Borough Business Kingston Jan 2022 by Benham Publishing Limited

BOROUGH

BUSINESS The voice of Kingston’s business community

Issue 23: Winter 2022

KINGSTON BOROUGH

BUSINESS

AWARDS 2021

The new Kingston Borough Business Awards - Finalists Announced The Big Interview Hector Ross and Ronnie Kimbugwe of The Mitre Hotel P26-27

The response to these inaugural awards has been overwhelming with over 200 entries across 14 categories. The exceptional number of submissions received, combined with the quality and strength of thei entries from businesses of all sectors made the judges experience both a challenging but rewarding one.

“ Being a judge of Kingston Business Awards was a fantastic experience. The standard of entrants was very high, demonstrating excellence in their fields. The awards process was incredibly well planned, diligent and transparent. I have no doub the best businesses have won but all of this year’s entrants are winners, displaying extraordinary resilience and creativity during a time of adversity.” Lucy Kane, Time & Leisure, Managing Director

Professional training and development programmes to meet your business needs. At Kingston College we are committed to working in partnership to support your organisation’s skills, employment, Apprenticeship and training strategies. For a FREE skills assessment or for more information please contact: 020 8546 2151.

stcg.ac.uk Part of the South Thames Colleges Group

contents Welcome to New Members Patron News Richard Burge LCCI News Skills Cover Feature - Chamber Awards News Ask the Expert News Chamber Events The Big Interview News Top Tips Health and Wellbeing Start Up

4 7-9 10 13 14-15 17-19 20 21 23 24 26-27 28-29 31 32-33 34

Editorial and General Enquiries Guildhall, High Street Kingston upon Thames. KT1 1EU. 020 8541 4441 Email: office@kingstonchamber.co.uk Web: www.kingstonchamber.co.uk Chief Executive: Forbes Low Publisher: Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com Published Winter 22 © Benham Publishing and Kingston Chamber of Commerce Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com Production Manager Peter Wilkinson Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: peter@benhampublishing.com Media No. 1824 Disclaimer

Borough Business is published for Kingston Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members. All correspondence should be addressed to Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in Borough Business are not necessarily those of Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2022. Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

Patron Members

The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

WELCOME TO

BOROUGH BUSINESS The Kingston Chamber of Commerce magazine for all Businesses in Kingston ’History repeats itself. So, you might wanna pay attention.’ Quavo I write this feature the morning after the announcement that we are moving into Plan B and it is hard to define what this will all mean, for all areas of business, but particularly retail and hospitality and for the social care sector. Why I reference this quotation is that, throughout this truly challenging year, so many business people have made huge efforts to pay attention. They have adapted, learnt lessons and explored new ways to solve staffing, logistic, marketing or legal issues that the year has thrown up. When the Chamber started the the Kingston Borough Business Awards (KBBA), we did not anticipate the amazing diverse and enthusiastic number of submissions. The number of entries has broken previous records by some margin. The judges were impressed with the breadth and quality of the entries and, taken as a snapshot of how businesses have been working in the past year in the Borough, inspired by the creativity and resilience shown by so many. We are delighted to announce the finalists who can see on page 19.

The Awards evening will be held at All Saints Kingston on March 17th 2022.

with people who want to deliver, makes the work journey far more productive, enjoyable and interesting.

We knew providing the Chessington Business Expo on October 27th, in the climate of uncertainty, was not going to be straightforward but we were 100% determined to make it happen. I would like to extend a big thank you to Kingston University and Kingston Council as sponsors, our excellent speakers, hardworking exhibitors and the engaging visitors who made the event a considerable success.

We haven’t got every step right and there are always areas to learn, but we hope that our contributions have provided you with a membership that does have genuine benefits and is enjoyable to be part. Your part in this year, as members, has been immense. Your consistency to attend, support and be sharing collaborators has been really appreciated. Thank you so much.

’I’m just willing to try different things. But you gotta keep it all making sense.’ Quavo Looking back at 2021, I believe the Chamber has been true to this ethos. From the KBBA, to setting up the New Malden Business Forum with Rotary Club, to being a Gateway for the KickStart programme, to delivering an online and in-person EXPO, collaborating on the new THINK GREEN webinars with Kingston Council and for adding variety to our networking events, we have tried different approaches to keep business people together. If there is one lesson I have learnt this year is that partnerships and collaborations are vital. By joining and pulling together expertise and working

We have endured many changes in 2021 and the ripples will continue to affect us through 2022. We have all had days that have been just tough to get up, then go again. Physically and mentally, it has taken it’s toll but I hope at this festive period, we can take a small breather and I suggest we remember the achievements from the past year - there will be more than we realise. I wish you all the very best for 2022. Keep safe and take care.

Forbes Low CEO Kingston Chamber of Commerce forbes@kingstonchamber.co.uk

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BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

join us The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

Welcome to our new members Barwell Business Park

Amy Crawford www.barwellbusinesspark.co.uk

Greg knew it was the right time to join the Chamber to promote his business skills

Gold Telecom Limited Mike Kavanagh www.goldtelecom.co.uk

Marechal HR Consulting Kate Le Marechal

www.marechalhrconsulting.com

Rbkares

Kate Kenyon www.rbkares.org

Rebalance Lifestyle

Aileen Parsons www.rebalance-lifestyle.com

What’s the point of Networking? Why does the Chamber organising so many events and networking opportunities online and in-person? Because we believe they work but do not take our word for it. “I feel very proud telling new members what a constant Kingston Chamber of Commerce has been in my four years and how I hope it goes from strength to strength.” Alex Hughes Auxilium Business Consulting Ltd For more information or to discuss how we can help you, please contact us at:

Kingston Chamber of Commerce T: 020 8541 4441 E: info@kingstonchamber.co.uk W: www.kingstonchamber.co.uk Connect with us on

@KingstonCOC

Kingston CoC

Thames Concerts

Ben Costello www.thamesconcerts.com

The Coaching Psychologist Samia Shehadeh

The Mitre Hotel

Erno de Clerq www.mitrehamptoncourt.com

The Thames Studio Ltd Anamaria Paraoaru www.thethamesstudio.uk

Your New Horizon Ltd Manizheh Khodayari www.allyogamed.com

Reasons to join...

Membership of Kingston Chamber of Commerce brings a wealth of immediate benefits to your business.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Welcoming, professional and supportive environment Two successful business Expos; Kingston and Chessington Regular networking events and business webinars Local supply chain opportunities and excellent links to the wider local community Advocacy for businesses to Kingston Council, strategic partners and MPs in the borough Learning opportunities and affordable training on all business-related matters Creative social events and meet ups

Find out how to join and learn how others are benefiting from their membership.

www.kingstonchamber.co.uk 4

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

hr dept

Porter the Sorter Ask our resident HR expert, Sandra Porter of The HR Dept for advice on your workplace worries. Who is driving the bus and where is it going? As we start the new year many business owners will be working on their business plan to define their recovery strategy and ambition for 2022 and beyond. This can be a great opportunity to refocus on what has been learned over the last two years, how best to focus on their strengths and consider the growth of any new services or products. Articulating what the ambition is, where you are going, how you are going to get there and why, is like being a Bus Driver. As a Business Owner, being clear that you are driving the bus, deciding on the route, determining the destination and estimated time of arrival is very important. But it must not stop there. The passengers on the bus need to know too. They need to have confidence that you can drive, know where you are going and which route you are going to take. Here is a conversation that I had last week: Business Owner “So, we need to decide on the bonus plan for the team for next year.” Porter the Sorter “Great. Can you send me the business plan that sets out the company goals?” Business Owner “No, I don’t know those yet.” Porter the Sorter “Ok, so do you know what you will need each of the team to do for you to be successful?” Business Owner “Not really, I need to work that out as well.”

Looking towards a positive 2022 As the President of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, I am immensely proud of the Chamber team who are working tirelessly to deliver the first truly “made in Kingston for Kingston” Business Awards. And of course, a thank you to all the judges taking their time to work to tight deadlines to make very tough decisions. Our borough is bursting with amazing businesses.

It is really important to address three key factors to motivate your passengers to stay on the bus:

I am also grateful that we managed to have a Christmas Party this year with many of you who attended contributing to my chosen charity Citizen Zoo CIC to support their rewilding projects. You can find out more about them at www.citizenzoo.org.

1) Employees need to know what the goals are and what good looks like 2) Employees need to know how their role fits in with these goals and what difference they can make 3) Employees want to know what is in it for them if the business hits the goals By setting aside time to articulate your journey and destination and keeping your passengers motivated to stay on the bus can make a transformational difference to your overall performance. If you do not communicate it well they might be shouting ‘Next stop please!’

The HR Dept are an outsourced HR services provider supporting local SMEs with their people issues and strategy. For advice on communication and bonus plans in the workplace and anything else people related call 01372 678760 Always seek employment law advice regarding management of your people issues to ensure that you and your business are well protected from potential litigation risks.

The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

As the finalists of the business awards have been announced, I would love to congratulate them all on their resilience and contributions to the borough as a whole.

As the end of the year is bringing yet more restrictions, let us keep positive for the future and look towards 2022 with inspiration and hope that our new hybrid ever connected world will bring people together. There may even be Water Voles on the horizon soon! Katerina Damcova Chamber President

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

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patron news MJ 200 Enterprise Co-creating, collaborating, and building solutions to global solution the Wood World Missions School in Ghana. Here, he managed to secure a donation from Barclays who offered their old computers to allow the children to develop crucial digital skills. He shares three key lessons from the Fellowship. Resilience is a muscle “The past two years have been particularly volatile, and we’ve all had to adapt rapidly to change. Therefore, the workshop from Madeline McQueen on building resilience was particularly pertinent. My key takeaway was that resilience needs to be constantly worked on so that when moments of stress and high pressure arise, you can reflect on past experiences and know that you have the tools to navigate through periods of uncertainty.” Mike Smith, of MJ 200 Enterprises and a Chamber Patron, has always supported and encouraged resilience skills for the next generation of business entrepreneurs. His son, Michael Smith, talks about how he is making these skills work. Michael Smith is an undergraduate of St Peter’s College, studying Modern Languages. He conducted his placement at Boresha Technologies who provide software for agribusinesses in Africa to help them manage their operations with smallholder farmers. One of Michael’s primary objectives in the next 12 months is to gain professional experience in both France and Spain during his year abroad and he hopes to obtain the position of business development intern within the company APlanet, which strives to make sustainability at the forefront of business objectives. His most rewarding work has been as vicechairman of the charity ‘Escape’, which supports

Financial planning with Holland Hahn & Wills Education & Mentoring Continuing our desire to make financial planning a more accessible topic, Katie Lovatt was recently invited to speak to students at both Godolphin & Latymer and Wimbledon High School about financial planning, investing, careers in finance and work experience. The idea was to empower, demystify and educate the girls about money and there was a particular focus on women in finance. Katie was joined on the panel by Debbie Wosskow OBE and Anna Lane, both entrepreneurs helping women build successful careers, and for the afternoon session, The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

‘We live in a world of abundance and not scarcity’ “This was a quote that stuck with me from a mentor meeting. Always adopting a growth mindset and realising that there will only be more opportunities for innovation is an exciting prospect. I’ll endeavour to constantly seek new opportunities to develop and learn because that’s what makes life so rich.” Being authentically yourself is your greatest asset “Everyone comes from a unique background and leveraging this is what makes you stand out. I haven’t always had the self-confidence to embrace all my unique qualities, but seeing others be unashamedly themselves inspires me to do the same.”

Award-winning construction and property consultancy, Summers-Inman, continue to successfully deliver excellent customer service for our clients in the Kingston area and beyond. The business has met the challenges of the last 2 years in a positive fashion, enjoying significant success. We have celebrated our appointment to a wide range of public sector procurement frameworks and delivered individual projects spanning housing, healthcare, education, retail, and commercial development. We are delighted to recently have been shortlisted for the Excellence in Customer Service award in the 2021 Kingston Borough Business Awards. Director, Lee Orchard, believes that the foundations are now set for further steady expansion of the Kingston office. He said: “We are keen to build on our work with local clients such as the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Kingston University, Philips, City University, London Brough of Richmond & Wandsworth and King’s College Hospital. Our ability to deliver superb, agile working and respond to changing client needs was proven from the early days of the COVID pandemic and we have exciting strategic plans for growth.” The Kingston team has a long reach, recently undertaking a project to install a new Philips MRI Scanner in Belfast, just one of an ever growing list of these important healthcare projects to have been handed over successfully.

The Oxford Foundry was established in 2017 by the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. Their mission is to build a new generation of ventures that better society, and to nurture more ethical leaders who put people and the planet first. www.oxfordfoundry.ox.ac.uk

We are trusted by clients to manage risk and deliver strategic objectives through our professional RICS Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying and health and safety services.

Heather McGregor (aka Mrs Moneypenny) zoomed in to talk about the importance of financial literacy. It was an exciting, and energetic debate and the feedback from both sessions has been fantastic. We hope to continue to support schools via this medium and Young Enterprise. Katie is now embarking on the new mentoring program for Kingston Business School, another rewarding local initiative.

Kingston Borough Business Awards We were excited to judge the 2021 Kingston Borough Business Awards! As previous awards winners on a number of occasions, it was a delight and very interesting to see so many excellent entries in the “Excellence in Customer Service” category which we are proud to sponsor this year.

CISI Board Appointment The CISI membership, the industry body for financial planning, has elected Amyr Rocha Lima CFPTM Chartered FCSI to its Board of Directors. The CISI Board of Directors, comprising nonexecutive directors who are typically employed in senior positions in financial services sector firms, meets five times a year. It is a great honour for Amyr, and well-deserved recognition of his valuable contribution to the financial planning industry.

Find out more about how we can add value to your project at www.summers-inman.co.uk

Referrals As we continue to grow, we are very gratefully for referrals we receive from our clients and the local community. If you have a question or concern about your finances, please do get in touch for a second opinion. We would be happy to help. There is no charge for an initial meeting, and it might put your mind at ease or focus your mind on retirement! Give us a call on 020 8943 9229 or drop us an email enquiry@hhw-uk.com to find out how we could help you.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

patron news Months of Construction Captured in Minutes at Kingston College The remodelling construction of Kingston College’s state of the art facility is continuing to progress smoothly. The installation of a dedicated project time lapse camera will allow the College to have a fascinating record of 15 months of construction works in minutes once the project is complete. The much-anticipated project is due for completion in the summer of 2022 and will be wonderful for staff and students to enjoy state of the art contemporary facilities which will further enhance the learning that takes place at the College. The College is also looking forward to welcoming the local community through its doors.

As the year draws to an end, we have a lot to reflect on: IQ in IT are proud to be the sponsor of the Innovation in Technology category at the Kingston Borough Business Awards. We are looking forward to the awards night in March 2022 and to celebrate our business community coming together.

of everyone. With the latest Log4J vulnerability disclosure we are truly terrified, as over 10 billion devices worldwide are vulnerable.

Taking part in rewilding activities with Citizen Zoo and the Chamber, we have worked on revitalising the New Malden Triangle as well as raising 2 lots of Large Marsh Grasshoppers which we released in Norfolk in the summer. We continue working on ways of reducing our carbon footprint and planning our carbon neutrality. Working through the web of our suppliers and partners all the way to code we run to lower the impact it has on consuming resources. Continuing to engage with our community locally and all over the world, we keep working on improving not only our client’s security, but the security

Putting culture at the heart of your business Wolters Kluwer

Whether it’s a pandemic or any other disruptive event, companies need to make culture pivotal in their organisations. It’s essential to put the right programmes in place to help people acquire tangible skills - hold open conversations, give constructive evidence-based feedback, share appreciation, focus on their goals and take responsibility for their actions and behaviours. When we all started working from home 100% of the time in 2020, we quickly identified that, whatever our approaches and ideas, they needed to stand up to scrutiny for the long term. They had to reflect the diversity of our people, their situations and their needs and wants. We needed to ensure our people could collaborate – for business purposes but more importantly, to meet our basic human need to connect. We treated our people as people - it’s that simple. We ensured that they had all the practical tools they needed - multiple screens, new laptops for all and sit/ stand desks to name just a few aspects. Having swiftly canvassed colleagues to establish their concerns and wishes, we also launched a range of culture activities/deliverables in response to ensure our people could stay connected, engaged and well.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

We wanted to continuously check in with our people, seeking feedback on an ongoing basis and tailoring the approach accordingly. Our leadership and Culture Ambassador teams devised strategies and campaigns in line with what our people were telling us. It was important to us that culture and its associated initiatives should never be viewed as mandatory but rather, available for those who choose to engage. Our culture continues to go from strength to strength and we’re proud of our employee engagement score of 84% for our UK business. If you would like to know more, please get in contact with Elise Sallis, Elise.Sallis@wolterskluwer.com

However, the effect was many landlords being left with no rental income and sometimes a mortgage to pay. Even if they were able to get mortgage holidays, the debt was only deferred and not written off.

Light at the end of the tunnel for landlords reports Pearson Hards At the start of the Covid pandemic, the Government introduced emergency legislation as part of its initial response to protect lives, protect jobs and to try to stem any fall out from businesses closing. One of the steps they took was to prevent residential possession proceedings from taking place. There was a complete moratorium on any claims being brought or pursued for several months from March 2020. This was to avoid people who were in rented accommodation and struggling financially due to loss of jobs or employment from losing their homes as well.

When the moratorium ended, claims were made harder to bring a notice period for landlords to give to tenants were made longer. They were also required to jump through greater hurdles to get a Possession Order and had to show to the Court what effect the pandemic had had on the tenant, no mention of the effect on them. During certain restrictions, for example when the tier system was in place, landlords found that even if they had a Possession Order, they were unable to enforce it by bringing in the bailiffs. The consequences for residential landlords were immense and many have been left with debts from tenants which will never be paid. However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel now for landlords. As of 1 October 2021, notice periods to give to tenants have gone back to prepandemic levels. Therefore, if a tenant is in rental arrears for 2 months, they can give them 2 weeks’ notice to pay and then begin possession proceedings if they do not. Notice periods for so called ‘no fault’ evictions will go back to 2 months’ notice. This will be a welcome relief to those landlords who have had their income severely impacted for nearly 2 years and had their rights to do anything about it restricted. For further enquiries, please call 020 8949 9500.

Getting creative The team at Riverside Walk have been collaborating again with Claire Selby from Studio KT1 at Kingston School of Art. As well as working closely with Claire and her wonderful students Lorena Popovici and Josephine Miller, on Mat Collishaw’s Echolocation, we also provided some funding to their ‘Not My Beautiful House’ creative meanwhile project on Fife Road. The skill and attention to detail that Lorena and Josephine brought to Echolocation’s Bat is a real testament to the cutting edge technology and detailed study of movement that the students were able to deliver to the project is something I have no doubt Eadweard Muybridge would have admired. Forming part of the funding for NMBH we agreed to commission three animations with Studio KT1 which would enable their students to produce submissions for projection on the Echolocation screen. As well as providing a wonderful space for public art at Riverside Walk this would also be an opportunity for Kingston School of Art (KSA) students to see their work in the flesh in Kingston. The winners would then also be able to have this project in their portfolios. This opportunity will also help to improve the links between the town centre and the Riverside.

December 2021. This animation will be on view in place of Echolocation, in the undercroft, between Cote brasserie and The Bishop pub in the run up to Christmas. Long may this partnership between Riverside Walk and Studio KT1 continue and here’s to yet more public Art in Kingston. As we emerge from the trauma of the last two years, I’m heartened to see Kingston respond with a real and tangible energy in celebrating the arts and culture, something we all turned to and missed during the long and miserable months of lockdown. Now is the time to celebrate those things that make Kingston such a unique and wonderful place in which to work, live and play.

Kingston University ranked in the top 10 in the UK for social mobility in landmark report Kingston University has been ranked in the top 10 universities in the United Kingdom for social mobility in a new research report that provides a clear picture on the role of highEr education in social mobility. The Which university degrees are best for intergenerational mobility? report has been produced by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in partnership with the Sutton Trust and the Department for Education. University rankings are based on the number of students from low-income backgrounds and whether those students moved up to the top of the income ladder. Kingston University – which was shortlisted in the University of the Year category at the 2019 Social Mobility Awards and named University of the Year by NEON (National Education Opportunities Network) in both 2016 and 2017 – was ranked number 10 in the UK, reflecting its ongoing work across the student lifecycle to advance equality of opportunity and outcomes in higher education. Through its comprehensive outreach programme, the University collaborates with schools, colleges, charities and other education providers. Other social mobility programmes include the Beyond Barriers scheme providing student mentoring from industry professionals, a Head Start programme which prepares students from underrepresented groups for higher education, and an award-winning KU Cares scheme. The University’s Head of Access, Participation and Inclusion, Jenni Woods, said: “This ranking not only reflects the value we place on diversity within higher education, but our commitment to ensuring that students from all backgrounds who study with us are supported to achieve their academic goals and career aspirations.”

We are very excited to see some amazing public artwork on site soon, showcasing the KSA/Studio KT1’s talented students, starting with a Christmas-themed animation by Catarina Moura and Yoana Pavlova coming in early The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

LCCI

Dubai congress puts London in the spotlight Recently Richard Burge was busy attending the 12th World Chambers Congress in Dubai, a high-profile, three-day event that brought together Chamber and business heads, as well as representatives from international organisations and governments. In convening the globe’s most prominent leaders and brightest minds, the congress aimed to spur change through dialogue and cooperation to create a more meaningful and prosperous future for individuals and businesses. More than 1,200 delegates from over 1,000 countries attended to connect with Chambers and business leaders, promote trade and investment opportunities, and gain insights into some of today’s most significant global issues. relationships with the relevant Chamber in those cities and connect their members with members of London Chambers. “We have a process in place whereby we’ll agree memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with each Chamber and then embark on a three-year engagement plan with each of these cities. Ideally, we want 30 MOUs in place within the next 18 months, although that depends on certain political and economic factors outside of our control. “We’re looking to engage with cities that not only play a role within the economy in their own country, but also play a role in other countries’ economies. We’re looking for partners who have a global outlook and think outside the dynamics of their own locality.”

On the face of it, the congress was the ideal forum for Richard to promote London as a marquee international destination – a key part of his role as CEO of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Through a new initiative, LCCI International, he aims to forge new connections with Chambers of Commerce and their members in overseas cities. Richards says: “We’ve already identified around 30 major cities across the world. We’d like to build

Richard says that his job is made easier by the fact that London already holds a strong appeal to many individuals and businesses across the globe. This is evidenced, for example, by London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s recent appointment as the global chair of C40 cities. C40 cities is a global network of almost 100 megacities committed to addressing climate change. Collectively, the network represents more than 700 million people and covers a quarter of the global economy. “Despite the economic problems of recent years, London’s influence is still strong,” says Richard. “London was the founding city of C40 and has always been a vital member of the network.

Sadiq’s appointment gives him a more apolitical platform for promoting London as an international destination, one that champions a green and sustainable recovery from the pandemic.” Although London is held in high regard by many, there are still several challenges to negotiate as the world gradually emerges from the pandemic. Richards says: “We’re already seeing the longterm impact of Brexit and it’s uncertain how this will play out. Trade barriers will need to be overcome and there will be a lot of future negotiations between Britain and other countries. We’re also suffering from a lack of skills in certain industries – a problem that has been exacerbated by foreign workers leaving London and returning to their home countries.” Undoubtedly Chambers of Commerce have role to play in building international relationships in a post-COVID world. “The strength of our local Chambers comes from their membership,” says Richard. “It’s up to the London Chambers to promote the skills, strengths and abilities of their members to Chambers locally and in overseas countries. “It’s important to build relationships for the long run. Trade relationships seem to have become very transactional, with each party looking to get more out of the partnership than the others. This is not the right way to go about it. In my experience, long-term relationships work much more productively for everyone involved.”

We’ve already identified around 30 major cities across the world. We’d like to build relationships with the relevant Chamber in those cities and connect their members with members of London Chambers. 10

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

legal

Falling out with a supplier: avoiding catastrophe For small and medium sized businesses, a dispute with a supplier can range from minor inconvenience to existential threat. Trivial matters may escalate quickly, reliable suppliers may unexpectedly refuse to fulfil their contract or a long-standing pattern of unreasonable behaviour might eventually reach a point where our client has to act. So what should your business do to protect itself from the worst consequences of supplier disputes? Assessing the importance of the dispute Minor supplier disputes are unlikely to ever be fully rectified and may arise almost daily. However, some disputes can result in such a significant financial loss that they have the potential to jeopardise the future of the business. Therefore, the financial impact should be the first thing considered when assessing a dispute as failure to deliver goods might have an immediate impact on cash flow. If timescales are extended, the mid to longer term consequences for your cash position need to be assessed and this may be more difficult. Are there future payments or deliveries you are expected to make or to receive and how will an absence of these funds or goods impact your relationships? The severity of the impact may not correlate with the amount of money in dispute. Businesses can often ride out significant cash disruptions at certain times of year, but not others. The financial importance must be therefore judged on its current impact and not underestimated because of the quantum of the sum in dispute. Pursuing a claim will require management time to be diverted from day-to-day activities. If a claim is pursued, there will be deadlines for response at regular intervals that are not within your control. It might also be necessary to seek The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

support in the form of a paid expert. A cost benefit analysis will be required to determine if the dispute is sufficiently important to both divert staff away from their more productive activities and expend money in order to resolve it. You will need to consider how reliant you are on the particular supplier and their advantages over alternatives. This will likely impact the best course of action as, if the relationship has little value, time would be best spent extracting yourself from the situation as quickly and cheaply as possible, knowing that there is no requirement to use the supplier again. Understanding your leverage Important documents and first-hand accounts will need to be obtained to determine your best course of action, differentiating between internal and external information. While internal information can be assembled relatively painlessly, it will be a slower process if you are reliant on external entities. It is best to secure this information as early as possible as written accounts of what happened and the chronology of the dispute are going to be the first thing that any external advisor (such as a lawyer) will want. Having obtained the information, this is also a good time to consider what has been learnt from the gathering process. How much time and resource has this process taken? Does the dispute still seem worth pursuing in light of this?

resolution. There may also be commercial pressures that can be applied at this point and the threat of legal proceedings can force the supplier to the negotiating table. Although it is preferable to resolve a dispute agreeably, this may be less of a consideration if you are not very reliant on the supplier. Making your decisions If steps can be taken which will mean part-performance of the supplier’s obligations, then this will reduce the value of the dispute and the pressures on your business. However, such action will need to reserve your rights to ensure that any compromise is treated as an interim measure and not a variation to the original contract. If this ‘holding position’ can be reached, then the parties can consider their approach and their options. The first option is to leave the dispute unresolved. This is more likely if the dispute is low value and will only be possible if both parties are happy to accept some loss. If you later change your mind, any claim will still need to be brought within legal limitation dates.

Accepting on the terms available is also likely to include an element of mutual loss. However, definitively resolving the matter is desirable for both parties, enabling them to draw a line under the matter. The final option is further escalation. If this mea¬ns issuing proceedings, then this is a question of whether the potential improvement (beyond the current position) justifies the expense and risk of taking the matter forwards. A resolution will either be reached between the parties or externally imposed on them. In either event, there will be a period of dialogue, followed by a period of negotiation. If this is unsuccessful then the matter may proceed to a third party determination, such as court. The bigger picture The steps described in this article should not be thought of as stages in a lineal process. You should constantly assess the financial and commercial impact on your business and protect your position. The RussellCooke dispute resolution team can help you to avoid the pitfalls.

If you have sought legal advice, you should have a greater understanding of the parties’ obligations under any contract. This will include payment terms, timescales, termination provisions and any dispute resolution mechanisms which will need to be followed. If both parties understand their legal obligations, then it should be possible to reach a commercial

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

news

Mayor recruits experts to shape future of London’s buildings The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is recruiting a new cohort of Mayor’s Design Advocates (MDAs) – independent experts who will ensure quality buildings and public spaces that benefit Londoners are at the heart of the capital’s recovery from the pandemic. Sadiq will appoint 30 design advocates with a wealth of expertise and skills to support his vision of “good growth”, delivering a more inclusive and sustainable built environment. The original cohort of MDAs was appointed in 2017 and developed guidance and policy in support of the London Plan in relation to housing design, circular economy, public realm, social infrastructure, urban industry, the childfriendly city and high streets. They have also developed a handbook to support diversity in the built environment profession. MDAs also design reviewed more than 150 schemes through the London Review Panel, where the mayor is investing funding, making a planning decision or supporting local

Virtual high streets to help local shops thrive in Kingston With high street shops reopened after months of uncertainty and lockdown, Kingston’s town centres are now fighting back. Kingston Council is enabling independent shops and businesses to join the collective, local shopping and business ecommerce platform, Shopappy.com. It’s a town-based website that makes it easier for everyone to buy goods and services from their own local high street from the comfort of their sofas – at no extra cost. Surbiton and Kingston will be the first two town centres launching, with dozens of local independent businesses already sharing their services and products on the platform. Cllr John Sweeney, portfolio holder for business and leisure at Kingston Council, said: “With our The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

authorities. These have ranged from highprofile schemes such as the Tulip, Bishopsgate Goodsyard and Oxford Street pedestrianisation, to supportive workshops for community groups in receipt of Crowdfund London funding. “Good Growth” is the mayor’s guiding principle for the built environment and sets the direction of the London Plan and all related mayoral decisions, investments, strategies and policies. Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills, said: “We know that good architecture and planning can make a real difference between the places that work – socially and environmentally as well as economically – and those that age gracelessly. “That’s why we’re delighted to be recruiting a new cohort of 30 experts who will use their extensive expertise and skills to help us build back fairer and greener after the pandemic and support our vision for Good Growth in London. We look forward to reviewing applications and welcoming the new cohort in March 2022.” lives increasingly focusing on the local, Kingston is fortunate to have everything needed to live a fulfilling, healthy and prosperous life within the borough. We are creating even more opportunities for people to genuinely live, work and shop locally. This is one of the things we can do to offer much more than traditional shopping and ensure the whole borough is well-placed to thrive in a completely new social and economic climate. “We are happy to be able to provide this for businesses free of charge until February 2022 and make it easier for people to support local businesses beyond lockdown. With ShopAppy, you can browse goods and services online, organise a convenient collection and support local businesses from the comfort of your home. But this is not just about shops. ShopAppy.com can help services, trades, B2B businesses, chefs, pop-ups, entertainers and market stalls with bookings, click and collect, home delivery and can even host virtual events such as fairs and markets – all ways in which online can support our economic recovery.” Eva Veliotou, from Rocco Jewellery, said: “We think that people love to shop locally, especially if it’s convenient! ShopAppy is a unique platform that connects customers with businesses and allows them to easily shop from their high street, online. It’s also a great way of discovering businesses that customers may then want to visit in-store.”

The consequences of liquidation on directors Adam Nakar

A common question we are asked by directors is what the consequences are of placing their company into insolvent liquidation. Many of them are also good at finding wrong answers! As many more are now considering liquidating their companies, this article aims to lay out a few key facts of the matter. The only automatic restriction on a director of a company that goes into insolvent liquidation is that you cannot reuse the company’s name or trading styles for ongoing trade (subject to certain exceptions). That’s it. You are otherwise free to continue trade as you wish; form new companies, carry on in the same industry, seek credit and work exactly as before. Just use a different name. While the trading name is the only restriction, there are other duties and consequences of insolvency to be aware of. Directors will have a duty to cooperate with the liquidator, to deliver up books and records of the company, complete a questionnaire on the affairs of the company, and comply with any reasonable requests for information that the liquidator may make. The liquidator is required to make a report to the Secretary of State on the conduct of the directors, and non-cooperation with the liquidator is taken as seriously – and reported – as much as any matters for concern in the running of the company. It is time consuming, not remunerated, but it is important. Another consequence will be if directors have personally guaranteed debts. (Note that, unless you have obtained more than £250,000 you will not have a personal guarantee on bounce back loans or CBILS). In these circumstances, you will need to arrange to settle payment of these claims against you. Finally, do remember that if your company is in financial difficulty, it is your duty to act in the interests of its creditors. That means ensuring you do not deliberately worsen their overall position without good reason, not dissipating assets or drawing what’s left for yourself, and seeking professional advice.

Call 020 8939 8240 or email insolvency@wsm.co.uk to contact one of our experts.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

skills

Kickstart Scheme The Government Kickstart Scheme was announced back in September 2020 to help young people, aged 16-24 years old and on Universal Credit, to gain valuable work experience and employability skills. The scheme has been extended for recruitment of candidates until the end of March 2022 however all new applications for places closed on 17th December 2021.

settled in quickly and proved to be a great asset to the team on the day, helping to set up and register guests attending the event.

Partnerships Kingston Chamber partnered with Kingston Adult Education to offer employers training and support opportunities to assist young people on the scheme. The packages were tailored to meet the needs of the employee and the role they were employed to do as well as ensuring they had employability skills to support them when the placement ended.

Supporting young people Kickstart has helped young people across the country to develop new skills, build confidence, and get a crucial first foot on the career ladder, Kingston Chamber of Commerce as an approved Gateway Organisation has helped local employers access the scheme and to date, we have over 120 placements approved with over 60 young people having been offered employment. For many young people, the scheme has provided the springboard they needed to secure permanent jobs. Nationally the government has said the scheme has created more than 100,000 new jobs. The Kickstart jobs filled locally through Kingston Chamber of Commerce have been from a huge range or industries, including IT, video production, admin and even brewing in a local brewery. There are still lots of opportunities available to young people, so if you know someone who is eligible to join the scheme then do point them in the direction of the Gov Find A Job website: www.gov.uk/find-a-job

Harry joins the Chamber The Chamber also offered a Kickstart placement as part of the scheme and in October were pleased to recruit a new member of staff to support the delivery of its diverse range of networking events. Harry Duckworth joined the team just days before the Chamber hosted the Chessington Expo, the first large scale event it had been able to host for almost 2 years due to the pandemic. Harry therefore had to learn quickly and really hit the ground running but he

consistency and attention to detail. It isn’t always easy fitting into a small and well established team but Harry has managed to do that and bought his own personality into the office which is a big credit to himself.”

Dominic North, Wanda McFarlane & Harry Duckworth Harry saw the Kickstart scheme as a great opportunity after a difficult year due to the impact of the pandemic, saying: “Upon being let go from my job in the heavily impacted hospitality sector during the pandemic, opportunities like working at the Chamber were seemingly unattainable without the help of the kickstart scheme. Once I understood the nature of the scheme and the variety of impressive roles available to people like myself who found themselves in unfavourable positions, I was surprised yet encouraged. Considering I had studied politics at college, the opportunity presented by the Chamber was undeniable and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the team. I have been made to feel as part of the furniture and I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of my placement holds for me.”

Lesley Searle, Advice, Guidance & Welfare Manager for Kingston Adult Education commented, “KAE feels the Kickstart scheme has offered benefits for all 3 parties involved: the young person, the employer and KAE. The young person has gained that first step on the ladder of their career, where they learnt new skills, gained in confidence by recognising the positive contribution they have made to the business, and had support throughout to consider a growing range of options based on their experience, directing them to their next step. The employer has gained from the skills brought to the organisation by the young person, helping them grow and develop in order to support the business. KAE have also gained from the experience of working with some wonderful young people and small businesses, continually learning from our business relationships and passing on our advice/guidance to both parties.” As the final few months of the Kickstart scheme roles out, hopefully many more young people will be able to benefit from the opportunities available to them. Equally, many employers are still finding recruitment challenging, especially during these uncertain times so the scheme has offered them the financial security to provide employment opportunities to young people at risk of long term unemployment.

Forbes Low, CEO of Kingston Chamber said: “It has been great having Harry join us. He has adapted well, been willing to learn new skills and has gained our trust from the beginning with his

KAE feels the Kickstart scheme has offered benefits for all 3 parties involved: the young person, the employer and KAE. 14

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

skills

Looking Ahead to Developing Skills in Kingston in 2022 As 2021 draws to a close it is a time for reflection on our partnership working within the Kingston Borough community. Over the last year we have been building upon existing relationships and we are working with a large number of new partners in the region to support skills and employment across South West London.

We have applied for and won a number of grants from the Greater London Authority and Department for Education to support collaboration, education, training, and employability, including funding to support digital skills in the region. The team are working closely with the All-England Lawn Tennis Club to support them in recruiting and training 1500 adults to work at the two-week The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

Wimbledon Championships in a variety of roles in July 2022. In line with their guidance, we are aiming to recruit locally which is such a wonderful opportunity for adults across South West London. Along with many other organisational partners, we also work with local DWPs, Work Match, the local council and the Chamber of Commerce on a range of opportunities. We are holding Job Fairs across South Thames Colleges Groups’ campuses to support local and regional employers.

FREE Online CPD Courses Benefits to you and your staff: •

Achieve nationally recognised qualification

•

Further your team’s personal and professional development

• Flexible learning without the need to attend college These NCFE courses are sector relevant, professionally accredited, and free. Course topics offered at Level 2 include:

We are also responding to the new challenges of skills shortages and rising vacancies by offering a portfolio of qualifications for young people from 16 plus, adults and employers alike in order to support changes in conditions of employment and upskilling, we also have a plethora of courses for those who wish to change their career at whatever age.

•

Customer Service

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Business Administration

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Retail Operations

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Leading Teams and Managing People

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Exercise, Health & Nutrition

•

Equality and Diversity

We are offering both short free online courses to upskill and classroom-based courses from Entry Level to Degree programmes. We are developing Centres of Excellence based upon our exceptional provision across the Colleges Group and have support and finance options available for all, which we run here at the Colleges Group.

•

Understanding Autism

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Awareness of Mental Health Problems

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Principles of Dementia Care

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Principles of End-of-Life Care

•

Dignity and Safeguarding in Adult and Social Care

•

Caring for Children and Young People

Whatever 2022 brings, we are here to support employers to unlock their workforce’s potential, email business@stcg.ac.uk today to find out more or visit our website stcg.ac.uk/ employers.

We also offer free face to face courses for specific sectors including door supervision, barista training and enhanced COVID cleaning. Email business@stcg.ac.uk to find out more.

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Cream of the crop! Forbes Low, CEO of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, explains why the upcoming business awards represent a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of local firms… having to adapt to unprecedented circumstances in the COVID-19 pandemic. The award categories seek to showcase organisations from a wide range of sectors and industries including digital marketing, technology, health and wellbeing, food and beverage, manufacturing, retail, environment and the creative industries.

In the next couple of pages, we reveal the finalists of the Kingston Borough Business Awards (KBBA) 2021. These awards celebrate the innovation, vitality and resilience of local businesses, social enterprises and education institutions, with many of these organisations

We’ve been keen to ensure that the awards are inclusive of our district centres and the wider business community, with a clear, fair, professional judging process. Led by an esteemed panel of business leaders and experts, the judging was a rigorous two-stage process including pre-scoring to determine shortlists followed by a judging panel meeting where submissions are discussed and evaluated in detail to decide the winning entries.

Some well-known names have made it onto the final shortlist, but there are many new names which we are pleased to see and are doing their bit…. The competition was fierce and the winners will be announced at the Awards event on March 17 2022. The event is sure to be a great occasion, a chance for business leaders to meet face-to-face and celebrate each other’s achievements. The response of Kingston businesses to the pandemic has been nothing short of magnificent. While some companies have inevitably struggled, many have adapted by pivoting their business model and drawing in new revenue streams. Some have developed new products and services; others have put downtime to good use by

upskilling staff or refining business processes to make them even more efficient. Personally, I’m extremely proud of the resilience of the Kingston business community over the past couple of years, which have been challenging to say the least. I’m also confident that 2022 can be a much more successful year, with the worst of the pandemic hopefully behind us. There will be challenges ahead – notably, the ongoing fight against climate change, skills shortages in some industries, spiralling wholesale energy prices, and the continuing fall-out from Brexit which has driven up the cost of some raw materials. However, I’m optimistic that here in Kingston we have companies with the resilience, talent and agility to meet these challenges head on.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

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KINGSTON BOROUGH

BUSINESS

AWARDS 2021

Finalists Announced! The new Kingston Borough Business Awards (KBBA) organised by Kingston Chamber of Commerce and supported by Kingston University, Kingston Council and Kingston College launched earlier in 2021. Designed to celebrate and recognise the excellence of the local business community, who have shown great determination, creativity, and resilience over the past months. The response to these inaugural awards has been overwhelming with over 200 entries across 14 categories. The exceptional number of submissions received, combined with the quality and strength of their entries from businesses of all sectors made the judges experience both a challenging but rewarding one. “ Being a judge of Kingston Business Awards was a fantastic experience. The standard of entrants was very high, demonstrating excellence in their fields. The awards process was incredibly well planned, diligent and transparent. I have no doubt the best businesses have won but all of this year’s entrants are winners, displaying extraordinary resilience and creativity during a time of adversity.” Lucy Kane, Time & Leisure, Managing Director

“ Kingston University is a proud partner and sponsor of the Kingston Borough Business Awards. Once again, we are reminded of the diversity and commitment that our local businesses bring to the community. The past 18 months have been a challenging time for all businesses, so we are particularly pleased to see the innovation and determination represented so strongly across the entries and in particular this year’s finalists”. Professor Steven Spier, Vice Chancellor, Kingston University

Finalists will be invited to join sponsors and judges at a unique celebration evening at All Saints Kingston on Thursday 17 March 2022 where the winners will be announced. “ This venue has a unique historical position in the heart of Kingston. It has hosted an eclectic, inclusive range of events as an important civic center and it will provide the Awards a distinctive and special sense of occasion”. Forbes Low, CEO of Kingston Chamber of Commerce

The judging panel at Warren House, November 2021.

cover feature - chamber awards Finalists in the KBBA categories are: Contribution to the Community Award Sponsored by Pearson Hards Solicitors • Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness • RBKares • Staywell • Volunteering Kingston

Innovative Use of Technology Sponsored by IQ in IT • Oakhouse Software Ltd • Pangea Connected • Ubitech Ltd • The White House Nursing Home

Creative Effectiveness Award Sponsored by Wolters Kluwer • Bee Smith Millinery • Kingston Theatre Trust • LeBoo Media Ltd • Lisa Tolley Artist and Illustrator

Local Independent Retailer Award • Mimosa • Not My Beautiful House • Tony’s Fruit Stall • Wags N Tales

Developing Young People Skills Award Sponsored by Kingston College • Creative Youth / International Youth Arts Festival • Kingston Theatre Trust • Oxygen • Sensational Kids

Outstanding Sole Trader/Freelancer Award • Brodies Dry Cleaners • Digital Mother • Eastop-Scopes Virtual Assistants • Love Livvy 2020

Digital, Marketing and Social Media Award • Dotwise • F6 Agency • Figment Agency • The Wych Elm Kingston

Kingston Chamber of Commerce Professional Services Recognition Award Sponsored by Russell-Cooke Solicitors • Avatar Cleaning Services Ltd • Business Clan • CEM Bookkeeping & Consultancy Ltd • The HR Dept

Excellence in Customer Service Award Sponsored by Holland Hahn & Wills • Comfort Care at Home • The HR Dept • Summers Inman • The Wych Elm Kingston

Resilience and Adaption Award Sponsored by Kingston Council • Marketing Tech • Pangea Connected • Quilombo UK • The Wych Elm Kingston

Food and Beverage Award Sponsored by Kingston First • Incognito Cocktail Bar • The Park Brewery • Pickled Pantry • Riverside Vegetaria

Start Up of the Year Award Sponsored by Kingston University • JOLT LTD • RBKares • TG Consulting Ltd • Voices of Hope

Health and Wellbeing Award Sponsored by Unilever • Comfort Care at Home • Milaap Centre • Ubitech Ltd • Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting UK

Sustainable Business Award Sponsored by Willmott Dixon • Direct Colour Ltd • Genuine Solutions • Spark Joy London • SunrayRecycle

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news

Mayor launches initiative to improve diversity in the technology sector The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched an initiative to help tackle the underrepresentation of young black men in London’s thriving technology sector. The intervention is the latest part of his Workforce Integration Network programme which is focused on increasing the number of young black men in the capital’s key industries. Statistics show young black men make up just five per cent of London’s growing, 589,730 strong technology workforce in a sector that is worth £56 billion to the economy. Across the capital, black men aged 16-24 are among the most likely to be out of work – with almost one in three unemployed compared to just 15 per cent of young white men. Rather than just focusing on ‘skilling up’ young black men to apply for jobs in the tech sector, the mayor’s Design Lab3 creates a space for businesses to come together, critique existing practices and explore the causes of underrepresentation in their workforces and the sector as a whole. Large businesses are then are supported as part of a 12-month programme to build an action plan to recruit, retain and progress more young black men in their businesses. This action will focus on

areas around recruitment, supply chains, workplace culture, data and progression. It also includes a programme of workshops, one-to-one sessions, data collection, supply chain assessments, introductions to suppliers and networking and recruitment opportunities delivered by the Equal Group in partnership with City Hall. At the end of the year-long programme, the businesses involved will have built a bespoke action plan to address the lack of diversity in their organisations, and ensure that young black Londoners who face additional barriers to employment now have the right opportunities and support to join and thrive in the tech sector. The eight technology companies selected to take part in the programme are: Dell Technologies, Informa Tech, Cloudreach, Ford Motor Company, Profusion, Cognizant, Panaseer, and Telent Technology Services. Sadiq Khan said: “It’s simply not right that young, talented and ambitious young black Londoners are not being given the opportunity to prosper in the capital’s thriving tech sector. “The impact of the pandemic has reinforced why the work of the Workforce Integration Network is so important. We have already successfully supported 20 large businesses

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

in the construction and infrastructure sectors, representing a combined workforce of over 100,000, to remove barriers holding young Black Londoners back. I’m pleased that we are now building on this work with more action. “I’m determined to ensure no Londoner is left behind as we recover from the pandemic. Someone’s life chances should never be limited by their family’s background or the colour of their skin. This new initiative will give tech and digital businesses better insight into the role they can play to address inequalities, improve diversity and create industry-wide change.” CEO of The Equal Group, Mac Alonge said: “We are delighted to be working with the GLA once again to deliver our successful WIN Design Lab programme. To date we have taken 20 organisations through the programme who are collectively responsible for directly employing over 100,000 staff in the construction and infrastructure sector. It’s great to have the opportunity to expand the reach and impact of the programme as a result of the ambition and intention shown by the Mayor of London and the wider team. With a group of forward thinking and progressive tech companies signed up, we hope to massively improve the prospects of young black men in one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.”

ask the expert

When planning your company’s future growth, why start with strategy? By Delia Porter, MD and Founder of Business Clan

Businesses that have a clear strategy are more likely to be successful. A great strategy takes the guesswork out of planning and helps teams to align on how business goals will be achieved. Strategy is about the bigger picture. It’s about the how. How will you get from where you are now to where you want to be? Typically,

The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

strategies are developed to achieve goals over a 3-to-5-year period. Sounds simple, right? So why do so many people find it difficult to do?

(outputs). Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to do this and focus on measuring what matters most for success.

It takes time to develop a strategy and define what success looks like. You need to stop and reflect, which is hard when you are running a business. You may face uncomfortable truths. For example, you may find that success is further away than you thought. Sometimes you need to make assumptions, which you cannot test or validate before executing your strategy. This often makes people reticent, but when faced with uncertainty, a solid strategy will help you make decisions and move forwards.

About 80% of businesses fail within their first three years, so why wouldn’t you start with strategy? Business size does not matter. Imagine how much more successful you could be by taking a strategic approach to planning.

When starting with strategy, think about how you will create value for a customer or end user. Then consider how you will deliver value. Finally, establish how you will capture value for your stakeholders. Once you have your strategy in place it’s important to execute it and review progress regularly. This includes evaluating assumptions and making decisions based on insights. The review process will help you stay on track to achieve your goals and be ready to evolve, and even change, your strategy as time goes on. Evaluating strategic success is about measuring progress towards your goals (outcomes) rather than business as usual

At Business Clan we help our clients to take a step back, think about the bigger picture and what success means – from financial and non-financial perspectives. Then we work together to develop strategies and KPIs for their business. We work in continuous partnership with our clients to help them track progress and be ready to change course if required. Delia has 25 years’ experience of running and managing businesses. She founded Business Clan in 2014 after spotting a gap in the market for a one-stop-shop for business consultancy and professional services supported by a team of specialists with key expertise in a range of areas: business strategy, brand and digital marketing, web design and CRM, accountancy and bookkeeping, HR management and support, contracts and compliance. Her aim is to use her proven expertise in business integration, financial management and best practice for sustainable growth to accelerate the development of SMEs.

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news Ken Butcher, Asset Manager, Aviva Investors, highlighted Barwell’s picnic tables, bug hotels and rewilding areas along with the café as “a hub where people can meet and talk, sit and discuss” to encourage staff to remain on-site. He added: “In the common areas, we’re looking to ensure existing lighting is LED-based and for all the power to come from sustainable sources. Some of the park’s refurbishment money could be used for putting sensors on lighting, installing air source heat pumps rather than gas boilers, investing in electric vehicle charging points, as well as showers for staff who cycle to the office. We’re also considering whether to get some bee hives so we can produce our own honey.”

Barwell leads discussion and action on transforming industrial parks into sustainable places Bee hives, heat pumps and green energy are all part of Barwell Business Park’s sustainability ambitions. The measures were discussed at the Real Estate Live UK session ‘Making outer London’s industrial and logistics parks into sustainable places’ hosted by Barwell Business Park and Aviva Investors on 7 October.

Sustainability is also about the local community, Ken said, and “in an area like Chessington you need to engage with the local community in that process too”. Barwell has hosted community initiatives including COVID-19 testing centres, parking for local colleges/schools having evening events and fun runs. Cllr John Sweeney, Portfolio Holder for Business and Leisure at Kingston Council, welcomed Barwell’s community contribution: “What goes on at Barwell is good. They’ve organised themselves and are here to engage. A lot of our industrial parks are not organised to engage with our community. “Barwell is getting involved with the community, they’ve participated in the Economic Recovery Task Force and come to panel meetings. By doing that they’re playing a role in the community and using the wealth and resource of businesses to make a difference. It’s a virtuous circle, not just about buildings but about the community.” Watch the session recording on the Real Estate Live YouTube channel.

Double awards success for The Park Brewery The Park Brewery has scooped two medals at the SIPA Independent Bottle & Can Beer Awards. The company’s Schöne Eiche Märzen Amber Lager 5% abv won gold in the Amber & Dark Lagers category and Amelia Pale 4.2% abv bagged silver in the Session IPA category.

A spokesperson for The Park Brewery described the accolades as “a fantastic result”. The competition was open to all South Eastbased members of the Society of Independent Brewers, which was formerly known as the Small Independent Brewers Association or SIBA. Around 200 breweries entered overall. As a gold winner, Schöne Eiche will automatically go on to compete in the society’s National Independent Beer Awards in March 2022 at BeerX – the UK’s largest independent beer competition.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

chamber events

2021 proved to be just as much of a rollercoaster as 2020, especially for our events diary! We had already adapted to the online environment for networking and retained this going into 2021, we were so pleased by how many people regularly joined us online and helped us maintain the feeling of community. We delivered the second online Kingston Business expo in April 2021, again with great success and attendance. As one visitor commented, “The Kingston Expo was better than last years, it gave me a chance to chat with new people and existing friends and the opportunity to learn from guest speakers” and another, “The round tables I attended were excellent, with interesting themes selected and good representation in terms of speakers from a broad range of businesses and organisations”. One benefit from being online is the sessions were all recorded and are still available to watch on our YouTube channel. Behind the scenes we were busy putting together the details for the Kingston Borough Business Awards, ready to launch in the summer of 2021. We were keen to give businesses an opportunity to

celebrate their achievements and the new Awards were extremely well received with over 200 entries received across 14 categories. Finalists have now been announced and we look forward to the announcement of the winners in early 2022. The summer also saw a return to in-person events. The enthusiasm and noise from the conversations were so good to hear again and it was a pleasure to get back into venues (and away from screens). From the Wych Elm start up and sole trader networking, to the more formal breakfast networking, we were pleased with the consistent turn out from our members. We have kept the popular online Speed Networking and are looking to collaborate with different networking groups in the new year to add variety. We have set up a New Malden Business Forum with the invaluable help of Roger Martin at

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

Rotary Club. It is still early days and much work to do but we are determined to provide New Malden businesses an opportunity to network and a forum to share their views. The Chamber has also worked closely with Kingston Council and other strategic partners in launching THINK GREEN, a programme of Green and sustainable topics. These webinars are specifically aimed at providing ideas, inspiration and practical tips on how to move business into a greener efficient direction – and how changing could be more cost effective. There are always new ideas we would like to explore and we will try to build on these in 2022. We will continue to provide events that have benefits for your business but also the variety which will be good for your social calendar.

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Please e-mail reservations@mitrehamptoncourt.co.uk, call 020 8979 9988 or visit www.mitrehamptoncourt.com for more information

the big interview

Hospitality gurus join forces on new venture Back in late 2019, the world was a different place. COVID-19 was unheard of in the UK, people could socialise normally and bars, restaurants and hotels were open for business as usual. It seemed, therefore, a perfectly reasonable time to start a business venture, so Hector Ross and

Ronnie Kimbugwe – two seasoned professionals in the leisure and hospitality industries – did just that. They launched The Signet Collection with the aim of building a chain of boutique hotels that are unique to the location in which they’re based. The first hotel to open its doors was The Mitre in historic Hampton Court – the former home of Henry VIII in Kingston upon Thames. Then the pandemic took hold. “It was good timing, wasn’t it!” jokes Hector. “We set out with the intention of creating memorable experiences and extraordinary boutique hotels in time-honoured places in great locations. We

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

wanted to renovate iconic buildings and bring them back to life as venues that offer an exceptional dining experience with top-notch food. “Ronnie and I purchased and completely renovated The Mitre and then everything was thrown into chaos by the pandemic. It was a scary moment but we decided to stay positive and see it as an opportunity. We contacted the builders and carried on with the refurbishment programme while offering takeaway food from a large truck. By making an effort to connect with the community and engage with the locals, we encouraged them to stay loyal to us when lockdown restrictions were lifted.”

The Mitre eventually reopened its doors in September 2020 and has proved popular with customers. Much of its popularity is down to the fine cuisine served by seasoned chef Ronnie, who learned his trade under the tutelage of Gordon Ramsay. Ronnie says: “Good food is nurturing and restorative; it brings people together. It’s why we champion British produce, local independent growers and suppliers who we know and trust. “I want people to have a positive dining experience that leaves a lasting imprint on their memory. They might try an ingredient that they haven’t had before or enjoy a classical dish with a twist. Basically, food should be fun, both for the customers who eat it and the people who make and serve it.” Ronnie’s words illustrate his passion for the hospitality industry, a sector he’s worked in for about 20 years. As well as working in a variety of Hilton Hotel restaurants, he also spent more than six years with the Gordon Ramsay group at Claridges and Bel & The Dragon Country Inns, where he created a successful group of gastropubs across the south of England. Gordon Ramsay was always incredibly fair with me,” says Ronnie. “I learned a lot from him, particularly the art of developing staff and getting them to buy into the food and menus that we were trying to deliver.” Hector, meanwhile, worked as a city trader initially before going down the restaurant route and branching into pubs and events. Prior to launching The Signet Collection, he was a partner and COO of Longshot, where he was responsible for the day-today running of Bel & The Dragon. There he worked with Ronnie until the successful sale of the business to Fullers in 2018 led to Hector’s departure. Hector then spent the next year raising cash for his latest venture and, once this had been achieved, had no hesitation in asking Ronnie to accompany him on the journey. The duo quickly set about creating jobs for local talent; The Signet Collection currently has around 100 staff on the payroll, many of whom are from the borough of Kingston. That number may increase as other venues are launched around the country. The Retreat near Newbury in west Berkshire is next in line to open its doors. Hector says: “Our gameplan is to have venues that offer fine cuisine, employ local people and use locally sourced produce in a sustainable way. We’ve already seen how this approach has benefited the good people of Kingston, Surbiton and Richmond, and we’re confident that it will work in other areas too.” The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

Favourite food? Hector: A plate of oysters with a glass of chilled white wine on a summer evening whilst overlooking the Thames outside The Mitre Hotel. Ronnie: Essentially, I just like to eat fresh food as long as it’s tasty and wholesome. Favourite tipple? Hector: Hampton Court gin and tonic. Ronnie: A chilled-out beer with the team. At The Mitre we have an ale called Six Wives, which I’m particularly fond of. If I’m treating myself or friends, I don’t think you can go wrong with Bollinger. Favourite holiday? Hector: Bucket and spading on a Scottish beach. Ronnie: Visiting my home in Uganda, East Africa. Describe your family life? Hector: Full on! I have three young boys, who are great fun and full of adventure. Ronnie: I’m a new father; I have a one-year-old and I enjoy going for walks and hanging out. How do you spend your downtime? Hector: With the children and entertaining friends and family. We have an open-door policy at home and enjoy the house being full of laughter around the dining table. Ronnie: With my family. What are your key strengths as a manager? Hector: My people skills. I play to the strengths of my employees through encouragement and coaching.

Ronnie: My desire to engage with my team and get total involvement from them. And your limitations? Hector: My inability to say no. Ronnie: Sometimes I struggle to manage my time. We’re running a busy, fluid business here at The Mitre and it’s often difficult to find time to deal with staff issues and suppliers. Best thing about doing business in the borough? Hector: Getting to know our neighbouring businesses and customers. We’ve been fortunate to have made many friends who’ve supported us during this new era for The Mitre. Ronnie: The local clientele. We love our guests and their wholehearted approach. Famous person you’d most like to spend dinner with? Hector: Henry VIII, the Queen, Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemmingway. Ronnie: Barack Obama. The conversation would be interesting and fun! Most interesting fact about yourself? Hector: My first job was in a gun shop. On my first day The Beatles came in and I served Paul McCartney, who bought a handkerchief! Ronnie: I have an unbridled passion for hospitality. I firmly believe that this industry can lead to a wide range of rewarding careers.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

news

John Lewis deal set to create 500 jobs

Kingston is set to benefit from 500 local jobs and a new creative hub after Kingston Council sealed a deal with John Lewis. The agreement will see John Lewis lease the basement and parts of its ground floor riverside Kingston store to create a new affordable workspace for local businesses and a creative performance hub for young people. Over the next ten years, the spaces will enable the creation of at least 500 new jobs across the local economy by supporting the activities and growth of local

businesses. The council has appointed Town Square Spaces (TownSq) as managing operator of the new affordable workspace and Creative Youth to deliver cultural enterprise and events on the Kingston Riverside. This innovative community and business partnership-focused venture will include co-working spaces, workstations, a cafe and performance and event space for the public to enjoy. TownSq will also provide start-up support enterprise programmes, including an accelerator scheme, to support fast-growing new businesses.

Cllr John Sweeney, portfolio holder for business and leisure at Kingston Council, said: “This agreement triggers the creation of two amazing Kingston Riverfront spaces in a section of a building closed to the public for decades. Town Square have the experience to provide a thriving flexible workspace – and a hub for entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation in the heart of Kingston. Importantly, they also offer support to local people looking to take their first steps in starting a business. Creative Youth, already a fabulous Kingston

institution, will undoubtedly bring excitement and fun to the Undercroft and the surrounding area.” Mandy Weston, COO at TownSq, said: “When people from different businesses and industries are working alongside each other, there can be a complementarity of ideas, and that can lead to some incredible collaborations. When you create the environment for individuals and businesses to grow, that ripples out to the benefit of the wider community and the local economy. We can’t wait to get started.”

photo created by wayhomestudio - www.freepik.com

Local London Assembly member welcomes ULEZ expansion The extension of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been welcomed by London Assembly member, Marina Ahmad AM, as “one of the biggest public health interventions we have seen in London”. The ULEZ has now been expanded to the North and South Circulars, covering an area eighteen times larger than before. Motorists driving into and around the expanded zone could face a daily charge of £12.50 if their vehicles do

not meet new emissions standards. For drivers of non-compliant buses, coaches and lorries, this charge increases to £100. Ms Ahmad said the extension will build upon the success of the Central London ULEZ, which was introduced in April 2019. In the lead-up to the pandemic, alongside other measures taken by City Hall to improve air quality in the capital, the Central London ULEZ led to a 44% reduction in roadside nitrogen dioxide emissions and a

97% drop in the number of schools in areas where there are illegal levels of air pollution. A recent study has also showed that these interventions to tackle toxic air also contributed to a 50% reduction in the gap between the most and least deprived areas for exposure to harmful nitrogen dioxide emissions in 2019. Other research has projected that the ULEZ and the Mayor of London’s other air quality policies will help to save the NHS £5 billion by preventing more

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

than one million hospital admissions over the next three decades. Local London Assembly member, Marina Ahmad AM, said: “The extension of the ULEZ will spread the benefits of cleaner air for thousands more people in our borough. “Tackling air pollution is an urgent matter of social justice. We know it disproportionately impacts the health of Londoners from BAME backgrounds and poorer communities, contributing to 4,000 premature deaths each year in the capital alone.”

news

British Chamber of Commerce “hugely disappointed” at rail u-turn The eastern leg of HS2 has been scrapped and plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) have been downgraded, the government has confirmed. Unveiling the new plan in the Commons, transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that the eastern leg of HS2 will no longer go all the way to Leeds. Instead, it will stop in the East Midlands near Nottingham. The announcement rows back on previous pledges that the high-speed route to Leeds would be built. Under the original plans, HS2 was meant to connect London to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. There is also a scaling back of a new trans-Pennine rail route between Manchester and Leeds as part of the NPR project, which is designed to improve links between major northern cities. A combination of new track and enhancements to existing infrastructure will be made along this route instead. Reacting to the news that the eastern leg of HS2 and NPR will no longer proceed as planned, Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “This will be a huge disappointment to the thousands of businesses that were relying on HS2 and NPR to fire up economic regeneration through the improved capacity and connectivity of our rail network. “While some places will benefit from these revised proposals, many companies have built their plans for the future around what they believed was a firm commitment from government to see these projects through in full. The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

Santander Cycles hits new milestone Santander Cycles has enjoyed its best September ever as hires reached the highest level since the pandemic started. More than one million hires were made in September, with an average of 40,660 per day – a new record for the month.

“The economic benefits that they would have brought to areas across the Midlands and the north would have improved the lives of countless generations and created growth opportunities for businesses across the country.

Transport for London (TfL’s) flagship cycle hire scheme is continuing to go from strength for strength with its highest September hires in its 11year history, as increasing numbers of Londoners returned to the office.

“There is also grave concern that without more capacity on our railways, any significant progress on shifting more freight transportation off our roads and onto the rail network will be stymied, making it much more difficult to achieve our net zero ambitions.”

There were 1,219,804 hires during the month, an average of 40,660 daily hires – well above the 37,917 average daily hires in September last year and the 32,323 average daily hires in the three Septembers prior to the pandemic.

Richard Burge, chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said: “This watereddown proposal is not just a blow to the north, it’s a betrayal of the much-hyped levelling up agenda. It’s hugely disappointing that after the positive announcement of a new export strategy, the government’s commitment to invest in productivity gains for the future has been compromised.

Office workers returning after the summer holidays helped to contribute to the record September. During the month, TfL saw the highest volume of Santander Cycles commuter hires since March 2020, with an average 7,573 daily hires made between 07.00 and 10.00 on weekdays.

Santander Cycles can be hired from as little as £2 a day for an unlimited number of 30-minute journeys. The scheme recently reached its latest milestone of 10 million hires via the Santander Cycles app. The free app is available on Apple and Android App Stores, by searching for Santander Cycles. Using the app lets customers skip past the terminal and get release codes sent directly to their phone, so they can hire their cycle more quickly and easily.   David Eddington, TfL’s head of cycle hire, said: “We’re pleased to see Santander Cycles play a vital role in enabling people to return to work and it’s fantastic to reach yet another big milestone with 10 million hires made through the app.” Dan Sherwood, director of marketing at Santander UK, said: “Bringing innovation to the cycle hire scheme has been a key focus during our partnership with TfL so it’s fantastic that we’ve reached such a great milestone in the number of hires made through the app since its creation together.”

“Coming right off the heels of COP26, the announcement moves the country away from infrastructure projects that deliver a more sustainable future for British transport; this is especially disconcerting. “It’s difficult to understand how the government expects the UK to compete globally with the most advanced economies when we cannot deliver decent connectivity between our own cities. Delivering a high-wage economy, which the Prime Minister has made a stated aim, will require significant investments. The recently published Integrated Rail Plan falls well short of what’s needed to deliver the infrastructure necessary to secure Britain’s economic future.”

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

We care about choice

We care about interaction

We care about dignity

We Care For Your Loved Ones We are passionate about care At The White House Nursing Home in New Malden, we specialise in providing high quality nursing, palliative and specialist care to our residents. The White House Nursing Home is rated as “Outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission and is also accredited with the GSF (Gold Standard Framework) with ‘platinum’ status for providing recognised standards of care for all residents right up to the end of their lives. All our care is provided by qualiﬁed, experienced and devoted nurses and care assistants through tailored and person-centred care plans. Digital care planning allows family to see what their loved one is doing ‘live’ through a relatives gateway and care plans can be reviewed online. Activities can contribute to the integrity of an individuals health and wellbeing which is why social interaction and engagement is an integral part of life at TWHNH.

Please get in touch for further details.

Here at The White House Nursing Home in New Malden, Surrey, we specialise in providing quality nursing care for the elderly. Our philosophy is to create a secure, happy and homely atmosphere for our valued residents and staff. Our 30 bed nursing home comprises of individually and beautifully decorated rooms equipped with a range of facilities that include ceiling hoists, 24 hour call-bell systems, digital TV as well as wi-ﬁ. We are registered to care for a range of nursing needs and provide exceptional, personalised standards of care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The White House Nursing Home Ltd

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top tips

The importance of social media Emma Carter, Glow Social With almost 80% of the UK population actively using social media, as businesses we understand the importance of a social media presence as part of our overall marketing approach, however, how can we make sure that our content stands out from all the noise and reaches our ideal customers? It’s simple, we need to get more strategic. Whether you are at the beginning of your social media marketing journey or you have a more established presence, there’s never a wrong time to take stock, get organised and devise a strategic plan of action! Here are my five top tips to help you and your business get more strategic with your social media marketing approach:

Know your target audience This is the most important piece of advice I can give you! You need to really understand

who it is you’re trying to reach if you want to be successful on social media. Try creating detailed ‘user personas’ of your ideal customers. Think about who they are, what they do, how they behave (especially online) and most importantly, what problem you can solve for them.

Be consistent To keep the algorithms happy and increase the chance of your followers seeing your content, make sure you post consistently. This doesn’t mean posting everyday necessarily (depending on what channel you’re using), it just means come up with a weekly posting schedule and stick to it. Try to be consistent with your branding and your style as well so your target audience can instantly recognise your content.

Create scroll stopping content Tell your business story via your posts and consider how you can add value for your followers. Go back to your user personas and think about what would entertain, inspire or educate them, not forgetting those problems you can solve for them! Make sure you use all the available content options on each channel, for example on Instagram, try Stories and Reels as well as posting to your grid.

Engage and be engaging Don’t just post and wait for people to come to you – you need to get out there and engage with your target audience on regular basis. Like and leave meaningful comments on their posts that could spark a conversation. Try and set aside 15 minutes a day to this task and over time you can build some amazing connections. And don’t forget to reply to any comments or direct messages you receive too.

Analyse your performance It’s all well and good creating all this content but if you don’t take time to check your performance regularly, you won’t know what’s working and what isn’t. On a monthly basis, check the insights pages of your social media business page and run through the data you’re given to see where you can improve. At Glow Social. I help business owners take control of their social media marketing to achieve their business goals. From strategy to training and full management services (both organic and paid), there is an option to suit you and your business.

Harness the power of social media for your business emma@glowsocial.co.uk or check out my website for more details www.glowsocial.co.uk. The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

health and wellbeing

Kingston Carers’ Network

Kingston Carers’ Network is a voluntary sector organisation, whose purpose is to provide support and advice to carers of people living in the Royal Borough of Kingston who cannot cope without their help due to illness, disability, mental health problems or substance addiction. We are currently supporting over 4,000 carers including 785 young carers, aged 5-18. It is estimated that the value of care provided by carers each year saves the health service and social care budgets £239 million in our borough alone. We aim to improve the lives of carers by delivering holistic and bespoke services to reflect the diverse and individual needs of carers. Our services include: generic and specialist dementia and mental health carers support, advice and advocacy, benefits support, counselling and emotional support, complementary therapies, a wellbeing programme; peer support groups, social activities, and out-of-hours advice sessions for working carers. Young carers receive a bespoke service that is developed around the child and their own needs, goals and

aspirations. Young carers’ support includes: weekly youth groups and drop-ins; a programme of respite activities and outings each year, one-to-one and mentoring; in-school outreach support, advice and advocacy. KCN works closely with local partners, including the local authority and the clinical commissioning group, whilst raising almost 70% of our funds from charitable sources. In this exceptionally challenging financial climate, this is becoming increasingly difficult at a time when our carers

Quality care at a competitive price

need our support more than ever. The pandemic has caused additional pressures in the lives of carers, with lack of respite and support networks, financial worries and increasing isolation. We continue to work hard and do all we can to support this very special community.

www.kingstoncarersnetwork.org.uk Diane White ceo@kingstoncarers.org.uk

Right now, we are offering a threeweek respite stay for the price of two. Just ask us about our winter respite offer.* With proven expertise and some of the highest ratings in the UK, we’re here to support you. If you’re considering care, call Rick on 020 3811 0806 or email rick.mayne@careuk.com

Trusted to care. Sherwood Grange care home Kingston Vale careuk.com/sherwood-grange *Terms and conditions apply.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

Rated

9.9 out of 10 on carehome. co.uk

health and wellbeing

Flu Season: What Your GP Wants You To Know Although flu almost disappeared throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, with the lifting of restrictions and return to normal life, it has started to circulate again, together with all other viruses responsible for colds and other respiratory ailments. This year, the Influenza virus is expected to be more severe than usual for a number of reasons. Influenza activity usually peaks between December and February. 20% of people in the UK will catch the virus, and about 25% will develop symptoms.

Flu could be worse this year According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, due to the reported A(H3N2) virus subtype that can hit the elderly, pregnant women and people suffering with chronic diseases more severely, flu is expected to come with more serious and frequent complications. There is also concern that our immunity to flu strains is diminished this year. This is because we were less exposed to flu strains last winter due to social distancing measures. The Royal Borough of

Kingston

Chamber of Commerce

The PCR test is the only tool to tell if you have Covid-19 More concerns are now raised due to the spread of the new Omicron variant, although it is not clear whether symptoms are similar or milder than the usual Covid-19 symptoms. “If you have a high temperature, runny nose, cough and sore throat, it can be difficult to tell whether you have caught the flu or the Covid-19 virus, as many of the symptoms are similar.” says Dr Lowri Bailey, General Practitioner at New Victoria Hospital –“The only effective way to know if you have Covid is to have a PCR test.”

How can you protect yourself during flu season? “Getting the flu jab!” – continues Dr Bailey – “The vaccination is safe and effective at preventing the virus and reducing the risk of serious illness should you catch the flu. It is particularly important to have the flu jab if you are older, pregnant or have a long-term health condition.

Children between 2 and 17 years old will usually have the Nasal Flu Vaccination – this is a weakened version of the influenza virus.”

Why the flu jab is more important than ever this year Scientists develop an annual flu jab every year based on the best information they have on circulating strains. Since your immune system can be less reactive after all the lockdown measures, and there are also chances you might get Coronavirus and Influenza at the same time, the risk of developing severe symptoms and complications increases.

You can arrange a flu vaccination for you or your child now at New Victoria Hospital. If you would like to book an appointment, please contact the GP Service on 020 8131 7277 or visit https://bit.ly/NVH_NewPrivateGPService

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

Aileen Parsons Rebalance Lifestyle www.rebalance-lifestyle.com

wide-reaching, from teenagers with anxiety or confidence issues to over 70’s who are no longer as fit as they want to be. I provide 1-2-1 sessions with Individuals, and group courses. Before starting this business, I spent 18+ years working in the corporate world. I noticed a real need for this service for employees, so I also provide corporate services, ranging from workshops covering employees’ mental, physical, and nutritional well-being to in-house counselling.

What gives your business ‘the x-factor’? Rebalance Lifestyle is unique in that it looks at the mindset that’s stopping you from achieving what you want to achieve. Mental health issues often impact our physical health, and physical health issues can cause mental health issues. But addressing both at the same time provides a fully rounded solution. Combining mental health therapy with physical training allows Rebalance Lifestyle to help with mindset and behavioural changes, which leads to long term, positive, healthy lifestyle choices.

Tell us a bit about your business? I am a mental health therapist (CBT & NLP), a medical referral personal trainer, a meditation teacher, and a weight loss management coach (specialising in Diabetes and obesity). My business looks at mental and physical health and combines both to allow people to make long-lasting changes to their lives. The company is called Rebalance Lifestyle. My goal is to give people complete control over their health and lifestyle by providing guidance and coaching to help overcome the physical, mental, and emotional barriers that stop them from attaining goals. Mental and physical health are so closely linked, stress is one of the leading causes of lower back pain, and pain is a significant source of anxiety or stress. Being able to help people with mental and physical health means my client base is

Rebalance Lifestyle works on confidence, esteem, and resilience by tackling the mindset behind the need or want for change, which are transferable skills for other areas in life. There are no other companies that offer both mental health therapy and physical training in addition to coaching and accountability, which means tackling behavioural change leads to long-lasting results.

What motivated you to set up in business? Seeing the impact that the past two years has had on people, myself included. We were all working more, moving less. But while there was a stronger focus on health, we were living in an environment and applying behaviours that directly impacted our health through increased stress and anxiety, I felt there was a need to help. I worked in the corporate world for 18+ years and noticed that very few proactive services that would help people on a day to day. I was doing this as a side job, but

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

I felt it needed my full attention to help as many people as possible.

What do you like most about working for a start-up? I love the variety that every day brings. There are new challenges and successes; I feel I’m learning every day! Also, working for myself means I need to be proactive about meeting new people, which I love, and I have the flexibility to shape my day as I want it.

What has been your greatest business success to date? My success always comes down to the client success stories. It is so rewarding to know that I am helping people. For example, I’ve helped teenagers overcome the anxiety that had crippled them so much that they struggled to even go to school. I’ve had another client who suffers from fatigue, who went from not being able to walk around the block to walking 20km per week and losing three stone in the process!

What has been your lowest moment? Learning new things, especially from a technical point of view. As a start-up, there is a limited budget, so I needed to master all the different tasks required – I’ve had to become my own IT team, my own sales team, and my own marketing team!

In terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next year 5 years? In addition to growing 1-2-1 and corporate work, I want to host bi-annual retreats in beautiful rural locations to provide people with a full mind and body experience, so they are mentally and physically recharged and ready to tackle anything.

What would be your top tip to someone thinking of starting up their own business? Just do it! If you can do it, even on the side, then give it a shot. Don’t expect it to be easy or fun every day, but it will be rewarding, and you’ll see yourself grow consistently.

You may qualify to

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Borough Business Kingston Jan 2022

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Borough Business Kingston Dec 21 Ed Patton

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