Inspire July

INSPIRE.23 The business magazine of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce November - December 2017

Positive perspectives for a bright future Hertfordshire Chamber’s black-tie dinner; an evening of excellence - page 14 n Infrastructure Charrette Hertfordshire is at crossroads - page 4

n Focus on Stevenage n All change as the A pioneering location and a prime destination of choice - page 6

banking sector moves with the times Interview with Ian Taylor, Business banking for Barclays - page 24

Welcome

From the Chief Executive Hello again, and welcome to our November/December edition of Inspire, the Chamber’s member magazine.

Opportunity and optimism Firstly, I want to thank both Barclays Bank and Marriott Hanbury Manor Hotel and Country Club whose sponsorship of our black tie dinner in early October enabled this event to take place.

It is important to maintain focus on life after Brexit, and the possibilities that exist, despite ongoing government, Parliament and media communication traffic. I am sure you are, like me, sometimes impatient with a lack of progress in trade negotiation.

But, I am pleased to say, the three speakers at our dinner went a long way to dispel any gloom that might exist with this back-and-forth business of Brexit. Paul Slevin (British Irish Chamber of Commerce) painted a green grass picture of opportunity, particularly for Hertfordshire business and investment. Naturally, the Irish border is a significant concern for us all, and he outlined why.

This upbeat mood persisted in Anne-Marie Martin’s (COBCOE) address.

It is especially encouraging to note there are many European businesses anxious to do business with us, as we are with them.

And further afield, Dishant Mahendru opened us up to India as a viable business proposition both as a destination for our exports and a place where we can either invest or manufacture, offering much better odds than China could ever hope to (see pages 14-15).

A deal, yes please… before Christmas On the same subject, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the accredited chambers (ie Hertfordshire Chamber), as well as other business groups around the country are now clamouring for an end to this internal and what seems eternal bickering.

I ask the Government just to get on with the job of a strong and stable government for the sake of our businesses and the people they serve. We need a deal, not a no-deal.

Autumn Budget As Adam Marshall (Director General: BCC) says, we need a protein boost, not a sugar hit. Business must not be demonised for poll ratings, nor should businesses tolerate policy decisions that impede business growth. We are a great global trading nation, and have been for centuries.

Economic Survey Thank you to all members who participated in our recent survey.

On the whole, the outlook is positive, with key indicators of cash flow, investment, business confidence and business costs remaining largely level,

with some intrepidity in view of Brexit uncertainty. Recruitment and skills remain an anxious concern (see page 11).

Always good news It’s no secret that I am a strong supporter of apprenticeships, so I’m delighted that Julie Honour Jones, Student Services Manager (Sir John Lawes School, Harpenden) is the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017 winner — Apprenticeship Champion of the Year. This is evidence of a strong partnership between schools and employers and their deep understanding of the value of apprenticeships as an unencumbered start to school leavers’ careers and also benefit to employers (see page 43).

Spreading the news It is wonderful to welcome back Amy Rich from maternity leave; she is looking forward to meeting up with her Welwyn-Hatfield members. Mary Sykes supports Hertfordshire East, Mary Palmer Hertfordshire North, and Gemma Rydqvist supports Hertfordshire South-west and Young Chamber.

And more good news I am delighted to announce that Hertfordshire Chamber has been selected as a finalist in the national British Chambers of Commerce Awards for two categories: Most Effective Campaigning, and Excellence in International Trade Services. This is a true reflection on the Chamber team; I thank them all for their sterling work and commitment. Particularly, I want to thank the Herts Global team for the two decades of unswerving professionalism and commitment to international trade and export documentation.

Happy Christmas We hope to see as many of you as possible at our AGM, followed by Christmas Luncheon at Brocket Hall on 5 December, with Robert VOSS CBE DL, Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.

As we approach a busy festive period, we wish you and your families a great end to the year.

Yolanda Rugg Chief Executive Officer Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Outside front cover image: courtesy of Peter Austin, Alternative Images Photography

Contents Infrastructure Charrette 4-5 Focus on Stevenage 6-10 Quarterly Economic Survey 11 Chamber People 12 Patron Focus 13 Hertfordshire Global 14-15 Past Events 16-17 Big Interview 24-25 Chamber Events 26-28 Members Benefits 29 Tourism 30-31 Q & A Longmores 33 Health & Wellbeing 35-37 New Members 38-39 Members News 40-42 Young Chamber 43 Finance for Business 44-45 Economy 46 Last Word 50 •••• Editorial and General Enquiries Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce MacLaurin Building, 4 Bishops Square, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9NE Tel: 01707 502180 Email: enquiries@hertschamber.com Web: www.hertschamber.com Chief Executive: Yolanda Rugg Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com Published November 2017 © Benham Publishing and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com Production Manager Mark Etherington Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: mark@benhampublishing.com Media No. 1561 •••• Disclaimer Inspire is published for Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members.

All correspondence should be addressed to Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

Views expressed in Inspire are not necessarily those of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. ©2017 Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content.

Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

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InfrastructureCharrette

Infrastructure Charrette Hertfordshire is at a crossroads By 2030, London’s population will surpass 10 million. At the same time, most Hertfordshire Local Plans will be coming to fruition, and nigh on 100,000 new homes will have been built across the county.

Hertfordshire will become ever more densely populated, located as ever at the edge of the capital, a megacity long established as an international powerhouse.

The scale of this development causes some disquiet across Hertfordshire communities, and the prospect of change understandably raises certain fears. One of the most common concerns the capacity of our ageing and over-stressed infrastructure – be that roads,

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sewers, bus services or broadband – to cope with more people.

On 13th July, the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Gascoyne Cecil Estates (custodians of Hatfield House) hosted an Infrastructure Charrette. This was an open space which brought together diverse expertise from public and private spheres, to begin conversations around the digital and physical infrastructure Hertfordshire will need in the years ahead.

InfrastructureCharrette infrastructure across Hertfordshire in their everyday lives. This aimed to elicit frustrations everyone had in their daily movements, from commuting to children’s centres.

These concerns were collated by smaller working groups, shedding light on the overarching concerns of local people.

They illuminated the following:

The Charrette was designed to stimulate debate, and collectively to forge a vision for a future Hertfordshire which is wellconnected, healthy and prosperous.

Following introductory speeches

by Lord Salisbury, Neville Reyner, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and Gascoyne Cecil’s Director of Planning and Development Anthony Downs, the event opened with a series of quick-fire presentations to set the scene.

John McGill, CEO of the London Stansted Cambridge Corridor, asserted that collaboration is key, across all sectors and industries. That constructive working relationships, and genuine partnerships, are required for this kind of approach to work properly.

Patrick Warner, of the Brighton & Hove Bus & Coach Company, used his experience at a pioneering bus company on the south coast to reiterate that, whatever route is chosen for infrastructure and public transport delivery, parties must aspire to raise the bar, achieving the best standards.

Quotes from participants: “Just keep the momentum going, keep the right people in the room and be imaginative.

The whole of the county is plan-making, we cannot miss this opportunity otherwise it will be fifteen years before we can review again.”

“As a presenter from outside the area, it was great to see a key local landowner and chamber of commerce working together to get

This is the only way to encourage people out of their cars and onto alternative forms of transport.

Dr Scott Copsey, Transport Coordinator at the University of Hertfordshire, imagined Hertfordshire as a pioneering place once again, detailing the University’s imminent Smart Mobility Research Unit which will seek to position the county as a living laboratory: as a place in which the University, the Councils and other interested stakeholders can explore the role and possibilities that technological progress can offer for our approach to infrastructure.

• Congestion is the predominant concern.

• Public transport is seen as a plausible way to alleviate congested road routes, but it must be attractive and pleasant to use.

• Green and Active Infrastructure is strongly desired: consistent calls arose for more joined-up cycle routes, alongside roads which prioritise pedestrians rather than cars, all of which would be integrated into a coherent network of green spaces which people can enjoy.

• A specific concern was the ability of residents and commuters to move from east-west across Hertfordshire.

This is remarkably noticeable given the juxtaposition between north-south routes out of and into London. It emerged with a notable focus around congestion on the A414.

• Further concerns arose around demography, housing and the digital economy.

The event demonstrated several key areas of crossover between public and private sector actors and, it is hoped, can encourage cross-sector working toward collective solutions. First, infrastructure is seen by all as one of the largest barriers to implementing successfully new developments and accommodating future growth.

Across the board there is a strong desire to see a more strategic approach to planning the future of our county. Congestion is the prime frustration for both residents and commuters, which is associated with a perceived lack of investment in public transport and a general disappointment at the range and quality of options alternative to driving a car.

A follow-up report, Infrastructure Charrette, can be found at www.gascoynececil.com/ downloads For further information, please contact Cosmo Murray at Gascoyne Cecil Estates.

Email: c.murray@gascoyneholdings.co.uk

Professor Jim McManus, Director of Public Health Hertfordshire, closed the presentations by stating that infrastructure is fundamental to good physical health and mental wellbeing. Health begins where we live, learn, work and play, and that we have to approach our delivery of infrastructure in a comprehensive manner.

Following these presentations, participants were invited to take part in a workshop exploring common pain points in the people engaged in such an event. I was more than happy to share a snapshot of our best practice from the world of bus and I hope very much that you are able to seize the opportunity to ensure that the bus is a central plank of your own toolkit for improving transport connections”

timescales that can be involved and the fruition of results. I agree with a couple of the speakers that innovation and attracting investment is key. I also strongly support the need to appreciate green space and ecosystem services. … Well done and thank you for organising though!”

“A great start to progress and inform a valuable and important topic. Infrastructure is a tough one due to the

“I found the experience extremely valuable.”

“The event was refreshing , entertaining and informative.“

“The venue and hosting were great. The atmosphere was positive and constructive and overall I felt it was great value for time. Other than tweaking the intro presentations a bit and perhaps giving more of a steer on groupings I thought the event was a big success and look forward to hearing more about similar upcoming events and follow-ups! Thank you again for organising!”

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FocusonStevenage

Stevenage a pioneering location and a prime destination of choice Hertfordshire’s largest employment area, the Gunnels Wood area in Stevenage continues to deliver a world class, robust and diverse business location for its global and European headquartered businesses.

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FocusonStevenage Businesses located in the area are at the cutting-edge of scientific discovery and application in high tech knowledge sectors including aerospace, space and satellite, defence, electronics, ICT and pharmaceutical research and development, heralding new technologies and breakthroughs in a number of disciplines.

Stevenage’s impressive portfolio of global giants includes: Airbus, MBDA, Cobham Advanced Composites, Fujitsu and GlaxoSmithKline, much to the envy of neighbouring areas. It is also home to a growing number of niche engineering companies.

Stevenage is at the forefront of the UK’s space industry, as home to the ExoMars Rover, with key activity aligned to the Mars mission as well as the Solar Obiter programme to investigate the Sun. The recently-launched European Space Agency/European Union Sentinel-5P satellite, which was assembled at Airbus Space and Defence in Stevenage, will monitor the entire planet’s daily air pollution, gathering vital environmental data to support authorities to make more accurate air quality forecasts.

Airbus’ Stevenage Site Director Andy Stroomer said: “Our space business benefits significantly from its Stevenage location, taking advantage of proximity to London and excellent connections by rail, road and air for our staff and customers. We are pleased to be part of a community of world leading businesses in the town and encouraged to see the emergence of a range of innovative regional SMEs who can feed into our supply chain.”

of life in an economically strong and green environment.

It also provides excellent access to talent and will provide your business with the competitive edge. It provides an excellent location for future investment needs, with easy access to London, the rest of the UK, Europe and the world through its excellent road, rail and air links. Kings Cross can be reached within 19 minutes. London Luton Airport, Heathrow and Stansted within 40 minutes. They are some of the reasons why so many businesses have decided to locate to Stevenage.”

Location is key: Stevenage’s highly innovative economy lies within the R&D ‘Golden Triangle’ of London, Oxford and Cambridge, with Stevenage Biosciences Catalyst at the heart of the world’s life sciences cluster. Global giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world’s largest researchbased pharmaceutical companies, has been a major player in the development of the UK’s first open innovation biomedical campus, the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Headquartered within GSK’s global R&D centre in Stevenage

is Galvani Bioelectronics, a partnership between GSK and Verily Life Sciences, the life sciences arm of Alphabet, Google’s parent company.

It aims to develop bioelectronic medicines to enable the R&D and commercialisation of bioelectronics therapies to treat chronic illnesses. In recognition of the major assets and attributes of the area, the UK Cell and Therapy Catapult chose Stevenage to build its £55m Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Centre for the manufacture of late phase clinical trials and commercial supply of cell therapy products.

Cont. >>

Cllr Sharon Taylor, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council said: “Stevenage has highly competitive costs compared to other areas, with superb access to markets, an excellent quality Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Centre

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FocusonStevenage • IT, with companies including global satellite communications operator Global Invacom and world leading DuPont, chemical manufacturers; • Food and drink companies including the International Wine Company, recently named Decanter Outstanding Retailer of the Year; Allied Bakeries, who are in the top 10 of UK grocery with brands including Kingsmill, and Sunblest; Flamingo Horticulture, an industry leader bringing sustainably produced cut flowers and fresh produce to the market; Kanegrade; and Kolak Snack Foods.

_The pollution monitoring satellite Sentinel-5P in a cleanroom at Airbus in Stevenage. >> Cont.

Investment from central government As part of the government’s £197million investment in the healthcare and life sciences sector to support high skilled manufacturing and the promotion of exporting opportunities to UK companies, the Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Centre was recently awarded £12million from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. This will enable the facility to significantly increase its current size and capability and support the acceleration of trials, providing highly skilled jobs and supporting more companies to develop cell therapy products for the global market.

Stevenage continues to grow, with many companies establishing their HQs in the area.

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Stevenage also supports a number of other industries including: • Electronics, with global companies including Astute Electronics, an authorised electronics component distributor and approved supply-chain partner to some of the world's largest blue chip companies; • Creative Industries, with companies including Pearldrop who create video content for internationally prominent brands and major corporations including GSK, Cobham and Fitbit; and Visual Technology Limited who provide LED screens and displays for Wembley Arena, as well as the Videowall at the Odeon, Leicester Square and the bespoke LED perimeter board for Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge Stadium;

Stevenage continues to grow, with many more companies establishing their HQs in the area. It is home to established centres of excellence in engineering research and manufacturing and includes the Institution of Engineering and Technology, providing global support in engineering policies and frameworks; and Airbus for spacecraft design and construction.

From 2018, Stevenage will provide even greater connectivity through the Thameslink network and Crossrail, with a new interchange at Farringdon, so Gatwick Airport will be reached within an hour.

Recognising its entrepreneurial and innovation environment Ralph Raynor, Executive Member for Economy, Enterprise and Transport at Stevenage Borough Council, said “Stevenage provides a supportive entrepreneurial environment to its businesses with continued investment in its innovation facilities to support start-ups and mature companies and is home to the award winning Business Technology Centre, which provides flexible office and workshop accommodation with support services. It is a highly entrepreneurial and innovative area, with companies winning accolades in recognition of this, and we are very proud of them.”

As part of its support to small businesses, who make a considerable contribution to the local economy, Stevenage Borough Council is backing the Small Business Saturday campaign. The campaign to support, inspire and promote businesses has chosen Stevenage as the only town in Herts, Beds, Bucks and Cambridge to be visited as part of a national bus tour. The council and business support partners across Hertfordshire have come together to organise an event to coincide with the visit, and a second event for Small Business Saturday itself.

The ExoMars rover prototype 'Bruno' at the Airbus Stevenage Mars yard test area.

FocusonStevenage

The council is providing free stands to businesses in the town centre to showcase their business or launch new products or services during the two events, with further support for would-be entrepreneurs.

The council is also proudly relaunching its Small Business Grant scheme during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November, to promote

sustainable business growth and encourage entrepreneurial and business innovation, to stimulate further business and employment growth.

Future opportunities Stevenage provides well-planned business space and infrastructure to growing businesses and those locating to the area. It also supports ambitious future growth plans to rejuvenate its town centre in order to support a 21st century town centre economy, with a number of sites coming forward in the next few years.

SG1, the biggest town centre regeneration scheme in the east of England, with a gross development value of c.ÂŁ300m will provide Stevenage with additional shops, housing, bars and restaurants to support a vibrant and buoyant town centre economy. Recent investment in the town includes Debenhams, who opened a 70,000sq.ft. flagship store in Stevenage this summer, bringing further investment from Virgin Holidays Travel; along with Starbucks, Pandora and The Entertainer in the town centre.

Further investment opportunities include sites coming forward in the new Local Plan, with excellent access to the existing transport network, local amenities and utilities, making them highly viable and lucrative for potential investors.

To discuss investment opportunities in Stevenage please call the Business Relationship Manager Mena Caldbeck on 01438 242186 or email mena.caldbeck@stevenage.gov.uk

Business & Technology Centre

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Stevenage provides an attractive location to businesses with strategic access to London, Cambridge, north and south and mainland Europe.

With ambitious plans for future growth, Stevenage offers a ‘competitive, highly entrepreneurial and innovative business environment’, with cutting edge technologies at the forefront of a number of high tech companies already located in the area.

Whether you are a start-up business, looking to grow and expand or invest in to the area, Stevenage Borough Council’s dedicated business friendly business support team will provide you with a single point of contact to access the following business support from the council and its partners: • Funding • Premises availability • Skills and training development • Supply chain development • Innovation support services • Business support and advice • Planning and Regulation advice and support • Aftercare support

Here to help your business

For further information ation please contactt information Mena Caldbeck Caldbeck on 01438 242186 or mena.caldbeck@stevenage.gov.uk email mena.caldbeck@stevenage.gov.uk

EconomyQES

Growing concerns of Hertfordshire based Businesses reflected in the Quarterly Economic Survey

By Nick Fox, Marketing and Communications Executive, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

We recently ran the Quarterly Economic Survey in collaboration with the British Chambers of Commerce to give you a say on the current economy and the factors that are affecting your businesses directly.

Recruitment: With 67% of businesses saying that their workforce has remained constant over the last quarter and 68% saying their workforce will remain constant over the next quarter, employment levels have remained the same for most Hertfordshire businesses. 22% reported an increased workforce for the last quarter compared to 10% of businesses reporting a decrease, this indicates a low staff turnover rate for the last quarter. Businesses are also looking to increase their workforce over the next quarter with 25% saying that recruitment is in their plans.

58% of Hertfordshire businesses reported that they attempted to recruit in the last quarter.

Despite the positives of these increasing employment opportunities, 60% of those businesses looking to recruit have reported that they experienced difficulties when looking to do so.

Cash Flow and Investment: For Hertfordshire based businesses, 35% reported an increase in cash flow and 45% have reported that cash flow has remained constant over the last quarter.

44% of businesses said that Investment in machinery and equipment had not changed over the last quarter, promisingly, 35% reported an increase in such investment. Although 66% of businesses reported that they saw no increase or decrease in training investment for the last quarter. 25% said they increased their investment in training. This may have a causal link to the difficulties expressed in recruiting new staff, with business looking inwardly to train staff while experiencing such problems.

Business Confidence: Just over 50% of Hertfordshire based businesses reported that they believe turnover will increase over the next 12 months, and 47% of businesses believe profitability will increase, indicating anticipated financial growth. On the contrary, 23% of businesses believe profitability will decrease over the next 12 months. This divide may be due to the numerous comments that Brexit and exchange rates are causing uncertainty for Hertfordshire based businesses.

Capacity: 58% of business report that they are working below capacity. This could be the reason that Hertfordshire based businesses are looking to recruit and increase labour force, or looking to increase investment in training.

Costs: As a large proportion of businesses report that in the next 12 months they anticipate an increase in turnover and profitability, there is no surprise that only 3% of businesses will lower their prices for the next quarter. Furthermore, 55% of businesses are looking to keep their prices at a constant. But with 65% saying that their overheads are applying pressure to increase prices, 42% of business will look to do so.

Growing Concerns Over the Last Quarter: The Guardian reported that “UK inflation rose to a four-year high” in 2017, this record is reflected in the opinions of Hertfordshire based businesses, with 42% indicating that inflation is becoming a growing concern.

40% said exchange rates were going to be a concern to their

business, which is largely down to the uncertainty of Brexit reported by Hertfordshire businesses and its effect on the economy. As a Chamber, we will continue to work hard to help businesses thrive during these uncertain times.

"It is clear that although businesses in Hertfordshire are confident in their own organisational dynamics they feel frustrated and uncertain about the implications of Brexit and in the way the process is being managed. We in Hertfordshire Chamber of

Commerce are acutely aware of these opinions and have listened to our members. It is apparent through the British Chambers of Commerce there is a consensus on among most British businesses., Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is gearing up its Global and European export services to support its members wherever possible to bring opportunities through an uncertain Brexit" Neville Reyner CBE DL, Chairman, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Overall, Hertfordshire’s business climate is showing promising signs as businesses look towards increased employment, training and growth. However, the overhanging dark cloud of Brexit has cast uncertainty over the future, not only for Hertfordshire businesses, but the whole of the U.K. All data has been collected by the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce via the Quarterly Economic Survey.

QES Data Collection for Q4 06 Nov – 27 Nov 2017 For more information or to take part please contact nickfox@hertschamber.com or call 01707 502 180

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ChamberPeople

Preparing young people for work The Chamber is stepping up its activities to help young people prepare for the world of work and leading the way is Business Development and Engagement Manager Gemma Rydqvist.

Gemma, who took on the role in June after a career in corporate finance, is responsible not just for relationship development with members, but also running the Young Chamber programme.

As part of the role, she visits schools in the area, from year 10 to sixth form students (ages 14 years to 18 years).

To help develop the talent of our next generation she will provide assistance with career fairs and giving talks to advising on CV writing and staging mock job interviews. She opens opportunities for school trips to Hertfordshire companies, site tours and Business Experience Days.

Gemma says that a key driver for her work is the need to make young people aware of the way the world of work is being revolutionised and options available to them.

She said: “The world of work is changing. Research suggests that in the future, people will not just hold down one job at a time but three or four.

Part of the Chamber’s work

is to help prepare young people for those changes.

“Employers are saying that young people are coming to them without the necessary skills. These days, they are not so much looking for qualifications alone but a range of other skills.

“That is why I help young people to prepare their CVs and take part in mock interviews so that when the time comes for the real thing they will be prepared for the kind of questions asked and gain confidence.

“One of the messages we put across to young people is University is not the only option, Apprenticeships are worth considering as well.

“Apprenticeships are changing.

A few years ago, they were regarded as something for those young people who were not academically able but they are viewed differently now and there is a lot more choice.

“They used to be associated mainly with jobs like engineering but today you can take an Apprenticeship in a wide range of jobs. The big advantage with

an Apprenticeship is that young people can earn while they learn.

“I do not advocate one way of preparing for work over another when I visit schools and colleges but I think it is important that young people consider all the options.

“As a mother of four children aged ten to sixteen, I can appreciate the need for that and I find my work with the Young Chamber very rewarding.”

We have teamed up with The Institute of Directors (IoD) to bring you 'The Big Debate'.

There has been a significant rise in school leavers attending university, with (according to

UCAS) record numbers of 18-year-olds now attending, rather than going into the workplace. Are schools and parents fixed on the idea that children should go to university, rather than going into alternative careers, such as apprenticeships?

Is university the best pathway to a good career? If so, should everyone be entitled to a university education? Come along on 13 Dec to have your say” See page 28 for more details.

“The world of work is changing.

Research suggests that in the future, people will not just hold down one job at a time but three or four. Part of the Chamber’s work is to help prepare young people for those changes.”

The Trevor Jones partnership announce building facelift The Trevor Jones Partnership LLP based in Cheshunt have recently gone through some changes enhancing our firm by welcoming Patrick J. Spicer another long-established firm located in Cheshunt and giving our building a facelift which was carried out by Bengeo based Painter & Decorator Derek Andrews and sign written by Hertford based sign-writer Perry Signs.

The Trevor Jones Partnership LLP have been long-established, being set up in 1955 and always prided ourselves on service. Going forward the existing Partners Tim Somers and Janet Wilkins welcomed the appointment of two new partners in 2016 being Rob Laurella and Chris Whale who have both been with

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the firm for many years. With the continued traditional values of the firm and youthful eagerness of the Trevor Jones Partners and staff, the firm is excited to see what the next 60 years has in hold for the firm.

Trevor Jones are always looking to continue growing its portfolio of

clients and services and would be more than happy to welcome any new clients, not only to assist them with their routine accounting and taxation filing requirements, but to take it one step further and assist your business with growing and developing just as our firm has.

We offer a wide range of services from self-assessment tax returns for start-up businesses to audited accounts for large well-established businesses, including specialist works such as due diligence, company valuations and specialist Research & Development tax credit advice.

PatronFocus

Taking the next step We’re a family business and specialise in commercial space planning, furniture supply and installation to offices, education, healthcare and the construction industry.

We service north London, Hertfordshire and the Home Counties, which are compact geographies ensuring our clients benefit from rapid response, great service and an economical operation.

Our business is driven by sustainability, reflected across our operation, services and products by maximising resources and reducing waste at every opportunity.

Accessing Growth Hub resources in 2016/17 we have re-focused our business on project work, making the most of our existing expertise and resources to achieve a more personal, tailored approach - we have even re-designed our own offices and created a project room called ‘The Playroom’.

By entering the project market, we have opted to take on the giants of the furniture industry and, therefore, need compelling USPs for clients to place their business with us and we have been busy forging our Hertfordshire identity.

We have also been capitalising on a seeming shift in attitude since Brexit with increased

opportunities for SMEs and the growing appeal of more local, easily accessible suppliers over larger global brands.

By brainstorming with our teams, researching competitors and completing risk registers/SWOT analyses, we have developed several new services which improve our ability to compete, differentiate us from our competitors and offer measurable added value – engaged, focused, trained, enthusiastic staff are making this happen and it’s reflected in our figures.

Our people are key to future success and we have simply the best team – engaged, enthusiastic and driven, we are one extended family and between us we rise or fall as a company. We have quite an age range, spanning from 18 to 90 so we view the world from a range of perspectives which is interesting! Every member of our team has a role to play which impacts on our global performance so it’s important we’re all clear about what we’re here to do and work hard to improve our own areas.

Whilst trying to make JPA a great place to work for our team,

we also want to make a positive impact in our operational geographies and we do this with our DODO end-of-life furniture recycling and re-homing scheme which has brought us into contact with many Hertfordshire charities and not-for-profit organisations and enriched our working lives enormously.

Additionally, DODO generates new business and contributes to the communities where we operate by reducing landfill (kg, carbon emissions and waste) and re-homing much needed second life furniture – inextricably weaving the 3 pillars of sustainability in our business model – they are not a BOLT ON. DODO has won several community and green awards, and we’ve found that the awards process in itself is great practise for tender writing and getting our business case across in a succinct and interesting way.

In line with ISO9001 transition and assessment this year, we are building on the results of various pilot schemes run over the last 12-18 months with Sustainability, Service and People inextricably woven into our business plan -

initial feedback has been very positive.

So for the icing on the cake, in November 2016 we won our first six figure order for furniture, fitting out six floors of a new build with office, break-out, meeting, eating and multi-space furniture and we won our second in September this year so we’re all on a high.

Scaling up is in itself another tough job with the next 12 months busy across several fronts.

Having said that, we welcome all project enquiries small and large and look forwards to being of service!

Fiona Edwards works for St Albans-based JPA Furniture

Yolanda Rugg at JPA with MD and Executive Chairman – Graham and John Pulsford

“Our people are key to future success and we have simply the best team – engaged, enthusiastic and driven, we are one extended family and between us we rise or fall as a company.”

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HertfordshireGlobal

Beyond Brexit…to boldly go Hertfordshire Chamber’s black-tie dinner at Marriott Hanbury Manor Hotel and Country Club was an evening of excellent cuisine from the incomparable Hanbury Manor and positive perspectives for a bright future from the after dinner speakers; with thanks to the evening sponsor, Barclays Bank.

Dinner guests represented the manufacturing sector, international business, finance and banking, business support services, distribution and logistics, and the professional services sector.

Ireland – vast opportunities

Beyond brass plaques: existing homogeneity Ireland should be first choice for UK companies setting up trading operations in post-Brexit EU27; apart from the same language and similar culture, there are common grounds in business, law and accounting. “There is also the cost and ease of setting up such structures in Ireland.”

Existing trading

Paul Slevin, Director: BritishIrish Chamber of Commerce: represents the interests of companies in the UK & Northern Ireland by providing a local interface with the Republic of Ireland.

Paul Slevin addressed the pressing importance of retaining our neighbourly relations, particularly future cohesion between Northern Ireland’s and southern Republic of Ireland’s communities. We depend a great deal on each other, he said.

“For example, the Republic of Ireland grows the wheat and Northern Ireland processes it.”

Moreover, of all the milk produced in Northern Ireland, 30 per cent is processed in Ireland. Movement of people between the two countries is crucial to employment and skills access. He said that once trade and border issues are resolved (to our mutual benefit) there are many foreseeable opportunities for the UK-Ireland post-Brexit era partnership.

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The UK is an important importer of Irish goods and services (16 per cent) and provides Ireland with 27 per cent of Ireland’s own imports; the UK’s exports to Ireland exceed its exports aggregate to China, India and New Zealand.

There are 60,000 Irish directors on UK boards of companies.

In fact, he said, the London to Dublin air route was the busiest in Europe (which is entirely plausible as one considers there are 120,000 British citizens living in Ireland and over 350,000 Irish citizens living in Britain).

The economic challenge of a generation Practical preparation must be done now to ensure survival, even as we wait for clarity on important issues affecting supply chains, packaging requirements, cost of trade, tariffs, regulations, etc. According to a recent report, he said, if WTO regulations were adopted, the impact on the two economies would be a reduction in trade flow of 12 per cent (UK) and six per cent (Ireland).

To avoid customs rules, the Chambers of Commerce must encourage Irish companies to set up a production or operational base here in the UK; the UK consumes 48 per cent of Irish SME exports.

Ireland’s medtech cluster Hertfordshire’s life sciences and technology sectors should consider Ireland for their EU location. He said that nine of the top 10 pharmaceuticals and

17 of the world’s leading medical technology companies have bases in Ireland and that the 370 life sciences and pharmaceutical companies employ 50,000 people, representing 10 per cent of the GDP. A recent $8bn investment in facilities signals one of the biggest investment surges in new biotech facilities anywhere in the world.

Ireland’s ICT dominance Information and communication technology is another economic driver; with the highest proportion (in the EU) of workforce engaged in this sector.

Ireland attracts leading global tech corporations: Google, Facebook and Microsoft European headquarters in Dublin.

It is a magnet also to the top three enterprise, and top five security software companies, and to the leading top 10 ‘born on the internet’ companies.

Also based in Ireland are nine of the 10 world’s premier global software companies, three of the top five games companies and four of the top five IT services companies.

Hertfordshire’s opportunity This degree of expertise and talent presents strategic partnership opportunity, particularly for Hertfordshirebased med-bio-tech firms.

Establishing operations in an environment with ready knowledge, expertise and talent, and future single market access bestows enviable growth opportunity.

Getting Brexit-ready His three simple strategies to navigate current uncertainties: 1. Hedge your currency immediately 2. Formulate a Brexit risk register for your company 3. If you rely on EU trade, establish a base in an EU country, such as Ireland (contact The British-Irish Chamber for help)

Europe – future opportunities

Anne-Marie Martin (COBCOE, set up by a group of Western European chambers 45 years ago when the UK first acceded to the then EEC championing large corporates and SMEs) represents 12,000 businesses; over 50 per cent non-British, and the remainder multinational brands.

Brexit ambitions Brexit’s challenges for British companies are no greater than those for EU27-based businesses. The task is to establish common interests between the EU27 and the UK, and to lobby the respective governments so that a more pragmatic, economic argument is pursued.

The Voices of European Business This comprises the results of a pan-European research programme consisting of surveys and roundtable discussions.

The emerging highlights, not surprisingly, are barriers to trade, uncertainty and disruption in the Brexit process and the UK’s role as Europe’s global springboard.

Respondents considered a complete view of their trade relationships and supply chains, the UK’s part in their goods and services supply and the potential

HertfordshireGlobal impact of loss of relationships, as well as the loss in their business sector and to their national economy.

What European business says The resulting considerations were that the mutual dependency and connectivity of European markets marks the modern economy’s success story: prosperity and jobs to millions of people in Europe.

But by introducing tariff, border and customs changes, business competitiveness across Europe is threatened.

Uncertainty already affects European business decisionmaking; caution about premature or what maybe unnecessary or inappropriate commitments affects productivity.

Anne-Marie says: “It is important to understand that European business values the UK as an important part of the European economy. It is admired for the liquidity and depth of its financial markets, the strength and openness of its regulatory infrastructure and the quality of its research and development capabilities.

“Many European businesses see the UK as being of enduring importance to the continued success of Europe, both as a gateway for international investment and a springboard for access to global markets.”

A poll noted that 92 per cent of respondents felt that their government was not seeking their views regarding Brexit, and their potential requirements. It is COBCOE’s task to redress this.

members will be presenting these to their own national governments as bottom-up persuasion to address businesses’ concerns.

Our partnership with the EU and all those other markets across the world will succeed only if the business communities pull together in recognition of our mutual interests.

People, not Free Trade Agreements, create trade During her recent visit to Finland, she experienced genuine Finish interest in post-Brexit opportunities. She concluded: “Business is in the business of doing business. It simply does not have the time to wait for the politicians to get it right. It is people that create trade, not Free Trade Agreements.”

It was her job to galvanise the COBCOE network, their collective members to drive continued trade, investment and business, and: “…to finally joint the dots so that we create hassle-free, joined-up, seamless journey to opportunity and success.”

India – new opportunities

India’s domestic market — growing to US$11 trillion by 2030 — ranks as the world’s third largest, behind the US and China. India’s population is 1.3bn and its 29 states, each competing against each other for output and inward investment, enjoys high GDP growth (7.6 per cent).

Its growing manufacture output at US$311bn is sixth in the world (leading with its engineering, textiles and chemical industries). It actively encourages Make in India for export growth and offers incentives to western companies to manufacture in India for the Indian market. Dishant smiled, and said “India likes to give incentives.”

Economic future He added that by 2040 India would outpace the USA to emerge as the second largest economy (PwC: 2017), and that it would become the third largest consumer economy by 2025, tripling from today’s value at US$4 trillion, as rising affluence effects consumerism.

This is stacked up by the forecast that the country’s auto component industry will grow five times by 2026 (Economic Times), and its Internet of Things market to reach US$15bn by 2020 (Nasscom). By the end of this year, it will become the third largest solar market (Bridge to India) and its electronics industry will be valued at US$75bn (E&Y, Assocham).

Officials must grasp what’s at stake Anne-Marie re-emphasised the complexity of business relationships and supply chains: integration, multilateralism, interconnectedness. Officials, she said, must grasp what is at stake, and how to respond.

She said a sensible plan of transition will give businesses a clear framework and timeline.

Delay on trade and economic issues negotiation risks damage to EU competitiveness — diverting attention from other important areas, for instance progress in the digital economy.

“It is in no one’s interest that the European economy nosedives.”

The findings in this report have been presented to the EC and UK officials. She said that COBCOE

with its low-cost manufacturing, mainly for its export benefit — India offers the same low-cost manufacture base but it does not inhibit western company access to its domestic market.

Dr Dishant Mahendru, Honeycomb Global — a consulting company specialising in the development, investment attraction and marketing of clusters in India; headquarters in Cambridge and Bangalore.

Why India?

Dishant made the compelling case for Indian business and investment opportunity as an attractive alternative to China.

Unlike China (with its extensive government protectionism) — which attracted global business

Holding back UK expansion into India According to Dishant, there is insufficient UK business awareness of Indian opportunity (awareness survey: May 2017) — 70 per cent of companies claimed little knowledge of India’s basic business systems — tax, supply chain, distribution, legal — and the top four concerns for expansion into the Indian market are language, transport systems, tariffs and political stability.

Commerciality, innovation, incentives Honeycomb Global’s support for business growth is based on innovation and industrial clusters that combine academic institutions, local SMEs, MNCs (multi-national corporates), manufacturers and government bodies as an international centre of excellence. The result is high commerciality, efficient innovation, scalability, and government incentives.

The cluster facilities include R&D laboratories, an innovation centre, prototyping and pilot manufacturing and also full-scale manufacturing facilities, SME incubator blocks, training and skills centre, offices, logistic hubs, warehousing, utilities and full IT infrastructure.

Industries Honeycomb Global’s areas of expertise encompass manufacturing and consumer products, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, oil and gas, food and agriculture, automotive and transport, aerospace and defence, electronics, chemicals and materials, energy and power, banking and asset management, mining and IT. They provide market determination, forecasting, market entry and marketing, competitor analysis, country information and negotiation services.

“India retains its number one position as the world’s topmost FDI investment destination… attracting US$62.3bn in 2016)“ Yolanda Rugg, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce says “The Chamber thanks Paul, Anne-Marie and Dishant for their most enlightening and heartening outlooks for our businesses’ future. I also want to thank Marriott Hanbury Manor Hotel and Country Club and Barclays Bank for sponsoring this event.”

Hertsfordshire Chamber of Commerce thanks • Marriott Hanbury Manor Hotel and Country Club • Barclays Bank • Peter Austin: Alternative Images Photography

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Past Events

Hertfordshire PA Club: Top Tips – 22 Aug

Porsche Charity Fund Raiser – in aid of the Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance Trust, Hatfield - 22 Aug

Guest speaker Michael McGrath from the Muscle Help Foundation inspired our delegates with his story. The Muscle Help Foundation are a multi-awardwinning charity delivering dreams to children between 8-28 years with muscular dystrophy.

Benefits Roadshow – 21 Sept September Chamber Lunch – 14 Sept

We started up our Benefits Roadshow in West Hertfordshire showing our Chamber members how to make the most out of their membership and save thousands of pounds. Look out for our Benefits Roadshow in 2018 as it travels around the county.

Our September Chamber Lunch welcomed James Hammond, Brand doctor helping our chamber members to build a Powerful Brand for their Business.

Marketing changes continuously: markets, technologies, ideas.

Herts Chamber lunch presentations focus on current business best practice.

Yolanda Rugg 16

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Like individuals, companies are just as interested in genuine money-saving offers. We thank our business partners for participating in our Chamber event.

Yolanda Rugg

Past Events

Property and Construction Forum: Tour of Watford BRE Innovation Park – 28 Sept The BRE Innovation Park, Watford, showed us how their ongoing research has led to incredible sustainable developments in technology, the BRE Innovation Park perfectly showcased these innovative designs through their demonstration buildings.

Hertfordshire Global Black-tie Dinner – 05 Oct Our wonderful guest speakers Annne-Marie Martin (COBCOE), Paul Slevin (British-Irish Chamber of Commerce and Dr Dishant Mahendru (Honeycomb Global) entertained our delegates at Hanbury Manor as they discussed Brexit and finding opportunities.

The BRE Innovation Park is always a source of encouragement to think outside the box regarding future living. Inspirational!

Yolanda Rugg

Dacorum’s Den 2018 and Dacorum Business Awards Launch – Aubrey Park Hotel – 19 Oct

October Chamber Lunch – 12 Oct Katie King, discussed the AI revolution in sales and marketing as our members benefitted from excellent networking opportunities.

Herts Chamber firmly supports Dacorum’s Den who help local Entrepreneurs with a grant, giving them a chance to grow and develop their ideas.

Yolanda Rugg INSPIRE

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Dates for the diary University of Hertfordshire Business Events 2018

Hertfordshire Skills Fair for Employers

Connecting our Business Community

22 February 2018

22 March 2018

In a recent survey, 79% of Hertfordshire-based businesses reported a serious skills gap within their workforce and it is of course recognised that a skilled workforce is key to economic prosperity.

As a step towards addressing this issue, the University of Hertfordshire is hosting a skills fair for employers, where they can meet with training providers and participate in bite-sized expert workshops on critical skills matters.

Our event will run from 8.30 - 13:00 on Thursday 22 February 2018, at the Fielder Centre in Hatfield and is a perfect opportunity to see what is on offer.

To register your interest in exhibiting or attending this event, please contact Frankie Norbury, f.norbury2@herts.ac.uk

The University of Hertfordshire is hosting an exhibition celebrating the business community in Hertfordshire. At this event we will demonstrate the support available throughout the business growth journey. This is an excellent chance to rediscover what the University of Hertfordshire can offer the business community, from start-up and micro companies, to small and medium growth innovations, to larger and corporate organisations. The keynote speaker is businessman and the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Will Hobhouse.

This event will be taking place on the de Havilland Campus, 18:00 - 20:30 on Thursday 22 March 2018.

For more about this event, please contact Leanne Kenyon, l.d.kenyon@herts.ac.uk

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Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst at 5 - Putting Stevenage on the life sciences map Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst has celebrated its fifth birthday - and what a change has taken place over those five years.

The empty Incubator building and shell Accelerator building have been transformed into bustling hubs of life science activity. SBC is recognised as one of the UK's leading life sciences incubators, as shown by its recent nomination for 'Best UK Life Sciences incubator 2017' at the recent OBN Annual Awards. It has a strong global reputation as well, as evidenced by the frequent international delegations that visit to learn good practice.

“SBC was established in 2012 with the aim of driving healthcare collaboration and innovation for patient benefit. Its founders were GSK, Wellcome and the Government.”

With approaching 50 tenants, an expanding campus and a strong demand for space, SBC has really put Stevenage and Hertfordshire on the life sciences map in the UK and internationally. This was recognised by our stakeholders in SBC's recent review of its activities, 'Five Years of Innovation with Impact'.

“Today, after five years of operation, it is clear that UK innovation is benefitting enormously from the diverse vibrant hub that Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst has established.”

Dr Jeremy Farrar, Wellcome “Since being established five years ago, SBC and the many scientists involved have created a vibrant scientific community at Stevenage.”

Patrick Vallance President R&D, GSK

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“Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst has proven to be an exciting scientific and commercially successful world class open innovation pharma campus.”

Innovate UK As well as many rapidly growing small and medium sized companies, SBC has attracted to the campus internationally recognised businesses such as LifeArc (formerly MRC Technology) which moved its drug discovery staff there from London.

In addition, it was a real coup for the local area when the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult decide to locate its new Large Scale Manufacturing Centre in Stevenage. Following many months of planning and construction work, the Centre is expected to open at the end of 2017 to make the medicines of the future.

This strong national and international reputation has brought local benefits, with jobs and other economic impact. SBC values its local relationships, and has benefitted enormously from its membership of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and links with the Hertfordshire LEP, which enable SBC to play a role in the development of the local community for mutual benefit. For example, SBC recently worked with the LEP and others on the Governmentinitiated East of England Science and Innovation Audit, which reviewed the local innovation landscape and made recommendations for future developments.

How has SBC managed to grow into such an influential life sciences hub in five short years? Right from the start SBC recognised that the key to generating novel healthcare products, technologies and approaches was to be open and collaborative. Our ethos of open innovation - the ideas of sharing data more widely at earlier stages, and embracing different partners and ways of working has underpinned this. SBC has always looked for tenants undertaking high quality, exciting scientific work, and showing willingness to network with the rest of the community on campus.

Frequent tenant lunches, seminars and other events keep everyone informed about the work going on around them, increasing the opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate. There are occasional parties too, as the photos from our recent 5th birthday lunch show.

By the numbers - SBC in 2017 • 46 current tenants • £220m raised by tenants to date • 374 employees As well as being a time to look back at achievements, anniversaries give us the chance to look forwards to what the future might hold for SBC. With the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Manufacturing Centre starting operations and a stream of new tenants coming into SBC, it is clear that the vibrancy of the community will be maintained.

We expect these new interactions to generate new ideas for the next generation of healthcare products.

It's not just about new projects either - the therapies being made at the Manufacturing Centre will be for late-stage clinical trials or for commercial supply and so are further along the development track.

Whatever the mix over the coming years, Stevenage will be a fixture on the UK life sciences map.

Please get in touch for further information Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2FX + 44 (0)1438 906906 • info@stevenagecatalyst.com • www.stevenagecatalyst.com

The General Data Protection Regulation: What do you need to do to prepare?

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is set to become enforceable from the 25 of May 2018.

The GDPR creates a wider definition of personal data than the Data Protection Act. It covers all organisations in the public, private and non-profit sector and applies throughout the EU and beyond, even if the business itself is not based in the EU. Does the GDPR apply to my business?

If your business processes personal data (i.e. any data relating to a data subject and from which he/she can be identified) within the EU, your business should take steps to comply with the GDPR. Processing data could be by collecting personal data via an enquiry form on your website, using email marketing to target new customers or communicate with existing clients or outsourcing your payroll or pension provision.

In practice, most businesses will, in some way or other be processing personal data.

Your business needs to have evidence in place that it is complying with the GDPR. That can only be done by having the necessary policies, procedures and training in place to ensure that you are taking steps to comply with the principles of the GDPR as set out below.

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Principles of the GDPR Under the GDPR, personal data must be: 1. processed fairly, lawfully and in a transparent manner; 2. collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a way incompatible with those purposes; 3. adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is processed; 4. accurate and where necessary, kept up to date; 5. kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data is processed; 6. in accordance with data subjects’ rights; 7. processed in a way that ensures appropriate security of the personal data; and 8. not transferred to a third country or to an international organisation if the provisions of the GDPR are not complied with.

It is also worth noting some of the wider ranging changes compared to the current Data Protection Act:

• You will no longer be able to make a charge for complying with a subject access request by an individual and the timeframe to respond will be reduced to one month from 40 days.

• The basis on which you have the right to process personal data is important- if you rely on the data subject’s consent as your legal basis to process their data, then from next year, the data subject will have a stronger right to require that their personal data is deleted.

• Children’s personal data will have special protection and it is likely that you will need a parent or guardian’s consent in order to process the child’s data lawfully.

• The level of fines for breach will increase- up to £20 million Euros or in the case of an undertaking up to 4% of the total worldwide annual turnover of the preceding year, whichever is the higher.

What should businesses be doing now?

If you already comply with the Data Protection Act then you have a

starting point for compliance with the GDPR and you may be familiar with some of the language used. In terms of the practical points of what you should be doing, we suggest the following: • Make sure you understand the additional obligations under the GDPR: look at the Information Commissioner Office’s website: www.ico.org.uk , attend seminars or training courses so that you understand what changes may need to be made.

• Audit: you need to undertake an audit of your processes and documentation to know what needs to be changed.

• Seek appropriate advice. You may need assistance to rewrite policies and privacy notices, or to make sure your commercial agreements protect you and adhere to the obligations your business is under as a data controller or a data processor. You may also need to consider whether your insurance cover is adequate.

• Overlap with Cyber Crime prevention: you will need to consider that the IT security systems you have in place are sufficient to ensure that you are able to keep personal data secure.

If you would like further advice about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of data protection law, please contact Sarah Liddiard on sarah.liddiard@machins.co.uk.

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All change as the banking sector moves with the times It was the archetypal image of banking for many business customers. Ask business people to describe their perceptions of the bank and they would talk about a stern-faced manager sitting behind a desk, ready to refuse a request for a loan and not offering much in the way of support and advice.

The situation may never have been quite that stark but nevertheless things have changed and today’s bank is much more likely to be offering business advice to ensure that its customers make the best use of the money they borrow.

It’s a change that is welcomed by Ian Taylor, Head of SME/Hertfordshire and North West London Business Banking for Barclays, which is leading the way having restructured its operations in Hertfordshire to become much more able to meet local need.

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BigInterview

“With businesses now looking to invest, particularly in the wholesale and manufacturing sectors, we want to help them to do that in a way that will support long-term growth and perhaps focus on new opportunities such as the export market.”

Ian, who is based in St Albans., said: “Business banking, at least as far as Barclays is concerned, has moved away from the old idea of the client coming ‘cap in hand’ for a loan.

“These days, the bank is just as likely to be suggesting how the company could make good use of a loan and over the past two or three years we have re-organised the way we work in Hertfordshire to make that happen.

“The aim has been to ensure that we can offer advice that is much more tailored to our customers’ needs.”

The reorganisation has seen Hertfordshire broken down into small geographical areas, each of which has its own dedicated teams with in-depth knowledge not just of the needs of each area but also some of the specialist sectors within it.

Overseen by Area Managers Micky Kosowycz (North East Hertfordshire) and Ryan Snapes (South West Hertfordshire), 25 business managers cover areas including Hitchin and Letchworth, Stevenage and Royston, Welwyn and Hatfield, Hoddesdon and Ware, Borehamwood and Elstree, St Albans and Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead and Watford.

Ian says that the bank feels that a key part of it’s role is to educate businesses in how to apply for funding and how to make best use of the money if they receive it, banishing the negative perceptions that affected the sector during the financial crash of 2008 and the recession that followed.

Ian said: “One of the things we have worked hard to do is to educate our customers in how to apply for a loan and to persuade them that they can ask for money.

“We have money to lend but we know that some businesses do not even ask the question because they assume we will say no.

“With businesses now looking to invest, particularly in the wholesale and manufacturing sectors, we want to help them to do that in a way that will support long-term growth and perhaps focus on new opportunities such as the export market.

“The effect of the changes we have made is that our business customers will deal with someone based in a local branch who understands their area and may have a specialist knowledge of sectors such as pharma in Watford and Stevenage, for example.”

Barclays is also much more active in the Hertfordshire business community Ian said: “We want to be seen as the community bank.

“We work very closely with local business organisations like the Chamber of Commerce, of which we are a Patron.

“If there are no networking events being held in an area we will organise them ourselves.

Because our business managers generally look after businesses in a similar turnover band, they can help companies link up with others of a similar size and organise dynamic networking events.

“We are seeing growing confidence among our customers. Yes, Brexit is having an effect on some businesses but it has not affected everyone and the many businesses in Hertfordshire have taken the view that they need to get on with the job in hand and we at Barclays want to play our part.”

One of the main focuses for Ian and his team is to educate customers about the risks associated with doing business digitally so that they avoid falling victim to fraud and cybercrime.

Ian said: “We want to see businesses develop a better online and social media presence and we work with the Barclays Digital Eagle team to help companies optimise a dynamic, and secure, internet site.

“With cyber security an increasingly important issue, we talk to businesses and organise events designed to highlight the risks and how to avoid them.

It’s all a long way from that archetypal bank manager and Ian enjoys the opportunities that it provides him and his team.

He said: “I was asked the other day if banking had become more ‘fun’ over the past few years, and I have to agree that there is a degree of truth in that observation.

“There is certainly much satisfaction to be had in developing closer links with companies, helping them find new customers and suggesting ways in which they can grow their business.

“To then be able to offer them the loan they need to achieve that growth is the icing on the cake.”

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ChamberEvents

Forthcoming Business Events Women in Leadership Lunch Date: Venue:

Time: Price:

16 November Lussmanns Fish & Grill Restaurant, St Albans, AL3 4EW 12.00-14.00 £25.00 members £35.00 non-members

The aim of our Women in Leadership events is to enable Hertfordshire's business women to network with peers and develop their leadership skills as well as provide mentoring, support and inspiration to the county's next generation of women business leaders.

We will be joined by Kerry Cobb, Presenter, Trainer, NLP Practitioner and VoiceOver. Kerry is a highly trained, skilled, freelance radio presenter and producer who currently presents the breakfast show "Good Morning St Albans" on Radio Verulam.

Kerry is also Co-Founder of the National Teen Trust which helps and supports parents to work with their teenagers to be able to have a happy flourishing family life despite the challenges of these demanding years.

With a wealth of experience in a variety of roles, and a vibrant personality, make sure you join us to hear Kerry inspire you in your working life.

Hertfordshire PA Club – Become a Superstar Communicator Date: 21 November Venue: Mariott Hanbury Manor Hotel and Country Club, Ware, SG12 0SD Time: 12:00-14:00 Price: Free for members £10.00 for non-members The Hertfordshire PA Club is a free benefit for Herts Chamber members and we would be delighted for you to join us. This lunch will enable you to share your thoughts and ideas whilst developing your skills within your role.

Ex-International Opera singer, Susan Heaton-Wright, shares her Executive Voice coaching with Directors, teams and individuals in business, universities and other

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organisations around the world.

With her clients often being asked to feature on Sky News, Radio 4 and headline industry conferences globally she uses all her experience as a performer and teacher to enable clients to make an impact when they speak. She is often interviewed on radio and TV; is a blogger for “We are the City” and “Thrive Global.”

Susan is an international speaker who has spoken at conferences, Lunch and Learn sessions at corporate organisations including I.H.S. & RBS, for professional organisations such as CII, ACES and Women in Property, and at trade shows. She will share her philosophy for being an effective communicator in business.

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All prices quotes include VAT at 20% unless otherwise stated.

Hertf ordshire Hertfordshire P A Club C PA Executive Virtual Ex ecutive V irtual Personal Assistants P ersonal As sistants

ChamberEvents For more information on any event: 01707 502180, bookings@hertschamber.com or www.hertschamber.com

November Chamber Lunch Address by the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP plus Autumn Budget summary by UHT Hacker Young Join us on Friday 24 November for our monthly networking lunch at Beales Hotel in Hatfield. These lunches are intended to provide an opportunity for business networking and each month we invite a guest speaker to inspire and motivate you.

Date: 24 November Venue: Beales Hotel, Hatfield, AL10 9NG Time: 12:00-14:00 Price: £27.00 for members £35.00 for non-members

For our November Chamber Lunch, we are delighted to announce that The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP will deliver an address on the current political and economic climate as well as local growth. Born in Hertfordshire in 1968, Grant was educated at Watford Grammar and Cassio College Watford, before studying Business & Finance at Manchester in the late 1980s.

In 1990, Grant founded his own printing company at the age of just 21. Originally started as a small printing shop, PrintHouse Corporation grew into a commercial design, print & web development company with clients throughout the UK and the rest of the world.

Grant was elected as Member of Parliament for Welwyn Hatfield in 2005 and in May 2015 Grant was appointed Minister of State for International Development, shortly thereafter he was also appointed as Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, becoming the first person to be Minister of State in both departments posts simultaneously.

This will be followed by a summary of the major points arising from the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s first Autumn Budget and how these may affect individuals & businesses over the coming months and years, delivered by John Sheehan FCA and Graham Boar FCA TEP, UHY Hacker Young.

Christmas Chamber Lunch Date: Venue: Time: Price:

5 December Brocket Hall, Welwyn, AL8 7XG 12:00-14:00 £35.00 for members £42.00 for non-members

Join us for our Christmas Lunch at Brocket Hall, Welwyn.

This promises to be a truly festive occasion providing guests with excellent networking opportunities at one of the county's finest hotels.

We will be joined by the Lord Lieutenant, Robert Voss CBE. Robert spent 40 years in the International Metal Industry and became the youngest ever President

of The European Metal Federation at age 31. Robert also has a special interest in young people and entrepreneurs, investing in many Charities and Challenges such as the Young Entrepreneurs Challenge.

Robert is a Governor for the University of Hertfordshire.

In 2014 he was awarded a CBE for “Services to British Industry and voluntary work in the UK”.

The lunch will be preceded by the Chamber's AGM, members are invited to join in or they can simply arrive in time to join the Chamber team for lunch.

INSPIRE All prices quotes include VAT at 20% unless otherwise stated.

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ChamberEvents

Forthcoming events programme

Property and Construction Forum: Chamber HR Forum: Smart/Sustainable Product and Design with Constructing Excellence This month’s Property and Construction, being held at Epson, brings you a series of presentations discussing innovative designs and products to improve efficiency and sustainability. Our guest speakers include Simon Green BEng Hons FCIBSE CEng, Building Services Engineer, Green Building Design Consultants, who has over 25 years’ experience in integrated design solutions. John Hickmott, KNX Partner, Automated Smart Homes, designer of home smart technology. Dr Richard Peace Bsc Hons MRSC MIScT, Leader of the Innovation team at our patrons Altro, with a plethora of experience as a Polymer Chemist, in 3D Printing, medical wound dressing and technology development at Altro. With such highquality speakers, this event promises to help you find ways to innovate and develop smart and sustainable products.

Date: 9 November 2017 Time: 17:15-19:00 Venue: Epson Ltd UK, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9TD. Price: £18.00 for members £30.00 for non-members.

Legal, Financial and Strategic Issues Encountered by Family Business This month Richard Gvero, Head of Employment at Longmores LLP, Rina Sond, Commercial Partner, andJohn Playfair, Managing Partner of Playfair Partnerships, will be exploring some of the legal, financial and strategic issues encountered by family businesses.

They will be looking at employment issues, employee retention and incentivisation as well as corporate governance and shareholder agreements.

The speakers will consider how businesses can resolve disagreements and the very important question of succession planning to ensure the business passes safely from one generation to another. The forum will encourage open discussion of these issues.

Date: 14 November Venue: Longmores, Hertford, SG14 1HP Time: 9:00-12:00 Price: £15.00 for members £18.00 for non-members

To find out more about sponsorship opportunities or to attend, please contact 01707 502180 or email bookings@hertschamber.com 28

Finance for Non-Financial Managers Masterclass Do you have Managers and Directors that don’t quite understand the financial side of the business? Perhaps your accounts just aren’t making sense to them? This can leave them feeling stuck and confused in how to move forward.

Our empowering interactive Finance Masterclass provides an introduction to finance for non-financial managers and could be the help you need. Various topics will be covered including: • Understanding your accounts • Funding options • Tax saving tips • Growing your business • Cash flow management Let us help you develop a greater understanding of how to grow your business.

Date: Venue: Time: Price:

28 November Hertfordshire Chambers of Commerce, Hatfield, AL10 9NE 10:00-12:00 £10.00 for members £120.00 for non-members

AGM This is a member only event. Please book your place if you wish to attend. The AGM is followed by the Chamber's annual, Christmas lunch which is also a bookable event and open to members and non-members.

Date: Venue: Time:

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All prices quotes include VAT at 20% unless otherwise stated. For more information on any event: 01707 502180, bookings@hertschamber.com – or www.hertschamber.com

5 December Brocket Hall, Welwyn, AL8 7XG 11:30-12:00

MembersBenefits

Digital Skills Gap: Business Owners, let’s step up to the plate!

This year, Apple has marked 10 years of the iPhone. Popular SMS platform, What’s App, has celebrated 8 and the World’s first true social media platform, Facebook, has reached 13.

When we sit, and take a moment to think about it - technology has completely transformed our world in just over a decade, so much so that we as humans just cannot keep pace.

Today, there are more smartphone subscriptions than people, with the average user picking up their mobile device 75 times per day, across a ‘normal’ three hours of screen time. However, our increased need to be connected via technology 24hrs a day, 7 days per week, has not only transformed how we talk and engage with one another, it has also transformed the wider world around us, and primarily our job roles – resulting in a cascading digital skills gap.

Each year, the digital skills gap costs the UK economy around £63 billion in lost income.

This supported by the fact that 72% of large firms and 49% of SMEs continue to suffer skills shortages in their workforce.

With a lack of resource, has come a growth in ‘Jobs of the Future’, where millions of roles in Coding, Programming, Cyber Security and Digital Marketing are waiting to be filled across the globe.

Having recognised this issue for years, the Government has introduced a number of initiatives to help younger people develop their digital skillset, with coding lessons in schools representing a key example. But what about professionals in existing employment? Such as those nowhere near retirement, but nowhere near ‘digitally’ trained?

The real answer is for Business Owners to take control, support existing employees in digital training and development, and in turn protect both their workforce and business for years to come:

Skills development for all?

Transforming Opinions

If the last decade has taught us anything, it’s that technology has the potential to grow rapidly – having created a whole new wave of industry and market sectors, which have become integral to the UK economy.

Alarming statistics aside, the Digital Skills Gap doesn’t just present problems, it also presents opportunity: An opportunity to advance our capabilities, expand our knowledge and challenge existing limitations.

By helping employees develop their digital skillsets, business owners can bring both operations and workforce up to date, supporting professional development, whilst protecting their business for the long-term.

In life, we often approach the unknown with caution – believing someone else will step up to the plate, leaving us in a state of comfort and tranquillity.

But what if the task in hand needs everyone to take part?

This is how business owners should approach the digital skills shortage. Instead of spending time and money competing for limited resource, train and develop your own - transform opinions, develop existing job roles and provide team members with the opportunity to learn something new, whilst protecting themselves against the advancing digital skills ‘threat’. Technology is now evolving at such a rate that no-one can afford to sit still.

Jazz Gandhum, CEO, e-Careers Limited. www.e-careers.com

e-Careers is the UK’s leading Education Technology firm, which enrols over 7,000 students per month on an international scale. Its 600 plus courses span a range of industry sectors, including digital skills development supported by exclusive partnerships with the EC Council, Code Institute and Digital Marketing Institute.

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce that all e-Careers courses are now available to members, through a new e-learning portal and with an exclusive 10% discoun enabling Business Owners across the County to train and develop their work force at a fraction of the cost, through accredited training courses that can be accessed anytime, any place through a computer or mobile device.

To find out more, please visit: elearning.hertschamber.com INSPIRE

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Tourism

Consultation on a new Local Transport Plan Hertfordshire County Council is interested in hearing your views on their new Local Transport Plan.

“With travel demand increasing, continued reliance on high levels of car use will lead to worsening congestion and journey time reliability, both of which are constraints on economic growth.�

By 2031 there will be 175,000 more people living in Hertfordshire using the transport system, not to mention the growing populations outside the county travelling to and through the county. With travel demand increasing, continued reliance on high levels of car use will lead to worsening congestion and journey time reliability, both of which are constraints on economic growth.

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This new long term transport strategy sets out how we can manage this extra strain on our transport networks and support economic and population growth in the county.

It sets out how transport can help deliver a positive future vision of Hertfordshire. As well as providing for safe and efficient travel, transport has a major input into wider policies such

as economic growth, meeting housing needs, improving public health and reducing environmental damage.

The plan accelerates the transition from a previous transport strategy that was largely car based to a more balanced approach which caters for all forms of transport and seeks to encourage a switch from the private car

to sustainable transport wherever possible. This could reduce traffic growth and improve accessibility between businesses and employees, driving prosperity and enable businesses access to labour markets.

The Local Transport Plan sets out the objectives, policies, and key schemes that will achieve this switch.

Tourism Do you need to book a new venue in Hertfordshire?

Make sure you follow us on Twitter: @HertsCVenues Other conference venues in Hertfordshire interested in the Hertfordshire Chamber Venues website please contact Nick Fox at nickfox@hertschamber.com or visit the website www.hertschambervenues.com Twitter: @VenuesHerts Facebook: www.facebook.com/HertsChamberVenues

Perfect choice for business Shendish Manor Hotel & Golf Course is set in 160 acres of grounds, the excellent road and rail links close by ensures that this West Hertfordshire venue is the perfect choice for business or just for your pleasure.

The hotel features 70 beautiful bedrooms, Orangery restaurant complete with bar and its own terrace leading to our Gardens.

The superb facilities are second to none. With a choice of styles and room sizes available from 2 – 400 delegates. We hold a diverse array of events.

As one of the most sought after wedding venues in the area, the striking architecture and exquisite grounds provide the ideal stage for your special day.

As well as a choice of stunning banqueting suites, the charming Gazebo set within the grounds is licensed for civil ceremonies.

No country house hotel would be complete without its own

golf course and Shendish Manor is no exception. The Par 70, 18 hole course is set with a mix of hazards through both parkland and woodland copses providing a rewarding game.

Shendish Manor has just been granted planning permission to build a luxury spa, gym and swimming pool. Alongside 30 more bedrooms, plus conference

space that will hold up to 500 guests with an added extension able to accommodate up to 900 guests. The new build will also have its own outside terrace to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our unique setting.

We are hoping to start the development early 2018 with 18 months to completion.

Looking for a New Venue? ...here at Mount Pleasant we pride ourselves on offering something for everyone.

Mount Pleasant is a golf club and bistro, also offering venue hire for parties, weddings, conferences, team building events and golf days, based in Lower Stondon, just 10 minutes from Hitchin.

For more than 25 years, our friendly, welcoming club has been open to the general public and members, as we like to pride ourselves on offering something for everyone. Our personable and approachable staff work tirelessly to break the stereotypical view of an austere

club, in fact, we are a relaxed club and will do everything possible to extend an inviting atmosphere to all our guests.

Our spacious Fairway Bar & Bistro features an impressive design and contemporary interior. The covered terrace overlooking an additional patio area is simply beautiful, with views down the 18th fairway where you can relax, have a drink or sample our delicious food from a number of different menus, including our Fairway afternoon tea.

We also like to think we understand how important a special occasion has to be, from wedding days, special birthdays and anniversaries, to hosting corporate business events, we will guarantee a day to remember, and also make sure that all

requirements are catered for.

The course at Mount Pleasant is open for Pay and Play as well as offering flexible membership options. It is an attractive 9 hole

golf course, with 18 different tees is a fantastic place to come and play. The extension to 18 holes is underway and due in 2020/21.

Visit us today at mountpleasantgolfclub.co.uk or for more information contact us on events@mountpleasantgolfclub.co.uk or call 01462 810104

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TAKE YOUR CORPORATE EVENTS INTO THE FAST LANE

Make your Data Work

The most important part of your data is your people.

FOR A CORPORATE/TEAM BUILDING EVENT WITH A DIFFERENCE WHY NOT COME KARTING AT RYE HOUSE?

BOOK A MINIMUM OF 15X KARTS FOR AN EXCLUSIVE EVENT! CALL & BOOK NOW! 01992 460 895 EXT 1.

QUOTE REF. INSPIRE/112017 WWW.RYE-HOUSE.CO.UK RYE ROAD, RYE HOUSE, HODDESDON, HERTS. EN11 0EH

If you are trying to shoehorn technology to meet a business need, without looking at the business, people, or the processes, then you are doing it wrong.

Some organisations bandy around the term Digital Transformation because they think it means 'transforming' the data by putting it into the cloud. Wrong. That's part of digital transformation, potentially, but not all of it.

In touch with all your legal needs Longmores is a long-established firm with a forward thinking approach. Whatever your requirements, we will work with you to ensure we deliver swift effective solutions. We provide legal solutions by specialists in the following practice areas: • Company & Commercial • Commercial Property • Employment • Commercial Dispute Resolution • Private Client • Family Law • Residential Property Please contact us:

01992 300333 www.longmores-solicitors.co.uk 24 Castle Street, Hertford SG14 1HP

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It's all about listening to you Digital Transformation is about you, your business goals, and what you are trying to achieve. email us:

hello@datarelish.com

I'll treat you to a coffee and a chat, and tell me about your data.

Data Relish Ltd Unit 54, The Wenta Business Centre, Colne Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, WD24 7ND

Q&A

Navigating stormy employment law seas Employers have not seen much good news on the employment law front in recent times.

Brexit promised relaxation of EU employee biased laws but the reality is that there will not be major change; EU law has become very much part of the fabric of our laws.

In fact, in its election manifesto the Government pledged “the greatest expansion in workers’ rights by any Conservative government in history”; they confirmed that all workers’ rights that derived from EU law will be protected after Brexit.

Then the long-awaited Taylor review of UK working practices was published on 11 July advocating enhanced protections in relation to wages, employment quality, education and training, working conditions, work/life balance as well as the right to be consulted on major issues in the workplace.

And, for good measure, there was a further development this summer which employers would not have welcomed. Employment Tribunal fees were abolished on 26 July and so a significant increase in claims is expected, just as there was a major depression of claims when the fees were introduced in 2013.

Employers will also need to contend with late claims being brought by former employees if they can show that it was the payment of fees that stopped them bringing claims in the first place.

So how do employers protect themselves against this pro- employee climate?

Well, taking 5 basic steps can help considerably: 1.Employers need to make sure employment contracts and staff policies are “fit for purpose” to minimise the scope for dispute.

They need to make clear what is expected of employees and how performance, misconduct and absence issues will be addressed. Are procedures fair and ACAS guideline compliant?

This should make for reasonable and consistent treatment of staff. With employment law, a correct and fair procedure is often as important as the reasons for the action taken.

2.Employers should refresh key managers’ knowledge of what constitutes fair process.

They should ensure that managers receive the necessary training about common workplace problems including disciplinary and discrimination issues to minimise the risk of error leading to unnecessary disputes and costly claims.

Discrimination law in particular is very complicated and inadvertent transgression common.

3.Employers need to take grievances and appeals seriously and not be afraid of self critical assessment.

They should always consider issues objectively and investigate thoroughly.

Employers do make mistakes and realising and accepting that early can often pre-empt unnecessary disputes and litigation. They should be prepared to uphold grievances and appeals, if appropriate.

4.It is always good to talk!

When differences arise, it is usually helpful to engage in “without prejudice” discussions (a.k.a. “protected conversations”) to see if a resolution can be found.

The new “protected conversation” regime means it is not necessary for a dispute to have crystallised before a without prejudice conversation can take place but be careful that there are not any discrimination issues as that would remove the without prejudice protection and allow the employee to refer to the discussion as evidence that they are no longer wanted.

Of course, it will not always be appropriate to “throw money” at an issue and it can be dangerous to set a precedent that this happens whenever employees complain.

If agreement is reached, it must be recorded in a settlement agreement which must comply with statutory requirements (including the obtaining of independent legal advice), otherwise the deal will be ineffective.

5.If an employment dispute cannot be resolved internally, you should not close your minds to alternative ways of resolution.

Often, employers will cease to communicate with employees once they have left. If they are confronted with a stubborn dispute which is unlikely to go away, they can resort to mediation which would involve an independent facilitator helping to “bang heads together”!

An informal “without prejudice” meeting can also often find a solution. With the new Acas Early Conciliation regime, the claimant cannot start proceedings unless they have been in contact with Acas about the possibility of conciliation. Neither party can be forced to engage in the conciliation process but there seems to me to be little harm in having a go. And you could end up with a satisfactory settlement.

In conclusion, recent employment law changes are increasingly in the employees’ favour and there will undoubtedly be more disputes to contend with. But there is also plenty that can be done to discourage the progression of disputes to uncertain, costly and time wasteful litigation. And that should suit employers and employees alike.

Richard Gvero Head of Employment Longmores Solicitors LLP

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Your staff may have parental caring responsibilities that make them feel worried or distracted whilst they’re at work.

Herts Careline can share the burden with our 24/7 emergency assistive technology support at the press of a button.

This can be a great weight off your employees’ minds and leads to a much healthier and productive work-life balance.

Please share this information with your staff so you all can benefit.

5% discount for Chamber members.

0300 999 2 999 www.care-line.co.uk

Stunning apartments more e & so much mor Eleanor House, London Road, St Albans AL1 1NR

Eleanor House Stone’s tone’s R Retirement etirement Living L i vi n g P PLUS LUS E le a no r H ouse iiss part par t of of McCarthy McCar thy & S portfolio, exclusively 70s, designed designed ffor or tthose ho s e w who ho may mayy n need p or tfolio, e xclusively ffor or tthe he over over 70s, eed [[OL VJJHZPVUHS L_[YH OLSWPUN OHUK 9LZPKLU[Z HYL VɈLYLK OV\Y KVTLZ[PJ OL VJJHZPVUHS L_[YH OLSWPUN OHUK 9LZPKLU[Z HYL VɈLYLK OV\Y KVTLZ[PJ care each with off o optional, care c are and and ssupport up p o r t e ach week, week, w ith a range r a nge o ptional, ttailored a il o r e d c a re p packages** ackages** tto o suit suit yyour our needs. needs. There There iiss also also a d dedicated edicated tteam eam a att E Eleanor l e a no r House Hou se 2 24 4 hours hou r s a d day, ay, 365 36 5 d days ays a yyear ear tto o ensure ensure tthe he smooth smooth running r u n ni n g o off the the development. development.

One and two bedr bedroom oom apartments available fr from om £424,950 £424,950** Marketing Suite and show apartments open 7 days a week 10:30am to 5:00pm Take T ake a guided tour ar around ound one of our show apartments and rreceive eceive a Marks & Spencer voucher worth £20 as a thank you!^

For more more information infor mation on Eleanor House please call 0800 882 1957 or visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/eleanorhouse www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/ /eleanorhouse 'HWDLOV FRUUHFW DW WLPH RI JRLQJ WR SUHVV $GGLWLRQDO FKDUJHV DSSO\ A 7HUPV DQG FRQGLWLRQV DSSO\ 2Ï&#x192;HU RQO\ DYDLODEOH WR QHZ YLVLWRUV FRPSOHWLQJ 'HWDLOV FRUUHFW DW WLPH RI JRLQJ WR SUHVV $GGLWLRQDO FKDUJHV DSSO\ A 7HUPV DQG FRQGLWLRQV DSSO\ 2Ï&#x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Ï&#x192;HU PD\ EH ZLWKGUDZQ DW DQ\ WLPH :ULWWHQ GHWDLOV DYDLODEOH RQ UHTXHVW 0F&DUWK\ 6WRQH 1RUWK RXFKHU SHU KRXVHKROG QR FDVK DOWHUQDWLYH RÏ&#x192;HU PD\ EH ZLWKGUDZQ DW DQ\ WLPH :ULWWHQ GHWDLOV DYDLODEOH RQ UHTXHVW 0F&DUWK\ 6WRQH 1RUWK / /RQGRQ 3URVSHFW 3ODFH *UHDW 1RUWK 5RDG +DWðHOG +HUWIRUGVKLUH $/ '$ /3 1/ 0,63 5/3 RQGRQ 3URVSHFW 3ODFH *UHDW 1RUWK 5RDG +DWðHOG +HUWIRUGVKLUH $/ '$ /3 1/ 0,63 5/3

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Health&Wellbeing

Healthy Lifestyles Looking after the workplace 140 million work days are lost to sickness absence in the UK at a cost of approximately £29 billion a year, £26 billion credited to mental ill health; stress and depression.

Smokers’ sick leave and smoking breaks are estimated to cost businesses £8.7 billion a year.

This all accounts for a high staff turnover and the cost of recruiting and training replacement staff or, the burden of extra work on colleagues which can then result in them developing medical conditions and so the cycle continues.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT The benefits of improving workplace health are significant and wide-ranging; investing in workplace health makes good business sense.

Evidence gathered by the British Heart Foundation has shown: The return on investment for some workplace health initiatives can range from £2 to £34 for every £1 spent.

The median cost of sickness absence per UK employee in 2013 was £595, and the indirect and hidden costs of sickness can make up around nine per cent of an employer’s annual costs.

Reduced sickness absence was evident in 82 per cent of workplace health programmes.

WHAT DO WE OFFER? HOW WE CAN HELP? We have all made health behaviour choices throughout our lives; we choose to smoke, drink, eat a healthy diet, to be physically active, or not! The choices we make will have a huge impact on our health and wellbeing.

Lifestyles have worked with organisations since 2000 including Local Authorities, NHS, EE and Jarvis. Over the years, we have listened to the needs and concerns of employees which has enabled us to put together a comprehensive package to help to inspire healthier choices though education, health tests, activities and fun!

The benefits to employees: • Improved physical and mental health • Decrease in sick leave • Reduced stress • Increased motivation Benefit to employers: • Increased productivity • Decreased rates of absenteeism • Improved staff retention

Health tests; Boditrax Body Composition Scan The most successful way of realising that we need to make health choice changes is by seeing a picture of our own health, inside and out.

Employees will be offered a Boditrax Scan which looks like a normal set of bathroom scales but within 30 seconds of standing on them it will provide an insight on a current health and fitness picture.

Boditrax is an effective tool for measuring progress and reaching goals whether they are for weight loss, increased muscle, improved hydration, decreasing the risk of developing chronic health problems or general wellbeing.

What are the tests?

Tests results include muscle, bone, water and fat kg and per cent. Goals can be set to decrease body fat percent and increase muscles mass, which will improve metabolic rate (the rate at which you burn calories) which will help with weight loss.

The test will show hidden factors such as visceral fat which surrounds the vital organs. As we age, distribution of fat changes and is more likely to collect around the abdominal area; this can lead to high blood pressure and increase the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes type 2.

The scan also calculates the users metabolic age. This can be very different to birth age.

A higher metabolic age indicates the need to improve the metabolic rate; this can be achieved by improving physical activity levels, decreasing body fat and increasing muscle tissue. The tests are 95% accurate and configured by worldwide averages and medically acclaimed (boditrax).

We recommend a repeat test 12 weeks after the initial scan to track progress and to promote adherent to healthier lifestyles Healthy Lifestyles Presentation The key issues for optimal health in the workplace and in our everyday lives are discussed in this 60 minute interactive, fun presentation: Coping with stress, healthy eating, the importance of being active, back care, stress, healthy eating, healthy heart, healthy blood pressure and spine.

There is a Q&A opportunity at the end of the presentation.

Activities To encourage an active life, we offer a range of activity sessions suitable for all ages and abilities; choose from a gentle Pilates, Yoga or Tai Chi session, or a more up-beat Zumba class or perhaps a spot of team building with Bubble Football!

YOU CHOOSE! Healthy Lifestyles packages can be mixed to suit your organisation’s needs; half a day or a full day, We are happy to travel to your work place or we can accommodate you at one of our leisure facilities in your area, we can even include a healthy lunch if required. If you would like additional subjects or activities let us know, we want your employees to get the most from their time with us.

For more information about SLL’s healthy lifestyles packages, please contact Juanita Prescott, Corporate Health and Wellbeing Manager by email: juanita.prescott@sll.co.uk INSPIRE

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Spire Bushey Diagnostic Centre Fast access to leading consultants, 7 days a week

First class care, Tpqt J`Aqq facilities

The new provide: new ccentre entre will pr ovide:

For For further further information: information:

• State-of-the-art State-of-the-ar -th t imaging

020 8712 4408

• FFast ast tr track ack diagnostics

inf o@spirebushey.ccom info@spirebushey.com

• Out-of-hours Out-of-hours -hou GP ser service vice

w www.spirebushey.com ww.spirebushey.com

290 Centennial Centennial Park, Park, Centennial Centennial Avenue, Avenue, Elstr Elstree ee W WD6 D6 3SU

Health&Wellbeing

Spire Bushey hospital is expanding A state-of-the-art diagnostic centre will open its doors to the public in November as part one of a two phase £23 million investment package by Spire Bushey Hospital.

Located on Centennial Park in Elstree, less than two miles from the main hospital site, Spire Bushey Diagnostic Centre opens 35 years after the main site launched in 1982. Centennial Park is already home to Elstree Cancer Centre (part of Spire Bushey Hospital) and Spire Bushey’s Pathology Lab, helping to cement Spire as a leading healthcare provider in the region.

The existing building has been completely remodelled to create an ultra-modern outpatient and diagnostic centre. The impressive two-storey centre will have 14 purpose-designed consulting rooms, associated treatment rooms, outpatient diagnostic clinics and the very latest imaging technologies including a high specification MRI scanner and ultrasound.

The centre will also launch a new out-of-hours GP service, offering weekday evening and weekend morning appointments to cater for those with a busy lifestyle.

Consultant General Surgeon Mr Colin Elton, who is Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) said: “The advancements in medical technology continue at an amazing rate so it is important to have developments such as this to keep pace. The facilities at the new centre will be welcomed by everyone and will help to maintain the high standards in healthcare that patients have come to expect.”

This expansion will result in a number of existing outpatient clinics at Spire Bushey Hospital relocating to the new centre, creating

additional capacity across both sites. As a result, patients will have greater access to both clinics and leading consultants, with appointments available seven days a week.

Hospital Director Lisa Trybus said: “This is a considerable investment for Spire Bushey Hospital and reinforces our commitment to deliver outstanding patient care.

It also underlines Spire Healthcare’s confidence and commitment to expand and improve our hospital.

“The new diagnostic centre will offer technologically advanced services and ensure Spire Bushey Hospital remains at the forefront of private healthcare. Our hospital’s reputation is built on delivering high quality healthcare over the last 35 years. This new development provides first class facilities for first class care.”

For more information, call 020 8712 4408, email info@spirebushey.com or visit www.spirebushey.com

Stay independent at home with a pendant alarm from Herts Careline We know that living independently is very important to our customers. There’s no place like home. Award-winning Herts Careline offers a discreet and low cost way to do this via its community alarm and telecare service.

A simple pendant worn as a necklace or on a wrist band can be of great reassurance that help is on hand 24/7 if needed.

More than 61,000 people over the age of 65 live alone in Hertfordshire, and Herts Careline offers much needed 24/7 reassurance and peace of mind for the user, their families and carers.

If a person feels unwell, has a fall or needs reassurance, they can press their pendant and speak to a locally based, highly trained operator who will arrange the appropriate assistance.

Some sensors and monitors will automatically activate when they detect a risk - if the person has a fall or if there is a fire.

There are no upfront costs or long term contracts, and when compared to other types of care the monthly cost of the service is very modest - only £3.25 per week (+VAT if applicable).

Call 0300 999 2 999 or visit www.care-line.co.uk for more information.

Member discount from Herts Careline Herts Careline’s award-winning assistive technology service can be an invaluable source of support to your staff members who have adult caring responsibilities.

Providing 24/7 emergency help in Hertfordshire to older people, those who live alone, and people with mobility issues or disabilities, Herts Careline’s highly trained

operators respond to calls for help made when users press their pendant alarm.

Herts Careline may help improve your business productivity by: • Giving staff members reassurance that help is on hand for those in their care

• Reducing employee’s time off work associated with their elderly parents • Supporting staff members by demonstrating that their employer understands their adult care responsibilities

Herts Careline offers a discounted service to the employees of Chamber members when they join - this could be in connection with a parent, grandparent, or a close relative.

Please share this information with your colleagues.

Visit www.care-line.co.uk; email CarelineSupport@north-herts.gov.uk or call 0300 999 2 999 for more information.

To claim the member discount, staff members should write the phrase ‘Chamber staff discount’ on the application form, or type this in the Customer Survey section if applying online.

Please note the cared for person must live in Hertfordshire, but the member of staff need not.

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NewMembers

Welcome to new members Action Coach

GCMCA

Lewcon Audio Visual Ltd

Employee Wellbeing and Workplace Relationships. Leadership and Team Coaching 960 Capability Green, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3PE 01582 635 062 www.actioncoach.com/stevesaunders

Selling owner managed businesses, mergers and acquisitions 20 Bearton Avenue Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1NZ 07973334391 www.gcmca.co.uk

Audio Visual Sales & Installations 40D Wilbury Way Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 0AP 01462 457886 www.lewconav.com

Annie Knapman Yoga

Get Connected

Well-being Workshops for Businesses Braughing Nr. Ware, SG11 2QA 07500 110 876 Annlouiseknapman@gmail.com

Connecting & supporting SME businesses at one of the largest business expos in the region Office 215 3 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2FJ 01923 418063 www.watforfbusinessshow.co.uk

Ash Marketing & Events Ltd An outsourced Marketing department that helps business start to grow their marketing Harpenden Hall, Southdown Rd, Harpenden AL5 1TE 07985 902479 www.ashmarketingandevents.co.uk

Clarity Engineering Design Engineering, Design services, CAD, FEA, CFD, Prototype, Testrig 223 Whistler Court Cezanne Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 9AY 07982 842534 www.clarityengineeringdesign.co.uk

Connect Dacorum Partnership between business, public and voluntary sectors that actively participates in creating a better quality of life for all in the Dacorum and surrounding area.

C/o Dacorum Borough Council Civic Centre, Hemel Hemstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1HH 01442 228216 www.connectdacorum.co.uk

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INSPIRE

NEW PATRON The John Warner School The John Warner School is a vibrant, successful and forward-facing academy situated in the market town of Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire.

The John Warner School have been Chamber members for more than a decade and we look forward to working together for the foreseeable future, with the Chamber and our Young Chamber programme.

Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0QF 01992 445375 www.johnwarner.herts.sch.uk

Mount Pleasant Golf Club Station Road, Lower Stondon, Hertfordshire SG16 6JL 01462 810100 www.mountpleasantgolf.co.uk

Prime Pharmacare Wholesale Pharmaceuticals, Regulatory Services, Controlled Shipping, Bulk Supplies Devonshire House, 582 Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, Greater London, HA7 1JS 0208 9521603 www.primepharmacare.com

Queens House Consulting Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Consultancy 1st Floor, Healthiad House Markborough Hill Harrow, HA1 1UD 07790 864034 www.queenshouseconsulting.co.uk

Radio Veralum Radio Station 11 Hatfield Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3RR 01727 839 926 studio@radioveralum.com

NewMembers

Riskeye

The Astley Cooper School

Reputation protection, Security and Insurance 07802 258 162 www.riskeye.com

School - 11-18 yrs St. Agnells Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7HL 01442 394141 www.astleycooper.herts.sch.uk

Ruth L Randall Coaching Employee wellbeing, engagement and relations 07889 557 182 www.ruthlrandallcoaching.com

Smart Cover Insurance Smart Cover Insurance tailors the products and services to the diverse backgrounds of customers.

AGF House 3-5, Rickmansworth Road, WD18 0GX 03333 449559 www.smart-cover.co.uk

Stratomic Marketing Consultant Great North Business Centre, 82 Great North Road, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5BL 07977 404 566 www.tsmalley.com

Tier 2 Consulting Software Developers creating custom web and mobile solutions Business and Technology Centre, Bessemer Drive, Hertfordshire, Stevenage, SG1 2DX 01438 410124 www.tier2consulting.com

The Christmas Decorators Design and installation of lights and christmas decorations 07818 652936 www.thechristmasdecoratorshertfordshire.com

The Institute of Engineering & Technology World Leading Engineering Institution Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG12AY www.theiet.org

Watford UTC specialises in Event Management and Computer Sciences 18 colonial Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 4PT 01923 905225 www.watfordutc.org

Xtend2 International Markets Cinquecliffe House near Thirsk North Yorkshire, YO7 2EA 01845 597998 www.xtend2.co.uk

INSPIRE

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MembersNews

Hertford accountant pedals to charity target An accountant from Hertford has smashed his charity target following a mammoth bike-athon at the famous Etape du Tour, part of the cycle track for the tour de France.

David Kitson, Partner at accountancy firm, Wilkins Kennedy’s Hertford office on Ware Road, cycled 115 miles through the 18th stage of the Tour de France, from Briancon to the Col d’Izoard, via the Col du Vars, climbing 10% gradients for over 5 miles – and coming down with £2,147 for charity.

David took on the challenge in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Trust – a charity that his family has benefitted from directly. Cystic Fibrosis is a life-limiting inherited condition caused by a faulty gene which presents a range of challenging symptoms and the Trust supports young people and their families affected by the illness.

The Etape du Tour is no mean fete and covered 115 miles of steep hills and hairpin bends.

To put this into context, 16,000 riders took on the challenge, but only 11,234 finished as high temperatures and high altitudes took their toll.

David, Partner at leading accountancy firm, Wilkins Kennedy’s Hertford office, said: “I’d like to personally thank everyone for the support they’ve given me during this challenge.

On the day, the weather was superb, not really great for cycling, as the final climb to Col d'Izoard the temperature was over 30 degrees – so it certainly was a gruelling challenge. However, the more people that know about Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the greater the opportunity to aid those born with this condition to live a Life Unlimited and I am pleased to have been able to sail past my target and raise the money for a worthy cause.”

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INSPIRE

Top three tips when planning your marketing campaign

By Danielle Burridge, Marketing Manager at Barley House Group A comprehensive plan is your first step to creating a successful marketing campaign. Here are my top three tips on planning a campaign, which I’ve shown through our Prosecc Ho Ho Ho competition.

1. Offer your audience value Marketing requires your audience to take action so you must give them a reason to do so. The aim of Barley House Group’s Prosecc Ho Ho Ho campaign is to raise awareness of our services through a quiz and competition. To enter people must complete a quiz about Barley House Group for a chance to win a prosecco advent calendar, offering a clear value to finding out more about us.

2. Timing is everything Consider the time of year and how this will influence the tone of your campaign. We chose to create a quiz and competition to make the campaign fun and engaging in fitting with the festive spirit, which is reinforced through the prize of a prosecco advent calendar.

This gives us the chance to engage with people about what we do in

fun, light-hearted way – which is what we all need during the build up to Christmas!

the results you’ve achieved through different channels to understand if they’ve been successful.

3. Reach your target audience You can create the best campaign in the world but if you don’t reach your target audience it won’t be a success. Communicating our Christmas campaign to businesses in Hertfordshire is vital and we are using a range of channels to achieve this including email marketing, social media and – you’ve guessed it – Inspire magazine! Don’t forget to measure

About Barley House Group Barley House Group is a leading marketing agency housing five areas of expertise: marketing communications, design, digital marketing, print and display.

Visit our website www.barleyhousegroup.co.uk to find out more and enter our Prosecc Ho Ho Ho competition – you may even win an advent calendar full of festive fizz!

The world of enterprise IT is changing. Fast.

The business landscape is peppered with disruptive operators shaking up conventional models, stealing market share on a grand scale from established companies who have failed to anticipate the need for some form of digital transformation.

One reason for the inertia which surrounds these failings is the inability of legacy IT systems to adapt, update, run new web based applications, migrate to the cloud etc., etc. In fact, businesses who let legacy systems dictate the pace of change in their organisation risk becoming as obsolete as the IT they keep renewing. The old business adage of ‘change is the only constant’ has never been more pertinent. When it comes to business software the most important non-technical requirement of the specification is change-ability. You will need to change what it can do, where it can run (in the cloud or from a box in your offices – or both) and you might even want to expose the service it provides through APIs (application program interface), so that you can make money out of

something that adds value to someone else’s business. Customer behavior is driving the need for digital transformation. Smartphone technology enables search, order, transaction, experience and praise (hopefully), all from the palm of the hand. In minutes. When web based applications and mobile technologies need to talk to core enterprise IT functions (databases, manufacturing, stockholding, logistics, finance etc.) then it is likely that some form of custom software development is required.

Tier 2 Consulting exists because business is technology – and you can never stop developing. Based in the Business & Technology Centre in Stevenage, Tier 2 Consulting work with clients in finance, pharmaceuticals, insurance, automotive, engineering and education. We offer custom software development for business solutions which embrace web and cloud technologies, with mobile application development for a 'digital first' world.

Don't let legacy systems or inflexible software licenses restrict your growth.

For an informal chat about the challenges facing your business call Chris Ellis on 01438 310124.

For more information visit ww.tier2consulting.com

MembersNews

From Apprentice to Managing Director Hot on the heels of celebrating its 25th year of trading, a proud Letchworth Garden City based company has announced a new Managing Director.

Rory Dear, beginning life at Datasound Laboratories (DSL) as an apprentice as a fresh-faced 18 year old some 15 years ago, assumes the role of Managing Director with immediate effect and will play a key role in driving the company forward in a variety of existing and new markets.

DSL has always resided within Letchworth Garden City and has never considered re-locating.

Its clients are captivated by the town’s history as both the first garden city and containing the world’s first roundabout. The prestige this affords DSL is

synonymous with the image they themselves wish to portray – a perfect marriage.

“I am excited to steer DSL through exciting times ahead” said Rory Dear “The embedded industry is becoming increasingly important as the world becomes more technologically and socially connected. With vast experience in industry and 5 years as an embedded trends columnist, I bring a unique perspective with me to my new role. As well as continuing the development of the company, I will also strive to continue the DSL tradition of championing the

SEC Group pedals to Paris for Transaid Three SEC Group employees have returned from Paris after an exhausting 240-mile bike ride.

Left to Right: Gary Kirk (Project Sales Director), Steve Watts (Managing Director), Dean Kahl (Marketing Manager)

Steve Watts, Gary Kirk and Dean Kahl set off from London with 55 other riders and were in the saddle for three days for the Transaid London to Paris Cycle Challenge.

The trio from the Storage division of the Group had topped their £5,000 fund-raising target even before they’d put on their lycra for the first leg of the journey.

They raised even more throughout the journey and the money is still coming in, raising £6,251 to date.

None of the three had much experience of road cycling before the event. Although Dean is a cyclist, he prefers mountain biking,

Gary is more of a runner, and MD Steve has never claimed to be an athlete of any sort, but does cycle to work, occasionally.

However, they joined forces for the challenge in order to raise money for Transaid which provides safe, sustainable transport and training in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Dean Kahl, Marketing Manager, said: “We had previously sponsored a bicycle ambulance for Transaid, meaning that expectant mothers are able to get to hospital and give birth in a safe healthcare environment. To date as part of Transaid’s More MAMaZ programme 4,105 women have been transferred to health facilities.

This type of healthcare is something we take for granted in the UK.” The team would like to pass on their thanks to all their corporate sponsors and personal donations that have been made, including: Madison, Cariad Marketing, TekOne Technologies, Storax, BrayFoxSmith, HG Timber, Orbital Climate Solutions, ILG, Elite Electrics, Warehouse Partners, RH Logistics, Aitchison Raffety, JP Conveyors, Knight Frank, Mirek Piskun, Air Business, Lambert Smith Hampton and Edd’s Bikes.

Further donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ sec-storage.

development of its employees that DSL is both acclaimed for, and is self-evident.”

Once a niche industry, embedded computing is finally mainstream and of course powers the technology behind connected electronic devices the public are long acquainted with – in our hospitals, factories, workplaces, and even at home.

Derek Carpenter, founder, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rory to head up the management team at DSL. His intimate knowledge of every aspect of DSL, along with his passion and vision will help us steer DSL into a connected future

where the revolution of IoT is finally bringing embedded to the forefront and the industry is both expanding and redefining itself.”

DSL is located in the Aylesford Court estate off Works Road, in the heart of Letchworth Garden City’s industrial district. Proudly serving both local, national and international clients across every conceivable market sector.

George Hay’s Senior Partner celebrates 40 years’ service Nick Willis, Senior Partner at George Hay Chartered Accountants, achieved a significant milestone this year, having celebrated 40 years’ service on 15th August.

Nick joined the team at the Biggleswade office in 1977, where he trained and later qualified. He became a partner in 1987 and took on the role of Senior Partner in 2011. During his time with the firm he has seen both George Hay’s Letchworth and Huntingdon offices open and he has celebrated many of the practices own milestones, with the most recent being its 75th anniversary.

Nick, who is still based at the Biggleswade office, specialises in advising small and medium sized corporate enterprises, as well as owner-managed businesses.

“I am delighted to have celebrated my 40th anniversary at George Hay. Over the past four decades I have had the pleasure of witnessing and being a part of the firms’ exponential growth; a result of our commitment to moving with the times coupled with the hard work of our friendly and professional team” said Nick.

“I take great pride in the relationships I build with my clients and the advice I give to them and I thoroughly enjoy watching businesses flourish and succeed.”

Richard Dilley, Managing Partner at George Hay said “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Nick for over thirty years. He has built an excellent reputation over the course of his career and is extremely well respected by his clients and all those who work alongside him.

“We would like to congratulate Nick on reaching such a fantastic milestone and we wish him continued happiness at George Hay for years to come.”

The Chartered Accountants, with offices in Biggleswade, Huntingdon and Letchworth, have had a fantastic year for staff anniversaries; Tony Newman, Claire Morgan, Julie Couldridge and Gill Hallybone all passed the 30-year milestone earlier in the year, Anna Rutt achieved 20 years’ service in June, and Toni Hunter and Sarah Dixon both celebrated 20 years’ service in August.

George Hay has been established for over 75 years and provides accountancy, taxation and business advisory services to a wide range of businesses and individuals.

For more information, visit www.georgehay.co.uk

INSPIRE

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MembersNews

Chamber membership opens up a world of possibilities

By Lindsay Lappage, Training Manager, Certs Assured Training Ltd Welcome to Certs Assured Training, new member of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Since joining the Herts Chamber of Commerce, it has opened our eyes to the vast new possibilities and potential the county can offer.

Nathan and I are newcomers to the area so this was a great opportunity to meet new people that we probably wouldn’t have met if we weren’t members along with the fantastic business support that is also on hand. We are looking forward and excited to see what the future holds.

Introducing Certs Assured Training LTD, Hertfordshire’s newest training centre based in Stevenage, we are dedicated in providing Safety training solutions to accommodate all working environments. We are confident that our focused and committed approach to providing the very highest standard of training, customer service and product support, coupled with a professional and flexible attitude, make us a valued partner to all our clients.

We specialise in all aspects of Working at Height, Rescue, First aid, and Health and Safety focused training, offering both accredited training and in-house courses, we are proud to be an IPAF and PASMA accredited training Centre. As well as a full training member of LEEA, covering lifting equipment, inspection and pre-inspection courses.

All our Instructors have a wealth of technical knowledge and practical experience coupled with a passion for teaching, an approachable attitude and flexibility which we believe will provide our customers with an unrivalled training experience, either at our training centre or onsite, seven days a week.

If you’re in the area and would like to pop in for a chat and have a look around our facilities, call 07921264620 and we will be happy to show you around. training@certsssured.com

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INSPIRE

8 Telemarketing success hacks If you want more sales leads, one of the most efficient ways to generate new business is telemarketing.

Check out our 8 success hacks for maximum success.

Work on your audience Precisely define your audience and keep customer databases up to date including job role, type and size of organisation and location. Identify the best source of fresh data e.g. Building data yourself, asking a company like GSA to do it for you or from a reputable list broker.

Make plenty of calls Telemarketers have to deal with out of office, voicemail, gatekeepers, rejection and objections. So, you need to make enough calls to succeed. That means around 100 calls per day for enough conversations that lead to sales opportunities and conversions.

Avoid tired opening lines Your opening line needs to be engaging and build rapport quickly.

Find something compelling (your key message/benefit) and name drop your well-known clients to make the prospect feel they’re in good company.

Turn your message into a WOW Part of the wow is you. Your attitude carries weight. Your energy attracts.

Work out what challenges your customer might have. Are there big issues in their marketplace with which you can help?

Try to differentiate both yourself and your offering from your competitors.

Ask good questions Good questions support effective selling.

They: • Stop you talking and encourage listening • Encourage conversational flow • Unearth key pieces of information • Direct the discussion towards areas of interest • Stop you sounding like other telemarketers • build rapport and trust Identify genuine prospects Profiling questions establish whether the decision-maker is a bona fide prospect.

Solution selling questions scope the need and inform the sales process.

Asking relevant questions also gauges warmth and relevance.

Conversations not presentations Prospects respond to dialogue not a monologue. No one responds to being talked at. You won’t have long on the phone if this is how you do it.

So, ensure that the flow of discussion is at least 50:50.

Build to a close Too many telemarketers are easily put off and miss the opportunity to close out a potential lead. Of course, the leads need to be worthwhile.

However, if you wait for every opportunity to be absolutely perfect, you may be waiting for some time. So, by all means qualify the level of warmth. But, a foot in the door with the right people can lead to great long-term business.

For more information and advice please contact us at www.gsa-marketing.co.uk

Mandate Fraud continues to affect local businesses Hertfordshire police are reminding businesses to remain alert after numerous local firms have sustained losses recently to forms of mandate fraud.

Circumstances included: • Staff received an email from a fraudster impersonating a manager within their business, instructing them to change bank details or make an urgent payment for a seemingly plausible reason. In some cases, the manager’s email was hacked, so the message came from their genuine account.

• Staff in a local business received a contact from a fraudster impersonating their regular supplier, stating they had changed their bank details and requesting the recipient amend their records. Staff then sent the next payment using the newly provided details.

• A business email was hacked and intercepted, so their messages containing bank details were changed

to accounts controlled by the hacker.

This resulted in client businesses paying into the fraudulent accounts.

• Small business’ (typically builders) email was hacked and clients were instructed to make payments into fraudulent accounts.

How to protect your business • Ensure all staff are aware of this type of fraud.

• Always double check all requests to change financial details: establish at least two points of contact with regular suppliers to check issues that arise.

• Contact new creditors and senders of larger invoices independently by telephone in advance of making payment to ensure details are correct (don’t rely solely on email contact).

• Always review invoices and emailed payment requests to check for inconsistencies e.g. misspelt email address.

• Consider the information publically available about your business – might it help fraudsters?

‘Don’t Waste Your Waste’ WasteMaster, the latest innovation in converting and re-purposing food waste, was successfully launched at the recent RWM exhibition.

Using proprietary technology, the WasteMaster processing system reduces the weight and volume of food waste by up to 80%. The residue is an odourless compost-like material which can be re-purposed for Bio fuel, animal feed (depending on the composition of the waste loaded into

• Ensure your computer systems are secure and that anti-virus software is up to date.

• Introduce rules around secure passwords and safe mobile working, including use of unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots. Visit www.getsafeonline.org/business For more information about how to protect your business from crime, please visit: www.herts.police.uk/ protectyourbusiness Hertfordshire Constabulary are also working with The University of Hertfordshire’s Cyber Security Centre to provide small businesses with practical advice around a range of online safety topics.

They are working to produce a series of easy-to-understand printable fact sheets containing tips and advice from the experts. The third fact sheet in the series is about password security.

Join Hertfordshire’s Business Watch to receive regular crime alerts and security advice from your local policing team and business crime experts.

Register at: www.owl.co.uk

WasteMaster – Official UK Launch!

the system), or compost / fertiliser.

Other applications for the residual material are being explored.

The WasteMaster range includes options for users with medium to high-volume food waste disposal requirements (250kgs/day upwards).

It provides an on-site solution to high costs and health & safety issues e.g. vermin. This highly innovative and unique system can be easily installed on site as there is no requirement for

piped water or sewerage services – just an electrical connection and an air outlet. No harmful emissions or odours are released, and no additives are used during the process.

Interested?

Call EcoService (UK) Ltd on 01442 503 887 or email jacinta@ecoserviceuk.co.uk for further information.

YoungChamber

Young Chamber News Welcome new Young Chamber Member We welcome on board The Astley Cooper School as our newest member to Young Chamber.

The Astley Cooper School is an 11-18 Co-operative Trust school on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead.

We look forward to working with you.

Julie Honour-Jones from Sir John Lawes School is a winner in the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017

employers about the exceptional educational and employment opportunities that their apprenticeship schemes offer.

Next year these opportunities will be extended to include 9 schools and over 1000 students.

On being announced as winner, Julie said: “I am delighted to receive this award and to see the success of this strategy, which has been evidenced by a growing alumni of apprentices who have secured extremely competitive Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, returning each year to represent their organisations and reinforce the positive message about apprenticeships.”

Julie Honour-Jones, Student Services Manager, from Sir John Lawes School was one of the winners at the East of England regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017, winning the highly coveted award of Apprenticeship Champion of the Year. This award recognised her work promoting Apprenticeships through educating students and parents to explode the myths and stigma surrounding Apprenticeship schemes.

Julie has developed a co-ordinated Careers plan, including a Higher Apprenticeship Evening and a Careers Day. This year saw representatives from over 70 Blue Chip and local employers attend these events, reaching an audience of over 850 students from 7 different Secondary schools in the area, allowing students to hear directly from

Julie Honour-Jones, Apprenticeship Champion of the Year for East of England (middle) receiving her award from Zeena Carla National Apprenticeship Service & Matt O’Conner

•

Monday 13th November 2017 Roundwood Park School, Yr 12 Mock Interviews

•

Thursday 15th March 2018 Sir John Lawes School, Apprenticeship Evening

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Tuesday 14th November 2017 Roundwood Park School, Yr 12 Mock Interviews

•

Wednesday 21st March 2018 Sir John Lawes School, Career Fayre

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Thursday 8th February 2018 Roundwood Park School, Yr 10 Careers Day Tuesday 27th February 2018 John Warner School, Career Fayre

•

Wednesday 7th March 2018 The Nobel School, Yr 13 Business Evening Event

Young Chamber is all about developing the talents of our next generation. We at the Chamber feel that young people entering the labour market for the first time should be equipped with the right skills in order to become successful. Young Chamber is an initiative which develops the talent of the next generation in Hertfordshire.

What is our aim?

• To bridge the gap between the world of employment and education.

(We want more businesses to actively engage with schools.)

• Provide access to local and national businesses in order to develop skills such as communication, team work and resilience and offer real-world careers advice through guest speakers and events.

• To bring together young people between the ages of 11 – 18 with local businesses through the Chamber of Commerce network, to provide a meaningful understanding about business, jobs, careers and exciting opportunities available to young people once they leave school.

Key Benefits

Upcoming School Events

•

What is Young Chamber?

If you are a school interested in becoming a Young Chamber Member or a business keen to support our Chamber programme of events as above please contact Gemma Rydqvist at gemmarydqvist@hertschamber.com or call 07377 361609

For School • Careers fairs • Guest speaker visits (Specific topics) • Company challenge (Company visits the school and organises a half a day challenge) • School trips to HeHertfordshire companies • Business Experience Day (Topic: Careers available in “Business”) • Networking Breakfast for students and local businesses • Site tours • CV writing/ mock interviews For a Business • Free publicity through website, social media and Inspire magazine • Engaging with your future workforce • Progression and development of leadership skills • Attract high calibre future employees • Build connections with education sector • Inspire future entrepreneurs • Helping bridge the gap between business and education • Chance to network with other businesses

INSPIRE

43

FinanceforBusiness

Funding leads to 150,000 jobs Independent research has found that funding from bodies like Innovate UK significantly boost jobs, turnover and productivity.

Grants from government have created an extra 150,000 jobs and stimulated growth worth £43 billion turnover for the UK companies involved, according to research from Enterprise Research Centre.

The study – called ‘Assessing the business performance effects of engagement with publicly-funded science’ – looked into research and development grants over a 13-year period. It tracked the impact of grants totaling £8 billion, which went to nearly 15,000 firms. Included in this number were grants from Innovate UK and the Engineering and the Physical Sciences Research Council.

Main findings show that across all grant recipients: • employment grew by 6% in the short-term and 23% in the longer-term (after six years) • turnover grew by 6% in the short term, and 28% in the longer term • an estimated 150,000 new jobs were created, many in highly-skilled sectors such as biotechnology, medical equipment, engineering, life sciences and high-tech manufacturing • productivity grew by 6% in the longer term Innovate UK Deputy Chief Executive Kevin Baughan said: “Innovate UK welcomes this latest research, which highlights the strong, positive impact that public research and innovation grants are having on UK businesses, and on the wider UK economy.”

The Government has committed an extra £2 billion a year for research and development by the end of the current parliament, taking the total spend to £4.7 billion.

This will be partly funnelled through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, which aims to support high-growth sectors including medicines, robotics and artificial intelligence and electrification of batteries for vehicles.

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INSPIRE

Strengthening the green finance sector New measures have been announced to strengthen the sector that sources funding for business projects which help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Known as green finance, the sector includes private sector investments in technologies, infrastructure and start-ups that allow businesses to expand in an environmentallyfriendly way.

According to the Government, the approach to funding is proving its worth and between 1990 and 2016, UK GDP grew by 67%, while carbon emissions fell by 42%, proving it is possible to reduce emissions and grow the economy.

Ministers say that, although the green finance movement has gained global momentum in recent years, there is a need for more funding so that governments can met their climate change commitments.

An estimated $13.5 trillion of investment is needed between 2015 and 2030 in the energy sector alone, for countries to meet their Paris Agreement targets.

The Government says that much of this investment will come from the private sector and Claire Perry, Minister of State for Climate Change and Industry, said: “Britain has already shown the world that a

strong economy and efforts to tackle climate change can, and should, go hand in hand.

“Now is the time to build on our strengths and cement our position as a global hub for investment in clean growth.

The Government says that the transition to a low carbon economy is a multi-billion pound investment opportunity and a key part of its Industrial Strategy and that Britain’s financial sector is already a world-leader in green finance.

Now, a new Green Finance Taskforce will bring together a top team of financial experts, including leading figures from Aviva, Barclays, HSBC, Legal & General and the Bank of England, as well as academics and sustainability experts.”

The Taskforce, chaired by Sir Roger Gifford, former Lord Mayor of London, will be given six months to deliver proposals to accelerate investment in the transition to a low carbon economy, creating high-value jobs and opportunities for UK businesses.

“An estimated $13.5 trillion of investment is needed between 2015 and 2030 in the energy sector alone, for countries to meet their Paris Agreement targets.”

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tis the time to be generous Tis the season to be jolly! And, I hope, generous! We all like receiving gifts but as we approach this festive period, I would like to challenge readers to consider our social responsibilities as owners of profitable businesses. It has tax advantages too!

Philanthropy through our business will enhance our reputation. We all like to trumpet on our websites that we have â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;integrityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but many of us probably donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realise that the word comes from the Greek â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;integerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which means â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;whole.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In other words the inside of us is the same as the outside.

To have a passion for something, whether it be education, homelessness, discrimination or alleviation of poverty and to use our business as a vehicle

to support our philanthropic passion demonstrates integrity.

First of all we need to find something that we feel strongly about. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t got anything, we only need to look around. Need is everywhere. There will be plenty of registered charities working in the area of your choice that will be only too pleased to receive your help, be it financial or practical.

If you are Self employed or a Partnership it may well be the case that personal giving and signing a Gift Aid form (so the Charity can claim the Basic rate tax back on your gift) is the best method of giving. However for a Limited Company there is no limit to the amount which can be

given out of your profits and still be deemed a legitimate deductible expense, thus reducing Corporation tax!

One point to note is that the Charity has to be in receipt of the donation in the same financial year to get the Corporation tax deduction.

Perhaps if you are a larger organisation with employees, this could be a great opportunity to get all the staff involved in a project.

It is amazing to see how much fun can be had along the way, and it does wonders for team building and unity! You could also be inspiring a member of staff onto even greater things.

Many of you are doing this already and I always enjoy reading such stories.

At Trinity, we decided to set up our own Charitable trust which holds our giving. We have now opened this up to our clients who can give to the Trust: The Trust claims the tax relief and holds the funds until such time as the client decides which charity they wish to give to. This has been fantastic to be involved in such diverse projects as building schools in the Dominican Republic to supporting a debt counselling agency in St Albans.

We can all make a difference!

Contact details: Email: jon.cobb@twm.uk.com Tel: 01727 851123

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INSPIRE

45

Economy

Director General calls for more support for business in major speech Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, has said that politicians need to do more to support business.

Delivering the keynote speech at the BCC International Trade Summit at The Vox, in Birmingham, he identified three major priorities, the first of which was Brexit.

He said: “In spite of our many great trading companies, in spite of our great reputation as a business partner - it is time for us to wake up.

“We need to wake up to the fact that businesses across the United Kingdom must do more if we are to reclaim our mantle as a great global trading nation.

“A great global trading nation.

Our politicians have used and abused that phrase liberally since the EU Referendum last year.

“Yet they, too, need to wake up and put in place the conditions, and the environment, that will actually help make it happen.

As the saying goes, ‘wishing doesn't make it so’. Great global trading nations need great foundations.

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Those that succeed have leaders that demonstrate that they are backing their businesses to the hilt.

“At this time of uncertainty and change, business as usual either in our companies, or in the great offices of state is not an option. Whether in business or in government, we need to think radically, and quickly, about how we proactively secure our place in the world.

“Either we take a clear-eyed look at the world around us, or others will set us an abrupt wake-up call - timed for their agenda, rather than ours.

“Although only a minority of Chamber firms tell us they are planning actively for Brexit with a clear majority saying they will react when they have more clarity from the negotiations - our biggest firms and investors, plus many smaller trading firms that face swift changes of their business models, need clarity and certainty fast.

“We are reaching a tipping point where existing investment decisions will be put on hold, where new investments may be made elsewhere around the globe, and where expensive contingency plans are activated that impact our wider business communities and our export potential.

“That is why Chambers have been calling for UK-EU trade talks to get under way as soon as possible, and a clear transition period of three years agreed, that allows business to get on with certainty and without immediate additional costs.

“Further delays to trade and transition talks will create a loselose scenario for everyone with a stake in the game. It would be unforgivable for politicians on either side of the Channel to privilege brinksmanship and disruption over thriving trade.

“Chamber member firms are clear that they want a deal with the EU as a top priority, and only 2% back the ‘no deal’ option.

“It's time for the proponents of the hardest of Brexits to wake up and listen to the practical concerns of trading businesses.

A business-friendly approach to Brexit is in the national interest.

“My second priority area is creating a great environment for business growth at home. Even if we got the best possible Brexit deal, it wouldn’t be worth the paper it's written on if we don't have the right conditions for

businesses to grow and thrive in the UK. One great place to start would be significant, bold new incentives for investment.

“My third and final area is the way we support trade in the UK. It’s no secret that our trade performance has been lacklustre for many years, and that we must do better.

“We’ve seen in recent months that lower sterling has not sparked the revolution in British trade that many vocal commentators and politicians had predicted.

“Although a cheaper pound has helped some firms, it's been hugely tricky for others managing complex supply chains, rising input costs and competitive price pressures.

“Some firms who want to expand are even reporting that their plans have been derailed by the spiralling cost of imported machinery needed to boost their productivity.

“It is our considered view that lower sterling, overall, has likely done more harm than good in the short to medium term.

Stronger trade requires more than just a competitive currency.

A strong domestic business environment and Brexit clarity are crucial, as I have already argued.

But so, too, is comprehensive and consistent support for our trading firms - of all sizes - and those who need help to explore global opportunities.”

LastWord

Aiming high the key to success Rachel Watson Senior Operations Manager Tate Recruitment Q What do you do?

As Senior Operations Manager in Hemel Hempstead, I am responsible for managing a team of six Consultants. I am responsible for maximising the branch Operating Profit and growing the Gross Profit through the management of every business transaction, achieving or exceeding performance targets set in the annual business plan. I continually develop new business in order to meet performance targets and ensure client expectations are being matched by offering a consistently reliable and responsive high quality service. I am passionate in developing a stable and successful team. I develop and promote individuals to their maximum potential in order to achieve company and branch objectives.

Q Who do you work for?

I work for Tate which is part of the Impellam group, who are a leading provider of managed services and specialist staffing expertise primarily in the UK and North America. At Tate, we pride ourselves on only providing our clients with the highest calibre of local office candidates, including Customer Services, Marketing, Finance and HR. Tate are an award-winning recruitment agency and offer a unique Watertight Guarantee, which quite simply means, it you are unhappy with

Patrons

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any part of our service then you don’t pay. This just goes to show how confident we are with the people we work with.

Q Why did you join the Chamber?

Tate has a number of offices in Hertfordshire, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City and we felt this would be a great opportunity to network with local businesses and share market intelligence and knowledge.

Working with the Chamber has supported us to promote the Tate brand and connect with new clients by working collaboratively.

We have attended many Chamber networking events and award ceremonies that have supported local businesses with specialist recruitment and employee engagement advice.

Q What advice would you give someone starting out?

The biggest advice I can give is to remember “Not everyone is like you or behaves like you do”.

Get to know your team as human beings and not as human resource, they crave meaningful relationships with their manager and colleagues.

As a Manager of people, I have learnt to be empathetic and genuinely interested in my team, their personal life’s and career aspirations.

Being a great manager and leader is not easy, giving regular praise and feedback is vital and an important part of developing and growing your team. A great manager inspires and creates an enjoyable working experience for their team members.

Q What you do get from it?

Q What do you think is the biggest challenge affecting running and growing a business?

As a result of working with the local Chamber, the positive outcomes are that, Tate is a beneficiary of a prestigious award namely “Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2016 Small to medium business of the year” coupled with the added benefits of collaborating with local businesses and being able to promote our services. It also has the added benefit of developing new network relationships.

In our industry, keeping up with and adapting to the ever changing market conditions is a real challenge. We are consistently analysing our performance looking for trends and where necessary making decisions to deal with the changes. At Tate, we have recognised to do our job we do not need to be in the office from 9am-5pm so we have introduced “flexible working hours”. This business strategy is having a positive impact on individual

activity, performance and financial results so you do really need to change with the times or you could be missing out on some great opportunities. The other important factor is retaining your people, many leaders underestimate the real cost of hire, it is imperative that you retain your employees.

A high turnover in staff normally occurs when a poor recruitment process is implemented. I always aim to recruit people with the right beliefs, values, behaviours, emotional intelligence and generally good business acumen.

Q How confident are you that your organisation/ business will grow in 2017?

Over the past few years my office has gone from strength to strength and I expect to continue growing for the remainder of this year and into 2018. I work with an experienced team of recruiters and between us we have developed strong working relationships with local businesses and for many customers we are their preferred recruitment partner.

We receive excellent feedback from our candidates and 98% would recommend visiting Tate and we really do pride ourselves on this statistic. I enter every year with a solid business plan and my whole team have clear objectives and goals. As always, I am very excited about what the New Year will bring.

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