Inspire Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Business magazine September 20 by Benham Publishing Limited

INSPIRE.40

The business magazine of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce September - October 2020

SAVE the Arts

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a sudden and substantial impact on the arts and cultural heritage sector.

Inside

• BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Herts firms can help fire economic recovery

p24

p33

p54

CHAMBER EVENTS

Upcoming Webinars plus Sector Specific Summits

QUEEN’S AWARDS

The most prestigious awards for UK businesses

HERTS GLOBAL

No more Transition at the UK Border

For a greener future, think Hertfordshire IQ. With a focus on sustainable travel solutions, renewable energy and tax breaks for green businesses, Hertfordshire IQ is the perfect place for your business to thrive. Find out more and get in touch at herts-iq.co.uk

WELCOME & CONTENTS

Signs of a business bounce-back The headline figures make for grim reading. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the UK economy contracted by a record 20.4% in the three months to June 30, which is hardly surprising given that the country was in lockdown for much of that period.

Briege Leahy Chief Executive Officer Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Behind the headline figures, however, a much brighter picture emerges. In May the economy started to recover as many businesses opened their doors again, and it rebounded by a healthylooking 8.7% in June. Given that many hospitality and leisure firms reopened in July, the expectation is that we’ll see an even stronger bounce-back in July and August.

Naturally, whether this recovery is sustainable or not depends on all of us supporting our local shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. The government’s Eat Out to Help Out initiative, which offers diners a 50% discount when they eat at restaurants registered under the scheme, is a great starting point but we need to continue spending local throughout the next few months to help firms get back on their feet again.

As ever, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce will do all it can to support the business community during this challenging period. We’ve created a video, “Let’s keep the Heart in Hertfordshire”, which is our new strapline to encourage all businesses to buy in the county where possible. In addition, we’re launching our Entrepreneur Foundation to grow and nurture the county’s army of entrepreneurs and encourage people to set up new business ventures (more about this on pages 18 and 19).

of tough trading conditions, and we profile some of our fabulous tourism and hospitality firms on pages 36 and 37. Regretfully, due to COVID we’ve taken the decision to postpone our Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards ceremony and gala dinner until June 10 next year. Rest assured, however, that we’re still here in the meantime to offer whatever support we can. Briege Leahy Chief Executive Officer Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Our cover feature is an in-depth focus on Hertfordshire’s creative arts sector, which remains bullish in the face

Contents Creative Sector – Save the Arts

4-7

British Chamber of Commerce Patron Focus

8 13-14

Inspiring Herts Awards

Membership Benefits

Economy

Hertfordshire Growth Hub

45 47

Spotlight Focus

Chamber People

Members News

New Members

Entrepreneur Foundation

18-19

Members News

Chamber Events

24-27

Herts Global

Sector Specific Summits

28-30

Redundancy

Queen’s Awards Members News Tourism & Hospitality

54-55

58-59

Skills

60-61

Last Word

Cover Photo: Jonty Wilde / Reproduced by permission of The Henry Moore Foundation

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

48 49-53

Members Articles

36-37

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

54 Published September 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. 1745

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CREATIVE SECTOR - SAVE THE ARTS

Photo: Jonty Wilde / Reproduced by permission of The Henry Moore Foundation

Creative arts sector can have a bright future In July, the UK government announced a £1.57 billion package of support to help Britain’s world-class cultural, arts and heritage institutions fight back from the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed to protect the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues via emergency grants and loans, the funds are also there to jump-start construction work at cultural and heritage sites paused as a result of the pandemic. Described as the biggest one-off investment in UK culture, the support package is, perhaps, the government’s recognition of the importance of a sector that has been hit harder than most during the pandemic.

preserve all we can for future generations. We have announced a huge support package of immediate funding to tackle the funding crisis they face. I said we would not let the arts down, and this massive investment shows our level of commitment.” Nice words and sentiments from the Culture Secretary, but they don’t hide the fact that the arts sector faces a long road to recovery.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Our arts and culture are the soul of our nation. They make our country great and are the lynchpin of our world-beating and fast-growing creative industries.

Nic Cornwall of video production specialist, Little Big Fish Films, says: “A lot of budgets have been smashed; many people in this industry just don’t have the money anymore. However, it’s far too early to predict the demise of the industry, which remains important to local communities and the economy.

“I understand the grave challenges the arts face and we must protect and

“We had our best year up to March this year before COVID ensured that events

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and video shoots were cancelled. Now that things have started to open up again, the demand for video communications is still there. Many companies realise how effective video is at communicating but perhaps not how versatile video can be. For example, since lockdown we’ve had requests from large retailers asking us to help them promote the COVID-safe environment they’ve created in their stores.”

CREATIVE SECTOR - SAVE THE ARTS

“As creative professionals, our job is to find ways of doing things differently when faced with new parameters, we’re definitely in that territory now.” Based in Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Little Big Fish Films produces a range of corporate videos including commercials, events and “talking head” video podcasts for distribution on social media channels. The company also produces feature films and short films, drawing on Nic and his colleagues’ passion for a strong narrative and wealth of experience in drama and film creation. Nic himself embarked on a mission to make it big in Hollywood when he was in his 20s, going over there and writing scripts that, ultimately, didn’t get commissioned. But the experience taught him never to give up – an attitude that will stand him in good stead in the current climate. “As creative professionals, our job is to find ways of doing things differently when faced with new parameters,” he says. “We’re definitely in that territory now.” Some may cope with the “new normal” better than others. Plenty of freelance artists, for example, have seen their work totally dry up in the last few months. That’s why the Henry Moore Foundation recently announced its new Artist Award Scheme to hand struggling artists a lifeline in the COVID pandemic. The foundation, a Hertfordshire-based national charity established to promote the visual arts, has allocated more than £60,000 of funding and resources to directly assist 40 artists at a time when other sources of income may no longer be available. The artists from across the UK, including Anna Berry, Appau Jnr Boakye-Yiadom and Jasleen Kaur, were nominated from a panel of 20 prominent figures in the sector including Beth Bate, director at Dundee Contemporary Arts; Jo Verrent, senior producer at Unlimited; and Zoe Whitley, director at Chisenhale Gallery, London.

The award will help to support artists in the continuing development of the valuable work they do, following a difficult period where many have lost work due to the cancellation and postponement of exhibitions and a halt on new commissions due to the coronavirus pandemic. The fund is unrestricted, allowing artists the flexibility to use funds however they need to, whether that’s paying studio rent, buying materials or reimbursing the funds for work lost.”

To date, the foundation has awarded grants of £35 million to galleries, exhibitions and emerging artists worldwide. Those who haven’t received financial support have had to do things differently – or “pivot” their business strategies, to coin a common phrase.

Godfrey Worsdale, director of the Henry Moore Foundation, says: “This is an incredibly difficult moment for the arts and especially so for many artists who lost much of their income-earning work almost immediately. Sadly, we will see the impact of the pandemic on our industry for a long time to come. Henry Moore himself benefited from an ex-serviceman’s grant after he fought in World War 1, which enabled him to study sculpture at Leeds College of Art. With this in mind, the foundation wanted to offer timely support and give artists across the country some much-needed assistance.”

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CREATIVE SECTOR - SAVE THE ARTS

Denise Austin of Pearldrop Video Productions has shifted her focus to capitalise on the growing demand for animation and training videos in recent times. She says: “We’ve worked on animation for the last two years so COVID has just fast-tracked this trend. Now we do a mix of film and animation. We’ve adapted to put in place procedures to ensure that the environment is COVID-safe whenever we’re on set. “Our industry is a strong barometer of what’s going on the wider economy. Companies are spending less in a downturn so there’s a need to think of

“Our industry is a strong barometer of what’s going on the wider economy. Companies are spending less in a downturn so there’s a need to think of innovative ways of adding value.”

innovative ways of adding value. A lot of companies in the current climate are asking us to make staff training videos, on subjects such as how to be COVID-safe in the office. They also want animation and videos to keep their brand visible to customers.” Simon Mercer praised Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s financial support measures, which have provided a lifeline to many companies and helped them to retain staff on their books via the furlough scheme. “It has also given companies a war chest to go out and spend,” he says. “The question is: will this still be the case once the grants and furlough scheme come to an end? A lot of the artists, performers and technicians are self-employed freelancers so it’s an uncertain time for them. “That said, I’ve been really proud of the way in which the arts industry has come together during this crisis. People have supported each other and kept connected via Zoom and other forms of digital communication to showcase their talents. We’ve also had brilliant support from Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce; they’ve organised online webinars and lobbied government on our behalf, which is a real help.”

Simon Mercer and Denise Austin of Pearldrop Video receive a plaque from Soldiering On

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Locally, this was meant to be a year when Hertfordshire’s arts and culture sector was showcased in all of its glory. Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020 (HYOC2020) was originally designed to be a themed festival of activities, special events and experiences that enabled people to celebrate different types of art, share cultural experiences and explore the area’s creative heritage. Supported by eleven councils within the county and a range of other partners, it follows Hertfordshire’s Year of Physical Activity in 2018 which encouraged people to participate in activities that would boost their health, fitness and wellbeing.

CREATIVE SECTOR - SAVE THE ARTS

Around 100 HYOC2020 events took place in January and February – and then COVID hit UK shores, forcing event organisers to create a new programme of online activities for people to enjoy. Liz Gore, project co-ordinator at HYOC2020, says: “We refocused the programme around the theme of creativity in the lockdown. We gave companies a platform to show how they changed tack and moved their activities online. Many have used creativity to boost their wellbeing, promote their talents or support other organisations. “For example, Dacorum Community Dance has been offering creative and caring dance sessions to older people in Dacorum and those in sheltered housing schemes through its Let’s Dance programme. The University of Hertfordshire launched its Festival of Ideas Reimagined, which celebrated how art and culture can sustain us through a crisis and offered ideas on a post-pandemic future. “Also, St Andrews Street subway has been transformed into an art gallery to tie in with the opening of the Aldi store which helped to fund the project. Four of the five subways in Hertford have now been transformed using artwork by local schools and photographs of local features and the final one at London Road will be treated later this year. “I’m astonished at the passion for grassroots culture in this county. It really is a fabulous way of bringing the community together.”

Dance Re:Ignite Festival - part of the Hertfordshire Year of Culuture 2020 before Covid hit

Dacorum Community Dance

The strength, spirit and fortitude of creative arts professionals has been very much in evidence throughout the current pandemic. Marketing and print agency Datum has been helping clients implement their e-marketing and CRM (customer relationship management) campaigns so they can remain visible to their customers. The company works with a host of high-profile brands including Bollinger, Swatch, Adidas and British Gas, as well as a range of small-to-mediumsized enterprises (SMEs).

He says: “It’s not going to be plain sailing but we’ve been through three recessions and survived them all. There are opportunities for us when economic conditions are tough; companies realise the need to promote themselves to increase customer visibility and keep ahead of the competition. “In previous recessions, our industry was one of the first to go into recession and one of the first to come out of it. It should be the same this time around.”

Scott Pearce has been with Datum since 1989 and has overseen its development from a successful print business to a diversified crossmedia company. Having successfully adapted during the pandemic, he’s quietly confident about Datum’s prospects for the future.

“It’s not going to be plain sailing but we’ve been through three recessions and survived them all. There are opportunities for us when economic conditions are tough; companies realise the need to promote themselves to increase customer visibility and keep ahead of the competition.” INSPIRE

BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Herts firms can help fire economic recovery By Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) “The last few months have been incredibly challenging for businesses in Hertfordshire and the rest of the UK. Demand fell off a cliff overnight, margins were hit and staff were laid off or furloughed. “Now the country is gradually getting back to work, although it is anything but normal. Companies have had to adjust to a different way of working, demand is only slowly returning and cashflow and confidence have taken a hit. “However, this is where we are and the priority now is to find ways of getting the economy moving again. The government’s initial support for businesses has been generally welcomed by BCC. Although some people (such as those who operate under the

umbrella of a limited company) fell through the cracks, the sweeping, bold measures announced by Rishi Sunak helped to protect many companies and jobs. “Now the question is how the government can adjust its support to help businesses to get going again. BCC has already called on ministers to act swiftly to reduce the overall cost of employment to protect businesses and preserve as many jobs as possible over the coming months. A good starting point would be an 18-month expansion of the Annual Investment Allowance from £4,000 to £20,000 and an increase in the threshold for employer national insurance contributions from £8,788 to £12,500, which could save businesses around £500 per job. Both of these measures should be in the chancellor’s sights if he wants to help viable companies save jobs as the furlough scheme comes to an end. The Prime Minister’s encouragement to return to workplaces and further updates to business guidance will not be enough on their own. “There also needs to be targeted support for areas of the country that are forced to go into a second lockdown. We’ve already seen the impact of the extended lockdown on Leicester businesses. Losing yet more revenue could be fatal for some firms.

“The next few months will be extremely challenging, particularly for the leisure, hospitality, tourism and civil aviation sectors, but there will also be opportunities for UK firms that are agile, adaptable and innovative. The widespread adoption of technology during the lockdown has opened up new possibilities for doing business, both in the UK and overseas, and the country still boasts key strengths in advanced manufacturing and business-tobusiness services. Locally, Hertfordshire has some excellent businesses in the life sciences, advanced engineering, IT and creative industries. “BCC, along with individual Chambers of Commerce, will continue to support businesses in any way we can as the country moves through these challenging times. Briege and her team at Hertfordshire Chamber have done a sterling job of helping local firms in this crisis, campaigning for improvements to public transport services and working hard to ensure businesses have access to the right skills and training opportunities. They have appreciated the reality of the current situation while championing the local business community and offering practical advice and support. I have no doubt that they’ll continue to do this as Hertfordshire and the rest of the country tries to kick-start an economic recovery.”

“The widespread adoption of technology during the lockdown has opened up new possibilities for doing business, both in the UK and overseas, and the country still boasts key strengths in advanced manufacturing and business-to-business services. Locally, Hertfordshire has some excellent businesses in the life sciences, advanced engineering, IT and creative industries.” 8

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HERTFORDSHIRE LEP

Hertfordshire’s

roadmap to recovery

The scale of the current economic crisis calls for collective local leadership to help shape Hertfordshire’s recovery. Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has developed an Economic Recovery Plan to chart a clear route through the shortmedium term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing on its knowledge of the local economy and building on the measures already taken on a local and national level. The LEP’s Economic Recovery Plan aims to accelerate recovery over the next 6-18 months and position Hertfordshire for sustained and good economic growth in the years thereafter. The plan is structured around three main delivery packages focused directly on Hertfordshire’s businesses and its people, including: Enterprise and Innovation; Skills and Creativity and International Trade and Investment. Progress towards the longer-term aspirations set out in Hertfordshire’s Local Industrial Strategy will be achieved through two transformational programmes to ensure Hertfordshire is fully equipped for future ways of living and working. A first look at the plan was presented at the ‘Rebuilding Hertfordshire’s Future Together’ webinar hosted by Hertfordshire LEP and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce on 20th August. The webinar gave over 120 stakeholders and members of the wider business community the opportunity to hear how major local employers have adapted to new ways of working, how digital entrepreneurs have successfully acted on business opportunities, and the actions

taken by public sector leaders to ensure no community is left behind. Following the webinar, Mark Bretton, Chair, Hertfordshire LEP and the LEP Network, said: “The economic shockwave that COVID-19 has triggered in the UK has been unprecedented, yet like in most crises, the pandemic has also shown what we can achieve if we work together. The success stories we have heard of Hertfordshire businesses and individuals innovating, adapting, and together supporting their communities like never before, are testament to this. “A critical task lies before us now in creating new jobs and opportunities for local people in the short term, but also defining a trajectory for recovery and growth that realises Hertfordshire’s wider ambitions. Events like this one play an important role in facilitating the constructive conversations needed to shape an inclusive recovery plan for the county.” On 25 September, Hertfordshire LEP will hold its Annual Conference 2020: The Roadmap to Recovery webinar, which will delve into the impact of the pandemic in Hertfordshire and the response to date, the key packages set out within the Economic Recovery Plan, and what more it is doing to re-ignite and re-build the local economy. Delegates will hear from a panel of experts drawn from business, local government, education, community and the third sector, who will share their views on the county’s future.

Panellists include: • Cllr David Williams, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council and Chair of Hertfordshire Growth Board; • Julie Newlan MBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire; • Helen Gray, Director of Hertfordshire Community Foundation; • Tina Barnard, CEO of Watford Community Housing; • Cllr Linda Haysey, Leader of East Herts District Council and Chair of the Community Reassurance Cell, part of the Local Resilience Forum; and • Ceri Humphrey, Finance Director at VolkerFitzpatrick. Delegates will hear about the programmes available to support local skills needs, the future of teaching delivery, and what more can be done to ensure no community or individual is left behind. Also learn about the measures put in place to help increase business resilience and how we can encourage more businesses to look to Hertfordshire as a place to innovate and grow sustainably. The conference will be followed by an Annual General Meeting where delegates can meet the LEP’s business-led Board.

Visit www.hertfordshirelep.com to learn more and book your place. INSPIRE

Introducing the

GAME CHANGER

PROGRAMME “Workplace culture has never been more important to business success than today. It is not a soft option. It is not a nice to have. It provides the vital adjunct to your business strategy and ambition.” Breathe’s Culture Economy Report, 2020 The landscape is shifting. It’s becoming harder and harder for businesses to stay on their feet. There’s now a palpable sense of urgency; a need to be nimble, flexible and prepared for whatever’s coming next. We can’t take anything for granted anymore. Amongst this confusing maelstrom, companies know that their employees want to work for an employer they’re proud to represent, and that their customers and clients want to feel proud of working with them. But this isn’t about brand recognition. It’s about their Values being congruent with the company ethos. If there’s no trust, it’s game over.

To weather the storm, businesses need to be built on strong foundations: the Power Pillars of their Values, Vision and Why. But in the wake of such disruption, many companies are struggling to articulate what they now stand for, let alone how they can stand out. They know it’s time for a wakeup call. They know it’s time to transform, to stand up for what they believe in, to boost their bottom line, find their competitive advantage and go for high growth. St. Albans-based Workplace Culture, Employee Experience and Engagement Consultancy, Culture Chameleon recognises, however, that many organisations don’t have the time or the headspace to do this right now, or they don’t know where to start. How can they reboot, refocus, strengthen and build their businesses in midst of such challenging times? And so, Culture Chameleon has devised their GAME CHANGER PROGRAMME. This a series of four separate, but

01 REBOOT:

BUILD FIRM FOUNDATIONS WITH YOUR POWER PILLARS The first workshop in the Programme will cover: • Power Pillars - what are they and why are they necessary? • The power of Power Pillars - their relevance and importance in today’s ever-changing landscape. • How to start to map the foundation of your Power Pillars. By the end of the workshop participants will: • HAVE A LIGHTBULB MOMENT: finally understand why their business has lost direction. • FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR BUSINESS: have started to discover their business’ Purpose, Values and Vision and understand why they differ from their competitors. • FEEL A RENEWED SENSE OF DRIVE: feel inspired and focused on the future and have the knowledge to define their Power Pillars. • BE THE LEADER THEY WANT TO BE: be able to take their team through the roadmap to developing their Power Pillars • COMMIT TO GROWTH: be held accountable to delivering their goals – and actually do it!

03 STRENGTHEN:

FEEL IN CONTROL AGAIN The third workshop and accompanying mentoring and consultancy will cover: • The impact on business success of embedding Values and Purpose into all the business does. • The process for transforming identified anomalies in the Employee Experience. • How to take employees on the culture-shift journey. By the end of this process participants will be able to: • BRING THEIR POWER PILLARS TO LIFE: and give them real meaning; from words and images on a page, to a strong anchor and usable roadmap for the business. • UNDERSTAND AND FEEL CONFIDENT: know how to embed the Values and Purpose and why they’re so important to the bottom line and commercial success. • FINALLY FEEL IN CONTROL: with a defined, aligned and embedded culture. • BE UNBREAKABLE: be able to weather anything that life throws at the business. • BE ACCOUNTABLE: to embedding the Values and Purpose into the business and seeing the difference it makes.

interrelated, workshops supported by mentoring and consultancy, for ambitious CEOs, Founders and MDs of fast-growing SMEs who want to up their game. The aim of the programme is to help companies adapt to the new environment, innovate, accelerate and transform in an authentic, Value and Purpose-driven way - to identify what’s great about their business, so they can shout it from the rooftops and be heard – storm or no storm. So how does the Game Changer Programme work? Before each 3.5-hour, interactive workshop, one of Culture Chameleon’s Workplace Culture experts will hold a 30-minute call with each programme participant, during which they’ll discuss the key challenges their business is facing. Each workshop will accompanied by a supporting workbook and will be followed up by three hours’ mentoring and consultancy support for each participant, over three months, via Zoom.

02 REFOCUS:

YOUR EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE In the context of the impact that Employee Experience has on a business’ bottom line, employee churn, talent acquisition and retention, during the second workshop, participants will be guided through: • Employee Experience and Employee Engagement - what are they and why do they matter? • The relevance and business impact of a Purpose-driven and Values-aligned organisation with a strong Employee Experience. • The direct correlation between Employee Experience, Employee Engagement and business success. The combination of the workshop and subsequent mentoring and consultancy will leave participants with an understanding of the Employee Experience that they currently offer versus the one that will result in happy, engaged and productive employees and a stronger, more responsive business.

By the end of this process they’ll: • HAVE AN “AHA!” MOMENT: understand the correlation between a happy, engaged workforce and business success. • FEEL LIKE THE EMPLOYEE WHISPERER: understand their employees and what motivates, inspires and engages them (and what doesn’t). • PICK WINNERS: understand who they are and aren’t trying to attract, thereby saving money on hiring errors and picking talent that will stay for the long-term and make a positive contribution to the business. • SEE THE BOTTOM LINE START TO RISE: by creating a positive, Purpose-driven and Values-aligned Employee Experience. • HAVE A ROADMAP: to map out the current Employee Experience, measure it against the company Values and highlight risk areas. • HAVE THE TOOLS: needed to improve the Employee Experience exponentially.

04 BUILD:

YOUR EMPLOYEE VALUE PROPOSITION AND EMPLOYER BRAND The final programme element will include: • Decoding the jargon – what’s an Employer Brand and why is it more important than ever? • Defining a unique Employee Value Proposition (what’s great about working for the company). • Steps to defining and showcasing a strong Employer Brand. By the end of this section of the Programme, participants will: • STOP LIVING SMALL: say goodbye to employee churn and hello to the top talent for their business. • GET OUT OF THEIR RUT: understand what an Employer Brand and Employee Value Proposition is and why they’re a business game changer. • FINALLY FEEL IN CONTROL: run the business and not the other way around • BE UNBREAKABLE: no more panic hiring; more people waiting in the wings to work for their Purpose and Values-driven business • BE ACCOUNTABLE: to embedding the Employer Brand into the business and achieving the business goals

Turn to page 26 for information regarding our Chamber Event -Thriving in a changing world online masterclass.

Find out more about, or book on to, the Game Changer Programme: https://bit.ly/34gUh1E

www.culturechameleon.co.uk LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/31rtBcM Twitter: @ChiefChameleon

ENVIRONMENT TOP TIPS

Commercial Leases In these difficult times, many tenants will be considering ways of being released from their obligations under the lease or asking their landlords for a form of rent concession. Rachael Spalton looks at issues and concerns facing commercial landlords caused by Covid-19. My Tenant has asked me to reduce the rent. Should I agree? A Landlord is under no A obligation to agree to a reduced rent. Even if the Tenant cannot occupy due to the pandemic their obligation to pay rent continues. The Government introduced a voluntary Code of Practice for Commercial Property Relationships during the Covid-19 Pandemic which encourages landlords and tenants to work together to

alleviate its impact. The Code will apply until 24 June 2021. The Code does not change the legal relationship between the landlord and tenant but it may be in their best interests to agree temporary rent arrangements such as rent holidays or reduced rent. Tenants requesting rent reductions should be clear as to why it is needed and provide financial information. Landlords should consider requests and provide explanations if they feel unable to agree concessions. If you do agree to reduced rent, it should be documented in a side letter. What do I need to consider when agreeing a side letter? A Below are some points to consider plus it is worth getting legal advice on other options specific to your circumstances. • The duration of the concession.

• Will the rent concession include other rents under the lease such as insurance payments and service charge. • Any impact on rent review. • Mortgage – if your property is mortgaged, the lender’s consent may be required.

• Superior Landlord – if there is a landlord above you, its consent may be required. My Tenant has stopped paying rent, can I deduct rent payments from a rent deposit? If a rent deposit is in A place, you may deduct the outstanding payments from the deposit provided that the document governing the deposit permits. The Code suggests that landlords do not require tenants to top up the deposit until it is “reasonable and realistic” to do so. If the Tenant becomes insolvent there may be restrictions upon your ability to draw funds from the deposit.

Can I forfeit the lease for non-payment of rent? The UK government A passed the Coronavirus Act 2020 in March. The Act says that landlords cannot forfeit commercial leases for non-payment of rent until 30 September 2020. This suspension applies to forfeiture for non-payment of rent so you may be able to forfeit if other grounds are available. However, the Act also introduced an automatic stay of court possession proceedings so you are unlikely to be able to regain

possession quickly. Landlords should also consider the risk of rental voids and business rates liability in deciding whether or not to attempt to forfeit the lease.

Can I recover costs that I incur for deep cleaning and any additional Covid-19 related services via the service charge?

The landlord’s liability to provide services and the tenant’s liability to pay for services under the lease continues during Covid-19. Most service charge provisions will include the recovery of cleaning costs and an obligation to clean common parts, which will include deep cleaning costs.

Also, landlords will sometimes have the ability to provide and charge for additional services where it is reasonable to do so which may cover any additional services provided. If landlords are unable to provide certain services or their Tenant is in financial difficulty the parties should discuss the situation and negotiate temporary service charge arrangements. Contact Rachael Spalton for advice about commercial property.

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.

www.longmores.law

01992 300333 enquiries@longmores.law 24 Castle Street Hertford SG14 1HP

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SUPPORTING BUSINESSES THROUGH THE TOUGHEST OF TIMES By investing in the right technology, we are helping clients more than ever to thrive in a changing world. As a leading accountancy and business advisory firm, our services include: business advice, audit, tax and corporate finance, HR support and outsourced bookkeeping services. Contact us to discuss how we can support your business. Chamber Business Awards 2019 Winner: Best Use Of Technology

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Moore Kingston Smith GET IN TOUCH TODAY 4 Victoria Square St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3TF +44 (0)1727 896000

FinanceEast

How could your business flourish & grow post lockdown? Business as (un)usual for Hertfordshire’s SMEs As we cautiously ease out of lockdown and start to adjust to the “new normal” and what that looks like, Finance East is keen to ensure that Hertfordshire based SMEs are aware of the funding options available to support them during these uncertain times and to assist them in accelerating their growth post lockdown.

able to have some invest-ment to acquire some new equipment or perhaps fund a new contract?

No doubt the months ahead will be challenging, in ways that could not previously have been pre-dicted. However, it is also important to remember that UK businesses are both resilient and creative.

In the ‘Here and Now’ cash availability is even more crucial than ever but SMEs also need to be considering investing for the future, either to make their business more resilient or to adjust their products and services to meet the opportunities that change can create.

Have you asked yourself what could your business achieve if you were

As Hertfordshire businesses look to the future and start to consider ways in which they can recover from the impact of COVID-19, Finance East has Expansion Grants and Growth Loans available to support eligible Hertfordshire SMEs.

For more information on these schemes, or to make an appointment please contact: Gordon Brock Hayley Johnson

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Fund Manager, Growth Loan Scheme 07818 088021 gordon.brock@thefsegroup.com Expansion Grant Scheme Manager 07717 805780 hayley.johnson@thefsegroup.com or visit www.financeeast.co.uk

Gordon Brock and Hayley Johnson of Finance East are Hertfordshire’s dedicated Fund and Grant Scheme Managers. If your business has been unable to obtain all or part of the financial support required to meet the challenges of 2020 and grow into 2021 and beyond, through traditional sources, please get in touch with Gordon or Hayley who will be able to provide more information on the schemes available to support your growth: • Hertfordshire Business Expansion Grant Scheme • Hertfordshire LEP SME Growth Loan Scheme

PATRON FOCUS

Creating sustainable workspaces for the future

JPA delivers furniture to support Lister Hospital’s wellbeing rooms for doctors and nurses during the pandemic

As the world tries to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s certain that employers shall be analysing a variety of solutions to ensure their staff are working in safe conditions and that no two businesses are the same. A new patron of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, JPA Workspaces is ideally placed to help organisations get back to work in the safest, most effective way possible – wherever that might be, with help, advice and services which solve all manner of furniture-related headaches. JPA Workspaces is an independent family business who specialise in a variety of industry sectors, including office, healthcare, education and hospitality. Their business have been providing complete furniture solutions for more than 45 years.

Tony joined JPA at the beginning of this year and has been impressed with the company’s commitment to sustainability. Essentially, JPA brings measurable financial, environmental and social sustainability to a workplace project through its products, services and operations. JPA’s aim is to help clients save money, reduce furniture waste and CO2 emissions and eliminate the need to send goods to landfill. It is driving forward Project DODO, a unique, award-winning end-of-life redundant furniture solution which has been three years in the making.

Tony D’Acanto, Head of Commercial Partnerships at JPA Workspaces, says: “Crises tend to exacerbate market trends. The 2008 financial crash hastened the arrival of workplace digitalisation and a shift to more flexible working. Now employers are looking to implement practical solutions that support social distancing and promote safe and healthy working environments.

Tony says: “We call it DODO because the aim is to make clients’ redundant furniture landfill extinct – and we’ve achieved it. Our range of services maximise clients’ existing furniture by repairing, refreshing, re-configuring and re-using it elsewhere, with end-of-life recycling used only as a last resort.”

“This could mean anything from installing hand sanitisers and floor standing dividers to changing the layout of the office to accommodate social distancing and staggered desk occupancy. Offices will look different; we’ll see many more individual booths and protective screens, for example, and less shared storage space. There may also be scope to turn meeting rooms into additional workspaces. “We are here to support companies do whatever is needed to get staff back to work safely.”

JPA has delivered furniture to support the wellbeing and recreational areas at Lister Hospital, and provided furniture to Watford General, Barnet General, Royal Free Hospital and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). “While we’re 100% committed to sustainability, we never compromise on quality,” says Tony. “Quality service and quality furniture have been our mantra for more than 45 years, putting people first at the heart of everything we do. “We’re delighted to be a patron of the Chamber and through this we aim to encourage organisations to collaborate. By working together, we can all help each other through this crisis.”

This approach has proved highly beneficial to some organisations in the current pandemic.

“Crises tend to exacerbate market trends. The 2008 financial crash hastened the arrival of workplace digitalisation and a shift to more flexible working. Now employers are looking to implement practical solutions that support social distancing and promote safe and healthy working environments.”

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PATRON FOCUS

Pharmaron builds healthy presence in Herts When Pharmaron decided to build its network of contacts in the county, it was a logical step to become a patron of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. A premier R&D service provider for the life sciences industry, the company already has a presence in the area due to its Hoddesdon site, which works on integrated drug discovery and CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control) collaborations – in short, taking a drug molecule and working out the most effective ways of carrying out research and development on it so it can eventually be brought onto the commercial market. With many of these projects undertaken in conjunction with other partners, Pharmaron took advantage of the Chamber’s extensive membership base to strengthen its links with local businesses. Stephen Lewinton, senior vicepresident of UK operations at Pharmaron, says: “We wanted to bolster our local presence in

INSPIRE

line with our UK growth strategy. Over the last two years we’ve invested more than £40m to develop our UK business and our Hoddesdon site is a key part of this. The Chamber has put us in touch with many useful contacts and the area has some key players in the life sciences industry. For our part, we have plans to develop an incubation unit at Hoddesdon that is expected to come on stream in 2022, so it’s vital that we continue to build our profile in the local area.”

Founded in 2004, Pharmaron is a cutting-edge, fully integrated pharmaceutical R&D service platform supporting the life science industry. The company has invested in its people and facilities and established its comprehensive service offerings throughout the pharmaceutical R&D lifecycle. With operations in China, the US and the UK staffed by more than 10,000 employees, Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering end-toend R&D solutions to its partners globally and enabling them

“We wanted to bolster our local presence in line with our UK growth strategy. Over the last two years we’ve invested more than £40m to develop our UK business and our Hoddesdon site is a key part of this.”

to accelerate their novel drug discovery and development process. Although Pharmaron has a global outlook, it is keen to support local businesses and organisations too. For example, the company recently provided a batch of hand sanitisers that are being used by NHS West Essex. Stephen says: “One of the main attractions of Hoddesdon is that it’s part of the Golden Triangle and has excellent transport connectivity. We have a worldclass facility on our doorstep and have been able to attract some of the brightest, most talented individuals to come and work for our company. In addition, Hertfordshire has a skilled workforce, particularly in the sector in which we operate, so we are well placed to grow and develop our UK business.”

Tysers

200

EST. 1820

YEARS

OF INSURANCE

INSURING TRADE

THROUGH CHALLENGING TIMES We talk to Martyn Locke, Tysers’ Trade Credit Insurance and Bond Specialist

MARTYN LOCKE COVID-19 temporarily forced many UK businesses to cease production and trading, placing them at risk. As lockdown restrictions loosen many surviving companies are left to resolve issues of liquidity. SO,IF YOUR CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TRADE FOR FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS, WILL THEY HAVE THE CASH TO PAY YOUR INVOICES NOW? It’s a growing area of exposure and, given the challenges many businesses are currently facing, it would seem prudent to consider how a Trade Credit policy can help mitigate the risk and protect your business’s future financial security. Company insolvencies are forecast to rise sharply with many debtors defaulting on their payments for protracted periods. On June 4th the government announced up to £10bn of backing for Trade Credit Insurers, to help businesses continue to trade through the pandemic if their customers default or are delayed in making payment. Currently uninsured companies will still be eligible to benefit if they take out cover now, and subsequently their debtors default or go into liquidation.

HOW CAN TRADE CREDIT INSURANCE PROVIDE CERTAINTY IN CHALLENGING TIMES?

It can be used as security for finance from Banks and Invoice Finance providers.

It enables companies to assess and monitor their ledger to ensure customers remain creditworthy (most insured companies see a marked improvement in the credit worthiness of their ledger).

It allows businesses to identify and target good quality prospects, providing the confidence they will be paid for goods or services.

The last couple of years have been particularly volatile and uncertainty continues to surround both the impact of COVID-19 and the potential long-term effect of our exit from the EU. Trade Credit Insurance protects businesses against their customers failure to pay invoices, it provides cover against debtors protracted default or insolvency. It also provides cover for ‘political risks’ when overseas customers cannot pay their debts as a result of events beyond their control, such as acts of terrorism, war and natural disasters. Most businesses make provision for bad debts, but unforeseen insolvencies can seriously dent reserves and, losing a major client, presents a significant risk to future security. Trade Credit protects this exposure, whilst also providing a good framework for financial corporate governance, which offers several additional benefits:

It supports the development of new export relationships in unknown territories, which could be of particular value post-Brexit.

HOW MUCH DOES TRADE CREDIT INSURANCE COST? The cost varies depending on the business’s sector, turnover and previous bad debt record as well as the type of policy required. Premiums vary from insurer to insurer, so we search the market to identify the best value solution for our clients.

Tysers Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 71 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BS. Registered Company No. 2957627 England.

IS TRADE CREDIT INSURANCE SUITABLE FOR SME’S? Yes, Trade Credit Insurance is suitable for businesses of all sizes. Many SME’s use Credit Insurance to secure their growth. We have several SME options for businesses with turnover under £500,000 with minimum premiums starting at about £2,500-£3,000. We also provide Trade Credit Insurance to large corporate organisations.

 “Our £10 billion guarantee gives peace of mind to businesses, allowing them to continue to trade and maintaining liquidity in supply chains. This reinsurance scheme is an important step as we carefully set about firing up our economy as we emerge from the pandemic” BUSINESS SECRETARY OF STATE, ALOK SHARMA. To discuss further or to receive a quote, please contact:  +44 (0)7585 793216  martyn.locke@tysers.com  www.tysers.com/trade-credit

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS

RSPCA’s sterling work in the community Inspire magazine explores the work of the RSPCA and how COVID-19 has increased demand for its services…

Established for more than 50 years, the RSPCA Hertfordshire East covers an area of approximately 400 square miles incorporating Baldock, Letchworth, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Ware and Hertford plus surrounding villages most of which are not served by any charity veterinary clinics. Many people think that the RSPCA, its uniformed officers, and its network of over 100 branches and animal centres is one big charity. In fact, the national RSPCA which provides an inspectorate to attend to animals in distress, a cruelty help line and has the power of prosecution, is a separately registered charity to the individual branches and animal centres. The primary role of branches is to support the work of the national RSPCA by taking in the animals that the inspectors collect, arranging veterinary treatment as necessary, boarding and rehoming. Many branches, such as ours, take on unwanted animals from members of the public, again providing veterinary treatment as necessary, boarding and rehoming. Some also provide help with the cost of veterinary care for owned animals, particularly if the owners are facing financial hardship. Our branch also provides a local helpline offering welfare advice.

We, too, like so many other charities, have been hard hit by COVID-19 with our main sources of income, our shop and fundraising activities being severely impacted. But we still want to pursue our dream of having our own clinic and, in light of the current situation, we have decided to accelerate our plans. This is a major project for a small charity such as ours but the massive increase in the number of animals and people that the clinic will be able to help, not just now but for many years to come, will be well worth the investment in time and money. So where do we go from here and how can local businesses help? Firstly, we need to find the right premises, preferably in Baldock, Letchworth or Hitchin, then we need as many businesses and people as possible to help with everything from legalities to decorating the building. We would love it if this could be a community project led by us with the help

of local businesses and residents, something that everyone can be proud to have been a part of. Six months ago, the world was a different place, unemployment was at its lowest for many years and for the most part we felt safe. Few people had heard of COVID-19 and no one foresaw the havoc and changes it would bring in such a short period of time. COVID-19 has shown how fragile our security is and that, no matter how safe life feels, it can change in a flash. None of us know if or when we may need help for our pets or if we will be able to afford their care, be it in the next few months or in ten years’ time. Our clinic will help current and future generations to ensure no pet has to go without basic veterinary care. If you would be willing to help in any way or to find out more please contact Vicky on 07500 967145 or vicky@rspcahertseast.org.uk Exciting times ahead!

RSPCA branches are largely self-funding, relying heavily on funds generated by donations and income from their charity shops. Over the past few years, RSPCA Hertfordshire East branch has seen a rise in requests from pet owners for help with veterinary costs and we have been exploring the possibility of setting up our own low-cost veterinary clinic to meet this need and to help ensure that no animal goes without essential veterinary care. COVID-19 has further increased demand for our help and the need for such a clinic in our area. During lockdown many people purchase new pets; however, many new and existing pet owners are now losing their jobs and financial security.

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“We, too, like so many other charities, have been hard hit by COVID-19 with our main sources of income, our shop and fundraising activities being severely impacted. But we still want to pursue our dream of having our own clinic and, in light of the current situation, we have decided to accelerate our plans.”

MEMBERS NEWS

Branduin’s business clinics are great success

Festival of Ideas Reimagined 2020 The University of Hertfordshire planned the inaugural Festival of Ideas for the last weekend of June 2020. This two-day campus festival, sought to bring together thought leaders and creatives to generate debate and dialogue around the theme of ‘belonging’, on subjects crossing the disciplines of arts, culture, heritage, science and politics. The festival was planned as one of the flagship events for Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020, an exciting initiative conceived to showcase Hertfordshire as a county of creative and cultural opportunity. The festival was developed in response to June’s theme of ‘Big Ideas’ and aimed to welcome new audiences onto campus to experience and celebrate Hertfordshire’s culture and heritage, free of charge. However, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a need to revise all events and so the physical festival became digital, renamed the ‘Festival of Ideas Reimagined’. Although a challenging task, this was a fantastic opportunity to develop a digital platform with rich and diverse content, that could be accessed by a wider audience. The festival was adapted to relate to the crisis, across two overarching themes: the restorative qualities of arts and literature and their power to sustain us through crisis and thoughts on a post-pandemic future, what our changed world might look like.

Ultimately, the diverse programme included content from over 60 contributors, most of whom were external to the University. The festival also showcased a selection of relevant home-grown researchers, thinkers and writers, as well as talented Hertfordshire students and alumni. From Booker prize winning Bernadine Evaristo to the environmentalist Sir Jonathan Porritt, the festival offered a rich menu and something for everyone; including short thought pieces, lectures and conversations. It showcased some of the very best artists and exhibitions in the county, including artworks from the University’s Art Collection and digital exhibitions. The line-up also included the work and voices of academics, artists, designers, actors, musicians, film makers, producers, curators, artistic directors, students and creative activities. The ‘Festival of Ideas Reimagined’ attracted nearly 6,000 virtual visitors over the festival month – exceeding expectations of audience reach and engagement. The University is indebted to the festival’s contributors for the remarkable blend of content, to its sponsors Eisai and Willmott Dixon and everyone involved who made it happen. They are encouraged that there is such appetite for cultural events of this nature and hope to host a Festival of Ideas again, on campus in 2022.

“The festival was adapted to relate to the crisis, across two overarching themes: the restorative qualities of arts and literature and their power to sustain us through crisis and thoughts on a post-pandemic future,what our changed world might look like.”

In July, Branduin Business Support, as a Benefits Partner of Herts Chamber, ran a series of online Business Clinics with Chamber Members. In each case, the member had an individual forty-five minute ‘zoom’ session with a quality assured Branduin adviser to discuss issues on which they felt they needed input. Advice areas included Finance, Marketing, Sales, IT/GDPR, Leadership and General Guidance. ‘…really appreciated a focused discussion on where we currently stand and…have some simple, pragmatic steps to focus on driving business growth in the months to come.’ ‘Thank you…for your time this morning. It was great speaking with you and really useful.’ ‘thanks…for your time and expertise’ The next sessions are on Monday 21st September and are free to attend. Bookings can be made via the Herts Chamber ‘events’ web-page. Clinics are one of many ways in which Branduin can help Herts Chamber members; for ten years Branduin have successfully provided business support services to business owners through Local Authorities and Chambers of Commerce. These have been via 1:1 Clinics, Seminars/ Webinars, On-site visits and Mentoring programmes; the creation of hundreds of jobs is directly attributable to these activities. “The London Borough of Hounslow contracted with Branduin to provide a comprehensive 2 year programme of training and mentoring for small businesses. We were impressed by Branduin’s proactive approach, and by really impressive outcomes regarding job creation and retention.” Tom Brooks – Business Services & Investment, Hounslow Chamber of Commerce. Along with the specialist services, Branduin also have two major programmes for delivering growth to SMEs – GOALMapperTM and Fit-to-BidTM; the multi-workshop content of both of these is directly relevant to helping businesses with their post-pandemic reboot and recovery. . Details of all services and programmes can be found at www.branduin.co.uk

INSPIRE

Entrepreneur Foundation The Chambers of Commerce network provides support to local businesses through a range of membership benefits, such as: information, events and training and via extensive networking opportunities. Entrepreneurs are vital to business; individuals who have a vision, can inspire others to join them on their journey and drive the success of our local and national economy.

Hertfordshire Chamber recognises this need and is seeking to identify entrepreneurs who are passionate about their ideas; about turning their concepts into reality; and who have the energy to create new successful businesses. The Entrepreneur Foundation has been designed to nurture and grow a new network of enterprising individuals who meet these criteria; offering a twoyear initiative of guidance, training and support, supplied by Founder members, by Supporters and, of course, by the Chamber itself. "It gives me great pleasure to give my wholehearted support to the Entrepreneur Foundation.

I have always believed in the importance of encouraging entrepreneurs from a very early stage of the development of their business - and what better way to minimise the risks that they take than to be supported by experienced entrepreneurs who have themselves experienced the highs and lows of starting and running their own business." Robert Voss CBE CStJ HM Lord-Lieutenant of

18 18

INSPIRE INSPIRE

Hertfordshire

ENTREPRENEUR

FOUNDATION

Why Apply? An Entrepreneur accepted into this initiative will benefit from the following:

Unparalleled support from the Foundation Special access to a funded development initiative Advice on funding options Exclusive regular meetings with Founders Incomparable access to knowledge, experience and expertise Select opportunities to attend Seminars and Masterclasses Exceptional opportunities to network with fellow Entrepreneurs, Founders and Supporters Entrepreneur-status Chamber membership Active participation in a unique two-year initiative Ultimately, being integral to the success of the Hertfordshire economy The Entrepreneur Foundation will help you get your products or services to market and grow your business; boost your productivity, revenues and profitability; strengthen your resilience and improve your competitiveness. The support provided by this initiative will include mentoring, business growth advice and unrivalled networking opportunities, all designed to unlock and reinforce your business potential.

Entrepreneur

Two-year initiative

Accelerate

Brand New Opportunities

An individual applying to participate in the Entrepreneur Foundation should fit into the following criteria: Be a business owner or decision maker within a business Has created a business model for a product or service with an identified demand Has taken this business to market Can rapidly scale-up their business and employ their own staff

Find out more on how to apply at hertschamber.com or alternatively you can contact enquiries@hertschamber.com to receive an application form CREATE

・

CONNECT

・

COLLABORATE

・

GROW

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We can support you at home The Pandemic has been and is continuing to be a concerning time for everyone.

co y ns ou Bo ul r ok ta FR tio E n E N O W

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Infection control is very important to us this includes staff training and awareness the use of PPE (personal protective equipment) and making sure that we are

As more and more people are returning to work and are unable to care for their loved one as much as they were during lockdown anxieties can creep in.

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Call now on 01707 246 552 or visit www.leaseoflifehomecare.co.uk

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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.

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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

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ENVIRONMENT TOP TIPS

Choose to Refuse Th e carbon benefit hidden in our clothing

ENVIRONMENT TOP TIPS

As a consumer, you may have made some changes recently during international ‘Plastic Free July.’ The Hertfordshire WasteAware Team have been encouraging residents to move away from single use items towards reusable alternatives for items such as shampoo, toothbrushes, babies nappies, menstrual products, make up wipes, plastic-wrapped fruit and veg, razors and many more – including Covid-specific items such as fabric face masks.

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. 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups every year 2.5 billion disposable Stop coffee cups single-use. every year. Stop single-use. coffee cups every year. Stop single-use. coffee cups every year. Stop single-use. Stop single-use. Stop single-use. r For customer-facing businesses, it

Plastic bags are used for Why is this relevant to your business? For a business wanting to reduce is important to offer communication There are lots an of average ways you of 12can minutes about the changes made and their carbon footprint, textiles may We might be familiar with greener products reduce your organisation’s waste. where customers can assist in before being thrown away. and services – but looking inwards to the seem an odd place to focus. We making different decisions. It Stop single-use plastic. Our top tips are: resources used is another angle to consider. sounds obvious, but remember to generally hear about the three big ensure that staff are on board, as Changing to more environmentally-friendly areas that affect climate change 1. them For events, consider a magnetic er can be overlooked. Tell memb business practices will savethis you money and Rerather – energy, transport and food. / pin badge or lanyard than les! b why changes are being made and a s u provide a stronger selling proposition when ur reare branded goods, asyothese give them the ability to facilitate However, the textiles industry pitching your goods and services to your such as training these changes in to replace if a name/ logo easier is responsible for 10% of global target audience. new systems, or which bin different changes. carbon emissions. This means the items go in. Seeking alternatives offeredResearch by suppliers can be quick 2. aBuy work related apparel from ethical / clothes that we buy contributes to Why become more sustainable? win, as can requesting that packs sustainable brands. The premium shows that once consumers want to be climate change more than air and are delivered without packaging, associated ethical or recyclable paid often also means better quality, We have alsocombined. shared advice from This is where you come with in. environmental or inor reusable sea travel so they last longer and you need to

the many experts who confirm that The Plastic products. Free July business packaging.by If you are distributors, A recent survey conducted it is safe to refill your coffee cups identifyingare swaps in your ownbuy less. Ethical Consumer has a webpage asserts typically, AYTMthat found that 71% of millennials more From growing and harvesting the raw and water bottles out and about packaging might save moneylistasof how suppliers measure up. for every single bin-full of waste likely to support an environmentally-friendly material, how they’re made, during thetoPandemic – and that itto crossing well as meet customer’s rising generated, 70 bin-fulls were Reuse: business. Likewise, 86% ofsustainability customers say is vital thattowe to do so. the world getcontinue from factory to store, togenerated the expectations. upstream in making 80,000 million plastic theyit’s prefer to shop at businesses that recycle, For businesses, reducing thetonnes clothingoffootprint impact of washing them and how they’re https://refill.org.uk/water-refillit. “That means important Supply chains have come3.into entering the oceans between now 74% prefer companies that limit the use of and-covid-guidance/ could be as simple as washing and reusing sharp focus during the Pandemic. to reduce waste through good disposed of, each item of clothing produced and 2040, equivalent to 13,000 pollutants and unnecessaryThe chemicals ‘Hubbuband Explores’ business uniforms afterplastic someone has per left. Did you know purchasing practices.” has lifecycle impact across the But awhat aboutcarbon businesses? bottles second for the workshops invited businesses that extendingnext the 20 average of notes that 67% of shoppers prefer companies that The feedback we received was years.lifespan Hubbub whole of a product’s life (the ‘cradle to grave’ https://www.plasticfreejuly. two-pronged. Many residents 3 months ofwith active use sense a strong support renewable energy. to discuss this in a series of clothes by justbusinesses org/get-involved/whatimpact). This is measured using kilograms online meetings. Building greater shared the swaps they have made, purpose can findinit easier to would lead toof a 5-10% reduction you-can-do/category/forofpleased CO2 eq (or carbon dioxide equivalent), a resilience through simple, that alternative products change. carbon, wastenavigate and water footprints! business/#categories There is also evidence thattransparent many consumers routes and building standard unit for measuring carbon are enjoyable to use and easier to footprints. Much of the technology and collaborative want PFJ guidance on how their individual relationships4.and The international movement access. Refill shops were noted Consider hosting a clothes swap fortostaff (or these innovation required make partnerships were all suggested offers advice for businesses. actions can help make a difference. particularly as a way to cut out the What has been found is a shocking amount clients). It is a fun way to extend the life of clothing changes already exist, with more bytoparticipants hard to avoid plasticsfrom suchboth theRemoving packaging from thewell-placed Businesses are help raiseas a good option The averagereviewing person only ofoften emissions and waste and others. more companies long-term security. The by swapping with as bread bags, salad bags and supply chainconsumer could startawareness with a bin and for understanding wears two thirds what’s inlooking their up the supply theirofimpact, production andand disposal wellbeing of staff and communities bottles of food drink. stage. Fast fashion audit to identify single- change and,exactly more what importantly, the way they as key. wardrobe. WasteAware chain andcan in-house to design out offer you was also highlighted isBut making clothing more disposable, with use plastics are being generated. residents can only do so packaging This is a realistic More workshops are scheduled rails and hangers for freewaste. to get you consume. For example, did you know that cheaper prices and less durable garments, much. There is a frustration that for the upcoming andRevolution practical opportunity to use started. Fashion Week is every year, Hertfordshire residents throw months if you meant last offered out theisn’t season rather than what isto being always wanted to take part. fewer resources, Around 50% of plastic 20-26 April 2020. Join in to makesave it themoney, over 7000 tonnes of textiles into their rubbish sustainable, recyclable or carbon reusable. years. This accelerates emissions, ensure is usedbins, just when once before largest swap and in history. Forgreater details resilience contact for In a traditional linearglobal system, they could havehttps://www.hubbub.org.uk/ been reused, causes increased warming and sees the future. If a recovery effort as a Blog/what-does-a-purpose-WasteAware@hertfordshire.gov.uk being thrown away. items and packaging are created, repaired or recycled. result of the Pandemic is required, more textile waste in landfi driven-business-look-like-postused and then disposed of, lls. Stop single-use plastic. an opportune covid-19 5. Use a guppythis bagiswhen washing time to move sometimes at staggering speed. towards a long-term solution-based Here at WasteAware, keeping textiles The fashion isaverage now taking steps Unless all businesses make radical A plastic bag industry is used on to catch microfi bers shed during would love to r model. WasteAware beis embin out the a! campaign change, we are actively and quickly, there isthe a process and stop them just 12towards minutes.a more ethical and toformove Rem s hear examples of how you have le b grim possibility that the oceans championing. It is a three-pronged ur reusa environmentally friendly Moving to a circular systemsupply chain entering the embraced watercourse. exactly this. If you have yo could indeed contain more plastic involves the redesign and but it won’t approach which you can easily adopt in not made the move yet, now is the and production methods, than fish by 2050, as predicted in Recycle: rethinking of products and supply time. Where will you start? your business and at home: change overnight. We need to play our Ellen MacArthur’s 2016 The New chains. Designing out unnecessary 6. When you are ready to part with garment, For examples, see:ahttps:// Plastic Economy Rethinking part in changing the use and consumption plastic waste before the product • Preventing the purchase newofclothes medium.com/circulatenews/ theoffuture plastics report. With see if you can donate it to a ofhas clothing too.manufactured WRAP (the Waste and even been is (reduce) no changes, the next five years charity ratherthe-solution-to-plastic-pollutionthan send it to ideal, as is designing in the ability estimates Resources Action Programme) alone could result in an additional 697156b0fa35 landfill. For those that can’t be to re-use or ifwe thisconsume is not that in theproducts, UK alone, around • Keeping clothing in active use for longer possible, for the to be by you, look For a more detailed look atused howagain to transform yourinto business see: 1.7m tonnes of material textiles annually, and of (reuse) recycled or composted. http://www.uniformreuse.co.uk/ this more than 600,000 tonnes are sent to https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/to-build-resilience-to-futureThe move needs to come at all • Recycling unwearable textiles (recycle) landfi ll or incinerated. #RememberYourReusables: pandemics-and-climate-change-we-must-go-circular/ Remember, any small effort against the fast stages in the supply chain. #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: #RememberYourReusables:

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#RememberYourReusables:

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Keep in touch

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

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CHAMBER EVENTS

Upcoming Webinars 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:

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 nonmembers in these challenging times.

Join us for an hour of networking on Wednesday 2nd September 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. Each participant will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business.

SPECIAL OFFER: Any members who have not attended an online Chamber networking event before can attend this webinar free of charge. Any non-member attending this meeting who subsequently signs up for Chamber membership within one week (i.e. by 09/09/20) will receive a full refund of the cost of attending this webinar. Please contact bookings@hertschamber.com to arrange your complimentary place.

Date: 02/09/20 Time: 11:00 – 12:00 Price: Members £12.00 Non-Members £18.00

Presenting in a Digital World: Online Masterclass Date: 03/09/20 Time: 11:00 – 12:00 Price: Members £15.00 Non-Members £21.00

Ben will show you how to implement the skills he has learnt throughout his career as a professional actor, and how to use these to your advantage when speaking publicly, be it online or in person.

Since lockdown began, the world has had to continually adapt to a new way of living, and working. A major part of this ‘new normal’ has been the need to host events, meetings, and presentations online.

He will be looking at every aspect of presentation skills, providing tips of the trade and covering the tools you need to give the very best account of yourself, including:

So, the Herts Chamber has teamed up with professional actor Ben Richards, to create this online presenting masterclass. In this current climate, the need for actors and presenters to audition for roles via self-tape is becoming more and more common.

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• What do you want to achieve? • What information do you need to put across? • How to make the best use of the camera and bullet point reminders • How can you create a presence (body language, eye contact, etc.)

CHAMBER EVENTS

For more information on any event:

01707 502180

bookings@hertschamber.com or www.hertschamber.com

Just One Reason: The Power of Professional Relationships Join us at this virtual networking event, held in partnership with HB Accountants and Ambition Broxbourne, to hear author and international speaker, Andy Lopata, explore the fundamentals of building, nurturing and leveraging strong professional relationships to help to take your business to the next level.

Successful businesses depend upon strong relationships. Whether internally, with clients, investors, other stakeholders or even competitors, a network developed on deep relationships will open doors for you, refer you and will support you in whatever ways you need.

Date: 08/09/20 Time: 11:00 – 12:00 Price: Members £12.00 Non-Members £18.00

Labelled ‘Mr Network’ by The Sun, Andy Lopata was called ‘one of Europe’s leading business networking strategists’ by the Financial Times and ‘a true master of networking’ by the Independent. A very experienced international speaker, Andy is the author of four books on networking, has been quoted in a number of other business books and is regularly quoted in the international press.

Thriving in a Changed World: Online Masterclass Due to the popularity of our first event in June, we are repeating this online masterclass. “A really useful workshop coming at a busy time, helped make space for me to reflect and think about what’s next” Laura Lewis, Culture Chameleon

How to Hone your Company Culture and Lead effectively Date: 15/09/20 Time: 09:00 – 11:00 Price: Members £75.00 Non-Members £95.00

Sally Hopper, HR Director, Hertfordshire County Council As a result of attending this Masterclass, you will: • Understand the value of developing emotional intelligence for the bottom line of your businesses • Appreciate the part that a clearly defined, aligned and fully embedded organisational culture has to play in: o Attracting and retaining top talent o Overall Employee Experience (EX) o The bottom-line development of an organisation • Receive the opportunity to share and network with an intimate group of CEOs/ senior leaders who contribute to the local economy in Hertfordshire We hope you can join us for this exclusive Masterclass for an opportunity to learn, reflect and network; which will be co-facilitated by Ruth Farenga, Mindful Pathway and Laura Lewis, Culture Chameleon

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CHAMBER EVENTS

Upcoming Webinars Confidential Business Clinics with Branduin Business Support Date: 21/09/20 Time: 09:30 – 13:30 Price: FREE

Branduin Business Support works closely with Chambers of Commerce & Local Authorities to provide members and business communities with access to quality-assured business advice and support. This is provided by accredited advisors who have extensive knowledge and experience in starting, growing and running

successful businesses. Branduin team members have an exceptionally broad range of skills allowing each of them to meet the needs of businesses at all stages of their development from start-up to exit. These 45-minute Business Clinic sessions give you confidential time with either a general or specialist advisor to discuss any concerns you have or to get input on areas for going forward that you feel would be beneficial.

Please initially choose one of the following topics:

• IT and GDPR Compliance with Alan Hecht

• Leadership Development through Mindset Cultivation, with Ishreen Bradley

• General Business Advice with Charlie McClelland

• Business Finance and Getting ‘Fit for Funding’ with Tony Ryan • Marketing (incl digital) and Strategic Growth with Nicola Ryall • Sales Enablement and Selling with Nigel Grant

• Profit through customer insight with Noshir Desai The Chamber will set up a Zoom link and then match you with your chosen advisor(s) in a private ‘room’. As this is a different format of event, please feel free to contact us if you need any clarification.

Countdown to Change: 100 Days to go Date: 22/09/20 Time: 15:30 – 16:30 Price: Members Free Non-members £15.00 Don’t miss these brand-new events! Four topical and interactive webinars, designed to count down to the end of the EU Transition period and delivered by the British Chambers of Commerce.

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Webinar 1: 100 days to go they understand what change They will be full of practical information and advice on what businesses need to do now in order to be prepared for the changes on 1 January 2021. They will also guide businesses through the jargon and complexities of Customs processes to ensure

is required.

Hosted by Customs expert Liam Smyth, these highly relevant and engaging webinars will guide businesses through the complexity of change in our import and export processes, systems and controls from 1st January 2021.

The following three webinars will be taking place on these dates: Webinar 2: 75 days to go 16/10/20 Webinar 3: 50 days to go 11/11/20 Webinar 4: 30 days to go 01/12/20

CHAMBER EVENTS

For more information on any event:

01707 502180

bookings@hertschamber.com or www.hertschamber.com

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 23rd September 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.

N.B. Any non-member attending this meeting who subsequently signs up for Chamber membership within one week (i.e. by 30/09/20) will receive a full refund of the cost of attending this webinar.

Date: 23/09/20 Time: 11:00 – 12:00 Price: Members £12.00 Non-Members £18.00

Each participant will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business.

Data Protection in the ‘new normal’ The next in a series of Webinar Events that the Herts Chamber have organised in these challenging times in order to continue supporting our members and nonmembers, and to provide vital information that businesses may need. Join Herts Chamber and our platinum member VWV on 30 September for a webinar discussing Data Protection and the new risks that have arisen since going into lockdown. Topics covered include: • Working from home

We are delighted to have Penny Bygrave from VWV as our speaker for this event. Penny is a Senior Associate in the Commercial team, based in the London office. Penny specialises in Data Protection Audits and advising on all aspects of Commercial Contracts.

Date: 30/09/20 Time: 11:00 – 11:45 Price: FREE

• Cyber security • Implementing test, track & trace (for staff and customers) • Update on the latest government guidance Followed by a Q&A.

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SECTOR SPECIFIC SUMMITS

Sector Specific Summits On the morning 11th August 2020, the Herts Chamber held their first ever Sector Specific Summit on the topic of Property and Construction. This online forum was held in partnership with Chamber Patron: Willmott Dixon Construction together with Vincent and Gorbing, and the sponsor for the event Hertfordshire IQ. With more than 60 delegates, we heard keynote presentations from both partner companies before breaking into two sessions to discuss topics with a line-up of panellists from within the construction industry: Keynote Speakers • Richard Davidson, Director, Willmott Dixon • Andrew Rayner, Technical Director, Vincent & Gorbing • Mark Chandler, Director, Vincent & Gorbing

Panellists • Mark Doyle, CEO, Jarvis Contracting • Trevor Clements, Head of Business Development, MRICS AIFireE, Hertfordshire Building Control • Colin Haigh, Head of Planning, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council • Carol Massay, CEO, EasyBuild Construction Software • Tim Mote, Director of Business Development, Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK • Cherie Norris, Programme Manager, Herts IQ

•

Stephen Redmond, MD, Redmond Group

•

Alison Woodley, Senior Account Manager, Plowman Craven

On 18th August 2020, the Herts Chamber held their second Sector Specific Summit on the topic of Life Sciences and the contribution to science and the economy, not only for Hertfordshire and the UK but globally; concentrating on two subjects which are currently impacting the whole community. This online forum was held in partnership with Chamber Patrons: Pharmaron and Bio Products Laboratory. Delegates heard keynote presentations from both partner companies, covering: • The UK’s Life Sciences sector exposure to Brexit, and • The Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare and future implications Before breaking into two sessions to discuss the topics further, with a line-up of panellists from within the industry:

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Keynote Speakers • Stephen Lewinton, Senior Vice President UK Operations, Pharmaron UK • Michael Mensa, President & Chief Financial Officer, BPL Panellists • Trevor Charsley, Senior Market Advisor, AFEX • Dr Michael Chilvers, Medical Director, Consultant in Anaesthesia, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust • Yogesh K Davé, Director and EU Qualified Person, Cypress Quality Consultancy Ltd

• • • •

David Norton, The Communication Coach, CommsQuest Consulting Graham Phillips, Director, Superintendent Pharmacist, Founder, ProLongevity Jack Robinson, Public Affairs Manager, Roche Products Charlie Unwin, Director, RIS Healthcare

SECTOR SPECIFIC SUMMITS

Coming Up Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing Summit

Date: 09/09/20 Time: 10:00 – 11:30 Price: Members £25.00 Non-Members £35.00

This is the third event in a series of new Summits that Herts Chamber have created, designed to focus on key industries within Hertfordshire and provide a platform for sharing information, ideas and latest thinking. The focus of this Summit is Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering. During this summit we will hear two keynote presentations, delivered by our partners for the event:

Skills and Diversity in the Workforce The challenge of attracting a talent pipeline and recruitment of graduates, undergraduates and apprentices across the UK business. How to inspire the next generation of engineers and encourage students at schools, to consider taking an exciting career in engineering. Andy Baker, HR Manager Early Careers Recruitment, MBDA UK

Balancing customer expectations and Supply Chain Management Silent Sentinel sit in the contour between commercial security and the defence sectors; defence customers accepting and expecting long lead times, and security customers expecting quicker timings, can be hard to balance and manage. James Longcroft Sales Director, Silent Sentinel

These presentations will be followed by a choice of two interactive panel sessions for you to select from, in which these subjects will be discussed in more depth.

In addition to the above keynote speakers, panellists include: • David Chapman, Business Development Manager, ACSL Precision Engineering • Geoff Hill, Managing Director, Astute Electronics • Paul Kaye, Managing Director, IntelliQA • Professor Susan Murray, Head of Engineering, University of Hertfordshire • John Patsavellas, Senior Lecturer in Manufacturing Management, Cranfield University and member of the IET’s Manufacturing Policy Panel • Steve Yardley, Head of KPO Propulsion & Deputy to Head of Spacecraft Production UK, Stevenage Plant, Airbus Defence and Space

Members!

Don’t forget you can use an Event Voucher to attend this event. To check if you have any remaining please contact bookings@hertschamber.com INSPIRE

SECTOR SUMMIT ARTS SUMMITS SECTOR SPECIFIC

Sector Summit Arts

Creative Industries Summit This is the fourth event in a series of new online Summits that Herts Chamber have created, designed to focus on key industries within Hertfordshire and provide a platform for sharing information, ideas and latest thinking.

Date: 17/09/20 Time: 10:00 – 11:30 Price: Members £25.00 Non-Members £35.00

The focus of this Summit is the Creative Industries. During this summit, we will hear two keynote presentations, delivered by our partners for the event: •

Roger Morris, Managing Director, Elstree Studios

•

Sarah Roots, Executive Vice President Worldwide Tours and Retail, Warner Bros

These presentations will highlight some of the key issues that the Creative Sector faces, in particular those introduced by COVID-19 in the last six months, and how they have confronted these challenges. These presentations will be followed by a choice of two interactive panel sessions for you to select from, in which these subjects will be discussed in more depth. Panellists will be announced shortly.

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A highly specialist and comprehensive RECRUITMENT SERVICE available across the UK We know that a companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important asset is its people, and having the right people with the right skills in the right positions can make all the difference. Additional Resources provide a highly specialist and comprehensive recruitment service for vacancies in many disciplines and professions across the UK. We charge lower fees than the normal High Street recruiter - a set flat fee of 10%

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We have 25 Associates working across the UK, who have access to over 950,000 candidates in our database covering 20 sectors. A database that we grow and refresh every month through new registrations from recommendations, networking, our online presence and the national job boards, which we utilise extensively.

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5 Risks

of emerging from COVID Compounding the tragic loss of life and the impact on our physical and mental health, the coronavirus has exacted a painful toll on livelihoods and the economy.

The business community is counting the cost of lost sales opportunities, reversals in formerly healthy cashflow positions and disrupted supply chains. Of course, most of us recognise that this cannot be a return to business as usual. The Government has said that it won’t hesitate to tighten restrictions if there is an increase in the transmission rate. However, it is also important to be mindful of predictable trading risks that are within your control. Here are five pitfalls to guard against during the months ahead:

1. Over-trading In Coface’s experience, a common danger after any downturn is the temptation to make-up for lost time by taking on more orders than your business can deliver. A bulging order book may be comforting but if your cash reserves are already low, it will be difficult to ramp-up production quickly without heavy borrowing. And bear in mind that you might not receive payment for many weeks, leaving your business with a serious liquidity problem.

While it is frustrating to turn down opportunities, it is better to ensure that your business is sustainable. Before accepting an order, consider issuing a pro-forma invoice so that you receive payment in advance or mitigate the risk by obtaining a letter of credit or credit insurance so it is easier to secure the necessary funding from lenders.

2. Timidity

On the other hand, an over-cautious approach towards prospective customers is equally damaging. Although there is currently a higher risk of customer insolvency and bad debt, it is important to balance this against the significant opportunity costs of hibernating until the situation improves. Bear in mind that some established customers may not have survived the lockdown, while others will have been forced to cut back their spending. You have to be proactive about new business if you are to replace these lost sales and build for the future but your choices should not be a matter of guesswork if you are to trade with confidence. Instead, your new business strategy should be informed by accurate and up-to-date business intelligence about the weaknesses and

strengths in your target markets: from levels of corporate debt and insolvency risk, to the size of the potential customer base and the level of political stability.

3. Fraud

It’s sad but predictable that the coronavirus emergency has created bumper opportunities for fraudsters. In response, National Trading Standards have launched Business Against Scams which provides free training resources on the most common types of business frauds, while the Government has published new guidance for businesses on coronavirus fraud and cybercrime. One of the most effective ways to protect your business is by conducting thorough due diligence on prospective customers and suppliers. This includes followingup trade references, verifying the names and addresses of company directors and checking trading history.

4. Late payment

Most of your time and energy will be focused on getting your business up and running again but if you allow credit control to drift, you will imperil your own cashflow position at a critical time.

For more information and advice during the coronavirus crisis visit www.cofaceitfirst.com, email enquiries@cofaceuk.com or call us on 020 7325 7506 www.linkedin.com/company/coface/

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https://twitter.com/coface

To prevent this, it’s important to watch your DSO (days sales outstanding) for worrying trends and monitor customers’ payment behaviour, particularly requests for more generous credit terms. In challenging economic times, businesses are more likely to pay their priority creditors first. You therefore need to take prompt and firm action on outstanding invoices to recover the money and show that you are serious about late payment.

5. Supply chain shocks One of the lessons of the last few years has been the severe impact that a shock or disruption to the supply chain can have on every business, whether it is the failure of a major customer such as Carillion or a shutdown in production, as we have just seen in China. Supply chain risk is a fact of life in a global economy but you can limit your exposure by being alert and responding to developments within your sector rather than being dependent on a single source. Coface’s economic reports and resources provide a free insight into country and sector risks so you can evaluate the threat to your suppliers and find possible alternatives to your existing trading routes.

QUEEN’S AWARD

The Queen’s Awards

for Enterprise

The most prestigious awards for UK businesses. The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise recognise and encourage the outstanding achievements of UK businesses in the fields of: • Innovation; • International Trade; • Sustainable Development; and, • Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).

Benefits of winning a Queen’s Award

This year, Herts Chamber teamed up with the Hertfordshire LEP to launch the Queen’s Awards and encourage companies to enter these prestigious awards. Whether a small business with a great innovative product or service, or a larger company running an impressive social mobility programme, this award is a prestigious way to recognise your contribution to enterprise.

• Winners are allowed to use a recognised Royal Emblem that will get their business noticed, above and beyond the competition • Their company will be globally recognised as an outstanding British brand • Their company is likely to increase its sales and growth. Winners have reported that Queen’s Award helped them win new business, e.g, in Japan and the Middle East • They will get the award presented by Lord Lieutenant at their premises where possible. That’s a great opportunity not only to boost their staff morale, but also to gain press coverage and celebrate together with their local authorities, planners, supply chain and other stakeholders • Representatives from the company will attend a Royal reception

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are open to applications from almost all businesses of all sizes throughout the UK in every sector.

73% of winners in the International Trade category directly attributed increased sales to winning a Queen’s Award *

The UK is full of exciting and innovative businesses and the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is a great way of celebrating their success.

How to apply • Almost all UK businesses (including non-profit) can apply • The application process is free • All applications must be made online • You may apply for more than one category

• The application process for the 2021 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise opened on 1 May and will close on 9 SEPTEMBER 2020. • Eligibility criteria and information on how to apply is available at https://bit.ly/1JA7Tz8

Applying for a Queen’s Award in 2021 During these challenging times, it is important that we still take the time to reflect and celebrate the success of outstanding British businesses. That is why for the 2021 round, we have not changed the eligibility criteria and have instead made some changes to the application system to enable you to manually input your financial years. This means that you could wind back a year if your last financial year has been affected by Covid-19, storms, or flooding. For example, if you are applying for International Trade and your overseas sales growth was affected in 2020, you can now wind back a year and provide your figures for 2017, 2018 and 2019, rather than up to 2020. Alternatively, you may prefer to submit figures over a shorter period of time.

If you are struggling, or would like some advice with any particular part of your Queen’s Award application, please contact enquiries@hertschamber.com and we may be able to provide some guidance, or put you in touch with an expert.

* research of International Trade winners between 2012-2015 conducted by the University of Strathclyde

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Has your insurance broker publicly pledged to put your interests first? There’san aneasy easyway waytoto tell. There’s tell. Thebadge badgesays saysit itall. all. The

Looking for an insurance broker? Choose Chartered. Chartered status, explained

Chartered status in business

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

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

Chartered status is awarded to individual professionals such as brokers, underwriters and claims practitioners who display eminence in their field, as well as to firms themselves. To become a Chartered firm involves a commitment to expertise, integrity and clientcentricity. Standards of excellence in qualifications, ethics, business practices and professional development must be maintained. By choosing Chartered, you are choosing an insurer or insurance broker that has made a public commitment to professionalism. The CII sets the bar, a firm meets it.

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

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

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

Where to find a Chartered firm Many insurers, brokers, underwriting agents and financial planners have been awarded Chartered status. To Choose Chartered, simply look out for the badge on a firm’s website, email or letterhead. Alternatively, go to cii.co.uk/charteredinsurancebrokers where you can check whether your broker is CII Chartered, and find more information about what it takes to achieve Chartered status. The Chartered badge proudly tells you when a professional has made a public commitment to upholding the highest standards and putting you first. The badge says it all.

Chartered Insurance Institute Standards. Professionalism. Trust.

cii.co.uk/charteredinsurancebrokers

MEMBERS NEWS

Lockdown art exhibition

Local partners get together to display artwork created by the community during lockdown, as part of Herts Year of Culture 2020 (HYOC2020). Dacorum Borough Council, The Marlowes Shopping Centre in Hemel Hempstead, Anna’s Funky Art and Three Rivers District Council are hosting a cross-district exhibition in Dacorum. The exhibition is a celebration of art created during the lockdown period, to showcase and promote art and creativity as a positive way to wellbeing. It will be displayed throughout August.

Carers in Hertfordshire supporting unpaid carers during the coronavirus crisis and beyond

Although the coronavirus has meant a time of change and challenge, charity Carers in Hertfordshire has kept its focus on safely providing vital services to unpaid family and friend carers. Carers in Hertfordshire, which is 25 this year, provides free information and advice, learning opportunities and other services, to unpaid carers children and adults - in Hertfordshire. Unpaid carers look after someone, such as a relative, who is elderly, disabled, ill, or misuses drugs or alcohol. As a result of restrictions around face to face activities like support groups and workshops, the charity has been providing essential help over the phone and online. More carers have reached out to the charity for support – 1,757 individuals had contact between April and the end of July – up 22% for the same time in 2019. Chief Executive Michèle Stokes, said: “The coronavirus, restrictions around visiting people and social distancing have added to the pressures unpaid carers face. Our phone calls and video support have been crucial in reminding carers they are not forgotten and have reduced the feeling of isolation and risk of carer breakdown.”

The charity has made over 5,000 “Keep in Touch” calls, with the support of 40 dedicated volunteers, since the start of the pandemic, some to carers on a regular basis. These calls have enabled carers who were shielding or couldn’t get out, to access food deliveries, connected bereaved carers to support, and meant people have received equipment such as laptops or devices to help them stay in touch with others or with home schooling. More importantly the calls provided carers with someone to talk to and reassurance. As one carer shared: “You were a beacon of light in a dark tunnel, during a period when I was feeling vulnerable. Thank you for listening to me and for your support.” If you’d like support with your caring role or are interested in helping us make a positive difference to unpaid carers, through fundraising or volunteering please call us on 01992 58 69 69. You can also learn more at www.carersinherts.org.uk

The exhibition is the idea of Hemel Hempstead artist, curator and Mindfulness Coach, Anna Schofield from Anna’s Funky Art, who currently runs wellbeing arts projects and workshops in Dacorum, Three Rivers and across Hertfordshire. During the lockdown period Anna has been successfully running Zoom workshops from her home in Dacorum and arts on prescription courses online for Three Rivers Council, adapting quickly to new technology to support the mental wellbeing of people in the area through the arts. She has also been delivering classes to the BBO Strive group from the South Hill Centre in Hemel Hempstead. “I hope that the exhibition will not only showcase the wonderful work everyone has been doing during lockdown but also promote and celebrate the vital part creativity has played during the pandemic and how it can contribute and support mental health and wellbeing at times like this” said Anna. The Lockdown Art Exhibition will display artwork from the BBO Strive group, the ‘Be Creative’ arts on prescription group from Three Rivers, a Lockdown Isolation Blanket created by the ASCEND group in South Oxhey, as well as positive messages and drawings created by pupils from Hammond Academy Primary School in Hemel Hempstead. One BBO Strive participant said “I’ve always liked art but I’ve never used watercolour before. It’s really nice and I’ve found it relaxing. It’s taken a lot of stress away, even for a few hours. The art class is a nice focus on a Friday! It’s been a good way to connect with other people during lockdown and I’ve built up some Zoom friendships. You’re not just doing art, you’re chatting away.” Councillor Julie Banks, Portfolio Holder for Community and Regulatory Services, said “I am delighted to support this exhibition as Member Champion for HYOC2020 in Dacorum. This exhibition shows that art plays an important part in times of need and how creativity can support wellbeing. I hope that local residents and visitors to Dacorum who see the artwork will also take something positive away from it or feel inspired to get creative.” The artwork will be displayed in the windows of the shop unit until the end of August. To find out more about HYOC2020 and local arts and cultural activities visit: http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/HYOC2020 or Facebook @HYOC2020.

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TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

Local attraction is paradise for tourists and businesses

Paradise Wildlife Park is stepping up its efforts to forge strong links with the local business community… Set in the beautiful Broxbourne Woods in Hertfordshire, Paradise Wildlife Park is home to more than 1,000 amazing animals, a number of which are endangered and are part of international breeding programmes.

If people are visiting the park for an animal experience or event, it’s usually that they have travelled from further afield and are looking to stay for a few days. This allows other businesses in the area, such as cafes and restaurants, to generate more footfall and income from these people.

The animal collection there is varied: lions, tigers, jaguars and snow leopards, camels, zebras and tapirs, penguins, meerkats, red pandas and otters can be found at the park, along with reptiles including three of the largest snakes in the UK.

“We are always looking at establishing partnerships with local businesses, either to promote each other or give discounts to those using both our attraction and the restaurant, hotel or another attraction that we’re partnered with.

Aside from the animals, the park has one of the best animatronic dinosaur exhibits in the UK, with the remarkable World of Dinosaurs home to over 30 life-sized moving, roaring, breathing Jurassic creatures that would amaze people of all ages! There’s something for everyone, with numerous indoor and outdoor play areas and even a splash zone pool area for the kids to run wild.

“We also look to establish partnerships for staff as well. We help staff from different restaurants, hotels and attractions get discounts and free use of facilities once again based on partnerships we set up with other local businesses.”

Last year the park had 360,000 visitors and although this number has inevitably dropped in 2020 due to COVID-19, the management team expects the park to be breaking the 400,000-visitor mark within the next few years. As well as being a star attraction for tourists, the park also benefits the local business community, as site plan coordinator Aaron Whitnall explains: “We help to bring in hundreds of thousands of tourists to the area, so when people are finished at the park they may be looking for somewhere to eat or stay.

INSPIRE

Aaron is keen to continue engaging with the business community as it tries to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says: “We’re still trying to establish as many partnerships with local businesses as we can to ensure that the local area can recover from COVID. Again, we do this through advertising local businesses near the park that people could visit either before coming to Paradise or after their visit. “Throughout COVID we have been engaging all of our online audience, of which is one of the largest followings of any animal attraction in the UK, by delivering daily virtual keeper talks. “Now that we have reopened again, we’ve installed a one-way system to ensure people aren’t crossing paths and that all of our visitors are able to see all of our animals during their visit. “We’ve also staggered entry in half-hour time slots. People can now visit only by purchasing tickets in advance online. This allows us to control the number of people on site and maintain safety for our animals, staff and visitors.”

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

A magical place to indulge However you choose to use it, Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House is as much a place to indulge in the late summer sun as it is a space in which to get cosy and enjoy pampering treatments and warming beverages this autumn. With spa day and overnight stay packages available for both areas of the spa and Mews guests treated to complimentary Club at Cottonmill access, Cottonmill Spa is ready to treat you to some indulgence therapy. The Club at Cottonmill is an especially magical place throughout the year with luxurious spa gardens bursting with beautiful foliage during the warmer months and bubbling hot tubs to help you forgot the winter chill, as well as a vast array of indoor relaxation spaces like the Deep Relaxation Room which transports you to a world of zen. Snuggle up by the stunning outdoor fire pit with a deliciously warm fruit tea in your fluffy white robe or take a dip in the indoor/ outdoor hydrotherapy pool with massaging jets for all those achy bits and an autumn chill in the air that leaves you feeling refreshed. The Whisper Room is an idyllic spot to curl up with a good book or simply take an afternoon

snooze whilst you wait for your much-anticipated luxury treatment. Hotel and Cottonmill package guests are treated to our refreshing main pool, perfect for doing a few lengths or working out some kinks. Alternatively, relax on the heated benches and poolside loungers with your favourite magazine in hand. The Cottonmill Spa treatment menu offers an array of therapies to pamper both body and mind, from Elemis body wraps and scrubs that leave your skin feeling soft and polished to luxury finishing touches like a Cottonmill classic manicure or pedicure. Plus, in light of the current times, we want to ensure peace of mind for all our guests visiting the spa so we have engaged with health and safety specialists and governing bodies within the spa and hospitality industry to ensure we protect everyone within the spa and hotel with our Spa Safe Promise.

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 ÂŁ48.60 per person to include a fully themed venue, three course meal, themed cocktail and entertainment. Buffet party nights also available from ÂŁ25.00 per person Dates available throughout December

CONTACT T: 01438 813 825

E: yourevent@knebworthhouse.com

For more information about Cottonmill Spa, our special offers and our Spa Safe promise visit sopwellhouse.co.uk

INSPIRE

How much do you actually know about your business? If you’ve made it this far despite the challenges of COVID-19, then I congratulate you. Many have fallen by the wayside not able to survive the shock of a severe reduction in business. What can you do to understand how this ongoing crisis will affect your business? Will you have sufficient funds to take advantage of new business and not miss out? How important is it to you to navigate uncertainty and start planning for future growth? Would you like to know exactly how your business ‘stacks up’ and how you can take advantage of the opportunities that will come.

From 16th - 22nd November Global Entrepreneurship Week will be celebrated in over 170 countries with 10 million people participating in 35,000 different events in 2020. There is no doubt that GEW this year will have a different shape to previous years, more virtual events and opportunities are being planned and we’d like to offer you the opportunity to be part of GEN UK’s celebration of entrepreneurship and have the chance of gaining global recognition for your work. Our virtual conference will offer a dynamic programme of speakers, breakout sessions, networking opportunities as well as a separate exhibition area where sponsors can brand their own booths and engage with participants.

The main programme will cover one of the following themes each day: • Entrepreneurship Education Participation • Building local as a delegate Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in the virtual • Inclusivity and Diversity conference will be • Entrepreneurship’s free, and opportunities response to Covid-19 exist to sponsor this new online format and link • Founder Wellbeing other events that will • Youth Entrepreneurship be taking place nationwide.

Do you want to thrive and not just survive? You must have: 1. 100% certainty about what you want from your business 2. A detailed budget, designed to deliver what you want 3. A cashflow forecast that anticipates your future cash squeezes

4. Confidence you’ve maximised your pricing and every potential revenue stream 5. Regular financials delivered to your inbox

6. ‘What If’ forecasting that considers multiple possible scenarios 7. A financial dashboard that displays your critical KPI’s

These are the basics of a predictable and profitable business. Your accountant should already be providing you with this information but if you’re not getting what you need to run your business then book a discovery call with me and I’ll show you how.

Book a FREE discovery call with me www.effectiveaccountants.co.uk/discoverycall

Many Hertfordshire companies and colleges run their own celebrations of Entrepreneurship, during GEW this will continue and we encourage partners to contact us via our website www.genuk.org where you can find more details and access branding for GEW 2020 #RESET: Please also follow our social media channels www.facebook.com/GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeekUK

or call me today on 01992 364740

twitter.com/GEWUK twitter.com/TheGENUK www.linkedin.com/company/gen-uk Look out for the launch of #GEWUKTALKS as a key part of our #GEWUK2020 campaign where we will be asking for entrepreneurs to share their video stories.

Contact Elaine Gold:egold@genuk.org 38

INSPIRE

Simon Kramer Founder

INSPIRING HERTFORDSHIRE AWARDS

POSTPONED TO

Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, the Chamber have made the difficult decision to further postpone this Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner until Thursday 10th June 2021, 18:30 – 23:00 We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and hope that everyone will still be able to join us in celebrating Hertfordshire’s achievements in what promises to be a truly magical evening. Further information regarding the 2021 ceremony will be available shortly. We wish to congratulate again all of our 2020 finalists, and let you know that we

are still planning on marking the Awards on 1st October with a virtual event, at which further details will be announced. Please see our website for further details and to register your place at this free event, the ‘Grand Reveal’, to hear more about our plans for the awards ceremony next June. We have lots of big things in store for our tenth year of Inspiring Herts!

If you have registered more than one place to attend the ceremony, please can you ensure your colleagues are advised of the change of date. In addition, if you have any questions regarding the transfer of these tickets, please do contact us by emailing: awards@hertschamber.com We would once again like to thank all of our sponsors and independent judges for their support!

INSPIRE

LOCAL PERKS. CITY FEELS. HatTech is Hertfordshire’s business centre with a difference a professional, modern space to create and collaborate, opening this month. Book your viewing by calling 01707 623 623 or email enquiries@hattech.org.uk. We’re just two minutes from Hatfield station and close to junction 4 of the A1(M).

while our range of cost-effective office units are ideal for start-ups.

Whether you’re growing your business or need a break from the home office, HatTech is designed to suit the needs and wallets of small businesses, entrepreneurs and individual workers.

Our flexible membership is cheaper than a rail season ticket from Hatfield to London. With daily, weekly and monthly options and no ongoing membership fee, you have the freedom to adapt as your business requirements change.

Covering 4,000 square feet, HatTech’s light, contemporary working area provides a safe setting and comfortably allows you to observe social distancing. High-end work stations and storage deliver a professional, creative environment for individual working

outstanding facility for Hertfordshire’s entrepreneurs. With its excellent location and extensive inside space, HatTech provides a safe, professional environment, whatever your business needs.”

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

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Councillor Duncan Bell, Executive Member for Resources, said: “Keeping it local has become more important than ever so we’re delighted to be able to offer this

LOCAL PERKS. CITY FEELS.

HatTech is supported by Visit us a £751k Local Growth to find out Fund investment how HatTech from Hertfordshire Local Enterprise can support you Partnership (LEP), and your business helping to provide to work safely, a creative hub now and in the for businesses to future. connect and grow.

BOOK YOUR VIEWING Expansive co-working areas Large meeting room Cost-effective office units Business lounge External wellbeing garden

A MODERN, PROFESSIONAL, SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

HatTech’s flexible co-working membership gives you the freedom to adapt as your business requirements change as do the ‘easy in – easy out’ terms on our versatile office units.

RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP.

Supporting you to work safely.

INSPIRE

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Business energy, managed right

There’s a lot more to managing your business energy than finding the right deals. Energy wastage, compliance and infrastructure, they also need very close attention.

While many businesses will certainly know their unit gas and electricity costs, very many will not know whether they’re actually competitive. And even more won’t know where they use the most energy and how much is effectively being wasted. It’s sadly an all too common fact of business life. You know that energy consumption is one of the most significant overheads for a business, and yet you can’t devote enough time to optimising it. There’s always something more important to attend to. Enter My Energy Consultants, one of the UK’s leading consultancy-led business energy brokers. Not only does it find businesses the most appropriate and cost-effective energy deals, it makes sure businesses never inadvertently overpay.

The company helps businesses reduce energy wastage, meet energy legislation obligations and handle utility infrastructure projects as well. It’s a complete business energy service whose aim is to save you money, time and energy. Importantly, it’s also one of the first of its kind to be regulated by the independent Utilities Intermediaries Association (UIA), a not-forprofit organisation recognised by all major energy suppliers, energywatch and Ofgem. It means you can be certain that My Energy Consultants is always acting on your behalf, with your best interests in mind. You can trust it to give you professional, impartial advice that makes sense for your business. Based locally in Welwyn Garden City, My Energy Consultants became a Platinum Member and Benefits Partner of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce just last year. Founding Director of My Energy Consultants, Khaled Osman said, “It was very clear to me that the Chamber was committed to supporting local businesses and developing an economic environment in which they could prosper – so it made perfect sense to join the Chamber and develop a unique service offering that could really benefit members.”

The range of service benefits My Energy Consultants now brings to Chamber members includes: • A single point of contact for all business gas and electricity needs • A dedicated account manager • Chamber members-only phone line and email address • Bespoke service, regardless of credit status • Free desktop audit of existing energy contracts • Free site audit for businesses with minimum energy spend of £25k • Discounted bill validation service to spot any billing errors • Complete service: EPC, ESOS, energy monitoring and control Osman added, “Just to illustrate what can be achieved working together, I’ll give a recent example. A fresh produce supplier, employing 160 employees, and spending about £1.5m a year on energy. Following a thorough audit, we successfully claimed back £88k from an existing energy supplier and set up a forward-dated contract saving more than £210K annually. We’ve since introduced energy monitoring measures and now manage all aspects of business energy usage on the client’s behalf.”

If you’re a member of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and need help with any aspect of business energy, get in touch with My Energy Consultants, telephone 0203 488 3007or email hertsmembers@myenergyconsultants.co.uk INSPIRE

ECONOMY

Help for those in fear of their financial future post pandemic The Corona-coaster - the name given to the rollercoaster of emotions most of us experienced during lockdown. Not only were people grappling with the devastating destruction COVID-19 was causing on our health population, but it also brought financial fear and economic insecurity. Never before have we seen businesses temporarily closed, staff furloughed, and people told in no uncertain terms to stay home. But, as the UK starts to open up again, Gordon Craft, Director and Founder of Chasebridge Wealth Management, discusses whether the merry-go-round of money worries can ever recover post pandemic. “There’s no doubt about it, the UK’s financial landscape has taken a real battering during the COVID-19 storm of 2020,” says Gordon who has been monitoring the economy even more closely throughout the pandemic. He has more than 20 years’ experience working within the financial sector and founded Hertfordshirebased Chasebridge Wealth Management over 13 years ago. “The recovery in the markets from the mid-April lows have been relatively swift though, largely because of global government and central bank support while the world has been in lockdown,” he adds.

Indeed, the government was quick to act soon after the country went into lockdown, announcing a large and wideranging package of financial measures to try to cushion the effect on people and businesses. “The aim of the package was to help people in the short term, and to support the UK economy gear up again quickly when the restrictions were lifted,” explains Gordon. “The Bank of England did its bit too by ensuring businesses had access to low-interest loans and to ensure the markets for UK government bonds continued to function. “Just recently The Bank also announced it will pump an extra £100bn into the UK economy to help fight coronavirus-induced downturn.” However, while new government support packages has been announced and the country begins to further edge out of lockdown, many people are concerned about how all this support is going to be repaid and what their own financial future is going to look like. Chasebridge, which provides expert advice on financial planning, is gearing up for a busy period as help is sought for personal money matters. “The test is likely to come in the autumn, when the furlough schemes finishes and the

“Confidence will soon waiver if a second COVID-19 wave strikes, and more redundancies are made.

• This information will provide an insight on how your funds weathered the 2020 storm and potentially what to expect if we have a second wave.

“Therefore, maybe we should not be surprised if we see another round of volatility during Q3 2020 - Q1 2021, so we can prepare and ride it out. However, no one can really predict how the economy will react, so if recovery is relatively pain free, we’re going to be moving into 2021 with some renewed hope.

• Your adviser or the provider should point you in the right direction of further information or provide a guide to the portfolios with differing risk levels, allowing you to choose the appropriate one that aligns with your view and feelings.

“But until then I think everyone should be making plans to protect themselves and their money, if this has been an uncomfortable ride so far.”

• If you feel isolated, then search out a qualified local adviser and ask for an initial video call to discuss your thoughts and the service they can offer, as well as an explanation of their fees and charges for the service.

government support starts to recede,” Gordon comments.

Gordon and his team have compiled a list of simple steps to help people who may not know where to start, when it comes to financial planning. • If you have a financial adviser, contact them and ask for a review of your investments and pensions. • If you manage your investments and pensions yourself, call your providers and ask for an up-to-date statement to be sent through. • You need to understand how your money, investments or pension reacted to the volatility from mid-February to the end of May.

“No one can really predict how the economy will react, so if recovery is relatively pain free, we’re going to be moving into 2021 with some renewed hope. But until then I think everyone should be making plans to protect themselves and their money, if this has been an uncomfortable ride so far.” 42

INSPIRE

Gordon Craft, Director and Founder of Chasebridge Wealth Management

“Just remember there are always opportunities, no matter how bad things looks,” Gordon says. “If we experience further market volatility and your investments and pension valuations drop, this could become an ideal opportunity for long term investors. “It’s about getting the right advice from people you trust and have faith in the people and teams managing your investments.”

Welcome to Acqui -Tal Business-transforming Hire Management for Smaller and Medium Sized Businesses. Acqui-Tal is a Hire Management consultancy. We help you define the talent you need, attract candidates of a quality you’d be delighted to have join, and then sweat the detail of landing them successfully into your company. DISCOVER MORE - www.acqui-tal.com/hire-management/

Acqui-Tal. The experience and know-how you need to bring onboard really great people. We have a wealth of experience in helping smaller companies pin down exactly what kind of talent they need and in which roles. This is combined with a mature appreciation of the expectations and concerns of the owners and management of such firms. FIND OUT MORE - www.acqui-tal.com/about-us/

No! We’re definitely not a recruitment agency. Acqui-Tal is different. You have possibly not come across a company like us. We are Hire Management experts for SMEs. We are absolutely not a recruitment agency. We don’t have candidates. We don’t put people forward nor place people. Our job is to help you identify and land brilliant hires into roles in your business in which you can be confident they will make a difference. FIND OUT MORE - www.acqui-tal.com/about-us/

Our Services: Everything you need done to get your business the perfect hire. We take care of all the things that companies like yours need in order to find great people for well-defined roles... and then get them to actually join. No two companies are the same, so we tailor what the services we provide to those steps your firm and your vacancies require.

Legal Property Experts in association with Penman Sedgwick LLP

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

Commercial Leases: the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Part 3 In my previous columns I have touched upon the impact the pandemic is having on the provisions in many commercial leases relating to payment of quarterly rents, and also the changing occupational requirements of some commercial tenants. In this column I refer to the moratorium created by the Coronavirus Act 2020, which prevents a landlord from enforcing a failure to pay rent (which for these purposes includes service charge and insurance contributions due under the lease) through forfeiture or re-entry. It is important that tenants understand that this moratorium does not suspend their obligation to pay rent, in the absence of an express agreement with the landlord providing for a rent suspension or rent reduction – as to which please refer to my first column. However, the tenant is protected to an extent, as the landlord cannot recover possession during the moratorium period (which has been extended to 30 September 2020) where the right to re-enter is due to

non-payment of rent. That said, tenants should note that the landlord will still have other remedies available which might include: • drawing down on a rent deposit (which the tenant will then be liable to top up) • claiming against the tenant’s guarantor(s) • exercising commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR) – although the minimum net unpaid rent that must be unpaid before CRAR may take place has been increased to an amount equivalent to 189 day’s rent Non-payment of rent might also impact on the tenant’s ability to exercise a break clause in the lease, if it is a condition of the break clause that the rent must be paid up to the break date. The moratorium under the Act does not override contractual conditions such as this, which must be followed strictly for 4the break right to take effect unless the landlord waives the relevant condition. If you are looking for legal advice, we can help.

Problem Solved

If you’re interested in reviewing your organisation, or in improving the way your business handles finding and bringing in the people it needs, get in touch.

Let us help you Today Call us on 01727 229 227 or email us at team@acqui-tal.com

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

5 George Street, Watford, Herts WD18 0SQ INSPIRE

Refill.org.uk Refill.org.uk @RefillHQ @RefillHQ @RefillHQ @RefillHQ @Refill

@Refill

HERTFORDSHIRE GROWTH HUB

Access to Finance

to Get Your Business Back on Track In these unprecedented times, a number of funding opportunities and schemes have been made available, in addition to already existing schemes, through Hertfordshire Growth Hub to help SMEs get back on track. These funding opportunities are designed to help SMEs respond, adapt, rebuild, and develop resilience in the current economic climate. It’s important for businesses to know what funding opportunities might be available to them and to understand which ones could help to meet their immediate, as well as longer-term, needs. Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership has recently launched a £3m grant scheme as part of a wider £10m funding package to support SME growth in the county. The scheme, Hertfordshire Business Expansion Grant Scheme (BEGS), supported by Hertfordshire Growth Hub, is designed to help SMEs that have been identified as having great propensity to grow but have been unable to obtain the financial support they need. As well as BEGS, Hertfordshire Growth Hub delivers the Get Growing 2 project, enabling eligible SMEs to access one-toone advice or a business grant. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the scheme has recently been opened up to support more local

businesses. The grant has been increased by £2,000 (to a total of £5,000) to fund 45% of eligible expenditure and help local SMEs through these uncertain times.

is designed to help them adapt, strengthen and grow. The Growth Hub can help SMEs to get finance ready and introduce them to appropriate funding options.

As part of the Government’s new funding allocated to Growth Hubs, to support smaller businesses, Hertfordshire Growth Hub recently launched their Respond, Adapt and Strengthen Grant. Specifically created to support SMEs who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to adapt and diversify, this fully funded grant provided up to £5,000 of funding for specialist advice. Due to the limited availability of funding, this grant was available on a first come, first served basis. There was a huge demand and the grant was fully subscribed within hours of launching.

Through Hertfordshire Growth Hub’s website, businesses can access online funding portals, including GrantFinder, which is exclusively for SMEs. By using GrantFinder, SMEs can search for funding according to their organisational structure and business sector.

Hertfordshire Growth Hub, powered by the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, is the entry point to business support services in Hertfordshire, providing SMEs with a wealth of support and guidance that

The Growth Hub’s website also enables SMEs to search their online Marketplace, inclusive of an expansive list of funded support opportunities available to SMEs via the Growth Hub’s network of registered partners and suppliers. SMEs can explore these funded listings, find out more information, including eligibility criteria, and make direct contact with the providers via the online contact forms.

Grow your business www.hertsgrowthhub.com

INSPIRE

Financial Financial Project Accounting Software Financial&& &Project ProjectAccounting AccountingSoftware Software 'Built 'Built for Construction by Construction' 'Builtfor forConstruction Constructionby byConstruction' Construction'

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CHAMBER PEOPLE

Chamber Apprentice Wins Apprenticeship Award! Georgia has been working hard over the past two years to complete her apprenticeship with the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. “I chose my Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration as I prefer to be learning practically instead of in a classroom, to understand the processes of an organisation.” Throughout her time with the Chamber, Georgia’s main role has been assisting with the administration of all events: taking and processing the bookings; organising everything that needs to be taken to an event; and attending some of them herself to assist with registration and to see first-hand how the events take place. “I have met a whole range of different people which has helped me to create a business network for my future.” Georgia also helps the Marketing department to schedule social media, share members press releases through the Chamber website, and occasionally assisting with collating Inspire magazine. Alongside this Georgia also helps other departments by answering the phones, processing new members, and just doing whatever she can to support the team. She is very appreciated by all members of the Chamber team, and in more recent and difficult times, Georgia has really risen to the occasion. Stepping up and taking on more responsibility whilst some colleagues are on furlough, and doing it all with a smile. “Georgia is our fourth apprentice at the Chamber through Oaklands College, and we are so proud to see the young,

professional lady she has become. Not only has Georgia grown personally in the last two years, she has become a much-valued member of our team. Learning on the job has been the best way forward for her, as she finds the ‘hands on approach’ the best way to develop her skills. She has gained exposure and experience she would never find in a classroom environment but has also given so much in return to all those she meets and works alongside, always smiling and nothing is ever too much trouble. In the last four months (during a very difficult time for all) Georgia has really shone and the support she has given her colleagues and our members makes us so proud to have her on our team, we hope for many years to come!” Naomi Powell, Operations Director, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. Chrissy French, Georgia’s assessor from Oaklands College recently told the Chamber: “The Apprenticeship department

were asked to nominate learners for the Apprenticeship award. In normal times, we have a celebration of success ceremony at the college for students who have worked hard to achieve their apprenticeship. I nominated Georgia because Georgia really struggled to get her Level 2 in ICT. However, she showed real determination and tenacity to get this under her belt and once she did this it was a real turning point in terms of her motivation to complete her diploma. A number of Georgia’s colleagues were furloughed in March and Georgia really rose to the challenge by taking on their duties and responsibilities, remaining calm and unflappable to ensure that the business continued to service its members with exceptional customer service skills at all times.” “My apprenticeship has been one of the best things I have done and has taught me that experience is invaluable.” Congratulations Georgia!

“In the last four months (during a very difficult time for all) Georgia has really shone and the support she has given her colleagues and our members makes us so proud to have her on our team, we hope for many years to come!”

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NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to new members Auto-Kenya Limited

Shipping and Logistics Twitter: autokenya Email: sudhir@auto-kenya.com Web: www.auto-kenya.com Tel: 020 8819 1265 Address: 5 Century Court Tolpits Lane Watford Hertfordshire WD18 9PX uu u

Cabledan

Network Cabling, IT Email: danny@cabledan.co.uk Web: www.cabledan.co.uk Tel: 01923 624120 Address: 36 Bruce Grove Watford Hertfordshire WD24 4DR uu u

Close Parent Ltd

Baby goods Web: www.closeparent.com uu u

Coppersmith Recruitment and Services Ltd Established blue collar recruitment & service provider Email: stephen.balogh@coppersmith.co.uk Web: www.coppersmith.co.uk Tel: 07768 616502 Address: Abbey Gate Boscombe Road Dunstable Bedfordshire LU5 4FA uu u

Culture Chameleon

Workplace culture, Employee Experience & Employee Engagement Consultancy Email: laura@culturechameleon.co.uk Web: www.culturechameleon.co.uk Tel: 07919 006868 Address: 1 The Wenta Business Centre Colne Way Watford Hertfordshire WD24 7ND

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Datum Colour Print

Creative design agency with on site print facilities. Specialise in branding, marketing collateral, advertising and printed products Twitter: datumcp Email: mark.gamble@datumcp.com Web: www.datumcp.com Tel: 01707 251222 Address: 6-8 Beaconsfield Road Hatfield Hertfordshire AL10 8BE uu u

Deakin-White Real Estate (St Albans & Hatfield)

Real Estate Twitter: DW_RealEstateUK Email: scott@dwrealestate.co.uk Web: www.dwrealestate.co.uk Tel: 01727 620131 Address: Coopers Green Lane Hatfield Hertfordshire AL10 9BP

F & FE Harvey

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Live Chat Factory

Managed Hybrid Live Chat Service Web: www.livechatfactory.live

Omega Group

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Specialist whole of market commercial mortgage and finance brokers Email: omegacommercial kevin@omegacs.org Web: www.omegacs.org Tel: 08452 302100 Address: 1 Arlington Court Whittle Way Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2FS uu u

OnBrand Group Ltd

Marketing Agency onbrandgroup Email: sayhello@onbrand.co.uk Web: www.onbrand.co.uk Tel: 03333 220 022 Address: 12 - 14 Victoria Street St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3JB uu u

Business Park Landowner/developer Email: fdharvey1@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07703 337312 Address: Wickham Hall Hadham Road Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stortford Hertfordshire CM23 1JG

Peer & Co Lawyers and Recruitment

Garden City Assurance Ltd

Rapid Fire Logistics Ltd

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Compliance Email: suze.phillips@gardencityassurance.co.uk Web: www.gardencityassurance.co.uk Tel: 07593 322860 Address: Suite 501 Nexus Building Letchworth Hertfordshire SG6 9BL uu u

Groom Wilkes & Wright LLP

Trademarks & Designs Web: www.gwwtrademarks.com

Innovensa Ltd

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Software Development Twitter: innovensa Email: jonathan.dodd@innovensa.co.uk Web: www.innovensa.co.uk Tel: 07973 771190 Address: 61 Lavender Close Hatfield Hertfordshire AL10 9FW

Recruitment Email: shiraz@peerandco.com Tel: 07833 675415 Address: 28a Market Street Watford Hertfordshire WD18 0PY uu u

Logistics Twitter: RFLogisticsltd Email: nl@rapidfirelogistics.com Web: www.rapidfirelogistics.co.uk Tel: 07812 196596 Address: 2430/2440 The Quadrant Aztec West Bristol Gloucestershire BS32 4AQ uu u

Specialist Financial Recruitment Ltd

Provide recruitment services to the financial sector Email: josie@financial-recruits.co.uk Web: www.financial-recruits.co.uk Tel: 01462 656453 Address: 54A Bancroft Hitchin Hertfordshire SG5 1LL uu u

SR Wealth Management Limited

Financial Adviser Web: www.srwealthmanagement.co.uk

MEMBERS NEWS

Power systems manufacturing company Prism Power Group

joins the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Prism Power Group is a leading specialist in electrical switchgear, critical power systems and power monitoring solutions. The Watford-based family business formed in 2005 and provides fully certified power systems that can be bespoke engineered to meet any scale, specification or requirement. Their services include the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of power infrastructure solutions for organisations locally, nationally and worldwide. Starting out as a switchgear manufacturing business, Prism Power Group has steadily grown to serve its customers through its four key divisions: Switchgear; Critical Systems; Intelligent Solutions; and Maintenance Services. Today, the business offers a comprehensive range of products and services from

which to meet the unique specifications and objectives of a diverse client base. While much of the UK went into lockdown at the start of the global pandemic crisis, several of Prism Power Group’s clients continued to rely upon their services to keep their vital services going. Many of their clients belong to the group of essential infrastructure organisations and their continuity of power has never been more crucial during this time. As a critical power supplier, it has been essential that the company continued to meet the supply and service demands of these clients and flex their approach in order to accommodate different demands and working conditions to ensure

power requirements were met safely and securely. Prism Power Group kept its factory open to fulfil several critical projects across the healthcare, the police service, laboratory research facilities and IT. These have included orders for organisations within the UK and in mainland Europe, including a large critical data facility in Germany. Now, as businesses across all industry sectors gradually work towards returning to their full capacity under a new normality, Prism Power Group is doing what it can to adapt procedures and work environment further so that it can continue to support its entire range of clients who are gradually getting their operations back on track. These include

St Albans Sleepout The annual St Albans Sleepout will take place on Friday 20th November at Oaklands College in St Albans. This is a chance to swap your warm bed for a sleeping bag and to think about the stark realities facing many vulnerable young people across Hertfordshire. Last December, the charity was joined by 80 sleepers - friends, colleagues, family members and youth groups who came together and braved the cold to support those in need across the county, raising over £25,000. Local company BerryWorld, who were partnered with the charity at the time joined in with the fundraiser last year and said ‘ BerryWorld are immensely proud to have partnered with Herts Young Homeless as our charity of the year. A number of our staff took part in the St Albans Sleepout, an inspiring event raising awareness and funds for homeless young people in our local area. Whilst this was a difficult

challenge, it was great for team-building and extremely rewarding.’

schools, commercial buildings, retail and leisure facilities. Having adapted procedures, work environments and upscaled its off-site manufacturing capabilities, Prism Power is doing everything it can to keep clients and employees safer during the global pandemic. Managing Director Keith Hall said: “We are delighted to become members of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and look forward to discovering new prospects and networking opportunities. While we are currently living in challenging times, Prism Power Group is keen to drive a proactive approach, support the growth of the local economy, and raise awareness through our membership.”

St Albans

SLEEPOU T m 20 9pm-7a ovember 20 N th 0 2 ay Frid lbans ollege, St A Oaklands C

This year, with hyh’s services even more in demand, the charity is asking members of Hertfordshire Chamber to get involved and support them in this eye-opening and brave challenge. Herts Young Homeless support over 2,000 vulnerable people across Hertfordshire each year who are homeless or at risk of becoming so. This event is a perfect team-building fundraiser, bringing colleagues together after an uncertain and difficult year, to support those in need in the local community. So, wrap up warm, organise your team and help raise money and awareness of homelessness with hyh. To find out more details and sign up today, visit www.hyh.org.uk/sponsoredsleepout

Kindly supported by

Join us with family, friends or colleagues For more information and to register www.stalbanssleepout.org.uk

In Aid of

Registered Charity 1146438

Registered Charity 1073808

Registered Charity 1069498

Registered Charity 1028528

Registered Charity 1175541

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MEMBERS NEWS

Doing it for the Kids After 10 years of being the host for the Chamber’s Inspiring Hertfordshire awards, it was finally Steve Folland’s chance to pick up some recognition this summer. The podcast he co-hosts for self- employed parents “Doing It For The Kids” won Bronze for Best Business Podcast at the British Podcast Awards. “We had the likes of The Times and The Economist in our category so were really chuffed even to have been shortlisted, let alone pick up an award”. Steve started his career working in Hertfordshire radio. But hearing all of the stories from each Chamber awards ceremony inspired him to start his own business. In 2014 he started as a freelance video/audio producer so that he could work from home and be there for his two kids. In 2015 he started the Being Freelance podcast, now with over 200+ episodes, a popular online community and even a Brazilian ‘sister’ show. But since he had made a success of his business whilst looking after his family, it made sense to join forces with Frankie Tortora, the graphic designer who started the ‘Doing It For The Kids’ community. “We started the podcast of the same name, a weekly 20-minute Q&A podcast for those ‘freelancing with kids in the mix’. The podcast awards would have been held at The Roundhouse in London, but of course had to be done online this year. Hosted by Radio 1’s Rhiannon Dillon and Clara Amfo. “With the likes of The BBC, The Guardian, Simon Mayo, Fearne Cotton, Chris Ramsey, and David Walliams appearing on the live feed, it was quite surreal seeing ourselves on there too as LBC’s James O’Brien announced our win. Made a nice change from me being in a tuxedo handing out awards, to be dressed in one (albeit sitting in a garden rather than St Albans Abbey!) receiving a prize!” You can search ‘Doing It For The Kids’ wherever you get your podcasts or http:// www.doingitforthekids.net/diftk-podcast/

Longmores Ranked in Chambers High Net Worth 2020 Guide Longmores Private Client team has again achieved a ranking in the Chambers HNW 2020 guide for their work on private wealth management and preservation. Richard Horwood, Partner and Head of the Private Client team is also recognised individually as a notable practitioner. Chambers High Net Worth is the world’s leading guide to the top professional advisers for private wealth. The guide covers private wealth specialists in more than 50 countries around the world and in every US State. Every year, they interview thousands of private wealth specialists, including lawyers, accountants, bankers, wealth managers, fiduciaries, and family officers, as well as ultra high net worth clients themselves. The Chambers HNW 2020 guide provides objective guidance on an international scale with recommendations that are based on in-depth analysis provided by a team of experienced researchers.

Private Client: Band 2 What the guide says: The private client team at Longmores provides advice on wills, trust and estate planning and administration, tax planning and wills. It also assists with probate and powers of attorney. The team is “professional, well organised and efficient, and technically accurate,” remarks

Richard Horwood is head of private client at the firm. He assists clients with tax planning, wills and trust and estate administration. “He is extremely sensible, he knows his stuff on all sorts of private client tax matters, and he has a broad range of knowledge,” observes a commentator, adding: “I regard him very highly, he is excellent.” Commenting on his team’s achievement, Richard Horwood said: “I am thrilled to have been recognised in Chambers HNW guide once again, and especially grateful to the referees that helped the researchers with their analysis. It is an honour to be identified as a notable practitioner and a reflection of the specialism that we pride ourselves on at Longmores. Above all though, I am delighted that the team, as a whole, has achieved the ranking, and is testament to their hard work, knowledge and dedication.”

East Herts Council has played a key role in supporting housing associations to build the highest number of new affordable homes ever delivered in a single year in the district. In 2019/20, a total of 292 new affordable homes were built. These are a mixture of rented homes that are available to households on the council’s housing register and shared ownership homes available to local households to part buy and part rent if they can raise a mortgage but are still struggling to afford a property in the open market. At the same time, providing homes that are suitable for people with disabilities has also been a priority, with the council supporting Network Homes to build two fully wheelchair-adapted dwellings in Ware, and council itself converting three self-contained flats at its homeless hostel so they are suitable for disabled people.

In 2019/20, 33 HMOs were inspected by the council resulting in advice and directions for

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Notable practitioner: Richard Horwood

More affordable homes and higher housing standards in East Herts

The council has also worked hard to drive up standards in private rented homes provided in houses in multiple occupation or HMOs.

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an interviewee, and another source notes: “The individuals there are great. Their private client work is very, very good.”

making improvements, including requiring better fire alarm systems, fire doors and safe escape routes and making sure the HMOs have sufficient living, bathroom and kitchen space. Peter Boylan, executive member for housing, said: “We know that housing in East Herts can be expensive to buy or rent so ensuring additional affordable housing is included on new developments wherever possible is a top priority for the council. “To maximise the supply of new affordable housing, in May the council agreed a document detailing the affordable housing we expect developers to provide when seeking planning permission from us. Furthermore, we have just commissioned a study from the Housing Quality Network to advise us on all the options for ensuring the supply of a full range of affordable homes continues to grow. I’m looking forward to receiving the results later this year.”

MEMBERS NEWS

The NHS is still here for you… As the world changes during the coronavirus pandemic, your health and wellbeing remain our highest priority. If you need medical help or advice, the NHS is still here for you. We are aware that many people who need medical support may not be seeking treatment. There are many reasons why this is happening. Some people fear they will contract the virus and unwittingly bring it into the family home, while others are concerned about placing an unnecessary burden on an already overstretched NHS. But you shouldn’t stop seeking medical help when you need it.

possible, so please attend any scheduled appointments unless you have been told not to. And if you need GP support, make an appointment by phone, online or via the NHS app if your practice is linked into this. Many GP practices are running telephone, video call and online assessments, but if your GP or practice nurse thinks you need to be seen in person, robust new systems are in place, designed to keep you safe and NHS staff safe.

The NHS has put measures in place to help people to use its services as safely as

For urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service or call 111.

Trained advisers can put you in touch with a GP, nurse or dentist if necessary, and there’s now a new short-cut menu which lets you jump straight to mental health help if you’re feeling depressed, anxious, or have another urgent mental health need. If an NHS 111

adviser tells you to go to hospital, it is important that you go without delay. If you have a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999. If you need support, the NHS is available to help. You just have to ask.

“Many GP practices are running telephone, video call and online assessments, but if your GP or practice nurse thinks you need to be seen in person, robust new systems are in place, designed to keep you safe and NHS staff safe.”

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MEMBERS NEWS

Hertfordshire Challenger Bank celebrates top industry win for second year running For the second year running an up-andcoming Challenger Bank is celebrating winning a major industry award. Hertfordshire-based Redwood Bank has beaten the likes of Nationwide Building Society and Virgin Money to scoop the Best Business Variable Rate Deposit Account Provider in this year’s Business Moneyfacts Awards. This year, winners were announced on the social media platform Twitter because the COVID-19 pandemic meant the ceremony could not go ahead. Gary Wilkinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Redwood Bank, said: “It is a fantastic accomplishment to receive this accolade and beat some pretty big household names! The fact that the announcement comes just before our third anniversary makes it all the more special. “We’ve achieved so much in three years, including a very impressive awards haul, however, I cannot comment about winning this major award without paying tribute to the wonderful Redwood Bank team, who have proven over these last few months in particular, how truly hardworking, reliable, professional, loyal and adaptable they really are.” Lee Tillcock, Editor of Business Moneyfacts, said: “A continued display of commitment to providing customers with competitive interest rates and no hidden charges has seen Redwood Bank retain this award. Consistent appearances of accounts in Best Buy selections continue to underline this welcome approach.” Redwood Bank was famously the first Challenger Business Bank to be completely ‘born in the cloud’ and is an ambitious business bank, which was developed to offer a real alternative for SMEs, looking to make sure their properties and cash work harder for them. It provides individually assessed mortgages for business owners and professional landlords, as well as a range of Best Buy savings accounts, which are offered to businesses, clubs, associations and charities. For further information, visit www.redwoodbank.co.uk

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Zooming into new opportunities Unemployed over-50’s move closer into work, despite the coronavirus pandemic, with the support of the Social Enterprise & Community Work programme from one of our delivery partners “Impactful Governance - Community Interest Company”. Participants in the fully funded programme are gaining valuable insight, experience and developing new skills to create their own Social Enterprise or charity, or secure paid employment in the community and voluntary sector. “We help people to realise that they have really valuable skills just waiting to be used. For example, one participant, due to family circumstances, hadn’t had social interaction with another person in over a year. By being in a supportive environment with people of a similar age in similar circumstances, her confidence dramatically improved. Using her newfound confidence, she is now making facemasks in the voluntary sector” says Andrew Waite, Chief Executive at Impactful Governance – Community Interest Company. During the course, participants explore all aspects of community work as well as work on their CVs, identifying what makes them stand out, prepare for interviews and identify possible organisations that they might like to work within in the future. “One participant was made redundant 10 years ago and hadn’t worked since.

During the course, we identified that he had autistic characteristics so we were able to support him to consider how he will approach potential employers. As a result of these traits, he thinks things through differently, which makes him really creative - a key skill within the sector. Since completing the course, he’s started volunteering with the NHS.” The Social Enterprise & Community Work programme had delivered the first course for two weeks when the lockdown was announced. To ensure this key training didn’t halt, the team moved the courses onto Zoom. “Before the pandemic, none of our participants had used Zoom. Our learners are aged between 50 to 80, so we were concerned that they would find the online software difficult to access. After a few technical glitches, all but two learners were online. Everyone loved using Zoom. It’s so much more friendly than just a telephone conversation and maintains the programme’s community feel. A benefit of moving the course online is that all of our learners got to learn about video conferencing, which will be a key skill when seeking future employment.”

To find out more about the programme, visit www.ig-cic.org.uk or call 01923 231660.

“We help people to realise that they have really valuable skills just waiting to be used. For example, one participant, due to family circumstances, hadn’t had social interaction with another person in over a year. By being in a supportive environment with people of a similar age in similar circumstances, her confidence dramatically improved. Using her newfound confidence, she is now making facemasks in the voluntary sector.”

MEMBERS NEWS

Business Rates Revaluation delayed until April 2023 Aitchison Raffety Comment following delay of Business Rates Revaluation to April 2023 The Government has announced that the next revaluation will be delayed until 1 April 2023. This is a response to the Covid pandemic and to allow for a further review of the business rates system. This delay means that the 2017 revaluation period will last for six years and is a step back from the Government’s 2017 intention to reduce revaluation periods to three yearly. With the effect on the economy of the Covid epidemic it is perhaps not a surprise that a delay has been announced. It is more surprising that the Valuation Date for that revaluation period will be 1 April 2021 when we don’t know how quickly the economy, and demand for property, will recover. Whilst there may be some stability for ratepayers who will be able to budget for their rates liability for the next two

years businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors who are currently benefiting from 100% rate relief for this financial year will be hardest hit. Myles O’Brien, Head of Business Rates, said “It is also recognised that these sectors were disproportionally affected by the increases in rateable values at the start of the 2017 revaluation. The extension of this revaluation will be of no benefit to those businesses”. Another effect of the delay will be on the speed of resolution of Challenges. The Valuation Office Agency had put a significant resource into preparing the 2021 rating revaluation which had caused significant delays in the resolution of Challenges. According to Anthony Waller, Director of Business Rates, “The VOA is taken almost 15 months to start discussions on Challenges. We hoped that the end

of the 2021 preparation would mean resource could be moved onto dealing with Challenges and that we would see the time taken to deal with Challenges reduce. That seems less likely now”. At Aitchison Raffety we expect that the Government will have no option but to continue to support businesses and reduce their business rate liability. We expect that there will be further discounts and reliefs announced in the coming months and we wouldn’t be surprised if the next revaluation was delayed further. We will be engaging with the rates review to argue for a restructuring of the system to support our clients. There is now more need to ensure that the rateable value of your property is correct when it will be the basis of your rates liability for a longer period.

Our business rates team can be contacted on email to myles.obrien@argroup.co.uk

Celebrating 85 years in business The Dobson team

Dobsons, the luxury Cheshunt based kitchen, bathroom and glazing company have achieved that rare accomplishment in modern times of celebrating 85 years in business this year.

In Dobsons’ early years they formed part of an emergency repair group carrying out repairs to many buildings damaged in London during World War II. Then in the sixties and seventies Dobsons developed the business into shop fitting, fitting out many of the early local supermarkets and building societies.

Dobsons put their success over the years down to their family values of honest trading, excellent service and quality products. Not to mention the expertise of their loyal staff, many of whom have been with them for numerous years. Dobsons know how important it is to always be looking moving forward as a business and ensuring their showroom, which is one of the best and most comprehensive in the south east area, is always up to date with the latest fashions and trends and new products on the market and they never rest on their laurels.

The eighties saw the beginning of the transformation of Dobsons into the company it is today, when they moved into the domestic market and opened a window and door showroom on their site. The showroom was expanded when they added fitted kitchens to their product range in the nineties and over the last twenty years Dobsons have also added bathrooms to their portfolio to provide the complete home service.

Dobsons pride themselves in creating your dream project, whether it be a kitchen, bathroom, glazed extension or new windows and doors. Their friendly experienced staff will discuss your needs to provide a solution which is right for you and then take care of the complete project from design through to installation all expertly project-managed for a perfect seamless finish.

Still trading on the same Turners Hill site that Frank Dobson started the company on all those years ago the business is going from strength to strength and is now managed by the fourth generation of the Dobsons family.

To celebrate turning 85 Dobsons will be running a series of birthday offers throughout September across their entire product range. Details of which can be found on their website dobsonshome.com.

Why not visit their stunning showroom, currently open by appointment only, for ideas and inspiration and make the most of these fabulous offers. Visit: www.Dobsonshome.com

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HERTS GLOBAL

No more Transition at the UK Border The UK left the European Union on 31st January 2020, and the transition period comes to an end in December this year. It is vital that businesses take action now to get ready for a new border operating environment from 1st January 2021. By Liam Smyth, ChamberCustoms @chambercustoms www.chambercustoms.co.uk Until the new border operating model was published on 12th July, we could only speculate on how goods would be controlled at our borders once we left the EU. It’s now clear – and the new model brings this into stark reality – that businesses need to prepare for a significantly higher level of customs declarations and associated administration. It candidly states “customs declarations are complicated”. Declaration volumes will grow from 55 million now, to almost 300 million next year. The cost to business is estimated at around £7bn per annum, and the customs intermediary market lacks the necessary capacity to deal with the increase.

The detail New border procedures for importing and exporting goods to and from the EU will be in place. Traders importing ‘standard goods’ – covering everything from clothes to electronics – will need to prepare for new customs paperwork. You will need to keep specific records of imported goods and you can opt to take up to six months to submit a full customs declarations for goods arriving from the EU.

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Taxes will need to be paid on all imports, but payments can be deferred for up to six months until July. This will help trader cash flow until the end of 2021, but only if you or your agent have the correct approvals in place to use simplified procedures. Full customs requirements will apply to controlled goods from 1st January 2021 whether they arrive from the EU or elsewhere. Businesses will be able to account for VAT on goods imports using Postponed VAT Accounting from the start of the new year. This means that once the staged introduction period ends, payment of VAT due on imported goods can be delayed until the next VAT return.

What does this mean for business? Despite the much needed clarity on customs procedures, and a welcome delay through staged introduction of full customs controls, big challenges remain for most businesses. Declarations volumes will increase, costs will rise, traders need to skill up to deal with new procedures and time is incredibly short. Companies trading across the globe will need to make a choice. Should they take advantage of the staged introduction of measures for EU imports and gain a cashflow advantage through delayed duty and VAT payments? Or, stick with the systems and processes they already know, and use the newly introduced postponed VAT accounting and guarantee free deferment

accounts to delay border taxes by up to six months? Whatever you decide, businesses that export and import goods have change coming and it’s inevitable. The wise amongst you will wake up to change and plan your level of readiness. There is much to do and qualified and compliance led customs experts are becoming a rare commodity. Our expert team at Chamber Customs, our international trade training programmes and our overseas connections make us an ideal customs partner. As your business gets ready for the end of the transition period, our customs agents are ready to help you clear your goods at the border. Give us a call to arrange a chat. Whether here in Hertfordshire or across the UK, the Chamber network is here to support you and to help you to trade with confidence.

C O N N E C T • C O L L A B O R AT E • G R O W

HERTS GLOBAL

A Practical Guide to Export Documentation & Procedure - Training Webinar

Export Update By John Woodruffe External Export Manager In the Export department, we remain busy in processing a range of documentation across the world. It has been a difficult period for everyone. However, it is heartening to see that there are more and more companies using our services again, as elements of the initial lockdown continue to ease. Equally we cannot forget that time is marching relentlessly on. The end of the EU transition period is now barely four short months away. Part of our section of the magazine is given over to an excellent article by Liam Smyth, Director of Trade Facilitation at the British Chamber of Commerce, covering the aspects of the changes that we are currently aware of. Liam also gave an excellent webinar presentation covering this to Hertfordshire companies on 18th August. For those of you who were unable to join, the link for members only can be found on the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce website.

In addition, the British Chambers of Commerce is planning a series of webinars, such as “100 days to go”, in the run up to 1st January. These will include important updates on any new information and an opportunity to ask questions. They are advertised on our website and social media. Do please keep a look out for these important webinars to help you plan ahead. On that note, export forms will be completely changing from 1st January. ATR’s will no longer exist. We wait to see what, if anything, will replace them. Certificates of Origin and EUR1’s will also need to have United Kingdom on them from 1st January. For those companies that bulk order forms, do please bear this in mind, with a view to estimating as close as possible your needs prior to the start of the change. We will be in touch once HMRC sanctions the sending out of the new forms. Also you may require more of these forms than now, as EU members could request them.

Coming up in September

Two webinars by the BCC that may be of interest: In conversation with Ambassador Robert Woody Johnson

In conversation with Andrew Bailey

US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Robert Woody Johnson is an exciting addition to our Leadership Programme providing direct insight into the future of the UK-US trading relationship.

As Governor of the Bank of England, we are delighted to feature Andrew Bailey as part of our new Leadership Programme of virtual events. We look forward to hearing from Andrew on economic measures to help business to Restart, Rebuild and Renew.

Thursday 10 September at 1.30pm

Tuesday 22 September at 8:30-9:30am

Please contact export@hertschamber.com for further information. Finally we have held a short series of webinars detailing Trading Opportunities with Nigeria, Australia and Singapore. All countries with whom the Government is hoping to conclude trade agreements. If you were unable to join them and are interested, then links to the recordings can be found on our website.

As always the Export team is here to help. If you have any queries regarding any of the above, or anything else export related, then please do not hesitate to contact us on export@hertschamber.com

Date: 11/09/20 Time: 10:00 – 16:00 Price: Members £300.00 Non-Members £420.00

The Hertfordshire Chamber have moved our events online where possible in accordance with government guidelines. Therefore, this event will now be hosted virtually as a training webinar. This training course is designed to provide businesses with the essential knowledge to get their exports moving. The course tutor, Alan Bracken, has over 30 years practical experience working with Export documentation. wThe course addresses the costs, documentation and procedures associated with exporting goods worldwide and includes up to the minute procedures and documentation associated with the UK exiting the EU. The event also includes a certificate of attendance, all written materials, plus a follow-up helpline to the tutor. This course will cover: The New Incoterms 2020 Rules and the appropriate Rule to apply to your sales contract. Identifying the role of • EORI • NES The role of Movement Certificates • ATR • EUR1 Certificates of Origin • British Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Origin • Arab British Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Origin • Certification and Legislation of Arab British Certificate of Origin • Costs involved Applying for documents via E-Cert Insurance Sea/Air Examination of: • Clause A,B,C insurance for Sea Freight • Clause Air for Air Freight Examination of Transport Documentation • Sea - Liner Bill of Lading, Surrendered Bill of Lading, Sea Waybill, clause and stale Bills of Lading • Air – Master Air Waybill, House Air Waybill Containerisation • Identifying. FCL, Full Container Load • LCL. Less than a Container Load • Verified Gross Mass VGM Getting the best deal • Understanding the structure of Sea Freight rates • Understanding IATA and consolidated rates for Air Freight Examination of Commercial Documentation • Invoice • Packing List • Others as requested by delegates Pre Shipment Inspection by • Cotecna • SGS • BV

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REDUNDANCY

Helping SME business owners treat employees with dignity and respect whilst dealing with the challenge of managing redundancies

Making an employee redundant is probably the most difficult task a manager will ever have to do. Understandably perhaps most of the focus about redundancy is written from the perspective of the employee. Well, I would like to focus on the employer, particularly the SME business owner who through no fault of their own find themselves in the position of having to dismiss colleagues, some of whom may have become friends. It’s an incredibly tough job to do and I don’t think business leaders receive enough recognition of this, or support for doing a job that they really don’t want to do. To be clear, I’m not referring to legal or HR support that tells them “how to”. I’m referring to the emotional and practical support that will help them deal with this most difficult of tasks. I have worked in HR for 40 years and most of that time has been spent working with SME business leaders. Based on my experiences I would like to pass on six pieces of advice.

1 It’s not your fault, you shouldn’t feel guilt Easier said than done I know but if the situation you are facing has been brought about by COVID 19 and you have done all that you reasonably could do to safeguard your business, how can it be your fault that you are having to make staff redundant? Feeling guilty is a natural feeling but it’s not a logical response and when managing a redundancy programme, you have to think logically.

2 Don’t worry if it hurts, it should Whilst you shouldn’t feel guilt, the decision you have made and the action you are taking will hurt. And it’s good that it does hurt because in this instance hurt represents care, concern, and thoughtfulness. It’s natural that you will find making your staff redundant a painful process; you are taking an action/s that you don’t want to take. Your feeling this way shows compassion and humanity.

3 Speak with somebody Managing redundancies is a lonely task for a business owner because ultimately it’s their decision to make and their decision to action. It’s not a task that they should undertake in isolation. It’s a very pressurised situation to face. That’s why it’s important to speak with a third party, be it a colleague, business connection, social acquaintance, or family member. Somebody from whom you can get a second opinion and/or “unload” onto. This is not a business problem to keep bottled up.

4 You are in fact protecting jobs I have recently been working with a business owner who has had to make five employees redundant, 20% of his workforce. He has felt guilt about the decision that has been forced on him and has found the process very stressful and difficult to deal with.

“Whilst you shouldn’t feel guilt, the decision you have made and the action you are taking will hurt. And it’s good that it does hurt because in this instance hurt represents care, concern, and thoughtfulness.” 56

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During one of our conversations I asked him what the consequences would be if he did not take this action. He told me that if he did nothing, eventually the whole business would be at risk of closing. As I pointed out, the hard decision of making five employees redundant, was saving the jobs of twenty others.

5 Seek professional advice A redundancy is a dismissal and as with all dismissals a fair procedure must be followed. Before taking action you should take the advice of an experienced redundancy practitioner who will explain the steps that you must take to ensure that the process is undertaken fairly, reasonably, and legally.

6 Remain focussed and businesslike, don’t get emotional Ultimately this is a business decision and should be treated as such. The importance of compassion and humanity and treating employees with dignity and respect must never be overlooked but “at the end of the day” you have made a considered commercial decision to take steps to protect your business and the livelihoods of employees. Hard as it may seem, what “good” are you to anybody if you allow emotion to overly influence your decision? You run the risk of making the wrong business decision. Colin Lock - Director ThreeR Consulting colin@threerconsulting.co.uk www.threerconsulting.co.uk

HOW WE STEPPED UP HOW WE STEPPED UP DURING CORONAVIRUS DURING CORONAVIRUS DURING CORONAVIRUS During the last few months we have beenWE working STEPPED incredibly hard to care for HOW UP During few months we have in been incredibly to care for some ofthe thelast most vulnerable people ourworking community. When hard Covid-19 struck, During the last few months we havein been working incredibly hard to care for DURING CORONAVIRUS some of the most vulnerable people our community. When Covid-19 struck, we worked quickly and professionally to meet the need. We opened our arms some of the most vulnerable people in our community. When Covid-19 struck,

wetoworked quicklyincluding and professionally meet the need. We opened our arms more people, those withtothe virus and delivered exceptional, we quickly and professionally to meet the need. We opened arms toworked more including those with the virus and delivered exceptional, During thepeople, last few months we have been working incredibly toour care for compassionate care, although the teams were working underhard great strain. to more people, including those with the virus and delivered exceptional, compassionate although the teams workingWhen underCovid-19 great strain. some of the mostcare, vulnerable people in ourwere community. struck, care, the teams werethe working under great our strain. wecompassionate worked quickly andalthough professionally to meet need. We opened arms to more people, including those with the virus and delivered exceptional, compassionate care, although the teams were working under great strain.

Hospice at Home teams Hospice at Home teams Hospice at Home visited families at teams home visited families at home visitedduring families at home lockdown during lockdown Hospice at Home teams during lockdown Following guidelines, team visited families at our home Following guidelines, team delivered exceptional care inour difficult Following our team delivered exceptional care inthe difficult circumstances. Theyguidelines, assessed need during lockdown delivered exceptional care in difficult

Opened 6 beds at Opened 6 beds at our In-Patient Unit Opened 6 beds at our In-Patient Unit We could see the NHS struggling our the In-Patient Unit We could see the NHS struggling under pressure of the Opened 6 beds at We could see theopened NHS struggling under the pressure of the pandemic, so we 6 new under the pressure of the pandemic, we opened 6 with new beds at ourso In-Patient Unit our In-Patient Unit pandemic, so we opened 6 new beds at our In-Patient Unit with the aim of releasing pressure We could see the NHS struggling beds atNHS, our In-Patient Unit the aim of releasing pressure on the supporting our with under the pressure of the the aim of releasing pressure on the NHS, and supporting our community, providing pandemic, so weproviding opened 6 new thehaven NHS, supporting community, and aon safe for those in our the beds at our In-Patient Unit providing acommunity, safe haven for those in thewith last days andand hours of life, the aim ofand releasing pressure a safe haven for those in the last days hours of life, including people infected with on the NHS, supporting our last days and hours of life, including people infected with Covid-19. Our teams worked community, and providing including people infected with Covid-19. Our teams worked long hours, thwarted a safehours, haventhwarted for those in the Covid-19. long by the lackOur of teams worked last days and hours of life, long hours, thwarted by the lack of human touch, including people infected with by the lack of human touch, but showed Covid-19. Our teams worked human touch, but showed kindness and long hours, thwarted but showed kindness and compassion. by the lack of kindness and compassion. human touch, compassion. but showed kindness and compassion.

Took our Living Took our Living Tookservices our Living Well online Well services online In normalservices times our Living Well Well online In normal times our Living teams support hundreds ofWell Took our Living In normal timeshundreds our Living teams support ofWell people to cope with fatigue, teams support hundreds of people to cope strength with fatigue, breathlessness, and Well services online people to copeinstrength with fatigue, breathlessness, and balance issues group sessions. In normal times our Living Well breathlessness, strength and balance issues group sessions. As they can noin longer teams support hundreds of balance issues in group sessions. As they can no longer gather together, we took As they no with longer people tocan cope fatigue, gather together, we The took this support online. gather together, weThe tookand breathlessness, strength this support online. Teams called patients this support online. The sessions. balance issues in group Teams called patients regularly, reassuring Teams called patients As they can no longer regularly, reassuring them that they were regularly, reassuring gather together, we took them that they were not alone. We wanted them that they were this support online. not alone. We wanted to show we were stillThe not alone. We wanted Teams called patients to show we were still there for them, and to show were still regularly, reassuring there for we them, and still are. there for them, and them that they were still are. still alone. are. We wanted not to show we were still there for them, and still are.

circumstances. They to assessed the need each day and drove patients’ homes circumstances. They assessed the need each day and drove to patients’ homes to provide much needed support and guidelines, our team each dayFollowing and drove to patients’ homes to provide much needed support and care for many families. delivered care infamilies. difficult to provide exceptional much needed support and care for many circumstances. They need care assessed for many the families. each day and drove to patients’ homes to provide much needed support and care for many families.

Set up virtual and telephone Set up virtual and telephone Set up virtual in and telephone consultations the community consultations in the community So that our patients whoin stillthe lived community at home, could access the consultations So that our patients who still lived atofhome, could access specialist care and advice our team community Clinicalthe SetSpecialists up virtual and telephone So that our patients who still lived access the specialist care andoffer advice ourself-isolating teamat ofhome, community Clinical Nurse whilst atcould home. The calls specialist care and advice our team of community Clinical Nurse Specialists offer whilst self-isolating at home. The calls became a lifeline for many patients and their families. consultations in the community Nurse Specialists offer whilst self-isolating at home. The calls

became a lifeline for many patients and their families. So that our patients lived at home, access the became a lifeline for who manystill patients and theircould families. specialist care and advice our team of community Clinical Nurse Specialists offer whilst self-isolating at home. The calls became a lifeline for many patients and their families.

Set up a Care & Set up a Care & Nursing Set up aHome Care & Nursing Home Advice NursingLine Home Advice Line Set up a Care & Care Homes and Nursing Advice Line Care Homes Nursing an Homes were and experiencing Nursing Home Care Homes and Nursing Homes were experiencing unprecedented number of an Homesdue were experiencing unprecedented number of deaths to the virus. Ouran Advice Line unprecedented number of deaths due to the virus.Wendy Our Care Homes Educator,

Care Homes and deaths duethe to theNursing virus. Our Care Homes Educator, Wendy supported staff, advising Care Homes Educator, Wendy Homes experiencing an supported staff, advising them to were setthe up memory books supported the staff, advising unprecedented number of them to set upwrite memory books and trees and about them todue set upwrite memory books deaths to the virus. Our and trees and about residents’ last days. She has and trees andEducator, write She about Care Homes residents’ last days. has guided them during theWendy peak residents’ last days. She has supported the staff, advising guided them during the peak of the crisis and beyond guided them during the peak them to set up memory of the crisis and beyond making a positive impactbooks in of the crisis and beyond and trees and write about making a positive impact in many care and nursing homes. making a positive impact in residents’ last She has many care and days. nursing homes. many care and nursing guided them during thehomes. peak of the crisis and beyond making a positive impact in many care and nursing homes.

Extended the reach Extended the reach Extended reach of our Familythe Support of our Family Support of our Family Support and Bereavement and Bereavement Extended the reach and Bereavement Service Service of our Family Support With so many families in our Service With so many families in our community now living life without and Bereavement Withone so many in we our community now living life without a loved due tofamilies Covid-19 community now living life without a loved one due to need Covid-19 we recognised that the for our Service a loved service one due toneed Covid-19 we recognised that the for our bereavement would increase.

recognised the need for sothat many families inour our bereavement service would increase. So, With we extended our service to bereavement service would increase. community now living life without So,Covid-19 we extended ourIn service to families. this new So, we extended our to a loved one due Covid-19 we Covid-19 families. Inservice this landscape the need forto our carenew will Covid-19 families. In care this recognised that the need fornew our landscape the need for will not diminish and weour will provide landscape theservice need our bereavement would increase. not diminish and for we will provide bereavement support for as care longwill as not andwe we will provide So,diminish we extended our service bereavement support for as long asto are needed. bereavement support asneeded. longnew as Covid-19 families. In this wefor are landscape the need we for are our needed. care will not diminish and we will provide bereavement support for as long as we are needed.

Message from Adam our Head of Community & Events: Message from Adam our Head of Community & Events: “The support offrom our local business invaluable to Isabel Hospice. Message Adam ourcommunity Head of is Community & Events:

“The support local or business community iswe invaluable Isabel Hospice. Whether you of areour a large small organisation, can offerto exciting, fun and “The support of our localor business community is invaluable to Isabel Hospice. Whether you are a large smallsoorganisation, we can offerworthwhile exciting, fun and flexible ways to work together you can support a really local Whether you are a large or small organisation, we can offerworthwhile exciting, fun and flexible ways to work together soout you can of support a really local Message from Adam our Head Community Events: charity like Isabel. Want to find more? Please contact our&fundraising flexible ways to work together so you can support a really worthwhile local charity like how Isabel. to find out more? Please our contact our and fundraising team to see weWant can work together to support doctors nurses.” “The support of our business community is invaluable to Hospice. charity likehow Isabel. Want to find out more? Please contact ourIsabel fundraising team to see welocal can work together to support our doctors and nurses.” Whether are awe large small organisation, we can exciting, fun and T: how 01707 382500 E: together fundraising@isabelhospice.org.uk team to you see canor work to support ouroffer doctors and nurses.” T: 01707 382500 E: fundraising@isabelhospice.org.uk flexible ways to work together so you can support a really worthwhile local Registered Charity Number:T: 1046826 01707 382500 E: fundraising@isabelhospice.org.uk charity like Isabel. Want to find out more? Please contact our fundraising

MEMBERS ARTICLES

Valuable assets Trademarks are hugely valuable business assets that denote the commercial identity of your company, product, or service. By Rob White, Groom Wilkes & Wright LLP A trade mark is usually the word and/ or logo used by a company as part of its identity and is capable of legal protection from third parties. This article provides tips on how to secure a ‘strong’ trade mark, ensuring this is done before settling on a chosen name. When devising a new brand identity, plan ahead: failure to consider the full legal aspects of brand creation can be costly. All too often, businesses can waste money on creating a brand, only to later have to change it, due to an earlier trade mark or be unable to enforce it because it is a ‘weak’ mark. A tension exists between marketing and legal professionals as to what makes a ‘strong’ trade mark. Marketing people tend to love names that tell you what the product or service does. However, from a legal perspective, trying to obtain a trade mark registration or enforce such brands, is often problematic. As part of your brand identity, a strong trade mark registration can last indefinitely; for instance, the established Bass Triangle logo has been registered for more than 100 years! Therefore, it is worth choosing a ‘strong’ mark. A trade mark is ‘weak’ in law if it is not distinctive enough to tell consumers that it relates to your business alone. e.g. A basic slogan (WE DELIVER ON TIME for courier services) or wording that simply says something about the product (TASTY CHOCS for chocolates). These are terms that any business should be free to use. Also, if a mark describes the nature or quality of what is on offer (e.g. WIN SOME MONEY for a scratch card or PREMIUM STRENGTH for lager), it is ‘weak.’ The public won’t see these as exclusive to you alone and you could not stop others using such descriptive terms.

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So, what is a ‘strong’ trademark? Put simply, the more individual and striking the name is in respect of the goods/services of interest, the stronger it will be, the greater the chance of getting it registered and the more useful it will be in stopping copycats. Newly created words make the most memorable brands – think REEBOK or DULUX. Alternatively, dictionary words – e.g. APPLE can assume greater originality if linked with something completely different to their normal meaning. These make ‘strong’ trademarks because they are easier to enforce. A ‘strong’ mark will be one that is not in common use by others. Otherwise, you won’t stand out and may have to change the name, having invested time and money setting it up. To avoid such a scenario, new businesses are advised to conduct a professional search to determine whether their chosen name is available to use and register and crucially, to do so before they commit to the name. Seek professional advice on whether the chosen mark is ‘strong’. If the searches are clear, we recommend registering the trade mark to secure stronger, statutory rights. The trade mark will then be owned by you and it will be far easier to prevent copycats.

The tips to create a ‘strong’ trade mark before its adoption are: • Make it distinctive and unusual for the goods/services concerned. Try inventing a word • Be bold and clever with the brand. Stand out • Don’t limit yourself to a brand specific to your current field. Think long term • Avoid overly descriptive terms of your goods/services • Avoid terms in common use in general language or in your trade • Conduct proper trade mark searches before adopting the brand • Don’t pick a trade mark identical or too close to someone else’s name • Register the name as a trade mark, if available. For further information visit:

www.gwwtrademarks.com

“As part of your brand identity, a strong trade mark registration can last indefinitely; for instance, the established Bass Triangle logo has been registered for more than 100 years! Therefore, it is worth choosing a ‘strong’ mark.”

MEMBERS ARTICLES

Get back to work safely a 5 step approach Preparing to reopen after lockdown? This is make-or-break time for many businesses. By investing the thought, time and capital needed to protect your staff and customers, you stand the best chance of stopping the spread - and of avoiding another costly closure. Here are 5 steps all business owners should take to create a Covid-secure workplace. 1. Detect and protect.

A quick temperature check as people enter your premises can help keep everyone safe and provide peace of mind. Croft’s Thermal Imaging Solution is a quick, reliable and contact-free way to detect elevated body temperatures when people enter or exit your premises. Scanning multiple people instantly – there’s no need for anyone to wait in a queue or get too close to have their temperature checked.

2. Risk-assess.

Before you open, you must carry out a Covid-19 risk assessment. This means identifying the main areas where the risk of transmission is highest in your premises and taking steps to remove or reduce the risk. For example, if you serve customers at a counter, think about introducing self-service stations or installing Perspex screens. The measures you take will depend on the nature of your business – you could take inspiration from others in your local area.

3. Know the drill.

Nobody wants another lockdown. In Leicester, where schools and businesses have been forced to close, it’s thought

that the local spike in coronavirus cases was fuelled in part by poor working practices, including letting those with the virus continue to work. That’s unacceptable: make sure you’re familiar with your responsibility as an employer and ensure that anyone who needs to is supported to self-isolate.

4. Enable social distancing.

Where possible everyone should keep two metres apart, so set clear guidelines and install signage and floor markings to make sure everyone knows (literally) where they stand. Sometimes the twometre rule isn’t practicable – and in that

case, it’s important that you put other measures in place to keep people safe, such as staggered shift times.

5. Maintain good hygiene.

You’ll need to keep your premises ultrahygienic with frequent cleaning, paying particular attention to areas that get a lot of footfall, or which are touched by lots of people. One of the best defences we have against the virus is regular handwashing, so introduce a strict regime for all staff and provide hand gel to everyone entering the building.

Let us know if we can help! Get back to business in the most safe and efficient way possible - visit the Croft website or email us at:

info@croftcommunications.co.uk www.croftcommunications.co.uk

Mark Bramley, CEO at Croft Communications INSPIRE

SKILLS

St Columba’s College in St Albans is moving to co-education, welcoming girls into the school for the first time from September 2021

St Columba’s College and Preparatory School is an independent Catholic day school for pupils aged 4-18 in the heart of St Albans, Hertfordshire. We provide a high-quality education to young people of all faiths and none. In September 2021 we will welcome girls into the Lower Sixth (Year 12) and Lower Prep (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2). This will be followed by a phased transition to full co-education throughout the school. Our Columban ethos and values guide all that we do, allowing us to provide an

education of the Head and Heart that places happiness and confidence at the centre of its mission. Teaching the Columban values of courage, courtesy and compassion enables our pupils to become confident individuals, with the skills to enter an everchanging and complex world. In March, we moved out of our comfort zone and into the world of learning from home. Utilising a range of resources, we delivered interactive and engaging lessons following our normal timetables.

Three-quarters of our parents rated our online learning programme as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good.’ Here are some snippets of what they said: ‘A big thank you for the excellent pastoral care for both boys. We are really fortunate that the school takes such an interest in their wellbeing. The teaching is excellent.’ ‘Thank you for the brilliant job you are doing. It must be extremely difficult. Our son is very happy and therefore so are we.’

www.stcolumbascollege.org

An education of the head and heart

Open Morning 3 October St Columba’s is an independent Catholic day school for ages 4–18 in St Albans, Herts. We are welcoming girls into the Lower Prep and Lower Sixth from September 2021. E admissions@stcolumbascollege.org T +44 (0) 1727 892 040

www.stcolumbascollege.org

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Courage. Courtesy. Compassion.

SKILLS & DEVELOPMENT

Why digital technologies will be crucial to our post Covid-19 economic recovery As we all work together to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s sobering to take a moment to reflect on just how big an impact the crisis has had on both our home and working lives. BT Group has seen a significant rise in demand on both our fixed and mobile networks, as people stayed at home during the lockdown and millions of people migrated towards working from home. To give some context, in the last week of April alone, BT’s core network transmitted 103.3 Petabytes of data in a single day the largest total since our records began. When you consider that one Petabyte is the equivalent of 13 years of HD video, you’ll really appreciate how much data we’ve all been consuming.

Our networks have stood up well to this challenge and have been extremely resilient, but the predicament we all find ourselves in has prompted questions about what the ‘new normal’ might look like when we emerge from this pandemic. As part of the economic recovery in Hertfordshire, and the wider UK, it’s important that we collectively engage to explore how digital technologies and innovation can help, both in terms of the actions we need to put in place now, plus the steps we need to take to maximise the potential of technology and deliver a more resilient, green, thriving economy fit for the future. Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact on businesses, society and economy and is likely to significantly accelerate the shift to digital and the pace of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. From virtual meetings to automated factories, online orders to drone delivery, digital services are growing in importance, permeating an increasing number of sectors and activities. The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly seen many businesses change their business models to adapt to the current situation which could have a beneficial impact on recovery. However, this will not be the case for all and it’s vital that government continues to support and deliver policies to support digital transformation and skills by SMEs. Even before the pandemic the UK was facing an alarming digital skills gap, which has only been exacerbated by this crisis. Millions of people and a significant number of businesses lack the essential digital skills they need, which risks widening social divides and already has an estimated £63bn annual impact on the UK’s competitiveness.

Through our Skills for Tomorrow programme we will help 10m people, families and businesses across the UK get the skills they need by 2025. But the task ahead is significant and will require intervention from multiple sectors, organisations and institutions to ensure the skills gap is bridged. The Covid-19 pandemic will have an accelerating impact on the widespread adoption of digital technologies including IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and full fibre broadband. Left unchecked, this has the potential to further widen socio-economic inequality, with those underequipped to exploit the new technology being placed at a disadvantage, particularly within the world of work and in accessing public services. AI technologies will represent the biggest shake-up in a lifetime to the labour market. This will present two high-level priorities for business and policymakers: retraining for people in jobs which will be displaced; and education and skills development for the jobs of the future. The key challenge is how we can work together through and beyond the Covid-19 crisis to create a more productive economy, tackle climate change and build a healthy and more equal society. Through initiatives such as Skills for Tomorrow, and by working with others, we are committed to helping the country navigate through this to build a better digital future - one where collaboration and innovation can provide the solutions to the challenges we face and, in doing so, ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transformation to a digital society.

For more information visit www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow

“Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact on businesses, society and economy and is likely to significantly accelerate the shift to digital and the pace of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Jane Thomas, BT Group regional lead for the East of England INSPIRE

THE LAST WORD

The Last Word Debbie Chadwick - Station Director John Darin - Content Controller

Heart Hertfordshire Radio Q

What do you do?

John: “I entertain Hertfordshire weekdays 4-7pm and keep listeners informed on what is important in our county. I’m also responsible for the content that we put out on the airwaves and on our website or social media channels.” Debbie: “My main responsibility is to drive the growth of the station and engage our listeners with our clients’ brands. Essentially, my job is to get results for clients and build on the commercial success and brand association with our radio station.”

Who do you work for?

“We work for Heart Hertfordshire, a national brand on a local level. We are owned by Communicorp UK and operate brands such as Heart, Capital and Smooth.

Why did you join the Chamber?

John: “We’ve been involved with the Chamber for several years and two years ago decided to become a patron. We wanted to engage more with the local business community, to network with the Chamber’s many contacts and to build our profile across the county. This is really important as we acquired another radio station last year, a move that has allowed us to have a presence right across Hertfordshire.”

What do you get from it?

Debbie: “It has allowed us to build our network of listeners and corporate contacts and strengthen our relationships with them. This has aligned very well with our own expansion, which in turn

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has been driven by growing demand for what we can offer. Radio is an extremely trusted medium with low ad avoidance; when people listen to our station, they stay with us. We have a loyal following of listeners who enjoy our programmes, our content and our presenters and this is really important for our advertisers too. The demand for our content is certainly there; during lockdown we saw a 25% rise in the number of news bulletins, which were on average 28% longer.”

How has it helped your business network?

John: “It has enabled us to engage more closely with the population of 722,154 people across the county. This is attractive to advertisers as it highlights our ability to amplify their message to a lot of potential customers.” Debbie: “We retain a strong audience and corporate client base because we continue to create great content. During lockdown our Home Town Heroes campaign, which focused on a day in the life of key workers during the pandemic, received fantastic feedback. We wanted to show businesses how we could support the community during these difficult times and this content was really well received.”

What advice would you give someone starting out?

John: “Do your research. You can’t just pull something out of a magic hat. Find out if there’s a demand for your product; make it appeal to your core target audience and you have a greater chance of success.”

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

Debbie: “Our biggest challenge is to make sure that Heart Hertfordshire remains the go-to radio station in the county. Recent figures make for encouraging reading: commercial radio listening in the UK is 36 million listeners a week, its largest audience ever. 32% of key workers are listening more and home workers make up for 45% of the audience.”

What support do you want from government?

Debbie: “Generally the government has been very supportive of radio; they appreciate the value it can bring to local communities across the country. The introduction of licensing laws, for example, has enabled many local stations to thrive.”

How confident are you that your business will grow in the future?

John: “I’m very confident about the long-term prospects for our station and for local radio generally. People predicted that television would kill off radio and it didn’t happen. Then, Amazon and other streaming channels came online, people said the same thing, again, it didn’t happen. Radio is a respected and trusted medium so I have faith that it will evolve and grow stronger. Heart Hertfordshire will continue to be a useful platform that attracts listeners and supports businesses as they attempt to bounce back from COVID.”

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