Surrey Chamber Voice and Vision

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Voice&VisionofSurreyBusiness| November - December 2015 www.surrey-chambers.co.uk | ÂŁ3.95 (where sold)

Global Markets What Surrey businesses should know Page 24

Big Interview pg 14

Technology Showcase pg 40

Charity that is making a difference to young lives

Are you a digital addict?

Sector Focus on Finance pg 27

Chamber Chat pg 50

Instilling confidence in Surrey businesses

5 minutes with Canvas Digital

Contents

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Voice & Vision of Surrey Business www.surrey-chambers.co.uk November - December 2015

Welcome to theChamber from our Chief Executive Louise Punter There is no question that global markets are where we need to be focusing if we want to grow our businesses and also move our position in the productivity league tables.

There are so many opportunities overseas, so much help available but still a great deal of anxiety associated with selling to other countries. The recent balance of trade figures suggests more activity but not enough to make the UK economy as robust as it could be.

The UK trade deficit in goods and services was £3.3bn in August 2015, a narrowing of £1.2bn from July 2015. However while it was good to see that the deficit declined we do now know that the July deficit was larger than previously estimated.

Taking July and August together, the figures point towards a deterioration in the trade deficit in Quarter 3 2015. This large trade deficit remains a major national problem. To help improve things, greater efforts are needed to support our exporters and to secure therefore a long-term improvement in our trading position.

The services sector, which is very well represented in Surrey, recorded a surplus in trade, and will be increasingly relied upon to help improve our trade deficit.

It is also key to ensure inward investment, which is all part of removing barriers to foreign trade and Surrey Chambers joined Surrey’s local authorities and private sector partners this month to showcase Surrey at MIPIM UK. MIPIM UK is the UK’s largest exhibition and conference for property professionals.

In terms of reach to potential investors and developers it is one of the best opportunities to raise the profile of the county and market Surrey to a national and international audience.

Invest in Surrey had a stand at the exhibition and showcased opportunities for investment.

We are working hard to maintain a focus on global markets and as we approach Export Week beginning 9th November we have an event, which will provide a fascinating insight into trading with Canada - the advantages of taking a business overseas, the importance of understanding cross cultural issues and case studies from businesses who have already traded successfully in Canada.

Going forward, Europe will be high on our agenda - in more ways than one, and we will be striving to keep businesses informed of the impact the EU decision could have on them, whilst offering further events providing advice to make it easy to do business in Europe.

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Introduction Chamber News Members News Members News Members News Big Interview Members News 24 Hours With International Trade Cover Feature Sector Focus on Finance

Editorial and General Enquiries 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

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Ask the Expert Health and Wellbeing Members News Legal Design Development Technology Showcase New Members Member News Chamber Events Members News Chamber Chat

Production Manager Mark Etherington Email: mark@benhampublishing.com

Media No.

Chief Executive: Louise Punter Finance: Caroline Cherryman

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Editor

Disclaimer

Aisha Bennett Tel: 01483 735545 Email: Aisha.Bennett@surrey-chambers.co.uk

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. © 2015.

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

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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.

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

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

Published November 2015 © Benham Publishing

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Introduction

A word from our President

Kevin Hurley

Welcome from Frankie Tierney

Police Commissioner

Thinking big in a shrinking world

Global Finance & Policing

We all know that in many ways the world has got smaller. Travel to “far away” places is no longer a journey of weeks. Contact with people in other countries can be instantaneous with far improved phone and internet links, video conferencing and email.

You don’t have to leave your home to purchase goods and have them delivered, in some cases, the next day.

Why is it then that as individuals we treat all of that as common place, but as businesses the prospect of being a provider of goods and services in today’s global markets is often regarded as too daunting and best left alone? Of course there are challenges and in many cases the uncertainty starts with “how do I get onto the global market motorway in the first place?”

You certainly need to do your research and plan the approach as language and cultural differences may impact on those strategies.

South America is looking interesting albeit undeniably Brazil is in difficulty and of course Asian markets have been held out as the place to be.

China has been in the news as an economy where growth is slowing, but it is still rising faster than many others.

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The British Government is keen to strengthen its ties with China and President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to the UK is designed to help boost trade opportunities into China as well as encourage investment in the UK. Unashamedly stealing the famous quote of the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – if you have been wondering whether you should get your business into other countries, your first step may well be to speak to Surrey Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber has a wealth of export knowledge in terms of export documentation, and the ability to put you in touch with trade organisations and other members who have already taken that single step and are now trading globally. Whilst you can’t expect a direct competitor to give you tips, I am always impressed by the number of Chamber members who will happily share experiences and offer first hand advice to other Chamber members looking to start that journey.

The market may be global but the Chamber is a business community with resources that members can tap into and benefit from.

Frankie Tierney

Money is the measure of all things, or so the Portugese proverb goes.

If money is the measure, many of us are found wanting, as there is not much money around in public services in these times of austerity.

Experts predict the world will not be able to fight the next global financial crash as the central banks have used up resources by cutting interest rates, leading to economic booms, risk-taking and then busts. While many indicators suggest financial growth for the rest of this year, other experts suggest a crash is looming.

Further cuts, which the Government has warned are coming, will mean reducing the number of policing posts - and indeed many forces are already reducing the number of Police Community Support Officers - brought in to be the eyes and ears of the police on the ground.

In Surrey, we are ahead of many other forces in making savings through doing business differently, and we continue to explore innovative and bold ideas such as merging the fire service and police service and collaborating with councils In policing, further cuts to to use both police and local budgets are inevitable, despite authority powers many years of making savings simultaneously to speed up through collaborating with procedures, make savings and other forces, cutting back-office still deliver a strong service to staffing and reducing the public. We are also hopeful bureaucracy. Indeed, in that a review of the antiquated Surrey, 21 police buildings national funding formula may have been sold, releasing yet provide a fairer settlement around £20m from sales, with to Surrey residents, enabling us more to come, to be put back to invest money in people and into policing in the county. policing again, making our However, these are savings that can only be taken once. streets safer for all.

“In Surrey, we are ahead of many other forces in making savings through doing business differently, and we continue to explore innovative and bold ideas...”

Chamber News

Surrey chambers President’s dinner Newly elected Surrey Chambers of Commerce President, Frankie Tierney welcomed guests to the annual Presidents dinner held at the prestigious Foxhills Country club & Resort.

CEO SCC Louise Punter, Mark Woods, President Frankie Tierney, Shahid Azeem- CEO ArcomIT. Image courtesty of Surrey Advertiser

Frankie who is a Managing Partner at local solicitors, Herrington & Carmichael LLP based in Camberley and Wokingham greeted guests on arrival before being seated for a wonderful 3 course dinner.

After dinner guests were treated to an insight into the fascinating and emotional expeditions carried out by polar explorer, Mark Wood.

Mark, who served in the British Army and then as a Firefighter in the Fire and Rescue Service, went on to train and lead teams for major polar and mountain expeditions. Operating in areas such as the Arctic Circle, the Himalayas, Antarctica, Alaska along with the Norwegian and

Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Mark developed a passion for exploration.

Mark offered guests an insight into his next expedition which will take place in February 2016 where Paul Vicary, Mark Langridge and himself will attempt will attempt to trek from Russia to the North Pole without a re-supply.

The specialist British three-man team will attempt a 60 day crossing from the Russian Cape Arktichesky; also known as the Arctic Cape – across the Arctic Ocean to the Geographic North Pole. Due to the profound effects of climate change, this high-profile expedition to cross one of the most unforgiving areas of the planet is likely to be one of the last of its kind,

and therefore represents a unique marketing and brand association opportunity.

As this journey will start from the Russian coastline it will be registered as an official expedition, which will be recorded in the history books.

It may be the last time 'man' is ever able to walk across the ice cap from a land mass.

Sir Ranoulf Fiennes has confirmed that starting from this point it will make this one of the most dangerous missions on earth. Mark will be taking Drones to film the journey and using other advanced technology to assist with his expedition. This is a unique opportunity to participate in the making of a historical mission, which will showcase how our planet is changing through global warming.

The interest was so evident on the night that we have secured Mark as a speaker at our Summer lunch in 2016 to come back and share his experiences and photographs.

Mark’s presentation was followed by a raffle of prizes generously donated by local businesses which raised over £500 for the fantastic Woking & Sam Beare hospices, Nigel Harding from the hospice thanked everyone for their generosity and said how much he appreciated the support provided by Surrey Chambers of Commerce.

Bank of England stress test plans ‘will reassure business’ Business leaders have welcomed the Bank of England’s plans to stress test the UK banking system.

Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Bank’s decision to link stress testing

expressly to the needs of the real economy will reassure business.

“Given that bank financing plays such a huge role in UK firms’

growth potential, it is only right for our central bank to keep a close eye on ensuring that major banks can respond to their business customers’ needs.”

Bob Southey, Matthew Hall & Louise Punter

Surrey Chambers of Commerce teams up with top firm Surrey Chambers of Commerce has welcomed top 20 accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy LLP as their new patron for the finance sector.

Surrey Chambers of Commerce recognised that, by welcoming Wilkins Kennedy on board, they are able to offer not only the benefits of experts based in their offices in Guildford and Egham but also across the wider firm.

The organisations are now able to work together to provide more opportunities for local businesses, in the form of events, financial updates, information and direct access to their dedicated specialists and expertly trained professionals.

Partner at Wilkins Kennedy’s Egham-based office, Matthew Hall, said: “Working more closely with the Chambers will give us further insight into the issues faced by local businesses and, as patrons, we plan to support the Chambers to deliver their objective of helping businesses to grow.”

Bob Southey, Partner at WK’s Guildford office, said “Wilkins Kennedy pride itself on its reputation for assessing individual and business needs in a changing marketplace and delivering intelligent, practical financial solutions so we are pleased to be patrons of the Chambers.”

Louise Punter, CEO of The Surrey Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is a great new partnership and we are already planning our activities for next year. Wilkins Kennedy has always been active locally, and by working together we could really make a difference to local businesses.”

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Member News

Affordable Digital Agency makes it easy for South-East SMEs to get in the game Afraid to face the internet? Apprehensive about dipping those toes? Canvas Digital, a Surrey-based digital agency, is helping enterprises large and small to embrace the fast moving digital age and unlock the business potential of online.

Canvas Digital knows how daunting ‘going digital’ can be, especially for small and medium sized enterprises, so the agency - specialising in web design, web development and web marketing - pledges to make beautiful, yet highly functional and affordable designs accessible to everyone.

The agency is the brainchild of Andy Wickes, who has worked in the digital industry for the past 13 years. The Creative Director of Canvas says he was galvanised following a recent report by the UK Digital Business Index suggesting that more than a million SMEs lack basic digital skills.

He said: “The need for a dedicated digital facility within any business has never been greater – the pace of online advances, coupled with the expectations of an increasingly tech-savvy public mean that any business looking for growth - both from a financial and customer-base perspective needs a sound digital strategy.

“Of course, taking that first step online can be daunting, which is why we are working with local businesses to make things simple. No jargon.

No exorbitant fees.

Just pure functionality delivered with the minimum of fuss – tried and tested methods that we know can increase your digital reach and drive online traffic to your products and services.

So, whether you require a fullyfledged digital partner or an ad-hoc project team, get in touch for a consultation today.”

Canvas Digital provides services in web design and development; mobile and tablet applications; branding; digital publishing; video and animation; social media and much more.

Those looking to work with a highly experienced, commercially minded digital agency can call: 01372 227 955, email: andy@canvas-digital.co.uk, visit: www.canvas-digital.co.uk or tweet at: @canvas_digital

New Chief Executive announced for Coast to Capital Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership has announced that Jonathan Sharrock will succeed Ron Crank as its next Chief Executive in January.

Mr Sharrock, who will report to Chairman Tim Wates, has spent twelve years as a senior civil servant in the Department for Transport delivering high profile Government policy to support economic development.

As Chief Executive of Coast to Capital, he will be responsible for delivering the LEP’s business plan to transform business and economic performance through the region’s Growth Deal.

Jonathan has significant experience of policy development and the leadership of major projects having operated at the interface between government and industry.

He joins Coast to Capital having spent the past three years developing the HS2 high speed rail project; he was previously responsible for overseeing Government transport interests for the 2012 Olympics.

In earlier roles, he gained significant experience working with the aviation industry, having been responsible for delivering the aviation security regime, developing UK airport capacity and completing the privatisation of air traffic control.

Tim Wates said: “Following a rigorous recruitment process, I am delighted that Jonathan has agreed to join Coast to Capital. He impressed us with his grasp of the challenges and opportunities facing our region and I am confident the LEP will continue to flourish under his leadership.”

Ron Crank said: “When I retire at the end of the year, I will do so in the knowledge that Coast to Capital will be in very capable hands going forward. Jonathan’s experience of partnership working across the public and private sectors will be an important asset to Coast to Capital.

Jonathan said: “I am very much looking forward to joining Coast to Capital, and helping to deliver the next phase of economic growth and regeneration across the region. I look forward to working in partnership with business and local government and to ensuring that the LEP helps to drive future success in the Coast to Capital area.”

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Member News

Eezee IT employ their first University Internship Most conventional time management systems, quite rightly, focus on eliminating procrastination, improving prioritisation, managing interruptions and setting goals. These are all good practices.

Eezee It are a new company, established in 2014, building software systems to help businesses save costs.

We are continuously looking for talented staff members, but as we are a new company don’t have a massive budget. A way to solve this problem has been to approach universities to see if we could offer any up and coming developers a place on our team.

After a succession of interviews, we are delighted to say we have employed Connor Dawkins. Connor is currently studying for a degree in Computer Systems Integration with the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol.

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He is on a one year internship with us working as a Systems Programmer, developing both web and native applications for our core systems.

Connor wanted to gain some invaluable experience of the workplace and he feels Eezee IT are able to offer him this and also give him the flexibility and confidence to gain more understanding within this field.

He is able to work alongside our Managing Director -

Stephen Page who has over 30 years of knowledge in software development and senior management, to pass on to Connor.

Connor hopes that this year will develop his understanding and knowledge of the fundamental and critical aspects of systems programming. If nothing else then by the end of my time here I will definitely understand the meaning of a hard day’s work and the M25 !!

“We are continuously looking for talented staff members, but as we are a new company don’t have a massive budget A way to solve this problem has been to approach universities to see if we could offer any up and coming developers a place on our team.”

Member News

Experience Guildford announces winners Town centre businesses, local dignitaries and representatives of Guildford enjoyed a celebratory evening at G Live and a stunning performance from Guildford's Performance Preparation Academy, as Experience Guildford crowned the town's customer service stars.

Winners 2015 Best Customer Service Pubs, bars and clubs Coffee shops Restaurants Health and beauty Leisure and lifestyle Service provider Professional services Retail National small (20 staff or less) Retail National large (20 staff and over) Retail independent

House of Fraser team picking up their award

Amanda Masters, general manager at Experience Guildford, said: “Great customer service is achieved by exceptional teams and individuals.

I believe we are very lucky to have so much talent and a commitment to customer service in Guildford.”

New to the 2015 awards was the Shining Star Award, designed to offer managers of individual stores or businesses the opportunity to reward their own staff members who they feel

: : : : : : :

The Star Coffee Culture Côte Champneys G Live The Friary Skipton Building Society

: Mint Velvet : House of Fraser : The Bear Garden should be recognised for their outstanding contribution to the business. The Shining Star Award 2015 went to Jen Pentecost, Manager at The Bear Garden.

Major makeover for Claridge House Major refurbishment and improvements are on the way for Claridge House, the Quaker retreat centre in Dormansland, Surrey.

The work includes making all bedrooms en suite, and enhancing facilities for people with disabilities. The centre will be closed for the first half of 2016, to enable all the work to be completed.

Two generous legacies and a sum from the sale of Lattendales, a similar Quaker centre in the north of England, have provided the funds needed for the work.

Although some improvements had already been made, these have involved closing the centre for two months each year, which is not cost effective.

The funding now in place means that all the major works can be completed

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within a single, continuous six-month period.

This refurbishment programme will bring Claridge House in line with other Quaker residential centres.

As well as providing en suite bedrooms and better facilities for people with disabilities, it includes modernising the kitchen, redecoration, and new furniture and soft furnishings.

‘Claridge House is a wonderful retreat centre, much loved by those who spend time here,’ said the Clerk of Trustees, Anne Simpson. ’Our aim is to make the centre more accessible for current users and to encourage more new visitors.’

The trustees acknowledge that there have been difficult decisions to make, in terms of staffing and postponing courses already planned for 2016.

‘We have a responsibility to ensure that the legacies are well spent, so that this important retreat centre can thrive and continue to be there for future generations,’ says Anne Simpson.

‘We know that it is now or never, as we cannot guarantee that there will be more legacies.

However, we look forward to opening again in September 2016 and to welcoming everyone back for courses, retreats - and also to stay for a break from normal life.’ www.claridgehousequaker.org.uk

Focus on Finance

Harnessing Gen Y and other insights

Surrey Business School has launched a new website designed to open up its research and expertise to a wide business community.

The site now hosts blog postings from leading academics and ‘professors of practice’ who have built up real world experience over their extensive careers in business and industry.

In this post, Professor Andy Adcroft, Acting Head of Surrey Business School, shares valuable insight on exploiting the talents of Gen Y. Eric Cantona leaps, feet first, into the crowd, is banned for 9 months and when he comes back the manager makes him club captain. Luis Suarez bites an opponent, for the third time, the third time, and then moves to Barcelona for £75 million.

No-one said it was easy managing talented people but for some people, whose talent and achievement is obvious, you might make an exception. But, and this is a huge but, what do you do when the hardest person to manage has seemingly endless potential but hasn’t, as yet, actually achieved anything?

Welcome to Generation Y. 20 somethings. The selfie generation.

Self-confidence that can be brittle.

Ambitious and impatient. Live their lives on social media (some say they’ve been raised by technology).

No respect for positions, no respect for hierarchies, no respect for lines of management. Don’t get it, won’t get it.

But hugely creative and innovative.

Maybe they are where the next big idea is coming from.

Do you fight them? Socialise them?

I’ve even heard one business talking about house training them. Get them to fit in around you, rein in their creativity.

Or give them their heads.

Wind them up, watch them go.

See what happens. The next big thing. Or the next big crisis?

Try this one for size. Let them make up their own rules. Let them decide what is and isn’t acceptable.

But remember two things: First, they’ll probably surprise you with how strict and challenging their rules are - you might not be negotiating something more reasonable but working out how you support smart people to achieve lofty ambitions for them and you; Second, make sure you hold them to it. Conversations about behaviour and conduct need to start with their rules not yours.

Guaranteed results? No. Easy to do?

No. Still, as every Generation Y knows, if it wasn’t difficult, it wouldn’t be fun.

For more insight like this on everything from the shifting funding landscape to agile innovation visit www.surrey.ac.uk/sbs

Taking your business to the next level & looking for investment Whatever the size of your business, it is likely that you will require funding at some point in the life cycle of your business to enable it to grow.

At the most basic level, there are two sources of funding for a growing business; Lenders who loan money for a period of time and are repaid with a return, Equity investors who buy a piece (share) of your company in return for long-term gain when the value of the business (or share price) goes up.

Lenders will be interested in risk management and the capacity of the business to repay the credit they advance. They will conduct due diligence before releasing funds and will set covenants. Generally there will be a form of security attached to the financing eg business assets or personal guarantees.

Equity investors come in various forms and have different objectives: • Angel investors look for businesses that can get to cash positive quickly.

• Venture capital investors look for businesses that can grow quickly and become large and valuable.

But all equity investors are looking for an exit strategy ...and will undertake in-depth diligence.

If you decide to seek equity investment, you need to prepare well and be aware of what the investor is looking for. 95% of businesses applying for investment are turned down, but there are ways to ensure that you give your business a fighting chance.

Investors see thousands of business opportunities but can only invest in a few so you need to capture their interest. Six key areas get right are 1. A Business Plan - keep it punchy 2. Realistic Financial projections - demonstrate that you are financially astute 3. Good Housekeeping - deal with your demons otherwise they’ll come back to haunt you 4. Avoid unrealistic valuations - investors will see through them 5. Tax Incentives - is investment eligible for tax relief?

6. Have an exit strategy in place - investors will be looking for a structured exit plan My advice to a growing business is speak to your advisors early on, let them know what your plans are, and use their experience of helping businesses attract funding, it will be invaluable to you.

One of the most depressing sights is a business owner with a great innovative product or idea who can’t get the funding he or she needs to take the business to the next level.

If you would like to speak to someone outside your business about your plans for the future and getting your business ‘investment ready’ please call me on 01483 508514 or email chris.cairns@alliotts.com.

Chris Cairns, Partner Alliotts Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors Friary Court, 13-21 High Street, Guildford, Surrey.

GU1 3DL t: 01483 533 119 e: guildford@alliotts.com w: alliotts.com

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Members News Security company urges businesses to check their properties as darker nights approach Aldershot-based Shield Security Services Limited is urging local businesses and residents to review their security arrangements as the winter months approach.

The company, which has been in operation for almost 30 years, regularly sees an increase in demand for its services during the winter months. With police priorities changing, ensuring the correct levels of security are in place is vital to avoid falling foul of criminals, who may well take advantage of the longer, darker nights.

Police also report an increase in burglaries, robberies and vehicle crime during the winter months and although the recent results of the Crime Survey of England and Wales show that the number of crimes are decreasing, businesses and homeowners cannot afford to be complacent. Aside from the more obvious crimes, the darker nights can also provide perfect cover for activity such as anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which can be just as problematic as more serious crime.

Shield Security is advising that both business and home owners do not just make themselves aware of the increased threat, but that they carry out some simple checks and measures. Just because they have not been a victim of crime, does not mean this will always be the case.

Bipin Joshi, Managing Director, Shield Security said, “Ensuring doors and windows are locked and secure is an obvious first step to help protect a property. Also leaving lights switched on both in and outside can act as a deterrent; as are security lights which are activated by movement. We’d recommend however combining these practices with a service such as a mobile patrol or CCTV monitoring which provides an extra layer of security and peace of mind.”

Shield carries out free, no obligation risk assessments for customers, using its years’ of security experience and knowledge to provide affordable, tailored solutions to all sizes of home and business.

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Guildford Christmas lights to herald season of events Guildford will present a cracker of a start to Christmas with a day of entertainment and family fun at this year's Christmas lights switch-on, being staged on Thursday 19 November.

The fun starts from 12pm with reindeer at The Rotunda and the “Frozen” Princesses will kick off the performances at the Experience Guildford Stage at 2pm (located outside Holy Trinity Church).

There'll also be appearances from Father Christmas, a mascots parade, and live music and dance performances throughout the town.

From 6pm 96.4 Eagle Radio's Peter Gordon will start the build up to the big switch on from the Guildhall balcony, with

appearances from the cast of this year's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk and other special guests and performances. The switch on itself will take place at 7pm followed by a firework display sponsored by White Lion Walk Shopping Centre.

The whole town will be out to celebrate with shops and shopping centres all getting into the Christmas spirit and large screens set up at the top and bottom of the high street.

Also happening this year are: Guildford Little Book of Offers Back by popular demand the Guildford Little Book of Offers returns this year bursting with money-saving incentives, featuring 120 vouchers, offers, competitions and giveaways from retailers, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and lifestyle businesses. Pick up your Experience Guildford Little Book of Offers from Guildford Tourist Information Centre or other outlets throughout the town.

Late night shopping - Free Parking in Guildford this Christmas Get set for the start of late night Christmas shopping in Guildford and enjoy free parking in the town's Pay and Display car parks every Thursday from 4pm on 26th November and 3rd, 10th and 17th December.

Brought to you by Experience Guildford and supported by Guildford Borough Council.

Look out for stickers on ticket machines identifying times and dates and which car parks are involved or visit www.experienceguildford.com for more information on the festivities.

Raven’s excellent customer service recognised for fifth year Raven has been awarded the prestigious Customer Service Excellence accreditation for the fifth year running.

This year, Raven also achieved another compliance plus - awarded for exceptional work in a particular area - having previously been awarded the most compliance pluses of any organisation by its assessor.

The CSE accreditation is awarded to public organisations that can prove they know and understand their customers and deliver high quality services which are continuously improving.

This year, particular recognition was given for doing this despite the difficulties currently faced by housing organisations in our sector.

Nigel Newman, Raven’s director of operations, said: “The formal assessment process meant we had to meet a total of 30 different requirements including understanding our customers, quality and timeliness of service delivery, handling of complaints and staff professionalism.

“This year we’ve focused on improving efficiency and

effectiveness as the cuts affecting both Raven and its tenants really start to bite.

“We’ve ensured that we continue to support our residents through changes to benefits, with a considerable investment in resources, while concentrating on driving costs down. We have consistently put our residents first and we’re proud to have been recognised once again for our commitment to our customers.”

Members News

Guildford Cathedral

Renovation works are about to commence at Guildford Cathedral to remove the acoustic plaster from the roof and to upgrade the sound and lighting systems.

It is anticipated that the works will be complete in early 2017and the Cathedral will remain open for Daily Services and Visitors during this time.

To enable the Cathedral to continue to offer a venue space for hire a semipermanent Marquee giving 585sqm of event space has been built on the Cathedral Front Lawn.

The Marquee is hard sided, carpeted and has temperature

control. Clear window walls provide a spectacular backdrop of the Cathedral especially at night when the building’s façade is lit.

This versatile space can hold conferences, product launches, weddings, dinners, award ceremonies and much more.

If you would like more information please contact events@guildfordcathedral.org

Quality not quantity is key to apprenticeship success The British Chambers of Commerce has responded to Ofsted’s stark report on the state of apprenticeships in the UK. Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses have been concerned about the direction of apprenticeships ever since politicians decided to prioritise big numerical targets over long-term results.

“Sir Michael Wilshaw is right to challenge the status quo.

A conveyor-belt model, focused solely on hitting the government’s target of 3m new apprenticeships, would be detrimental to quality - and weaken hard-won efforts to boost the reputation and profile of apprenticeships amongst employers.

“Businesses know that good apprenticeships can help bridge the gap between

education and work. The overriding priority has to be delivering high standards, with training providers accountable for the long-term results they deliver.

Otherwise, far too many apprenticeship schemes may fail to equip much-needed employees with the skills they need to succeed.”

Peninsula Business Services Dennis Upfold, Reigate based Regional Director at leading employment law consultancy Peninsula Business Services, answers questions from local business owners.

JM, Epsom: I have a member of staff who’s developed a debilitating illness, which means that they can no longer carry out the job they were employed for.

What’s the right way to proceed?

Firstly, seek expert medical opinion. This will help you obtain a better picture of what remains within the employee’s capabilities and will tell you whether reasonable adjustments could be made to the employee’s current role.

Once you’ve got the lie of the land, you can then identify any other roles within the business which the employee could carry out effectively.

It’s important to remember that failure to look at these alternative measures is likely to render any subsequent dismissal unfair.

If there are no measures that can be taken, then employment should be terminated following a fair procedure. This will include a series of meetings, ensuring the employee is kept informed at all stages. Access to an Employee Assistance Programme may offer support to the employee during this time.

PJ, Redhill: I have an employee with 15 months’ service. He made it through his probationary period but is now clearly out of his depth. What should I do?

Talk to the employee about why he thinks he’s struggling and work out what targeted support you could give. It’s important to rule out any issues which would require further consideration e.g. a disability.

Then you need to develop a short personal improvement plan to help him understand exactly how and by when improvement is required and to outline what additional training or supervision will be given to help.

Frequent reviews should be scheduled to stay on top of the situation.

If performance does not improve, then employment can be terminated. A meeting with the employee to inform him is recommended and then he should be given notice of his dismissal in line with his contract of employment. A swift dismissal is achievable because he does not have the required length of service to claim unfair dismissal in an employment tribunal.

For free advice call Dennis Upfold on 0808 2310 937

Peninsula Business Services Ltd www.peninsulagrouplimited.com

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Big Interview

Charity that is making a difference to young lives Every so often in life, the chance presents itself to take on a job that has the potential to dramatically change lives. That is the opportunity that came James Davies’ way earlier this year.

James Davies, halow’s Head of Services

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Now, six months later, he is thoroughly enjoying his role with Guildford- based charity halow as it works to create better lives for a range of people, aged between 16-35.

James joined halow as Head of Services in May, having accrued 15 years’ experience working with children and adults with learning disabilities, the same field in which halow operates.

He said: “I had been working in a similiar organisation in Wandsworth for 15 years and had worked my way up to Interim CEO and the opportunity arose to go for the permanent job.

However, I felt that the time had come to move on and seek out a new challenge.

“I had been living in Weybridge for a number of years so went for the job with halow because I was excited at the work it does to help young people with learning disabilities to develop and thrive.

“Working with young people is great because you can see them leave school and college and get jobs, find partners, move into their own homes and they are keen to do everything they can to make that happen.

“All the young people we support want is to have the same opportunities as everyone else and halow helps them make that happen.”

The inspiration for the charity came in 2006 from Harriet,

Amber, Laura, Oliver and William, each of whom had a learning disability and whose parents, all of whom were friends, came together because they were concerned at the prospects for their children’s futures and others like them.

Passionate that these young people should lead positive and happy lives, near their own friends and families in Surrey, the parents established the halow project.

From one room and one person in 2006, it has grown to employ 20 staff, with 45 ‘Buddies’ and 55 volunteers who support just under 200 young people in their quest to lead meaningful, independent lives.

Big Interview

Your chance to help halow young people, staff and volunteers at a recent sport day at Guildford Spectrum

The first major turning point in the organisation’s growth was in June 2008 when Yvonne Hignell came on board as Project Director. By November of that year, halow had moved into an office in Quarry Street and in January 2009, Jason Butcher joined and started setting up social activities for the young people.

By March that year, halow had secured its first tranche of Surrey Short Breaks funding and by June, funding was obtained from Learning Disability Development to set up the Building Futures programme.

That summer also saw the first major activity, with 36 young people and volunteers attending the WOMAD festival.

Over the years that followed, halow has developed beyond all expectations. Since the beginning of 2009, the team has created an organisation that is seen as a specialist in its field, not only by young people and their parents but also by the local authority and the wider third sector.

As Head of Services, James is responsible for the quality and development of services for young people delivered across all the organisation’s areas of activity.

He said: “Our organisation is more important than ever because of the effect of the cutbacks during a time of austerity.

“Since the recession began in 2008 we have seen services fold and disappear or have to scale down what they do. I am very proud that halow has not done that. We have continued to develop our services to help the people we work with.”

James is passionate about promoting the independence of people with a learning disability and halow does that by offering a unique blend of activities that give young people the chance to enjoy an active social life, make new friends and find further educational and employment training. halow services include the Buddies, who work on a one-toone or small group basis with young people to give them support and encouragement, the Building Futures Group, which offers young people with a learning disability the opportunity to build confidence, work as part of a team, make informed choices in life and create a plan for their future, and A Reason to Get Up!, which involves people aged 16 and over in meaningful daytime activity within the local community.

Funding is always a challenge and James said: “We are constantly seeking sources of

funding and, of course, we cannot do something if the funding is not in place because that would jeopardise the organisation.

“However, just because we do not have the funding, that does not mean that we will not do something. It just means that we have be more innovative in the way we deliver the service.

“Recruitment is another challenge and we are always on the lookout for good people.

We pay very competitive rates, something of which we are very proud but recruitment in the care sector can be a struggle.

“I think that may, in part, be down to public perception of people with learning disabilities.

I think they are sometimes unsure what to expect but, in fact, working with people with learning disabilities can be very rewarding as you see them thrive. It really is fun and it can transform lives.”

halow works with a number of Surrey based businesses creating opportunities for young people and supporting the fundraising.

Local businesses can get involved through donating their time, skills or money towards the work with young people with a learning disability. You can donate • Opportunities for our young people including day trips, workshops, workplace visits • Experiences or services for our charity auctions or raffles • Services of skills or time to the charity through volunteering • Funding towards our projects for young people or our services generally Alternatively companies can get involved with halow’s events programme – for a great cause, great entertainment and client hospitality!

Examples of local initiatives include Guildford Chantries Rotary Club supporting the work through their fundraising in 2015; Woking Rotary Club and The Screwfix Foundation donating towards the upkeep of the halow allotment for the young people’s Garden Club; Woking Bikeathon raising funds for halow as one of the nominated charities for 2015; Young’s and MercedesBenz Guildford sponsoring the halow250 charity cycle challenge for halow; TSB and Shield Associates giving skill workshops for young people as a Gift In Kind.

For more information on getting involved with the halow project, located at Carroll House, 11 Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3UY; contact 01483 447960 or check out their website at halowproject.org.uk

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Members News

In or out of the EU? The true cost of Smith & Williamson presents the workplace Hygiene facts to local businesses Today UK workers take far less sick days than they did 20 years ago.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that the average number of days taken by employees for sick leave has decreased from 7.2 days to 4.4 days.

New research by Canada Life found 93% of workers continued to work when they had a cold and 81% of those surveyed also said they felt they had become ill due to another member of staff coming to work whilst they were unwell.

Although there is a significant drop in employee absence overall, sickness is still a major cost for businesses, £29 billion according to recent research by the CIPD. Nowadays, employers are more aware of the need to prevent germs, viruses and infections spreading through the entire

workforce; smart companies are taking precautions by implementing good hygiene policies.

Sally Fenton, Managing Director of Excel Office Cleaning, says “for over half a century we have been providing local offices with high standards of cleaning.

By using new sanitising cleaning methods and products available we can dramatically reduce the spread of cold and flu viruses.

These are used on high touch areas like door handles, kitchens, rest rooms and shared equipment on a regular basis.

I also recommend providing hand gel and placing hygiene signs around the office.”

For more information about Excel Office Cleaning visit www.excelofficecleaning.com or phone 01276 856955.

Smith & Williamson, the accountancy, investment management and tax group with an office in Guildford, held a business breakfast seminar on Wednesday 14 October at the Guildford Holiday Inn. This was the first in a series of events on the topic of the UK/EU membership debate.

Philip Lawlor, chief investment strategist at Smith & Williamson, presented the facts about the UK’s economic position and examined the pros and cons of EU membership for the UK economy and for the businesses within it.

Philip commented, “the intention is to help local businesses understand the truths and falsehoods at a macro level.

We hope this will assist them in making an informed decision at the time of the referendum

and allow them to plan for either outcome.”

Mark Garnett, investment management partner at the Guildford office, provided an update on the economy.

Many guests have come to enjoy these regular briefings at these business breakfast seminars.

Around 40 guests attended and commented that ‘it was an eye opener’ and that ‘the speakers and the content of the presentations were excellent’.

This first presentation on Europe concentrated on the economic arguments. The next event, in June 2016, will invite political leaders from both sides to present their arguments - in or out of the EU? For more information visit www.smith.williamson.co.uk

Kindly sponsored by

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Members News

Fast Track auto enrolment for SMEs With auto enrolment staging dates for SMEs fast approaching,

Fundraisers take On Sky-High Challenge for Hospice Care It was a long way down for Phyllis Tuckwell’s 21 plucky fundraisers as they took on the challenge to abseil down the UK’s tallest sculpture.

HFS Milbourne, the Surrey-based pension specialist, has launched a new non advised Fast Track service for employers looking for a quick and cost effective way to set up and manage their

“Every day Phyllis Tuckwell supports more than 250 patients and relatives in their own homes, in the community, at the Hospice in Farnham and at the Beacon Centre in Guildford, through a mix of medical care, nursing, therapies, counselling, social work advice and practical support.”

company pension scheme.

The Fast Track service is available on a fixed fee basis to businesses that meet certain qualifying criteria such as access to relevant payroll software which has been enabled to meet the requirements of the scheme.

The core Fast Track fee covers the key stages of introducing a compliant workplace pension including initial data gathering and assessment, scheme design and implementation and compliance. An additional element provides for ongoing support and monitoring once the pension is in place. An option which supports the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) scheme is also available.

Jane Read, head of employee benefits at HFS Milbourne, said: “Companies with fewer than 30 employees will have a staging date that falls within the next 18 months and for some employers this will be as soon as Jan 2016. Although the advice is to allow plenty of time before the staging date to prepare for auto enrolment, inevitably there will be some employers that run out of time and our Fast Track option is ideal in such a scenario.”

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Phyllis Tuckwell supporter Alastair Kendall gives a smile as he begins his descent down the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit in London’s 2012 Olympic Park offers a bird’s eye view of the city’s skyline, along with the UK’s highest freefall abseil of 262 feet.

Here are Local Hospice Care charity Phyllis Tuckwell was well supported there on Saturday 10th October, as 21 of its supporters rose to the abseil challenge, raising more than £6,000 to help fund the supportive and end of life care which the charity offers to those facing a terminal illness,

in West Surrey and NorthEast Hampshire.

“We would like to thank all those who took part in the abseil, and those who sponsored them,” said Fiona Chapman, Events Fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell.

“This really was an incredible challenge – well done to everyone for taking it on and for raising this fantastic amount of money.

Sponsorship money is still coming in and we hope to reach a final total of around £10,000.”

Every day Phyllis Tuckwell supports more than 250 patients and relatives in their own homes, in the community, at the Hospice in Farnham and at the Beacon Centre in Guildford, through a mix of medical care, nursing, therapies, counselling, social work advice and practical support.

Phyllis Tuckwell will be organising another AcrelorMittal Orbit abseil in 2016 - to find out more or sign up, call 01252 729446 or email fundraising@pth.org.uk

Members News

Rural Business Team Playing with looks at sporting rights the Dragon, London & Guildford-based Rural Business and Landed Estates lawyer Jonathan Thompson, from Charles Russell Speechlys, will be speaking at a series of specialist seminars on the property issues facing woodland and sporting rights in November.

China good news and bad news?

To read the hectoring headlines of the papers you would think that we are entering a final catastrophe with anything that is connected to China.

The talks will be delivered for the Country Land and Business Association, which represents owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales.

Jonathan said: “A recent survey we ran with CLA members highlighted new income stream development and renewable energy sources are key concerns of estate owners, as well as funding and looking at different investment structures.

“Maximising your forestry and woodland through timber production, amenity use and sporting activity can be a good opportunity to develop revenue as well as renewables. We will be looking at this area in particular at these seminars in Uckfield, Winchester and Bicester.

Charles Russell Speechlys’ Rural Business and Landed Estates (RUBLE) team advise owners of landed estates and farms on their personal, family and specialist commercial positions.

A recent recruit to the team, Aiden Wiffen, as paralegal, has expanded their operations and will be dealing in particular with landed estates transactions, legal aspects of landed estate management and agricultural tenancies. This grows the team nationally to 22 tax and agricultural landed estate lawyers.

Jonathan said: “I’m delighted to have Aiden on board as he extends our capability locally here in Guildford and across the South East to assist land owners in managing and expanding their landed estates.”

After all its boom has seemingly turned to bust, its investment money is merely to take control of our infrastructure and thus our economy, and of course their deliberate dumping of cheap steel has decimated our own domestic steel production industry.

Well like all such headlines there are elements of truth, that after all is how to make the best miss-information - it just has to be partly true!

So let’s pick away at some of these points.

Firstly Chinese growth. In truth the growth figures for China are highly unreliable. We have to adjust ours quite regularly and we are considerably smaller than China. The fact is that China is growing at between 6 and 7%, which is quite satisfactory and roughly in line with its plan.

The doomongers about Chinese manufacturing have gone far too far and also ignore that the largest and fastest growing sector in the country is the Service sector and not the constantly over hyped manufacturing base.

Secondly the investment money into the UK: Our economy has always been attracting overseas investment ever since the days of the Empire, and in fact we have encouraged it. Does that mean that any new investor building our power plants is likely just to switch them off, or shut down the railways they may build? Well the logical answer is no. The Chinese see the UK as a sound business proposition for investment with

a good rule of law and without the political angst they receive in the USA. Thirdly, the pain of our steel industry. Here there are several key issues, firstly it is ridiculous to say that China set out to destroy our steel industry, the fact is that they do now have a surplus and that is exported to mostly Asia, but that of course will ripple out to the rest of the world. Sadly there is a world glut of steel and competitively that puts us at a disadvantage.

However we have also not helped ourselves (politicians of all colours please note) in that we have extraordinarily high priced power, which is now no longer consistently supplied and a business tax regime which is anti-business. Now try and be competitive.

The pain for those losing their jobs is awful and as we enter winter, but we must focus on the areas where we can win and win over others including the dragon.

This is where we use our technical expertise. You only have to look at the very successful steel centre of Sheffield to see where high end production has been both successful and profitable.

So the answer is clear to me, don't try and compete with the dragon in breathing fire, focus on the areas the dragon needs but can't do for itself, and we achieve that with something that can't be copied - British expertise, innovation and enterprise.

Call 020 7760 8777 or Email: information@7im.co.uk

www.7im.co.uk

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24 Hours with

24 Hours with Canvas Digital’s Creative Director, Andy Wickes spent writing line after line of code we have to carve out chunks of time without interruption so we can maximise efficiency. One ‘;’ in the wrong place you’re spending hours debugging.

Lunch at the desk with my social bookmarks open.

Checking up on some of my favourite blogs to keep us abreast of the latest in digital marketing and design. Scribble down some blog post ideas and note which clients might benefit from any new services we discover. Fifth cup of tea.

Custard cream.

13.00

Get up. Check the scores of iPhone alerts that have happened during the night. Apps of choice (this week at least) are Next Draft for News, Clear for my day’s tasks, and Instagram for general nosiness. Feed cat then jump in the car.

06.30

Arrive at the office. First of many espressos as I crack open Outlook and check emails.

Check all the server logs from overnight making sure that everything is purring along nicely.

Plug daily tasks into Wunderlist, prioritise, close Outlook.’

08.00

Make myself Toast and Marmite, brew up some English Breakfast tea and check Twitter.

My Twitter lists of influential webbies are one of my favourite ways of keeping abreast of what’s happening in the industry.

08.30

A quick sit down with the team to discuss current projects as well as ad hoc work, followed by the usual fight over which radio stations we’re listening to today.

09.00

Heads down as we crack open the code editor. When your day is

09.15

Head back in to code as we push on through another site build – responsive website, CMS, full product catalogue with animation – training material documented so we can carry out full staff training. Next the training material is videoed so we can provide a handy leave behind for the staff to follow. Camomile tea.

Digestive.

16.00

Last check of email before closing down jobs for the day.

Nothing quite like the satisfaction of clearing down a long list of jobs. Generate marketing reports for active campaigns – see all the hard work translated into visits / conversions / return on investment. Band rehearsals.

18.00

Internal meetings usually involve plastering the walls with sheets of paper as we plan out websites or the functionality of a new app or service. This followed by creative brainstorming – marker pens at the ready. You can’t think straight on an empty stomach.

19.00

Check emails and respond to any client queries / phone calls.

Check SEO logs, backups logs and performance logs for clients’ sites and send proactive emails with suggestions for improvements / additional services that might benefit their online presence.

19.45

14.00

15.00

Repopulate task list for the following day. Nothing quite like a change of scene to focus the mind and drumming works for me. Build the new list of tweets / posts / tasks / improvements / tests / new design ideas / new business strategies / and stick them into Clear on the iPhone.

Home. Dinner.

Box Set. Bed.

For more information on Canvas Digital please visit www.canvas-digital.co.uk

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International Focus

Interest grows in international trade During 2015 Surrey-based law firm Herrington Carmichael LLP has seen a large increase in clients looking to operate internationally and has been working with them to secure investment and trading opportunities overseas.

Since 2014 Herrington Carmichael has been a member of IR Global, a group which comprises approved, leading legal and finance professionals from around the globe. Covering over 150 jurisdictions with advisers ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers directories, the group has allowed Herrington Carmichael to support clients in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, China, the U.S.A and across the European Union.

Traditionally the preserve of international conglomerates or wealthy private investors, Herrington Carmichael has been supporting owner-managed businesses across Surrey to expand, develop or diversify their revenue streams or secure supply chains through a series of commercial agreements, acquisitions and the creation of overseas trading hubs.

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Led by Alex Canham (Banking & Corporate Finance) and Mark Izquierdo (Real Estate), Herrington Carmichael’s international offering has developed during the course of 2015 and involves advising clients looking to invest in the UK or who operate or contract internationally.

Recent projects range from more traditional contractual queries, to advising on the expansion of a UK company into the United Arab

Emirates, the creation of a surreybased holding company for a UK branch office of a Maltese company, intellectual property advice, UK legal opinions and advising an Australian company on its international re-financing obligations.

Dealing with international partners is fast becoming a formality for many Surrey-based businesses, however, it remains important to take local professional advice from trusted local advisers to ensure that local customs and formalities are taken into account and that you are compliant with local legislation, the same as you would do in the UK. Something as simple as a supply contract or a data storage / cloud hosting arrangement can result in a variety of legal issues both internationally and in the UK if not implemented correctly, and Herrington Carmichael are experienced in offering guidance

on the process and liaising with international advisers to ensure that the arrangement meets your requirements.

As IR Global’s exclusive UK members for Banking & Corporate Finance and Real Estate, the firm has been able to work with businesses in and around Surrey to highlight the benefits of international trade and, in addition to helping clients abroad, has participated in exhibitions to promote Surrey to the international business community.

Should you wish to speak with Alex Canham or Mark Izquierdo, they can be reached on 01189 899717 or at alex.canham @herrington-carmichael.com.

Alternatively, please visit our website for details: www.herrington-carmichael.com /InternationalServices.

International Trade

Pioneering cultural skills programme accelerates SMEs drive for global growth A ground-breaking training programme is being launched to turbocharge exporting success for SMEs by equipping them with critical cultural awareness skills.

Entitled Cultural Awareness for Business Success, the courses have been jointly spearheaded by Surrey Chambers of Commerce (SCC), Farnham Castle Intercultural Training (FCIT) and Surrey University.

Specially designed for SME managers and staff who manage export activities that require spoken and written communication with customers and suppliers worldwide, the sessions will be launched during Export Week, November 9-13.

The need for the programme was sparked by research conducted by Surrey University and the Surrey Chambers of Commerce, which identified that SMEs who export goods to non-English speaking countries can encounter difficulties in developing a good communications strategy with customers and suppliers.

Dr Doris Dippold, Lecturer in Communication Studies and German at Surrey University, said: “The research reinforced that while face-to-face business communications is often conducted in English, missed nuance and poor awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity can lead to confusion and, even worse, loss of business. It established a myriad of communications problems besetting SMEs when trading globally and we have developed a robust learning package of proactive strategies to remedy them.”

FCIT, which works with organisations to improve business performance by ensuring that employees have the necessary skills to work more effectively in any country worldwide, brings its intercultural expertise to the programme.

Explained FCIT business development manager, Gustavo

Aranda: “Course attendees will develop an awareness of common communication pitfalls along with an appreciation of their own strengths and weaknesses when communicating across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

“The sessions will likewise develop participants’ sensitivity, respect and openness for other communication styles and, most importantly, the behavioural and language skills to deal with problems as they arise even when English is the channel, rather than a foreign language.”

FCIT, SCC and the University of Surrey, will contribute their respective strengths to the workshops during which practical case studies and simulation exercises will encourage SMEs to reflect on, and improve, their existing practices. The sessions can also be adapted to culturespecific needs.

SCC chief executive, Louise Punter, which is applying its extensive marketing expertise and deep-rooted understanding of SMEs to the project, added: “One of the most difficult things to contend with in business is establishing ‘what it is we don’t know’.

SMEs might be aware that they are stumbling with overseas clients and partners, but unaware that many difficulties stem from a cultural mismatch, particularly when exchanging in English.”

“The workshops are a must for SMEs seeking to harness the wealth of opportunities in international trade.

Failure to understand the minefield of cultural nuances could cost them dearly - in cultural, linguistic and financial terms.” www.farnhamcastletraining.com

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Cover Feature

Emerging markets: What Surrey businesses should know The South East is experiencing fantastic growth in emerging markets and Surrey, as a major contributor to the regional economy with £6 billion worth of exports, is playing a huge role in that growth.

Emerging markets such as South East Asia and the Gulf region – bilateral trade with Kuwait has doubled from £2 billion to £4 billion in just two years - are proving particularly profitable for Surrey businesses.

And there are a number of strong sectors in Surrey that are contributing to this growth.

Outside of the obvious leaders – the aerospace and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sectors, which I focus on below - the county is seeing substantial growth on the international stage in areas such as green and alternative energy, healthcare (including telemedicine) and food & drink.

Export Week, from 9 to 13 November, is a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) initiative aimed at helping businesses start their export journey or increase their international footprint. It is set to be the biggest yet, and will help Surrey businesses trade internationally in markets such as these.

With an array of industries and sector expertise across the county, there are profitable international opportunities available for Surrey companies to seize. Surrey businesses are having particular success in the Aerospace and ICT sectors in a number of emerging markets:

•••

24 theChamber

Aerospace

ICT

The Aerospace sector in Surrey is hugely important to the region and the country as a whole. 22% of the UK’s aerospace companies are in the South East with 44,000 people employed in the sector; and, as more companies look to export, these figures are still growing.

The ICT sector continues to be a sector of change, innovation and global opportunities; it is also a strong sector for the UK as it is for Surrey. Whilst many global ICT players, such as Electronic Arts, Samsung UK, and Toshiba, have chosen Surrey as their UK or European headquarters, the county is also home to many smaller, younger companies and entrepreneurs.

Companies such as those clustered around Fairoaks airport, near Woking, are at the forefront of this international business growth. Businesses and clusters like these in Surrey have the benefit of Heathrow and Gatwick airports on their doorstep, giving them genuine market advantage.

And such expertise is proving integral to the sector expansion in emerging markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. To help UK businesses capitalise on these opportunities, UKTI host Aerospace-specific market visits to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

With the next of these market visits in February 2016, Surrey companies will be able to attend the Singapore Air Show as well as a number of other aviation shows and networking opportunities.

•••

Take Conversor Ltd in Woking, for instance. In 2013, during a UKTI trade mission with the Prime Minister in India, they launched a tailored version of their Listener Pro product, an assistive listening device, which is now going from strength to strength.

And yet there is so much more potential for growth. The South East Asian market, which is set to become the 8th largest economic region in the world by 2030, is a particularly important one for the sector in Surrey. UKTI South East, working with the Enterprise M3 and Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), is aiming to access a significant

European Funding Programme that will have a specific focus on developing business for 5G communications technologies in this emerging market. This could transform both the region and sector alike.

••• UKTI South East and Surrey Chamber working relationship UKTI South East and Surrey Chamber share the common goal of supporting local businesses to achieve their full potential in overseas markets.

This close working partnership has helped thousands of Surrey businesses find new customers, win sales and deliver excellent customer satisfaction.

Surrey Chamber businesses, referred to UKTI, benefit in a number of ways: whether by attending one of UKTI’s technical workshops; receiving one-to-one support from International Trade Advisors; or, accessing grants to support overseas market visits.

••• Lewis Scott Regional Director UKTI South East

“With an array of industries and sector expertise across the county, there are profitable international opportunities available for Surrey companies to seize.”

Cover Feature

Taking the worry out of international shipping International shipping would appear to be an apparently straightforward process of organising the movement of goods from A to B.

Top Tips for Exporting With Export Week (9-15 November) upcoming and the recent Chinese State Visit, exporting has never been more prominent. With more and more Surrey businesses looking to export or enter a new market here are ten tips for businesses to consider: 1.

Make sure you have a business plan which incorporates an export strategy Talk through your ideas with one of UKTI’s International Trade Advisers (ITAs). An ITA, with years of export experience, can give you objective and impartial advice at no cost to your business.

2. Take advantage of organisations that specialise in supporting businesses to trade overseas.

Support from organisations such as UKTI, UK Export Finance (UKEF), Chambers of Commerce, banks, lawyers, freight forwarders and your accountants will be crucial; exporting is a team game.

3. Start small and focused It may be tempting to try and take on the world on day one, but focus on one or two countries at first.

4. Research the market Research into your potential customers and partners, as well as your competitors, is crucial.

Our expert ITAs can help you through our Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) or Export Marketing Research Scheme (EMRS).

5. Test your market Talk to potential customers and appoint agents or distributors take part in overseas events, trade fairs and market visits to test markets. UKTI’s Trade Access Programme (TAP) can help fund you to participate in such events worldwide.

6.

Identify, appoint and manage overseas agents and representatives.

Make sure agents or representatives are the right people for your market, and will positively reflect your business and its values and interests.

7. Appreciate cultural differences Failure to take account of different cultures may lead to damaging or costly mistakes. If you would like to assess how a foreign business sees your company you could commission an Export Communication Review (ECR).

8. Make sure you get paid You can establish the credit rating of potential clients in many countries and guard against nonpayment through, for instance, a letter of credit or credit insurance accessed through your bank.

UKEF can provide advice and insurance where the private market can’t help.

9. Get to know currencies you will be dealing with Consult foreign exchange providers as they have a wealth of experience and knowledge, and again, speak with your ITA. 10. Have patience Setting up overseas may not move as quickly as you expected. But you will get out of exporting what you put in. The rewards of dealing with thriving high growth economies are out there – so it is worth investing your time and money.

Find out more If you would like to learn more about the services UKTI can offer your company, and upcoming events in the region, you can call 0330 3000 012 or email info@uktisoutheast.com

It is, in fact, fraught with complications - negotiating rates, routes, free time, demurrage and correctly completing and submitting complex and diverse documentation dependent on the destination.

The shipper and end user need a reliable and trustworthy agent to deal with all this. If shipping is delayed because of weather, industrial action or customs activity, the customer wants to be informed immediately rather than wait until his shipment does not arrive as scheduled and he has to make his own enquiries.

Barton Freight is passionate about giving incomparable customer service and believes this to be their differentiator.

This is why they have given so much thought to the customisation of their computer system and enabled links to relevant third party software.

They have forged excellent relationships with major shipping lines and with many overseas agents.

The information on their systems, constantly updated by staff, plus a system of reminders and checks, enables them to keep the customer regularly informed as to the disposition, whereabouts and availability of the shipment.

They know this business inside out and their focus is on offering a personal and reliable service to customers old and new – and on a proactive rather than a reactive basis.

For more information visit www.bartonfreight.com

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Cover Feature

The time is right to trade with China

By Chris Lowsley China Business Adviser, UKTI South East

Surrey and South East businesses are profiting from a surge in exports to China which, according to the latest HMRC figures, have already reached £380 million this year.

With China now established as one of the top ten export destinations for local businesses, there has never been a better time to explore new opportunities with the country and its currency.

Exporting is a proven route to business growth and the UK visit of Chinese president Xi Jin Ping, in October this year, showcased the prosperous opportunities in China for UK businesses.

As well as the larger contracts signed, such as Rolls-Royce announcing a deal with HNA Group to provide Trent 700 engines to power 20 Airbus A330s, there have been many smaller contracts signed, such as Merlin Entertainment Ltd agreeing to take Lego-Land to Shanghai!

Of course, the Chinese economy has demonstrated consistent export-led growth for more than 30 years, and is now a major market for a wide range of British goods and services.

But it is not just one way traffic.

Whilst the export market goes from strength to strength there is a huge appetite from China to invest in the UK. Indeed, with the closer political and business ties the UK is forming with China, and the fact that UK companies can now open up a Chinese currency (the Renminbi or RMB) account with a UK bank, it has never been easier for companies in Surrey and the South East to engage in business with China.

London is now the largest offshore trading centre for the RMB. When you think that over 60% of all trade transactions in the ASEAN region are now denominated in RMB, the importance of the currency and its potential for UK business is striking.

Many contracts have been signed recently for UK based projects with Chinese investment. One of the largest, recently, is the two new nuclear reactors that EDF will build with significant Chinese investment.

With the Chinese state visit followed closely by Export Week (9-13 November), there has never been a better time to look to international markets.

I’d urge anyone who is thinking about exporting, or who already exports but wants to break into the Chinese market or use RMB currency, to get in touch with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) - a Government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy.

We have a track record of helping thousands of new and established exporters achieve international success.

I myself focus on the Chinese market and would love to hear from you and help you on your trading journey.

To find out more about UKTI services visit www.gov.uk/ukti or contact me directly on chris.lowsley @uktisoutheast.com.

Businesses should protect their Intellectual Property globally Intellectual Property (IP) refers to the intangible assets created by the mind, and is crucial to any business, and especially one with a global market.

IP encompasses a variety of different types of creations, including technical inventions, designs, words, phrases and symbols, as well as artistic, literary and musical works.

During the course of developing new products and processes, or merely improving existing ones, IP will be usually created.

Significant sums of money are often invested in generating new IP, and without suitable protection on an international scale, the IP can be easily copied by a competitor in key territories, resulting in the

26 theChamber

profitability of a business being seriously curtailed.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are exclusive legal rights granted to their owners for various types of IP. They provide the unauthorised use of a business’ IP and, depending on the type of IPR, this may involve preventing accidental use, or direct and deliberate copying.

Some IPRs can also be used to prevent the unauthorised importation of a product into a certain jurisdiction. Accordingly, a business can effectively secure a key international market by ensuring that the correct IPRs are

obtained in the countries in which their primary business occurs.

The four most common forms of IPRs include: • patents which protect technical inventions, including products and processes; • trade marks, which protect words, symbols, logo’s and other designations used to distinguish the goods or services of one business from those of another trader; • design rights, which protect the visual appearance, either 2D or 3D, of a product; and

• copyright, which protects against direct copying of an original literary, artistic, musical or dramatic work.

Some IPRs, such as copyright, will automatically exist upon creation of a work, whereas other IPRs, such as patents and trade marks, need to be applied for, or formally registered. In order to succeed in a global market, a business should always ensure that it has secured its IP position around the world.

Anton Hutter, Venner Shipley LLP for more information visit www.vennershipley.co.uk

Sector Focus on Finance

Instilling confidence in Surrey businesses Whilst the overall British economy is now estimated to be 5.9 per cent above its pre-recession peak in terms of GDP, the same isn’t always felt across the country.

In fact, businesses here in Surrey are experiencing an ebb of marginally reduced confidence.

This signifies a need for continued support and encouragement amongst the business community if we are to rebuild firms’ confidence and drive further economic growth.

The ease in confidence in our region was reflected in the latest Lloyds Bank South East Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) report, which showed that the rate of business activity growth in Surrey was at its slowest for almost two-and-ahalf years during September.

Although this is a disappointing result, firms in Surrey shouldn’t be completely disheartened.

More encouragingly, the rate of expansion in business activity in the region surpassed the overall UK average throughout this period, suggesting the county is still performing well relative to the rest of the UK. In addition to this, local staff levels rose at the strongest rate in three months in September, showing that firms are determined to strengthen their workforces in order to work through this challenging period.

Against this backdrop, we must continue to champion Surrey businesses and encourage them to explore new opportunities.

Key to this for small firms are: seeking out and utilising the expertise of local relationship

managers and sector specialists, understanding how to target new markets, and sourcing suitable solutions to fund growth.

Seeking sector expertise Face to face business advice is the most practical way business leaders can seek guidance on a range of issues.

My team prides itself on developing relationships with local SMEs and truly getting to know each business and its individual objectives. As a team, we’re able to call upon sector specialists, who have extensive knowledge of a range of sectors including property, healthcare, legal, education and manufacturing. Together, we can provide counsel and guidance on business expansion plans, finance options and ways to capitalise on opportunities for growth.

Another proven, and very popular, way in which SME owners can access support is from independent business mentors. Enterprise mentoring can help firms determine the parts of their company that they need to focus on in order to drive growth. All across the country, companies have committed resources to help mentor small and mediumsized enterprises.

At Lloyds Bank we’ve committed to develop our UK network of enterprise mentors by pledging 500 volunteers this year.

Targeting new markets We also work with small businesses across the region to help them identify new markets to target. One key avenue our local team is urging SME owners to consider is exporting. The export market is hugely important to the British economy, and is seemingly a priority for local businesses too, with recent figures* showing that 81 per cent of firms in the South East are planning to create new jobs by trading internationally.

Furthermore, the government signalled just how important exporting is when it set a target for UK firms to double the value of goods and services they export to £1 trillion a year by 2020, with a particular focus on emerging markets.

Lloyds Bank has a strategic partnership with UKTI to help UK businesses export and meet the Government’s targets for trade and investment by 2020.

Many different funding packages are available to help businesses.

A range of asset based lending facilities are also an option for firms, as well as invoice discounting that allows firms to borrow money against unpaid invoices in order to bridge the gap between payments and generate much needed working capital.

Conclusion Whatever means local firms use to achieve their ambitions, expert guidance and tailored funding will play a central role in enabling them to capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Through a combination of these two factors, we can help to instil renewed confidence in businesses across the area and look towards a bright economic future in Surrey.

Funding solutions Finally, funding support can help businesses to unlock new opportunities, and grow in the future. However, I know from conversations with local companies that many of them are unaware of the full breadth of finance options available to them.

At Lloyds Bank, we’ve pledged to grow our lending to SMEs by £1 billion net this year, as part of our 2015 SME Charter.

Paul Kibby, Senior Manager for SME Banking Guildford & Kingston Area, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking Paul.Kibby@Lloydsbanking.com 0788 151 3105

* Figures from the Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking Backing your Ambition event – April 2015

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Sector Focus on Finance

Getting the finances right in At a time when more and more businesses are starting to feel confident about the economy, and beginning to think ‘investment’ rather than ’cutbacks’, it is vital that they seek out the right advice to help them access the finance they need to grow.

“Although austerity has had an impact on public spending, there remain State-backed schemes designed to help companies access funds.

Underpinning them all is the recognition that innovation is a key way of rebuilding the economy and needs to be nurtured.”

Even though the financial crisis is slipping into memory, companies seeking funding still need to plan carefully, whether the money comes from State or private sources. Good ideas need to be backed up by good business plans.

One way of obtaining finance is going to the banks, who have been urged by Government ministers to lend more and are responding to the challenge.

Another way for businesses requiring injections of funds is approaching venture capitalists, who are well versed in assessing prospective partners’ financial needs and dovetailing them with their own.

And although austerity has had an impact on public spending, there remain State-backed

28 theChamber

schemes designed to help companies access funds.

Underpinning them all is the recognition that innovation is a key way of rebuilding the economy and needs to be nurtured.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid underlined the opportunities in a recent speech when he said: “Whether you’re running a small fashion retailer in Bristol, or an international wallpaper designer on the King’s Road, making folding bicycles or folding ballet pumps, whether you’re a kitchen-table start-up or a centuries-old family enterprise, you all face the same challenges when you’re running your own business: You’re highly exposed to the ups and downs of the economy.”

He said that Governmentbacked schemes designed to mitigate such effects included: • British Business Bank programmes are already supporting £2.3 billion of finance to 40,000 smaller businesses • UKTI is helping companies access new markets overseas • Start-Up Loans programme has provided entrepreneurs with more than 30,000 loans worth well over £155 million.

• The Business Growth Service has brought together a range of advice and expertise to help companies expand, including the GrowthAccelerator, a Government-backed service offering support to businesses with the potential to improve and grow.

The minister said: “The vast majority of British businesses are in private hands. They employ millions of people, pay billions in tax and generate over a trillion pounds of revenue.

“It’s been said that while good companies meet needs, great companies create markets.

Successful companies should be applauded, successful entrepreneurs should be saluted. private business deserves to be celebrated.”

However, for all the will is there, it can still be confusing for businesses seeking to access funds, which is why it makes sense to bring in specialist support.

Financial advisers start by finding out what a business needs; it may be help with better financial management

Sector Focus on Finance

a recovering economy or it may be support applying for loans or grants to buy equipment or take on new staff.

Bringing in the specialist advisers is crucial because they are the ones who know what opportunities are available.

That means an initial meeting when the adviser, be it a specialist financial services company or based within a bank, sits down with the client

and draws up a detailed plan based not just on current needs but also looking to the future maybe even doing a little dreaming with the client.

Key to that is agreeing priorities.

What does the client want to achieve in the short term, where do they want to be in the midterm, what is the long-term vision? Where do they see their

“It’s been said that while good companies meet needs, great companies create markets. Successful companies should be applauded, successful entrepreneurs should be saluted, private business deserves to be celebrated.”

company in ten years and what kind of finance is required to make that possible?

Through talking things honestly and sensibly, adviser and client can work together to come up with an action plan which is based on a solid financial platform.

And the good advisers are flexible: they know that,

as life progresses and businesses meet changing situations, their client’s needs and priorities will change. That means a financial plan that can be adapted when necessary.

Once that initial plan has been drawn up, the process moves onto the next stage, obtaining the finance to make things happen.

More information on Government-backed schemes can be found at: www.british-business-bank.co.uk www.gov.uk/start-up-loans www.gov.uk/business-growth-service Growth Accelerator www.ga.businessgrowthservice.greatbusiness.gov.uk

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Business Support

Supporting local businesses now and in the future

Tony Eden, Director of Corporate Banking at Royal Bank of Scotland comments: “Local businesses are at the heart of the British economy.

Their success is the key to growth and prosperity and what’s good for the economy is good for everyone, which is why at Royal Bank of Scotland we put local businesses at the centre of what we do.

“Working with all types of businesses, from start-ups to established companies, we focus on building relationships which support a business throughout its journey.

My team has a vast amount of experience supporting SME’s from simply ensuring transaction accounts are working and set up correctly to lending significant funding packages towards re-finance and acquisition projects.

Surrey has a wealth of SMEs who have been enjoying growth and research released earlier this year (May 2015) from BDO LLP revealed Surrey’s top 20 most profitable mid-market companies have continued their post-recession revival,

reporting profit growth of 34% in the last year.

The BDO Surrey Best in Business 2015 report highlights the importance of mediumsized businesses to the local economy, with Surrey being home to 331 companies with a turnover between £10m-£300m.

In total these firms employ more than 100,000 people, and pay out £3bn in salaries each year from revenues of £19.2bn.

Manufacturing, real estate and construction, technology, leisure and services companies all feature in the top 20 list, highlighting the broad-based recovery the county is experiencing with businesses across all sectors thriving.

“For many of these firms accessing finance is a fundamental part of implementing their growth strategy. We recognise it can be daunting for business owners but our relationship managers are here to help with your business plans and can not only provide financial support but also access to our network of contacts providing added value to your business, giving you the tools to help you reach your full potential.

It is important to ensure that applications for finance are well prepared before being presented to a lender.

Here are some tips to consider: 1. Present a strong business plan: When approaching your bank or lender it is important to present a robust and detailed business plan outlining your business goals, strategies, market

and financial forecasts.

Keep it realistic and detailed, including real life targets, because this document provides the financer with the information they need to assess the viability of your business. Remember to demonstrate your ‘plan b’ should things take a turn – be it funding options, alternative suppliers or different routes to market.

2. Be clear on your funding requirements: It is vital that you are very clear on your proposition and requirements. Explain why you need the funding whether it is for the survival and day-to-day management of your company or for future growth. Demonstrate how you can repay the debt repayments and fulfil the commitments.

3. Explore all the funding options available – these include bank finance, approaching venture capitalists, business angels or applying for a government grant for business investment. If you are seeking outside investment you must be clear of what investors want in return and always have written agreements in place.

4. Be prepared to consider a combination of facilities: Today it is quite common for businesses to use a mixture of financial facilities to create a more suitable and flexible support structure for working capital. Traditional lines of finance such as loans and

overdrafts can provide excellent short-term solutions whereas invoice finance and asset finance can offer more flexible, longer term cash flow support. Speak to your lender about a combination of facilities if you feel it is appropriate and demonstrate the advantages they will hold for your organisation.

Be sure to ask lots of questions and ensure funding is tailored to suit your business needs and not the other way round.

We recognise that the current economic conditions present opportunities as well as obstacles for organisations.

We are committed to supporting commercially viable business ideas and by working with you could help you achieve the goals laid out in your business plan.

To find out how The Royal Bank of Scotland can help you, contact Tony Eden on 07780 595 857

Security may be required.

Product fees may apply. Over 18’s only ANY PROPERTY USED AS SECURITY, WHICH MAY INCLUDE YOUR HOME, MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT

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Ask the Expert

The importance of data security Imagine a house with one door that has several locks, all of whose keys and combinations are in the hands of one person, and is the only entry point to the building. Pretty secure you’d say.

John Owen Managing Director ArcomIT Limited Telephone: 01483 505055 Email: john.owen@arcomit.co.uk

www.arcomit.co.uk

Now imagine a house with multitudes of doors whose locations are changing all the time as are the combinations and keys to the locks. These are managed by several people most of whom are unaware what the others know. How on earth would you keep that property secure from outside interference?

Well the same is exactly true for the data held across businesses in the UK today.

As cybercrime is now officially* the most prolific crime in the country, it is essential that businesses recognise the threat

it poses - sometimes to their very existence.

The advent of mobile devices smart phones, laptops and tablets - connected to the corporate network through the adoption of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) practices has multiplied the complexity of the issue and is a major factor behind the accelerating number of incidents.

These devices are moving targets, completely changing the game for those responsible for implementing security solutions.

Companies face threats that have evolved from prank

hacking by rogue individuals for personal fame to sophisticated attacks meant to disrupt and destroy their very businesses.

or passwords to social media accounts might just as soon attack the systems used for business.

In addition to targeting centrallyheld corporate information, every endpoint is a target for attacks aimed at employees using corporate resources.

One of the more controversial points of a recent report from Cardiff University, supported by the City of London Police, is that victims of cyber crime who fail to take security precautions should be treated as a lower priority by police than others who have acted to improve their own security.

The same phishing and malware threats that steal users’ personal information on home devices are just as likely to find their way to the systems used for work.

As technology evolves and work and home lives merge, it’s likely that a hacker looking for bank account information

If ever there was a case of “prevention is better than cure” it is the security of your company’s data.

Act now before it’s too late.

* The ONS’s most recent Crime Survey for England Wales (CSEW), showed “an estimated 6.8 million incidents of crime” for the year ending March 2015.

According to the Daily Telegraph, “one respected industry estimate” says that these figures could triple “with the addition of 12.5 million online offences a year.”

32 theChamber

Health and Wellbeing

The problems with acid Dr Catherine Aboud of Your Private GP Service based at Clock House Healthcare explains Heartburn and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD).

• losing weight (if you are overweight) • stopping smoking • trying to eliminate the certain problematic food or drink (listed above) from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.

Who is more at risk of suffering • raising the head of your bed with GORD? 20cm (8 inches) with blocks.

There are several risk factors, such Do not simply use extra pillows as: as this may put more pressure on your abdomen.

• Being overweight/obese • medications: over the counter • Pregnancy antacids or alginates, may provide • Eating a high fat diet, spicey food, symptom relief. Your GP may want or acidic foods eg: tomatoes. to prescribe other medication such • Alcohol, Smoking, Caffeine, as proton pump inhibitors or H2 Chocolate: these substances receptor antagonists. are thought to relax the sphincter • Heartburn: burning chest pain What are the possible muscle usually after eating complications?

• Having a hiatus hernia Ulcers: the excess acid can inflame • Stress • Acid-Reflux: a bitter taste in your • Medications such as: Non-Steroidal and irritate the oesophageal lining mouth or nausea caused by the (oesophagitis) and can in turn lead to Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) stomach acid coming back ulceration. The ulcers can cause pain, eg ibuprofen, steroid medication, up into your mouth bleed and cause problems swallowing. and various medications used to • Stomach discomfort treat osteoporosis, depression, Oesophageal Strictures: continued How common is GORD? high blood pressure and angina. damage to the lining of the It is very common: about 1:5 people are thought to experience at least one What can you do to alleviate your oesophagus can lead to scar tissue, symptoms? which in turn causes a narrowing of episode of GORD a week and 1:10 the oesophagus. This can make are thought to experience it on a daily There are several things which may help if relevant to you, such as: swallowing difficult and painful. basis. It can affect any age group

What is it?

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is caused by acid travelling up the oesophagus (food pipe or gullet) from the stomach.

There is a ring of muscle between the bottom of the oesophagus and the stomach which should open to let food in and close to stop the acid produced in the stomach (which helps us digest food) from going back up.

When this muscle doesn’t close properly, acid leaks back up and causes GORD. This acid can cause several symptoms such as

(including children), although it is more common in the over 40s.

Both men and women can suffer, but men are more likely to experience complications.

Barretts Oesophagus: This is a precancerous condition which can occur due to repeated episodes of GORD, which cause a change in the cells lining the oesophagus. It is thought about 1:10 people with GORD will develop Barretts Oesophagus.

Oesophageal Cancer: In the UK it is estimated that of those people with Barretts Oesophagus, about 1:200 will go on to develop oesophageal cancer.

The risk of this happening is higher if you are • male • have had the symptoms of GORD for over 10 years • have 3 or more episodes of GORD a week • a smoker • obese We would always recommend that you fully discuss your symptoms with your GP and allow them to examine you before you comit to taking regular medication, to try to ensure the right diagnosis is made and to decide if further investigation is necessary.

Information sourced from nhs.co.uk and cdc.gov

Look after your Groin Groin and hip pain can be a source of frustration for young adults wanting to maintain fitness or even manage day-to-day activities.

Patients generally present with groin pain provoked by twisting, or impact sports, which begins to restrict their ability to run, and can progress to affect walking and even sleeping.

Hip arthroscopy is a means of assessing and treating patients using a minimally invasive 'keyhole' technique that enables a more rapid recovery and return to work. Where open surgery left patients unable to work for six weeks or more, hip arthroscopy enables us to treat patients as a day case admission with the expectation of a return to work in less than two weeks.

The most common cause of groin pain is a labral tear which can be explored and resected or repaired with this technique.

But hip arthroscopy can also address hip pathology such as impingement, osteochondral defects, loose bodies, psoas tendonitis and bursitis.

Seb Sturridge and Jonathan Hull have an established arthroscopic hip surgery practice based at Joint Reaction, Spire Clare Park Hospital Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence. Jonathan started arthroscoping hips over eighteen years ago, and Seb during his fellowship training five years ago, and between

them they now operate on over 250 cases per year.

Jonathan is a faculty member of the Smith & Nephew School of Arthroscopy based in York.

At Spire Clare Park Hospital your hip can be accurately imaged with an MRI Arthrogram, the results discussed with you and a management plan made at the same appointment.

If you would like any more information please contact our Patient Advisor Team on 01252 895 490 or visit www.spireclarepark.com, Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence.

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Health and Wellbeing

Prostate cancer-what’s new?

Mr Simon Bott, Consultant Urologist, Frimley Park Hospital and Clare Park Hospital How common is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is also incredibly common. Almost all men if they live long enough will develop prostate cancer but most men who develop prostate cancer will never know they have it and will die of something unrelated.

However in a small proportion of men prostate cancer can be more aggressive and prostate cancer is actually the biggest male cancer killer in this country.

Just over 10,000 men die a year as a result of prostate cancer in England and Wales each year.

How is prostate cancer detected?

Prostate cancer does not normally cause any symptoms until there is a reasonable sized cancer within the prostate.

If prostate cancer is to be diagnosed early a blood test called the PSA must be undertaken.

This can be done at the GP surgery. By doing the blood test whilst a man has no symptoms the cancer may be diagnosed early when it is still curable.

However, the PSA blood test may also be high when there is no cancer present or indeed low when there is cancer present and therefore is not an ideal test, but it is currently the best test currently available.

About 10 years ago we were the first to describe a technique called a template prostate biopsy where a more thorough biopsy is taken which enables the whole prostate to be sampled systematically and comprehensively through a grid.

How do we confirm there is prostate cancer present?

This involves taking a large number of biopsies under general anaesthetic and certainly improves our ability to diagnose prostate cancer.

The way we are diagnosing prostate cancer is changing rapidly. In most hospitals in the UK an ultrasound scan is performed via the back passage and biopsies are taken randomly in the prostate into areas where prostate cancer may be found.

However the cancer cannot be seen with the ultrasound scan and therefore significant prostate cancers may be missed if it is growing in areas not reached by the biopsy.

More recently however we are now performing a scan called a multi-parametric MRI scan.

This is very good at seeing prostate cancer before a biopsy is undertaken. The trouble with an MRI is we cannot do biopsies in an MRI scanner. So, what we have been doing at Urology Partners is to take the MRI scan and outline the areas we are concerned may contain cancer using computer software.

We then perform an ultrasound scan of the prostate. Using the computer software, we overlay the abnormal areas seen on the MRI onto the ultrasound image.

We can then take biopsies of the areas seen on the MRI using the ultrasound scan – these are fusion-guided biopsies. This has dramatically improved our ability to diagnose prostate cancer without the side effects of taking a large number of biopsies.

It is an exciting time to be in prostate cancer research. Great strides have been taken over the last few years to improve our diagnosis and the treatment of this very common disease.

For more information call 01252 895 490 or visit www.spireclarepark.com Spire Clare Park Hospital, Crondall Lane, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 5XX

“Prostate cancer does not normally cause any symptoms until there is a reasonable sized cancer within the prostate. If prostate cancer is to be diagnosed early a blood test called the PSA must be undertaken.

This can be done at the GP surgery.”

theChamber 35

Members News

Perfect Pitch Academy Perfect Pitch is an award-winning Surrey-based Telemarketing and Training Consultancy.

Set up in 2009 by Nigel Blake and driven by his own poor experience of using telemarketing services, the SME has seen rapid growth, using its team of Trained Actors and Sales Professionals to offer Appointment Setting, Lead Generation, Event Booking, and International Calling.

As a member of Surrey Chambers for several years, Perfect Pitch won the Toast of Surrey Business Awards in 2014 and has seen its presence grow in both Surrey and London in 2015, securing membership with London Chamber of Commerce.

This year has seen the official launch of its ‘Perfect Pitch Academy’ - a service that offers

training in Telemarketing, Sales, Presentation and Networking techniques.

In their interactive workshops, you are taught the key to successful networking, how to relax and build confidence and how to make the perfect presentation. You are also given an insight into how to set the stage for effective follow up and the methods that frame a successful sales call.

The workshops are run by professional actor Paul Bryant, and can be completed in groups or on a one-to-one basis.

As part of their close relationship with Surrey Chambers, Paul recently ran a successful networking workshop for Chamber members.

"In their interactive workshops, you are taught the key to successful networking, how to relax and build confidence, and how to make the perfect presentation.

You are also given an insight into how to set the stage for effective follow up and the methods that frame a successful sales call.”

Protecting your Business Plan from … Chinese Flu

By Michele Johnson As I sit writing this article, the world’s stock markets are having one of their now more frequent falls.

The technical term is, I am told, a ‘correction’.

The cause this time is a slowdown in the Chinese economy.

If China catches a cold, the rest of the world gets Chinese Flu. I have been running a business in Dorking for over 25 years.

I have seen ‘crashes’ and ‘corrections’ in the market.

I have seen businesses struggle; some fail while others survive with a few battle scars.

What has been interesting to learn is that well run businesses

36 theChamber

do survive the test of time.

What has also been interesting is to see that the cause of some business failures is completely avoidable. One such cause is the loss of a key person.

Key Person Insurance The aim of this type of insurance is to replace the profits that a key person in your business produces. That key person, and it could be you, will contribute significantly to the profits of the business. Their contribution might be in sales, research and development or skill.

Risk Management A survey conducted by Scottish Widows and the Institute of Directors in 2011 concluded that

• 95% of businesses had one key employee • 41% of those businesses expected to fold within 24 months of the loss of a key person, and • 58% of businesses had no formal agreement detailing what would happen in the event of the death or critical illness of a business owner.

More than 50% of people do not have a personal will, let alone a

‘business will’. A lot of firms are not protecting against the risk of losing a key person. Your key person might not catch Chinese Flu, but losing them could cost you your business.

If you would like to discuss and see how we can plan to protect your business plan visit www.hjpifa.com • HJP IFA Ltd are an independent firm of financial advisers.

"What has been interesting to learn is that well run businesses do survive the test of time. What has also been interesting is to see that the cause of some business failures is completely avoidable.”

Legal

Industry accolades for Charles Russell Speechly’s private client team Lawyers from Charles Russell Speechlys’ private client team in Guildford have been singled out by national, independent industry publications for excellence in their field.

James Lister and Gareth Walliss have been included in eprivateclient’s 2015 Top 35 private client advisors under 35 – an initiative to identify rising stars of the private client professions across the UK. James is a specialist trust and estates litigator and Gareth has particular expertise in asset protection and succession planning.

William Marriott, who heads up the private property team, was identified as one of Citywealth’s future leaders in its list of young rising stars in the private wealth industry. The list featured just 13 lawyers selected from across the UK. It is not only rising stars at Charles Russell Speechlys who have been recognised for their outstanding achievements. Three senior fee earners have also been identified as top performers in the industry.

Duncan Elson, who also heads up the Guildford office, Sally Ashford and Louise Harrhy were featured in the prestigious Spears 500 list.

Lawyers included in the Spears 500 guide to the UK’s top private client advisers have all been peer reviewed and validated with client feedback.

Duncan Elson heads up the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution group as well as the specialist contentious trusts and estates group. Sally Ashford leads the noncontentious private client team in Guildford and together with Louise Harrhy, has particular expertise in advising high net worth individuals and family business owners.

Commenting on the firm’s recent accolades, Duncan Elson says, “It’s hugely competitive and quite a feat to be featured in these prestigious listings and I am delighted that lawyers from our Guildford office have been recognised in this way. It’s a strong external endorsement of our expertise as a leading law firm in the private wealth sector.”

In addition to the individual distinctions, a number of private

client teams at Charles Russell Speechlys have been recommended in the ‘top tier’ category across Kent, Surrey and Sussex by the Legal 500 publishing group in their annual UK rankings guide. These are: commercial litigation, contentious trusts and probate, family, real estate and property litigation.

Charles Russell Speechlys is a leading law firm with over 130 staff in its Guildford office.

Renowned for the quality of its legal advice and personal approach, it has one of the UK’s largest private wealth teams advising on private capital and growth.

For further information please visit www.charlesrussellsp

Tailor-Made Security Solutions At Shield Security we understand that no two clients are the same.

We offer a personal risk assessment to all our customers so that we are able to find the right solution for you.

Shield Security services include:

Our complete range of cost-effective services are available 24/7, 365 days, and we pride ourselves on providing a high-quality, personalised service.

Key holding

Emergency response

Our key holding service means that we securely store a spare set of keys to your home or business, so that no matter what happens to your main set of keys or wherever your registered key holder is, you can still gain access to your premises.

What happens if your intruder or fire alarms are activated out of hours, or if you’re unable to respond?

Shield’s emergency response service provides guaranteed attendance at your home or business by one of our fully trained guards, no matter what time day or night.

Many of our clients combine our key holding service with other support services such as emergency response or locking/unlocking.

All keys are unmarked and stored in an electronic ‘keywatcher’ management system, at our 24/7 manned headquarters.

For full details of all our services visit: www.shieldsecurity.co.uk For a FREE, no obligation risk assessment at your business or home, contact us today: 01252 319 899 | admin@shieldsecurity.co.uk Quoting reference: sc10

theChamber 37

Design & Development

Finding your brand’s global voice with social media Competing globally isn’t easy but there are plenty of tools to help even the smallest Surrey business attract clients and customers across the world.

So I’d like to talk content and more specifically, content generation on a particular social network that recently celebrated 400 million users and has an engagement rate that completely overshadows Facebook and Twitter.

That social network, is Instagram: An image-centric and mobile-first platform that is becoming quite hard for brands to ignore.

With a well-designed strategy, you will know why, what and how often to post and engage with your

target audience. So as food for thought, here are three very different brands using different strategies successfully to engage on a global scale.

Bellerby & Co Globemakers is one of the only companies crafting hand-made globes, using Instagram to tell their unique story: With no character limit on Instagram captions, Globemakers can share details of their amazing products, expert knowledge, what they use to craft each globe and the delicate process involved.

Herschel Supply Co are a highquality bag brand using Instagram to find and share user-generated content created by Herschel fans across the world: A recent study by content marketing agency Headstream found that 66% of people would prefer ‘regular people’ to tell a brand’s story over celebrity ambassadors, employees or the CEO.

Maersk Line is the world's largest shipping company and is using Instagram to share their employees’ stories: While it's fair to say that the general public probably wouldn't be interested in an Instagram feed about shipping, Maersk have chosen instead to focus on the people working all around the world who make their company special.

As they explain in their social strategy (and to nicely sum up this article), “We realise that there’s much more to gain from it, such as better press coverage, higher employee engagement, more brand awareness and even bringing in high-level insights and intelligence from shipping experts around the world.”

Written by Ollie de Kretser PR & Online Communications Manager FdK Design Consultants Twitter - @FdK_Studio ollie@fdk.co.uk 01483 243565

PRINCE2 - The globally acknowledged project management qualification PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) has become one of the most widely adopted project management methodologies in the UK and around the world.

Although the UK is the largest market for PRINCE2, the course is offered in over one hundred countries and over one million exams have been taken globally.

For organisations it provides a rigorous structure for projects and is an international standard for project management. For individuals, PRINCE2 demonstrates to existing or new employers an understanding of the approach and how the methodology of project management can be applied to both large and small scale projects alike.

PRINCE2 offers a robust framework, which is flexible,

measurable and repeatable, and can be applied in any business environment. The training method encompasses established and proven best practices from a wide crosssection of organisations that have contributed to its success.

Whether you’re looking to grow your business, improve your knowledge of best practices or cultivate your workforce, the PRINCE2 qualification is suited to most organisations and business sectors.

Following a rigorous process, Services to Business, part of The Guildford College Group has become the only College in the UK to gain accreditation for this prestigious course.

The qualification is offered at Foundation and Practitioner level with various start dates throughout the year.

Other professional courses, for which the College is also an accredited centre, are offered for the Association of Accounting Technicians, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and Institute of Leadership and Management.

These courses are taught by

subject specialist tutors with industry experience and can be studied over various levels.

For more information on any professional qualifications or to secure your place on a course, call the booking hotline on 01483 44 85 30 or email employerenquiries @guildford.ac.uk.

To find out more visit www.servicestobusiness.net

"Whether you’re looking to grow your business, improve your knowledge of best practices or cultivate your workforce, the PRINCE2 qualification is suited to most organisations and business sectors."

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Technology Showcase

Are you a digital addict?

Jenn Hoffman, Phoenixbased CEO of The J Brand Group, should have been enjoying a relaxing vacation on the Cote d'Azur.

Sipping champagne and nibbling on cheese at the stylish Louis XV restaurant, she was eagerly awaiting her starter but then, poised next to the breadbasket, her BlackBerry came to life, and so did her technology addiction.

She lunged for it and swiftly tapped out a response "I'm so addicted to this device that I stopped mid-bite to rush to send a message. My BlackBerry runs my life," Hoffman says.

She has a 24/7 technology habit, even checking messages from the bathroom, a Whistler ski lift and the pool. Her boyfriend calls her laptop (which she brings to bed every night) "the other man."

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You might not be fine dining or travelling on ski lifts but, are you constantly connected? If so, you are not alone.

Email, tablets, iPhones, laptops, and smartphones dominate us.

Our uber-connected lives have made us virtually available at any time, at any place. With the internet in our pockets, we can take the office home or out and about with us and we struggle to “unplug” and take a real break from work.

We now spend more time communicating, reading and watching content online than we do sleeping every day!

The technology is seductive.

We love it. We can conference call, Skype, chat to friends on the other side of the world and access research in the blink of an eye. Technology has democratised information in the same way that public libraries did all those years ago.

But, this constant connectivity comes at a price and is having a real impact on both our physical and mental health.

John O'Neill, director of addictions services for the Menninger Clinic in Houston says that ‘over-wired’ people are so focused on their gadgets they neglect relationships with other people.

"Technology can become more than a passing problem and more like an addiction” He listed some danger signs: "You become irritable when you can't use it. The Internet goes down and you lose your mind.

You start to hide your use."

He said he can see corollaries between drug and alcohol addiction and the way some people use technology.

So how is this constant connectivity and technology overload shaping us?

Well, the statistics are staggering but, looking around at people

wandering down the street transfixed by their devices, maybe they’re not really that surprising.

On a personal level, heavy usage can really interfere with normal life. Most people check their phones every 61/2 minutes that’s 200 times a day with 33% admitting hiding from family and friends to check social media.

I find it particularly sad that 49% of people check their phones within five minutes of waking up and, in a poll carried out on New Yorkers, over 70% checked their emails before saying good morning to their spouses or partners.

It affects your organisation’s productivity as well. The average employee checks 40 websites a day, switches activities 37 times an hour and changes tasks every two minutes. However, only 2% of people can actually multi-task without a decline in performance.

So, what’s that doing to your company’s output?

If we continue as we are how will society shape up in response to the ever increasing convenience of our devices and advances in technology?

Will we have a tier of society that’s been ‘raised by technology’ who’ve been influenced and molded by online content and advertising and who are incapable of deep thinking and forming their own decisions?

We can see this happening already.

Student 'addiction' to technology 'similar to drug cravings'.

Withdrawal symptoms experienced by young people deprived of gadgets and technology is compared to those felt by drug addicts or smokers going “cold turkey”, a study has concluded.

The University of Maryland carried out a global experiment called ‘Unplugged’ in which they asked 19 - 24 year olds in twelve Universities to go without their devices for twenty four hours. The vast majority could not comply; they simply couldn’t live without their devices. They described feeling ‘anxious, restless, angry, frightened, withdrawn, aggressive’ and even ‘paranoid’. The students themselves were stunned by the ferocity of their reactions to being offline even for a short period of time.

One of the reasons is that digital devices give us a ‘hit’ of dopamine in our brains in the same centre that rewards us for fulfilling biological needs - such as sex and food. We love dopamine and crave it so we use our devices more and more and suddenly what was once a habit shows signs of becoming an addiction.

But does it matter?

Well yes and no. Technology is amazing and set to get even more amazing with the development of 5G, holograms, better voice recognition and the ‘Internet of Things’. It provides amazing advantages in medicine and day to day life. But the trouble starts when the machine becomes the master and we are no longer in control.

When our device, instead of

supporting our day to day life, actually drives and governs it, when we are no longer able to ‘unplug’, even for short periods of time, when it begins to affect our health, our sleep, our relationships and our work then it is time to do something about it. It’s time to take back control of our digital lives and to set an example to our children and our employees.

How can you ‘pushback’?

James Roberts,the Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business says “The devices we use are likely to stay so we all need to reach some kind of digital détente as how best to relate with the 21st-century equivalent of the security blanket. You might not want to go “cold turkey,” but we must all set aside times where we unplug from our digital devices and plug into what really matters friends, family, and being in the moment”.

On a personal level Firstly, look at your current practices and feelings around digital use - why are you so attached? Is it FOMO (fear of missing out - a very modern phenomena), worry about your job, loneliness and isolation, boredom or could you be heading for addiction?

Next, decide where you want to be - how much time do you want to spend in front of a screen or on a device?

Think about the benefits of spending less time connected and how you are going to spend that time.

One of the easiest ways of changing a habit is by replacing it with a new habit.

So begin to do the things you want to do to fill the gaps when you would have been on social media or in front of a screen.

Then, identify steps you can take to control your digital life, the changes you want to make and the way you want to behave, the changes you want your family to make -your digital strategy.

Start with little steps, the easy wins, and let these embed and become habits before moving on to the next thing. This could be something as simple as agreeing to switch off your

phone at a set time every evening - say 10pm. Then, start to bring this forward until you are having at least an hour of screen-less time before bed.

Buy an alarm clock so that you don’t have to keep your phone by your bed as your alarm - leave your phone on charge elsewhere, then you’ll be less inclined to check it last thing or if you wake in the night.

On an organisational level You might want to think about putting a digital use policy in place and carry out some training for employees to get them off their devices and become more productive, engaged and creative and able to build better relationships both internally and with clients.

These are just a few things you can begin with. There are many more that can reduce the stress of being constantly connected, free up time and get back in touch.

The digital genie is out of the bottle now, we can’t turn back, but we do have a choice to use it as an enhancement to our every day experience or allow it to rule, or possibly ruin, our lives.

Hazel McCallum helps individuals and organisations to develop digital strategies to control their screen use, reduce stress, increase wellbeing, manage time, increase productivity and improve communications.

Google Business Street View Google is the most popular search engine provider worldwide.

The majority of people have Googled something or have heard of Google. Google offer Google+ pages to enhance business searches, they give users the ability to virtually walk through streets, town and cities and now they provide business customers the opportunity to virtually “See Inside and walk around businesses”.

This relatively new service is called Google Business Street View and is a must for all business types!

Google Business Street View is a high quality, high definition virtual 360° tour of the inside of a business using Google Street Maps technology. The tour is embedded across the Google platform which allows new and existing customers who find a business via Google, Google Maps & Street View to enter and See inside a business and ‘walk around’.

This is great to showcase venue spaces, décor and feel, especially with seasonal Christmas and Corporate group bookings now due.

Virtual tours are available any time of the day, 24/7, 365 days of the year, for life! A great marketing tool in its own right.

Businesses that already have a virtual tour have seen an average increase in bookings of up to 20%.

Online customers are twice as likely to view a business that has a virtual tour than one that doesn’t.

Want to know more? Then visit: www.360businessphotographer.com for more information and to arrange a free site survey.

As part of the Surrey Chambers of Commerce network, I am offering all members a 10% discount for bookings made before December 31st 2015 using discount code surrey360google.

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New Members

Surrey Chambers of Commerce welcomes its latest member companies: 360 Business Photographer

DotGRO

07736 282698 Simon Sadek Marketing & PR www.360businessphotographer.com

02036 375157 www.dotgro.com

ALFX LTD

Floris van den Hoed Retail/wholesale www.florisvandenhoed.co.uk

01932 400223 Barry Jones Audio Visual Installation www.alfx.co.uk

Auditel 07795 195545 Mark Perry Cost Management Consultant www.auditel.co.uk/markperry

Baker Books International Ltd 01483 267888 Philip Baker Books www.bakerbooks.co.uk

Cavendish Communications Ltd 01273 615612 Zoe Taylor IT and communications www.cavcoms.com

CFBT Advice & Guidance - National Careers Service

Pro-Teq Surfacing (UK) Ltd Thom Gibbons

Floris Van Den Hoed

Lists UK 03444 822468 Marketing & PR

Dennis Brown

Maranello Sales Ltd 01784 436431 Kim Nelson Motors www.sytner.co.uk/ferrari/dealerlocator/maranello-egham/

MDMC Ltd 01483 717910 Marina Dieck Business Consultants

08700 678108 08700 678108 Miscellaneous

Pete Dolphin Hamish Scott

Siga UK Ltd 01276 415760 Ghazali Ahmed 01276 415760 Sajid Ilyas Manufacturing/Engineering www.sigauk.co.uk

SME Surrey Business Communications 07722 663373 Training & Education

Arnie Fabius

StrawberrySocial Ltd 07791 454808 Rebecca Fitzgerald Business Consultants www.strawberrysocial.co.uk

Mike Sicely

Tatanka Future Limited

07768 951547 Mike Sicely Business Consultants

Thom Gibbons IT and communications

Moorepay Ltd

Telephone Number Solutions

Jan Page & Jackie Piggott Charity www.cfbt.com

07983 455765 Mark Sapsford Recruitment & HR www.moorepay.co.uk

03333 234000 John Hayes IT and communications www.telephonenumbersolutions.com

cloudKube

Moorepay Ltd

Ward Williams Ltd

Tony Byrne IT and communications www.cloudkube.net

07983 455765 Sara Wilson Recruitment & HR www.moorepay.co.uk

Dimension 85 Ltd

Payrolls Direct

03333 441125 Phil Vandenberg Internet & Digital Consulting www.dimension85.com

07789 011041 Edward Shin Financial services www.payrollsdirect.com

01932 830664 Nausikaa Chiodo 01932 830664 Wayne Ashcroft 01932 830664 Coral Johnson 01932 830664 Jacky Staunton 01932 830664 Katherine Rickaby Accounting www.wardwilliams.co.uk

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Members News

Foxhills suggests Corporates saddle up for success Celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year, family-owned Foxhills Club & Resort in Ottershaw believes the key to teamwork in the corporate world may lie in the sport of group cycling.

Foxhills' cycling pedigree is indisputable. Having hosted the Team GB Road Race team during London 2012 and Team Sky during the 2013 Tour of Britain (which had a leg in Surrey), the leisure club and hotel was the official Resort Sponsor of the AVIVA Tour of Britain this year.

While hosting the world's best has created a legacy of world class cycling facilities, it’s Foxhills’ day-to-day commitment to the sport that gives Managing Director, Marc Hayton, invaluable insights into cycling’s capacity for effective team building.

“For a long time the value of golf for networking has been

recognised, yet truly building the bonds that make for a flourishing team – a fundamental for success in business – can be overlooked.

We find cycling events for companies or guests hosting clients are increasingly popular as an effective team builder.”

Foxhills hosts an annual Sportive where cyclists from far and wide compete in a mass participation experience. The resort also runs a weekly group cycling club, which takes in the local Surrey countryside, and Marc can often be found leading the pack.

He said: “Nothing beats the camaraderie of the peloton.

It’s a real team effort and whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced rider, everyone has an important role to play, just as in business.”

Foxhills has recently partnered with Surrey company Just Pedal to offer a group cycling package,

the Grand Tour - or ‘GT’ cycling package - aimed specifically at corporate groups. Included is a bespoke route, designed and risk-assessed specifically for a company’s event, professional on-ride support and guidance from expert ride leaders, support vehicles and qualified mechanics, catering and public liability insurance. Foxhills can even arrange a branded cycling kit.

Midsnell Activity Fund DMH Stallard completes is open for applications second merger of 2015

Midgley Snelling LLP has presented its first cheque from the Midsnell Activity Fund.

Designed to support clubs, groups, associations and schools seeking financial assistance for their projects, the Fund established by the Weybridge-based chartered accountants aims to encourage people across the generations to engage with a range of activities.

The first recipient was the Specialist Centre for Students with Visual Impairment at Woking High School, which received £700 towards the cost of specialist sports equipment to increase participation for students who are blind or visually impaired within sports lessons and clubs.

Tracey Wickens and Stephen Yeates, Partners at Midgley Snelling LLP, delivered the cheque and met with staff and some students of the Visual Impairment Unit.

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Tracey said: “It was enlightening to see how the use of specialist equipment can help blind and visually impaired pupils be independent and active in their day to day life.

“As a firm, we have always placed a great deal of importance on engaging with our local community and that is why the Midsnell Activity Fund was established. It allows us to be active in giving something to the community.”

If you know of a project that could qualify and benefit from up to £1,000, visit: www.midsnell.co.uk/aboutus/midsnell-activity-fund/ and complete an application form.

To be successful, candidates will need to demonstrate how the money will benefit the local community in being more active.

Leading South-East and London law firm DMH Stallard has announced its second merger of 2015, by confirming an agreement to merge with long-established London firm Ross & Craig Solicitors on December 14.

The merger further strengthens DMH Stallard’s presence in London. All of Ross & Craig’s existing team, including their eight partners, will move to DMH Stallard’s existing London office in New Fetter Lane.

The merged firm will retain the DMH Stallard name and the London operation will have a total of 23 partners and a turnover next year in excess of £10 million.

The merger follows strong financial performance for DMH Stallard over the past 12 months with profits increasing by 10%.

The merger further strengthens DMH Stallard’s position as one of the dominant firms in the South

East with offices in Gatwick, Guildford, Brighton and London, and brings the total number of Partners to 60.

Richard Pollins, Managing Partner of DMH Stallard, who led the deal, said: “I’m confident that the merger with Ross & Craig will provide us with a solid platform on which to continue to grow in London as the market improves.”

Stephen ten Hove, Managing Partner of Ross & Craig, said: “It fulfils our strategy of merging with a firm which will enable us greatly to enhance the range and type of services that we offer to our clients.”

Members News

3 ways to make your marketing budget work harder!

The marketing budget is always under pressure to be cut and spent elsewhere, no matter what size of business.

So it is vital that the available budget you do have works as hard as possible.

Here are 3 ways to make your marketing budget go further and generate the best ROI: 1. Get Focused It’s tempting to try lots of different marketing tactics - advertising, Google Adwords, Facebook ads, blogging, email marketing, remarketing, sponsorship, direct mail, the list is endless. Define your marketing strategy and approach that’s right for your target audience and focus in on 3-5 tactics with a consolidated message. Don’t be tempted by

that last minute discounted advert space or £50 Adwords trial offer!

Stick to your plan for the next 12 months and you will start to see better marketing results.

2. Measure, Measure, Measure!

Always make sure you measure the results of your campaigns so that you know exactly what is working well for you, You can then refine your approach, if need be, throughout the year. Systems like Mail Chimp*, Hootsuite*, Twitter and Facebook Insights, and Google Analytics are all free (* at the basic entry level) and give great insights into how your campaigns are performing.

3. Find a trusted Marketing Partner Find a specialist marketing agency or consultant and stick with them - by consolidating your activity and spend with one supplier you are likely to get better value for money than hopping between different ones.

It will save you time as well as money as they get to know your business objectives and strategy, and how you like to work.

Get more free marketing advice by joining our CIM South East LinkedIn group or follow us on Twitter @cim_se.

Until next time…Happy Marketing!

Sarah Orchard Chartered Institute of Marketing - Surrey Branch

You're Hired Again It's been a pleasure working for Karren Brady and we are delighted to say that we are launching her website today!

"As anyone who's seen me on The Apprentice will know, I'm not easily impressed, and I give praise only when it’s truly deserved. So I really mean it when I say I love the new website you've designed and built for me. Thank you, Sam. You and your team have done me proud."

Baroness Karren Brady of Knightsbridge, CBE HFarrow Creative has been working with Karren since 2013.

Our latest iteration of her website highlights Karren's motivational speaking work, as well as providing a portal for information about her business, media, charity and political roles.

With our straightforward design, copy and navigation, you always know exactly where you are - just like working with Baroness Brady herself, in fact!

True to our word As we're fond of reminding our clients, stationery is a crucial part of brand communications.

Design, colours and choice of materials all help to create a sense of who you are and what your stand for. This month, we've followed our own advice, and given our own letterhead, business cards, comp slips and other printed stationery the unique Farrow Creative

treatment. As well as overhauling the design, we've selected new stock - a wonderful thick, red card, supplied by our favourite manufacturer, GF Smith. If you'd like us to review your current stationery, please contact us.

Samantha Farrow t: 01730 710033 m: 07766475064 e: sam@farrowcreative.co.uk w: www.farrowcreative.co.uk

More payroll legislation changes are coming, so that’s more hassle and headache for SMEs! Wellden Turnbull is reminding clients that PAYE legislation is changing from 5 April 2016, so employers who intend to or are already payrolling benefits and expenses must register with HMRC using the new online Payrolling Benefits in Kind (PBIK) service.

In addition, from next April, employers who use the service and already payroll benefits and expenses won’t have to report them on a P11D. Employers must align their payroll software and register to payroll using the new service by 5 April 2016. They will not be able to register after this date for the 2016 / 2017 tax year as HMRC is unable to process changes in-year.

HMRC adds that all payroll benefits and expenses need to be included when employers report their payroll information in a Full Payment Submission (FPS).

In addition, P11D (b) forms must still be completed, including the total benefits and expenses provided, whether or not they have been put through the payroll.

However, if employers payroll car and fuel benefits, they must not complete P46 (Car) forms as they are deducting the tax at source that is due on these benefits.

Oli Spevack, Associate Director at Wellden Turnbull said: “All of these changes coming in from next April can be very confusing for an SME owner and so I would suggest that if you’re unsure about payroll changes, you seek professional advice.

At Wellden Turnbull we can handle your payroll duties so that it is one less thing for you to worry about. Let PBIK be our headache, not yours!”

For more information please visit www.wtca.co.uk

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Chamber Events

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council needs to hear from businesses!

Tuesday 10 November 2015 08:00 - 11:30 Epsom Downs Racecourse Members & Non Members: FREE The business voice has always been important to your local council as they produce their economic strategy for the future.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Surrey Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses

invite you to contribute to exciting plans for the future of your local area.

There will also be an opportunity to hear about local initiatives that are helping the vibrancy of the area including business support, awards and plans for the Town Centre.

Held at the stunning Epsom racecourse join us for a full update, the chance to have your voice heard and an opportunity to meet with other local businesses.

Heathrow Business Summit

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP & Sussex Police

Connecting buyers and suppliers

Cybercrime Breakfast Seminar

Tuesday 10 November 2015 09:00 - 17:30 Park Inn by Radisson The Heathrow Business Summit is a unique opportunity for Heathrow’s supply chain to connect and trade face to face with national and regional small and medium sized businesses and connect to growth opportunities locally, nationally and internationally.

Heathrow is committed to using its position as a national asset for the benefit of SMEs. As the UK’s international hub airport, Heathrow connects businesses up and down the UK to crucial growth markets around the world.

The Heathrow Business Summit has for 18 years connected SMEs to new business opportunities with each other, the airport and through the airport to the world.

Wednesday 11 November 2015 08:00 - 09:20 Charles Russell Speechlys LLP (Guildford) Member & Non Member: FREE Cybercrime - “Online crime is an industry. It’s organised, it’s about money, the yield for the criminal is high and so the threat is persistent.” SSP CCU Brighton 2015 Cybercrime - the very term has now entered the business lexicon and strikes fear into most management teams’ heart. Not only do individuals deal with hack

Leadership Forum

High Performance Teams Thursday 12 November 2015 17:30 - 20:30 Member: £22+VAT Non Member: £35+VAT Surrey Sports Park Ltd With guest speaker: Jean Gomes - The Energy Project

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attacks on a daily basis, but business and indeed countries are under regular attack from sophisticated criminals after our data, our money and our identities. In addition the attacks are focused on business secrets, business intelligence and intellectual property.

Jean Gomes is the Chairman of the Energy Project UK, which helps companies fuel sustainable high performance by better meeting the needs of their employees.

Jean has led the adoption of our work in Europe and Asia Pacific, amongst a wide range of clients including Nike, eBay, Unilever, Microsoft, Sony, Fujitsu, Goldman Sachs, Shell, Maersk Oil, National Australia Bank Group, the BBC and Save the Children.

Chamber Events

Break the Rules of Selling and Win More Business Friday 20 November 2015 08:00 - 10:00 Doubletree by Hilton, Woking Member: £12+VAT Non Member: £20+VAT Guest speaker Paul Glynn, Sandler Training (West M25)

Corporate Finance Workshop Tuesday 17 November 2015 17:00 - 19:00 The County Club, Guildford Member: £22+VAT Non Member: £37+VAT Speakers: Alistair Brew and Will Gresty, Business Growth Fund

Break the Rules of Selling and Win More Business - Calling business owners and managing directors!

Fed up with long sales cycles? Concerned about not having enough business? Angry that buyers seem to hold all the power?

Frustrated that even your best commercial people are better at making excuses than acquiring clients? You are not alone!

The Business Growth Fund (BGF) was established in 2011 to help Britain’s growing smaller and medium sized businesses. Backed by five of the UK’s main banking groups, it has up to £2.5bn to help unlock the potential of fastgrowing UK businesses that need long term capital to drive their future success. Four years on, having invested £600m in UK businesses and recently exited its first investment, we investigate how the BGF has successfully provided capital to UK companies, its criteria for investments and its plans for the future including the recent launch of the largest ever venture capital fund (£200m) dedicated to earlier stage UK technology companies.

Surrey Chambers Christmas Lunch Open 18 Hole Golf Competition at Woking Golf Club Tuesday 8 December 2015 08:00 - 17:30 Member: £85+VAT Non Member: £120+VAT Open 18 Hole Stableford competition open to all business people.

08.00 Bacon Roll and coffee, followed by 18 Holes and Lunch with Prize Giving.

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.

Sponsored by Maris Interiors

Wednesday 16 December 2015 12:15 - 15:00 Radisson Blu Edwardian Guildford Hotel Member: £45+VAT Non Member: £60+VAT An idea opportunity to round off the year with one of our most popular events.

Take a table for 10 and entertain your clients, say thank you to your team for all their hard work, bring a client or two, or come and network with other business leaders and decision makers.

If you come on your own to network you will change tables during the meal to meet new contacts.

Reigate Breakfast with Steve Backley OBE: “Success is a Decision Not a Gift” Tuesday 19 January 2016 08.00 - 09.30 Reigate Manor Hotel Member: £20+VAT Non Member: £30+VAT Come and join us at Reigate Manor Hotel for our Reigate Breakfast where former javelin World Record Holder Steve Backley OBE will be speaking.

With more than eight years’ experience as a corporate speaker, Steve will deliver inspirational and practical key messages for self and team improvement paired with amusing anecdotes of Olympics tales.

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Member News

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive in the South East

By Peter Quilter Director, Corporate and Commercial Banking - Surrey, NatWest Nearly half the people in the South East would prefer to be self-employed, according to new research from NatWest.

But while the appetite to become self-employed and set up in business is greater than ever, a fear of failure is holding the majority back.

The latest edition of the NatWest Entrepreneurship Monitor – a quarterly survey of people across the UK - shows that almost a third of all residents in the South East think now is a good time to set up in business, but only 4% are actually in the process.

The Entrepreneurship Monitor’s other key findings include that just under half of people in the South East would prefer to be self-employed and 43% have considered starting their own business but 56% are held back by the fear of failure.

In addition, 57% of respondents who want to start their own business say that business advice is the thing that would help them most but just one in 10 people would consider going to a bank for advice; and over half of adults who want to start a business don’t think there is enough support in their local area.

At NatWest, we want to fill these gaps by helping and encouraging people to take their ideas forward.

So in partnership with Entrepreneurial Spark and KPMG, we are launching ten free business accelerator hubs in our buildings across the UK. Our plan is to support 7,000 entrepreneurs over the next five years through this partnership.

As part of the programme we are aspiring entrepreneurs free facilities, free business advice, mentoring and support networks and access to the wider business ecosystem.

Entrepreneurs are significant wealth creators and the lifeblood of the UK economy so supporting entrepreneurships must be a key national priority going forward.

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Are you getting what you need from your accounting system?

By Paul Allsop of Ashton Allsop

Did you know there is a revolution going on? “

Revolution” and “accounting” are not words that you often hear said together!

However, there are an increasing number of businesses adopting cloudbased accounting solutions and, as a result, accessing new opportunities to add value, including:

• Well Informed Decisions: Cloud-based solutions enable you to work in real time, in collaboration with others, with up to the minute management information to make confident decisions • Proactive Cash Management: Cloud-based solutions will give you immediate line of sight over what you are owed and what you owe and enable you to track your stock requirements • More Time: Cloud-based solutions can enable you to gain time savings by helping you to keep on top of your paperwork more easily freeing you up to spend more time developing your business • Integration and Simplification: Cloudbased solutions enable you to create bespoke systems

to specifically address your business needs • Lower costs: Realise savings by making your bookkeeping arrangements more efficient and addressing issues in real time rather than storing them up until the year end • Knowingly Compliant: Good compliance isn't optional for any business but it is increasingly challenging to keep on top of it. There's real value in being knowingly compliant and a reliable and integrated system can relieve some of the burden by strengthening the quality of your business data and providing a robust audit trail.

Ashton Allsop is a firm of Chartered Accountants, Business and International Tax Advisers based in Cobham.

Member News

Council awarded for good work with schools and colleges The SteMX awards are a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

The Council was the winner in the category for businesses working closely with schools and colleges and was presented with an award and certificate at a ceremony on 30 September, held at the WWF Living Planet Centre in Woking.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council works closely with a number of local schools, colleges and local employers in the area to ensure that the borough’s workforce meets the needs of local employers, as well as making young people aware of the benefits from local employment opportunities.

It also includes conducting mock interviews and providing work placements and work experience.

“We are delighted to be recognised for the work we do with young people, local schools, colleges and businesses”, said Cllr Eddy Humphreys, Executive Member for Economy & Jobs.

“Reigate and Banstead is a great place to live and work and we want to make sure that all our residents are able to make the best of the great local employment opportunities and that businesses know they have a skilled workforce locally.”

Simon Bland, Economic Prosperity Programme Manager and Steve Bevan, Talent development business partner

The SteMX awards are organised

by Surrey Satro, an organisation that promotes and rewards students in all areas of STEM subjects. The awards aim to recognise the huge wealth of skills within the region and the fantastic opportunities that it offers to employers.

Avoiding the pitfalls when extending or refurbing

by David Lewis of Grillo LLP Chartered Surveyors in Godalming The latest Land Registry figures show that the number of house sales in England and Wales for June dropped by 13% since June 2014.

By contrast, the number of residential planning applications rose by 10 per cent between April and June this year, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government. With planning rules relaxed, people are opting to stay put and make changes to their existing home.

With increased demand for builders to extend and refurb,

and the shortage of builders, costs are rising and it is vital to have someone monitoring them.

Grillo LLP Chartered Surveyors recommend the following steps.

1. Before you start, thoroughly consider what you are trying to achieve. Take advice from a professional firm.

2. Make sure that your designer has an intimate knowledge of building design and techniques.

3. It is essential when designing alterations for Listed Buildings to get the Conservation Officer to agree.

4. Ensure that your designer has a comprehensive working knowledge of the Building Regulations.

5. Be aware of physical constraints of the site 6. Avoid disputes over the work by insisting on a comprehensive specification being prepared.

7. Make sure you get a professional like a Chartered Surveyor, project manager or architect to design and oversee the building work.

New showroom exterior for Raycross Interiors Raycross Interiors welcomed members from Surrey Chambers of Commerce to their Byfleet Village Showroom to help with the celebrations as they unveiled a new showroom exterior.

The exterior was upgraded to make it look as stylish as the interior.

With sleek graphite grey window frames and their new logo in stand-out stainless steel lettering back-lit with LEDs, the re-branding of the company is now almost complete.

Guest speaker for the event was Sally Pritchett, co-owner of Something Big Ltd, who

presented on the importance of marketing and the success it will bring.

Guests were treated to prosecco and canapés, courtesy of Anise Catering and relaxing, neck and shoulder massages from the ladies at Byfleet Beauty Lounge.

Donations on the evening were made to the chosen charity for Raycross Interiors, the White Lodge Centre at Chertsey.

Surrey Chamber of Commerce Membership Offer: Raycross Interiors are delighted to offer all Surrey Chamber members a complimentary one 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 the design consultants by emailing sales@raycross.co.uk and quoting SURREY CHAMBER.

Cloud Payroll can save SMEs time and money A recent Software Advice survey found that just 24% of UK SMEs currently use cloud based payroll services. Most used software they had purchased, outsourced their entire payroll function or used a paper system.

However, the quarter of SMEs switched on to cloud-based payroll are repairing the benefits they are more efficient and save time and money every month.

Payroll in the cloud works like other cloud services such as Dropbox, with data or files stored securely online ready to be accessed on demand.

For those switching from paper, managing payroll in the cloud is a transformative experience.

It simplifies tasks such as managing holiday allowances, producing and issuing payslips, managing expenses, bonuses and commissions and keeping track of sick pay.

This saves both time and money – there is no need to wrestle with paper time sheets or spend hours chasing paperwork. Because everything is stored online, it can be updated, downloaded, saved and printed at will. Employees get paid on time, information is accurate and expensive software or costly consultants become a thing of the past.

Choosing a reputable cloud based provider means all of the arduous compliance tasks are also taken care of. A decent system will handle RTI Submissions, offer free HR templates and documents and handle all HMRC queries.

Fast, accurate and affordable, local cloud payroll expert Surrey Pay is one example of how the cloud is taking off. Its service reduces overheads and cuts payroll management time to the bone. As well as handling all of the typical payroll tasks, the intelligent system also manages accounts, historical data and resources and can be accessed around the clock. Employees and employers get their own dedicated control panel. There is no software to install, no contract and no setup fee.

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Chamber Chat

5 minutes with...

Nigel Blake Managing Director Perfect Pitch What is your vision for the future of the business?

Explain Perfect Pitch to someone unfamiliar with the business: We are an outbound b2b (business to business) telemarketing agency, and our job is to get our clients in front of the people they wish to meet.

What differentiates your organisation from others?

We use trained actors together with sales professionals to make our outbound calls, which not only produces excellent results, but makes a great Christmas party!

At Perfect Pitch we are pursuing continued growth without losing sight of how we got here, and most importantly we want to continue to deliver excellent results for our existing and future clients.

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

Your clients must always be your first and most important priority, as without them you do not have a business. We will always ensure that we fully understand and research each client’s market, as well as making sure we have clear objectives for their campaign.

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

As an organisation, Surrey Chambers offers so much more than networking opportunities. They offer continued support for growing businesses, along with a friendly approach and a smile.

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

Surrey is a big community, but it is a small world, so be nice to everyone you meet as you never know when you may encounter them again, and what opportunities that meeting may create.

“At Perfect Pitch we are pursuing continued growth without losing sight of how we got here, and most importantly we want to continue to deliver excellent results for our existing and future clients.”

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