough.

Well my business comes within the sphere of Better Bankside Bid for which we pay better Bankside an additional fee for them to do the same job we are already paying the council for in our business rates! How is this investing in Business? Whilst discussing Bids, the voting system for these also seems flawed and undemocratic - there is no campaign for the NO vote.

Councillor John went on to explain the Councils’ active part in promoting the building of the Bakerloo Line extension which was positive news, but we learn that costs will have to be found by the various boroughs so it looks like business will partly pay too.

Cllr John went on to point out the councils good record compared to other London Boroughs on education and housing. Good news but not exactly a business commitment.

SMC has recently seen an increase in work in its family department.

This has been partly due to the change in the law in April 2014, which means applicants to court in family matters are compelled to attend a mediation awareness meeting (with certain exceptions) and partly due to the close working ties the centre has developed with local solicitors. Although solicitors need not be the first port of call, it is strongly recommended that, whilst using mediation, clients have legal advice, especially when discussing matters relating to property and finance.

Question time and Council couldn’t answer car parking problems for visiting clients to businesses although to the question on the much needed ‘Southwark Visitors Promotion Bureau’ Cllr Peter John did hint that £50,000 might be found to start it off. That was a welcome tit bit, but the bureau needs a £400,000 Annual Budget - but success in bringing in another 100,000 bed nights would reap £18 million revenue to the Borough, payment of a further £5.5 million in taxes and most important 75 new Southwark jobs - we will see what can be done with the £50,000 as a starter.

Frustrated by the evening Southwark Chamber Executive Member, Margaret Rowse, born and bred in the borough and a local International Business owner asked the blunt question - What exactly have you done for business rate payers? - there was no satisfactory reply to this the most important question and point of the evening.

Southwark Labour Councillor Neil Coyle won the seat at the recent General Election Congratulations Neil an outstanding result - will this be good for Southwark Business?

All the candidates for the Labour leadership have stated that one of the reasons Labour lost the Election was it did not embrace business and they must now surely become more aware of the important business contribution that local businesses make to society and listen to its needs, problems and investment requirements.

Will this filter down to Labour controlled Councils and will Neil Coyle work to instil these business ideals into Southwark?

A successful business sector brings wealth into the Borough, enhances the environment, employs its residents, pays more taxes - Council,VAT, Inland Revenue and Corporation - and puts Southwark on the Map of the UK.

Mediation can be used to settle finance, property and parenting issues, rather than slugging it out in court. Statistics show a 325 day saving by choosing mediation rather than court - that's ten and a half months extra for people to get on with their new lives rather than remaining in a state of stressed-out limbo.

Many couples think they must head off to a high-street solicitor to prepare for a very expensive court room confrontation in which they can achieve a 'victory' over their ex. But there is a better way to manage separation.

Mediation can be a quicker, cheaper and less stressful option.

The professional mediators at SMC are highly skilled third party negotiators with experience in helping families create longterm solutions that work well for their particular circumstances. Rather than leaving it to a court to decide who will live where, what happens to the money, debts and pensions, and arrangements for the children, mediation empowers families themselves to decide these things.

SMC is able to provide legally aided mediation for those who are eligible.

Anyone wanting to know more can contact SMC by phone on 020 7708 4959 or visit www.southwarkmediation.co.uk

Southwark Business Today

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Up Front

Getting ready for a summer of fun usinesses in Southwark are preparing to take advantage of the influx of people attracted into the area by forthcoming summer events.

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Southwark Presents has announced a programme of family fun which starts with Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, who will be headlining at Bermondsey Carnival on Saturday 4 July.

Taking place in Southwark Park, from 12pm to 8pm, this free family festival will be full of

Developer signs housing deal

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end Lease has announced an agreement with L&Q, the UK’s leading housing association, for the management of affordable housing across its Elephant and Castle regeneration project.

Under the agreement, L&Q will take ownership of the affordable housing to be built at Elephant Park by Lend Lease.

The affordable housing represents a quarter of the development and, whilst the exact number of affordable homes will depend on the final number of units delivered at Elephant Park, it is expected to be about 550.

Rob Heasman, Lend Lease's Project Director for Elephant and Castle, said: “As an integral part of the delivery at Elephant Park, L&Q has already shown a deep understanding of our vision to create a place full of life in Central London’s new green heart.”

Jerome Geoghegan, Group Director for Development and Sales, L&Q, said: “We look forward to developing a vibrant, mixed community where new homes for local people and hardworking London families are supported by the amenities and facilities they need.”

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activities and performances for everyone to enjoy.

The entertainment continues at the Rotherhithe Festival on Saturday 11 July where visitors can enjoy music, entertainment and food at this free local event at King Georges Fields.

The Elephant and the Nun returns on Saturday 15 August, from 12pm to 8pm in Burgess

Park. This large, free family festival features a mix of events and activities guaranteed to capture the imagination of all ages.

For more information on these and other upcoming events, please visit www.southwark.gov.uk/ southwarkpresents

Accidents that created the idea for a business ike with Weronika - Every business has its own story but few are as personal as that of Weronika Kropielnicka.

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Weronika, whose business creates and produces high visibility bicycle vests in different shapes and colours, said: “Everything started after two car accidents that I had a few years back.

“After that, I decided to make my life meaningful, use my experience and start designing and producing bicycle vests.

I used to work as an assistant of product designer and I also worked in logistic department and three years ago I finished a fashion design short course.

“I have a vision where I always compare cyclists to parrots - I want them to look bright, colourful, stylish and great. I try to create vests that people will wear with pleasure.

“Because I had no financial support to buy necessary equipment, I came to London in May 2014. I brought my old sewing machine in a suitcase and first started working as a room painter and gardener.

“At the moment, I am working but will keep investing money into my small company.

Southwark Business Today

As a small business owner I am looking for new customers.

“I know wearing high visibility bicycle vests is just a small part of the road safety subject but as a fan of cycling and healthy living I would love to show children how important

road safety is maybe through via organising small events or something like that.

“Hopefully, they will create a safe and better world.

All bicycles, cars, bikes and scooters users should respect each other and protect themselves.”

Education Matters

Mayor formally opens business school M ayor of London Boris Johnson officially opened Warwick Business School’s new base at The Shard.

More than 50 guests watched Mr Johnson unveil a glass sculpture to commemorate the opening of the new site on the 17th floor of the 95-storey building - the tallest in the European Union.

WBS London will see part-time postgraduate courses and executive education delivered from one of the capital’s most iconic buildings.

Mr Johnson said: “Our city is a world leading centre for higher education and Warwick Business School is a welcome addition to the first class academia that can be found here.

“The Shard is an inspirational venue and I’m sure the students that come here will find successful careers within our city’s thriving business sectors.”

Evening courses for MSc Finance and MSc Human Resource Management & Employment

Relations are already being taught at WBS London with the two-year, part-time Executive MBA set to be delivered from September from the 306-metre skyscraper.

The Mayor of London was given a tour of WBS London by the Dean of WBS, Professor Mark Taylor, and University of Warwick Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Nigel Thrift.

WBS London houses a 100-seat lecture theatre and a smaller one at 60 seats, plus eight seminar rooms and an IT lab. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and opened in July 2012, The Shard is just minutes from the City, the financial capital of the world.

Professor Taylor said: “This is a very exciting development for WBS; to establish a base in one of London’s most iconic buildings is a tremendous moment for the School.

“London is one of the great capitals of the world and a global financial centre, so it seems only right that one of Europe’s top business schools should have a presence there. We will bring our academic excellence to London to help form the business leaders and City professionals of the future.

“The University of Warwick has a great history of being entrepreneurial and a world innovator, and this move to The Shard continues that spirit of enterprise and ambition to do things differently.

“The Shard is a spectacular sight on the London skyline and is a fitting base for Warwick Business School,

which has creativity at the heart of its business teachings.”

Founded in 1967, Warwick Business School currently attracts 6,500 students from 125 different countries and has recently begun work on a £30m state-of-the-art extension of its current facilities at the University of Warwick.

The distance-learning MBA at WBS was ranked second in the world by the Financial Times, who also rated its executive MBA in the world’s top 20.

Exam changes: drawing the line at linearity ost-election the way is finally clear for changes to our exam system; linearity is the government’s buzzword as it reforms GCSEs and A levels.

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What that means in practice is that students will study for two years, do a mock exam to gain familiarity with the exam, then take the real thing at the end. Rather than take up valuable teaching time revising for modules, more challenging and meaningful courses can be constructed.

The problem with this approach isn’t so much the principle as the speed at which the reforms are being introduced - not just fast, but all at once.

‘New’ GCSEs in English and mathematics will be first taught in Year 10 from September 2015, as will a tranche of new A level courses.

The following year, the rest of the ‘core’ GCSE subjects come on stream, along with A levels in maths and languages.

The GCSEs will be set at a different standard to the current versions, with a grading system from 9 (high) to 1 (low) rather than letter grades. For several years, there will be pupils with a mixture of different kinds of GCSE result.

A levels will be ‘harder’ in terms of content - by adding more maths or more books.

The future of the AS level is in doubt as results won’t count towards a final A level grade - a lot will therefore depend on how universities view AS results.

As with any change to exams, the role of teachers and the school is to act as a shock absorber, ensuring that pupils focus on high quality learning. Of course exams aren’t everything - in excellent schools like this one, pupils take them almost ‘in passing’.

They get the best possible grades, but are not distracted or discouraged by changes to the exam system. Our school remains committed to delivering an education that is broad and deep, to realise our vision of developing confident, resilient and independent-minded young women.

Dr Colin Laverick Acting Headteacher, Sydenham High School GDST

This is an extract from a longer article which can be read at www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net

Southwark Business Today

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Up Front

Jobs creation put on the map undreds of residents from H across Southwark have found employment on one of the borough’s major regeneration sites at Elephant Park.

Southwark Council’s development partners, Lend Lease, have produced a map that breaks down how many people from each ward have been employed on the new development.

A total of 379 people so far have been employed on the site, 166 of these were previously unemployed. East Walworth ward, which holds the majority of the site, has 38 residents employed there, while 194 employees have come from the eight wards that surround it, and the remainder from the rest of the borough.

All 379 employees will also be on at least the London Living Wage as part of Southwark Council’s commitment to fair pay.

Cllr Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration and new homes, said: “We have been clear from the outset that in addition to the new homes, new public park and new leisure centre, that the regeneration of the former Heygate Estate had to include local residents gaining training and employment on the construction sites.”

Rob Heasman, Lend Lease’s project director at Elephant and Castle, said: “Our regeneration at Elephant and Castle has ambitious targets to create a significant number of jobs for local people and therefore help drive forward the economic development of the area.

“We are continuing to invest time and resources to ensure that jobs we create not only go to local people, but that each newly employed person is given the best opportunity to learn new skills and is offered the right support to facilitate long-term sustained employment.

“As we continue to make excellent progress in the delivery of new homes in the area, the number of jobs we are creating continues to increase, with new opportunities for work being created across all stages of the long-term regeneration.”

Over the next 15 years, the regeneration will create more than 6,000 new jobs in the local area, 5,000 during construction and 1,000 in the completed development.

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Are you planning to start your own business? Or develop an existing business?

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he City Business Library is a fantastic resource that is completely free to use, and we are open to everyone and anyone with a business need.

In the heart of the City of London, the City Business Library is a public reference library with a wealth of current business data that will help you from your first steps into the world of business start up to continuing the growth and development of your business in the future.

All the information we have is current and from reliable sources, and because we specialise in business information we have already filtered out anything that is irrelevant or out of date.

Our expert staff are on hand to help you navigate through our extensive range of resources and to assist you with your market research needs. For only £20 per session, we can also offer you a 121 session with one of our

Southwark Business Today

librarians who can help kick start your market research or support you to build your B2B mailing list.

With affordable venue hire and an enviable list of seminars and workshops, the City Business Library is really the only place to visit to help launch or grow your business.

Valid till 31 July 2015

Contact us for more information: 020 7332 1812 cbl@cityoflondon.gov.uk www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cbl

Facebook /citybusinesslibrary Twitter @cbl_london

Remembering when ...

History repeats itself

By Ken Hayes, Honorary Secretary

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ooking back through past editions of Southwark Chamber of Commerce quarterly journal ‘Borough’ I found an article in the 1980 summer edition on The Community Drug Project.

Side effects

Side effects of these drugs include drowsiness, light headedness, hypertension, gastro intestinal and visual disturbances, headache, confusion vertigo, giddiness and agitation.

Dependency

Drug Dependent Society

When people talk about the drug problem they usually conjure up a picture of a social drop out, or an unemployed unkempt hippie.

In fact such a picture depicts only a small part of an overall panorama. It is well accepted in professional circles that ordinary people are increasingly looking towards medicine to help them cope with the conflicts and complexities of everyday life.

The teenager, the young mother, the factory worker, the middle aged housewife, the bank manager and the senior citizen all have something in common – the availability of

tranquilisers, antidepressants and sleeping tablets.

These drugs are becoming almost as commonly used as alcohol and tobacco – in other words they have become a normal component in our daily lives.

Patients soon build up a psychological dependency to any of these drugs with the result that they are unable to go about their daily lives without them.

In addition many of these substances are physically addictive and withdrawal symptoms occur if a patient suddenly stops taking them.

The fact of physical dependency is particularly worrying in the case of barbiturates where sudden withdrawal may induce ‘epileptic type’ fits.

•••

The article goes on to describe the consequences of this in the work place of especially for workers who work with machinery and staff conflicts caused by irritability leading to staff conflicts and the inability of staff to carry out their work properly.

The Community Drug project was set up to offer basic advice, information, counselling services and support for those in receipt of a prescription or who are concerned about another person’s drug use.

They also offered long term support and counselling to those who wished to return to a drug free existence.

This is interesting today in the light of the new Government stated intent to bring in a Bill to ban the so called ‘Legal Highs,’ that are legally on sale in the high streets of UK. These must also be addictive to those who use them.

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Fact

1975 South East Thames and South West Regional Health Authority 9,949,000 prescriptions of preparations acting on the nervous system, e.g., addictive pain killers, barbiturates, tranquillisers, antidepressants, stimulants etc.

Southwark Business Today

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Plenty of activities to enjoy in Dulwich ulwich is a delightful area of south London where green spaces, woods and a genuine authentic village atmosphere create the sensation that you’re not really in a city.

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However, do not be fooled by outward appearances; this is not a sleepy kind of place. In fact, Dulwich is part of the Capital where there is plenty going on behind the serene appearance.

Indeed, things have been going on for centuries because Dulwich is among London’s oldest settlements and its history is strongly represented in the way it has been developed in the modern era.

Dulwich Village, which is a conservation area, centres on a high street lined with buildings from the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Big houses, cottages, small shops, an ancient burial ground and a Grade II-listed pub,

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the Crown & Greyhound, all recall the village's history, while many of the newer developments have been designed in a similarly traditional and respectful style.

There are a wide range of local businesses and an important part of the local economy are two exceptional visitor attractions, one of which is Dulwich College, a Victorian building created by architect Charles Barry, whose father Charles designed the Houses of Parliament.

Set in 70 acres of leafy grounds and a popular film location, Dulwich College has a range of versatile spaces to suit all manner of events.

Able to cater for weddings, celebrations, lectures and

Southwark Business Today

Every summer, renowned institutions such as the MCC and the House of Commons return to play cricket and enjoy BBQs and afternoon tea.The College also hosts sports days for well-known firms such as BBH, Saatchi & Saatchi and PwC.

Spotlight

The Dulwich area has seen significant investment in its infrastructure with the completion of a £4.2 million flood alleviation scheme to protect more than 200 homes and businesses in Dulwich and Herne Hill from sewer and surface flooding.

exhibitions, and with grounds to host cricket matches and team building days, the college is ideally placed eleven minutes by train from Victoria and with plentiful parking.

A wide range of corporate events take place at Dulwich College throughout the year, from company AGMs to product launches, gala dinners and award ceremonies.

Every summer, renowned institutions such as the MCC and the House of Commons return to play cricket and enjoy BBQs and afternoon tea.

The College also hosts sports days for well-known firms such as BBH, Saatchi & Saatchi and PwC. To keep the visitors fed, the College has experienced caterers who create delicious seasonal menus and the Events Team seamlessly guide you through your bespoke event Another important attraction, also set in beautiful grounds, is Dulwich Picture Gallery, the oldest purpose-built art gallery in England with a world-class exhibition of paintings by old masters including Rembrandt and Rubens.

Typical of the invention shown by the team working there, this year saw the Gallery’s first ever MayFest (held in mid-May) which looked at Men of Mystery.

Exploring the links between the director and artist, the event featured screenings of two of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic films during two evenings complete with tours built around the exhibition being staged featuring Eric Ravilious watercolours.

The Pimms was flowing each night as the Gallery grounds filled with film buffs, Ravilious fans, and vintage aficionados and the weekend was packed with glamorous ladies and dapper gents, with the best dressed each night winning Ravilious themed prizes.

Elsewhere, the Dulwich area has seen significant investment in its infrastructure with the

completion of a £4.2 million flood alleviation scheme to protect more than 200 homes and businesses in Dulwich and Herne Hill from sewer and surface flooding.

An innovative scheme, whose beneficaries include local businesses, the project has been funded by Southwark Council, the Environment Agency and Thames Water.

The first project of its kind in London to be delivered via a partnership approach, the scheme received an award at this year’s Institution of Civil Engineers London Civil Engineering Awards.

Both Dulwich and Herne Hill have experienced notable floods in 1984, 2004 and 2007 each resulting in loss of residential property and business premises as well as public infrastructure and the scheme is based in Dulwich Park, Belair Park and the Dulwich Sports Grounds in Southwark.

The scheme captures surface water run-off and reduces flood risk in a sustainable way and includes the creation of wetlands and wildflower meadows to attract wildlife.

Councillor Darren Merrill, council cabinet member for environment said: “The new flood alleviation scheme brings reassurance to the hundreds of residents and business owners in Dulwich and Herne Hill who were previously at risk of surface and sewer flooding.”

Thames Water CEO Martin Baggs said: “It shows what can be achieved with good planning, goodwill and common sense and we’ll be looking to use the results as an example for other areas facing similar problems.

“People who have faced the devastating effects of flooding don't mind who provides a solution, they just want us all to work together to sort out the problem and I’m really pleased we’ve done that for people in Dulwich and Herne Hill.”

Southwark Business Today

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Spotlight

There’s more to the Horniman than the walrus T

he Horniman Museum and Gardens is a south London institution, renowned for its natural history, anthropology and music collections. However, not everyone realises that it’s more than a museum and home to the world’s most famous walrus.

In addition, the Horniman is a unique venue for conferences, receptions, teambuilding, private events and location hire – from fashion shoots to an episode of the Channel 4 sci-fi drama Humans.

Its spaces are flexible, with styles to suit every need and you can choose from the elegant Victorian galleries and Conservatory, stunning modern Pavilion or Edwardian Bandstand, all set in 16 acres of beautiful gardens overlooking the London skyline.

The experienced Events Team is on hand to help with your plans from start to finish, so you can be assured of an event to remember. Whatever your

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catering requirements - from canapés, cocktail bars and formal silver service dining to picnics and afternoon teas - they can help create a bespoke event just for you.

You can even take advantage of such a unique setting by adding a memorable element - a visit to the Aquarium or a quirky curator tour - to really make your guests’ day.

With excellent train and London Overground links, Forest Hill is closer than you think - just 13 minutes from London Bridge or 14 minutes from Canada Water.

For more information or to arrange a visit please call 020 8291 8161 or see www.horniman.ac.uk/about /venue-hire-201

Southwark Business Today

Whatever your catering requirements - from canapés, cocktail bars and formal silver service dining to picnics and afternoon teas - they can help create a bespoke event just for you.

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Southwark Business Today

13

Women in Business

Women show their mettle in the tough world of business ore and more women are succeeding in business, breaking through the glass ceiling to challenge male domination and register truly impressive achievements. But what does it take to achieve in what is still in many ways a man’s world.

What drives successful businesswomen? We asked some successful Southwark businesswomen

M

Margaret Rowse Managing Director The Russia House

“In the early years of the Russia House, we were the specialists, the people to go to if you wanted to visit Eastern Europe.”

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Southwark Business Today

Margaret Rowse may have risen to the position of Managing Director of travel specialist The Russia House but her career began in much humbler surroundings, and with a gamble.

She said: “I left school at fifteen without any qualifications, as people often did in thosedays, and got a job with BT as a telephonist.

“A friend of mine worked for a travel company and suggested that I go for a job there as a telex operator. I did not even know what a telex was and had never seen one, and I didn’t want the job, but they took me on anyway!”

In the years that followed she rose up the career ladder until she joined The Russia House, which was set up in 1970 by Barry Martin, who is still at the helm as Chairman of the company.

Together they lead a team with more than forty years’ experience in providing services to foster Russo-British Trade.

Specialities include procuring visas, arranging business travel to, from and within Russia, arranging accommodation and organising exhibitions, seminars and trade missions.

The company is also working towards football’s FIFA World Cup 2018, encouraging British companies to secure business from the eleven host cities with their vast infrastructure needs to cope with the influx of supporters.

But for every opportunity there is challenge, particularly given the volatile nature of Eastern Europe, and Margaret regards resilience as key to business success.

She said: “In the early years of the Russia House, we were the specialists, the people to go to if you wanted to visit Eastern Europe.

“We had the contacts and the experience and could get people behind the Iron Curtain, which meant that we had a virtual monopoly.

“Then the Soviet Union collapsed and suddenly everyone could travel to Russia and travel companies took advantage of that.

“That and the growth of the internet meant that we went from a £15 million a year company to a million a year company.

“We rebuilt, focusing primarily on business travel, then came the sanctions against Russia and the sanctions imposed going the other way by Vladimir Putin.

They meant there are whole areas of business that you cannot do with Russia, things like telecoms and food import.

“As a result, our business is down sixty per cent because there are not the business people travelling to Russia but our view is that we will survive.We did it before and we will do it again.There is always turmoil in that part of the world and you have to live with it.”

Has she suffered from being a woman when it comes to dealing with Russia?

Margaret said: “Russia is a maledominated business world and there have been times in meetings when I have asked the questions and everyone looks to Barry for the answers.

“Barry is very good when that happens - he reminds them that I run the business on a day to day basis but sometimes I do have to bite my tongue!”

Women in Business

Diana Powley Owner Dune Hypnotherapy

Diana Powley set up her practice Dune Hypnotherapy twelve years ago when she recovered from ME/CFS. Previously a senior HR executive in a fashion multiple-retailing business, the effects of her illness meant that she could not return to her high-pressure role so she turned instead to the procedure that had helped her during her illness.

She said: “I had undergone hypnotherapy when I was ill and it had helped me to become calmer, sleep better and feel more optimistic so following my training I started my practice at London Bridge.

“Things went well from the off, clients were surprised they could quit smoking in just one hour.”

Previously hypnosis had been more associated with stage shows. Diana said: “That has changed, though, and people are increasingly seeing the benefits.

“In addition to stopping clients from smoking, I also treat people with the removal of fears and phobias.”

Diana also helps many clients with her Get Slim Stay Slim programme and Alcohol Moderation Programme.

She usually carries out hypnotherapy face-to-face but also conducts sessions over Skype. She believes the key to her success is referrals from satisfied clients.

Diana said: “I am passionate about helping people and the most important thing is to educate them on how their lives can be improved, perhaps in just 1-3 sessions.

And they get to take home a live recording of the hypnosis from the session.

“I go to lots of networking events and find business people who may be under a lot of stress are fascinated by what can be achieved in just 1-3 sessions.”

“I am passionate about helping people and the most important thing is to educate them on how their lives can be improved, perhaps in just 1-3 sessions.

And they get to take home a live recording of the hypnosis from the session.”

Alex Webb has seen for herself over the past two years how more and more women are making their way in business through her work with The South London Procurement Network (SLPN).

The SLPN was launched in 2012 to help SMEs across South London to access and bid for contracts from major businesses and projects based in the area.

A not-for-profit organisation, the primary activities under Alex’s leadership include recruiting businesses which are inviting contract bids from local companies and helping SMEs with those bids as well as organising networking events for suppliers and buyers to meet. A free business support service, SPLN is funded by the Canary Wharf Group plc and Qatari Diar Development Company (UK) Ltd. Alex, formerly in the HR and procurement departments at Canary Wharf Group, said: “Although the majority of our contacts

are male, that is starting to change.We are seeing more women going into business, particularly setting up social enterprises, and that is encouraging.

“We see women in areas such as design and catering and our role at the network is to encourage and support them, and all of our members, to take advantage of the opportunities out there.

“Part of the job is to educate potential buyers so that they are alert to and prepared to use local businesses. It is about creating a rapport with and between businesses and the SPLN has already brought in £4.1m in contracts for local businesses.”

Alex, who manages four members of staff, believes that the key to success, regardless of gender, is hard work. “To succeed in business, you have to show determination and persistence,” she said.

Alex Webb Network Manager The South London Procurement Network (SLPN)

“Although the majority of our contacts are male, that is starting to change. We are seeing more women going into business, particularly setting up social enterprises, and that is encouraging.”

Southwark Business Today

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Southwark Business Today

Trading with Russia

VICTORY DAY LONDON and SOUTHWARK based company Proud organisers of ground breaking conference

The UK extends contacts with Russia via informal channels to tackle the Rehabilitation of Veterans of Recent Conflicts.

Working together on solving life problems.

On Friday 29th May a UK/Russia conference entitled ‘Rehabilitation of Veterans of Recent Conflicts’ took place in St Petersburg, attended by leading British and Russian experts in the fields of mental and social rehabilitation of veterans returning from recent conflicts.

Organised by Victory Day London (www.victorydaylondon.co.uk) in association with the British Psychological Society (www.bps.org.uk) and supported by the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg (www.kvs.spb.ru/Home_page444)

The previous day 28th May, in the presence of the Consul General of Great Britain Keith Allen, a declaration of intent on cooperation between the BPS and the Russian Psychological Society (RPS) was signed by the President of BPS Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes and the President of RPS Professor Yuri Zinchenko in the 18th Century Petrovsky Hall of St. Petersburg State University.

Professor Hacker Hughes, himself a veteran of Afghanistan and Northern Ireland, gave a lecture on the history of British Military psychology.

According to the expert respondent, Lenta.ru “this humanitarian interaction of experts and military retirees is of particular importance against the background of deteriorating relations between Russia and West and the United Kingdom in particular”

This was the second largest Russian-British conference held and follows the 9th May Victory Day celebrations in St Petersburg where 10 Arctic Convoy veterans from England and Scotland were hosted in St Petersburg for this important and prestigious event, led by Victory Day London / The Russia House Ltd.

The conference included several British and Russian scientistpsychologists, many of whom are also veterans of recent conflicts.

The BP’s President was joined by the Medical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist for the UK’s largest nationwide veterans’ rehabilitation charity Combat Stress (www.combatstress.org.uk)

Dr. Walter Busuttil (RAF Wing Commander retired) and co-founder of the AF&V Launchpad veteran’s charity David Shaw CBE (Army Major General retired), for an introductory conference with their Russian counterparts on

practices and methods used in rehabilitation of the veterans recent conflicts. This took place in the PetroCongress Centre, St. Petersburg.

Many of Russia’s leading specialists took part and included Dr Alexander Karayani, Dr Yulia Karayani, Elena Pfau, Dr Vladislav Yusupov, Dr Maxim Kabanov, Zafar Adylov, and Said Tulakov.

“The conference focus was on the issues of assistance to the veterans of recent conflicts as well as the Second World War veterans.

We have much in common with the British in contrast to say the Americans and the French, aiding the active servicemen, but only the veterans where we face such common problems as drugs abuse, alcoholism, violence and suicide.

Whatever the results of war, a warrior deserves respect and recognition.” - ALEXANDER KARAYANI

The visit organisor – head of Victory Day London, Eugene Kasevin of Southwark based business The Russia House Ltd. said “We have successfully achieved our goals in bringing together the leading academics and practitioners in the field of rehabilitation for the veterans of recent conflicts.

Our conference was non-political with the focus on solving practical issues in helping those returning from war. In Russia many fought in Afghanistan and the Chechen campaigns, whilst the British were in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

All problems of the veterans are the same and require joint efforts.

This pioneering meeting will serve as a stepping stone for further joint explorations on the ways of bringing the veterans back to their lives.”

This visit was made possible through direct support of THE RUSSIA HOUSE LTD (www.therussiahouse.co.uk) and AFGANVET (www.afganvet.ru) together with GlavTourOperator Russia (www.glavtouroperator.com) and with special thanks to the Committee of Foreign Relations of St Petersburg and the PetroCongress Centre.

For further information contact Eugene Kasevin The Russia House 0207 403 9922 www.VictoryDayLondon.co.uk

Southwark Business Today

17

Thames Leisure Cruise

Southwark - at the heart of London’s river cruise scene Guy Wimpory, Marketing Manager of events company and boat operator Thames Leisure muses on Southwark’s ‘Pool of London’

perating a fleet of river cruisers of various shapes and sizes on the river Thames and as a major London river event company, we can’t think of a better base than what we see as the heart of the river - the ‘Pool of London’.

O

The ‘Pool’ is technically the stretch of river from just below London Bridge down to Limehouse – that’s just before the big sweep southwards of the Thames ‘U-bend’ down to Greenwich.

We though, tend to think of this area mostly as that perfect short stretch of the river which starts at London Bridge and goes just past the area immediately East of

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Tower Bridge, around Butler’s Wharf. Perfect? Well, in so many ways yes it is – as a stretch of urban riverside it has so much going on, and the feel of London when on the water here just seems special. From the river, it truly feels like the gateway to the capital.

There’s no doubt that in recent years, the area has evolved and changed. The Shard looming overhead and the ‘Walkie Talkie’

Southwark Business Today

on the north side are both recent additions.

More London and City Hall provide a different architectural angle, and certainly a lower profile perspective. HMS Belfast is smack-bang in the middle of the river - a warship!

A real live WWII warship standing like a guardian to the city and watching over the royal palace of the Tower of London just across the way.

For us, a crucial part of the Pool is the wondrous structure that is Tower Bridge. The reason for this is that we probably have the bridge open up more than any other vessel operator.

Cruise ships and the occasional tall ship do it (indeed sometimes we bring in the latter too). There is also a luxury mega-yacht now and then.

Thames Leisure Cruise

Thames Leisure has two vessels regularly taking corporate and public cruises through the bridge that are big enough to warrant it opening. The three-floor Dutch Master takes up to 375 guests through at one time, and our 90 year old historic Thames Sailing Barge and her 30 metre high masts, take groups of between 10 and 50 through. Going through is an amazing experience - in short, you feel special.

The Pool of London is Southwark’s treasure, and though technically you share it with City and Tower Hamlets boroughs, in our eyes, Southwark has got the best bits! Sometimes we can cruise from London Bridge City Pier which is the pier on the Southwark side, however, due to burgeoning use by the Thames Clippers, most of our cruises set off from Tower Millennium Pier outside the Tower of London.

The cruises on half of our vessels can travel the length of the central Thames. We go to Chelsea and Putney in the west and all the way out past Barking reach in the East, an area where we operate our clay-pigeon shooting cruises, something we definitely couldn’t get away with in the Southwark section of the river!

Nearly all other river cruise operators and event companies are based in the west of the

Thames. We are proud to have our fleet moored in the Pool, on Southwark’s doorstep, and on the City’s doorstep.

Next time you get to the river, maybe through Hay’s Galleria, look out for smart teal-coloured hulls bobbing about beyond the bow of HMS Belfast and outside Old Billingsgate.

If we are not there, look right, we might just be stopping traffic and bothering the Tower Bridge master to press the big button.

“The three-floor Dutch Master takes up to 375 guests through at one time, and our 90 year old historic Thames Sailing Barge and her 30 metre high masts, take groups of between 10 and 50 through. Going through is an amazing experience, in short, you feel special.”

Southwark Business Today

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The Big Interview

Turning dreams into reality o there you are, a small London business with a big, big idea but not sure how to access the finance and support that you need to take it to the next level.

S

You don’t know who to ring and you have not got any useful contacts in the investment world.

You’ve run into a brick wall, end of bright idea, yes?

Well, no, because a Europeanbacked programme is helping many small businesses across the Capital to turn their dreams into reality by allowing them to access the support that they need to grow.

The European Commission set up the Enterprise Europe Network in 2008 to help SMEs, which it describes as ‘the backbone of the European economy’, to make the most of business opportunities in the EU and beyond in order to grow companies and create jobs.

Chris Farmakis EC Funding Manager Enterprise Europe Network

“The European Commission set up the Enterprise Europe Network in 2008 to help SMEs, which it describes as ‘the backbone of the European economy’

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Southwark Business Today

Managed by the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME), the network has certainly worked in London where £55m of business has been generated and £32m of investment attracted into city businesses.

Responsible for running the London operation since 2008 has been Chris Farmakis, the EC Funding Manager based in Queen Elizabeth Street.

He said: “The idea of the network is to provide a gateway for businesses who need support to grow but are not sure how to obtain it.

“We offer a wide range of services free of charge. We know that many small businesses struggle to develop their ideas. They would probably not get past reception at a major company but we can assess if an idea has legs then, if it has, pick up the phone and talk to a director and explain the project.

“Once that is done, we can then put the two of them in touch with each other. We are very much a support network and the company still has to do the work itself.”

Using the network makes sense because there are 600 offices across 58 countries with members including chambers of commerce, industry, technology centres and universities, and regional development and innovation agencies, providing access to 4,500 experts.

The network’s focus is to help ambitious and innovative SMEs grow internationally by combining international business expertise with local knowledge in order to help them enter new markets, forge new commercial partnerships, access finance and grow faster.

One of its services is support for funding. Chris said: “We have run funding schemes ourselves but what we found out pretty early on is that UK business people are very straight-talking.

The Big Interview

“Managed by the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME), the network has certainly worked in London where £55m of business has been generated and £32m of investment attracted into city businesses.”

They did not want to become involved in lots of bureaucracy when it came to European funding programmes and would much rather go to private investors to obtain finance for their R and D.

“What we do is advise companies who may not be familiar with the right processes on how to put together their funding proposals. It is about raising their awareness of what is required.”

The second major service is support to export. Chris said: “One of the things we do is help companies find the right contacts in other countries.

“Because there are so many offices in 58 countries we can open doors for small companies, again by putting them in touch with the right people then letting them take things forward themselves.

“We can also help companies in other areas, including protecting their IP and lodging patents, things they might not be familiar with. It is all about maximising their efforts.

“The network really does work. In London since 2008 we have seen £55m of business transacted and £32m of private investment attracted as well as seeing small companies playing their part in big projects put together by large businesses.

“We have even seen small London businesses secure work on projects with the US Defense Department.”

From this year Enterprise Europe Network will be jointly funded by Innovate UK, the UK government’s agency for innovation, in order to enhance the support already available to businesses through the Network. This means that, for the first time, pioneering UK businesses can access a full suite of innovation and internationalisation support from a single source.

The expansion was outlined at the recent annual conference in Brussels when Patrick Lambert,

Director of EASME, said: "This new phase of the Enterprise Europe Network is great news for ambitious SMEs who want to grow internationally.

“While the Network continues to help businesses find new commercial partners and enter new markets, its experts are now also providing specialised support to innovative SMEs with high growth potential.”

Contact the Enterprise Europe Network in London on 020 7940 1512 een-london@gle.co.uk www.enterpriseeurope.co.uk/contact

“Using the network makes sense because there are 600 offices across 58 countries with members including chambers of commerce, industry, technology centres and universities, and regional development and innovation agencies, providing access to 4,500 experts.”

Southwark Business Today

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Southwark Business Today

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Voice from Westminster

New MP makes pledge to business Neil Coyle

T

he way parliament works, every MP now has to register as both self-employed and as an employer.

So it is a pleasure to write for the Southwark Chamber of Commerce not just as a new MP, but as a newly founded local business. It’s not quite what I expected on 7th May!

Nor did I expect to be in Opposition if elected.

Labour’s strategy assumed that, if I won in Bermondsey and Old Southwark, my Party would at least be the largest in the Commons.

Instead, I won with a majority of almost 4,500 but the Tories secured an outright majority overall.

I had hoped to be implementing Labour’s agenda for small businesses, in particular: cutting rates, lowering energy bills and providing a British Investment Bank to speed up loans for example. Instead, I’ll now need to secure the best results I can for local businesses from the Opposition benches.

Firms in Southwark and across the Capital are disproportionately affected by business rates, so I’ll be holding the Chancellor’s feet to

the fire on the all-important review they have promised this year - it must not be a whitewash. Businesses need fundamental reform.

My work has already begun, including tabling questions about how high-speed Internet access can be improved for residents and businesses in the under-served SE16 area of the constituency.

I’ve asked if government funding for improving internet access will benefit former dockland communities like Rotherhithe as well as rural areas. I'll be looking to tweak other government plans and policies to get better results for Southwark.

I’ll also be challenging government plans to cut the police budget further.

Commercial burglaries have risen locally, including the new

hiking shop next to our Labour Party office on Tower Bridge Road just days after it opened.

Tackling business crime is crucial and must not be undermined by further police and PCSO losses when Southwark has fewer officers already than the Met suggests is required for community safety.

I’ll also be embracing local business interests when it comes to transport infrastructure. The Bakerloo line extension offers significant benefits for Southwark and especially for local businesses.

There appears to be crossparty unity on delivering the tube extension and I'll be seeking the best deal for local people and businesses as plans develop.

Finally, the Government has promised to create a huge number of new apprentices.

I want to join these plans to

existing council proposals and make sure they are high-quality apprenticeships at local firms, so that our young people get the lifeline they need, and our businesses benefit too.

Making successful, important changes like these will require strong local alliances in the community, and I promise to work closely with businesses across the area, and with representative bodies like the local Chamber of Commerce and FSB.

Many of you will have met my predecessor Simon Hughes, who served the constituency for 32 years. I'll be just as happy to help the business community here and if you have ideas or requests, would like to meet, or need my help then please don't hesitate to drop me a line at: Neil.Coyle.MP@parliament.uk

Southwark Business Today

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Business News

New occupant announced for The Shard Half, the worldwide leader Rinobert specialised recruitment and

News company stages event ews UK has hosted an event for She’s Back, an initiative that aims to Nhelp women re-enter the workforce after an extended break.

consulting services, is to take 20,200 square feet of office space on Level 10 of The Shard.

The move will allow Robert Half to centralise its London business under one roof, bringing three branch locations of the company’s recruitment operations and its consulting and internal audit subsidiary Protiviti, together for the first time.The company will move into the building by October.

Founded in 1948, the New York Stock Exchange-listed Robert Half pioneered specialised recruitment services and now has staffing operations in more than 330 locations worldwide.

The company specialises in the placement of highly skilled temporary, permanent and senior-level interim professionals in the fields of accounting and finance; banking and capital markets; technology and administration.

Its subsidiary, Protiviti, is a global business consulting firm that helps companies solve problems in finance, technology, operations, governance, risk and internal audit through a network of more than 75 locations in 25 countries, bringing total Robert Half staffing and consulting locations to more than 400 offices worldwide.

Robert Half will commence fitting out over the next few months and take occupation in the autumn.

24

The She’s Back team presented findings of a joint research project with the University of Edinburgh Business School, which found that 84% of the 1,100 women surveyed said that they did want to go back to fulfilling careers, but that 75% don’t believe there is enough flexibility to return.

The event included a panel discussion on the barriers to returning to work after

Southwark Business Today

maternity leave and featured a range of high profile working mums and dads including advertising executive Cilla Snowball from AMV BBDO, Richard Punt, the chief executive of Peerpoint Allen & Overy’s contract lawyer business, and Unruly cofounder and chief operating officer Sarah Wood.

The research also found that corporate Britain could be saving millions by re-engaging with women who left their careers to have families.

News UK was among a number of leading companies who participated in the research.

News UK Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Duncan, who attended the event, said: Retaining women who have family commitments alongside their career is a vital part of helping the best talent flourish at News UK. Collaboration with She’s Back makes sure we lead from the front on an issue of growing importance.”

Up Close

Busy days for shopping centre manager O

n arrival at the centre, I start by speaking with the security and centre management teams to find out if there have been any issues overnight or if there is anything operationally that needs to be discussed and acted upon.

Topics of discussion vary widely and can range from the delivery of soft service contracts, such as cleaning and security, to marketing events, commercialisation, maintenance works, community engagement and retailer liaison.

No two days are the same!

I am responsible for setting and managing the centre’s service charge budget and some time is spent approving all expenditure and ensuring value for money is achieved through competitive tendering.

Ian Moore Centre Manager Surrey Quays Shopping Centre Redriff Road, London

The centre’s landlord, British Land, has a local procurement strategy and where possible I am keen to engage local businesses.

Meetings and phone calls occupy another part of the working day, for example, with retailer businesses in the centre, local community

groups, centre contractors and consultancy businesses advising on matters such as health and safety and planned building maintenance.

Normally, I work during the day mirroring the centre’s trading hours and this includes weekends and bank holidays.

Sometimes, however, I attend evening meetings and I am contactable on my mobile 24/7 by the centre security team should they need to speak with me.

I pick up all my emails on my iPhone and it is not unusual for me to be answering a query late at night!

The sheer variety of the job means that there is never a dull moment but staging marketing events in the centre can be a lot of fun and, I think, adds to the shopping experience.

At Christmas we had the world’s largest rocking horse in the centre and so far this year we have had a Mother’s Day

Pamper Lounge and more recently a 12 foot long Dinosaur complete with palaeontologist!

I work with a number of local community groups and organisations. For example, the centre has sponsored the Young Farmers Club at Surrey Docks Farm for the past four years so I have an ongoing involvement with the Club and sometimes pop up to the farm on a Saturday to help out.

The centre also works with the Literacy Trust to encourage reading in local primary school children and every year as part of the project around 250 local school children visit the centre to participate in activities which encourage reading.

Currently, I am liaising with a Charity called Create to deliver an “Artspace” project benefitting young carers and this will be the third year that the centre has worked with the charity.

“I work with a number of local community groups and organisations.

For example, the centre has sponsored theYoung Farmers Club at Surrey Docks Farm for the past four years so I have an ongoing involvement with the Club and sometimes pop up to the farm on a Saturday to help out.”

Southwark Business Today

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Technology

The rising cost of cybercrime T

he average cost of the most severe online security breaches for big business now starts at £1.46 million, up from £600,000 in 2014, according to government research.

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey released the figures as part of a campaign to make businesses of all size aware of the dangers of cybercrime.

The Information Security Breaches Survey 2015 shows the rising costs of malicious software attacks and staff-related breaches.

For small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), the most severe breaches cost can now reach as high as £310,800, up from £115,000 in 2014.

However, more firms are taking action to tackle the cyber threat, with a third of organisations now using the Government’s ‘Ten Steps to Cyber Security’ guidance, up from a quarter in 2014. Nearly half (49%) of all organisations have achieved a ‘Cyber Essentials’ badge to protect themselves from common internet threats, or plan to get one in the next year.

Where to get advice ...

The survey shows: • 90% of large organisations reported they had suffered an information security breach, while 74% of small and mediumsized businesses reported the same • for companies with more than 500 employees the average cost of the most severe breach is now between £1.46 million and £3.14 million • for small and medium sized business the average cost of the worst breach is between £75,000 and £310,800 • attacks from outsiders have become a greater threat for both small and large businesses • 75% of large businesses and 30% of small business suffered staffrelated breaches Ed Vaizey said: “The UK’s digital economy is strong and growing, which is why British businesses remain an attractive target for cyber-attack and the cost is rising dramatically. Businesses that take

The Government has produced a range of cyber security guidance and support for businesses, including:

• Cyber Essentials - a new governmentbacked and industry supported scheme to help businesses protect themselves against cyber threats. The scheme provides businesses of all sizes with clear information

this threat seriously are not only protecting themselves and their customers’ data but securing a competitive advantage.”

Andrew Miller, Cyber Security Director at PwC, said: “With nine out of ten respondents reporting a cyber breach in the past year, every organisation needs to be

on good basic cyber security practice to protect against the most common cyber threats

• 10 Steps to Cyber Security - the ‘10 Steps to Cyber Security’ guidance for large businesses looks at how to safeguard a company’s most valuable assets, such as personal data, online services and intellectual property. The guide explains how cyber security is a strategic business risk which needs to be managed at board level

• Small Businesses: What You Need To Know About Cyber Security - practical guidance for small businesses on how to put simple cyber security measures in place.

It explains the cyber threat and how small businesses can ensure they are protected.

By taking the advice in this guidance, small businesses can protect their assets, customers and their peace of mind

• Free online information security training course for SMEs: ‘Responsible for Information’ - is a free e-learning course for staff in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. It helps employees and business owners understand

considering how they defend and deal with the cyber threats they face.

“Breaches are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often involving internal staff to amplify their effect, and the impacts we are seeing are increasingly long-lasting and costly to deal with.”

information security and associated risks, and provides good practice examples and an introduction to protection against fraud and cyber crime

• Cyber Security Innovation Vouchers - Innovation Vouchers provide £5,000 for SMEs to engage external experts to gain new knowledge to help the business innovate, develop and grow. Firms can use the vouchers for advice towards protecting and growing their business by having good cyber security. A specific cyber security Innovation Voucher is under discussion

• the Government also delivers the Cyber Streetwise campaign which offers simple, easy to understand advice to help small businesses and consumers protect themselves online; and the Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership which enables industry and government to share cyber threat information.

You can find out more at www.gov.uk/government/ organisations/department-forbusiness-innovation-skills

Southwark Business Today

27

Hospitality

Restaurant Reviews

By Margaret Rowse Executive Committee

Arabica Bar & Kitchen

2 Rochester Walk, Borough Market, London SE1 9AF Telephone: 020 3011 5151

Arabica is a restaurant tucked right at the back of Borough Market, it is open fronted with a couple of tables and chairs outside. Inside the tables are in regimented lines, very basic with your menu doubling up as the tablemat.

The kitchen is along the back wall and is open to the restaurant, with a bar along the right side of the restaurant.

It is a big open space, cold and a bit clinical.

Food - more importantly - is broken down into sections on the menu, nibbles, dips, fried, clay oven, stove/grill, charcoal, salads, veg/rice/pulses, then dessert and tea/coffee/Tisane.

It’s like Middle Eastern tapas, you order a few dishes and

It’s like Middle Eastern tapas, you order a few dishes and share.The waiter was very knowledgeable and explained the concept and the dishes.

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Southwark Business Today

share. The waiter was very knowledgeable and explained the concept and the dishes.

I have to be honest and say the food was not great, we tried the Armenian style Lahmacun (flat bread with spiced lamb, tomato, peppers and pine nuts), which was nice, however the Mushroom and Truffle Man’Ousheh was completely soggy and cold. Babaganoush was far too oily. Feta salad was okay but a very small portion.

‘Spirituous’ drinks were on the menu and I thought I should try the local wine Fie’ Gris, it didn’t impress me, slightly green colour and sour taste and we had the Dourpure Pils beer, they have no draft beer. Mediocre is the best I can say about the experience.

Hospitality

Pulia

36a & 36b Stoney Street, London SE1 9LB Telephone: +44 (0) 207 407 8766 Pulia is clean, fresh and new, tucked back off the road in Stoney Street, opposite the back of Vinopolis it would be too easy to miss this gem.

Recently opened and waiting for facilities to serve hot food, it is so worth a visit.

Staff are extremely helpful and very knowledgeable on their products and rightly proud that all the food comes from the Puglia region of Italy. Beautiful fresh food that you can either eat in at the many tables and chairs inside, or take away

your treasures for a portable feast.

A stone’s throw from the River front, with the warm weather on its way (well we can dream) what would be nicer than some milky white soft mozzarella, well hung Pugliese ham, Friselle, small pies packed with flavour, pickles and wines to suit all tastes to take and sit beside the Thames and watch the world go by.

This is a real breath of fresh air with its white tables, bright interior and colourful foods, big selection of fresh pasta and so much more.

Don’t miss it.

“Staff are extremely helpful and very knowledgeable on their products and rightly proud that all the food comes from the Puglia region of Italy.”

Café Brood

1-6 Green Dragon Court London SE1 9AH Telephone: 020 7407 0644 This is more outdoor food than a restaurant.

Adjacent to the wall of Southwark Cathedral you can easily find your way there by the smells emanating from the huge Paella pans and barbecues that are lined up along the street.

Tables and seats are provided so you can eat your ‘take away’ there and watch the hustle and bustle of Borough Market.

The food is good and they have a wide variety on offer, as well as paella you can choose Lamb Kofte with rice and vegetables, Lamb Sharma, Chicken Kebabs, crispy pitta breads and salsas.

They do have a licence and jugs of Pimms are lined up ready for the lunchtime rush. If you want something quick and tasty while visiting Borough this is a good place to meet with friends and take a break for lunch.

“The food is good and they have a wide variety on offer, as well as paella you can choose Lamb Kofte with rice and vegetables, Lamb Sharma, Chicken Kebabs, crispy pitta breads and salsas”

Southwark Business Today

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Hospitality

Meson Don Felipe 53 The Cut,Waterloo, London SE1 8LF Telephone: 0207 928 3237

“It was winter but for a couple of hours I could pretend I was in warmer climes!

The restaurant was busy with lunchtime diners, but despite not having booked they found us a table at the back squashed amongst many others.”

I love the whole idea of Tapas, the pleasure of sharing small dishes over a glass of Rioja or a Jerez, so I was full of excitement to be taken to lunch at Meson Don Felipe and was further enticed by the smell and sight of the food being sold from the pavement outside.

It was winter but for a couple of hours I could pretend I was in warmer climes!

The restaurant was busy with lunchtime diners, but despite

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not having booked they found us a table at the back squashed amongst many others. There was no space to move an inch and a trip to visit the facilities was like an assault course!!

The majority of the restaurant is taken up by the huge central bar, where people can sit and eat if there are no tables free; however the bar dominates the small area and leaves little space along either side for tables of two.

Undeterred and ready to enjoy a feast we ordered around five dishes, including Tortilla,

Southwark Business Today

Mushrooms, Patatas Bravas and others. Service was quick but surly; the waiter (maybe the owner) was abrupt and didn’t make us feel welcome at all.

The waitresses were rushed and hassled. Worse for me was the atmosphere, I wanted to be transported to a warm bustling Spanish tapas bar, but it was freezing in there, really cold, which in turn chilled the food almost as soon as it hit the table.

The food tasted mass produced and re-heated, it wasn’t very nice or appetising, we didn’t

finish any of the dishes and there was not that much to finish, portions were small.

Not cheap either.

The saving grace was the carafe of Sherry we consumed to warm us up, at least that worked!

When we said we were from the Southwark Chamber of Commerce and asked why it was so cold in there they suddenly switched on a heater.

Too late for our benefit, we were leaving to go and get warm outside in the February chill!

Arts

High Society at The Old Vic ll the glitz and glamour of a High Society wedding is brought to life as the classic Hollywood musical comes to the Old Vic Theatre.

Monday - Saturday 7:30pm.Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm until 22 August 2015.

A

High Society is based on The Philadelphia Story and the 1956 film musical starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra with music and lyrics by legendary composer Cole Porter.

Long Island socialite Tracy Lord (Kate Fleetwood) is planning her lavish summer wedding when her ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Rupert Young), appears to try to win her back.

His unwelcome arrival threatens to disrupt proceedings and when tabloid reporter Mike Connor (Jamie Parker) arrives to cover the nuptials, he too takes a shine to the bride-to-be. But which of these three suitors will she choose?

Kate Fleetwood plays the glamorous but spoilt Tracey Lord.

She's no stranger to big stage musicals; Fleetwood was nominated for an Olivier for her role in Rufus Norris' London Road and she was Tony-nominated for her portrayal of Lady Macbeth at Chichester Festival Theatre, which won transfers to the West End and Broadway.

Playing Tracey's ex-husband, smoothie jazz musician C.K Dexter, is Rupert Young (Dr Who), who's best known for his role in BBC drama Merlin.

The romantic rival, journalist Mike Connor is played by Jamie Parker, another experienced stage star most recognisable as Scripps from the original stage then screen version of Alan Bennett's The History Boys.

At the helm of this production is Maria Freidman, a bastion of British musical theatre, with three Oliviers and four more nominations to her name.

Having carved out a career as a performer, Friedman has shown herself to be just as talented working backstage; her debut project as director, Merrily We Roll Along, was lauded as 'superb' and 'astonishing' by critic Michael Billington.

Her vast experience of performing in musicals makes Friedman more than capable of creating all the charm and verve of High Society on the Old Vic stage.

Full casting for The Old Vic’s sparkling new production of High Society includes; Kate Fleetwood, Barbara Flynn, Jamie Parker, Annabel Scholey and Rupert Young along with Ellie Bamber, Richard Grieve,

Christopher Ravenscroft and Jeff Rawle.

The Old Vic’s new production of Cole Porter’s classic feel good musical, High Society is directed

by Maria Friedman, with Joe Stilgoe and the High Society Band.

Southwark Business Today

31

Business News

Club launches Company Membership

H

aving a healthier workforce can have farreaching benefits to you as a company.

Research has shown that people who partake in an active lifestyle are less likely to be off sick, are less stressed and have much higher levels of productivity.

Dulwich College Sports Club is launching a new company membership scheme which offers huge benefits to selected local companies.

‘The club can provide friendly and local facilities for employees and their families to join in a wide variety of sporting activities which range from Tennis and Squash to Swimming and Fitness.

Whether you wish to adopt this as an employee benefit paid for by the company or as an employee discount, we can arrange a tailored solution to suit.

“The club is very successful and therefore we must limit the scheme to 100 members, but we have a very special offer in place for those who are able to participate, including a health assessment day for all employees once 10 or more join up,” says club manager Gary Sharpe.

Please contact Gary on 020 8299 9292 or sharpegs@dulwich.org.uk if you would like to discuss this further.

Solar power leads circular economy initiative S

olar power is playing a key role in recycling the borough’s waste thanks to 2,500 panels installed on the roof of the Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility.

Once fully installed, the panels will represent one of the largest solar power installations in the Capital, covering a space equivalent to four football pitches and generating 674 MWh of energy a year.

Once fully installed, the panels will represent one of the largest solar power installations in the Capital, covering a space equivalent to four football pitches and generating 674 MWh of energy a year.

That’s enough to power 220 UK homes and a similar carbon saving to taking Southwark’s entire waste collection fleet off the road for six months.

The installation is the latest stage in the development of the facility, which is operated by Veolia in partnership with Southwark Council.

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Councillor Darren Merrill, cabinet member for environment and recycling, said: "With deepening local government budget cuts, we’re using our partnership with Veolia to develop innovative, locally- driven renewable projects.

“Not only is this more cost effective but it supports our goal to become a more energy efficient borough. Southwark is now home to one of the biggest solar panel installations in the capital and London’s first energy from waste network which marks our commitment to sustainable energy resources, despite ever increasing budget challenges."

Fabrice Bouchon, General Manager for Veolia in Southwark, said: "At the Southwark IWMF, we make sure that the waste and recycling we collect from residents can enter the circular economy by

Southwark Business Today

preparing it to be transformed into energy or new material products.

“Recycling has always been a joint effort with the community and we are thankful to all the residents

who are doing their bit. We hope that they will be encouraged to see that even the sun in the sky now has a part to play in making it happen."

Last Word

Southwark launches new cycle loan scheme S outhwark Council is launching a new cycle loan scheme to encourage more people to cycle.

The scheme, launched in partnership with TfL and London Cycling Campaign (LCC), is open to anyone aged 16 and over, living, working or studying in Southwark.

For only £10 participants can borrow a quality bike for a month. All bikes come along with a helmet, lock and high visibility vest. There are also optional items like lights and child seats at no extra cost.

At the end of the month, there’s an option to buy the bike at a discounted rate.

Councillor Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “We’re delighted to be launching the new loan scheme as part of our commitment to boost cycling in the borough.

“Whilst an increasing amount of people in Southwark are choosing to cycle, this four week trial scheme allows

FAQs

Name: Peter Mantell Company: Anthony Gold Solicitors Job title: Solicitor and Notary Public

people to try cycling without having to commit to buying a bike. This is also a great time to take up one of our free training sessions.”

Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for public health, parks and leisure said, “Southwark’s new cycle loan

Do I get to keep the bike for the four weeks?

Yes. The bike is yours to use as you wish.You will need to store it at home when you are not using it.

Do I have to pay a deposit? No. How do I pay for the loan scheme?

You can bring the £10.00 with you when you collect your bike.

What types of bikes are available?

There are a range of men’s and women’s bikes in various sizes. The bikes are suitable for riding on roads and firm tracks, for commuting or leisure. There are also some folding bikes which can be taken on trains, buses and the tube.

Can I extend the loan beyond four weeks?

The loan is for four weeks only and it is likely that other participants will be waiting to use your bike.

What forms of ID do I need to show?

Photographic ID - passport, driver’s licence, work place or student ID Proof of address - for example a council tax or utilities bill

scheme is a great initiative that opens up the possibility of cycling to everyone throughout the borough. Cycling regularly is a simple yet effective way to get fit whilst enjoying the outdoors. The council is committed to making it easier for our residents to improve their health and wellbeing.”

Are there any cycle lessons included?

A free two hour cyclist lesson can be arranged through our training provider Cycling Confident.

What happens if your bike is stolen or damaged?

If your bike is stolen, you need to contact the police immediately to obtain a crime reference number.You should the contact the council as soon as possible with the details.

Depending on the circumstances, we will let you know whether we can lend you another bike.

If your bike is damaged you should contact the council immediately to discuss the damage and whether the bike can or should still be used.

For more information, call 020 7234 9310 or email cyclingprojects@lcc.org.uk To register, visit www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200123/ cycling/3738/

I was born and educated to first degree level in Canada. I came to the UK in 1981 and joined the British Army. After a short service commission I stayed on in England and worked in Industry for 10 years before re-training as a solicitor. I specialise in transactional property work and I am a notary public.

I am a committee member of the Southwark Chamber of Commerce and honorary solicitor to the Guys and St Thomas’s Low Vision Centre.

I am active in the City of London as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Carmen and committee member and past chairman of Coleman Street Ward club.

Q1

What was your first job and what was the pay packet?

Mopping floors as a student in Canada for $1.65 per hour

Q2

If you were prime minister, what would be your first decision?

Rationalise the Tax code

Q3

What is the biggest challenge in your business?

Getting timely results for my clients while complying with the ever changing regulatory regime.

Q4

If you could do another job, what would it be?

Lifeguard on a sandy beach in a place that is warm and sunny all year round

Q5

What's your favourite London building?

The Tower of London

Southwark Business Today

33

Join Us

Chairman Richard Kalmar - Kalmars •••

Vice Chairman Les Johnson - LJPM Ltd •••

Vice Chairman Alex Webb - SLPN •••

Committee

Join Us he Chamber is made up of active and successful T business people from a wide range of sectors, who are based in Southwark, believe in Southwark and wish Southwark to prosper.

We are run by an annually elected Executive Committee who meets ten times a year and there are a number of active sub-committees who work on behalf of the membership.

Their work includes developing business networking opportunities and events, organising conferences and workshops, offering business support and advice surgeries and lobbying local decision-makers on the big issues of the day.

Diana Stevenson - Keyboard Dabs Roger Beckett - Light Projects Alan Palmer - Job Centre Plus Brian Hodge - London Knowledge Innovations Centre Barry Martin -The Russia House Ltd. Margaret Rowse -The Russia House Ltd.

Membership Application Membership is £150 per annum plus one-off £25.00 administration fee.

Company: Address:

Dan Harder - Concentric Blue Prem Goyal Obe - Global Markets

Hon. Treasurer John Steward - Steward & Co.

Hon. Solicitor

Post Code: Telephone: Email:

Peter Mantell - Anthony Gold & Partners

Hon. Membership Secretary Ken Hayes - Life Member Duncan Field - Life Member Cait Wilkinson - Life Member •••

President Simon Hughes •••

Number of Employees: Full Name: Position: Payment Details: BANK DETAILS: SORT CODE: ACCOUNT NO:

HSBC - SOUTHWARK C OF C 40-06-21 21357646

Vice Presidents Harriet Harman MP Lord Roy Kennedy Tessa Jowell •••

By working together we can help create the conditions for business to thrive in the area.

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Southwark Business Today

To join, please send your details to: Southwark Chamber of Commerce & Industry Southbank Techno Park, 90 London Road London. SE1 6LN Tel: 07477 581977 Email. admin@southwarkcommerce.com

Considering a construction project?

If the answer is Yes! Then we may be able to help.

How?

We can discuss your requirements and expectations and assist with project management.

With our expertise we can save you time and help avoid the pitfalls.

This could range from a simple chat to advice on how best to plan.

We can outline the legal requirements; for e.g. planning permission and building regulations as well as party wall matters, CDM regulations, Equality Act provisions, rights of light, thus eliminating risk early on. We are also able to assist by carrying out the above for you.

Make that free, no obligation call and mention 'Southwark Business Today' for a free initial one - one consultation. It may make a difference!

Contact Les Johnson on 07931 231 898 Or email: les.johnson@ljpm.co.uk www.ljpm.co.uk

• • • •

Project Management Contract Administration Building Surveying Services CDM Coordination and Design Risk Management • Client Advisor / Compliance Report • Independent Assessor / Certifier on PFI & PPI Projects

‘Les Johnson of LJPM has been working with me for the past 8 months. It has been a pleasure to have Les on board for a number of reasons.

Les is very knowledgeable in all areas within the building industry, he has been a great problem solver and sound board during the development of my new venture Cafè1809.

I have also enjoyed working with Les as he is very polite and considerate.’

'I have no hesitation in recommending Les Johnson and will definitely being working with him on my future projects.'

Dame Kelly Holmes

LJPM Ltd Construction Consultants

3 More London Riverside SE1 2RE. Tel. 020 313 79808