Business Connexions, Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce March 2020

Official Magazine for Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce | Issue 9 | March 2020

Inside • Great Financial Planning can change lives Simon Ben-Nathan from Putney-based Arkenstone Wealth Management Page 14

• Spotlight on Putney Putney high street set for major revamp Page 16

• Embrace the Green Revolution Wandsworth Council announces £20m climate change investment Page 26

• The People Behind the Business James Collier and Alex O’Leary of law firm Hanne & Co Page 31

Southside is forging a reputation as one of the borough’s top retail destinations Spearheading the success of the company is general manager Pieter Strombeck

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WELCOME & CONTENTS

Welcome to the latest Edition of the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce Magazine Bringing businesses together WELCOME to the March edition of Business ConneXions, a quarterly magazine focused on promoting the best our businesses have to offer and highlighting the many opportunities in Wandsworth.

Sharing news and views from businesses across the borough.

The Chamber’s mission is to bring businesses together so that we speak with one voice, influence, share concerns and help each other to success. There has never been a better time to work together as businesses reel from the aftermath of Brexit, only to be confounded by a new emerging threat to our health and ultimately our businesses from Covid-19.

The good news is the UK is well placed to deal with this type of threat and we need to stay calm and act sensibly to survive this difficult time. There will be many casualties but now is the time for helping, giving and sharing.

Inside

Looking after people who are at risk, especially helping elderly neighbours and those unable to help themselves. We urge you to actively support a Buy Local, Shop Local, Help Local, ethos. With over 300,000 residents and 19,000 businesses, we have a great opportunity to really help each other. By keeping the pound and our efforts in the borough whenever we can, we will build on our great community, create employment, increase business prosperity and develop a bullet proof local economy where we can all prosper.

So, as you flick through the pages and read the stories, can I ask you to think about your contribution to Wandsworth’s success. If we all did one helpful thing for a neighbour or person in need, that could be 300,000 helpful activities. If we all spend an extra £1 a day locally that could be an extra £300,000 a day invested in Wandsworth.

If you are not already a member, why not join your chamber and help us to create a better business environment. If you are a member, thank you for your support and

March 2020

16-19 Spotlight on Putney

4-6

Retail

23

Skills

8

Finance

25

Technology

9

News

11 12 13

Patron Focus Legal Battersea

Environment Big Interview

14

Our Patron Members

29 31

belief in what we strive to achieve and please tell more businesses about us. We are stronger when we work together, and we can achieve great things when we help one another.This edition features the Putney area of Wandsworth which will soon be showcasing the internationally watched Boat Race on Sunday 29th March. A great day out for all.

We also feature Southside Shopping Centre and focus on retail in the borough. Southside Shopping Centre have been great supporters of local activities and fully engaged in the community, which we are sure is no small measure of their success. We wish them every success as a flagship shopping centre, leading the way in the retail community.

Publisher Benham Publishing Limited, Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ t: 0151 236 4141 e: admin@benhampublishing.com w: www.benhampublishing.com Published March 2020 © Benham Publishing Editor Jez Davison e: Jez@benhampublishing.com

Steve Pinto CEO

Advertising and Features Karen Hall e: karen@benhampublishing.com t: 0151 236 4141

Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce

32

Enquiries Studio F8 (Le Bureau) Battersea Studios 80 Silverthorne Road London SW8 3HE t: 020 3633 6575 e: enquiries@wandsworthchamber.org w: www.wandsworthchamber.org

Chamber Events

Studio Mark Etherington e: studio@benhampublishing.com Media No.1718 Disclaimer Business Connexions is mailed without charge to all Chamber members and distributed to businesses in the Borough.

All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce.

Views expressed in publication are not necessarily those of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission of the Editor. © 2020.

26

Health & Wellbeing The People Behind the Business

Starting Up 34

33

5 Minutes with…

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.

Business Connexions | 3

RETAIL

Battersea Power Station Retail

The high street fights back

Local business improvement districts (BIDs) are helping to boost the fortunes of retailers in Wandsworth borough…

The UK high street has been something of a bloodbath in recent years.

Newsfeeds have been littered with stories about retailers going out of business, shedding jobs or closing stores as consumers increasingly choose to save their spare cash or do their shopping online.

a modest 0.9% in January – the first rise since October – mainly due to moderate growth in food stores (1.7%) and non-food stores (1.3%). Meanwhile, online sales as a proportion of all retailing dropped from 19.3% in December 2019 to 19.0% in January 2020 – indicating, perhaps, a levelling out of the online market.

Yet despite the challenging economic landscape, many retailers have survived and some are even thriving.

Encouragingly, recent statistics suggest that proclamations about the death of the high street might be a little premature.

Reacting to these statistics, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the rise in consumer confidence since the December election may have lifted willingness to spend.

According to the latest Retail Sales Index from the Office for National Statistics, month-on-month UK sales volumes rose

Kyle Monk, head of retail insights and analytics at the BRC, said: “A rise in sales, coupled with the tightness in the labour

4 | Business Connexions

market and inflation accelerating ahead of forecast, adds to the case that the Bank of England should hold off cutting interest rates. However, weakness over the festive period means that sales volumes are only up 0.8% year on year and still down 0.8% on a three-month by three-month basis.

Despite the slight rally seen in January, markets have failed to react.

“It is essential progress is made quickly in the upcoming EU trade negotiations otherwise the UK risks squandering any boost to consumer confidence. Without a comprehensive deal, food and other goods will face extensive tariffs, checks and delays at the border - raising costs and creating disruption for consumers.”

RETAIL Southside Shopping Centre

“Overall, shopper numbers to UK high streets have declined by 10% in the last seven years, so it is certainly very challenging to achieve year-on-year sales growth.

It has to be about experience and that is one thing online-only retailers cannot compete with.” to offer value for money in physical outlets and ensure the experience is sufficiently enticing to keep customers coming back.

Another critical factor in retailers’ success is the ability to offer a multi-channel experience, where physical stores seamlessly co-exist with an online offering.

Pieter adds: “I also think that retailers need to focus on communicating their values, certainly around sustainability and staff wellbeing, which I believe will be a key part of a successful growth strategy in the future.”

Despite the political and economic uncertainty surrounding Britain’s recent exit from the European Union, retailers in Wandsworth borough are just getting on with the day-to-day job of doing business.

Pieter Strombeck, general manager of Southside Shopping Centre, says: “It’s certainly not all doom and gloom.

We’re seeing some positive performers out there, especially companies with good store managers who are able to deliver great customer service. As an example, Hotel Chocolat do this very well and they’ve changed their focus to be more customer-driven rather than simply meeting specific sales KPIs – in effect, having fun with their customers, engaging with them and delivering a fantastic experience. Overall, shopper numbers to UK high streets have declined by 10% in the last seven years, so it is certainly very challenging to achieve yearon-year sales growth. It has to be about experience and that is one thing onlineonly retailers cannot compete with.”

Pieter is also chairman of the Wandsworth Business Improvement District (BID), which was established in 2017 to promote the town’s heritage and culture, help businesses improve their performance and enhance the town centre experience for shoppers, visitors and workers.

He says: “The BID offers a lot of assistance for businesses including networking opportunities, loyalty cards, discount schemes, marketing support and

events such as Old York Road Unplugged, an annual music festival where the road is closed to traffic. This is very popular and a real help to businesses.

“We look at cost-saving options such as how businesses can reduce their utility bills or improve their waste management strategies. The BID is also looking to invest in the town by creating green spaces in certain areas and improving air quality in locations where traffic throughput is high.”

Another BID, This is Clapham, also benefits businesses in the borough of Wandsworth, particularly those located to the west and north of Clapham Town.

Established in 2014, it is a not-for-profit company funded by 370 businesses and governed by volunteers from the local business community through its board and sub-groups. These volunteers determine which projects to pursue and how the collected levies and any additional income is spent.

Examples of successful projects include free business recycling, additional street cleaning, local area marketing and initiatives to cut crime and anti-social behaviour. Companies and their employees can also take advantage of offers, invitations and discounted deals via the Clapham Card, which was introduced to boost spending and cross-trading in the area.

Jeremy Keates, manager of This is Clapham, says: “In the six years since we first set up, there has been a significant evolution in the local retailing landscape.

Although there has been a decline in the number of traditional retailers, other businesses have set up in the area and taken space in previously empty shops.

Pieter reports an encouraging growth in footfall numbers at Southside over the last three months. The key challenge is Pieter Strombeck

Business Connexions | 5

RETAIL

Battersea is also home for Roz LloydWilliams, who has been a resident there for more than two decades. Roz is Executive BID Director of the Clapham Junction BID, which is responsible for delivering innovative projects that help to improve the trading environment for businesses, drive tourism and enhance the shopping experience for residents and visitors.

Roz says: “The Junction BID is prioritising three key themes, highlighted by BID area businesses, during the extensive consultation prior to the November 2018 ballot. These themes are marketing and promotion, safe and welcoming, and events and festivals. However, we have huge scope for flexibility to respond perennially to changing demands.

The Clapham Junction BID’s new website The Junction Coloured Light Art Installation at Clapham Junction

“As well as driving forward initiatives like free recycling and street cleaning, we’ve also tried to promote companies via online listings on our website; we’ve had about 180,000 listings in the last twelve months.

This allows us to promote the area as a whole and boost the presence of individual businesses, particularly those that don’t have a strong online footprint.

“We’ve also been involved in schemes designed to make the area more appealing for residents and visitors, such as arts and public realm projects around Clapham Common and in areas to the west of Clapham old town. Essentially, what we’re trying to do is to bring more people into the area, encourage them to spend their money here and get businesses trading with each other.”

In the north east of Wandsworth borough, New Covent Garden Market is a vital supplier to retailers, providing them with fruit, vegetables, flowers and other wholesale goods which can then be sold onto consumers. Based in Nine Elms since 1974, the iconic market is home to nearly 200 businesses with around 2,500 employees. It is currently undergoing an exciting development that will transform the site into a thriving, modern food quarter.

giant Uniqlo, elegant perfumery and candlemaker Jo Malone London, and one of the UK’s largest Swiss watch luxury retailers, Watches of Switzerland.

Once open, the power station will be home to more than one hundred established, luxury and emerging retail, food and leisure brands, providing a space for new, unique concepts and creative designs that will complement the host of shops and restaurants already open at Circus West Village, the first chapter in this redevelopment.

Approximately 70% of the total commercial space within the power station is now let, with more than 45% of the retail and leisure floorspace exchanged or under offer.

Simon Murphy, chief executive officer at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), said: “We are delighted to be partnering with these exciting brands which set the tone for our retail and leisure offering inside the power station. On behalf of our Malaysian shareholders we are delivering a destination for our local community as well as London and far beyond.”

Brian Duffy, CEO of Watches of Switzerland, said: “We think the whole project south of the river is an amazing development in all aspects of residential and commercial.

We have looked at the power station on the landscape for a number of years and never imagined it would become such a retail destination. We are proud to be one of the flagship stores anchored by the country’s number one luxury watch brand, Rolex.”

Meanwhile, Battersea Power Station recently announced the first line-up of UK and international retail and leisure brands set to open their doors in the iconic Grade II* listed building when it launches in 2021.

These companies include luxury fashion house Hugo Boss, Japanese casualwear

6 | Business Connexions

“We want to create effective partnerships that enable the area to flourish. Our aim is to identify and create as many new opportunities and initiatives to enable positive change. We’re maximising the value of local events to increase footfall and presence in the London events marketplace; the Lavender in Bloom (June), Eat & Drink The Junction (15-30 June), The Summer Festival and Christmas Market on Northcote Road for BID businesses are good examples of this. We also introduced street art and bespoke Christmas lights last year and will be undertaking urban landscaping projects to add extra character to the area.

“We carry out street cleansing operations and work closely with the police to make the BID area a safer place to live and work via, for example, our extensive promotion of the Wandsworth Business Against Crime app and the launch of a new Pubwatch group spearheaded by the BID.” The Junction BID is also active on social media and has created a consumer-facing website - www.visitclaphamjunction.com with B2B elements for employees, offering them special discounts, incentives and memberships.

Anthony Laban (Mint Hair London Ltd), chair of The Junction BID, says: “We’re delighted to deliver a new consumer-facing website that really reflects the personality of Clapham Junction and its surrounding environs, while delivering powerful functionality. We chose a design system that could be tailored to suit both the needs of the businesses we represent, and our residents and visitor market.

“In addition to promoting what The Junction has to offer, driving footfall and increasing visitors, we will be able to use the platform to really track and analyse our digital marketing and, in turn, help businesses with their future marketing. The B2B ‘app’ component launches this April which will facilitate the development of loyalty schemes and exclusive deals at local shops, restaurants and services, with B2B integration for Junction employees.

The B2C ‘app’ for consumers also launches this April.”

The BID is also introducing two new schemes for recycling and waste, and group amenitybuying - to save businesses money.

Battersea Power Station

Economy

www.lanop.co.uk

0208 392 9375 Business Connexions | 7

Is your business

compliance ready?

With HMRC announcing that changes to both IR35 and Capital Gains Tax will come into effect on 6 April 2020, it’s important to be fully aware of the latest legislation and prepare to act quickly.

To discover what these changes are and whether you’re ready to comply with them, simply continue reading the following article providing essential information regarding the changes due to come into practice from the start of the 2020/21 tax year.

IR35 and its upcoming changes Originally implemented in April 2000, IR35 is a form of tax legislation that was put in place by HMRC to combat tax avoidance and determine whether a contractor is genuine as opposed to a ‘disguised employee’.

Back in April 2017, off-payroll rules for the public sector were introduced, but responsibility for whether IR35 applies remained with the taxpayer for those in the private sector. From 6 April 2020, this isset to change for contracts where a medium or large end-client is concerned.

From 6 April 2020, it will be the end-client who is responsible for determining whether off-payroll rules apply. However, endclients will only need to assess whether the off-payroll rules apply regarding contracts that continue beyond 6 April 2020.

The most important thing is to check if your business falls under IR35 implications. You can do this online by heading over to the HMRC website where you’ll find a handy tool (CEST – Check Employment Status Tool). Be sure to answer all of the questions to the best of your knowledge to ensure full compliance.

8 | Business Connexions

PAYE Registration If you intend to run an annual payroll, then you’ll need to register for PAYE at the earliest possible opportunity.

This is because the employer’s reference number can often take some time to come through, after which you’ll need to register for online services to submit RTI.

Upcoming changes for Capital Gains Tax Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a form of tax on the gain in the value of most assets between purchase and sale. From the start of the new tax year in April 2020, a 30-day payment window will be brought into place, meaning that you will have to pay the tax owed within 30 days from the point of sale or disposal.

First introduced in 2015, an updated announcement was made in the 2017 Budget, after which it was stated that the measure would be delayed until 6 April 2020. The new rules state that you must submit a provisional calculation of the gain to HMRC and pay any tax that is due. If tax is over or underpaid, this will be dealt with accordingly.

With the updated legislation for Capital Gains Tax soon to come into force, you’ll need to work out if your property requires retrospective valuation. Once you’ve done just that, you should speak to a professional who can provide you with guidance on what to do next.

Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER), introduced in 2008 by then chancellor Alistair Darling, is also set for an overhaul, limiting the

tax break available to those selling their businesses to £1m over a lifetime. The rules allow business owners of two years or over to pay less capital gains tax when they sell (10 per cent rather than 20 per cent), but this relief will now be capped at £1m for any one person.

So, it’s worth paying attention to this if you feel any changes may affect you.

Conclusion Complying with the latest set of tax regulations is incredibly important if you want to remain on the right side of the law. Thankfully, taking into account the information above ensures that you’ll be able to prepare for the changes set to be implemented from 6 April 2020 onwards.

So, if you haven’t already taken action, now is the time to do so!

Aurangzaib Chawla FCCA MSc Partner and Tax Specialist

www.lanop.co.uk +44 (0) 20 8392 9375 info@lanop.co.uk

New businesses arrive in Tooting and Balham

NEWS

Join Us Tod ay

Recent months have seen a plethora of new businesses open their doors in Tooting and Balham.

A new report by local news sites Tooting Newsie and Balham Newsie showed a surge in activity in these areas, with new start-ups ranging from restaurants to a health and wellbeing company.

Tooting

Tooting is building on its reputation as a foodie haven with more and more eateries opening up in the area.

December saw a new Kurdish restaurant come to Tooting Broadway. Taştê (which means ‘breakfast’ in Kurdish) serve homemade, healthy Kurdish food, including sharing breakfasts and lunches, in a venue that’s both family and wheelchair friendly.

Good Neighbour opened at 102 Tooting High Street, taking over the site where Tota used to be.

The company is serving sharing plates in the day and the evening, brunches at weekends, and has an extensive wine list. The owner already has a successful branch of the restaurant in Camberwell.

Up in Tooting Bec, Communion Coffee is a commuter-focused coffee bar serving quality coffee in a speedy way! It has a selection of coffee, tea, baked goods and chocolate bars to eat in or take away and hopes to offer a lunchtime sandwich option soon.

Pinch Café recently launched in the reception area of the Trident Business Centre. Owner Kuba is serving a menu of freshly-made, mostly vegetarian and vegan sandwiches, wraps, soups, waffles, cakes and smoothies, plus a hot dish of the day.

If you fancy a bike ride (albeit stationary) with your coffee, Cycle Culture is now open on Upper Tooting Road serving tea, coffee and snacks, with a cycle studio in the back!

Balham:

In Balham, the start of 2020 saw online sensation Trap Kitchen open its first restaurant, choosing 76 Bedford Hill as its home, from where it serves dishes of lobster, snow crab, chicken, macaroni and waffles. Some people may recognise owner Prince Cofie Owusu from his appearance on the BBC hit show My Million Pound Menu.

Family-run Lebanese restaurant-café, Libano, also opened in January, serving freshly-made Lebanese breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner at 76 Balham High Road.

Tool & building supplies retailer Toolstation opened its 400th UK shop in Balham, located at the Zennor Road Trade Park off Weir Road.

The company held a big party to celebrate with several promotions for customers on the day.

Balham resident and Italian pastry chef, Nicoletta Loiacono, has started her own home baking business, Meraki: Baking Studio. As well as looking to sell her products in markets, at events and via outside catering, Nicoletta also serves local residents and businesses.

February saw the launch of The Gut Feeling, an online subscription service delivering products that help people look after their stomach. Every product is hand-picked by the owner and her team and features prebiotic and probiotic foods and drinks with a touch of wellness.

February also saw local resident and massage therapist, Alice Wilkinson, start her own venture.

Alice Wilkinson Massage focuses on helping young professionals who are suffering from burnout. Working out of a home studio as well as at Feel Good Balham, Alice encourages mental and physical reconnection through the power of touch, offering transformative holistic massage treatments in a calming space.

For the latest developments in Tooting and Balham, follow @tootingnewsie and @balhamnewsie on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.

JOIN The Wandsworth Chamber

trusted business community in April 2020 and SAVE with these

FANTASTIC 4 OFFERS

OFFER 1: START-UPS Free membership for 12 months to help you through the difficult early stages of setting up your business.

Open to all business who are less than two years old and not already a member. This offer is open to start-ups throughout 2020.

OFFER 2: ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES

50% off 12 month’s membership if you have never been part of the Wandsworth Chamber Business Community.

OFFER 3: RESTAURANTS, PUBS AND ALL CLUBS 50% off 12 month’s membership

OFFER 4: LAPSED MEMBERS Re-join and save 20% off annual membership NOTE: All membership will incur a one off set up fee of £39 +VAT to create your digital marketing traffic catcher page. These pages are unique to Wandsworth Chamber Members and are designed to drive enquiries to your business.

Whether you are part of a large organisation or work from an office at home, there are many good reasons for joining the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce.

As the business hub of Wandsworth, your Chamber is influential in helping to create the right business environment for local companies to flourish.

Through membership you have the ability to use our “business voice”, the opportunity to meet key stakeholders, network and do business with many other local businesses that you won’t find anywhere else.

So, do it now, online, and start enjoying the many benefits on offer. www.wandsworthchamber.org

The key benefits of joining the Wandsworth Chamber are: • Access to over 60 networking events annually where you can meet Key Stakeholders, potential customers, partners and suppliers • Editorial in Business ConneXions, our quarterly magazine • Use of the ‘Trusted Chamber Member’ logo as a mark of credibility and inclusivity • Access to full system reporting features to track the ROI of your membership - Create a unique Marketing Landing Page to drive business leads - Develop Social Media and Local online Networking channels - Integrate Video Commercials - Set up scrolling Photo Tours of your business - Use the Member to Member Offers - Post messages on a Member’s Message Board - Post Classified Ads - Give and get member to member referrals - Get community to member referrals

If you would like more information email: anne@wandsworthchamber.org or telephone 020 3663 6575

For more information or to discuss how we can help you, please contact us at: Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce

020 363 36575 enquiries@wandsworthchamber.org

Business Connexions | 9 Business Connexions | 9

Southside Kids Space.

NOW OPEN

Opening times Mon – Sat: 9.30am – 5pm | Sun: 11am – 5pm Entry fee: £2

Once you visit the space please visit us on Facebook or Twitter and let us know what you think or how we can improve: @SouthsideSW18

Find us in centre, next to Boots.

Southside Shopping Centre, Wandsworth High Street, SW18 4TF 10 | Business Connexions

PATRON FOCUS

The shopping centre that has it all Southside is forging a reputation as one of the boroughs top retail destinations and is being reshaped to meet the changing needs of shoppers…

Southside Shopping Centre is a quality retail and leisure outlet in the heart of Wandsworth’s bustling community.

Home to a host of well-known shopping brands including Oliver Bonas, Primark, TK Maxx and Uniqlo, it also has some of the most desirable food outlets and health and leisure facilities in the town.

Spearheading the success of the company is general manager Pieter Strombeck, who has been at Southside for the last 18 months.

He says: “We’re a community centre with everything under one roof. We have a great mix of retail and leisure facilities, including health and beauty outlets, restaurants, book and jewellery stores.

We also have a 14-screen Cineworld cinema, which is rated in the top ten best cinemas in the UK.” “We want to attract customers and keep them coming back. That’s why we recently launched the Southside Kids Space; this has been a real hit with local customers. It provides a play space for young families, includinga baby feeding

and changing room, a ball pit, lego station and a book corner where parents and children can relax and read. We also promote our commitment to sustainability and we’ll be contacting local schools to visit the space while we show the children what we do in terms of recycling and sustainability initiatives at the centre.”

Pieter is keen to provide plenty of support and incentives for retailers at the centre, mainly in the form of marketing, events and in-centre advertising.

Southside is also ploughing ahead with plans to go completely paperless and has launched a retailer communications app, Savills Insights, which is used to promote the retailers and provide them with the ability to upload offers which are then shared between all of the staff working at the centre.

“This also provides them with centre information at the touch of a button, such as waste management guides, our centre handbook, and footfall and performance data,” says Pieter. “We have a system which they can use to benchmark their sales with others in their category, and

Pieter Strombeck General Manager

against the overall centre performance.

This provides them with a further tool that they can use to bring focus to their retail strategy.”

Part of Pieter’s strategy is to get out and about in the local community, to find out what retailers and customers want and adapt Southside’s offering according to the changing market demand. He has been a patron of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce since joining Southside 18 months ago – something that he feels has been a worthwhile experience.

He says: “The Chamber hosts a number of networking events and it’s great to be able to be part of a community of likeminded businesses. The annual business awards that the Chamber hosts is a fantastic initiative for local businesses to promote themselves and network with other companies.”

For more information about Southside Shopping Centre, visit https://southsidewandsworth.com/

“We’re a community centre with everything under one roof. We have a great mix of retail and leisure facilities, including health and beauty outlets, restaurants, book and jewellery stores. We also have a 14-screen Cineworld cinema, which is rated in the top ten best cinemas in the UK.” Business Connexions | 11

LEGAL

Can the Freedom of Information Act affect private companies?

Rebecca Cumming

Guy Wilmot

Carla Whalen

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“FOIA”) enables individuals and organisations to access information from public authorities. It does this by requiring public authorities to publish certain information about their activities and providing a mechanism for requesting information from public authorities, i.e. freedom of information requests (“FOI requests”).

‘Public authorities’ include government departments, local authorities, government-funded bodies such as the NHS, police and armed forces and various other public entities. Private commercial organisations will only be ‘public authorities’ if they are specifically designated as such or are wholly owned by one or more public authorities. Generally, private companies are not directly subject to FOIA’s requirements.

Despite this, private businesses may nonetheless be affected by FOIA in a number of ways, for example: • An individual may contact staff claiming a right to information under FOIA. • The business may provide information to a public authority that becomes disclosable under FOIA in the hands of the public authority.

• In some circumstances, the business may be required to provide information following a FOIA request to a public authority, on account of the business’ relationship with the authority.

There is also an ongoing debate about extending FOIA to private organisations which deliver public services and a recent report from the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) supports this.

FOI requests Even though private businesses are unlikely to be subject to FOIA, they may still receive FOI requests.

These requests may quote the legislation and look official, so there is some risk of staff responding in the belief that they are required to do so. This may result in the inadvertent disclosure of confidential information or personal data, which may be unlawful.

FOI requests are only one type of request that may be received; individuals may, for example, submit a subject access request

12 | Business Connexions

(“SAR”) or request information that is routinely provided or available via the organisation’s website.

The request may not always correctly identify what it actually is, e.g. a SAR may be described as a FOI request, or vice versa.

It is therefore sensible to have in place policies and procedures for dealing with requests for information. Relevant staff should be trained to recognise the different types of request and respond appropriately, and all staff who may be contacted should understand where to refer any requests seeking information.

If a genuine FOI request is received, the enquirer can generally be informed that the business is not obliged to provide the information, but it might be helpful to direct them to any publicly available sources or a public authority that may have access to it. For SARs, the organisation will need to have procedures in place to ensure that the requirements of GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 are adhered to.

Information ‘held’ by public authorities In some circumstances, information belonging or relating to a private company may be disclosable under FOIA because it is considered to be held by or on behalf of a public authority. This often occurs where an organisation applies for or enters into an agreement with a public authority and either hands over information to the authority, or information relating to the arrangement can be accessed or is required by the authority.

For example: • A private business bids for a public services contract from a public authority to deliver education, housing, or health services and submits information to the authority as part of the tender process. This information may be disclosable under FOIA.

• A private business enters into a public services contract with a public authority and: - The contract requires the business to provide reports on performance of the agreement.

This information may be disclosable under FOIA. - The business generates significant internal information relating to performance of the contract. It is possible that some of this may be disclosable under FOIA.

Exemptions Even if information is within the scope of FOIA, there are exemptions that may prevent information from being disclosed.

These include where disclosure would constitute an actionable breach of confidence, where information would prejudice commercial interests, or where information constitutes personal data.

Therefore, it is sometimes possible to prevent information being disclosed where it is particularly sensitive. However, simply marking something ‘confidential’ or ‘personal data’ will not in itself prevent disclosure; it will depend on the nature of the information.

Dealing with public authorities If your business is involved in agreements with public authorities, you will almost certainly need to consider the potential impact of FOIA. It is advisable to understand this at the outset of the relationship to avoid difficulties arising following a FOI request.

russell-cooke.co.uk

The following points are particularly relevant: • Agreements with public authorities often contain provisions relating to FOIA that oblige the other party to provide information when requested. These should be scrutinised carefully to ensure that the authority is not securing access to information that it has no right to under the FOI regime. It is best practice for the contract to say which categories of information are considered disclosable, non-disclosable, and exempt under FOIA. • The business should have robust internal systems and policies to manage information generated in relation to agreements with public authorities. Ideally, information should be recorded, classified (including in terms of whether it is disclosable to the public authority) and stored accordingly.

Information should only be sent to the authority where required.

Records should be kept of what information is provided to the authority and why. These should be reviewed to ensure the correct data is being sent.

• Information that is genuinely confidential or contains personal data should be marked as such, as this will at least flag that a FOIA exemption should be considered.

Any questions?

We have experience in advising on all aspects of information requests and disclosure. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

+44 (0)20 8789 9111

BATTERSEA

First Tube roundels installed at new Northern Line Extension station

Transport for London (TfL) have released images of the latest version of its historic design icon, the roundel, after the first ones were installed on the platform at the new underground station in Battersea.

In total, 113 roundels are being manufactured for installation at the two new Northern Line Extension stations, which are scheduled to open in autumn 2021 – 62 for Battersea Power Station and 51 for Nine Elms.

Not yet visible to the public, the arrival of the new roundels signifies an important milestone in the construction of the Northern Line Extension, the first major tube line extension since the Jubilee line in the late 1990s. The extension will connect Kennington to Battersea Power Station, via Nine Elms, bringing Battersea and surrounding areas to within 15 minutes of the City and the West End. The new roundels, among the most recognised and imitated logos in the world, are being manufactured at family-owned AJ Wells & Sons on the Isle of Wight where London transport signage has been produced for generations. They are the first roundels to

be made for a northern line station since the opening of the extension to Morden in 1926.

Work to extend the line is currently focused on the fit-out of the new stations including the installation of escalators and power supply, and the extension of signalling used on the Northern line. The extension is enabling the regeneration of the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea areas, spurring economic growth by supporting around 25,000 new jobs and more than 20,000 new homes.

Heidi Alexander, London’s deputy mayor for transport, said: “It’s really exciting to see roundels now in place at Battersea Power Station – it makes the opening of the extension next year feel so much closer.

These are the first new Northern line roundels in nearly 100 years and their arrival brings to life the huge difference the extension will make – easier journeys for thousands of Londoners, as well as supporting the creation of new jobs and homes in our city.”

Stuart Harvey, TfL’s director of major projects, said: “The roundel is recognised around the world as the symbol of London’s transport network so it’s a highly significant moment when the first one is installed at a new station. As well as new roundels, our two Northern Line Extension stations now have track, platforms and escalators as their transformation from concrete shells to state-of-the-art stations continues apace.

The arrival of the new roundels also demonstrates how sustained investment in the capital’s transport infrastructure benefits not only Londoners but the whole country, through the extensive business supply chain.”

In addition, the two new Northern Line Extension stations will feature newly commissioned permanent artworks that will be incorporated into the ticket halls of each station.

BOXING GYM expands into Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station will soon be home to a new high-end boxing gym.

BXR London has announced it will expand into the iconic power station in 2021 following the success of its studios in London’s Marylebone and Canary Wharf.

At 14,000 sq ft, it is BXR’s largest site to date.

World champion boxer Anthony Joshua is a stakeholder in the BXR business.

BXR Battersea will form part of Battersea Power Station’s highly anticipated second phase of redevelopment of the Grade II* listed building itself, launching in 2021. It will house BXR’s second members-only gym along with three Sweat by BXR pay-to-train studios and state-of-the-art facilities.

BXR Battersea will be located in the power station’s Turbine Hall B, which was completed in the 1950s.

Olia Sardarova, BXR owner and founder, said: “London is an important fitness market with energy and high-performing individuals.

BXR is thrilled to be opening at Battersea Power Station in one of London’s most iconic redevelopment projects.”

Sam Cotton, deputy head of leasing at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), said: “The BXR concept is unlike any other fitness brand out there.

The brands we are bringing to Battersea will provide local and out-of-town visitors

alike with the opportunity to experience the latest in health, beauty, fashion, food, wellness and beyond.”

Once open to the public in 2021, Battersea Power Station will become one of London’s most vibrant and exciting destinations. The landmark building will house more than 100 shops, restaurants and cafes, 253 apartments, and a unique chimney lift experience offering 360-degree panoramic views of London’s skyline from a height of over 100m. It will also be home to Apple’s London Campus, Swedish business members club, No18 and Battersea Energy House – a unique collection of event spaces with a 2,000-person capacity.

Business Connexions | 13

BIG INTERVIEW

Great financial planning can change lives

In the serious world of financial services, the greatest satisfaction for Simon Ben-Nathan is helping people shape the lives they really want to live.

Simon, the director and financial planner at Putney-based Arkenstone Wealth Management, believes that helping people achieve financial independence frees them to pursue happier, more fulfilling lives.

“The most satisfaction I get is helping to make a positive difference to people’s lives,” he says. “At Arkenstone, we help people make the financial decisions that will shape the life they really want to be living and increase their general sense of well-being. It’s not as simple as it sounds, however. If you ask people what makes them happy or where they want to be in five or ten years’ time, more often than not they’ll respond with a blank stare! A real skill of the job is therefore helping people to understand themselves better and what’s really important to them. Everyone is different but in many cases, we find that people want the freedom to spend time doing more of what they love with the people they love”.

It’s clear that being an independent financial advisor (IFA) requires more than a working knowledge of financial products.

Simon is a certified coach – an invaluable discipline that provides him with the skills to help his clients develop clear and meaningful goals for the future.

Once the client’s vision is clear, he then builds a financial plan which, allied with his technical expertise in investments, pensions and tax, helps bring that plan to life. It’s a philosophy that has held Arkenstone in good stead since Simon launched it in 2013. From a standing start the company gained ten clients in year one and currently manages around £35 million of assets for clients who are primarily business owners, professionals and people planning for retirement.

14 | Business Connexions

Going forward, Simon is aiming for steady rather than spectacular growth, preferring instead to focus on providing a brilliant service, and the plan is to recruit additional staff in the next twelve months.

“We want to continue growing and to help as many people as possible - we’ll also be adding additional services in future like mortgage advice. At the same time, we’ll always be looking at ways of improving our core advice service so that our clients stay happy and engaged,” says Simon.

“We’re independent so unlike a restricted financial advisor we can access investment and pension products from the whole of the market. That means we unreservedly serve ourclients’ best interests.

“The due diligence around this can take up more of your time if you’re an IFA because you have to make sure you know what’s happening in the wider market. We work with an independent compliance firm, The Sense Network, who help with this and at the same time monitor our advice and processes to ensure we maintain our high regulatory standards.”

Simon has worked in financial services since 1998, helping individuals, families and companies grow and preserve their wealth in the way that’s uniquely right for them. He spent more than a decade as an adviser at HSBC before a strange quirk of fate brought him to his current role.

He says: “The financial crash heralded the start of a difficult few years for the banks and there was a round of redundancies at HSBC in 2013. Fortunately I wasn’t affected by it but I knew which way the wind was blowing. I thought: ‘this could happen to me next’.”

That gave him the nudge he needed to start his own venture and it’s fair to say he hasn’t looked back since.

BIG INTERVIEW

The inside story Simon Ben-Nathan

Favourite food: My favourite changes all the time but the current flavour of the month is Sushi. My wife, Andrea, runs a marketing agency that works solely with restaurants so I sometimes get to tag along for new openings and events – it’s a hard life!

Favourite tipple: I’m a notorious lightweight but I’m partial to a good craft beer (provided I have nothing on the next day!)

Favourite holiday? The one that sticks in my mind most is the three-week road trip with Andrea on the west coast of the US - the freedom of the open road and breath-taking landscapes.

Describe your family life? Andrea and I have been married for six years and we have a 20-month-old son, Elliot, who’s the apple of our eye. I’m from a very big family so we’re never short of things to do and people to see. Andrea is Austrian so we often head over to spend time with her family in Switzerland and Austria. We move around a fair bit but we’re homebodies at heart.

How do you spend your downtime?

We have a gorgeous six-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Elsie, so we enjoy taking her for walks on Wimbledon Common at weekends.

I also play amateur league football, which keeps me in shape, but at 42 I may be a tad past my best!

What are your key strengths as a manager? I’ve always been naturally curious about what drives people and makes them tick. My strength is my commitment to developing my people skills so that I can help others achieve their personal potential.

And your limitations? Sometimes assuming that what worked for me in my career will work for someone else. The reality is that everyone’s different – there is no “best” way to do things, it’s working out the “right” way for the individual.

Best thing about doing business in the borough? So many genuinely supportive people who are prepared to go out of their way to help other businesses here.

“A skill of the job is helping people to articulate what happiness looks like for them.”

Famous person you’d most like to spend dinner with? He’s not a celebrity as such but Daniel Kahneman, the highly celebrated author, economist and psychologist, would be my pick. He’s best known for his work in behavioural economics but he’s one of those people who seems to possess endless wisdom about every aspect of life – good sense of humour too!

Most interesting fact about yourself?

I made a brief appearance on the children’s TV show, Rainbow, when I was five or six years old. Somewhere in the archives is footage of me in a PE class running around in a vest and y-fronts!

Business Connexions | 15

SPOTLIGHT ON PUTNEY

‘Putney is one of only seven places in London to have progressed successfully to the next stage of the BID process.

The £150,000 will enable project partners to develop a business case for £10 million of capital investment to redevelop the area.’

16 | Business Connexions

SPOTLIGHT ON PUTNEY

Putney high street set for major revamp Putney could be in line for significant investment if a bid to secure a slice of the government’s £1 billion Future High Streets Fund is successful.

The district of Putney has had a long and distinguished history.

Back in 1647, it was home to the famous Putney Debates, which saw Oliver Cromwell negotiate a settlement with defeated King Charles I in St Mary’s Church.

Important issues were discussed in these debates, including the right to a democratically elected parliament and freedom from conscription into the armed forces, and they even inspired much of the language used for the US Declaration of Independence.

ensure that Putney is renowned as a thriving business hub. An ambitious project involving Wandsworth Council, Positively Putney Business Improvement District (BID) and other key partners is aiming to secure government funding to transform Putney high street. The council has been awarded an initial £150,000 from the £1 billion Future High Streets Fund (FHSF), which ministers launched in December 2018 to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives economic growth and improves living standards.

In more recent times, famous actor and film producer Pierce Brosnan attended Elliot School in Putney, now known as Ark Putney Academy, while sports broadcaster and former footballer Gary Lineker is regularly spotted on Putney high street.

Putney is one of only seven places in London to have progressed successfully to the next stage of the process. The £150,000 will enable project partners to develop a business case for £10 million of capital investment to redevelop the area. If secured, the money would seek to address several key challenges currently facing Putney high street. These include:

Putney is even associated with a high-profile tragedy. Marc Bolan, the lead singer of glam rock band T. Rex who lived on Upper Richmond road, was the passenger of a purple mini which crashed on Queens Ride on September 16, 1977. Bolan sadly lost his life and the sycamore tree, which the car came to rest at, has become a lasting tribute for him and the music he brought to the world in the 1970s.

All of this, however, was in the past. In the present, council and business leaders are trying to

• the decline in retail, an increase in empty shops and an erosion of the social and community role of the town • a poor physical environment dominated by through-traffic and overcrowding • a severe lack of public or green space and poor air quality

The funding would aim to: • create significant new and welcoming public spaces which connect with the riverside and break up the linearity of the high street • inform and develop investment plans to support this by working in partnership with landowners and other stakeholders • address the prevalence of heavy road traffic • support a programme that engages, excites and inspires all sectors of the community, especially younger people The business case for capital funding is due to be submitted to the government by the end of June.

A decision on whether or not the bid has been successful is expected by the autumn.

Cllr Jonathan Cook, Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for economic development, skills and employment, says: “The funding might support investment in physical infrastructure, as well as the acquisition and assembly of land including workspaces and the public realm. It could also help to fast-track improvements to the area’s transport access, traffic flow and circulation, and support the adaptation of the high street in response to changing technology.”

Business Connexions | 17

BIG INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT ON PUTNEY

Putney: vital statistics

“Essentially, we are trying to tackle some long-term problems in the area, including a significant number of empty shops, traffic congestion, air pollution and run-down public areas in need of a revamp. The business case will outline a set of proposals (capital projects) that will deliver our strategic intent until 2024. It will include details of other investment that will match the government funding and work as a combined package that brings about positive, transformative change in Putney.”

This is a view echoed by Positively Putney BID, which was set up to maximise the potential of the area and make it a vibrant and attractive place for those who work, live and visit there.

It is funded by 409 businesses within the BID boundary paying a small levy based on the rateable value of their property, equating to an investment of £1.4 million over five years.

These funds are being spent on various initiatives including a project to improve air quality in the town, a Pubwatch scheme to tackle crime and boost the town’s night-time economy, a fortnightly community clean-up operation and general promotion of local events that will attract footfall to the area.

409 businesses are located within the Positively Putney BID boundary

•

77,140 people live in Putney (taken from 2011 census)

•

9 million people travel through Putney train station every day

•

1647: the year of the Putney debates

•

1977: the year in which Marc Bolan died in Putney

•

4.2: the number of miles between Putney Bridge and Chiswick Bridge – the stretch of water over which Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Clubs compete in The Boat Race each year

•

1836: the year in which The Boat Race was first hosted in Putney

These projects are having a demonstrable impact, as highlighted in the BID’s 2018/19 annual report.

Within those 12 months: • £70,024 was spent on making Putney cleaner and safer – this included chewing gum removals, 150 hours of high street deepcleaning and covering eight empty shops with vinyl ‘virtual windows’ to prevent graffiti • £76,128 was spent on promoting Putney’s businesses – this included the delivery of brochures to 14,000 local residents, showcasing the area’s food and drink offering through the ‘Taste of Putney’ fortnight, and hosting events such as the Christmas lights switch-on • £41,202 was spent on supporting businesses – this included regular training sessions on subjects such as first aid and counter terrorism attended by 105 local employees, the introduction of a loyalty card scheme offering discounts for Putney employees, and identification of cost-saving opportunities for businesses to help them reduce their bills and operating costs The Prefer Putney loyalty card scheme allows staff working within BID levypaying companies to take advantage of discounts in shops, restaurants and on services in the town centre.

Nicola Grant led the BID development in 2016 and was subsequently appointed executive director of Positively Putney. Born and bred in

18 | Business Connexions

•

Wandsworth, she has always enjoyed spending time in Putney. She has worked in regeneration for the last fifteen years and is a fellow of the Institute of Place Management.

She says: “Putney’s BID is led by businesses, for businesses, and we exist to promote Putney and make it clean and safe for visitors, shoppers and residents. I’m pleased to report that we have listened to the priorities of our local businesses and carefully invested in them – be it deep street cleaning, regular training for employees or hosting events showcasing the best Putney has to offer. If we get this right, our shops and traders will thrive for years to come. “‘This year we are ploughing ahead with a range of exciting initiatives.

We are about to launch an innovative trade waste scheme for businesses with an improved service, reduced cost and zero emissions. We have increased our activity on social media to encourage people to engage with the Positively Putney brand.

We organise regular training events requested by the businesses with a water safety course in March and business continuity during and after an emergency attack in April.”

Oarsome Putney

Putney is synonymous with rowing and is recognised as one of the most famous hubs for the sport, both in the UK and internationally.

To celebrate this association, in 2020, we have 28 old rowing oars being decorated by local school groups and community groups which will be displayed in Putney town centre from 18th March to 14th April.

Alongside the decorated oars we invited a professional artist Alessandra Tortone to produce a shop window art gallery. She painted on empty shop units, aswell as operational businesses. It produced a real buzz in the town centre and will be available to view until the windows are dirty and need cleaning which we hope will also be mid April.

Please come along and choose your favourite oar and favourite painted shop and tag us in your photos.

We want to get #OarsomePutney trending on social media!

On Boat Race Day itself, Sunday 29th March, Riverside Radio will be hosting a live music stage alongside a delicious range of street foods from midday to 6pm in Church Square, at the bottom of Putney High Street. It will have a lively atmosphere and just a short stroll from the riverbank to watch the start of the race.

Putney town centre has an excellent range of businesses from high street names, to unique specialist shops, we have fine dining food, to delicious pub grub. It is a pleasant place to come and explore. It is vital that we all continue to use our local town centre, by visiting and shopping in local businesses.

Tell your neighbours about the excellent customer service you received, that unique gift you managed to buy or that delicious meal you had. These businesses need your support.

Positively Putney is funded by the local businesses working to make Putney a vibrant and attractive place for those who work, live and visit. www.positivelyputney.co.uk Business Connexions | 19

Worth enquiring.

Ashley Redman - 07966 218591 email: apps@wandsworth.gov.uk www.wandsworthlifelonglearning.org.uk

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20 | Business Connexions

Discover the University of Roehampton and support your short or long term recruitment needs: n n

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Local, graduate talent Placement students available for HR, marketing, business, media and psychology roles Benefit from our part-funded internship programme, supported by Santander

For an informal discussion about these opportunities or to find out more about venue hire, training, supply chain and consultancy email internships@roehampton.ac.uk

Business Connexions | 21

Workforce Training South Thames College works with local employers to support them with training and development needs.

Apprenticeships • We’ll identify how and where an apprentice can benefit your business.

• We’ll help you recruit the right candidate.

• We’ll assist you to access appropriate funding and grants.

Workforce skills We can help you identify skills gaps, recommend training and professional development for your staff, and help access funding where appropriate.

We can design Government funded pre-employment courses to help you fill vacancies and support your recruitment.

Bespoke and Commercial Training

Contact our Team today:

• We can help your business with

business@south-thames.ac.uk

all its staffing needs.

• We can design programmes specifically for you.

Part of the South Thames Colleges Group

020 8918 7777 www.south-thames.ac.uk

Investing in the future

At South Thames College we know that getting the best from your workforce is not only essential, but a long-term investment.

In this post-Brexit era, this need has never been more so with a greater urgency for employers to undertake strategic workforce planning that will help identify the skills and knowledge required now and for the future, which in turn will help to determine the learning and focus of training and development required.

We therefore have in place an experienced workforce training and development team who work with employers to meet the needs of their organisation whether they are independent traders or national corporations.

We have been responding to business employment and training needs for over a decade and provide a range of funded, flexible and bespoke training services to upskill the workforce across south London and beyond.

We support employers by: • Providing flexible work-related training for your organisation or staff • Assisting in the design and delivery of courses tailored to your business • Setting up Sector Work Based Academies to aid with trained recruitment • Identifying funding and opportunities to minimise or eliminate costs If you are looking to improve your employees’ skills, South Thames College can help.

Our Workforce Training and Development team can tailor a range of courses designed to upskill your organisation; from Apprenticeships to NVQs to Short Courses and Sector Work Based Academies, which aim to meet your recruitment needs Our work-based qualifications are open to anyone who is 19+ and has been living in UK or EU for 3 years and include: • Cleaning Services and Practical Cleaning Awards • Facilities Services • Food and Beverage Services and Professional Cookery • Health and Social Care • Dental Nursing • Retail • Customer Services • Equality and Diversity and Safeguarding Contact us to access our expert knowledge on specific skills training and to find out what government funding is available.

Joanne Tinnion, Head of Workforce Training & Development collecting the Eric Hill Award from the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners at Armourers’ Hall.

South Thames College was recently recognised by the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners Guild for the impact on the cleaning industry and on its ‘invisible workforce’, empowering leaners to progress in this field to management positions or company owners.

The College was delighted to receive the Eric Hill memorial award which is given in conjunction with City & Guilds London who nominated the College due to high success rates and positive feedback from learners during External Verification visits.

To find out more about how you can work with South Thames College, help students fulfil their career aims, find employees of the future and benefit from the College’s Employer Advantage Scheme contact: Chris Dodd, Employability Manager, South Thames College, Wandsworth High Street, SW18 2PP chris.dodd@stcg.ac.uk Business Connexions | 23

Could your Business be eligible for R&D Tax Relief?

Susan Beverly, Partner To be eligible, you need to be a limited company (R&D Tax Relief is paid through the Corporation Tax System), but it doesn’t matter how big or small your business is.

SMEs can recover up to 33p in every £1 spent on innovation which can be withdrawn or invested back into the business. Big companies can claim and benefit too (although it will be at a lower rate). Put simply; if your company undertakes R&D which demonstrates technological advances or appreciable improvement and new capabilities within your particular industry or sector, then you could qualify.

Innovation does not refer only to new products or ideas but can apply to new ways of doing things, such as altering

The Research and Development (R&D) Tax Relief Scheme is an HMRC incentive designed to encourage innovation and increased spending on Research and Development activities by companies operating in the UK. business models to better suit the needs of customers and staff or adapting processes to improve the end product or service. You’d be surprised to learn what qualifies for R&D Tax Relief. These days you don’t have to be wearing a white coat to be actively working on R&D. There are of course the obvious ones such as manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical, information and communication. But did you also know that bakers, chefs, marketing and media, leisure, architects and retail businesses could also be eligible to claim.

But event failed innovations can bring rewards that can benefit your bottom line, providing extra capital that can be reinvested to fuel further business development.

In the event that you haven’t yet investigated whether you might be eligible for R&D Tax Relief, you could be passing up a great opportunity, particularly when you consider that many claimants receive more than £50,000 a year in the form of a cash repayment and/or a Corporation Tax reduction.

This could mean a financial windfall to support new business ventures, further equipment or the chance to employ more skilled staff, this can help transform a start-up business.

At Kirk Rice we can help you explore whether your business is or has been investing in qualifying R&D activity and help you to prepare and submit your R&D Tax Relief claim. Give us a call to arrange a free consultation.

Our business is understanding yours

At Kirk Rice we take time to understand you and your business so we can help you grow. With over 30 years experience working with large and small companies our team is here to guide you and your company to a successful future.

24 | Business Connexions

13 Princeton Court, 53 to 55 Felsham Road, Putney London, SW15 1AZ 0208 789 8588 | info@kirkrice.co.uk www.kirkrice.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY

The three-step process to an effective social media strategy

By Marta Ceccato SAPIENS MEDIA COACHING In this day and age, social media is a crucial aspect of any business. Having an effective social media strategy can not only boost brand awareness, but also increase revenue.

Here are three key steps to build an effective social media strategy:

1 Defining the target audience Defining the target audience is essential to ensure time, money and resources are invested in the right content, formats and social media channels.

The first step to determining the target audience is to establish:

Every social media platform offers in-depth analytics and insights that can be leveraged to track how social media activities are performing and whether they are reaching the right target audience.

Sharing the business’s story and explaining its values help to draw in people who have the same values.

It’s those common values that will keep the audience loyal to the business.

However, if the goals of the social media efforts are to drive traffic to a website or to generate sales, the best way to measure results is to use a web analytics platform such as Google Analytics. This is a free tool from Google that enables companies to monitor the number of visitors to a website, the number of pages viewed, number of sales, total revenue and much more.

• 40% should inform and educate.

The aim of educational and informative content is to answer questions, provide solutions and showcase expertise with the long-term goal of being seen as an authority in the sector. Once a business has established itself as an authority, followers are more willing to read its promotional content.

3 Creating consistent and high-quality content

• What problems the businesses products or services solve

Posting regularly and sharing high-quality content is essential to the success of a social media strategy.

• Who will benefit most from those products or services

The purpose of social media content should be to:

• Who the current customers are

a. create an emotional connection with the audience

• Which types of customers the competitors attract Once the target audience has been defined, in order to determine where to focus, it’s key to ascertain on which social media channels they are most active, the type of content they like to consume and the type of formats they prefer (for example, video, blog, podcast, etc).

2 Setting specific and measurable goals Setting specific goals (WHAT), how progress towards those goals will be measured (HOW) and the timeframe by which the goals should be achieved (WHEN) is key to monitor and assess how each social media activity is performing.

To get the most out of social media, the social media goals should be aligned with the business objectives. For example, if the business objective is to raise brand awareness, the social media goal should be the number of potential customers reached through social media activities.

b. demonstrate expertise c. promote and sell products and services When starting out with social media content planning, the 40-40-20 rule is a great way to ensure the right mix.

• 40% of the content should focus on building lasting connections with the audience through storytelling.

Storytelling involves using stories to tell why the business exists and what it stands for in a way that brings emotions and experiences to life.

• 20% should promote the business’s products or services. Promotional content focuses on products and services with the intent to convert followers into customers.

Planning and scheduling social media content is a good way to be consistent and to select a healthy mix of topics.

Moreover, planning and scheduling tools are key not only to staying organised, but also to viewing all social media activities in one place and accessing invaluable data that can be utilized to understand what’s working – and what’s not.

A great social media strategy is never set in stone and it’s continuously changing.

Whether creating a post on Instagram, a video on YouTube or Twitter, everything has to fit together to help the business grow. Testing, analysing, and re-evaluating social content on an ongoing basis is the only way to create a social media strategy that evolves with the business.

Marta is an award-winning digital marketing and technologies expert with 15 years of marketing experience working with billion-dollar brands. She is the founder of Sapiens Media Coaching, a consultancy that focuses on making digital marketing simple for SMEs. Marta can be found at www.sapiensmediacoaching.com Business Connexions | 25

ENVIRONMENT

WANDSWORTH COUNCIL announces £20m climate change investment Wandsworth Council is spending £20m on its environment and sustainability strategy as part of its plans to tackle climate change.

26 | Business Connexions

The move is part of Wandsworth’s ambitious plans to become innerLondon’s greenest borough and carbon-neutral by 2030.

Cllr Rory O’Broin, cabinet member for finance and corporate resources, is leading the climate change work in Wandsworth.

He said: “This investment demonstrates how seriously we are taking our work to tackle climate change and sustainability generally.

“It is going to make a real difference to the delivery of our environment and sustainability strategy and will help fund a number of measures highlighted in the climate change action plan designed to reduce carbon emissions and tackle priority issues such as air quality. This will ultimately help to improve the lives of our residents and make Wandsworth a healthier and afer place to live.”

ENVIRONMENT

Embrace the green revolution!

Many of you will have noted that Wandsworth Council has declared a climate emergency back in July 2019 to be carbon neutral by 2030 and zero Carbon by 2050 (in case you were wondering about the difference, carbon-neutral allows for carbon offsetting).

You may now be wondering how you can do your bit but have a knowledge gap. Well, help in on hand. CREW Energy is your local, friendly community energy group.

We are a not-for-profit community benefit society that started trading in 2017.

As a starting point, the £20m investment will fund measures around energy efficiency, air quality, urban greening, sustainable drainage and transport and cycling initiatives.

The council has already made good progress, with £5m already spent on environmental schemes such as a comprehensive LED street light replacement programme and the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points.

The climate change action plan also has a number of important targets including increasing tree planting in the borough, purchasing a low-emission fleet, as well as launching a comprehensive training

programme on carbon literacy for staff.

A key element of the council’s work to tackle climate change is collaboration. To that end, the council has already started working with residents, businesses and community groups in pushing forward its green ambition.

Cllr O’Broin said: “We are committed to working with the community in delivering our action plan and making a greener and more sustainable borough.

With this £20m investment our residents can see that we are serious about making our ambition a reality.”

“It is going to make a real difference to the delivery of our environment and sustainability strategy and will help fund a number of measures highlighted in the climate change action plan designed to reduce carbon emissions and tackle priority issues such as air quality.”

We help companies, charities and other community groups develop sustainability plans. We also run energy cafes across the borough to help alleviate fuel poverty and give energy savings advice. We can help your business scope out a sustainability programme, assist with funding opportunities and manage project delivery.

This year we have delivered LED lighting projects, solar PV, battery storage, heating solutions and building management systems. We have a pipeline that also includes heat pumps and demand-side response services. If you feel you are paying too much for your energy, we can help with that too.

You may be asking why you should be considering embracing the green revolution. Well, obviously it’s the right thing to do; cutting emissions slows climate change and improves local air quality.

Secondly, these measures make economic sense.

By installing LEDs, for example, you can often get payback in under three years. Another consideration is that for an increasing number of consumers the provenance of the goods and services they purchase is a priority. A recent study found that 75% of people under 45 years old would be prepared to pay more for a product that had an ethical or environmental origin.

So, it makes good business sense too.

CREW Energy’s work fits well with Wandsworth Council’s mission to make the borough the greenest in inner-London.

Cllr Rory O’Broin, Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for finance and corporate resources – and who is leading the council’s work on climate change – said: “Wandsworth Council aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and we have already committed up to £20m in helping to deliver on our environmental and sustainability strategy.

“At the same time, we recognise that the council alone will not be able to reduce carbon emissions in our borough, and we all have a responsibility when it comes to climate change.

“The work that CREW Energy is doing in helping businesses become more sustainable is a great example of a community organisation supporting our aspirations and building a greener borough.”

For more information on what you can do to make Wandsworth greener, contact us at info@crewenergy.london Business Connexions | 27

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

HOLISTIC approach is best To get the most out of their workforce, employers should think about employee welfare holistically, a recent study has shown…

Creating a workplace culture that recognises and supports employees holistically can bring out the best in them.

That’s the stand-out conclusion of a recent study by life insurance specialist MetLife, which said employees are increasingly favouring health and wellness benefits that fit around their needs both in and outside of the workplace.

The report revealed several key insights: 1.

2.

3.

When employees are supported as individuals, they are more engaged.

Staff now expect their employer to recognise their ‘whole selves’ - from their unique values, backgrounds and talents to their perspectives on the workplace.

Finding purpose at work is multifaceted. Employees’ definition of what purpose means to them is broad and varied: 72% said creating value for their employer contributes to the sense of purpose they felt at work; 71% said doing work they were passionate about was the key motivator, while regularly accomplishing work tasks gave 79% a sense of purpose.

The study found that 88% of employees who feel a strong sense of purpose when working are significantly more satisfied with their job. Eight-three per cent felt more engaged, 89% more productive and 82% more successful. By taking a holistic approach, employers can do several things to make employees feel valued and appreciated, such as offering a comprehensive benefits programme, recognising achievements and providing training opportunities and incentives that fit around their lifestyles.

Technology is driving a new mandate for training. From social media to artificial intelligence (AI), new and evolving technologies are revolutionising job roles and industries. To adapt, employers must prepare and equip their workforce with new skillsets - often in short supply - and reskill employees who will be most affected. Through the right planning and training, employers will

4.

5.

not only get more appropriately skilled employees, but also happier, more engaged employees. Indeed, 68% of staff said work skills made them a better person in their personal life.

The study said training helps reinforce companies’ commitment to their staff, building a holistic culture of caring that drives employees’ trust in their employers.

Flexible careers are reshaping the workplace. Not only do employees expect employers to offer flexible work policies, they also want more longer-term flexibility that can help them achieve a better work-life balance. Offering structured programs such as paid sabbaticals can not only help employees take the time to follow passions or recharge, but also give them a sense of purpose and pride.

Sixty-eight per cent of employees surveyed in the study said they would be interested in a paid sabbatical program.

The gig economy can be a challenge and an opportunity for employers.

The same technologies and evolving expectations that have driven flexibility and the need for new skills have also blurred the distinction between work and life.

The evolution of mobile infrastructure, for example, has made part-time work accessible at the tap of a finger.

These technologies are fast-tracking the revolution of the gig economy, an increasingly popular way of working often based on a fixed-term contract or projects paid via a third party or online marketplace.

This poses a challenge for employers; 47% of IT workers surveyed said they were planning on leaving employment for contract or freelance work in the next five years. To counter this, employers could create benefits packages that gig opportunities can’t compete with or introduce policies and experiences within the workplace that replicate the flexibility offered by gig working.

“By taking a holistic approach, employers can do several things to make employees feel valued and appreciated, such as offering a comprehensive benefits programme, recognising achievements and providing training opportunities and incentives that fit around their lifestyles.”

Well-being in the Workplace Well-being is our holistic health, including the physical and emotional.

When we have good levels of well-being, we feel that life is in balance and that we can generally cope well. We feel motivated and engaged, we’re able to deal effectively with daily tasks, as well as ’bounce back’ from life’s challenges.

Good employee well-being is essential for a mentally healthy workplace, as well as enabling you to retain and gain motivated employees.

The cost of mental health in the workplace as you can see below has a huge impact on organisations. If we can focus on preventative well-being measures, we can support all employees including those with mental health issues.

Time and resources are often seen as a barrier to employee well-being but some small changes can make a difference to the culture of an organisation and most do not cost the earth, with a return on investment up to £9.00 for every £1.00 spent.

Here are a few small, simple ideas to get you started: • Environment- is your office a comfortable space to work in- is there enough natural light, could you add some plants or a splash of colour.

• Gratitude- notice good work and thank employees, have a gratitude wall- share thanks and positives, small things e.g. Joe made the coffee today.

• Take breaks/lunch breaks- allow your mind and body to reset, we are not machines, if possible, get outside to a park or green space.

• Healthy snacks- look after body and mind, you could combine this with connection-a team breakfast and use as a time to get to know each other, that’s not just work related.

• Communication is key- do people understand their roles, do they feel able to talk to someone if they are struggling with work, health or feeling stressed.

• Development and coaching opportunities help staff feel valued, improve their skills and put more back into the organisation.

Employee well-being can also improve performance and job satisfaction, which can lead to reduced staff turnover. It can reduce absence, increase productivity and promote staff engagement.

What have you got to lose?

Tracy Douthwaite Mental Health Awareness & Workplace Well-being Consultant & Trainer

www.happylife.org.uk Business Connexions | 29

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30 | Business Connexions YOU can book a FREE TRIAL today! by calling 020 8088 9987 or email: battersea@studybox.london

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Brexit bounce

The Brexit bounce appears to be taking hold and this can only be good for business, say James Collier and Alex O’Leary of law firm Hanne & Co… In its 120 years in Wandsworth, local law firm Hanne & Co has seen it all… including two world wars! While not of the same order, Brexit has certainly been a rollercoaster ride.

Whether you voted “in” or “out” on June 23 2016, the resultant period of uncertainty – will Britain actually leave or won’t it, and, if so, under what terms? – has led to the brakes being applied to company investment.

James Collier and Alex O’Leary, key members of Hanne & Co’s employment and commercial/ corporate teams, detect a change in the air.

“Definitely, the last few years have been tough for businesses in the area – big and small,” says Alex. “But I think it has been hardest on the smaller firms.

Hopefully a ‘Brexit bounce’ is beginning to take hold. Since the New Year I have seen a very healthy increase in enquiries from local business owners either wishing to sell their business or expand through acquisition.”

 Corporate/Commercial   Property  Family   Criminal Law 

James comments on the possible positive and negative effects this emergence from the shadow of Brexit may have on his area of law – employment.

“Over the last few years, firms have been treading water and have held off on key decisions such as investment and the related issue of engaging new staff,” he says. “This has retarded the natural business evolutionary cycle where microbusinesses become small firms, small firms become medium-sized firms and so on. Now this process is starting to happen again and as they develop to the next level of maturity companies are once again looking to engage new staff and review their HR policies, handbooks and internal procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose and do not expose them to expensive employment claims.”

Alex reflects that, especially at this moment of change, whether it is taking your company to the next level or indeed buying or selling a business, it remains essential to get appropriate legal advice.

“The process of buying or selling a business, even a small business, can be quite involved. For example, one of the most important details is the purchase price and the payment method and structure. Will it be cash?

Deferred consideration? Earn-out?

All parties are advised to have a lawyer work on an agreement that ensures everyone gets what they thought they had agreed.”

James adds: “Brexit may well speed up the pace of change in employment law, which will directly affect UK employers, and it is in the best interests of all firms, big or small, to make sure their HR and employment law practice is robust and lawful. With funds now being freed up by companies it makes sense to do a little bit of internal ‘stock taking’.”

Whether you support Brexit or not, it looks like the UK is finally coming out of its enforced stall, which can only be a good thing for Wandsworth’s local businesses.

 Employment  Litigation   Wills & Probate   Childcare Law 

Serving Wandsworth, Battersea and Southwest London since 1890 The Candle Factory  112 York Road  Battersea  SW11 3RS 020 7326 9440 enquiries@hanne.co.uk  www.hanne.co.uk Business Connexions | 31

Chamber Events

Scan the QR code (Caltrics.com) with your phone camera to see our events and get them in your calendar app.

MARCH Free Fore Business Golf & Networking Thursday 19th March 7 AM - 1 PM Venue: Silvermere Golf Club, Surrey

www The Wandsworth Big Breakfast BREXIT - What happens next Wednesday 25th March 8-10 AM Venue: Chelsea Bridge Pestana Hotel & Spa Battersea

www Wandsworth Young Chamber Start-Ups - All you need to know Thursday 26th March 6-8 PM Venue: University of Roehampton Frobel College

APRIL

Rosslyn Park Business Club with Wandsworth Chamber Wednesday 1st April 6-8.30 PM Rosslyn Park RFC

E V A S e t a d the

MAY Barclays Business Briefing Monday 4th May 6-8.30 PM Venue: Barclays Bank Clapham Junction

www Rosslyn Park RFC Business Club with Wandsworth Chamber Wednesday 6th May 6-8.30 PM Venue: Rosslyn Park RFC

Earlsfield Business Networking Wednesday 13th May 6-9 PM Venue: TBC

www House of Commons Thursday 21st May 6-8 PM Vanue: House of Commons

www

www

www Metro Monday

JUNE

Monday 6th April 6-8.30 PM Venue: TBC

Metro Monday

www Earlsfield Business Networking

Monday 1st June 6-8.30 PM

Earlsfield Business Networking Wednesday 10th June 6-9 PM

Venue: TBC

Venue: TBC

Wednesday 8th April 6-9 PM Venue in Earlsfield: The Earlsfield P.H.

www Rosslyn Park RFC Business Club

www Putney Business Networking

with Wandsworth Chamber

www Putney Business Networking

Wednesday 15th April 6-8 PM Venue: TBC

Wednesday 3rd June 6-8.30 PM Venue: Rosslyn Park RFC

Wednesday 17th June 6-8 PM Venue: TBC

www

For further details go to

www

www.wandsworthchamber.org/events

32 | Business Connexions

STARTING UP

WELCOME

to new members

Sustainability of people and planet a key focus

Abbey Robb Therapies

GetFoundDigital.co.uk

6 Kimble Rd SW19 2AS

195 Derry Court

07754 292813

386 Streatham High Road SW16 6BF

abbey@abbeyrobbtherapies.co.uk

richard@getfounddigital.co.uk

AFC Wimbledon

Groundwork London

Cherry Red Records Stadium

18-21 Morley Street London SW17 7QZ

Q1 Tell us a bit about your business?

422a Jack Goodchild Way KT1 3PB

07809 202551

020 8547 3336

bryn.cochrane-milne@groundwork.org.uk

We are known for making sustainable and innovative sourdough pizza. Sustainability of people and planet are at the heart of Well Kneaded and we were founded to provide employment opportunities to young people facing disadvantage. We are ever innovating our menu in the pizzeria with sustainable, seasonal local ingredients and processes at the heart.

commercial@afcwimbledon.co.uk

Beehiveit Limited

Metro Bank 89-93 Putney High Street Putney

Bridget and Laurence Callaghan WELL KNEADED LTD www.wellkneadedfood.com

73 Hassocks Road SW16 5HA

SW15 1SR

07748772903

carl.maw@metrobank.plc.uk

dmohan@beehiveit.co.uk

nucleus of change

Chaka Travel

London Balham High Road SW17 7JE

Our team, our care for our product and the people that work for us and that we serve and our menu that showcases the best of British seasonality. A current special is Soft Salami (made by local charcutiers, Tempus), Rhubarb, Mozzarella (British) and tomato.

32 Cannon Close London SW20 9HA

francine@nucleusofchange.com

Q3 What motivated you to set up in business?

07597852188

Peachy Communications Limited

sean@chakatravel.com

Christian P. Kerrigan Architecture

19 Baskerville Road SW18 3RW

64 Southwark Bridge Road SE1 0AS

peachycommunicationslimited@gmail.com

07947784357 studio@christianpkerrigan.com

Clover CV

07949231442

Peter Aguma - Utility Consultant 39 Swanwick Close Roehampton SW15 4EF

71 Alderbrook Road SW12 8AD

07886295484

07986298367

peter@wesaveumore.co.uk

hdmsilver@hotmail.co.uk

Easy Shipping Ltd

Putney PC Huntingfield Road SW15 5EA

Unit 15-16, Liongate Enterprise Park

07941940552

80 Morden Road CR4 4NY

info@putneypc.co.uk

0208 6489092 info@easyshipping.co.uk

Ecogenie Clean Ltd T/A NIC Services Group 9 Munslow Gardens Sutton SM1 3RN 07876756472 sdavid@nicgroup.co.uk

Frost Architects Ltd Studio 305 The Light Bulb

Raethian Solutions Limited T/A Business Doctors 42 Elton Close KT1 4EE 02089778317 oreste.maspes@businessdoctors.co.uk

Sapiens Media Coaching 07772682331 ceccatomarta@sapiensmediacoaching.com

1 Filament Walk SW18 4GQ

The Pet Stop

02071838345

296 Trinity Road

d.frost@frostarchitects.com

Fulham Palace Trust Fulham Palace Trust, Bishop’s Avenue Fulham SW6 6EA

Wandsworth Common SW18 3RG donniemorgan@gmail.com

Well Kneaded 414 Garratt Lane Earlsfield SW18 4HW

020 7610 7161

07786072783

sian.harrington@fulhampalace.org

bridget@wellkneadedfood.com

Q2 What gives your business ‘the x-factor’?

Bridget had been a youth worker on the Winstanley estate and saw a need for helping local young people gain confidence and experience in order to be able to get and thrive in a job. She started off with a pizza van in 2011, catering local events and then weddings and street food markets. It was only in 2018 that the Pizzeria in Earlsfield was born.

Q4 What do you like most about working for start up?

The combination of seeing our team as our extended family, and also constantly innovating our product so that it is truly becoming ever more sustainable and excellent, keeps us creative and on our toes.

Q5 What has been your greatest business success to date?

Within our first year of trading we won an award at the Street Food Awards, for our pizza pie- that was great. Last year, in 2019, Bridget was recognized as a winner in the Urban Food Awards under the ‘women in food’ category- another great moment for us! Best of all, was expanding from a food truck to our earlsfield pizzeria

Q6 What has been your lowest moment ?

Being housed most of the time in a vintage van proves to have as many complications as successes. Before we used a tow to get it around, the van broke down and we had to sleep overnight in it in a service station, waiting to be rescued.

Q7 In terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next year 5 years ?

We would love to have a local mill to mill our own flour, and that be part of our business model. We really want to be able to have as wider impact as possible on consumer food habits, to inspire and help people to have as lower impact on the planet in their consuming patterns as possible. We also want to widen the platform we have to be able to offer more employment opportunities to young people locally.

Q8 What would be your top tip to someone thinking of starting up their own business?

Sometimes you have a vision and just need to start rolling with it, but you can really mitigate the tricky times by having a really clear strategy, although you can’t be sure that your strategy will work. Having clear goals and aims and focus really helps you stay on track. Also think about the impact your business has, and the impact you want it to have. Purpose is everything!

Business Connexions | 33 Business Connexions | 33

5 MINUTES WITH ...

5 minutes with ...

Toby Costin (right) in one of CREW’s energy cafes

Toby Costin

Director of Crew Energy Q Who are you?

Q Ideal customer?

Toby Costin, a green entrepreneur and director of CREW Energy, Wandsworth’s local community energy group. I have 18 years’ experience in the energy sector of which seven years have now been in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

A company that understands the impact it is having on the planet, wants to do something about it but may not have the tools to do so. Business is becoming increasingly conscious that consumers are thinking about their suppliers’ green credentials and the provenance of the products they buy.

We want to help businesses across the borough be the best they can be.

Q What’s your business all about?

CREW Energy is about making Wandsworth and London a greener and fairer place to live and work. We help councils, third sector organisations, businesses and residents migrate to sustainable technologies and actions.

We will scope projects, help raise finance and manage delivery. We also run outreach programmes and energy cafes to help people save money and cut carbon.

Q Three words to describe yourself?

Innovative, inclusive and optimistic.

34 | Business Connexions

Q Biggest achievement?

CREW has just won a £100,000 grant to develop community models for renewable heat (heat pumps and district heating). This funding and the innovation it will bring will be a gamechanger for CREW, hopefully for London and for community energy.

Q Biggest gripe?

The lack of understanding that central and local government has around the climate emergency. They declared these emergencies but since that

time there has been little or no action.

Soundbites do not halt climate change.

Q Your inspiration?

All those students who went on strike from schools and marched in towns and city centres to raise awareness of the climate emergency. It really took that movement to wake up governments around the world and shame them into action.

Q Philosophy in business?

Holistic solutions that consider the trilemma of sustainability: the environmental, economic and social impact. We need to cut carbon consumption, make that financially viable and always look to add social benefits to our actions.

Q Sporting hero?

After last summer, it can only be Ben Stokes!

Q Biggest tip for success?

Keep learning, keep trying and keep your chin up.

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Business Connexions | 35

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