10 minute read
Members News
Security Everywhere launches new Website
A new look at cybersecurity for all business owners.
Security Everywhere, the cybersecurity experts for small and medium businesses, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website www.security-everywhere.com.
Everyone is at risk of being hacked, or accidently downloading malware or ransomware onto their devices. From the individual home-user to a multi-national corporation it is an inevitable part of running a business in the modern world. However, all is not lost as the team at Security Everywhere, brought to you by the experts at Westtek, the Apsleybased IT security company, is determined to protect you and your devices from cybercrime. Their mission is to educate business owners and provide them with the tools and knowledge to keep their data safe. Following a recent training session, one of the participants said: “Security Everywhere gave a very informative and engaging webinar on the importance of Cyber Security. Such an eye opener to see how easy it can be to be hacked but more importantly how easy it is to prevent if the right procedures are put in place.” With the re-launch of the website (https://www.security-everywhere.com/) Security Everywhere are ready to go, and eager to take their place in the fight against cybercrime. With a team of more than 100 staff over four locations Security Everywhere are your friendly local cyber security company, ensuring you and your business data is protected – everywhere and every day. “The new website is much more targeted to meeting the needs of the clients we speak to every day, especially those that have already been hacked and are looking to never be hacked again.” Francis West, CEO of Security Everywhere. Security Everywhere has invited visitors to explore the new website. “We regularly add blogs about the latest threats and also have a weekly newsletter with tips on how to protect yourself and your business from hackers and scammers.” said Francis West.
UK Life Sciences
Opportunities in a Changed World
What an 18 months it has been! The pharma and life sciences sector has come into its own and led society out of the pandemic. Names such as AstraZeneca have become household discussions.
Collaborations have come to the fore - Oxford University teaming up with AstraZeneca meant their vaccine could be further developed, manufactured and supplied at scale.
Innovation has been a game changer. The time taken from inception to mass roll-out for a new medicine would normally be at least 10 years, but the vaccines achieved that in under one year. The regulators, led by the UK’s MHRA, have also worked in innovative ways to approve medicines much quicker than normal, while not compromising on assessing safety and efficacy. Real word data from the NHS discovered that the steroid dexamethasone could be re-purposed for use with COVID-19 patients, saving over one million lives worldwide. The UK has led with rapid genetic sequencing of new variants. The pandemic response has accelerated innovation that was already taking place. The pharma industry and regulators wanted faster development, approval and roll-out of life-changing medicines, and there were important collaborations before, as well as use of real-world data and genomics. The emergency of the pandemic has been a catalyst. The UK Government continues to see life sciences as a key industry and has an innovation agenda. The UK also continues to benefit from its unique position in having leading academic institutions, big pharma and the ability to tap into NHS patient data. The pandemic response has shown the UK to be such an exciting place for life sciences. So, what next? Will the huge strides be translated into other disease areas such as cardio-vascular, cancer, Alzheimer’s, rare diseases and the growing threat of anti-microbial resistance that could see tens of millions of people die following routine surgery by 2050 unless new anti-biotics are discovered? Will there be the same drive without an immediate global emergency?
PING (Pharmaceutical Industry Network Group), the VWV law firm’s not-for-profit initiative, will be examining these issues with leading speakers from the Department of Health, MHRA, Government, NHS England, Pfizer, GSK, Oxford University and others at a Conference in November. https://vwvplus.co.uk/events/ping-conference-2021/. Paul Gershlick is a Partner and Head of Pharma & Life Sciences at national law firm VWV. Paul can be contacted at pgershlick@vwv.co.uk.
KGK Genix achieve Carbon Neutral status
By partnering with carbon offsetting experts, Carbon Footprint
London, Hertfordshire, Essex: On 8th July 2021, KGK Genix received a certificate from Carbon Footprint, to announce they have achieved carbon neutral status.
Working with carbon emission offsetting specialist, Carbon Footprint, KGK Genix have been assessed from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021 and as a result planted 138 trees to offset 138 tons of CO2e emissions generated from building energy, company cars, van travel, commuting, public transport and homeworking. KGK Genix have also made significant changes in their office and machinery areas by changing lights to LED panels along with using LED curing, water-based inks in their print processes, upgrading company cars to complete electric models and reducing movements between premises. They have also researched and developed a complete range of sustainable material alternatives to those traditionally used to help and advise clients to making more environmentally friendly choices. “We’re really proud to have been granted carbon neutral status, it means a lot to the business, the team and of course our clients.” says Graham Pitts, Operations Director at KGK Genix. “We will continue to make changes to our business and processes to be more sustainable, just like our overall aim to have a number of ‘green’ alternatives for every single material that we currently offer. We really feel that by achieving carbon neutral status we have taken another important step towards a much greener future for our industry.” The company will not stop here and promises to strive for a more sustainable future and continue to invest in new technology and processes to support this.
About KGK Genix: KGK Genix is a multidisciplinary agency providing creative, print, project management and installation solutions for some of the world’s biggest brands and retailers. KGK Genix group is the result of a merger between two well-established companies within our sector: KGK and Genix. The group employs over 90 people, based at four sites in Central London, Hertfordshire, and Essex.
It’s triple gold for JPA Workspaces
Hertfordshire company JPA Workspaces is celebrating three wins in less than a fortnight. At the National SME Business Awards, the company won two gold awards: The Green Award and
Best Enterprising Business.
The SME Awards came hot on the heels of a win for JPA’s Head of Sustainability Fiona Edwards at the National Business Women’s Awards last week. She was announced as the gold winner of the Social Impact Award.
The two Green awards are especially important to Fiona. Under her leadership, JPA has developed a circular economy business model that limits the company’s environmental impact at the same time as helping local charities and community organisations. The award-winning company only provides sustainably-sourced furniture and works hard to ensure that everything being replaced is reused, repurposed or recycled so nothing is sent to landfill. JPA is certified carbon neutral but is committed to becoming Net Zero by 2030. JPA’s Chief Operating Officer Richard Cooksey is thrilled with the success: “This is such a good news story for JPA. We have a wonderful team and we’ll definitely be celebrating - it’s a marvellous achievement.” After two black tie events in just over a week, Fiona was understandably pleased. “I’m simply delighted for our entire team who have worked so hard over the last 15 months. It’s been quite a week for us at JPA and there’s going to be a real spring in our step for the next few weeks - well done team JPA!”
How smaller retailers can avoid spending more than they have to
The outlook is tough; however, here is one simple step to control your outgoings
We have all heard about how the high street is under immense pressure, with smaller retailers taking the brunt of the impact of challenging trading conditions.
The shift to online shopping, rising costs and the reduction of footfall in town and city centres have already heavily impacted the retail sector, and that was before the monumental impact of the pandemic which accelerated these challenges. Small and medium sized shops and independent retailers are particularly feeling the brunt of these pressures, as they tend to have fewer resources and rely more heavily on regular cash flow. And the light at the end of the tunnel may be some way off for a lot of retailers, as they struggle to reopen amidst complex restrictions. The short-term outlook is looking tough; however, there are ways in which all business can start to take control of their finances.
Running a retail business is challenging. Here is something which can help
Many businesses are looking for ways to save money and maintain a healthier bottom line. The good news is that getting a smart meter for your business is a small change that could make a big difference. A smart meter can support businesses to take control of their energy bills as they enable accurate, not estimated billing – helping to take the stress out of budgeting. Owning or running a small retail business is hugely exciting, challenging – and busy, and we are all looking for ways to work smarter not harder. Smart meters send your gas and electricity readings directly to your energy supplier, so you do not have to!
Manage your environmental footprint
It is also important to bear in mind that it is everyone’s responsibility to become more conscious of their environmental impact. Regardless of the size of your team, we all should be aware of how much energy we are using and a smart meter is a simple way of doing this. A smart meter is a positive step in taking control of business outgoings and if your firm has 10 employees or less your business could be eligible.
To find out more please click here https://bit.ly/3jUYu2I You can also contact your energy supplier or broker. It could be one of the best calls you make this week.
Are you ready for your staff to return to the office?
On 19 July, we bid farewell to UK’s current lockdown measures. We are no longer limited to the rule of 6, nightclubs are open, and table service is no longer necessary in pubs and restaurants. n Bal Dhesi
Head of Human Resources at Wilder Coe Chartered Accountants ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The legal obligation for home-working also ended for people in England.
So, what is next for those who have spent the last 15 months remote working? For employers who are planning their staff’s return to the workplace; here are my considerations:
• Give confidence to your staff that your workplace is COVID-safe. • Remember staff may feel anxious about returning to the office.
Encourage staff to talk to their managers or a trusted colleague about their concerns. • COVID-secure guidelines will be simplified, but do not forget your obligations relating to providing a safe workplace. Have you reviewed your health and safety procedures?
Will hot-desking return and, what will happen to your one-way systems? • If staff are reluctant to return to the office, work together to identify concerns and practical solutions. • Now is the perfect time to review all your working practices, from hybrid to flexible working. Provide clear guidance on how these measures will work moving forward.
It has been 15 months of uncertainty, and wow, what a rollercoaster it has been! So, as an employer, continue to play your part, listen to your staff, and provide clear guidance with your expectations and next steps.
