I must confess; I hadn’t really thought of her as a leader. To me she was the queen, born into it, doing what she had to do. But I realised from listening that she’d had a choice about how she showed up in that role and how she used it for good and positive influence. That she had shaped the role around her purpose to serve others.
They said the Queen was a “leader of loving service”, where she was steadfast, yet constantly evolving and adapting with those she served. She inspired people to think differently, united world leaders and countries, encouraged everyone she met to be the best they can be and was a role model for compassion and dedication.
So, by all accounts, was a great leader.
What lessons can we take from this kind of leadership and dedication to service?
We primarily do that through our events creating the space for businesses to connect and grow. Please see the events page for a list of up coming events but just to highlight that on the next Business Forum on 5th October we will be hearing from Toby Costin from Crew Energy who will be speaking with us about the energy crisis and it’s causes. He will also discuss up and coming Government support, plus technology and behavioural changes you could consider adopting. So one not to miss. By then we will have had the mini budget and will also hopefully be getting any updates from Wandsworth Council on the Government’s response to the energy crisis at a more local level.
Welcome to the October 2022 edition of the Business Connexions magazine.
In the last weeks, we have witnessed Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral and mourned her passing.
Whether a Royalist or not, this was an historic and momentous occasion for Britain, recognised on the world stage, and it was executed in a very fitting manner that only the British can do.
Whilst listening to the various commentators, world leaders and documentaries talking of her life, her contribution, how she made people feel when they met her, and the impact she had on so many people, I was struck by their reflections on how she lived her role as a leader.
Through her death she will have inspired world leaders and hopefully us all to reflect on what legacy we want to leave.
What impact we want to have and how we want people to speak of us when we are not there.
As we continue to experience challenging and uncertain times, with fuel prices going up, the Net Zero agenda, supply chain issues and talent sourcing issues, it is essential we all step up as leaders by remaining steadfast in fulfilling our purpose and values by being agile, innovative, and resourceful.
At Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce we believe that there has never been a better time to pull together to support each other, help each other to see and create opportunities and to really push the buy local, live local agenda.
Finally, we are excited to be bringing back the Wandsworth Business Awards next year. Please save the date of 14th March in your diary for what promises to be a night to remember. I plan to do something never done before in a business awards event, so watch this space to find out more about what that is.
In the meantime we are looking to hear from businesses who would be interested in supporting the business awards through sponsorship, or indeed by entering for an award so do please get in touch with me if you would like more information at beverley@wandsworthchamber.org
Wishing you a successful Autumn.
Beverley Corson Chief Executive Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce
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Published October 2022
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While fundraising was and remains a significant challenge, particularly for black organisations, Joyce is proud of what the team have achieved so far and hopes more money can be raised to spread awareness of black history and culture.
So why is black history so important and why the need for halls of fame?
“When I was at school black history was simply: ‘you came from slaves’. The impact on your self-esteem is great,” Joyce explains.
“The reality is that black kids should go into school with great pride in their history and understand the huge contribution the black community has made to the UK”.
Flip, who was the first editor of The Voice newspaper, passed away in 2014 after a long illness. Flip had for a long time been involved in theatre and music projects to celebrate and highlight the achievements of black people. His show, Black Heroes in the Hall of Fame, had run for decades and had been staged not just in the UK but in the US.
Joyce takes up the story: “At Flip’s funeral a lot of people were saying to me ‘we need to preserve his legacy’. I agreed but wasn’t exactly sure how to as my background was not in the arts or media but in teaching”.
But Joyce soon realised that Flip’s Facebook page for Black Heroes still had thousands of followers so there was still a connection and something to work with. She decided to set up the Black Heroes® Foundation charity. She admits at first she was terrified and had no idea about how to raise funds but with an enthusiastic team behind her, the charity was up and running in 2016.
Despite never having written a play before, Joyce decide to write about black heroes and the hugely beneficial impact they had on their communities.
She has written and toured a play about John Archer, the first black mayor in London. The son of an Irish mother and a ship steward father from Barbados – Archer held the role of mayor for the borough of Battersea in 1913. Hugely respected and admired, he made a huge contribution to black rights.
More recently she produced a play about Claudia Jones, who held the first West Indian Carnival in London
at St Pancras Town Hall - her carnivals were the pre-cursor to the Notting Hill Carnival. An amazing life story of a woman from Trinidad, who emigrated to the US only to be deported in the 1950s during the McCarthy witch hunt due to her political activism and support for African American liberation.
Settled in London, she set up the West Indian Gazette and in 1959 as a community response to the 1958 August Bank Holiday riots in Notting Hill, she organised the precursor to the now world-famous annual carnival. That is some legacy!
In addition to these plays being performed in Wandsworth and Battersea, the Canada Water Theatre is also showcasing Joyce’s work in October.
“One of the differences between what we are doing now and the ‘black heroes show’ that Flip focused on – who were largely from the US – is that we have highlighted the achievements of local people which when you visit schools and community groups certainly has a significant resonance.”
So, what does the future hold for Joyce and the foundation? The aim to develop cultural awareness and celebrate black heroes will not change but new efforts will be made to increase funding and for the charity to be self-sufficient.
“We need to look at how we can increase merchandising – at the same time as attracting new donations,” Joyce says.
It is quite a tall order for someone without a background in theatre or charities to take on a project like The Black Heroes® Foundation – but that is exactly what Joyce Fraser did after her husband Flip Fraser died.
The reality is that black kids should go into school with great pride in their history and understand the huge contribution the black community has made to the UK.Black
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We deliver Water Coolers, Bottled Water and Water packs to homes, offices and warehouses
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Following feedback and consultations with local businesses, The Junction BID will introduce Junction BID Ambassadors/Street Wardens to the BID locale this autumn.
The Junction BID will introduce Junction BID Ambassadors/ Street Wardens to the BID locale this autumn. As part of the ‘My Local Bobby’ scheme, The Junction BID will employ two wardens who will work directly with BID businesses on issues such as tackling anti-social behaviour and shoplifting (amongst other concerns) and offer friendly help and guidance to residents and visitors, when shopping in The Junction.
Integrating into the community and building familiarity and trust is a priority for each Bobby to ensure they provide full support to BID businesses.
The Clapham Junction BID are pleased to announce that fourteen LivingPillars™ – bringing biodiverse greenery to Clapham Junction – have been installed in the Junction locale. This ground-breaking project is a harmonious combination of nature and technology, featuring sustainable planting on local lampposts – creating visually stunning pillars of flora and foliage and a biodiverse setting with bird and insect boxes. Coupled with an integrated irrigation system – driven by solar panels – and the ability to collect air quality data and trap particulate matter, LivingPillars™ will bring colourful shrubs and plants to Clapham Junction, in areas where trees cannot be planted.
The annual Clapham Junction Christmas Lights’ Switch-On (broadcast live, on Riverside Radio) takes place on 18th November at 6pm and will feature a magnificent pine tree – situated opposite Arding & Hobbs – dazzling lights and illuminations, plus a host of festive fun and entertainment.
Over on Northcote Road, the spirit of Christmas will be brought to life with the switch on of the lights and tree on Friday, 25th November (at 5pm) and a day of seasonal fun, food and entertainment for children and families to enjoy, will take place on Sunday, 27th November.
For more details: visitclaphamjunction.com
World Heart Beat Music Academy (WHB) is calling for local businesses to ‘Name a Seat’ in their new concert venue and education centre in Embassy Gardens, as they reach the ‘Last Mile’ of their fundraising campaign.
The venue has a 200 capacity (120 seated) and will have a busy programme of global music concerts from emerging and international artists, accessible to Wandsworth residents. It opens in September 2022.
WHB is one of the borough’s leading charities, which benefits young people, including those living in difficult circumstances. Naming a seat is a fantastic way to demonstrate your support for the Wandsworth Community.
Seat sponsorship is £1,000.
To find out more contact Sal Sherratt, Director of Philanthropy and Commercial at sal@worldheartbeat.org
Battersea Power Station is pleased to announced that Swedish electric performance car brand, Polestar, will open its new UK flagship Space within the Grade II* listed Power Station on Friday 14th October 2022, when the building opens its doors to the public for the first time in history.
The Space will form part of the London landmark’s new retail and leisure offering and continues to buck the traditional automotive retail model by championing a direct-to-consumer, digitalfirst sales approach.
new Polestar Space at Battersea Power Station can be found via the following link https://batterseapowerstation.co.uk/news/polestar-to-open-uk-flagship-space-at-battersea-power-station/
Further information on
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
For more information or to discuss how we can help you, please contact us at:
Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce 020 3633 6575 enquiries@wandsworthchamber.org
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.
How long have you worked for Handelsbanken and what does it offer that the major high street names don’t?
I’ve been with Handelsbanken since 2015 following a 30 year stint with one of the high street banks. Unlike other high street banks, we have a decentralised model, which means our customers benefit from swift, clear decisions, made in the branch by people they know.
Each customer has a direct line to their own account manager, who knows the local market and invests time to understand their aspirations, to reach truly bespoke solutions. Our customers trust us because we focus on building long-term relationships, and because we’re free from sales targets or short-term bonuses, they know we’re always working in their best interest.
Handelsbanken is also considered to be one of the world’s safest commercial banks – we were named the world’s joint-top safest commercial bank in Global Finance Magazine’s World’s Safest Banks 2021 rankings.
Given the concerns about rising energy and living costs, how important is a ‘personal approach’ to banking at times like these?
With the current levels of uncertainty it’s vitally important to our customers that they’re able to reach out directly to their account manager to discuss any concerns or seek guidance. Because we take the time to get to know our customers they can be confident that we know what matters to them and how to help them reach their goals.
Many of the major banks have closed local branches – has that left space for the likes of Handelsbanken?
For a relationship-led bank like us our branch network is very important to our customers; a truly local bank rooted
in the community. We love the fact that customers can just pop in for a coffee and a chat if they’re passing by the branch!
How important is it to invest in digital/tech to ensure customers have the best of both worlds – human interaction but also 24/7 access to services?
Investment in technology and digital banking solutions is a big priority for us. Our focus is on giving our customers a choice of how they want to manage their relationship with us. We appreciate that it’s the human interaction and local feel that attracts customers to Handelsbanken, but we also know that the ability to access banking services digitally is also really important to our customers.
When and how did your relationship with the Chamber of Commerce start?
We were introduced to the Chamber by an existing patron member back in June 2022. I went along to one of the patron events and met with some of the other members and decided right away that joining the Chamber as a patron would enable us to work more closely with other local Wandsworth businesses.
What have been the key benefits?
We haven’t been working with the Chamber long, so it’s still early days, but we’ve already had some great conversations about how we can work together. It’ll be good to get back into the swing of networking post Covid and the Chamber will provide some great opportunities to do just that. We’re also keen to pass on some of our financial expertise to other Chamber members and the wider Wandsworth business community.
When
an
investment it
is valuing
‘post-’ money, and ‘diluted’ and ‘undiluted’ mean.
These terms can help you understand exactly what an investor expects in terms of a future shareholding in your company, and how much they are willing to pay for it. Not understanding these terms could lead you to giving away more of your company than you intend, or giving away a share in your company at too low a valuation.
Sally Johnston, senior associate at Russell-Cooke, guides you through how investors evaluate your business’s value and the terms they use, essential knowledge for every start-up.
In seed fundraising, investors will give a company cash in exchange for shares.
If the investment is based on a ‘pre-money’ valuation of the company, this means the value placed on the company is worked out before the company receives investment.
A ‘post-money’ valuation refers to the value of the company after the proposed investment. This means that a pre-money valuation of a company at £1m is the same as a post-money valuation of a company at £1.5m if the planned investment is £500k.
If an investor wants to invest £500k at a pre-money valuation of £1m, the company will end up being worth £1.5m and the investor will hold 33.3%.
If an investor wants to invest £500k at a post-money valuation of £1m, the company will end up being worth £1m and the investor will hold 50%.
‘pre-’
Undiluted share capital refers to the total issued share capital of a company. This includes all the shares which have been issued in a company, and which appear in the register of members and on Companies House.
Diluted share capital also includes various ‘rights’ to shares, which may not have actually been issued yet, such as options, warrants and convertible loans. This shows the percentage interest in a company someone might have if all the rights to shares materialised and resulted in newly issued shares in the company.
If an investor wants to buy a 10% share in a company on an undiluted basis, and the company has an option pool of 25%, the post-investment cap table might look like this:
to
important
like
actually being
corporate
of
a
with this, please contact Sally Johnston in
+44 (0) 8394 6442
Sally.Johnston@russell-cooke.co.uk
+44 (0)20
Amongst the line-up of new brands announced is Battersea Bookshop, a new standalone neighbourhood bookshop from specialist bookseller Stanfords. The unique concept will have a curated collection of art, architecture and design books, in a modern, minimalist-designed store to honour the history and architecture of its home within the Power Station.
iLondon fitness brand, Third Space, will also be opening a 28,000 sq. ft club in 2023 offering space for training, recovery, relaxation and nutrition on the newly created pedestrianised high street, Electric Boulevard, which will run from the south of the Power Station, between Frank Gehry’s Prospect Place and Foster + Partners’ Battersea Roof Gardens to the Northern Line underground station.
New brands joining the line-up opening at Battersea Power Station include Ace + Tate, lululemon, Theory, Castore, Mulberry, Hackett and Sweaty Betty.
These new brands will join a strong line-up of retailers already set to open their doors at Battersea Power Station from this Autumn creating over 2,500 new jobs, including Uniqlo, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, The Kooples, Ray-Ban, L’Occitane, Gant, The Body Shop, Lacoste, Aēsop, Mango, Reiss, Le Labo, Hugo Boss, MAC Cosmetics, Space NK, Jo Malone London, Kiehl’s Since 1851.
Fitness and leisure brands include boxing gym BXR and The Cinema at The Power Station a new cinema and private members club, with sister sites including The Cinema at Selfridges and The Cinema in The Arches located in Circus West Village, the first chapter of the Battersea Power Station development.
JKS Restaurants will be opening a 24,000 sq. ft Arcade Food Hall in the Boiler House at the heart of the Power Station in 2023. The food hall will feature a number of new JKS brands, as well as three standalone
restaurants including award-winning Taiwanese restaurant BAO, and a yet to be announced Thai restaurant. It was announced earlier this year that international high-street favourite, ZARA, will open its first Central London store south of the river on Electric Boulevard. Shoppers will be able to enjoy all of ZARA’s product ranges under one roof across a two-level store in Prospect Place.
Following these latest signings, 85% of the retail and leisure space inside Battersea Power Station is now exchanged or under offer, with the first stores set to start trading as the Power Station opens its doors to the public for the first time this Autumn.
Sam Cotton, Head of Leasing at Battersea Power Station Development Company, said: “The consumer experience has never been more important when it comes to creating a new retail destination and we’re extremely excited to be working with some of the leading retail, hospitality and dining concepts from around the globe, as well as independent, up and coming brands to bring something new and dynamic to London. Our aim has always been to create a visitor destination with something for everyone and the brand mix announced so far demonstrates that we have successfully achieved this.”
Simon Murphy, Chief Executive Officer at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), said: “The countdown to the Power Station opening its doors to the public for the first time in history is well and truly on. From this Autumn, local residents, Londoners and visitors from further afield will be able to see for themselves how the Grade II* listed landmark has been transformed into a retail and leisure destination like no other.
The retail experience within the Power Station will be housed in the two newly restored, historic Turbine Halls, which although identical
when viewed from the building’s exterior, are completely unique in their interior design. Turbine Hall A reflects the lavish Art Deco glamour of the 1930s when the Power Station was built, whereas Turbine Hall B which was completed in the 1950s, has more of a brutalist, industrial look and feel.
The retail experience will continue on Electric Boulevard which will be home to a mix of office space, shops, bars and restaurants, a park, community centre and an exciting new 164 room hotel from art’otel®, the brand’s first hotel to open in London.
Circus West Village, the first chapter in the regeneration of Battersea Power Station, is already home to over 1,800 residents and more than 20 bars, restaurants, cafés, fitness and leisure offerings. The thriving riverside neighbourhood usually welcomes over three million people each year thanks to its annual events programme with highlights including the Light Festival at Battersea Power Station and Summer Showtime on The Coaling Jetty, London’s first open-air cinema and theatre experience.
With the Northern Line extended to give this new riverside neighbourhood its very own Zone 1 London Underground station, Battersea Power Station is now within 15 minutes of the West End and the City and is expected to draw visitors from across the capital and the globe, becoming one of London’s most visited destinations, boosting the local economy and creating over 17,000 jobs once the whole project is fully complete. Battersea Power Station is also easily accessible via the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers river bus service, bike, train and on foot.
Battersea Power Station has recently announced a further wave of retail and leisure brands opening in the iconic Grade II* listed building and on Electric Boulevard, central London’s newest pedestrianised high street, from Autumn 2022.
To keep up with the latest news and events at Battersea Power Station visit
To kick-start the new academic year, Wandsworth Council Lifelong Learning (WCLL) is offering a series of FREE workshops and courses to enable you to learn new skills.
September and October 2022, starting on the 5th of September. The courses will be delivered mostly on-line, however, there are some physical classes.
Courses and workshops are free and cover a broad range of topics, with something for everyone:
• Introduction to Leadership & Management
• Introduction to Health & Social Care
• Level 1 Award in Accountancy – Evening Class
• Developing your Communication Skills
• Introduction to Counselling
• Top Tips for Enterprise
• Learn to Sell and Supercharge your Business
• Microsoft Office Employability Course – Using Word
• Digital Support for 50+
• Improve your Social Media Presence
• Introduction to Yoga 50+
• Participation is on condition of the completion of an online enrolment form and proof of identity.
• You will need to have access to a laptop or computer with a good internet connection and be ready to access the workshop at the designated time on Google Meet.
• Eligibility criteria apply, which you can find on the website.
Places are limited, so if you would like to participate in one of these inspiring courses, go to www.wandsworthlifelonglearning.org.uk/guide/have-a-go/ to book your place.
e: edlifelong@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Our vision is that people with disabilities should live as valued members of society, entitled to equal rights and choice and be enabled to live their lives with dignity and respect.
Building on people’s strengths, we empower people to have a voice, make choices, enforce their rights and make a positive difference to their lives through learning, work and leisure. get involved!
We are looking for people who share our passion to empower people with a learning disability to have a good life: if you would like to join our team, volunteer or are interested in becoming a trustee, visit our website
He adds: “In time of high inflation, businesses with low-skill, low wage employees will struggle. They will have to increase wages”.
It is certainly an argument for UK businesses focussed on exports that the weak pound is a helpful tailwind right now. Richard takes this on board but stresses that the price of trading in goods and services is really accelerating and companies are feeling the impact of no longer being part of the EU trading bloc.
“The level of documentation involved and costs, means a lot of UK businesses are not trading with Europe anymore. Trading terms need to ease with Europe. At the moment it is easier to trade with Canada!”
Does Richard, CEO of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, think the Carolean Age (if that is what it is to be called), will begin with a period of major change and is there cause for much optimism?
There will unlikely be any significant shift in emphasis, he argues, since it is still a Conservative government aligned to a manifesto it was elected on three years ago.
What has been evident so far though, is a lack of clarity from the new occupant of Downing Street.
“It is hard to see what direction Prime Minister Liz Truss’ administration is going to take given there have been so many proposed policy reversals already. The old saying that ‘business hates uncertainty’ is true and that is what we have right now.”
Like many who watched the Conservative Party leadership campaign, Richard is sceptical as to how many of the populist ‘commitments’ are actually (or ever were) deliverable. He also thinks some measures just send out the wrong message at the wrong time – particularly the cap on bank bonuses.
“Lifting the cap on bonuses means a few hundred getting a lot of money in their pocket – this is not going to the thousands of businesses that keep London alive”.
“Is there a talent drain in the City? There is a small number moving to Europe but
there is no great outflow to, say, New York. Banks are not complaining about problems with recruitment.”
Richard stresses that the real problem in terms of finding talent is being faced by SMEs across many sectors, who cannot find people sufficiently well trained or who have seen skilled staff return to their European homeland with little appetite to return to a country they now feel is unwelcoming.
Prime Minister Truss made it clear early on in her leadership bid that tax cuts were on the agenda. Richard agrees that it is the wrong time to be increasing taxes and that they shouldn’t initially have been increased in the aftermath of the pandemic.
His concern with taxes is that they are too often used in a non-strategic way. “If you use taxes tactically, rising or lowering between budgets in response to popular demand, this creates more business uncertainty.”
As for inflation, Richard believes the world is so volatile it is difficult to say whether (and when) the rate will go down.
“The businesses that will feel the most pressure is those with less access to cash or borrowing. SMEs don’t have much ballast in anything – be that people or asset value”.
So, what needs to happen? “Both sides (UK and EU) are fighting an argument that has already moved on. Rather than trying to prove Brexit has worked/not worked, they should be asking ‘what is the trading relationship we want in the future?”
As far as Richard is concerned, there has to be an acceptance that EU trade is handled as a collective and build on that.
He explains that the EU is a hugely important trading partner for the UK and unlike China, is an amenable trading bloc. Nor does Richard think mega trade partnerships elsewhere can swiftly dispatch the EU to periphery status.
“The US has never really been a ‘freetrading nation. The easiest place in the world to do business is with the EU.”
The UK’s standing in the world may have been damaged by tussles with the EU and even threats to rip up signed agreements, but Richard is confident London businesses are well equipped to succeed regardless.
London has a lot of resilience. It is such a diverse place, with wealth coming from a vast number of sources not just the City. For instances, life sciences, creatives and education. Not only is London home to several top 20 universities globally but Middlesex is now one of the largest vocational focussed universities in the world.
“I am optimistic about London – we will find ways of riding this storm; a storm that has been made worse by indecisive government,” he says.
A lot has happened since Richard Burge’s last article for Business Connexions just a couple of months ago.
Not only have we seen a change of monarch for the first time in 70 years but also a change of PM at Number 10.
Both sides (UK and EU) are fighting an argument that has already moved on. Rather than trying to prove Brexit has worked/ not worked, they should be asking ‘what is the trading relationship we want in the future?
The phrase ‘dynamic business’ is used pretty often these days and when you look at the company it is being applied to you frequently raise an eyebrow. But this is not the case with London Entertainment Inc (LEI).
One visit to the website and you see that this is a slick operation with an extensive list of illustrious clients.
The London-based multi-media group works in all areas of the arts & entertainment industryfilms, music, TV, sport and high fashion.
It delivers cutting edge celebrity brand licensing programmes, talent management, marketing campaigns, brand partnerships and A- list product launch events. Notably, LEI curates and produces London Fashion Week.
It has also managed iconic brands including Apple, BBC Doctor Who, WWE, Disney Club Penguin, Jonas Brothers and UFC
Saphia M, president of London Entertainment Inc, is supremely proud of the fact that LEI was born and bred in Wandsworth and the company actively looks to retain ties when it can.
“We use local business for support and to grow our business, such as our accountants and some of our clients are from the borough”.
While the local link is important to LEI, Saphia stresses the ambition of the company to expand abroad. Her focus is on LEI becoming a truly global company.
“Our journey is very long but we are not faint hearted, so we will continue to push ourselves to hit our targets. There are opportunities for us in the US and Africa in a major way and we intend to chase those leads and secure those deals”.
Saphia insists she and LEI has the drive to achieve these ambitious targets.
“What motivates me is doing what I love and helping people, this is not work for me, it’s a lifestyle”
Of course, Saphia is under no illusion as to the intense pressures the media entertainment industry faced and continues to face post-pandemic.
“Like all other businesses we are far from being exempt. We are still in survival mode, since the pandemic but we have also been very fortunate that our business survived the storm despite not being able to access grants or furlough schemes.
“We have steered our business through the shock of the lockdowns and survived on a very minimal Bouncedback loan.
Although the world is now in the recovery mode, LEI recognises that is operating in a new environment now.
“The digital space has accelerated at such speed that is hard to keep up with. The media relies on its audience and consumers, and as a brand licensing business we rely on retail space. So, between the digital acceleration, the cost-of-living crisis and the double storm of Brexit, it seems these challenges are our daily struggle”.
Saphia adds: “These are very uncertain times but also for us it drives us to think outside the box and look for those unorthodox opportunities. I am happy to say, we have been very fortunate to seize these new opportunities”.
So, what hangover has Covid brought and what are these ‘new opportunities’ for LEI?
“If anyone had told me five years ago there was a storm named COVID19 coming our way in March of 2020, I would have absolutely said they are out of their mind,” Saphia says.
“Better still, I would have never even thought they could be opportunities for a business like ours. Think about it, this is black-owned, female-led business.
We started it with zero capital. When COVID hit, I kid you not, I was having vodka for breakfast!”.
However, after a very tense few months, the unlikely opportunity came through.
“We have always been focusing on diversity in our work. So after the tragic death of George Floyd, our inbox was flooded with clients needing our services. It was then when we secured a significant partnership with one of our biggest clients Paramount Global”.
“Suddenly our doors were opened to the whole new and meaningful work helping our clients to diversify their portfolios, brands and creative programmes.
“So, for us, the opportunities are endless and we have been able to pay back our bounce-back loan in full and move our business in a new and meaningful direction. We are now in a position to give back a little and do projects that make a difference in the community but also contribute to our country’s economy which is something we are very proud of”.
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Our journey is very long but we are not faint hearted, so we will continue to push ourselves to hit our targets. There are opportunities for us in the US and Africa in a major way and we intend to chase those leads and secure those deals.
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The digital space has accelerated at such speed that is hard to keep up with. The media relies on its audience and consumers, and as a brand licensing business we rely on retail space. So, between the digital acceleration, the cost-of-living crisis and the double storm of Brexit, it seems these challenges are our daily struggle.
Wandsworth Council’s new business spokesperson made meeting local businesses one of her top priorities during her first few weeks in office.
Councillor Kemi Akinola joined a Wandsworth Chamber meeting and also a breakfast event to hear how the local business and charity communities are recovering after the pandemic, while dealing with challenges such as recruitment, supply chains and space requirements.
As the council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for the voluntary sector, business engagement and culture, Cllr Akinola pledged her support for the business community and spoke about the council’s ambitions to make Wandsworth a fairer place and address inequality in the borough.
‘Key to the borough’s recovery’
Cllr Akinola said: “I’m committed to listening to local businesses and charities, hearing the issues they are facing and understanding how the council can support them. It was great to meet such a range of business owners and hear their passion for the borough.
“The business sector, working in partnership with the council, is key to the borough’s recovery from the pandemic and overcoming new challenges.
It’s also important that we work together to improve access to work for young people, refugees and people who choose to make Wandsworth their home.
“Another top priority for me is ensuring the borough’s community, charity and voluntary sector is much better supported, particularly at a time when its services have never been so needed.”
Beverley Corson, CEO of the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce said: “We were delighted to welcome Councillor Akinola to meet our business community and find out more about our successes and challenges.
“We’re looking forward to working together and providing support to achieve the council’s objectives in Wandsworth. Our members represent many different sectors so we provide a trusted pathway to connect with local businesses and organisations.”
Over 130 local organisations are part of the Wandsworth Chamber network which acts as a voice for business and supports their interests.
Support: Cllr Kemi Akinola meeting businesses Welcoming: Wandsworth Chamber CEO Beverley Corson
As Shevaun Haviland, director-general of the British Chamber of Commerce, points out, rising material costs, supply chain issues and worker shortages are creating a ‘perfect storm’, with the government having limited time to “reset, rethink and get their house in order” to save the economy.
It is good to remember, then, that sometimes it is adversity that can push businesses – and those who run them – into new opportunities. Opportunities that they might not have grasped in the same way during happier economic times.
The case of Balham-based Paul Owen, MD of Sales Talent highlights this. Owen has been successfully running Sales Talent for the past decade, during which time he has delivered seminars at 40+ universities and helped well over 10,000 people improve their sales skills through his consultancy, training services and podcast.
Yet Paul’s journey to success has not been smooth sailing. Back in 2000, at the age of 32, he was earning £8,000 per year doing data admin. Every month, nine credit card statements landed on his doorstep. Actually, they didn’t hit Paul’s doorstep because he didn’t have one: he was living on the back bedroom floor of a friend’s house.
Owen had no disposable income, no savings and no professional calling. He was adrift and without a plan.
But happier days were on the horizon. In December 2000, he began a new job – his first proper sales job. The role was with a small family firm with 20 years’ experience in business and six employees.
Owen found he had an aptitude for sales – and what’s more he enjoyed it. Three years later, the company had more than 50 employees and had increased turnover by 450%. Owen received his first ever annual bonus that took his earnings over £100,000.
The tale is not one of a multi-million-pound business exit. However, it can certainly serve as encouragement for the thousands of people out there – particularly right now – who feel lost and can’t see the way forward. It reminds us that business opportunities can grow in unexpected ways, in Owen’s case leading to him establishing his own sales consultancy firm. As he concludes: “Change is possible. I changed my life. I got a lucky break with the job (though I worked my backside off too) and it completely changed the course of my life”.
There haven’t been too many bright spots in amongst the recent economic headlines. Businesses of all shapes and sizes are preparing to batten down their collective hatches, with inflation projected to hit double figures later this year and the cost-of-living crisis deepening.
Working in partnership with Croydon College, Richmondupon-Thames College, Orbital South Colleges Group and London Learning Consortium, the fund will enable the development of courses in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, Green Construction, Green Energy and Waste Management. This will include developing first-class training facilities and equipment to meet the needs of employers in our region as well as working with them to develop a portfolio of green skills courses.
There are currently very few green skills courses on offer and a lack of understanding about what green jobs are and what they entail. However, the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy anticipates that there will be 190,000 “green jobs” by the middle of the 2020s and up to 440,000 jobs in 2030. Green jobs will not be niche by 2030 and the anticipation is that sustainability and climate change will touch every career. It is therefore really important that colleges such as South Thames Colleges Group, ensure that our curriculum reflects this.
The funding will provide the opportunity for people of all ages to train, retrain or upskill to then go into green careers.
The aim of the funding is to support local innovation and economic growth, and by working in partnership with the Further Education providers and employers across South-West London, to drive a co-ordinated approach across our region to meet local skills priorities. The fund will enable more sustainable provision across our region and support the adoption of new technologies and working practices.
Stella Raphael-Reeves, Vice Principal STCG commented, “The climate crisis is no longer a problem for the future, and we urgently need the skills to tackle it. We realise the importance of the environment and sustainability in the modern world and introducing a number of green skills training courses will help to provide the right people with the right skills for the future of the economy.”
Courses that will be developed include:
• Eco Design
• Installation of Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pumps
• Retrofit
• Solar Thermal
• Installation of Photo Voltaic Panels
• Roofing Insulation/Installation
• New Build Regulations
• Waste Management
The funding complements the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) which aim to meet local skills needs and ensure that young people, and adults who may be looking
We are looking to develop Employer Advisory Boards which will be an opportunity for employers with an interest in green skills and sustainability across all sectors to tell us about the skills they need and where there are current and anticipated skills gaps.
If you or your organisation is interested in getting involved in this exciting project please contact Kathryn Elliott, Head of Business Partnerships at Kathryn.elliott@stcg.ac.uk
to change job roles and/or sectors can be equipped and supported to continue their learning and employment. Central to this is putting employers at the heart of post-16 skills. In order to develop relevant and innovative curriculum, it is vital that education providers work with local, regional and national employers to support skills needs and gaps and to work in partnership to deliver training and qualifications.
For further information on the LSIPs go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ local-skills-improvement-plans
South Thames Colleges Group (STCG) has recently won £1.9 million of funding from the Department for Education to develop Green Skills training across South-West London.
We realise the importance of the environment and sustainability in the modern world and introducing a number of green skills training courses will help to provide the right people with the right skills for the future of the economy.
Before I started my wellbeing company, RMJ Wellbeing, I focused my business on delivering bespoke customer service training and it was only when I delved into the mindset of the recipients that I discovered that for a person to be delivering poor customer service is more about the person rather than the product.
If a person is unhappy within, why would they profess to displaying a happy exterior if internally they are unhappy. For example, a person who has just gone to work after having a row with their partner is not going to be in a positive mindset, therefore when they
are dealing with clients, as professional as they may try to be, the unhappiness will still bleed through because ultimately, we are only human and not robotic. Emotions are not something you can suppress indefinitely and not see the impact later.
Therefore, it is imperative that we deal with our suppressed emotions and release them. If we keep internalising everything it comes out in two different forms, physically and mentally. Hence the reason why when you receive poor customer service, there is always a reason for the persons behaviour. Nobody wakes up in the morning and decides to be in a bad mood or unhappy for the sake of it, there is always a reason why they are feeling any particular emotions and unless these emotions are challenged, they will continue in this cycle and that is not a healthy lifestyle choice.
In conclusion, if you receive poor customer service, try looking at it from a different angle and be kind and compassionate. I appreciate this can be hard when your frustrated, however we have no idea what demons that person is facing on a daily basis. This is why I implore everybody who is struggling mentally to talk to somebody. Whether it be me or another professional, there is no reason why you should not be able to live your best life through communicating.
“If a person is unhappy within, why would they profess to displaying a happy exterior if internally they are unhappy.”
When any of us receive poor customer service, we never really consider the reason why the delivery of the customer service was so negative. We just assume that the individual is not very good at their job or that they are just being unhelpful.
Ifirst met Shobhna in June 2019, arranging Christmas tree decorations while it was about 30 degrees Celsius outside. I caught up with her recently so she could share her success story with Business Connexions.
“I purchased the Christmas Decorators franchise in August 2015 when I moved to London from the Midlands. It was meant to be a seasonal hobby type of thing, but it completely took over my life! This year will be my eighth Christmas,” Shobhna says.
While eight months of the year are relatively quiet, the four months from October to January are incredibly busy, sometimes working 2-3 days with no sleep. There are time pressures and deadlines to meet.
“We only have a small window of six weeks to install all our decorations, therefore we are installing in ten locations in one day. In comparison, the rest of the year is very relaxed”.
Shobhna adds: We rent our decorations so in the summer months, after taking them
down, we clean and prep again for next year’s installation. We are also engaging with new clients and current clients who wish to change their scheme.”
In her first year, to save money, Shobhna worked from her living room and stored the Christmas trees and baubles just about anywhere there was space.
In the second year all the stock was moved to Access Self Storage in Battersea. She started with one 100sq ft unit, about the size of a car garage. As the business expanded larger units were required, so it moved to Access in Wandsworth. Now the company has ten units – that’s around 2,000sq ft!
Shobhna loves the space at Access Wandsworth. She does not have any extra bills like water, gas, or electric rates to pay. She can park her van safely in the compound for an extra fee.
Last year Christmas Decorators was featured in an hour-long documentary on Channel 4, following the team as it installed the iconic 35ft tall Natural History Museum tree. The company has a few billionaire and millionaire clients who have no time to build
their own Christmas trees. Clients include famous singers, actors, footballers and even some royals too!
On the commercial side, the company not only decorates the NHM, but also the Science Museum, Ingka shopping Mall, Gloucester Arcade and many more.”
“The industry is getting bigger, as more and more commercial businesses realise, they can’t get away with DIY Christmas decorations anymore. People from all over the world come to London at Christmas time and expect phenomenal decorations,” Shobhna explains.
“Most of the major landmarks are in competition with each over their decorations and we are under pressure each year to deliver bigger and better schemes. New Christmas decorating firms have popped up, however their survival depends on the quality of service they give.”
If Chamber members want to know more about storage options, visit www.AccessStorage.com
Over the years, working for Access Self Storage, I have met rock stars, sports stars, and hundreds of interesting folks but none more fascinating than Shobhna Jesa of the Christmas Decorators.
Christmas last year allowed people at least to let their hair down a little as lockdown restrictions were eased. It also meant event management and catering company Smart Group was back in business. EVOLUTION LONDON XMAS PARTIES are one of Smart Groups major events.
Marketing Director Abby Squire reveals what treats are in store for attendees this year and how the company has dealt with pandemic and post-pandemic challenges.
Last year’s theme for Xmas parties at Evolution London was Apres Ski – what is the theme for this year?
“The theme this year is New York, New York! We will be transporting guests stateside for a taste of the Big Apple. The venue will be decked out with a brand-new set which perfectly encapsulates 1930’s New York.
“We build the set in November and run it throughout December for our Christmas parties until the 14th January, as we end with Hospitality Rocks which is a Christmas party specifically for the hospitality industry”.
e How do you come up with ideas and would you repeat a theme if it was successful – or is the emphasis on new ideas every time?
“We do try and have a brand-new theme each year which starts at Evolution London and then rotates around our other sites in the following years. Unfortunately, this year having just come out the other side of the pandemic, we have updated and enriched one of our most popular themes New York, New York!”
e Do you gauge what clients might want in a Xmas party and do you see what other event providers are offering around the world?
“After each party we send out a client survey so we can learn from customer experience, asking them what worked, what didn’t work and what they would like to see next year. This becomes an invaluable piece of research
as it helps us plan for the year ahead, we always have our customers at the forefront of our decision making”.
e Given that last year was the first post-Covid – how did it go?
“We were so excited to get back to doing what we love last year. Although it was a little different with slightly reduced capacities and having to follow government guidelines on testing, we are back to full capacity this year.
“There was an element of uncertainty in the market last year, but guests were so keen to get back to doing what they loved so we had an amazing turn out at all of our shared parties”.
e How, if at all, has event management changed due to the pandemic?
“We have seen more hybrid events since the pandemic, combining live and streamed elements. We have invested heavily in our production and tech capabilities to be able to accommodate all types of events”.
e How crucial is the size of Evolution London in terms of what you can visually and physically create?
“The recently extended 8-metre ceiling height allows our clients to benefit from an unrivalled level of production. The venue is over 5,500sqm and the footprint has a massive impact on what we can do.
“The size of the venue also enables us to provide incredible entertainment, from aerial artists to West-End style production.
e What are the main challenges in staging a large-scale event –budgeting/publicity/pricing and value for money/location?
“We are lucky that Evolution London is located in the heart of London with plenty of transport links in such close proximity. We also have a great relationship with local businesses and the council who make it possible to put on such large events, including our next-door neighbours Battersea Zoo.
“Evolution London is fairly priced, but obviously goes up in price per head for the lower numbers which is why larger numbers really benefit from the pricing structure.”
e With talk of recession and rising bills – how might that affect business this Xmas and beyond?
“Quality is at the heart of what we do as a business, so that’s one thing that won’t be affected. The cost of labour, food, energy and staffing has gone up significantly, so realistically our prices will have to reflect this.
“Hopefully with pricing caps being introduced, we won’t have to raise our prices too much, but this is a call we will have to make next year. We are obviously conscious that events are a luxury, so we are aware no one is recession proof, but hopefully with our retention being at approx 80% we will see our loyal clients come back during these hard times.”
‘My Local Bobby’ Scheme
Look out for the new Clapham Junction BID street wardens from this October. As part of the ‘My Local Bobby’ scheme, the wardens are here to support BID businesses on issues such as anti-social behaviour, shoplifting (amongst other concerns) and offer friendly help and guidance to residents and visitors, when shopping in The Junction.
Keep an eye out for our 14 LivingPillars™ — bringing biodiverse greenery to Clapham Junction. This ground-breaking project is a harmonious combination of nature and technology, featuring sustainable planting on local lampposts — creating visually stunning pillars of flora and foliage and a biodiverse setting with bird and insect boxes, in areas where trees cannot be planted.
Clapham Junction Christmas Lights’ Switch–On | 18th November
Join in the festive fun and entertainment this Christmas and enjoy the Switch-On of the magnificent pine tree (at 6pm) — situated opposite Arding & Hobbs — plus dazzling lights, illuminations, a live broadcast from Riverside Radio, carol singing, music and entertainment.
Northcote Road Christmas Festivities | 25th and 27th November
Over on Northcote Road, the spirit of Christmas will be brought to life with the traditional lights’ switch-on (at 5pm) and carol singing on 25th November and festive fun, food and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy on Sunday, 27th November.
helping to create
If you have always wanted the personal and financial freedom that often comes along with entrepreneurship but have not yet taken the plunge due to fear, you are not alone. Here are a few ways to assuage your anxieties and move forward toward realizing your dreams.
By Cody McBride techdeck.info info@techdeck.infoTo succeed as a business owner, you need a well-thought-out plan in place to keep you focused on goal-oriented.
Typically, a business plan should include:
• Executive summary
• Company description
• Goals
• Goods and service description
• Market research findings
• Financial analysis and projections
• Sales strategy
If you feel nervous about the possibility of launching your own enterprise, you will benefit from speaking to someone who has been through the process before.
Good sources for mentors include friends, family, or acquaintances who own and run their own companies.
Another idea could be a local entrepreneur you feel is successful. This is one of the great benefits of becoming a member of the Wandsworth Chamber.
People with a low-risk tolerance may feel more comfortable starting off their new endeavor slowly. Establishing a business as a side hustle can give you time to get up and running before relying on it as a main source of income.
If you can dedicate nights and weekends to your company in the first months or years, you can grow it gradually and eventually hope to dedicate all of your time to that endeavor.
Starting your enterprise slowly can also take some of the financial pressure off of your shoulders and allow you to use your own income to expand.
Many infamous people failed before they became successes. Examples include Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, and Bill Gates. Sources show that human beings can often learn more from their failures than their successes. Of course, if you invest your entire life savings in an endeavor that flops, this could put you in dire straits financially.
However, if you launch slowly minimizing your personal monetary ties, a business that does not make you independently wealthy may be the learning tool you need to create one that does.
Your fear of failure may stem from simply a small tolerance for risk, or it may be a symptom of something deeper. If you do not believe in yourself and your ability to make your company a success, no one else will either.
Consider trying some at-home techniques for bolstering your self-esteem or even seek a therapist to work through your lack of self-confidence. Remember to bring in clients and investors you must believe in what you are selling, which at first will always be yourself.
You will be hard-pressed to sell much without an effective marketing plan. These include a description of your target market, how you will sell your services, and how you will get the word out about your company.
When creating marketing materials or conversing with a professional about design ideas, you may want to compress JPG images to make them simpler to email. Unfortunately, this file type can degrade image quality. Instead, consider using a JPG to PDF converter to preserve image quality. These tools even allow you to convert numerous JPG files into one PDF, enabling you to email just one document rather than multiple images.
Though starting a business can be scary, the payoffs can be exponential.
It was this experience that prompted me to set up my own organization – one that would not only support and care for people with mainstream diseases, but also those with more unfamiliar conditions, who require more intermittent care.
With a background in human sciences and epidemiology from Oxford University and a career in the health care industry, my academic knowledge and professional experience aligned perfectly.
And so Tiggo Care was born – rooted in my own lived experience and grounded in both an understanding of the complexities of rare diseases and an awareness of the need for a more flexible and bespoke approach to care.
Name: Chris Williams Company: Tiggo Care Website: www.tiggocare.com
Q1 In no more than 50 words tell us a bit about your business?
Tiggo Care is a home care business in London that supports adults with learning disabilities and older people living in their own homes. We have a variety of care packages available from hourly visits to 24-hour live-in care, and all these packages are tailored to the individual.
Q2 What gives your business ‘the x-factor’?
Tiggo Care uniquely provides all staff with company-branded bicycles, which are used by employees to travel between appointments reducing time lost stuck in traffic and the impact we have on the environment.
Q3 What motivated you to set up in business?
The company is based on personal experience. Growing up, my day-to-day reality revolved around my parents’ poor health. Both my father and mother were ill with long-term health conditions. As such, regular hospital admissions and operations became the norm. After my father passed away from a rare kidney disease, my mother developed trigeminal neuralgia, a rare and debilitating condition characterized by sudden and often severe facial pain.
As an only child, I became my mother’s primary carer. However, it was not long before her condition began to worsen.
During particularly bad bouts of neuralgia, my mother would be unable to talk or eat and was unwilling to leave the house. I knew then that I would have to secure additional help and so I started exploring the idea of bringing someone in to assist her.
As I started contacting local organisations, I was immediately struck by how difficult it was to even get hold of anyone and then to get them to understand my mother’s unique condition and bespoke care needs.
Q4 What do you like most about working for start-up?
I love the challenge of running my own startup. The challenges you face on Day 1 are completely different to those you face on Day 2 and Day 3 etc. I am aways having to problem solve for new obstacles as we grow, and I love it.
Q5 What has been your greatest business success to date?
My greatest business success to date was when one of my companies was admitted to the prestigious accelerator program run by Y-Combinator in Silicon Valley. I have similar ambitions for Tiggo Care – Watch this space!
Q6 What has been your lowest moment?
In my industry the lowest moments are always when a patient passes away. It is an inevitable part of the job but that does not stop those moments from being really tough.
Q7 In terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next 5 years?
I want Tiggo Care to be recognised by the CQC as an ‘outstanding’ provider of adult care and for the business to be recognised as one of the leading providers of care in London, both in terms of the quality of care we deliver and in the way that we celebrate and compensate our staff.
Q8 What would be your top tip to someone thinking of starting up their own business?
My top tip is to just get started. You can spend forever thinking about a business idea, but the only way you can work out if it is a good idea is by giving it a go.
With a background in human sciences and epidemiology from Oxford University and a career in the health care industry, my academic knowledge and professional experience aligned perfectly.
My name is Claire Tucker, I am the CEO and Co-Founder of HomeWork Workspace Ltd.
HomeWork is a flexible workspace & cafe combining all the services and functionality of an office with the flexibility demanded by the new ‘hybrid’ way of working. We are located on high streets in residential areas of South West London, and offer flexible workspace at an affordable price to small and growing local businesses and professionals. We have a wonderful enthusiastic team with big smiles and a cup of London’s finest coffee to brighten up even the most dull of work days!
local business teams of up to 10 people who are embracing hybrid working as their new normal.
business and obtaining funding to
Because all my sites are based in South West London and that is also where I live, my main mode of transport is now walking! So, I have become incredibly intolerant of sitting in traffic or on delayed public transport!
My Dad – he founded a successful business nearly 30 years ago. I have his words in my head often!
yourself with a support network who believe in
and will help you reach
yourself and
