Southwark Business Today April 2019

Southwark

BUSINESS TODAY

Issue 23: April 2019

Appointment of Principal marks an exciting new era for Southwark College Page 16

• Full speed ahead with

1Gb Broadband. Page 14

• Southwark’s premier Business Awards announces 2019 Shortlist. Page 9

• Property Focus.

Page 20

Warwick Business School at The Shard, London

For the Change Makers

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wbs.ac.uk/go/WBSLondon

Welcome

Welcome to

Contents

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY The Southwark Chamber of Commerce magazine for all Businesses in Southwark With impeccable timing I find myself writing again at a time when whatever I say is bound to be wrong.

By the time you see this we may know what the future holds… then again, we may not. I feel like a bit of a broken record and I therefore propose to retreat to the time-honoured tactic of re-hashing what I have already said.

• Government doesn’t make things better the best it can achieve is not to make things worse. OK so government doesn’t always make things worse, it does however have the ability to damage business through the law of unintended consequences and my plea is to think long and hard before making policy which creates a lot of (unpaid) work for business for very little gain.

• The only person you can rely on is you. In my view this is a direct consequence of my point above, hoping that someone else, or the government, is going to make things better for you is probably not a long terms survival strategy.

There really is no substitute for getting stuck in to your

Disclaimer

Southwark Business Today is mailed without charge to all Chamber members and distributed to businesses in the Borough. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at Southwark

business and making sure everything that need to get done is done as soon as it can be done.

• Celebrate what you do well and innovate.

Moving your business forward and developing new products and processes is the best way to ensure you are here for the long term and it has the added benefit of keeping you fresh and interested. Too often good businesses fail because not thinking about the future grows into not thinking at all.

The purpose of the Chamber of Commerce is to assist business and in relation to these and many other issues.

We lobby government and provide input into policy where we can and in those cases where we cannot make a direct contribution we and the other local chambers lobby collectively with a view to creating an environment which can inform political decisions. The Chamber also runs a series of seminars and events for business to give you the tools to keep up with current thinking and legislation.

Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in publication are not necessarily those of Southwark Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission of the Editor. © 2019. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this

Finally, we are in the second year of the Southwark Business awards and we already have a very impressive shortlist of businesses to go on to the individual judging phase and though it is too late to enter you can still be there by purchasing tickets to the Awards Ceremony on 13th June.

If you are serious about business then please join the Chamber, details of how to apply are in the back of the magazine.

Chairman Southwark Chamber of Commerce

Peter Mantell

journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

4-5 6 7 8-9 13 14 16-17 18 19-21 24-25 26 27 28 30-31 32-33 34 34 Enquiries

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Up Front Legal Finance Southwark Business Awards Skills Connectivity Big Interview Education Property Focus Arts & Culture Economy Voice from Westminster Remembering When...

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Southwark Chamber of Commerce 169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW Tel: 07477 581977 Email: admin@southwarkcommerce.com Web: www.SouthwarkCommerce.com

Editor

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Contributing Editor Susan Isaacs

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April 2019 © Benham Publishing

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Up Front

Making New culture space planned for Walworth sense of the A new arts and community hub, café and studio workspaces are to be developed after Southwark Council confirmed its preferred bidder for ‘Westminster the refurbishment of Walworth Town Hall and the former library space. zoo’ The Times and The Sunday Times launched a Politics. Tamed. advertising campaign to reinforce the newspapers’ commitment to keeping readers well informed in confusing times.

Both papers are published by Southwark-based News UK and the campaign portrayed politicians as animals in the Westminster zoo, whose constant braying and territorial divisions create much noise but mean the Brexit negotiations are virtually incomprehensible to much of the public.

The 40 second advertisement saw squawking parrots, hysterical hyenas, slippery snakes, and ever-changing chameleons adorn the green benches of the House of Commons. Only the lion and the unicorn – from the royal crest in The Times’s masthead – bring order to proceedings.

Designed by News UK’s in-house agency Pulse Creative London, the campaign is led by a stunning piece of film set within the House of Commons, and the political animals were used on television, buses, taxis and digital media.

John Witherow, editor of The Times, said: “Our campaign captures the national mood of confusion and frustration, while we at The Times seek to bring clarity and balance to our reporting of this pivotal moment in British politics.”

Catherine Newman, Chief Marketing Officer of The Times and The Sunday Times, said: “Right now there is so much information from so many sources it’s hard to make sense of it all.

The Politics.Tamed. campaign aims to address this.”

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The Grade II listed building has been empty since it was devastated by fire in March 2013. Over recent months, the council has been seeking organisations with the financial capacity and expertise to oversee the refurbishment of the buildings.

Following consultation on two proposals, the council has selected General Projects to lead the transformation of the town hall.

The General Projects proposal looks to restore the building as multi-use cultural space, including employment space for the creative industries and a music studio, building on Southwark’s reputation as a home for creative and cultural start-ups.

It will also provide a dedicated community/arts/culture space in the former Newington Library.

Together with the recent announcement of the new Walworth Library and Southwark Heritage centre nearby, this will result in 44 per cent more available public space than before the fire.

The proposals also include a new entrance onto the recently completed Walworth Square, connecting it to other recent additions such as the new venue for the council’s new library and

Southwark heritage centre and shopping streets of Elephant Park, which include affordable retail units.

Cllr Johnson Situ, Cabinet Member for Growth, Development and Planning, said: “Both bidders brought forward exciting and innovative ideas and I would like to thank both General Projects and Castleforge for their enthusiasm and understanding of the council’s vision for the space.

“Following the most recent round of consultation, we felt the General Projects offered the most benefits for Walworth residents and demonstrated our ongoing commitment to making the building as publically accessible as possible with proposals for a dedicated cultural and community space, event/performance space in the old Council Chamber, new café/restaurant and other work

spaces that will be available for local organisations and community hire.”

Jacob Loftus, Chief Executive Officer for General Projects, said: “The Walworth Town Hall is a South London icon and we are delighted and honoured to have been given the opportunity to become its next custodian.

We are committed to restoring the building back to its former glory, whilst at the same reinventing it as a new creative workspace, community and cultural hub.

“At the heart of our vision will be a series of ‘Society Rooms’, which will ensure that the key historic parts of the building remain publicly accessible and provide engaging social and artistic programmes for the community around us.”

Southwark Council will also commit a £2m grant to the project to support the extra community space.

“The Walworth Town Hall is a South London icon and we are delighted and honoured to have been given the opportunity to become its next custodian.”

Former college lecturer back in print African economics expert Dr Adebisi Adewole, who taught businessrelated subjects and ICT at Southwark College from 1998 to 2002, chose the college to launch his new book.

Publication of ‘Logistics and Global Value Chains in Africa’ comes as part of his growing interest in the subject.

He completed his PhD doctoral research at the University of the Arts London in Supply Chain Relationships in the 2003, after which he moved to London Metropolitan University as Senior Lecturer (Associate professor) where he taught for twelve years before he progressed to the University of the West of Scotland

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

(UWS) in 2014. He is on record as the first African PhD scholar in Supply Chains Management and has published widely in his field and contributed at many international conferences.

His new book provides an explanation of the relevance of logistics and the global value chain to trade on the African continent and aims to help define an approach that will bring about competitive trade deals for Africa.

Up Front

Mayor opens van scrappage Lions fund for microbusinesses support and charities He made the move ahead of the introduction of the 24-hour, seven-days-a week Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London on April 8.

The £23 million scrappage fund is one of the Mayor’s measures to tackle toxic air pollution, which leads to 40,000 premature deaths annually across the UK and increases the risk of asthma, cancer and dementia.

With polluting vehicles accounting for 50 per cent of London’s toxic NOx air emissions, air pollution costs the UK economy £20 billion every year.

Microbusinesses and charities can choose from a range of ‘scrap for cash’ options and apply for the scheme online at www.tfl.gov.uk/scrappage-scheme.

The Government already offer grants to cover the capital cost of electric vans. These reduce the cost of an electric van by up to 20 per cent or a maximum of £8,000.

The Mayor’s scheme has been designed to be complementary to this support and aims to help microbusinesses – defined as those with ten or fewer employees – and registered charities who have vans

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan opened his scrappage fund to help microbusinesses and charities to scrap their older, more polluting vans and minibuses and switch to cleaner vehicles.

and minibuses that do not comply with the new ULEZ standards. They will have to be registered in London or have been frequently observed driving in the Congestion Charging Zone.

Options include: • A payment of £6,000 to scrap a non-compliant van or minibus and help with running costs of a new electric vehicle • A payment of £3,500 to scrap a non-compliant van or minibus which can be used to: o purchase a newer ULEZ compliant Euro 6 vehicle; o access third party offers from rental and sharing services across London, including Zipcar, Northgate Hire, Enterprise and Europcar*; o support ongoing business operations* Sadiq Khan said: “To get a grip on London’s lethal air and protect public health, we need to rid our streets of the most polluting vehicles.

“Motorists need our help and support to take positive action, and I am proud to open this £23 million scrappage scheme to help enable microbusinesses and charities to

Funding announced to support Rye Lane businesses during road closure Southwark Council and SGN have announced funding to support traders along Peckham’s Rye Lane whilst the road is closed for gas main replacement works.

SGN announced the essential maintenance work last year and the road was closed in January, with sections of it to be closed off until January 2020.

To mitigate the effects of the road closure, the council has been working with SGN and local organisations to find solutions and continue to drive footfall down Rye Lane.

The funding has been allocated through the council’s High Street Challenge funding for a joint proposal, led by Mountview Theatre of Performing Arts, to develop a yearlong programme of events in Peckham to support trade and continued footfall on Rye Lane

during the works and to promote it as a retail and cultural destination.

The council will also be commissioning additional business support to help small businesses navigate the compensation process and discuss their concerns.

Cllr Kieron Williams, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Innovation, said: “Rye Lane is one of London’s most vibrant and exciting high streets thanks to its wealth of small and independent businesses.

“They’re the lifeblood of the town centre so it’s vital they’re supported through this disruption. That’s why we’ve put in place this extra support from the council. I’m very pleased

scrap polluting vans and minibuses, and switch to cleaner vehicles.

The van scrappage scheme will be followed later this year with a £25 million fund to help lower-income households scrap polluting cars.”

Alex Williams, Transport for London's Director of City Planning, said: “London’s toxic air affects everyone, especially the most vulnerable people such as children and the elderly. This is why the launch of a £23 million diesel scrappage scheme to help micro-businesses and charities switch away from polluting vans and play their part in tackling air pollution is so important.”

Kathleen Whittam, Head of Strategic Accounts, Northgate PLC, said: “Having cleaner air in our cities is of paramount importance for all our futures.”

Gerry Keaney, Chief Executive of the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association, said: “The vehicle rental, leasing and car club industry will play a vital role in delivering the transition to cleaner urban transport and we are delighted to see some of our members stepping-up to pledge their own support for the Mayor’s scrappage scheme.”

SGN have agreed to fund it too.

We’ll be keeping a very close eye on how things are going. The most important message is Peckham is open throughout these works.”

SGN's General Manager Drew Reynolds said: “We want to have a lasting positive impact in Rye Lane, not just the obvious benefits from upgrading the gas network to ensure a safe and reliable supply for many years to come. That's why we’ve worked with Southwark Council to establish a dedicated fund intended to directly support the Peckham community throughout our project.

"Having engaged with the local community, traders and council, we’re totally committed to doing all we can to ensure it’s business as usual and people continue to visit Rye Lane during our work.”

A steering group, led by Mountview and made up of other local businesses and organisations, will be working up a programme and allocating the funds.

Back the Bakerloo campaign Millwall became the first London football club to announce its official support for the Back the Bakerloo campaign.

Southwark and Lewisham Councils have joined together to run the campaign to get the whole of London behind plans to extend the Bakerloo line through Southwark and Lewisham.

The extension will dramatically improve transport links, relieving the load on the bus and Overground network, and make the wider South London area more accessible than it’s ever been before.

It will also deliver thousands of new homes, including affordable homes, and jobs, supporting the local economy and helping tackle London’s housing crisis.

Steve Kavanagh from Millwall Football Club said: “We firmly believe there is a clear need for the Bakerloo line to be extended in order to ease the pressure on other transport services and, importantly, to improve links for the local community.

“That the extension would also deliver new homes and jobs is a key indicator of its importance to our capital city and we are calling on individuals and organisations throughout London to also get behind the Back the Bakerloo campaign.”

Cllr Johnson Situ, Southwark Cabinet Member for Growth, Development and Planning, said: “We are thrilled to have Millwall Football Club on board this important campaign.

The extension will make a huge difference to people living and working in Old Kent Road, where there will be a new town centre.

“The extension is key to delivering more affordable homes, jobs and services to this part of London and opening up new opportunities for people across the city. And, of course, it will make it a lot easier for football fans to come and support their favourite team down at The Den.”

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

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Legal Advice

Can a periodic business tenant in occupation of premises obtain a lease from their landlord?

You are a commercial tenant running a business from premises and you now want your landlord to grant you a written lease for a fixed term.

You may have been paying rent monthly or quarterly for some years, but your landlord has still not given you a fixed term lease.

What can you do to force the landlord’s hand?

Rights under a periodic tenancy

It is likely that you are a periodic tenant and if you have been in occupation of business premises paying rent for more than 12 months, you will have become a protected business tenant with the rights granted by the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 Part 11.

As such the landlord cannot simply terminate your lease by giving you one month’s notice.

It would need to serve you with a statutory notice under the 1954 Act giving you not less than 6 nor more than 12 months’ notice and you will then have the right to apply to the court for a new lease on terms to be agreed or decided upon by the court.

Can you require the landlord to grant a new lease?

If the time has come that you need the certainty of a fixed term

lease, perhaps in order to grow or sell your business, you will not be able to serve on the landlord a notice under section 26 of the 1954 Act requesting a new lease.

The right to do this only applies to tenants whose tenancy was granted for a fixed term certain exceeding one year or for any term and thereafter from year to year.

So what should the tenant do?

Negotiate with your landlord

A periodic protected tenant should be in a strong position to negotiate a new lease with the landlord who would be keen to regularise the position. Without a lease, the landlord cannot unilaterally increase the rent, or regulate the use of the premises or prevent the tenant from sharing occupation or assigning its tenancy. It is unlikely that the landlord could easily sell its interest in the property while a protected periodic tenant contiuues in occupation for an indefinite period.

With oral tenancy agreements if a dispute arises the court would need to hear evidence and try to

resolve the dispute which could be unsatisfactory to both parties and the uncertaintly of a court case could be avoided by agreeing upon lease terms.

One way in which the landlord can regularise the position is to serve a written notice under section 25 of the 1954 Act terminating the tenancy and stating whether or not the landlord is willing to grant a new lease and if so on what terms including rent and length of lease.

If the landlord opposes the grant of a new lease, then it may only refuse on certain grounds set out in the statute, most commonly refusal on the grounds of persistent rent arrears, being able to demonstrate an intention to occupy the premises for its own use or an intention to redevelop.

The landlord must demonstrate the ability to do these things if necessary by producing plans and specifications and the necessary planning permissions. This can make it difficult for a landlord to regain possession.

If the tenant is a protected business tenant and the landlord does not have grounds to oppose

a new lease, the tenant will be able to obtain a new lease on terms to be agreed or if not agreed as determined by the court. Accordingly the landlord cannot simply impose any terms it wishes and the court will look at the implied terms of the periodic tenancy when considering what terms should be inserted in the new lease.

The landlord is therefore likely to be agreeable to grant a lease to a periodic tenant especially since it cannot increase the rent without first terminating the lease under the Act, and the position will remain uncertain.

Taking legal advice

It is best to seek legal advice first before finalising terms in principle with your landlord to ensure that the terms of the new lease are not onerous and reflect the terms of your existing oral tenancy. Where there is a dispute with the landlord and the landlord is taking steps to terminate the tenancy without offering acceptable new lease terms, it will be important to seek legal advice as to your rights and how to protect your position.

If you need expert legal advice, please contact Alan Zeffertt by email on aze@anthonygold.co.uk or ask for him or a member of our Commercial Property Team, telephone 020 7940 4000.

Anthony Gold Solicitors specialise in many different areas of law

Our solicitors are experts in their fields. We are negotiators and litigators,

committed to doing whatever is best for our clients.

T: 020 7940 4060

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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

Offices in London Bridge, Elephant & Castle and Streatham.

E: mail@anthonygold.co.uk

W: www.anthonygold.co.uk

A DV E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

A R E YOU RU N N I N G T H E R I S K O F OU T L I V I N G YOU R S AV I N G S ?

In a world of low interest rates, ever-changing legislation and increasing life expectancy, Andrew Rumbles offers some useful guidance on retirement planning.

A recent Work and Pensions Committee report identified that 32% of people who withdrew their retirement pots in full chose to save the largest share of Andrew Rumbles Wealth Management it in standard savings Consultant products like cash bank accounts and Premium Bonds. These are likely to have lower rates of return than pension savings as well as potentially higher tax liabilities.1 Indeed, concerns continue to grow for those who choose to draw on their pension savings without taking advice. Drawdown demands a different mindset to that needed by those who retire with an annuity, as it requires individuals to plan their own investment strategy and ensure that withdrawals are sustainable. And while the majority are taking a sensible approach, the minority are withdrawing pension funds at rates that would see this money run out in a decade or less. And if they’re relying solely on the State Pension to see them through their later years, they will have to accept that their standard of living is going to drop significantly.

The State Pension provides a limited income (£168.60 for a single person, per week, based on a full NI record in the 2019/2020 tax year), which falls drastically short of what is really needed to fund a comfortable lifestyle.

So how do we avoid poverty in retirement?

First, decide how large a fund you will need. One method is to multiply your target retirement income by 25. For example, if you think you’ll need £25,000 a year, aim for a fund of £625,000.

Next, select the most appropriate investment vehicles to achieve your goal.

Property, investment bonds and ISAs have all proved popular over recent years but don’t offer the same degree of tax breaks as a pension.

RET I REE S WIT H A DRAWDOWN PE NSI O N SHOUL D SE E K ADVI C E WHE N C AL C UL AT ING WI T HDRAWALS.

To help avoid running out of money, selecting a balanced and well-diversified investment portfolio is critical, but knowing how much money to take from a drawdown policy is arguably of greater importance.

For further information, or to arrange a no obligation meeting, contact Andrew Rumbles on the details below.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

An investment in equities does not provide the security of capital associated with a deposit account with a bank or building society.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.

1

Work and Pensions Committee Report – The effects of pension freedoms, March 2018

PROSPERA WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLP Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management Tel: 02036 653439 | Mob: 07496 966474 Email: andrew.rumbles@sjpp.co.uk | Web: www.prosperawealth.co.uk The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

H2SJP31757 04/19

@SouthwarkAwards

K O NE BO LI N O

FOLLOW US ON

BOOK YOUR PLACE AT SOUTHWARK’S PREMIER BUSINESS EVENT An evening of celebration and networking

THURSDAY 13 JUNE 2019 HILTON LONDON BANKSIDE

Book online: www.southwarkawards.co.uk or contact Natasha Miller: 020 8726 7968 or info@southwarkawards.co.uk I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H

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Awards Shortlist

Southwark’s premier Business Awards announces 2019 Shortlist Southwark’s leading business awards have attracted an exceptional range of entries from inspirational firms – including many that are world leaders in their field.

Southwark Business Excellence Awards in association with London South Bank University drew submissions from every business sector.

Shortlist adjudicator Paul Hadfield says the ‘depth and quality’ of the entries received was impressive.

He commented: “Southwark is home to some fantastic small and medium sized businesses who are world

leaders in their field. In their entries many showed high levels of innovation in technology, recruitment, creative and cultural businesses.”

Shortlisted companies will now be invited to submit a second round application. The winners, will be announced at a Gala Dinner & Charity Ball awards ceremony on 13 June – tickets are on sale now at www.southwarkawards.co.uk

* The Southwark Business Excellence Awards are sponsored by: London South Bank University, Southwark Chamber, Southwark Council, British Land, Delancey, Galliard Homes/Aviva Investors, Great Portland Estates, Landsec, Lendlease, London College of Communication UAL, Wates, Willmott Dixon and our Media Partner Southwark News.

They are supported by Forepure Brewing, Insight6, Sea Containers and Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard.

The 2019 Southwark Business Excellence Awards Shortlist: APPRENTICE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR • A.J. Morrisroe & Sons • chapman bdsp • Everyone Active • HLM Architects • Virocom • Waterman Group

BEST BUSINESS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE • Archimedes Inspiration – Al Escape • Bodytonic Clinic • Canada Water Café • Cezanne HR Ltd • Chapter 72 • Complete I.T. • Get Living • London Bridge Hotel • Rat Race Cycles • The Stress Exchange

BEST BUSINESS FOR HOSPITALITY, LEISURE & TOURISM • Archimedes Inspiration – Al Escape • Bala Baya • Bermondsey Square Hotel • Escape Rooms • London Bridge Hotel • The Ghost Bus Tours

BEST BUSINESS FOR TECH & INNOVATION • Cezanne HR • Cloudscape IT • Fitness Space • Lyte • Peak • Unilink Software

BEST CHARITY OR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE • Bankside Open Spaces Trust • Bermondsey Project Space • Blue Patch.org • Bunker Theatre Productions • Cervantes Theatre • Disability Sports Coach • Lloyds Bank Foundation • Time & Talents • Toucan Employment • Tree Shepherd BEST EMPLOYER • Ben Adams Architects • Fuse Architects • HLM Architects • Outstanding Branding • Peak • Source Marketing Direct • Superlative Recruitment • Utility Results

BEST SMALL BUSINESS • • • • • • • • • •

Adroit Accountax Fathom Architects Growing Together Exponentially Inspired Search & Selection NEMI Teas PACK & SEND Elephant & Castle Pulse Outdoor Media Re-Wrapped The London Cat Clinic Utility Results

• • • • • •

Anthony Gold Solicitors Ballers Football Academy Bermondsy Project Space Forge Architects Hilton London Bankside University College of Osteopathy

CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY

BEST FOOD & BEVERAGE AWARD • Bala Baya ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR • Black Cowboy Coffee & Waffles • Gergana Argirova, • Café G London Music Box • Eden Caterers • Pranav Chopra, NEMI Teas • Hiver Beers • Hop King Brewery • Asad Dhunna, The Unmistakables • Origin Coffee Roasters • Katharine Elizabeth, • Paladar Katharine Elizabeth Millinery • Tibits • Lydia Gardner, Tree Shepherd BEST MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS • James Gill, bodytonic clinic • Ben Adams Architects • Uorenzo Johnson, UJ Trends • Complete I.T. • Olivia Mudie, Concrete • Eden Caterers Communications • EngageTech • David Taylor, GROW: in London • The Ghost Bus Tours • Simone Vincenzi, Growing • VHR Together Exponentially • Visual Response

INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR • • • • • • •

Brand Academy Store Hiver Beers Katherine Elizabeth Millinery Lant Street Wine Company Rat Race Cycles Really Maria Tower Bridge Wellness Pharmacy

THE SOUTHWARK CULTURAL COMMITMENT AWARD • • • • • •

Bermondsy Project Space Cervantes Theatre London Bridge Hotel Magnus Rodwell – London Artist PACK & SEND Elephant & Castle The Bermondsey Artists’ Group Managing CGP London • Theatre Peckham

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

• Gergana Argirova, London Music Box • Suzy Astbury, Inspired Search & Selection • Angela Burgess, SE Magazines • Charlotte Endacott, Café G. & Gymboree Play and Music • Anna Kiho, HLM Architects • Tessa Gooding, Urban Patchwork • Olivia Mudie, Concrete Communications • Kristen O’Connell, Superlative Recruitment • Sharon Potter, University College of Osteopathy • Sarah Penn, Outstanding Branding

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

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The vet that’s the cat’s whiskers

ISFM Gold Standard, catonly veterinary practice in the heart of Bermondsey Our purpose-built clinic won the National Veterinary Practice Design Awards and everything caters to the well-being of our patients and their carers

With some of the most up-to-date equipment and technology, we o er our patients a wide range of services under one roof

Our 20 or 30 minute-long consultations give you more time with us to talk about your cat’s needs. We want to hear what you have to say

Our fabulous feline-focused vets hold additional quali cations in felinemedicine and our team are all catowners and cat-lovers

“We do what we do because cats are unique and they deserve a special place.

We believe this place is The London Cat Clinic - we hope you feel the same way too.”

No dogs allowed! Cats and their carers need a speci cally-designed, peaceful place of their own without unwanted attention

Dr Jeremy Campbell, Founder & Clinical Director

We are proud of our reputation for clinical excellence and 5* reviews on Google and Facebook ‘From the moment you walk through the door you realise that this place is something special.’

‘I highly recommend this place for cat lovers.’

‘If you are looking for a place that loves your cat as much as you do, you are in the right place.’

‘I call Dr Jeremy ‘the cat whisperer’.’

To register or to make an appointment online visit www.thelondoncatclinic.co.uk Tel: 0203 740 1112 | @TheLondonCatClinic | #thelondoncatclinic Email: hello@thelondoncatclinic.co.uk | Address: 82-86 Spa Road, Bermondsey, SE16 3QT The London Cat Clinic is proud to be a nalist in the Best Small Business Awards

Small Business Category

£10 OFF your first appointment. Just mention Southwark CoC.

BEST BUSINESS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Study a part-time MBA in London Warwick Business School at The Shard, London

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Education

My MBA helped build my life in the West When Kashif Khaleel sat in his third-floor Islamabad office watching troops storm the infamous Red Mosque in Islamabad, he knew it was time to leave Pakistan.

From his Nestlé office window he could see smoke bellowing from the mosque and hear gun fire. This was the final straw as he became increasingly concerned about his family and future.

been fantastic for me,” says Kashif, who now has two children with his wife.

In 2009 Kashif decided to give up his burgeoning career at Nestle and through the High Skilled Migrant Programme, which no longer exists, moved to the UK.

“Having already done a full-time MBA I knew what was I was looking for and the Warwick MBA augmented my previous qualification, it wasn’t just repeating what I had done in Lahore,” says Kashif.

Terrorist attacks are a weekly occurrence in Pakistan. According to Pakistan’s National Internal Security Policy from 2001 to November 2013, 48,994 people were killed by terrorist attacks.

“I stayed with my brother in Chertsey, I was unemployed for four months and left my wife behind,” says Kashif. “It was tough but at least I had a future to look forward to. I needed to get a job and bring my wife Mariam over.

“I eventually found a job as a merchandiser, putting stock in retail outlets. It was about five levels below where I was in Pakistan but it was a start.”

From there he moved on to other roles and now, thanks to his Executive MBA, Kashif is working for Amazon as an Operations Manager.

He is now based in Prague and on the firm’s MBA Pathways programme, a three-year education on the online retail giant’s business that leads to a senior management position – a world away from the life of uncertainty he left behind.

“I never thought I would get a job at Amazon, this whole journey has

Kashif, who moved onto Virgin Atlantic Airlines as a route revenue manager and then Hilton Hotels in a similar role, already had an MBA from Lahore University of Management Science, but found in the UK it was not as well recognised, so decided to do another one to get his career back on track.

“Hilton Hotels offered me a position in Dubai, but by meeting and making friends on the course I saw there was a much bigger world out there than Hilton. Some of these guys were looking after half the UK and were the same age as me, so I started looking at the MBA schemes offered by other employers.

“I wanted to do better then what I was doing. Plus, I needed to achieve the salary, package and career opportunity by the end of the second year so I could afford the third year.”

A fellow MBA student sparked Kashif’s interest in Amazon, a company founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and now the biggest retailer in market capitalisation in the US, surpassing Walmart in 2015.

“My friend had taken a sabbatical to do an internship there,” says Kashif.

“Unfortunately he didn’t get a job out of it, but he gave me a lot of fantastic feedback about the company. Then we had an oncampus presentation by Amazon.

"They told me how fast the company was growing and the opportunities it offered. This led me to go through the WBS link to apply for the MBA Pathway program. The WBS CareersPlus and Corporate Relations teams were really helpful and I got an email back saying I had been invited for an interview.”

What is the interview process at Amazon like?

It wasn't just any old interview process. There was a maths-based initial screening followed by a series of rigorous interviews that ran over two days with multiple interviewers.

“The interviewers didn’t look very convinced,” says Kashif. “My wife said ‘how did it go?’ and I said ‘I don’t think I got it’. Three hours later I got an offer letter via email.

They offered me a chance in Poland or Prague, so I opted for Prague.”

Working in a warehouse the size of 13 football pitches and with more than 4,000 workers, Kashif walks 10km a day in the Amazon fulfilment centre just outside Prague, which mainly serves Germany.

“When I first walked in, my jaw dropped,” says Kashif. “I have never seen that many people, conveyor belts and machines in one place working at that level of efficiency.”

Kashif has had to learn fast.

Leading a team of 150 and dealing

with vendor returns, while also combating the challenges of a new language has been no easy task.

“The MBA gives you that resilience and doggedness to keep going,” says Kashif. “Google translate is my best friend!”

For the next three years Amazon intends to fly Kashif around the world, gaining experience and learning about the Amazon way.

And with more than 300,000 employees and more than 360 fulfilment centres and hundreds of offices and distribution networks across the globe, plus its 14-building headquarters in Seattle, there are plenty of places to choose from.

Peak season at Amazon

“The scale of Amazon is incredible, which adds to the complexity,” says Kashif. “Ask any Amazonian how long they have been at the company and they will answer in peaks. The peak is November to January when you work six days a week, all hours, all ranks get on the floor to ensure a lovely Christmas for our customers.”

Having opted for a life in the West, Kashif’s MBA has made him determined to dream big and given him the opportunity to achieve his goals

Kashif says: “My General Manager asked me ‘what is your long-term plan? I replied that I want to be the guy who takes Amazon to Dubai.”

For more information on WBS at The Shard please visit Wbs.ac.uk/go/london

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

13

Connectivity

Systems IT delivers flexible IT and telecoms solutions to small and medium sized businesses right across the capital and is experiencing fantastic growth, particularly around Cloud-based solutions. This meant their connectivity needs were increasing fast.

Their previous provision was the best available at the time but was likely to be at capacity very soon.

They had an opportunity to swap their broadband provision to a provider that would support Systems IT as it scaled – Hyperoptic.

For the last few years, Hyperoptic, the UK’s fastest broadband provider, has been rolling out its full fibre network across Southwark. It notified Systems IT that it would soon be coming, and the company jumped at the opportunity to switch.

Systems IT is a Managed Service Provider. 1000’s of users trust its technical team and the company relies heavily on its connectivity.

Its cloud usage was increasing, and the company was constantly

Southwark business in broadband boost transferring data between the office and data centres. Added to these requirements was the fact that the company needed to use multiple cloud-based applications concurrently and connect to clients sites to provide remote support.

All these services eat bandwidth, so having access to full fibre from Hyperoptic would give the company breathing space for growth – at an attractive price point to boot.

Hyperoptic was founded in 2011 to shake up the UK broadband market and is now the country’s largest and fastest-growing gigabit network provider. Its futureproofed infrastructure is bringing transformational internet speeds and connection stability to millions of people across the UK.

Moving to Hyperoptic has been game changer for Systems IT and it hasn’t looked back. It opted for a dedicated 1Gb connection – that’s 1,000 megabits per second, which is over 21x faster than the UK average. This has delivered high availability hyperfast services with no contention and zero bandwidth fluctuations. Systems

“In this digital age, businesses cannot reach their potential without having fast and reliable connectivity in place.”

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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

Southwark-based business, Systems IT, found itself in an enviable position last year.

IT now has the connectivity it needs to support its clients and continue to grow.

The shift to Hyperoptic couldn’t have come at a better time.

Many of Systems IT’s customers are moving away from on-premise hardware solutions and into the Cloud, so it now has the digital infrastructure to support remote support of applications. It also enables its clients to experience fast and reliable connectivity to their applications and data from any location.

Connectivity is now the lifeblood of today’s modern business. As CBI’s UK Chief Policy Director recently stated: “In today’s world, digital connectivity matters more than ever – if data is the new oil, then digital connectivity is the pipe that transports it. Seamless connections, from full fibre networks to 5G, offer unprecedented opportunities for businesses and consumers across the UK.” In this digital age, businesses cannot reach their potential without having fast and reliable connectivity in place.

Slow, unreliable connectivity costs businesses money – in terms of lost sales and staff productivity.

Conference call glitches, ‘buffer wheels of death’ during downloads and having to upload in ‘stages’ just slows workers down.

Switching couldn’t be easier.

Hyperoptic has a range of market-leading business propositions, which are very competitively priced. Its most popular are its Business Broadband products. Designed for businesses in multi occupied commercial buildings, business parks and home workers throughout Hyperoptic’s residential buildings, its 30Mb, 150Mb and 1Gb (1,000Mb) Business Broadband products are available with unlimited downloads and no traffic management.

Unlike competitors, we also offer services on standard 12-month contracts; in contrast to competitors whose contracts typically stipulate 24 months or more.

For more information on when we will be coming to you,

as well as our business products and introductory offers,

please visit our website – whatever your business, from

hairdressers, retail outlet to tech – we have packages that

will help your business run seamlessly:

https://www.hyperoptic.com/business/

Fibre broadband that means business “Hyperoptic is the fastest internet provider we have ever had. I found them extremely easy to deal with and it made a real difference to our business.”

Richard Nichols Director, Vitamin London Ltd.

Same upload & download speeds

Unlimited usage

No traffic management

Static IP addresses available

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(1Gb & 150Mb plans)

Whatever your business does online, do it better with Hyperoptic full fibre broadband.

Prices starting from just £40 a month.

Choose from fast, superfast or hyperfast:

Register your interest today at www.hyperoptic.com/business 1Gbps speed is not achievable by a single device over wi-fi. If you are looking for a 1Gbps connection to a single device, a wired connection is required. Same download and upload speed applies to 150Mb and 1Gb services. 30Mb download and 1Mb upload speed applies to 30Mb service. Pricing accurate as of /2018. All prices are exclusive of VAT. Please see our website for full Terms & Conditions.

Big Interview

Putting Southwark College on the map Southwark College has announced the appointment of a new Principal, marking an exciting new era for the institution.

Annette Cast, who was previously Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Professional Services and Student Experience, took up the post of Principal on 4 March.

The appointment comes at a period of positive change for the College. Formerly part of Lewisham Southwark College, Southwark College recently became a stand-alone institution – a move aimed at enabling it to tailor its curriculum to meet the specific needs of the communities the College serves. This followed its merger with NCG, one of the UK’s leading providers of training and education, in 2017.

With a wealth of experience in further and higher education, and a track record of driving innovation and success, Annette will be focused on providing the best possible educational offer for Southwark residents.

Welcoming her appointment, Peter Lauener, Chair of NCG, said “Our aim is to offer excellent opportunities for our students, and having the right people in key positions is vital to ensure that happens.”

John Litchfield, Chair of the Lewisham and Southwark College Board, said: “I’m so pleased to be able

16

to welcome Annette to Southwark College. Her career to date has been successful and varied, and she brings such strength in a wide range of different areas. Annette’s enthusiasm and excitement about the role is infectious and I am sure she will make her mark on the College quickly.”

Southwark College is one of the best in the capital, ranked 3rd in London and in the top 10% nationally in the latest Department of Education tables.

We asked Annette what hopes she has for the future.

What attracted you to the job?

I am passionate about providing the local community with the opportunities to develop and enhance their skills, to enable them to respond to an everchanging workplace.

I was attracted by the opportunity to lead a College that is in the heart of the community it serves and to work closely with Southwark Council, schools and employers to create an outstanding provision.

Working for a college that has the financial backing of a national group helps us to deliver what the local community requires.

What are the college's strengths?

One strength is results – we are number 3 in London for overall achievement and number 2 in London for Apprenticeships and number 2 for 16-18 provision.

Another strength is our location.

We benefit from amazing transport links and the recent £42 million investment at Southwark.

Southwark College is one of the best in the capital, ranked 4th in London and in the top 10% nationally in the latest Department of Education tables.

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

Another major strength is our amazing students. Many have complex lives and have had to overcome significant personal difficulties to achieve fantastic results.

What are your major priorities for the next year?

One priority is to putting Southwark College on the map and I will be meeting, and listening to, all the key local stakeholders in Southwark to ensure that our curriculum is demand-led and reflects the local needs.

I will also meet key employers to ensure that our students have the opportunity to access internships and industry-specific work placements.

I will be working with staff and students to further develop the Learner Voice and alumni.

We want to be seen as a true local resource and to be giving something back to the community, not just for further and higher education, but as a community hub and an integral part of Southwark life.

How do you help employers in the area to tackle their skills shortages?

We regularly meet with employers and it is my intention to set up an advisory board to enable employers to be involved in curriculum design for the future.

Big Interview

“I am passionate about providing the local community with the opportunities to develop and enhance their skills, to enable them to respond to an everchanging workplace.�

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

17

Education

Southwark College apprenticeships celebrate success Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, visited Southwark College as guest of honour at its Apprenticeships and Careers Fair on Friday 8 March. Marking the end of the 12th National Apprenticeships Week.

Visitors got the chance to browse a marketplace of stands hosted by businesses, and chat to current apprentices and employers.

The fair welcomed students, local employers and Southwark residents interested in finding out more about apprenticeships.

For the third year running the college has published Apprenticeship Overall Achievement Rates well above national benchmark according to the government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency.

This confirms then as one of the highest performing colleges across London and a “first choice” apprenticeship provider for apprentices and employers alike.

Southwark College hosted their annual apprenticeship awards evening in the same week, celebrating some fantastic success stories. Importantly, the event recognised the contribution of key employers who have really embraced apprenticeships and have longstanding relationships with the college.

The wide range of different apprenticeship subjects like support services, construction, creative industries, and business offer London employers a pool of talent which is absolutely essential for their organisations in the current climate.

Neil Coyle, MP, says: “Securing jobs for local people is a huge priority for me, and that’s why I am so pleased to be at this event at Southwark College.

Apprenticeships are a fantastic option both for young people and for adults who may not currently be working. There are many different career paths which an apprenticeship can open up.”

Neil toured the exhibition stands with Annette Cast, Southwark College's new Principal. They look forward to further meetings to look at plans for the future.

GET AHEAD. GET AN APPRENTICE To be successful, you need a talented, loyal workforce. Apprentices offer enthusiasm, knowledge and a desire to do well - helping you tackle the challenges of the future.

Let us match you with the perfect trainee, taking away the headache of selection. If you’re a levy-payer, we can help you maximise the benefits too.

Contact us today:

LSCOLLEGE.AC.UK/APPRENTICESHIPS Apprenticeships@LSCollege.ac.uk 020 3757 3050

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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

Canada Water Masterplan – creating low-cost maker and co-working space in SE16 British Land has submitted a planning application to Southwark Council which seeks to redevelop the existing Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Leisure Park, Printworks, historical Dock Offices and the former Rotherhithe Police Station into a new urban centre for London.

Spread across 53 acres, it will include offices, retail, leisure and community facilities alongside new public spaces, including a new park and town square. Upon completion the Masterplan will be home to around 20,000 jobs and c.3,000 new homes for a range of ages and incomes. We anticipate that the Masterplan will be considered by Southwark’s planning committee in the coming months.

Our vision for Canada Water is to help lay the groundwork for a place where old and new businesses thrive alongside each other, supporting their growth as part of a prosperous business community. We have already started to help foster this community, including through our work with Tree Shepherd to support local businesses and entrepreneurs, which you can hear more about below.

Living up to its name – low cost flexible working space, Thrive, gets up and running

In February of this year we launched ‘Thrive’, the second phase of our ‘Start Up and Thrive’ programme, which since 2017 has helped provide training opportunities to local people.

Run by Tree Shepherd, in partnership with British Land, Thrive will deliver low-cost, multifunctional maker and co-working space for local entrepreneurs and self-employed residents ahead of the redevelopment of the site.

It has also found a fitting temporary use for a former restaurant space which for several years had lay dormant in the middle of the Surrey Quays Leisure Park.

The space is open for three days a week to SE16 residents and accessible on a membership basis, with daily and monthly passes set at rates affordable to those on low incomes. In addition, Thrive also runs training and business support courses for local residents to grow their ideas and build business networks. It is supported by the Southwark Chamber of Commerce and has recently been the beneficiary of a new sign kindly donated by local Estate Agent and chamber of commerce member KALMARs.

We are delighted that since its launch, Thrive has already shown tremendous promise with 11 businesses already operating within its walls, from counsellors to makers and seamstresses all of whom are taking advantage of the flexibility and affordability of the space.

Property Focus

The Thrive space in Surrey Quays Leisure Park.

Helping local business support the community

Thrive has now also itself become a platform for local small businesses and individuals to connect and support other members of the SE16 community.

Case in point is Southwark seamstress, Martina Sgofio of the Make It collective, who creates beautiful bags and upholstery and initially took up space in Thrive in February of this year. Martina has since been working with Thrive to co-ordinate a number of sewing classes for local women on lower incomes within the space itself.

The idea of Thrive members putting back into the community in this way is seen as an integral part of the model for Thrive manager, Sandra Ferguson. She said, “we want Thrive to be a place that supports and helps connect the business community here in SE16,

but moreover we also want to encourage as many of these businesses to put back into the community so that the benefits can be felt more widely.”

Looking to the future

It’s still early days for Thrive, however we’ve been thrilled with the launch and success of it so far, and continue to explore how we can ensure that local residents are aware of the offer and able to take advantage. For example, the manager Sandra is already linking in with local schools in a bid to encourage parents to see if they can benefit.

If you know someone who would be interested in using the space or supporting the project they can contact Tree Shepherd via info@treeshepherd.org.uk.

For further information on the Canada Water masterplan, please visit - www.canadawatermasterplan.com

Maria Sgofio of the Make It Collective

Some of the work of the Make It Collective

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

19

Property

Porters Edge

by Folio offers a great choice for sharers With a third of millennials facing lifetime renting and 25% of this age group living in shared rented accommodation, it can often be a difficult task finding a suitable property, particularly in London.

Centrally located in the Zone 2 hub of Canada Water, SE16, Porters Edge is Folio London’s flagship build-torent development delivering the perfect solution for home sharers.

Offering a collection of spacious two-bedroom apartments in the heart of Rotherhithe, co-living residents can enjoy a new home as well as an excellent selection of on-site facilities including a gym, concierge service and resident’s lounge with free Wi-Fi, alongside a range of flexible tenancy options – all just a few minutes’ walk away from Canada Water underground station.

Forming an integral part of the Surrey Quays regeneration program overlooking London’s largest freshwater lake, residents at Porters Edge can enjoy living in a home and location without compromise. For city professionals, Canary Wharf is less than 5 minutes away via the

Jubilee Line, which also connects to Waterloo, Bank, Stratford and London City Airport in under 15 minutes. After a busy working week, residents also have plenty to do within walking distance of Porters Edge. There are a number of cafes and restaurants just a few minutes’ walk from home, perfect for a late morning brunch or coffee with friends.

For more active ventures, there are three parks that can be easily reached on foot, including Southwark Park which is just a 12-minute walk from Porters Edge and hosts a café, play areas, tennis courts and art gallery.

All of the apartments at Porters Edge are well arranged with thoughtful layouts, complemented by sleek and stylish interiors. Kitchen, lounge and dining areas are spacious and bright, with views looking out over Canada Water, the City or Canary Wharf. All apartments also have their own private terrace or balcony, and some of the properties also enjoy direct access to the central courtyard gardens.

The onsite amenities at the development are second to none so residents can enjoy getting home and relaxing in the residents’ lounge with a

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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

that not only meet, but exceed expectations – Porters Edge certainly does that.”

coffee from the on-site café, MouseTail, pop upstairs and go for a work-out in the fully equipped gym or enjoy the lighter evenings to come with a stroll around the rooftop gardens – whatever the mood, there is something to suit everyone.

Lizzie Stevens, Director of Folio London comments: “Porters Edge is a great option for sharing renters who are looking for something unique. All of the homes are finished to a very high standard and deliver a fantastic range of amenities and services both onsite and within the local area. Renting has become one of the fastest growing tenures over the last few years, and we are seeing a new level of demand from renters in terms of the anticipated specification in homes and what they would like included. At Folio we pride ourselves on delivering homes

Enjoying a central location within Zone 2, commuters are well catered for. Those who want to make a trip to East London, the vibrant destinations of Shoreditch and Dalston are incredibly easy for an evening out. Locally there is also a wide range of amenities nearby, including the Odeon Surrey Quays, a 9-screen cinema and leisure park. Residents also have a variety of shops and restaurants on the doorstep, Leadbelly’s Bar & Kitchen is moments from Porters Edge, along with London’s oldest inn on the Thames – Mayflower Pub. Two bedroom apartments start from £2,171PCM. However, if you rent with a roomie you pay only 1,086PCM each.

For more information on Porters Edge, or any of the other developments currently on offer to rent from Folio London, visit www.portersedge.co.uk or call 020 3815 2480.

lude: Facilities inc cafe, e, rg ie c n o c 24hr oftop ro , on-site gym s court rt o sp & garden

Two bedroom apartments at the award-winning development in Canada Water Rent with a roomie and pay from ÂŁ1,086pcm each* Find out more at foliolondon.co.uk/portersedge or call 0203 815 2480

*Details correct at the time of press. Subject to T&C’S that can be viewed online at www.foliolondon.co.uk/portersedge

Elefit Ca s t l e Squa re

A FREE WEEKEND OF FEEL GOOD FUN IN ELEPHANT AND CASTLE 27 & 28 APRIL 2019 Join us for a jam-packed weekend of fitness and wellness. From toddler raves and kids yoga, to over 65’s cheerleading, an 80’s fitness dance class and Tai Chi plus much more, there is something for everyone!

Castle Square 40 Elephant Road, London, SE17 1AY Visit www.elefit.co.uk to see the weekend line-up and to find out more.

Get sharing with #ElefitSE1 @whatsonatelephant

Special guests to be announced...

EleFit

Free fitness & wellness weekend ‘EleFit’ launches in Elephant & Castle 28th and 29th April 2019 Over the weekend of 27th & 28th of April, Castle Square in Elephant & Castle will be transformed into a fitness and wellness haven for the first EleFit, a free weekend festival dedicated to celebrating health and wellbeing.

Stretched over two days, the local community and visitors alike can all take part and enjoy activities and workshops ranging from R&B yoga hosted

by Elephant & Castle’s own Gymbox, to Rap Therapy and Rollerpaluzza’s Cycling Challenge.

Saturday will offer alternative and unique upbeat activities, suitable for all ages, whether it be cheerleading class for the over 65’s, courtesy of Castle Leisure and Silverfit, or face painting and raving for the children. Guests can also be taken back in time for Ministry of Sound’s 80’s Fitness Dance

Workout, a fun, high intensity full body workout class, celebrating all things lycra and day-glow!

Sunday will see a more serene line up, focusing on meditation and mental wellbeing. Visitors can begin their day with a morning meditation session with the Tibetan Buddhist Centre and can absorb the inspiring words of Pro PT, London based personal trainers who have turned their lives around for the better through fitness and are now training London’s top influencers.

There will also be a performance on Sunday from a choir group with a selfdescribed genre of ‘a bit of House, a bit of Gospel and a whole lot of Choir’. They have performed at past events including Latitude Festival, Bestival and Love Saves The Day among many others.

• FREE fitness and wellness event comes to Castle Square, Elephant & Castle

• A weekend of feel good fun for all to enjoy • Fitness classes for everyone and every

mood including Castle Leisure’s SilverFit cheerleading classes for over 65’s, a

meditation class led by Jamyang Buddhist

Centre, a toddler rave run by children’s

activity brand Raver Tots, RnB yoga with Gymbox, children’s yoga, and a Ministry of Sound 80s workout plus loads more

• Sampling from Innocent Smoothies, Blockhead Energy Gum and more

In addition to the range of classes on offer, guests get the chance to sample free delicious smoothies from well-known health brand Innocent, and local restaurant Tupi will be selling healthy treats with a Latin American twist. After an energetic class, visitors can also get a boost from Blockhead, the sugar free energy gum who will

be providing free samples, and healthy coffee alternatives including matcha and turmeric lattes provided by Hej Coffee in their newly launched ‘Ernie milk float’.

For a roundup of activities confirmed to date, and additional information, please see the schedule of events on www.elefit.co.uk

“Stretched over two days, the local community and visitors alike can all take part and enjoy activities and workshops ranging from R&B yoga hosted by Elephant & Castle’s own Gymbox, to Rap Therapy and Rollerpaluzza’s Cycling Challenge.”

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

23

Arts & Culture

Merry Men Behaving Badly Robin Hood, the Opera Story’s latest production at the Bussey Building in Peckham

by Susan Isaacs Arts and Culture Correspondent

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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

A stuffed stags head stuck on a pillar in the centre of the room, stares anxiously around.

A large man in the audience opposite me sprawls on his chair.

His brown tweed jacket and yellow corduroy trousers shout public school boy for all to see.

He is joined by another public school type, lanky, and with hair scraped back away from his forehead. The side-kick is clad in dog tooth trousers and eyecatching green and white lace-up leather shoes.

In the back ground, indistinguishable mutterings on a radio can be heard. The orchestra is tuning up with a few sounds that might be a bird warbling, or a fox scuffling in the undergrowth Suddenly all is clear. The domineering public school types spring to the centre of the stage.

They are obviously singers and the opera begins.

The large man, arrogantly dominating the room, is Robin Hood (played by baritone Nicholas Merryweather) and his greenshoed accomplice is Little John (played by tenor Oliver Brignall) Robin is Lord of the Greenwoods in public, but privately he heads an underground all male hunting group, the Merry Men. It is on one of these hunting trips that he accidentally kills a boy, a fact which he tries to cover up. This boy, is in fact the son of grasping property developer Joanna Gold, who aims to turn the woods into a profitable Boom Town.

This opera Robin Hood is the third in a series by the wonderful innovative opera company the Opera Story. It now has a tradition of giving a twist to traditional folk tales, and this is a modern take on the legend of Robin Hood. Rather than a hero stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Robin is depicted as a chauvinistic lout, who subjugates the surrounding Greenwood with his Bullingdon style crowd of “Merry Men” There are some wonderful comic moments in this opera, and a beautiful score from young

composer Dani Howard in this, her first opera. We see the news about Robin Hood on tabloid paper “News of the Woods.”

Robin protests that when he gave alcohol to minors, it was only shandy.

It is fun to see property developer Joanna Gold, (soprano Lorna Anderson) disguised in a sharp purple suit, unmasked as a woman, when her moustache is ripped off.

Robin and Little John get up to Masonic type rituals when Little John rolls up his trouser leg and swigs down one glass of brew after another. I was seated next to a metal bucket into which Little John threw up. His acting was excellent, so that I was surprised and relieved to see there was nothing actually in it.

The moment when Maid Marion (mezzo soprano Siân Cameron) enters is electric, not only for her luminously red boots, and green tights, but also for her piercingly beautiful voice. She and Robin have a hilarious duet where he is holding a toothbrush and she a bow and arrow.

The emotional depth from Robin, and the dead boy in particular is impressive. The most haunting part of the tale is when the boy, (played by video games loving schoolboy William Barter Sheppard) drifts through the stage, a large red bloodstain clearly visible on his teeshirt. Robin’s anguished guilt on seeing the boy is very moving and would give Macbeth ‘s reaction at seeing Banquo’s ghost a run for his money.

And the most powerful act of the play, is act three when Robin holds the dying boy in his arms in the middle of the forest. Robin turns from arrogant public schoolboy, to tortured sinner. Like him we see the boy recover momentarily, and there is the hope that he may live.

But the pounding drums and ominous score leave us in no doubt of the true end.

This opera is one of the best yet, and with the talented team at the Opera Story, led by Manuel Fajardo and Hamish Mackay, there is a lot yet to come.

“There are some wonderful comic moments in this opera, and a beautiful score from young composer Dani Howard in this, her first opera.”

Arts & Culture

Flying Bees, Sitting Bunnies, Prowling foxes, and Pineapples Alex Monroe - world-famous jewellery designer

By Susan Isaacs, Arts and Culture Correspondent “He looked a bit stiff, so in a moment of madness I lopped off his head and soldered it back on again. Suddenly he had bags of personality”.

So says Alex Monroe, artist and jewellery designer extraordinaire. Do not be alarmed. He is simply talking about a silver toucan he made, one of the star features of his jungle collection. “When I was a boy I used to love toucans, I particularly used to love colouring in their bills,” he says, eyes glowing.

Alex is a modest, trim, softly spoken man with a beard, whose boyish enthusiasm for his work shines through. His work is famous as far afield as New York and Tokyo. The real joy for him still lies in designing and making the jewellery itself.

He grew up “in the seventies in a crumbling giant of a house, four staircases, sagging greenhouses and goose -pens on its cracking tennis courts.”

Both parents were architects, and Alex inherited both their love of design, and love of nature.

He roamed the rivers and forests, sketching here a bumblebee, there a dragon fly, and went onto train at the Sir John Cass School of Art. In 1987 he launched his first jewellery collection and has not looked back since.

His love of nature comes through immediately. There are bracelets and rings and necklaces with squirrels and acorns, flying bees with pearls, sitting bunnies, prowling foxes, pineapples, and Indian elephants. And Alex is at his happiest sitting in a field taking sketches from nature, or at his bench, carving out tiny figures.

“Has anyone seen my piercing saw,” he says. “I get very protective of my tools. When you do get to come in and do some work the rest of the world retreats away”

The jewellery collection in Southwark is housed in a charming pale green -fronted building. It looks like a teashop from the outside, with pots trailing green foliage and bicycles leaning against the railings. He takes us up to his workshop where Sarah and Suzy are cheerfully working on bespoke jewellery.

“We use the same tools that were used right back in medieval or Roman Times.

We have the bench with a round cut out bit where the jeweller sits. You have a skin which catches all the bits of precious metal so nothing gets wasted.”

He points to some intriguing looking tools.

“That's for bashing, and that’s for cutting and filing, and that tool there in the bottom drawer is called an Archimedes drill.”

He shows us one of his favourite pieces, which is a dragon fly, with wings exquisitely soldered on. “The name for a dragonfly,” he explains “is libellule. My daughter’s name is Libby, so of course whenever I look at the piece I think of her.”

His pieces do not always work immediately. He has been invited to Buckingham Palace several times to design a collection, and he started by making sketches of the corgis. “Once I had made one I started showing it around, but no-one recognised what it was, so of course I had to do it all over again. When you make things in miniature you have to exaggerate them, rather like a cartoonist.”

For once it was manmade objects that attracted him.

“When I went to the palace itself I was absolutely fascinated by the carriages and spent hours drawing them.”

He certainly got those corgis right in the end. We see the Royal Carriage. The detailed decoration is breathtaking, the tiny wheels with their spokes roll forward smoothly, and it is pulled by corgis. Alex has a real feel for what people want now.

“There were a group of men in grey that wanted a collection for their hotel, and were determined to have a teapot. So I gave them some tea in a pot. It was a champagne coloured sapphire that looked like tea and it was on chains so you could pull it out and it would drop down. If you turned the lid it would wind it back into the spout.”

Alex points to another design.

“But the young fashion conscious crowd wanted something else, and I designed a shrimp for them.

If you want a feature in Vogue you need something a bit different. And I can tell you it was the Shrimp that won.”

As we leave the workshop we hear the sounds of careful hammering and chiselling.

It is almost as the menagerie of remarkable carved animals and wildlife are whispering goodbye, a menagerie that has come to life through Alex’s incredible imagination.

“The jewellery collection in Southwark is housed in a charming pale green -fronted building. It looks like a teashop from the outside, with pots trailing green foliage and bicycles leaning against the railings.”

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Economy

Survey provides cause for concern The recently-published British Chambers of Commerce quarterly economic survey struck a gloomy note for businesses.

According to the research, which is the UK’s largest private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth, the UK economy ended 2018 stuck in a weak holding pattern, with stagnating levels of growth and business confidence as a result of heightened Brexit uncertainty and other economic pressures.

The results of the survey of 6,000 firms – employing more than one million people a cross the UK – underlined the impact that the current levels of uncertainty are having on a stalling economy as growth in domestic sales and orders both reduced.

In the services sector, a key driver of UK economic growth, the percentage of firms reporting an increase in domestic sales and orders weakened to their lowest level in two years. Domestic activity among UK manufacturers also moderated in the quarter.

The findings highlight the extent to which labour shortages have risen in the UK as four-fifths (81%) of manufacturers that

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tried to recruit reported difficulties in finding the right staff – the joint highest level since the survey began in 1989.

In the services sector, the level (70%) was close to the record high recorded in the previous quarter (72%).

The survey results also indicated an increase in price pressures facing firms. The percentage of manufacturers expecting to raise prices is at its highest in a year and is almost three times higher than its pre-EU referendum average. Cashflow continues to be a concern for both sectors, with the balance of firms reporting improved cash flow remaining weak.

Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Our survey suggests that UK economic conditions were worryingly subdued in the final quarter of 2018, with a number of key indicators continuing to weaken under the weight of persistent Brexit uncertainty and rising cost pressures.

“Domestic activity in the dominant services sector weakened for the second successive quarter, with

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

consumer-facing firms particularly downbeat amid subdued household spending levels and tightening cashflow.

The manufacturing sector had an underwhelming three months, with significant cost pressures and moderating global demand weighing on activity in the sector.

“The marked increase in cost pressures for businesses in the quarter suggests that inflation will be higher over the near term, with the continued weakness in sterling maintaining the upward trend on the cost of imported raw materials.

However, with our results also showing that price pressures

from wage settlements remain relatively muted, there continues to be sufficient scope to keep interest rates on hold in 2019, particularly given the significant economic and political turbulence.”

Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The UK economy is in stasis. While it’s not contracting, it’s not growing robustly either. Throughout much of 2018, UK businesses were subjected to a barrage of political noise and drama, so it’s no surprise to see firms report muted domestic demand and investment.”

“Our survey suggests that UK economic conditions were worryingly subdued in the final quarter of 2018, with a number of key indicators continuing to weaken under the weight of persistent Brexit uncertainty and rising cost pressures.”

Voice from Westminster

Brexit still remains the single biggest issue for Southwark businesses Neil Coyle MP Brexit is the single biggest issue Southwark businesses have been raising with me.

Brexit also continues to dominate the agenda in Westminster to the detriment of all other issues requiring parliamentary attention: knife crime and that fact that nine in ten crimes currently go unprosecuted; millions of people face huge delays to routine healthcare; and the recruitment challenge facing many employers for example.

Despite no agreement coming out of Westminster, the UK has now passed what was supposed to be the leave date from the European Union.

I am pleased that we are still in the EU and know that I have the overwhelming support of local people and businesses.

Over 75,000 people across Southwark have signed the petition calling for the Government to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU. Hundreds of us joined the recent march for a new public vote and in all my correspondence I have had just six people ask me to back May’s pitiful proposals but over six thousand seeking my outright opposition to Brexit.

I put my name to amendments aimed at securing a new People’s Vote and supported amendments in favour of revoking Article 50 in recent Commons debates. I also backed the least damaging options which would allow the UK to align as closely as possible with the EU and, on Friday, I voted against the Prime Minister’s dreadful offering for a third and hopefully final time.

In the indicative ballot, the People’s Vote secured the highest vote of all options and surpassed the total number of MPs who supported Theresa May’s proposals. The campaign for a new public vote continues and will retain my support.

I hope everyone will be able to cast another vote based on the full facts, and with any deal that scrapes through Parliament set against remaining in the EU. I hope that, before your next copy of Southwark Business Today arrives, this is set in train!

Last week I also took the Government to task over their failing employment programmes. The National Audit Office has reported, for example, that there is simply

no evidence that the DWP ‘Disability Confident’ scheme which cost £386 million last year, had resulted in a single disabled person securing a job.

The Government’s record of failure covers almost every department. I believe the funding should be devolved to local and regional government to work in partnership with employers to better tackle barriers to work.

Southwark’s Labour council was elected with a commitment to ensuring that we become a ‘full employment borough’.

Devolving resources and responsibilities from DWP could help tackle the IT and language barriers, literacy and numeracy skills gap and even childcare barrier to work which the Government’s current schemes are failing to address for local people.

Neil.Coyle.MP@Parliament.UK

020 7219 8733

“I put my name to amendments aimed at securing a new People’s Vote and supported amendments in favour of revoking Article 50 in recent Commons debates.”

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Remembering when...

This Act of Parliament included the creation of approach roads to the bridge. A further act of Parliament in 1768 was necessary to build Great Surrey Street, (later renamed Blackfriars Road), to connect to the existing turnpike at Borough Road and on to Newington.

Remembering when ...

The growth of industry and

a growing population in Southwark created the need for new bridges and roads to ease traffic congestion and increase connectivity.

By Ken Hayes, Honorary Secretary Towards the end of the 18th Century the town at the southern end of London Bridge was growing into a major centre of industry and commerce.

The Port of London was bringing in commodities from all over the British Empire, with factories, tanneries and breweries increasing in the former tidal marshland on the south side of the Thames. This created the need for new links between the north and the south side of the River Thames. Before Westminster Bridge was built in 1750, London Bridge was the only bridge over the Thames, other than those much further upstream.

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Westminster Bridge Road was then created to connect the seat of government to the south side of London and to the south coast of England and the new road went from the south end of the new bridge to Newington, (later renamed the Elephant and Castle).

The building of the New Kent Road in 1751 was built to connect it to the southern end of Kent Street, which subsequently, became known as the Old Kent Road. Blackfriars Bridge followed next In 1769, built by the City of London Corporation, under an Act of Parliament of 1756 and opened as a Toll bridge until the Toll was removed in 1785.

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

It was not until 1814 that Waterloo Bridge was built, followed by Southwark Bridge in 1819, which was opened to pedestrians before its construction was completed, as can be seen in the attached photograph. These new bridges and roads created transport links for new and existing business along with new shops, houses and manufacturing units, such as Sainsbury’s first shop and their Pie and Sausage factory on Blackfriars Road. These created employment and income for Southwark’s growing population. Surrey Chapel, a Reformed Church chapel was built, half way along the road at its junction with Charlotte Street, (now called Union Street), later becoming the Ring, the first licenced Boxing venue in London.

This area was also renowned for its hat manufacturing and Tea and Coffee wholesalers in the 19th century. The London Bowler Hat, (a reinforced Messengers hat), being produced on Southwark Bridge Road, by the Bowler family of hatters. In 1856 the St. Saviours District Board petitioned the newly formed Metropolitan Board of Works for a new street

from the London terminus of the South Eastern Railway, to join up with Southwark Bridge Road, Blackfriars Road and onwards to the west end of London.

This was the first street to be constructed by the M.B.W, which was completed in 1864.

It featured a tunnel down the middle of the street with communicating side entrances to carry gas, water, drain pipes and telegraph wires. This is still in use today and saves having to dig up the street to repair or install new pipes as is the case on roads and street elsewhere.

New buildings were built along the new Southwark Street between 1864 and 1875 in Italianate Romanesque and Gothic styles of architecture, unusual for commercial building. A few of these remain, for example the former Hop and Malt Exchange, completed in 1866 and what remains of the Wilcox Hose manufacturing company, further down the street.

These developments improved the connection of Southwark to the rest of the London and the whole country along with the railways bringing people form the North of England, Scotland and Ireland to find work in the growing Industries in Southwark, as mechanisation in farming and clothing factories put people out of work. We now have a new revolution of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality happening today 200 years later which will also replace manual labour.

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Health & Wellbeing

Researchers named highstreet decline (34 per cent), a heavy workload (37 per cent) and Brexit uncertainty (18 per cent) as key causes.

According to the research, despite workplace mental health being high on the news agenda, almost a third (28 per cent) of small business owners admit that they are too busy to think about supporting mental health in the workplace and almost half (48 per cent) believe they could be doing more.

The study of 500 small business owners found that more than 8 in 10 (83 per cent) have experienced stress in the past six months, with almost half (49 per cent) saying they have been more stressed than normal and 17 per cent admitting they are ‘highly stressed’.

One in 10 admitted the stresses of running a business resulted in a negative impact on their mental health causing sleepless nights (41 per cent), drinking more alcohol (21 per cent) and arguments at home (13 per cent).

Owners said the main causes of business stress are managing staff (42 per cent), admin (35 per cent), feeling personally responsible for the success of the company (31 per cent) and filing taxes (19 per cent). One in ten (11 per cent) felt vulnerable to economic conditions and one in four (26 per cent) admitted feeling stressed by compliance.

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The increasing stress of running your own business Research from small business platform Xero has identified the causes of increasing stress on the owners of small businesses.

When looking at how stress is affecting the lives of small business owners, respondents to the survey said they forgo social events (11 per cent), binge on junk food (7 per cent) and stop exercising (7 per cent).

But despite the high level of stress that comes with owning and managing a business, the parts that owners most enjoy were revealed as being their own boss (47 per cent) and being able to improve work/life balance (47 per cent), followed by being able to get things done the way they want them to (33 per cent).

Furthermore, small businesses were recognised to be more adaptable in the face of potentially-stressful changes to

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

the small business economy, with 29 per cent of those surveyed saying they felt their small business could certainly adapt to a post-Brexit landscape, and almost 4 in 10 (38 per cent) saying it is likely they will.

When asked about the offering of mental health support to their employees, 1 in 4 (24 per cent) SMB owners believe there is excellent health support at their workplace, yet almost half (48 per cent) thought mental health support could be more available or better communicated.

When asked what their business provided to support employee wellbeing, the most popular offering is allowing office pets (37 per cent), followed by support

in workload management (35 per cent) and offering digital wellbeing tools such as Unmind, Headspace or Calm (33 per cent).

Other popular methods included a focus on improving the office environment, such as having plants (34 per cent) and ensuring there is enough natural light (29 per cent).

The research by Xero coincided with the launch of Business is Personal, a new book on mental wellbeing in the workplace by expert Penny Power OBE. She said: “Business people focus on their skills and building a network, but very few understand their own vulnerabilities. We all have to deal with challenges and modern living that can be overwhelming but learning to self-care and learning how to manage our minds can be the difference between living a happy and successful life, or not.”

Anne Allen, Director of People Experience at Xero, said: “Running a small business effectively in testing times is about doing the small things well; streamlining administration and tax compliance, and using technology to simplify business management. Our study shows (that owners) do feel the pressure of changing times, but work environments with the right technical, emotional and personal support can ease the strain.”

Health & Wellbeing

How can osteopathy help with leg pain?

Osteopathy is a person-centred manual therapy that aims to enable patients to respond and adapt to changing circumstances and to live well.

Since 2017, osteopaths are recognised by the NHS as Allied Health Professionals whose roles are increasingly seen as key to transforming health care and wellbeing, and increasing capacity across the health and care system.

Osteopathy is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on their ability to interact and function in their environment through the use of their body and how they adapt psychologically and socially to changes in their capability.

Osteopaths are highly competent healthcare professionals and fully qualified to diagnose and treat independently. Their job title is protected by law and, in the UK, they must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) in order to practise.

Over 30,000 people visit an osteopath every day, suffering from a variety of conditions including neck or back pain, joint or muscular pain, sports injuries, recurring headaches and more.

So how can osteopathy help with leg pain? It depends what might be the cause of the pain, but the good news is that working this out is certainly something that osteopaths can help with. There are many reasons why people may have leg pain and a number of these relate to the musculoskeletal system, which osteopaths commonly work with.

According to NHS England, musculoskeletal conditions account for 30% of GP consultations.

At the University College of Osteopathy (UCO) Clinic, we see a lot of patients with leg pain,

although every patient has their own unique situation which is important for us to understand so that we can make treatment individual to each person.

Common musculoskeletal causes of leg pain may be a local problem with a part of the leg, a knee injury for example, or it may be a pain from the lower back, such as sciatica. In 2018 alone at the UCO Clinic, over 1,000 consultations were related to an ankle or foot problem, just over 1,500 consultations were related to a hip problem and a little over 1,400 were related to a knee problem.

It is really important that our osteopaths work with their patients to establish the likely cause of symptoms – this is essential so that effective treatment options can be explored.

At the UCO Clinic, we take a full case history from patients so that we can fully understand the background to their pain and/or symptoms and so start to work out “Sherlock Holmes-style”, what may be causing their leg pain. The information from the case history will determine the examinations we perform which are again so that we can work out what is likely to be going on and how this can best be resolved for an individual.

After the examination, a supervised student osteopath and/or a qualified osteopath will speak with the patient about their situation and what they think is happening. This will include treatment options of how an osteopath might be able to help and other treatment options as appropriate. We use a mixture of hands-on treatment that might involve soft tissue or massage techniques and mobilising or moving the joints to improve function. We also commonly use exercises and advice, including education, so that you understand what is happening and how you can help yourself at home with simple exercises and techniques.

Most patients don’t need to be referred on for other tests or imaging, but if we think this is the best course of action, then we will discuss this with our patients and, with their consent, we will write a referral letter.

If your leg pain is really getting you down, the best thing to do is to be properly assessed so that we can work with you to develop an effective treatment plan – this is something we routinely do at the UCO Clinic with all of our patients. If you suffer from a sports related injury that is affecting your leg, we have a

“If your leg pain is really getting you down, the best thing to do is to be properly assessed so that we can work with you to develop an effective treatment plan.”

specialist sports clinic that runs on Thursday mornings at the UCO Clinic. Patients with sports injuries can also book into our general clinic which is open Monday to Friday. We also just launched a specialist diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound clinic, in partnership with the Sports Medicine Ultrasound Group (SMUG), which will enable our patients to access musculoskeletal ultrasound services at affordable prices.

Osteopaths are often described as treating the individual rather than the condition: when treating a patient, they consider the symptom or injury alongside other biological, physiological, psychological and social factors which may be contributing to it.

They work to ensure the best possible care for their patients, aiding their recovery and supporting them to help manage their conditions through a range of approaches, including physical manipulation of the musculoskeletal system and education and advice on exercise, diet and lifestyle.

At the UCO, we believe that osteopathy has the potential to help people change their lives – not only by searching for ways to manage problems, but also by helping patients to discover ways to enhance and maintain their own health and wellbeing.

To find out more about the UCO Clinic and our specialist clinics, visit www.clinic.uco.ac.uk.

To book an appointment, call 020 7089 5360 or email clinicappointments@uco.ac.uk

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

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Invite you to join us at our

River Thames Boat Party esday Enjoy spectacular river

July 201 , dinner and dancing

Grow your business network & meet new friends.

Tickets: ÂŁ60.00* per head (members) ÂŁ65.00* per head (non-members) *Includes buffet.

Attire: Smart Casual Book now!

Email:admin@southwarkcommerce.com Call: 07477 581977 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southwark-chamber-of-commerce-networking-boat-trip

Boarding: 1 .00 - 1 .15 hrs at Festival Pier Sailing: 1 .15 - 2 .45 hrs Disembark: 2 .00 hrs at Festival Pier

The Last Word

Upcoming Events Join our informative and engaging range of events.

A perfect opportunity to make new business contacts.

DATE

APRIL Monday 8 6.30pm to 8pm

We’ve designed our events to help you broaden your network, learn something new or get involved with key topical issues for businesses in Southwark.

Our networking events are great for regular members to make and maintain useful contacts, and we always welcome first-timers.

EVENT

VENUE

An Evening with Sir Simon Hughes

The Passmore Centre, 12 Borough Road, SE1

Thursday 25 6pm – 8pm

SCC Annual General Meeting

The George Inn, Borough High Street, SE1

MAY Wednesday 15 6.15pm prompt arrival for 6.30pm tour

Tour of the Houses of Parliament Followed by Drinks on the Terrace

Being hosted by The Lord Kennedy of Southwark

JUNE Thursday 6 6pm to 7.30pm Thursday 13 Evening

Tourism Event

The London Bridge Experience

Southwark Business Awards Black Tie

Hilton Hotel, Southwark Street, SE1

JULY Wednesday 3 7pm to 11pm

Annual River Boat Party

Thursday 26 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Promoting your business effectively

SEPTEMBER Monday 9

OCTOBER Thursday 10 12pm to 2pm NOVEMBER Thursday 7 DECEMBER Monday 16

History Walk: Blackfriars Road

Property Update Chambers’ Cross border networking 95 Years Christmas Drinks

Embark/Disembark at Festival Pier

Tbc

Tbc Tbc Tbc

Please check the website www.southwarkcommerce.com for updated information. Times and locations to be confirmed.

Southwark Chamber of Commerce welcomes its latest member company

Barclays Bank

London Bridge Branch.

29 Borough High Street London SE1 1LY Contact: Parminder Kanda Branch Manager

The Last Word James Barrow

General Manager Seven Islands Leisure Centre, Surrey Docks Fitness & Watersports Centre and Southwark Athletics Track Everyone Active

I’ve always had a passion for health, fitness and getting more people active. I’ve worked in this industry from the age of 16 and love playing sport too. I used to play football semi-professionally for Concord Rangers FC and even once scored in the FA Cup (a moment I’m very proud of). Ensuring we can keep our community fit and healthy is extremely important to me and I’ve been working for the leisure operator Everyone Active for the past ten years.

Q1

What was your first job ?

Q2

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

My first ever job was working for Basildon District Council as a caretaker and whilst it was a great first job, it wasn’t exactly what I was most passionate about.

I worked there for a year and during that time I was training to become a lifeguard and a fitness motivator.

As prime minister I would introduce a law that would mean everyone is able to have their birthday off work.

Let’s face it, who wants to work on their birthday?

Q3

What is the biggest challenge in your business?

As a business of course our biggest challenge is ensuring we can get more people fit and healthy, not just speak to those that already love the gym.

With the growing obesity crisis it’s vital that we get more people, more active, often.

In my day to day role my biggest challenge is time as I am in charge of three busy leisure facilities within Southwark. I manage a team of over 200 staff and over 3,500 members. So sometimes finding the right work/life balance can prove tricky.

Q4

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

I’d love to be a stuntman as I have a background in gymnastics. At 16 years old I was the 13th best gymnast in Britain and part of the country’s third best gymnastics team. I was also on the reserve list for the Commonwealth Games England squad at 18. It would be great to put those skills back to the test, plus who doesn’t love the thrill of a big action stunt!

Q5

What's your favourite London building?

I’m a massive Tottenham Hotspurs fan so for me it has be to our new stadium. With its own built in microbrewery, retractable grass pitch, largest club shop in Europe and charging ports in the premium seats what more could you want from a stadium?

I’ve travelled all over to see them play, abroad as well as in the UK so I can’t wait to go and see them play at the new ground.

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

33

Join Us

Join Us

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

Making the most of your SCC membership Our Committee Chairman Peter Mantell

Once you’ve joined us you have access to the opportunities we provide to help support you and your business. Whether you simply want to attend our networking events, run a seminar or sponsor or run an event, we’d love you to get involved. We like our members to make the most of their membership and get as involved as much as they can.

President Neil Coyle MP

(MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark)

Vice President Lord Roy Kennedy (House of Lords)

Vice President Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP

• Sole trader

£100 per annum

• Large companies - 51 employees plus

£300 per annum

• Small/Medium sized companies 2 to 50 employees £150 per annum • Corporate/PLC’s by agreement.

• All new members pay a one off administration fee of £25

(MP for Camberwell and Peckham)

Company:

Patron Sir Simon Hughes

Post Code:

Patron The Worshipful Mayor of Southwark (Former MP)

Council and Community Representatives Councillor Kieron Williams

(Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills & Innovation)

Executive Members

Vice Chair

Les Johnson

Vice Chair

Yoko De Souza

Vice Chair Honorary Secretary Honorary Treasurer Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member Administrator

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Membership Application

Richard Kalmar Ken Hayes

Karon Cook

Edward Cree

Duncan Field

Peter Hadfield

William Harwood Susan Isaacs

James Kislingbury Matt Whiting

Cait Wilkinson Sonia Sutton

Southwark BUSINESS TODAY

Address:

Telephone:

Email:

Number of Employees: Full Name:

Position:

Payment Details: BANK DETAILS: SORT CODE:

Handelsbanken 40-51-62 ACCOUNT NO:

76489843

To join, please send your details to: Southwark Chamber of Commerce 169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW Tel : 07477 581977 Email : admin@southwarkcommerce.com www.SouthwarkCommerce.com Twitter : @southwarkcomm Facebook : southwarkcommerce

WANTS A HEALTHY WORKFORCE Flexible membership packages with Everyone Active that suit your company needs, including monthly and annual discounts!

• Free trial days • Range of facilities and activities including state-of-the-art gyms, swimming pools and group exercise classes

• Free access to our online fitness platform with 100’s of workouts, training plans and workout videos • Family members qualify for the same corporate discounts

Visit www.everyoneactive.com/corporatemembership for more information or to sign up today. PLUS! All members receive a free introductory personal training session.

everyoneactive @everyoneactive