Well Connected Liverpool Business Magazine January 2020

Well

Connected January 2020

Official Magazine for Liverpool Chamber

INSIDE...

• Business Growth Opportunities in a Low Carbon Economy • The impact of genomics on the future of Healthcare • How IT, tech and software solutions can reduce the carbon footprint of your business

Going Green Sue Weir CEO, of Liverpool based health insurer, on the benefits of green initiatives.

Liverpool Chamber

Connect Support Thrive.

WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE?

ARE YOU MISSING NEW BUSINESS ENQUIRIES?

FREQUENTLY IN MEETINGS OR ON THE PHONE?

Think about your customer service for a moment.

Are you offering the best possible experience for anyone that rings your business?

Do you suffer from…

• Annoying phone calls whilst trying to work?

• Phone call interruptions during meetings?

• Missed business leads from unanswered calls?

Give your customers your undivided attention. They want to speak to real people and don’t have time for automation or voicemail.

Be the business your callers want to ring because they’re greeted with friendly people each time!

Call today on 0333 323 1007 Book a call back – www.ffb.co.uk/book-a-call-back Drop us an email hello@ffb.co.uk • Chamber approved and member for 5+ years - 1 million calls answered - ISO 9001 Accredited • • All calls recorded for quality assurance - No charge for unwanted sales calls • • Unique feedback function – 100% 5* Google & Facebook Reviews •

WELCOME & CONTENTS

Welcome to 2020 a new decade, and for us, 170 years since the Chamber opened its doors.

In the wake of the General Election result, there has been much negativity expressed about the prospects for Liverpool which, whilst understandable, must give way to a determination from us all to take ownership of our economic destiny.

My overriding hope for 2020 therefore is that we move away from the paralysis of the last two years to stimulate our business community allowing them to thrive and grow, delivering real sustainable economic growth which benefits all sections of our society.

We need to inspire the next generation of talent through a new social partnership between businesses and education,

attracting, developing and retaining outstanding talent both externally and from within the region.

We must continue to make the economic case for a connected city region that has a transport and digital infrastructure that boosts productivity.

We need to maximise our existing competitive advantages of sport, culture and visitor economy to stimulate the creation and growth of new businesses. All of which reinforces our status as a globally-networked city region, famous for the quality and quantity of its trade.

Page 16 Responsible Business

Business Growth Opportunities in a Low Carbon Economy

Page 31 Health & Wellbeing

The impact of genomics on the future of Healthcare

Enquiries Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce Number One Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9HG t: 0151 227 1234 e: membership@liverpoolchamber.org.uk w: www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk Publisher Benham Publishing Limited, Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ t: 0151 236 4141 e: admin@benhampublishing.com w: www.benhampublishing.com

Liverpool Chamber

This edition of Well Connected gives insights into some of the outstanding contributions made by businesses in our City Region, with a particular focus upon the low carbon economy.

Established in 1850 to represent the commercial interests of the businesses of Liverpool and to meet and act for a common good, 2020 is our 170th anniversary and we are looking forward to an exciting year ahead. Despite the ongoing challenges, there is still cause for guarded optimism, and our ultimate aims remain the same – working in partnership to support our members to grow and succeed.

Regards Paul Cherpeau CEO

Find Inside 4-5

Economy

31-32

Health & Wellbeing

7 Skills

35 International

8 Membership Update

38-39

9

New Members

11

Voice of Business

14-15

Environment

16-18

Responsible Business

19-21

Digital

22

Members News

New life for old vehicles with clever retro fit technology

Ask the Expert

40 Skills 41

Equality & Diversity

42-43 Growth 44-45

Members News

46-47

Chamber Events

48

Annual Dinner Review

24 Regeneration

49

Staff Directory

26-30

50

5 Minutes with...

Cover Feature

Published January 2020 © Benham Publishing Media No. 1715 Editorial Content Manager Annette McGarry e: editorial@liverpoolchamber.org.uk Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 e: karen@benhampublishing.com Advertising Sales Catherine McCarthy e: catherine@benhampublishing.com Studio Peter Wilkinson e: peter@benhampublishing.com

@LpoolChamber

Page 28 Low Carbon

@LiverpoolChamber

Page 45 Members News

How IT, tech and software solutions can reduce the carbon footprint of your business

Disclaimer Well Connected is mailed without charge to all Chamber members and distributed at all Chamber events. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editorat Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce. Views expressed in publication are not necessarily those of Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission of the Editor. © 2020. 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.

Liverpool Chamber

3

ISSN 2398-4406 ISSN 2398-4406 ISSN 2398-4406

BCC ECONOMICS BCC BCCECONOMICS ECONOMICS

BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

LOOKING AHEAD business costs and a slowing global economy. The balance of SURVEY firms reporting improved cash flow – a key indicator QUARTERLY ECONOMIC Q4 2019 of the health of businesses –ECONOMIC remains very weak across both manufacturing and service Indicators for QUARTERLY ECONOMIC SURVEY Q4 2019 QUARTERLY SURVEY Q4sectors.

2019 BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE BRITISH The survey CHAMBERS of over 6,400 firms, OF employing COMMERCE more than 800,000 people, points to continued stagnation amid rising BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE The British of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey – in thirtieth – largest improvements across business confidence show continuing downward trends.

The British Chambers Chambers ofinvestment Commerce’sand Quarterly Economic Surveyalso – now now in its its thirtieth year year – is is the the UK’s UK’s largest private private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth.

The results for Q4 2019 reveal that the The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey – now in its thirtieth year – is the UK’s largest private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth.

The results for Q4 2019 reveal that the The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey – now in its thirtieth year – is the UK’s largest private UK economy 2019 in stagnation amid continued uncertainty, rising business costs and a slowing global sector surveyended of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth.

The results for Q4 2019 revealeconomy. that the UK economy ended 2019 in stagnation amid continued uncertainty, rising business costs and a slowing global economy. sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth.

Thefacing results for Q4 2019 reveal that the Firms pressures to raise prices due to UK economy ended 2019 in stagnation amid continued uncertainty, rising business costs and a slowing global economy.

the following factors: UK economy ended 2019 in 0% stagnation amid continued uncertainty, rising business costs and a slowing global economy.

0%

“ ““

Manufacturing Sector

+25%

+25%

-25% -25% The results results indicate indicate that the the UK UK economy economy limped limped through the the final final quarter quarter of of 2019.

2019. The The fourth fourth quarter quarter was was The that through Service Sector 72% quarter characterised by a a broad-based broad-based slowdownlimped in the the dominant dominant services sector of with all key key indicators weakening in the the The results indicate that the UK economy through the final quarter 2019.

Theindicators fourth was in characterised by slowdown in services sector with all weakening The characterised results -50% indicate the UK economy limped through the final quarter of 2019.

The fourth quarter wasin the -50% in the quarter, amid sluggish sluggish household expenditure and crippling cost pressures. +50% +50% by that a broad-based slowdown dominant services sector with all key indicators weakening quarter, amid household expenditure and crippling cost pressures.

59% characterised by sluggish a broad-based slowdown in the dominant sector with all key indicators weakening in the quarter, amid household expenditure and cripplingservices cost pressures.

Despite some improvements, indicators in the manufacturing sector remain very weak by historic standards, Despite some improvements, indicators in theand manufacturing sector remain very weak by historic standards, 46% quarter, sluggish household expenditure crippling cost and amid withsome indicators for domestic domestic and export export orders continuing topressures. contract, the near-term outlook for the the sector sector Despite improvements, indicators in the manufacturing sector remainthe very weak by outlook historic standards, and orders continuing to contract, near-term for and with indicators for -75% +75% +75% -75% remains challenging.

A domestic faltering service sector, together with listless listless manufacturing activity, points tostandards, a downbeat 33% for and export continuing to contract, near-term outlook the sector and some withchallenging. indicators for Despite improvements, indicators insector, the orders manufacturing sector remainthe very weak by historic remains A faltering service together with manufacturing activity, points to a downbeat 28% 29% 28% out-turn for UK GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2019. challenging.

A faltering service sector, together with listless manufacturing activity, outlook points tofor a downbeat export orders continuing to contract, the near-term the sector and remains with indicators for domestic out-turn for UK GDP growth in and the fourth quarter of 2019.

19% out-turn for UK GDP growth inservice the fourth quarter of 2019. remains challenging.

A faltering sector, together with listless manufacturing activity, points to a downbeat +100% +100% -100% -100%

+29%

+35%

Prices

“ “ “

Suren Thiru Head ofexpect Economics, British Chambers of Commerce ...of service firms expect their prices ...of manufacturers Suren Head of Economics, British Chambers of Commerce out-turn forThiru UK GDP growth intheir theprices fourth quarter ofup 2019. to increase, from of +28% in Q3 2019 to increase, unchanged from Q3 2019 British Suren Thiru Head of Economics, Chambers Commerce

AT A GLANCE GLANCE AT AT A A GLANCE

Pay settlements

Raw materials Financial costs

Other overheads

Suren Thiru Head of Economics, British Chambers of Commerce Positive balance (+) = growth | Negative balance (-) = contraction 0%

0%

AT A GLANCE +25%

xport Orders Domestic Sales Export Sales Export Export Export Orders Orders Orders Export Domestic Domestic Domestic Sales Sales Sales Export Export Sales Sales Confidence Investment CashSales Flow

-25%

0%

+25%

+25%

60%

+25%

+50%

60% 40% 40%

+25%

-25%

+11%

improved domestic sales

improved UK 2008 GDP growth vs. QESdomestic balance sales of firms reporting 20% EU ref improved domestic sales

recession 2008 recession 10% UK2008 GDP growth recession

EU ref

+11% +11% +11%

+4% +4% +4%

+11%

+4%

down domestic from +15%sales in Q3 increased in 2019 Q4 2019, down from +15% in0%Q3 2019 +100%

up from 0% insales Q3 2019 increased domestic in Q4 2019, up from 0% in0%Q3 2019+100%

-100%

0% -25% ...of service firms reported +25% 0%sales in Q4 +25% 2019, increased -25%domestic 0% in Q3 2019 down +25% -25% from +15%

0% -25% ...of manufacturers reported +25% 0% -25% increased domestic sales in Q4+25% 2019, up from 0% in 0% Q3 2019 +25% -25%

Balance of firms reporting improved cash flow

GDP Growth Service Sector QES 2009 2011 2013 QES2015 Manufacturing 2017 2019 -40%2007 30% GDP Sector QESimproved Manufacturing QESGDP % -1.5% Balance of Service firms reporting export sales QESGrowth % Growth (ONS) 50% Balance Balance of firms reporting improved export sales -2.0% -60% 20% 50%2007 Balance export 2009 of firms 2011 reporting 2013 improved 2015 2017 sales 2019 40% 50% 40%

GDP Service Sector QES Manufacturing QES 10% Growth 40% 30% 20% 0% Balance of firms reporting improved export sales 30% -50% -50% +50% +50% 20% 0% 0% 10% 50% -50% -50% +50% +50% 20% -10% 10% +25% +25% -25% -25% 0% -75% -75% +75% +75% 40% 10% -75% +75% -75% +75% 0% -20% -10% 30% -75% +75% -75% +75% 0% -10% -20% -50% +50% +50% -75% +75% -75% +75% 20% -30% +100%-10% +100% -100% -100% -20% -30% +100% +100% -100% -100% QES % ...of manufacturers reported ...of service firms reported % 10% QES ...of manufacturers ...of service firms -40% Balance -20% improved cash flow reported in Q4 2019, up improved cash reported flow in Q4+100% 2019, -40% -30% Balance +100% -100% -100% QES % 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 improvedfrom export sales in Q4 2019, improved export sales in Q4 2019, -7% in Q3 2019 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 0% firms reported down from +5% in Q3 2019 -30% -100%...of manufacturers reported +100% -100% ...of service Balance Manufacturing Sector QES Service Sector QES -40% QES up from +3% in Q3 2019 down from +6% in Q3 2019 +100% % Manufacturing Sector QES Service Sector QES improved export sales reported in Q4 2019, improved export salesreported in Q4 2019, +75% +75% -75% ...of manufacturers ...of service firms 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 -10% Balance -40% up from +3%sales in Q3 down from +6% in Q3 2019 improved export in2019 Q4 2019, improved export sales in Q4 2019, Manufacturing Sector QES Service Sector 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017QES 2019 -50%

-50% -25%

+50%

+25%

-25%

-50%

-50%

0%

-50% -25%

+50%

+11%

-100%

+25%

-50%

+50%

+2% +5% +5% +5%

+4%

+5%

up from +3% in Q3 2019 0%

down from +6% in0%Q3 2019

+25%

+100% +25%

0%

...of manufacturers reported 0% +25% improved-25% export sales in Q4 2019, -25% +3% in Q3 2019 +25% -50% up from -50%

+50%+50%

-50% -50%

-3% +27% -3% -3%

-100%

-25%

+50%

-50%

+50%

-50%

-75% -100% -100% -50%

-75%

-100%

+75% +100%

0% +32% 0% 0%

+50%

0%

-25%

+75%

50%

+25% +100%

+50%

-75% -75% +75% +75%

+25%

-25% -75%

0%

+25%

...of service firms reported 0% -25% improved export sales in Q4+25% 2019, +25% -25% -50% from +6% in Q3 2019 -50% down +50%

0% -75% -75%

-25%

-75% -75% -100%

Balance of GDP firmsSector reporting export orders Manufacturing QES Service Sector UK growth andimproved QES balance ofQES firms confident 2.0% their turnover willexport increase Balance of firms reporting improved orders QES % 40% 50% 60%Balance of firms reporting improved export orders 1.5%

-20%

0%

0%

-25%

-25%

30% +50%

+50%

+1% +4% +4% +4%

-100%

4

-25%

UK = GDP growth |vs.

QES balance of firms (-) reporting 30% Positive balance (+) growth Negative balance = contraction UK GDP growth vs. QES balance of firms reporting 2.0% 60%

2.0% 1.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% vs.

QES balance of firms reporting 1.5% EU ref -50% 0% -50% 0% +50% +50% 1.0% 40% 20% 60% -50% -50% improved domestic sales +50% +50% 0.5% 2.0% +25% +25% -25% -25% 20% 1.0% 0% -50% 0.5% +50% +50% +75% -75% +75%-50%-75% 2008 EU ref 20% 0% 0.0% 1.5% 40% 0.5% recession 0% 0.0% -10% +75% -75% +75% -75% -0.5% 1.0% -50% 0% 0.0% -20% +50% +50% +75% -75% +75% -75% -0.5% 20% -20% -20% +100% -1.0% 0.5% -100% +100% -100% +75% -75% +75% -75% -0.5% QES % ...of service firms increased -40% -1.0% ...of manufacturers increased -20% Balance -1.5% 0.0% +100% -100% GDP % -1.0% -30% -100%investment in training in Q4+100% 0% QES investment in training in Q4 -40% % 2019, Growth GDP (ONS) service firms reported 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 +100% Balance % -1.5% -100% ...of manufacturers 2019, down from +13% in Q3 2019-40% QES %2007 up from +8% inreported Q3 2019+100% -75% -100% ...of -2.0% -60% +75% increased domestic sales in Q4 2019, +75% Manufacturing Sector2015 QES Service Sector Growth GDP (ONS) -1.5% -0.5% increased domestic sales in Q4 2019, Balance -100% ...of service firms reported +100% % QES -100% ...of manufacturers reported+100% 2007 2011 2013 2017 2019 QES % 2009 -20% -2.0% -60% down from +15% inreported Q3 from 0% insales Q3reported 2019 increased domestic sales in 2019 Q4 2019, increased domestic in Q4 2019, Growth 2019 (ONS) ...of service firms ...ofup manufacturers Balance GDP Growth Service Sector QES 2009 2011 2013 QES2015 Manufacturing 2017 -2.0% -1.0% -60%2007 +25%

-25%

-75%

-75%

0%

+25%

0%

-50% -25%

-50%

+25% 0%

0%

-25%

Positive balance (+) = growth | Negative balanceinvestment (-) = contraction Balance of firms increasing in training 40%= growth | Negative balance (-) = contraction Positive balance (+)

-25%

-30%

80%

Balance -40% 50% 30% 40% 2007 2009 2011 2013 40% +50% 40% Manufacturing Sector QES 20% 30% 30% 10% 20% 20% 0% 10%

50%

2015 2017 2019 1.0% Service Sector QES

20%

0%

0.5%

Balance of firms reporting improved export orders

0.0%

+75%

-20% -10% 0%

-0.5%

+75%

0% -20% -10% -40%

-1.0%

+25%

+75% 10%

40%

+75% +100%

30%

-10% -30% GDP % -20% -60% +100% -50% -100% QES %QES % +50%+100% +50% 20% ...of service firms reported ...of manufacturers manufacturers reported Growth (ONS) ...of are confident ...of service firms are confident -40% Balance -20% Balance +100% -30% -100% -80% +100% increased export in Q4 2019, -100% improved export orders ininQ4 turnover will increase the2019, next 12 turnover willorders increase in the next 12 10%2007 2017 2019 2019 QES2007 % 2009 20092011 2011 2013 2013 20152015 2017 service firms manufacturers reported down from +1% inreported Q3 2019 +100% -30% Balance Manufacturing Sector QES -100% ...of unchanged from Q3 2019 -100% ...of Sector QES months, up from +25% in Q3+100% 2019 months, up from +30% Q3 2019 -40% QES % GDP Growth Service Sector Service QES Manufacturing QES increased export orders in Q4in2019, improved export ordersreported in Q4 2019, ...of service firms reported ...of manufacturers 0% 2007 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 Balance 2009 downexport from +1% in Q3 unchanged Q3 increased orders in 2019 Q4 2019, +75% -40% improved export from orders in2019 Q4 2019, Manufacturing Sector QES Service Sector +75% -75% 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017QES 2019

-1.5% -2.0%

0%

-3%

-10%

down from +1% in Q3 2019

unchanged from Q3 2019

Manufacturing Sector QES

Service Sector QES

-20% +100%

...of manufacturers reported improved export orders in Q4 2019, unchanged from Q3 2019

-100%

+100%

...of service firms reported increased export orders in Q4 2019, down from +1% in Q3 2019

-30% QES % | @britishchambers Balance -40%www.britishchambers.org.uk www.britishchambers.org.uk | @britishchambers 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019

BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

ECONOMY

LOOKING AHEAD BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE The survey of over 6,400 firms, employing more than 800,000 people, points to continued stagnation amid rising business costs and a slowing global economy. The balance of firms reporting improved cash flow – a key indicator LOOKING AHEAD of the health of businesses – remains very weak across both manufacturing and service sectors. Indicators for

The survey of over 6,400 firms, employing more than 800,000 people, points todownward continuedtrends. stagnation amid rising improvements across investment and business confidence also show continuing business costs and a slowing global economy. The balance of firms reporting improved cash flow – a key indicator of the health of businesses – remains very weak across both manufacturing and service sectors. Indicators for Firms facing downward pressures to raise prices due to improvements across investment and business confidence also show continuing trends. the following factors: 0%

0%

+25%

-25%

Manufacturing Sector

+25%

-25%

Service Sector

0%

-50%

+50% +75%

+50%

Manufacturing Sector 59%

+50% +75%

28% 29%

+35% ...of manufacturers expect their prices +100%

-100% -75%

+75%

to increase, unchanged from Q3 2019

+100%

-100%

...of manufacturers expect their prices 0% to increase, unchanged from Q3 2019

+29% ...of service firms expect their prices

+75%

28% 29% Pay settlements

to increase, up from +28% in Q3 2019

Investment Investment

0%

...of service firms expect their prices 0% to increase, up from +28% in Q3 2019

+50%

+50% +75%

+11%

-100% -75%

0%

-50%

+100%

...of manufacturers increased investment in training in Q4 2019, up from +8% in Q3 2019

+75%

+100%

-100%

...of manufacturers increased investment in training in Q4 2019, 0% up from +8% in Q3 2019

+50%

Other overheads

Pay settlements

+50% +75%

Other overheads

Balance of firms increasing investment in training

20% 40%

+100%

+75%

...of service firms increased investment in training in Q4 2019, down from +13% in Q3 2019

+100%

-100%

...of service firms increased investment in training in Q4 0% 2019, down from +13% in Q3 2019

-20% 0%

QES %

Balance -30% -10% 2007 2009 2011 2013 Manufacturing Sector QES -20%

2015 2017 2019 Service Sector QES

QES %

-30% Balance Balance of firms reporting improved cash flow 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 30% 2007 Manufacturing Sector QES Service Sector QES

+25%

-25%

0% 20% -10% 10%

+11%

-100% -75%

Raw materials Financial costs

10% 30%

+11%

-50% -75%

+25%

-25%

33% 28% Raw materials Financial costs 19%

+25%

-25%

+11%

-50% -75%

46%

Balance of firms increasing investment in training 40%

+25%

-25%

+25%

-25%

59%

28%

+100%

-100%

30% -50%

33% 19%

+100%

-100% -75%

+25%

-25%

Service Sector 46%

72%

+29%

-50% -75%

Firms facing pressures to raise prices due to 72% the following factors:

+25%

-25%

+35%

-50% -75%

-50%

+25%

-25%

Prices Prices

+50%

0%

20% 0%

Confidence CashCash Confidence FlowFlow

-50%

+50% +25%

-25%

+50% +75%

+1%

-100% -75%

+100%

...of manufacturers reported improved cash flow in Q4 2019, up from -7% in Q3 2019

+75%

+100%

-100%

...of manufacturers reported improved cash flow in Q4 2019, up 0% from -7% in Q3 2019 +25%

-25%

+50% +25%

-25%

+1%

-50% -75%

0%

-50%

+50% +75%

+100%

...of service firms reported improved cash flow in Q4 2019, down from +5% in Q3 2019

+75%

+100%

-100%

...of service firms reported improved cash0%flow in Q4 2019, down from +5% in Q3 2019 +25%

-25%

-10% 10% -20% 0%

+2%

-100% -75%

Balance of firms reporting improved cash flow

0% 20%

+2%

-50% -75%

10% 30%

-30% -10% QES % -40% -20% Balance 2007 2009 2011 2013 Manufacturing Sector QES -30%

2015 2017 2019 Service Sector QES

QES % -40% Balance of firms confident 2007 UK GDP 2009growth 2011and QES 2013balance 2015 2017 2019 80% 2.0% theirSector turnover Manufacturing QES will increase Service Sector QES 60%

0%

-50%

-50% -75%

-100% -75%

+50% +25%

-25%

+27% +27%

+50% +75%

+100%

...of manufacturers are confident turnover will increase in the next 12 months, up from +25% in Q3 2019 -100%

+75%

+100%

...of manufacturers are confident turnover will increase in the next 12 months, up from +25% in Q3 2019

1.5%

UK GDP growth and QES balance of firms confident 40% 1.0% -50% +50% 80% 2.0% their turnover will increase +25% -25% 20% 0.5% 60% 1.5% 0% 0.0% 40% 1.0% -50% +50% -75% +75% -20% -0.5% 20% 0.5% -40% -1.0% 0% 0.0% -60% QES % GDP % -1.5% +100% -100% -75% +75% -20% -0.5% Growth (ONS) ...of service firms are confident Balance -80% -2.0% turnover will increase in the next 12 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 -40% -1.0% months, up from +30% in Q3 2019 GDP Growth Service Sector QES Manufacturing QES -60% -1.5% GDP % +100% -100% QES % Growth (ONS) ...of service firms are confident Balance -2.0% -80% turnover will increase in the next 12 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 0%

+32%

+32%

months, up from +30% in Q3 2019

GDP Growth

Service Sector QES

Manufacturing QES

www.britishchambers.org.uk | @britishchambers

5 www.britishchambers.org.uk | @britishchambers

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Businesses reach Give an Hour campaign target A campaign to encourage local businesses to influence the future of young people has smashed its initial target. Launched in the summer, the ‘Give an Hour’ campaign calls for employers to offer an hour of their time to help school and college pupils prepare for the changing world of work.

Company, highlights that in as little as one hour, organisations can help to transform a young person’s future by bringing to life different career opportunities and providing insight about the skills pupils need to be work-ready and successful.

The initiative, run jointly by Growth Platform – Liverpool City Region Growth Company and The Careers and Enterprise

Lynn Haime, Partner at Commercial Property Consultancy – Matthews & Goodman, signed up to the scheme and

Gill Walsh, Senior Enterprise Co-ordinator at Growth Platform, said: “We had an initial target of 100 employers or employees signing up to the initiative, this has been well exceeded, and is now close to 150 and counting. The reaction from the business community has been really encouraging and their enthusiasm for helping and passing on invaluable knowledge has been incredible. We are now sharing school careers activities regularly with all our volunteers and still looking for more businesses to sign up.”

PC Support Group one of the best-run IT companies Local IT & telephony provider and Chamber member, The PC Support Group has been announced as a winner of the “50 Best Managed IT Companies in the UK 2019” awards.

The awards, held last night in London, are organised by the global news media eChannelNews and highlight the bestmanaged businesses in the UK IT sector in terms of their performance and capabilities.

Liverpool Chamber

For SMEs looking to outsource their IT support, these awards provide assurance that they are working with a wellmanaged business,which employs the best staff.

recently went to Belvedere Academy for a career event. She said: ‘It was great to meet the future generations of businesswomen and listen to their aspirations! Hopefully by sharing my own story of the journey into the world of commercial property I can encourage and inspire others to follow suit into what is a varied and rewarding industry.’

The Give an Hour campaign emphasises the importance of tapping into the career opportunities, skills and knowledge of business.

Activities can include interview practice, mentoring, or speaking at career events.

Employers of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to visit www.giveanhour.co.uk to find out more and register to support a school or college in their area.

Phil Bird, managing director with The PC Support Group said: “We are delighted to have received this award for the second year running which shows that our business practices are amongst the best in the IT sector.”

Phil continues: “We work hard to provide a world class IT support service, working with our clients to help them grow their business by using the right technology for them and we truly believe we have the best staff delivering the highest IT expertise.”

The PC Support Group provides fully managed IT & telephony support to SMEs across the North West. Their focus is to protect and enable their clients achieve their business goals through exceptional service and IT expertise.

For more information about the services they offer visit www.pcsupportgroup.com or contact the sales team on 03300 886 116.

7

MEMBERS UPDATE

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE Latest news from the membership team

Happy New Year to all of our members. After a busy and eventful 2019, we are ready to embark on a productive 2020 including celebrations for the Chamber’s 170th anniversary year.

Patrons and Strategic Partners The first half of 2019 saw a very strong increase in Strategic Partner membership and as 2020 begins, we encourage engagement with members keen to experience higher levels of member support and networking opportunities that Strategic Partnership offers.

Lee Stanley

Head of Business Development

Rich Smith

Business Engagement Manager

The network now boasts over 40 businesses and with the relaunch of the 1850 Club this year, we will have regular opportunities for this group to meet and showcase their products and services to other members. The 1850 Club is an excellent platform in which to develop high-level links as well as create new business opportunities.

Please get in touch directly to discuss your individual business requirements.

Annual Dinner at LFC During the last quarter, our annual dinner and awards event was held at the iconic Liverpool Football Club - a sell-out event with over 420 in attendance plus amazing hospitality provided by LFC and their staff. Our key-note speaker for the evening was Karen Blackett OBE, WPP UK country manager and chairwoman of MediaCom UK & Ireland, who spoke to us about embracing diversity and inclusion within business and how it is more than a choice, but a necessity. Read more on diversity in the workplace on page 41 in this edition.

Thanks also to our headline sponsors of the event; Turkish Airlines along with our award sponsors. The evening was a huge success with some very worthy winners, including Nationwide Management Services headed up by James Battle, who were double award winners on the night scooping responsible employer and the prestigious local hero award. Well done again to all our award winners and nominees.

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2019 highlights Highlights over the last few months included attendance at the Turkish Airlines World Club Conference, which was held in Istanbul from the 7-9th October. The event was outstanding and it was great to see the new airport in Istanbul, which is now fully operational. In addition to the conference, the Chamber exhibited at the Merseyside Business Expo for the first time, a great opportunity to meet with many of our existing members and overall, a good networking platform. A good news story from the day was an introduction to the Hi-Impact media team resulting in their production of our annual dinner corporate video and who are now Strategic Partners of the Chamber. More information on Hi-Impact can be found on page 19 of this edition. We have also welcomed on-board Safety Support Management Group as Strategic Partners – a vibrant business who have already been involved in some very high profile projects in our city.

New Faces All our hard work and planning for our 170th Year has seen us add two new faces to the membership team; Nathan Taylor and Megan Shannon will be responsible for effectively managing our admin here at the Chamber to ensure that member enquiries are dealt with professionally and in a timely manner. Welcome to the team! Following our rebrand late last year we will also be relaunching our membership packages in this quarter, which will see a refresh plus some new benefits for all existing and any new members interested in joining.

Events in 2020 As some of you will know our new Events Manager, Anthea Thomas has now been in post for several months. Her commercial experience has enabled us to refocus on our events delivery for 2020 and we will again be hosting many events (see page 46) in 2020. Our annual event,

the Randox Grand National takes place on the 2nd April, the opening day of the festival. With tables seating up to ten people set in the luxurious Silver Birch Suite, this is a great opportunity to entertain key clients or reward staff. Tickets are selling fast and we again anticipate another sell-out of this popular event. Please contact any of the team to book your space.

Silver Birch Suite at Aintree

Throughout 2020, we will continue to promote all of the events and initiatives, which proved so successful in 2019. Our regional Hub Days will be a key part of our member event schedule, encouraging membership engagement across four geographical areas. Our very successful WellConnected networking events will take place on the first Friday of every month and we would encourage you to attend when possible. If you would like to find out about how you or your company could make better use of Chamber membership, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We are really looking forward to travelling around our great city and region and working alongside all of our members throughout what we hope to be a successful 2020 for all of us.

Have a great 2020 everyone and thank you all for your continued support in 2019.

Michael Davison LFC Hulya Curtis and Daiva Calnaryte Lee Stanley Liverpool, Turkish Airlines conference in Istabul

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome

to our new Chamber Members Strategic Partners

MSC Express Ltd. 0151 538 3600 mscexpress.co.uk

Hi-impact Media 0151 638 6283 media.hi-impact.co.uk

UK Remy Hair Extensions Ltd 07545 249169 prestigehairextensions.com

Safety Support Consultants 0151 954 0888 safetysupportconsultants.co.uk

Membership Plus

Search Consultancy 0151 229 5555 searchconsultancy.co.uk Claire House 0151 334 4626 claire-house.org.uk

Matthews & Goodman 0151 236 4552 matthews-goodman.co.uk

David Burgess Magician dbmagician.co.uk 07530 340909

Vigo IT Solutions 0151 909 7160 vigoitsolutions.com

Oleo Solutions Ltd 0151 236 3191 oleosolutions.com

Connect Support Thrive.

Cancer Research UK 0151 244 5595 cancerresearchuk.org Ideal Modular Homes 0151 352 8368 idealmodularhomes.co.uk Revive Property Services 0151 933 1075 reviveproperties.co.uk Ceva Freights (UK) LTD 0330 5877486 cevalogistics.com Trinity Logistics Limited 0151 515 6208 trinitylogistics.co.uk

Membership

Prosperity Law 0151 958 1687 prosperitylawliverpool.com

Underwater Vision ROV Specialists LTD 0151 426 1868 underwatervision.co.uk

Leon Guarding & FM Limited 07723 355793 leonguarding.co.uk

PINS 0151 370 0000 pinsbowling.co.uk

Pearl Site Services Ltd 07930 352015 pearlsiteservices.com

Liverpool Chamber

9

We’re the bridging loan experts.

Have a client who needs funds fast? Think of us.

For decades, we’ve provided more than 59,000* personal and commercial bridging loans worth £5.9bn*. No matter how complex the case, we’ll work fast, apply a flexible, common-sense approach, putting you and your clients first.

Using short-term lending to secure that can’t-miss opportunity Planning is everything in business. But every now and then, an opportunity you hadn’t planned for comes out of the blue and it’s just too good to miss. But how do you move fast on a great opportunity if you don’t have the cash ready?

Specialist lender Together has spent the last four decades helping businesses grow and thrive, with commercial loans and shortterm finance designed for the pace of modern commerce. They

At start-up “ Cash flow can be challenging when you’re just starting out, so short-term finance could help you get out of the planning phase and up-and-running quicker.

Bridging loans can help with stock, infrastructure costs and general trading costs until the cash starts rolling in. And because you can borrow over 12 months – and in some instances can choose to make no monthly payments at all – it could be the ideal option to give you some financial breathing space in those tricky early days.”

particularly specialise in bridging loans – a great option if you can pay it back in the short-term – and use experienced underwriters, not tick boxes, to make a common-sense decision.

Kirsty Rogers, Together’s Regional Development Director for Liverpool, Cheshire & North Wales, works with business professionals to connect them – and their clients – to finance at various points of the business lifecycle, as she explains:

In a cashflow crisis “ When you’re waiting on a customer to pay their bill and you’ve got a big outlay on the horizon – like your tax bill – it can be incredibly stressful. Or perhaps you’ve landed a big order and need cash to buy raw materials or pay extra staff to get the job done. If you know the money’s coming and just need cash to plug the gap, a bridging loan could be the answer.”

To grow your business “ If you’re converting a building, you can find yourself in funding limbo because it’s partway between residential and commercial, and if there’s a spanner in the works you could run out of working cash. Short-term finance can help fund one-off costs and gaps between current and future value, and can be repaid when all that hard work pays off.”

Got big plans for your business?

Give Kirsty a call on 0333 920 1494 or email kirsty.rogers@togethermoney.com Any property used as security, including your home, may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it. *Includes unregulated and regulated bridging loan applications over 34 years.

VOICE OF BUSINESS

A tumultuous 2019 ended with a December election and decisive majority for the Conservative party with a commitment to “get Brexit done” by 31 January.

Here at the Chamber we are feeling cautiously optimistic about 2020. We will continue to support members, campaigning on their behalf and working with local politicians, government ministers and other partners to deliver real investment in our transport infrastructure and skills base as well as supporting businesses as we move towards Brexit.

Through our Responsible Business Forum we will continue to promote and support responsible business opportunities as well as constructively engaging with the development of local policies around low carbon and fair employment.

“Towards a Green Future in the Liverpool City Region” The Liverpool city region held its first Environmental Summit in November which both celebrated the achievements of partners to improve the natural environment as well as looking forward to the next decade. Liverpool Chamber were delighted to be one of the key partners supporting the Year of the Environment 2019.

Voice of Business Providing a true, trusted and authentic voice for our members.

As the focus on climate change, low carbon and the environment more generally intensifies, the Chamber will be looking at a range of related opportunities and challenges facing our members in 2020.

The British Chambers of Commerce will

also be conducting a national business survey looking at key issues impacting on business, focussing on how we can achieve a net zero carbon economy. We will also be working with members and local partners to highlight activities which support sustainable economic growth, whilst ensuring that action is taken to mitigate any potential negative impact on business.

We would welcome input from members from across a range of sectors and you can let us have your views via policy@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

“Game-changing initiatives” for the North As the debate around HS2 and the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse rumbles on, the Chamber has continued to argue for for further devolution to help bring forward “game-changing initiatives” for the North. In a series of recent articles, our CEO Paul Cherpeau, has argued that the businesses we represent want to operate in a highly competitive economy with access to the best talent, transport access and trade potential. Improved transport infrastructure

in particular is a key element in realising those aspirations, with schemes like HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail transforming connectivity between economic centres, cities, towns and communities.

This is an issue on which we would very much welcome a member perspective so please let us have your views via policy@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Policy Roundtables

If you would like to find out more about the policy work of the Chamber, including the BCC quarterly economic survey (QES), please contact Michelle Cameron, Senior Policy and Communications Advisor michelle.cameron@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Liverpool Chamber

Breakfast with Karen Blackett OBE: We were delighted to be joined by Karen Blackett OBE for a breakfast meeting on 15 November, following her excellent presentation at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Awards the night before. We were joined by senior representatives from both the public and private sectors including Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, for an insightful and thought provoking round table discussion on the importance of diversity in business.

Lunch with the Bank of England: the Chamber arranged a private lunch for invited guests to meet the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee Member, Dr Gertjan Vlieghe on 4 December.

The lunch was particularly timely with the discussion focussing on Brexit readiness, investment challenges, risk management and the business lending culture within the banking sector.

LCR Homelessness Business Charter A UK first of its kind, the Liverpool City Region Homelessness Business Charter has been created with the Community Foundation for Merseyside (CFLM) and Liverpool Parish Church to help people out of homelessness.

The aim is to have 200 businesses signed up to the charter with a designated homelessness charter champion from each by the end of 2020. We are delighted to support the Charter and will be promoting more widely in 2020.

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SP Energy Networks CHARGE project accelerates the deployment of public EV charging infrastructure Geoff Murphy, Lead Engineer on SP Energy Networks’ CHARGE Project, talks about the delivery of a step-change in the roll-out of electric vehicle public charging infrastructure

As we prepare for the network of the future, SP Energy Networks is playing a significant role in the decarbonisation of transport, and is leading on innovative approaches that will support local authorities and beyond to better serve their communities.

As a society, a low carbon future is now the common goal. Not only are the health benefits very clear, we’ll also see a sustainable future for businesses, vital infrastructure, and the economy as a whole, becoming real tangible advantages along the way.

Amongst all of this, it’s crucial for local authorities to be equipped with the tools and resources to allow them to achieve their own carbon reduction targets, as we are then stronger together than the sum of our parts.

At the forefront of these low carbon efforts is the electrification of heat and transport, particularly as the wider government drives net zero targets and encourage or incentivise the uptake of the alternative options that are now available. At SP Energy Networks,

we are leading on innovative thinking and developments that will support those sorts of shifts - particularly at the local authority level.

Our globally innovative CHARGE project delves into the world of electric vehicles, which have been on the market for some time now and are becoming increasingly popular, but which still have perceived barriers to entry. One of the biggest concerns consumers have when considering switching to an EV is the availability of charging facilities. Will they be in the right places and readily available to ensure the journey in an EV is just as hassle free as it would be in the petrol or diesel alternative?

Whilst it is expected the majority of EV charging will take place at home or in the work place, there will still be a need for on-street and public charge points. These may be required by those who do not have a driveway – e.g. those who live in flats, apartments or terraced houses. Charging facilities are likely to also be required at public destinations such as leisure and shopping centres, tourist attractions, or filling station forecourts. But how will local

authorities, and in particular their urban planning teams, know where to put them?

For the first time in the UK the CHARGE project will bring together the expertise from transport and electrical network planning. Our project partner PTV will build a full transport model of the SP Manweb Licence Area that will be utilised to simulate the uptake and movement of EVs out to 2050. Through doing so it will highlight locations of high demand for public charging and the most appropriate type of charger based on the dwell time and travel distance of the EVs. This same data will inform where we will need to reinforce the electricity network in anticipation of increased demand from EVs. Since the project commenced, we have been working closely with local authorities such as Liverpool City Council, Cheshire West and Chester, and the Welsh Government. This engagement has been to identify their plans and aspirations for the roll-out of public charging infrastructure and to seek their participation in cutting edge trials within CHARGE.

Bringing energy and transport planning together to optimise public EV infrastructure is the aim of CHARGE

Through our project partner Smarter Grid Solutions (SGS), we are also undertaking a large scale trial and evaluation of a range of smart charging solutions. We believe these solutions play a crucial role in releasing additional network capacity for EVs without the immediate need for network reinforcement.

The ability to control chargers enables them to mitigate network risks whilst minimising the disruption encountered by customers.

All of our endeavours will culminate in the delivery of a ground-breaking self-service tool for the connection of public charging infrastructure. The “ConnectMore” platform, delivered by EA Technology, will bring together the transport and network models to allow users to assess the likely utilisation of chargers at any given location, the available network capacity and an indicative cost for connection. Where the network capacity is constrained, “ConnectMore” will present the user with a range of smart charging solutions and provide indicative costs and an overview of the level of constraint that the solution might introduce – all of which will be

“The platform will bring together transport and network models to allow users to assess the likely utilisation of chargers at any given location, the available network capacity and an indicative cost for connection.”

informed by the trials undertaken in CHARGE. We believe that “ConnectMore” will become a vital tool for a wide range of users looking to invest in public charging infrastructure, not least of all local authorities. It will enable them to quickly assess the options for connection and select the most appropriate locations based on the cost of connection and likely utilisation. CHARGE will inevitably become a key enabler for local authorities, community groups, workplaces and retail and leisure businesses planning their EV infrastructure needs.

Through achievements like those the CHARGE project will reach, we can deliver a better future, quicker for our customers and provide local authorities with the means to successfully support the communities they serve.

Interested in knowing more on SP Energy Networks CHARGE project?

Visit www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/charge.aspx or get in touch via innovate@spenergynetworks.co.uk

ENVIRONMENT

Clarke Energy Look to Low Carbon Future with New Technology

Unity Togetherness Equal Multiply Proliferate Connect With the UK government setting the ambitious target of becoming net zero carbon by 2050, Clarke Energy are already looking to the future with new technologies which can support the decarbonisation of the power network. Two ways to decarbonise the gas grid that have been suggested are changing the composition of gas in the network to hydrogen and biomethane, referred to as ‘green gas’. Hydrogen is a zero-carbon emission energy source and the Liverpool city region has recently announced they are targeting a 100% hydrogen gas grid by 2035. Clarke Energy plan to help meet these new targets by adding new products and services to their offering to include these green gases as fuel.

engines. These engines are now hydrogen

Clarke Energy is a multi-national specialist in renewable and flexible power generation systems. After recently completing acquisitions in Romania and Greece and the US, Clarke Energy now operates in 27 countries globally as the distributor and service provider for INNIO Jenbacher gas

instead the carbon dioxide is removed from

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ready, which can be used as a fuel to generate electricity, heat and cooling.

A number of Jenbacher engines are operating on currently up to 70% hydrogen.

INNIO plans to demonstrate by 2021 that their engines can run on up to 100% hydrogen and ethanol. Some of Clarke Energy’s furnace gas installations in South Africa are already currently operating with a hydrogen blend.

power are steadily increasing. In the short term, gas engines still have a key role to play by providing reserve power when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining.

Clarke Energy offer a range of rapid response gas-fuelled power stations, which are ideally, suited to peaking reserve, power and grid support applications. Peaking stations can also be fuelled by either biogas or biomethane, providing a wholly renewable balancing technology.

Clarke Energy can also offer biogas upgrading to biomethane as a substitute technology to a gas engine, this concentrated biogas is close to 100% methane. Rather than using an engine to convert biogas into electricity and heat, the biogas, and the gas either injected into the gas grid, or used as a vehicle fuel.

The move toward being a zero-carbon economy means intermittent renewable energy sources including wind and solar

“Clarke Energy is a multi-national specialist in renewable and flexible power generation systems”

ENVIRONMENT

Protect Your Business from Rising Energy Costs Businesses face a variety of costs to enable them to deliver their products and services, and with energy prices on the rise, utility bills can have a big impact on a business’s finances.

Optimise Your Utility Spend

As one of the UK’s leading energy consultancies, Inspired Energy plc currently help over 15,000 clients manage their utilities, using our extensive knowledge of the sector to optimise the value of every pound spent. Here are some ideas on how to futureproof your business against mounting costs.

BUY IT WELL

Energy prices fluctuate daily and can be affected by a whole host of factors, including demand, weather conditions and even political factors. This can make it hard to stay within budget, meaning that energy procurement becomes a stressful and time-consuming process. This can be a significant burden for SMEs, who might not have the resources or time available to dedicate to procurement.

Choosing to a consultant led approach can relieve this burden. Inspired work with all major UK suppliers to give you access to a choice of supply contracts suitable for your requirements.

We are independent of all suppliers, meaning we work in your best interests to secure the right contract for your business.

USE IT BETTER

Making sure your organisation is operating efficiently is key to lowering costs.

Something as simple as switching to energy efficient lighting can have a huge impact on your bottom line, with LED lights using up to 90% less energy than traditional lighting.

Other measures include a comprehensive site audit. This will highlight exactly where

Liverpool Chamber

your business is wasting money by identifying reasons for high energy consumption, which can be investigated and rectified – leading to immediate savings.

For large business, or those with multiple sites, profile alerts can automatically detect unusual patterns of energy consumption.

For example, should electricity consumption be particularly high in the evening when your business is closed, profile alerts would automatically identify this and notify an appropriate person, so that overspend can be avoided.

MAKE YOUR OWN

On-site generation is becoming a popular option for businesses looking to protect themselves from rising utility costs, while supporting a low-carbon future. Making your own energy has many advantages but is very much dependent on your business premises. We can help by carrying out a site suitability assessment and advising on which technology is the best fit for your business.

DO IT RIGHT

Another way of achieving significant costsavings is to use a bill validation service.

Up to 20% of utility bills are thought to be incorrect, with non-commodity costs being the area where most inaccuracies occur. As well as making sure that your bills are correct going forward, historical invoices can be investigated, meaning you could be in line for a hefty refund. If any billing errors are discovered, our recovery team will manage any refunds or rebates, ensuring they are recovered quickly.

For advice on managing your energy costs, get in touch with Inspired Energy plc.

Call 01772 689 250, email partnerships@inspiredenergy.co.uk or visit www.inspired-referral.co.uk

15

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

Business Growth Opportunities in a Low Carbon Economy The one consistent message throughout the recent UK Election Campaign was the need to urgently tackle climate change with business leaders, as well as other organisations, highlighting the need to turn political pledges into practical action if the UK is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

We should not ignore the progress already being made by businesses of all sizes and across all sectors, including Liverpool Chamber members, as you will see from some of the excellent and innovative examples in this edition of Well Connected, as well as some highlights from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority - below.

The “low carbon economy” can be an abstract concept for many businesses, and seen primarily as the prerogative of those focused on energy and environmental

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management. The reality however is that there are opportunities for businesses across a range of sectors, creating significant economic benefits.

Companies can build their competitive advantage at an early stage and benefit from the increased economic productivity associated with circular business models as well as preparing themselves for the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Consumer pressure is also a significant driver for change, particularly with increased brand awareness. Businesses can use their marketing strategies to influence consumer behaviour, adapting their brand to promote behavioural change and reduced consumption through new innovative and creative business models. Ambitious action also has the potential to create millions of new low-carbon jobs worldwide.

In the Liverpool City Region the low carbon sector is estimated to contribute over £2bn to the local economy employing over 22,000 people in 1,400 companies, with employment opportunities in the sector growing.

Jobs range from high level scientific innovation and engineering through to the application of traditional craft and technical skills as well as those centred on consultancy. Recruiting people with

the right skills is an ongoing challenge for businesses in the sector and addressing the skills gap in this area remains a priority for both employers and local partners if we are to maximise the city region’s potential.

The Government needs to work closely with the private sector if it is to meet its target, recognising both the constructive and economic contribution the sector can make as well as some of the challenges it faces as it adapts and transforms. Above all it needs to provide clarity around the direction of travel as the need to take action becomes ever more urgent.

Closer to home, Liverpool City Council continue to develop their Clean Air Plan and will begin engagement with local businesses over the next few months. If you would like to contact them to discuss the plans or how you can be involved, please email: Liverpool.

CleanAirPlan@liverpool.gov.uk Whether directly involved in the low carbon sector or simply acting as a responsible employer, every business can benefit from the range of opportunities offered within the city region. During 2020, Liverpool Chamber will be focussing on the low carbon economy, working with partners, to see how best we can support our members to realise those benefits.

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

Clean, green and good for business – how the Liverpool City Region is leading on clean growth In the Liverpool City Region we want to become the greenest city region in the country, creating the opportunity for clean and inclusive growth that benefits everyone who lives and works here.

That’s why we’re leading the way in developing new energy technologies that put us at the heart of positive action to combat climate change and why we encourage businesses to be part of the sustainability revolution. Clean growth is central to our local industrial strategy, which will be published early this year.

Last year, the Combined Authority marked the city region’s first Year of the Environment – 12 months of policy planning and practical projects aimed at tackling the climate crisis.

This culminated in the Liverpool City Region

Environment Summit where we committed half a million pounds to support communitydriven projects to tackle climate change, in addition to our £10m Green Investment Fund, for renewable energy projects, which is the start of a Green ‘New Deal’ for our region.

We also announced a Climate Emergency in 2019. We were one of the first Combined Authorities to adopt a target of net zero carbon by 2040 and we have convened a Climate Partnership of local public and private sector organisations and published an Air Quality action plan.

We are serious about climate action, and it is only by working closely with partners in businesses and all our communities that we can deliver.

The Liverpool City Region is a designated Centre for Offshore Renewable

Engineering with the world’s second largest concentration of offshore wind farms. The private sector has invested £4.3 billion in offshore wind here in the last five years.

We are working to harness the power of the River Mersey through the Mersey Tidal Power Project, which could create thousands of jobs and enough renewable electricity to power a million homes.

We’re at the centre of the HyNet North West project – a major hydrogen energy and carbon capture, usage and storage project, and we are leading the way on using hydrogen for transport, manufacturing hydrogen-powered trains and with hydrogen-powered buses set to be introduced in 2020.

Seven-out-of-ten of our buses are already low emission while our £460 million investment in brand new trains for the Merseyrail network will bring the most sophisticated, loweremission fleet in the country.

Clean, green growth is vital for the planet, good for business – and here in the Liverpool City Region we’re leading the way.

Electric Vehicles – providing the solution for your business?

On the 5th November, Liverpool played host to an EV Roadshow at which the latest electric vehicles were displayed to the public, with a special seminar event for fleet managers from local businesses.

EV Vehicles are just one aspect of green transport policies being developed by the city region and local councils. Liverpool Council presented seminar attendees with update on the development of a draft clean air policy.

There is expected to be a rapid take up of EV vehicles in the coming decade. Government has made a commitment to phasing out conventional petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040. Incentives are currently in place to promote charging at home, on-street and at business premises . Some incentives may only be available to March of this year, so now is a good time to consider options.

The event was sponsored by SP Energy Networks. As the operator of the local power grid, SP Energy Networks are keen to understand the impact that charging will have on their network, which is expected to be significant if uptake by consumers does meet current industry projections. Visitors learnt about Project Charge, a trailblazing £8.5m project, which aims to accelerate the wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles

Liverpool Chamber

across Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, North Shropshire and North Wales.

Vehicles on show included the very latest ultra-low emission cars and vans including the LDV EV80 & EV30, BMW i8, i3 and 530e, MINI Countryman PHEV, Audi e-Tron, VW eGolf, Renault Zoe, Nissan LEAF, Lexus NX300h, KIA e-Niro, Hyundia KONA Electric, Jaguar i-Pace.

This event was supported by the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and Growth Platform – the Liverpool City Region Growth Company, as a showcase of Green Great Britain and was delivered by GreenFleet.

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RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

Sustainable Investing The Greener Way of Making Money With Alex Barnes, Managing Director at A J Barnes Financial Planning Alex Barnes, Managing Director

In a world where the climate change debate is being headed up by an inspirational, plain speaking 16-year-old by the name of Greta Thunberg the world of investing has certainly began its awakening into the issues being faced by our planet and its inhabitants. Expectations have changed and we aim to move with the times. People now, more than ever; want to understand more about their investments and where their money is going.

In Nordea’s 2018 Sustainable Finance Team report it was highlighted that simply by changing your investment strategy you can improve your personal carbon footprint and it can be up to 27 times more efficient than other lifestyle changes.

Our role is to help clients build a better understanding of where they are currently putting their investments and pension funds as part of their finances. We have a discussion as a part of our meetings, which gauges opinions on the more typical investment issues such as risk v reward and investment experience but then we evolve into also speaking to our

clients around their thoughts towards their investment’s sustainability and its importance to them. It is our central belief that our clients’ investments are more likely to thrive if we have sustainable, robust and thriving economies, markets and societies.

Therefore, we take these issues seriously by integrating a greater awareness of these factors into our approach.

Whether you are a “Baby Boomer”, “Generation X”, “Millennial” or “Gen Z” our world is changing and so are investments.

The growth in responsible investing strategies – those which include the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment processes and decision-making – has been one of the most important recent trends in investment management and now accounts for $20 trillion as per Georg Kell at Forbes July 2018 - around a quarter of all professionally-managed assets. So, with investment in companies taking responsible steps making sense - change might happen sooner than we think. We hope.

Alexander J Barnes Managing Director of AJ Barnes Financial Planning Tel (Liverpool): 0151 2248700 www.ajbarnesfinancial.co.uk Email: alex.barnes@sjpp.co.uk

“In Nordea’s 2018 Sustainable Finance Team report it was highlighted that simply by changing your investment strategy you can improve your personal carbon footprint and it can be up to 27 times more efficient than other lifestyle changes.”

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

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A J Barnes Financial Planning Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

DIGITAL

hi-impact media on How Video Can Benefit Your Business It’s no secret that businesses should use videos to engage with customers. Great video content can increase time spent on your site, boost customer engagement and drive business, but are you sharing video across your online platforms in an engaging way?

Videos help potential clients quickly learn about your services without doing much research. Professionally shot videos will use 3 main elements: Audio (Music/Speaking), Visuals (Cutaways, Montages/Interviews) and they can also use digital graphics such as captions and animations. Clever use of these will help to give someone an idea of your company’s ideals and values.

Get Ahead

Not everyone is using video effectively – putting some thought into it will give you the edge. Videos can be posted to any social media platform for reach beyond your website, fast becoming the preferred way of consuming content.

Liverpool Chamber

More Traffic

Videos are “sticky” – they retain visitors on your platforms. They are also easy to share with others and can be a deciding factor.

‘At A Glance’ Branding

Having a short video tour or explainer video will help remove any doubts a potential customer may have. Breaking down promos into shorter 20s-40s videos for social platforms can also be very effective.

Focus

Whether it is to increase brand awareness, social engagement or even conversions for sales, focus on just one or two goals for each video. Vague goals lead to unfocused videos, making it difficult for viewers to determine what they should do next.

where the video will be posted so they can film in a way that works for the right dimensions.

Twitter:

Content is short, fast-paced and ever changing. Also, use video as a way to start a conversation and engage with your followers.

Facebook:

The key is to capture attention. Most people view videos without sound – subtitling and effective imagery is therefore vital. Most people will decide if they want to stop and watch your video in the first 3 seconds so first impressions count! hi-impact media are offering North West businesses the opportunity to have a promo video created from just £300 + VAT as a New Year offer: Find out more: www.hi-impact.media

Social Media Engagement YouTube:

YouTube is the World’s second largest search engine. It is also FREE and FAST! You don’t need to pay to get your business seen and your message can be out there in just minutes.

Instagram:

Use a variety of video formats for your feed, stories or even IGTV. If paying for professionally shot content, make sure they are aware of

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Baltic Creative announces

Aim Target

DIGITAL

‘significant change in direction’ as part of its 10-year anniversary

After a game-changing first decade, Baltic Creative CIC has announced that it has its sights set on wider areas of the Liverpool City Region to achieve its next phase of growth. The announcement came as the community interest company celebrated 10 years of supporting the creative and digital community from the heart of the Baltic Triangle.

The CIC’s board of directors will also explore opportunities in North Liverpool, Bootle and Birkenhead, as well as investing in its existing footprint in the Baltic Triangle.

As part of its growth ambitions, over the next three years Baltic Creative is aiming to deliver at least two new spaces in emerging digital, creative and tech (DCT) neighbourhoods in Southport and Liverpool’s Fabric District.

“There’s no doubt that there are challenges ahead, especially with the current political uncertainty that we’re facing. But our plans continue to be bold, and we are more passionate than ever about delivering

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To date, Baltic Creative has been one of Liverpool’s biggest regeneration success stories. In its 2016 business plan, the CIC announced its hope of growing its footprint to 90,000 square foot by 2021. Today, it is already managing 118,000 square foot and is home to over 180 businesses, most of which are SMEs, and their 600 plus employees.

Reflecting on its phenomenal decade, MD of Baltic Creative CIC, Mark Lawler said: “What has been achieved over the past 10 years is greater than what we originally thought possible and that is largely down to the dedication of our team, our Board and the instant support we received from the digital and creative community we exist to serve.

Baltic Creative space across the region and in doing so, supporting one of the city’s most flourishing sectors.”

As a CIC, Baltic Creative reinvests all its profits back into property, tenants or the sector. It operates a strict lettings policy meaning that space in its buildings is only occupied by creative and digital businesses.

Not only does this keep appropriate office space affordable, well-managed and tailored to sector needs, it also encourages collaboration between like-minded, innovative businesses.

Fiona Armstrong-Gibb, the new chair of Baltic Creative CIC added, “Looking ahead to 2024, we envision a region-wide family of creative spaces, places, and clusters that are interconnected and supportive of each other, but equally differentiated by their own personalities, drawing on the diversity of people, skills and industries that are the region’s strengths.”

To read Baltic Creative’s Annual Report 2019 and to view their film ’10 years On’, visit www.baltic-creative.com

DIGITAL

CGI opens Liverpool office driving further growth in the North West of England In November CGI announced the opening of its Liverpool office. The new office is located in the South Edward Pavilion by the Albert Dock and is part of CGI’s investment plans for northern England.

The new base will initially host 70 CGI members, a large number of whom will be supporting the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) by providing IT services.

“We are pleased to be working with CGI who will be providing important IT services to support our safeguarding function” said Gary Blanchard from DBS. “The opening of their new Liverpool office shows their commitment both to working with DBS, and to the local area. We are looking forward to working with our new colleagues”

The opening was attended by Michael Herron (Vice President, Central Government) and dignitaries from local organisations including Deputy Mayor, Gary Millar and Paul Cherpeau, Chief Executive of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, which CGI is now a strategic partner of, were at the event “Opening a Liverpool office is part of our bigger plan to drive growth and investment in northern England and the North West in particular, following the opening of our office in Salford earlier this year” said Tara McGeehan, President of CGI’s UK and

Australia Operations. “The North West and the Liverpool region is home to many talented individuals and we are excited about the potential of welcoming them to the CGI team.”

The opening in Liverpool will also see CGI’s continued implementation of its client proximity operating model, which focuses on helping the communities in which its members live and work. CGI is a member of the Canal & River Trust Corporate Membership Programme and arrangements are being made to organise five volunteering days next year, with one or more in Liverpool itself. CGI has also joined forces with a local charity, the Royal Albert Dock Charitable Foundation whose work is focused on the education of children and young people utilising the range of expertise and resources available at the Albert Dock.

“We are pleased to be working with CGI who will be providing important IT services to support our safeguarding function”

Paul Cherpeau, Liverpool Chamber, Paul Buxton, CGI; Michael Herron, Vice President Central Government and Councillor Garry Miller

Liverpool Chamber

21

MEMBERS NEWS

How do you lead in an unfamiliar world?

With so much technology available to support business success, it can be hard to know where to start or where to stop. Walton Flooring have always appreciated and invested in digital technologies because it reinforces everything they have promoted via other channels.

And even more so now when 60% of people in the UK are making their e-commerce purchases on their smart phone. It doesn’t seem to matter what the purchase is anymore, if it can be bought on a phone or online then Walton are keen to be part of that mix.

James Harper, Managing Director at Walton Flooring said: “The next twelve months for Walton Flooring Centre is clearly about expansion, not just in the domestic and commercial space but in e-commerce. We have invested a considerable amount of time and money in creating an environment that will service the needs of our employees and give us the space to develop and expand. We want every seat at the table to be taken. We don’t even mind if we have to move premises again. For now, we are focusing our efforts on becoming a well-respected and established supplier of artificial grass, flooring, and carpets, to those buying online in the UK and Europe.

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He added: “We have created three new brands Grass Warehouse, Underfoot & Roll Ends and have employed in-house digital experts and business development capability to continue to build all of our core services. It is an exciting time for the company”.

With all of this in place and the business already achieving some great success from its online offer it has given James the time to review his role in the business. He believes that to lead, you need insight and belief in those you employ and, ultimately, become an onlooker and support from the sidelines while others lead the business. For James it is time to shape the business for the next decade, so the future generations can build on its foundations.

What James has learned in the past eight years of running Walton Flooring Centre is that when you take on the role of a business owner, you don’t necessarily know what lies ahead. He remarks: “Hopefully, you have a fascination with the product you sell or the service you want to offer.

You have probably established a good network of suppliers before embarking on your journey, and the rest you will likely take on recommendation from those you trust. But the majority of business is about learning on the job, not just about what you are selling but yourself too. There is nothing to be ashamed of when you don’t know something. The problem is not admitting it and seeking out the people who do. For all the lessons learned on my journey so far, I am grateful. Some have been particularly hard-hitting, and no more so than when you are solely in business to succeed. In

comparison to where the company began, Walton Flooring Centre is like nothing I recognise. I am always getting used to the transition, still learning, still trying to figure things out. But what I do know is that with the right people by your side, you can pretty much achieve anything”.

Digital technologies are here to stay, who knows where the business will be in 5 years’ time. The people behind Walton Flooring look forward to learning from those in business who make it their mission to deliver exactly what the customer desires, however that needs to be delivered.

Advertising Feature

Export expert Inciner8 sets sights on total global presence As global waste management experts, Inciner8 has set its sights on supplying internationally-recognised incinerator machines to all 195 countries by the end of 2020; to cement its 15-year heritage in overseas export markets.

As a proud Southport-based manufacturer, scooping Export Company of the Year at the 2019 Liverpool Chamber Business Awards helped further demonstrate our international credentials, after exporting to 170+ countries and achieving record-breaking sales.

Most recently, we manufactured and delivered 23 incinerators for three high-profile peacekeeping missions in the Sudan, together with supplying 26 medical incinerators to a group of remote South Pacific islands.

Four of our incinerators also began operation this year on Thilafushi, an artificial island built solely to act as a municipal landfill for the Maldives, as well as establishing a partnership with a prestigious global hotel chain to manage its non-recyclable waste.

From using our incinerators to minimise the spread of Ebola in Liberia to containing the SARS outbreak in Southeast Asia, we continue to strengthen our foothold across our core medical, animal and general waste markets.

Ultimately, it’s our mission at Inciner8 to become the world’s go-to strategic partner in bespoke waste management solutions. www.inciner8.com

MBA Open Evening

Wednesday 19 February 2020, 5pm-7pm Full and part-time study options Scholarships available for 2020 entry

For more information and to register: www.liverpool.ac.uk/mbaopenevening

Liverpool Chamber

23

REGENERATION

Fuelling one of the world’s leading research hubs Work is to begin on installing a unique low carbon heating system to fuel what will become one of the world’s leading research hubs in life sciences and medicine.

Liverpool’s £1 billion Paddington Village development, the UK’s largest new health and science campus currently under construction, is to utilise an underground heating network that will help cut the city’s carbon footprint.

The new energy scheme, being delivered by sustainable energy experts Vital Energi, will

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serve the entire Paddington Village site, which sits within the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) Mayor Development Zone including the new northern home for the Royal College of Physicians.

The energy centre will be in the ground floor of the new 14-storey car park, situated off Elm Grove, and will house a 1,195 kWhcombined heat and power engine, which will provide both electricity and heat. The heat generated will be distributed throughout the 30-acre site via a network of buried district heating pipework. Morgan Sindall Construction is the main contractor for both the car park and the energy centre.

As part of the innovative underground project, Liverpool City Council’s Fair City initiative will ensure it is also used to deliver

a range of social value commitments designed to benefit the people of Liverpool.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said: “Paddington Village is one of Europe’s major life sciences development sites and its construction is a reflection of our ambition to create something unique – be it RCP’s pioneering Spine scheme to this new energy centre.

“Liverpool also recently declared a climate change emergency and as a city council we are doing everything in our power to cut our carbon footprint. I’m delighted this energy centre is being built. It sends out a signal the city means business on making a difference both to our economy and our environment.”

Construction has started on site for the car park. The flue for the energy centre will be constructed in January 2020 with it coming online in summer 2020, and the car park will be completed in January 2021.

A huge amount of activity is bringing the rest of the central plot of Paddington Village to life. In December a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the beginning of work on the new Novotel hotels on the site. And this January, the topping out ceremony will be held for The Spine - the building that will become the new northern home for The RCP.

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Liverpool Chamber

COVER FEATURE - LOW CARBON

Unity Togetherness Equal Multiply Proliferate Connect Sue Weir, Chief Executive Medicash

Going Green Pays Dividends for Medicash and the Environment Liverpool based health insurer, Medicash, have seen a huge benefit to their bottom line as a direct result of their recent ‘green’ initiatives.

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COVER FEATURE - LOW CARBON

Covering such a large population of over 275,000 policyholders for a wide range of everyday healthcare treatments means that even small changes to their everyday processes can have real benefits to the environment, as well as cost savings for the not-for-profit business.

public transport season tickets and the opportunity to benefit from its Ride2Work initiative. Their policy even means that they source stationary to minimise the environmental impact of both production

for generations to come. This combats global warming, protects ecosystems and provides sustainable jobs for local people.

Medicash currently protects over 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.

and distribution, use reusable glass rather than plastic milk bottles in their canteen and even recycle the foil milk bottle lids.

Paul Gambon, Sales and Marketing Director at Medicash added: “Our relationship with Cool Earth ensures we are able to offset our carbon emissions but, equally importantly, our company car policy and environmental policy signals a commitment on the part of every Medicash employee to change their day to day habits in order to help reduce our impact on the environment.”

With a large and loyal customer base, many of its customers had been with the company for a number of years and were still submitting and receiving their claims by post, rather than taking advantage of new technology.

In 2015, Medicash was the first company in its industry to launch an app that would allow policyholders to submit their claims electronically, rather than having to send these in by post. Postal forms mean more paper, envelopes, postage costs and time for both the individual and for Medicash staff, whereas an electronic claim can be in Medicash’s system and queued to be processed within a fraction of a second.

Over the last 18 months Medicash has worked hard on promoting the benefits of its app to both its direct and corporate customers. Today this continues to increase with around 1,900 claims paid per day, over 60% of which are via the app with all follow-up communication via email.

Sue Weir Chief Executive of Medicash said: “As a socially responsible organisation we understand how vital it is for us to be aware of the impact that our continued growth and expansion could have on the environment.

“By encouraging more of our policyholders to submit their claims via our app and receive communications via email rather than post not only speeds up the process for them but also reduces our impact on the environment.

It also results in cost savings for the business that we have been able to use to fund new technological developments, improving our products and making our offering even more appealing in a very competitive marketplace.”

In addition to this, since 2008, Medicash has offset its carbon footprint many times over through its partnership with Cool Earth. Using donations, Cool Earth buys endangered rainforest on behalf of local communities and ensures that it is kept safe

Through its company car and detailed environmental policies, Medicash seeks to further reduce its impact on the environment. 80% of Medicash’s company cars are now either hybrid or fully electric, whilst employees at its Liverpool City Centre office are offered interest free loans on

Liverpool Chamber

27

COVER FEATURE - LOW CARBON

New life for old vehicles with clever retro fit technology A process of conversion technology to retrofit petrol and diesel vehicles with electric engines has been developed by Symphony EV-ZE. The EV conversion technology can be applied to almost any vehicle, including trucks, vans, utility vehicles, even boats, but it is conversion of traditional black cabs from traditional fuel to electric, that offers

immediate potential to reduce harmful emissions within our city centres.

Once converted, with Rapid Superfast charging, the vehicle can achieve 100 miles in less than half an hour of charging, costing only £2 per 100 miles, or £200 per 10,000 miles, with no road tax or congestion charge.

With thousands of black cabs in use across our major cities, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles in a relatively short period, their combustion engine ends its life while the vehicle itself still has 15-20 years left in its body and electrics. The potential for extending their shelf life through EV conversion, and avoiding vehicles being literally consigned to the scrap heap unnecessarily is enormous.

John Robinson, SYMPHONY EV-ZE Managing Director and creator of the retro fit technology feels that this could

B&M Secure Shredding Carbon Neutral for 2nd Continuing their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and encouraging customers to do the same, B&M Secure Shredding have achieved Carbon Neutrality for the second year running. The confidential waste arm of B&M Waste Services was the first shredding business in the country to achieve such an accolade.

Achieving Carbon Neutrality to the British Standards Industry (BSI)’s Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2060 since 2018, B&M Secure Shredding has reduced their carbon impact through adopting a comprehensive carbon management plan.

The plan includes investing in greener alternatives for the B&M Secure Shredding

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fleet and buildings, such as purchasing EURO 6 engine vehicles and the use of LED lighting in their offices.

To offset the overall reduced carbon impact, trees are planted at customer sites.

This project aims to reduce carbon in the atmosphere as trees photosynthesise to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Paul Curtis, Director at B&M Secure Shredding said “Being Carbon Neutral reassures our customers that not only are they complying with GDPR through using our secure shredding service, but they have peace of mind that they’re working with a company that does all we

can to reduce the environmental impact of our operations. Innovative solutions and delivering the best possible service is what we do, and leading the way in the shredding industry with this accreditation demonstrates our commitment to this, whilst as ever, we remain competitively priced. We’re immensely proud of this accreditation.”

B&M Secure Shredding works with Carbon Footprint Ltd to assess the carbon footprint of their business using a formal Carbon Management Plan, which documents their carbon reduction targets year-on-year.

COVER FEATURE - LOW CARBON

Merseyrail’s Ainsdale Station wins top sustainability award

be a major breakthrough for the EV industry, “SYMPHONY’s ethos has always been, 100% Electric Vehicles, Zero Emissions for a Greener Future. Our overall ambition is to make Liverpool and the City Region one of the lowest carbon cities in Europe outside of London, and this technology is another step to deliver this across the transport industry.”

For further information about the process, or if you are interested in sponsoring a conversion, please contact ze@symphonyev.co.uk

year running Carbon Footprint Client Director, Dr Wendy Buckley, commented “Year on year B&M Secure Shredding has committed to reduce its carbon and delivered a highly impressive 12.8% reduction in CO2 intensity (per unit turnover) since their baseline year. They have done this as a proactive step, ahead of any legislative requirement and also while the business has

Ainsdale train station has been awarded a top sustainability award for community involvement in the lead up and during the refurbishment project last year.

and issues raised were taken into account and presented as part of the proposed overall solution.

Merseyrail was crowned winner of the CEEQUAL Exceptional Achievement Award in the Community and Stakeholder Relations category alongside designer Owen Ellis Architects and contractor Morgan Sindall.

In addition, the station was kept open during the redevelopment programme, ensuring passenger disruption was kept to an absolute minimum.

The station is the most environmentally friendly on the network after extensive renovations completed last July.

The previous booking office was demolished to make way for a new building, complete with solar panels, low energy LED lighting with smart controls and rainwater harvesting tanks to serve the toilet facilities.

Judges were impressed with the team, which they said “went way beyond in delivering the details for the community”, and praised the project for providing “a message to industry on looking for win-wins of delivering multiple outcomes in one project.”

The local community was involved from the outset to ensure that the station was exactly what the village needed, and views

Changes in the design of the tower and road marking alternations to prevent overflow parking were incorporated following concerns from nearby residents, while the local community was kept informed of progress and consulted throughout the construction phase.

The refurbishment was funded by Merseytravel and Network Rail.

Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail, said: “Ainsdale station is a fantastic part of our network and something that represents our commitment to both the community and the environment.

“To be recognised for the hard work all partners put into providing the community with a station that works for them with better technology, facilities and an overall improved experience is fantastic.

“Merseyrail is working hard to be as environmentally friendly as possible and will continue to do so in the coming years.”

The award win comes after Merseyrail achieved a supply of electricity that is 100 per cent generated from renewable schemes.

been impressively growing.“ “As well as actively reducing emissions us quickly as they can, by carbon offsetting all emissions now, B&M are helping to accelerate the response to the climate emergency.” added Dr Buckley.

Liverpool Chamber

29

COVER FEATURE - LOW CARBON

Clean and green – 2020 can be the ‘year of the bus’ Rob Jones, managing director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, on how buses can help combat our climate emergency.

2020 is set to be a pivotal year not just for our planet as a whole, but for local communities right across the UK. For the first time ever there is a political consensus that we are facing a climate emergency which threatens the future of our planet – and something must be done to address it.

Scientific evidence demonstrating the scale of the crisis and the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions quickly has never been clearer.

We can no longer afford a ‘business as usual’ approach to managing the climate emergency. Radical changes are needed.

The UK will host COP26, the United Nations climate change summit, in Glasgow in November 2020. But this is not just an issue for debate and negotiations among global leaders. It is a local crisis that needs urgent local action.

Growing emissions Surface transport is single largest producer of carbon emissions in the UK and the only sector where greenhouse gas emissions are growing.

We can see the disturbing evidence of this all around us as dozens of towns and cities across the country continue to breach World Health Organisation annual limits on air pollution.

Public Health England estimates that air pollution – of which cars are a key cause – contributes to around 700 deaths a year in Liverpool city region. The biggest transport source of that air pollution – some 41% – is diesel cars. An unsustainable use of cars is also responsible for the worsening congestion that is not just a drag on our regional economies, it is killing our children.

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Poor air quality already causes 40,000 early deaths in the UK, with these health impacts beyond the terrible human cost estimated at £20bn every year. Halving average city traffic speeds due to congestion leads to a 50% increase in NOx emissions from larger vehicles.

All of this means that it is time for tough decisions by us all, including politicians who are the custodians of policies which affect our future.

Zero carbon The UK government has set a 2050 net zero carbon target. It has also introduced an Environment Bill which will toughen regulation to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive. Legislation will also create legally-binding environmental improvement targets.

But we cannot wait a further 30 years to make the behaviour changes we owe to our children. Research last summer by Greener UK and the Climate Coalition found that nearly 70% of British people want urgent political action to tackle climate change and protect the natural environment.

The good news is that the solution to a large part of the problem already exists – the bus.

Contrary to the outdated image of ‘dirty buses’, buses are amongst the cleanest forms of transport.

Ambitious targets New ultra-low and zero emission bus technology delivers huge environmental improvements – Euro VI buses are up to 95% cleaner than earlier models and cleaner than equivalent cars. Not only that, buses offer up to 20 times the carrying capacity of standard cars. Indeed, without buses it will be impossible for governments to deliver on their ambitious targets.

Over the past decade across the UK, Stagecoach has invested more than £1bn in new greener vehicles and by the end of

2020 it will have one of the biggest electric bus fleets in Europe. Our benefit also comes not just from making our own business more sustainable, but from providing a readymade cleaner alternative to the car.

Analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows that without Stagecoach bus services, there would be 0.19m tonnes of extra CO2 a year from passengers using cars and other transport.

But the benefit of buses to our local communities goes even further. Buses are central to the health of our high streets, which data continues to show are in intensive care.

High streets Data from the British Retail Consortium showed high street stores in 2018 suffered their worst Christmas in a decade as retail sales flatlined and massive discounts failed to lure shoppers. The signs are that 2019 was no better. Fewer people visited UK shops on the last Saturday before Christmas this year, with visitor numbers falling 8% on last year.

However, again the bus provides a route to revitalising our high streets. On average bus passengers spend more money per head in our high streets than those who arrive by car.

So instead of building a local transport system that is centred on lower revenue generating and higher polluting cars, evidence suggests the bus should be central to how we envision our town and city centres in the future.

New Years are time for reflection and resolutions. They are also a time of hope. In 12 months’ time, when we look back on 2020, we hope we can say that it was finally the ‘year of the bus’

Rob Jones, managing director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire

HEALTH & WELLBEING

The impact of genomics on the future of Healthcare What is Whole Genome Sequencing? How can an analysis of an individual’s entire DNA contribute to our health and the way people live their lives? Tom Crocker, Senior Applied Genetics Scientist at Rutherford Diagnostics, has the crucial challenge of taking Rutherford Diagnostics to the next level of healthcare, transforming medical diagnostics to a proactive model of prediction, prevention and earliest possible detection of disease.

We are the product of our DNA and its interaction with the environment around us. Through large-scale sequencing of the general population, healthcare professionals are becoming increasingly empowered to understand diseases, their time and mode of onset, triggers and drivers of disease, as well as the likely success or failure of drugs and interventions.

moving towards larger scale genomics from single genetic testing to tackle more complex, common diseases. With the current technology, genomic sequencing can help us to understand more about diseases, therefore creating better health outcomes in our communities.

We are in the information age – everyone has access to the internet, social media, and vast amounts of data at a single click. Data sharing and ownership issues evolve as access to new technology becomes more accessible and more widespread. The advances in research and technology are exploding in the world of science but often; as a result, the complexity and volume of data is increasing.

So, what does the future hold for genomics?

Tom and his team at Rutherford Diagnostics will lead a tailored Whole Genome Screening service and develop a personalised genetic screening programme for individuals. Tom added, ‘Exciting times are ahead. If the genomic sequences of everyone in the UK or world were known today, who knows what changes or improvements will be possible for the future of healthcare.’

The Rutherford Diagnostics Team at UKIO in Liverpool, June 2019

Medicine will become increasingly personalised in the future, utilising genetic testing to predict disease susceptibility and drug response. Using indicators such as family history and lifestyle, high-risk patients will be identified before symptoms appear.

The impact of genomics on the future of healthcare provision will depend on our ability to tackle a range of challenges, including gaining the public’s trust around data usage and the health-economic shift required to significantly improve patient outcomes with a patient-focused diagnostic service.

Just because we can – should we? The 100,000-genome project was a significant accomplishment in the UK, putting the nation at the forefront of genomics & research. Tom said, ‘The technology exists for whole-genome sequencing, but for the individuals involved, we need to fully understand the concerns or risks. We are

Liverpool Chamber

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Go Green for the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity this February February is time to Go Green for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and transform cancer care for people in the region.

With Liverpool’s first cancer hospital set

If you want to get involved and

to open its doors to patients in just a few

go green for The Clatterbridge

months, 2020 is a big year for the charity

Cancer Charity, call 0151 556 5566

and there’s never been a more important

for a free fundraising pack or visit

time to give your support.

clatterbridgecc.org.uk

Let’s Go Green, the annual fundraising drive, takes place from 1st – 9th February and there are lots of ways your company can get involved.

Chamber members can hold a green day at work, a green themed bake sale, or workers could tip green gunge on their boss – for the price of a generous donation, of course. The charity are also encouraging buildings across Merseyside to light up green to commemorate the fundraising event, which coincides with World Cancer Day. The highlight of the week will be 3-21 Run Green, in the grounds of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, in Wirral, on February 9. You can run, jog or walk the 2k or 5k route, filled with obstacles while being bombarded with green power paint.

With £5m left to raise towards the building of the new specialist hospital in Liverpool and improvements to the Wirral site, your business could make a huge difference while having lots of fun.

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INTERNATIONAL

Yanco visited Kenya and Zambia to continue with their expansion in Africa.

Yanco, based in Liverpool, are a manufacturer of innovative household insecticide products including Mosquito Coils made from recycled materials, Insecticide Paper for killing mosquitoes and clothes moth products.

Last September, Yanco exhibited at Aidex Nairobi 2019, where they had the opportunity to show their innovative and highly effective insecticide paper as a potential new tool for indoor use in vector control. Yanco networked with over 500 aid and development professionals from the government, UN, Red Cross and local and international NGO’s, as well as meeting potential commercial partners from the region.

current and potential customers and heard from thought leaders and policymakers.

Yanco also visited Zambia, meeting with their partner and a national supermarket chain. They were impressed with Yanco’s products’ performance and it is expected that Insecticides Papers will be launched in Zambia in 2020.

Overall, the trip was extremely beneficial as Yanco was able to connect with a lot of clients and stakeholders from a variety of African countries and around the world.

This successful trip has been made possible by the ERDF New Markets 2 funding via Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

Please visit www.yanco.co.uk or contact Sergio Hervas at sergio.hervas@yanco.co.uk for further information.

Yanco representatives engaged in the interactive conference programme, learned about African markets and products, developed their relationships with

EU Subsidiary Post Brexit?

Claudia Font, Partner at gunnercooke llp explains how some of their clients are looking at setting up in Spain as a case study: Some UK Ltd companies trading in Spain are considering incorporating a Spanish subsidiary or affiliate due to BREXIT. The majority of UK companies who are relocating their headquarters or subsidiaries to Europe due to Brexit, are going to cities such as Frankfurt, Paris, Dublin and Amsterdam. However, a few of them have chosen Spain as their destination, mainly those with commercial interests in that country. British investment in the Spanish economy is growing significantly, according to Spanish government figures. According to the Institute of Export & International Trade,

Liverpool Chamber

Spain is an important market and business partner for the UK. It is the UK’s 8th largest export market (9th for goods).

How to proceed to incorporate a company in Spain? The similar figure in Spain to a UK Limited company would be a “Sociedad Limitada (S.L.)” i.e. Spanish company where the shareholders have limited liability as they do in a Ltd company in the UK. To incorporate a Spanish SL by a single shareholder which is a UK Ltd there are a number of steps to follow, for example: The board of Directors of the UK Ltd company should agree the incorporation of the Spanish company and appoint an attorney to deal with the whole process and the UK Ltd company should obtain a N.I.F. (Spanish Tax Number) to be able to operate in Spain.

Also, the Directors of the Spanish company, will need to obtain a N.I.E. number (Spanish Tax Number for individuals).

There are many other requirements, tax and legal implications, to comply with.

A list of documents such as a certificate of standing and Board meetings minutes translated and attested are required. A deed of incorporation and Articles of Association should be signed before a Spanish Notary Public before registering them to the Spanish Companies House.

How long does this take? A prudent estimate of the time to have a company fully incorporated in Spain in normal circumstances would be two to three months.

The above process can be achieved without travel to Spain if a Spanish lawyer is appointed to act on the company’s behalf.

Some financial institutions may require a meeting in person to open corporate bank accounts however appointing a legal representative qualified in both England and Spain should smooth the process.

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Opening the Opening the gates for good gates for good STRAWBERRY FIELD NOW OPEN STRAWBERRY FIELD NOW OPEN Immortalised by John Lennon in The Beatles hit, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, the iconic Immortalised by John Lennon in The Beatles red gates are open to the public for the first hit, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, the iconic time. With an exhibition where you can learn red gates are open to the public for the first more about the history of the site, a café, time. With an exhibition where you can learn shop, gardens and a Steps to Work programme more about the history of the site, a café, for young adults with learning disabilities and shop, gardens and a Steps to Work programme other barriers to employment. for young adults with learning disabilities and other barriers to employment.

For more information and to book tickets visit:

/StrawberryFieldLiverpool

www.strawberryfieldliverpool.com

@strawberryfield /StrawberryFieldLiverpool @strawberryfieldliverpooluk @strawberryfield

For more information and to book tickets visit: #GatesOpenForGood

www.strawberryfieldliverpool.com

@strawberryfieldliverpooluk #GatesOpenForGood The Salvation Army is a Church and registered Charity in England (214779), Wales (214779), Scotland (SC009359) and the Republic of Ireland (CHY6399)

ASK THE EXPERT

Ask the Expert?

Adam Mohktar,

Co-Director, ArchiPhonic

Building for a low carbon economy Buildings and the construction industry account for nearly 40% of all energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, as well as having an enormous impact on natural habitat. In the midst of the climate change emergency, how can businesses minimise the impact of their commercial buildings?

How do commercial buildings create carbon impact?

There are two ways in which commercial buildings create carbon impact. The first is in the build, from the demolition of existing structures and the machinery and transport used in any new construction, to the materials used and waste created. The second is through its inhabitation, how the building is heated and powered, how waste is managed and inefficiencies in its design.

Why should businesses consider the carbon impact of new and existing premises?

While we have to meet the needs of our economy and indeed our individual businesses, we can no longer afford to do this without consideration for the impact that our premises have on the environment.

The world is at a tipping point in terms of climate change and a dramatic shift in attitudes and approaches in architectural design and building infrastructure is needed from businesses large and small.

Aside from this, carbon neutral design and implementation is increasingly important to stakeholders across businesses, whether that is employees wanting to work for environmentally aware employers, or clients, suppliers and investors that consider green credentials and sustainability in the decision-making process.

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What can be done to reduce carbon impact?

Carbon neutral design can be implemented from the very start of a project, through robust forward planning and resource management, using locally sourced products and materials and a coordinated design approach that means issues that could cause delays or the extension of work - and consequently the churning of more emissions - are spotted and addressed before they get on site.

Is carbon neutral design more expensive?

Not necessarily. In some cases the initial investment can be greater, but the resulting solution will deliver ongoing savings in the long term. Take, for example, smaller commercial buildings constructed using structural insulated panels (SIPs). These are panels that consist of an insulating foam core between two structural facings, which can be fabricated to fit nearly any building design. They are strong, energy efficient and cost effective and and present opportunities to save money on labour and also be reducing the time taken on projects.

What practical steps can local businesses take to reduce the carbon impact of their commercial buildings?

Simply being mindful of the carbon impact of premises and projects and working with

architects and architectural designers who are committed to low carbon design is an excellent starting point. They can also consider the proximity to its customers, when considering new sites, building performance in terms of EPC ratings and the use of smart technologies. Creating sustainable, buildable and profitable building designs is at the heart of what we do at ArchiPhonic. Every instruction carries its own challenges, whether that’s restrictive sites or tight budgets, but our team always works to identify the best solution for our clients that minimises environmental impact, regardless of constraints.

About ArchiPhonic: ArchiPhonic is a Liverpool City Centrebased practice serving the commercial sector, working with contractors, developers and property professionals. It seeks to deliver positive change through architectural design and works with clients to make sure the designs they create are buildable, sustainable, profitable and offer long-term functionality.

Unit 256, Slater Studios, 9 Slater Street, Liverpool, L1 4BW 0151 345 7600 info@archiphonic.co.uk Archiphonic.co.uk

ASK THE EXPERT

Ask the Expert?

Fraser Mitchell,

Director of Business Development, Face for Business

Why is it important to build relationships throughout the sales process?

The sales process is an important part of building any business and tailoring your approach to each sale can help gain new customers and clients in a more personable way.

Face for Business’ Director of Business Development, Fraser Mitchell, shares his experience.

Do your research and find out the industry Whatever sector or industry you’re looking to find new business in, it’s really important to find out more about the sector and show your knowledge. Show your prospect that you’ve taken the time to understand their business/industry. You will have caught their attention and will more than likely be remembered for it.

Send some awareness material out A call, in my opinion, should always be made following the distribution of some awareness material. Mail Chimp is great for sending out bespoke email campaigns and has an excellent tracking tool, which shows you which of the email recipients has actually

Liverpool Chamber

read your email (and, indeed, how many times). This shows you how much interest your prospect has shown in your message and offering. A relevant piece of direct mail can work too, providing it stands out and reaches the right person in the business. You can also use social media to touch base and follow the business you’re hoping to engage with. Social media can be very insightful and can give you an idea of the circles and events your prospects attend.

Making the first phone call It may sound a bit old fashioned and preempted but have a script ready to refer too. Always open any phone conversation positively and friendly – but don’t overdo it or make yourself sound too tacky.

Although you’re making a call, always maintain positive body language. Sit up straight, wear a smile – research has shown that people on the phone can decipher negative body language (and being in our industry, we answer a lot of phone calls).

When engaging in conversation, make the call all about the caller! Ask them open questions, such as ‘tell me about your business’ and ‘how do you manage your calls’, rather than questions that lead to yes and no answers. Listen and retain the information you receive and repeat back to them their problems so they can hear what it sounds like from another person.

Introduce small elements of the solutions on offer Once you have the attention of the caller, offer your businesses solutions. Give an example of how you’ve helped other businesses just like theirs. Show off your company’s credentials and follow up the call with proof, in the form of testimonials and case studies.

The key to any successful sale is a relationship that is built up gradually. After all, people buy from people and the more human or ‘personable’ you are, the more likely you are to ‘sell.

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SKILLS

LJMU supports local small businesses by fully funding 100 internships Aiming to support business growth in the Liverpool City Region, this year’s LJMU fully funded Internship Programme is primarily targeting small to medium size businesses.

The programme offers growing businesses an excellent opportunity to get one month of support from a student who is looking to work in the city region. The internships are an ideal solution for any company seeking to -

their business ability, linked to their degree programme.

• Bring new skills and fresh ideas into the organisation

“We had two fabulous interns, one of which has now started full time employment with another company and the other intern impressed us so much we currently employ her for 16 hours a week until term time commences.”

Healthiness Ltd

• Plug skills gaps in the organisation • Complete an outstanding project • Develop a business idea

Company testimonials from 2018 “…both young ladies are a credit to themselves and the University.”

Colliers International

• Looking for new talent, particularly if you take a final year student (one-month to match new employees to your business for free)

“The student always communicated extremely well and alternative times were agreed prior to the shift. She was extremely hard working throughout her time with us, and always achieved the tasks that were set out.” SoMoCo Ltd

The scheme also offers students an opportunity to develop their world of work skills and attributes as well as prove

“Both interns were very punctual and were flexible if they were needed to stay a little later and swap their agreed days

• Planning business growth

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Unity Togetherness Equal Multiply Proliferate Connect

around. They were both keen to learn and therefore dedicated to producing quality work in line with the team’s requirements.”

Sensor City

Student Feedback “I have been able to transfer the skills learnt from my degree to working in practice. I have also enhanced my skills through using them while on the internship.

The majority of skills I learnt can be used in multiple roles.” Real Estate Student “During my internship as a Graphic Design Studio Assistant, I actually produced some illustration work that I had learnt from the first year of my course so I feel the skills from my course have been transferable to the work experience.”

Graphic Design & Illustration Student To host a student and receive full terms and conditions, please email Internships@LJMU.ac.uk or talk to the Employer Engagement Team on 0151 231 6056.

Proliferate Connect

Supporting diversity can benefit the bottom line One of the biggest challenges facing businesses today is the need to ensure that their workforces represent the varied communities they serve.

But research suggests that supporting equality and diversity in the workplace is not just ‘a good thing to do’ but that it can benefit the bottom line as well, making businesses more attractive to would-be employees and customers alike.

For example, a recent survey suggested that diversity is particularly important to the generation that will inherit the business world, both in the workplace and when making their purchasing choices.

According to the study compiled for office brokering service Instant Offices, millennials will make up approximately 75% of the worldwide workforce by 2025, occupying a growing number of leadership roles.

About half of all millennial jobseekers said they were prioritising a culture of diversity and inclusion when choosing prospective employers, based on companies’ attitude to things like gender issues.

According to Instant Offices, the treatment of women in the workplace is very important to younger people. The researchers say that studies show that 40% of people believe that men are likely to be hired over women, while further research shows that men are also 30% more likely to be promoted to a managerial position with many earning more than women.

About half of all millennial jobseekers say that the way a company deals with LGBTQ issues is also important. Research from Engagement Labs, quoted in the study by Instant Offices, shows growing support for both the online and offline success of brands which support the LGBTQ community.

Indeed, says Instant Offices, ‘belief-driven buying’ has gone mainstream, with 60% of consumers wanting brands to make it easier for them to see their values and positions on important issues.

Liverpool Chamber

In 2018, the Earned Brand Report, which covered markets in the UK, USA, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India and Japan, revealed that: • 1 in 2 people will choose, change or boycott brands based on their stance on specific social issues

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY

More than half of female UK entrepreneurs ‘experience gender bias’ Recent research published by HSBC Private Banking reveals that half of female entrepreneurs in the UK believe that they experience gender bias when raising capital for their business.

According to the report, when pitching for investment female entrepreneurs say they are asked questions about their family circumstances (44%), their credibility as business leaders and their attitude to loss prevention (41%).

• Japan saw the most significant yearon-year growth in belief-driven buying, with a 21% increase. This was closely followed by the UK, with 20% year-onyear growth.

The research found large differences across markets with female entrepreneurs in the UK saying that they experience the highest levels of gender bias, followed by the USA.

Further studies have also revealed that companies with a diversity performance that is above average see a 45% increase in innovation, while those who are below average see a 26% increase.

HSBC’s research found that 70% of UK female entrepreneurs said they found raising capital the most challenging part of the process; more than half (53%) of female founders are denied funding, and those that secure it, receive 6% less than their male counterparts.

Other advantages of having a diverse workforce, says the report, include: • Increased creativity: People from different backgrounds tend to have different perspectives and experiences, creating a melting pot of new ideas • Reduced employee turnover: Companies that are dedicated to building a diverse workforce benefit from better employee retention and higher employee engagement • Better company reputation: A diverse and inclusive workplace can boost a company’s reputation and brand, making the company more ‘human’ and socially responsible.

According to the Instant Offices report, there are a few ways that companies can ensure a diverse and tolerant environment: • Ensure there is a diverse pool of candidates when interviewing for positions • Encourage conversations around diversity and continuously look for ways to address any lack of diversity within your company • Work towards creating a workplace culture where people from all backgrounds feel comfortable and safe • Look for ways to partner with other companies that are known for diverse leadership.

This gender imbalance is also reflected in the make up of pitch panels. Although the UK has the most all-women investor panels (13%), it also has the lowest percentage of mixed panels (47%) across all markets.

Despite the pressures of raising capital, the UK’s female founders are determined to succeed. The research shows that they are the second most confident entrepreneurs globally behind mainland China.

Kirsty Moore, Managing Director at HSBC UK Private Banking in the UK, said: “It is concerning that half of female entrepreneurs in this country have experienced bias when trying to raise capital for their businesses.

“This research shows how far we have to go to level the playing field for women to fulfil their ambitions.”

Victoria Peppiatt, UK entrepreneur and cofounder of Phrasee, said: “This report shows the barriers female entrepreneurs face when trying to grow businesses. It’s important that institutions with the capacity to bring about change, like HSBC, continue to highlight these issues and draw attention to the ways in which gender bias can be overcome.

“Mixed panels, more access to networking opportunities and a commitment from investors to review their investment choices are just some of the ways we can achieve more parity.”

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GROWTH

Do SMEs really need to invest in leadership?

Kate Cousens, bamboo by HM Whilst there are plenty of interesting articles about AI and the future of automation in business, the truth is that there aren’t many business owners that can foresee a day when people will be totally eradicated from their operation.

This goes some way towards explaining why the coaching industry is reported to be worth $2BN globally and a whopping $366BN gets spent each year on leadership development around the world.

A Wiki definition of leadership roles are ‘those that facilitate execution of a company’s strategy through building alignment, winning mindshare and growing the capabilities of others.’ Big corporates continually invest in the development of their leaders and succession planning for their key roles but what about smaller businesses? Is there really a case for leadership development when you run an SME? If you want to grow, then the answer is yes. When businesses are going through a period of (often rapid) growth, a critical factor in its success is the strength and quality of the leadership team. Without effective leaders, businesses can get held back and growth becomes dependent on the owner or founder. To take a business from being the idea and creation of one person, to something that is shared as the

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professional focus of a group of people is no mean feat. It requires the ability of the founder to trust and empower others to deliver whilst they continue to innovate and focus on the areas for future growth.

management to be able to free people up for the ‘blue-sky thinking’. Getting your hands dirty as well as inspiring and motivating the team is par for the course but ultimately this will stifle your progress.

Is your team empowered?

A successful SME leader knows when to step back, empower and coach staff to deal with problem solving on their own. This is an investment in the long-term leadership potential of the business. The saying goes that ‘what got you here won’t get you there’ so if you are serious about growing your business, bamboo by HM can help. We are a group of experienced Directors who have come together to form a Virtual Board on a mission to make every business better.

Find out more and get in touch at www. youarebamboo.com

This is where the leadership development and coaching world naturally collide. Often a founder needs help from a coach to be able to step back from the core tasks and trust the team beneath them to take ownership for their individual parts, and unless it was initially set up with the skillsets in mind for growth, the team beneath them will need leadership development.

This doesn’t have to be in a traditional hierarchical way - more businesses are recognising the need for leadership skills to be spread throughout the organisation.

Whatever structure is right for that particular business, creating a culture where autonomy and accountability is encouraged at all levels is key.

Have you got the balance right?

One of the biggest challenges I see amongst SME leaders is finding the right balance between operational and strategic tasks. Unlike a big business, there usually isn’t the luxury of different tiers of

“A successful SME leader knows when to step-back, empower and coach staff to deal with problem solving on their own.”

GROWTH

Believe in the abilities of your team to build big Nationwide Fencing Services has had its fair share of ups and downs over the past 18 months but Managing Director Paul Farrell continues to live true to his beliefs, in the knowledge that he can build his fencing business beyond any goals he set for it at the end of 2017.

Two years on and the business is unrecognisable. They are no longer competing on a local level and have set their sights on breaking in to the European market with new products by the first quarter of 2020. Together with their product launches they are also on an acquisition trail, to expand the business, giving them the ability to offer their clients a more efficient and cost effective service.

for clients, who are generally tied in to JCT contracts.

With all of this, they have been recognised in 2019 for their business acumen in a number of awards programmes. Paul, himself has been awarded a place on the 42 under 42 Business Insider List. He regularly states that even though the business has experienced a 200% increase in turnover in the last 12 months that ‘he is only just getting going’.

Paul Farrell, Managing Director

specific needs of their projects and our standards of service continue to go over and above. We are excited about our new product launches and can’t wait to begin working with more European clients, to manufacture, deliver and install acoustic and high security fencing far and wide.

Knowing they are about to embark on a momentous year, they are not looking at the obstacles that could be put in place due to the changes in the European market but how to make it work for them and their new customer base on the continent.

Paul comments – the last year has been a real eye opener. We are working so close to the customer that we are able to give them a solution that fits with the very

To be in an extremely niche business, you would expect to be up against a wide range of competitors offering similar products. For the team at Nationwide Fencing Services it is about taking the ‘standard’ product and making it outstanding. Not only do their products exceed expectations but the same can be said for the high standard of service they pride themselves on.

Paul and his team are focused on being a solutions expert in their field. Due to their extensive product knowledge and on-site manufacturing they can create bespoke products in an extremely short time scale

Liverpool Chamber

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MEMBERS NEWS

Viners launch a new collection of kitchen knives with safety and functionality front of mind British cutlery brand, Viners, is set to launch its new Assure collection, introducing an innovative, new knife blade design. The cutlery brand, who has a long standing history of producing high quality cutlery and knives for over 110 years, has created a new generation of kitchen knife that has safety front of mind, yet still answers everyday food preparation needs.

The Rayware Group is a leading global housewares supplier, and home to longestablished and much-loved brands Mason Cash, Kilner, Typhoon, Price & Kensington, Ravenhead and Viners. The company has a diverse international client portfolio and is looking now at overseas opportunities for the Assure Collection.

They have been doing a lot of work to get the knives out there in the media, ahead of launch in January 2020; they have had some great coverage in The Echo and The Telegraph, alongside the BBC TV North West Tonight

legislation changes and disconcerting knife crime statistics. We have a responsibility to ensure that we are doing everything we can to make the kitchen a safer place and we are confident our new knife design will help us achieve that.”

Created in conjunction with 1700 UK consumers who shared their thoughts on the functionality and aesthetics of the proposed knife designs, the new Assure collection offers a square shape, eliminating the tip of the knife to make it safer to use without compromising on performance.

Kate O’Neill, Head of Product and Marketing at Liverpool based Rayware, said: “We have been working hard to develop a safer kitchen knife design in light of recent

Liverpool Hope University community embraces green revolution As the global climate change crisis continues to make headlines, Liverpool Hope University is striving to do its bit to make a positive change.

Sustainability is central to the University’s missions and values, and a number of initiatives have been introduced in a bid to encourage staff and students to live responsibly, and to instil virtues of global responsibility.

In the past 12 months, significant changes have been introduced across campus to help reduce the waste produced and where it goes. The introduction of Terracycle recycling collections and a move towards food waste being sent to Anaerobic Digestion, has led to the University achieving 100 per cent diversion from landfill.

Staff and students are doing their bit by embracing the introduction of alternatives to single-use plastics in the catering outlets. A staggering 41,218 takeaway cups were saved following the launch of a 25p charge, with 51

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per cent of all hot drink sales in the first year made to those bringing their own reusable cups. Plastic cutlery and single sachets have now also been removed from outlets, and a charge has been introduced for straws.

Sustainability was even considered as part of Liverpool Hope’s 175th anniversary year celebrations, with 175 trees planted across the University’s Hope Park campus throughout 2019. At a special midsummer party celebrating the anniversary, the 175th tree - a Gingko Bilboa - was planted.

These small changes form part of the University’s Corporate Plan Key Goals for 2016 – 2020. The plan outlines Liverpool Hope’s aim of achieving a 25 per cent reduction in utility consumption by 2020-2021 from a 2005-2006 baseline, and a 2.5 per cent year-on-year carbon saving from 2015-2016 to 2020-2021. The latter has already been achieved through the implementation of carbon reduction projects and the reduction in carbon conversion factors.

As the University continues to develop and expand, environmental sustainability remains a key consideration at the core of all refurbishments and new-build projects.

Liverpool Hope University is committed to playing its part in the wider carbon reduction targets of the Liverpool City Region and the long-term strategic goals of the UK Government.

MEMBERS NEWS

The report Save Time, Save Money, Save the World: How IT, tech and software solutions can reduce the carbon footprint of your business defines five ways in which businesses can make impactful changes.

Do you know the impact your digital operations are having on the climate emergency?

“There are many simple ways to reduce the carbon impact of your digital business operations,” says Gavin Sherratt, MD at Mashbo. “It’s just that they are often overlooked or not even identified at all.”

(AI). Advanced AI techniques can allow us to analyse big data that can then be used to inform systems and respond to the information it provides, helping to reduce energy wastage and emissions.

In 2019, Liverpool, along with hundreds of towns and cities across the world, declared a climate change emergency. In response, Liverpool City Council set itself the challenge of becoming a net zero carbon city by 2030.

Green credentials

With this in mind, Mashbo has published a report outlining some of the ways that businesses in the Liverpool City Region and beyond can make positive changes, improving their green credentials and even profitability on the way.

3 Upgrade servers

Concern about the environment is no longer optional. Becoming carbon neutral is no longer a nice target to have, it’s a necessity.

There are many routes that SMEs and larger businesses can take to achieve this change, from addressing issues around transport, air quality, waste and recycling to making changes to commercial buildings. But how often do businesses look to the impact of their digital and IT operations on carbon emissions?

Digital carbon footprint

Unlike exhaust fumes and piles of plastic, you can’t really see the impact of the hundreds of digital tasks you undertake each day. The internet alone releases around 300 million tonnes of CO2 a year.

Data centres packed with servers full of web pages, apps and databases that we use daily all contribute to emissions.

‘Spam’ and other unnecessary emails even generate 0.3g of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per email, which doesn’t seem too bad until you realise that we send 64 million unnecessary emails every single day.

Liverpool Chamber

“Assessing the carbon impact of your business and identifying ways to reduce emissions, go beyond policies and procedures,” Gavin continued. “It requires a completely fresh look at your day-to-day processes and how you interact with your clients, as well as a willingness to completely disrupt what has become your organisation’s norm, if necessary.”

The report Save Time, Save Money, Save the World: How IT, tech and software solutions can reduce the carbon footprint of your business defines five ways in which businesses can make impactful changes.

1 Process Automation

Automating laborious business and administration processes, which might presently involve employees travelling to physical locations to undertake tasks, or using a range of different IT systems that are running of multiple servers.

2 Machine learning and AI

A step further than process automation are the more sophisticated implementations of machine learning and artificial intelligence

Running systems off older technology has negative implications for the environment.

PHP, for example, is one of the most popular programming languages in the world.

Many web pages and apps still run on an older version, PHP 5. Yet upgrading just 50% of servers to PHP 7 would avoid billions of kilograms of CO2 emissions.

4 VR for business travel

Travel is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in the UK, making up a third of overall emissions. Virtual Reality (VR) has the power to reduce this. Meetings, training sessions and even working from home could be facilitated by VR, removing the need to travel cutting companies’ emissions drastically.

5 Carbon neutral UX

When it comes to the UX (user experience) of websites, apps and platforms, applying Sustainable Interaction Design could reduce your carbon impact, by making changes like removing large videos that take up bandwidth, muting audio on video if subtitles are available and removing unnecessary tracking data.

To download and read the full report visit: Mashbo.com 45

CHAMBER EVENTS

UPCOMING events

Join colleagues and friends for networking opportunities at our regular events 22 JAN

23 JAN

Annual General Meeting & Lunch Malmaison

05

Budget Briefing Cunard Building

06

Developing a City Plan Liverpool Town Hall

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BCC Accredited Customs Compliance and Rules of Origin and Incoterms LACE, Sefton Park BCC Facebook Marketing Training Malmaison

FEB

FEB

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Sefton Economic business breakfast Bliss Waterfront Southport

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South Liverpool Hub Crowne Plaza Speke

06

1850 Club Crowne Plaza Speke

07

Baltic Hub Baltic Creative

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Dr Jan Maskell – Environment Training Liverpool Chamber

19

Property and Construction Exchange Lu Ban

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JAN

29 JAN

30 JAN

31

JAN

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HR Roundtable Hillyer McKeown

INCOTERMS® 2020 Liverpool Chamber

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FEB

FEB

FEB

#WellConnected PINS

CHAMBER EVENTS

20 FEB

North Sefton Hub Bliss Waterfront Southport

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Bid Writing/Tendering Workshop Malmaison

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BCC Accredited- Import Documentation, Export Documentation Crowne Plaza Speke

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FEB

26 FEB

26 FEB

South Liverpool Hub – Inspired Energy Crowne Plaza Speke 1850 Club – inspired Energy Crowne Plaza Speke

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Baltic Hub The Shed, Baltic Creative

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Develop your Leadership Potential Dale Carnegie offices

FEB

MAR

05 MAR

06 MAR

10

MAR

Quarterly International Trade Club Crowne Plaza Speke #WellConnected Lu Ban Charity Networking – Meet the Trustees Crowne Plaza Speke

Liverpool Chamber

11

MAR

17

MAR

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MAR

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26 MAR

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HR Matters Freeths Solicitors HM Business Growth with Bamboo Hillyer McKeown North Sefton Hub Bliss Waterfront Southport Metro Mayor Hustings The Brain Charity Business Growth Focus and International Trade Club Crowne Plaza Speke 1850 Club Crowne Plaza Speke Baltic Hub Baltic Creative #WellConnected Hope University

Book your place today at www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk events@liverpoolchamber.org.uk 0151 227 1234 47

ANNUAL DINNER REVIEW

Chamber Events

Chamber Dinner Review Held at the world famous Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool Football Club the Liverpool Chamber Annual Dinner and Awards 2019 welcomed a record breaking 430 guests.

Chamber awards 2019

The evening was a night to recognise and celebrate the diverse range of businesses and individuals who help make the Liverpool City Region a great place to do business. Our keynote speaker was Karen Blackett OBE, UK country manager for WPP, the world’s largest marketing services group, and Chairwoman of MediaCom, the largest media agency in the UK. Guests were entertained with magic from David Burgess, the amazing ball skills from John Farnworth and got to meet football legend Phil Neal!

Award winners included: • Digital and Technology: Mashbo “Rental process automation for HMO and students letting Market” • Equality and Diversity: TransPennine Express and Merseyrail • Exporter of the year: Inciner8 • Local Hero Award: James Battle • Responsible Employer: The Carroll Group • Workplace Health & Wellbeing: Nation wide Management Services

Huge thanks to our headline sponsors, Turkish Airlines and Award Sponsors Liverpool John Lennon Airport, University of Liverpool Management School, Safety Support Consultants, CGI and SP Energy Networks for their substantial contribution to the event.

After the success of the dinner, Karen Blackett joined the Chamber and members for a roundtable event the following morning’

Member’s view Mashbo: Technical Director at Mashbo, Steve Todd, said: “We’re so excited to have won this award, the team has worked incredibly hard to ensure that PropertyCloud is perfectly tailored to the specific needs of the student lettings markets and the private landlords and agents that serve it.

Transpennine: “Diversity and Inclusion is key to the vision of TransPennine Express and the success of our business. We are proud to be recognised for our achievements in a difficult environment. This award provides the diversity council with an achievement that

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Chamber Breakfast with Karen Blackett

will continue to engage and inspire future achievements and goals to ensure equality throughout the business and the railway.”

Inciner8: Alex Billingsley Marketing Manager said : “To be recognised by an established organisation like Liverpool Chamber as a company which contributes to the exporting prowess of the region is a landmark occasion for us.

“We’ve developed a range of marketleading incinerators that remain at the forefront of British manufacturing, and which are designed to meet international challenges and regulations head-on. Doing so has meant

we have become one of the most respected names in global waste management solutions, with a diverse international client portfolio who trust us implicitly.”

Merseyrail: Jane English, People Director said “At Merseyrail we are committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce, so to win this award alongside TransPennine Express was an absolute pleasure. People should be able to bring their best self to work without worrying about discrimination or not being able to be themselves and we work hard to ensure that this is the case.”

STAFF DIRECTORY

Staff Directory

Chamber staff are here to provide dedicated support for business members of the Chamber. The directory below provides a list of contacts for members should they need to contact us.

Connect Support Thrive.

Paul Cherpeau Chief Executive

Jon Cranston Director of Finance & Operations

Lee Stanley Head of Business Development

Elena Enciso International Trade Manager

Julie Sankey International Trade Executive

Ian Bulmer Programmes & Policy Manager

Sarah Woolley Export Documentation Manager

Helen Gibbons Accounts Manager

Michelle Cameron Senior Policy & Communications Advisor

Melissa Healy Office Manager

paul.cherpeau@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

julie.sankey@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Heather Whitaker Export Documentation Analyst

heather.whitaker@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Richard Smith Business Engagement Manager

richard.smith@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

jon.cranston@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

ian.bulmer@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Lisa Noon Export Documentation Assistant lisa.noon@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Conor Williams Business Policy & Engagement Executive

lee.stanley@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

sarah.woolley@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

michelle.cameron@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

elena.enciso@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

helen.gibbons@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

melissa.healy@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Anthea Thomas Events Manager (Interim)

anthea.thomas@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

conor.williams@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Tel: 0151 227 1234 | Email: membership@liverpoolchamber.org.uk | export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk | | www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk | @LpoolChamber |

Liverpool Chamber

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5 MINUTES WITH...

Coeus Insurance boss on broking shift, challenges, and “great decision” branch which shortly afterwards became Royal & Sun Alliance. The insurance training provided by them was first-class with great emphasis placed on obtaining your Chartered Insurance Institute qualifications and fully supported by them. The majority of my colleagues had a wealth of insurance underwriting experience, so I ensured that I learned as much as possible from them.

What made you switch to the broking side of the industry?

It’s been more than 20 years since Gary Dunning ventured into the industry, and in this Q&A the managing director recalls how his career unfolded – from his top-notch training and underwriting beginnings, to the turn he took towards broking as well as the challenges that went with establishing a brokerage.

Here Dunning also shares his plans for Coeus Insurance Management, which is a strategic partner of the Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce and a member of the MarshProBroker network, and talks fondly about a decades-old friendship.

How did your insurance career begin?

My insurance career began some 21 years upon completing my A-level examinations.

The first full-time job I obtained straight from school was with Royal Insurance as a trainee underwriter in their Liverpool

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I decided to switch to the broking side of the industry around the time that Royal & Sun Alliance decided to restructure the business with the Liverpool underwriting branch closing. Many of the insurers that operated within the local Liverpool market were starting to pull out and relocate their underwriting facilities into the Manchester market, which was not something I wanted to do so early in my career.

I had built up a number of relationships with brokers whom I had serviced for several years and thought that broking was an area where I could add significant value to front-line customers with my experience of being an underwriter allowing me the insight to be in a position of highlighting positive and negative features of risks that would influence an insurer’s rating.

In your more than two decades of experience, what have been the biggest challenges for you?

Our biggest challenge was probably founding and setting up an insurance brokerage when regulation was at its most stringent and insurance broking start-ups were almost unheard of on the back of a

long financial crisis. A significant amount of time and effort was put into our research and incorporated within our robust business plan.

This was only the start, however. We then had to convince insurers why they should provide us with an agency and how we were going to deliver on these promises.

We made a great decision to align our company to Marsh ProBroker network and we remain the only start-up business they have taken on in the past seven years. Our relationship with Marsh ProBroker continues to grow from strength to strength and long may that continue.

Aside from our own business challenges, the insurance industry can pose varying degrees of challenges, many of which are out of our control. Major events like the September 11 terrorist attacks, the financial crisis in 2008, the London terrorist attacks, and more recently the Brexit confusion means that our industry has to be able to react quickly and adapt immediately when meeting challenges head on.

As managing director of Coeus Insurance Management, what do you envision for the business?

We envision Coeus to continue to grow at a controlled pace allowing us to continue to service our clients to the high standards they have become accustomed to from us. At the same time we will continue to invest in quality staff to complement our teams. We are committed to remaining fiercely independent in a marketplace where brokers are dominated by the larger consolidator business model.

If you were to leave insurance for another sector, which one and why?

I would have loved to have been involved in some capacity with the sports industry, specifically football, and work within sports science. As sports becomes more competitive, teams are looking at marginal gains whether it be from nutrition, exercise, training methods, or recovery.

Name one thing your peers probably don’t know about you.

Most people don’t know that my business partner, Stewart Jordan, was tasked as being my guide on my very first day in the insurance industry at Royal Insurance – we have remained friends ever since.

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