The Masthead by Benham Publishing Limited

the

masthead

Official Magazine for South East London Chamber of Commerce - Issue 10

Taimoor Sheikh

explains why determination has led to a successful business career

• LEWISHAM - Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan and his Cabinet outline some of their key priorities • BROMLEY - Parking in Bromley town centre is about to get easier • BEXLEY - Government opens the way to Crossrail to Ebbsfleet extension • GREENWICH - Latest news from Royal Borough of Greenwich • Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards • EDUCATION & SKILLS Goldsmiths, University of London is part of a unique partnership seeking to help local business leaders reach their full potential • VISIT GREENWICH - It's all go in Greenwich • CONSTRUCTION - Lewisham Gateway one of the largest regeneration projects in south east London • HEALTH & WELLBEING - Could your office be getting you down? •

130 Anniversary 1889 - 2019

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Model shown is RAV4 Hybrid Dynamic 2WD at £35,195 including optional Pearlescent White paint at £795. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg: Combined 49.2 – 51.2, CO2 103 g/km. Figures are provided for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results. Fuel consumption and CO2 produced varies significantly depending on a number of factors, including the accessories fitted (post-registration), driving style, conditions, speed and vehicle load. All models and grades are certified according to the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which replaces the New European Driving Cycle test procedure (NEDC). All CO2 figures quoted are NEDC equivalent. This means the CO2 figures are based on the new WLTP test procedure but calculated (using a standard European calculation method) to allow comparison with the NEDC test procedure and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. All mpg figures quoted are full WLTP figures. More information can be found by visiting: www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/fcb/wltp.asp 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty, terms and conditions apply.

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Chamber News Focus on Lewisham Focus on Bromley Focus on Bexley Focus on Greenwich Education & Skills Legal Export Big Interview with Taimoor Sheikh Chamber Events Visit Greenwich

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Welcome |

News News Construction Member Benefits Strategic Members News Finance Update Health & Wellbeing Economy The Person Behind the Business New Members and finally...

Welcome to The Masthead the South East London Chamber of Commerce magazine.

e have a new badge on the front page which announces our 130th Anniversary. Back in 1889 a Chamber was formed in Woolwich, forming the basis of today’s South East London Chamber which grew over the past century to eventually cover Royal Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley and Bexley. The gong I am wearing above, made of enamel and silver gilt was made in 1953 to celebrate HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in the year of the Coronation

becoming Patron. I am delighted to confirm he remains in this position. To celebrate the anniversary, we are holding an evening drinks reception at City Hall on Thursday, 23 May and we are delighted Len Duvall OBE AM is our host. Sadly, Gareth Bacon AM cannot be with us as he has a long-standing speaking engagement. Tickets are on sale and I urge you to book your place. This quarter, the focus is on Lewisham and there is an interesting interview with the elected Mayor, Damien Egan. Following our last Lewisham Link ‘n Drink where we had a presentation from Nigel Barfoot, Hindwoods on the subject of Business Rates. Following this, the Chamber is supporting businesses in Blackheath Village with a block appeal to Lewisham Council. The restaurants in the Village were particularly hit with the last review and the Board wishes to support our members. We have made changes to the format of our events. There have been two

Editorial and General Enquiries South East London Chamber of Commerce Unit TW/145, Trinity Wharf, Harrington Way Warspite Road London SE18 5NR Tel: 020 8317 3365 Email: office@selondonchamber.org www.selondonchamber.org

Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 @SELondonChamber Email: admin@benhampublishing.com @SELondonChamber Web: www.benhampublishing.com South East London Chamber of Commerce Published: April 2019 © Benham Publishing

Photography Warren King Tel: 07779 337765 email: warren@wkphotography.co.uk web: www.wkphotography.co.uk

well attended breakfast meetings with excellent speakers: Matthew Yates, TfL and The Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire MP, Old Bexley & Sidcup, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The second breakfast was followed two weeks later by an Executive Lunch with James Murray, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, sponsored by Chamber member BPTW. This event sold out and details of the next one with the Bank of England can be found on the Events page. We also held our first morning Chamber Training Event which was a great success and a further one is planned for May. A calendar of future Chamber Training sessions will be published in the next A Supper and Lecture was held in the Council Room of the University of Greenwich and we would like to have other evening events along this format. Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com Production Manager Mark Etherington Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: mark@benhampublishing.com Media No. 1685 Disclaimer The Masthead is published for South East London Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members.

As President, I enjoyed attending the Stakeholders’ Dinner at IKEA Greenwich prior to the store opening. Their ambition was to achieve the highest possible BREEAM rating and since opening it has been certified as Outstanding. The ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM certification is an accolade held by just 320 buildings in the world and is the first sustainable store in the UK and only the second retail unit in the world to receive rating of over 90%. Finally, on the subject of excellence, I was invited by Berkeley Homes, one of the Chamber’s Strategic Partners to present Achievement Awards at Greenwich Starting Blocks, a charity set up to help local athletes achieve. It was a delight to hand over cheques to so many diverse and talented young people. The ceremony took place at Chamber member Knight Dragon’s Gateway Pavilion at the Peninsula New London. Helen McIntosh FCIPR President All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at South East London Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in The Masthead are not necessarily those of South East London Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2019 Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

April 2019

CALLING ALL WINE LOVERS TO GREENWICH Founded in 1870, Davy’s are still fully independent, family wine merchants based in Greenwich. To find out more, buy wine online or make a restaurant reservation, please visit Davy.co.uk.

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130 130th Anniversary

Drinks Reception Thursday 23 May 2019

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The London Remembrance Gallery

City Hall • The Queen’s Walk • London • SE1 2AA

Cost: Members: £45 per ticket Non Members: £55 per ticket

For tickets please visit the Chamber’s website events page

https://www.selondonchamber.org/events/

Anniversary 1889 - 2019 In association with

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April 2019

Focus on Lewisham | he Mayor is determined to see more houses built and for local small businesses to benefit from the investment that comes with a programme that has already seen the creation of thousands of new homes. His belief in the importance of council housing comes, in part, from his own background. Damien spent his childhood in Bristol and, at one time, he and his mother and sister were made homeless.

Council housing offered his family a lifeline and he has been passionate about building social housing ever since.

Damien, who moved to the Lewisham borough after graduating from St Mary’s University in Twickenham, was elected as a councillor for Lewisham Central in 2010 and became the cabinet member for housing in 2014. In this role he:

How social housing investment is benefiting the local economy For Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan, creating new homes is vital not just for the social fabric of the area but also for the local economy.

• oversaw the approval of 500 council houses – the first new council homes to be built in the borough for decades

• supported new housing co-operatives

• developed PLACE/Ladywell – the country’s first redeployable housing village for homeless families. Damien was elected as mayor in May 2018 and committed to:

• build a further 1,000 council homes

• make Lewisham a borough of sanctuary for refugees

• double the number of Living Wage employers in the borough.

Housing is at the heart of his thinking. He said: “We are looking at helping people to live their best lives and part of that is giving them security in their housing and income.

“Our work at Ladywell is an example of what can be achieved through the provision of social housing.

“Today, too many people don’t know where they will be living next month, let alone in the years ahead. By building council houses we can give them that security.”

The Mayor believes that, even in tough economic times for local government, councils should still be able to build houses.

He said: “Austerity does not impact on housing delivery in the same way that it does on other areas of the council. As a council, we can borrow money to provide our new housing – whether for building projects or for buying homes in the open market and at auction.

“Land in Lewisham has a high value with opportunities for developments to provide a mix of social housing and homes for sale. It is important to remember that council housing is not subsidised, the new council homes also bring in rents and over time pays for itself. There are real opportunities in London to make our social housing programmes sustainable over the long-term.“

Creating housing means work for companies who are involved in everything from construction to maintenance and Damien is keen that local SMEs benefit from the investment in new homes and in other areas.

To that end, the council is working with Goldsmiths University, Lewisham Homes, Lewisham College, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and the Phoenix Housing Association to identify ways in which that can happen.

Damien said: “We have agreed to add social value as a factor in awarding all our big contracts and are working with the other organisations to look at ways in which the procurement process benefits local companies. One of the ways we have done this is by staging Meet the Buyer events.

“Ensuring that local SMEs can benefit is a way in which we can add value to what we are doing to support the local economy.”

“

Today, too many people don’t know where they will be living next month, let alone in the years ahead. By building council houses we can give them that security.

”

April 2019

| Focus on Lewisham

Tackling Lewisham’s biggest challenges What does the future hold for Lewisham? Here, Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan and his Cabinet outline some of their key priorities Delivering new social homes • Top stat: There are more than 10,000 people on the housing waiting list and 600 people in B&Bs and emergency hostels. We urgently need to deliver more social homes, which means making difficult choices about where to build them. 1. The biggest social housing programme in decades: We will deliver 1,000 new social homes, including bringing

April 2019

back into public ownership homes that were lost under Right to Buy. 2. A new generation of council-owned homes for private rent: These homes will have German-style ten year tenancies and rentcontrols, giving renters greater security. 3. Modular housing: Following the example of the awardwinning PLACE/Ladywell, we will build four more innovative

housing developments including in Lee Green, Sydenham, and Edward Street in Deptford. This will lift homeless families out of expensive B&Bs. Refugees • Top stat: There are 160,000 refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. I was elected in May on a commitment to ensure that Lewisham is an open and welcoming borough for all immigrants.

1. We have welcomed 15 refugee families since February 2017. 2. 100 refugee families. We will expand Lewisham’s refugee resettlement programme, with a target of a further 100 vulnerable families from Syria and other areas of conflict. 3. This will make us London’s lead borough.

Focus on Lewisham |

“

Our £1 million investment in the Lewisham Secondary Challenge is having some positive results. We are beginning to see an improvement in GCSE results but we know there is still work to be done. Schools • Top stat: Under this Government, Lewisham’s schools have seen their funding fall in real terms. Between 2015-20 Lewisham schools will lose £8.8m. That is a £257 loss per pupil. 1. Working in partnership: with schools, teachers, heads, governors and unions. Our early years provision is among the best in London and the country. We know our secondary schools need to improve but this must be done through a position of support and working with others. 2. Investing in our secondary schools: Our £1 million investment in the Lewisham Secondary Challenge is having some positive results. We are beginning to see an improvement in GCSE results but we know there is still work to be done. 3. Working with schools to reduce exclusions: so we can keep children and young people in mainstream education. Permanent exclusions from our schools have fallen sharply in the past two years – from 78 to 43 (2015/16 – 2017/18) – and there were only two permanent exclusions last term. Youth violence and knife crime • Top stat: The Met Police have had their funding cut by £1 billion from the Government. You can’t keep people safe on the cheap. 1. Developing a public health approach: The Council is working together with the hospital, youth services, schools, colleges, community groups and the police.

”

2. Continuing to invest in youth services: We are giving £2.9 million to our award-winning youth service Youth First in 2018-19. Our Youth Offending Services is graded as Outstanding. We would like to invest more, but the Government continues to cut our funding by 63%. 3. Working with our schools and the community: We know that early intervention is the key. School exclusion rates are down significantly in Lewisham. Our exam results are turning a corner. We are maintaining our investment in Lewisham Learning to support our young people to achieve. Working with Business Living Wage • The Council is committed to increasing the number of Living Wage employers from 67 to 94 over the next three years. • We became the joint first Living Wage accredited council in the country in March 2012. • The London Living Wage is the amount required to meet the cost of living in the capital. • Since March last year (2018), we've been offering a business rates discount to employers who adopt the Living Wage. Since the business rate incentive was announced, the number of accredited Living Wage employers in Lewisham has tripled. • It has been proved that paying the wage benefits businesses as well as employees, with better staff retention which reduce costs, boosted morale and better productivity.

Bakerloo Line extension • The Mayor of London has committed to extending the Bakerloo line through the boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark. Together with Southwark Council, we have been campaigning for the extension for a number of years • The extension would move 65,000 people every morning, facilitate the delivery of 27,500 homes and 6,000 jobs in Lewisham. It will also help to facilitate the delivery of than 100 000 homes and 130 000 jobs in the 9 London Plan opportunity areas and four housing zones that are situated along the entire line. • The extension will also deliver thousands of new homes, including affordable homes, and jobs, supporting the local economy and helping tackle London’s housing crisis. Mayor’s Apprenticeship Programme • The successful apprenticeship programme has run for 10 years and is open to anyone aged 16 or over, who lives in the borough. • This week (4–8 March) is National Apprenticeship Week and we’re asking services to consider whether they can offer an apprenticeship to a Lewisham resident. • In this time, the Programme has placed nearly 500 apprentices across administration, finance,

housing, construction and digital media – with nearly 80% going on to further employment or training after the apprenticeship. Lewisham Deal • This is the first time that the public sector partners across the borough are jointly bringing together and sharing their procurement pipelines and practices to deliver opportunities for the SME base across not only Lewisham but SE London. • The partners (inc. Goldsmiths, Lewisham Council, Lewisham Greenwich Hospital) are keen that more money is retained in the local economy. Businesses across SE London will be able to attend annual Meet the Buyer events with the partners to understand the procurement process and how they can win contracts. The Council itself has very recently amended its policies so any contract opportunity under £50,000 must include a Lewisham based business quote. The partners are also channelling their construction opportunities through the Lewisham Construction Hub. • Since attending the Meet the Buyer event Filigree have won two contracts with the Council. ‘As a south east London-based SME, meeting fellow businesses and speaking to experts about how to write successful bids for public sector work has been an invaluable tool, which has helped us grow

April 2019

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Lewisham College Apprenticeship and Job Fair a huge success In proud partnership with DWP Employer Engagement Team, The Apprenticeships and Jobs Fair welcomed students, local employers and Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham residents interested in finding out more about apprenticeships and jobs in the Borough. keen advocate for young people in her borough, Vicky Foxcroft, MP opened the event and spoke to students and exhibitors about the opportunities that apprenticeships can offer. Visitors had the opportunity to browse the marketplace of stands and chat to current apprentices and employers.

Vicky said: “I attended one of last year’s events at the College, and I must say that this year has been even more impressive, there was a great range of different kinds of jobs and training opportunities open to

local people. As a firm supporter of apprenticeships, I was glad to see so much engagement in our Borough.”

Asfa Sohail, Lewisham’s Principal, said: “I was so pleased to welcome Vicky to today’s event. A lot of work has gone into setting up the whole week’s activities, and this was a great way to launch what I hope will be a very successful week.”

Joanne Blunt, Employer Engagement Manager for DWP whose team organised the event, said: “I’m really pleased with how today has gone, the engagement is really high and I look forward

to partnering with the College for future events.” The College was fortunate to be able to welcome elected representatives from Lewisham Council to the event: Cllr Silvana Kelleher said: “My great grandfather was one of the people who helped found SELTEC (the organisation that preceded Lewisham College). He would have been very proud of what has been achieved here. His intention was to significantly improve the lifechances of local young people – the atmosphere here is buzzing and it feels a positive way to combat local unemployment.”

Cllr Tauseef Anwar said: “I’m really enjoying meeting exhibitors – there is a great feel to the event. I am particularly impressed with the NHS Apprenticeship Programme, especially the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship when we are facing a nursing shortage.” Although the week offered a Nationwide focus on Apprenticeships, recruitment goes on all year round. Lewisham College welcomes applications and enquiries at any time through their website www.lewisham.ac.uk

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:

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April 2019

| Your Bromley

Bromley Town Centre – Let’s find your space Parking in Bromley town centre is about to get easier. usiness Partnership Your Bromley has launched a parking app ‘Let’s find your space’, designed to help drivers select the most suitable car park in or within an easy walk of Bromley Town Centre.

With car park details such as number of spaces, whether there are designated parking spaces for people with disabilities or young children, electric recharging point, lift, toilets etc, the app also displays live data about how full each car park is and offers turn by turn directions. It can be downloaded by searching your app store for Your Bromley Parking. A Your Bromley spokesperson said “We hope the ‘Lets Find your space’ app will enhance visitors’ experience of Bromley town centre even more.

By guiding drivers to the most suitable car park with spaces free, we hope visitors will park far more quickly than previously.” There are many reasons to visit Bromley town centre. Despite the last year having been tough for retail, Bromley town centre is not short of businesses coming in to the town centre. A new Ikea has arrived in the High Street, and St. Mark’s Square, opposite Bromley South train station, is home to nine restaurants, a Premier Inn hotel and a nine screen VUE cinema. A six screen Picturehouse cinema, restored to its former Art Deco glory, is due to open in Bromley North Village by June, while the Churchill Theatre goes from strength to strength with a huge variety of shows.

Let’s ﬁnd your space Discover the new Parking App We are excited to announce our all new app

yourbromley.com/parkingapp

April 2019

Bromley Council’s landscaping works to the pedestrianised area of the High Street are due for completion by June. Your Bromley’s programme of summer events for Bromley town centre in 2019 will include: • Taste of Bromley in May/June • Floral Fest in June and • Midsummer Movies in Queen’s Gardens, in August Bromley town centre employees are well looked after with a range of wellbeing and social activities being provided free of charge through Your Bromley. A programme of inter business quiz nights and bowling competitions has been set up for employees, and lunchtime stretch and balance/yoga/pilates sessions over the summer are also provided free of charge in

partnership with Mytime Active at the Pavilion Leisure Centre. “Giving employees opportunities to socialise, keep fit, raise money for local charities and at times compete against each other makes working life more enjoyable for them and helps business with staff retention” commented Andy Bawn of JD Wetherspoon, Manager of The Greyhound Pub and Chairperson of Your Bromley.

Your Bromley is the business led, business funded partnership set up to make Bromley Town Centre even more safe, more smart, more prominent and generally better for business. Everyone is welcome to subscribe to free monthly e.shots updates via yourbromley.com.

Focus on Bromley |

Shortlands set to benefit from Funding to improve local travel connections Shortlands, Ravensbourne and Bromley Better Villages is one of 11 successful bids from across London announced on 5 March as part of the multi-million pound Liveable Neighbourhoods programme. New public spaces will be created around the Shortlands war memorial and Shortlands village centre along with pocket parks and improvements for walking throughout the scheme area, thereby improving the sense of ‘place’.

he project will improve travel connections for pedestrians and cyclists to and past Shortlands station from the surrounding area with new protected cycle lanes on Bromley Road and Valley Road and new pedestrian crossings across the busy A222.

Station Road will be significantly improved for pedestrians crossing with the introduction of a new ‘pocket park’ and a new ‘cycle hub’ will be constructed at Shortlands station. School Streets will make it easier for pupils to get to school without cars and three low traffic impact neighbourhoods will be created, dramatically reducing the impact of traffic on residential streets.

Councillor William HuntingtonThresher, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Environment and Community Services, said: “This will help tackle longstanding local traffic and environmental concerns in the area and we have already been engaging with local people and consultation will follow in coming year.” Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “Our investment in Bromley Council’s proposals for Shortlands will give people in the area a real choice in how they get around, making it much easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.”

Friendship agreement signed with Canada An historic friendship agreement between Thunder Bay, Canada, and the London Borough of Bromley has been signed. he Worshipful Mayor of Bromley, TCouncillor Kim Botting FRSA, and

the Mayor of Thunder Bay, Councillor Kristen Oliver, signed the agreement marking more than 100 years of friendship which started during World War I and commemorates the sacrifice Canadian soldiers made for freedom. Many are buried in Canadian Corner at All Saints’ Church in Orpington, and in recognition of their heritage, the headstones face west towards Canada. The Mayor of Thunder Bay said the friendship was forged during the First World War when Orpington Hospital was constructed for wounded Canadian troops. The Mayor of Bromley, who is President |of the Royal British Legion, Orpington, said: “I am proud to say that the friendship, which first started during the Great War, continues to this day and we will never forget that the Canadian soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice, with so many more suffering terrible injuries and being treated in our Borough, in Orpington in particular.”

A PLACE TO MEET Situated between the bright lights of London and the tranquil Kentish countryside, The Bromley Court Hotel is the ideal meeting place. Where modern luxury seamlessly blends with 200 years of historical grandeur. • Set in 2 acres of landscaped gardens, perfect for team building activities, BBQ’s, Picnics and Afternoon Teas • 8 flexible, air conditioned meeting rooms each with natural daylight for 2 to 150 delegates • Free Wi-Fi • Free Parking • 117 dynamic guest rooms • Orangery Style Garden Restaurant & Bar • Fitness Suite • Beauty Room • Welcoming lounge bar and lobby for informal meetings

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April 2019

| Focus on Bexley

Government opens the way to Crossrail to Ebbsfleet extension Bexley has welcomed the news that the government has agreed to provide nearly £5m to fund exploratory work on transport links between Abbey Wood and Ebbsfleet – the route of the planned extension of Crossrail. n a written ministerial statement, IHousing Secretary and local MP

James Brokenshire confirmed the funding as part of the Government’s response to the flagship Thames Estuary Commission.

The announcement follows four years of campaigning by Bexley and its partners in the C2E Campaign to undo the 2008 decision to shorten Crossrail’s south-east branch. The funding will enable detailed feasibility, funding and viability work to take place on the scheme. It would transform connectivity over 10 miles of under-used housing land on the London/Kent border along the safeguarded route from Abbey Wood, including planning new homes and employment sites. It will also be used to help attract major new investment into the area. Speaking after the announcement Council Leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE said: “This funding means that we can we can get on with work to realise Crossrail’s true potential for our borough and the whole Thames Gateway. We will waste no time in moving forwards.”

April 2019

Carnegie building Erith’s iconic Carnegie library building has re-opened to the public after work was completed on the first phase of its refurbishment. un by local company, The Exchange, the lower ground floor is home to the delightful Bookstore Café. It serves delicious locally sourced, homemade food and is run by local professional chef, Marina Power. Also open is the Conversation Room, an area for creativity and community, which has already hosted several exhibitions and events. The ground floor is available for local groups

to use on a ‘pop-up’ basis. It’s currently being used for performing arts workshops for young people, performances, exhibitions and markets, with more events soon to be launched. Bexley worked closely with Historic England and The Exchange to ensure that the refurbishment of the building has been carried out in a way that preserves the historic character of the building.

The improvements have been funded by London Borough of Bexley and the Mayor of London as part of their partnership project, the ‘Greater Erith Programme’. Bexley and The Exchange have secured National Lottery Funding to continue to refurbish the building and are developing proposals to renovate the upper two floors. To find out about events at the Exchange visit www.theexchangeerith.com

Welcome to Engine House-Bexley For start-ups, entrepreneurs and growing teams. ll our spaces are designed for innovators and growing businesses. We offer flexible memberships, giving you access to a private office or a desk in our co-working space. We’re also creating a dedicated Tech Creative Space that comes with 3D printers for rapid prototyping, CAD and laser cutters with exciting new CAD courses.

We’re the accelerant to your growth, the traction to your ambition and the energy for your next step. We’ll make sure you’re always fuelled through our business-2-business community, dynamic networking culture and flexible offers.

You can make the most of our meeting rooms, conference rooms, comfortable lounges, Bexley 4 Business events, the cafe, free parking and a growing community of like-minded innovators. Our tailored spaces can fuel your creativity, connections and focus.

To arrange a visit email info@enginehousebexley.co.uk call 020 8320 1000 or visit www.enginehousebexley.co.uk

Business rate relief for retail businesses Around 380 retail businesses in Bexley with a rateable value of less than £51,000 are set to receive more than £1m in retail relief from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. etail relief will apply for two years and was announced by the Government in the 2018 Autumn Budget.

Businesses will receive a one-third discount on their business rate bills after the application of any other reliefs and subject to state aid limits.

Further information is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications /business-rates-retail-discount-guidance By emailing bexley.nndr@secure.capita.co.uk Or calling our Business Rates team or 020 8315 2174.

Sport |

Blackheath Cricket Club, Kent League Champions 2018 Support cricket in south-east London! lackheath Cricket Club is a thriving club in the heart of the local community. Founded in 1863, the Club has been based at The Rectory Field since 1886, just a short distance from the City of London and Docklands.

Today, the Club boasts a large membership with six Saturday teams playing in the Kent League, Sunday/midweek fixtures and a thriving youth section.

The Club is ambitious but also prides itself on serving the local community, welcoming a diverse membership and running outreach schemes in Tower Hamlets, Lewisham and Greenwich. This includes operating a bursary scheme,

to provide the chance to play cricket for people who would otherwise be unable to access the game. We offer various opportunities for businesses to become involved with the Club including: hosting events to entertain clients and staff; ground hire and catering; licensed bar; match day sponsorship; and shirt/facility sponsorship.

The Club has a distinguished history. The ground was used on a regular basis to host Kent County Cricket Club until 1971. In the same year, Blackheath became National Champions for the first time, and the Club went on to win the Kent League title in both 1982 and 1984. In 2015 captain Chris Willetts’ team beat

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Sponsorship Opportunities Available

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Memberships for Everyone

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Northern CC, making the club one of only a handful to win the National Cup on more than one occasion. The most recent addition to the trophy cabinet was 2018’s Kent Premier League victory which was secured by one point on the last day of the season.

The club also boasts a thriving colts section led by experienced and qualified coaches. We regularly progress to the latter stages of the ECB National U13 and U15 Cup competitions, winning the U15 version by defeating Wolverhampton in the 2008 final.

A few years ago, the Club opened a second ground at the Academy in Woolwich, to provide Kent League-level

playing facilities for more players. The volume of cricket contributes to a thriving social scene which gives everyone, from our current internationals and Kent players to our youngest colt, an opportunity to flourish. We are now looking at how we can improve our training facilities for the benefit of all players.

Pitch hire starts at just £200 and match day sponsorship from £250. To find out more about the options available to support the Club, visit our website or contact Sponsorship Secretary Charlie Speller at charliesid1794@gmail.com Twitter: @blackheathcc

Ground Hires Available

Kent Premier League Champions 2018 National Knockout Champions 2015

www.pitchero.com/clubs/blackheathcricketclub The Rectory Field Charlton Road SE3 8SR

April 2019

| Focus on Greenwich

Latest news from Royal Borough of Greenwich Social Enterprise Programmes in Schools

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is one of two London boroughs piloting Social Enterprise Schools in London launching in Spring 2019. Receiving support to set up school-based social enterprises, the pilot will explore what young people in London care passionately about. Cllr Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills, and Apprenticeships said: “We are delighted to be one of only two local authorities in London leading the way by making the Social Enterprise Academy’s incredible educational scheme available to our pupils. “This is a big opportunity for our young people to start their own businesses with a social mission to tackle issues they care about and learn entrepreneurial skills too. “By match-funding the programme, we are investing in the next generation – ensuring the borough remains a great place to grow up and that future economic prosperity is delivered for all.

GCDA Launch ‘Food Business Connect’

On 8 May GCDA will be launching its food business network at the Pavilion, Ikea Greenwich. The winners of the Social Enterprise Award at the Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards 2019 will bring together this innovative and inspiring food businesses, some very established and those just starting off. This network will help them connect, share experience, hear about the latest trends, innovations and challenges for this important sector to the borough. Around 30% of start-ups in the borough are food related and to help residents who want to run their own business but need help in getting started, support is on-hand through the Food Business Start-Up Training. This initiative adds value to the food business and business start-up courses being funded by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Clients can learn about the practical aspects that are important during the start of a business such as: • Business Planning • Relevant legislation • Product Development – ensuring you have the best product possible • Health and Sustainability – how to capitalise on these themes to maximise your profits • Running your Business – logistics, production, trading opportunities and more • Finance – how to price your product correctly • Promotions and Branding – how to sell yourself and your business product This is in addition to the GCDA having just recently completed on the lease on one of the shop units in Greenwich Town Centre which they hope to open in May. The aim of the shop is to promote and retail products that are made in Royal Greenwich, provide a space for private view, a space for craft related workshops and a workshop space.

April 2019

Royal Arsenal Farmers Market Food for Thought

GCDA has also recently taken over the management of the Royal Arsenal Farmers’ Market and is going from strength to strength. If you’ve been down to the market recently you will have noticed some small changes which are making a big difference. The market has more local producers and street food traders than ever before, along with a craft area for children and live music from local up and coming musicians. There are plans for a charity zumbathon in collaboration with Your Style Fitness in aid of Cancer Research on 27 April and the introduction of cooking demos in the summer. There will be a launch party on Saturday 11 May with activities, entertainment and stalls galore – GCDA would like to extend the invitation to all members of the Chamber to come along and join in the fun!

The market is located on Artillery Square, SE18 6ST, it runs every second and last Saturday of the month from 10am until 3pm.

“

The market has more local producers and street food traders than ever before, along with a craft area for children and live music from local up and coming musicians. E Business Support

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As part of the Council’s E-Business support programme, South East Enterprise is delivering ‘Create A Digital Marketing Strategy’. This is aimed at businesses that already have a social media presence and know how to use the various platforms. Over two days, businesses learn about how changing the culture in their business is essential for success, how to build a community and how to use ‘big data’ through a CRM to manage and monetise that community. One to one business advice and support to develop digital business plans is also a key feature of the E-Business programme along with wider support to businesses looking to expand and access new market opportunities

resulting from the rapid growth in e-commerce, social media and digital technologies worldwide. The programme includes specialist advice around Cyber Security and GDPR alongside other aspects of e-commerce.

To sign up or the scheme, visit https://www.seenterprise.co.uk/ebusiness/the-ebusiness-2-programme or by phone on 0208 305 2666.

“

Over two days, businesses learn about how changing the culture in their business is essential for success, how to build a community and how to use ‘big data’ through a CRM to manage and monetise that community.

”

GROW YOUR BUSINESS By recruiting an apprentice...

As an employer, nding people with the right skills is not always easy. Employing an apprentice can be a great solution as they learn on the job and bring new skills to your business. London South East Colleges can help you: » »

Understand the levy Recruit an apprentice

» »

Decide on future training And much more...

GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT MORE... Apprenticeships@lsec.ac.uk | 020 3954 4965

| LSEC.ac.uk

April 2019

Education and Skills |

Campaign provides information on apprenticeships

New Principal for College Lewisham College has announced the appointment of a new Principal, marking a new era for the institution. sfa Sohail, who was previously Vice Principal of Havering College of Further and Higher Education, took up the post in February. The appointment comes at a period of change for the College. Formerly part of Lewisham Southwark College, Lewisham College recently separated to be 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. Asfa said: “I am delighted to be joining

Lewisham College at such an important time in its evolution. I strongly believe that education is for everyone and I look forward to working with the local community to ensure that our offering helps school leavers and adults to fulfil their career ambitions.” 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 really looking forward to working with Asfa to

Generating social capital and the vital role of FE colleges Much is written about social mobility and the notion that gaining qualifications will help you get a job, which in turn helps you progress further in life. his is absolute ly true and FE colleges are without doubt, very much catalysts for social mobility. Offering a wide range of flexible courses, at varying levels for people of all ages, abilities and interests, we offer many people a second chance at learning – as well as being a first choice for people wanting to take a more practical/vocational pathway. But there is more to the value we offer. It’s not just about social mobility, it’s about social capital. This term refers to the factors involved in ‘effectively functioning social groups’ – including things like interpersonal relationships, a shared sense of identity, shared values, trust and co-operation. Creating meaningful personal and social networks is key to a successful and fulfilling life. These networks, which develop through friends, family and employment are arguably as important as qualifications and crucial to the process of social mobility. FE colleges are instrumental in helping to create this social capital for their students and staff. Our links with employers, local authorities and other stakeholders enable us to promote our shared values – working in partnership to benefit individuals, businesses and the wider community. And this isn’t just about major projects with huge budgets. Something as simple as a visit from an employer can give a young person the chance to not only find out more about a job role, but make a face to face connection with an industry

expert. Working on a community project with a youth group, taking part in sports competitions, undertaking organised work experience and raising money for charity are all ways that social capital can be generated.

This is also about our staff. We work hard to give our teachers and support teams opportunities to develop their skills and interests outside of work – whether this is a charitable, sporting or learning activity. This enrichment increases the collective social capital of our college, which can be passed on and shared with students and the wider community.

With many colleges merging (or planning to merge), differing cultures have to come together – something we ourselves have recently experienced with our three-way merger in 2016. This is not an easy process, but can ultimately result in a much richer community, which can share best practice and work effectively towards new, shared goals. This again has helped us to create a community with a higher social value – with a greater focus on collective, rather than simply individual benefit.

Three years’ post-merger, our college strategy is now moving towards a social enterprise model, as we are ‘far more than just a college’. We have embedded ourselves within our communities and a by-product of this way of working is, inherently, the invaluable commodity of social capital.

Sam Parrett OBE, Principal and CEO, London South East Colleges

The Government is running a campaign to raise awareness of the help that is on offer for businesses who are considering taking on apprentices. bring positive change to Lewisham College. She has had a very successful career so far and we’re delighted that she has decided to continue it with us. She brings with her fresh perspectives, lots of great ideas and imagination and an infectious can-do attitude.” Lewisham 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.

inisters are committed to increasing the number of apprentices and some companies can receive help from the Government to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment. The amount they receive depends on whether or not they pay the apprenticeship levy and the campaign explains the rules surrounding eligibility and advises company owners and managers on the next steps.

More information is available at https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk

Planning application submitted for London Aerospace and Technology College Following the latest successful public consultation, a planning application has now been submitted to the London Borough of Bromley, seeking permission for a pioneering aerospace college to be built at London Biggin Hill Airport. ondon South East Colleges has developed the plans in partnership with the airport over the past two years, after a £6.2m grant for the project was secured from the GLA’s Skills for Londoners FE Capital Investment Fund. Two public consultations for local residents, stakeholders and employer partners have taken place during this time, with feedback from these sessions helping to shape the final proposals. The new £11m college is expected to open in 2021. It will help address the huge skills gap that the aviation industry is facing by providing firstclass technical training for the next generation of engineers, technicians and ground crew. Key employer partners supporting the project include: Bombardier, Gatwick Airport, London City Airport, University of Greenwich, Virgin Atlantic and the Royal Aeronautical Society. Principal and CEO of London South East Colleges, Sam Parrett OBE says: “We are delighted to be taking the next step towards making the London Aerospace and Technology College a reality. We have worked closely with our partners at London Biggin Hill Airport, stakeholders and local residents over the past two years to create a proposal that will benefit the local, regional and indeed national economy. “The aerospace and aviation industry is growing rapidly and we need to ensure we supply the pipeline of skills that are needed to help this continue. We very much hope to move forward with this project quickly,

giving young people throughout the region the opportunity to follow a career pathway into this exciting industry.” Chairman of London Biggin Hill Airport, Andrew Walters, says: “We’ve been working closely with the Greater London Authority, the London Borough of Bromley, and London South East Colleges to develop these proposals for a state-ofthe-art facility, which will offer unique training on site at the airport. “As the fastest growing business aviation airport in the Europe, our focus is on inspiring and training the aerospace industry professionals of tomorrow. This new college will support our vision and we are excited about moving forward with what is a much-needed project.” The new college will provide pathways to accreditation and professional qualifications within aviation. A range of technical specialities will be covered, including routes into Aerospace Engineering. The aviation pathways are already underway at London South East Colleges’ Bromley Campus - offering progression into a broad range of jobs on the ground, including Cabin Crew and Aviation Operations. For more information visit www.LSEC.ac.uk

April 2019

| Education and Skills

Develop your business Recruit an apprentice Having an apprentice in your business will: • Improve productivity • Fill skills gaps, including specialist skills • Be skills specific to your industry • Make your business more competitive • Reduce training costs • Reduce recruitment costs • Assist with succession planning

• Motivate staff and reduce staff turnover • Provide a significant return on investment

To recruit an apprentice, firstly get in touch with us. To support your recruitment, we will:

• Discuss your needs with you • Help you choose the best training options for your business

• Start the recruitment process Write the job description and recruitment adverts Advertise your vacancy Find the best match for your business Support you through the recruitment process – we have direct access to the freshest young talent in Kent through our college and education networks .

You choose your ideal candidate through application, interview and the apprenticeship begins. Existing employees can become apprentices too – we can assist you in this process. We will of course support you and your apprentice continually throughout the training programme. Call 01322 629400 Email : business@northkent.ac.uk

. s s e n i s u b r u o y p o . Devel e c i t n e r p p ps i a h s e n c i t a n t i pre p u a / r k c u . c e a R thkent. www.nor

ship pprentice a r o il a o t e ability t can help h e t w d , n s t a r y e it of exp exibil m. our team ing you h iv it g , w s t ement tea g n g in e a k n r m a o e m ir w u e y B req futur es to your into your programm ack young people fast-tr

If you need advice on how to recruit and train an apprentice, information about the Apprenticeship Levy or how to move existing employees onto apprenticeship programmes, please email apprentices@northkent.ac.uk us or call us on 01322 629400

April 2019

Education and Skills |

Growing without the pains SELCC member Goldsmiths, University of London is part of a unique partnership seeking to help local business leaders reach their full potential.

oldsmiths, University of London, has joined forces with London South Bank University and Lewisham Council to offer local businesses free tailored packages of support to help achieve sustainable growth.

Using the expertise of researchers at the two local universities, the programme aims to develop business people, rather than business plans – offering a unique approach to professional development that empowers SME leaders to drive their own strategies for business growth.

Known as the “deK” Growth Programme, the title is not an acronym but rather an umbrella brand for a range of tailored support services for small businesses and social enterprise. The scheme is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

A power network at your fingertips

The deK partnership is able to tap in to a large network of expert coaches and researchers who can provide advice across a range of topics, including accounting and finance, marketing and promotion, product and service development, and innovation and culture change.

The registration process is designed to establish how best the programme can help your particular needs. Appointments are held with the London Small Business Centre (LSBC), with the aim of identifying your organisation’s growth potential and current barriers to achieving those goals.

The consultant from LSBC will draw upon a range of support option and work with you to build a bespoke business growth plan, which may include accessing the Small Business Centre Loan scheme if finance is required. Geared for growth

Part of the deK programme includes a menu of regular workshops on different aspects of running and growing an organisation. Members of the programme can sign up to a different workshop each month, free of charge.

Run by academics at Goldsmiths and LSBU, examples coming up in May include interactive sessions on using social media for marketing, how to edit promotional videos, and identifying different sources of business funding.

Past workshops include sessions on pitching skills and change management.

The focus of the workshops is to enhance the skills and knowledge of you and your team in key areas of business. Each session typically takes just half a day of your time – but can unlock untold inspiration and opportunities.

Alongside deK workshops, Goldsmiths is offering a range of one-off business development events this spring. These include workshops on crowdfunding and market segmentation – more details can be found on the back page of this edition of Masthead.

Your own ‘dragon’

Many successful business leaders will testify to the value of gaining an external perspective on their growth strategy. The deK programme offers access to a bank of independent business experts who can provide additional insights and advice. This option is discussed when you meet with LSBC, based on whether this kind of mentoring process is appropriate for your stage of business development.

Programme participants have found this part of the process particularly useful when

considering significant changes in focus or new risks, or simply for helping reappraise their business strategy with the assistance of a critical friend.

Lessons from the cutting edge

All organisations have skills and knowledge gaps – even the very largest. But not everyone has the resources to recruit additional staff or to commission expert consultants.

With deK, local business can benefit from their local universities’ research specialisms to help inform their business plans. The programme connects organisations with leading academics at Goldsmiths and LSBU who have typically spent time researching related areas over extended periods – often to national and international acclaim.

A typical collaborative project organised through deK lasts around three months and involves one specialist consultant or a team made up of a lead consultant, researchers, recent graduates and students.

Tapping into their knowledge and research skills can offer you new insights on stubborn problems, and an evidence base for fresh products, services and strategies.

Get involved

The deK team are ready and waiting to help new members.

If your organisation has under 250 employees and you think the deK programme could help you, register at deklondon.com to find out more and arrange your introductory appointment with LSBC.

April 2019

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www.greenrobinsolutions.com April 2019

Legal |

Constructive Dismissal: An Employer’s Perspective Constructive dismissal is a complex area of employment law. It is simply defined as a termination of employment instigated by the employee, with or without notice, due to the employer’s conduct. breach and no other reason, and (3) the employee must resign without delay, so they avoid having been considered to have accepted the breach. In relation to Unfair Dismissal, under the ERA 1996, a resignation will be treated as a constructive dismissal for the purposes of an unfair dismissal claim, even when an employee resigns with notice. It doesn’t matter whether the employer genuinely believed that there was no breach when the act or acts occurred. he three fundamental requirements to establish a case for constructive dismissal are, (1) the alleged breach by the employer must go to the heart of the contract, so much so that the employee has no option but to resign, (2) the employee must resign due to that alleged

The Last Straw Doctrine is whereby an employee puts up with a series of actions by the employer and the last action becomes their trigger to resign. An example of this is repeated late payments. Consideration will be given to whether the alleged act was an action by the employer, whether the employee has affirmed the

alleged breach, whether the breach a fundamental breach of contract and whether the employee resigned, wholly or partly, in response to the alleged breach. It has become more important for employers to ensure that they deal with informal and formal grievances that are raised by employees. It is essential the employer follows their grievance procedure and updates the employee in relation to any delays in the process, be they foreseeable or not. It is not a defence to state the employee never raised a grievance, as the main focus is the employer’s conduct and not the employee’s reaction to it. Tribunals have discretion to increase or reduce compensation by 25% where an employer or the employee, fail to comply with the ACAS Code of Practice.

There is no explicit requirement in the ACAS Code for an employer to follow when it comes to former employees, but as good practice goes, it may be worth inviting the former employee to raise a grievance prior to them issuing a claim. This will give the employer the opportunity to resolve the matter without the involvement of the Tribunal. It is important to be aware of the potential risks when an employee raises a grievance (formally or informally) and more importantly being aware as to how to mitigate or prevent the risk of a potential constructive dismissal claim. Contact our employment team for tailored advice on this topic. Paida Dube 01689 887857 paida.dube@cwj.co.uk

Employment Advice for Businesses CWJ’s experienced employment team are able to assist with: • Advising and negotiating employment contracts and directors’ service agreements • Settlement Agreements • Day to day HR support • Tribunal claims and Appeals • Employment implications following sale or transfer of a business(including TUPE)

www.cwj.co.uk

Call us now on 01689 887887

April 2019

| Export

10 tips to get your business export ready Are you ready to take your brand global? By Siddharth Shankar xporting your goods is a key way to drive growth and this is an optimum moment to begin exporting. UK exports are at a record high and, with a weaker pound, British products are much more competitive in the global marketplace. UK goods are known for their quality and are in demand across the world. If the UK economy is performing poorly post-Brexit, exporting could also be crucial to ensuring your business continues to thrive. Here are ten top tips to get your business export ready: 1. Follow the demand Where in the world is there a demand for your product? Do your research on the regions where exports of your goods are on the up and where the economic and political landscape means this is likely to continue. For instance, heavy industrial products are valued across emerging markets like India, Thailand and Cambodia right now because huge infrastructure construction is underway and the country’s own heavy industry manufacturing is relatively weak. Where have your competitors been successful in exporting similar products to? Where do the Department for International Trade’s figures show there is a growing demand for products within your sector? 2. Research your target markets carefully Exporting to a new market requires a significant initial outlay of time, effort, internal resources and investment. It’s crucial to research the market thoroughly before you commit to prevent costly mistakes. Before you work out projected figures for exporting to a market ensure

April 2019

your expectations are realistic. In-depth research into the local culture, legal restrictions and regulations, language barriers (finding reliable translators if necessary), the local network of individuals and organisations you’ll need to work with and the PR and marketing activity required is essential. This will help you work out a realistic time frame for the project as well as the costs of entry. 3. Undertake an in-depth brand analysis

Undertake a market study for the export market you’re entering – this can either be done inhouse or, if you lack this expertise internally, by a third party. Once you have this in place analyse how your brand aligns with this. Do you need to brand your product differently for each individual market? What is the most effective way of marketing your product to local consumers? Hammer out a brand strategy for each target market. 4. Ensure your production processes up to speed

Establish how, if at all, you will need to adapt your internal processes in order to begin exporting. Determine how your production process can be managed in order to absorb the additional manufacturing pressures that the much larger order quantities from abroad will put on your current system. 5. Be a SWOT

There a risks to exporting. It’s essential to do a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis in order to identify and prepare for any potential issues.

6. Register your intellectual property in each market

Before you begin exporting it’s essential to register your intellectual property in a market. The ease of doing so varies hugely, depending on if you’re exporting to Germany or China. Investigate the intellectual property structure in your target market carefully and begin the necessary registration formalities as soon as possible. In some Asian countries, for instance this process can take years. Start to make legal arrangements as well exploring the customs and tax hoops you’ll have to jump through. All of these elements have to be cleared and well managed before you begin exporting to a country. 7. Get the logistics right

How will you physically transport your goods to a region? What distribution options are open to you? Is it best to enlist a local partner in your target market to handle the logistics and distribution to retailers? If not, how do you plan to develop and nurture a working relationship directly with distributors and retailers? Consider language and cultural barriers when you determine how achievable this is.

8. Choose your partners carefully Some markets favour their own national companies over foreign companies – so it can be more effective find a local partner. Avoid signing up with any partners without carrying out thorough background research and providing clear and enforceable paperwork and responsibilities. 9. Get trade credit insurance The average credit period and rates for importers/distributors on payment of goods changes from country to country – securing your transactions using trade credit insurance can prove to be a lifeline. 10. Think about taxes Every country has their own unique tax structure and method of payment. Consult a tax professional to properly calculate all the taxes applicable to your product and the revenue that would be generated by its sale. Siddharth Shankar is a leading expert in exporting and CEO of Tails Trading, an innovative new solution helping UK SMEs to export their goods. Visit www.tailstrading.com to find out more.

“

Exporting to a new market requires a significant initial outlay of time, effort, internal resources and investment. It’s crucial to research the market thoroughly before you commit to prevent costly mistakes.

”

We Deliver

to you when you can’t get to us McDelivery available from McDonald’s® 56-58 Powis Street, 1 Twin Tumps Way, Pettman Crescent & Ruston Road Woolwich Download the Uber Eats app to order

McDelivery available within a 1.5 mile radius of restaurant Claimed availability within each area is based on restaurant coverage within postcodes applicable to that area, but remains subject to Uber Eats. See the Uber Eats app for full details, including products available for delivery. Uber Eats delivery fee applies. © 2019 McDonald’s

| Big Interview

Determination that has driven a successful business career April 2019

The story of entrepreneur Taimoor Sheikh is an example to any young person seeking to go into business, one that shows how determination and creativity can help achieve great things.

Big Interview |

he businessman started his working life at the age of 16, working for fast food company McDonalds, but pretty soon he decided that he wanted to run his own restaurant.

Today, he has five outlets in the South London area, employs more than 500 people and has plans to dramatically expand his business, Milestone Restaurants, trading as McDonalds, of which he is a Director. Underpinning his approach to business is a belief in supporting the local economy wherever he can. However, successful as his career has been, Taimoor has had to overcome plenty of setbacks along the way. He said: “I have always worked, ever since I was a teenager. I started working for McDonalds when I was sixteen and kept doing so as I studied for my GCSEs and A levels. “I have remained with them ever since, apart from six months working in banking and stockbroking, which was enough to persuade me that it was not the job for me! “I decided that I wanted to run my own McDonalds restaurant and I first applied to be a franchisee at the age of 21 but I was rejected because they said I did not have enough experience.” That rejection came even though Taimoor graduated from the University of West London with a BA Hons in Economics in 1993 and as a Master of Science (Economics) from the University of East London a year later. Taimoor said: “I kept being told that I did not have the experience to be a McDonalds franchisee but I was determined

to make it happen so I went in through the back door and enrolled on their training scheme. “I worked my way up through the ranks at McDonald’s, where I held positions that placed me at the heart of the operations for one of the world’s leading brands. Eventually, the company decided that I had the experience they required and offered me my opportunity to take on my own franchise.” The result was that he took on his first restaurant in Woolwich in 2008 and the business has grown to run five outlets in South London. Taimoor said: “I think there are a number of reasons for my success and one of them is looking after our staff. “Achieving and sustaining business excellence is a long-term commitment and an ethos that I bring to my business life via the training and development of my team, through a suite of training that encompasses workplace learning and nationally recognised qualifications.

“I believe in investing in my employees, on whose dedication and ambassadorship my business depends. In addition, the training helps my employees to provide the highest level of service for the thousands of customers that we serve each day. “One of the things that pleases me is that I am able to support the local economy by employing people from the area. That is important. “Another reason for our success is that we are constantly innovating. You cannot afford to stand still in business and McDonalds will take on ideas from franchisees if they like them. “For instance, we introduced things like sliding doors and solar energy at our restaurants and brought in knife arches to detect anyone trying to take a knife in. “McDonalds itself is constantly innovating, using only UK beef and eggs, for example, which will protect us from the effects of Brexit.”

“

I worked my way up through the ranks at McDonald’s, where I held positions that placed me at the heart of the operations for one of the world’s leading brands. Eventually, the company decided that I had the experience they required and offered me my opportunity to take on my own franchise.

”

Taimoor is also heavily involved with the local economy. He said: “The solid foundation that working my way up through McDonalds gave me provided me with a clear focus on working to achieve business excellence with a social purpose, something that I value enormously now that I operate my own business. “The link between operating a business and having a social purpose is something that has been embedded in my understanding of business practice for a number of years, in fact, ever since I was a McDonald’s employee. “As a franchisee, I am very proud to work with local charities and community groups to support their life-changing endeavours in the areas of education, sport and health. “As well as supporting others, I spearhead a number of initiatives in collaboration with my employees, which include environmental clean-up campaigns to help enhance the local community. “As a business we also try to purchase locally whenever we can because supporting the local community is important to me. “That is why I am delighted to have been a judge for the Greenwich Business Awards. “We have to support local businesses and I also am keen to play my part helping the high street. You hear a lot about the death of the high street so we have to support it in any way we can. “Personally, I am confident about the future. I do not want to stop at five restaurants. I want to open more and double or triple the size of the business in the next five years.”

April 2019

| Past Events

Making the right connections Each month the Chamber hosts a variety of events which offer members a superb opportunity to meet and chat to fellow business people. Here, we review a few of our past events.

Brexit with RationalFX: Drinks and Discussion 24 January 2019

The Chamber started 2019’s event calendar hot on the heels of the biggest issue of the day: Brexit.

Joshua Nagenthiran, William Anderson Jones & George Roberts of Rational FX | Credit: Warren King

Chamber member RationalFX provided their 32nd floor offices at One Canada Square for this evening drinks and discussion event. Founded in 2005 by now-Deputy Mayor of London for Business Rajesh Agrawal, RationalFX is one of the UK’s leading global foreign exchange companies. We hope to see Rajesh at a Chamber event in the future. In their capacity as financial exchange experts, RationalFX highlighted both London’s importance to the European

South East London Transport Update: Breakfast Meeting with Matthew Yates (TfL)

Project and the Capital’s status as the leading global financial hub. The experts were, in financial terms, optimistic for the future. Recent events in Parliament and the Brexit delay have put a dent in everyone’s expectations, to be mild. Nevertheless, this event proved highly interesting and informative. The pictures and presentation from this event can be found on our website on the Gallery and Resources sections, respectively.

21 February 2019

The Chamber was delighted to host a breakfast event in February with guest speaker Matthew Yates, Head of Projects & Consents at Transport for London. Matthew delivered an informative presentation on transport developments affecting South East London. Projects discussed included Crossrail and the Silvertown Tunnel, and the proposed extensions of the Bakerloo Line into Lewisham (and beyond), and the extending the DLR into Thamesmead. The Chamber received much positive feedback from our attendees who found the event

educational and useful. Of interest was Matthew’s assertion that transport development is “no longer getting from A to B”. Instead, TfL must look at unlocking potential development within opportune areas in the capital. The Chamber will be watching the progress of these projects with marked interest as they shape our remit for decades to come. This was the second time Matthew has been

speaker at our events and we hope for his return in future to keep us fresh in the loop. The presentation for this event has been uploaded to the Resources tab on the Chamber website.

Many thanks to The Clarendon Hotel for their hospitality for this event, and to Matthew Yates for giving us a thoughtprovoking morning.

Matthew Yates (TfL) and Chamber President Helen McIntosh | Credit: Warren King

How to Create the Perfect Business Plan & Grow Your Business in 2019 27 February 2019

The Chamber’s first training event of 2019 took place at The Clarendon Hotel, with Chamber Board Director Dave Millett of DRF Consultants.

Dave Millett, DRF Consultants / Credit: Joe Coomes

April 2019

Dave was thorough on the various aspects that go into a good business plan. The full PowerPoint presentation can be found on the Resource tab of the Chamber website. This workshop had a wide array of business types ranging from pre-starts to well-established businesses. Kalpa Prajapati, of Chamber Member Grant Saw Solicitors, said:

“The training session on how to write a business plan was really useful for me as I am trying to grow my department. It is good to see the Chamber supporting local businesses in this way.” The Chamber is planning to host more workshops in the future: the next takes place on Wednesday 8 May on the topic of Social Media & Marketing.

Past Events |

Supper & Lecture: Understanding the Spaces Where We Live with Dr Zena Wood 28 February 2019

The Chamber was delighted to be back in the Council Room of the University of Greenwich for the second joint Supper and Lecture on Thursday 28 February.

Our speaker was Dr Zena Wood, senior lecturer in Spatial Informatics. Guests learned about the Greenwich GIScience Research Group which focuses on the computational aspects of GIS and digital mapping. Dr Wood’s research focuses on collective analysis: the analysis and understanding of groups of individual entities.

For such a specialised subject, Zena Wood had the great gift of being able to communicate her ideas and research to an audience of non-specialists. Pictures from the Supper and Lecture can be found on the Chamber’s website gallery. Guests enjoyed a fascinating lecture, drinks and an excellent supper.

Bexley Breakfast with Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP

Dr Zena Wood | Credit: Warren King

14 March 2019

The Chamber was delighted to have The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP for Old Bexley & Sidcup return for a breakfast meeting at Chamber member, the Bexleyheath Marriott.

The breakfast took place on Thursday, 14 March, the day following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Spring statement. As Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government he was able to talk about some of the announcements. In this role, he has responsibility for ensuring people throughout the country have access to affordable and high-quality

housing, growing local economies, building integrated communities and supporting effective local government. James spoke with passion about the need for great place making in future developments and this was supported by the audience. The breakfast meeting was well attended and a lively Q&As session followed before our excellent speaker had to depart for Westminster.

Executive Lunch sponsored by BPTW Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP | Credit: Warren King

28 March 2019

The Chamber’s first Executive Lunch speaker of 2019 was James Murray, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development. This prestigious event was sponsored by Chamber member BPTW, who have been providing expert services in architecture and planning for over 30 years. James has been Deputy Mayor since December 2016 and oversees the Mayor, Sadiq Khan’s £4.8bn affordable home programmes. His other work includes overseeing and improving the private rented sector and tackling homelessness in the capital. The lunch was held at hotel Chamber member, DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich where the packed room of influential guests listened to James’s comments on his

role and the larger political situation. Questions were asked of James, these being led by BPTW Planning Partner, Gerry Cassidy who looks thoughtful in the attached picture.

DoubleTree served an excellent twocourse lunch and held a business card draw for a bottle of Prosecco. This was won by Chamber board director, Pauls Hines of Peabody.

The next Executive Lunch will be held at Chamber member, Davy’s Wine Vaults on Thursday, 18 July when Rob Elder, Agent General for Greater London, Bank of England will be our guest speaker.

Left: Gerry Cassidy (BPTW) Right: James Murray, Deputy Mayor of London – Housing and Residential Development Credit: Warren King

April 2019

| Forthcoming Events

EVENT NAME

DATE & TIME

VENUE

Office Drinks

Tuesday 30th April 18.30 - 20.30

The Clarendon Hotel, Montpelier Row, Blackheath SE3 0RW

Greenwich B2B Link 'n Drink

Tuesday 7th May 18.30 - 21.00

The Greenwich Tavern, The Treehouse, 1 King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9JH

Marketing & Social Media Workshop

Wednesday 8th May 09.30 - 11.30

The Clarendon Hotel, Montpelier Row, Blackheath SE3 ORW

Social Media & Marketing Workshop delivered by Nigel Davy - SME Needs Business Support.

Palace of Westminster Tour followed by Drinks on the Terrace

Wednesday 15th May 18.15 - 21.00

Houses of Parliament, Palace of Westminster, London SW1A 0AA

In association with Southwark Chamber of Commerce. Hosted by The Lord Kennedy of Southwark.

Wednesday 22nd May 17.30 - 19.00

Everest Inn, 41 Montpelier Vale, Lewisham, London SE3 0TJ

Lewisham Link 'n Drink

The Chamber’s 130th Thursday 23rd May 18.30 - 20.00 Anniversary Drinks Reception

April 2019

The Remembrance Gallery, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Meet everyone in the room with our special format for small groups networking. A fun evening including light snacks and a pub quiz Cost: £18

In association with Greenwich B2B, informal networking with a presentation. Cost: Free

Cost: Member £20 | Non-Member £30

Cost: Free

Host: Helen McIntosh, Chamber President

Free informal meeting in a relaxed atmosphere, open to businesses from all boroughs. Canapés served. Cost: Free

The Chamber marks 130 years of being in business, join us for this celebratory event at City Hall. Hosted by Len Duvall OBE AM.

Cost: Members £45 | Non Member £55 See Chamber website, events, to book your place

Forthcoming Events |

EVENT NAME

DATE & TIME

VENUE

Greenwich B2B Link 'n Drink

Tuesday 4th June 18.30 - 21.00

The Greenwich Tavern, The Treehouse, 1 King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9JH

Preventing Burnout Monday 10th June 18.30 - 20.30 in the Workplace

The Priory Hospital Hayes Grove, Prestons Road, Bromley BR2 7AS

An Evening Event with Ambrose Clayton Wealth Management

Thursday 20th June 18.30 - 20.00

The Clarendon Hotel, Montpelier Row, Blackheath SE3 ORW

Greenwich B2B Link 'n Drink

Tuesday 2nd July 18.30 - 21.00

The Greenwich Tavern, The Treehouse, 1 King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9JH

River Thames Boat Party

Wednesday 3rd July 19.00 - 22.45

Festival Pier, Lambeth London SE1 8XZ

Executive Lunch Sponsored by Meyer Homes Summer BBQ

Davy's Wine Vaults, Thursday 18th July 16 Greenwich High Road, 12.00 - 14.00 Greenwich SE10 8JA Thursday 25th July 12.30 - 14.00

The Clarendon Hotel, Montpelier Row, Blackheath SE3 ORW

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In association with Greenwich B2B, informal networking with a presentation. Cost: Free

Mental Health Awareness event

Speakers: Dr Paul McLaren and psychologist Bhavna Desai. Topic: Preventing Burnout.

FREE to attend, Members only includes a hot buffet meal Come along to this exclusive evening event where Ambrose Clayton Wealth Management will speak about: Ways to Protect your Company

Please see Chamber website events page for more details Cost: Free

In association with Greenwich B2B, informal networking with a presentation. Cost: Free

Enjoy spectacular river views, dinner & dancing.

See Chamber website events page for booking details Cost: Members £60 | Non Members £65

Speaker: Rob Elder, Agent General for Greater London, Bank of England Cost: Member £40 | Non Member £50

Join us for our annual Summer BBQ & Networking Lunch fingers crossed for the sunshine. Stand space & 1 minutes slots available Cost: £28 Member | £32 Non-Member

April 2019

| Visit Greenwich

It’s all go in Greenwich New developments are under way right across the Royal Borough of Greenwich and beyond, including a new creative district in Woolwich, an elevated five kilometre walkway, a new event space and a whole new Design District on Greenwich Peninsula plus the second phase of an innovative shopping experience in The O2. April 2019

ombined with recent openings at the Old Royal Naval College and the University of Greenwich, it seems evident there’s an exciting period of change under way in the area. The Royal Borough is creating an ambitious, landmark destination for the arts in Woolwich due to open in 2020. The historic military buildings in the Royal Arsenal Woolwich are being restored and transformed to create a 15,000m2 complex of theatres, dance studios and places to eat. The Creative District will also become home to a number of local, national and internationally acclaimed companies including groundbreaking theatre company Punchdrunk, Chineke! Orchestra, Europe’s first majority black and minority ethnic orchestra, Woolwichbased Protein Dance, and the Woolwich Print Fair.

Text: Al Barker

Seventy per cent of the space will be hired to local cultural organisations and community groups at subsidised levels. Highly experienced arts and entertainment executive James Heaton has recently been appointed CEO of the Woolwich Creative District operating trust. Up-river at Greenwich Peninsula, development proceeds at a startlingly impressive rate with grand plans for the future already taking shape. Amid the bright new residential towers, a Design District is in the early stages of construction. The new district is intended to attract 1,800 creatives by offering affordable rents, flexible spaces, car-free winding lanes, a market hall, rooftop basketball and workshops that double as exhibition space and shops. The Market Hall will be at the centre of life in the Design

Images: Ed Simmons/VisitGreenwich

Visit Greenwich | District, which is due to open in 2020 and will be open to the sky and street bringing even more of a buzz to what is already a buzzy sort of place. There will be more shopping opportunities when the second phase of ICON Outlet opens in The O2 this summer. ICON Outlet is a brand new 210,000 ft2 designer outlet shopping scheme which opened in October 2018. Launched by joint venture partners AEG and Crosstree Real Estate Partners, the second phase of the scheme will feature more outlet stores plus restaurants, cafés, and bars. When complete, the development will consist of 85 stores altogether and is looking to help transform the daytime offer at The O2. And neighbouring Cineworld at The O2 is about to become the largest capacity cinema in London when it opens eight new screens in April, taking the number of seats available up to 4,500 across 19 screens. The cinema already has Superscreen and ScreenX immersive technology and the eight new screens will feature 4DX technology with motion seats and special effects. There’s a five kilometre elevated walkway called p5k currently under construction in Upper Riverside near The O2. Inspired by the High Line in New York City, the walkway and running track will consist of five connected islands with green areas and, it’s planned, cafes and bars beneath.

To complement the leisure offer there’s an impressive new flexible venue also opening soon nearby. Magazine London is a purpose-built, 24,179m2 destination, and the largest of its kind in London. There’s 3,205m2 of versatile interior space for up to 3,000 people and space for a further 7,000 people in the venue’s outdoor showground. This new venture is expected to be a popular choice for brand events, awards dinners, conferences, exhibitions, fashion, the arts and ticketed events.

At the University of Greenwich in the heart of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, the re-imagined Dreadnought Building was officially opened on 4 December last year by the University Chancellor, Baroness Scotland. The building was originally the Infirmary for treating sick Greenwich Pensioners – part of Greenwich Hospital. Now it’s home to an airy ground floor space, a radio studio and media suite, the Student Union, student advice service and coffee shop. There are also rooms for student groups and a new bar and event space in the basement. This is an amazingly successful and sensitive development in what are protected buildings and grounds, and is already at the centre of student life in Greenwich. The most recent development, at the time of writing, is at the Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College, which opened its doors again on 23 March 2019 after a two year National Lottery Funded conservation project. The delicate conservation work in what is often referred to as the UK’s Sistine Chapel, brought the magnificent painted ceiling and interior vividly back to life.

A stunning transformation has taken place in both the Painted Hall itself and the Undercroft below, which now houses a new shop, café and gallery space. Activities available include guided talks in the Painted Hall, a multimedia guide, object handling and a kids trail. Visitors can also get a glimpse of the foundations of Greenwich Palace, Henry VIII’s former royal home which were uncovered in the Undercroft as part of the renovation works. Adult tickets cost £12.00 with unlimited re-entry up to a year after purchase and children 16 and under go free. Local school groups will continue to visit for free as part of the schools and education programme. The first Wednesday of every month, will be ‘Pay as you wish Wednesday’ when visitors can go on a tour with access to the Painted Hall and pay what they want. You can find out more about what’s coming up in Greenwich and what to see and do at visitgreenwich.org.uk.

April 2019

Launch of the South East London HR Club in association with the University of Greenwich Leading South East law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore’s employment law team headed by Nick Hobden has been running networking events in Kent for the last 6 years, from venues in and close to its offices in Dartford and Tunbridge Wells. he employment team has been the forefront of thought leadership and networking, with events such as seminars, mock employment tribunals and its programme of HR Club networking events.

The idea behind the HR Clubs is to bring busy HR practitioners and people responsible for HR, who do not often get a chance to escape their busy desks, together for a bit of know how and networking therapy, amongst HR representatives from a variety of organisations, large and small in both public and private sectors; to learn about new practices, techniques

and innovations as well as brushing up on employment law developments, from the team of pragmatic lawyers. HR Club attendance numbers are kept deliberately small to promote a quality round table discussion. The team has recently identified an opportunity for HR know-how and networking in South East London. It has formed a strategic partnership with the University of Greenwich to co-host a new programme of meetings starting on 1 May 2019. The first meeting will feature a presentation from the University

of Greenwich on transformational learning and the work it does for commerce and business as well as some presentations on what the team call the 3 Bs: Briefing, Brainstorming and Brexit. The Briefing and Brainstorming will cover employment law developments over the last year to give our attendees an opportunity to catch up on things they may have missed and a horizon spotter for developments in next 12 months. The Brexit section will cover how to understand the concepts of presettled and settled status applications for those employees from the EU who work for UK business; under the free

movement of labour arrangements that have existed all the while the UK has remained a member of the EU.

For further details, please contact cara.seal@ts-p.co.uk to be included on our mailing list for future events and to attend our first South East London HR Club on 1 May 2019 at Greenwich University. Registration is at 12:15pm for a 12:30pm start and will finish at 2pm. Lunch will be provided. The Employment team look forward to seeing you there.

Clear, concise & commercial Thomson Snell & Passmore has a range of legal expertise and a wealth of experience covering all areas of law and across many different sectors. We have specialist lawyers in the following practice areas: • • • • •

Employment Corporate & Commercial Commercial Property Dispute Resolution Construction www.ts-p.co.uk @pragmaticlawyer T 01892 510000

April 2019

News |

Duo honoured for outstanding work A former London South East Colleges student and her mother have received a personal letter from Prime Minister Teresa May, congratulating them on becoming the UK’s 117th and 118th Point of Light Winners.

he PM’s scheme recognises outstanding volunteers and Amy King and mother Nickie were honoured as the co-founders of GlamSci, a charity that encourages young women and people from disadvantaged backgrounds to study, and forge careers in, the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The two travel the UK and further afield, promoting the subjects through public talks, forums and

science fairs offering careers advice, practical workshops, university application tips, mentoring and work placements. GlamSci has gone from strength to strength over the past five years, providing education, training and advice and online services to more than 6,000 young people nationally and internationally. Their award was received by Amy and Nickie on International Day of Women and Girls in Science and came with a signed letter. In it, the Prime Minister writes: “Your work is making a real difference throughout local communities in the UK and provides invaluable support to young people, especially young women facing barriers to education in STEM subjects. “Up and down the country, volunteers like you are helping to build a country that works for everyone.”

Amy said: “This has come as quite a shock to both of us. It isn’t every day you receive a letter from Downing Street thanking you for your work. When mum and I started GlamSci, we had no idea that it would take off in such a way and become so successful.

“Here we are, years later still doing the thing we love most in life, helping young people to recognise and unleash their hidden talents and consider careers in subjects that they had previously believed weren’t available to them. To be recognised by such high office for the support we give learners, makes all the work we have done even more worthwhile.”

Mum Nickie said: “I think this award validates what we do to do change people’s lives and inspire them to achieve in such a vital range of subjects.”

Mayor launches groundbreaking Creative Land Trust A new independent Trust has been launched to protect and increase affordable artist workspace following the decline in artist studios in London. peaking at Bloomberg’s European headquarters, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said that the new Creative Land Trust will help tackle the problem of rising rents in the city by providing artists and creatives with affordable workspace. The organisation has been created with support from Arts Council England, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Outset Contemporary Art Fund. The Creative Land Trust is an independent organisation that will provide financing for affordable workspace providers to buy buildings and will purchase its own property to be used as permanent workspaces for artists in London. It aims to secure 1,000 affordable workspaces in its first five years, helping artists to flourish and helping to maintain London’s status as an international cultural capital. Retaining the creative community in London is central to the city’s success, with the creative industries contributing £47bn per year to the economy and accounting for one in six jobs in London. However, a shortage of affordable workspaces, rising rents

and the insecurity of short-term leases threaten the future of the capital’s creative workforce and artist community. Recent figures reveal that the decline in the number of artists’ workspaces in the capital has shown signs of stabilising. However, more work must urgently be done to protect affordable spaces and to create new studios across the city. Demand is also high with recent research showing 95 per cent occupancy and nearly 14,000 places on waiting lists across 27 studio providers. The Mayor has pledged £4m to the Trust, with £2m from Arts Council England. Bloomberg Philanthropies have also come on board to fund the Trust. The Trust is calling on developers to provide the Trust with funding or suitable buildings for affordable workspace. Local authorities are also being invited to work with the Trust to safeguard local affordable workspace for artists and creatives to use. This approach has been inspired by a similar model in San Francisco, where a ‘Community Arts Stabilization Trust’ (CAST) has established an approach to

safeguard creative communities in the face of rising rents. The Creative Land Trust has appointed an Interim Director, Sara Turnbull, who will bring more than a decade’s worth of experience in theatre, events and delivering sustainable community and built-environment projects. Sadiq Khan, said: “Creativity and innovation are at the heart of London’s success – they are what draws people from all over the world to visit, live and work in our city. This innovative new fund will protect London’s artists from the pressure of unstable leases and rising rents and ensure that the next generation of creatives are given the support and space they need to flourish.” Sir Nichola Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: “Our country’s cities are creative powerhouses, but with success comes the threat of talent being priced out. If the UK is going to maintain its position as a world leader in creative industries, artists need to be able to find long term workspace where they can experiment, innovate, and produce.”

Study to explore unhealthy food advertising ban Lewisham Council has been awarded £10,000 to explore a ban on unhealthy food advertising. s part of its push to drive down Achildhood obesity, the council

will use the money to explore how best to introduce a borough-wide ban on advertising high fat, high sugar and salty foods. The money, which comes from the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England, Association of Directors of Public Health and Local Government Association, will be used for a feasibility study. The pilot will be led by a collaboration between the council, Outsmart (who represents the advertising companies), the main brand advertisers represented by Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA), and City University’s Centre for Food Policy. Councillor Chris Best, Deputy Mayor of Lewisham and Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: ‘We are one of 13 councils that are part of this initial stage out of 102 that applied, so we are thrilled to be able to take our ideas forward. ‘In Lewisham, we are making progress to reduce childhood obesity across the borough. However, nearly one in five children are already overweight or obese on entering Reception, rising to more than one in three in Year 6. “Tackling obesity is part of our agenda to reduce health inequalities, it is unacceptable that nationally children from the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to be obese than children in the least deprived areas. “‘Research demonstrates that the development of children’s food preferences and behaviours are influenced by advertising and through working in this space we have a real opportunity to positively shape their behaviours and impact child obesity rates. Regulators and brands recognise that they have a role to play.” The ban would be complemented by an advertising campaign of behaviour change messages, for example Change 4 Life, Daily Mile and Sugar Smart activities. In April, after the exploratory phase has finished, the council will be able to bid for up to £300,000 of further funding over three years to fully implement and evaluate the impact of the ban.

April 2019

NEW OFFICE. NEW ME. An exciting, new co-working space in Bexley for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

enginehousebexley.london

News |

IKEA goes local for new store recruitment The new IKEA store in Greenwich has hired 270 residents from across the borough, with local people representing more than 60% of new employees. he Borough of Greenwich’s employment service, Greenwich Local Labour and Business (GLLaB), which provides local residents with training and local job opportunities, worked in partnership with IKEA to fill the posts. Together, they held recruitment roadshows across the borough - attended by almost 1,500 local residents and delivered pre-employment training to more than 200 locals. The store has employed more than 350 people from across Greenwich and neighbouring boroughs.

Cllr Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “GLLaB is committed to supporting more residents into employment and we’ve been working with IKEA to ring-fence jobs for locals, so we’re very pleased that more than 60% of their new staff live in the borough.” Sik Li, who lives in Blackheath, initially joined a GLLaB project to receive support to improve his CV. Through his involvement with GLLaB, he learnt about the IKEA job opportunities available, and after attending the preemployment training delivered in partnership with London South

East Colleges, he went on to land a job as a Kitchen Planner. Sik said: “Since I retired from nursing and took a year off, it was always my plan that I wanted to work again but I wanted to do something new and part-time only. I also preferred to work locally so I would not need to spend time commuting. The opening of my local IKEA in Greenwich was a perfect opportunity for me. “I found the two week’s preemployment course very helpful. It prepared me for a sector I knew nothing about. Without it, I probably wouldn’t have done as well in the assessment process and eventually got offered a job.”

Gillian Justice, HR Manager at IKEA Greenwich, said: “IKEA Greenwich is committed to being a good neighbour and making a positive contribution to the local community. Recruiting from the local area is fundamental to achieving this, ensuring we create good jobs for local people who are all paid the real Living Wage, as determined by the Living Wage Foundation.

“Our partnership with GLLaB has really helped us to be successful in this and we look forward to continuing our work together in the near future.”

The Thames Innovation Centre is Changing The Engine House, currently known as the Thames Innovation Centre – launches later this year offering a fresh, modern environment where freelancers and entrepreneurs can work, think and grow. e will flexible furnished memberships, offering access to a private office, co-working or hot desking space, complete with access to: conference rooms, comfortable lounges for networking and Bexley 4 Business events, a growing business-2-business support community services, and new coffee shop. The Engine House will be home to a Tech Studio that will include 3D printing for rapid prototyping, computer-aided designs and laser cutters. Specialists will be on hand to take on tasks as small as one off prints and prototypes to full scale 3D mass production. Offering Autocad & Autodesk training courses 2D to 3D; modelling & printing. Our three-

phase plan is designed to suit the needs of enthusiasts or entrepreneurs embarking on a new venture into the world of 3D printing. We will help you on your journey from a simple sketch to a finished product or prototype ready to sell or help launch your funding campaign. Our private offices are competitively priced and are available on a short-term lease. Private office licensees have the luxury of working independently in an enclosed office while being plugged into a community of professionals that they can tap into when they are looking for some business advice. Free as part of any of our monthly packages, our business2-business membership is an

opportunity to join a community of like-minded businesses for support and guidance. As part of this offer there will be: • Online Directory of members • Online members area including a forum and chat platform • Membership door sticker creating an open-door policy for other members • Bi-monthly exclusive networking event • Discounts on a selection of The Engine House Services Membership to the business-2business community can also be purchased separately for those who aren’t purchasing a monthly package.

Our event space can be hired out for a variety of different uses, from workshops and seminars to conferences and exhibitions. The room offers a stage, projector, audio system and easel whiteboards. We can also provide catering from our onsite café. The Engine House will have dedicated meeting and conference rooms, available to hire on an hourly basis. The meeting rooms will comfortably seat 12 people and our conference rooms will offer flexible space with a variety of layouts. Keep an eye out for updates at www.enginehousebexley.london To arrange a visit and tour call us on 0208 320 1000

April 2019

| Construction

April 2019

Construction |

Big boost for construction in Lewisham as academy is announced Lewisham Council has backed two successful bids for the Mayor’s Construction Academy, in a move which will help local residents to access high quality training and employment opportunities. he bids are led by London South Bank University (LSBU) and London & South East Education Group (LSEEG). Each one will build on the work of the Lewisham Construction Hub, a partnership between the council and Lewisham College which helps local people access training in the sector. For the LSBU bid, the council will be working alongside Lambeth and Southwark. In his manifesto, Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, pledged to ‘establish a construction academy scheme with the housebuilding industry, to close the gap between our ambitious housing targets and the need for more skilled construction workers in London.’ The two successful bids will give residents access to training in modern methods of construction, offsite manufacturing and confined space developments. Training will also be available towards professional roles such as property management, quantity surveying and engineering through access to higher level qualifications. The Mayor’s Construction Academy will have a focus on

helping under-represented groups – including women and people from BAME communities – to build a career in the sector. There will also be support for offenders or ex-offenders to access training and employment opportunities to get their lives back on track. Councillor Joe Dromey, Lewisham Cabinet Member for Finance, Skills and Jobs, said: “This is fantastic news for our community. London faces a chronic and growing housing crisis, and the construction sector in the capital faces a severe skills shortage. “We are working with the mayor of London to build the homes that our community needs, including 1,000 social homes by 2022. The Mayor’s Construction Academy will help address the construction skills crisis, and just as importantly, it will ensure that local people can access high quality training and employment opportunities. “The Lewisham Construction Hub and Lewisham College will be part of the network, and our residents will have access to a wide range of training opportunities, not just in this borough, but across six others.”

Slowdown causes concern amid Brexit uncertainty

Research into the state of the UK’s construction sector has suggested that it is recording only modest growth, with concerns being expressed about the slowdown in London. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published its figures for Q4 in 2018, which shows that there is still some cause for optimism despite the slowdown and the uncertainty caused by Brexit. According to the Q4 2018 RICS Construction and Infrastructure Market Survey,

growth in workloads within the commercial and industrial segments came to a standstill for the first time in six years. However, the activity across construction sectors varies with 20% of contributors to the RICS survey reporting an increase in private housing workloads in the UK. Public sector workloads were mixed, but surveyors reported growth in housing with 14% seeing an acceleration in public sector housing, likely to be attributable to the £1 billion in additional HRA borrowing that has come through.

“

According to the Q4 2018 RICS Construction and Infrastructure Market Survey, growth in workloads within the commercial and industrial segments came to a standstill for the first time in six years.

”

April 2019

| Construction

Public sector workloads shadowed the private sector with a slowdown in public non-housing construction activity. Infrastructure activity remained steady with a net balance of 18% seeing a rise in workloads over the quarter. Workload growth is now reported to be decelerating across all regions. London and the South East were particularly affected with a lack of growth across the private housing, commercial and industrial sub-sectors.

Over the three months, new business enquiries were strongest in the North (+24%) and weakest in Northern Ireland (-21%). Meanwhile, year-ahead expectations for workloads and hiring are the most resilient in Scotland with net balances of +38% and 31%, respectively.

Anecdotal evidence from respondents suggest that the housing market slowdown, coupled with ongoing policy confusions related to Brexit, is weighing on business investment decisions. When asked how business enquiries for new projects or contracts had fared in the past three months, 10% more respondents reported an increase rather than a decrease compared to 24% in Q3. Growth in repair and maintenance work remains modestly positive. Within infrastructure, the pace of growth in output was particularly resilient in roads, rail and energy, with rail and energy experiencing the sharpest increase in two years. Financial constraints are reported by 78% of surveyors to be by far the most significant

“

Despite having eased in Q4, the shortage of skilled labour continues to pose a significant challenge for half of the respondents, particularly with regard to professional services such as quantity surveying.

”

April 2019

impediment to building. Difficulties with access to bank finance and credit, along with cash flow and liquidity challenges, are often cited reasons alongside generally less favourable cyclical market conditions. When asked how credit conditions have changed over the past three months, 20% more respondents reported a deterioration rather than improvement. Despite having eased in Q4, the shortage of skilled labour continues to pose a significant challenge for half of the respondents, particularly with regard to professional services such as quantity surveying. A total of 64% of surveyors expressed the view that workers from the EU were not important to their hiring requirements of surveying professionals, and the solution to this issue remains firmly domestic within the training and education areas with 68% of contributors to the survey citing education as the most effective policy tool in addressing the current skills dilemma, compared to 15% for immigration. Looking further ahead, the more uncertain outlook for the economy as a whole has led to a reduced optimism for the construction

sector over the year to come. Even so, 24% more contributors expect activity to rise rather than fall, down from 33% in Q3, and a net balance of 15% foresee an increase in hiring over the next 12 months. Jeffrey Matsu, RICS Senior Economist, said: “The protracted uncertainty engendered by the Brexit impasse is becoming ever more apparent with workloads in the commercial and industrial sectors grinding to a standstill. While the challenges are particularly acute in London, the additional £1 billion in additional HRA borrowing to fund council housing has begun to stimulate activity. “The subsequent scrapping of the cap in the Budget has the potential to accelerate this positive trend in the public sector over the coming years. "Capacity remains an ongoing constraint for activity more broadly. However, with surveyors reporting a ramping up of new hiring, even despite a moderation in business enquiries, continued access to a qualified pool of non-UK workers to support this growth will be as important as ever, particularly for work on construction sites."

Construction |

Lewisham Gateway Lewisham Gateway is one of the largest regeneration projects in south east London. It will provide a new heart for Lewisham town centre, with highquality buildings and major new public realm connected to its surroundings. t has been delivered in partnership by Lewisham Council, Mayor of London, Transport for London and Muse Developments since 2006. In total, the scheme will deliver around 900 new homes, as well as new retail, restaurant and commercial space, alongside much improved bus, taxi and cycling facilities. Phase one is now nearing successful completion with the final block and all residential units now occupied. The first independent local restaurant is due to open in the spring, alongside the completion of a new “pocket park”, Confluence Place. Confluence Place will provide an improved public realm, with new landscaping, trees and views of the newly uncovered rivers, the Quaggy and Ravensbourne. In February 2019, the final Reserved Matters application for the second phase at Lewisham

Gateway was approved by the London Borough of Lewisham. Plans for phase two include: • 530 homes for rent, alongside 106 homes for London Living Rent; • completion of the pedestrian link between Lewisham DLR and Lewisham Shopping Centre; • an additional 119 co-living apartments; • a new business hub for Lewisham town centre, with around 16,500 sq ft of space for Lewisham’s growing entrepreneurial community; • a new nine screen cinema run by Empire Cinemas, new shops, and new restaurant space, helping to drive Lewisham’s evening economy. When complete, phase two will be owned and managed by Get Living. Get Living currently successfully manages the highly acclaimed former Athletes’ Village, adjacent to Queen Elizabeth

Olympic Park. They will be responsible for managing the rental homes, the retailers and the public realm. Get Living will also own and manage all 119 new co-living apartments in phase two. Co-living is a new and innovative housing concept, which will provide studio units for rent, with shared amenity space for residents. All units will represent good value for money for residents who are looking for a place to live, work and relax, with high-quality facilities and secure tenancy arrangements. As part of the proposals, Muse Developments, announced Empire Cinemas will operate a 900-seat, nine-screen cinema, which will form part of phase two. Phase two will include a new business hub for the town centre. The building will provide around 16,500 sq ft of additional business space and will support a possible 100 full-time jobs. The space will be fitted out to suit modern business needs and

will feature flexible workspace that is attractive to both start-ups and small businesses. The block will provide work space and meeting rooms to make sure that any occupants have the facilities they need to work and grow. A spokesperson for Muse Developments said: “We were delighted to receive approval for our final planning application in February. “We have got a great long term operator for the scheme in Get Living and are excited to be progressing plans for a new nine screen cinema with Empire. “Now with Confluence Place soon to be complete, alongside the first independent restaurant opening this spring, the good news keeps coming. “We are proud of our plans and are looking forward to starting on site for phase 2 later this year.” Work on phase two is due to begin later this year with completion targeted for 2021.

“

Phase two will include a new business hub for the town centre. The building will provide around 16,500 sq ft of additional business space and will support a possible 100 full-time jobs.

”

April 2019

Curating tomorrow’s ideal

Wealth management for individuals and small businesses in South East London. • • •

Pensions & Retirement Estate Planning

• •

Insurance and Protection

•

Investments

Tax Planning

SME & Corporate Benefits

For your free, no-obligation consultation, please call us on 0203 841 6881 or email hello@ambroseclayton.com Don’t forget to mention your Chamber status. Partner of

ambroseclayton.com Ambrose Clayton is a trading style of Wealthmasters Financial Management who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Business Insurance • • • •

‘Your local insurance experts’

Property Insurance Liability Covers Professional Indemnity Directors and Officers Insurance

• • • •

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Chamber Account Manager

faran@stewartandpartners.co.uk Tel : 020 8304 2638 www.stewartandpartners.co.uk

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April 2019

Member Benefits |

Don’t Score an Own Goal!! Too often people will say that an insurance company hasn’t paid their claim – often the reason for this is that the cover they have is either wrong or for a lesser amount than needed. hen it comes to your buildings or stock – insurers will normally apply an underinsurance clause if the amount insured is wrong. For example, if your building’s rebuild cost is £400,000 (allowing for clearance and architect fees) but its only insured for £200,000 in the event of a claim the insurers will knock off 50% of any claim. A commonly held misconception is that ‘its insured for up to £200k worth of damage’ – this is wrong. As you are only insuring half the building then they will only pay half the claim.

When the worst happens….

Business Interruption is another important cover – should the worst happen, and you have a period where the business can’t trade or is forced to temporarily relocate, this cover should be for a sufficient sum to cover all your operating costs for a period of time long enough to get you back up and fully running. If your premises were damaged by say a fire, how long would it take to get planning, building control and finally a builder to put it all back together?

Are you left Liable?

A further area that some business come unstuck on is the right level of liability cover – again don’t be sucked in to the idea that the value of the place you work in or on is only so much – the biggest element of liability claims are always for injuries and resulting medical costs – not to mention the legal costs defending the claim. Having a level lower than is needed will leave you picking up the bill for any shortfall and this could run in to thousands.

Checking your sums insured costs less than you might think.

At Stewart & Partners we have teamed up with a Rebuild Assessment provider who, using technology are able to provide an insurer accepted valuation of your home or business premises from as little as £135 without the need for a surveyor to attend your property. We are also able to guide you through the calculations to make sure your cover for Business interruption is at the right level.

Help when its needed

For any of these or advise of all matters relating to your business insurance needs, contact your dedicated Chamber of Commerce account manager – Faran Andrews at Stewart & Partners for a free, no obligation chat today on 020 8304 2638.

Ways to protect your company An Evening Event with Ambrose Clayton Wealth Management. oin us on the evening of Thursday 20 June at The Clarendon Hotel, Blackheath where we will be discussing the best ways you can protect your company against unforeseen events, whilst at the same time recruiting and retaining the best staff. This event is exclusive to Chamber members, and we will also explain the benefits of our partnership with Vitality. Although we are a whole of market company and will always let you know the cheapest provider out there, Vitality differentiate themselves by offering discounted rates to reward healthy living, as well as including a suite of rewards and discounts as part of their policies.. For many small businesses there are employees who are so integral to the business it is difficult to imagine how things would continue in their absence.

One way to mitigate this is key person insurance. Here the company would receive a pay out if a key staff member is unable to work due to illness or injury, with the employer receiving a monthly payment until the staff member returns to work. This will help you recruit temporary staff to manage the absence, or if this is not possible, there would be additional income coming into the business to mitigate the loss of revenue. Whilst key person insurance can help with long term absences, private medical insurance (PMI) can help to reduce the risk of such situations arising in the first place, as well as hopefully reducing staff sick days generally. Moreover, PMI is a fantastic benefit to offer your staff, helping them to get the best possible care in the quickest time using the highest quality facilities.

Offering PMI can be an effective way to differentiate yourself from the competition when it comes to recruiting the best staff, as well as helping you retain your existing staff members. For more information on the above, and all the other ways you can protect your business, you can join us on Thursday 20 June at our exclusive early evening event. RSVP to: office@selondonchamber.org If you are unable to make it on 20 June, then you can set up a meeting with an advisor at your place of work by emailing hello@ambroseclayton.com.

April 2019

44 | Strategic Members News

Back A Yard Grill Sizzle at the Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards 2019 They cook up everything from succulent chicken wings to tongue tingling hot dogs, all with unique fiery flavours. s a team of ambitious female Achefs, they’re bringing something

new to the hungry mouths in South East London. And they offer a community discounted rate too! Back a Yard Grill is based in Birchmere Hub, one of Peabody’s community facilities in Thamesmead, allowing them to concentrate on growing their fledging business instead of worrying about paying high rent for premises. Owner, Adrianna Baker, was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2019 Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards. Hosted by the BBC’s Steph McGovern, it was the first award they have ever been nominated for. Veronica Kirwan, Director of Community Programmes, said: “Peabody Community Foundation in Thamesmead is here to support local businesses. Our ‘Made in Thamesmead’ enterprise programme is playing an important role in helping businesses in the town set up and thrive. We are delighted that one of our local entrepreneurs has been recognised with this award and hope it’s the first of many.” The scheme hosts monthly pop-up markets and forums for existing and new businesses, providing a support network where they can share ideas and good practice. ‘Made in Thamesmead’ also supplies enterprise training and helps businesses access opportunities locally. If you are a creative individual or aspiring entrepreneur with a business idea living in or around Thamesmead who needs support to develop your enterprise then we want to hear from you.

For further information please contact: madeinthamesmead@peabody.org.uk or call 020 3828 4920.

April 2019

Royal Arsenal Farmers’ Market The running of the Royal Arsenal Farmers’ Market has recently been taken over by Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA) in partnership with Berkeley Homes and is going from strength to strength. f you’ve been down to the market recently you will have noticed some small changes which are making a big difference. The market has more local producers and street food traders than ever before, along with a craft area for children and live music from local up and coming musicians. There are plans for a charity zumbathon in collaboration with Your Style Fitness in aid of Cancer Research on 27th April and the introduction of cooking demos in the summer. There will be a launch party on Saturday 11th May with activities, entertainment and stalls galore – GCDA would like to extend the invitation to all Masthead readers to come along, support your local market and join in the fun!

The market is located on Artillery Square, SE18 6ST, it runs every second and last Saturday of the month from 10am until 3pm.

For more information please email Christina@gcda.org.uk or follow on social media @RAFarmersMkt

Chamber Membership to help Local Businesses Grow Local businesses are set for a boost thanks to a strategic partnership between the Peabody Community Foundation and the South East London Chamber of Commerce. s part of their wider support package, Peabody will be providing 15 local businesses, already actively engaged in its Enterprise Programme in Thamesmead, with Chamber memberships. The initiative is designed to help owners grow their businesses and understand the importance of networking with other organisations in the area. The businesses receiving these memberships cover areas as diverse as: food, events management; training; beauty; fashion and facilities management. They are: Back A Yard Grill; Infinite Catering; The Spanish Pot; CC Events UK; All Things Saucy; Perfect

Facilities; Precious Foods; Carmina Hair & Beauty; Caribbean Hut Ltd; S.Vingo Bespoke and Intrit Facilities Management Ltd, with more set to follow. Paula Hines, Head of Thamesmead Socio-Economic Regeneration, said: “All our work is around forging partnerships and collaboration, something that’s not always easy for small businesses focussed on the day to day. Providing the opportunity to network with other owners will help them learn the importance of self-promotion, marketing and developing relationships to help growth.”

Business owner Catherine Molnar of CC Events UK, said “As a local Social Enterprise we are really excited to be a part of this opportunity and will use this to network, build our company brand and develop other relationships across Thamesmead and South East London.” The participating businesses already take advantage of being part of the Enterprise Programme; regularly trading at local events, attending business start-up courses delivered in Thamesmead and the monthly Thamesmead Business Forums, all organised by Peabody.

To find out more about the Peabody Enterprise programme please contact: madeinthamesmead@peabody.org.uk or call 020 3828 4920

Finance |

SE London and Kent a buoyant corner for M&A activity Nigel Kimber, corporate finance partner, McBrides Chartered Accountants he ‘B’ word may have caused a degree of uncertainty for businesses, but Brexit hasn’t been a deal breaker for any of our clients here at McBrides yet, and we’ve certainly been kept busy with mergers and acquisitions (M&A) since the UK voted to leave the EU.

In fact, there’s good buoyancy in our corner of the UK: recent research conducted for us by The Corporate Finance Network showed that while total deals in the UK were down by 1.8% on the previous year, deals involving companies in south east London and Kent were up 14% in 2018 compared

to 2017. These accounted for 2.7% of the total overall UK deals representing a 0.4% increase on the previous year. This shows a real appetite for M&A and we could also read this as an indicator of more market confidence. Two sectors have been particular hotspots with 28 of the deals for our region (almost a third at 32%): health & social work and wholesale, retail and repair. These sectors each accounted for 15.9% (or 14 each) of mergers and acquisitions, and were closely followed by the financial and insurance sector; accounting for 14.8% (or 13) of the total deals.

In 2017, the top spot was taken by the computer sector, closely followed by manufacturing then wholesale, retail and repair. Deals within our region continue to be predominantly UK-focused but more so in 2018 than 2017 – 83% compared to 78%. The US remains the second largest acquiring country outside our borders, but its acquiring interest has fallen from 8.9% in 2017 to 6% in 2018. You might say that this could reflect some Brexit anxiety. The key point when thinking about M&A remains the same: always be careful about timing when you attempt to buy or

sell a business. A friendly approach could fall flat if the owner has no intention of selling. Think about the age of the owner, how long that business has been running and how your business complements it before you consider an approach. If you’re selling, make sure you have strong financials, good records and are mentally prepared to sell as it can be a long and strenuous process. Whether you’re buying or selling, act on the right intelligence and always consult a corporate finance adviser before you take any action.

fully understand both my business “ they and my aims for myself and my companies. As such, they are an integral and vital component of our planning strategy

”

MCBRIDES CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Trusted advisers always ready to help mcbridesllp.com

April 2019

Become a Mental Health First Aider Mental Health First Aid at Work (MHFAW) is a two day training course which teaches people how to identify, understand and support someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. The course is externally accredited by OCNL and has a value of 2 credits at level 2. Course workbooks are assessed, and successful candidates are awarded a pass certificate.

Candidates are provided with a manual to keep and a workbook to complete and submit for assessment. After verification your workbook will be returned to keep as a reference.

MHFAW wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t teach you to be a therapist anymore than regular first aid would make you a paramedic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but just like physical first aid teaches you how to preserve life and prevent worsening, it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis; and potentially stop a crisis from happening.

There will be assignments to complete in your workbook at the end of each day of learning.

We limit numbers to 12 learners per course so that the instructor can keep people safe and supported while they learn.

For further information or to book, please contact Tel: 0208 298 9677 Email: carol.goss@bridgesupport.org

www.bridgesupport.org

Successful candidates will receive a pass certificate awarded by Open College Network London, accredited at level two with a value of two credits.

CALL US NOW On 0208 298 9677

Health and Wellbeing |

orse than that, could they be responsible for some cases of mental ill-health among the workforce? The answer is yes, according to a new study. The study of 1,000 UK office workers by Saracen Interiors revealed that 76% find that their dated or uninspiring office is having a negative impact on their productivity Thirty per cent of those surveyed said the impact was high or significant, with only 12% saying their dated office has little to zero impact on their productivity. The study also suggests this issue is a hot topic at the water cooler, with 54% of respondents saying that co-workers have confided in them regarding the negative impact which their dated office is having on their productivity. Researchers also looked at how dated offices were impacting the mental wellbeing of employees, with 51% of respondents saying that their uninspiring office has had a negative impact. One in five cited a high to significant impact, 24% a medium impact although a further 25% said that their office only had a small impact on their mental well-being. As with productivity, the study suggests the impact of a dated office on employee mental well-being is being discussed between co-workers, with 35% saying a colleague has confided in them that their uninspiring office is having a negative impact. The most disturbing part of the study showed 37% of respondents saying that their dated office had contributed to actual mental health issues.

Could your office be getting you down? Could your drab and uninspired surroundings at work be affecting your productivity and state of mind?

When asked to what degree had their office contributed, more than 40% cited a medium to significant impact. Mike Page, CEO at Saracen Interiors, said: “It’s clear to see from the study that dated or uninspiring offices are having a significant negative impact on the productivity of office workers, which can really impact the bottom line of any business. “More importantly, more than one in three say their dated office has contributed to actual mental health issues, which is an issue that UK business owners will need to work to resolve, if they want a happy, healthy and productive workforce.” The study looked further into the reasons why dated offices are having a negative impact and where improvements could be made. When asked what would help to increase productivity, 50% of respondents cited having more natural light as the priority. This was followed by vibrant colours (17%), open plan designs (13%), ergonomic furniture (10%), breakout areas (8%) and inspiring meeting rooms (3%) as the most recommended solutions to dated offices and the negative impact on employees. Almost three in four (71%) said that more natural light within the office would have a high to significant impact ontheir productivity, while approximately 39% of respondents said that the addition of ergonomic furniture, vibrant colours, open plan designs and breakout areas would each have a high to significant impact on their productivity.

“

It’s clear to see from the study that dated or uninspiring offices are having a significant negative impact on the productivity of office workers, which can really impact the bottom line of any business.

”

April 2019

| Economy

Business remains resilient amid uncertain times New research into productivity has underlined the way that UK companies are proving themselves to be resilient despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit.

ccording to the latest monthly CBI Industrial Trends Survey, manufacturing output growth slowed in the quarter to February, while order books improved slightly. The survey of 366 manufacturers found that both total and export order books strengthened modestly, while remaining comfortably above their respective long-run averages.

Output volume growth slowed in the three months to February to a pace roughly in line with its long-run average. Output expanded in more than half (9 out of 17) of the sub-sectors, with growth largely driven by the chemicals and food, drink, & tobacco sub-sectors.

Meanwhile, the motor vehicles & transport equipment and mechanical engineering sub-sectors were the main drags on growth.

Looking ahead, firms expect output volumes to grow at a broadly similar pace over the next quarter.

UK manufacturers continue to be supported by the lower level of sterling, although weaker global economic momentum means less

April 2019

support for export orders from that front, says the report.

Anna Leach, CBI Head of Economic Intelligence, said: “UK manufacturing activity has moderated at the same time as headwinds from Brexit uncertainty and a weaker global trading environment have grown.”

Tom Crotty, Group Director of INEOS and Chair of the CBI Manufacturing Council, said: “Manufacturers have proved highly resilient in the difficult circumstances they find themselves in. However, it is without doubt that Brexit uncertainty has been a millstone on growth and investment in the sector.”

Recently published labour and productivity figures offered some cause for optimism, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.

Suren Thiru, Head of Economics, said of the ONS figures: “The fall in unemployment and strong employment levels are further evidence that the UK jobs market remains resilient, with firms continuing to recruit despite an increasingly challenging economic backdrop.

“With earnings growth holding steady, the gap between pay and price growth remains significant, providing some welcome respite to financially stretched households. However, the uplift to consumer spending from the recent improvement in real pay growth is likely to be limited by weak consumer confidence and high household debt levels. “The increase in the number of vacancies to a new record high confirms that labour and skills shortages are set to remain a significant a drag on business activity for some time to come, impeding UK growth and productivity.

“The decline in productivity in the final quarter of 2018 was disappointing and reflected the marked slowdown of GDP growth in the quarter. “Sluggish productivity is a key concern for the UK economy as it continues to limit the UK’s growth potential and reflects the continued failure to tackle longstanding issues in our economy, from weak business investment, the growing skills gap to chronic underinvestment in our physical and digital infrastructure. Regardless of what happens with Brexit, addressing these vital issues would help drive the productivity gains needed to lift the UK’s long-term growth prospects.”

“

The fall in unemployment and strong employment levels are further evidence that the UK jobs market remains resilient, with firms continuing to recruit despite an increasingly challenging economic backdrop.

”

The Person behind the Business |

Restoring a well-kept secret to former glories The company behind Davy’s Wine Vaults in Greenwich has carried out a major refurbishment of the venue as it seeks to raise its profile in the area. avy’s Wine Merchants, which next year celebrates its 150th anniversary, moved its cellars from Barking to Greenwich in 1969, opened Davy’s Wine Vaults in 1971 and has been a part of the community ever since.

According to the company, the refurbishment will enable the business to capitalise on the redevelopment of the Greenwich and Deptford Creek areas, bringing Davy’s to the attention of new customers, some of whom may not realise what it has to offer. For Chairman James Davy, the ten-week refurbishment is crucial to bring the venue that he describes as a ‘well-kept secret’ to the attention of more people. The refurbishment has been a mixture of modernisation and respect for the 19th Century building’s traditions and has seen many of the original features restored and a new event space created in the Victorian cellars, perfect for weddings and large celebrations. The main bar and restaurant areas now benefit from increased natural light and the kitchen has been redesigned to facilitate production of the new, seasonal British menu.

James said: “We felt that Davy’s Wine Vaults has been a well-kept secret. It was frustrating. People would walk past and not be aware that there was a business so we have opened up the windows. “Also, people have moved into the area and not been aware of the traditions of the business. “We felt that Davy’s Wine Vaults needed upgrading. We have restored its previous splendour and modernised it so that it widens its appeal. “It was an easy decision for us to invest in the venue and people who have seen what we have done are unanimous in saying that this is what the building needed.” Established in 1870, Davy’s Wine Merchants remains an independent family-owned company and the Greenwich site is also home to its wine shop, warehouse and distribution centre. For James Davy, the company’s recent programme of refurbishment and reopenings of venues in London returns the business to where it was ten years ago. Today, the company operates more than 20 Davy’s Wine Bars, from its Greenwich base, through its City heartland to St. James’s, and the investment should be

• Davy’s Wine Vaults is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and also offers breakfast/brunch on the weekends and a Sunday roast. Davy’s Wine Vaults comprises a ground floor bar, 52-cover restaurant, a private dining room and large event space in the Victorian cellars, which is suitable for drinks receptions, celebrations, weddings and conferences.

seen in the context of a wider refurbishment and reopening programme being carried out by the company during difficult trading times for the hospitality sector. The project follows the openings of The Tapster in Broadgate, in January, and The Tappit Hen near Cannon Street, in November 2018. James said: “Following the recession in 2008, we exited from a number of premises with the result that we had become a little smaller than we would have liked. “Now, with the strategy that we have followed, we are much happier with the size of our portfolio.”

There is one major concern for James, though – Brexit. The unique relationships that Davy’s Wine Merchants holds with the world’s finest winemakers and châteaux now go back five generations and the company still selects, ships and stores its own wines. James said: “The business has been growing but Brexit is a concern. With the change in exchange rates, our purchasing power has been diminished and Brexit is also a concern for our customers and suppliers, for whom the UK is still the number one market.”

“

The refurbishment has been a mixture of modernisation and respect for the 19th Century building’s traditions and has seen many of the original features restored and a new event space created in the Victorian cellars, perfect for weddings and large celebrations.

”

• Davy’s Wine Shop offers more than 600 quality wines from around the world. The majority are exclusive to the company and range from bottles for everyday drinking to an exceptional selection of fine wines.

For more information including opening times, menus and wine list visit www.davy.co.uk

April 2019

| New Members

And Finally… Stephen Allison

Welcome to our new members Internet Dreams Studio

Tel: 020 3908 4428 Email: neil@netdreams.co.uk Contact: Michael MacNeil

Meantime Communications Tel: 020 8853 5554 Email: hello@meantime.global Contact: Emma Murray

Mordens Wine Bar

Tel: 020 8852 0492 Email: nick@allsopro.co.uk Contact: Nick Coxon

Novotel London Greenwich

Tel: 020 8312 6800 Email: h3476-sl@accor.com Contact: Monica Llorente Kruger

Outlier Technology Limited

Tel: 07779335656 Email: david@outliertechnology.co.uk Contact: David Tyler

Regus Lewisham

Tel: 07768607504 Email: Chukwuemeka.madu@regus.com Contact: Chucks Madu

Regus-London (Bromley South)

Tel: 07876000005 Email: gibbs.john-jules@regus.com Contact: Gibbs John-Jules

Tailored Curtains

Tel: 07984556208 Email: tailoredcurtains@gmail.com Contact: Corinne Townsend

The Drury Tea & Coffee Company Ltd

Tel: 020 7740 1100 Email: info@drurycoffee.com Contact: Marco Olmi

As a member of our Chamber, you are joining a unique organisation with a strong campaigning voice for business to local and national government. You can access a range of services, networking events and support to help your business do better. Importantly, you can also access other members to find new suppliers, promote your business services, or join forces on new opportunities. Find out how to join and learn how others are benefiting from their membership.

For more information telephone: 020 8317 3365 email: office@selondonchamber.org

“

As a member you're well connected with access to our range of benefits and services, including our directory of local member businesses.

”

April 2019

The Bromley Court Hotel Managing Director My background has always been hotels, for some 42 years now!

I started washing pots and pans, then spent 6 years learning how to be a hall porter, waiter and wine waiter. I then spent 6 years at Gleneagles, mastering my service knowledge and rising to Assistant Restaurant Manager. I then moved to Brighton to take up my first Management role as F & B Manager. I then spent 11 years with Menzies Hotels, 14 years with Macdonald Hotels and latterly 18 months with Interstate Hotels as a Cluster General Manager in Southampton. I live in Bournemouth!

My job title at Bromley Court Hotel is Managing Director. My vision is to raise our product, standards of service and quality to a 4 star standard, whether we achieve 4 star status or not. We also want to achieve one AA Rosette for the Garden Restaurant. What was your first job and what was the pay packet?

My first job was as a Kitchen Porter, responsible for washing up. No dishwashers in those days other than human!! My weekly pay was £22.00. What would you do with your last pound? Offer it to my children.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

Ensuring consistency to deliver great food, great service, great accommodation and fantastic hospitality, through great staff. These are the foundations to our Vision and Values. If you were Prime Minister, what would be your first decision?

To eradicate homelessness. No one should be without a home.

If you could do another job what would it be? To play International Rugby for Scotland or sensibly, be an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

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

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS With expert advice from Goldsmiths, University of London

Whether you’re looking for an introduction to coaching to help you communicate your business goals more effectively, or practical tips on using popular social media platforms, Goldsmiths is here to help. Our Start-up Business Workshops are completely free, and offered as part of our growing range of support for business in and around Lewisham. The workshops have been designed to deliver innovative and essential knowledge and skills to launch and grow a business successfully, particularly those with synergies to some of Goldsmiths’ specialisms in creative arts, design and computing. In addition to focused tuition from our experts, these evening workshops provide an opportunity to network and meet other small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Book your free place today at explore.gold/business-workshops

Using Instagram for Business A practical session on how to use the popular image-sharing platform for business benefit. Using reallife examples, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities of running a successful ‘Insta’ account. Tuesday 28 May, 6pm Led by Chasity Nao Getting to your Goals A workshop focusing on good communication skills, demonstrating coaching models and techniques which you can use for yourself, with your team, and with your customers or clients. Tuesday 11 June, 6pm Led by Sandra Miller-Simpson Crowdfunding for Start Ups Learn how to maximise the value of crowds, in this introduction to using peer-to-peer investment that not only builds your capital but helps create ambassadors for your brand. Tuesday 25 June, 6pm Led by Nicola Lockey Cuvelier Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning for Start Ups

All events will take place in Goldsmiths’ Richard Hoggart Building, the red brick building at the bottom of Lewisham Way, SE14 6NW.

Learn the importance of accurately selecting your target market. Gain techniques on how to segment the market into customer groups, define your target customer and position your company in their minds.

Nearest stations are New Cross Gate and New Cross (both five minutes’ walk).

Tuesday 2 July, 6pm Led by Mario Campana

All workshops begin with arrivals from 6pm, followed by workshop from 6.30pm and networking until 8.30pm.