LEXUS HATFIELD 172 Great North Road, Hatfield, AL9 5JN 01707 861401 www.lexus.co.uk/hatfield
Model shown is RX 450h+ Takumi (£79,450), including optional special metallic paint at £250. (£79,700). Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (1/100km): combined 235.4 (1.2) to 256.8 (1.1). Combined CO2 (g/km) 25 to 26* *Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Figures obtained using a combination of battery power and fuel. Figures are provided for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and/or equivalent all-electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results. Fuel consumption, CO2 produced and equivalent all-electric range can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including the accessories fitted (post-registration), driving style, conditions, speed and vehicle load. All models and grades are certified according to the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). All mpg and CO2 figures quoted are full WLTP figures. More information can be found by visiting: www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/fcb/wltp.asp.
Briege Leahy Chief Executive OfficerHertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
Let me extend a warm welcome to all our members and readers.
As we approach spring, the Herts Chamber is looking forward to all the exciting things to come. We have a very busy few months approaching with the BCC annual conference, the Herts County show, May Chamber Lunch and the King’s Awards for Enterprise Launch and we are going full steam ahead!
We are proud of our involvement in the Hertfordshire’s Local Skills Improvement Plan, and we would like to say a sincere thank you to everybody who has worked on this, particularly those who completed the survey and attended the focus groups to help support the Chamber.
It is fantastic to see the heart of our county on the life sciences stage, home to several STEM sector-leading businesses including Pharmaron, GSK and Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, who have a hub
for the life sciences industry with the largest cell and gene therapy cluster outside of USA. Stevenage is seeing leading companies from around the world expanding here. It is very promising to see £900m invested for a world-leading life sciences campus.
We are looking forward to the regeneration of the Borough of Broxbourne following a £14.3m investment from the government’s Levelling Up Fund. The project to regenerate Waltham Cross Town Centre faced stiff competition being one of 111 awarded funding out of 529 applications. We are also pleased to see the development of Sunset Waltham Cross Studios, our very own film and TV campus in Hertfordshire.
The Herts Go Green and Grow group has grown to over 40 members across a range
of industries, all working hard towards carbon net zero. We would like to remind you to save the date for our Hertfordshire Zero Carbon Conference taking place on the 6th of October 2023.
Finally, it is heart-warming to see so many people uniting with humanitarian aid charity Goods for Good to supply £350,000 of essential aid to people affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. On behalf of the Chamber, thank you to everyone for their kind donations and support.
Enjoy the latest edition of Inspire.
Briege Leahy Chief Executive Officer Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
Production
Mark
Tel: 0151
Email: mark@benhampublishing.com
Email:
Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. ©2023 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
Media No. 1958
The UK boasts a thriving life sciences sector, with a worldrenowned regulator (the MHRA being the first to approve a COVID-19 vaccine), pioneering universities (who can forget the “Oxford University” vaccine?), a thriving industry (Oxford collaborated with AstraZeneca), a unified healthcare system that develops and trials innovations (the RECOVERY trial which carried out in the NHS led to over one million lives saved worldwide in the pandemic) and an entrepreneurial spirit.
The UK leads on cutting-edge areas such as genomics and personalised medicine. Much of this innovation takes place within the Golden Triangle between London, Oxford and Cambridge - with Hertfordshire at its core.
BioNTech, who developed a COVID-19 vaccine with Pfizer, cited these as reasons for their recent decision to hold personalised medicine trials in the UK that build on their mRNA vaccine technology to provide cancer treatments.
These UK opportunities have been showcased by leading industry speakers in the annual PING Conferences, which take place in Hertfordshire each year.
However, it’s not all smooth. As the Bank of England representative told the Hertfordshire Chamber lunch on 23 February, which VWV was proud to sponsor, these are unusual and turbulent economic times. The life sciences sector is also facing post-pandemic and Brexit challenges.
Industry concerns include: issues with product approvals from the MHRA; the 26% rebates under the Government’s pricing scheme that threaten the viability of supplying medicines; and access to adequate skills and space. With thanks to the Hertfordshire LEP for continuing to support Hertfordshire as a centre of excellence for life sciences, the PING Conference 2023 on 19 June will bring leading speakers and an audience from near and far to hear about these issues, discuss solutions and help to navigate these stormy waters. http://www.vwv.co.uk/PING2023.
Paul Gershlick is a Partner and Head of the Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences team at VWV and Chair of PING Conference 2023. Paul can be contacted via email pgershlick@vwv.co.uk
Pharmaron, a leading global R&D service provider for the life sciences industry, has recently made a significant investment in its Hoddesdon site to expand its facility and end-to-end service offerings and strengthen its UK business. The investment has focussed on building new state-of-the-art in vitro biology and DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics) laboratories equipped with cutting-edge equipment. With these additions, Pharmaron is now able to offer a full suite of in vitro biology and DMPK support in the UK, across drug discovery and development programs during the first half of 2023.
In addition, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recently updated Pharmaron’s Hoddesdon license to enable the manufacture new oral drug products for its partners to support their clinical trials. New drug candidates come with significant technical challenges and Pharmaron’s highly skilled
scientists enable the development of enhanced product formulations to provide clients the best chance of success in their clinical trials.
This achievement builds on Pharmaron’s already strong drug substance (API) development capabilities, which are co-located at the Hoddesdon site. By offering both drug substance and drug product development services from the same location, Pharmaron provides complete end-to-end CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control) solutions to its partners, enabling them to streamline their novel drug development programmes, save time and resources.
Pharmaron has made and continues to make significant investments to develop its five UK sites and strengthen its global service network, and the Hoddesdon’s site is a key part of this. With the new laboratories, equipment, newly licensed drug product development, and manufacturing capabilities in the UK, along with its global end-to-end service platform, Pharmaron is well positioned to continue to play a leading role in the local and global life sciences industry, providing customized solutions and meeting its partners’ geographic and strategic needs.
One of Hertfordshire’s best kept secrets as the biggest employer of life science graduates in the area: Bio Products Laboratory (BPL)
Coming up to its 70th anniversary (in 2024), BPL produces life enhancing plasma-derived therapeutic medicines, which are distributed to over forty countries worldwide. Located in Elstree, within the borough of Hertsmere, the 35-acre BPL campus is the base for over 1,000 employees. The campus includes a large manufacturing unit and two buildings dedicated to laboratories.
“Over two-thirds of the employees are involved in the direct production of medicines, and many of these are drawn from a range of scientific disciplines. The scientific background of personnel includes generic disciplines like
biochemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, and engineering, together with more specialist subjects such as protein chemistry and pharmacology,” says Tim Sandle, Head of Compliance at BPL, who has worked at the company for over 30 years.
Life science personnel are employed across a variety of functions: Research and development, testing and release laboratories, technological improvements, control of manufacturing, quality assurance and regulatory activities. For life science graduates who wish to progress within BPL, both technical and managerial career ladders are available.
In relation to its research activities, BPL has a long history of developing new and improving existing plasma products, together with designing novel laboratory assays (tests) and creating improved controls for manufacturing and quality design spaces. As a producer of sterile medicines, contamination control is an essential design element. Several of these innovations have appeared in peer-reviewed scientific journals, earning BPL respect within the scientific community.
Adriane Westwater, Director of HR at BPL, adds, “As a hub of scientific excellence, BPL attracts scientists and technical staff from across the UK and overseas. A large number are drawn from the Hertfordshire community, including those who have attended six forms in adjacent towns (like Borehamwood and Watford) and wish to undertake a learning-competency based career path, as well as recruiting many graduates from the University of Hertfordshire, both at first, and higher, degree level.”
GSK: dedicated to biopharma and the development of transformational vaccines and medicines.
Leading portfolio of vaccines, specialty, and general medicines.
Over 70,000 people and a presence in more than 80 countries worldwide.
We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines.
We focus on the science of the immune system, human genetics, and advanced technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas and future opportunities to impact health at scale.
We operate responsibly for all our stakeholders by prioritising Innovation, Performance and Trust.
As a hub of scientific excellence, BPL attracts scientists and technical staff from across the UK and overseas.Bio Products Laboratory
Life science personnel are employed across a variety of functions: Research and development, testing and release laboratories, technological improvements, control of manufacturing, quality assurance and regulatory activities.
Rothamsted Enterprises offers a portfolio of assets to maximise links between business, science and investors. With the fundamental goal to facilitate collaboration and deliver global impact, they are positioning the campus at the forefront of world-renowned innovation.
Rothamsted Campus is home to a wealth of facilities, offering a Conference Centre, Grade I listed Manor House, Agri-tech Business Centre and Restaurant. Each area of the business aims to showcase
and celebrate Rothamsted’s history, as well as sharing knowledge with the local community and conference delegates. Rothamsted Enterprises prides itself on its sustainability credentials and on-site science community, plus their profits return to world-leading agricultural innovation at Rothamsted Research.
Their Agri-tech Business Centre is currently home to 34 tenant businesses, employing nearly 300 staff, with all companies working internationally. This has grown rapidly since 2018, tripling in size from 11 companies. Due to their expansion, in the past
two years alone Rothamsted Enterprises has been awarded funding of £2.8 million towards new lab and office space geared towards the Agri-tech sector. Their most recent project involves converting empty storage space into nine miniature laboratories, set to open early 2023. The project was assisted by significant funding support from the Hertfordshire LEP, HertsIQ, the Lawes Agricultural Trust and BBSRC.
The Agri-tech Business Centre focuses on start-up businesses within the Agritech industry, offering business support and scientific services, where tenants can
collaborate with each other, as well as Rothamsted Research scientists, to tackle the major challenges facing today’s society, including climate change and food security.
The Rothamsted Enterprises Agri-tech Business Centre is approaching full capacity, with the team constantly looking at new innovative and sustainable ways to develop the campus further.
Due to their expansion, in the past two years alone
Rothamsted Enterprises has been awarded funding of £2.8 million towards new lab and office space geared towards the Agri-tech sector.
ACellZ is a Hertfordshire based biotech start-up, developing in vitro models fitting the industry’s need for new medicine, chemicals and product assessments. Animal models cannot precisely simulate human physiology, increasing the demand for human-relevant testing methods.
In 2021, the UK alone used over 16k thousand animals for sensory organs like eyes. The numbers continue to grow Year-On-Year. ACellZ’ goal is to innovate in in vitro biotechnologies to help companies see the data that navigate safety decisions.
ACellZ began with the consumer in mind. Before founding the company, our team participated in an Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) program to carry out extensive market validation. The program provided an opportunity to secure £300k
grant funding from Innovate UK to commercialise ACellZ first technology. Our technology combines the human eye barrier and immune cells grown in the laboratory in a 3D arrangement to better mimic the responses of the eye to chemicals. This technology provides more detailed information about how a new chemical can react in the human eye in an easy-to-use format that is compatible with existing testing methods.
Innovation in developing non-animal methods (NAM’s) is fundamental to supporting cosmetic, pharmaceutical, chemical, agrichemical, and consumer product companies to develop and commercialise their products more effectively. ACellZ’ innovations will contribute to the reduction and replacement of animal testing methods. Our approach reduces toxicity risks and will support everyday decisions made by companies when selecting feasible mixtures & compounds for further development.
Website: www.acellz.com
Hertfordshire has an enviable reputation on the life sciences stage, with Stevenage sitting at the heart of the Oxford, Cambridge, London triangle.
It is home to several STEM sector-leading businesses, including Airbus and GSK, and a hub for the life sciences industry with the largest cell and gene therapy cluster outside of the USA.
Leading companies are expanding to Stevenage from around the world, as demonstrated by the £65m European headquarters building for Autolus, currently under construction. Confidence has been further strengthened with the announcement of a £900m investment for a worldleading life sciences campus.
Stevenage was classified in 2020 by The Department for International Trade as a High Potential Opportunity zone in recognition of its thriving cell and gene therapy cluster, helping to attract further investment. Through partnership working, Stevenage is rapidly transforming and becoming a place where industry wants to be. A collaborative approach is enabling growth and facilitating new developments, and an interest in the life science potential of the area just as the Space and Communications sector continues to develop further with the recent construction of the HQ for the Airbus Space Division. These specific developments form part of a much wider transformation of the UK’s first New Town. A £1bn transformation programme is bringing improved transport facilities, leisure, culture, heritage development, retail spaces and town centre living. This transformation will maximise business and educational facilities providing more training, apprenticeships, and job opportunities for local people. It will increase the number of people living and working in the town, boosting demand for local services, supporting the UK economy, and generating further investment.
The Stevenage Development Board has played a pivotal role in this transformation. Set up in March 2020 to secure Growth Funding of £19m and to formulate a bid for the Government’s Towns Fund initiative, the bid developed and ratified by the Stevenage Development Board was successfully awarded £37.5m in March 2021.
The Stevenage Development Board is independently chaired. The Board brings together voluntary key stakeholders from public sector organisations, private businesses, not-for-profit organisations, and Heritage organisations, to ensure a diverse range of views are represented. The Board continues to provide strategic oversight for the nine Towns Fund projects and is taking a lead role in the scheme development for the Station Gateway.
A key part of the transformation of the town is creating job opportunities for local people, including within the life sciences industry. We are working to make sure that local people have access to these jobs, with facilities such as the Stevenage Innovation and Technology Centre (SITEC) being funded and supported by Towns Fund and Herts LEP investment. The first phase of this is now open at North Hertfordshire College (NHC), providing courses in science, digital skills, and healthcare.
Each year, NHC’s science laboratories will be able to accommodate over 140 full time students and an equal number of Apprentices and Higher Education students.
The NHC also provide the Stevenage STEM Discovery centre alongside Airbus with a unique vision of a Lunar landscape and the Airbus Mars Rover.
The Towns Fund award includes funding to reinvigorate sustainable transport networks, including part of the established 45km of cycleway. This will provide green cycle routes in and out of the town centre, unlocking alternative transport routes between different locations and businesses.
The Chair of the Stevenage Development Board, commented: “The changes we are implementing in Stevenage are Life changing in so many ways. Our 75-year-old, New Town needs regeneration to bring our facilities into the 21st Century, cognisant of the design features envisioned by our founding Architects. A repurposing of less popular retail space, a redesign of car park uses and a strong desire to re-establish footfall and convenience by enabling low-cost living, employment, and a night-time economy in the heart of the Town. A Government and Herts LEP investment 10 years ago has led to the successful establishment of the Catalyst and Catapult in the Town utilising the GSK site in Stevenage and attracting serious development and growth of the life sciences and Cell and Gene cluster. This combination of Life changing technology alongside Space and Communications presents significant higher wage employment opportunities for our north Herts residents with a serious opportunity to level up the life chances of our local community”.
Businesses in Hertfordshire are showing strong signs of growth with almost three-quarters of the county’s organisations planning to recruit in the next 12 months.
Seventy per cent of companies are looking to increase their workforce, with 74 per cent prepared to invest in ensuring staff have the necessary skillset as the UK faces a skills shortage predicted to cost £120 billion by 2030.
A survey of more than 500 business leaders carried out by the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce as part of the Government-funded Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) also showed that time was the biggest barrier to training staff.
Briege Leahy, Chief Executive Officer at the Chamber, said: “It is such positive news for the county that so many businesses, throughout all sectors, are looking to bring new people on board.
“We know the current economic situation is tough, but companies through Herts are looking to grow in spite of the challenges and that is very encouraging.”
The Chamber received funding last year to lead the LSIP to gain an understanding of where the skills shortages lie and to bring businesses and training providers together to plan a joined-up approach.
Running alongside the survey, sector forums have been held with interested businesses
sharing their views on addressing future requirements for training.
“Interestingly, while each industry sector has its own issues, the over-riding message was that there is a gap in the essential skills.
“While businesses are keen to recruit, they are facing challenges around realistic expectations and having to hire by experience rather than by skillset.”
The popular response for what would provide the skills supply for most businesses was access to short modular courses and qualifications designed for individual sectors as well as online courses.
“This stage of the LSIP is about gathering information and identifying where the skills gaps are. That will provide us with the details for the next stage in the process.”
A full report will be prepared to be submitted to the Department for Education in May with Hertfordshire’s findings and recommendations.
For more information on the Chamber, visit https://www.hertschamber.com/
Ever since its inception, the Hertfordshire Growth Board has worked with the local economy to develop future growth across the county. Collaboration with residents and businesses has been at the heart of its vision, looking to create an economy and infrastructure that puts Hertfordshire people first.
The Hertfordshire Growth Board is made up of the County Council, the 10 district and borough councils, the NHS Hertfordshire & West Essex Integrated Care System, Homes England and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Working together is how we continue our ‘joint’ success and create opportunities for everyone, now and in the future.
Hertfordshire has an enviable reputation as a great place to do business, with local partners and the Growth Board working together to help secure sustainable growth. Joining up political, civic and business leadership has in turn helped give confidence to the business community and supports the significant investments that they are making.
One such sector that has found a home in Hertfordshire is life sciences. Today there are now over 200 businesses working in the county based in this sector1. A number of these are concentrated in Stevenage, which has the third largest cell and gene sector in the world, and also close by in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City.
Gunnels Wood Road in Stevenage is already home to globally renowned brands such as GSK, who have their R&D hub here, MBDA and Airbus Space and Development. The Growth Board, working closely with Hertfordshire County Council, Stevenage Borough Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership, together with local businesses, are developing a vision for Gunnels Wood up to 2050. This will aim to help secure investment and opportunity for businesses and local people with the life sciences sector playing a key role within it.
To find out more about the Growth Board please visit our website www.hertfordshiregrowthboard.com
The plan will take into consideration the value the area gives to our economy, the significant investment and regeneration that is happening, looking at opportunities to help improve the area. The masterplan aims to help support a vibrant future, while at the same time promoting sustainability, connectivity and recognising the history of the area.
There’s also an active bio-science campus with growth ambitions in Ware, plus potential for a pipeline of future sites around the county, as well as supportive academic and research institutes.
•••
1 Life sciences in Hertfordshire and the emergence of a global cell and gene therapy cluster. Report to the LEP from SQW, July 2021
Combining family and business is tricky. Not only does a family business have the same challenges as other businesses, but they are also challenged by the complexities of personal and professional life given the relationships involved.
Michael Budd explains how family charters and shareholder agreements can help overcome these challenges.
Please note the contents of this article are given for information only and must not be relied upon. Legal advice should always be sought in relation to specific circumstances.
Q Do I need a family charter?
AMost families prefer not to confront sensitive issues with other family members. Often these issues are left unspoken which can result in disputes between family members. Having a family charter provides a clear framework for how a family manages the business. It is a written statement that is non-legally binding in which you document your family business’ objectives, roles, structure, and rules.
QWhat would be covered in a family charter?
AThe aim of the family charter is to align the expectations of all family members. There are no specific rules for a family charter as it is a bespoke document that caters to the needs of each party. Typically, a family charter would cover the following:
• Who should be employed in the business
• Roles of each family member
• Who is entitled to own shares and if spouses and in-laws are included
• What happens when a family member dies or there is a divorce
• How the business will be governed.
Q Do I need a shareholders’ agreement?
ALike a family charter, a shareholders’ agreement is a bespoke agreement between the shareholders who set out their rules to govern the business. Unlike a family charter, a shareholders’ agreement is legally binding. Like any commercial agreement, there are conditions to follow and legal consequences if one does not follow the shareholders’ agreement. Another difference is that only shareholders will be able to be parties to a shareholders’ agreement while a family charter may include family members that are not shareholders in the business. Having a shareholders’ agreement will not only make sure all family members are on the same page, but the process of
negotiating a shareholders’ agreement will also promote understanding of each family member’s goals. This will in turn minimise the risk of disputes.
QWhat would be covered in a shareholders’ agreement?
AAs it is a bespoke agreement, it can be prepared in a way that is suitable for each business. It can cover areas that are not governed by a family charter as it focuses on the governance between the shareholders. Before negotiating a shareholders’ agreement, parties should consider the following:
• Whether and how a shareholder can transfer/sell their shares
• What happens when a shareholder retires, dies, or loses mental capacity
• Who has the authority to make decisions
• What decisions require the approval of all shareholders
• How to handle future disputes should they arise
QHow to prevent family member shareholders from transferring shares to outsiders
AIt is possible for a shareholders’ agreement to include provisions to restrict shareholders from transferring shares. Examples of the restrictions include that the shareholders cannot transfer shares without the consent of all shareholders or the shareholders may not sell their shares without first offering the shares to the existing shareholders.
Viatris is a global healthcare company committed to improving the health and well-being of communities just like yours. We do this by building strong partnerships and looking for ways to create value for employees, customers, stakeholders and our community. www.viatris.com
The second largest pharmaceutical supplier by volume in the UK, the Viatris name is rooted in Latin which translates as providing a path (“VIA”) to three (“TRIS”) critical goals: expanding access to medicines, leading by innovating to meet patient needs, and being a trusted partner for the healthcare community worldwide.
Frances Death-Lever, senior legal director at Viatris, said: “We don’t see ourselves as just a pharmaceutical company; we are a healthcare brand with so much to offer and we are passionate about meeting global healthcare needs and empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. We were born in November 2020 through the combination of two very established pharmaceutical organisations and whilst our name might be new, we have a long heritage in the UK where some of our medicines have been helping patients for more than 60 years.”
In the UK, Viatris offers a broad and diverse range of treatment options across many major therapeutic areas that include infectious disease, oncology, women’s healthcare, men’s healthcare, respiratory and allergy plus gastroenterology. They are a very customer centric company, who pride themselves at always looking for ways to create value for their customers, which they do through strategic engagement that gathers insights that enables them to meet customer needs.
Viatris is globally headquartered in the US, and in the UK, there are four sites
where more than 500 people are employed across the country. There are two research and development sites in Sandwich and Cambridge, a satellite office in Dorking, and employees working in the commercial affiliate as well as a large operations team work from the office in Hatfield, which also serves as home to several colleagues in global functions.
“Our commercial objective is very important but making sure that we have a strong business culture and acting courageously to deliver on our objectives is the main aim”, Frances continued.
“It’s been really important to us that we nurture a culture where colleagues can own it, be real, stay agile and take pride. This all comes together with a mantra within Viatris that we’re stronger together – we perform our best when we work together,” added Frances, who has been with the company for eight years.
“The greatest message is that we are building a strong culture to make us an employer of choice and this year we are thrilled to have been recognised as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute.”
Viatris in the UK received the Top Employer recognition, which showcases the dedication that organisations such as Viatris have to a better world of work, which is shown through people practices and HR policies. Globally, Viatris has been named on Forbes’ list of World’s Best Employers 2022.
“We want to attract and retain the best talent for the business and to be an employer
of choice in the area and being a patron of the Chamber has supported this. It has embedded us in the community by giving us a local network and platform in the industry and Hertfordshire. Joining the Chamber has been a great way to give our brand good recognition across the industry and the business world”, said Frances.
Viatris has been an active Chamber Patron since becoming a member a few years ago and they have played a key role to date, contributing to articles in the Chamber’s magazine and being one of the headline sponsors for the Inspiring Herts Award in 2022 and again this year. They are also sponsoring and participating in the Women in Leadership Conference on 3 March.
“Supporting the Chamber’s Women in Leadership Conference is really important to us. Viatris is committed to building a strong, inclusive, and diverse culture; one where colleagues feel supported at all times,” continued Frances. “We have a companywide goal to increase women’s representation in senior management globally. In the UK we have an equal distribution of female and male colleagues and our UK commercial senior leadership team, of which I am proud to be part of, has almost gender parity. I hope this will serve as inspiration and demonstrate that women and men are part of creating equal opportunities - ultimately supporting the vision and future of the company.”
“Regardless of gender, our philosophy is ‘Everyone can be a leader’. People are empowered to make choices and decisions at Viatris.”
healthcare company
may be one of the newest brands on the block but look inside your medical cupboard and you are likely to see its name.
As the 10th generation of a family who has run a successful funeral business for three centuries, it was perhaps inevitable for Claire Austin to join the ranks and ensure the Austin name lived on.
However, Claire worked as a fingerprint expert for the Metropolitan Police for ten years before she even considered it.
“I’d always said I wouldn’t go into the family business unless there was a specific role to apply for,” said Claire, who runs Austin’s family funeral directors from its head office in Stevenage.
“When a vacancy for assistant manager came up in 1998, my father suggested I join Austin’s.”
W. Austin & Sons Limited was originally established in 1700 in Graveley, a small village between Stevenage and Hitchin, starting out as a builders and undertakers.
Following her father’s retirement announcement in 2000, she stepped up as managing director in January 2001.
“I took over the whole group and made a lot of changes and really modernised the business,” said Claire.
“Because of my experience working with the Met., I was familiar with big organisations. Austin’s had been a small family business which had grown organically.
“The funeral business is very oldfashioned, so I have modernised everything. I have opened new branches and relocated existing ones, so they are high street based. We now have 12 funeral arrangement offices, as well as the head office. We have made them inviting, warm and comfortable like someone’s front room.”
Claire wants the topic of death and funerals being a taboo to be a thing of the past and visitors are welcome to go behind the scenes at the company’s crematorium, Harwood Park Crematorium and Memorial Gardens, which was built in 1997.
“My father designed and built the crematorium,” said Claire.
“He had identified a need for a crematorium in Stevenage, which is a growing town that is still growing. The nearest ones before were in Luton and Watford and the council had no plans to build one so he decided to do it himself. In the last 25 years, the crematorium has handled 50,000 funerals.”
There are over 50 people working for the funeral directors, with ten of them based at the crematorium.
“We have grown a lot over the last 20 years, but I would never say no to growing more,” she said.
“We are looking at different aspects of the business including how to be more sustainable. One way we will do this is by replacing our fleet of 15 vehicles, which includes four hearses and five limousines, with electric ones and looking at ways to make the cremators, which are gas, more environmentally friendly.”
The most important aspect of being a leader, Claire says, is ensuring that all the team is behind you.
“When you’re making lots of changes in a business and moving it forward, you have to bring the staff with you,” said Claire, who has two children.
“When I started, I thought I could sort all this out in a couple of years, but you can’t. You can’t make changes on your own.
“That’s the most important thing, it’s not a single-minded thing you can do on your own. When you’re making changes, you need everybody to sign up to it.”
Having an informal approach to staff members has helped her build a strong rapport with her team, she said.
“They realise I’m in charge but there’s a light-hearted side within the business when we’re in the staffroom because there must be in an environment like this.”
The most important aspect of being a leader, Claire says, is ensuring that all the team is behind you.
Councillor Jan Goodeve Executive Member for Planning and Growth
Last year the government talked a lot about “Levelling Up” different parts of the UK. My concern was that this might mean too much public sector investment flowing away from the South East and whilst this might be needed in some cases, overlooking our more successful areas could undermine competitiveness in the post Brexit global environment.
I’m pleased to say that East Herts was awarded over £2m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKPSF) and Rural Prosperity Fund as its slice of Levelling Up funding. At our Council meeting on 18th January, I proposed that a significant proportion of this is directed to supporting business growth in the district and I’m pleased to say this was supported.
East Herts Council has a good track record of direct support to businesses. As well as running co-working spaces in Bishop’s Stortford and Ware (the Launchpad) we also have an ERDF funded scheme which has benefitted over 40 businesses in the district since it launched in 2020 and after Covid we gave out
over 50 grants for businesses to open up or expand new premises.
Thanks to the UKSPF we are now launching two new grant schemes. One is up to £5,000 for anyone that wants to open a new premise in the district or has an existing commercial property which they want to expand. So if this is something you have been thinking about then do please get in touch.
Our second grant scheme is much larger and you can apply for up to £50,000 of match funding. This is open to any existing business in the district that is seeking to diversify its activity and income streams. For example you might have some older buildings that are not being used and want to turn them into new leisure or hospitality
venues. You might have lots of ideas about new products that you could sell but maybe haven’t got the time or funds to get them to market. Maybe you have been thinking about investing in some new technology or equipment to help increase your productivity but haven’t wanted to risk it just yet.
Ultimately the Council is looking to support business and employment growth in East Herts and we are interested in any applications that create or safeguard jobs and increase inward investment. For me its really important that our Levelling Up funding makes a real difference to our local businesses.
One of the Council’s key priorities is to transform Waltham Cross town centre into a place where people want to live, visit and work. As part of a comprehensive wider renaissance programme, there are three related and complementary projects within the heart of the local community which will be funded by the Levelling Up Fund award.
Improvements to the public realm of Waltham Cross town centre, which have been designed in consultation with local residents, visitors and businesses, will transform the heart of the town. Improved pedestrian and cycle access, plus a more modern look and feel, is expected to improve trade for existing shops and businesses and provide a more attractive and vibrant environment for new businesses to set up. Enhancing the community hub and skills training centre, which lies in the heart of the town centre, will increase footfall and improve job prospects for local people. More people each year will be able to access skills training provided at the hub, helping them to benefit from the new jobs that will be created at nearby developments, such as the Sunset Waltham Cross Studios.
Following a bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the Borough of Broxbourne has been awarded £14.3 million to fund the regeneration of Waltham Cross town centre. The Council’s bid was one of 111 awarded funding out of 529 applications.
Improvements to Waltham Cross playing fields, including the addition of a new skate bowl, refurbishment of the sports pavilion and new outdoor gym equipment, aim to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community. Work to enhance the community and skills hub in the town centre is expected to start in the next few months, with work on the public realm
and improvements to Waltham Cross playing fields expected to start later this year. A town centre manager, who will be leading many of these improvements, starts in March.
Councillor Lewis Cocking, leader of Broxbourne Council said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Borough has been awarded this funding. The improvements that can be made as a result of this funding will further enable local people to take advantage of the existing and new jobs being created close to the town centre and encourage people to be more active and lead healthier lives.
Improvements to Waltham Cross playing fields,including the addition of a new skate bowl,refurbishment of the sports pavilion and newoutdoor gym equipment, aim to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community.
I truly believe that this funding is a fantastic opportunity to make Waltham Cross town centre a great place to live work and visit.”
B3Living chief executive Steve Woodcock said: “Our team see first-hand the deprivation in these areas and investment to support the town centre, community, health and business facilities are all very much needed and will transform the local area.”
Briege Leahy, chief executive of Hertfordshire Chamber, said: “A larger skills hub delivering training to help upskill the local workforce, and the creation of a business support network locally, will help local businesses collaborate and work together to realise opportunities.”
Sunset Studios is a leading global vertically integrated provider of production facilities and services. Sunset Waltham Cross Studios, jointly owned by Hudson Pacific Properties and Blackstone, will be a 104-acre world-class film and television studio campus in Hertfordshire, which has a great heritage of film and TV production. The site is on the north-west corner of the M25-A10 junction, which is ideal given its accessibility across Hertfordshire, into Central London, and to London’s airports. The direct connection to the M25 and A10 will allow easy access for delivery trucks, crew and production services without disrupting local neighbourhoods.
Erik Thoreen, senior vice president UK and Studios East, Hudson Pacific Properties, said: “The local governments in Broxbourne and Hertfordshire are extremely supportive of expanding and further developing the film industry in the area, and it has been great collaborating with local officials through the planning approval process and as we continue to move the project forward.”
Sunset Waltham Cross will have a huge benefit for local residents, creating an expected 4,500 permanent jobs and contributing £300 million annually to the local economy.
“Both public and private sector investment will work together to have a huge impact, encouraging more people to visit and dwell in the town,” he added.
“I see these changes as a driver to attract more inward investment, that will change the lives of residents and visitors for the better.
“There is a strong existing talent pool with the skills to do this work today, and we have a robust skills and training plan that aims to enable residents, businesses and educators to make the most of the skills and employment opportunities afforded by the Sunset Waltham Cross development.
“Several universities, colleges and organisations in the Hertfordshire area already offer programmes for the entertainment industry, and we look forward to partnering with them to
recruit local talent. We are also working directly with the local government to give the community access to open positions at Sunset Waltham Cross once it is operational.”
The increased demand for purpose-built studios in the London area has led to several planned studio developments in Hertfordshire and North London specifically.
“Along with that comes a concentration of first-rate talent and government-supported infrastructure that creates a critical mass and strengthens the staying power in these areas as a global hub for film and television production,” he added.
Third-generation family business, Ashbourne Insurance, has been based in Broxbourne for its 42-year history.
It initially started from an office in Church Lane, Cheshunt, before progressing to the High Street around the corner. It added a further office in the Priests House in Broxbourne for file storage pre-digitalization and in 1993, the business purchased and opened the current premises in Hoddesdon.
“Whilst the location of the business may have been connected to the founders who also lived in the borough, it is also true to say that the local community and accessibility to the area played no small part in that original decision,” said Peter Smits, managing director of Ashbourne Insurance.
The transport links have been a “great advantage” to both staff and customers.
“Easy access to the city of London, 35 minutes on the train, with its diverse mix of insurance underwriters has helped us develop many long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with access to unique products and pricing,” he added.
“The close proximity of major road links, the M25 and A10, has enabled us to maintain close personal relationships with our client base, site visits not only add peace of mind for our clients but also the insurer who uses our local knowledge to better price and cover.
“I am also excited by the future for the borough of Broxbourne, the development of the A10 corridor with the extra commercial opportunities, the Levelling Up award to regenerate Waltham Cross, not to mention the exciting new development of Sunset Studios in Waltham Cross bringing a touch of Hollywood to the area.
“There is no doubting that the local communities, both business and residential have played a major part in our sustained success and as we all look to reduce our carbon footprint, long may that ‘shopping local’ trend continue.”
Our team see first-hand the deprivation in these areas and investment to support the town centre, community, health and business facilities are all very much needed and will transform the local area.
Adam Anstey said: “From our perspective, it’s the perfect place to be based. We specialise in providing advice to SME and family-owned companies and Hertfordshire is full of the entrepreneurial businesses, who benefit most from our services.
We really do see Hertfordshire as a county of opportunity.
Good transport links are great for getting into London, but mean that we have to compete with Central London firms to attract the best talent. However, employees are constantly looking for a better work-life balance and working locally, with flexibility, is an attractive option.
We operate a ‘dress for your day, locate for your day’ policy which allows staff to have more control over their working lives. Our sole objective is to provide excellent client service and this isn’t always achieved by every employee sitting
in an office, wearing a suit, until 5:30 each day. However, we do encourage people to be in the office at least two days a week for the benefit of more junior members of the team who learn from interaction with more experienced staff.
Core working hours are between 10am and 4pm so, subject to client needs, staff have the option of starting early and finishing early or starting
later and finishing later. This type flexibility really helps to attract and retain local people.”
Adam also counts the fact that the business has a “diverse management team, with a strong female influence” as a key strength. “Our office has an equal number of male and female Partners & Directors, and more females in Manager roles,” he said. “This diversity is a major factor behind our success and we are proud to be sponsoring a Chamber Women in Leadership event in May 2023.”
Azets has teamed up with Chamber Patrons, Longmores Solicitors, to set up a Junior Professionals Supper Club “Hertford has a fantastic professional community and the Supper Club provides the perfect opportunity for the next generation of Hertfordshire business leaders to create relationships and build networks. We regularly collaborate with Longmores and are delighted to again be joining them as co-sponsors of the 2023 Hertfordshire Festival of Music.”
Azets is currently running a campaign on succession planning. The aim is to help companies in Hertfordshire to plan for the next generation of their business, by providing strategic advice to help achieve their long-term objectives.
Please see Azets’ succession campaign offer to Chamber members on opposite page.
Diversity is a major factor behind our success and we are proud to be sponsoring a Chamber Women in Leadership event in May 2023.
Hertfordshire has a long-established life sciences sector with the world’s third-largest Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) cluster centred on its heart in Stevenage, developing ground-breaking, advanced medicines for human use based on genes, tissues and cells. Today, there are over 300 life sciences businesses in the county, employing close to 5,000 people, contributing significantly to the local and national economy.
By 2020, private equity investment in R&D activities in Stevenage matched that of the life science clusters in Cambridgeshire and London. Stevenage was awarded Life Sciences Opportunity Zone status and the Department for International Trade (DIT) classified Stevenage as a High Potential Opportunity (HPO) zone to attract mobile foreign direct investment into the UK.
The rapid growth of this cluster is not by chance, but thanks to a shared vision taken forward by local industry and public sector partners. Hertfordshire LEP has played a critical role in its success, recognising the sector’s global significance in its blueprint for growth (Perfectly Placed for Business, Strategic Economic Plan, 2017-2030).
In the last five years alone, the LEP has channelled more than £10m funding into projects by Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst and Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult to address potential constraints on the growth of the industry. As a consequence, the area has attracted several university spin outs from London and Cambridge. Three of these companies have since been listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange and one has been acquired by Pfizer, but still carries out its research in Stevenage.
In 2021 in response to this growth, the LEP commissioned an independent report and subsequent Sector Action Plan which set out how it can sustain this momentum and how the county can be a catalyst for UK life sciences expansion.
In 2022, the LEP convened a Life Sciences Industry Panel to drive forward the action plan to deliver sustained sector growth, improved health outcomes and a huge economic uplift for the county and across the UK. It is chaired by LEP Board Member Dianne Lee, founder and director of regulatory consultancy DLRC Ltd, with representation from Eisai, Pharmaron, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Manufacturing Innovation Centre, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, GSK, Kadans, Autolus, One Nucleus, MedCity and VWV which runs the Pharmaceutical Industry Network Group (PING) and PING Conference.
Today the pace of growth in Stevenage continues with plans to create one of Europe’s largest life sciences hubs.
Today the pace of growth in Stevenage continues with plans to create one of Europe’s largest life sciences hubs. UBS Asset Management and Reef will bring forward development to deliver up to £900m of new investment on 33 acres of vacant land next to the Catalyst.
Autolus Therapeutics, one of the area’s most successful incubated university spin-outs, is moving rapidly to the commercialisation of advanced therapy medicinal products for the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Working with Reef developments,
Autolus is establishing a manufacturing and HQ facility at Marshgate in Stevenage. The building is nearing completion and is scheduled to open this year.
Kadans Science Partner, a Dutch owned science park developer and operator, has also invested over £25m to transform a 1980s storage facility into a flexible building with tailor-made offices and laboratories for life sciences. The building houses the CGT Catapult’s Skills and Training Laboratories which were co-funded by CGTC and the LEP through its successful bid to government for £3m from the Build Back Better Fund.
Building a local skills pipeline and providing opportunities will be key. The LEP partfunded and supported the delivery of the Hertfordshire Science Partnerships programme at the University of Hertfordshire.
Part of this allows graduate research scientists to undertake a four-year, PhD level research and development alliance between the University and a commercial organisation. This gives companies access to new, talented scientists while enabling graduate researchers to gain invaluable knowledge of applying science in the commercial and entrepreneurial world.
The LEP also helps local people access jobs, apprenticeships and training programmes through its skills portal Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal, www.hopinto.co.uk. This offers young people and educators a vast bank of free sectorspecific information, including life sciences, as well as resources and webinars.
Find out more:
www.hertfordshirelep.com
The new multi-storey car park at Stevenage Railway Station will be opening soon, replacing the former surface level Railway North car park. This brand-new facility is adjacent to the railway station and close to the Stevenage Bus Interchange and town centre too. Level access is available across Lytton Way. Follow us on social media for further updates.
The Hertfordshire PA Club is a free benefit designed specifically for Personal Assistants and Executive Assistants.
At our first PA Club event of 2023, we will hear from guest speaker Lesley Taylor, a qualified Life coach specialising in confidence coaching, mentoring and consultancy for business owners, executives and professional women who
Date: 16/03/2023
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
want to overcome self-doubt, indecision or stress and discover empowerment. Come along and find out why mindset is so important and how it impacts on our habits, decision-making and performance, every day.
Get some easy tips and ideas to develop a positive and powerful mindset that will enable you to be more confident, create new opportunities for yourself and improve your results in life and work.
Venue: Down Hall Hotel & Spa, Bishop’s Stortford
Members: Free
Non-Members: £10.00 +VAT
This online, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) accredited course provides an overview of the complete export process and covers the key elements delegates would need to understand to start to formulate a successful export strategy.
These procedures are explained in simple everyday terms and delegates leave equipped with a good understanding and knowledge of current best practice.
The content includes:
• What is an export and the export process
• Standard export documents
• Why is it important to know where the UK has trade agreements
• What is a contract of sale and what is a purchase order?
• What are Incoterms and the importance of using them in an international contract. And much more!
Date: 24/03/2023
Time: 09:30 - 12:30
Venue: Via Zoom
Members: £350.00 + VAT
Non-Members: £400.00 + VAT
For many business owners, their dayto-day presence in the business is vital to its successful operation. And while this may work now, for business owners with ambitions to sell in the next 3 to 7 years, being integral to your business will significantly affect your ability to scale and the value that you could achieve.
Even if you do not want to sell, do you want your workload to increase as the business grows? Smart business owners
Date: 28/03/2023
Time: 08:30 - 11:00
build their businesses so it works without them, which will allow them to scale and ultimately sell if that is their choice.
Martin Purvis, Business Coach, will teach you the key drivers of the value of your business that you can positively impact now. By implementing the lessons from this workshop, attendees will expect to see direct measurable improvement in the profitability and functioning of their business within a few weeks.
Venue: Rothamsted Conference Centre, Harpenden
Members: £12.50 + VAT
Non-Members: £12.50 + VAT
Join us at the March Chamber Lunch, sponsored by East Herts District Council, where will hear from Elliot Howard-Jones, Chief Executive, Hertfordshire Community Services NHS Trust (HCT) who will be discussing recovery from the pandemic and how it has affected the organisation as a whole.
Come along to this event for a delicious lunch, a chance to catch up with existing business contacts and use the opportunity to meet and network with new potential clients.
Date: 23/03/2023
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
Venue: Marriott Hanbury
Manor, Ware
Members: £39.00 + VAT
Non-Members: £49.00 + VAT
This online, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) accredited course is designed to help delegates understand procedures required to move products in and out of the UK. It will also provide you with the information you need to be able to understand how to comply with customs.
The content of this course includes:
• What is the World Trade Organisation and what do they do?
• What are the main roles of HMRC?
• Under what circumstances can goods be considered as wholly produced in the UK?
• Explanation of the term ’free circulation’
• What is an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)?
And much more!
We are holding a face to face networking event at the newly refurbished Spotlight Theatre, Hoddesdon, with Ambition Broxbourne.
Take the opportunity to enjoy a light breakfast and refreshments, followed by a networking opportunity, providing the chance to meet with a variety of different business people in an informal atmosphere, to participate and share experiences.
Date: 14/04/2023
Time: 09:30 - 12:30
Venue: Via Zoom
Members: £350.00 + VAT
Non-Members: £400.00 + VAT
Date: 18/04/2023
Time: 08:30 - 10:30
Venue: The Spotlight Theatre, Hoddesdon
Members: £20.00 +VAT
Non-Members: £25.00 +VAT
Join
Cyber attackers have only 1 goal in mind, financial gain and they don’t care whether it’s your money, or that of a small SME or one of the top FTSE organisations!
Date: 27/04/2023
Time: 08:30 - 10:30
Venue: Tewinbury Farm Hotel, Welwyn
Members: £20.00 +VAT
Non-Members: £25.00 +VAT
This is an opportunity for you to understand the cyber risks that are potentially exposed to in a relaxed, informal atmosphere, in the company of top specialists who’re already trusted by some of the most secure organisations in some of the most challenging sectors.
Afternoon Tea
Join us for a special Women in Leadership Afternoon Tea (including a glass of Prosecco), and come along to hear from our guest speaker, Kathy Morrissey – Planning and Insights Director, London Stansted Airport, MAG.
Kathy will share some of her experiences - the challenges and successes she has had in her career in engineering, as well as discussing how she advocates young women to join the sector, to promote diversity of talent.
We are delighted to have Azets as the sponsor for this event.
Date: 10/05/2023
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
Venue: Micklefield Hall, Rickmansworth
Members: £45.00 +VAT
Non-Members: £55.00 +VAT
is critical in our every day lives! We are all the weakest link!
Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce hosted their third Women in Leadership Conference on the 3rd March 2023 at Sopwell House, St Albans.
The Herts Chamber was delighted to welcome over 190 delegates at their Conference and was proud to see the enthusiasm that was brought to this event! The theme for this year’s Conference was skills and highlighting the important part that role models play in inspiring girls and women to follow their careers and aspirations. We are also including equity into our theme this year in alignment with International Women’s Day.
The Conference always offers an amazing platform for strong, female role models to inspire and motivate others by sharing their journey, stories, and life achievements.
The Women in Leadership Conference started off by welcoming their attendees and serving refreshments whilst everyone started to network and visit the exhibition stands. The stands gave the opportunity for businesses to showcase their services and products to the 190 attendees at the event.
The businesses with exhibition stands at the Conference were: Branduin, Croft, DOHR, Gabriela Bocanete, Herts Chamber, KGK Genix, The Oak House, One YMCA, Rothamsted Enterprises, Sarah-J Coaching, Stevenage FC Foundation, Step2Skills and Ubere Mama.
Once all the delegates had arrived, Briege Leahy CEO, Herts Chamber welcomed and thanked all the guests for coming to the event. Viatris, who were the headline sponsors of the Conference, spoke about their business and why it is so important to get involved, followed by Rachel Budge, Head of Mid Corporate Hertfordshire, from Barclays Bank.
Rachel shared her career journey to date and spoke about how she started her working life in a pub and is now a Director in Corporate at Barclays, she gave a glimpse in to the ‘rollercoaster’ of how she made it there.
The first keynote speaker of the conference was Kresse Wesling CBE, who is a multi-award winning environmental entrepreneur.
After first meeting the London Fire Brigade in 2005, Kresse launched Elvis & Kresse, which rescues and transforms decommissioned fire hose into innovative lifestyle products and returns 50% of profits to the Fire Fighters Charity. The company now collects 12 different waste streams and has several charitable partnerships and collaborations across industries.
Kresse is an amazing example of a woman who followed her career dreams and now has a very successful business as well as giving back to a very special charity. Kresse went on to speak about how to build a values-based business and her experience as a women in business. The floor was then opened up to a Q&A with Kresse and some great questions were asked.
The second keynote speaker at the event was Dr. Mandeep Rai, Broadcast Journalist and Author. Mandeep is a global authority on values, working with companies, institutions, and individuals around the world.
She has travelled to more than 150 countries and reported as a journalist for the BBC World Service and Reuters, amongst others. Mandeep began her career in private banking at JPMorgan, and later worked for the United Nations, the European Commission, and grassroots NGOs before setting up the UAE’s first media venture capital fund.
Mandeep studied philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE), has an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics, and completed an MBA at London Business School, with a year at Harvard Business School and MIT.
The delegates also heard from a selection of panellists from different sectors who discussed their journey and how they strive to inspire other women and younger generations to come, including:
• Rachel Budge, Head of Mid Corporate Hertfordshire, Barclays Corporate
• Dr Sally Ann Forsyth OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst
• Lucy Marangos FCIPD, Head of Group Operations, The RO Group
• Dr. Mandeep Rai, Broadcast Journalist and Author
• Shazia Khan, Global Portfolio and Process Lead, Viatris
The conference provided a choice of five breakout sessions for the delegates to choose from; three sessions took place in the morning and two in the afternoon, the selection of breakout sessions and speakers were:
strategic people management) is an essential part of leadership and critical to organisational success.
1. Masterclass for Career success, with Jo Phillips –Exec. Coach & Mentor, MD Thelifeonyourterms.com
Jo Phillips professional Learning and Development Consultant, Qualified Executive Coach, APSCo Mentor, women’s champion, and google #Iamremarkable ambassador discussed strategies to get ahead in your career. Jo shared her strategy for success, including how to tackle imposter syndrome. Jo spoke about how she helps women go from being underpaid to closing their pay gap, how she helps her clients gain internal promotions easily and how she helps women gain more senior roles, Jo’s clients consistently achieve the roles they want yet leaving the head room to keep climbing in their career.
2. The role of businesses in skills and education, to attract and retain talent, with Claire Dolan, Deputy Principal, Strategy, Partnerships & Business Development, Oaklands College
Claire has over 10 years’ experience in educational management roles and is currently Deputy Principal, Strategy, Partnerships & Business Development at Oaklands College. Claire spoke about the ways in which further education colleges are engaging with employers to have meaningful conversations about local, regional, and national skills requirements. She also explored the skills development requirements employers have, to create a talent pipeline into the future workforce.
After undertaking an MBA in Business Administration, Shazia is now the Global Portfolio and Process Lead at Viatris, a global healthcare company, where she is responsible for supporting the process of reviewing and selecting new opportunities for the future pipeline development. As a female ethnic leader, Shazia spoke about how she is passionate about helping other women succeed and she is a proud member of Viatris’ Employee Resource Group for women, which aims to provide female employees with an internal network that supports and helps them to develop.
4. Why strategic people management is key, with Liz Redway, Managing Director, Redway HR
Liz Redway has worked in HR and Leadership Development for nearly 25 years, both in the UK and internationally. Her expertise has been honed across a range of sectors including retail, scientific, education, government and notfor-profit. This session explored the similarities and differences between line management, leadership, and human resources. Attendees heard about the three levels of focus for HR, and how the third (integrated,
5. Creating opportunities for female talent in Film and TV, with Lauren Christy, Talent Manager at Sky Studios Elstree
At this session Lauren Christy, Talent Manager at Sky Studios Elstree, talked about how Sky is ensuring young, diverse, female talent have opportunities within their brand-new studio facility. Lauren discussed ideas around attracting diverse talent through entry level programmes, enabling young women to have a voice in the workplace and how Sky is thinking about career paths and opportunities for women within the film and TV industry.
The delegates at the event were engaged throughout and the atmosphere was inspiring and uplifting. Briege Leahy, CEO of Herts Chamber said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your continued support which is invaluable to the Chambers success. We hope you all enjoyed this conference and left feeling inspired, motivated, and invigorated.”
The stands gave the opportunity for businesses to promote themselves to the 190 attendees at the event and display collateral and products.
Top Hertfordshire businesses will be looking forward to a magical evening at the home of Harry Potter after the launch of this year’s Inspiring Herts Awards.
The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce’s annual celebration will be returning to the Warner Bros Studios in June when the leading lights in the business community will be recognised. The awards, which were started in 2012, were opened for 2023 entries at the official launch on Thursday, January 26th, at Hatfield House Riding School.
Briege Leahy, Chamber CEO, said: “It is always a pleasure to officially open entries for the Inspiring Herts Awards. With 20 categories, there are plenty of opportunities for all businesses in our county.”
Category sponsors and past winners were at the launch to talk to prospective entrants and pass on their advice. Kane International, which sells flue gas and engine exhaust analysers, was a double winner in 2021 when it won Medium to Large Business of the Year and Excellence in Customer Commitment.
Last year, the Welwyn Garden City company received a Queen’s Award for Innovation.
Jonathan Hoole, managing director at Kane, said: “We had never previously entered awards, but we were doing lots of good stuff, making improvements and had a strong vision to take the business forward.
“We attended the awards launch and decided to go ahead and enter. Doing the entry really makes you assess your business. The process you go through encourages you to take a close look at what you’re doing, almost like carrying out a SWOT analysis.
“I’d encourage all businesses to enter. Putting the application together is a positive step, it helps highlight areas for improvement and really look at where you are.
“Just being shortlisted is great. It’s such an amazing night when you get to talk to other
businesses. And winning is great for your employees who can see that the company they work for has been recognised by its peers. It also shows your customers that you have third-party endorsement.”
The other past winners who spoke about their experiences were Emma Ellis, Managing Director, Amber Mountain Marketing, Richard Cooksey, Chief Operating Officer, JPA Workspaces and Caroline Stevens, Director, Herts Inclusive Theatre.
Categories this year include Apprenticeship Champion, Diversity and Inclusion Award, Entrepreneur of the Year and, for the first time, Excellence in Business Diversification.
The Launch was a great opportunity for members and non-members to network and ask any questions over canopies as well as drinks and bubbles, this was a fantastic event to get everyone talking about the awards and to stir up some excitement.
On the 12th of January, The Herts Chamber had their first Diamond Club Lunch of 2023! This event was sponsored by CAE Technology Services and held at Champneys Health Resorts, Tring.
The guest speaker at the Diamond Club Lunch was Julie Newlan MBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, who provided a broad overview of the University of Hertfordshire and Higher Education, and how they are working together to deliver the skills needed and the current challenges facing the Higher Education sector.
The January Diamond club lunch was exclusively for the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce’s Diamond Club members. The attendees were invited to come along to network, enjoy a delicious lunch and listen to a brilliant guest speaker.
The Chamber reached out to a few of their exclusive members for their feedback about the diamond club lunches and the responses they got were great! Here are some of the things the Diamond club members said about these exclusive events:
“The Diamond Club lunches are a fantastic networking opportunity to get to know other members in a more intimate setting. They have allowed me to form strong relationships with other business leaders
Following on from our May Chamber lunch on the 25th of May, The Hertfordshire County Show will take place on 27th-28th May 2023.
The Hertfordshire County Show offers spectacular entertainment, the very best of local shopping and deliciously curated produce in the Food Court.
The Hertfordshire County Show is organised by the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society, a registered charity whose aims is to educate the Hertfordshire communities and celebrate food, farming and the glorious countryside.
Join us at this event!
Our Summer Garden Party, held in partnership with Sopwell House, St Albans, takes place on Thursday 6th July, from 18:00 - 21:00.
Enjoy an evening filled with fantastic freshly prepared food, beautiful summer beverages, fairground games and live entertainment. This members-only event will give you the opportunity to network with hundreds of local Hertfordshire businesses. Make the most of a summer’s evening at this fabulous hotel and celebrate with us.
and arrange follow up conversations so we can identify how we might be able to support each other.” Cheryl
Luzet, CEO, Wagada“The Diamond Club has given us a great opportunity to meet like-minded people from various industries within Hertfordshire. The Chamber team do a fantastic job of matching you with people who could help you. For example, we tried for years to develop a relationship with Oaklands College but after sitting with Andrew Slade, Principal and CEO we are now designing specific courses for our team. The speakers are always interesting and inspirational. I always learn something new from the Diamond Club.”
Jonathan Kane, CEO, Kane InternationalSave the date for the Hertfordshire Zero Carbon Conference taking place on 6th October at Rothamsted Conference Centre, Harpenden.
Bringing together businesses from across the county, the event will provide guidance on how we can take a more practical approach to sustainability to achieve targets and deliver significant impact locally as well as nationally.
Please note, if you are a member of the Chamber, please make use of the early bird rate of £121.50 + VAT which ends on 4th September 2023.
Further details to be released shortly.
1. Initial phone conversation with I&A to decide which option is best for you.
2. The LPA information pack, including our terms and conditions, would be emailed or posted to you.
3. You sign your T&C’s and gather all the paperwork and information needed for the LPA visit.
4. Home visit and first stage of the application is completed.
5. Payment to Age UK
Hertfordshire taken at this point.
6. Forms returned to you by post with written instructions for signatures, OPG registration fee payment and how to register the forms, which will also be discussed at the meeting.
and inspirational. I always went away from the workshops with an enthusiastic mindset, ready to implement something new or to discuss an idea with my husband.
The one to one meetings with the patrons were fantastic. I was initially nervous about meeting such successful business people but I needn’t have been. Colin and Jeremy were friendly and always put me at ease. I was able to be relaxed, open and honest with them about the issues I wanted to discuss and the output and discussions we had were unbelievably helpful. Often glaringly obvious solutions once we started talking, but having the time and space to be able discuss any business issues isn’t something we as business owners always have time to do and that is what makes the programme so successful as it gives you the opportunity to do this.
My husband and I are owners and Directors of JHP Electrical Services Ltd. We are commercial electrical contractors based in Watford. We have been established for a number of years, so we are not new to running a business, however up until a few years ago we were not the successful and professional company that we are today and I can honestly say that this is somewhat to do with the help and support we have received from the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce in particular the Entrepreneur programme.
I applied and was succesfully accepted to the programme in 2020. I wanted the opportunity to grow as a director and take back my learnings to support the growth of our business. Because of Covid restrictions all the workshops were held online. The range of businesses the other entrepreneurs were from was vast; ranging from sole traders, new start-ups to established businesses like our own. Despite being anestablished business I actually took a lot of learning from the workshops aimed at new starters as we didn’t have access to any of that information when we started our business. Even if there was a workshop that I didn’t think would be relevant, there would always be one nugget of information that I was able to take back and apply to our business. Just meeting like-minded entrepreneurs was motivating
Attending the gala dinner was one of the highlights for me. Being amongst the other entrepreneurs and meeting and hearing about other inspirational businesses in Hertfordshire was fantastic. This was a really big boost to my confidence and I enjoyed pushing myself out of my comfort zone and meeting new people.
All in all the entrepreneur programme has been a fantastic opportunity which has benefited our business. I don’t think it was any coincidence that following the programme and with all the initiatives I was able to implement we actually won the Inspiring Herts Family Business of the Year Award in 2022. We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the help and support from the programme and the Chamber. I would recommend it to any Hertfordshire business.
Part of the first cohort of entrepreneurs for the Entrepreneur Foundation.
I was introduced to the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce through the first Lord Lieutenants Entrepreneurs Challenge in 2019 in which I was lucky enough to win The People’s Favourite Award and be second in the overall competition.
Prior to that, I had no idea what a Chamber of commerce was or the fabulous opportunities it brought entrepreneurs, even accidental ones like me! How pleased I was to have found such a great resource as the Chamber of Commerce. They have scooped me up and been a nurturing and guiding hand through my entrepreneurial journey as I moved from
teacher, education research and eLearning specialist to confident business owner.
The opportunity to join the first cohort of the Entrepreneur Foundation was just one example of the Chambers support and encouragement. The Entrepreneur Foundation is a twoyear programme run by the Chamber, and generously supported by a select group of amazing Hertfordshire businesses who seek to nurture new talent and give back to the county.
Though the Entrepreneur Foundation I have grown as a business owner. The app I created for parents and parents-to-be to build babies brains and build parenting confidence in the first 1000 days of life, the Oliiki app is now being used by parents and is also rolling out into nurseries across the country. It is being used by midwives and other birthing professionals to support their clients in their parenting journey. One event Entrepreneur Foundation put on was a pitching challenge, called a Salon Prive. Here we presented our products to five Hertfordshire businesses. As a direct result of this session, Oliiki is now excitingly available as a workplace benefit to be given to employees at their announcement of their pregnancy. Helping to change the conversation from, “they might come back” to, “when you come back, we’re here to support you and our support starts now!”
If you are considering joining the Entrepreneurs Foundation, take the plunge, do the work, make the commitment and come out the other side confident and flying!
Thank you, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, for all the support!
When I started business coaching in 2015, I was surprised at how few business owners made a significant financial return on their business even though many worked very long hours. Most strikingly, very few seemingly successful businesses were actually worth anything. If the owner wanted to sell, they were unlikely to attract a meaningful value.
While most business owners I meet enjoy their business and have no present intention to sell, taking a few minutes out to peak over the horizon to be clear on what sort of life you want in the future often demonstrates a huge gap between ambition and reality.
As someone who woke up the other day to find to my shock and horror that I was 57 years old, I know that ten years can pass very quickly.
The good news is that if you have a good solid business now, you can, over 3 to 10 years, transform it into a substantial highly profitable business which will allow you the freedom, time, and finances to live the life you want.
I work with business owners to grow their business, build a Senior Management Team to run it on their behalf and ultimately create a business that works without them.
This solution gives you work-life balance, greater satisfaction from running the business and improves the profitability and likelihood of successfully selling your business, if you choose.
If you run a business with more than 10 employees and you want to get some clarity on your future and how your business can support that:
Step 1 Call me on 07764 579 101 to schedule a 15-minute call for an initial review of your ambitions and your business.
Step 2 We arrange a 60-90 minute face to face session where we begin to identify a clear image of what you want your business to look like in the future and an initial plan on what you need to do to get there.
Step 3 You implement the changes necessary to unlock the potential in your business… with or without my help!
We are based in St Albans and are available to help established business owners get clarity on where they want to go with their business and how to get there.
Join us on Tuesday, 28th March, at Rothamsted Conference Centre, Harpenden, for a breakfast networking workshop with Martin Purvis, Business Coach.
This workshop is designed for Business Owners and Senior Management of companies that have more than ten employees, aspirations to grow significantly, and ultimately want to have the option to sell in the future at an attractive valuation.
This workshop has limited spaces, so reserve yours now! https://my.hertschamber.com/events.html
M: +44 7764 579101
E: martinpurvis@actioncoach.com
W: https://actioncoach.co.uk/martin-purvis/
L: linkedin.com/in/martinpurvis
As a member of Go Green & Grow, sustainable innovation is a key priority at the University of Hertfordshire – from ground-breaking research to local business support.
prototyping support to bring their ideas to life. The support spanned over 20 areas of expertise at the University, from chemical engineering to computer modelling, plant sciences and product design.
The University’s Sustainability Accelerator Programme, in partnership with the Hertfordshire Growth Hub, has so far backed 10 local SMEs to grow, innovate and make a positive contribution to the UK’s net-zero plans. Each business received a support package worth £25,000, including a cash grant, one-to-one mentoring, specialist technical, commercial and marketing advice, and
Go Design specialises in model design and production using only sustainable materials – a first in a historically waste-heavy industry. Founder and Herts alumna Grace Overington praised the support they received and the impact it had on the fledgling company:
“I’m a trained artist, but new to running a business, so I really appreciate the help I’ve received. The benefits of partnering with the University have been significant, not just in terms of networking and making new connections, but for the credibility it gives me as a start-up”.
Since joining the programme, the company has been commissioned to create models for a local zoo using rubbish. “Clients are beginning to realise how important sustainability is in this area”, Grace said. “They come to us with crazy ideas, and we can design and make them here in an ethical way”.
Yanina Aubrey, Head of Business Growth and Entrepreneurship atthe University of Hertfordshire, said: “For a start-up or SME, research and development can be immensely costly, high-risk and time-consuming. Research organisations like us have a key role to play, enabling companies to not only grow their business, but innovate in a way that meets sustainability goals, no matter what their sector”.
❛❛ Clients are beginning to realise how important sustainability is in this area. They come to us with crazy ideas, and we can design and make them here in an ethical way. ❜❜
Herts Go Green and Grow is an initiative of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce supported by Net Zero International, JPA Workspaces, Estu Global, KGK Genix and Insight MCL
The #HertsGoGreen&Grow group is back with a bang in 2023! Its purpose is to share knowledge, information, and sustainable development learnings between members and more widely with other Hertfordshire organisations to enable them to remain competitive whilst also meeting the needs of the planet. It’s also a safe space to ask the ‘Big Dumb Questions’ because let’s face it, no-one has all the answers.
Now a firmly established cross-industry group with over 40 members, we are working on creating a hub where we can log our activities and achievements so we can document progress as we go along.
At our first meeting on January 9th, David from Net Zero International reported legislation updates and outcomes from the COP15 Biodiversity Summit in December following the COP27 Carbon Summit in November. He introduced the group members to the Biodiversity Stripes by Professor Miles Richardson (2022) based on the 2018 warming Stripes by Professor Ed Hawkins #showyourstripes.
The warming stripes provide a startling visual image of how the earth’s temperature has heated up over the last 150 years whilst the biodiversity stripes show the alarming decrease in the variety and abundance of nature over
time. Only by addressing both can we pass on a stable planet for future generations – see more at www.biodiversitystripes.info.
Simon from Estu Global spoke about an 18-month apprenticeship funded NetZero Leadership programme, outlining the possibility of a dedicated Hertfordshire cohort. Having been on the programme last year, I can see how progress will be accelerated by equipping leaders to design, articulate and implement more effective strategies. A Hertfordshire cohort of NetZero leaders could be an enormous benefit and provide yet another valuable forum for innovative collaboration – further details from simon.littlewood@estuglobal.com
#HGG&G are keen to get involved with local tree planting or biodiversity activities within Hertfordshire in addition to any off setting projects already in place. Graham Pitts from KGK Genix has been doing sterling work to identify projects where we could potentially
As a part of the Herts Chambers sustainable actions, they are integrating cardboard banners as a part of their marketing display and collateral.
The Herts Chamber would like to say a huge thank you to Graham Pitts, KGK GENIX, for kindly gifting them these lovely, environment friendly, cardboard banners, KGK’s support to the chamber is highly appreciated!
KGK Genix offer cardboard banner stands made from a robust,
honeycomb cardboard that is formed from 40% recycled raw materials. Not only do they look great, but they’re reusable and 100% recyclable too! Their sustainable banners are available in a number of sizes and the range also includes large backdrops and some furniture too. KGK Genix produce these right here in Hertfordshire at their production site in Thundridge.
combine activity as a group to raise awareness and make an impact locally on an affordable scale – watch this space!
One of our targets in 2023 is for all #HGG&G members to achieve scope 1 and 2 calculations, starting scope 3 calculations later in the year and sharing some of the inevitable headaches. The idea is that once everyone is well on the way to calculating, monitoring and setting targets, they will then be in a position to help others get started and spread the knowledge.
In the meantime, ‘Big Dumb Questions’ for anything related to sustainable development can be sent to enquiries@hertschamber.com and we’ll do our best to answer them!
By Fiona EdwardsSave the date for the Hertfordshire Zero Carbon Conference taking place on 6th October at Rothamsted Conference Centre, Harpenden.
Please note, if you are a member of the Chamber, please make use of the early bird rate of £121.50 + VAT which ends on 4th September 2023.
Further details to be released shortly.
The Herts Chamber have been advised by the British Chamber of Commerce that from 1st April 2023 the UK Issuing Body Network for Certificates of Origin will move to plain paper UK Certificates of Origin.
The rationale behind this move includes:
• ICC Regulations changed in 2018 to allow plain paper printing.
• Other countries have already switched.
• 40% of Certificates of Origin (CoO) issued worldwide are now printed on plain paper.
• A step towards data certificates that will be required for the Single Trader Window in 2025. This means that Chambers and exporters will no longer need pre-printed Certificates of Origin. The new forms must be printed in colour (the copy and application in black & white) with a watermark and of a standard that is acceptable to customs authorities. The layout and style of the Certificates of Origin (CoO) will not change. Exporters need only to print the Certificates of Origin (CoO) but can print the copy if required for record purposes. Although there is a period of grace until 1st October 2023, if the certificate has the ICC logo, as the Herts Chambers do, we will need to change from 1 April as the ICC is also changing its logo on that date. If we were to continue to use stock with the old logo there is a chance they will be refused by customs authorities.
Companies with stocks of blank Certificates of Origin (CoO), please ensure they are used up by 1st April. If you think you will have some left after this date, please do contact us at export@hertschamber.com
The Ecert electronic provider has been made aware of this decision and will update their systems, as necessary. NB this does mean that from 1 April we will only be able to accept electronically uploaded Certificates of Origin. As a reminder, handwritten certificates, Certificates of Origin (CoO) or EUR1s, are no longer acceptable. Please look out for any further updates, which will appear on the front page of ecert and the Chamber website.
The ruling on the origin of second-hand clothing has changed. With immediate effect, the clothes need to have been collected and packaged for shipment in the UK to obtain UK origin. The need to clean and fumigate the clothes has been removed.
The Chamber thought it might be interesting to share the results of a very recent survey carried out by the BCC focussing on SME’s throughout the UK Chamber network. Over 2,300 companies responded, and it shows overall a mixed overseas trade picture as the global economy continues to weather a difficult year.
• Most Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) exporters report no improvement to exports, with 27% reporting decreased export sales in the quarter and 47% reporting no change. The remaining 26% saw increased export sales.
• The picture for future orders is even balanced with 28% reporting a decrease against 24% seeing an increase.
• Three biggest cost pressures for SME exporters are energy (72%), labour (67%) and raw materials (61%).
• SME exporters reporting falling export sales (27%) against 26% showing an increase.
• Just over a third of SME exporters (36%) expect to see increased profitability in the next 12 months, while an almost equal number (35%) expect a decrease.
The BCC’s quarterly Trade Confidence Outlook for Q4 2022 also showed the squeeze on SMEs exporters operating margins remains, with 64% expecting to raise their prices.
Three main cost pressures continue to dominate as utilities, labour costs and raw materials are again the biggest concerns cited by exporters.
The Herts Chamber has many interesting export/import courses such as:
• Understanding Export 24/03/2023.
• Customs Procedures and Documentation 14/04/2023.
• Import Documentation - A Practical Guide 30/06/2023.
To find out more/book these events and other Chamber export/import courses please visit the Herts Chambers website (hertschamber.com).
KGK and Apsley Paper Trail have collaborated after meeting through the Hertfordshire Chamber, Apsley Paper Trail shared this post on LinkedIn thanking KGK for their support.
‘Massive thanks to KGK Genix for providing Apsley Paper Trail with an incredible pop-up history display, made entirely of cardboard! We saw an example of a board based popup at the KGK stand at the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Conference earlier this year.
We were blown away! The future of temporary exhibitions is paper, not plastic and what Graham P. and the team are doing is truly amazing. When it comes to the end of its life, it will be pulped
and become new cardboard, not end up in landfill. Genius!
Charities like us rely on the generosity of the public and businesses to survive, so thank you KGK Genix for supporting us.’
Nearly 10,000 pieces of furniture will be sourced, delivered, and installed at Sky Studios Elstree by local supplier, JPA Workspaces, in one of the largest local contracts awarded to date by the studio.
JPA Workspaces, an independent family business just 10 miles from the studio, is nationally recognised for its work in sustainable furniture. The team of experts handpick disused, end of line and ex-demo furniture, giving it a second life in an office space.
Sky Studios Elstree asked JPA Workspaces to source everything from chairs, desks, and sofas to cinema seating for screening rooms. This partnership will lead to an estimated carbon saving of nearly 250 tonnes of Co2 compared to buying furniture brand new. That’s the equivalent of powering around 250 average size houses for over a year.
Fiona Edwards, Head of Sustainability at JPA Workspaces says: ‘Our mantra is to furnish with purpose and positive impact, so this has been a unique and groundbreaking partnership. Not only is this method good for the environment but it’s good for the bottom line and we’d love to work with even more businesses to help them save the planet and the pennies.’
The businesses first met as Patrons of the Herts Chamber of Commerce and joined forces after a ‘meet the buyer’ event hosted by Sky Studios Elstree as they searched for local suppliers to partner with.
Richard Cooksey, COO, of JPA Workspaces said: ‘As a company we’ve already diverted over 25,000
pieces of furniture from landfill and recycled or reused them. Now working with Sky Studios Elstree, we can continue our drive towards a greener future.’
Caroline Cooper, COO Sky Studios said: ‘We have the ambition to be the most sustainable film and TV studio in the world, so when we met JPA Workspaces there was a real synergy in what we were trying to achieve. We have been overwhelmed by the wealth of local businesses we can tap into, and we look forward to working with even more very soon.’
If you’re interested in working with JPA Workspaces, you can find out more about the services they provide here https://www.jpa-workspaces.com
Located just 45 minutes from central London and within easy reach of Stansted Airport, the 19th century Grade II Italianate mansion is set within 110 acres of landscaped gardens and thriving woodlands.
The opulent four silver-star hotel boasts ninety-eight bedrooms, elegant event space and luxury Eden Spa. The decadent dining options within the rosetted Garden Room restaurant,
It’s not often you get a medieval hall, Jacobean mansion, Japanese tea house and modern conference facility all rolled into one. But then Fanhams Hall is anything but ordinary, this is a one-ofa-kind country house and gardens just outside Ware, in Hertfordshire.
Our long history is embedded in our walls, where old meets new in a way that no one else would have ever thought of. Heritage details team sympathetically with 21st century mod cons, and there’s a surprise around every corner that means this house never stops being a feast for the senses. And don’t get us started on the grounds. They’re the jewel in the Exclusive Collection crown,
Fox Bar & Terrace take advantage of the abundance of fresh produce grown within the hotels own kitchen garden.
Conference and event facilities are available from 2 to 200 delegates providing light meeting space with plenty of natural daylight. Excellent AV options are available for live and hybrid meetings and you can even enjoy an afternoon tea break in the grounds if you wish.
The venue provides the ideal space for a host of team building activities and the chance to bring
your team together, everything from country pursuits to bushcraft to bakery classes can be held at the venue through a variety of recommended partners.
Whether you are looking for a leisure break, business retreat or picturesque wedding venue, the remarkable surroundings and facilities offer something truly unique.
For more information or to arrange a visit to the venue please visit www.downhall.co.uk
featuring Japanese gardens complete with tea house (we’ve got a second Austrian tea house too because, well… why not?), a wisteria walk, natural woodland and beautifully manicured formal gardens.
So whether you’re choosing a picture-perfect venue to say ‘I do’. Throwing a shindig for your favourite auntie’s 70th or looking for a company retreat that’s high-octane rather than humdrum; do it at Fanhams Hall.
Our talented and warm-hearted team have been delivering tailored experiences with a difference for decades – and they’ve always got the Prosecco on ice. It’ll be a moment to remember, and an estate you’ll never forget.
So whatever the occasion be sure to get in touch. email fanhamshall@exclusive.co.uk or just pop down to say “hi.”
Fanhams Hall, Fanhams Hall Road, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 7PZ
idyllic
Once the home of Henry VIII, Ashridge House is fast becoming the hottest destination in Hertfordshire for weddings, work events, dining and days out.
Steeped in history, Ashridge House has been something of a best kept secret – until now. Set in 190 acres of landscaped gardens, whether you’re a history buff, a dog walker, a foodie, a business looking for an events venue or a couple in search of their dream wedding destination, Ashridge House has it all.
Picture perfect
Despite its popularity as a business school, the picturesque grounds and
lavish interiors have also meant that Ashridge House has become a mecca for couples getting married, earning them both regional and national awards. It’s also attracted the eye of television and music producers and has been used as a filming location for Netflix’s The Crown, Amazon Prime’s Pennyworth, Channel 4’s Married at First Sight and Sam Smith’s latest music video. While the grounds are open to the public all year round, for those wanting a sneaky peak inside, Ashridge House also
offer Champagne Tours where guests can explore the elegance of the house while sipping the finest fizz.
For 2023, Ashridge House has also expanded its food and drink offerings. Alongside The Bakehouse which is already a go-to for dog walkers and cyclists in the area, the recently opened Acres restaurant
with seasonal menus that reflect the heritage of the house has something for everyone.
Hot on the heels of the refurbished restaurant is The Vault, a cosy bar with wood panelling, comfy chairs and an extensive drinks menu that’s perfect for celebratory occasions, pre-dinner drinks or weekend get togethers.
ashridgehouse.org.uk
Set in 300 acres of rolling Hertfordshire countryside, just 18 miles from London, The Grove promises the ultimate five-star retreat, and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
2023 marks a new era for the luxury hotel and spa, as The Grove completes the final phase of renovations following three years of extensive hotel-wide restoration and redevelopment.
Spring will see the new-look Mansion rooms and suites unveiled, the vision of Martin Hulbert Designs, as well the completion of the multi-phase refurbishment of Sequoia Spa and the launch of Bamford as the lead product house. The world-class golf facilities will have also been refurbished, as well as The Stables and Madhu’s restaurants. Guests can sleep soundlessly in one of 189 contemporary West Wing bedrooms and make the most of The Grove’s plentiful dining options when they stay. From a theatre of international cuisine at The Glasshouse, great British classics at The Stables and poke bowls at Sequoia Kitchen, to sushi in the Lounges and the
highly anticipated return of afternoon tea – there is much to enjoy. The gardens are home to exciting pop-ups throughout the year, including this summer’s Everyman Cinema, Feast on Cloud 9, and Verde Kitchen restaurant.
The Grove is also home to one of the UK’s most prestigious golf courses and even hosted the British Masters in 2016. Open to all who love the game, there is no membership policy, however regular players can take advantage of the Clarendon Collection loyalty programme. Golf is not the only on-site activity. With such expansive grounds, expect a fun-filled schedule at Anouska’s Kids’ Club, a haven of biodiversity to explore at Jemima’s Kitchen Garden, swimming and beach games at Ralph’s Beach and bike rides, axe throwing experiences and archery at Asher’s Woodland Trails, not forgetting sports on Gabriel’s Football Pitch.
www.thegrove.co.uk
In 2021-22 the eleven Councils of the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (HWP)1 processed 503,000 tonnes of waste, mainly from households, but also from some small businesses and local facilities like schools and community centres.
our material.
There are three main ways of managing organic waste collected in Hertfordshire. Open windrowing, for garden waste only, is a giant compost heap. The waste is shredded, turned mechanically and sprayed with water –producing compost for agriculture, landscaping and gardening. About a fifth of Herts organic waste is managed this way.
265,000 tonnes, 53%, of this material was recycled: 139,500 tonnes as “dry” recycling, mainly plastics, glass, metals, paper, cardboard and textiles, and 125,500 tonnes as “organics”, recyclable garden and food waste.
The rest, 238,200 tonnes, 47% of the total is “residual” waste, the contents of refuse bins and waste containers not suitable, or not saved separately, for recycling.
But what happens to this material and just as important where does it go?
Residual waste
In 2021-22, two-thirds of the residual or bin waste, 158,000 tonnes, was incinerated at Energy Recovery Facilities (ERF). The heat is used to power steam turbines to generate electricity for the National Grid. Most of the rest went to landfill sites. It has not been possible to secure planning permission for waste disposal facilities such as ERFs in Hertfordshire, so, Hertfordshire’s residual waste is transported for disposal at ERF plants and landfill sites in neighbouring Council areas, as near as possible to its generation.
Sign
In Vessel Composting (IVC) is necessary where the organic material contains food waste which must be heat treated to manage risks associated with pathogens in animal by-products – meat, bones etc. Generating high enough temperatures requires enclosing the material – hence ‘in vessel’ – for a period. Again, composts for land spreading are produced. In 2021-22, about 60% of organics were treated by IVC.
Separately collected Food waste can be treated by anaerobic digestion. This releases methane gas which can be used on site to generate electricity to feed the National Grid – an important unsung part of our renewable energy infrastructure. About 16% of Hertfordshire organics are anaerobically digested.
Most of the plants used to treat Hertfordshire’s organic wastes are in county.
Dry recyclables go through several sorting, cleaning, and preparing stages often involving high tech processes at two or sometimes three different plants before becoming a recyclable commodity suitable for being made into new products.
Few of these complex processes take place in Hertfordshire. But as indicated on the map above, nearly three quarters of the dry recyclables collected by the HWP are reprocessed in the UK, half of that in Eastern and Southern Regions of England. And while in 2021-22 significant quantities of paper and cardboard were exported to be turned into new paper and card-based products, more than 90% of the plastics and aluminium collected by the HWP, and 100% of the glass and steel, was reprocessed in the UK.
The HWP tracks the fate of material collected by Hertfordshire Councils so that we know exactly where it is going. We hope sharing this information gives residents and businesses the confidence that the waste materials you separate and pass on to us are being processed responsibly and wherever possible, close to the point at which they were used and discarded.
•••••••
1 The Hertfordshire Waste Partnership comprises all ten Hertfordshire District and Borough Councils (Broxbourne, Dacorum, East Herts, Hertsmere, North Herts, St Albans, Stevenage, Three Rivers, Watford and Welwyn Hatfield) together with Hertfordshire County Council
There is sometimes doubt that material separated and collected for recycling, is actually recycled. Here in Hertfordshire, we’re confident that it is, and all in known and licenced facilities –because we track the movements of all
British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is looking forward to summer and their Global Annual Conference 2023 which is taking place on Wednesday 17 May at the QEII Centre in London.
The theme for 2023 is Building British Business. The full day conference will be an opportunity for business leaders from across the UK, and the globe, to come together to discuss the opportunities for growth to help local communities thrive.
Throughout the day, delegates will hear from key senior politicians and other notable public figures about their plans for growth. The conference will be centred around four
key breakout sessions for thought-provoking discussion amongst peers across the Chamber Network. The four sessions are:
• Skills;
• Green Innovation;
• Growth / Local Thriving Communities; and
• Trade.
BCC Global Annual Conference 2023 will bring together business leaders, policy experts, media, and government representatives to
tackle important business issues and create lasting change. At the BCC, with our network of national and international chambers, we are on a mission to help businesses thrive in Trade, Skills, the Economy and Net Zero. All members can book onto the event directly through the BCC website.*
*If you are a Patron of the Herts Chamber, please book your place by contacting bookings@hertschamber.com
Vacancies in construction related businesses are at an all time high and we, like our industry colleagues are facing a skills shortage right now and over the next 10+ years.
MCP is a repairs and maintenance, family business based in Hertford, caring for our customers since 1978.
We are committed to ensuring our people make a positive difference to our residents and their homes.
l We focus on attracting people who match our values first and foremost
l We encourage people with little or no experience to come and ‘have a go’ through our work experience programme
l Our own experienced people love to be mentors and share their experience
l We are working with Herts LEP to partner with local schools, CTP to retrain ex-services personnel and in collaboration with other industry colleagues
l We are starting an Academy to train and upskill apprentices and trainees
David Craddock has been advising on employee share schemes and employee share trust arrangements for over 35 years. He advises on every aspect of the implementation process, working personally with the client at each stage, and offering solutions and expertise in all the technical questions that require clarification during the consultation.
If you are interested in speaking with David with a view to engaging his expert services for a NO OBLIGATION FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION in Employee Share Schemes, Share Valuations or for the delivery of seminars or courses, then please contact:
T: 01782 519925 • M: 07831 572615
E-mail: D.Craddock@dcconsultancyservices.com
Visit: www.davidcraddock.com
David Craddock is one of those rare people who has not only a first class grasp of legal and technical issues but also the ability to explain and advise on them in a practical way.
Humanitarian aid charity Goods for Good has teamed up with major corporate and charity partners to send an emergency aircraft flight of essential goods to people affected by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.
Goods for Good, Magen David Adom UK (fellow Humanitarian charity) and the Humanitarian Resources International Foundation (HRIF) have joined forces, teaming up with Virgin Atlantic, which has donated an aircraft to travel from Heathrow Airport to Türkiye.
In total, 64 pallets of clothing and other essential supplies worth more than £350,000, including more than 30,000 coats and blankets and almost a tonne (990kg) of infant milk powder have been airlifted to Adana, a city approximately 115 miles from the epicentre of the earthquake, in Gaziantep province. Goods for Goods has been working with teams at Uniqlo, Seko Logistics, Dune, My1stYears, Comfy Quilts and Hobbycraft to bring together the aid ready for the flight this morning. Other corporate partners have pledged support including Hunter Boot Ltd and Next, and have donated goods including warm bedding, clothes and medical supplies.
“We are overwhelmed by the UK industry’s response to the devastating earthquake. Since we announced our support, we have been inundated with offers of goods, logistics and storage,” Rosalind Bluestone, CEO at Goods for Good said.
“As a humanitarian aid charity, we depend on the goodwill and collaboration of corporates and the community to provide our
emergency response in these human catastrophes,” she added.
“And whilst we’re incredibly grateful for the support - more is still needed. This is still a life or death situation and we’re urging the corporate community and potential partners to assist in any way they can to help us source more goods, help with logistics and fund this emergency effort.”
Within 24-hours of the disaster the Goods for Good team mobilised and have been working around the clock alongside vital charity partners such as HRIF and Magen David Admon UK.
“The UK public has made a heartfelt and generous response to those affected by the TurkeySyria earthquake but it is vital those donations turn into aid as quickly as possible to help those in need,” Daniel Burger, CEO at Magen David Adom UK said.
“The response by all the charities involved to turn around such a huge aid operation so quickly has been an incredible effort and we’d like to thank all those involved for making this happen.”
Goods for Goods is hoping to secure a second aircraft and is committed to providing an emergency response, as well as continue to support its other projects both here in the UK and elsewhere.
For corporate partnerships contact Andrew Anastasiou on +447768 964911 or email andrew@goodsforgood.org.uk For other individuals or organisations who would like to help you can donate through our website on www.goodsforgood.org.uk or email us at info@goodsforgood.org.uk. To keep in touch with our work you can connect to us below.
Twitter: @GOODSFORGOODuk Facebook: @GOODSFORGOODuk Instagram: @goodsforgooduk LinkedIn and YouTube
u Arishi NEW PATRON
We’re a team of digital specialists, experts at delivering high-end software development and the technology behind complex creative projects.
Twitter: ArishiTech
Email: webcontact@arishi.agency
Web: https://www.arishi.agency/
Tel: 2030 068000
Add: 29 The Green, Winchmore Hill, London, N21 1HS
u Barclays Bank NEW PATRON
Corporate banking.
Twitter: Barclays
Email: rachel.budge@barclays.com
Web: https://www.barclays.co.uk/
Tel: 2031 340927
Add: 11 Bank Court, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1BX
u Hertfordshire NEW PATRON Community Foundation
Grant making Charity in Hertfordshire to support community & local people in need.
Twitter: HertsCommunityF
Email: office@hertscf.org.uk
Web: http://www.hertscf.org.uk
Tel: 01707 251351
Add: 2-4 Forum Place, Fiddlebridge Lane, Hatfield, AL10 0RN
u 3 Drakes Ltd
Promotional Clothing and Print.
Web: http://www.3drakes.co.uk
u Advanced Innovation Insights
Email: james.archibald@ advancedinnovationinsights.com
Tel: 07890 175727
Add: 4 Cedar Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 2LA
u Appleyard Lees IP LLP
Cambridge office of long-established firm of patent and trade mark attorneys, undertaking all aspects of intellectual property law.
Web: http://www.appleyardlees.com
u Avica UK Ltd
Wholesale suppliers of cleaning and hygiene, catering and hospitality and healthcare products
Email: jeremy.thorn@avica-uk.com
Web: http://www.avica-uk.com
Tel: 01923 210009
Add: 40 Caxton Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 8QZ
u Beehive Green
Brand and design studio Beehive Green helps independent brands stand out and shine bright.
Email: andrea@beehivegreen.com
Web: https://beehivegreen.com/
Tel: 07973 851564
u Bibby Financial Services
Asset based lender, supporting SMEs from new starts to established companies to help with cashflow and grow the business.
Twitter: BibbyFinanceUK
Email: Daniel.Lewis@bibbyfinancialservices.com
Web: http://www.bibbyfinancialservices.com
Tel: 02070 679238
Add: 30 Crown Place, Liverpool Street, London, EC2A 4ES
u Boxx Direct- Branding Promotional merchandise.
Twitter: BoxxDirectUK
Email: naomi@boxx-direct.co.uk
Web: http://www.boxx-direct.co.uk
Tel: 01903 958587
Add: Unit 1 Martello Enterprise Centre, Courtwick Lane, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 7PA
u CHQ Architects
Our design services cover all aspects, including new build, refurbishment and conversions.
Twitter: CHQArchitects
Aart.Koning@chq-architects.co.uk
Web: http://www.chq-architects.co.uk
Tel: 01462 895110
Add: The Maltings, 44 Whitehorse Street, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 6QQ
u CITB (The Construction Industry Training Board)
CITB is the industry training board for the construction sector in England, Scotland, and Wales. It’s our job to help the construction industry attract talent and to support skills development, to build a better Britain.
Twitter: CITB_UK
Email: elizabeth.steel@citb.co.uk
Web: http://www.citb.co.uk
Tel: 03449 944455
Add: Sand Martin House, Bittern Way, Peterborough, Northamptonshire, PE2 8TY
u Cloud 9 Leisure Ltd
Our new Hemel venue (Opened Q2 2022) consists of 2 main areas: ground floor is our Xtreme Airpark (a cross between gladiators, ninja warrior & total wipeout) for adults and children above 1 metre tall.
Twitter: Cloud9Leisure
Email: andrew@cloud9leisure.com
Web: https://cloud9leisure.com/
Tel: 02038 737999
Add: Jarman Way, Jarman Park, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4JS
u Cloud Network Services Ltd
Provide Fixed/Mobile Telephony, Connectivity & I.T. Services.
Email: pb@cnsl.co.uk
Web: http://www.cnsl.co.uk
Tel: 03338 881188
Add: Unit 7, Brownfields, Blenham Court, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1AD
u Coach & Bloom
We help women navigate career ‘squiggles’, achieve big career dreams and lead themselves and others with confidence.
Email: gemma@coachandbloom.co.uk
Web: http://www.coachandbloom.co.uk
Tel: 07792 583468
Add: 4, Parsonage Close, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 4AU
u Composites UK Ltd
Composites UK is the trade association for the UK composites industry.
Twitter: compositesuk
Email: accounts@compositesuk.co.uk
Web: https://compositesuk.co.uk/
Tel: 01442 817502
Add: G2-G3 Audley House, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1EH
u Connect Dacorum
Charity
Email: cindy@communityactiondacorum.org.uk
Web: http://connectdacorum.org.uk
Tel: 01442 228216
Add: 48 High Street, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 3AF
u Corona Marketing Limited
Marketing Digital and communicaiton experts
Email: chris.baker@coronadc.co.uk
Web: http://www.coronadc.co.uk
Tel: 07947 470896
Add: Arquen House, 4-6 Spicer Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL34PQ
u Costco Wholesale (Stevenage)
Costco Wholesale is a membership organisation warehouse club selling high quality goods at the lowest possible price
Email: lreid@costco.co.uk
Web: http://www.costco.co.uk
Tel: 01438 907585
Add: Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2FW
u Craig Crawford Financial Associates
Financial Planning & Wealth Management
Email: c.crawford25@outlook.com
Web: https://www.craigcrawfordfinancial.co.uk/
Tel: 07394 243358
Add: 5 Oaks Court, Warwick Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1GS
u CW Agencies London LTD
Sales Agency selling products in to Wholesale
Distribution
Email: cliff@cliffwilliamsagencies.com
Web: https://cwagencies.london/
Tel: 01442 971745
Add: 17 Wood View, Gadebridge, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 3HW
u Demitrius Nurse
An Independent Financial Adviser* with over 35 years’ experience. Blending financial planning, career coaching, mentoring and network building, to help clients achieve their personal, life and business goals.
Email: demi@demitriusnurse.com
Tel: 07860 826200
Add: 8 Harrison Lane, Balls Park, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8FE
u Deyton Bell Ltd
We offer a range of services that support economic growth and place-making across a spectrum of areas – from research and analysis, strategy development through to case-making and implementation, and evaluating the delivery so that lessons can be learnt.
Twitter: DEYTONBELL
Email: robsmith@deytonbell.com
Web: https://deytonbell.com/
Tel: 07467 893630
Add: St Johns Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridgeshire, CB4 0WS
u GI Brown Consulting Limited -
T/A Business Doctor Hemel Hempstead & Watford
A business Doctor, working with business who want to develop a clear vision and build a better future
Twitter: Business_Docs
Email: gary.brown@businessdoctors.co.uk
Web: https://www.businessdoctors.co.uk/business_ doctors/gary-brown/
Tel: 07974 136203
Add: 2 Grand Union Way, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8SS
u Global Sourcing LTD T/A Global Foods UK
Wholesale and retail of food products
Web: https://globalfoods.uk.com/
u Hertfordshire Mind Network Hemel
Provision of support to people experiencing mental or emotional distress
Twitter: HertsMind
Email: Louis.Breese@hertsmindnetwork.org
Web: www.hertsmindnetwork.org
Tel: 02037 273600
Add: 139 Leighton Buzzard Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1HN
u Hertfordshire Mind Network Watford
Not for profit Charity
Twitter: HertsMind
Email: info@hertfordshiremind.org
Web: http://www.hertsmindnetwork.org
Tel: 02037 273600
Add: 501 St Albans Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 7RZ
u Minerva Computer Services
IT Services, support and consultancy.
Twitter: minerva_uk
Email: john.chadwick@minervauk.com
Web: https://www.minervauk.com/
Tel: 01707 607100
Add: Orchard House, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 3AX
u Mint Photography by Sajeda
Bringing you high- quality photography,video and media for all of your personal and proffesional needs.
Email: hello@mintbysajeda.com
Web: https://mintbysajeda.com/
Tel: 07765 655717
Add: 6 Rudolph Road, Bushey, WD23 3DU
u Move and Improve Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy Health and Wellbeing
Web: https://www.moveandimprovephysio.co.uk
u Newsprinters Broxbourne
News Printing of National & Regional Newspapers
Email: matthew.wadsworth@newsprinters.co.uk
Web: http://www.newsprinters.co.uk
Tel: 01992 221000
Add: Great Cambridge Road, Waltham Cross, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, EN8 8DY
u Parmiter’s School
Secondary Academy School. We offer GCSEs and A Level courses.
Twitter: ParmitersSchool
Email: j.zanetti@parmiters.herts.sch.uk
Web: http://www.parmiters.herts.sch.uk
Tel: 01923 671424
Add: Parmiter ’s School,High Elms Lane, Watford, WD25 7HT
u Paul J Rose - Voice Over Artist
I am a voice over artist with experience of voicing everything from telephone greetings to characters in films and TV shows. As a presenter I also coach business owners on presentation skills with a particular focus on networking events.
Twitter: pauljrose
Email: enquiries@pauljrose.com
Web: http://www.pauljrose.co.uk
Tel: 02084 329834
Add: 2 Armstrong Close, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD16 1RR
u Penny Joyner-Platt
We offer 1 to 1 coaching to help entrepreneurs run their own marketing strategy and drive their public profile for their brand.
Email: penny@the-plattform.com
Tel: 07849 580356
Add: 2 Helena Crescent, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 4SA
u Philip Gale & Co.
Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors
(Accounting, Bookkeeping, Business Tax, Business Advisory, Personal Tax, Tax planning and advice)
Web: https://www.philip-gale.com/
u Qualiturn
UK Subcontract Turing & Milling & Assembly Contractors.
Twitter: qualiturn
Email: Nick@qualiturn.co.uk
Web: https://www.qualiturn.co.uk
Tel: 01992 584499
Add: 7 Fountain Drive, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 7UB
u Ringway
Ringway are the highway team maintenance contractor for Hertfordshire County Council.
Twitter: Ringway_UK
Email: rob.payne@ringway.co.uk
Web: http://www.ringway.co.uk
Tel: 07540 800702
Add: County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8DQ
u Seth White Architects
Architectural Practice.
Email: info@sethwhitearchitects.com
Web: https://www.sethwhitearchitects.com/
Tel: 07879 332877
Add: Seth White Architecs, SWA Studio, Arthur Road, St Albans, Hertfordshie, AL1 4SZ
u Shaggy & Chic LTD
Dog Grooming and Wellbeing
Email: lucybaker.artwork@yahoo.co.uk
Web: http://www.shaggyandchic.co.uk
Tel: 01442 258555
Add: 76 London Road, Hemel Hempsted,Hertfordshire, HP3 9SD
u Sherpa Environmental Ltd
We are an environmental services company which specialise in Legionella compliance, we are situated in the home counties, we offer our customers a range of services designed to improve the safety of their buildings and water systems.
Email: b.parr@sherpaltd.co.uk
Web: http://www.sherpaenvironmental.co.uk
Tel: 01582 343116
Add: Sherpa Environmental Ltd, Maylands Business Center, Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7ES
u SMILE Global Ltd
Mindset, wellbeing and personal development coaching and training to power teams and businesses.
Twitter: ronitgerber
Email: ronit@smileglobal.life
Web: http://www.smileglobal.life
Tel: 08008 789808
Add: The Natural Gateway Clinic, 4 Penta Court, Station Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1SL
u Space Crate Ltd
Space Crate is a unique solution for on-set ADR, allowing actors to record replacement dialog while still in production, in character and on set
Twitter: space_crate
Email: ben@spacecrate.co.uk
Web: http://www.spacecrate.co.uk
Tel: 07776 172276
Add: Red Sky House, Fairclough Hall, Halls Green, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 7DP
u Spice Realm Ltd
Organic herbs and spices.
Email: steven.moxon@gmail.com
Tel: 07435 118744
Add: 16 Standing Rise, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9AY
u Starla Brand Photography
Person Brand Photographer.
Email: aruni@yapa.info
Tel: 02034 117619
Add: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 2PF
u The Boffin Lab
We build technology projects with a purpose. Take a look at some recent successes.
Email: simon.hemington@theboffinlab.com
Web: https://theboffinlab.com
Tel: 01442 823130
Add: Sutton Court, Church Yard, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 5BB
u The Gifted Organisation Limited
Supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.
Twitter:
Email:
Web:
Tel:
Add:
thegifteduk tori@thegifted.org.uk http://www.thegifted.org.uk 01992 623 888
7 Ingram House, Churchgate, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN8 9NH
u The OLLIE Foundation
Suicide Prevention Charity
Twitter:
Email:
Web:
Tel: Add:
THE_OLLIE_FOUND debi@theolliefoundation.org https://theolliefoundation.org/ 07715 311891
Faulkner House, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3SE
u TM Development Associates Limited Consultancy. Employment Conflict Resolution.
Independent ACAS accredited. Workplace Mediator. Structured Debriefing.
Email: tony@achievesuccess.org.uk
Web: https://www.maverickmediator.co.uk/
Tel: 07905 868058
Add: 14 Crossways, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 8PU
u Trust Partner Services Ltd
Help organisations to establish channel partnerships and create effective routes for sales, supply and support outside their owned business.
Email: Web: Tel: Add:
graham@trustpartnerservices.com https://www.trustpartnerservices.com 07836 389389
23 Petworth Close, Bragbury End, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 8UP
u VisionLight Events
VisionLight Events provides a unique form of laser light entertainment & productions in a safe way using highly specialised and technologically advanced hardware and software equipment for the entertainment and events industry
Web: http://www.visionlightevents.co.uk
u Vital Wellness Clinic
Menopause clinic providing clinical services and raising awareness through speaking opportunities.
Twitter: vwc_wellness
Email: drmolefi@vitalwellnessclinic.com
Web: http://www.vitalwellnessclinic.com
Tel: 01727 226911
Add: 21 Victoria Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JJ
u Wagstaffs LLP
Accountancy practice
Email: mark@wags.co.uk
Web: http://www.wags.co.uk
Tel: 01438 740074
Add: Richmond House, Walkern Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3QP
u Wild Alban Limited
Catering and Cheese shop.
Web: https://www.wildalban.co.uk/
Rennie Grove and Peace Hospice Care have merged to support people of all ages across West Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire who are affected by a progressive life-limiting illness, and those around them.
Back in 1991 a group of local pioneers set up the South West Herts Hospital Charitable Trust and ran an appeal to establish a new hospice at the site of the old Peace Memorial Hospital in Watford.
The appeal raised almost £2 million in four years. By 1993 enough money had been raised to set up a day care centre in a portacabin by the main building. In 1996 the main building reopened, following extensive renovation, as the Peace Hospice on 25th September 1996.
The history of Rennie Grove is a different story but driven by the same passion for providing excellent palliative and end-of-life care. Rennie Grove Hospice Care was formed in 2011 from the merger of Iain Rennie Hospice at Home and Grove House, a day hospice in St Albans.
Since then Rennie Grove Hospice Care has continued to grow and strengthen its services for local patients and families, and the current merger is the next step in that process.
Both charities had the same patient-centred ethos, believing that patients should have the choice to lead a good quality life at home for as long as possible.
A recent study from a national charity reported almost 70% of the UK is without a consistent 24-hour helpline for the terminally ill.
Addressing this deeply concerning issue is at the heart of our purpose as a charity. At Rennie Grove and Peace Hospice Care, we have long worked to ensure this national norm is not the case for our own communities. And through our merger, we are aiming to strengthen both the range and reach of our services, to deliver top-quality palliative and end-of-life care for the GP population of over 1 million people who live within our catchment area.
Moving forward both organisations are built on foundations of passion, dedication and commitment from staff, volunteers and fundraisers alike.
Our local hospice care extends beyond patient palliative, end-of-life care and bereavement needs by supporting from diagnosis and working in the community.
All our care is provided free-of-charge, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters.
To find out about our care, call 01923 330 330 or email compassion@peacehospicecare.org.uk
To become a corporate supporter, call 01442 890 222 or email corporate@renniegrove.org
Together we are stronger and Rennie Grove Peace is part of a growing network of palliative and end-of-life care services across the Southeast, that are working collaboratively to extend their impact across and beyond borders.
We look forward to continuing our merger integration which honours the work of those who were instrumental in founding both organisations. We will serve, reach and strengthen our services to ensure that the picture of palliative care in our own area and beyond continues to improve for years to come.
“I am Indira Chima and I run The Counselling Living Room® in Markyate near St Albans, Hertfordshire where I provide counselling to individuals and couples in a straightforward, contemporary, and relaxed setting.”
“The Counselling Living Room® is a private counselling service. I am passionate about my work and the long-term benefits of ‘talking therapies’. I am committed to making a difference to my clients’ lives.
My counselling experience is diverse and includes:
• Relationship Issues
• Couple Counselling
• Anxiety & Depression
• Bereavement Counselling
• Work Stress
• Self-Harm
• Low Self-esteem
• Addictions
• Disordered Eating
• Abuse
• Personal Development
• General Counselling
Sequoia spa at The Grove has recently undergone an extensive, three-phased refurbishment in collaboration with designer, StudioJill.
I have helped clients overcome issues such as self-harm, addictions, disordered eating, and the emotional trauma caused by abuse. I work with individuals and enjoy helping couples learn how to communicate and not just talk. I am a firm believer in working with the whole ‘person’ and not the ‘label’, this lays the foundation for the way I work.
I am a thoroughly modern practitioner, dedicated to providing counselling in a straightforward, contemporary, and relaxed setting.
If you would like an informal chat about your work life, pressures at home or in your head then email hello@thecounsellinglivingroom.co.uk
I promise you listening ears, empathetic advice, and total confidentiality!”
By Indira ChimaMyOva is a range of women’s health supplements designed for those living with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), a common and incurable hormonal condition affecting 1 in 10 women worldwide.
Symptoms include hirsutism, acne, weight issues, infertility, irregular periods, poor egg quality, and male pattern baldness. Despite its prevalence, PCOS is often not discussed or properly diagnosed, leading to many women feeling embarrassed or ashamed of their symptoms and suffering in silence for years.
Founded in 2016, Leila Martyn launched MyOva after her own challenges with PCOS and fertility. She experienced multiple miscarriages over five years before ultimately giving birth to her two children. Dissatisfied with invasive solutions offered by doctors and consultants, Leila decided to seek out a natural alternative.
With the aim to enhance the experience for members and guests alike, the spa now sports a new look and multiple new facilities and treatments, allowing guests to relax and unwind in luxurious natureinspired surroundings.
Bespoke treatments will be waiting for those needing an
extra boost of relaxation, using best-selling products from Bamford and Natura Bissé (the former as of 31 March 2023).
The Grove recently welcomed six talented spa therapists from Thailand and The Philippines, who joined the team to share their expertise and help launch The Grove’s Signature massage. This unique treatment uses calming, heated Ayurvedic herbal oils combined with Western and Eastern massage techniques, including Swedish massage, shiatsu and the ancient healing techniques of Thai massage.
Feeling peckish? Sequoia Kitchen offers hotel residents, spa members and spa day guests a space to relax and dine in nature-inspired
surroundings. Choose from a healthy-yet-delicious selection of dishes including nourishing poke bowls and kimchi and avocado wraps. When it’s warm and sunny outside, the doors to the Zen Garden will be thrown open so guests can dine al-fresco and bask in the fresh air.
www.thegrove.co.uk
MyOva’s supplements are formulated with natural ingredients that have been shown in clinical studies to support reproductive and overall health in women. Leila says that ‘since PCOS affects women differently, we wanted to create a range of products to support multiple areas of concern such as fertility, hair, skin, nails, weight, and mental health. The goal is to give women the autonomy to supplement according to their own body’s specific needs’. In January of this year, MyOva introduced three new products to their line: Balance, Metabolism, and Hair, Skin & Nails. These additions join the company’s existing Preconception supplement and best-selling product Myoplus, which has sold over 90,000 bottles since its launch.
An advocate for women living with PCOS, Leila uses MyOva as a platform to raise awareness and support for the condition. She recently launched a government petition to include PCOS on the UK national curriculum, which led to appearances on Sky News and regional radio shows such as BBC Three Counties. MyOva also has a community of almost 10,000 women, all working towards the goal of empowering and connecting those affected by PCOS.
Hertfordshire Chamber are leading the way by registering for the Disability Confident Scheme and we would like to encourage our members to get on board with us.
The Disability Confident campaign is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled employees.
The Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) provides access to a wide range of resources that enables employers to recruit and retain talented individuals from a wider section of the community. It will help you to:
• better understand what you can do to remove barriers for disabled workers
• access grants for workplace adaptions
• secure staff who are highly motivated, skilled, loyal and hard working
• improve employee morale, better reflect your community and customers
• be recognised for being an inclusive employer
The Employer Liaison Officers at Step2Skills are here to help you. They take an active role in supporting businesses and organisations to understand the scheme commitment and sign up, creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce in Hertfordshire. If anyone would like some informal advice or some support with signing up to the scheme, please contact:
Anne Tinker
Anne.Tinker@hertfordshire.gov.uk
07812 322088
Georgina De-Allie
Georgina.De-Allie@hertfordshire.gov.uk
07580 744 827
Law firm Debenhams Ottaway welcomes partner Stacey St Clair who has joined its leading divorce and family law team. Stacey’s experience and approach complements the team that has built a reputation for honesty, integrity and doing the very best for its clients.
The team’s reputation has helped it to attract and then develop the best talent who look after complex and high value divorce and family law cases for wealthy clients such as entrepreneurs, city professionals and celebrities based in Hertfordshire, London and beyond.
Stacey joins a strong, ambitious team that forms a key part of Debenhams Ottaway’s private wealth offering. In the last two years, both Natalie Lester and Helen Clyne have been promoted to senior associates and Annabel Andreou has recently been promoted to associate. To support the growing senior team, lawyer Nirali Adhia was recruited last year and Jenny Dodds will join the team in March after successfully completing her training contract with Debenhams Ottaway.
Stacey is an experienced and highly sought-after divorce and family lawyer who specialises in high value cases including pre and post nuptial agreements, private children work such as contact, residence, international relocation and complex welfare issues involving children. She will work with the team as they continue their focus on contested divorces involving significant assets, often with complicated business interests and challenging child arrangements with an international element.
Helen Young, who leads Debenhams Ottaway’s divorce and family law team comments “Debenhams Ottaway has a clear vision and ambitious growth plans and having the right people is key to achieving this. Our people and clients are at the heart of Debenhams Ottaway’s success and Stacey joining the team reflects our continued commitment to building a team of talented lawyers to help our wealthy clients who are facing relationship breakdown or other family conflict. We are excited that she is joining the team and she will play a key role in helping to get the team, and the firm, where we want it to be.”
Stacey St Clair comments: “I am looking forward to working with such a dynamic and successful team which cares about going above and beyond for their clients. It will be a pleasure to be a part of the team.”
NSL, a leading provider of parking enforcement services in the UK, has donated £1,000 to One YMCA to support employment and training opportunities for young residents.
One YMCA provide a welcoming and secure setting for residents, and assists them in overcoming homelessness.
Individuals may become homeless due to various reasons, and their expert team works closely with each person to address any obstacles that may impede their progress. Their staff also connect residents to local resources such as GPs and community mental health schemes.
Ras Dewan, NSL Account Director, said; “We are delighted to collaborate with our client Watford Borough Council and sponsor YMCA by donating £1000 to support in delivering a range of programmes and services that tackle the issues
facing local people and ensure that there are opportunities for young people, with training and employment.”
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor thanked NSL for their donation and support, “It is great to hear that NSL have decided to support One YMCA in Watford this year and I want to thank them for their dedication to assisting young individuals with training and employment opportunities.”
Donna Lawrie, Head of Marketing & Corporate Partnerships at One YMCA, said; “Thank you to the team at NSL for this generous donation. At our Charter House Hostel, as well as our other housing provisions across Herts, Beds and Bucks we
support residents with our dynamic pathway to independence, which includes helping residents with training and education needs, and employment. This donation will go towards supporting their journey to independence.”
For more information on One YMCA and how you can support, please visit:
https://oneymca.org/get-involved/
Recruiting is more difficult than ever in our current economy and for many businesses traditional methods just don’t work like they used to. Getting your strategy right can save a great deal of time and money in the long term. Here are just a few practical tips to help you get started.
Social media in addition to posting about current vacancies that you have; it is a great for posting content that highlights your business culture. Connecting with potential candidates on social media helps build new relationships and foster existing ones.
Almost every job seeker will visit the website of the business they are interested in working for, so your website plays a crucial role in your recruitment strategy. Make sure your website has a ‘Meet the Team’ page with images to help potential candidates to see how they would fit with your business and its people.
It is also important to tell your businesses ‘story’ because high calibre candidates are interested in more than just a job that pays the bills, they are looking for a career and many have aspirations to make a difference in the business they work for. Don’t forget that your employees can be strong advocates for your business and whenever possible you should encourage them to make referrals or recommend candidates. Not only will this save time, but you have also the reassurance that the referral has come from your trusted employee.
Building your networks with schools, colleges and Universities can help you to not only find candidates for current vacancies but also to build a network in order that when a new position arises you already have a ‘way-in’ to a reliable source of candidates.
Claire Miller - Partner, Head of Property
Many of these organisations hold careers days, recruitment fairs and have online portals to promote your vacancies. Our recent workshop highlighted the support available from both the University of Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal to find candidates.
Of course, key to the talent pipeline within your business is having a good understand of the existing individuals and skills you have within your workforce. Pinpointing skills which you don’t have within your workforce will help you to make bring in these skills front and centre of your recruitment strategy. Knowing how to maximise your employee’s potential through ongoing training and development, will not only equip your business for growth but also ensure employees feel valued and see a future in working for your business.
Hopefully this has piqued your interest to explore getting a strategy that works for your business in place. Your goals will vary depending on what stage your business is at and what your vision is for your business. That’s why at Hertfordshire Growth Hub our advice and support is tailored to your needs.
For further information about how the Growth Hub can support your business, visit www.hertsgrowthhub.com or call 01707 952777
Most commercial leases will contain provisions that control or restrict the tenant’s ability to carry out alterations to the premises demised to the tenant by the lease.
If you are a landlord: take care to include provisions in the lease to protect the value of your reversionary interest in the premises, and to enable you to prevent alterations being carried out that might make it difficult to let the property in the future.
If you are a tenant: ensure that your lease contains provisions that give you the ability to configure the premises to suit your needs, and those of any potential assignee or subtenant in the future.
If works are proposed or required, both parties will need to consider a number of issues, including:
• Do the works go beyond the boundaries of the demised premises? A common example is where the premises are part of a larger building, and the tenant is proposing to install air conditioning plant and equipment serving the demised premises: the works required are likely to include externally mounted plant and equipment which may therefore involve works outside the demised premises.
• Are the works “improvements”? If they are, the tenant may be able to carry them out even if they are not permitted by the lease.
• Is the landlord’s consent required, and if so does the landlord have absolute discretion or should consent not be unreasonably withheld?
• Is the tenant in breach of any other obligations in the lease? If so, the landlord should take care that in granting consent to alterations the landlord does not impliedly waive that breach.
• Are there rent review provisions in the lease? If so, how do these deal with the effect of alterations on the rent and what provisions might be required in the licence for alterations?
In 2022 The Herts Chamber of Commerce surpassed a thousand members; we are delighted to be growing our Chamber and have so many amazing businesses collaborating and supporting us. Approaching a century in business, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, would like to express our sincere gratitude for our members, particularly our patrons.
Patronage is our highest level of membership, and their support and contributions are invaluable to the Chamber; from attending and sponsoring events, being Chamber ambassadors, to sharing Chamber news.
Keeping the Heart in Herts is an initiative founded by Herts Chamber, and we are very proud of how much it has grown. It is great to see our patrons and members connecting and collaborating with one another to help Hertfordshire grow and thrive as a county.
We’re a team of digital specialists, experts at delivering high-end software development and the technology behind complex creative projects.
Tel: 2030 068000
Web: https://www.arishi.agency/
Email: webcontact@arishi.agency
Ashbourne is a family-run, independent insurance broker, based in Hoddesdon on the Herts and Essex border. At Ashbourne we pride ourselves on our first-class personal and professional service before, during and after the life of the policy, and we are very proud of our “Service Excellence” award from the Federation of Small Businesses.
Tel: 01992 471001
Web: http://www.ashbourneinsurance.co.uk
Email: sarah.smits@ashbourneinsurance.co.uk
The Austin Family has served the community, as funeral directors, for over three centuries. Our commitment to bereaved families has established Austin’s as Hertfordshire’s leading, familyowned and operated, funeral director. Those working within our family business are proud to provide a standard of professionalism, dedication, and depth of knowledge, recognised by both members of the public, professionals and other funeral directors
Tel: 01438 316623
Web: http://www.austins.co.uk
Email: funerals@austins.co.uk
We have 29 patrons, each from a different sector with the newest additions being Arishi, Barclays and Hertfordshire Community Foundation. We are very appreciative of our patrons and would like to say a special thank you for all their support.
Below is our Patrons in alphabetical order from A-L, we look forward to sharing with you our L-Z patrons in the next edition of inspire (May-June).
Barclays is a British universal bank. We support consumers and small businesses through our retail banking services, and larger businesses and institutions through our corporate and investment banking services.
Tel: 02031 340927
Web: https://www.barclays.co.uk/
Email: rachel.budge@barclays.com
The Council places an emphasis on providing residents with value for money services. Its council tax is amongst the lowest in the country, and formal quality accreditation is used to drive forward improvements in service. To date the Council has received several awards, including sixteen Charter Marks, two ISO accreditation’s, an Investors in People award, an LGC ‘Entrepreneurial Council of the Year’ award and an iESE ‘Remodelling Local Services’ Bronze award.
Tel: 01992 785621
Web: http://www.broxbourne.gov.uk
Email: melanie.miller@broxbourne.gov.uk
At Britvic, we strive to be the most dynamic soft drinks company, creating a better tomorrow. We offer consumers a range of family favourite and global premium brands. We exist to help people enjoy life’s everyday moments.
Tel: 01217 111102
Web: https://www.britvic.com/
We take proven, dependable solutions, combine them with our passion and enthusiasm for creating more good days, and tailor them to your needs, making life more straightforward, productive and enjoyable for you and your users.
Tel: 01923 477600
Web: http://www.thisiscae.com
Email: Jane.Pullen@caeuk.com
Croft knows communication is an integral part of every business. We take the pain out of dealing with your suppliers with our singlepoint-of-contact account management model. Our services are built around your current requirements, with the flexibility to grow alongside your organisation. Telephony-as-a-Service means that we do all the hard work for you.
Tel: 01920 466466
Web: http://croftcommunications.co.uk/
Email: info@croftcommunications.co.uk
We’re a firm of knowledgeable, trustworthy accountants and business consultants who understand your needs, offer expert advice, and work closely with you to ensure you receive expert guidance through the complex, ever-changing worlds of business and finance.
Tel: 02084 213555
Web: http://www.dua.co.uk
Email: dua@dua.co.uk
The RFCAs provide guidance and advice to employers of reservists, via our regional Employer Engagement team with funding by the MOD for the Defence Relationship Management group. The team provides advice for employers of reservists, promotes the Armed Forces Covenant and improves the understanding of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ contribution to the nation and our area to employers headquartered in East Anglia.
Tel: 01245 244800
Web: http://www.earfca.org.uk/
Email: ea-empsp@rfca.mod.uk
Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, just 21 miles north of London, is a fine Jacobean House and Garden in a spectacular countryside setting. It is a prime example of Jacobean architecture. The estate includes extensive grounds and surviving parts of an earlier palace.
Tel: 01707 287000
Web: http://www.hatfieldhouse.co.uk
Email: s.synyard@hatfield-house.co.uk
Local radio for news & traffic; tune in on weekdays 4-7pm on 96.6 FM with John Darin.
Tel: 01923 205480
Web: http://www.heart.co.uk
u
Hertfordshire Community Foundation is an independent charity which encourages local philanthropy. We provide advice and giving options for donors which we transform into funding and support for small charities, voluntary groups and individuals in Hertfordshire. By making local giving easy we strengthen our local communities and improve the lives of vulnerable people.
Tel: 01707 251351
Web: http://www.hertscf.org.uk
Email: Amanda.Jansen@hertscf.org.uk
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) is the principal provider of community-based healthcare services to the 1.2 million population of Hertfordshire. The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission. We have around 2,000 staff and every day we deliver a wide range of high-quality health services to people in their homes, in local clinics, in schools and in our community hospitals.
Tel: 01707 388067
Web: http://www.hct.nhs.uk
Email: samuel.tappenden@nhs.net
At Imagination, we solve complex problems by creating innovative technologies that help our partners to succeed. We pride ourselves on empowering our partners to deliver innovation that inspires new products, and we thrive on high volume opportunities. To put simply, we’re motivated to work in close partnership with our customers – developing relationships and provide the expertise needed to address specific markets with success. Every time.
Tel: 01923 260511
Web: https://www.imaginationtech.com/
Email: enquiries@imgtec.com
The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, CEO, Briege Leahy, attended the Hertfordshire Limited breakfast on the 8th of February 2023, which was hosted by Grant Thornton, to discuss how to build business/ shareholder value in the current economic climate. At the breakfast Grant Thornton’s 2023 Hertfordshire Limited Report was revealed. Briege was placed on the panel along with Mark Nunny, Business Growth Fund, Mukesh Shuah, Motor Parts Direct and Oliver Francis, Estarli.
According to data from a joint survey by Grant Thornton UK LLP and The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, 72% of the county’s businesses expect their sales to remain flat or to increase this year and 57% believe that the UK economy will grow.
While the respondents acknowledge major economic headwinds, including inflation (68%) and interest rates (19%), more than three quarters (77%) said they felt confident that they could effectively manage the economic environment.
This result follows the release this month of the Top100 private business index for the county - Grant Thornton’s 2023 Hertfordshire Limited report - which revealed that
Hertfordshire’s top 100 businesses achieved an annual turnover of almost £15 billion.
The Hertfordshire Limited report provides an annual review of the county’s most successful businesses as measured by annual turnover. The businesses included in the report have a turnover range between £40 million and £1.3 billion and collectively employee over 75,000 people.
14 new businesses joined the top 100 in this year’s Hertfordshire Limited report. The most profitable three companies in the county by EBITDA were JRL Group, CP Holdings, and David Lloyd.
The county’s top three highest performing sectors by turnover were property and construction, business support services, and food, beverage and leisure.
Mike Tillson, Corporate Finance Partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “The strong results in the recently launched Hertfordshire Limited report and business confidence survey underline the optimism we’ve seen among the county’s business leaders when it comes to their plans for 2023. It’s interesting that the confidence exceeds the view of many leading economic research institutes, but I think it just goes to show that the region is full of ambitious, dynamic companies that are eager to move forward and grow.
Briege Leahy, CEO at the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’ve seen first-hand how Hertfordshire’s businesses responded to the challenges of recent years with determination, flexibility, enterprise and innovation. The turnover that the top 100 companies achieved is a fantastic illustration of just how much activity and economic progress is going on right now in our county. This all means that I am very confident in the ability of Hertfordshire’s entrepreneurs and business leaders to not only survive but in fact to thrive during the months ahead.”
The 2023 Hertfordshire Limited report can be downloaded in full at https://www2.grantthornton.co.uk/hertfordshire-limited-2023.html
The majority of Hertfordshire’s business leaders have said they are expecting their companies to grow during 2023, despite economists fears that England will enter a recession this year.Briege Leahy, CEO, Herts Chamber, Mike Tillson, Partner, Corporate Finance, Grant Thornton and Mary C. Sykes BA, MCIPR, FRSA, Corporate Relations, Herts Chamber.
are a 3rd generation family run independent broker now in our 42nd year in business.
Our “mission” remains the same today as it did when we first opened our doors in 1981, to provide competitive insurance solutions for local residents and business community, via a personal service with advisors who know and understand your risk, giving you complete peace-of-mind.
We are here to advise, not just at the point of purchase but for any adjustments or claims throughout the life of the policy and sometimes beyond.
We believe that “one-size” does not fit all, but that cover tailored to your specific needs at a price to suit your budget, is better than any cheap package purchased on-line.
• REVIEW YOUR COVER ANNUALLY – Take time to study the insurance schedule, do the sums insured and are sections of cover accurately reflect your risk? Auto-renewing without checks over a number of years result in “gaps” in cover or underinsurance.
• START THE PROCESS EARLY – Try to start your review at least fourweeks prior to renewal, this will give your broker the chance to conduct a full market search and address any queries.
• BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BROKER – The more they know about you and your business the better the chance they can secure more comprehensive and competitive terms. You broker should be your advocate and “sell” the risk to the underwriters
• CONTINUITY IS THE KEY – Don’t be in a rush to change insurer or broker just because you can. If the industry can see some continuity in your insurance history, you become a much more attractive proposition.
• CHEAP QUOTE, CHEAP COVER! – If it seems too cheap to be true then it probably is. Price reductions are always attractive but at what cost to the cover or service you may or may not receive?
• DON’T BUY ON-LINE – Self-service Insurance packages purchased on-line are based on a series of assumptions and are generally watered-down versions of what you’d purchase from a broker.
As a Chamber member you also get a 10% DISCOUNT OFF any travel insurance policy, details can be found at https://www.ashbourneinsurance.co.uk/insurance-products/personal-insurance/travel-insurance/ and use voucher code “TRAVEL10” More important than ever following Brexit and the recent Pandemic.
These services are recommended by the British Chambers of Commerce and offered by almost all UK Chambers. They are exclusive to members* and unlimited access is included in your membership fee. The 4Services include the following;
• 5 Advice Lines – HR, H&S, Legal, Tax and VAT.
• 3 Document Libraries – HR, H&S and Legal.
• 750+ downloadable template documents.
• £1,000,000 of legal expenses insurance including employment tribunal and tax enquiry cover.
• Free One2One meeting with a Quest Business Support Manager.
* Bronze members are excluded
However, in the current challenging climate it’s not just about what the services are, it’s important to focus on what they can do for your business. So, we are pleased to highlight that the 4Services can SAVE YOU MONEY, SAVE YOU TIME and PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS
SAVE MONEY
To find out how the 4Services can save you money please book a One2One meeting with a Quest Business Support Manager. Certainly if you are outsourcing HR or health & safety services you could save a considerable amount, as you may find you don’t need to! To book a One2One meeting go to www.questcover.com/121 or email hello@questcover.com
SAVE TIME
If you have a question or concern about any HR, health & safety, legal or tax matter you should
make the Advice Lines your first point of contact. You can talk to a specialist and get the answer you need. This saves time on endless web searches and as you know – time is money!
Just call the advice line on 01455 852037
The advice lines and documents help you to manage the issues that threaten every business. HR issues such as redundancy, workplace disputes or absenteeism can really derail a business.
Add health & safety compliance, legal contracts, debt recovery and tax issues to the mix and a business needs all the help it can get.
Call the advice line on 01455 852037
The 4Services are there to help you so please use them!
We will offer any Chamber member a free insurance health-check, not to try and sell you anything but just to give you the confidence that what you have is fit for purpose.
Cyber attacks are on the rise, and businesses of all sizes are being targeted more frequently. Cyber criminals are also employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to bypass cybersecurity measures, meaning it is more important than ever for businesses to protect against cyber attacks.
1) 95 percent of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error. This could be the unintentional action, or lack of action taken by employees and users that cause, spread or allow a security breach to take place.
2) There were over 400,000 reports of fraud and cybercrime in the UK last year. This figure does not account for breaches caused by human error, so the total number will be much higher.
3) In 2021 UK Businesses lost more than £736m through business cyber crime. The cost of a cyber breach can range from thousands up to millions. It’s important to understand your cyber risk and invest in adequate cyber insurance to protect your business.
4) Four in ten businesses (39%) and a quarter of charities (26%) report having experienced cyber security breaches or attacks in the last 12 months. Sectors that are at increased risk of cyber crime include banking and financial companies, healthcare and hospitality providers, legal firms and small businesses.
5) In 2021 there were, on average, 270 attacks (unauthorized access of data, applications, services, networks or devices) per company over the year, an increase of 31% compared with 2020.
Cyber criminals are becoming increasingly persistent, and often a business will be subject to a range of different cyber attacks.
Robust cybersecurity is an essential investment to protect your business, regardless of size or industry. Cyber insurance policies also require businesses to have adequate cybersecurity measures in place.
It is also important to provide frequent employee training to stay ahead of the increasingly sophisticated methods used by cyber criminals. Some cyber policies even offer employee cybersecurity training, to help reduce the risk of claims caused by human error.
Cyber Insurance
Cyber insurance cover helps your business offset the costs of recovery after a cyber-related security breach, loss of data, a ransomware attack or a similar event.
A comprehensive cyber and crime policy will provide financial compensation for the direct costs incurred to the business and any liabilities payable to third parties following a cyber attack or data breach.
Many policies also offer Cyber Breach Response Support, an invaluable resource when dealing with cyber-attacks. These services can include crisis containment, PR and reputation management and independent legal advice.
The Watford-based business, which also has offices in London, announced its membership of the International Association of Independent Accounting Firms (INAA) at the end of last year and is now looking to leverage the global affiliation.
Coupled with a greater shift towards advisory services, DUA is focused on steady progress for the business over the coming months.
Rakesh Dua, CEO and Founder of the clientfocused practice, said: “We are going to the INAA conference in Montreal in May and that will give us a better idea of how much work we can expect to come from that area.
“For us, it’s about building the client relationship first and while we may be looking towards around 20 per cent of our business coming from our overseas links, that is not going to happen overnight.
“We are probably looking at two to three years before we see the impact on our business.”
Rakesh was keen to point out the benefits of the INAA membership. “There are only a handful of UK businesses in the association, so it is a big differentiator for us.
It adds real value to what we can offer for businesses looking to grow not just in the UK, but also overseas.
“Those doing business abroad do not need to pigeonhole themselves to Europe. They can look at North America, Asia… It’s an area that is definitely going to grow in terms of the need for advice.”
It is on the advice side of the business that DUA is seeing its greatest growth, with businesses no longer turning to their accountants just for annual tax returns.
“We are recognising that the compliance side of accountancy is on the decline, so we are really trying to focus on businesses that are looking for growth.
“We are able to provide them with tailored support on all aspects of their business. We have built up a panel of experts with different areas of expertise, so if something falls outside our scope, we can help them in finding the best people to speak to.”
Reflecting on DUA over the past couple of years, Rakesh said he was pleased with how the company had remained buoyant and manage to make a small growth in spite of the challenges.
“We came through the pandemic relatively unscathed in terms of the number of clients we have, which was obviously a massive plus. Since then we have become patrons of the Herts Chamber and raised our profile.
“We are starting to win new business and our year-on-year growth is around five per cent. Our staffing numbers are in line with what they were a couple of years ago but we have worked on making efficiencies around our processes and systems.
“We’ve also worked hard to retain our client base who are very loyal to us. Overall our growth is very much in line with the market.”
For more information about DUA, visit www.dua.co.uk
After coming through the pandemic years ‘relatively unscathed’, DUA Accountancy and Business Consultancy is looking overseas for its next period of growth.
We are recognising that the compliance side of accountancy is on the decline, so we are really trying to focus on businesses that are looking for growth.Rakesh Dua, CEO and Founder
A key driver for VWV to upgrade to a platinum member a few years ago was the Chamber’s proactive approach to assisting Hertfordshire businesses to generate business with each other. In addition, there were (and remain) lots of synergies between VWV and the Chamber, for example:
• a strong interest in the pharmaceuticals and life sciences sector (VWV’s pharmaceuticals and life sciences sector is led by Paul Gershlick out of our Watford office)
• a client base which includes internationally trading businesses
• a desire to help local start-ups and scale up businesses to grow and develop
• a keen interest in local initiatives (for example, Samantha Chaney, one of our Watford office partners sits on the board of WENTA and I have recently been appointed as the SME business representative on the board of the Hertfordshire LEP).
At the moment, all of my clients (irrespective of their sector) seem to be struggling with recruiting and retaining quality employees. That is why the Chamber’s sector focus group meetings in February to discuss the skill shortages the County is facing and potential solutions were so valuable.
We want the Government to continue to support local businesses, so that Hertfordshire continues to be a “county of opportunity” where businesses can flourish.
I’m a Partner in our Watford office - heavily involved in developing our business and profile in Hertfordshire and the northern home counties. In my client work, I specialise in corporate and company law matters, with a particular focus on the technology sector.
A lot of my work involves share and business acquisitions and sales but, in addition, I advise on joint ventures, shareholder agreements, fundraisings and financing arrangements.
VWV, a national law firm with an office in Watford. We’re sector-leading specialists who put clients, staff and the community first. The clients I work for tend to be a mixture of:
• owner managed businesses in the Hertfordshire and North London area
• subsidiaries of large international businesses with a presence in Hertfordshire
• start-ups and scale ups in the technology sector
• banks and funders providing finance to these businesses.
Our membership has been a great way for me personally to expand my business network but it has also created business contacts for various teams in our Watford office (such as our property, employment and commercial contracts teams).
We find the monthly lunches a really useful way to engage with local businesses and we were very pleased to sponsor the Chamber’s February lunch at Shendish Manor.
I was a panellist at the Women in Leadership conference last year and found the conference to be a particularly effective networking event as there was a mixture of different activities throughout the day.
Grow your network as much as possible, not only with the aim of developing a market for your business but also to learn from others.
There is a lot of great (sometimes free) support available in Hertfordshire for new businesses so do take time to find out how bodies like the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, the Hertfordshire LEP or your local council can help you.
We would also urge the Government to really listen to the businesses and sectors that they are trying to help and take into account the unique opportunities and challenges that Hertfordshire faces. Hertfordshire’s location close to London can be advantageous but it also creates specific challenges, for example, local employers have to compete with London businesses for quality employees.
QHow confident are you your business will grow in the next year?
2023 is likely to be a tough year for most businesses given the continued inflationary issues and potential recession. However, VWV provides a wide range of legal services (for example: employment, wills and probate, dispute resolution, commercial, IP, data protection, property) and this means that as a firm we have a wide source of work and feel relatively well protected from the economic uncertainties.
VWV is a specialist in many sectors including tech, healthcare and education. Our breadth of expertise, means that we’re always prepared to help clients through periods that could appear more challenging.
In the medium term, we are confident that our business will grow as we have already taken steps to develop our Watford office and, for example, have recently taken on three new solicitors in our Corporate team.
• 3 MONTHS FREE PRINTING (subject to taking out a lease and service agreement)
• FREE PRINT AUDIT to aid your carbon footprint and bottom line
• FREE XEROX COLOUR
LASER PRINTER with a New A3 Leased device
Offers end 29th April 2023
The
24 hour ser vice
Private Chapels of Rest
P i t Ch l f R t
• Bespoke Funeral Plans
• Own Crematorium
STEVENAGE • 01438 316623
HITCHIN • 01462 438422
KNEBWORTH • 01438 812365
BUNTINGFORD • 01763 274111
WELWYN GARDEN CITY • 01707 390018
WELWYN • 01438 714686
HERTFORD • 01992 582052
WARE • 01920 468551
LETCHWORTH • 01462 684292
HODDESDON • 01992 471709
HARWOOD PARK • 01438 812515
HARPENDEN • 01582 762570
The perfect setting to commemorate the life of your loved one
www.austins.co.uk
Crematorium and memorial gardens created and managed by the Austin family in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.
www.crematorium.co.uk
Serving the local community for ten generations