Business Connexions September 2020

Official Magazine for Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce | Issue 11 | September 2020

Inside London

Open for Business

• London Open for Business Wandsworth new initiative designed to give business a boost.

Page 4

• Big Interview with James Moorhouse of JM Commercial Sharing a wealth of experience to struggling commercial property tenants.

Page 14

• The Digital Divide As the technologic revolution gathers pace - digital poverty is a real issue.

Power to Connect is making a difference in Wandsworth. Page 25

• Environment The Green Homes Grant explained.

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New Covent Garden Market Looks to the future

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An open letter to Chamber Members from Martin Pocock Dear Members,

I’m Martin Pocock, owner of Pococks Chartered Accountants and Insolvency Advisors. I’ve made a living for the last 30 plus years, solely from helping business owners to get through and out of distressed situations.

All I want to say to you, today is this…

1. If you think your business is heading into financial difficulty, please call me (on 07801 178 848) and, call me much sooner than you instinctively feel you should.

Many people delay this sort of call for similar reasons that they don’t go to the Doctor when they feel unwell.

The consequences are similar too. Its considerably easier for me to help you if you get in touch sooner rather than later, as 1. There are more options available (partly as you will have more cash in the bank), 2. There’s more time to consider what to do and to do it, 3. You are less stressed and it becomes harder to take the big decisions as you become more so.

If you have received a Winding Up Petition, Statutory demand or just nasty letters then please call. I can advise you on what to do and also take over this part if you would like me to.

2. We will discuss these things.

My aim with these initial calls is to give you a quick overview of your options and to leave you feeling that you have had your questions and concerns addressed, have a basic plan and have someone

working alongside you and supporting you. I will ask you some questions about: • Your cash and cashflow situation and what you can do to improve it in the short term o Pressure from those who the business owes money to (likely are employees, the landlord, HMRC) o Debtor collection potential Remember that many good businesses go under due to simple mistiming of cash coming in and going out. It’s harder than it sounds and there’s a lot you can do to manage it to your advantage.

• Your ability to operate the business and to improve operations in the short term • Your sales opportunity going forward (this is vitally important right now as it may not be what you think it is and the longer-term viability of the business depends very much on this) In many cases I can show you how your enterprise idea can survive but the current business might not. That isn’t supposed to sound opaque. It means you might be better off to put your current business into an insolvency process, set up a new one and put some fresh money into that new entity. This is entirely legal and a tried and tested way forward and often takes the

form of a Creditors Voluntary Liquidation.

A Company Voluntary Arrangement might be an appropriate way forward too. This is where you make a legal arrangement to pay a portion of your debts to your creditors, over time.

Let me explain the options over the phone. Do note that the aim here is to protect you and your personal assets and your income going forward.

At this early stage I don’t charge at all for the initial calls.

3. I urge you strongly not to put any new funds into the business, from your own resources or borrowed from a bank.

As we come out of lockdown it’s likely that your business will need some new funding (to repay bounce back loans, possibly for fresh stock or raw materials). Its very common that people put more of their own cash in at this stage without understanding the full range of options they have. Its also common to give a Personal Guarantee over a loan whilst being reassured by salespeople that there is very little risk.

The risks with PGs are higher than you likely realise and the consequences can involve losing your home

My background For those of you who don’t already know me from the regular chamber meetings, I’ve spent the last 30 plus years doing this king of work. I qualified as a chartered accountant with PWC and then worked in Australia for several years. I then chose to specialise in distressed situations and am very aware

of the pitfalls and challenges which don’t occur in the normal course of business.

This is a specialised area with very few true specialists! It’s akin to sailing along a rocky coastline at night in a storm compared to crossing an ocean. I know where the rocks are and how to steer you round them.

I’ve plenty of testimonials which I can share with you and former clients who you can call should you wish to. I don’t think its right to note them here in this very public setting.

So, give me a call or catch me on the weekly chamber meeting calls.

Meanwhile I wish you well.

Martin

In formal language, I specialise in all aspects of corporate finance and insolvency including • Liquidations • Administrations • Company Voluntary Liquidations • Company Voluntary Arrangements • • High court winding up petitions • HMRC Time To Pay agreements •

Email: mp@pococksinsolvency.com

Call 07801 178 848

Pococks Chartered Accountants and Insolvency Advisors

WELCOME & CONTENTS

Welcome to the latest Edition of the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce Magazine WELCOME to the September 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 and promoting businesses across the borough, especially in these Coronavirus times, is a big part of what Wandsworth Chamber and the Business ConneXions magazine is here for and we thank you for your articles, news and continued support.

Wandsworth Chamber continues to work tirelessly to promote business interests and we remain focused on our priority to support local businesses through this pandemic. In this edition we reveal our London Open For Business platform and we are very proud to have

Inside Sept 2020 4-5

London Open for Business 7 Economy 8-9 News 10 Legal 12 Battersea 14-15 Big Interview 16-17 Spotlight Focus

developed this response to help businesses shout out at this time. We have partnered with London’s Local Chambers and will be launching this marketing/ digital suite of tools on the 29th September. The site is live and we ask you to please visit OpenForBusiness.

London website and give us your feedback.

Half a year into this Pandemic and the road to recovery is still uphill. There has never been a better time to collaborate and we urge businesses to cont inue to help each other, work together for the greater good and know that your chamber will be working even harder to help you.

We continue to urge you to actively support the Buy Local, Shop Local, Help Local campaigns, whenever you can. With over 300,000 residents and 19,000 businesses, we have a great opportunity to really

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Skills Technology Environment Health & Wellbeing

help each other and by keeping the pound and our efforts in the borough, we will rebuild on our great community, create employment, increase business prosperity and develop a sound local economy where we can all prosper once again.

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

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Our Patron Members

Studio Mark Etherington e: studio@benhampublishing.com Media No.1720 Disclaimer Business Connexions is mailed without charge to all Chamber members and distributed to businesses in the Borough.

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Patron Focus

Published September 2020 © Benham Publishing

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

Chamber Events

Starting Up The Person Behind the Business

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

Editor Jez Davison e: Jez@benhampublishing.com

Steve Pinto CEO Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce

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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

5 Minutes with …

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

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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.

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

LONDON OPEN FOR BUSINESS

London Open for Business

Open for Business can improve firms’ digital marketing footprint 4 | Business Connexions

In these testing times, businesses need all the help they can get. In Wandsworth, a new initiative has been launched to help firms boost their profile and expand their digital marketing capability.

LONDON OPEN FOR BUSINESS London Open for Business is designed to give businesses the tools and techniques to promote their products and services via a multitude of digital channels. Based on an affordable subscription-based model, it also provides an e-portal where firms can manage their inventory levels, take orders from customers, and sell and ship goods online.

Led by Steve Pinto, CEO of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, and supported by the London Local Chambers of Commerce network., the initiative is ideal for businesses looking to develop an online presence or expand their digital marketing footprint to become more visible to prospective customers.

It’s ideal even for those who are not too au fait with technology and are perhaps a little uncomfortable about using it. Each subscriber is assigned an assistant who can help iron out any issues at source and provide ongoing support when needed.

Steve Pinto says: “As we move to reopen the doors of our community, we need to realise we are not returning to the “normal” we had before COVID-19 hit our shores.

Far more people are looking to do business virtually and online to stay safe. This is why we have created the London Open for Business programme – to give businesses an opportunity to promote themselves with an essential range of digital tools at a very affordable cost. We can also track return on investment (ROI) to show companies how much they’re getting for their money.

“In the short-term, as people and businesses get back to work again, our programme gives companies the chance to show the world that they’re very much open for business. In the longer term, it’s a great way to find different ways of selling products and services to customers.

“Not only that, but our programme fits in with the government’s aim of ramping up Britain’s digital capability and increasing digital inclusion in local communities around the country. We’re helping to do that and, crucially, we’re making digital inclusion affordable for small to mediumsized enterprises (SMEs).”

The programme is delivered in partnership with business growth specialist Chamber Nation, which provides advanced digital infrastructure to Chambers of Commerce Women Business Centres throughout the USA and now in Europe.

The beauty of this infrastructure is its flexibility; businesses can choose from a menu of different services to construct their own personalised digital marketing suite.

an online presence or they don’t know how to utilise it correctly. The ones that have been able to adapt are the ones that have survived.

Options include an electronic business card which includes a custom texting keyword and number and a list of the company’s products and services. A marketing landing page is a useful tool for sharing information about the business from the main community search engine and directory, and is designed to direct customers to the company’s website or the internet.

The landing page makes it easy for customers and other businesses to refer the company and its products and services to others via email, the business network and social tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

“Restaurants have adjusted their strategy to offer takeaways or deliveries to customers. Small retailers have been able to use their database of customers to sell to them online. These businesses wouldn’t have been able to do this if they didn’t have a good digital footprint.

With more people consuming news on the move via their smartphones, the digital marketing suite also includes a mobile publishing and display system. In addition, a pocket marketing assistant enables users to add content about their products and services to the local Chamber community marketing programme.

London Open for Business is supported by the London Chambers of Commerce network.

Helen McIntosh, president of the South East London Chamber of Commerce, says: “The need for this type of programme has always been there; COVID-19 has just accelerated it. A lot of businesses have been caught napping because they either don’t have

“The problem is that most businesses don’t have the time to devote to digital marketing. This programme enables them to get the right support so they can use digital marketing to promote their brand to potential customers and increase sales.”

Cllr Aled Richards-Jones, cabinet member for economic growth, skills and employment at Wandsworth Council, says: “We recognise how important it is for residents and businesses to be digitally aware and enabled. We congratulate the Chamber for leading the way with this initiative as the experience of the last few months demonstrates just how crucial it is for businesses to have the right online tools to maximise trading opportunities.”

Steve Pinto adds: “Early feedback on this programme from the business community has been really encouraging. I believe that it really does have the potential to be rolled out in other areas of the UK.” For more information about the London Open for Business programme, visit https://www.openforbusiness.london/

“The need for this type of programme has always been there; COVID-19 has just accelerated it. A lot of businesses have been caught napping because they either don’t have an online presence or they don’t know how to utilise it correctly. The ones that have been able to adapt are the ones that have survived.”

Business Connexions | 5

RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY

Learning available onsite or online

Worth a visit.

Advice & Guidance | Short Courses | Qualifications | Apprenticeships

wandsworthlifelonglearning.org.uk Address:

6 | Business Connexions

Wandsworth Lifelong Learning Gwynneth Morgan Centre 52 East Hill, London SW18 2HJ

ECONOMY

Firms vulnerable

as government schemes approach end Business conditions improved only moderately in the weeks since the UK economy suffered a record contraction in the second quarter of 2020, with firms still reporting high levels of reliance on government support schemes to help resolve cashflow issues.

That’s the standout headline from the latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Coronavirus Business Tracker. The tracker survey, which serves as a barometer of the pandemic’s impact on businesses and the effectiveness of government support measures, received 502 responses during the week from August 3 to 7 and is the largest independent survey of its kind in the UK. The unprecedented decline in business conditions seen during the second quarter is now levelling off, but firms still face difficult trading conditions.

The number of firms reporting a rise in revenue from UK customers rose to 38%, from 34% in the previous tracker, and is up significantly from the series low of 3% recorded during the second quarter. However, despite this progress, the number of respondents reporting a rise in UK revenue is still not exceeding the number reporting a decrease (also 38%).

Business-to-consumer firms were more likely to report improvements in UK revenue compared to other sectors, although these gains are from a low base due to lockdown restrictions, later reopening and pent-up consumer demand.

A smaller proportion of firms (22%) are reporting a rise in revenue from overseas customers than from UK customers (38%) amid continued disruption to global commerce and trade flows.

While there was a slight improvement in the number of respondents reporting a decrease in their cash reserves (50% compared to 55%), it remains more than double the number reporting an increase (22%). Despite the gradual reopening of the economy and more firms seeing a rise in revenue, 39% of businesses say they have three months’ worth of cash in reserve or less.

Of those businesses reporting an increase in their cash reserves, a significant number cited government support schemes as a driver of this, with the number of firms using the furlough scheme (34%) and the various loan (30%) and grant schemes (16%) still significant. More than two in three (68%) firms mentioned new business or customer demand as a factor.

With government support schemes set to wind down in the coming weeks, and with the potential reintroduction of lockdowns – either localised or national – it remains unclear what further support, if any, firms will receive when schemes end.

Commenting on the results, BCC director general Adam Marshall said: “While some firms are seeing improvements in trading conditions, we are still very much in the eye of the storm, with further turbulence ahead.

“As the government’s emergency measures begin to wind down over the coming weeks, and with the prospect of further local lockdowns still very real, businesses across the UK are going to need further support to weather uncertainty over the coming months.

“Slashing the jobs tax by taking steps to reduce the burden of employers’ national insurance contributions, big new incentives for business investment, and targeted support to help businesses placed under local lockdowns all need to be put in place now. Ministers must not wait until the economic storm is once again at fever pitch before they act.”

There has never been a better time to join your local chamber and let your voice be heard.

“The unprecedented decline in business conditions seen during the second quarter is now levelling off, but firms still face difficult trading conditions.”

Business Connexions | 7

NEWS

FUNDING GIVES SKILLS BOOST to 15,000 young Londoners Diners swallow up meal deal

Hospitality businesses in and around Clapham Junction joined thousands of companies in signing up to the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme in August.

Under the scheme, which ran on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays until August 31, prices of meals out were slashed by 50% in the Junction’s participating pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes.

The half-price discount applied to all food and non-alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises, but not to food or drink served at takeaways or mobile food vans.

From the bigger brands to small independents, hospitality businesses within the BID footprint served up a myriad of international cuisine from Spanish, French, American, British and Thai to Japanese, Italian, Chinese and Mexican.

The diverse range of food on offer included fine dining, brasserie-style, gastro pub grub, tapas, burgers, salads, wraps, light snacks, speciality teas, continental coffees, cakes, shakes and ice-creams.

The scheme offered a maximum discount of £10 per person and could save a family of four up to £40 per meal – keeping more money in families’ pockets and giving a vital boost to the UK’s hospitality sector.

Customers did not need a voucher to use the scheme, which could be accessed at the same time as other offers and discounts. There was no minimum spend and diners could take advantage of the deals as many times as they liked, although there was no discount on alcoholic drinks or service charges.

The discount was automatically available at participating establishments and the government reimbursed the businesses for the offer. All diners in a group of any size could use the discount.

8 | Business Connexions

More than 15,000 young Londoners benefited from an additional £2.1million investment by the mayor Sadiq Khan in activities and projects over the summer, to boost skills, improve mental health and steer young people away from becoming involved in violence.

The funding helped 85 youth organisations across the capital at a crucial time, as London emerged from lockdown and ahead of the new school year.

City Hall research, backed up by a UK Youth report on the impact of COVID-19, shows that lockdown has had a significant impact on young people’s mental health, wellbeing, loneliness, activity levels and future opportunities, and continues to have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, who are likely to suffer the worst effects of the recession.

The research also reveals evidence of a link between poor mental health, poverty and deprivation, and young people becoming involved in or becoming victims of serious violence.

The Mayor of London and London’s Violence Reduction Unit invested an extra £2.1 million to support projects which are dedicated to improving the wellbeing and opportunities of young people aged up to 25 across London, including some of the most vulnerable young people and their families.

Sophie Linden, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: “The mayor’s funding is supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable young people, providing crucial activities – sports and creative programmes – that help build skills, relationships and resilience. They also provide earlyintervention opportunities to prevent young people from being involved in or a victim of crime.”

Since the launch of the mayor’s Young Londoners Fund in May 2018, it has supported more than 300 projects that will help more than 110,000 young people fulfil their potential, particularly those who are at risk of getting caught up in crime.

PUTNEY PEDALS gets on bike to green up the environment

Positively Putney has teamed up with the London Waste and Recycling Board to launch an innovative and unique trade waste scheme for Putney businesses.

The Putney Pedals scheme will see all trade waste collected by electric bike and transported to a nearby consolidation site for bulk collection.

It is hoped that, by utilising this methodology, project partners will be able to deliver improvements in local air quality and congestion, as well as increased recycling

accessibility and performance for businesses in the area.They are currently looking for two friendly and hard-working individuals to get involved in the initiative.

These individuals must have a passion for cycling, the environment and good customer service, as well as a can-do outlook and a willingness to work in all weathers.

NEWS

JOIN US TOD AY

Art facelift for Clapham Junction town centre Shoppers in Clapham Junction can now browse an open-air gallery of artwork as they pass the landmark Arding & Hobbs building which recently closed as a Debenhams store.

As part of an initiative to support local high streets, Wandsworth Council is working with landowners and business representatives around the borough to use local art to improve and reinvigorate shopping areas after the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.

The new hoardings erected around the 1920s building include historical information boards about the building as well as a series of artworks from Battersea artists. The boards also show consultation updates from the landlord, W.RE, with its proposals for the future of the building.

Councillor Aled Richards-Jones, the council’s spokesman for

economic development and business, said: “In Clapham Junction, as in many of our borough’s town centres, it’s important that we make the high street as appealing as possible for shoppers and visitors who are returning as restrictions ease. This new initiative shows how we can respond creatively to that need.

“The council is working hard with local business associations to help normality return to our usually bustling town centres and give confidence to shoppers and businesses who are looking to invest in our area.”

Roz Lloyd-Williams, executive BID director for The Junction BID, said: “We’re incredibly excited

that the Clapham Junction BID will see our local Battersea artists celebrated in this borough-wide exhibition of art installations.

Clapham Junction will see displays rolled out across the BID footprint: namely, St John’s Road, St John’s Hill, Lavender Hill, Battersea Rise, Northcote Road and part of Falcon Road.”

The artists featured on Arding & Hobbs this summer had previously taken part in Wandsworth Artists’ Open House event, which has been postponed in its usual format this year due to the pandemic.

Local artists and art organisations can find out more at www.wandsworthart.com

WORK MATCH opens door for local recruitment Work Match has now re-opened its doors to jobseekers and businesses wanting to recruit – complete with COVID-safe measures in place.

The jobs brokerage service has been working online throughout the pandemic, matching local people to vacancies and training. But now a dedicated employment support team based at the Work Match office in Falcon Road is once again meeting businesses and residents in person to help them into work.

Since Work Match was set up

by Wandsworth Council in 2013, it has placed more than 1,500 people into jobs across all sectors including retail, construction, hospitality and care.

Now the jobs service has introduced new support for local businesses forced to make redundancies. Work Match can work with their staff in advance to help them find new jobs if they live in Wandsworth.

There is also a tailored recruitment service to help businesses that need to fill vacancies. Suitable candidates are fitted to the job – with an emphasis on hiring local talent where possible to reduce travel time and encourage greater productivity and job satisfaction.

Working near home also helps employees to have a better

work-life balance, offers greater flexibility around shift patterns and is better for the environment with less reliance on cars or other forms of transport.

Wandsworth Councillor Aled Richards-Jones, cabinet member for economic growth, skills and employment, said: “As the number of local people looking for work increases, Work Match is well-prepared for getting them trained and ready for work.

Businesses need to know that they are not on their own when trying to find the right person to fit the job in these difficult times.”

The Work Match office is currently open for appointments only; please visit www.wandsworthworkmatch.org to find out how you can get support with job-seeking or recruiting.

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

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

Business Connexions | 9

LEGAL

How are tenants responding to the lockdown and adjusting to the new normal?

Neil Dryer, partner, Russell-Cooke

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has cut deep for many businesses.

Although the lockdown has been gradually lifted and most businesses that had to close have now been allowed to re-open, many are still hurting.

Ongoing travel restrictions limiting the flow of customers and having a serious dent on tourist numbers, and many workers still working from home are affecting sales. Sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality continue to face severe pressure.

Not surprisingly the result is that many tenants are finding it difficult to pay the rent. During the peak of the lockdown, tenants struggling with cashflow and unable to pay their March and June quarter rents were able to negotiate temporary deals with their landlords.

Rent suspensions, reductions and deferrals were common as many landlords made a pragmatic decision to help their tenants manage cashflow so they could keep trading.

These temporary concessions are increasingly rare, but as businesses continue to face cashflow pressure, what can tenants do to help themselves adjust to the “new norm”?

There is hope. We have seen a number of options taken by our tenant clients when they negotiate new leases (or vary existing leases) in the current climate.

Varying terms For some years there has been a growing trend to shorten the length of commercial leases.

The lockdown is speeding up this process.

10 | Business Connexions

The age of the 15 to 20 year lease term with upwards only rent reviews every five years seems to be over - these are increasingly rare.

Most tenants just won’t make such a long-term commitment.

As a tenant you should be negotiating for shorter lease terms, more flexible and frequent tenant break options, monthly rather than quarterly payment dates and even upwards/downwards rent reviews. These are becoming the standard requirement for tenants when negotiating terms for a new lease.

Lockdown clauses It seemed extremely tough on many tenants that they had to shut down their businesses and cut off their income, but continue to pay the rent. An initial thought for many was whether there was anything in their leases providing for either a unilateral termination or a rent suspension in such extreme circumstances. This was a question we were asked by a number of clients, and the answer was always no.

As a tenant you generally have a very weak argument to claim that your lease has been frustrated as a result of the lockdown. Rent suspension clauses in virtually all leases apply only where there has been physical damage to the premises. Leases just had not been drafted to take into account the recent crisis.

The result was tenants left liable to pay rents for commercial premises they could not use.

We’re increasingly seeing tenants inserting a lockdown rent suspension clause into their leases. This will provide that the rent will either be suspended (or at least reduced) in the event that Covid-19 prevents the tenant from trading at their premises. Some clauses go even further, and apply to any future pandemics; they do not just cover rent suspension, but also a relaxation of any covenants in the lease a tenant may not be able to comply with in such circumstance, such as complying with repairing obligations.

Landlords are understandably reluctant to agree to such clauses, especially where the rent suspension will not be covered by their insurance policy (which is rarely the case in the current insurance market).

It is therefore a point for commercial negotiation between the parties whether these clauses can be agreed.

Turnover rents A more practical solution is the introduction of turnover rents.

A turnover lease is a lease where the rent payable is calculated either wholly or partly on the actual turnover achieved by the tenant’s business operated at the premises. These have been used for some time

in the retail and leisure sectors so they are tried and tested.

The financial pressures tenants are facing have increasingly seen them look to move away from a fixed base rent. Instead, many are trying to negotiate a reduced base rent topped-up with a turnover rent (or in some situations, no base rent and the rent entirely dependent on turnover).

Turnover agreements are becoming more common in the current market to allow the rent due under a lease to reflect the success (or failure) of the tenant’s business.

The downsides for landlords are the uncertain rental income flow and the increased work in monitoring the tenant’s turnover and agreeing the calculations.

Somewhat encouragingly, we see many landlords coming to terms with these requests and looking at ways to help tenants ride out this crisis, and keep properties tenanted and income producing.

So the future for commercial tenants may be still be very uncertain, but there are options available to help ease the pain.

Contact Neil Dryer at Russell-Cooke for more information.

russell-cooke.co.uk +44 (0)20 8394 6507 neil.dryer@russell-cooke.co.uk

Business Connexions | 11

BATTERSEA

Ride the future with VanMoof at Battersea Power Station High-tech, feature rich e-bike brand, VanMoof, have opened their first pop-up in London at Circus West Village, the first completed chapter in the regeneration of the iconic Battersea Power Station and home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, shops, wellness and leisure facilities.

Located under Grosvenor Bridge, worldwide, VanMoof is a major figure the pop-up will be open until 9th in the current wave of e-bike adoption December 2020 and visitors to this and is on course to redefine city vibrant riverside neighbourhood can mobility forever. test ride and buy VanMoof’s new If you would like to discover what it is range of e-bikes, the S3 and X3. really like to ride the future, head down With an increasing number of people to Circus West Village at Battersea choosing to commute by bike in Power station to try the VanMoof London and over 120,000 riders e-bike experience.

For more information on the VanMoof pop-up, please visit www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/eat-drink-leisure/retailer/vanmoof-pop-up 12 | Business Connexions

For further information on Battersea Power Station, please visit www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk and follow @BatterseaPwrStn to keep up to date with the latest news and events.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL TENANTS STRUGGLING TO PAY RENT ON YOUR OFFICES, SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, OR OTHER COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES.

Has Covid19 hit your business - want to try and reduce your overheads?

We have specialised in Landlord and Tenant negotiations in SW London for the last 22 years. We can represent you during mediation, attempt to negotiate variations to leases, try and agree lease surrenders and seek to agree reduced and phased rental payments We also undertake rent reviews (whether retrospective or forthcoming) and lease renewals (it is important for you to know that your rent can go down at lease renewal if the lease is protected under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954).

Please call us on 020 8785 7960 to discuss your specific needs or send your enquiry via our website/email james.moorhouse@jmcommercial.co.uk

www.jmcommercial.co.uk

We are regulated by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Busi-

Business ness Connexions | 13

BIG INTERVIEW

“Where the tenant of a commercial property is struggling to meet their rental payments, they need to consider trying to negotiate concessions with their Landlord. As the recession starts to hit businesses across the Borough, mediation and renegotiation between Landlords and tenants will become a necessity to ensure both parties can weather the economic storm.’’ JM Commercial Chartered Surveyors are here to assist (see page 13 for further information) 14 | Business Connexions

BIG INTERVIEW

ATTENTION all struggling commercial property tenants!

Many commercial property tenants could be paying too much rent for their shop or office at a time when money may be tight. James Moorhouse of JM Commercial’s job is to help them ensure that this doesn’t happen.

A Wandsworth chartered surveyor and MD of JM Commercial, James has a wealth of industry experience behind him so it’s unsurprising that people tend to listen to what he has to say.

In the current challenging climate, commercial landlords and tenants need his advice more than ever. However, it’s not all doom and gloom; James believes that there are opportunities for landlords and tenants if they address crucial issues such as rent reviews, lease renewals and renegotiation of current lease terms.

James started his career in 1996, working as a commercial agency surveyor for retail agency specialist Steven Smart & Co in London’s west end. He joined the commercial property team at Kinleigh Folkard and Hayward in 1998 – the same year he qualified as a chartered surveyor – and after gaining valuable experience in their office in Putney for 12 years he continued his agency career with them when they relocated to Wimbledon.

By 2012 he decided it was time to take the plunge and set up on his own. JM Commercial provides advice in relation to rent reviews/lease renewals, valuations, lettings, sales and the acquisition of commercial and mixed-use property.

Through a career spanning more than 22 years, James has built up an extensive client base, an enviable network of contacts and a wealth of knowledge in the commercial and residential property arenas. He’s also suitably qualified to offer professional property and legal services including statutory and “red book” valuations, rent reviews /lease renewals and expert witness work, as well as professional advice on landlord and tenant disputes, development sites, and investment properties.

James says: “One of the most common questions that should be asked, especially in a downturn, is whether or not the property is over-rented. This happens when the value of the property drops over time but the tenant is locked into a fixed rent over, say, five years.

“As vacancy rates increase and tenants negotiate concessions and new lease terms by tactically threatening to operate their rights to break their leases, more negative evidence will be created. Consequently, more property will be perceived to be overrented; the market will start to rebalance.

As tenants renew their leases, evidence of rental values going down in certain sectors will start to be unequivocal.

“At rent review it’s traditional for the rent to be reviewed on an upward-only basis.

The rent remains the same in the event it’s

shown that the passing rent – in other words, the current rent – is the true market rent or it stays the same if it’s agreed that the premises are already over-rented. Upward and downward rent reviews for commercial property are very uncommon in the UK. Where the rent is deemed to be at the right level or too high, there will be what’s known as a nil increase. This phenomenon then breeds the potential for over-rented property during a recessionary period.

“As the recession starts to hit, more and more property will become over-rented.

Selling on existing leases will become difficult and incentives and inducements will need to be offered (by way of reverse premiums) to sub-tenants and assignees to compensate for the over-rented property leases they’re taking on.”

Another area that landlords and tenants should consider is the prospect of rent reviews post-March 11 – just before lockdown in the UK. James says: “It’s important not to overlook the difference between upward only rent reviews and lease renewals. Where a lease is protected under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (sections 24 to 28 inclusive) the tenant has the automatic right to renew his/ her lease; the landlord can only oppose this application for a new lease under certain circumstances. Upon lease renewal the rent can go up, stay the same or go down.

“Given the current scarcity of rental evidence and the punitive impact of the COVID Act 2020, rent reviews and lease renewals due between early March 2020 and the present day are very much tenant-sided in the retail, restaurant, pub and office markets. Private medical and educational D1 occupiers have also been hit hard by legislation, mediagenerated hysteria and affordability.”

Conversely, the industrial sector has seen considerable rental growth. Demand for space suitable for use as distribution hubs has increased to unprecedented levels, with the pre-COVID-19 scarcity of inner London industrial space serving to magnify the issue significantly.

James adds: “However, where premises are physically or logistically unsuited for use for distribution purposes or where they have a significant amount of ancillary office space, there might be arguments to minimize the rental uplift.”

In the current challenging climate, it could be better all round if landlords and tenants come to a sensible compromise that suits both parties.

James says: “Where a tenant is struggling to survive, their landlord needs to assess whether they should try to make concessions to support the existing occupier or allow them to go into receivership. If landlords believe they will easily re-let the property at the same or at a higher rent, they are unlikely to offer any interim concessions.

“However, if they anticipate a fall in rent and a reduction in occupier demand, they have to assess the cumulative cost of a lower rent, offering rent-free periods to secure a new letting, rental voids while the property is marketed, the cost of empty business rates liabilities, increased buildings insurance and a service charge shortfall.

“They will also have letting agency fees and legal costs to factor in. To achieve a similar rent, the premises may need to be stripped out and refurbished. If the tenant is insolvent, the landlord will have to foot this cost, unless they are insured against it together with a loss of rent.

“If the landlord has secured loans against the income stream from a property investment, their ability to service this debt and raise further finance will be impacted if their tenant defaults. If they accept a lower rent for, say, two years, they may still be far better off than burning their bridges with their tenant. As the furlough scheme ends, this dilemma is going to become more and more prevalent.”

For further information or to make an enquiry please visit www.jmcommercial.co.uk or email James Moorhouse directly using james.moorhouse@jmcommercial.co.uk

“Given the current scarcity of rental evidence and the punitive impact of the COVID Act 2020, rent reviews and lease renewals due between early March 2020 and the present day are very much tenant-sided in the retail, restaurant, pub and office markets. Private medical and educational D1 occupiers have also been hit hard by legislation, media-generated hysteria and affordability.”

Business Connexions | 15

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS: WANDSWORTH, CLAPHAM JUNCTION, PUTNEY

BIDS help

firms recover from COVID-19 It’s been a tough time in recent months as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic hit families and businesses hard. The government-imposed lockdown meant that many firms had to temporarily shut their doors, with some having to close down for good.

16 || Business Business Connexions Connexions 16

Now, however, with lockdown restrictions easing, many businesses have begun to reopen. The high streets have finally seen some activity, a degree of confidence is returning to the market and consumers are beginning to kick-start a tentative economic recovery by spending their money in shops, bars and restaurants – giving a much-needed boost to local businesses.

Business Connexions explores how Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Wandsworth, Clapham Junction and Putney are helping firms to get back on their feet again and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic…

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS: WANDSWORTH, CLAPHAM JUNCTION, PUTNEY

The Junction BID

Positively Putney Nicola Grant, executive director at Positively Putney, says: “Communication has been key. In recent months we have worked hard to let residents and workers know what was open or closed in Putney. We stepped up our social media postings and created the #shareourputney campaign so that people could celebrate all the great things about living and working in Putney.

“As the economy started to open up again, we provided social distance floor stickers for businesses to encourage social distancing and helped them carry out their COVID-19 risk assessments.

We have installed hand sanitisers at the three main entry points to Putney.

The BID has produced a Safe in Putney film to show the procedures that Putney businesses have put in place to ensure people are as safe as possible when using the town centre.

“Working in partnership with Wandsworth Council, we’ve installed temporary barriers for pavement widening along the narrow stetches and the permanent pavement widening on Putney High Street works were accelerated.

“We were thrilled to install two new parklets in Montserrat Road and Felsham Road, giving shoppers and residents new outdoor and eco-friendly seating to enjoy within the town centre.

“In September we are launching Putney Pedals Recycling, which is a unique business trade waste scheme whereby we will reduce trade waste costs and improve convenience for businesses whilst reducing vehicles on our heavily congested streets and improving air quality. Waste and recycling will be collected by our electric bike and transported to a consolidation collection point where it will then be collected in one van.

“Inevitably Putney will change and adapt as we move into the “new normal”, but we hope that with our support as Putney’s BID and our continued collaboration with the businesses, we can keep making Putney a vibrant, pleasant place to live, work and shop.”

Roz Lloyd-Williams, Executive Director of The Junction BID, says: “We recently launched our new business-to consumer (B2C) mobile app, “The Junction”.

Aimed at the consumer market, the app will enable residents and visitors to discover The Clapham Junction BID’s stakeholder businesses across the BID footprint.

“Featuring intuitive geo-push notifications, this free, targeted app will highlight BID businesses and deliver relevant, well-timed location-based offers, promotions, events and competitions to consumers. Targeting visitors and residents on the go, it will enable businesses to improve their communication with customers.

In addition to The Junction BID’s website www.visitclaphamjunction.com – which has received over 66,000 page views since the end of March – the app will incentivise consumers to explore the rich diversity of our retail, hospitality, entertainment and service businesses across the BID footprint.

The launch of our app follows a powerful film, entitled ‘The New Normal’, that we commissioned to encourage people to shop local and support businesses across Clapham Junction. It showcases how small independent businesses in the area have risen to the challenges presented during the pandemic through reinventing and diversifying.

We also produced nine one-minute “shorts” dedicated to each business, featured in the main film, which have been broadcast across the BID’s social media platforms and on The Junction website, helping to raise the profile and drive footfall to the area.

Other projects include: the production of BID floor stickers for social distancing; visiting businesses to ensure they had implemented

Wandsworth Town BID committed to supporting the local community Caryl Davies, CEO of Wandsworth BID During what has been an incredibly challenging time, Wandsworth Town BID is committed to supporting our businesses and our community here in the Town centre.

We are working to help ensure a coordinated local response to the COVID-19 crisis and to help facilitate a swift recovery, delivering our future plans for a vibrant town centre.

The BID understands what a worrying period has been for our business owners and staff and as such we wanted to reassure all those working, visiting and commuting through Wandsworth Town that we’re committed to supporting them; their business and our wonderful Town centre and we hope that we have been of assistance to the many businesses who have already been in touch with us for support.

COVID-19 risk assessment procedures; and a substantial increase in our social media activity – including Facebook and Instagram advertising – to create powerful brand awareness for our businesses.

We also welcomed Paul Scully, the Minister for London, who visited both Northcote Road, on the day non-essential retail reopened, and St John’s Hill to celebrate the reopening of pubs, barbers, hairdressers, restaurants and bars.

His visit and governmental department film (on the BID area) created substantial exposure for our businesses.

The BID will continue to work hard to market and promote our diverse mix of high street brands and high number of small independents which give Clapham Junction its distinct identity and rich character.

difference as well as one-to-one engagement so that businesses had a plethora of ways to get in touch and reach out. We have been doing regular surveys to see the direction businesses are moving in and how we can get involved to get them back on track.

Resident newsletters and a daily social media presence meant we were able to let the local community in on the latest news and how they could support their local high streets. #WandsworthTown We have worked hard with the community on old York Road and with the local authority to get the street re-opened and thriving.

We commissioned several short films and a larger piece to highlight how the smaller businesses were doing pre and post lockdown and to showcase how they responded so well by showing initiative and working together in the last few months and especially how the small acts of kindness from everyone in the area made such a big difference!

We felt that increasing our communication lines and our online presence made a big

Business Connexions | 17

PATRON FOCUS

Interview with David Frankish, Chair, Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA)

1 How long has CGMA been a patron of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce?

Covent Garden Market Authority are a long-standing member of the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce. We have been a patron member since 2015, which was when patron membership was first introduced.

One of the greatest benefits of our membership is that we get to work with the Chamber of Commerce and others in the area on community strategies that support the prosperity of the Borough.

2 Why did you decide to become a patron?

As one of the main landlords within the Nine Elms community, we represent more than 150 wonderful businesses, based here at New Covent Garden Market.

18 | Business Connexions

Being part of the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce enables us to share our stories and successes with other businesses, while also learning from others in the area, partnering where it works, and generally contributing to the wider community.

It’s vital – now more than ever - that we all stay connected and work together to ensure Nine Elms becomes a shining example of how regeneration can work to the benefit of our local community.

3 How are you managing to recover from COVID-19 now that businesses have started to reopen again?

It’s been a very tough time for all our market businesses, as the Covid-19 lockdown brought a dramatic overnight closure to the hospitality and events industries. The majority of our traders have been hit hard, we are now seeing welcome green shoots of growth, but we expect it will be some months before business feels stable.

Probably the most severely impacted at New Covent Garden Market are the cut flowers and foliage tenants in our iconic Flower Market. Spring and summer are the busiest time of the year for them,

they’re the seasons for weddings and all sorts of events from Wimbledon and Henley through to corporate parties.

That all stopped. Combining that with the closure of all other places who buy lots of flowers such as restaurants, hotels, shops, office buildings and even hairdressers meant our tenants really suffered. The Flower Market re-opened in the middle of June, the traders there are eager for things to start moving and hope business will pick up over the months ahead.

Our Fruit and Vegetable Market was able to continue trading as an essential service.

I was incredibly impressed by how they all reacted so quickly to support, sometimes free of charge, local communities and key workers who most needed fresh fruit and vegetables when the supermarkets were unable to meet demand. Alongside this many of them moved from a businessto-business proposition to serving the consumer boxes of fresh fruit, vegetables and much more directly via home delivery.

We’ve now got more than 30 businesses offering home delivery, and it’s been a real success story. Even if sales didn’t match previous levels, it meant business could continue and for some of them it was essential to keeping their teams employed.

PATRON FOCUS

people in need of hot food and friendship.

We also have long-standing relationships with the charities Waste Not Want Not and City Harvest. Both charities have been collecting unsold food from the market for years, distributing it to people who need it the most. The fresh fruit and vegetables Waste Not Want Not collect from the market are redistributed to at least 250-300 vulnerable local families each week, while City Harvest operate across the South East, feeding thousands of families.

As the hospitality sector increasingly opens up they are getting busier. Schools opening will also be good for those who supply schools. The Government initiative, ‘Eat Out to Help Out’, gave suppliers to restaurants a welcome boost.

4 How are you helping businesses to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?

We offered a rent deferral to all our tenants at the start of the pandemic. We are following the Government Code of Practice for commercial property relationships so if our tenants need support to weather the storm, they know they can approach us as an individual business for a private discussion. We’ve also been busy promoting the market and our tenants through various initiatives. British Flowers Week was in June this year, we received the support of the Duchess of Cornwall, we had the BBC weather filmed from the Flower Market and had the most amazing week. Uber Eats also asked to partner with some of the Fruit and Vegetable tenants offering delivery boxes, which was great publicity for the ‘home shopper’ audience.

It’s not easy by any means, and we’ve got to continue striving to ensure our historic market can survive and flourish in the months and years ahead.

There was also an opportunity to partner with charities, which our tenants embraced.

It’s been wonderful to see the amazing work they’ve all being doing during the pandemic. One of our tenants is the charity Food Cycle. They run community projects across the country, serving tasty meals for

5 Are you trialling any new initiatives/ projects at the market?

We’re about to start construction of our Mission Kitchen project, located on the first floor of our Food Exchange building.

Mission Kitchen is our unique shared kitchen and co-working space for London’s small and ambitious food businesses.

It is somewhere affordable for start-up businesses to make amazing food however they need to cook it - in a huge production-standard kitchen with all the tools and equipment they need.

We’re excited about the opening of the new Nine Elms Tube station in autumn next year, which will open up the market to a larger audience. For the first time, the public will be able to walk from the Tube station across the market all the way to Nine Elms Lane. This provides us with a great opportunity to show what the market has to offer.

6 How confident are you about the future? Will COVID force you to do anything differently?

That’s a very tricky question and I’m not sure that anyone has the answer. We’ve already had to adapt our practices to ensure that our markets were continuing to trade safely for our businesses and their customers, introducing social distancing measures and a one-way system in the Flower Market for instance. As I said before, we have to keep evaluating the current situation – which is very fluid – to ensure we can continue to feed and flower London for many years to come.

7 Could you give a general comment about the advantages of working with local businesses in Wandsworth?

What opportunities does the area provide for local firms?

We’re working with Wandsworth WorkMatch, who have a database of local jobseekers, to create an environment where the market is seen as a valuable resource for the local community, not just as an employer but also from a corporate social responsibility point of view. We’re constantly working closely with Wandsworth Council and the Nine Elms community and this has resulted in some fantastic relationships across the community.

“Probably the most severely impacted at New Covent Garden Market are the cut flowers and foliage tenants in our iconic Flower Market.

Spring and summer are the busiest time of the year for them, they’re the seasons for weddings and all sorts of events from Wimbledon and Henley through to corporate parties.”

Business Connexions | 19

Susan Beverly, Partner

Last year my company made a decent profit for which a sizeable corporation tax bill will be due. However, the current year is expected to present a loss as it has been affected by the COVID 19 situation. This is likely to leave the company short of cash. What steps can I take to help fund the tax payable for last year?

Profits to losses

If your company is facing a downturn, the last thing you need is a hefty corporation tax bill just when you expect finances to be tight.

Example. Acom Ltd’s profit for the year to 31 December 2019 was £120,000. Corporation tax is due on these nine months, and one day after the end of the accounting period and so Acom must pay £22,800 on 1 October 2020.

If between 1 January 2020 and when the corporation tax is due, it makes a loss it can obtain some of the tax back, but it must first pay it and then wait for a refund, which could take a while.

Loss relief rules

The rules allow companies to reduce the corporation tax payable on current profits where they made losses in earlier years.

But losses made in the current year cannot under general rules be set against the previous year’s corporation tax bill until the accounts in the current (loss-making) period have been prepared.

In our example, that would mean Acom is waiting until at least January 2021 to reclaim some of the corporation tax it paid for 2019. This won’t be of much use to Acom when it’s struggling to find the £22,800 corporation tax in October 2020.

What can be done?

Acom could change its accounting period to accelerate the tax relief for its current losses. Tax and company law will allow a company to extend its accounting period to cover up to 18 months. This would help Acom’s cash flow.

Example. Acom Ltd has a financial year end of 31 December. Its taxable profit for 2019 is £120,000. The corporation tax payable on this is £22,800, due on 1 October 2020.

The company is expecting to make losses of £30,000 for the six months to 30 June 2020. Extending its accounting period to the maximum 18 months would reduce its profit to £90,000. But that’s not the end of the story.

One year’s profit

A corporation tax period must not exceed twelve months, so following the change of accounting date, the company still needs to complete a corporation tax return for the year to 31 December 2019, and then one for the six months to 30 June 2020. The £90,000 profit is spread across these, i.e. £60,000 to December and £30,000 to June. The corresponding tax payments are: £11,400 (£60,000 x 19%) on 1 October 2020; and £5,700 (£30,000 x 19%) on 1 April 2021.

As a result of the change of accounting date, Acom’s corporation tax bill for October 2020 is half what it was.

Any reader interested in discussing their business accounting and taxation requirements or outsourcing some of their day to day accounting tasks can telephone 0208 789 8588 or email info@kirkrice.co.uk to arrange a free initial call or meeting’

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.

20 | 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

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Chartered status, explained

Chartered status in business

Royal charters go all the way back to the 13th century. The idea was simple: serve society by creating and defining the highest professional standards, uphold those standards, and drive them forward. The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) achieved its royal charter in 1912. The CII has been entrusted with raising standards in the insurance and personal finance sectors ever since.

Attaining the highest standards in insurance isn’t easy, but with Chartered status, demonstrating a commitment to those standards is. Chartered status allows firms to make a pledge to uphold good practice. It tells their clients everything they need to know about working with Chartered professionals. It says this firm is committed to a level of clientcentricity rooted in professionalism and ethics.

Chartered status is awarded to individual professionals such as brokers, underwriters and claims practitioners who display eminence in their field, as well as to firms themselves. To become a Chartered firm involves a commitment to expertise, integrity and clientcentricity. Standards of excellence in qualifications, ethics, business practices and professional development must be maintained.

By choosing Chartered, you are choosing an insurer or insurance broker that has made a public commitment to professionalism.

The CII sets the bar, a firm meets it.

Chartered status allows customers to recognise this excellence. It represents a pledge of enhanced standards. That’s what the Chartered badge stands for.

Why choose a Chartered insurance broker?

Quite simply, it’s about dealing with a professional. Chartered insurance brokers have made a joint public commitment with the CII to deliver the highest standards of professionalism, then placed a public badge on that commitment.

It’s about being transparent, having integrity and being committed to serving society. In fact, Chartered status cannot be attained without a clear customer focus. By choosing Chartered, customers can benefit from professionals who put their needs and ethics at the heart of their business.

Where to find a Chartered firm Many insurers, brokers, underwriting agents and financial planners have been awarded Chartered status. To Choose Chartered, simply look out for the badge on a firm’s website, email or letterhead. Alternatively, go to cii.co.uk/charteredinsurancebrokers where you can check whether your broker is CII Chartered, and find more information about what it takes to achieve Chartered status.

The Chartered badge proudly tells you when a professional has made a public commitment to upholding the highest standards and putting you first.

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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.

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

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business@south-thames.ac.uk www.south-thames.ac.uk

Developing Skills for Business Growth

London has more skills shortages than any other region in the UK: an estimated 30,000 unfilled vacancies as a direct result of people not having the right skills.

London First research shows that 75% of London employers are currently struggling to find the right skills.

Global economic changes and technological advancements are leading to fewer jobs with low or no qualifications. South Thames Colleges Group (STCG) has a key role to play in ensuring that Londoners have the skills employers need which are also essential for fairness and inclusion, as well as economic prosperity.

With the added complexity of Brexit restricting European workers into the UK which normally supplies 15% of the workforce in Finance, 30% in Construction and 40% in Hospitality; without sufficient home-grown skills available employers are likely to be left with a serious shortfall.

Add to that the challenges arising from the COVID-19 crisis, the effect of Furlough ending, widespread unemployment and the unsettled economy - the next few years will be challenging for employers and employees alike.

At STCG we are focusing on developing and strengthening the relationships between our Colleges and local, regional, national and international businesses. We are a quality provider of work based and employer faced training meeting employer needs in an efficient and economical way, adapting our offer to support employers and individuals in these unprecedented times.

We are responding to these challenges by offering a portfolio of qualifications for young people from 16 plus, adults and employers alike in order to support changes

in conditions of employment and upskilling, we also have a plethora of courses for those who wish to change their career at whatever age.

We are offering both short free online courses to upskill and classroom-based courses from Entry Level to Degree programmes. We are developing Centres of Excellence based upon our exceptional provision across the Colleges Group and have support and finance options available for all. We have and are constantly listening to our stakeholders in sector skilled employer focus groups which we run here the Colleges Group.

South Thames College has a number of packages that are being utilised extensively by organisations, which can be adapted to employers’ requirements, including; • Training and support for adults being made redundant – we offer online and face-to-face training and support to people to support them back into the workforce • Training for staff in the workplace – we offer courses specifically designed to upskill current staff, so they have the skills required to work during this pandemic • Training support for managers who need further skills in running their business or areas of operation.

We are also working closely with the Department of Work and Pensions and Job Centre Plus to support individuals into new job opportunities that desperately require filling now.

To find out more about our services and how we can support your organisation, please contact Stella Raphael-Reeves, Assistant Principal HE and Business at stella.raphael@stcg.ac.uk ‘At STCG we are focusing on developing and strengthening the relationships between our Colleges and local, regional, national and international businesses.

We are a quality provider of work based and employer faced training meeting employer needs in an efficient and economical way, adapting our offer to support employers and individuals in these unprecedented times.’

Meet Stella Raphael-Reeves, Assistant Principal - HE and Business Development

“I am very excited about starting a new job at a wonderful College group, where I can bring my skills to bear in these challenging times, by listening and supporting businesses and individuals so that we offer correct training for your specific requirements.

We work closely with SMEs, large employers, local authorities, and the public and charity sectors.

As an experienced senior manager working in the Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) in the FE sector I have finally found my niche and ideal role. A culmination of all my experiences and a perfect fit for my charismatic nature and passion for FE and Education. These unprecedented times allow me to do what I feel I do best, to facilitate, motivate and drive cultural change, to engage with employers, to drive employability and to offer a portfolio of educational courses to reskill, upskill and support all to progress into new employment or Higher Education thus supporting to boost the economy.

As with most FE managers, I am used to working under tight budgets and ever changing conditions of funding and guidance by awarding bodies and used to having to adapt in a fast and responsive manner, cascade information and new visions to my teams, motivate, enthuse and continue to push forward.”

South Thames Colleges’ Group (STCG) comprises of four College centres: Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, as a large group of Further Education colleges during these unprecedented times we are having to adapt and change the way we respond, work and deliver to our students, employers and stakeholders.

Business Connexions | 23

TECHNOLOGY

Navigating the New Norm 5 Top Tips to help you work more efficiently from home:

1. Securing Accounts 2. Securing Devices • Ensure all users have strong passwords ideally use a password manager • Use Multifactor authentication wherever possible • Logins must not be shared

• All devices should have a password or pin code • Automatic software updates should be configured • Antivirus software should be installed • Laptops should have full encryption enabled

3. Virtual Meetings

4. Documents

5. Hardware

• With numerous solutions available for internal team and external client meetings, secure access is key – e.g. use password protection, authenticate users, make use of waiting rooms

• Having difficulty with VPN or emailing files?

Consider migrating to a platform such as Microsoft Teams allowing real-time collaboration on documents

• If your WFH team is struggling with old equipment, leasing devices could be an effective solution • An equipment audit can help assess current and future needs and set priorities

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We provide Managed Services where Shoal is your “virtual” IT department, not only giving you 24/7 access to our UK-based helpdesk but also proactive monitoring and maintenance of your IT systems.

With Cyber Security a key focus, we provide a range of alternatives from a one-off cyber audit to helping you acquire and maintain the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials certification.

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TECHNOLOGY

The digital DIVIDE

As the technological revolution gathers pace, it’s often taken for granted that people use a smart phone or have access to the internet. However, there’s a significant portion of the UK population that remains in digital poverty.

Digital poverty has been a long-term hidden issue for many residents in Wandsworth, on which the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light. During lockdown, it became apparent that many local families were struggling to home school and stay digitally connected because they didn’t have access to a computer or broadband at home.

According to the latest government statistics, there are still 5.3 million adults in the UK, or 10% of the adult UK population, who don’t use the internet. Millions more rely on pay-as-you-go services to make phone calls or access education or healthcare services online.

The coronavirus pandemic has accentuated the digital divide between the “haves” and the “have-nots”. While those with internet access have been able to work from home and communicate with colleagues, friends and loved ones in the lockdown, those without have been left isolated. This has had a marked effect on the education of young people. Challenging the government on the devastating impact of lengthy school closures on poorer pupils, Robert Halfon, chairman of the education select committee, said that around 700,000 disadvantaged children were not doing homework and did not have proper access to computers or the internet – essential tools for online learning.

In the current climate in which the coronavirus is forcing more people to work and study online, a significant number of people are struggling to learn the skills they need to either further their education, progress their career or get a job. This has major implications for someone’s employability, earnings potential and social mobility.

To support these families, Battersea Power Station and Wandsworth Council joined forces to launch the Power to Connect campaign on 19th April. Since then, hundreds of emergency phone data top-up vouchers and wifi dongles funded by a £10,000 donation from the Battersea Power Station Foundation have been distributed to families in the borough.

Battersea Power Station and Wandsworth Council have also set up a laptop and tablet refurbishment project, which collects devices that are in working order but no longer used, refurbishes them as Google Chromebooks with the help of volunteers and redistributes them to families across Wandsworth. Since launching Power to Connect, more than 340 devices have been collected, refurbished and donated to 41 local schools and 900 families have been supported.

Power to Connect is now a Community Interest Company and the campaign will continue to collect devices from the local community and form partnerships with businesses that can pledge to donate devices when they update their laptops and desktops for employees. With 6,000 families in Wandsworth currently eligible for free school meals, schools preparing for local lockdowns and class bubbles having to potentially self-isolate, the need for Power to Connect to continue is clear.

The campaign has also been shortlisted for a #Tech4Good Community Impact award, run by AbilityNet, and has launched a CrowdfunderUK campaign with the aim of raising £5,000 over the next month to continue combating the issue of digital poverty in Wandsworth.

Digital is fast becoming the third basic essential skill along with literacy and numeracy.

Nowadays, virtually all jobs now require some level of digital capability, even in sectors such as engineering and manufacturing. It’s therefore essential that we all try to close this digital gap for the good of society and the economy.

“Everyone has to adapt to the inevitable move towards digital and online learning: education providers, government, students, employers and workers. It’s essential that people don’t get left behind on this journey.

For more information on Power to Connect and how to support the initiative, please visit www.powertoconnect.co.uk If you would like to contribute to the CrowdfunderUK Campaign to help make Wandsworth a more digitally inclusive community, please visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/power2connect

Phishing, Spearphishing and Vishing With many forced to work from home, cyber security is in sharp focus as hacking attacks have grown over lockdown. The UK Government’s National Centre for Cyber Security has published numerous alerts recently, including on 5th June highlighting remote workers being targeted by a Microsoft 365 phishing scam.

Phishing is a social engineering attack intended to acquire personal data such as login and password details or credit card/bank details.

The attacker impersonates a trusted entity to trick potential victims into opening an email, IM or SMS and clicking a link. Unwittingly, the victim enters their account credentials on a fake website or malware is installed, leading to theft of data or money or a ransom being demanded.

Spear-phishing is a personalised version, targeted at specific individuals or businesses, often electronic though increasingly by telephone (Vishing).

The caller purports to be from a trusted entity such as your bank, internet service provider or the police. With company and personal information freely available online, convincing spear-phishing campaigns are easy to create.

Protecting yourself is key technology such as anti-malware, website filtering, spam filtering and data backup are essential, however don’t ignore the human element: • If you aren’t absolutely certain of the sender’s identity, don’t open an email/IM/SMS or attachment • Don’t click email links and enter your account credentials if you aren’t sure it’s genuine – fake websites can be very convincing • If you are unsure about a caller’s identity, ask for their details and say you will call back. Find the main telephone number from the company’s website and ask to be connected • Suspicious emails can be reported directly to the NCSC by forwarding to report@phishing.gov.uk. At June 2020 they had received more than 1,173,000 reports resulting in the removal of 4,590 scams and 11,543 fake URLs. For more information contact Shoal IT Solutions: info@shoal-it.com or 020 8078 0810 www.shoal-it.com

Business Connexions | 25

Specialist decontamination and proofing services supporting businesses to stay safe and open

• Commercial Pest Control • Bird Control

• Specialist Proofing

• Decontamination Treatments

0208 355 3443 |

www.pestcontrolservices.co.uk

ENVIRONMENT

What is the Green Homes Grant?

As business leaders in our local community, we are often the standard-bearers for progress and development not just in a professional setting but also in our homes.

LBW’s climate emergency declaration is an excellent opportunity for the business community to lead by example, by improving the sustainability of our business premises but also our homes. The good news, at least domestically, is that the Government is offering some generous support in the short term.

Next month, BEIS is launching the Green Homes Grant, up to £10,000 of funding for home efficiency improvements and renewable heat measures. Everyone (homeowners, private rental landlords and social landlords included) qualifies

for grants of up to £5,000 of support on a match-funding basis, where BEIS will cover two-thirds of the cost of a project. However, if you qualify for benefits, you could be entitled to up to £10,000 of grants with no need to provide match funding!

So, what is covered under the scheme?

A range of insulations measures including loft, underfloor, cavity wall and external wall.

Low-carbon heating also qualifies, which includes air-source and ground-source heat pumps and solar thermal. If you install one of those technologies you can also fund secondary measures such as draft-proofing, window upgrades and smart heating controls.

That’s where CREW comes in! CREW Energy has qualified domestic energy assessors and retrofit assessors who can help you identify the right technologies for your home. We also have a renewable heat team who can advise you on heat pumps as well as helping you with design and financial modelling.

But be aware, you will need to move fast; this funding is only available from September 2020 until March 2021, by which time your installs would need to be completed.

For support, contact us at info@crewenergy.london.

Please keep an eye out for CREW’s first-ever community share offer!

We will be raising money to install heat pumps at Devas Club, a wonderful youth centre on Battersea Rise.

You can register your interest here: http://www.crewenergy.london/invest.html

GreenZone, an already award-winning commercial cleaning company with sustainability and social impact at its core, has just scooped bronze at the international Global Good Awards for both ‘Company of the Year’ and ‘Employee Engagement and Wellbeing’ categories.

No mean feat considering the prestigious, corporate company it found itself in.

The Global Good Awards were set up to recognise the work that organisations are doing in their communities, for their people and for the planet. They reward all aspects of sustainability and social impact in business of all types and in all industries, not just commercial cleaning.

Entries are from across the globe and range from small independent business through to global multinational companies. Such strong and high profile competition makes GreenZone’s success even more striking.

Judging was delivered by a broad independent panel of experts across all industries, specialising in sustainability and social value.

GreenZone scoops two bronze awards at the International Global Good Awards To achieve bronze in the ‘Company of the Year’ category is a phenomenal recognition of the overall success GreenZone have achieved in developing and growing the business into the successful, dynamic, economically, socially and environmentally responsible business it is today. These values have been at the core of the business since it started ten years ago and remain the key factors that drive everything GreenZone do.

The ‘Employee Engagement and Wellbeing’ bronze award acknowledges the activities and practices developed within GreenZone to enhance employee engagement and well-being both in and out of the workplace.

Since day one, wellbeing has remained vitally important to GreenZone, recognising the importance its people play in contributing to its overall success. They are dedicated to ensuring all members of the business are engaged and valued and this award is testament to the hard work put in over the last ten years nurturing this approach.

Steve Trew Managing Director at GreenZone Cleaning and Support Services Ltd, said of the awards: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have achieved bronze in both the Company of the Year and Employee Engagement and Wellbeing categories at the international Global Good Awards. It’s an amazing testament to our people, who are at the centre of our business, and independently verifies how ten years into our journey, we continue to keep sustainability at the core of everything we do.’ #Welovetheworldweclean #GlobalGoodAward #sustainability

Business Business Connexions Connexions || 27 27

Specialists in YOU time 7Seas Holidays 199 Garra� Lane London, SW18 4DR T: 0203 968 0900 M: 0795 133 8204 E: info@7seasholidays.co.uk

Since their inception in 2018, 7Seas has grown rapidly over the years and now is an established local agency that OFFERS A FULLY PERSONALIZED TRAVEL SERVICE, with a team that are able to provide expert knowledgeable andwww.7seasholidays.co.uk a friendly face.

This extraordinary growth has been a result of outstanding customer service and an experience that makes their customers feel more of a guest.

All of their customers can book their holiday with complete confidence, due to the fact that 7Seas are proud ABTA members. All of the holidays on offer are all 100% financially protected.

Both Shakeel founder of 7Seas Holidays and his team are all experienced travel consultants whose passions are to travel across the world and share their experiences with their customers.

They work tirelessly to ensure that every single one of their customers have the best possible experience and that all of their expectations are met.

The 7Seas team excel at making a budget stretch further than the customer expects, a factor which has led them to receive numerous glowing reviews online.

Unfortunately, the travel industry is one that has been hit the hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Borders are closed, planes are grounded and for many people, they have lost some form of income which means holiday making is the last thing on their mind. However, recent government guidelines have allowed UK holidays once more, which is a positive for 7Seas. There will be a lot of people who don’t have confidence and trust in travelling overseas, but it is expected that those holidaying within the UK is going to become immensely more popular. In addition to this, they will also be offering lower deposits on holidays and cruises in 2021 and 2022.

2 BEDROOM VILLA WITH PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL • Sleeps 2 - 4 • Private Swimming Pool • Car Hire • Air Conditioning in Living Room

Villa Kalypso KATSAROU, SKIATHOS

Currently, this is a very uncertain time for so many people, and so 7Seas really want to reassure their customers that they are truly there for them.

7Seas Holidays

199 Garratt Lane London, SW18 4DR T: 0203 968 0900 M: 0795 133 8204 E: info@7seasholidays.co.uk ABTA No. P7336

www.7seasholidays.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

DEPRESSION levels double during COVID pandemic Feeling depressed? Well, don’t worry – you’re not alone. The number of adults in the UK with depression has doubled during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report.

Official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that almost one in five adults (19.2%) were likely to be experiencing some form of depression in June this year – almost double the 9.7% in the nine months from July 2019 to March 2020.

One in eight adults (12.9%) developed moderate to severe depressive symptoms during the pandemic, while a further 6.2% of the population continued to experience this level of depressive symptoms. Only around one in 25 adults (3.5%) saw an improvement over this period.

Of those experiencing some form of depression, 84.9% said feeling stressed or anxious was most strongly compromising their wellbeing.

The results have raised concerns that more people will experience mental ill-health as emergency support measures introduced by the government, including the furlough scheme and enhanced statutory sick pay, are wound down.

Tim Vizard, principal research officer at the ONS, said: “The research provides an insight into the mental health of adults during the coronavirus pandemic. Revisiting this same group of adults before and during the pandemic provides a unique insight into how their symptoms of depression have changed over time.

“Almost one in five adults were experiencing some form of depression during the pandemic, almost doubling from around one in 10 before the pandemic. Adults who were young, female, unable to afford an unexpected expense or disabled were the most likely to experience some form of depression during the pandemic.”

The research has heaped more pressure on employers to do more to protect the mental health and well-being of their workforce.

It comes after a separate study by People Management and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) showed that two thirds (67%) of employers found that managing employees’ fear and anxiety was their biggest challenge during the pandemic. Meanwhile, in the same survey, 70% of employers highlighted the challenge of ensuring staff were staying well both physically and mentally while working remotely.

Research from Canada Life showed that almost half (46%) of British workers carrying out their jobs remotely during lockdown said they felt more pressure to be “present” for their

employer and colleagues, with more than a third (35%) reporting they had continued to work despite feeling unwell.

Of those who had worked through illness, 40% said this was because they didn’t feel they were sick enough to warrant a day off.

However, more than a quarter (26%) also reported workload as a reason for not taking a day off, and 16% cited fear of redundancy.

These surveys suggest that we all need to take better care of our mental health.

For those who are suffering from depression and anxiety, support is available from a variety of organisations. The NHS website lists some of these organisations at www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxietydepression/mental-health-helplines/.

The surveys also indicate that employers should do more to protect the wellbeing of their workforce. Employers can find out more information about this at www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/ how-support-mental-health-work

“Almost one in five adults were experiencing some form of depression during the pandemic, almost doubling from around one in ten before the pandemic.”

Business Connexions | 29

Work Match

CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMME Many businesses have been impacted by Covid-19 and as a result making redundancies may be unavoidable.

The Wandsworth Council Work Match service and South Thames College have partnered to launch the Wandsworth Career Transition Programme, designed for micro, small and medium sized businesses in Wandsworth.

If you would like to talk to our team about the Career Transition Programme, please contact us at careertransitionprogramme@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Work Match

BT.2818 (8.20)

people

for local

CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMME

securing jobs

The Career Transition Programme is free to access and aims to ensure those leaving your business are in the strongest possible position with the right skills, mindset and confidence to apply for a new role when suitable. We believe that the Career Transition Programme reinforces a positive view of your business by your staff and the local community.

Services on offer: ● Social media presence and personal brand ● Career coaching and job brokerage ● Access to sector led training ● An individual, tailored learning plan ● Support with CV development

Providing Lean & Process Improvement Consultant services to support businesses enhance their operational efficiency.

Bid Support for new or existing contacts

Cost out & transformation

Driving the turning around of loss making and under-performing contracts while ensuring all contract terms and requirements are being achieved

Supporting your business development teams by applying Lean & Process Improvement logic to your bids enabling competitive pricing while ensuring service standards are achieved

Lean & Process Improvement Training

Lean & Process Improvement, review, create and implement

Bespoke training courses tailored to deliver the tools and skills required to allow your teams to drive and sustain improvements while also allowing for continual improvement.

Reviewing of current state operations before applying improvement tools and techniques to create an efficient future state and supporting implementing to become BAU

Mobilisation

Supporting your mobilisation teams to ensure contacts are meeting the contact requirement set out while also being operationally efficient

info@cosmosperformanceltd.com

30 | Business Connexions

Experience across a range of industries with proven sustainable benefits.

0207 164 6586

www.cosmosperformanceltd.com

THE PERSON BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Cosmos boosts

business efficiency When James Dalton-Golding launched his new venture in 2017, he knew there was a gap in the market for the type of service he wanted to provide.

James Dalton-Golding, Cosmos Performance “Lots of small businesses wanted to adopt change to become more efficient but they don’t always know how to go about it,” he says.

“We use a range of tools and techniques to identify and eliminate unnecessary waste within their business, helping them to create more efficient processes and procedures. This approach has many benefits, including increased operational efficiency, reduced costs and higher productivity.

“All of these benefits are crucial in the current climate, with the country about to enter the deepest recession in living memory. Companies need to do everything they can to keep ahead of the competition – and this can be assisted by making sure they’re as lean and efficient as possible.”

James’ company, Cosmos Performance, has a team of highly skilled consultants who work with a range of organisations including manufacturers, construction firms, facilities management specialists and health organisations. On average, Cosmos Performance clients see a return on their investment of up to ten to one – evidence that more firms should consider the benefits of lean and process improvement. Beneficiaries of Cosmos’ services include the NHS, FM Conway, Interserve and many small-to-medium enterprises. As economic fortunes have changed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cosmos Performance has adapted its service provision to suit.

James says: “As part of our engagement with clients, we’re now to assist them to become Covid secure, without impacting the working day.

This allows us to help businesses and organisations adjust to the current situation and help make their workplaces safer for staff,clients and visitors. Sometimes it’s the simple things that companies overlook, such as allowing more time for staff to wash their hands throughout the day or the extra time it take queuing for lunch.”

James is an experienced managing director with a demonstrable track record of working in the management consulting industry. Skilled in operations management, lean management, lean construction, facilities management and team building, he’s also an expert in helping companies and organisations to manage change.

He says: “People should not be afraid of change. A fresh set of eyes and approach from the outside can often see things that a company owner cannot because he or she is immersed in the business. An independent person can come in and offer a fact based

opinion by following the processes within the business.

“To ensure that the approach we take is fully adopted by our clients and their employees, we take them on the journey with us. This way, implementation is not just about doing what you are told to do. It becomes a culture that everyone is bought into and wants to be part of, which makes it easier to deliver sustainable results.

“Using our strengths and our capabilities, we can not only focus on the use of lean and process improvement, but take a holistic view incorporating business improvement techniques that will benefit everyone involved.”

“As part of our engagement with clients, we’re now to assist them becoming Covid secure, without impacting the working day. This allows us to help businesses and organisations adjust to the current situation and help make their workplaces safer for staff,clients and visitors. “

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.

E V A S e t a d the

Until circumstances allow, we will continue to have online events via the Zoom platform.

In addition to our regular forum and open for business events we will be having a number of seminars and workshops.

Please vist the events page of our website regularly to see these.

London Open for Business Program Your Best Digital Friend in Business EVERY TUESDAY 9 AM to 10 AM Venue: ONLINE Registration Link: https://cutt.ly/4yNSyUB

Wandsworth Business Forum Connect with Wandsworth Council and Experts for Regular Business Recovery Updates EVERY WEDNESDAY (Until further notice) 11 AM to 12.30PM Venue: ONLINE Registration Link: https://cutt.ly/ZyNAqnQ

For further details go to

www.wandsworthchamber.org/events

32 | Business Connexions

STARTING UP

WELCOME

to new members 7Seas Holidays Limited

199 Garratt Lane London SW18 4DR 020 3968 0900 ahmed@7seasholidays.co.uk

Be-Zing

3 West Drive Tooting London SW16 1RP 07736 406817 hello@be-zing.com

Cremoloso Gelato Ltd

383 Garratt Lane London SW18 4SL 020 8265 0651 fabiano@cremoloso.co.uk

Dominvs Group

14a Shouldham Street Marylebone London W1H 5FJ 07515 564724 jay@dominvs.com

Driving Lessons Streatham

374a Streatham High Road Streatham SW16 6HP 020 3929 3573 drivingschoolstreatham@gmail.com

Linkedeyes

Sunbury Avenue London SW14 8RA 07803 123291 hello@linkedeyes.com

Millfield Healthcare Services Ltd

389 Upper Richmond Road Putney London SW15 5QL 020 7101 3840 jennifer.osodo@gmail.com

Nouvion Ltd

202 Boundaries Rd London SW12 8HF 07850 692342 yvonnethomas@wearenouvion.co.uk

Plumbing Professional

374A Streatham High Road Streatham SW16 6HP 020 3929 3766 plumbingprofessional81@gmail.com

SMS Ecofleet Limited

Unit 4 Avro House 7 Havelock Terrace London SW8 4AS 020 3982 3266 farah@theecofleet.com

SME Financial Advisors

6 Square Rigger Row London SW11 3TZ 020 3740 3242 info@smefinancialadvisors.com

Starting Up...

Christian Kerrigan Christian P Kerrigan Architecture, Guiding Change www.christianpkerrigan.com Q1 In no more than 50 words

Q5 What has been your

Christian P Kerrigan Architecture is an architectural design and research consultancy. We specialize in technical-led design using traditional and modern methods of construction (MMC). Our business focus is commercial office design, residential and affordable housing covering all RIBA Stages from early stage design concepts through to Planning permission and on-site delivery.

We set aside 20% of our time for research and development (R&D) to progress new business ideas.

Together with our partners we are developing an exciting concept for residential and affordable homes using modern methods of construction (see image). Our kit-of-parts designed for manufacture opens new possibilities to build high quality affordable neighborhoods.

tell us a bit about your business?

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

Christian’s experience as an architectural technologist and qualified architect means our clients get the best of two skills, design and technical, under one roof. Christian also serves as Chair of Vauxhall Gardens Community Centre managing the Board of Trustees, continuing to develop community benefits within the local area.

Q3 What motivated you to set up in business?

Curiosity motivated me to start the business and it allows me to dream of where it can go.

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

We find most of our creative work comes from being observant and listening to others with fresh perspective.

As a small business we have an advantage of being agile, allowing us to adapt to change while satisfying the needs of our clients.

greatest business success to date?

Q6 What has been your lowest moment?

With each challenge we look for an improvement to move on to the next stage. Covid-19 has certainly been the biggest one however, it has also brought new opportunity. It allowed us to focus on developing our affordable homes design and community– led housing.

Q7 In terms of business

achievements, where do you want to be within the next 5 years?

We are looking to grow our residential portfolio over the next 2 years. As part of our R&D we are also developing research into carbon reduction in construction and manufacturing industry in response to an increasing need. We are always delighted to speak with new clients. You can contact us through our website.

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

Do not be afraid to start. Be flexible with your plans. Involve research as part of your start-up company’s growth as it will allow you to see ahead.

Business Connexions | 33 Business Connexions | 33

5 MINUTES WITH ...

5 minutes with ...

Steve Pinto

Chief Executive Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce Q Who are you?

Hi, I’m Steve Pinto, chief executive of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce.

I also manage the London Open for Business programme.

Q What’s your business all about?

Essentially, we help local businesses to network with each other, raise their profile and capitalise on supply chain opportunities. Throughout the current COVID pandemic, businesses have needed help more than ever. We’re tried to support as many of them as possible, including our members and those in the wider business community. For example, from the outset we set up a weekly online business forum with Wandsworth Council to give businesses guidance and a voice on the difficulties they’re facing during the coronavirus crisis.

We’ve also launched London Open for Business, which gives businesses in the capital a fantastic opportunity to promote themselves with an essential range of digital tools at a very affordable cost. As we all try to come to terms with COVID, far more people are looking to do business virtually and online to stay safe.

Our programme allows businesses to improve their search engine optimisation rankings, track their return on investment and compete with larger companies that have very large digital marketing budgets.

34 | Business Connexions

Q Three words to describe yourself?

Innovative, determined and tenacious.

Q Ideal Customer?

All businesses, large and small.

Essentially, the Chamber exists to bring businesses together, creating a mutually supportive community where we can all help each other, speak with one powerful voice and benefit most from local supply chain opportunities.

Q Biggest achievement?

Improving digital inclusion and making digital tools affordable for SMEs through the London Open for Business initiative. It is very early days but this programme has so much potential and could even be rolled out to other areas of the country as a best practice standard.

Q Biggest gripe?

The lack of recognition and support for local independent Chambers of Commerce from central government

and the Mayor of London – even though collectively we support thousands of businesses across the country.

Q Your inspiration

Currently it is Richard Burge, the new CEO of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has been very proactive in bringing Londons’local Chambers together and developing an infrastructure which collectively gives us a stronger voice to lobby government on key policy issues.

Q Philosophy in Business?

Help others before you help yourself.

Q Sporting Hero?

George Best, the late iconic football star. He could regularly turn on a sixpence and beat three or four players with ease.

Q Biggest tip for success?

Take action early, learn from your mistakes and don’t be afraid of failure.

‘As we all try to come to terms with COVID, far more people are looking to do business virtually and online to stay safe. Our programme allows businesses to improve their search engine optimisation rankings, track their return on investment and compete with larger companies that have bigger digital marketing budgets.’

Business Connexions | 35

Economy

Lanop

Now keeping your business afloat during COVID-19 with Chartered Certified Accountants our new Virtual Finance Director!

Your Best Friend in Business

Now keeping your business afloat during COVID-19 with our new Virtual Finance Director!

“Lanop changed my perception of accountants” chang “Lanop changed my perception of accountants” chang

“They first helped with my personal tax return, so the fact they now also run my company accounts speaks volumes”

“They first helped with my personal tax return, so the fact they now also run my company accounts speaks volumes”

“They reduced my cost and ma through vital tax planning fro

“They reduced my cost and maximised profits fits through vital tax planning from the outset””

0208 392 392 9375 | www.lanop.co.uk 0208 9375| info@lanop.co.uk | info@lanop.co.uk | www.lanop.co.uk