Inspire January 2018 by Benham Publishing Limited

INSPIRE.24 The business magazine of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce January - February 2018

n Crossrail 2 Why Crossrail 2 offers promise for Broxbourne and the wider Hertfordshire - page 6

n Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2018 Celebrating inspiration and achievement page 14

n Skills sector shortage

IET initiative to play critical role in tackling skills sector - page 22

Neville Reyner CBE DL on Brexit preparation - page 4

Welcome

From the Chief Executive Thank you First of all, I want to thank you, members, Patrons, awards and event sponsors, awards entrants, and particularly the Chamber team, for your magnificent commitment to Hertfordshire Chamber’s business community. This commitment has taken the shape of hosting, knowledge sharing across our network through speaker presentations or written articles, supporting fellow members — and also our Women in Leadership, Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards, Manufacturing, Construction and Property, HR and Tourism programmes, Young Chamber, Hertfordshire Global, Hertfordshire Chamber Venues, and business networking. This concerted effort has created a formidable business force.

Reflecting on 2017 Being able to host the Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards at St Albans Abbey was a highlight of our year, one we hope to replicate, with its outstanding number of awards entries, level of competition and the gala evening itself. I hope many of you have diarised to come to our free-to-attend launch of Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2018 on 25 January, Sopwell House Hotel… and also to enter. This year we have a new award celebrating the success of Family Businesses in Hertfordshire, to reflect Hertfordshire’s business landscape (see page 15).

The Hertfordshire Global launch in April this year, culminating in the black-tie dinner at the Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club, was an important development for us, as the UK is poised to change its business relationships with the EU and the world. It helped us, as a membership organisation serving the business community, to establish our voice on, and influence in, Brexit’s direction and its future possibilities. Our three speakers were excellent, and opened highways of business opportunities for us to venture along. We had useful insight into business prospects with Ireland, our close neighbour, and India, with whom we have centuries of trading history, as well as our highly desired relationship with Europe. Our interview with Neville Reyner, (Chamber’s Chairman) explores his views on the various Brexit negotiation options and their projected impact: (page 4). We have collaborated with Lord Salisbury’s (Hertfordshire’s Chamber Honorary President) Infrastructure Charrette. This programme brings together businesses, local government and interested parties to discuss and review the county’s infrastructure needs — particularly considering our geographic co-ordinates as we lie mid-way between Oxford, London and Cambridge, for the med-tech industry. We welcome your organisation’s involvement and any concerns, as well as aspirations or requirements for infrastructure investment to achieve business efficiency at our next forum.

Looking ahead to 2018 Global outlook In this coming year, Hertfordshire Chamber — together with our British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) country-wide and world network — will be working hard to remove obstacles that impede the expansion of our important service in export documentation. We have, after all, been providing this export documentation resource for over 50 years. We shall continue to develop our trade policy profile, as accredited Chambers up and down Britain are now seen as an authority in many customs and trade-related matters in government circles. This is a crucial step; it solidifies our position as a critical element in the UK’s

international trade infrastructure… through the Brexit process and beyond. We will be continuing our work with members and trade experts to assess the impact of Brexit on our existing trade facilitation services, while examining potential new services around trusted trader schemes that will also boost Chambers’ capability in international trade services. I believe exciting times lie ahead, once we steer through the current turmoil and uncertainty. We will continue to elevate your issues around Brexit to BCC and central government, recognising the imperative need for a strong business voice to represent the concerns of our members. Representing our members We shall also be concentrating on practical support to help our SME members. We are developing health checks to help you capitalise on business opportunities, and we remain committed to supporting our member community at large on general business issues. This commitment is across all sectors and includes issues relating to required skills, apprenticeships, procurement, supply chain, and infrastructure. We will continue our work with expert member professional services to support our member community in helping Chamber members protect or inform their businesses, particularly in regard to new legislation, GDPR and cyber security. We shall build our member services on the back of some of the knowledge transfer forums that we held during 2017. Productivity, training solutions We know productivity is a real concern across all sectors for many employers, and that it is particularly vulnerable to inflation and rising costs. We are developing our training and skills acquisition programme for our members’ benefit. We will continue our popular masterclasses, and consider and plan other specialist knowledge areas that particularly protect and support business and competiveness. And lastly I especially want to thank our Chamber team for their immense commitment to the work we do. I also want to thank the directors of our board, our Chairman, Neville Reyner, all our Patrons who contribute so much to the health of Hertfordshire Chamber, to our Business Alliance partners and to all our members across the County and beyond. I hope you have had a fabulous festive break and holiday, and wish each of you a healthy and prosperous 2018. Yolanda Rugg Chief Executive Officer Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Contents Hertfordshire Global Big Interview Focus on Broxbourne News Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards Chamber People Patron Focus The Institution of Engineering and Technology Past Events Chamber Events Member Benefits Tourism Economy Health & Wellbeing New Members Members News Young Chamber Finance for Business Development Last Word

4-5 6-9 10-11 13 14-15 16 17 22-23 24-25 26-28 29 30-31 33 36-37 38-39 40-42 43 44-46 48 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 January 2018 © 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. 1562 •••• 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. ©2018 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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Chairman’s address on Brexit preparation It is nine months since Article 50 was invoked. During this embryonic period, progress in securing our trading future has been hard to appreciate. After all, for two millennia, Britain has sailed the seas to explore, discover and trade. It’s in our blood. Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Neville Reyner CBE DL Hon DLitt CEng FIET FRSA believes the general view of businesses in Britain is to have some sort of continued relationship with the European bloc. “But here we are… and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce can only respond to whatever politics and policies are doing the rounds”. He says that when the Brexit Secretary admitted that no Brexit impact studies have been conducted — which, he says, is a normal approach to matters like this — “…it gives businesses, and also the people of the UK, more uncertainty. But whatever I say might be dated as progression, I hope, takes a grip”. We’re faced with a different future, one that requires accessing strong global prospects, the criteria for which he outlines as: • At least a two-year transition period preferred • Adjustment to building new relationships with Europe • Finding new ways to trade globally • Finding new ways of working generally, with increasing productivity and skills in mind • Dealing with differences of opinion

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These points are summed up in a recent joint statement between the German Chamber of Commerce and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) where there were fervent hopes for at least a two-year transition period so that business on both sides of the English Channel can gear up for change. A follow-up joint statement by: British Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of British Industries, Eef (The Manufacturers’ Organisation), Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors: 15 December 2017 We welcome the fact that the European Council has approved the progression of talks to the discussion of a transition period, and a future trade relationship. It is our collective view that the transition period must now be agreed as soon as possible, to give businesses in every region and nation of the UK time to prepare for the future relationship. Further delays to discussions on an EU-UK trade deal could have damaging consequences for business investment and trade, as firms in 2018 review their investment plans.

Neville says that the Ireland of Ireland also requires enormous consideration. “Of course there are differences of opinion, but generally the opinion is to stay together; there is too much mutual reliance.” He also says, “There should be no interference with the Good Friday Agreement”. “Nor should we forget that EU funding in the Republic’s infrastructure, such as roads, etc, to which, of course, the UK contributed, should show some return for the UK as the Republic’s economy benefits”.

Hard-Brexit Neville's personal view tends towards a mid-way bespoke type of Brexit with at least a two-year transition. “I believe this would be better for business than a hard-Brexit or a walk-away. But it’s not my personal view that counts; Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce stands ready to support, and represent our members whatever is decided by the politicians. Of course, we'll have new relationships or extensions of existing relationships”. In creating new relationships, he says that we’ll need to extend these, via Brussels, across the EU27,

the remaining countries. It might mean different tariffs, he speculates. He explains that a hard-Brexit, defaulting to World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, could complicate costs through its percentage calculations of the finished product that frequently entails complex, cross-border supply chains. “WTO rules could also compromise existing trade agreements resulting in greater costs; for example, there is a complex formula in food production that might take years to sort out”. Similar complexities arise across other product groups, for instance, those categorised as prestigious, which attract higher import duty. The WTO tariff framework that governs (developed and emerging economies) countries’ import duty allows three categories — most favoured nation, preferential and bound — and relate to agricultural products and non-agricultural goods. As things stand, the UK’s current relationship with the WTO is squared by two decades of EU-directed negotiation by Brussels. However, Neville points out, in the absence of a trade agreement with the EU, the UK would have to negotiate on

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potentially thousands of tariff subjects across its broad product and services portfolios. Neville believes services — while a highly productive income tax generator and economic driver — is unhelpful in an imbalanced economy where manufacturing has declined in face of stiff costs and productivity competition from Pacific Rim nations. “Though in saying that, there are growing signs of bringing things back… on shoring”. However, it is the financial services sector that is an area in which the UK competes, and effectively. “The question of losing financial passport rights after Brexit, I understand, is a major concern in the City.” At the moment, financial transactions are free to execute, and require no financial passport. There will be other fall-outs. “Many large companies, and even smaller ones, have a percentage of staff from the EU. This varies from high skilled to low skilled. Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge has some 80 different nationalities working there, I believe”. “Also, universities would, potentially, endure funding cuts, but my biggest concern though is the potential loss of relationships that universities have already established in the EU”. He summarises the hard-Brexit situation as: • Out of the single market • Operating under WTO rules • No contribution to the EU budget • Controlled EU immigration • Likeliness of non-tariff barriers in services • Tariffs on UK-EU trade on some goods • Outside the Customs Union • No European Courts of Justice (ECJ) involvement

Soft-Brexit This option has potentially the least adverse effect on Britain’s economy. “It will be minimal impact, whereas with a hard-Brexit or options between the two will not only change the ease (and costs) with which we move about, but potentially could have a significant effect on industrial and commercial sectors”. He adds, “It seems to me that some sort of managed migration will be necessary. UK food production and agriculture could experience problems”.

He summarises the soft-Brexit situation as: • In the EU single market - with an EEA or Norwegian style agreement • Inside the Customs Union • Still contributing to the EU budget • Free movement of labour from the EU

Midway-Brexit He says that it is likely that the outcome could be a half-way compromise: perhaps a Canada plus plus. He says that whatever the outcome, government decisions must be based on reducing the exit impact on this country’s agribusiness, auto industry (including its supply chain), airlines, higher education and banking. Perhaps at slightly less risk of adverse impact are the retail, power/utilities, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and insurance sectors.

The day after Brexit “Unquestionably,” says Neville, “we have to focus on getting our act together. We have no choice.” He lists some essential elements for Britain’s post-Brexit economy as: • Global productivity alignment • Discovery, inventiveness, disruptive technologies • Product, service and manufacturing innovation, and investment in technology adoption • Supply chain reliability • Competitive products and services • A more balanced economy • Continued training initiatives and apprenticeships • A more educated population (both academic and vocational, with equal civic respect) • People, understanding and relationships in global markets, to include relevant skills and languages • More radical support for infrastructure and investment On productivity, he challenges recent remarks by Grant Shapps (Member of Parliament for Welwyn/Hatfield) at the Hertfordshire Chamber’s November lunch, sponsored by accounting group UHY Hacker Young. According to Grant Shapps, it is unfair to remark on UK low productivity. “It’s difficult to calibrate international metrics, to make any meaningful comparison”. Although Neville can appreciate this opinion, he nevertheless believes it takes the UK longer to manufacture something than it does, for example, Germany. “Some estimates show that the UK is 15 per cent below the average G7 member, taking basic measures such as output/hour

worked. One reason could be low technology adoption investment.” Persistent lower-than-desired productivity is hindering economic growth and deficit rebalancing; Neville believes that international metrics are a reasonable comparison. The last point in Neville’s list is his recurring theme. The years of low commitment to infrastructure requirements holds back Britain’s productivity and growth. “We’ve got to get it moving, and now… road development, housing/commercial property, rail, broadband, mobile phone connectivity, etc,” he insists.

Non-negotiables for British businesses “First and foremost, stable sterling,” he says. This is followed closely by uninterrupted availability of skilled people, possibly in a managed way, retention of a Customs Union or some sort of alternative — and avoidance of WTO tariffs; a three to five percent added duty will affect trading costs. “In saying this, companies like Dyson and some SMEs don't perhaps worry too much about working within the WTO rules because they make competitive, desirable and, in some cases, unique products and are already working within WTO rules globally. But not all of our industry and economy fall into these categories, alas." “Without a doubt, and particularly here in Hertfordshire, businesses cannot continue to operate in a climate of so much uncertainty, but most seem to be reasonably happy with their own dynamics. Their priority will be to adjust where necessary to whatever Brexit model is agreed”. “They need to know what to do — whether to relocate to an EU-base… when and in what to invest… but they need to know in order to plan”.

Desired outcomes In Neville’s opinion, and from what he’s taken from various discussions, the kind of trade outcome most local businesses would like is one that produces a mixed economy with a mixed membership, with relatively minimal disruption, such as a necessity to move the business elsewhere. Free movement, (perhaps in a managed way), of skilled people with strong work ethics will still be crucial to business viability, particularly as we move towards a more technology-based economy whose products we can export

around the world. This requires strong commitment to skills development… beginning at school level and fostered through to further and higher education, says Neville.

Moving forward At the time of this interview it is not certain what will happen with UKEU negotiations but we have to expect change. “Services, I think, will be an area to watch after Brexit, and we must be prepared to take remedial action.” He believes that we have to leverage ourselves, and become much more actively involved with global export opportunities. “Continued export within the EU, but also more globally, is absolutely key …as are skills, productivity and so on,” he says. This is the unwavering standpoint of politicians and the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) network of accredited chambers. “It is crucial in delivering this objective because most countries in the world have Chambers of Commerce; and leverage is the tool to use. It should also be said that being a member of a BCC-accredited chamber enables access to these export services and support.” The 52 accredited Chambers of Commerce throughout the UK are actively promoting the need to export, leveraging the markets through chambers of commerce in the 41 countries of the International British Chambers of Commerce network. “The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce (BCC accredited Chamber of Commerce for Hertfordshire) is able to access that network, and we will also be working with COBCOE, the Council of British Chambers of Europe”.

Message for 2018 In summing up his hope for 2018, Neville recalls comments by Hertfordshire Chamber’s Honorary President, Lord Salisbury — at the closing of the Infrastructure Charrette (24 November at Hatfield House), that some German industrialists and investors regard Britain's greatest challenge to Brexit to be that of infrastructure. In closing, he says, “We must look forward to less uncertainty in 2018. We will be able to pursue strategies to develop our economy in a different way that will mean jobs, prosperity and optimism”.

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Why Crossrail 2 offers promise for Broxbourne and the wider Hertfordshire Amid much talk about boosting the UK economy, the discussion usually comes back to the idea that increased infrastructure investment is key – and for many people in London and surrounding areas like Broxbourne that means the construction of Crossrail 2. According to Transport for London (TfL), the £30 billion project would increase the Capital’s rail capacity by ten per cent, bringing an additional 270,000 people into central London each day, as well as cutting journey times and improving connections to areas like Hertfordshire. Crossrail 2, it says, would spur the regeneration of underdeveloped areas such as parts of Enfield and Haringey, where there is significant potential for new housing, and encourage housebuilding in Hertfordshire by creating improved transport connections to and from central London. In addition, says TfL, there will be thousands of jobs created during the construction process, if the Government approves the venture.

Overseeing the project is Michèle Dix, TfL’s Managing Director for Crossrail 2, who said: “The debate about Crossrail 2 is centred mostly on finding ways to make it affordable because I think most people can see the argument that there is a need for it. “Crossrail 2 is needed to meet the increasing demands of the rapidly growing population of London and the South East and will also help support hundreds of thousands of new homes and jobs across the region. “We estimate that Crossrail 2 would add £150 billion to GDP and a significant proportion of that would go to Hertfordshire.” Crossrail 2 has been debated for many years and initial preparation work is already under way after the Government

committed £80m, matched by TfL, in March 2016 to take it to the next stage of development with the aim of bringing forward a Hybrid Bill to Parliament in 2020. Extensive consultation has been taking place on the proposals to better connect London with the National Rail network and improve links to destinations as far apart as Broxbourne, Epsom, Chessington South, Hampton Court and Shepperton. According to TfL, there are many advantages to pressing ahead with Crossrail 2, including the estimate that 60,000 full-time jobs will be supported through the construction in engineering, construction and manufacturing, driving hundreds of millions of pounds to regional and local economies.

Michèle said: “The case for Crossrail 2 is based on three arguments, one of which is the need to improve productivity by allowing for faster connections. The need to improve productivity has been identified as a national priority and Crossrail 2 would help meet it. “The second basis is the need to improve transport capacity and Crossrail 2 will allow us to increase and improve rail services; just one minute’s delay can have a significant effect further down the line. “The third basis for Crossrail 2 is the requirement to meet housing need. When you look at current levels of transport and housing we simply do not have enough and Crossrail 2 will allow developers to build homes close to transport connections, which is what people want.

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“That benefits places like Hertfordshire where a large number of people make the journey into London every day.” Broxbourne would benefit because it is Crossrail 2’s most northerly station and is already a busy commuter route into and out of the Capital. Currently, says TfL, services along the West Anglia Main Line suffer from poor reliability, slow journey times and frequent delays because the local services compete for space on the existing railway lines with faster services to and from London, Cambridge and Stansted. When one service is delayed, this has a knock-on effect on all of the others and it is forecast that by 2043 demand for rail travel along this section of the railway will have increased by up to 39%. Crossrail 2 would free up space on the railway, reducing journey times and allowing for more trains per hour in each direction.

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Crossrail 2 would also provide 10-12 trains per hour calling at all stations between Tottenham Hale and Broxbourne and there will be significant improvement works at each station to accommodate the longer trains, as well as the installation of new lifts or ramps at all stations to provide step-free access. Additional track works are also required at Broxbourne to enable Crossrail 2 and Stratford trains to turn back at the end of their journey. For Michèle, one of the big advantages is that Crossrail 2 would create a fast line and a slow line. She said: “You do hear people say ‘why not extend it to places like Royston?’ but by creating a fast line and a slow line we “can increase the number of more local services serving the area, which will be a real benefit to Hertfordshire. “We will be able to give Broxbourne three times the

railway service that it has at the moment.” Despite debate about whether or not Crossrail 2 goes ahead, it already has support from some influential voices. In the Summer, Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan met and agreed that London needs new infrastructure to support its growth and ensure it continues as the UK’s economic powerhouse. Chris Grayling said at the time: “I am a supporter of Crossrail 2 but given its price tag we have to ensure that we get this right. The Mayor and I have agreed to work together on it over the coming months to develop plans that are as strong as possible, so that the public gets an affordable scheme that is fair to the UK taxpayer.” Sadiq Khan said: “Crossrail 2 is essential for the future prosperity of London and the south-east, so I’m pleased that the Transport Secretary and I have reached an

agreement to take this vital project forward. We will continue to work together to ensure the project is value for money and provides the maximum benefits for jobs and growth in the region over the coming decades.” Michèle Dix said: “Taking into account the views of people along the length of the proposed route is an integral part of our design process for Crossrail 2. It helps ensure we can design a railway that not only meets the strategic needs of the scheme but the local needs of the people it will serve. “Crossrail 2 is absolutely vital to meet the increasing demands of the rapidly growing population of London and the South East. It will also help support hundreds of thousands of new homes and jobs across the region. We will continue to work in partnership with local communities in the months and years ahead so that we maximise these benefits and preserve and enhance areas along the proposed route.”

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Speeding up travel should be welcomed

Peter Smits, Managing Director Ashbourne Insurance Our business has been established in the area for just over 35 years so the Crossrail plans to expand the rail network within the area represent the biggest potential change to the road and rail infrastructure since the building of the M25 motorway and probably our own incorporation.

In my opinion, the local business community should welcome improved road and rail networks as it can only aid the growth and prosperity of the area, both for business expansion in terms of attracting new employers to the area and consequently new jobs and that associated commerce that these new jobs bring with them. From my own personal point of view and having the need to travel to the city of London on regular occasions, anything that could aid or speed up my journey is also welcome. What I would be very keen to see and understand more about are any government initiatives, local or national, that will mean local business can benefit from this potential increase in commerce. Regardless of your political persuasion and whether or not you were for or anti Brexit, I am convinced that as we approach our departure from

the EU we could see an up-swell of support for local business, a return to the high street, if you will. Local business owners must be positioned to take any advantage of increases in commerce, whether that be because of an improvement to transport links or otherwise. Our business has grown-up providing insurance solutions for the local community; we are a competitive and professional alternative to those “national” e-commerce retailers and want nothing more than to continue to provide support and peace of mind to local business and residents. Improved transport links with its associated increase in commerce should not be reserved for the select few major corporations, local businesses should be championed and at the forefront of any up-turn in the local economy.

Benefits that come with Crossrail 2

Peter Sampson Director of Zoological Society of Hertfordshire

With regards to the new Crossrail proposals; we feel here at Paradise Wildlife Park, now the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire, that there would be numerous benefits. One would be the opportunity for more visitors to travel by train to visit us here at Paradise. We do run a small bus service between Broxbourne Train Station and the Park. We also feel that it would assist many of our members of staff who also travel by train.

As we know in the past, when improvements happen with rail links and services, the local population also grows with new housing developments and industrial areas. This, in turn, must be a great boost for Broxbourne as a local authority and Hertfordshire County Council in general. Again, this brings added benefits for visitors to Paradise Wildlife Park. It will also boost the local economy be it retail, entertainment or catering.

“As we know in the past, when improvements happen with rail links and services, the local population also grows with new housing developments and industrial areas.”

Council leader backs Crossrail 2 Cllr. Mark Mills-Bishop, Leader Broxbourne Borough Council London’s rapid population growth provides an opportunity that we must grasp if we are to deliver significant longterm returns and support other major UK infrastructure projects and a driver for economic growth for UK plc. Crossrail 2 will transform the region, connecting national rail networks via the underground system in London, delivering an economic boost to the UK, unlock 200k new homes and create over 200k jobs. It is a necessity for successfully delivering our own economic development strategy, ‘Ambition Broxbourne’. The improved connectivity will help attract inward investment, grow businesses and improve movement of our residents. It is important we set the tone and approach as a dynamic local authority willing to work in new ways and being able to shape the future for Broxbourne; prosperity with purpose. I see Crossrail 2 as a turnkey project in helping us deliver this ambition and unlocking the Borough’s full potential. Over the coming months I will continue to work with our stakeholders and the public to make the case for this essential piece of national infrastructure, developing the scheme to maximise its benefits at a local and strategic level.

Crossrail 2 would tackle overcrowding Hundreds of thousands more Londoners will suffer chronic overcrowding on the Tube if Crossrail 2 does not go ahead, it has been claimed. Transport for London released a list of 17 Underground stations that could buckle under the strain of too many commuters within a few years, including key transport interchanges such as Euston, London Bridge and Victoria which are used by millions of Londoners every day. Clapham Junction train station, already one of the busiest in the UK, could also struggle to cope as passenger numbers continue to grow. The TfL document reveals the capital’s transport network will be so overcrowded by the 2030s that Tube stations could be forced to bring in drastic measures such as permanent one-way systems or regular closures.

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Broxbourne visit heralds boost for business Business in Broxbourne has received a boost with the announcement of a new funding scheme. to support projects that meet its strategic priorities to accelerate business growth in the area.” Mr Hayes said: “An open call for grant funding enables an optimum number of proposals to be considered that fit most closely with our wider strategic ambitions to accelerate business growth.” Broxbourne Council’s Leader, Councillor Mark Mills-Bishop, introduced the event by celebrating the one-year-old business centre’s achievements. He said: “I am pleased to say that the ABBC, as it is known, is the flagship for the Council’s economic development strategy Ambition Broxbourne. Owing to the joint work of Herts LEP and the Council, it has had great success.

The news came as Government Minister Jake Berry visited the Ambition Broxbourne Business Centre and a community hub in Hoddesdon. Mr Berry, who is Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, announced a £12.5m fund with the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which issued an open call for local, capital funded projects. The Herts LEP money comes from Government Growth Deal funding and its aim is to help to deliver economic development projects within the county. Mr Berry, alongside the Herts LEP Executive Director Neil Hayes, made the announcement in the lobby of the

business centre to mark the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week in November. Jake Berry said: “Ambition Broxbourne Business Centre is a great example of what can be achieved when the Government and Local Enterprise partnerships work together to support local business needs. “This initiative encourages business development, inward investment and growth in this local area with significant projects coming forward to deliver thousands of new jobs, homes and provide vital employment space on the edge of London. “I am delighted that a further £12.5m capital from the Government’s Local Growth Fund is to be made available through Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership

“More than 50% of the work space is being fully utilised, 58 businesses have been assisted through training and it is the birthplace of eight new businesses. “More than 100 people now work here and I’d like to congratulate all of the resident companies on their business achievements to date.” MP for Broxbourne, Charles Walker MBE, and the Council’s Chief Executive, Jeff Stack, were also present at the meeting and held a meeting at the centre afterwards. The group toured the business centre before travelling to the ‘Your Town’ hub in Fawkon Walk, Hoddesdon. They talked with pupils and teachers from Roselands Primary School, the Robert Barclay Academy and Hertford Regional College, before talking with Your Town’s director Mark White.

For more information on applying for Herts LEP funding, visit https://www.hertfordshirelep.com/news-events/news /local-growth-minister-jake-berry-and-hertfordshire-lep-announce-125m-funding-call/ 10

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Nominations open for Broxbourne Youth Awards 2018 Local organisations and businesses are supporting a scheme to recognise young talent in the area.

Young people will be celebrated in the Broxbourne Youth Awards 2018 and nominations are now open. Broxbourne Council is inviting the public, clubs and organisations to put forward local young people and those who work to provide services for young people in 14 categories to recognise and celebrate their achievements. Online nominations were formally opened at the 2017 Mayoral Debate for Secondary Schools at Broxbourne Council. Young people (aged 11 to 19, or up to 25 for those with a disability), as well as projects and clubs, can be nominated in the following categories:

Young Volunteer of the Year

Broxbourne’s Young Sports Personality of the Year

Broxbourne’s Youth Team Achievement of the Year

Youth Project of the Year

Youth Disability Project of the Year

Club of the Year

Youth Worker Award

Young People’s Charity of the Year

Young Person’s Achievement Award

10. Inspirational Teacher Award (Secondary School) 11. Young Person’s Contribution to Culture 12. Young Carer’s Award 13. Young Person’s Contribution to the Environment 14. Apprentice of the Year

“It's an exciting time for young people who will be nominating and those who will be nominated. I'm really looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our young people.”

Tom Culley, Youth Mayor and Chair of Broxbourne Youth Council, said: “It is fantastic that, as a Borough, we can celebrate the huge achievements of forever striving young people across Broxbourne. There are huge achievements being made every second of every day and the Broxbourne Youth Awards is a key date in our diary to celebrate, unite and congratulate.”

The 2018 Broxbourne Youth Awards is sponsored by Aldwyck Housing Association, the Broxbourne-Sutera Twinning Association, CEG, Cheshunt FC, Inland Homes and Marriott Hotels.

Deputy Youth Mayor Sophie Barber said: “It's an exciting time for young people who will be nominating and those who will be nominated. I'm really looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our young people.”

Nominations are open until 5pm on Wednesday 31 January 2018.

Members of the public can nominate a young person or group by completing an online nomination form at www.broxbourne.gov.uk/ youthawards .

Winners will be announced and presented with their awards at a ceremony on Friday 9 March 2018 at the Spotlight in Hoddesdon.

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A man for all Hertfordshire

New CEO for Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst

In August 2017, the Queen appointed Mr Robert Voss CBE as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Hertfordshire to succeed the Countess of Verulam who stepped down in July. In December 2017, Mr Robert Voss addressed Chamber members at the Chamber’s Christmas lunch at Brocket Hall, Welwyn, revealing himself as a man for all Hertfordshire. He briefly outlined the historical value of appointing landowners of substantial estates, introduced by Henry VIII in 1569 to represent the sovereign in matters of law and order in shires throughout the kingdom, and empowered to summon men to arms.

In uniform Today the appointment — no longer automatically conferred upon landowners but on strongly civic-minded men and women — is to represent Her Majesty, to host royal visits to Hertfordshire and to uphold the dignity of the Crown. The role, unpaid and apolitical, is to represent the Queen in Hertfordshire’s civic and noncivic services that include a fulltime serving military base and other military and allied divisions, also the police and fire and rescue services, St Johns Ambulance and the cadet forces, among many others.

Out of uniform Although unsaid, it is easy to deduce that the role is a labour of love of the county, and also pride in what is achieved in Hertfordshire, “…and the opportunities the county presents. After all, Hertfordshire is the County of Opportunity,” he reminded us. “Hertfordshire is a vibrant, diverse county. We have stories of successes with small to medium businesses as well as great multi-national corporations.

Our own highly acclaimed University of Hertfordshire, and its business school, educates 30,000 students.

Dr Sally Ann Forsyth has been appointed Chief Executive Officer for Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC) with effect from March 2018. Mr Robert Voss CBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Hertfordshire

Inspired by achievement

Trust and Fear Not

As Lord-Lieutenant of the 11th most populated county in the United Kingdom, one of Mr Voss’s most fervent interests is The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, which, judging from his own distinguished business career is immediately comprehensible. There are three entry categories: Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development.

In his capacity as the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, he is setting up 14 panels encompassing the vast experience and expertise among his 47 Deputy Lieutenants.

Judging criteria are extremely demanding. It is a point of pride with Mr Voss that in 2017, five Hertfordshire companies received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise — four for International Trade and one company for Innovation. “All businesses, I believe, have a responsibility to promote entrepreneurs and business ideas,” he said.

Inspire to achieve Mr Voss is equally fervent about those in Hertfordshire who are less well placed to achieve success in their lives, and promotes with equal vigour the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, for volunteer groups whose outstanding work helps their local communities. He said that there were a number of areas of deprivation in Hertfordshire — two of which are amongst the 10 per cent most deprived areas in the UK — and these needed help and support. “As a business and county community we must do what we can to engage with projects that help those less fortunate in life.”

One is a business-centric group which will help to promote the Queen’s Awards, entrepreneurial business projects, and business apprenticeships, focusing particularly on young entrepreneurs. Employment and education are central to the work to be undertaken. The panel will work with charities and with projects that help businesses in highly competitive environments. “Business is the life blood of Hertfordshire,” he said. Others include Young People and Education, Inter-faith relationships, and Health, as well as panels for each area of Hertfordshire. The second group is to work on royal visits, to bring prominence to Hertfordshire endeavours, across all aspects of life. Mr Voss’s closing appeal was: “We must use our location, our people, our diversity… to make Hertfordshire the best business county in the country.”

Did you know? • Neville Reyner, Chamber’s Chairman of the board of directors, is one of the Deputy Lord-Lieutenants

As CEO of Norwich Research Park — a life science cluster of world-leading academics, researchers and clinicians and home to over 80 companies — Dr Forsyth was responsible for the development of several leading UK science parks with associated investment of almost £100m. She is described as an open innovation practitioner, with substantial scientific and financial expertise. Dr Forsyth has a PhD in molecular biology from Cambridge University and is also a qualified Chartered Global Management Accountant. She began her career with Unilever where she held a number of roles across venture capital, technology licensing and alliance management. Ian Tomlinson (Independent Chairman of SBC) says “With her extensive experience across a range of science parks, a focus on collaborative culture and a track record in attracting finance, Sally Ann is ideally placed to drive SBC through its next phase of development.” SBC’s stakeholders are GlaxoSmithKline, Wellcome, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (formerly the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) and Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board).

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InspiringHertfordshireAwards

Celebrate inspiration and achievement Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2018 There are countless reasons to enter business and community awards — apart from organisational prestige in finalist nomination and winner triumph. 2017 winners: • DB Sharp and Sons Ltd, Excellence in Customer Service • HB Accountants, Excellence in People Development • Pearldrop Limited, Innovation through Technology • MBDA, Investment in Young People • Business Film Booth, Most Promising New Business • Home-Start Hertfordshire, Social Enterprise of the Year • JPA Furniture,The Environmental Award • Chilfen Group, Made in Herts • Grace Foods UK, Achievement in International Business • Home-Start Hertfordshire, Community Champion • Solveway Apprenticeships, Education in Employment • Vida Barr-Jones: Focus7 International, Entrepreneur of the Year • Aubrey Park Hotel, The Tourism Award • Woodhouse Workspace, Business of the Year: Small to Medium • Quanta Consultancy Services, Business of the Year: Medium to Large • Blackmores UK, Business of the Year: North • Ashbourne Insurance, Business of the Year: East • Woodhouse Workspace, Business of the Year: South • Osbourne Appointments, Business of the Year: West • Chilfen Group, Inspiring Business of the Year

Business Film Booth, Most Promising New Business

JPA Furniture, The Environmental Award

It’s all about people celebration Hertfordshire, as we have pointed out over the seven years since we first introduced these awards in 2012, has much to celebrate in our people, businesses and communities.

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As companies and communities evolve in their chase of new horizons, so must these awards. This year Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce recognises the invaluable contribution of family businesses to the county’s economy and well-being.

We have a new award: Family Business of the Year.

Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2018 We launch the Awards at Sopwell House, St Albans at 18.00 on 25 January with previous winners, finalists

and sponsors at this free-ofcharge event. For businesses who would like to tag themselves as ‘award winning’, we hope to see you there. Entry closing date is Monday 19 March. Award entry information will be available on our website.

InspiringHertfordshireAwards Award categories this year are:

Open to members and non-members

Interested in sponsorship advantages?

These awards are open to all organisations and businesses in Hertfordshire, whether Chamber members or not. We hope you will all consider the value of entering and look forward to receiving your entries over the next two months. For information: www.hertschamber.com /inspiring-hertfordshire-awards-2018.

We have multiple awards available for sponsorship, as well as other sponsorship opportunities.

Awards sponsors

Merely entering for an award is rewarding. An organisation’s vision, people working together and achievements narrate its own success. There is something about entering an award that creates a common purpose.

We are delighted to welcome back 2017 headline sponsor Hillier Hopkins Chartered Accountants, and equally delighted to have Bulletproof, cyber security specialists, also as headline sponsor.

Please contact us (awards@hertschamber.com) to see how they may benefit your organisation.

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Community Champion

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Entrepreneur of the Year

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Excellence in Customer Service

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Excellence in People Development

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Export Business of the Year

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Family Business of the Year (new)

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Innovation through Technology

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Investment in Young People

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Made in Herts

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Most Promising New Business

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The Environmental Award

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The Tourism Award

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Business of the Year: North Herts

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Business of the Year: East Herts

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Business of the Year: South Herts

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Business of the Year: West Herts

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Business of the Year: small to medium

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Business of the Year: medium to large

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Inspiring Business of the Year

Awards, Rewards

“I urge you to seriously consider entering for an Inspiring Hertfordshire award, or several. It’s not just about the trophy in your reception, or a certificate on the wall — it’s about recognising your people and your success.” Yolanda Rugg Chief Executive Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

If you are unable to join us on 25 January, please visit our website or contact us for information: awards@hertschamber.com

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ChamberPeople

Time to take another look at exporting? By Keith Moore 2017 was an interesting year as far as exporting and overseas trade was concerned so is this the time to increase your export potential and find new markets or take a “see what happens approach” on the Brexit front and just wait a little bit longer? The answer may be out of your hands but at least the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce may be able to help if you would like to find new markets and opportunities. Often, it is best to take a proactive approach which is why in 2017 the Hertfordshire Chamber tried to make inroads on behalf of its members and a major leap for us has been to join COBCOE, The Council of British Chambers in Europe. We are only the second Chamber of Commerce to join in the UK and now have direct links to 35-plus European members scattered throughout Europe and beyond.

Recently, our Hertfordshire Global Co-ordinator Keith Moore had a conference call with Glenn Vaughan, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium, to see how our two Chambers could work with each other. The possibilities were extensive and included a match making service between the companies of Hertfordshire and Belgium and the promotion of Pan-European trade with exchange visits. To think that this could be possible with so many of our European counterparts means that there are numerous markets that could be tapped into.

At the end of the day the decision is in your hands but at least we can help if you decide that now is the time. Some of our fellow COBCOE members were invited by David Thomas MBE, the Executive Director, to the COBCOE Presidents Dinner on the 22nd November in London. Our Chairman, Neville Reyner CBE, and Keith Moore attended on our behalf and were privileged to meet the guest speaker and the newly appointed Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, Baroness Rona Fairhead.

Apart from our new European connection The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce has further connections with 41 British Chambers of Commerce all over the globe. Two of those have recently reached out to us for help to pinpoint Hertfordshire companies that that might be able to supply products to their respective countries. Tenders were put forward and meetings followed. Hopefully, this will lead to the signing of some new contracts and, looking forward. It could be your company that could be the beneficiary.

“To think that this could be possible with so many of our European counterparts means that there are numerous markets that could be tapped into. At the end of the day the decision is in your hands but at least we can help if you decide that now is the time.”

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PatronFocus

School becomes Chamber Patron One of the new Patrons of the Chamber is The John Warner School at Hoddesdon, helping to build on the Chamber’s growing links with educational establishments in Hertfordshire as a way of preparing young people for the world of work. One of the new Patrons of the Chamber is The John Warner School at Hoddesdon, helping to build on the Chamber’s growing links with educational establishments in Hertfordshire as a way of preparing young people for the world of work. The school already has strong links with industry, hosting regular visits by people from companies working in its specialities, including engineering, electronics, robotics and finance. John Warner School also works closely with the Young Chamber and David Kennedy, CEO and Executive Head Teacher, sees the link as an important way of educating young people about their career options. He said: “When it was suggested that we become a Patron we could see the sense in the idea. “A lot of what we do is about preparing our young people for work and there are so many options open to them as they consider the next stage in their lives that we want to ensure that they are properly informed. “Do they go to university, or take an apprenticeship or go straight into work at eighteen? These are some of the choices and there is

so much information, and disinformation, that we need to help make things clearer. “Our work with local industry and the Chamber is a way of ensuring that the young people understand the opportunities.” The comments highlight the school’s approach to education. John Warner School passionately believes in allowing young people to develop their potential in a secure and caring environment and to achieve highly in their chosen field. To support that, the school has had £15m worth of building work carried out to provide state-of-theart facilities across the curriculum areas. It has recently completed a new Foreign Language and Art Centre, Engineering and Design Centre, a new Library, Mathematics suite and an English suite. A new Humanities block was opened in September. The school is very keen on links with industry. David said: “By bringing people into the school to give talks or work with our young people, we can ensure they make an informed decisions. “The growth in apprenticeships as a route into employment for young people is giving rise to

much debate as to whether they should go to university. We at the school support our young people on an individual basis and, although the vast majority go to university from the Sixth Form, an increasing number are seeking apprenticeships in a variety of sectors.” The school is near London so those seeking careers in finance are well catered for. Also, increasingly a large number of students are seeking apprenticeships in Hertfordshire. The school has a dedicated electronics centre which provides courses which lead directly into careers in the vibrant electronics sector in Hertfordshire.

John Warner School is committed to continue a strong vocational path in its Sixth Form and lower down the school as it provides a valuable educational experience for a large number of pupils and it supports the English Baccalaureate with about 90% of its students taking it. The school and its students are in a period of rapid educational change which mirrors the profound changes taking place in the world of work. In such a situation, the closer the links between schools and employers the better for its young people and the whole of the community.

“We at the school support our young people on an individual basis and, although the vast majority go to university from the Sixth Form, an increasing number are seeking apprenticeships in a variety of sectors.”

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Upcoming events from the University of Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire Skills Fair for Employers 22 February 2018 08:30 The Fielder Centre, Hatfield This is an opportunity for local employers to work directly with the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the University, addressing a skills gap in the workforce and linking employers and training providers together.

Public Lecture: Max Hill QC, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation 14 March 2018 19:00 de Havilland Campus, Hatfield Max Hill QC will deliver the annual Sir Christopher Staughton Memorial Lecture. As the Independent Reviewer, Mr Hill QC leads the way in initiating national and

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international discussion about terrorism and national security. His work requires a focus on the balance between the right of citizens to live, and business to operate, free of state interference, and the need for society to protect itself from any real risk to national security.

Book now to attend an upcoming University of Hertfordshire event Book online: www.go.herts.ac.uk/events-booking email: events@herts.ac.uk More event information: www.go.herts.ac.uk/eventslisting

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Connecting our Business Community 22 March 2018 18:00 de Havilland Campus, Hatfield An exhibition showcasing support available throughout the business growth journey. Discover what the University can offer businesses from start-up and micro companies, to SMEs and to larger corporate organisations. This includes the incubator scheme, student enterprise and degree apprenticeships. During the evening a keynote address The Internet Century: Innovation and Change will be given by Will Hobhouse, businessman and the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.

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TheIET

Industrial strategy only viable if it tackles skills gap, say employers The Stevenage-based Institution of Engineering and Technology is championing its sector – Inspire examines some of its initiatives.

Nearly two thirds (61%) of the national engineering and technical workforce consider the difficulty of recruiting staff with the right skills as a barrier to achieving their business objectives over the next three years, results from the IET’s 2017 Skills and Demand in Industry report show. According to the survey, 75% agree that tackling the skills problem is fundamental to making the Government’s Industrial Strategy viable. The insight was gathered from interviews with 800 UK employers of engineering and technology staff, representing a range of engineering sectors and sizes. The majority of businesses (78%) believe that digital technologies and automation in UK engineering and

technology sectors will advance rapidly over the next five to ten years, yet only 30% have firm plans to introduce or extend their use of digital technologies in the next three years. However, where businesses do plan to increase digitisation of their processes, there is wide acceptance, by 85% of businesses, that they will have to recruit people with new skills, up-skill their present staff or do both. To address these growing concerns over the skills gap, 81% of respondents agreed that more employers need to provide work experience but only 30% of all employers acknowledge that it is their responsibility to invest in the necessary training. Encouragingly, 40% are proactive in offering

“As the UK goes through a period of economic uncertainty, the skills shortage in engineering remains an ongoing concern for engineering companies in the UK. Employers tell us that tackling this problem is fundamental to making the Government’s Industrial strategy viable.” 22

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engineering apprenticeships in their business, with about one third (31%) counting at least one engineering or technical apprentice among their workforce. Dr Joanna Cox, IET Head of Policy, said: “As the UK goes through a period of economic uncertainty, the skills shortage in engineering remains an ongoing concern for engineering companies in the UK. “Employers tell us that tackling this problem is fundamental to making the Government’s Industrial strategy viable. “Engineering has the potential to make a huge contribution to increasing productivity in the UK. With many high value jobs being created through digitisation, we need more young people to see the exciting opportunities engineering presents. Businesses also need to widen their talent pool and see the benefits that come from a more balanced and diverse workforce.” The survey also showed that 87% of companies surveyed do not have LGBT/BAME diversity initiatives in place and only 15% make particular efforts to attract and retain women in engineering and technical roles beyond observing statutory equality requirements. Just over one in ten (11%) of the UK engineering and technical workforce is female. Neville Reyner CBE DL Hon DLitt Chairman of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce who is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) said that “Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce fully recognises that skills are crucial to any Industrial Strategy and also recognises that there are skill gaps, especially in engineering. Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce will work closely with the Institution

of Engineering and Technology in promoting engineering opportunities and apprenticeships throughout Hertfordshire.”

New work experience initiative to play critical role in tackling skills shortfall The IET believes more can be done to tackle the engineering skills shortfall and feels industry, government and academia are at risk of stifling economic growth if there isn’t a greater focus on skills-based learning, such as work experience and internships. In response, a new campaign, 'Work Experience for All' has been launched to help bridge the gap. Employers who report skills shortages in the external labour market say concerns most frequently relate to recruitment at technician or craft level (74%), the supply and calibre of young entrants to engineering and technical jobs (70%) and the work-readiness of young candidates (71%). The IET’s campaign brings together employers, universities, further education colleges and policy makers to collaborate on developing the quality of work experience and internships for those in education or training, to improve the supply of engineers and technicians coming into the industry. John Perkins, Chair of the IET Skills and Education Policy Panel, said: “As we are facing an engineering shortfall in the next decade, compounded by uncertainty around skills following Brexit, there is deep concern that access to our next generation of work-ready engineers is being stifled by a lack of quality work experience and internships.

TheIET “As we are facing an engineering shortfall in the next decade, compounded by uncertainty around skills following Brexit, there is deep concern that access to our next generation of work-ready engineers is being stifled by a lack of quality work experience and internships.”

Dr Larissa Suzuki

“Work Experience For All’s recommendations include developing a government-led national framework for work experience, which would see a region or city’s major Higher Education provider building a work experience ‘supply chain’ with local businesses, schools and further education providers. “The framework could be supported by extending the existing apprenticeship levy, requiring employers to invest in internships and work placements. This would be particularly valuable for smaller companies who typically struggle with the time and cost implications of offering work experience opportunities and could also support students. “There is also a need for more locally driven university and industry partnerships and to enable more students to find their own work experience opportunities. Initiatives such as these would be a welcome part of the new Industrial Strategy for the UK.”

Employers can find out how to get involved via the ‘Work Experience for All’ website: https://workexperience.theiet.org

Stevenage engineer recognised nationally Engineering apprentice Jamie D’Ath has been awarded one of the IET’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year prizes. Twenty-one-year-old Jamie, who works for MBDA, was presented with the IET’s Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices at the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year awards ceremony in central London. The late Mary George CBE joined Electrical Association for Women in 1956 having previously been a Civil Servant with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The prize is given to a young female apprentice who shows great promise and potential in the profession and is tipped to be one of tomorrow’s leaders in engineering. The IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards celebrate women working in modern engineering and aim to help

change the perception that engineering is predominantly a career for men. As well as highlighting female engineering talent, the awards seek to find female role models who can help address the UK science and engineering skills crisis by promoting engineering careers to more girls and women. Jamie said: “It feels amazing. Everyone has done so well and its great recognition – it really inspires you to keep pushing forward in your career. I hope that the children that I speak to will be more encouraged to think about a future in engineering and technology.”

The winner of the main IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year award was Dr Ozak Esu from Cundall. Dr Larissa Suzuki from Founders4School won the Women's Engineering Society (WES) award. Jo Foster, IET Diversity and Inclusion Manager, said: “I’d like to congratulate our fantastic winners and finalists of this year’s Awards. They are a real credit to the engineering profession and will make excellent role models to young girls who might be thinking about a career in engineering and technology.”

Jamie D’Ath

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Past Events

November Women in Leadership Lunch This November, Kerry Cobb, Presenter, Trainer, NLP Practitioner and Voice-Over shared her story to inspire our delegates at this lunch held at Lussmanns Fish and Grill in St Albans.

Prepare your Business for GDPR As GDPR is approaching, VWV law firm helped our members to understand how it will affect them, the repercussions of non-compliancy and the preparations that businesses need to take.

Chamber HR Forum – Legal, financial and strategic issues encountered by family businesses Hertfordshire Chamber truly appreciates its Patrons’ support at our various forum meetings. I’d like to thank Longmore Solicitors in Hertford for their valued commitment to the Chamber’s HR Forum and their continual knowledge sharing. Yolanda Rugg

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Our Patrons Longmores Solicitors explained the legal, financial and strategic issues that face family businesses. They also educated our delegates on employment issues, employee retention and incentivisation as well as corporate governance and shareholder agreements.

Past Events John Sheehan and Graham Boar of UHY Hacker Young did a magnificent job of reading between the lines and sharing their Budget insights with our lunch guests in an easy, understandable way. Yolanda Rugg

Hertfordshire PA Club – Become a Superstar Communicator Guest speaker and ex-International Opera singer, Susan HeatonWright shared her signature systems to help our delegates become more effective communicators. Our delegates also enjoyed a gift bag from the Great British Sausage Company.

November Chamber Lunch Sponsored by UHY Hacker Young with an address by the Rt Hon Grant Shapps At this Lunch, Grant Shapps delivered an address on the current political climate and local growth. This was followed by a review of the Autumn Budget by UHY Hacker Young.

Brocket Hall’s Christmas voluptuous décor and lunch put everyone in the mood for festivity. Thank you also to our Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Robert Voss CBE for addressing us on his vision for Hertfordshire. Yolanda Rugg

Chamber Christmas Lunch This December we welcomed our delegates to the beautiful Brocket Hall estate, where they enjoyed many festivities and heard from HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE. A thoroughly enjoyable occasion. INSPIRE

ChamberEvents

Forthcoming Business Events January Chamber Lunch Crossrail 2: A new railway for the South East At this lunch our speaker will be Michèle Dix CBE,Managing Director, Crossrail 2, Transport for London, who will explain the strategic case for Crossrail 2, how it will benefit Hertfordshire as well as the wider South East, and the current state of play and timetable for the project. Michèle led TfL's strategic thinking on the future transport needs of London, testing and challenging solutions; providing clear

Date: 17 January 2018 Venue: Cheshunt Marriott Hotel, Broxbourne EN10 6NG Time: 12:00-14:00 Price: £27.00 for members £35.00 for non-members

Employment Tax Seminar with WMT Chartered Accountants Date: Venue:

Time: Price:

06 February 2018 Shendish Manor, Hemel Hempstead AP3 0AA 09:00 – 11:00 £15.00 members £18.00 non-members

As HMRC steps up the scope of their employer enquiries, it’s more important than ever to ensure you are getting it right to avoid costly consequences. Get up-to-date with the latest changes and tax-efficient options for remunerating, motivating and rewarding employees at our seminar.

The speaker at this event, employment tax specialist Rob Ennis of WMT Chartered Accountants, will cover new rules, key issues and common misunderstandings with: • National Minimum Wage • Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OPRAs) • Termination Payments • The Apprenticeship Levy • Employment Status • PSA/Trivial Benefits • Employee expenses • Employees/visitors from overseas • Payroll and auto enrolment

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All Price quotes include VAT at 20% unless otherwise stated

direction on appropriate transport solutions for the future; she was responsible for the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and transport requirements for the Mayor’s 2050 Infrastructure Plan; coordinating the implementation of local plans and borough partnerships; and developing major scheme interchanges. Michele is now responsible for developing Crossrail 2 and gaining funding and powers for it.

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

Hertfordshire PA Club Date: Venue:

Time: Price:

08 February 2018 Aubrey Park Hotel, St Albans AL3 7AF 12:00-14:00 FREE for members £10.00 for non-members

Employers are becoming more aware of the need to address wellbeing issues at work, and to support their employees with their health and wellbeing. But it's not just the responsibility of employers. As individuals we need to take responsibility for our own

wellbeing, and along with our employers, create healthy, supportive working environments where we can thrive. The subject of Health and Wellbeing at work will be discussed by our guest speaker for the February PA Club, Ruth Randall, owner of Ruth L Randall Coaching. Ruth helps people to be happy at work. As an employee wellbeing and workplace relationships expert, she believes that work should be a positive experience, and that healthy, happy employees are key to the success of a business.

February Chamber Lunch Bulletproof Live Hack 2018 Exposing the tricks and techniques of hackers Date: 22 February 2018 Venue: Cromwell Hotel, Stevenage, SG1 3AZ Time: 12:00 – 14:00 Price: £27.00 for members £35.00 for non-members Bulletproof, in conjunction with the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, are hosting a live hack. As cyber security specialists, Bulletproof help businesses stay a step ahead of the hackers, and they will be using their expertise to show how easy it can be for hackers to attack businesses who

aren’t prepared. Along with revealing the tricks behind threats like ransomware and social engineering, Bulletproof will also give you some top tips and quick wins on how to protect your data and stay secure online. The cost of cyber-crime to UK businesses exceeded £1 billion last year, so now’s the time to start taking cyber security seriously. The live hack will be presented by Tom Wyatt, a cyber security researcher and expert penetration tester with over a decade of experience in the industry. Having worked with companies across a

variety of sectors, Tom has a unique insight, in his research he’s uncovered and reported numerous security vulnerabilities, including leading UK telecoms providers and US Internet search organisations.

INSPIRE All Price quotes include VAT at 20% unless otherwise stated

ChamberEvents

Forthcoming Business Events Women in Leadership Lunch Date: Venue:

Time: Price:

01 March 2018 Tewin Bury Farm Hotel, Welwyn AL6 0JB 12:00 – 14:00 £25.00 members £35.00 non-members

We are pleased to announce Miranda Knaggs, Interim CEO, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst as our guest speaker. Miranda will focus her presentation on the challenges faced by women working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

term scenarios to achieve Campus vision and strategic objectives. She also leads on all tenancy matters relating to entry criteria, contracts, leases, general tenancy, reviews and audits, business support programmes and corporate and investor relationships. With 17 years’ experience in the biotech sector, she is also Chair of the UK Bio Incubator Forum, representing 24 Bio Incubators across the UK.

Miranda is currently interim CEO at Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst and is responsible for supporting the development of Campus master planning for short, medium and long-

Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2018 Gala Dinner This evening will see the Inspiring Hertfordshire 2018 campaign culminate in an evening of celebration and extravagance as our awards finalists find out which businesses will be crowned the winners. Now in their seventh year, these awards promise to be bigger than ever. We are delighted to be returning to the magnificent St Albans Cathedral for this Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony. Date: Venue: Time: Price:

07 June 2018 St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, AL1 1BY 18:00 – 23:00 £118.80 for members £150.00 non-members

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

MembersBenefits

How to support mental health at work The human brain is a complicated thing. So bafflingly complex, that even in today’s scientifically enlightened age, there are still fundamental flaws in our understanding of the organ. However, as HR focuses its attention on wellbeing initiatives, employers might be surprised by the amount they can do to manage mental health issues at work. The Government’s recent Thriving at Work report unearthed the true scale of the UK’s mental health problem. Perhaps the most startling finding is that 300,000 workers lose their jobs each year due to mental health issues. The report puts the cost of this, combined with lost productivity and performance through mental ill health, at £42bn a year for UK employers. “The human cost of failing to address mental health in the workplace is clear,” says Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of the charity Mind and co-author of the report. “Every employer in the UK has a responsibility to support employees with mental health problems and promote the mental wellbeing of their entire workforce.” Indeed, mental health has been a taboo subject for too long – although signs suggest this is beginning to change. The stigma is being lifted in part by the various high profile people who have recently spoken out about their experiences with mental health, and the groundbreaking work of a growing number of charity organisations. Now employee wellbeing is firmly on HR’s agenda. Our heightened alertness to the issue highlights the need for manager training.

According to further research conducted by Mind, 56% of employers want to do more to improve staff wellbeing but feel they lack the right training or guidance.

How to manage mental wellbeing at work Provisions for mental health issues at work need to be communicated top-down. Leaders should promote a culture of openness and visibility around mental health, making it a pillar of their overall engagement and benefit strategy. With this environment in place, those leading the change can take direction from Mind’s three-pronged approach to managing mental health in the workplace.

1. Promote the mental wellbeing of all your staff According to Thomsons Online Benefits’ UK Employee Benefits Watch 2016/17 report, companies that undertake a

preventative approach to mental wellbeing see significantly higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction. Leading by example, managers should support sensible working hours, encourage employees to take lunch breaks and annual leave, and to recuperate after busy periods. Benefits should focus on the financial and emotional – as well as the mental and physical – wellbeing of their employees.

2. Tackle the cause of work-related mental health problems Mind recommends that employers should regularly monitor and assess the mental health of their people, either through company-wide employee surveys or line manager check-ins. Survey data can be used to establish wellbeing benefits and strategies, while one-to-one feedback allows managers to take positive action on an individual level.

3. Support staff who are experiencing mental health problems Mind estimates that one in six workers is dealing with a mental health problem, yet less than a quarter of managers have received any form of mental health training. Organisations should have clear policies on workplace adjustments for those suffering anxiety, stress or depression. Any adjustments to the employee’s role should, of course, be discussed and agreed with them, but often the most effective changes are of attitude, expectation or communication on the line manager’s part.

Visit www.perkbox.com to discover new ways to engage your workforce and increase employee retention.

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Tourism

Hertfordshire, tourist destination Hertfordshire is the most uniquely placed, of all the Home Counties, to capitalise on its visitor advantages. centres, from go-cart racing, indoor and outdoor ski slopes to cycling, boating, clay pigeon shooting to horse-back riding. Hertfordshire’s very attractive venues and amenities, scattered widely throughout the county, draw Londoners seeking country air, visitors from neighbouring and faraway counties, and local families on rest and recreation breaks at reasonable prices. Our conference amenities, of which there are many, near major roads and railways, are contemporary, well managed, business-like and affordable.

Accommodation

Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club, Chamber patrons

Its green and pleasant lands nudging northern London offers local and international visitors all five essentials: attractions, access, amenities, accommodation, ancillary services.

Attractions The county is liberally littered with attractions — natural beauty, recreational, cultural and historical — to entice tourists, day-trippers and business visitors.

Our market towns are enchanting. From Bishop’s Stortford to Bushey, Cheshunt to Chorleywood, Harpenden to Hertford, Watford to Ware and anywhere between, we have parklands, nature reserves, waterways and vistas of seasonal colour (lavender, canola rapeseed, winter wheat, poppies, bluebells) to revive the spirits. For visitors pursuing cultural enrichment, we offer anything between Harry Potter at Leavesden to Hatfield House: theatre (St Albans, Watford, Hertford, Stevenage), museums with Roman relics to Victoriana, and castle ruins to stately homes and gardens.

Situated as we are along the Great North Road and the ancient Watling Street, with their history of coaching houses and country inns along the way, Hertfordshire is hardly short of accommodation that meets all needs, purses and pursuits of luxury. We have magnificent five-star establishments for the discerning

business traveller as well superb places for the visitor to London wanting London proximity at Hertfordshire prices. While AirBnB has its merits, none come near Hertfordshire’s reputation for hotel hospitality.

Ancillary services Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce — with its long association with local tourism — created an online search platform for the county’s venues in 2017, listing hotel, sports, meetings, spa, tourist attractions and restaurants. This site brings together venues in the county, making it the first port of call for conference organisers, event managers and company executives searching for the ideal place to host their product launch, national conference, away day or business meeting. (hertschambervenues.com/ destinations). By Fiona Wilkinson, Guinea Fowl Creative

“The county is liberally littered with attractions — natural beauty, recreational, cultural and historical — to entice tourists, day-trippers and business visitors.”

Access Perhaps our most appealing attribute is being where we are, with London Luton and London Stansted on our boundaries and rail access to four major London railway stations (Kings Cross, St Pancras, Liverpool Street, Euston). It is also useful, although not particularly aesthetic, to have the M1, M25 and A1(M) coursing through our county.

Amenities Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club

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Our many and splendid golf courses offer as much delight as our leisure, sport and activity

Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club

Tourism

Luxurious Georgian country retreat in 12 acres of peaceful Hertfordshire countryside Sopwell House has long been recognised as one of the most versatile and in-demand venues outside of London. Only a 20-minute train ride from London St Pancras, delegates can enjoy the countless events spaces and facilities that the hotel offers, all within a peaceful countryside setting. Accessed via its own entrance, the award-winning meeting facilities at Sopwell House are perfect for hosting all manner of corporate events. The venue houses 19 meeting rooms arranged over two floors and many ground floor rooms have direct access to private terraced areas. The rooms have an abundance of natural light and the walls are adorned with stylish feature wallpaper. Spaces include the royally named Mountbatten suite, St Alban suite, Lady

Patricia suite and the Princess Victoria suite - the latter of which offers a private staircase making it a popular choice for companies that require an extra level of privacy for their events. The St Alban Suite, which is the largest, can host up to 700 delegates or 250 for a dinner and dance evening. The hotel prides itself on the flexibility of the meeting spaces able to accommodate intimate day meetings, large conferences and everything in between. With 12-acres of landscaped gardens, Sopwell House is also the perfect location for al fresco meetings, events and team building days. The Walled Garden is equipped with its own power and water supply

making it perfect for hosting a range of outdoor activities from yoga, Segway courses, and team building, to laser clay shooting, obstacle courses and falconry. Sopwell Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedicated staff across the hotel, including the specialist event coordinators, are on hand before and during the event to ensure delegates have everything they need. Bespoke corporate and events packages can be arranged to ensure that no two meetings are the same. With a first class food and beverage team on hand, Sopwell House has a wide selection of different dining options for every occasion. This ranges from a relaxed lunch in the Brasserie or an elegant dinner in the 2AA rosette restaurant to private dining and working lunches. The large conference suites are connected by a grand hallway featuring two separate bar areas, each of which can be sectioned off for large private functions. Sopwell House is an idyllic countryside retreat with subtle scents of Jasmine permeating throughout the hotel, along with luxurious leisure facilities. The spa encompasses 14 treatment rooms including one double treatment room,

a 14 metre swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and Eucalyptus steam room, along with a fully equipped gymnasium. A relaxed mind is a productive mind so for those wishing to unwind after their meetings, there is a corporate spa package, which entitles delegates to the use of the spa facilities from 3pm until closing including a three course dinner, available for just ÂŁ35 per person. The 16 Mews Suites offer additional space to corporate guests staying at the hotel. With the choice of studio, one bedroom and duplex mews houses, guests have their own living space making it a home away from home. Boasting elegant English naturalism and charm, each of the properties is styled in a quintessentially British manner with country home features. Set within a gated courtyard, and landscaped by Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medallist Ann-Marie Powell, The Mews are accessed by a key card just a short walk from reception. Sopwell House, Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, AL1 2HQ For reservations, please call: 01727 864477

www.sopwellhouse.co.uk

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 Facebook: www.facebook.com/HertsChamberVenues

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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

Economy

Uncertainty ‘to hold back UK economic growth’ The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has slightly downgraded its three-year outlook for the UK economy, cutting growth expectations from 1.6% to 1.5% in 2017, from 1.2% to 1.1% in 2018 and from 1.4% to 1.3% in 2019. The downgrade is mainly driven by a slightly weaker contribution from net trade across the forecast period, while household consumption and business investment are expected to remain sluggish through the forecast period. UK productivity is also forecast to remain subdued. Inflation is expected to remain elevated in the short-term, peaking at 3% in the final quarter of 2017 and then moderate slightly as the impact of the post-EU referendum slide in sterling fades. However, inflation is forecast to outpace earnings until 2019, eroding real wages and weighing on consumer spending, a key driver of UK economic growth. As such, the BCC’s new forecast is that the next increase in UK official interest rates, to 0.75%, will occur in Q4 2019. The BCC expects UK public sector net borrowing to be £12.4 billion higher over the next three years than predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility at the 2017 Autumn Budget, with slower growth expectations likely to reduce the Exchequer’s ability to generate tax revenue. With the UK economy expected to continue on a path of slow and sluggish growth, the

business group is urging a far stronger focus on ‘fixing the fundamentals’ of the UK economy over the coming year as skills and labour shortages, congested infrastructure, patchy digital connectivity, a slow planning system and high up-front costs hold back investment and stunt productivity improvements. Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Despite pockets of resilience and success, and strong results for some UK firms, the bigger picture is one of slow economic growth amid uncertain trading conditions. “Following the welcome news that the Prime Minister has reached a deal on the first phase of Brexit negotiations, it is now crucial to deliver a firm transition period and clarity on the nature of the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU. Despite the deal, Brexit uncertainty still lingers over business communities and is undermining many firms’ investment decisions and confidence. “Certainty over the course of Brexit would also help to stabilise markets, and reduce the volatility of sterling, which businesses say is increasing their costs.

“Yet even the best possible Brexit deal won’t be worth the paper it’s written on if the Government fails to address the many long-standing, and well-known, barriers to growth here at home. While the recent Budget made some welcome steps in the right direction, concerted and sustained action to fix the fundamentals is needed to encourage business investment and growth.” Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the BCC, said: “The downgrades to our growth forecast confirm that the UK economy is in a challenging period with growth likely to remain well below average for a prolonged period. “Continued uncertainty over Brexit and the burden of upfront cost pressures facing businesses is likely to stifle business investment, while falling real wage growth is expected to

continue to weigh on consumer spending. Furthermore, with businesses continue to report that the post-EU referendum weakness in sterling is hurting as much as its helping, the significant imbalances currently facing the UK economy is expected to persist through the forecast period. “The continued weakness in UK’s productivity is a key concern and reflects the lack of progress in dealing with some of the deep-rooted structural problems in our economy, from skills shortages to creaking physical and digital infrastructure. “Despite the downgrades to our growth projections, the risks to our forecast remain on the downside. Should the UK face a disorderly exit from the European Union, the UK’s growth rates may be materially lower over the medium term.”

“Continued uncertainty over Brexit and the burden of upfront cost pressures facing businesses is likely to stifle business investment, while falling real wage growth is expected to continue to weigh on consumer spending.”

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Health&Wellbeing

Why it pays for employers to understand mental health at work By Marina Glasgow, Acas Senior Advisor.

In an increasingly competitive 24/7 economy, companies are facing unprecedented pressure to perform. Longer hours and heavier workloads are having a significant impact on employee health. And poor management could be to blame. A study by CV Library shows that workplace stress is on the rise with over half of employees saying they were dealing with stress at work on a daily basis. Worse still, almost two thirds of the people questioned believed that they received little or no support from their managers. Stress and anxiety in the workplace are not just bad news for your workforce; they can also have a negative impact on performance, productivity, recruitment and your ability to retain staff. So it makes sense to spot the signs, establish a healthy work/life balance and introduce measures that effectively manage work-related stress.

Did you know? • Mental health problems cost UK employers £30 billion a year through lost production, recruitment and absence. • Over half of the nation's workers (53%) are dealing with stress at work. • 89% of professionals believe being susceptible to stress at work can have an impact on career progression. • Two thirds (67%) admit that they feel stress can negatively affect performance.

5 common signs of workplace stress Employees who are suffering from stress may exhibit unusual behaviours, or sudden mood changes. Knowing what to look for may help employers to tackle the problem at an early stage. 1. An increase in unexplained absence or sick leave 2. Poor performance or time-keeping 3. Poor decision-making 4. A lack of energy 5. Uncommunicative or moody behaviour

Stress at work: an employer's checklist Stress can hit employees at any level and in any role. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified six common causes of stress at work. These provide a clear check-list for employers. • Unreasonable demands - heavy workloads can place heavy demands on staff. It is also important to consider the working environment • A lack of control - employees may feel that they have little or no say over their schedules • A lack of support - staff may believe that that they are left to tackle

problems without the support of line managers or other colleagues • Poor working relationships - a lack of trust, or the wrong culture, can cause stress and anxiety • Uncertain roles - unclear or illdefined roles can lead to conflict and leave employees feeling confused • Unexpected change - sudden organisational changes can make employees feel isolated and uncertain

Minimising stress and maximising production While mental health is complex, there are a number of things managers can do to help their employees cope with work-related stress. The Centre for Mental Health charity estimates that employers could cut the cost of mental health - in lost production and replacing staff - by a third - just by improving their management of mental health at work. The key is to focus on the factors that are within your control. The HSE has developed a suite of management standards, which help organisations to tackle the key causes of stress and anxiety at work. These offer guidance in the following areas: • Demands - ensuring employees can cope with the demands of their workload, work patterns and working environment • Control - allowing employees to have more of a say in the way they approach their work • Support - providing encouragement, sponsorship and resources to address employee issues and concerns • Relationships - promoting positive working to avoid conflict and responding quickly to unacceptable behaviour • Role - defining roles and responsibilities to remove ambiguity and responding to concerns • Change - liaising with employees to minimise the impact of organisational changes and upheaval It is important for employers to compare their current workplace culture with these standards and continually evolve their working practices to eliminate stressful situations. These simple steps, alongside our top tips for employers Mental health top tips [17kb], can help to influence employees' workplace wellbeing and performance.

The first steps to stress-free working Employers don't have to be qualified counsellors to make a difference to their staff's wellbeing. Encouraging employees to talk and being a good listener can provide the perfect opportunity for people to discuss problems at home, or other factors that may be affecting their performance at work. It is also important for employers to keep an open mind. There are many misconceptions about people with mental health. And the more line managers understand about mental health issues, the more they can do to help their staff cope with the challenges the modern workplace poses. There is lots more information about managing mental health including stress at www.acas.org.uk/mentalhealth

Marina will be hosting ACAS mental health and wellbeing conference: Shining a Light on Mental Health and Wellbeing at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford on 23 January 2018 with Sir Brendan Barber and Francoise Woolley of Acas, Andy Woodcock and Audrey Clark of Brentwood Community Print and mental health ambassador Rachel Kelly. Come along and find out more about managing health, wellbeing and stress to improve resilience, the impact of our own mental health and wellbeing, initiatives for support and the legal implications of discrimination and mental health.

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Health&Wellbeing

A Frog in my Throat It’s that time of year where coughs and colds start to catch up on you. Many people experience vague throat symptoms ranging from hoarseness of voice to difficulty swallowing or a sensation of something being stuck in their throat. These symptoms can persist for weeks or even months and worry and concern that it may be something serious, does little to help the problem.

The key to successful diagnosis is to have a trial of medicines to combat acid reflux. Other conservative measures can also help such as avoiding trigger foods, ensuring there is a gap between the last meal of the day and going to sleep, and elevating the head end of the bed so gravity can help minimize reflux.

Fortunately, the vast majority of patients with these symptoms do not have a serious condition. In fact, the commonest cause for low-grade throat symptoms is silent reflux, also known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). This arises from irritation in the throat from stomach acid and enzymes. Many people don’t even experience symptoms they would classically associate with acid such as heartburn or indigestion but this is still the causative agent, hence the term "silent" reflux.

Any patient with persisting symptoms of "a frog in the throat" can seek referral through their GP but may wish to consider the points mentioned here first. In particular, if the symptoms are not worsening over time then they are more likely to be LPR related. However, there are other features that should raise alarm bells. For example, if a patient has an unexplained hoarse voice for more than six weeks or can feel a lump in the neck that persists beyond three weeks then they should seek an urgent referral.

Mr Singh is an Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant practicing at Spire Harpenden Hospital. He is able to see and diagnose patients in Spire’s out-patient clinic. The assessment will usually include a minor procedure where a fibre-optic camera is passed through the nose to visualize the throat, voice box and possibly even the upper oesophagus. As it goes through the nose, it rarely causes pain or a gag reflex. Most patients don't even need any local anaesthetic. This assessment will help to rule out most throat cancers or guide which patients may require further investigations or a biopsy. The commonest further investigations are a Barium Swallow X-ray that can confirm reflux or an MRI of the neck if any lumps are felt or suspected.

Mr Singh also deals with a broad range of other ear, nose and throat conditions. For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Spire Harpenden Hospital on 01582 787 618 or visit www.spireharpenden.com

Mr Pranay Singh, ENT Specialist Consultant

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NewMembers

Welcome to new members NEW PATRON Bulletproof

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Freelove Group ltd

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Green Building Design Consultants Building Services Consulting Engineers, design, management, problem solving, surveys, delapidations Four Rivers House, Fentiman Walk, Herts, SG14 1DB www.gbuild.co.uk simon@gbuild.co.uk

HR Puzzle Ltd An independent HR consultancy providing a bespoke, personalised, consistent HR service www.hrpuzzle.com anna@hrpuzzle.com

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Corporate Advisory, Insolvency and Restructing Specialists Monaco House, Unit 1, Monaco Works, Station Road, Kings langley, Herts, WD4 8LQ www.leonardcurtis.co.uk recovery@leonardcurtis.co.uk

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Greenfield, Royston Business Park, Royston, Herts, SG8 5HN www.mt.com/safeline-xray

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Rider Levitt Bucknall UK Ltd Professional Consultancy Services for the construction industry 29 Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 3BQ www.rib.com

Sarah Halfpenny Events Specialist Events Agency based in Hertfordshire www.sarahhalfpennyevents.com hello@sarahhalfpennyevents.com

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Tilehouse Counselling Professional, individual counselling Coach House, Rear of 84 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 2DY www.tilehouse.org counselling@tilehouse.org

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MembersNews

Recognising & Managing Workplace Anxiety Wellbeing in the workplace has never been more important than it is now. With rising stress levels and mental health issues, it's important that your employees feel happy and motivated in the workplace. A recent Government review of mental health & employees, puts the costs of employee mental health problems to Business at an average £1300 PER EMPLOYEE. (‘Thriving At Work’ - Stevenson /Farmer 2017) So What is Anxiety? “People often experience a general state of worry or fear before confronting something challenging such as an examination or interview. These feelings are easily justified and considered normal. Anxiety is considered a problem when symptoms interfere with a person's ability to sleep or otherwise function. Generally speaking, anxiety occurs when a reaction is out of proportion

with what might be normally expected in a situation.” (Medical News Today Jan16). Anxiety induced behaviour becomes habit and habits can be changed to more positive behaviours & outcomes. Practice using these 5 anxiety busting tips, to help you think and feel better. •RECOGNISE - feelings of anxiety can start with physical signals such as sweaty palms, hot flushes, chest tightening. Learn to recognise which ones affect you and you can learn when to implement the following tricks before a full on anxiety (panic) attack. •MOVE - do some exercise, take a short walk outside. A break in

environment coupled with fresh air will start to release endorphins which is proven to reduce anxiety. •CONNECT - talk to someone you like! make sure you have a go-to, glass half full sort of person you can have a quick chat with. You don’t have to share your worries necessarily but a positive outlook can be infectious. Conversely, make a concerted effort to be that person for someone else. As human beings, social support is vital to managing stress. •CHALLENGE - your thoughts. Ask yourself what is happening right now that is causing you to feel anxious. Treat everything that you are feeling objectively. Ask yourself these questions -

What is the worst case scenario right now? How likely is it that the worst case scenario will come true right now? What evidence have I got to prove that will happen? Getting into a pattern of rethinking will help train your brain to become more rational. •AVOID - quick fix, habit forming, emotional crutches. Coffee, alcohol and cigarettes are all powerful stimulants that will lead to HIGHER levels of anxiety. Ruth Groves is an Executive & Behavioural Coach, specialising in workplace performance & wellbeing. ruth@grovesexecutivecoaching.com www.grovesexecutivecoaching.com

Driving low carbon innovation in Hertfordshire The low carbon market has potential as a driver for growth for innovative businesses, with both public and private organisations looking for technologies and processes which can help them to reduce their energy costs, as well as demonstrate their low carbon credentials. Here in Hertfordshire, there are opportunities for companies supplying low carbon innovation, but it can be difficult for small businesses to understand the needs of buyer organisations and access the supply chain. The Hertfordshire Low Carbon Innovation Network (Herts LCIN) project is working to bridge that gap. The project, led by BRE, in partnership with Green Triangle and

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Synoptic Technologies is partfunded by the European Regional Development Fund. It’s bringing together potential buyers and suppliers of low carbon innovation. Last month, the Herts LCIN provided six small businesses with the opportunity to present directly to a group of Social Landlords, including Dacorum Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Clarion Housing Group

and Octavia Housing. The six were part of a larger group of SMEs who received free innovation support through the project, including insights into the challenges faced by social landlords. The pitch and network event provided a great opportunity for small, innovative companies to reach a market which would otherwise be difficult to access.

The Herts LCIN project is interested in hearing from SMEs with innovative low carbon solutions, as well as private and public organisations seeking to source technologies and services in the low carbon sector. More information is available at: www.hertslowcarbon.org

MembersNews

Local Business Wins Barley House Group’s Prosecc-Ho-Ho-Ho Competition Barley House Group – a leading communications agency based in Cuffley – announced local business HB Accountants as one of its ProseccHo-Ho-Ho competition winners. Charlotte Nicholson at HB Accountants was one of three winners to receive a Prosecco Advent Calendar as part of the Prosecc-Ho-Ho-Ho competition. Business Development Manager Carole Arrantash visited the HB Accountants office in Hoddesdon to deliver the prize of 24 minibottles of prosecco in time for their Christmas countdown. Charlotte Nicholson said, “I’m extremely excited to have won such a fantastic prize – I’m a huge fan of Christmas and prosecco so the Prosecco Advent

Calendar is just what I need! Thank you to the Barley House team, I can’t wait for 1st December so I can open it!” To enter the Prosecc-Ho-Ho-Ho competition people had to complete a quiz about Barley House Group for a chance to win one of three prosecco advent calendars. Three winners were selected at random and announced on 24th November; Charlotte Nicholson at HB Accountants, Lucy Payn at Francis Holland School and Joe Ridge at James Allen's Girl's School.

Barley House Group’s Marketing Manager, Danielle Burridge said, “I’m really pleased that so many people entered and to have received such positive feedback on the competition. We wanted to create a campaign that was fun, engaging and lighthearted – something we all want on the build up to Christmas! Thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations to the winners.” Visit www.barleyhousegroup.co.uk to find out more.

British Chambers of Commerce Awards 2017 On Thursday 30 November 2017 at The Brewery, London, British Chambers of Commerce teams and members gathered for the Annual Awards Ceremony and banquet. British Chambers of Commerce always put on a good show, and Hertfordshire Chamber likes to have a vested interested in the evening; this year being no exception. Hertfordshire Chamber put up a fight in two Chambers categories, Most Effective Campaigning and Excellence in International Trade, and was nominated runners-up. Focus 7 International (Chamber Patron) — after winning the British Chamber of Commerce

East of England Chamber team and members; Vida and award, Best Use Leonora Barr-Jones front row second and fourth left of Technology — was progressed to They were nominated finalists the national awards, in which they too were announced as in Inspiring Hertfordshire runner-up — no mean feat. Awards 2017 in four categories: Business of the Year North “I’m not at all disappointed. Herts, Investment in Young Do you know… it is such an People, Most Promising New honour even to have been Business and Excellence in considered for the award,” Vida Barr-Jones said after the People Development. Their awards ceremony. managing director, Vida, won the Chamber’s Entrepreneur For Focus7 International, it was of the Year award. an all-round year of triumph.

Local Firm takes home national Family Law Award Hertfordshire family law firm, Rayden Solicitors triumphed at the national Family Law Awards on 29 November taking home Family Law Firm of the Year, South. Judges were looking for a firm that provided an outstanding quality of legal service for its clients and displayed high levels of teamwork within the firm and with other professionals. Rayden Solicitors were praised by the judges for their keen focus on client care: “The winning firm is recognised for its strong reputation and its keen focus on client care, combined with legal expertise.” The judges were also impressed “by the firm’s promotion of a collegiate team culture and a flexible working environment.” Emily Watson, partner at the firm’s Berkhamsted office, commented, “This is the holy grail of awards for family lawyers; recognising our expertise in family law and our team work. We have grown a fantastic team at Rayden Solicitors which continues to go from strength to strength.” The Family Law Awards are national awards launched to recognise the important work of family lawyers and celebrate their successes and outstanding achievements. Winners were chosen by a judging panel made up of the heads of the Family Bar Association, Resolution and the Association of Lawyers for Children, along with Family Law editors and publishing executives for the local press. The Family Law Awards also supported the National Pro Bono Centre. The charity supports a wide range of pro bono projects, helping individuals and community groups all over England and Wales. Katherine Rayden founder and finalist for Partner of the Year, commented “We are delighted and incredibly proud to have received this award; we always strive to give our clients the best possible service and this award proves that we are achieving our goals.”

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MembersNews

How to Garnish your Gin & Tonic With no sign of the gin comeback letting up anytime soon, Ginuary really couldn’t come at a better time. Whether you see it as mother’s ruin or it’s your go-to tipple, its best to drink your gin & tonic right. The garnish adds a fresh vibrancy and accentuates the flavour of the gin. Spiced Gins – garnish with a cinnamon stick, peppercorns or chilli. The flavour of spiced gins such as Ophir and Pink Pepper Gin is emphasised by aromatic garnishes like a cinnamon stick, peppercorns and chilli. The additional spices emphasise the existing flavour of the botanicals. Sloe Gins – garnish with a slice of lemon. Sloe gins, such as Sipsmith and Boodles, are renowned for their sweet complexity and fruity notes. Servesimply with a slice of lemon, which will bring out the distinctive berry flavour further and add an additional zing.

Sabcho Gavrailov, Food & Beverage Manager at Sopwell House, reveals how to garnish your gin to ensure you can have a bar worthy G&T at home. Floral Gins – garnish with lavender or elderflower. Lavender and Elderflower are great garnishes to floral gins as they add a wonderful perfume and are a pretty addition to the glass. The floral notes of chamomile and rose petals in gins such as BLOOM and Eden Mill Love Gin are complemented by the flower garnish. Citrus Gins – garnish with pink grapefruit & rosemary. The lemon and herbaceous flavours of citrus gins like Bombay Sapphire and Monkey 47 pair perfectly with pink grapefruit and rosemary.

Sopwell House is a stunning 18th Century Georgian house located in the city of St. Albans deep within the Hertfordshire countryside. Located only 20 minutes from London St. Pancras, the hotel is the idyllic getaway just outside of the hustle and bustle of the capital. The hotel is the perfect place to dine boasting a 2AA Rosette restaurant, a vibrant Brasserie, an elegant cocktail lounge, and conservatory bar, all of which look out on 12-acres of beautiful gardens. For further information visitwww.sopwellhouse.co.uk

Friendly co-working space with excellent facilities Launchpad, a brand new co-working space in the centre of Bishop’s Stortford. It offers freelancers, start-ups and small to medium sized businesses, a flexible and cost-effective place to work. There are a range of services available at Launchpad: 50 hot desks, meeting rooms, high-speed broadband, lockable storage, kitchen facilities, registered business address and access to advisors such as accountants and lawyers. Over the next few months, new services including mentoring sessions will also be introduced. Launchpad has been very well received by the local business community. It already has a

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number of regular users, from start-ups to established companies, representing a range of business sectors. They are enjoying three months free hot desking with no tie-ins. Max from Max Louis Creative said: “As a business starting out it can be tough and expensive to grow. Hosting meetings in your living room or local coffee shop just doesn’t look very professional! That’s why Launchpad is ideal.

My guests are greeted in a proper reception area, I have a business address and can use one of the stylish meeting rooms to host my clients. It’s made a huge difference to the way I work.” Sally Bromham from Winning Words Copywriting said: "Launchpad is a friendly co-working space with excellent facilities in a bright, modern environment. It's a great alternative to working from home and the three months

free hot-desking is a bonus. I love the buzz of being surrounded by creative, like-minded people and have already made some good contacts. Come and join us!" In addition to hot desking space for smaller businesses, Charringtons House, where Launchpad is based, also has a number of larger serviced offices which will be available early 2018. For more information please visit www.launchpadstortford.co.uk

YoungChamber

Young Chamber News

A Unique Pathway to Employment section of the Osborne Training Facility. Visiting residents' homes on a daily basis, he is also developing skills in customer service, communication and safeguarding. Hannah Bailey said, 'We hope that the varied programme will help him decide which trade he would like to pursue as a career.' Connor added, 'Taking this course was one of the best decisions I have made. I will have lots of relevant experience on my CV, making me more confident in applying for the right apprenticeship.' Ashley was unsure of what he would like to do, so has been supporting a number of different office departments. To utilise his creative skills, he has been helping the Community Investment Manager to research, plan and deliver events with community partners. He has also been supporting Building Surveyor, Garry Davidson. Ashley said, 'I can really see the difference this course has made, I had no idea

Work-Based Learning is a unique, innovative programme piloted by The Astley Cooper School in Hemel Hempstead. It aims to bridge the gap between school and employment by providing long term, highquality work experience. The oneyear course is aimed at Post 16 students as an alternative to Alevels. Deputy Headteacher, Matt Stevens, said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I was surprised to hear that local businesses found it difficult to attract young people. They also told us that too many young people lacked the basic skills required to be successful in the workplaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Students spend September in school in order to get 'work-ready'. They then begin their work experience for three days a week. The remaining two days are spent in school studying towards BTEC qualifications in Life Skills,

which employers demand and students will benefit from throughout their career.

about what I wanted to do. I had no experience and no confidence in my abilities. I love my placement; I'm meeting new people and learning new skills, I feel motivated and really look forward to going to work.' Hannah Bailey said, 'For Osborne, it has been great to watch the two boys develop; they have both exceeded our expectations. Supporting this programme has had an extremely positive impact on our own employees, who love the chance to mentor young people and pass on their skills and knowledge. We are extremely impressed with the attitude, behaviour and work ethic of Connor and Ashley. This programme is helping the young people of Dacorum.' The school is looking to build on its success. Work-Based Learning compliments Corporate Social Responsibility and community engagement programmes for businesses. Everyone who is involved can see the incredible value it is adding.

If your business could support a student, or would like to know more about the course, please get in touch with Erica Hodges e.hodges@astleycooper.herts.sch.uk

One of our successful partnerships has been with Osborne Property Services, who placed two workbased learners. Hannah Bailey, Community Investment Manager at Osborne said, 'With a skills shortage in the Industry, one of our key aims through our work in the local community is to encourage young people to consider a career in construction. We were therefore excited to be able to offer two very different placement opportunities.' Connor joined the Repairs and Maintenance Team as a MultiTrade Operative where he has been shadowing Electricians, Plumbers, Drainage Operatives and Supervisors. He has been putting his decorating skills into practice by painting a new

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FinanceforBusiness

Cautious welcome for Budget Officials from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have given a guarded welcome to the Autumn Budget presented by Chancellor Philip Hammond in late November.

Measures outlined in the budget included: Business Rates will rise linked to the Common Price Index (CPI) from April 2018, switching from the less favourable Retail Price Index (RPI). Business rates revaluations will take place every three years, rather than every five years, starting after the next revaluation, currently due in 2022. Mike Spicer, Director of Economics for the BCC, said: “Businesses welcome any attempt to blunt the rise in business rates and the switch from RPI to CPI indexation is a step in the right direction. However, this still leaves firms facing a 3% increase in April. The Government could have done more to boost confidence and

productivity by going further, and abandoning the uprating altogether this year, given the climate of sluggish growth and uncertainty. “With rates bills increasing further, UK firms will be dissuaded from investing in their plant and premises because they are penalised with even higher bills for doing so. Successive governments have tinkered with the business rates system, but fundamental change is really what’s needed.” More investment in R & D. Mike Spicer said: “The aspiration to boost investment in research and development will be welcomed by businesses across Britain. The UK has long under-invested in R&D compared to our international competitors and closing this gap will be crucial if the UK is to thrive on the global stage after we leave the European Union. “However, businesses will eye the details carefully. Past efforts to increase private-sector R&D have

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often failed to connect with small companies. Government will need to work with business communities across the UK to ensure we don’t make the mistakes of the past, but instead build the innovation economy we all want to see.” More funding for transport across England - £1.7 billion will go towards improving transport in English cities. Mike Spicer said: “We called for a ramping up of infrastructure investment across all of the UK, both to get long-term projects off the drawing board, and for the delivery of ‘quick-start’ projects, and commitments to road and rail projects were welcome.” No change to the VAT threshold. Suren Thiru, Head of Economics, said: “Businesses across the UK will breathe a huge sigh of relief that the Chancellor has decided not to reduce the VAT threshold in the near term. At a time when firms are facing rising upfront cost pressures and uncertainty over Brexit, a lowering of the VAT threshold could well have proved to be a tipping point for many small firms and entrepreneurs.” More funding for growth. Suren Thiru said: “The lack of available long-term patient capital remains one of the key issues facing the UK, and solutions to this longstanding problem will be critical to growing the business champions of the future. We, therefore, welcome the additional funding for the British Business Bank to help boost patient capital investment and the extra support for investment in knowledgeintensive industries – which will provide some welcome headroom for investment in some of our most promising firms.” Increased housebuilding. Jane Gratton, Head of Business Environment and Skills, said: “The building of new homes creates opportunities for many sectors in the economy and ensures that employees can find homes in their local communities. However, the increased focus on using brownfield land for housing must not push up prices or drive out employment uses, exacerbating the current imbalance in the supply of land for jobs and homes. This is a growing concern for business communities up and down the country who struggle to find suitable sites so it’s disappointing not to see an intelligent use of greenbelt land.”

More investment in maths and science in schools. Jane Gratton said: “To increase productivity, the UK needs a workforce with the right set of technical knowledge and a solid base in functional skills. While encouraging more pupils to succeed in maths is a step in the right direction, greater investment in digital and foreign language skills is also badly needed to help the UK reach its international ambitions.” The National Living Wage for those aged 25 and over will increase from £7.50 per hour to £7.83 per hour from April 2018. More than two million people are expected to benefit. For a full-time worker, it represents a pay rise of over £600 a year. The National Minimum Wage will also increase. Jane Gratton said: “Most businesses already pay above the National Living Wage, but for the others the latest above-inflation increase comes at a time when they face a myriad of other upfront costs and uncertainty about investment and recruitment. “Our research shows that sharp increases in the National Living Wage will cause many firms to implement cost reduction measures, such as reducing recruitment and staff hours or increasing prices. It’s important the Government retains a flexible approach going forward to protect businesses and not price people out of jobs.” An extra £3 billion to prepare for Brexit over the next two years BCC Trade spokesperson Ronan Quigley said: “This fund must be used to support businesses who will need to deal with the practicalities of leaving the EU. More than 131,000 businesses who are only trading in the EU will need to have the resources and capacity to deal with new customs systems, new trade facilitation processes and the reality of a new trading relationship with Europe. This will be crucial to the success of our economy after March 2019. “HMRC must be given the resources and infrastructure they need to support exporters and importers as they navigate the UK's exit from the EU, especially as their departmental resource budgets are forecast to decline.”

Making the most of saving and investment allowances As we approach the end of another tax year it is always wise to review our personal finances to ensure that we have been making the most of the allowances which the Government offer us when it comes to saving and investing: Firstly, have you used your ISA Allowance? This has become quite complex as we now have a range of different types of ISA including Cash, Stocks and Shares, Junior, Lifetime and Innovative Finance ISAs! These all serve different purposes or carry different risks but the most commonly held are Cash ISAs or Stocks and shares of which you can invest a combined total of ÂŁ20,000 in each tax year. The benefit of doing this is that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay income or capital gains tax which may seem relatively

insignificant based on the size of the allowance, but if you had been fortunate enough to have had funds available to use the Stocks and Shares ISA allowance in full since they were first introduced in 1999, you would have invested ÂŁ186,560 from which the growth would all be tax free! Outside of an ISA, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that a Basic Rate taxpayer has a separate savings allowance of ÂŁ1,000 and a dividend allowance which is currently ÂŁ5,000 (although this is reducing to ÂŁ2,000 in 2018/19.) For many savers, ISAs are forming a part of their retirement planning as they can provide a nice tax free income whilst pension income does have a tax implication. However, for business owners, making a pension contribution

is often a far more tax efficient way of getting funds outside of the business as opposed to taking a taxable salary or dividend and then placing funds into an ISA. So, pensions still have their place, and the annual allowance this year remains at ÂŁ40,000 although it would be prudent to seek independent financial advice as successive tinkering by Chancellors of the Exchequer have meant considerations such as the Lifetime allowance and tapered annual allowance need to be considered. Gaining in popularity as part of some savers retirement planning are Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) because they can provide a tax free income stream. They also offer a very generous 30% income tax relief on the contribution.

The limit is ÂŁ200,000 which is probably beyond most of us but many will accept investments from as little as ÂŁ3,000. However, there are strict rules regarding what a VCT can invest in, and typically these will be a basket of smaller companies which would carry greater risk. Constructing a portfolio which is best suited to help you achieve your goals is not straightforward. Now might be an opportune time to talk to an Independent Financial Adviser. Contact details: Email: jon.cobb@twm.uk.com Tel: 01727 851123

$BU T 1S PU FD U J PO J T U IF 6OJ U FE ,J OHEPNh T M BS HFT U D BU XFM G BS F D IBS J U Z IFM QJ OH BS PVOE D BU T B ZFBS 0VS WJ T J PO J T B XPS M E XIFS F FWFS Z D BU J T U S FBU FE XJ U I LJ OEOFT T BOE BO VOEFS T U BOEJ OH PG J U T OFFET

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Finance

Managing risks and reaping rewards Attracting, rewarding and incentivising employees remains a priority for UK businesses. Rising costs and a raft of complex and ever-changing rules keep employment matters high on the list of commercial challenges. As HMRC steps up the pace of its employment tax enquiries, it’s more important than ever to ensure you get it right to avoid costly consequences and make the most of available tax efficiencies. As most businesses will confirm, the tax obligations for employers are increasing all the time. From a payroll perspective, auto-enrolment remains a challenge. One of the difficulties lies in working out which employees must be enrolled in the scheme and when. Applying the rules incorrectly could result

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in employers being fined by The Pensions Regulator, or simply making unnecessary pensions contributions. Following the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rules can also be problematic. HMRC recently confirmed that most NMW investigations found employers had made a genuine mistake – they had no intention of flouting the rules. Those making errors included several large companies – and if businesses with extensive resources can get it wrong, anyone can. On top of this, HMRC’s focus on disguised employment continues unabated. Recent rules requiring public sector organisations to operate PAYE/National Insurance

Contributions on certain payments to contractors’ limited companies, are likely to be extended to the private sector. There are also changes to the taxation of termination payments on amounts exceeding £30,000 taking effect in April 2018 and April 2019. At the same time, while the scope of available tax savings has reduced, careful planning can still deliver savings for both the employer and individual employees. Opportunities to use salary sacrifice in conjunction with the provision of tax efficient benefits such as electric company cars, pension contributions, cycle to work schemes and (until April

2018) child-care vouchers remain. Further opportunities for savings exist through maximising specific exemptions and concessions. Added to other recent changes and on-going compliance responsibilities, there is plenty for employers to keep abreast of. Rob Ennis, Employment Tax Director, WMT LLP, will provide practical guidance on these topics, and more, at Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce’s Employment tax seminar on 6 February 2018. To book your place see page 26 for details or visit www.hertschamber.com

Development

University alliance creates programme to help with skills development Recruiting and retaining a talented team of staff is a key challenge that all businesses face. Working with us to create a degree apprenticeship is a partnership from start to finish. This is something Vauxhall, the car manufacturing company, found when we developed their degree apprenticeship programmes in Digital Technology and Solutions with them.”

Now businesses in Hertfordshire and the local region are able to attract new talent, up skill their staff and improve retention by working with the University of Hertfordshire to create a degree apprenticeship that fits their business need, explains Julie Newlan, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business and International Development.

“The University of Hertfordshire was excellent in working with us to transition students to the programme from existing studies they were already undertaking and demonstrated a huge understanding of our needs in order to develop a valuable programme that both suited the employer and the apprentice,” said Jo Hirons, Apprentice and Undergraduate Coordinator at Vauxhall Motors Limited. “We are delighted that our apprentices will gain professionally recognised accreditations which will equip them for the future.”

“Degree apprenticeships are ideal for companies looking to develop the skills of their workforce and channel investment from the apprenticeship levy. Our apprenticeships have been created by employers, for employers to meet their skills and talent priorities to ensure success and productivity. We have experience of delivering degree apprenticeships through a combination of teaching and learning techniques, including online, face-to-face, work-based projects, coaching and action-learning sets. Each apprenticeship programme is designed to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours for industry.

Our recently launched ‘TUI Management Degree Apprenticeship’, the first degree-level apprenticeship in the travel industry, is an example of how we are working with businesses to develop management courses suited to their industry.

The University’s business development team are continually working with employers across a diverse range of industries to develop degree apprenticeships, as it is imperative to understand and deliver what employers need and want. By working together with businesses we marry expertise with entrepreneurial spirit to ensure Hertfordshire’s businesses have skilled workers that will help them thrive in the global business economy.

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The Degree in Business and Management is bespoke and designed by TUI and the University to reflect the modern needs of a global travel business. Learning modules include global perspectives in business, the principles of marketing, and the commercial environment as well as management and leadership modules. The apprentices will work full-time for TUI in a variety of roles, on a rotation basis, and attend on-campus learning days - to complete assignments and projects. The apprentices will also enjoy all the benefits of being at the University of Hertfordshire, including access to all social and sports facilities and the library and learning resources. “In addition to the degree apprenticeships in Digital and Technology Solutions and Chartered Management we have another

11 new degree apprenticeships we’ll be offering in September 2018, in areas such as engineering, nursing, law, healthcare and laboratory science. Those looking to find out more about apprenticeships offered by the University, and other Hertfordshire based training providers, can attend the Hertfordshire Skills Fair on 22 February 2018. Employers will be able to meet with a wide range of training providers and hear from prominent local businesses who will be sharing their apprenticeship experiences. Employers will also be able to attend a series of bite-sized workshops on topics such as engineering and digital pathways, recruitment practice and conducting a skills audit.” To register to the Skills Fair visit: www.herts.ac.uk/about-us/ events/2018/february/hertfordshire-skillsfair-for-employers Following the Skills Fair, the University is hosting the Hertfordshire Apprenticeship Show on 7 March, where employers partnered with training providers in the region will have the opportunity to showcase their apprenticeship vacancies to potential applicants. It will enable employers to discuss their businesses and employment opportunities, and demonstrate the diverse range of apprentice vacancies available in industry. To register your business to participate in the Show visit: www.herts.ac.uk/about-us/ events/2018/march/hertfordshireapprenticeship-show For more information contact be@herts.ac.uk or visit www.herts.ac.uk/degree-apprenticeships

LastWord

Strong leadership the key to success Ian Hill Director of Sales & Marketing Hanbury Manor Hotel & Country Club Q What do you do? I am the Director of Sales & Marketing at Hanbury Manor Hotel & Country Club in Ware. I am responsible for the sales and marketing of all revenue streams into the hotel, including bedrooms, meeting space, golf, spa, food and beverage and weddings. I manage a sales, events and marketing team of 11 and work alongside the department heads within the hotel to ensure a consistent sales & marketing approach across all disciplines.

Q Who do you work for? I work for Hanbury Manor Hotel & Country, which is a stunning 161-bedroom Jacobeanstyle hotel situated in 200 acres of grounds in Ware. In addition to the hotel, we have a championship golf-course, luxurious spa, a restaurant and bar as well as 14 meeting rooms for corporate or social events. Hanbury Manor is part of the Marriott group, which is now the largest hotel group in the world following its $13 billion acquisition of the Starwood Group in 2016. We now have 30 brands across more than 5,800 properties in more than 110 countries around the globe.

Q Why did you join the Chamber? Hanbury Manor is a Patron member of the Chamber, which provides great exposure for the hotel across the region. Having previously being an active member of other Chambers, I had first-hand experience of the benefits membership can bring. For Hanbury Manor

Patrons

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this provides local and national brand recognition of what we can offer. The networking events in particular allow us to interact with other businesses to share best practice and identify market trends that may impact across business sectors.

Brand loyalty comes from delivering over and above what your competitors are offering. Ensure you build and develop a strong team. Your people can be your greatest asset and providing strong leadership to support them is crucial for success.

Q What you do get from it?

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

Being a Patron member of the Chamber allows us to showcase what Hanbury can offer local businesses and individuals through hosting Chamber events at the hotel such as the recent Hertfordshire Global Black-tie Dinner. By hosting and attending Chamber events, we can network with key decision-makers and support businesses in providing the perfect venue for their accommodation, meeting or event needs.

Q How has it helped your business network? Having only recently joined Hanbury Manor I am new to this region so the networking events I have attended over the past months have helped me personally to start to build key contacts in the area. Word-of-mouth is particularly important in the hospitality sector so networking with existing and potential customers is vital to ensuring long-term partnerships.

Q What advice would you give someone starting out? Listen to what your customers are telling you and be prepared to adapt accordingly. Look to create long-term relationships by providing exceptional service which exceeds your clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; expectations.

In the hospitality industry the biggest challenge is recruiting and retaining talent. In our region we also need to compete with the pull of London where there are often more career opportunities and salaries may be higher. There is a lot of competition within the service industry in particular so providing strong leadership and taking a genuine interest in your teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal career development is the key to providing consistent delivery.

Q How confident are you your business will grow in the 2018? The outlook for Hanbury Manor in 2018 is strong. We have some ambitious growth targets; especially in our meeting & event department where we are shortly embarking on an ambitious refurbishment. Between January & March 2018 we are investing ÂŁ1.7m across the majority of the event space, including our iconic Poles Hall which was originally the chapel when the property was a convent school. I look forward to welcoming you to see the transformed hotel in 2018.

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