Inspire Hertfordshire Chamber Magazine May 2020

INSPIRE.38

The business magazine of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

May - June 2020

Inside p10•

Chamber Members share best practice during a crisis

p12•

COVID-19: What we are doing about it

p16 •

Potters Bar A thriving business community

p29•

Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards Finalists

Financial Wellbeing What is Financial Wellbeing and how do we define it?

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WELCOME & CONTENTS

Resilience needed in challenging times We live in extraordinary times. The uncertainty of Brexit has been compounded by the devastating impact of coronavirus, which has brought the economy screeching to a halt and caused unimaginable pain and suffering to families across the globe.

Briege Leahy Chief Executive Officer Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce On a personal note, my heartfelt wishes go to everybody who has been affected by this terrible virus. From a business point of view, while the trading environment is far from ideal, it is heartening to see so many local companies showing resilience and a willingness to adapt to the current situation. It is anything but business as usual, but they’re doing what they can to ensure they come out of this in the best possible shape.

It’s also great to see businesses doing their bit to help in the crisis. Stevenage FC Foundation and Stevenage Football Club’s Community Kitchen is providing sandwiches to vulnerable people in isolation and frontline NHS staff at Lister Hospital. Meanwhile,

Contents Financial Wellbeing

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Inspirational Leaders

10

COVID-19 Update

12

Patron Focus

13

Area Focus -Potters Bar 16-17 Health & Wellbeing

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Chamber Events

25

Webinars

26-27

Queen’s Award 2020

28

Redwood Bank, headquartered in Letchworth, is handing over a £10k boost to the East & North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity and JPA is helping to move critical equipment and supplies between hospitals and supply much-needed emergency equipment. See more good deeds from members on pages 35 onwards.

It’s important to support worthy causes, even in these difficult times. The Chamber recently won a bronze award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme, which acknowledges employers that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community.

Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards

29-31

Tourism & Hospitality

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New Members Members News

We’re doing things differently to ensure our members have access to valuable support. We’ve moved our events online so members can participate in weekly webinars covering useful topics such as HR, cybersecurity, digital marketing, cashflow and smarter working.

It is difficult at this moment in time but please stick with it; things will get easier. When COVID-19 is under control, restrictions are lifted and life begins to return to normal, Herts Chamber is ideally placed to help businesses connect with each other, collaborate and grow.

We’re in regular direct contact with the British Chambers of Commerce, providing our members with practical advice from the organisation on a twice-weekly basis. We’re also finding ways to promote the Hertfordshire Growth Hub’s COVID-19 business resource platform and the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP) – a valuable tool that allows employers to build a pipeline of future talent.

Remember, we are stronger together.

Thank you for your continued support.

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Herts Global

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Building Connections

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Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and AFEX Foreign Exchange Partnership 49 Last Word

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PLEASE NOTE: Some articles in this edition were written before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Article content therefore reflects this time lapse.

Editorial and General Enquiries Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce MacLaurin Building, 4 Bishops Square, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9NE Tel: 01707 502180 Email: enquiries@hertschamber.com Web: www.hertschamber.com

Briege Leahy Chief Executive Officer Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com

50 Published May 2020 © Benham Publishing and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com

Disclaimer Inspire is published for Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members. All correspondence should be addressed to Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in Inspire are not necessarily those of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. ©2020 Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

Production Manager Mark Etherington Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: mark@benhampublishing.com

Media No. 1683

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FINANCIAL WELLBEING

Financial Wellbeing What is Financial Wellbeing and how do we define it?

Gordon Craft, Director

Of course, this will mean different things to each of us, such as Confidence, Relaxed, Stress Free, Comfortable, In Control, Focused, Security, Knowledgeable, Clear, Aware, Achievement, Empowered, Abundance, Peace of Mind, Assurance.

A

t this challenging time, we may find ourselves in testing financial positions due to covid-19 with our regular income either reduced or stopped altogether.

What protection policies have you in place?

What would your employer do to help?

What debt do you have? Mortgage, loans and credit cards. How much do you owe, what is the interest rate and the monthly cost? Securing a lower interest rate will allow you to repay the debt faster, rather than creating additional money to spend.

Unless you have been working with a financial adviser or have naturally followed a financial path of planning, saving and frugal spending, the chances are we are feeling a heightened sense of emotion and concern.

Here are some fundamentals to consider – some immediately to help you survive and some to help you thrive when life returns to “normality” and we have the opportunity to make some changes to our financial life; 1. Understand and examine your daily and monthly financial income and outgoings.

2. Have you been able to absorb the current financial shock or health scare?

Keep a fund of cash savings in a separate bank or deposit account for emergencies. What protection policies do you have if you cannot work or in extreme cases you were no longer here and leave behind dependents?

3. Save for the short term and invest for the medium to long term. Short term savings allows you to sleep well and longer term investing can help you to live well in the future. Do you really want to wait until you reach your state pension age – whenever that will be, before you can retire?

4. Set some goals and achievements; Short term [less than 3 years] Medium [3 years to 10 years].

Long term [10 years plus]

Once you have the above information and have an awareness of your immediate financial situation, you are ready to set some goals and achievements to work towards and are on the journey to achieve a sense of financial wellbeing.

5. Complete our Financial Wheel of Life to assess your wellbeing at www.chasebridgewm.co.uk/resources Some of us will be in the middle of a cashflow crisis, and now is crucial to review all our expenditure and take control and ownership - question honestly every single piece of expenditure. To say NO to excess spending.

When we eventually return to a new normal, can we continue to do without that daily takeaway coffee, the full media package, the newest phone, a new car when the current one has only done 20,000 miles, convenience food, taxis, or a gym membership we rarely use?

All of the above hoovers up large amounts of our weekly and monthly income.

Try to keep at least 6 months of your normal monthly expenditure in an account as your rainy day fund.

What would happen if you could not work, you had a critical illness or died?

Who would be affected and what are the implications to you and them?

What about Financial Advice? Many of us have had a poor experience of ‘financial advice’ at some point in our lives. However, the world has changed, with all regulated advisers qualified to understand the client and justify their advice to ensure it is relevant and appropriate to your needs.

From assessing your expenditure, savings and investments, explaining pensions, assistance with goals setting, to providing a financial plan or roadmap for you.

Reviews are essential for an update on your circumstances, policies and your overall plan to monitor if it is still relevant and on track.

Please check our website for further resources on financial wellbeing and planning. A trusted, highly qualified, regulated financial adviser can help with planning and provide you with clarity, confidence and direction – like a personal trainer but with your financial life.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

The value of an investment with St.James Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up.

You may get back less than you invested.

Find out more about Chasebridge Wealth Management Ltd FCA number 416263 chasebridgewm.co.uk or contact them today for a no obligation consultation Tel: 01707 643555 Email: chasebridgewm@sjpp.co.uk Chasebridge Wealth Management Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising soley on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

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Images are copyright of Chasebridge and cannot be reused without permission.

Clarity, Confidence, Direction

FINANCIAL WELLBEING

Coronavirus - Job Retention Scheme

FAQs for Employers Q What is ‘furloughing’ staff?

A ‘Furlough’ means temporarily laying off staff for a period of time pursuant to a written agreement.

Q What financial support is provided?

A The government will provide a

grant to cover the lower of 80% of an employee’s regular wage or up to £2,500 per month, plus the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and automatic employer pension contributions on that subsidised wage.

Q Which employers can access the Scheme?

A All UK employers with a PAYE payroll scheme on 19 March 2020 can ‘apply’ to use the Scheme.

Q Which categories of staff can benefit?

A Employees on the PAYE payroll at 19 March 2020 and on any type of contract.

Q How will staff salaries be paid under the Scheme?

A Employers will be required to

pay staff salaries under the Scheme. The government will reimburse employment costs, subject to the limits above.

Q Are employers obliged to

make up the shortfall between the government contribution and usual salaries?

A No, but employers may wish

to do so to mitigate the risk of claims, for example claims for

unlawful deduction of wages or breach of contract (if agreement has not been reached through consultation).

Q How should employers

select staff to furlough?

A A fair and objective selection

process should be designed to select staff for furlough or to remain at work and volunteers could also be invited.

Q Can staff on sick leave or self-isolating and unable to work from home be furloughed?

A Staff on sick leave can be

furloughed once their sick leave comes to an end. Staff who are self-isolating can be furloughed.

Q How does the furlough period interact with annual leave?

A Annual leave continues to be accrued. Normal pay is due during the holiday period.

For specialist legal advice on furloughing staff, please contact Michael Delaney at award-winning law firm VWV at mdelaney@vwv.co.uk or on 07909 912 564.

For more information on the legal implications of coronavirus, visit VWV’s resource library. www.vwv.co.uk/news-and-events/news/coronavirus INSPIRE

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FINANCIAL WELLBEING

Supporting our customers at a time like no other

Rachel McEwan, Local Director at Metro Bank, Borehamwood.

As the country is trying to adapt to the unprecedented circumstances with which we are currently faced, I wanted to let you know what Metro Bank is doing at a local level to support our local businesses and communities across Hertfordshire.

As Local Director of our Borehamwood store, it has been overwhelming to see how our community has pulled together to keep each other safe, and for us at Metro Bank the health and safety of our colleagues and our customers is at the heart of what we do. Along with the rest of the country, we are following all government guidance on social distancing, whilst working hard to maintain essential banking services for our communities.

As a bank with a strong store presence, we know customers like to speak to us in person so we’ve been doing everything we can to keep our services running, while many of our colleagues have also had to self-isolate or fallen ill. To do this, we’ve adjusted our store and call centre opening hours, as we strive to continue to deliver the

great customer service we’re known for. We’ve introduced many new procedures in our stores to protect our customers and colleagues, such as Quick Deposit Tills to minimise cash handling, enhanced security procedures which allow us to undertake more processes over the phone with our customers to enable them to stay safe at home. We’ve made it possible for customers to phone their local Metro Bank store directly, and in those instances where customers choose to visit store for essential banking services, we’ve introduced measures to ensure social distancing is maintained, keeping colleagues and customers safe.

We understand how unsettling it can be for people at the moment, therefore our store teams are proactively reaching out to customers, making daily calls to help them with online banking or just to say hello to check they are doing well. Locally, the positive feedback the team and I have received has been overwhelming, and in some instances extremely emotional.

There have been several calls when we’ve been told we have been the only person they have spoken to in days.

For business customers, we know this is a particularly challenging time, so as an accredited lender with the British Business Bank it is our intention to use the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme as widely as we can to support our SME customers. Our teams are working to help our customers as quickly as possible. We also appreciate every situation will be different, so we’ll work together with our business customers on an individual basis to find a solution that best meets their financial needs, and we’d encourage SMEs to get in touch with their relationship manager to discuss this. For further information customers can visit our dedicated coronavirus page: https:// www.metrobankonline.co.uk/ coronavirus/ In addition, many colleagues have been volunteering with local community groups and charities, either directly with the NHS, or helping pack Learn@Home kits

for children whilst the schools are closed. Becoming the UK’s best community bank is what Metro Bank is all about and every colleague is given a ‘Day to Amaze’, a day each year volunteering locally when they’d ordinarily be working. We’ve extended this to five days during this unusual time, so our colleagues can offer even more help locally.

We’re doing everything we can to make sure our customers can still do their banking easily and safely.

Here are a few things that you can do to help make this happen: • Use our app or online banking • Only call us if you have an urgent question or problem • Avoid visiting our stores unless it’s absolutely necessary I want to say thank you to all of our customers who have been so patient while we make the necessary adaptations to our services at this time.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at

rachel.mcewan@metrobank.plc.uk

Taking care of business in tough times

By Luke Hamm, chief executive officer at GovGrant “In these most challenging of times, we’ve been in touch with many companies who are concerned about the impact that COVID-19 will have on their business.

Probably the biggest concern is around cashflow, particularly for engineering and manufacturing firms that don’t know when they’ll be paid for previous jobs and can’t get on site to drive current projects forward.

For these companies, working remotely may not be an option so an extended lockdown could bring financial pain.

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“However, innovative businesses involved in R&D can take steps to look after their financial wellbeing – and not just by accessing loans and grants from the government’s support schemes. A big misconception is that R&D tax relief is solely for new product development; businesses that seek to improve or overcome challenges and uncertainties in their products and processes are also eligible.

For companies that have seen a drop-off in workload, it’s a great time to consider how to drive innovation and continuous improvement within their business, and then claim tax relief on this activity.

“Business owner-directors could also use downtime to find out whether they’re entitled to other types of tax relief. If they hold a freehold or leasehold interest in commercial property, for example, they may qualify for tax relief through a capital allowances claim. Alternatively, if their business has something worth patenting, they could reduce their corporation tax bill to 10% of profits relating to patented income.

“Meanwhile, creative firms such as those involved in film production, animation or video games could be eligible for various corporation tax reliefs designed to boost investment in this sector.

“In times of crisis, cash is king – so it pays to find ways of reducing the amount of money flowing out of the business bank account.”

••• GovGrant helps innovative businesses receive the full range of innovation tax incentives. We can help businesses maximise the value of their innovation by claiming R&D tax relief, capital allowances and creative industries tax reliefs. We also help businesses reduce their tax payments by extracting greater value from their intellectual property.

Our experts work with clients to understand what advancements and challenges they face so they can maximise a claim and gain a better understanding of the government’s definition of innovation.

••• For more information, contact https://www.govgrant.co.uk

FINANCIAL WELLBEING

How to get your finances in order to survive and thrive during a crisis

By Luke Desmond, CEO/Founder Crisp Accountancy When times are hard like they are now it is more vital than ever that you get a good grip of your finances.

Firstly, make sure your bookkeeping is up to date and accurate, otherwise, any decisions you make could make the situation worse!

Once you have it up to date, make it a priority to keep it up to date daily.

to you and the money you owe to others. Communication is the key here, be fair and have empathy but remember that business must carry on and we all need to keep the money flowing. At this point, you should ensure you are aware of all the Government support you can be benefiting from.

Next, you should analyse all your business and personal expenditure to cut costs where you can, if you can take lower drawings from the business this will help the cash flow in the business.

At this stage you now have a good grip on your current situation but what about over the coming weeks or months? This is where it is vital that you keep a weekly cash flow forecast up to date covering at least the next 3 months but preferably longer.

Then you must get a great understanding of the money owed

Once you have done all you can to secure your survival your focus

needs to switch to seeing this time as an opportunity.

What will the new world look like? How will consumer habits have changed? What role will technology now play in your industry?

There is no better time to be revisiting and adapting your business plan, analysing what services you should now be providing and what clients to focus on. Chances are these will have changed since the world went into lockdown!

How to keep your business healthy in the COVID-19 crisis

By Tony Ryan, regional director at Branduin Business Support With the country in the grip of the coronavirus crisis, the health and wellbeing of people is of paramount importance.

However, this is also a worrying time for company owner-directors who, quite understandably, are concerned about the future health of their business.

While the government has announced a raft of measures to support businesses, it is taking a while for the money to reach those who need it. Businesses that do decide to apply should prepare properly and have the right information to hand.

For instance, if they’re applying for a Coronavirus Business

Interruption Loan, they need to be able to provide forecasting projections, state the amount they need and why, and explain in clear terms how their business has been affected by COVID-19.

Aside from securing financial support from the government, company owners who have seen work dry up can use this time effectively by identifying ways of conserving cash within the business – by reducing unnecessary outgoings, for example. If anything, this crisis has highlighted the value of good cashflow and the ability to maintain business resilience in the face of a sudden, disruptive event.

Company owners can also do other practical things to showcase their business in a positive light.

One of my clients runs a chain of hair salons, which have had to shut temporarily, so he’s creating online videos offering hair trimming and restyling tips.

Another client, a travel start-up, is producing holiday guides on various locations and posting them on social media to keep his business visible to potential customers.

Businesses that innovate have a better chance of surviving this crisis. For example, a brewery operator that gets 90% of his business from pubs has developed a home delivery

service to sell directly to the end customer. This will provide him with a vital income stream until the pubs reopen again.

Branduin Business Support works closely with Chambers of Commerce and local authorities to provide members and local business communities with access to quality-assured business advice and support.

Our advisors have extensive knowledge and experience in starting, growing and running successful businesses and can meet the needs of businesses at all stages of their development, from start-up to exit.

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FINANCIAL WELLBEING

Directors’ duties redrawn to protect directors in Coronavirus crisis

By Michaela Hall, Partner, Moore Kingston Smith Licensed Insolvency Practitioners On 28 March 2020, the government announced changes to the insolvency regime, namely temporarily suspending wrongful trading provisions for directors.

The aim is to remove the threat of personal liability during the pandemic.

It is retrospectively effective from 1 March 2020, for a period of three months, which might be extended.

When a company is financially distressed and formal insolvency proceedings become more likely, the directors’ duty to promote the company’s success is replaced by a duty to act in the interests of the company’s creditors as a whole.

Support for directors The recent amendment should allow directors of companies directly affected by the economic effects of the crisis to continue trading or hibernating. However, hibernating companies still accrue fixed costs. Directors may be liable for wrongful trading even though their business is not actively open but losses are increasing.

Due to the crisis, the prospects of not avoiding insolvent liquidation have increased. If the company was distressed before, the directors may already be within the realms of possible liability.

That puts a higher scrutiny on directors’ behaviour in the mitigation period, and they must take every step to minimise losses to creditors. Directors are protected if they act reasonably, so key decisions should be documented at the time.

This temporary suspension should not be interpreted as a suspension of fiduciary duties. Directors must remember they should act in the best interest of the company’s creditors if they are trading while insolvent and the duty to cease trading remains a fiduciary duty.

Directors seeking funding to trade through this period should seek professional advice, as there may be alternative options that stop short of placing personal assets on the line. To assist cash flow, the following options should be investigated: deferring VAT and income tax payments, business rates relief, furloughing employees, job retention scheme and statutory sick pay relief. Further details https://mooreks.co.uk/ coronavirusandbusinesscontinuity/

Continuing to trade

Maintaining vigilance

It may be possible for a company to hibernate and trade by using the Coronavirus business interruption loan scheme. However, directors should proceed with caution and obtain professional advice. This is a commercial lend and will have to be repaid, albeit with the government funding the borrowing interest for the first year. The loan sits on the company’s balance sheet which may affect its solvency and credit rating.

While the government has relaxed wrongful trading provisions, they have stayed silent on other parts of the Insolvency Act. Directors may be made personally liable for other offences, such as general misfeasance, preference payments and transactions at undervalue.

Lenders will more than likely seek personal guarantees from the company’s directors.

If the company is placed into some form of insolvency and its assets are insufficient to pay the lender in full, the directors’ personal assets are at risk. Personal guarantees

‘Due to the crisis, the prospects of not avoiding insolvent liquidation have increased. If the company was distressed before, the directors may already be within the realms of possible liability.’

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could possibly be mitigated through personal guarantee insurance products.

Directors should continue to seek professional advice if they are concerned about the viability of their business and their personal obligations in these unprecedented times. +44 (0)1727 896070 Email: mhall@mks.co.uk

IN CONVERSATION WITH ...

In conversation with ...

Joe Barbera, Managing Director of Liquid Corporate Finance Q Tell us a bit about your career path to date?

Q How is the business adapting in the current climate?

A I’m an experienced asset finance

A We got off to a great start, funding over

specialist with a history of working in the financial services industry – twelve years as a broker and five years as a partner in a principal lender called Amicus Asset Finance. I work with direct clients, equipment suppliers, intermediaries such as accountants, insolvency practitioners and commercial finance brokers. I have a strong track record of delivering traditional and non-traditional finance solutions including hire purchase, finance lease, refinance and secured loans to SMEs throughout the UK.

Prior to establishing Liquid Corporate Finance in December 2019, I was part of the senior management team at Amicus and my responsibilities included overseeing the sales operation with direct involvement in the funding of over £45m of facilities.

£2.5m since the beginning of January.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as continuing to facilitate transactions, we have also started to market the business as a valuable resource for SMEs needing advice on the financial support that’s available.

Q What sort of financial products would be suitable for businesses in this climate?

A It is likely that cash retention and

raising working capital to get through this difficult period will be paramount to most, if not all, businesses. There are many asset finance facilities available to businesses that want to position themselves for future growth but it’s important to remember that one size doesn’t fit all; what works for one company may not be suitable for another.

Q What does your business do and how does it work?

A Essentially, we provide traditional

and non-traditional finance solutions to ambitious start-ups and SMEs. We help these companies fund a wide range of assets, from dump trucks, cranes, manufacturing equipment and haulage fleets to prestige or classic cars.

We deal with a broad cross-section of industry sectors including agriculture, construction, haulage and transport, vehicle hire, manufacturing and luxury vehicles, and provide access to business loans, bridging finance, invoice finance, hire purchase and other finance products – each one tailored to companies’ individual requirements.

For example, we’ve helped companies understand the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – whether they’re eligible, how much they can access and how they should apply.

I’m keeping the lines of communication open with both funders and my clients; it’s important for them to know I’m still here and thinking about them.

The CBILS scheme has been brought in to assist with getting capital to businesses. However, traditional asset finance products like Hire Purchase, Finance Lease are also still available should a business need to purchase assets. Refinance of assets to raise much needed working capital to cover operational costs is also available from most of our funders. Some are also still offering secured loans, albeit on lower LTV’s but it’s another option.

Q Has the current climate created more competition in the financial services market?

A In short, yes. It has highlighted the value

of independent financial services firms that can help businesses access deals they might not be able to get from mainstream banks. Asset Finance contributed £37.5bn of lending to businesses in 2019 so it has a huge part to play in the recovery of our economy coming out of this pandemic.

It’s also taking time for government grants and loans to reach SMEs whereas asset finance can often be arranged relatively quickly.

Liquid Corporate Finance is a full member of industry trade body, National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB). We are subject to the strictest Code of Practise so our clients can be confident they are dealing with a reputable broker that understands how to deliver the right solution for their business.

Q How important is it that businesses get access to finance options now so they can build and grow once the coronavirus is over?

A It is absolutely vital that funding is made

available to viable businesses that have a future. There is a misconception that if the banks decline you, it will be difficult to secure funding. Subject to criteria, our wide ranging panel of funders, including those accredited to offer CBILS, will fund transactions for most types of businesses. Criteria may tighten in the short term. However, our business will use its knowledge and experience to help ensure proposals are concise and with a clear, viable rationale.

Liquid Corporate Finance are absolutely committed to helping our friends in business through this very difficult period.

Get in touch ... we welcome the opportunity to speak to you about how we can help your business.

Tel: 0333 772 1782 email us: info@liquidcf.co.uk www.liquidcf.co.uk INSPIRE

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INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS

The business builder

A cursory glance at Len Simmons’ CV provides sufficient evidence of his managerial credentials. He has an enviable track record of building successful businesses by leading, motivating and managing talented teams of employees.

In a 20-year-plus career in engineering, he built up and sold three businesses before stumbling upon his latest challenge.

Len explains: “I’ve always been a keen cyclist and about two-and-a-half years ago I bought an electric bike. The process, though, was really difficult; I spoke to people who worked in the bike shop and was astonished by their lack of product knowledge. I had to call the manufacturer in Germany to get the answers I was looking for.

“I realised there was a business opportunity so I approached Steve Dann, the owner of Highway Cycles, last year. I invested a small amount of money in the business and eventually took it over in May.”

Highway Cycles stocks a wide range of popular bike brands, including Trek, Merida, Scott, Frog, Moustache, Riese & Muller and Mafia. Under Len’s stewardship, the company implemented a strategy to increase sales, improve operational efficiencies and help employees become more knowledgeable about the bikes they sell.

All of these goals have been achieved.

Since June 2019, annual revenues have grown 50%. Marketing activity and engagement with potential customers has been ramped up, particularly via social media campaigns. New online systems have streamlined existing processes and made it easier to measure financial performance.

There has also been significant investment in staff training to boost their product knowledge and overall productivity.

Now Len’s aim is to increase engagement with the local community by getting more involved with local Chamber events.

“Good leaders have a clear vision and a plan for achieving it,” he says. “That’s what I’ve tried to do at Highway Cycles. I’ve also taken the time to communicate this vision to my staff and give them the tools to measure progress against our business goals.

“Our shop remains open for business and people can buy from us online. We’ve taken steps to ensure that social distancing rules are observed and that staff and customers are as safe as possible.”

Adaptability can reap rewards In the COVID-19 lockdown, Carol Massay is doing things differently.

The CEO of construction software specialist EasyBuild UK, Carol is finding new ways of engaging with customers and staff and getting on with tasks that can keep her business in a position of strength.

She says: “It’s a strange position to be in. We had a great start to the year, picking up seven new clients in the space of four weeks and then the coronavirus happened.

Workflow has dipped a little so I’ve been trying to use this time positively by encouraging staff to look more closely at the way we operate. We’re developing an online marketing campaign to reach out to potential customers and we’re evaluating the effectiveness of systems in place for existing customers.”

The ability to adapt to unusual – in this case, unprecedented – circumstances is a mark of good leadership. With more than

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30 years’ involvement within the construction industry, Carol has an impressive track record of managing and growing teams of employees, helping them to execute strategies that achieve sustainable business growth.

She joined Borehamwoodbased EasyBuild UK as CEO in November 2015 and since then has grown the business, which has 15 staff, into one of the most recognised providers of ERP (enterprise resource planning) software to the construction industry.

The award-winning software addresses all of the operational needs of a modern construction business, covering

finance, commercial, project management and compliance.

It is customisable with easyto-use applications providing all trades within the industry – including main contractors, civil engineers, demolition, interior fit-out, roofing and cladding, joinery, rail and utilities – with the tools needed to manage projects in a timely and efficient manner.

Available as a cloud-based package, it enables users to work within a single, centrally sourced, up-to-date information model in real time.

Carol says: “Our software helps the industry to identify and

manage risk on construction projects and track spend against the whole life-cycle of the project on a day-to-day basis. It gives companies and professionals the vision that perhaps they didn’t have previously.

This is a highly competitive sector where margins are typically very tight, so it’s vital as a CEO to have a good understanding of the day-today challenges that customers face. That’s why it’s important to establish and maintain strong relationships with them, and help them use technology to get great results for their business.”

HERTFORDSHIRE LEP

COVID-19: support for Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership is here to support the county’s businesses and residents and is directing support to where it is needed most through its family of brands.

As a conduit between the private and public sectors, Hertfordshire LEP has been tasked with providing Government with local intelligence on the impact of COVID-19 on our business community. With its expert knowledge of the local economy and with input from key stakeholders, it is building a picture of the critical sectors that will require priority support following the crisis.

Its weekly COVID-19 bulletins help stakeholders keep abreast of the latest economic updates, local business news, and the county’s contribution to the national response. Visit hertfordshirelep.com to download the latest bulletin and subscribe for email updates.

Hertfordshire Growth Hub is providing the vital support needed to ensure businesses cope and stay afloat during this crisis. From advice on accessing finance to assistance with planning for the future, businesses can get one-to-one support from a Growth Account Manager by telephone: 01707 398168, email: enquiries@hertsgrowthhub.com or live chat from Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5.30pm, and access a wealth of information through its dedicated COVID-19 resources page.

The Growth Hub is also running a survey to understand the impact COVID-19 is having on the local business community and how best it can tailor support.

We encourage all businesses to take part to ensure their views and concerns are fed back to central Government.

Visit hertsgrowthhub.com/covid-19 for more information.

The tourism and hospitality sectors are facing enormous challenges and support for related businesses is being provided by the county’s destination management service Visit Herts. Its business website collates the latest information on the funding and support schemes available locally and from Government, and it’s Hertfordshire Tourism and Hospitality LinkedIn Group provides a forum for businesses to connect and share their views during the pandemic.

Visit visithertsbusiness.co.uk to learn more.

Hertfordshire LEP engages with 106 schools across the county through its Enterprise Adviser Network and Careers Hub, as part of the national Careers & Enterprise Company programme, and its team of

Enterprise Coordinators are continuing to support schools remotely. Students, job-seekers and employers can visit Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal’s dedicated COVID-19 resource page for up-to-date guidance and advice on remote learning, current job vacancies, and volunteering and training opportunities to support Hertfordshire during this pandemic. Visit hopinto.co.uk/covid-19 for more information.

Hertfordshire LEP will continue to work with partners including Hertfordshire County Council, local councils, Hertfordshire Growth Hub, Visit Herts, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales to help respond to the significant challenges presented by this pandemic and prepare for Hertfordshire’s post COVID-19 recovery.

To get in touch with Hertfordshire LEP, please email info@hertfordshirelep.co.uk or call 01462 244700.

INSPIRE

11

COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 Joint statement from Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership & Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce The scale of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our businesses, residents and the wider community calls for collective local leadership to provide clear strategic direction to support our businesses during this global crisis and lead Hertfordshire’s post COVID-19 recovery.

Following the Chancellor’s announcement of a £330bn lifeline for the economy, we need to ensure the needs of our county’s businesses are understood by Government and that, in return, we ensure the right sort of support is made available.

Through our individual organisations, we stand ready to ensure we have locally tailored support to run alongside the national interventions being launched over the coming days.

We are committed to listening to business and are already working with our representative and partner organisations such as Visit Herts and Hertfordshire Growth Hub, via surveys, webinars and providing one-to-one support, to understand the significant and singular challenges our business community is facing.

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INSPIRE

Our immediate focus has been to get business support schemes up and running as quickly as possible and to signpost businesses and individuals to the right business support.

Our main referral point for local businesses is Hertfordshire Growth Hub, which has set up a dedicated COVID-19 Business Resource page, and its team of Growth Hub Advisers are on hand to provide one-to-one support via telephone: 01707 398168, email enquiries@hertsgrowthhub.com and Live Chat from Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5.30pm.

Hertfordshire Growth Hub is also running a survey to better understand the impact COVID-19 is having on the business community and how it can best prepare support.

Collectively, our next immediate task is to convene an Economic Resilience Leadership Group and an intelligence/ delivery group to help feedback critical and timely COVID-19 business intelligence to Government on a weekly basis. This will require countywide input from our key private and public stakeholders and will be informed by regular economic briefings on

COVID-19’s impact and corporate engagement around the unique challenges facing our key sectors and supply chain interfaces.

This group will report into a wider Strategic Co-ordinating Group (SCG) in operation that is co-ordinating all the strategic activities across the public sector and other agencies within the county in response to COVID-19.

We will continue to update our stakeholders, partners and business community with its progress.

Our unique combined strengths lie in our knowledge of our local economy and granular understanding of our places and sectors. By speaking with one voice, at this time of global crisis, we can help ensure the most appropriate support packages are delivered to Hertfordshire businesses during the difficult months ahead and be best placed to secure Hertfordshire’s post COVID-19 recovery.

Cllr David Williams - Leader, Hertfordshire County Council Mark Bretton - Chair, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Briege Leahy - CEO, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

PATRON FOCUS

A historic firm with a modern outlook Longmores Solicitors has had a long and distinguished history in Hertfordshire, providing private and commercial clients with a top-quality service since 1819. Yet the firm prides itself on its modern, forward-thinking approach and ability to respond rapidly to clients’ changing needs.

It is this philosophy that has stood Longmores in good stead through the years, one that has helped the firm grow its reputation and influence in the legal marketplace.

Joint senior partners, Chris Pease and Richard Gvero, lead a modern and progressive firm of experienced solicitors who operate across the spectrum of private and commercial clients.

The private work spans personal disputes, family law, residential conveyancing and employment law for employees.

On the commercial side, the work covers business disputes, commercial property, rural land, employment law for

employers and a company and commercial practice headed up

by Daniel Burns.

This practice deals with all manner of business transactions, including mergers and aquisitions, private company corporate finance, shareholder and partnership agreements on the corporate side and a wide range of commercial contracts and advice in relation to other commercial issues such as intellectual property, IT and data privacy.

Now Daniel wants to use Longmores’ Chamber patron status to maintain and strengthen the firm’s presence in the local business community.

He says: “We want to expand our horizons both within Hertfordshire and beyond.

Our brand is already recognised throughout the county but we also want to use networking opportunities, such as those offered by Chamber events, to reach out to other businesses that perhaps haven’t heard of us. It also allows us to get involved more with the local community and give something back to the area that is very much a part of our identity.”

Daniel, who joined the firm last year, says: “The diversity of our practice, allows us to be resilient in these difficult times. Mergers and acquisitions have generally been put on hold so that area is quiet for us, but the employment law side is exceptionally busy as you’d expect. As a modern, forward-thinking firm, we’ve invested in technology so staff can work remotely and keep providing an excellent service to our clients.”

Operating across a wide range of business specialisms is helping to cushion Longmores against the impact of COVID-19.

Building a brighter future for all Leaving a social, environmental and economic legacy is a key cornerstone of Willmott Dixon Construction’s philosophy.

The fifth generation-owned family business is well-known for its sterling work on new-build projects, including schools, housing schemes, leisure centres and hospitals, but providing wider societal benefits is just as important as generating revenues.

Richard Davidson, Director of Willmott Dixon, says: “We have a purpose beyond profit; we want to improve the wellbeing of people in society beyond the buildings we create. We do this by being as sustainable as possible in different ways – by creating apprenticeships or providing work experience opportunities, for example, or by reducing our carbon footprint and protecting and enhancing biodiversity on our projects.

In 2016 - 2018 we generated an estimated £2.35 million of social value in Hertfordshire alone. We really want to get involved with our local communities; this

was a key reason why we decided to become a Chamber patron last year.”

For Richard, having patron status is a great business development opportunity for Willmott Dixon - but that doesn’t just mean cross-selling products and services to other members.

He says: “It’s also a chance for us to engage more broadly with the wider community, to find out what’s going on and see if we can add value to other organisations, and vice-versa. Some of the small businesses I meet are driving forward some fantastic initiatives that we could get involved in – initiatives that would bring wider benefits to the community. Together, we can think outside of the box and inspire each other.”

Willmott Dixon has worked on several local new-builds, including a business growth hub at the University of Hertfordshire and

a leisure centre in Harpenden. The company continues to plough ahead with other projects, although steps have been taken to minimise the impact of COVID-19.

Richard says: “We’ve put extra checks in place on site and we’re practising social distancing wherever possible.

It’s a tough time but it’s vital that there’s a construction industry to come back to after this virus has passed. Construction provides 15% of UK GDP and accounts for around three million jobs – or 10% of total UK employment. This industry is going to be crucial to the fortunes of the economy postCOVID-19.”

INSPIRE

13

In conversation with ...

Julia Bunting Marketing and Communications Director, Support UK

Support UK supporting customers with their critical communication needs These are challenging times that we find ourselves in and although we may sometimes moan about technology and the hold it has over our everyday lives, where would we be without it right now?

Nowadays, we rarely like to use the word “normal” but going to work, irrespective of workplace location, is “normal”. So when we are told that we aren’t able to attend our normal place of work, it becomes essential to have the tools in place that will enable us to keep going.

Since our Government ordered lockdown, Support UK have been inundated with customer requests to provide various solutions to ensure varying levels of business continuity. There are very few organisations that have adequate plans in place for this type of catastrophe, so naturally we are doing everything in our power to ensure that businesses can still continue to function outside of their normal parameters. As well as supporting our own customer base, we have been trusted advisors to other UK telecommunications companies, sharing our in-house expertise to deploy working from home strategies, both quickly and efficiently.

We deem it imperative that every sector has access to the products and services that will allow them to function effectively, whether or not they have a budget to cope with a business continuity strategy. To guarantee this, we offered the education, health and non-profit sectors a free no obligation 3 month subscription to our new Cloud Office hosted solution powered by Avaya.

This pandemic will change our business landscape for ever and we have to embrace technology to maximise our chances of survival. Our customers that adopted a unified communications solution before The Coronavirus outbreak, were already in a strong position and have seen effectiveness of employees rise and productivity soar and now understand the business savings that can be made by implementing a mobility solution for their workforce. During the last few weeks we have seen a surge in companies investing in hosted telephony, unified communications, software and call recording solutions and a huge spike in the demand for headsets, especially for use with softphones. Our support services have also been incredibly busy customising complex call routing plans, especially for our customers with contact centre departments and operator services.

We have many customers in the finance, travel, manufacturing, retail, science and technology and public sector, where it has been essential for many of these organisations to continue to work. One of our biggest customers is a global travel company. They have had no choice but to cancel over ten thousand holidays and to

If you would like to have an informal chat about how we can help your organisation, get in touch with us on 0345 241 1521, info@support-uk.com or via the contact us section at www.support-uk.com

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INSPIRE

do this with as little disruption as possible, we created dedicated outbound call groups with the specific aim of calling customers to re-arrange their bookings. Within 24 hours we successfully implemented full remote working for all of their employees, created remote contact centres in the UK and Australia, closed many other locations and diverted these calls to a fully functioning remote contact centre. During this time we also delivered training on the contact centre reporting software, which will be critical to ensure they maintain their strong customer experience. However, on a more positive note, on Sunday 5th April their inbound sales agents took 34 new bookings for cruise holidays in early 2021. This is certainly something to celebrate!

Technology enables business transformation and it allows you to push boundaries.

Irrespective of your business size, voice technology has the ability to adapt your business, creating a more resilient environment for your organisation to flourish.

We have been helping businesses of all shapes and sizes to adopt reliable technology that will continue to drive their business forward and serve their customers effectively.

CYBER CYBER CRIMINALS CRIMINALS EXPLOIT EXPLOIT CORONAVIRUS CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC PANDEMIC As your workforce’s dependency on digital communications has grown, so has their vulnerability to criminals.

As your workforce’s dependency on digital communications has grown, so has their vulnerability to criminals.

In today’s unprecedented context, a cyberattack that deprives businesses of access to their devices, In today’s unprecedented context, a cyberattack that deprives businesses of access to their devices, client data or connectivity could be devastating. client data or connectivity could be devastating.

On March 27th Europol issued “Pandemic profiteering: how criminals exploit the COVID-19 crisis”.

On March 27th Europol issued “Pandemic profiteering: how criminals exploit the COVID-19 crisis”.

The key findings of this report in relation to Cyber Crime stated “Criminals have used the COVID-19 crisis to carry The key findings of this report in relation to Cyber Crime stated “Criminals have used the COVID-19 crisis to carry out social engineering attacks, namely phishing emails through spam campaigns and more targeted attempts out social engineering attacks, namely phishing emails through spam campaigns and more targeted attempts such as business email compromise (BEC).” such as business email compromise (BEC).”

Below we provide some useful hints and tips.

Below we provide some useful hints and tips.

LOOK LOOK OUT OUT FOR FOR EMAILS...

EMAILS...

...that appear to be from ...that appear to be from organisations such as Public organisations such as Public Health England or the World Health England or the World Health Organisation. Scammers Health Organisation. Scammers create emails that appear to create emails that appear to come from these sources, but come from these sources, but contain malicious phishing links or contain malicious phishing links or dangerous attachments. dangerous attachments.

BE BE CAUTIOUS CAUTIOUS WITH WITH EMAILS...

EMAILS...

...asking for charity donations for ...asking for charity donations for health studies, doctors, or victims health studies, doctors, or victims that have been affected by the that have been affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Scammers Coronavirus (COVID-19). Scammers often create fake charity emails often create fake charity emails after global events. after global events.

WE’RE WE’RE HERE HERE TO TO HELP...

HELP...

In the March/April edition of Inspire In the March/April edition of Inspire we urged Hertfordshire Businesses we urged Hertfordshire Businesses to invest in a comprehensive Cyber to invest in a comprehensive Cyber Insurance policy; stating it was Insurance policy; stating it was ‘essential’. In ‘lockdown’, more ‘essential’. In ‘lockdown’, more than ever, we are here to support than ever, we are here to support business owners by providing the business owners by providing the correct insurance solution for their correct insurance solution for their business and employees. business and employees.

DON’T DON’T PROVIDE PROVIDE CREDIT CREDIT CARD CARD DETAILS...

DETAILS...

...unless you are visiting a trusted ...unless you are visiting a trusted website, e.g. amazon.co.uk, and website, e.g. amazon.co.uk, and see a little padlock in the address see a little padlock in the address bar to indicate the site is secure. bar to indicate the site is secure.

IT’S IT’S NOT NOT JUST JUST EMAILS...

EMAILS...

...phishing is not limited to email ...phishing is not limited to email only. Text messages are also only. Text messages are also being sent, for example, claiming being sent, for example, claiming that the recipient will be entitled that the recipient will be entitled to receive a payment from the to receive a payment from the Government.

Government.

55 SIMPLE SIMPLE TIPS TIPS TO TO AVOID AVOID GETTING GETTING TRICKED TRICKED

BEWARE BEWARE OF OF ONLINE ONLINE REQUESTS REQUESTS FOR FOR PERSONAL PERSONAL INFORMATION INFORMATION

A coronavirus-themed A coronavirus-themed email that seeks email that seeks personal information like personal information like your National Insurance your National Insurance number is a phishing number is a phishing scam. Never respond scam. Never respond to the email with your to the email with your personal data. personal data.

CHECK CHECK THE THE EMAIL EMAIL ADDRESS ADDRESS OR OR LINK LINK Sometimes, it’s obvious Sometimes, it’s obvious the web address is not the web address is not legitimate. But keep legitimate. But keep in mind Phishers can in mind Phishers can create links that closely create links that closely resemble legitimate resemble legitimate addresses. addresses.

Delete the email.

Delete the email.

WATCH WATCH FOR FOR SPELLING SPELLING & & GRAMMATICAL GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES MISTAKES If an email includes If an email includes spelling, punctuation, spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors, and grammar errors, it’s likely a sign you’ve it’s likely a sign you’ve received a phishing received a phishing email. Delete it. email. Delete it.

LOOK LOOK FOR FOR GENERIC GENERIC GREETINGS GREETINGS Phishing emails are Phishing emails are unlikely to use your unlikely to use your name. Greetings like name. Greetings like “Dear sir or madam” “Dear sir or madam” signal an email is not signal an email is not legitimate. legitimate.

AVOID AVOID EMAILS EMAILS THAT INSIST THAT INSIST YOU YOU ACT ACT NOW NOW Phishing emails often Phishing emails often try to create a sense try to create a sense of urgency or demand of urgency or demand immediate action. The immediate action. The goal is to get you to click goal is to get you to click on a link and provide on a link and provide personal information personal information right now. right now.

CONTACT 0333 011 2288  hitchincontact@tysers.com CONTACT US US FOR FOR MORE MORE INFORMATION INFORMATION ON ON CYBER CYBER & & CRIME CRIME INSURANCE INSURANCE   0333 011 2288  hitchincontact@tysers.com

AREA FOCUS - POTTERS BAR

Solutions “The railway station opened in August 1850 on the for commercial former London to Peterborough line passing

between the villages of Potters Bar and businesses across South Mimms, encouraging people

Hertfordshire

to relocate to the area and boosting investment in housing.”

We are based in Potters Bar, but our services are available for businesses across South East England.

Our mission is to source high quality recycling materials to supply mills in the UK and around the world. We are dedicated to diverting quality recyclables from landfill and work with our customers to ensure that where possible, this is completely eradicated.

Why choose CS Recyclin

 Free recycling audits for all prospective customers  Free Waste Transfer Notes for all our customers  Transparent pricing, there will be no hidden costs.

Transport connectivity offers to success We route also offer confidential s The name Potters Bar is thought to derive from evidence of a Roman pottery, believed to have operated in the Parkfield recreation ground area.

The Potters Bar of today owes its growth and development to the coming of the railways and the development of the wider transport network.

The railway station opened in August 1850 on the former London to Peterborough line passing between the villages of Potters Bar and South Mimms, encouraging people to relocate to the area and boosting investment in housing.

This was the catalyst for rapid suburban growth, the emergence of industry and the continuing development of road and rail links, notably the M25, which has enabled Potters Bar to grow into a modern town with an active community life.

Businesses are very much part of this thriving community. Established for more than 30 years, Sampson & Partners Fencing supplies and installs all types of fencing including security, industrial, timber fencing, railings, barriers, bollards and gates including automation and integrated access control systems. From its Potters

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INSPIRE

Bar base, the company serves a range of clients including local and national building contractors, civil engineering contractors, government bodies and private industry.

Director Marc Sampson says: “Our office in Potters Bar is conveniently situated between three major road networks: the M1, M25 and A1. This puts us in a great position to serve London and the home counties.

There are also many other businesses that take advantage of this location and we are here to serve their security needs.”

Right now, with the country in lockdown, much of the construction supply chain is closed for business to comply with social distancing rules that protect staff and operatives.

As an understand t

If y documents, ofFencing our shred Sampson & Partners the shre collection f and existing contracts” so once the social distancing rules are relaxed, we’ll the be able sacks that to return to site in a timely manner.

Once the virus has run its course, there will be a need for increased security measures including the requirement for fencing and access control. There may However, Marc believes his company also be a lot of dormant sites that need is well placed to capitalise on an upturn protecting. Furthermore, the government once business returns to normal. to increase the housing stock We offer a 10% discount on our requirement Call our team for a quote He says: “I believe that placing our will continue, and this is another sector on 01707 621431 services for Hertfordshire Chamber business into isolation at this juncture is we are heavily involved in.” theCommerce morally correct thing to do to protect of members and for sales@sampsonfencing.co.uk Email our enquiries mailbox www.sampsonfencing.co.uk my staff others. We still have “stock our CSand Recycling customers.

Why choose CS Shredding?

Would you like a quote?

enquiries@csshredding.co.uk

AREA FOCUS - POTTERS BAR

CS Recycling

ng?

l

Another Potters Bar business that is adapting to the COVID-19 situation is CS Recycling.

The company has been providing recycling services to businesses across the South East of England for more than 80 years.

Emma Curtis, marketing manager and data protection officer at CS Recycling, says: “As we have seen a significant drop Call our team for a quote in the quantity of commercial recycling, we onsadly 01707 have had to656261 furlough eight members of Email our team,our which will enable us to get Sales Manager past the lockdown phase of the pandemic. andre@csrecycling.co.uk We’re operating on a smaller scale to meet the needs of our customers in essential industries such as wholesale, hospitals and food preparation.

Would you like a quote?

shredding…

Longer-term, we’re looking to invest in our confidential shredding side of the business. We are expecting a steep increase in employees working from home when the lockdown is lifted and businesses are operating as usual. We can see that confidential document collections will need to be available for employees working from home to divert the confidential documents from kerbside paper recycling collections.

ISO accredited organisation, we So, we are working with our existing and the requirements compliance potential customersfor to identify exactly how we can meetdata their needs.” and protection.

CS Recycling exports to meet the demand of recycling mills around the you are having a big clear out of world. Although the lockdown has we can provide with a pack disrupted the flow you of recyclable materials these mills, leading to a have short-term deficit, ddingtobags.

When you filled Emma is confident that the company will edding bags, we will arrange the be able to navigate the new commodity from market you. We only charge you for landscape on the other side of the t youpandemic fill at £4 + its VAT sackBar. and from baseper in Potters

a call out charge of £30 + VAT. “It’s probably the most ideal location for an exporting company like us,” she says.

Hertfordshire’s data destruction service provider

“It’s a massive advantage to be so close to the major road networks. As we export 80% of our products, it gives us swift access to the major ports such as Felixstowe, Dover and Thames Gateway. It’s also great for accessing our commercial recycling customers as we’re so close to Watford, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Bishops Stortford and other major industrial hubs across Hertfordshire.” www.csrecycling.co.uk www.csshredding.co.uk Excellent transport connectivity is also a reason why Chasebridge Wealth Management enjoys being located in Potters Bar. Director Gordon Craft says: “We have the M25, M1 and A1 on our doorstep and we have great rail links into London.

“We’re a patron of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and this has enabled us to make some great connections locally.

We’ve engaged with a digital marketing company to help us develop ideas to grow and develop our business in the area.”

Gordon has worked in financial services for more than 20 years. He provides advice on all areas of wealth management, including investment planning, inheritance tax planning and retirement planning.

He recognises that savings may be depleted and disposable income scarce as businesses stave off the effects of COVID-19.

“It might encourage people to do more financial planning so they don’t have to live hand-to-mouth if something like this happens again,” he says. “We’re adapting to this situation by using different technologies to maintain good client relationships. We’re hosting meetings via Zoom and we post thought-leadership articles on LinkedIn to remain visible to the outside world.”

The ability to adapt will be vital in these uncertain times, according to Jeremy Silverstone of Purple Marketing Communications.

“Businesses need to be flexible and agile,” he says. “We can guide them through the possibilities with creative ideas alongside pragmatic strategies. When the isolation rules begin to ease, the level of competition amongst all businesses will intensify; I can help business owners, entrepreneurs and tradespeople to gain a competitive advantage and hit the ground running.

The lockdown will have a number of direct and indirect consequences, including economic hardship for many business owners, cashflow issues and inertia. As an agile business with low overheads and the capability to be flexible and adapt, I believe we are well-placed to weather the storm and help others to do so too.”

Purple Marketing helps businesses improve their marketing ROI, visual impact, reputation and response rates. The company provides planning, graphic design, copywriting and content services using Zoom, Skype, Teams, Facetime and WhatsApp. Its design and printing facilities remain open so businesses can use the lockdown time to update, upgrade and generally improve the quality of their marketing materials.

Jeremy believes that the diversity of Potters Bar makes it the ideal place in which to live and do business.

He says: “We enjoy the best of both worlds: beautiful green countryside on our doorstep, combined with a superb train service that gets us into central London in just 16 minutes, and we are just a short car or bus trip to the Piccadilly Line on the London Underground.

Potters Bar is notable for the quality of its local schools and the world-renowned Royal Veterinary College has its main campus nearby. Unlike some of the surrounding towns and villages, properties in the town remain reasonably priced, ensuring that businesses here can offer great value.”

“We enjoy the best of both worlds: beautiful green countryside on our doorstep, combined with a superb train service that gets us into central London in just 16 minutes, and we are just a short car or bus trip to the Piccadilly Line on the London Underground.”

Jeremy Silverstone of Purple Marketing Communications INSPIRE

17

Protecting businesses during unexpected crises The COVID-19 crisis has rapidly changed business operations, encouraging them to shift to a remote, digital working model.

During the past decade, organisations have been implementing new technology capabilities into their IT landscape to transform their current operating model to a more digitally enabled operating model.

The current atmosphere of uncertainty calls for faster more efficient implementation of such capabilities. Alongside operations and finances, organisations have to rapidly rethink their customer lifecycle engagement model.

To minimise risks, several organisations have taken measures to safeguard their employees and have executed a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to protect their services. We have outlined some of the key steps that organisations need to take to 1) weather the risk unexpected economic volatility poses to operations 2) develop operational and financial resilience to build sustainable business models.

Operational Resilience:

Financial Resilience:

5. Review communication strategy, such that employees, customers, stakeholders and shareholders are kept regularly informed.

1. Businesses need to assess their short-tomidterm financial stability, monitoring cash-flow and margins.

2. Review current supplier partnership contracts.

Engage with suppliers early in the process to develop a commercial model that is mutually beneficial.

3. Review Capex and Opex models.

Avoid hasty decision to minimise short-tomidterm Opex forecasts. Use operating model lenses to assess how existing resources can be exploited.

4. Following business reviews, invest in innovative ideas or existing backlog transformation initiatives that can accelerate the implementation of new operating model.

1. Assess whether the current operating model is fit for purpose or needs redefining.

2. Business capability maturity assessment should establish whether current capabilities are adequate or if new capabilities need to be developed/ procured to deliver the strategic objectives.

3. Product and services value propositions need to consider whether businesses can continue to retain and attract customers as per their growth plan.

4. Protect assets from external threats (e.g. cyberattack, scam emails, etc) by collaborating with IT service providers. Ensure the ability to recover services and data from last known position.

In collaboration with our clients, working to transform business foundations to achieve a more resilient model that delivers measurable outcomes!

Contact : e: Shan.Pretheshan@supa-itconsulting.co.uk t: 07956073264 www.supaitconsulting.co.uk

Government supporting tech start-ups

Over the last two weeks I have been working with the tech industry, colleagues in Parliament, and officials at HM Treasury to try and agree a bespoke Covid 19 support package for tech start-ups.

Bim Afolami Member of Parliament for Hitchin and Harpenden With a package of more than £1bn in support for the tech start-up ecosystem, the Chancellor is making his commitment clear that Britain should be the best place in the world to start and grow a tech business.

Now, Britain’s start-up ecosystem is the biggest and best in Europe.

This is the result of years of hard work from the ground-breaking entrepreneurs who have built brands to rival the best in the world. These companies, once

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INSPIRE

footnotes, are now the stars of our economy not just in a small corner of East London but across the UK. They grow faster and hire more than almost any other sector of the economy, with British tech firms raising more money last year than their French and German counterparts combined.

It was all going so well, then the coronavirus crisis hit. Much like the rest of the economy, the capital that fuels this success disappeared overnight. Start-ups went from future stars to fighting for survival in days.

Of course, this should not be surprising from a Chancellor who has seen the success that embracing tech can bring - he experienced first-hand the innovative drive in Silicon Valley which grips the British start-ups he is helping today. For anybody who hasn’t seen the Chancellor in action, let me assure you that he is as impressive as the reports say, and he combines a winning personality with an overriding aim of building the best economy possible for the UK. As with all great policies, the key now will be implementation.

We are working on the detail to make sure the money gets to the companies that need it in a timely

fashion. There will also be public/ private partnership between private investors and HM Treasury, which means that the British taxpayer will directly benefit when these start-ups grow into successful larger businesses.

But the government’s commitment will not only help British start-ups survive this crisis, it helps set the course for Britain’s economy – one driven by innovative, competitive entrepreneurs breaking down barriers and spurring growth. By backing our tech ecosystem, the Chancellor does not just save start-ups in the short term, he future-proofs Britain’s economy in the long term.

‘As with all great policies, the key now will be implementation. We are working on the detail to make sure the money gets to the companies that need it in a timely fashion.’

ENVIRONMENT TOP TIPS

Q

What happens if I can’t perform a contract?

In some cases, there will not be any issue. Some contracts allow a party to cancel without preconditions.

It may suit both parties to cancel or reschedule. However, by default, contracts bind the parties until they are completed – or performed as lawyers say.

Being unable to perform a contract will normally mean the other party has a claim against you for damages, even if it was not your fault.

A

Nathanael Young, a specialist litigation and insolvency lawyer, answers questions about the effect of the coronavirus on contracts.

Q

What effect has coronavirus had on contracts?

Over the last few weeks, coronavirus has caused unprecedented disruption to most businesses. This has led to a huge increase in enquiries about the effect of the outbreak on contractual obligations. Some are finding contracts difficult or impossible to perform, while others are faced with arguments the other party can’t perform.

A

Q

What can excuse nonperformance?

The legal concept of ‘frustration’ may stop a party being liable, but only if performing the contract has unexpectedly become either impossible, or radically different from what was envisaged.

Frustration is all or nothing - if it applies, it results in the contract being discharged, so that no further performance is required. If it doesn’t, the normal rule applies.

A

Q

Does frustration apply to my contract?

A

The rules on frustration may be displaced by the

contract itself. Many written contracts include ‘force majeure’ clauses instead, which set out what happens when significant events occur outside the control of the parties.

These often involve suspension at first, followed by complete cancellation if the suspension lasts long enough, so in some cases they can give a very different outcome.

Q

Can I rely on force majeure?

majeure doesn’t A Force apply by default; it only applies if a clause to that effect appears in your contract.

Even if it does, it is crucial to check whether and when the rights under that clause can be triggered, the effect that will have, and whether any special notices or conditions are required. Not all clauses give the same rights.

Q

If there’s no force majeure clause, is my contract frustrated?

Frustration doesn’t require a specific clause or even a written contract. The coronavirus outbreak has also led to many unexpected events.

A

However, frustration is very fact-specific; it depends on analysing what performance is required and what effect events have had on that performance.

As frustration has such drastic consequences, it does not apply just because the contract has become more difficult to perform or there is likely to be a delay in performance.

Q

What happens if we have started to perform a contract and it is frustrated?

Not all contracts are the same, but the general rule is that money paid before the frustrating event has to be repaid, while money due beforehand ceases to be payable. However, a party that has incurred expenses can hold back or recover a sum for those expenses to the extent the court considers that just.

A

Likewise, the court can require a party who has already gained a valuable benefit under the contract to pay an appropriate sum for that benefit.

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.

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In Conversation... with

Donna Obstfeld Managing Director of DOHR

How do I get my staff to care about my business as much as I do?

“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

This quote has multiple sources, but for me the underlying message for employers links this famous quote to company culture. How you make your staff feel says a huge amount about you as the business owner and often dictates how engaged your staff are with you, your business and your goals.

How do I create the right culture?

To create the right culture involves multiple stages: 1. Design the culture you want – know what you want your business to stand for and feel like (both internally and externally) 2. Communicate the culture you want – help those around you to share your vision and to understand your why. It is far easier to buy into something you truly understand 3. Embed the culture you want – this involves training, feedback and reinforcement of positive examples of the culture you are creating and want others to adopt 4. Lead by example – As the business leader, the buck stops with you. If you create the right culture and everything you do and say reinforces that culture, those around you will not only know what is expected, but will understand what they are required to do and most importantly, how to do it.

How do I maintain the culture I want?

Once you have achieved the right culture, you need to ensure that every aspect of your businesses reinforces that culture so that employees are engaged and continue to contribute at the highest levels.

To do this you need to look at key business processes: • Who are you recruiting – do they have the same values as you and are they a good fit for your culture? There are plenty of people who could do the job, but they must want it for the right reasons (and not purely for the pay).

• How do your policies and procedures support your culture and incentivise the right staff to join you and then to stay with you? This is multi-faceted and examples include: o Flexible working – hours, days and location o Benefits – annual leave, medical care, gym membership o Dress code o Performance management o The office environment o Your charitable works o Your customer service policies o Your environmental credentials Once you have the right culture in your business and are actively managing people and processes to create, maintain and reinforce that culture, the right employees will care about your business.

They will understand your ‘why’ and your ‘how’. Employees who live and breathe your culture, are fully engaged with your business and will care about your business as much as you do. If they aren’t engaged with your business and therefore don’t care about your business, they are the wrong people and need to be changed!

Call DOHR today on 01923 866037

Legal Property Experts in association with Penman Sedgwick LLP

Claire Miller – Partner, Head of Property, Penman Sedgwick LLP

Commercial Leases: Quarterly rents, cashflow and the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Most commercial leases require the tenant to pay the annual rent due to the landlord in advance by four equal quarterly instalments during each year of the term, usually on the ‘traditional’ quarter days (25 March, 24 June, 29 September and 25 December), although some leases refer to payment on the ‘modern’ quarter days (1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October).

This is clearly a concern for both the landlord and the tenant.

In this time of crisis many parties have already had to make decisions (or are about to do so) about whether a shortterm rent concession might be agreed, and if so on what terms. It is important (if future disputes are to be avoided) that any rent concession is properly documented and there is a lot to consider when doing so.

Either way, if you are a commercial tenant it is quite likely that just as you have been getting to grips with the current restrictions that have been put in place to control the spread of the virus a significant payment fell due under your lease – and it is quite likely that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will still be playing out when the next payment falls due in a few weeks’ time. Cashflow pressures are a concern for any business – what should you do if you suddenly find that you cannot pay your rent?

For example: How long will the concession last? Is it purely a personal arrangement between the parties? Is the rent simply being deferred, or are the payment dates being amended?

If so, can the landlord charge interest? Or is the landlord agreeing to waive the rent for a specified period? How does the rent concession impact on any security the landlord might hold, such as a rent deposit or a personal guarantee?

If you are looking for legal advice, we can help.

Problem Solved

to discuss how we can save you time, money & stress!

www.dohr.co.uk

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e: cmiller@penmansedgwick.com t: 01923 225212 www.penmansedgwick.com

5 George Street, Watford, Herts WD18 0SQ

Unlock the Key Human Performance Indicators in your people Optima-life are thought leaders who blend expert knowledge from the worlds of sport, business and health with technology.

Our clients, ranging from SMEs to multinationals, come from a variety of sectors and are often experiencing the challenge of accelerated change or growth. Regardless of their profile, a characteristic our clients have in common is a recognition that supporting their people is critical for sustained performance.

For Leaders: Coaching & Mentoring

For Teams: Workshops, Talks & Webinars

For Organisations: Our digital platform

What sort of leader do you want to be?

What sort of team do you want to be?

What sort of organisation do you want to be?

Our work will focus on your:

Our training focuses on their:

Our approach focuses on organisational:

• Energy

• Energy

• Balance

• Resilience

• Communication

• Efficiency

• Engagement

• Health & wellbeing

• Adaptability

• Cohesion

• 21st century leadership

• Culture

• Environment

• Energy • Wellbeing

If you would like to talk through how we support organisations and explore how we could help your people, do make contact via info@optima-life.com and we can arrange a time to talk.

www.optima-life.com

Shining a spotlight on

Conscious Leadership The Conscious Leaders Podcast is a fresh new podcast from Mindful Pathway. In it, Ruth Farenga (Founder, Mindful Pathway), talks to progressive business leaders focused on creating a positive culture and leading in progressive and innovative ways.

This insightful interview series features conversations with CEOs who are empowering their staff.

Each guest talks about their journey, their philosophy including their values and ethos as well as the practical side and how this plays out on a day to day basis.

In challenging times, it is important to give ourselves perspective and focus. The Conscious Leaders Podcast

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provides an opportunity to engage with cutting edge leadership and offers listeners the chance to reflect on their own challenges and successes.

The guests in this series all come from different industries and perspectives. There are some common themes but the interviewees have all come to their own way of leading via a different route, with a powerful story to tell.

“I am really proud and excited to bring this series to the public.

This is a transformational time as leaders revaluate the way they behave and I found from my research that leaders like learning from other great leaders in both philosophical and practical ways. I have the honour of talking to leaders with a more progressive approach. I hope people find it insightful.� says Ruth Farenga.

Episode 1 features John Hesler from the Napkin group discussing how releasing his grip on control has served him.

Episode 2 features June Cory of My Mustard fame delivering a frank insight into leadership.

The Conscious Leaders Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all good podcast players.

Access the links and listen at www.mindfulpathway.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Ways to improve well-being while staying safe How workers can stay happy and mentally well-balanced in these uncertain times…

On Friday, March 20 the UK government took the unprecedented step of urging the British public to stay at home and ordering all bars, restaurants, sports clubs and gyms to close for the foreseeable future to slow down the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

People who experience any of the COVID-19 symptoms – a persistent cough or fever, for example – have been told they must self-isolate for a period of time.

However, there are several measures that they can take to maintain a positive mood.

• Support groups such as Mind (www.mind.org.uk) are available to provide advice and guidance online or over the phone • Maintaining good physical health during quarantine or isolation is key to keeping mentally well. Walking, running or cycling outside can help, although stay a safe distance (at least two metres) away from others. Yoga is also a great stress-buster and can be done at home.

For those needing additional guidance on specific poses, there are several decent videos on YouTube

These instructions from the government were entirely understandable, with the death toll from the virus rising on a daily basis. However, it has forced everybody to recalibrate their way of life, to commit to doing things differently until the threat of the virus has passed. Many workers are now doing their day jobs from the comfort of their own home, elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are sensibly staying indoors to avoid infection, and much of the public are using Skype, social media and other forms of communication to keep in touch with their friends and loved ones.

• Video calls with friends and loved ones can be a great way of lifting the mood and reducing loneliness

Some people will cope with making these adjustments but for others it will inevitably have an adverse impact on their mental health and well-being – especially if they live on their own.

• Join an online community. These forums are places where people can make new friends, get inspired and chat about things they’re really passionate about, such as a charitable cause,

• Take regular breaks from social media.

Various social channels are rife with rumours and misinformation about the virus. Stick to official sources of information, such as the World Health Organisation website https://www.who.int/

a particular sport or television programmes.

For those who like music, British choirmaster, composer and TV presenter Gareth Malone has launched a digital choir, The Great British Home Chorus, to bring together amateur and professional performers around the UK by encouraging them to sing with others online • Learn some meditation and mindfulness techniques. There are several apps such as Headspace that offer tips to alleviate anxiety and stress and get people in a positive frame of mind • Practise the art of planning. Often, poor mental health can result from drifting aimlessly from one hour to the next. While life will be different for the next few months and normal routines may be disrupted, take some time to write down the key tasks that need to be achieved that day. Remember to build in time for little treats, such as exercise or a glass of wine in the evening. Planning gives a structure and sense of order to the day ahead • Above all, reach out. Those who are struggling can pick up the phone to a friend or family member if the sense of isolation gets too much

To the NHS, from Hertfordshire

The Coronavirus epidemic has thrust the world into lockdown. These are very difficult times for many people, and the Herts Chamber is here to help in whatever ways we can, please visit our website for further guidance.

In the United Kingdom we are lucky enough to have the National Health Service, and even more so in this critical time as NHS staff fight for us on the

front line. We wanted to show our incredible NHS how grateful we are for all they are doing in these unprecedented times, so with our patron Pearldrop,

we contacted members from around the County to submit a short video to show just how much we appreciate all the NHS is doing!

The video can be viewed on our website and/or Youtube channel. https://youtu.be/FnGZfWIBSIU

Our members have also been showing their appreciation through offering help however they can.

If you have a good news case study to share, please email it to editorial@hertschamber.com as we would love to see what you are up to!

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Expert help, any time of the day

If you’ve got a concern about your health – day or night – we’re here for you.

Whatever shape or size your worry, whether you need reassurance, urgent support or help with living well every day, you can pick up the phone to us at Health at Hand.

Our health information service is free to you as a Chamber member and all calls are confidential.

Some of the ways we can help: It’s the middle of the night and you can’t sleep for worrying about a recent diagnosis or upcoming surgery. Call and speak to one of our nurses who will give you information and help put your mind at ease.

Sometimes you may have questions about your medicines that you didn’t get the chance to ask the doctor or pharmacist, such as: – How does this medicine work?

– Are my medications safe to take together?

– What time of day is best to take it?

– Does it need to be taken with food?

– How should it be stored?

– What happens if I miss a dose?

The pharmacists at Health at Hand will give you information about your medicines whenever you need it, so you can feel confident that you’re taking the right medicine in the right way.

From nurses and counsellors to midwives or pharmacists, our helpline expert team are here to support you*.

Nurse and counsellor helpline open 24/7 Midwives and pharmacists available 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, Saturday 8am to 12pm, Sunday Activate the Health at Hand service at: axappphealthcare.co.uk/chambers

For a business healthcare cover quote, call 0800 389 7413

and mention that you’re a Chamber member. Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

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*Our Expert Help services do not diagnose or prescribe, and are not designed to replace your GP. British Chambers of Commerce is an introducer appointed representative of AXA PPP healthcare Limited which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The Business Health plan is underwritten by AXA PPP healthcare Limited. Registered office: AXA PPP healthcare, 5 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1AD. Registered in England and Wales number 3148119. Write to us at: AXA PPP healthcare, Phillips House, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2PL. We may record and/or monitor calls for quality assurance, training and as a record of our conversation. PB73597/11.19

CHAMBER EVENTS

The Chamber Team are still here,

working hard to support our County Whilst most of the country is working remotely, Herts Chamber included, and many companies are finding themselves in a number of difficult situations, we want to assure our County, that the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is still standing strong.

We are working remotely in guidance with government ruling, but continue to offer our full service.

From Export Documentation to Marketing Support to Events to Membership, our teams are on call whenever you need us to help however we can.

Chamber Services: • Our upcoming events are being moved to a later date in the year where possible, and with our members, we shall be hosting a variety of

webinars on topics from cyber security to business continuity planning to digital marketing. See our website to register your interest.

If you are interested in hosting a webinar with us, please contact the Events Team • Our communications platforms continue to operate as normal.

Please continue to send your editorial to editorial@hertschamber.com and use website services as normal, especially any ‘good news’ case studies to help to keep spirits raised across Hertfordshire

• Our offices are temporarily closed and therefore we are unable to accept visitors. For any export documentation needs please visit our website for further information. We do request that where possible, customers use post or access our online ez-cert service.

For any queries relating to this please contact the Export Team • For any general membership enquiries please feel free to contact your designated Account Manager or, alternatively, contact any member of the team, as we are always available to provide support

Herts Chamber awarded Bronze Award in Employer Recognition Scheme The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to have been awarded the Bronze Award in The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

The ERS encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme awards employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, who align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

To receive the Bronze Award, we had to: • self-nominate and pledge to support the armed forces, including existing or prospective employees who are members of the community • sign the Armed Forces Covenant • promote being armed forces-friendly and open to

employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners After completing the 3 simple steps above we received our first Bronze Award along with an electronic certificate and logos to display on our website, stationery and other collateral.

The scheme is designed primarily to recognise private sector support although public sector organisations such as the emergency services, local authorities, NHS trusts and executive agencies are also eligible to be recognised.

We would encourage you to get involved and apply.

For more information and to nominate your organisation for this award, go to www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme INSPIRE

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CHAMBER EVENTS

Herts Chamber Webinars - May The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce have organised a series of Webinar Events in these challenging times in order to continue supporting our members and non-members, and to provide vital information that businesses may need. With our members and benefit partners we have designed the programme to cover a variety of topics:

The Road to Recovery Four Critical Steps for Rebuilding your Business, Post COVID-19 Date: 01/05/20 Time: 09:30 – 10:30

This webinar will be delivered

by Danny Wicks and Graham Hardy, co-founders of Infusion Group Ltd who work daily with business owners, leaders & management teams to develop their leadership skills and build better high growth, sustainably profitable businesses.

COVID-19 has forced business leaders to urgently rethink how their businesses need to operate throughout a pandemic, and how they need to adapt and reshape to ensure they come

through it successfully. Through experience, Infusion Group have found there are immediate tasks which must happen whilst in the eye of the storm to ensure business survival. However, there is a need for quick transition into a forward-thinking plan that will begin to reshape the business, preparing it for the new normal.

A must register event for: Owners, MD’s & Senior managers of Medium & large sized companies.

This webinar will: • Provide clarity on what you must be doing now • Ensure you have control through the transition phases of the pandemic • Understand the capabilities you’re going to need to reshape & execute your plan • Give expert guidance and support to ensure you have the confidence to take action

Building a Resilient Foundation for the Future This webinar is brought to you in partnership with the Hertfordshire Growth Hub, the central point of access for business support in the county.

The current atmosphere of uncertainty has rapidly changed organisations’ Operating Models.

For a sustainable business model, each business needs to review their Strategy, Operating Model and their Customer Touchpoints to establish whether their current operating model will be resilient in the future. At the same time, businesses need to recover from the current state of flux into stabilisation and growth over a set period of time.

In this session, we will take you through the steps outlined below: 1. The need for businesses to take an end-to-end approach in reviewing their operational elements such as skills, processes, data, technology and governance from strategy-to-operating models to customer outcomes.

2. The ways to review and assess whether the current products and services can continue to deliver their value propositions for today’s and tomorrow’s customer needs 3. How to shift businesses’ current operations to be

a more digitally enabled operation and to improve operational cost efficiencies This webinar will be delivered

by Shan Pretheshan, Founder and Transformation Director of SUPA-IT Consulting. In collaboration with SME business leaders and Management Teams, transforming their Business and Operating Models in delivering their strategic objectives and customer outcomes. He has worked with Financial Institutions as well as Utility and other sectors in helping them to transform their Business and Operating Models.

Date: 05/05/20 Time: 10:00 – 11:00

Ensuring Employee Wellbeing during COVID-19 Date: 07/05/20 Time: 14:30 – 15:30

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Leading UK health and wellbeing provider Westfield Health are hosting an exclusive webinar on 7th May on supporting your employees’ wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Hosted by Richard Homes, Director of Wellbeing at Westfield Health, this live Q&A Webinar will address topics such as working from home, self-isolation and tips to help HR professionals support their people’s physical and mental

wellbeing at this very difficult time.

Richard is a health and wellbeing expert who has dedicated his career to improving people’s quality of life.

He’s passionate about the impact of health and wellbeing

on business and individual performance.There will be the opportunity to ask any questions you may have via live chat on the day, but you can also send questions in advance to enquiries@hertschamber.com

For further information about Westfield Health, please contact: Louise O’Kane, Health and Wellbeing Consultant.

T: 07721 536483 E: louise.okane@WestfieldHealth.com

CHAMBER EVENTS

For more information on any event:

01707 502180

bookings@hertschamber.com or www.hertschamber.com

Fighting Fit: Coming out of Covid-19 ready for battle Date: 12/05/20 Time: 11:00 – 12:00

This webinar will focus on recovery post COVID-19 and will examine a number of areas that you need to consider to ensure that both you and your company are prepared for the return to “business as usual”.

The topics that will be covered are: Self-care for company owners – have you given all your attention to your business and your staff, possibly to the detriment of yourself? Take time to consider yourself and the help or support you may need to remain resilient.

Human capital – this pandemic has thrown into the spotlight the different ways in which staff have coped with the crisis. There may well now be the need for you to review roles within your teams and look at development & training requirements for some of your staff Business as a brand – can you create a positive story for your business from this current situation and ensure that your corporate values are clear and your brand is aligned to these?

Operational Management how can a culture of continuous improvement transform your business operations?

Financial Management – are you aware of all the support available to your business and have you reviewed all your options?

This webinar will be delivered by Dr. Funke Abimbola MBE, Chief Executive Officer and Board Advisor, The Austen Bronte Consultancy.

Funke is a performance driven, C-suite leader and board executive with over nineteen years’ experience gained across global organisations, national and regional businesses and niche corporate ventures.

She has worked within several industries including manufacturing, financial services, technology,

Virtual Networking Opportunity The next Webinar Event of the series that Herts Chamber have organised, is a pure networking event in order to continue supporting our members and non-members in these challenging times.

Join us for an hour of networking on Wednesday 13th May at 11am and enjoy

the powers of networking, providing the chance to meet with up to 50 different business people in an informal atmosphere, to listen and share experiences whilst working remotely during these challenging times.

This event is free of charge for all members and a small

charge of £15.00 plus VAT is applicable for non-members.

N.B. Any non-member attending this meeting who subsequently signs up for Chamber membership within one week (i.e. CoB 20.05.20) will receive a full refund of the cost of attending this webinar.

retail, education, professional services and not-for-profit. Over 10 years of her experience has been within the healthcare sector, most notably as a senior, C-suite leader for Roche, the world’s largest biotech company.

A passionate and committed strategic and operational business leader, Funke leads by example and firmly believes in putting people at the heart of decisionmaking, driving higher productivity and engagement, performance and delivery.

Her first career in law has ensured high standards of governance, compliance and risk management, steering organisations through uncertain times. Funke has successfully leveraged this foundation to develop as a commercial, business leader.

Date: 13/05/20 Time: 11:00-12:00

How to stay productive whilst working remotely Date: 14/05/20 Time: 14:30 – 15:30

Many people struggle with time management, especially now whilst working remotely as all of our routines and habits have had to change.

Having the right tools and mindset to use our time the best way possible will not only help to be more productive but might, in the end, protect our mental health and save businesses.

This webinar will teach you how to stay effective and productive whilst working remotely from home.

Delivered by Chamber Member Gamze Alptekin Fackelmann of The Gamze Method.

In this webinar we will cover: • How to set boundaries and minimize distractions at home

• How to create routines and habits to get back a set structure for remote workdays • How to set up yourself and your home office so that you can work productively and efficiently • Most effective time management techniques to optimize remote work • How to work with your team from home

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QUEEN’S AWARD 2020

Queen’s Awards for Enterprise Winners 2020 “It gives me enormous pleasure at this difficult time to be able to share some good news in congratulating the eight successful winners of The Queens Award for Enterprise.

To win any award is wonderful but the Queens Awards are the ultimate accolade and are awarded for outstanding achievement.

There were 220 winning companies from the whole of the UK and only 128 winners in the International

Robert Voss CBE CStJ HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire

Trade Category and Hertfordshire businesses won 8 of those 128 - a quite outstanding achievement and the best ever result for the county.

I am well aware how competitive these awards are with thousands of companies entering annually.

As a businessman myself, I am especially proud of what these eight companies have achieved and would add that all are SME’s many with a mere handful of employees.

The Hertfordshire Winners:

Brogan Group Holdings (Welwyn Garden City) Website: www.brogangroup.com Twitter: @BroganGroup Contact: Wayne Smith wsmith@brogangroup.com Buddi Limited (Rickmansworth) Website: www.buddi.uk Contact: Rowena Murray

ro@buddi.co.uk Innovative Trials (Letchworth Garden City) Website: www.innovativetrials.co.uk Contact: Suellen Morris

suellen.morris@innovativetrials.co.uk Peerless-AV Limited (Watford) Website: www.peerless-av.com Twitter: @PeerlessAVEU Contact: Beky Cann

bcann@peerless-av.eu.com

They demonstrate the strength and variety of successful companies in Hertfordshire -The County of Opportunity and surely The County of Entrepreneurship.

Despite the current trading conditions, I hope many others will self-nominate for The Queens Awards for Enterprise in 2021 as the nominations are now being accepted and continue this fantastic success that Hertfordshire businesses have enjoyed.”

Prop Store (Rickmansworth) Website: www.propstore.com Twitter: @propstore_com Contact: Felicity Beardshaw

felicity@propstore.com QHi Group Ltd (Harpenden) Website: www.qhigroup.com Contact: Daniel Thomas dan.thomas@qhigroup.com SA Designer Parfums Limited (Watford) Website: www.designerparfums.com Instagram: @designerparfums Contact: Krishna Panthula info@shaneel.com Silent Sentinel Limited (Ware) Website: www.silentsentinel.com Twitter: @_silentsentinel Contact: Madeleine Lewis madeliene@silentsentinel.com

Silent Sentinel wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise Surveillance platform manufacturer, Silent Sentinel Ltd, is proud to announce that they have been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.

Founded in 2002 in Hertfordshire, Silent Sentinel Ltd manufacture camera platforms to meet complex surveillance requirements. Their core business is supplying thermal and visible video cameras into the defence and homeland security sectors around the world.

They have grown from strength to strength over the years, moving premises in 2017 to an 18,000ft2 manufacturing plant in Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire, which is home over 35 members of staff.

More recently, in 2020 Silent Sentinel have expanded to open a new assembly facility and office in Dubai, UAE and look to do the same in the USA later this year.

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Since their establishment, they have exported to over 50 countries across six continents. It is due to this high level of export that they received the award for Outstanding Continuous Growth in overseas sales over the last six years.

During this time, sales have grown by 2,644% with exporting becoming central to their operations and growth, exports growing year on year from 10% to 83%.

“To be recognised for our continuous growth in overseas sales is just fantastic for Silent Sentinel. Exporting has been our strategy for a number of years and it is absolutely critical to what we do, so to be recognised nationally for a prestigious Queen’s Award is an absolute honour and a key

milestone for our future growth.” states Paul Elsey, Managing Director.

Announced annually, The Queen’s Awards are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, recognising outstanding achievement in four categories: innovation, international trade, sustainable development, promoting opportunity through social mobility. Winners can use the emblem for five years after receiving the award.

“Winning this award is a huge privilege and a real testament to the fantastic work every member of the team does. We believe this will open us up to a whole new pool of customers, and we can’t wait to

keep expanding our international growth in the years to come” states James Longcroft, Business Development Director.

Silent Sentinel will celebrate their award during a royal reception amongst the other Queen’s Awards winners later this year.

INSPIRING HERTFORDSHIRE AWARDS 2020

Congratulations to the 2020 Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards Finalists!

On Monday 6th April, after much deliberation by the judges, the Inspiring Hertfordshire 2020 Awards Finalists were announced.

We would like to congratulate each finalist, and thank every entrant for their effort in filling out the form and applying.

There was an increase in entries this year, including some really strong applications, making the judging a tough job!

However, the shortlists are now available and we look forward to celebrating with all those who made the list, plus the winners, the sponsors, the judges and

everybody involved in the making of this truly inspiring event.

Bookings for the Gala Dinner are now open and we are delighted to be returning to the magnificent St Albans Cathedral for this wonderful event – known as the Oscars of Hertfordshire!

Please note, due to the current situation with regard to the Covid-19 virus, we have decided to reschedule the IHA Gala Dinner to this year take place on Thursday 1st October 2020.

We would also like to thank all of our sponsors and external judges for taking their time to carefully score each entry!

Join us in finding out which of our extraordinary finalists will be awarded the winners of this year’s Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards and who will take the overall crown as Inspiring Business of the Year!

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TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

Congratulations to the 2020 Inspiring

Outstanding Contribution to Business Sponsored by:

Hertfordshire

To be announced at the Gala Dinner on 1st October

Awards Finalists!

Inspiring Business of the Year Sponsored by:

To be announced at the Gala Dinner on 1st October

Business of the Year East Herts Sponsored by:

Business of the Year North Herts Sponsored by:

Business of the Year South Herts Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Beyond Governance • CHEXS • Croft Communications • The Property Presenters

Business of the Year West Herts Finalists:

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Finalists:

Finalists:

• Alliance Intelligent Scaffolding

• BestStart HR

• Alliance Intelligent Scaffolding

• Aubrey Park Hotel

• CHQ Architects

• Aubrey Park Hotel

• Castaway Cottage

• Hart Learning & Development

• AVS VAT

• ManAlive Fitness

• Support UK

• Kane International

• The Living Room

• Rayden Solicitors

INSPIRE

INSPIRING HERTFORDSHIRE AWARDS 2020

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Alliance Intelligent Scaffolding • HBC Logistics • IBC Simply • JPA Workspaces • Kestronics • Silent Sentinel • Support UK • Wagada

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Keech Hospice Care • Silent Sentinel • Sonovision • Wagada

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Chasebridge Wealth Management • CHEXS • DLRC • Hertfordshire Building Control • Quanta Consultancy Services • VolkerWessels UK • Sonovision

Sponsored by: Finalists: • Hertfordshire Building Control with J & L Build Ltd • Jarvis Contracting (Maiden Park Project) • Jarvis Contracting (Watford Health Campus Project) • The Property Presenters

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Kane International • Morgan Sindall • Quanta Consultancy Services • Rayden Solicitors • TYSERS

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • BCM Agency • CHQ Architects • HBC Logistics • Optima-Life • PayByPhone • Wagada

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Age UK Hertfordshire • Barratt Homes (nominated by Keech Hospice) • Home-Start Hertfordshire • MetroBank • North Hertfordshire College • Resolve • University of Hertfordshire Law School

Sponsored by: Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Hart Learning & Development • SETPOINT Hertfordshire • Wagada

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Kestronics • Silent Sentinel

Finalists: • Archie Major, Castaway Cottage • Cheryl Luzet, Wagada • Diane Lee, DLRC • James Longcroft, Silent Sentinel • Beyond Governance • Sharp-AX

Sponsored by: Finalists: • Castaway Cottage • Gatwards of Hitchin • JHP Electrical • JPA Workspaces • Kane International • Kestronics • Taylor Heating

Finalists: • HBC Logistics • IBC Simply • Kane International • Lumina Technologies • MetroBank • Sonovision

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Beyond Governance • BB Business Group Consultancy • Castaway Cottage • HBC Logistics • KM4HR • Snide London

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Emmaus Hertfordshire • Henkel • JPA Workspaces • Origins of Beauty • PayByPhone

Finalists: • Harrisons Research and Genealogy • Kestronics • Quanta Consultancy Services • Sonovision • Wagada

Finalists: • YC Hertfordshire • Herts Visual Arts Forum • Trestle Theatre Company • University of Hertfordshire

INSPIRE

31

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

Pendley Manor - Harcourt Ballroom

Makeover for Pendley Manor Set in 35 acres of beautifully landscaped and wooded parkland, Pendley Manor Hotel in Hertfordshire is the perfect country retreat for leisure breaks, weddings and conferences.

Located near the picturesque town of Tring, the venue benefits from excellent transport links, a little more than an hour from central London and very close to the M1 and M25 motorways. The train station is just a short ten-minute stroll away, with direct links to London Euston, and there’s also a regular bus service from the station for journeys into Tring and Aylesbury.

Put simply, it’s not too difficult to see why Pendley Manor attracts

customers, both locally and from afar. Aside from its great location, it has a rich and unique history; In 1987, the manor was purchased by an independent hotelier and two years later was restored to its original grandeur and re-opened as a country house hotel.

Business customers can benefit from a host of modern, flexible facilities including the Harcourt Ballroom that caters for up to 200 people and more intimate spaces for smaller meetings – making it one of

the finest events and conference venues in Hertfordshire.

Pendley Manor is now benefiting from a refurbishment programme that has seen major upgrades to its 84 bedrooms, spa area, meeting and banqueting spaces and leisure facilities. The new design accentuates Pendley’s historic character as a beautiful country manor, yet adds a dash of twenty-first century modernity to the mix, with luxurious finishes, rich fabrics, patterns and modern amenities.

Helen Rowe, business development manager at Pendley Manor, says: “The refurbishment has helped to strengthen our position as one of the best hotels in Hertfordshire. We’ve worked really hard to get the team very focused on providing great customer service.

Not only is our hotel set in a beautiful location with excellent facilities, it also represents great value for money for individuals and business customers who walk through our doors.”

Aubrey Park offers the personal touch At Aubrey Park our aim is to create a personal experience far beyond the realms of just booking a package or meeting room.

Whether we’re hosting 2 or 200 delegates, we take pride in accommodating all styles and sizes of conferences and meetings. We take a consultative approach with all of our clients to ensure we really meet their brief and consider all requirements in a bespoke way.

Our newest build, The Oak Suite, was designed to tick all the boxes. It features large glass walls allowing for streams

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of natural daylight, an integrated sophisticated audio-visual sound system and lighting, all within a private self-contained venue with terrace, exclusive entrance and its own bar.

Our highly experienced conference team will work with you to offer the flexibility and personal touch you need, which is why our clients come back time and time again.

For more information visit https://aubreypark.co.uk

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

The Month of May at Paradise Wildlife Park Although Paradise Wildlife Park remains closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the park still continues to engage with the visitors and local communities. Through live streams and CCTV content, Paradise Wildlife Park has given exclusive insight into the animals and zoo keepers while it stays closed to the general public.

Over the month of May, the park will continue this amazing content and engagement through the website, but mainly through the social media platforms.

Expect animal live streams including a feature on our primate collection! Get the perfect view and good feels from watching their lovely lemurs interact with the keepers and enjoy their lunch. After a successful test run, the bird team will reappear with their brilliant birds of prey collection so tune in for lots of tricks, dives and cuteness!

The 23rd and 24th of May is also the annual Otter Weekend at Paradise Wildlife Park.

However, the closure is not disheartening the wonderful keeper teams. The park will bring all the adorable otter content you could ever wish for, straight to your screen!

Gather your loved ones to watch amazing footage of our otter family like never before!

Please keep an eye out for competitions running on our social media, online resources to use at home and exaiciting video and photograph footage coming straight from the zoo.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pwlpk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradisewildlifepark/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParadiseWLPark YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCDUNKr1hbm8wSDzQfQabCng Tik Tok: @paradiswildlifepark

Paradise Wildlife Park would like to take this chance to also share the Emergency Animal Fun, hosted on Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ animalsupportfund If you would like to continue to see these amazing animal moments, please consider donating whatever you can to the Just Giving page. All the funds raised will go directly to the upkeep of our animals, which includes vet and healthcare bills, food, enrichment, husbandry; anything that the animals’ welfare require.

Everyone here at Paradise Wildlife Park hopes that you are staying safe and well.

We can get through this difficult time with love, laughter and generosity.

Thank you Given the current turmoil in the industry and the challenges faced by the global community, UH Venues would like to take this pre-booked space to thank the incredible fortitude of the nation’s key workers.

The NHS staff, HGV drivers, store assistants, teachers, carers, social workers, delivery drivers, scientists and all the other key workers that are keeping life moving forward in this difficult time.

Please use the blank space below to rest your eyes, think of and thank these vital services and the people behind them.

UH Venues has two modern University campuses and a bespoke day-conference centre with carparking and kitchen facilities. We have already donated our PPE to Isabel Hospice.

If you are working to support the Covid-19 response or looking for ways to ensure your business can continue to function and feel our venues or experience may be useful to your planning please get in touch via venues@herts.ac.uk or phone 01707 284841

INSPIRE

33

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to new members DLRC Ltd Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs Consultancy Twitter: dlrcltd Email: enquiries@dlrc.co.uk Website: www.dlrc.co.uk Tel: 01462 372472 Address: Suite 201, The Nexus Building LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY Hertfordshire SG6 3TA

Matt Page Installations Ltd Installation and lifting specialists. We install a vast range of security products, steel frameworks and carry out civils and reinstatement works Email: info@mpi.limited Tel: 080 0888 6777 Address: The Cattlesheds Edwards AFEX Green Farm Brickendon Lane HERTFORD Hertfordshire Global payment provider SG13 8NT Twitter: _AFEX EIC Insurance Services Limited Email: allen@afex.com Mid Herts Golf Club Commercial Insurance Broker Website: www.afex.com Private Members Golf Club with 18 hole Website: www.eicinsurance.co.uk Tel: 020 7811 6557 golf course, clubhouse facilities and a pilates studio open to the general public Address: 4th Floor 40 Strand LONDON Elstree Film Studios Limited Twitter: MidHertsGolf WC2N 5RW Working Studio, Offices and Workshop Email: gm@midhertsgolfclub.co.uk facilities provider to the Film and Television Always Friday Ltd Website: www.midhertsgolfclub.co.uk Industry Performance marketing, digital marketing, Tel: 01582 832242 Twitter: elstreestudios marketing and sales at low risk Address: Lower Gustard Wood, Email: info@elstreestudios.co.uk Twitter: “_always_friday” Lamer Lane, Wheathamtead, Website: www.elstreestudios.co.uk Email: oleksandra@alwaysfriday.co.uk Hertfordshire, AL4 8RS Tel: 020 8953 1600 Website: www.alwaysfriday.co.uk Mindful Pathway (Farenga Ltd) Address: Elstree Studios Shenley Road Tel: 07481 187371 Mindful Pathway supports organisations BOREHAMWOOD Address: Kinetic Business Centre to allow their leaders the space to teach Hertfordshire WD6 1JG Theobald Street ELSTREE effectively and be the best versions of Hertfordshire WD6 4PJ themselves with 121 Coaching and Flagship Wines Ltd Mindful Leadership Programmes Award winning independent merchant run Ashley Wilde Group Limited Twitter: MindfulPathway

by Julia Jenkins with 30 years trade The Ultimate Home Interiors Haven With Email: ruth@mindfulpathway.co.uk experience & wine knowledge a strong reputation in the industry and Website: Twitter: “FlagshipWines” renowned for Design, Style, Heritage, www.mindfulpathway.co.uk/author/ruthmfp/ Email: julia@flagshipwines.co.uk Innovation and Service.

Tel: 07962 423 092 Website: www.flagshipwines.co.uk Website: www.ashleywildegroup.com Address: Flat 9 Albanian Court 85 Camp Tel: 01727 865309 Road ST ALBANS Hertfordshire Ashleys (Hitchin) Limited Address: 417 Hatfield Road ST ALBANS AL1 5EA Accountancy Hertfordshire AL4 0XP Twitter: ashleysca Mr Mulligans GAMSTEN Ltd. Indoor Golf course Email: ashleys@ashleys.co.uk Time Management Email: Website: www.ashleys.co.uk Twitter: gamzeaf manager.stevenage@mrmulligan.com Tel: 01462 422555 Email:

gamze@gamzealptekin.com Website: www.mrmulligan.com Address: Invision House Wilbury Way Website:

www.gamzealptekin.com Tel: 01238 879579 HITCHIN Hertfordshire SG4 0TY Address: Lost World Golf Unit 3A Tel: 07932 357368 AT Bone and Sons ltd Stevenage Leisure Park Address: 7 Field Way RICKMANSWORTH Agriculture, Civils and Groundworks, STEVENAGE Hertfordshire Hertfordshire WD3 7EL Logistics, Sports Turf, Industrial and SG1 2UA Hope In Touch Residential Lettings MSN Laboratories Europe Limited Entrepreneur and Author Email: becky@atbone.co.uk Pharmaceuticals Email: hope.in.touch1@gmail.com Website: www.atbone.co.uk Twitter: msnlabs Tel: 07456 720160 Tel: 07903 760212 Email: jocelyn.ligas@msnlabs.com Address: Pixmore Avenue LETCHWORTH Address: Crossoaks Farm Crossoaks Website: www.msnlabs.com Hertfordshire SG6 1RN Lane Well End Nr. Borehamwood Tel: 020 3371 7158 Address: Devonshire Business Centre Julie New - Personal recovery coach Hertfordshire WD6 5PH Works Road LETCHWORTH and Author (Changes Forever Ltd) AVS VAT (AVS VAT Consultancy) Hertfordshire SG6 1GJ Julie New is a unique personal recovery Advising businesses and accountants coach, author and speaker. She helps Nice Guys Office Supplies on how to best deal with VAT people move through and beyond difficult Magazine Publisher Email: info@avsvat.com life changes Twitter: niceguysltd Website: www.avsvat.com Email: Jeff@niceguysofficesupplies.com Twitter: julienewcoach Tel: 01438 716176 Website: www.niceguysofficesupplies.com Email: julie@julienew.co.uk Address: 4 Whitehill WELWYN Tel: 01992 276555 Website: www.julienew.co.uk Hertfordshire AL6 AF Address: 34 Starling Close Buckhurst Hill Tel: 07967 135870 Essex IG9 5TN Aztek Logistics Limited Address: Hope HQ Thatchers Warehousing, Distribution and Freight 7 Church Road WILLINGTON Origins of Beauty Forwarding Online Ethical Beauty Store Bedfordshire MK44 3QD Twitter: AztekLogistics Twitter: Origins_Beauty Kier Construction Ltd - Eastern Email: info@originsofbeauty.com Email: duncan@azteklogistics.co.uk Building Contractors/Planning/Services Website: www.originsofbeauty.com Website: www.azteklogistics.co.uk Website: www.kier.co.uk Tel:

07969 762472 Tel: 01462 689480 Address: 40 Bradgate Cuffley LAPD Lighting Design Address: Works Road LETCHWORTH Hertfordshire EN6 4RN An independent lighting design consultancy GARDEN CITY Hertfordshire working in Hertfordshire and across the Paul and Page SG6 1JZ world Developer and provide compliance services Brighter Connect Twitter: LAPDlighting for the Construction Industry Professional Training Email: pw@paulandpage.co.uk Email: simon.thorp@lapd.co.uk Website: www.brighterconnect.com Website: www.paulandpage.co.uk Website: www.lapd.uk Tel:

07841 402907 Businesslunge Tel: 01707 290010 Address: Unit 3-4 Cokenach Estate Business Coaching, Mentoring, Address: 2 The Mill Race LEMSFORD Cokenach Estate Barkway Training and speaker VILLAGE Hertfordshire Royston Hertfordshire SG8 8DL Website: www.businesslunge.com AL8 7TW Prolongevity CALA Homes Little Big Fish Films Pharmaceuticals, Health , Diabetes Building premium homes for over Film and Video production Twitter: longevity_pro Twitter: Littlebigfish1 thirty years Email: graham.phillips@ Email: nic@littlebigfishfilms.co.uk Twitter: calahomes manorpharmacygroup.co.uk Website: www.littlebigfishfilms.co.uk Email: jmarshall@cala.co.uk Website: www.prolongevity.co.uk Tel: 07770 755115 Website: www.cala.co.uk Tel: 01727 834365 Address: 10 Frankland Road Tel: 01707 397100 Address: 3 The Metro Centre Ronsons RICKMANSWORTH Address: 1 Falcon Gate Welwyn Garden Way ST ALBANS Hertfordshire Hertfordshire WD3 3AU City Hertfordshire AL7 1TW AL4 9QT Acqui-Tal Ltd. Recrutiment - Talent acquisition for SMEs Email: john.m@acqui-tal.com Website: www.acqui-tal.com Tel: 07887 422243 Address: 5 Drummonds Fold ST ALBANS Hertfordshire AL3 8QQ

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Pure Balance Accounting Ltd Accountancy practice for SMEs and individuals, providing accounts and tax advice - VAT, PAYE services too Twitter: jodie_PBA Email: enquiries@purebalanceaccounting.co.uk Website: www.purebalanceaccounting.co.uk Tel: 01763 500144 Address: 27 Kneesworth Street Royston Hertfordshire SG8 5AB Redway HR People Management and Development Twitter: redwayhr Email: liz@redway-hr.co.uk Website: www.redway-hr.co.uk Tel: 07773 473780 Address: 34 Porters Hill Harpenden Hertfordshire AL5 5HR REFCAP Property and Business Finance Website: www.refcap.co.uk Rotary Club of Stevenage Worldwide Service Organisation operating in 200 countries with a membership of over 1 million in 33,000 Clubs Twitter: “ClubStevenage” Email: alex6144@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.stevenagerotary.org.uk Tel: 01920 822209 Address: c/o 14 High Street PUCKERIDGE Hertfordshire SG11 1RN St Albans Museums Museum and Gallery Twitter: “stalbansmuseums” Email: kate.warren@stalbans.gov.uk Website: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Tel: 07769 875460 Address: St Albans Museum and Gallery Town Hall, St Peters Street ST ALBANS Hertfordshire AL1 3DH Team Factors Ltd Financial Services Twitter: team_factors Email: operations@teamfactors.co.uk Website: www.teamfactors.co.uk Tel: 01923 882910 Address: Apsley Mill Cottage London Road Apsley HEMEL HEMPSTEAD Hertfordshire HP3 9QU The Priory School Website: www.priory.herts.sch.uk The Will Bureau Established for nearly 30 years and have always specialised in Will preparation; it is not an element of our business, it is our business.

Twitter: thewillbureau Email: wills@twb.org.uk Website: www.thewillbureau.co.uk Tel: 020 8920 3360 Address: 5 Chase Side SOUTHGATE London N14 5BP YBA PPC Internet Marketing Service Twitter: ybappc Email: laura@ybappc.co.uk Website: www.ybappc.co.uk Tel: 01727 298040 Address: Unit 5, 40 Coldharbour Lane HARPENDEN Hertfordshire AL5 4UN Your Right Hand Finance Team We provide part-time accounting and bookkeeping to growing businesses, tailored exactly to your needs.

Twitter: YRHFT Email: roger.hearn@yourrighthand.co.uk Website: www.yourrighthand.co.uk Tel: 01252 820002 Address: 30 Glendale Avenue Edgware HA8 8HQ

Making a difference in difficult times When the emergency COVID-19 legislation passed by the UK Government, JPA immediately placed all external works and client deliveries on hold, storing all client goods for free in our warehousing until deliveries can be re-instated. Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our staff, customers, families and the NHS are paramount.

However, JPA remain open.

Our team are determined to assist the NHS at this critical juncture as best we can, and have put our logistics and manpower at the disposal of the NHS, helping to move critical equipment and supplied between hospitals and also to supply much needed emergency equipment.

We are also donating furniture as and where we can.

Our delivery teams have volunteered to take part in this invaluable work, and we have never been prouder of our JPA Family than we are today.

In 2019, we lost our beloved Chairman to illness, and we all recognise that he would have been the first to volunteer and

try and make a difference in these difficult times – this was the type of company he wanted to build.

reduce the impact of COVID-19.

We appreciate your continued support and would like to assure you of our commitment to the NHS, our community, our staff and our customers.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and do everything in our power to contribute to the efforts to

Please contact us on 01727 840800 for further information. Thank you for reading and please stay safe.

TYSERS offer their support to Chamber members “Most commercial insurance policies are unlikely to cover pandemics or unspecified notifiable diseases, such as COVID-19. However, those businesses which have an insurance policy that covers government ordered closure and pandemics or government ordered closure and unspecified notifiable diseases, should be able to make a claim – subject to the terms and conditions of their policy. Insurance policies differ significantly, so businesses are encouraged to check the terms and conditions of their specific policy.

Insurers’ policies that cover notifiable diseases will typically only cover a specific subset of notifiable diseases (i.e. Cholera or Anthrax) that the insurer will reference in the policy documentation. These policies will exclude any notifiable disease not on the insurers list, as well as future/unknown diseases (e.g. COVID-19).

Managing remote teams in challenging times Businesses still able to continue operating in these challenging times are suddenly facing a very different landscape when it comes to managing their teams.

Entire companies have been thrust into a new way of remote working that would normally take months to set up properly.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing remote teams, especially not in this era of uncertainty, but a few key principles will help keep people connected and business moving forward.

Today alone our teams have been making deliveries to UCLH, Lister Hospital (Stevenage), Barnet Hospital and West Herts (Hemel Hempstead) Hospital.

If you see our vehicles and our teams operating during the lockdown period, this is for completion of essential works and fulfilment of NHS requirements, undertaken by our hard-working staff and under strictly controlled conditions.

The UK government issued the following commercial insurance guidance to businesses:

HR EXPERT ADVICE SERVICE

Some businesses will have purchased add-ons for their insurance that cover for ‘unspecified notifiable diseases’.

These policies effectively cover any disease listed as a notifiable disease, enabling the business to claim for losses for all notifiable diseases as well as from diseases that are unknown at the point the policy is written.”

There is a lot of information to decipher to fully understand the extent of your insurance protection. Chris Jackson and the team at Tysers are happy to provide guidance to any Hertfordshire Chamber member on this matter, at no cost.

You may welcome a second opinion especially if you have been advised that no cover is in place.

Should you wish to receive further guidance email your policy schedule and full policy wording to Chris.Jackson@tysers.com and he will aim to respond immediately and within 24 hours at the latest.

1. Communication: This is the most important focus right now to provide direction and support. Regular online catch-ups with the whole team are a good way to share updates and keep connected. Make time for individual one-to-ones to find out how people are doing and give them an opportunity to raise any concerns.

2. Wellbeing: Encourage employees to take regular breaks, to have a working space that meets health and safety requirements, and to keep in contact with each other. If you have an Employee Assistance Programme that offers counselling and advice, share it with your teams for extra support.

3. Motivation: Keep positivity going by sharing team goals, continuing to celebrate successes and most of all, by having fun with your team - try things like online quizzes, daily challenges, or informal get togethers.

4. Flexibility: Many individuals will be juggling home schooling and other responsibilities with work. Consider how you can support them with flexible hours and working arrangements.

5. Productivity: You may need to adjust objectives and create new ones so employees are clear what’s expected of them. Agree how work will be measured and check if any training or equipment is needed to support them with working from home.

As experienced HR specialist for SMEs, we can support you at the most challenging of times.

If you need advice on managing your teams, please email me: sally.beckford@solutionshr.co.uk

Tel : 01992 210256

www.solutionshr.co.uk

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MEMBERS NEWS

Lister Hospital Sandwich Service Appeal As part of the Stevenage FC Community Careline, setup to provide support to our local community during the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the Football Club and Foundation are looking to raise funds to continue providing a small service to a very special group of people.

Our Community Kitchen has been providing sandwiches to not only vulnerable local people in isolation, but also to the frontline NHS staff at the Lister Hospital. 100 sandwiches are being provided on a daily basis to nurses, doctors, administrators and more as they risk their lives for our community.

In order to sustain this service for the next 12 weeks, we are looking to raise funds for supplies to continue to contribute to their amazing efforts.

Bank hands £10k boost to ‘dedicated’ Herts NHS staff battling COVID-19 The “dedicated healthcare heroes” of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust have been given a £10,000 donation from a county-based challenger bank to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Redwood Bank, headquartered in Letchworth, is handing over the cash to the East & North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity, a non-government funded organisation, which has set up a donation appeal to support healthcare workers amid the global pandemic.

Some of the funds raised through the Here For Each Other campaign will go towards items and services to support the emotional and physical wellbeing of staff, which includes funding a rest and relaxation area at Lister Hospital and some rest and breakout areas in wards across the trust’s four hospitals.

Head of Charity Bethany McNeil said: “Our whole NHS team is working so incredibly hard to keep our patients safe and well, we are extremely proud to support them, especially those who are on the frontline battling COVID-19 directly.

“We are facing an unprecedented demand for NHS services, but at this difficult time it’s vital we support the physical and emotional wellbeing of our staff. We’re so grateful to Redwood Bank for its kind donation. As well as helping our hardworking healthcare professionals, funds will also be used to buy extra medical equipment, refurbishments to our hospitals and to contribute towards cutting-edge research projects.”

The charity supports four hospitals – the Lister in Stevenage, New QEII in Welwyn Garden City, Hertford County and the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood.

The organisation had originally set a £10,000 target and financial pledges from members of the public have reached more than £8,000 so far. This means, because of Redwood Bank’s donation, staff will benefit from almost double the amount the East & North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity had originally hoped for.

Gary Wilkinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Redwood Bank, said: “Never before have we needed our NHS like we do now.

In Hertfordshire alone, hundreds of families have been affected by COVID-19. These ever-increasing numbers are putting our dedicated healthcare heroes under immense pressure, so the team here at Redwood Bank wanted to do something to help.

“Getting behind the Here For Each Other campaign made complete sense because it’s ensuring the incredible staff at the Lister and other hospitals in the area are receiving the support and equipment that they need to continue battling this deadly virus.

“On behalf of Redwood Bank, I would like to publicly thank every member of healthcare staff for all their hard work. As a company we are also doing our bit as we’re working from home and staying there!”

As soon as the Government requested people work from home if they could, the Bank made it mandatory that all staff followed the rules.

Founded in 2017, Redwood Bank is the UK’s first challenger bank to have been ‘born in the cloud’ which meant secure systems were already in place to support remote working.

All staff already had access to the technology and capabilities to allow them to work from anywhere in the country.

Redwood’s robust systems and processes will continue to enable service continuity with no disruption to its customers.

For further information about Redwood’s coronavirus approach, visit www.redwoodbank.co.uk For anybody who would like to donate to the cause, visit www.enhhcharity.org.uk/appeal/ hereforeachother or text HERE4EACHOTHER to 70085 to donate £5.

Each sandwich costs £1 to source, prepare and deliver and with 500 sandwiches a week for the next 12 weeks, we are looking to raise £6000 to keep this going.

Any contribution you are able to make is hugely appreciated, not just by us at Stevenage FC Foundation and Stevenage Football Club but also staff at Lister Hospital.

There is a Virgin Money fundraising page in place https://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/charity-web/charity/ display CharityCampaignPage. action?charityCampaign Url=SFCNHS where you can help to keep the service running.

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At Arriva, we are here to support those businesses and services who are critical in keeping essential services running in the UK.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis then we are reaching out to you to understand you and your clients requirements at this time.

Transporting employees, service users and providing specialist transport are some of the areas that we can assist with, so if transport is key to supporting the UK in the current

If you are a business where transport is critical for essential staff during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and require assistance, please do get in touch.

Coronavirus updates, FAQs and Service updates can be found on this link https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/

MEMBERS NEWS

Marketing Tips

to support your Business during the Coronavirus The world has changed beyond recognition since the first cases of COVID-19 were being reported in Wuhan in late December.

With life now on hold, many businesses have had to pause their commercial activities and furlough their staff.

With less money coming in, marketing budgets have been slashed, cutting off a lifeline for these businesses at a time when they desperately need lead generation.

It is well documented that brands which increase their marketing activities in a time of recession are more robust and in a stronger position after the event. Marketing activities are split into short-term campaignbased tactics and activities which have a long-term effect.

If you pause marketing activities now, you could be playing catch up just at the point when there is a surge in demand.

With so many companies pausing their marketing, this is your opportunity to gain market

share, and reveal your true values as a business.

In the current environment, people are looking for something different from the businesses they buy from.

We have all become much more focussed on home and community, and businesses should look to adopt family values and to humanise their brand. The message that savvy brands are getting out there is, ‘‘We’re all in this together.’’

Think carefully about your messaging so that you don’t unwittingly cause offence.

On 16th April, the Herts Chamber hosted a webinar delivered by Cheryl Luzet from Wagada. The top takeaways from this were:

• Invest right now in the longterm marketing activities that show support for the community and engage your target audience • Plan some campaign activities such as paid ads to go live just before life starts to return to normal • Think about how you can diversify into industries which are seeing a boost in demand.

Marketing during the coronavirus does not have to be expensive. With social media use on the increase* by up to 50% in some areas, careful and consistent posting could offer a cost-effective way of reaching out and engaging with your target audience.

Cheryl Luzet is the owner of award-winning digital marketing agency Wagada, wagada.co.uk * https://about.fb.com/news/2020/03/keeping-our-apps-stable-during-covid-19/

The University of Hertfordshire is making hand sanitiser for the NHS and care staff to address the current shortage The Hatfield-based university’s sanitiser has been donated to a team from Hertfordshire County Council, who are co-ordinating the COVID-19 response effort and will be used to help keep key workers safe during the pandemic.

After seeing a news item about a small gin distillery’s production of hand sanitiser, the university’s director of health, safety and sustainability Monica Kanwar asked the technical team if they had the capabilities to do the same.

Dr Richard Southern, dean of school of life and medical sciences at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “This is an example of an outstanding team effort in responding to a call to action and using our technical expertise for the greater good.

So they got to work, using the World Health Organisation formula, and made an initial batch for internal use.

The team has now donated 35 litres to Hertfordshire County Council and plans to make further donations.

“I know that the product will help ensure vital NHS and social care staff are able to continue to work safely.”

Jim McManus – director of public health at Hertfordshire County Council – added:

“This sanitiser is already in the hands of frontline NHS and social care workers, protecting them and those they care for from infection.

“This incredible achievement shows the university is committed to defeating this pandemic as any of us.”

Laboratory practices were followed and the expertise of technical staff and the Biodeterioration Centre were used, along with strict COVID-19 social distancing measures.

We’re going to need your help!

COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on Age UK Hertfordshire’s services. We are a local charity and support over 10,000 older people each year, fulfilling our strategic objectives to alleviate loneliness and isolation, tackle poverty and build resilience within communities across Hertfordshire.

In the last few weeks we have seen a three-fold increase of enquiries for practical assistance with hospital discharge. There have also been twentytimes the normal rate of enquiries from people reporting difficulty and concerns with getting hold of their GP. There has been a ten-fold increase in concerns about social isolation and three times the number of requests for help with shopping/ food parcels. We expect the demand for our services to continue to increase.

Many of our clients already felt socially isolated and lonely, and the COVID-19 lockdown has accentuated that feeling.

We’ve had to re-imagine nearly all of our services, so much of what we normally do is about face to face contact with older people, as well as practical support and help around the home. This has been replaced with telephone or online support. We’re trying to call those people at least three times a week, just to check in and chat. For our clients without family and friends nearby, we are helping with shopping, collecting prescriptions and providing activity and comfort packs.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from people in Hertfordshire – so many people have stepped forward to help, our amazing team of volunteers have been generous with their time (as we knew they would be!). We’ve had food donations from HCC, Waitrose, Tesco’s and Morrison’s amongst others and members of the public have been donating comfort packs.

The feedback from our clients has been moving and rewarding – with clients messaging us to say how much they appreciate what we’re doing for them and how much they miss our usual services.

We still need more help though.

We’re fundraising to cover the costs of the parcels, packages and changes we are having to make to our services – details can be found on our website… www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire/ Or email our Head of Engagement at Rosalind.wyllie@ageukherts.org.uk …we’d love people to support us and donate to the cause.

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Construction on our new HatTech business centre is currently postponed due to Covid-19 precautionary measures.

Local Perks.

City Feels.

We are constantly monitoring the situation and will look to re-open the site when guidelines permit.

HatTech is Hertfordshire’s business centre with a difference - a modern space to create and collaborate.

This purpose-built creative hub in Hatfield boasts a large, modern co-working space offering a unique opportunity to work alongside other entrepreneurs and sole workers, while its range of cost-effective business units is ideal for start-ups who have outgrown their home office.

HatTech’s flexible membership scheme, secure swipe-card entry and excellent location – two minutes from Hatfield station (just 23 minutes by train to London Kings Cross) and close to junction 4 of the A1(M) - make it the perfect place for your business to flourish.

A £750k Local Growth Fund grant from Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has helped transform the first floor of the building in Beaconsfield Court into a specially designed hub for businesses to connect and grow.

HatTech’s light, spacious co-working area houses a business lounge for informal meetings, and a refreshment collaboration

LOCAL PERKS. CITY FEELS. A NEW SPACE TO CREATE AND COLLABORATE. RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP.

bar. High-end work stations and storage deliver a professional, creative environment for individual working, while ‘hush hubs’ provide the necessary privacy for confidential meetings or phone calls.

Paul Witcombe, Head of Enterprise & Innovation at Hertfordshire LEP, said: “Small businesses form the backbone of Hertfordshire’s economy and in these tough economic times, it is more important than ever that they are given the space and support they need to grow. With the help of our £750k investment, HatTech will help meet the growing demand from SMEs for high-quality office accommodation at an affordable price.”

It’s the perfect place for doing some last-minute preparation before heading into that important business meeting.

Those needing a ‘digital detox’ during their working day can enjoy the tranquillity and fresh air of HatTech’s Wellbeing Garden.

A meeting room is available for hire and HatTech also offers a serviced reception and virtual office services.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Councillor Duncan Bell, Executive Member for Resources, said: “We’re keen to support business growth in the borough and with its convenient location and contemporary co-working space, HatTech provides an exceptional facility for Hertfordshire’s entrepreneurs, alongside the available services at its sister centre WelTech in Welwyn Garden City.”

To register your interest in HatTech call 01707 623 623 or email enquiries@hattech.org.uk • Our WelTech Business Centre in Welwyn Garden City (www.weltech.org.uk) also offers business units on ‘easy in-easy out’ terms, a meeting room and virtual-office services.

Inspiring co-working spaces High-speed WiFi Wellbeing garden 2 minutes from Hatfield station Flexible membership scheme HatTech is your opportunity to meet new people and build connections as you work. Its light, spacious co-working areas give you the buzz of the city, with all the perks of keeping it local.

CONTACT US TODAY 01707 623623 | enquiries@hattech.org.uk

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HERTS GLOBAL

Collectively we can make a difference At the time of writing, something tells us that even once this article is published, Covid-19 will still be dominating our lives.

International Trade, chambers around the globe and UK gave valuable insights into their own individual challenges.

By Keith Moore,

International Trade Manager, Herts Chamber of Commerce Many people will still be working from home, and a large number of businesses remain closed. This may truly be one of the most devastating and disruptive events of our lifetime.

Over the last few weeks since Covid-19 has taken hold of many countries, it has been pleasantly surprising to see that exporting has remained at a constant level. On a peer to peer introduction within our membership one company was able to export $20,000 worth of goods to China to combat the virus.

Looking beyond to a time when movement of people and goods get as back to normal as possible, The British Chambers of Commerce

of which we are the only accredited member in Hertfordshire, is truly a global organisation (and growing all the time) that currently has 60 overseas chambers and affiliates. This, combined with the other 52 accredited chambers throughout the UK, makes an impressive total of people that can help and support companies at home and overseas.

On the 4 March 2020, at the ACCA building in London there was an opportunity for some of those chambers, both UK based and overseas, to come together and discuss best practise and collaboration in the future. With an opening address from the Director General of the BCC Dr Adam Marshall, guest speakers from the Department of

It was also a good platform to promote events that are happening in their catchment areas: such as Coventry being the City of Culture 2021; the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP26) which was taking place in Glasgow this November but is now postponed to 2021; the 2022 Commonwealth Games officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Birmingham 2022; and the numerous delegation visits to Scotland from all over globe, no doubt to sample the delights of their famous whiskies.

The day was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones, I came away with a feel-good factor that collectively we could make a difference and help many companies who would like to trade globally.

CONNECT • COLLABORATE • GROW

Last year the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce hosted a delegation of companies and government officials from the Shandong province of China, on a return visit at the end of March from the Shandong Medical Support Team they brought 10 medical ventilators, 10,000 medical masks, 10,000 N95 masks, 10,000 sets medical protection clothes and 10,000 detection kits all of which were donated to the UK government for distribution.

The value of these products were worth around £10 million. Many thanks to the people of China for such a generous gift in our time of need.

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BUILDING CONNECTIONS

Bringing TGA Consulting Engineers into the Hertfordshire Business Fold Have you ever struggled with improving your business’s local presence?

Or sought new staff but to no avail?

These are the challenges that TGA Consulting Engineers were facing.

But rather than dwelling on these, they contacted the Hertfordshire Growth Hub in November 2018 to seek advice, support and guidance to help solve their struggles and progress their business towards achieving sustainable growth.

TGA had seen success in Northern England, and their London office was performing quite well. Their Stevenage offices had been in operation for over 40 years and, following several significant project wins, they were looking to strengthen their team. However, they realised that despite the lengthy period of time they spent in the region, they had virtually no local presence. This impacted heavily on their customer base, their annual revenue and their ability to recruit staff into a dynamic workforce.

TGA wanted to know how they could expand their operations in Stevenage and the Growth Hub held the answer: through their Get Growing programme.

There were two keys to unlock TGA’s growth potential. The first lay in defining a clear marketing strategy, with specific objectives and actions for the business as a whole. This centred on raising awareness of TGA, which would involve connecting with local resources, such as educational institutions and business networks. Steve Armitage, the Growth Account Manager at the Hertfordshire Growth Hub who lead the support, helped TGA to construct a structured marketing plan. He also helped TGA appoint a Business Development Manager, who would take responsibility and lead on the implementation of the plan. The second involved developing the skills of existing employees, as well as adding new roles and opportunities for them and actively recruiting to acquire talent with the necessary skills. For this reason, the Growth Hub introduced TGA to Hart Learning and Development, where a relationship between the two could aid them with acquiring new talent into the office.

The Growth Hub discussed the benefits of training providers and membership organisations with TGA and provided them with a selection of suppliers, which included

40

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the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Hart Learning and Development. Following extensive research into the various options, TGA chose to connect with the Chamber of Commerce and the local college Hart Learning and Development. Connecting TGA with the local Chamber of Commerce would help them to become known to other local businesses through networking events and establish their presence in the county. A relationship with Hart Learning and Development would give TGA a solid talent pool that they could recruit from.

TGA believed that these two options would serve as the best fit for their business, and asked Steve to facilitate an introduction.

As a result of this introduction, TGA Consulting Engineers successfully recruited much needed talent for the company, including apprentices and part-time/fixed-term contracts. They also became a member of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, after attending the Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2019 (IHA19) launch at Porsche Centre Hatfield.

Having met with Mary Sykes, External Affairs Director, at the Chamber, TGA joined as a Platinum level member in order to receive a high level of support. This support included peer-to-peer introductions, articles in Inspire magazine, entering the IHA19 Awards, and attending a variety of Chamber-led events in order to network and build connections.

The Chamber and TGA further developed their relationship by organising the Property and Construction Forum, which took place in September 2019. The forum took place at Affinity Water in Hatfield, with TGA as the main sponsor and speaker.

Thanks to the support provided by the Growth Hub, TGA is now dealing with local colleges like Hart Learning and Development and is a

member of the Chamber of Commerce. They regularly run local events and network with other businesses through their connection with the Chamber. Through the advice and guidance the Growth Hub provided, TGA was able to start acquiring new staff and skills through Hart Learning and Development, which now acts as their core source of talent. TGA have also begun carrying out structured marketing activities with the purpose of connecting with other organisations.

Steve stated, “when I first met TGA Consulting Engineers, I felt they weren’t connected in any way to the local Hertfordshire economy.

Since working together, I’m happy to see them connect with the community through their local business network and other important local resources for skills and development.”

There is still ongoing support for TGA through periodic reviews, to ensure that if they have any queries or concerns, their needs are met, and they can continue on their growth path.

The Hertfordshire Growth Hub dedicates itself to helping SMEs in the county flourish and grow.

We deliver a variety of events with our partners to aid SMEs in developing the skills and gaining the knowledge they need in order to achieve sustainable success.

The Growth Hub is delivered on behalf of Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), by a consortium led by business support services provider Exemplas, with the University of Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. Through the consortium and the Growth Hub’s intimate network of business support, they can help businesses reach out to the right organisations and build connections that will strengthen the local business ecosystem.

“Thanks to the support provided by the Growth Hub, TGA is now dealing with local colleges like Hart Learning and Development and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. They regularly run local events and network with other businesses through their connection with the Chamber.”

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FUTURE? Hart Learning & Development are here to help you develop the skills your business needs to grow and thrive in the future.

We specialise in providing training for your staff to reach their potential and acquire new skills that can drive your business forward.

Our specialist teams work with you to identify the right training for the right people at the right stage in their career.

Accountancy Human Resources Leadership and Management Digital Marketing Business Administration

A City & Guilds Group Business

Thank Thank you, NHSyou, NHS

Dear Hertfordshire Chamber Members, We continued our operations through the lockdown, to support Hertfordshire businesses.

Therefore this edition, we are dedicating our Dear Hertfordshire Chamber Members, advertising space to the NHS and other front-line workers throughout Hertfordshire who We continued our operations through the lockdown, to support Hertfordshire businesses. continued to put their health at riskTherefore this edition, we are dedicating our advertising space to the to NHS and other front-line workers support our communities. throughout Hertfordshire who continued to put their health at riskSo, to to support our communities.

So, to everyone who has put own community, well-being to the everyone who has put their own well-being to the side for the goodtheir of the thank you. side for the good of the community, thank you.

Yours faithfully, and Telephone: 01707 656261 | Email: info@csrecycling.co.uk | Address: Storer House, Coopers Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 4NE

ENVIRONMENT TOP TIPS

Covid-19 and your The carbon Household Waste benefit hidden in our clothing It’s clearly not ‘business as usual’ right now. Many of us will be working from home where we can, and spending much more time eating, relaxing and being creative at home. wanting to reduce For a business

Recycling Centres (HWRCs) having to close in March according to Government advice on social distancing, and with some councils needing to suspend select services due to staff shortages, you probably have more rubbish Why is this relevant to your business? and recycling than normal.

We with greener products Thismight articlebe willfamiliar help you understand what to do with your waste how inwards to reducetoit.the and services – but and looking

ENVIRONMENT TOP TIPS

The UKaway throws awa The UKThe throws UK throws away 2.5 billion disposab Theaway UK throws away The UK throws 2.5 billion disposable 2.5 billion disposable The UK throws away coffee cups every ye 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups every year.

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Stop single-use. coffee cups every year.

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their carbon footprint, All of which creates more wastetextiles at home. may With thisan andodd the network Waste seem place of toHousehold focus. We generally hear about the three big areas that affect climate change Our top tips on what to do with: – energy, transport and food.

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resources used is another angle to consider.

Changing to more environmentally-friendly 4.

Garden Waste business practices will save you money and With good more time at home, it’s provide a weather strongerand selling proposition when no wonder there’s lotsand of garden waste around! pitching your goods services to your Make of your grass cutting and hedge targetuse audience.

trimmings by composting at home. Food waste can includedmore too. You can buy compost bins Whybebecome sustainable?

Research through our partners at Getcomposting.com shows that once consumers want to be or easily make your own compost heap. associated with environmental or ethical Full details, including what ‘greens and browns’ products.

A your recent surveyare conducted to include in compost available by online: AYTM found that 71% of millennials are more www.recyclenow.com/compost.

likely to support an environmentally-friendly

Ifbusiness. that’s not Likewise, for you, continue your home 86% ofusing customers say recycling collection, if available, or try to keep they prefer to shop at businesses that recycle, your garden waste for recycling when the 74% prefer companies that limit the use of HWRCs re-open.

There are lots of ways you can reduce your organisation’s waste.

Our top tips are:

1. For events, consider a magnetic / pin badge or lanyard rather than brandedwaste, goods, as these are to reduce it 7. Food and how easier to replace if a name/ logo See changes. our website for how to plan meals, store food and make the most of leftovers so you are using 2. Buy related apparel every lastwork scrap of your food –from andethical saving/ money. sustainable brands. The premium • Before you go shopping or order online, paid often also means better quality, plan out last yourlonger meals.

Sticking to atolist will so they and you need help onlyConsumer what you has need. buy you less.buy Ethical a • Store the right place toup. help them list offood how in suppliers measure last longer. E.g. apples can last 2 weeks Reuse: longer in your fridge.

3. For businesses, reducing the clothing footprint • Keep your fridge below 5 degrees also could be as simple as washing and reusing keeps food fresher for longer. Eat food uniforms after someone has left. Did you know according to use by dates and find out that extending the average lifespan of how to freeze at use clothes by just common 3 months foods of active www.LoveFoodHateWaste.com would lead to a 5-10% reduction in • Many of waste us areand making use of store carbon, waterbetter footprints! cupboard essentials – tins, seasoning, oils, 4. Consider hosting a clothes swap for staff (or herbs, and spices. Check what’s in your clients). It is a fun way to extend the life of clothing cupboards to see what makes a meal – by swapping with others. The average person only www.LoveFoodHateWaste.com has a wears two thirds of what’s in their recipe finder.

Just typecan in your wardrobe.

WasteAware offerkey youingredients and for meals railsget andideas hangers for freefrom to getscratch. you • For any remaining food waste, raw started.

Fashion Revolution Weekcompost is 20-26 April 2020. Join in to make the such fruit and vegetable peelings, putit foods largest swap in history.

For as bones, cooked foods ordetails thingscontact that can’t WasteAware@hertfordshire.gov.uk be eaten in your food waste caddy.

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hasNOT a lifecycle carbon impact across the Do put contaminated tissues in your wholerecycling. of a product’s life (the ‘cradle to grave’ home

impact). This is measured using kilograms of CO2 eq (or carbon dioxide equivalent), a standard for measuring carbon footprints.

2.

Yourunit Recycling

www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/waste-covid

To helphas savebeen space in your flatten cardboard What found is bin, a shocking amount boxes and squash bottles tin cans. of emissions andyour waste fromand both the Give them a quick rinse first so that left-over production and disposal stage. Fast fashion liquid or food doesn’t make other recyclables is making clothing more disposable, with dirty. This is especially important during lockdown.

cheaper prices and less durable garments,

www.wasteaware.org.uk/recycleright meant to last out the season rather than

years. This accelerates carbon emissions, 3.

Bulky or DIYglobal Waste causes increased warming and sees Spring cleaning or DIY might be more textile waste inprojects landfills. generating waste or recycling that would otherwise haveindustry be takenistonow a HWRC The fashion taking steps (e.g. wood, metals or large items such as to move towards a more ethical and furniture).

Please store it in a safe location environmentally friendly supply chain until re-open.methods, but it won’t and sites production

and production methods, but it won’t

Paint tins,overnight. whether empty or not,tocan’t change We need playgoour in your recycling put electrical part inhome changing the and use never and consumption items in any too. bin atWRAP home. (the Do not leave and waste of clothing Waste outside the gates of HWRCs, any local Resources Action Programme) estimates neighbourhood banks, or charity that in the UKrecycling alone, we consume around shops.

It is classed as flytipping and could 1.7m tonnes of textiles annually, and of lead to than be prosecuted. this you more 600,000 tonnes are sent to

this more than 600,000 tonnes are sent to

www.wasteaware.org.uk/hwrcs landfill or incinerated.

pollutants and unnecessary chemicals and

www.wasteaware.org.uk/compost 67% of shoppers prefer companies that

support renewable energy.

5.

Planting seeds, in easy steps

Gardening is great for mental physical health There is also evidence thatand many consumers and supplement your grocery shopping once wantwill guidance on how their individual produce to grow, e.g. veg, salad and herbs. actions starts can help make a difference.

actions can help make a difference.

IfBusinesses you’re a beginner, we have some great are well-placed to help raise suggestions for what vegetables to grow and consumer awareness and understanding how growimportantly, them. There’s also ideas youthey and,tomore change the ifway want to try some easy-to-grow flowers. consume.

For example, did you know that www.wasteaware.org.uk/seeds every year, Hertfordshire residents throw

over 7000 tonnes of textiles into their rubbish

6.

Single Usecould Disposables bins, when they have been reused,

or recycled.

Ifrepaired you’re finding that you’re using more wet wipes over the lockdown period, consider swapping to reusable wipes. Great forkeeping make-up,textiles sticky hands Here at WasteAware, and up around kitchen, cloth out faces, the binoriswiping a campaign wethe are actively wipes are just handy-sized flannels, great for so championing.

It is a three-pronged many situations. beadopt recycled approach whichWet youwipes can can’t easily in or flushed away so and needatputting in your rubbish. your business home:

www.wasteaware.org.uk/foodwaste 5. Use a guppy bag when washing to catch microfiTextiles bers shed during 8. Unwanted the process and stopclear-out, them keep good If you’re having a covid entering watercourse. quality items the to one side ready for when charity

shops reopen. You can still use Freegle to list Recycle: items, ready for collection when lockdown is lifted.

With fewer people seeing you on a daily basis, 6. When you are ready to part with a garment, • Preventing thetopurchase of newbars! clothes Unwearable clothing can be recycled, but not now is a great time try out shampoo It see if you can donate it to a (reduce) through your homethan collection doesn’t just save space in your recycling bin by charity rather send itas to they can get onll.recycling centre machinery.

Pop them avoiding all those bottles, they can lastfor 3 times landfi For those that can’t be • Keeping clothing in active use longeras caught textiles recycling point, use at home long(reuse) and contain fewer chemicals. Once you have a dedicated used again by you, look into cloths etc. or see if you can fix them. got used to having fewer suds, they feel great too. for cleaning http://www.uniformreuse.co.uk/ • Recycling unwearable textiles (recycle) www.wasteaware.org.uk/textiles www.wasteaware.org.uk/reusables #RememberYourReusables: Remember, any small effort against the fast

#RememberYourReusables:

fashion trends makes a positive impact on the https://www.rapidformations.co.uk/blog/how-can-your-business-reduce-its-carbon-footprint/ wasteaware.org.uk/reusables #RememberYourReusables: environment! For more see wasteaware.org.uk/reusables https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/news/news-archive/2018/the-carbon-footprint-of-getting-dressed www.wasteaware.org.uk/textiles https://www.trustedclothes.com/blog/2016/02/23/fast-fashion-and-your-carbon-footprin/ wasteaware.org.uk/reusables WasteAwarePartnership #RememberYourReusables:

Keep in touch

Sign up to our monthly e-bulletin https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/updateme/ WasteAwarePartnership #RememberYourReusables: wasteaware.org.uk/reusables HertsWasteAware #HertsWasteAware: #RememberYourReusables: HertsWasteAware WasteAwarePartnership wasteaware.org.uk/reusables WasteAwarePartnership @HertsWasteAware www.wasteaware.org.uk HertsWasteAware wasteaware.org.uk/reusables HertsWasteAware HertsWasteAware WasteAwarePartnership HertsWasteAware HertsWasteAware WasteAwarePartnership

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Introducing Redway HR, a recent addition to the Herts Chamber.

Offering people management and development solutions with a practical and flexible approach.

Liz Redway founded the company after a career in HR and Training, both in the UK and New Zealand.

Lesley Bates, a seasoned HR generalist with a flair for employee relations, and Julie Maughan, a recruitment and business systems specialist, joined more recently. They have been critical to the growth and success of the small team.

As well as offering a full outsourced HR function, the team are experts in the more thorny elements of employing people.

Their understanding of how employment law underpins people management means that they are experts in managing investigations, disciplinaries and redundancies to achieve the desired outcome for your business.

Their range of services include: • Recruitment • HR compliance & documentation • Performance management • HR information systems • Training and development • Mediation • Executive coaching • Terminations Liz gives five steps to ease the transition from temporary absence to top performance following furlough: 1. Clearly define the work that needs to be done in the new world to be able to deliver your business plan; short medium and longer term. How well do your current team map onto the skills needed to deliver that work? We suggest a skills analysis to be sure you have the right people in the right place at the right time.

info@redway-hr.co.uk 44

INSPIRE

You may need to consider a restructure or redundancies if the scheme ends before your business can sustain their return – if so, be sure to follow existing legislation when you make those changes.

2. Learn from the outbreak period.

Are there any ways of working which would be beneficial to continue? Reduced overheads for example, through smaller premises if more people are able to work from home. Less frequent travel if video conferencing was successful for you.

How will these changes impact on your team, and the individuals returning to work?

3. You don’t have to bring everyone back at the same time (although at the time of writing the CJRS ends on 31st May) but can stagger their return to meet work demands.

Plan what the return to work will look like; who, when and where. Make sure you tell the individual your plans, and don’t forget to confirm their change in status so that they are no longer a furloughed worker. Confirm the change in writing - you can download a free template letter from our website.

4. Consider this absence similar to any other long break such as maternity leave or long term sick leave. Build in a detailed briefing at the time of their return and then regular catch ups to be sure everyone is pulling in the same direction and that you identify and tackle any problems early on.

5. Recognise what people are bringing back into the workplace with them, we anticipate anxieties over their future career, lower confidence or financial hardship.

Make sure your business, and in particular your line managers, are able to anticipate and manage these issues with compassion.

01582 252500

www.redway-hr.co.uk

Liz Redway with her award for significant contribution to the HR profession and 20 years membership of the CIPD

Upcoming Events Management fundamentals £60+vat A sequence of bite-sized webinars running on Monday afternoons throughout the Spring and Summer.

These focus on the fundamentals of people management, with tools and techniques to get the best out of your teams. Sign up for as many as you need, topics include: • Communication in the workplace • Equality, diversity and inclusion • Leading a team to achieve results • Responding to conflict • Change management • Making meetings meaningful • Planning your professional development

Drop-in HR Surgery

FREE until July Sessions run monthly on the final Tuesday of the month, using Zoom.

Attendance is on a pay as you go basis, usually £10 +vat a month but FREE until July.

Targeted at stand-alone HR practitioners and those new to role and looking for advice, support and a sounding board. These are supportive group sessions aiming to share best practice, legal updates and problemsolve real life scenarios.

EasyBuild (Construction Software) Ltd provides its eponymous solution to a wide range of construction firms.

Established in 1999, EasyBuild is an end-to-end construction financial and project accounting solution, a suite of application software that addresses all the operational needs of a modern construction business: finance, commercial, project management and compliance.

EasyBuild’s award-winning ERP software is customisable with easy-to-use applications providing all trades within the industry – such as Main Contractors, Civils, Demolition and Concrete Frame, Interior Fit Out, Roofing and Cladding, Joinery, Rail, Highways and Utilities – with the tools needed to manage projects in a timely and efficient manner.

EasyBuild’s ERP software, based on leading technology from Microsoft and Oracle, is now available on EasyBuild Cloud. This enables users to work remotely within a single, centrally sourced, accessing up-to-date information in real-time.

Contractors Software Our contractors software helps you manage and control your contracting projects by giving you complete and instant access to their progress – taking real time snapshots of how profitable your construction projects are with full analysis of costs, revenues, liabilities and surveyor adjustments.

EasyBuild construction software enables you to run your construction contracting business with ease, organisation, and efficiency.

House Builders Software Our house builders software provides an integrated solution for financial and project accounting information for house builders and property developers of all shapes and sizes. Whether you are building large volumes of properties or one off developments, our house builder software is just right for you.

Service & Maintenance Software

EasyBuild Mobile enables field based data capture for Timesheet, Goods Received and Requisitions. This avoids duplication and speeds up the transmission of key project information to Head Office.

Our service and maintenance software solution for planned and reactive jobs, defects management and snagging. It can be offered as a stand-alone solution or as part of an integrated finance system.

Enhancing the software’s capabilities further, users can configure their own data collection needs with customisable reports. This is further supported with the EasyBuild Analytic/ Dashboard which provides high level executive analytics and analysis of a project’s progress.

Whether you are a maintenance provider undertaking planned and reactive maintenance tasks, or a contractor or house builder undertaking post build defects management or snagging we have a solution for you.

We are proud to say we achieve our quality standards through collaboration of our team members working together, listening to our clients’ needs and delivering upon those needs when we say we will deliver.

EasyBuild (Construction Software) Ltd Main Office: +44 333 123 3279 A: 4 Elstree Gate | Elstree Way | Borehamwood | Herts | WD6 1JD W: www.easybuilduk.com | E: enquiries@easybuilduk.com

Does this sound familiar?

John McGillivray - Director Ben is a golfing mate of mine. He has a good business supplying a range of sanitation products to organisations operating clean room environments. Ben was not in a good mood when I dropped by to see him in early February.

“What’s up?”, I asked. “Another bloody resignation” he cursed.

“And the guy had only been with us 6 months, he was just about becoming productive, and now he tells me he just doesn’t feel he fits in here – things just aren’t done the way he is used to, he says, and he doesn’t get on with some of his colleagues.

He also claimed that he was not clear about what was really expected of him in the role and

cited bumping heads with Phil who runs Business Development, who he saw as infringing on his patch”.

“Is there anything to this?” I asked Ben. “Well, he was a bit of an odd ball, I guess” responded Ben, “...he did really like to keep to himself and as you know, we are quite a sociable bunch here – one of our values is ‘One for all, All for one’ and so we all muck in, and as long as the job gets done we don’t really fuss about who was supposed to do it. But he had all the right qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Because of that, I was paying him well ... better than the others in similar roles”.

Ben reflected, “I just don’t know how you keep these people

satisfied – this guy has cost me a bomb – spent 2 months finding him, waited another 2 months while he served notice at his previous place, paid the agency that found him 22%, and then for 6 months we’ve been trying to help him get up to speed– even took him with me to an exhibition in Munich for a week introducing him to some of our key stakeholders. I estimate this whole thing has cost me about £50,000 and I am back at square one”.

Ben’s story is not unfamiliar.

Having worked for some years as a Counsellor on Cranfield University’s Business Growth Programme (BGP), we hear this frequently.

Attracting and retaining the right Talent is a major headache for so many owner-managed businesses.

Ben admits that this is a part of the job that he hates, he recognises he is not good at it, and that the costs of his mistakes are really punishing.

All too often small businesses feel they do not have the “brand” to attract good people and make the wrong choices in selecting from the candidates they do find.

This is the reason we established Acqui-Tal Ltd – to help people like Ben. With an understanding of Ben’s business, and importantly its culture, we guide Ben through the journey and take off him as much of the process that he would prefer us to handle, from organisation review through to on-boarding.

Call us now to find out how we can assist with your Talent Acquisition.

Phone: 01727 229 227 • Email: team@acqui-tal.com www.linkedin.com/in/johnbmcgillivray • www.acqui-tal.com Cats Prot Ad.qxp_Layout 1 24/03/2020 15:42 Page 1

CHRISTMAS at Knebworth

Set in the impressive estate of Knebworth House, these parties will take place in a fully themed star clothed marquee.

This truly is the perfect venue for your Christmas party.

Party nights from £48.60 per person to include a fully themed venue, three course meal, themed cocktail and entertainment.

Buffet party nights also available from £25.00 per person Dates available throughout December

CONTACT T: 01438 813 825

We are currently unable to fundraise so please donate via our website cats.protection.org.uk/northherts Cats need to eat too so your help is greatly appreciated.

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INSPIRE

E: yourevent@knebworthhouse.com

CONFERENCE & EVENTS At Aubrey Park our aim is to create a personal experience far beyond the realms of just booking a package or meeting room. Whether we’re hosting 2 or 200 delegates, Aubrey Park takes pride in accommodating all styles and sizes of conferences and meetings. We take a consultative approach with all of our clients to ensure we really meet their brief and consider all requirements in a bespoke way.

Our newest build, The Oak Suite, was designed to tick all the boxes.

Featuring large glass walls allowing for streams of natural daylight, an integrated sophisticated audio-visual sound system and lighting, all within a private self-contained venue with terrace, exclusive entrance and its own bar.

Our highly experienced conference team will work with you to offer the flexibility and personal touch you need, which is why our clients come back time and time again.

For more information, please contact our sales team on 01582 792105 or email events@aubreypark.co.uk

www.aubreypark.co.uk/meetings

Groundwork East

has been supporting communities in Hertfordshire since 1985

As the country makes its way through the pandemic, a significant number of local residents will be left needing assistance when things return to normal.

We partner with businesses of all sizes to develop, deliver and implement practical solutions to new and established problems.

It can be difficult to know how to help in a national emergency; particularly a pandemic that limits face to face contact, making it harder to provide support to the isolated. Groundwork East has a long history of working across all of the communities in Hertfordshire, providing practical solutions to complex problems.

We know that we will beat this pandemic; and, that as the country emerges there will be new and urgent community needs to respond to. There will be an increased number of newly bereaved grieving the loss of loved ones, there will be more people recently unemployed – including those facing it for the first time. The long-term unemployed will find themselves yet

further from the labour market, and increased poverty and disadvantage is likely while the economy recovers.

During this recovery, the need for Groundwork East is at its greatest. As such, we owe it to those we serve now and those we will in the future to be confident in presenting the following opportunity: the chance to give one of the most powerful and impactful gifts of all time.

As a result of the pandemic, Groundwork’s talented delivery staff are ready to help your communities recover, and as a lean and nimble community organisation we have moved quickly to understand the emerging needs of the vulnerable across the areas we serve.

For example, Groundwork can support those still isolated, by delivering food and medical supplies, or delivering “no-contact” projects such as Green Aiders – a garden clearance service to allow them to improve their health and wellbeing in their own surroundings.

Groundwork is also embracing the new environmental mindset across the nation by helping residents and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and behave in more sustainable ways.

Everyone is now looking differently at how their lives and actions impact themselves, others, and the environment around them, so it is a crucial time to capitalise on the opportunities this presents.

Groundwork East has been supporting communities in Hertfordshire since 1985 and we need your help as we continue do it long into the future. We are your community charity and by donating to, or partnering with us you will be an important part of the story as things recover across the nation.

Please email James Newell, Executive Director (james.newell@groundwork.org.uk) to set up a conversation.

www.groundwork.org.uk/east

t: 01707 260129

Hertfordshire Commerce Chamber of Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Commerce Chamber of of Chamber Commerce Commerce

Hertfordshire Chamber of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and AFEXof foreign Hertfordshire Chamber Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and AFEX foreign exchangeand partnership Commerce Commerce andAFEX AFEXforeign foreign exchange partnership exchange exchangepartnership partnership

Take advantage of opportunities for global growth TakeHertfordshire advantage of opportunities for global growth with FX specialist AFEX to help members manage The Chamber of Commerce has partnered The Hertfordshire Chamber ofmore Commerce has partnered with FX specialist AFEX to help members manage Take advantage of of opportunities forfor global growth their international transactions efficiently and more strategically.

Take advantage opportunities global growth their international transactions more efficiently and more strategically.

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Benefits for Herts Chamber members Benefits for Chamber members Reduced feesHerts and competitive foreign exchange rates Reduced fees and competitive foreign exchange rates Benefits for Herts Chamber members on over 100 currencies Benefits for Herts Chamber members The expertise and insight AFEX brings on over 100 currencies Guaranteed same-day delivery of funds for major Reduced fees andand competitive foreign exchange rates The expertise and insight AFEX brings Reduced fees competitive foreign exchange rates to our international transactions is Guaranteed same-day delivery of fundscapabilities for major currencies, with a full range of exotics on on over 100 currencies over 100 currencies to our international transactions is of The expertise and insight AFEX brings The expertise and AFEX invaluable.

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We are glad they are Free currency audit transaction analysis optimise Scott Duxbury, Watford Football Club Chairman & part CEO of Access to our market-leading online platform, AFEXDirect Tailored hedging strategies to protect against market pricing andand processes our extended team.”

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Tailored hedging strategies to protect against market volatility currency riskonline Access to our market-leading platform, AFEXDirect Access toand our market-leading online platform, AFEXDirect Scott Duxbury, Watford Football Club Chairman & CEO Scott Duxbury, Watford Football Club Chairman & CEO volatility and currency Flexible credit terms onrisk hedging products—lock rates Tailored hedging strategies to to protect against market Tailored hedging strategies protect against market Flexible credit on hedging products—lock rates without tying upterms all risk your volatility andand currency volatility currency riskcashflow without tying up all your cashflow Flexible credit terms on on hedging products—lock rates Flexible credit terms hedging products—lock rates without tying up up all all your cashflow without tying your cashflow

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About AFEX About At AFEXAFEX we pioneered personalised foreign exchange solutions, providing a tailored approach since 1979.

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In our globalised economy, businesses of all sizes can reap opportunities for cross-border In our globalised economy, businesses of all sizes can reap opportunities for cross-border growth. growth.

In In our globalised economy, businesses of of allall sizes can reap opportunities forfor cross-border our globalised economy, businesses sizes can reap opportunities cross-border To learn more about AFEX and to schedule your FREE currency audit, please get in touch: growth. growth.

To learn more about AFEX and to schedule your FREE currency audit, please get in touch: Laurence Allen ToTo learn more about AFEX and to to schedule your FREE currency audit, please getget in in touch: Laurence Allen learn more about AFEX and schedule your FREE currency audit, please touch: T: + 44 (0)207 004 3910 T: + 44 (0)207 004 3910 E: lallen@afex.com Laurence Allen Laurence Allen E:44lallen@afex.com T: + (0)207 004 3910 T: + 44 (0)207 004 3910 E: E: lallen@afex.com lallen@afex.com © 2020 Associated Foreign Exchange, Inc. All rights reserved.

Services in the UK are provided by Associated Foreign Exchange Limited (which does business under the trade name of AFEX) or AFEX Markets Plc (collectively referred to as ‘AFEX’). © 2020 Associated Foreign Exchange, Inc. All rights reserved.

Associated Foreign Exchange Limited (registered in England and Wales, Company Number 4848033, Registered Office Address: 4th Floor, 40 Strand, London WC2N 5RW) is Services in the UK are provided by Associated Foreign Exchange Limited (which does business under the trade name of AFEX) or AFEX Markets Plc (collectively referred to as ‘AFEX’). authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (Register Reference: 502593) for the provision of payment services and is registered as Associated Foreign Exchange Limited in England and Wales, Company Number 4848033, Registered Office Address: 4th Floor, 40 Strand, London WC2N 5RW) is © 2020 Associated Foreign Exchange, Inc. All(registered rights reserved. ©an 2020 Foreign Exchange, All rights reserved.

MSBAssociated with HM Revenue & CustomsInc. (Registered No: 12159000). For more information, visit www.afex.com. authorised by theprovided Financial Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (Register Reference: 502593) for the provision of payment services and is‘AFEX’). registered as Services in theinUK byConduct Associated Foreign Exchange Limited (which does business under the trade namename of AFEX) or AFEX Markets Plc (collectively referred to asto Services theare UK are provided

by Associated Foreign Exchange Limited (which does business under the trade of AFEX) or AFEX Markets Plc (collectively referred as ‘AFEX’). an MSB with HM Revenue & Customs (Registered No: 12159000).

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Associated Foreign Exchange Limited (registered in England and and Wales, Company Number 4848033, Registered Office Address: 4th Floor,Floor, 40 Strand, London WC2N 5RW) is is Associated Foreign Limited in England Wales, Company 4848033, Registered Office Address: 40 Registered Strand, London WC2N 5RW) AFEX Markets Plc Exchange is authorised and (registered regulated by the Financial Conduct AuthorityNumber as an investment firm (firm reference number 4th is 526034). in England and Wales. authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (Register Reference: 502593) for the provision of payment services and is registered as as authorised byOffice: the Financial Conduct Authority under Payment Services Regulations 2017information, (Register Reference: 502593) for the provision of payment services and is registered Registered 40 Strand, London, WC2N 5RWthe (registered no. 07061516).

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AFEX Markets Plc is&authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authorityvisit as www.afex.com. an investment firm (firm reference number is 526034). Registered in England and Wales. an MSB with HM Revenue Customs (Registered No: 12159000).

For more information, an MSB with HM Revenue & Customs (Registered No: 12159000). For more information, visit www.afex.com.

Registered Office: 40 Strand, London, WC2N 5RW (registered no. 07061516). For more information, visit www.afex.com.

THE LAST WORD

The Last Word Stephen Redmond , MD, Redmond Group Q What do you do?

I’m the managing director of a specialist engineering company that delivers a full range of commercial Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP) services on major infrastructure projects.

I also have other international business interests alongside this role.

My background is in property investing and I’ve had various roles across the financial and licensed services, property and land investment and construction sectors, both in the UK and overseas.

Q Why did you join the Chamber?

Our company is Redmond Group. After becoming MD, I returned the company to profit within the first year and now we work on projects across many sectors, including retail, residential, biomedical and health care.

We have around 60 staff but that number is set to ramp up substantially; we’ve just won a contract to work on a new temporary hospital to deal with the growing number of patients suffering from COVID-19.

We’re big on sustainability; we’re always conscious of how our work, behaviours and performance standards affect the people and environment around us.

Patrons

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INSPIRE

challenge affecting running and growing a business?

Q What do you get from it?

Q Who do you work for?

The main reason was to engage more with the business community. Ultimately, I want Redmond Group to increase market share in London and the South East and we’re only going to do that by getting out and about in our local community.

Q What do you think is the biggest

Since we joined last November, we’ve attended several events which has allowed us to meet new contacts.

Chamber membership has opened up new opportunities for us; opportunities that perhaps we wouldn’t otherwise have had access to.

Q What support do you want from government?

Q How has it helped your business network?

We’ve widened our network to include companies with different types of expertise.

For example, we’re working with scale-up specialists who are helping us to refine our strategy for growing our business.

Q What advice would you give someone starting out?

Know your product and reach out to businesses that will value that product.

In this sector, the biggest challenge is managing to get the big tier one contractors to work with you. Even if you do, you have to make sure you administer contracts correctly. Commercially, businesses need to be aware of what they’re getting themselves into, otherwise they may unwittingly be in breach of contract which can have devestating effects.

More cashflow support would be very welcome, especially in these difficult economic times. A lot of companies need money in their pockets now so they can continue to operate the business and pay their staff.

Q How confident are you your business will grow in 2020?

Even in the current climate, I’m very confident.

We’ve already got the hospital contract and we’re providing aftercare services for ten of the most prestigious Multiplex buildings in London. We’re continuing to fulfil contracts and taking measures to protect our workers from COVID-19. The business is set to grow exponentially over the next few years.

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Proud Headline Sponsors

Chartered Accountants and Tax Advisers

“friendly expertise�

Helping Hertfordshire businesses to grow and prosper for more than 80 years.

Congratulations to all shortlisted for the Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2020 and good luck to everyone!

44(0)330 024 3200 hillierhopkins.co.uk

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