Southwark
BUSINESS TODAY Issue 32: February 2021
BIG INTERVIEW
DAVID HENDERSON-BEGG LABYRINTH TECHNOLOGY On navigating successfully through the last year. Page 18
• Opportunity knocks for exporters in post-Brexit world. Page 8
• LSBU - Learning, Upskilling and Student Talent for Businesses. Page 20
• Health & Wellbeing.What’s the biggest problem people face working from home? Page 31
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Welcome
Contents
Welcome to
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY The Southwark Chamber of Commerce magazine for all businesses in Southwark. Although 2021 is not very old, already it is shaping up to be at least as interesting as 2020. “May you live in interesting times” is, of course, an old Chinese curse and there is no doubt that some people feel cursed by the last 12 months; others, however are thriving, and I wish I could tell you that I predicted which businesses fit into each category. I certainly did not expect all of the pubs to close and I was incredibly surprised at how quickly home working took off, so I have a poor track record in predictions. That being the case, my view is that as far as possible businesses need to maintain awareness of the changing conditions which affect them and identify risks and opportunities as they arise. While it is true that some types of business have been able to power ahead, if anything can be drawn from the last year it must be the realisation that being lucky is not enough. I read an article recently where it was suggested many organisations do recruiting quite badly. One technique is apparently to randomly throw away half of the applications because the employer valued applicants who were lucky. This sounds stupid, of course, but how many of us can say we never threw away an opportunity because we were too fixed on doing the day-to-day detail and missed the bigger picture?
Disclaimer Southwark Business Today is mailed without charge to all Chamber members and distributed to businesses in the Borough. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at Southwark
Management consultants tell me that businesses should be ‘agile’ and able to ‘pivot towards opportunity’. This is true but remaining agile can look a lot like waiting for something to happen and pivoting can be expensive if you get it wrong. The reality of today is that owners must make the effort to stand back from the day-to-day and look at their operations and the surrounding environment with a critical eye. The reality of the economy right now is that those who dig into the weeds and seek the comfort of doing all the little things risk not surviving. Over the next year Southwark Chamber of Commerce has a programme of events designed to assist you with getting out of your comfort zone and addressing the issues which affect the future of your business; a schedule is published in this magazine. Our focus in the coming year will be heavily on education, in the practical sense of showing you what you need to know, and I urge you to take advantage of it. The difference I see from 12 months ago is that there is now genuine light at the end of the tunnel, and I urge you all to make the final push to get out the other end.
Peter Mantell Joint-Chairman Southwark Chamber of Commerce Limited
Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in publication are not necessarily those of Southwark Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission of the Editor. © 2021. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material
published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.
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4-5 Legal 6-7 Up Front 8-11 Trading with Europe 12-13 British Land 14 News 15 Technology 16-17 Economy 18-19 Big Interview 20-22 Skills 23 News 24 New Members 25 Arts & Culture 27 Voice from Westminster 28-29 Remembering When… 30-32 Health & Wellbeing 33 Last Word 33 Chamber Events 34 Join Us
Enquiries
Southwark Chamber of Commerce 169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW Tel: 07477 581977 Email: admin@southwarkcommerce.com Web: www.SouthwarkCommerce.com
Editor
Jez Davison Email: jez@benhampublishing.com
Contributing Editor Susan Isaacs
Publisher
Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com
Published
Feb 2021 © Benham Publishing
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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 3
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Legal Advice
Can a periodic business tenant in occupation of premises obtain a lease from their landlord?
Selling a Business?
Legal Tips on Maximising your Profits
You are a commercial tenant running a business from premises and you now want your landlord to grant you a written lease for a fixed term.
Alan Zeffertt Consultant
a new lease, the tenant will be lease, perhaps in order to grow You may have been paying rent resolve the dispute which could be or sell your business, you will not monthly or quarterly for some unsatisfactory to both parties and able to obtain a new lease on The usual way round this is to claim Business The impact of Coronavirus on businesses has Employees’ andor ifreducing be able to serve on the landlord years, but your landlord has still the uncertaintly of a court case termsrights to be agreed not Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs’ led to increased activity from owners of SMEs a notice under section 26 of the not given you a fixed term lease. could be avoided by agreeing the workforce agreed as determined by the looking to you sell.doIttois force important flexible Relief).aIfnew the company is aupon trading company Act requesting lease. What can the to offer 1954 lease terms. the court. Accordingly landlord The rights of employees are the protected under terms to make your business look attractive. seller gains tax (CGT) The right to do this can onlybenefit appliesfrom a capital landlord’s hand? simply impose(Protection any terms of One way in which the landlord the Transfercannot of Undertakings rate of 10% on qualifying assets owned for at to tenants The sameunder generalaprinciples SME whose tenancy was it Regulations wishes and the court will look can regularise the position is to Rights periodicapply to most Employment) 2014 (TUPE), in the years. granted for a least fixed 2term certain businesses. at the transfer’. implied terms of the periodic serve a written notice undercase of a ‘relevant tenancy exceeding one year or for any tenancy when considering what Structure the sale section price:25 of the 1954 Act Heads important term and thereafter from year those employed before It is likelyof thatTerms you are are a periodic terminating the tenancy andThe rights of terms should be immediately inserted in the Capital vs Income to year. tenant and if you have been in the transfer will automatically be transferred to Be clear what it is you are selling and consult stating whether or not the landlord new lease. occupation of business premises theand buyer. theimpact tenantofdo? The Covid-19 onis trading is grant such that your professional advisors in advance. So It what is of should willing to a new lease The landlord is therefore likely to paying rent for more you need to consider offering flexible deals if somore on what terms including rent course important to than get your accounts and Consider thebe need to make ana lease ‘economic, Negotiate with your agreeable to grant to 12 months, you will have become and length of lease. financials in order and include detailed forecasts technical or intending to the workforce’ a periodic change tenant especially since landlord to buyers. A Seller’s willingness to continue in a a protected business tenant with consultancy or employment rolelandlord after sale may the (ETO) where possible. Preparing heads of terms is also afterincrease the relevant transfer, so If the opposes grant beforeit or cannot the rent without the rights granted by the Landlord A periodic tenant should the price. Consider also assist in maximising important offering more protected will not bethe deemed to have of a new lease, then it maythat onlythe employee first terminating lease under & Tenant Act 1954 flexibility Part 11. which will be be in a strongtaking position to negotiate non cash consideration, usually in grounds the attractive to landlord buyers. cannot been dismissed. refuse on certain set outunfairlythe As such the Act, and the position will a new lease with formthe of landlord shares inwho the purchasing company. in the statute, most commonly simply terminate your lease by uncertain. The reason remain for the ETO must also involve would be keen to regularise the What exactly are you selling? refusalaongreater the grounds giving you one month’s notice. You amay be the able to achieve sum of changes to the workforce: the number of position. Without lease, Taking legal advice persistent rent arrears, being able Consider if you selling the shares or justlandlord certain cannot overall if you consider deferred payment of the employees involved. Genuine redundancy would unilaterally It would need to serve you with to of demonstrate intention to assets. There are pros and cons with each. It is bestreason. to seekAlegal advicereason first consideration over time or an an ‘earn increase the rent, or regulate thea period be a valid economic technical a statutory notice under the 1954 occupy the premises for its own before finalising terms in principle By buyer will pickuse up of thethe premises out’. or prevent Actselling giving the youshares, not lessthe than 6 nor might be a lack of appropriate skills, while an use or an intention to redevelop. with landlord to ensure the tenant from sharing consider a joint liabilities company. assets more thanof12the months’ noticeTransferring and organisational oneyour would perhaps be thethat need Alternatively, venture agreement the terms of the new lease are not The landlord must demonstrate occupation or assigning its you will then have to complication may be simpler butthe oneright added can for a reduced combined workforce. with the buyer wherebythe theability riskstoofdofuture these things if onerous and reflect the terms of tenancy. that the apply to the court for aconsent new lease be obtaining landlord’s to transferring a It is unlikely trading can be shared. necessary by producing plans and Restrictions on theoral seller your existing tenancy. Where landlord on terms to be agreed or decided lease. Assets may be preferable if the business is could easily sell its specifications and the necessary interest in theWhich property assets while is a dispute with landlord upon by thefor court. are you selling? not eligible Covid 19 Government assistance. No restrictivethere covenant is implied, sothe be prepared planning permissions. This can a protected periodic tenant and theclause landlord is taking steps to to offer an express in the sale contract. Can you Include those whichmake are necessary Either way, require the type ofthe sale is usually determined it difficultfor forthe a landlord to contiuues in occupation for assets an terminate the tenancy without smooth running of the business as part of the by tax considerations. One issue is to avoid the period. landlord to grant a new The reasonableness of a restriction will be regain possession. indefinite offering acceptable new lease sale. A seller might exclude a freehold property tax ‘double whammy’ for individual shareholderstested against the itgeographical area to which lease? terms, will be important to seek If the tenant is a protected With oral tenancy agreements if or the anycourt intellectual rights tenant and licence corporation tax come on the chargeable gainaon the arises it applies. This basedason the geographical legalisadvice to your rights and business and the landlord If the time has that you dispute would property their use to purchaser thereby maximising the to oppose sale thecertainty business,ofon top ofterm income taxneed on the distribution of thetobusiness’s customers how protect your position.at the does not have grounds needofthe a fixed to hear evidence anda try to distribution of the net proceeds as dividends. time of purchase. return on such rights.
If you need expert legal advice,commercial please contact Alanwill Zeffertt by email on aze@anthonygold.co.uk Our expert solicitors be pleased to advise. or ask for him or aZeffertt memberifof our Commercial Property Team, telephone 020 7940 4000. Please contact Alan you would like assistance: alan.zeffertt@anthonygold.co.uk
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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 5
Up Front
Mayor calls for developer levy to fund building safety Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is to fund the creation of 903 new longer-term homes for homeless Londoners. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has called for a ground-breaking levy on major private property developers that could raise £3 billion to address the inequality in building safety standards and fund vital cladding replacement work on properties across London. The mayor said the failure of government, developers and building owners to fund this essential work for all means that too many residents face extortionate bills to rectify unsafe homes, with ministers failing to bring forward a solution to the crisis. The mayor is proposing a one-off levy on developer profits generated over the last decade to fund the essential fire safety work that is needed. City Hall analysis of accounts data for publicly listed housebuilders has revealed pre-tax profits of £30 billion over the last decade. A 10% levy would raise at least £3 billion to carry out remediation work and help ensure no leaseholder is left out of pocket. To ensure the levy is paid in full without impacting future development, Sadiq Khan is proposing that repayment could occur over several years. Government could then act quickly to fund building safety work, with the reassurance that funds from the levy would cover the costs. Sadiq Khan said: “I have always been clear that the responsibility for funding building safety work must lie with government. However, we cannot deny the role that industry has played in making decisions that have compromised the safety of buildings.
London hits electric vehicle charging points milestone
Three hundred more electric vehicle rapid charging points have been installed across the capital by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Transport for London (TfL) – increasing London’s total number of charging points to almost 6,000. London now has more than 500 rapid charging points and more than 5,500 residential charging points, with some points dedicated exclusively for almost 4,000 electric taxis operating in the capital. Working with bp pulse and ESB Energy as the charging point operators, TfL met its target to install 300 rapid charging points by the end of December, despite works being paused from April to June last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the first rapid charging hub in London at Stratford International car park with six charging points. Two further hubs are planned at Baynard House, City of London, which will have six rapid charge points and at Glass Yard, Greenwich, with eight rapid charge points.
Sadiq Khan said: “It’s essential we help more people move away from petrol and diesel cars to tackle the twin dangers of air pollution and the climate emergency. “I’m delighted that 300 more electric vehicle rapid charging points have been installed by TfL, increasing London’s total electric charging points to almost 6,000. This success is testament to our partners in the private sector who have stepped up and shown real ambition to help London lead the electric vehicle revolution. “However, there is much more to do and we need to go even further and even faster, which is why in October this year I am expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone up to the North and South Circular roads.” Alex Williams, TfL’s director of city planning, said: “Rapid charging points will play a key part in decarbonising transport and the shift to cleaner vehicles.”
Mayor calls for more financial support for businesses The government has announced a further raft of financial support measures to help businesses through the latest national lockdown.
“I am determined to find a solution that can make homes safe without passing on the burden of the cost to leaseholders – it is wrong for them to bear the costs of historic errors they have played no part in causing. This levy would have a minimal impact on developer profits but would prove lifechanging for London leaseholders.”
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England went into its third lockdown in early January as coronavirus cases soared and hospitals came under intense pressure. With all non-essential businesses forced to close once again, the government unveiled a £4.6 billion package of support which included one-off grants worth up to £9,000 for businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. There was also a £594 million discretionary fund to support other businesses impacted by the latest lockdown. This support is in addition to business rates relief and the furlough scheme, which has been extended until the end of April. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I welcome this announcement of much-needed additional support, which business groups and I have been calling for. It should have come sooner and it won’t replace
the revenue lost over the vital Christmas period, but it should help many struggling retail, hospitality and leisure businesses stay afloat until spring. “Clearly more help is needed – including an extension to the business rates holiday and the VAT relief scheme, targeted support for night-time economy businesses which have been forced to stay shut since March, and more support for those who are self-isolating. “I’m also urging the Chancellor to act swiftly and guarantee the furlough scheme will continue to protect people’s jobs until the vaccine is rolled out widely and restrictions are lifted. “It’s scandalous that there are three million excluded selfemployed people who continue to be ignored, many of whom are left facing the impact of these tougher restrictions alone.”
Up Front
Southwark businesses step up to secure COVIDcompliant accreditation Southwark Council is urging local firms to join the growing number of businesses that have gained COVIDcompliant accreditation under an ongoing pilot scheme.
Businesses in Southwark, including pubs, restaurants, beauty salons and a theatre, have signed up to the initiative to provide extra reassurance to customers that they are safe to visit. Currently by law, venues and businesses must already carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment. The pilot accreditation scheme, which was launched by the council in September last year, aims to increase public confidence in businesses’ safety measures through an independent review by the council’s environmental health team. They examine each company’s COVID-19 risk assessment and carry out a site visit to check that social distancing measures, customer track and trace and hygiene measures are in place, and that masks and other PPE are being worn.
Details of TfL fares package announced More details of Transport for London’s (TfL) fares package have been revealed. As part of TfL’s funding deal with government in October 2020, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was required to increase fares under his control to deliver an overall rise of 2.6% (retail prices index (RPI) plus 1%).
Businesses that pass are awarded a sticker to display on their premises and a logo with information about their award to share on sites such as Trip Advisor, food delivery platforms, their website and social media platforms.
However, the details of the new fares also show that within this overall rise some fares have remained frozen – including some single pay-as-you-go tube, DLR, London overground and TfL rail fares.
Several accredited businesses in the borough have backed the council’s pilot scheme, which they say has helped customers feel more confident when visiting their premises.
A single bus and tram fare will increase by 5p to £1.55, and the daily cap will increase by 15p to £4.65. Bus and tram “Hopper” fares, which allow unlimited journeys within an hour, will increase by 5p to £1.55.
Yeliz Dibi, owner of HB Therapy in East Dulwich, said: “I recommend Southwark Council to visit most businesses to ensure they are COVID-secure. Getting HB Therapy accredited through their scheme helped us to gain our customers’ trust back. They can now fully relax as they beautify themselves, knowing our safety measures have been independently reviewed and approved.” Councillor Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for public health and community safety at Southwark Council, said: “We’re so pleased that local businesses that are playing their part in keeping residents safe are also reaping the benefit of the pilot accreditation scheme.”
For more information visit www.southwark.gov.uk/covid-cbascheme
‘Businesses that pass are awarded a sticker to display on their premises and a logo with information about their award to share on sites such as Trip Advisor, food delivery platforms, their website and social media platforms.’
TfL has also published its financial sustainability plan, which focuses on a green recovery and sets out how it can achieve financial sustainability after fare income was decimated by the pandemic – covering costs of dayto-day operations, maintenance and financing by 2023-24. TfL has called for government investment and continued, longer-term assistance to support jobs across the UK, provide certainty for the supply chain and support the government’s aims on decarbonisation. The increase in TfL fares will be introduced on March 1 2021, the same day that the national rail fares will rise by the same amount. Sadiq Khan said: “Londoners know that I have done everything possible to make public transport more affordable since I became mayor – including introducing the unlimited Hopper bus fare and freezing all TfL fares since taking office – saving the average London household over £200. “Unfortunately, this year ministers insisted on an RPI plus 1% fares increase in order for TfL to get the emergency government support needed as a consequence of the global pandemic.”
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Trading with Europe
Opportunity knocks for exporters in post-Brexit world 8 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Southwark exporters are adjusting to a new reality following an eleventh-hour Brexit deal struck days before the transition period ended on December 31. The decision ended months of wrangling over future business rules and fishing rights between the UK and the EU.
UK exporters face numerous regulatory hurdles that in all likelihood will make it more expensive and burdensome to do business in Europe.
Under the terms of the new agreement, import tariffs between the UK and EU have been removed and UK goods can be sold without quotas in the EU market. However, these concessions come at a cost.
On fisheries, the EU has agreed to give up 25% of its existing quotas in UK waters over a transition period of five and a half years, after which there will be annual renegotiations.
Trading with Europe
“Businesses need to digest the contents of the deal and consider what its provisions mean for the movement of goods, people and data across borders, as well as for their supply chains and partners.” Meanwhile, although the UK no longer has access to the EU’s internal energy market, the idea is to have new arrangements in place by April 2022 to ensure that trading via interconnectors – power cables that link the UK with parts of Europe – is smooth and efficient.
“Far too many details and procedures have been left, literally, to the last minute.
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “After four long years of uncertainty and upheaval, Southwark businesses will be able to muster little more than a muted and weary cheer.
The BCC said governments on both sides of the UK-EU divide must recognise the impossible task they have set businesses and give them time and breathing space to adjust to new realities.
“While firms will welcome the agreement of a new foundation for UK-EU trade, they were faced with the gargantuan task of adapting to new arrangements with scarcely a week before they took effect. “Businesses need to digest the contents of the deal and consider what its provisions mean for the movement of goods, people and data across borders, as well as for their supply chains and partners. “We repeat that it is the responsibility of government to give firms clear, precise and detailed guidance so that they can make the required changes quickly.
“Let’s not forget that many businesses are already on their knees from the impact of the coronavirus crisis, and most will have fewer resources available to implement the necessary changes with furloughed staff.”
“It is normal for free trade agreements to come with phasing-in measures, and this one should be no different,” said Adam Marshall. “It is now time to bring the political drama of the last four years to an end, and to replace it with pragmatism and determination to make the new UK-EU relationship work. The agreement can and must be a starting point for deeper cooperation as we restart, rebuild and renew our economies. “With greater clarity on the terms of trade, businesses can plan, invest and look once again towards new opportunities.”
“It is now time to bring the political drama of the last four years to an end, and to replace it with pragmatism and determination to make the new UK-EU relationship work. The agreement can and must be a starting point for deeper cooperation as we restart, rebuild and renew our economies.”
The UK government continues to update Brexit transition advice for businesses. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/transition
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Trading with Europe
The requirement for individual customs declarations for imports from the EU has been deferred for six months i.e. until 1 July 2021 though traders will need to keep specific records to then complete a summary declaration. Duty and VAT as appropriate will also need to be accounted for.
EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS LCCI has joined with ChamberCustoms to provide a Customs Declaration service to help exporters and importers to comply with this new requirement for trading with the EU, and indeed with the rest of the world where such declarations will continue to be needed.
Customs declarations IMPORTANT NOTICE
Now that the UK is no longer in the EU single market or customs union, goods moving between the UK and EU – both imports and exports – will be treated differently. Customs declarations will need info@cavlog.com to be completed, with immediate effect, for every UK export from the beginning of the year.
A unit of Customs Declaration specialists – Customs agents – headed by Suvjeet Sibia is in place and ready to help the import and export community prepare for this significant change – the number of declarations needed in a typical year will rise from 50 million to over 250 million so many companies are bound to be affected.
DATA When companies register for the service they will be asked for certain data e.g. • EORI status and number (economic operator registration and identification) • Goods dealt in; nature and number of consignments; markets served • Whether a deferment account is currently held • Ports used – though note that this service covers every UK port for both import and export.
Visit www.londonchamber.co.uk/export-documents/customs-declarations www.cavlog.co.uk or contact ssibia@londonchamber.co.uk for further information
Export documents and EU exit – update for Certificate of Origin and ATA Carnet users
+44 (0)20 3887 1350 CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN A UK CO (non-preferential) has been designed in accordance with the relevant international convention and has been approved by 9001:2015 government lawyers. This will replace the current non-preferential CO and will be issued for shipments after 1 January 2021. Holders of stocks of the old form are being notified on procedures to exchange for a new one. From 1 January only the new form can be issued and used.
Non-preferential CO are generally called for as part of the payment mechanism e.g. via a documentary letter of credit or for trade defence reasons, or because the importer is anticipating re-exporting the goods.
ORIGIN AND THE UK-EU TRADE DEAL The deal (or UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement – TCA – to give it its full name) includes preferential tariff rates for certain goods provided origin rules are met. The rates are dependent on compliance with origin rules demonstrated by self-certification via a declaration on the invoice which must include a UK EORI number.
The statement of origin should appear on an invoice or similar commercial document describing the original product in sufficient detail to enable its identification. The text appears in Annex ORIG-4 of the TCA – page 482 of the document and exporters are advised to consult:
there is no need for the format of the document to change. However, some Arab League states are party to certain EU free trade agreements e.g. Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia, and a UK EUR document may be appropriate.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/ agreements-reached-between-the-unitedkingdom-of-great-britain-and-northernireland-and-the-european-union
www.londonchamber.co.uk/exportdocuments/eur1-movement-certificate
If the goods are not originating and do not comply with the rules of origin in the TCA, no special document is required so in some cases the buyer/importer may call for a nonpreferential certificate of origin which the LCCI can issue as above. www.londonchamber.co.uk/cofo
EUR DOCUMENTS A revised version of Movement Certificate EUR (in effect a preferential CO) will be the appropriate document in most cases where the UK has rolled over previous EU free trade agreements.
ATA CARNETS ATA Carnets – the passport for goods being temporarily moved cross-border for the purpose of being shown at trade fairs or exhibitions, or for professional equipment and samples – are now able to be used for appropriate temporary shipments to the EU 27. The UK has signed the relevant international conventions both as the UK and en bloc through the EU. LCCI has made the necessary changes to the document for use in the EU. www.londonchamber.co.uk/exportdocuments/ata-carnet
EU TRADE HUB AT LCCI
ARAB STATES
Information and advice on staff employment, business travel, exporting, importing, international trade paperwork, costs, logistics, data protection, e-commerce, accounting and auditing, intellectual property and taxation. Plus, an ongoing series of webinars to help UK companies trade with the EU.
Note that non-preferential CO for exports to Arab League countries will be unaffected and
www.londonchamber.co.uk/eu-trade-hub/ eu-trade-hub
Precisely what countries it can be used for is a changing picture so check this website: www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-tradeagreements-with-non-eu-countries
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Global Logistics Biopharma Logistics 24/7 Time critical – when it needs to there yesterday Storage to International shipping MHRA Approved Pharma Warehouse
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Working with the Southwark Council to create a vibrant, inclusive, mixed-use development at Canada Water
Find out more at: www.canadawatermasterplan.com www.britishland.com
British Land
An UPDATE from the Canada Water Masterplan Team We are now well underway with the enabling works to bring forward the first phase of development on the Canada Water Masterplan and nine months on since the granting of a full planning permission. At this stage we wanted to share some of the positive stories that are beginning to emerge and how these relate to the wider commitments we have made to the local community. This includes, we are delighted to say, confirmation that Higher Education provider, TEDI-London, will be coming to Canada Water, the emergence of new job and training opportunities brought about by ongoing local construction works, and news of a new benefits and welfare support service for SE16 residents. These three announcements evidence the active investment we are making to ensure that the Masterplan delivers a range of long-term benefits for those who live, work and visit here, both now and in the future. You can also check back on the full range of commitments we have made by visiting: www.canadawatermasterplan.com.
Bringing Higher Education to Canada Water We are pleased to announce that in December 2020, Southwark Council granted planning permission for a temporary campus for TEDI-London, a new engineering higher education enterprise, in Canada Water. This marks an exciting moment for the Masterplan and reinstates our commitment to providing a Higher Education presence within the Masterplan. Co-founded by three global universities, King’s College London, Arizona State University and UNSW Sydney, TEDI-London has been set up with the aim of transforming engineering education, including diversifying the range of people studying and entering the profession. There will be a bursary scheme for Southwark residents and TEDI-London will run a programme of local outreach opportunities and more details can be found at: tedi-london.ac.uk.
n Artist’s sketch of the TEDI-London temporary campus
will be regularly updated to show any new opportunities that are posted by us or our partners, and we will also continue to advertise jobs and training opportunities through our regular e-newsletters and via social media.
We are on track to deliver this campus on behalf of TEDI-London in time for it to welcome its first full-time cohort of students in September 2021. In the medium-term, British Land plans to provide a permanent higher education cluster within the wider Canada Water Masterplan site, to house TEDI-London alongside other institutions.
Providing essential services to the community including benefits and welfare support
New job opportunities in Construction at Canada Water
Since our last update, we have been working with local charity, Big Local Works, to launch a benefits and welfare support service for SE16 residents.
We want to get local people – those living nearest to the masterplan area and in wider Southwark – into meaningful, sustained employment as part of the Masterplan. We expect over a thousand construction jobs including apprenticeships to be generated by the development throughout the 15 years. During the phase of development alone, we are targeting to get c.160 Southwark residents into construction jobs and c.40 people into apprenticeships or an NVQ qualification. Since preparatory works began in October, we have already advertised eleven separate roles locally to residents who might be interested in employment within the Masterplan. This is in addition to our already established partnership with the Construction Youth Trust, who we are working with to help local young people get the skills and knowledge they need to get on site. A dedicated page on the Canada Water Masterplan website will soon be live and
Big Local Works already support a significant number of people facing hardship from Bermondsey and British Land is pleased to be funding a new clinic in Canada Water, especially considering the importance of such a service moving forward. Given current restrictions, the service is currently taking place online and on the phone. Moving forward Big Local Works will also be running regular, face-to-face Benefits Guidance clinics from ‘Thrive’ - the local SE16 community business hub based in Surrey Quays Leisure Park - complementing the existing business support and advice services that Thrive offers. If you think you or anyone you know might benefit from this service, then please submit a request form via the website www.biglocalworks.org.uk or contact Lea-Anne directly on 07526 847770.
To find out more about the Canada Water Masterplan please check our website - www.canadawatermasterplan.com Likewise, you can follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to get regular updates on the project. Should you have any questions or would like to be added to the mailing list to receive direct updates about the project, please get in touch by emailing team@canadawatermasterplan.com
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 13
News
£6m fund to
breathe new life into community spaces Southwark Council has approved funding for 29 projects put forward by local people and organisations to support growth in their neighbourhoods, as part of a £6m investment in the borough. The council raised roughly £23m in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) between 2015 and 2020. Last year, up to 25% of this – almost £6m – was made available as local CIL funding to be spent on community projects that can be completed by December 31 2023.
Residents put forward more than 1,000 suggestions on how to use money raised from the levy. Shortlisted projects were split into two groups to be presented for approval by the council’s cabinet according to their ward, with the first 37 community projects approved in December.
The CIL is a levy raised on development schemes (new buildings such as housing, hotels or shops) and the money is used by the council to fund local infrastructure projects. It’s one of the ways in which developments and developers can give back to the community – especially to those who’ve been impacted by the building works.
In total, 66 projects will be allocated money in this latest round of local CIL funding and more could follow as additional money becomes available in the future. Cllr Alice Macdonald, cabinet member for communities and equalities, said: “We are committed to ensuring that development in
the borough works for all. In Southwark, we’ve made sure money raised from the levy is allocated to community infrastructure projects local to the development schemes from which they were generated. “Investment in community facilities and open spaces was a key theme across wards and we’ve approved funding for a number of projects that support this aim. This includes the delivery of a new state-of-the-art youth and community space at Leyton Square, in line with the commitments set out in the social regeneration charter for Old Kent Road.”
ELEPHANT AND CASTLE VIRTUAL
COMMUNITY HUB
The Elephant and Castle Community Hub is online and hosting FREE virtual wellness activities, fitness classes and arts & crafts workshops for local people.
Visit communityhubse1.co.uk and Facebook @whatsonatelephant to find out more and for dial-in details. 14 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Technology
What all Business Owners and Managers Need to Know about Cybersecurity
Cyber Security will be one of the biggest issues for London’s businesses in 2021 and beyond. It’s important for firms to understand what a cyber-attack is, how it happens, and what can be done about it. Matt Dunn, Business Support Director at Labyrinth Technology looks at how a cyber-attack works and how cyber security can protect your business. What is a Cyber-Attack? Put simply, a cyber-attack is an attempted offensive action targeting computer information systems, infrastructures, computer networks, or personal computer devices. There can be many reasons for this attack, including attempting to access and steal data, conduct a financial crime, or to disable computers or computer processes.
Don’t we know all about this already? Well, yes, but the problem with the culture of awareness regarding cybercrime and cyberattacks is that only the “big”, “exciting” or “newsworthy” stories (usually involving big name firms or organisations) make it into the public consciousness. I’m sure you recall; • Scotland’s environment watchdog (SEPA) not paying a ransomware demand and having their data posted online • The WannaCry attack which left 40 NHS trusts unable to serve their patients • Talk Talk’s data breach of 2015 • the SolarWinds attack, which only made big news because they themselves provide the tools to prevent such a breach (awk-
ward!!!).
But they are big names, so it won’t happen to my firm, will it? Well, did you know that a reported 96% of UK businesses suffer a cyber-attack in a 12-month period? And Hiscox, one of the UK’s biggest providers of specialist cyber-insurance estimate there are 65,000 attempted cyber-attacks on small to medium businesses every day, and about 4,500 of these are successful! So, UK businesses should be changing their attitude from “it’ll never happen to me” to “it’s bound to happen to me one day soon!”.
So if my firm is targeted, how will a cyber-attack happen? There are a multitude of cyber-attacks that can be deployed against businesses. For example, some of the better-known ones are; • Ransomware: a type of malware locking and encrypting your firm’s data and devices, preventing access, which is only restored if the hacker’s demands (usually a bitcoin ransom) are met. • Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack: when attackers can insert themselves between a device and a network, such as public wi-fi in a coffee shop. Are YOUR mobile devices all encrypted? Do you have network level security? • Phishing and spear phishing attacks: criminals send emails that appear to come from a reputable source and install malware on the victim’s machine.
In a nutshell, protect yourself. A well thought out strategy for tackling information security threats is crucial. This should include an information security policy, end user
• Risk assessments: which identify the assets that could be affected by a cyberattack (hardware, systems, laptops, customer data and intellectual property) • Security awareness: if employees do not know how to spot the likes of a phishing email, they will be extremely vulnerable to the most common and successful forms of cyber-attack. • Managed firewalls: this unified threat management (UTM) appliance is typically a piece of hardware with security subscriptions which protects against a wide range of threats from a central point.
• Password attacks: when a criminal tries to gain access to a computer system by cracking a user’s password simply by using information gathered by the attacker. Do your employees use Facebook, and celebrate their parents wedding anniversary? That’s such an easy way for criminals to get the answer to the memorable question “what is your mother’s maiden name”!
So what can I do?
awareness training, annual IT security audits/risk register reviews, and clearly defined accountability for information security in your organisation. When starting on your cybersecurity journey key points to consider are;
• System monitoring: products which help prevent employees from accessing malicious or unsuitable content such as phishing websites. A cyber-attack costs the average small business more than £1,000, with a cost to medium businesses being over £3,000. By changing your attitude from “it’ll never happen to me” to “it’s bound to happen to me one day soon”, your firm can mitigate the threat in an organised, costeffective way. So, my advice would be to contact a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) today, preferably one that offers specialised services, solutions, and products. www.LabyrinthIT.com
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 15
Economy
BCC calls for urgent help for businesses on their knees The BCC said cash-strapped businesses needed measures to support cashflow, such as extending and expanding business rates relief, prolonging VAT deferrals and offering an immediate, further round of upfront cash grant support – at least equivalent to levels of around £25,000 available in the first national lockdown – with sufficient funds to provide for all businesses that need it in every sector. The organisation also wants Chancellor Rishi Sunak to maintain the Job Retention Scheme until a full reopening of the economy is possible, and expand income support for limited company directors. Businesses cannot afford to wait until the Chancellor’s budget in March, the BCC said. They need these measures now and a guarantee that support will be available throughout the year so they can plan for more than a few weeks ahead. The impact of the pandemic is increasingly being felt away from the sectors which have been most obviously hit by the restrictions, such as hospitality and leisure.
16 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Economy
The BCC has urged the government to provide more financial support to businesses across the UK facing a bleak future from the debilitating squeeze of coronavirus restrictions. Adam Marshall, director general of the BCC, said: “We have written to the Chancellor to highlight the desperate situation facing thousands of businesses across the UK. The damage inflicted by the pandemic is widespread. It goes far beyond the very visible casualties hit by repeated stop-start lockdowns. “The support schemes that the government has introduced so far have saved many firms and jobs, but they have not gone far enough to help many survive a tough start to 2021. The drip-feed approach to business support measures has meant that many firms simply cannot plan for the future. “We are urging the government to urgently adopt a package of measures that covers the whole of 2021, and that takes away the cliff-edges firms face in a few weeks’ time when reliefs, forbearance and furlough are set to end. Many companies simply can’t wait until the March budget. Action is needed now.” BCC has also urged ministers to work closely with companies across the UK to accelerate the rollout of vaccines, using
their space, capacity and people as much as possible. In the meantime, a fit-for-purpose test, trace and isolate system remains critical to keep the economy moving once the current lockdown ends. The most recent BCC Quarterly Economic Survey of more than 6,000 firms across all sectors found that all key economic indicators remain well below pre-crisis levels, with four in ten firms seeing their cashflow position deteriorate. Nearly one half of firms (43%) reported a decrease in domestic sales, 45% said the volume of their domestic orders had fallen and 38% saw a drop in export sales. Continued uncertainty around further lockdowns and restrictions, as well as the many unanswered questions on Brexit, have caused businesses considerable distress, with some saying they are worried about the long-term viability of their business. Government data also shows that UK economic output remains almost 8% below the pre-pandemic levels seen in February 2020.
“The support schemes that the government has introduced so far have saved many firms and jobs, but they have not gone far enough to help many survive a tough start to 2021. The drip-feed approach to business support measures has meant that many firms simply cannot plan for the future.”
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 17
Big Interview
Labyrinth Technology plots path to a successful future 18 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Big Interview “It has been an interesting year,” muses David Henderson-Begg as he reflects on the most unusual twelve months in recent history. It certainly has been. While many previously robust businesses have ceased trading, David’s company, Labyrinth Technology, has navigated successfully through the last year, expertly meeting the various challenges that have been put in its way. “We grew our core business by 20% last year,” says David, who established the firm 20 years ago after spotting a market gap for an IT supplier that offered an exemplary customer and after-sales service. “We were quiet during the first lockdown and a couple of hospitality clients had to stand us down because they weren’t trading for large parts of the year, but overall we managed to grow our existing client base and won a major client just before the current lockdown. “Even during our quiet period we remained really proactive, keeping in touch with clients to see how we could support them and stepping up our marketing drive with a new website and a strong presence on social media. “We saw an increase in demand for services such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) but we didn’t really see a major switch to home-working because we already had systems in place for many of our clients so they could work remotely.” Not that David believes that the office market is dead; far from it. “You can’t start from the premise that everyone wants to work from home,” he says. “A lot of people need social interaction and a physical space where they can meet from time to time. Getting rid of the office building might have a short-term cost benefit but two or three years down the line companies will realise that productivity has nosedived. A hybrid model, with some
The Inside Story
remote working and some interaction in a physical office or meeting space, is likely to be the way forward.” As if to underline the point, Labyrinth Technology recently moved into new premises in Lombard Street, London, but its workforce is geared up to work remotely when required. Adapting to change has been the cornerstone of the company’s success to date, as has a keen focus on providing value-for-money IT services. These attributes have enabled David and his team of staff to build a portfolio of business clients ranging from solicitors working from home to a City of London livery firm and a major hair, beauty and cosmetics distributor. David’s insistence that the principles of honesty and transparency are upheld by every employee at all stages of client contact is a key reason why Labyrinth’s growth has been swifter than many of its competitors. Going forward, Labyrinth will continue to pursue an aggressive sales and marketing strategy – a new e-commerce platform is in the process of being launched – and support its clients’ expansion plans by providing IT services to suit their needs.
David says: “Security remains a key challenge for a lot of firms. Unless they have an in-house IT expert on hand to give advice, they may not be aware of the various security weaknesses in their IT systems. There are so many threats and counters to those threats that it’s almost impossible to keep abreast of them. “We provide a range of products and services that can make IT systems more secure. This is vital to prevent data from being compromised or stolen. Protecting your business against constantly emerging cyber threats is an ongoing task, not just a one-off project. Research shows that 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses. “Regardless of your size, what sector you’re in or how sensitive your data is, the cost and disruption from a data breach, ransomware attack or other malicious activity could be substantial to your organisation. “We’re optimistic about the future. We know that there’s a growing need for IT services and we also know that some people aren’t happy with their current provider. This will provide further opportunities for us as we look to strengthen our position in the marketplace.”
“Protecting your business against constantly emerging cyber threats is an ongoing task, not just a one-off project. Research shows that 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses.” David Henderson-Begg
u Favourite food?
u What are your key strengths as a manager?
I generally eat everything and love trying new things as I’m a bit of a foodie! Comfort food would be a good steak.
I listen to all opinions and viewpoints before making a decision. It’s so important to give staff a voice.
u Favourite tipple?
u And your limitations?
Red wine is my kryptonite! I also enjoy a good French Bordeaux (with the aforementioned steak!)
My management style can be a bit military – perhaps influenced by my time in the police force.
u Favourite holiday?
u Best thing about doing business in the borough?
I discovered a love of cruising nearly ten years ago and have been on at least one cruise every year since. Being able to dip in and out of different cultures at the ports allows you to pick destinations that you’d like to explore in more depth in the future.
u How do you spend your downtime?
I own two businesses and two houses, which doesn’t leave an awful lot of spare time! My ideal night out is a quiet evening in a good restaurant with good conversation. I have a love of all things tech so like to keep up and play with the latest gadgets.
Walking along the Thames Path in the summer, being a part of the events that take place around City Hall, and sampling the great places to eat and drink in Borough Market and London Bridge.
u Famous person you’d most like to dine with?
The Queen. Her experiences throughout her life and her dedication to her country are breath-taking.
u Most interesting fact about yourself?
I was a professional treble soloist when I was a child.
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 19
Skills
Learning, Upskilling and Student Talent for Businesses
20 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Skills
At LSBU Business School, students have benefitted from the skill and experience of our academic team across our undergraduate and postgraduate courses for many years. More recently, this has moved online, and our tutors’ open public talks are online now, too, giving wider access to sessions including our Professional Lecture Series and Research Today seminars as well as a range of professional courses like ACCA revision sessions. As we move further in to 2021, there are plenty of ways to learn more, upskill and solve business challenges with LSBU Business School. Student staffing
Working with students
Across our courses, we offer placements and internships to our students studying accounting, finance, business, marketing and economics, which means our students are actively seeking work experience. These digital-savvy, skilled students learn theory with a focus on practical application, and they can bring these skills to your business – with many students also having additional language skills.
There are also plenty of other ways to work with our students including guest speaking, hosting a workshop and mentoring. To discuss your business needs and to find out more about our talent pool, please contact our Commercial Experience Team at employerenquiries@lsbu.ac.uk
At a time when you may be more cautious about taking on long-term staff, shorter student placements ranging from 1 month to 1 year can be a perfect solution, benefitting both your business and our students’ experience. We also have recent graduates who are looking for work opportunities, with many more students graduating in summer later this year.
Professional Lecture Series From March, our virtual Professional Lecture Series starts once again. Running once a month on Wednesday afternoons at 1pm, you can tune in to find out more about topics ranging from whether Business Schools can help to transform society, using marketing for the greater good, through to the findings of research in to intercultural skills for graduates seeking employment with European businesses and employers.
In Focus: ACCA revision courses As a school with a reputation for providing strong accounting and finance degree tuition, this includes a dedication to professional qualifications, too. The well-regarded ACCA qualification is key for many looking to carve a path in accounting, and to support accountants, we’re delivering revision courses for ACCA Strategic Business Leader (SBL) and Strategic Business Reporting (SBR). Delivered by our academic experts, these 15 sessions support students in preparing for these exams, giving the skills and practice to succeed. Join our next course, starting 2 and 3 March 2021. To find out more, please visit our website or contact Business Development Manager, Dan Janowski, at: janowsd2@lsbu.ac.uk
Take a look at all the talks at: lsbu.ac.uk/whats-on
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 21
Skills
BCC welcomes plan to boost employers’ role in FE Landmark reforms aimed at transforming post-16 education and training, boosting skills and getting more people into work have been unveiled by the government. In plans outlined in the Department for Education’s (DfE) Skills for Jobs White Paper, employers will have a central role in designing almost all technical courses by 2030 to ensure that the education and training people receive is directly linked to the skills needed for real jobs. The plans also include partnerships between employers and FE providers to develop local skills improvement plans – which will be led by accredited local Chambers of Commerce – and to establish business centres within FE colleges.
“These reforms are at the heart of our plans to build back better, ensuring all technical education and training is based on what employers want and need.”
22 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
The measures are intended to end the illusion that a degree is the only route to success and a good job, and that further and technical education is the second-class option. They intend to realign the whole FE system around the needs of employers so people are trained for the skills gaps that exist now, and in the future, in key sectors such as construction, digital, clean energy and manufacturing. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Our reforms to post-16 education will focus on the skills people and business need for our economy to grow. As we recover from the pandemic, our Lifetime Skills Guarantee will ensure everyone has the confidence and opportunity to gain the skills they need to progress at any stage of their lives.
“These reforms are at the heart of our plans to build back better, ensuring all technical education and training is based on what employers want and need, whilst providing individuals with the training they need to get a well-paid and secure job, no matter where they live, and in the sectors that are critical to our future economic success.” BCC director general Adam Marshall said: “We welcome these ambitious plans to put the skills needs of businesses at the heart of the further education system. As local business leaders look to rebuild their firms and communities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, it is essential to ensure that the right skills and training provision is in place to support growth. “Chambers of Commerce can play a leading role in developing local skills plans that reflect the needs of employers in their areas, working closely with colleges, councils and other partners. “Together, we can increase the focus on skills for the workplace – the digital, technical and broader skills that help businesses grow, succeed and create good jobs. “We look forward to working with the Department for Education, training providers, businesses and other stakeholders across the FE sector to further develop these proposals, making sure more people can train and retrain for new and emerging jobs in their local communities.”
News
Survey shows modest uplift in recruitment Firms stepped up their recruitment in the last three months of 2020, but overall hiring levels remained well below pre-pandemic levels. Those were key highlights of the latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO) compiled in partnership with Totaljobs. The research showed that 41% of firms attempted to recruit in Q4 last year, up slightly from 37% in Q3 but below prepandemic levels of 55% in Q1. Firms in the public, voluntary and construction sectors were most likely to recruit, while hotels and catering firms were the least likely to take on additional workers. Only 22% of hotel and catering companies attempted to hire new recruits – down from 30% in Q3 – reflecting the impact of forced closures under the national lockdown and tiered restrictions on their revenue and cashflow. However, the impact of the pandemic is also being felt by businesses that haven’t been required to shut their doors. Businesses in the marketing and media sector, for example, were the second least likely to recruit (33%). With 44% of these firms reporting decreases in sales in the quarter, QRO data demonstrates the economic impact of continued restrictions in the supply chain or in reduced budgets. Looking ahead to the next quarter, 19% of firms expect an increase in the size of their workforce, 68% expect it to remain the same (up from 62% in Q3), and 14% expect a decrease. Claire Walker, BCC co-executive director, said: “Our data shows the extremely difficult
circumstances facing many businesses across the UK. “With many sectors facing major difficulties in retaining and recruiting staff, the Chancellor must immediately provide assurances that support will last for the whole of 2021 to enable firms to plan ahead. That starts with extending the Job Retention Scheme until a full reopening of the economy is possible. “Proposed reforms to further education, putting the skills needs of businesses at its heart, are welcome and will enable more people to train and retrain for jobs of the future. “The vaccine rollout provides genuine light at the end of the tunnel – but it is essential that government provides the support that ensures that businesses survive the current crisis and are ready and able to power an economic recovery, creating new jobs when the time comes.” Totaljobs CEO Jon Wilson said: “The vaccine rollout has given businesses and people hope, but there is still a way to go. Many sectors remain in a challenging position and have put hiring on pause, while others are able to accelerate their hiring to meet demand. “Throughout the difficulties of the pandemic, a real positive has been the increasing determination from jobseekers to take their careers into their own hands, focusing on their personal development by proactively upskilling. Totaljobs research found that 30% of workers acquired a new skill or qualification last year.”
“Looking ahead to the next quarter, 19% of firms expect an increase in the size of their workforce, 68% expect it to remain the same (up from 62% in Q3), and 14% expect a decrease.”
LCCI backs travel testing policy London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has welcomed the government’s move to embrace a pre-departure testing policy for all international arrivals to England. All arrivals, including UK nationals, are required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure. LCCI had called for the government to embrace such a policy, but Richard Burge, chief executive, warned: “This announcement may well be complementary to the lockdown period, but beyond that it will do little to aid the economic recovery of London and the UK, unless the accompanying self-isolation requirement ends. “Government must work side by side with the travel industry to evolve this policy for when lockdown ends.” The government policy also stipulates that all passengers arriving from countries not on the government’s travel corridor list will be required to self-isolate for ten days, regardless of their test result. Passengers will still be required to fill in a passenger locator form and be subject to national lockdown restrictions. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “We already have significant measures in place to prevent imported cases of COVID-19, but with new strains of the virus developing internationally we must take further precautions. “Taken together with the existing mandatory self-isolation period for passengers returning from high-risk countries, pre-departure tests will provide a further line of defence – helping us control the virus as we roll out the vaccine at pace over the coming weeks.” There will be a limited number of exemptions from the new rules, including hauliers, children under 11, crews and those travelling from countries without the infrastructure available to deliver the tests.
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 23
5
New Members
Reasons to Join Us
Southwark Chamber of Commerce welcomes its latest member companies • Adriot Accountax • Bankside Hotel • Berry Cole Studios • Bluepatch.org • CD International • Complete IT • Copeland Park and Bussey Building • CR Accountancy of Real Passion Ltd • D.A.Y • De Osa Catering & Events • Diogenes the Dog • Friddles Cakes
GROW YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH QUALITY NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Our broad range of members share advice, experience and peer support for business owners who want to take their business to the next level. Whether you are a sole trader, microbusiness, a mid-sized firm or part of a global organisation, our members reflect the diverse
• HB Therapy • Helen Cuthbert, Planning Potential • Incentive FM • Inner Circle Consulting • Jane Langley, Blue Patch • Jennifer O’Donnell, Jane Jefferson Cleaning • Mand River Union – Centre for Distributive Trade • Mark Allan, Job Doctors • Mountview • Restorative Justice for All International Instituate (RJ4AII) • Sarah Preece, Mountview • Sean Baradaran, Greenzen • Support & Sustain • The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education • The Lodge Space • TOPDesk • Tower Tandoori • UK Homes 4 Heroes Pride & Passion • Unity Music Arts Team • VHR • Zion Zachary, Peace Ballers
24 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
1 Networking events • Develop new business relationships • Find trusted suppliers and meet new customers • Regular mailings on news & up-coming events in the Borough Social events
2 Advice and Support • Seminars on new developments, local policy, and key business issues • Access to peer-to-peer advice • Engagement with Local Councillors
3 Affiliate benefits from London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
• Access to selected LCCI events as advertised by SCC
business demographic of Southwark. We help our members build strong commercial connections within London. We support them in being part of the Capital’s community and economy. Membership is great for networking and building your business.
4 Southwark Business Today • Free bi-monthly copy of Southwark Business Today • Discounts for advertising in Southwark Business Today • Members can submit articles about their business sector
5 Discounts & Promotions • Discounts at local establishments. • Member to member discounts ••••••••
JOIN TODAY Tel : 07477 581977
Email : admin@southwarkcommerce.com
www.southwarkcommerce.com
The Steamy Anticipation of the Break-Out Room -
or Video Conferencing for Beginners Plus: Confessions of a Language Teacher By Susan Isaacs
Director of Languages2000
“There really is no greater anticipation than wondering who you will be put into a breakout group with on zoom...” tweeted my son a few weeks ago. I decided to pay close attention. This video conferencing lark is going better than my wildest dreams. My classes are more packed than ever with brilliant bankers and musicians, lawyers and artists, doctors and journalists, all discussing the ups and downs of the lockdown animatedly in French, Italian, Spanish, German, or Portuguese. But I am well aware that perhaps a certain something is missing. My students can talk to me as I go round the class, asking them questions in French, Italian, Spanish German, or Portuguese. But I am sure there is something else they would like to do, and that is, talk to each other. Enter, centre stage, the “break-out room.” What, you may well ask, is a “breakout room.” Apparently, I am told, with the wonders of modern technology, you can magically separate people on a video conference call, into different rooms to talk to each other. It sounds a little worrying. What happens if they don’t like each other, or what happens if they like each other so much, that they decide to stop studying French, or Spanish, or Italian, or German, or Portuguese, and start chatting about something completely different. Or what happens if they decide to have subversive conversations about the teacher?
But the video conferencing people have thought of everything, it seems. As host you can switch people when you feel like it from one room to another. You can go and visit them, to check they are doing ok, and you can set a timer and then, hey presto, spirit them back into the main room again at will. And if you are worried about the responsibility of choosing who to put with who, the software will take that worry off your plate and select them automatically. And I must confess to all you fellow teachers in particular out there, that the possibility is enticing. While your students are all busy in their break-out rooms, you can take the opportunity to blow your nose, or maybe even make yourself a cup of tea, and no-one will be any the wiser. Whoever designed these video-conferencing software must have been a despot, or at the very least a teacher, at heart, because there is plenty of opportunity to indulge any dictatorial tendencies you may have. First of all you can keep all your students in a waiting room before they enter. It does make you wonder which magazines to leave lying around. You don’t even have to let them in at all.
Then once they have entered, you can mute all their microphones, turn all their cameras off, mute some of them and allow others to speak, and if push comes to shove, boot any or all of them out of the room simultaneously. It rather reminds me of a James Bond toy car my brother had when we were little. His greatest joy was pushing the button to the ejector seat in the car, which would shoot the unfortunate passenger out of the window. I must say I have not yet run a class in this way, and have been experimenting anxiously with my nearest and dearest. The problem I hadn’t anticipated was that my kids decided to turn their own cameras off, walk out of the physical room they were in, make their own cups of tea, and mute their own microphones themselves. Perhaps my dictatorial tendencies will have to take a back seat. But, as my son Alexander said “there is no greater anticipation than wondering who will be put into a breakout group with you on zoom.” And I do wonder in the future which couples, when asked how they first met, will say in all honesty, “well actually we met in a break- out room together.“
Susan is holding language classes on zoom in French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Portuguese. See her website www.languages2000.co.uk or contact her for more information on susanelizabethisaacs@icloud.com
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 25
W orrk k tth he e ‘‘C Ciitty yS Sp pa att Wo ac ce ew wa ay y’’,, a Be errm mo on nd dsse ey y’’ss e e llo oc ca attiio on n B elliitte It’s the turn of the tide. It’s the turn are of the tide. Businesses now Businesses are recognising thatnow keeping recognising that keeping staff safe in gigantic staff safe in gigantic shared office blocks is shared blocks is just notoffice possible. just not possible. Companies are now Companies are now seeing traditional spaces seeing traditional spaces like these sit empty. theseof sitworking empty. Although there are significantlike benefits Although there significant benefitsstill of working from home, the are majority of businesses require a from home, the majority of businesses still a central hub to operate from. They are now require crying out central hub to operate They are now out for more flexibility. To from. be able to expand orcrying downsize for more able to expand or downsize and moveflexibility. locations To at abe time that suits them. And that and movethe locations at a‘Managed time that Offices’ suits them. Andin. that is where power of comes is where theremove power of comes These hubs the‘Managed time and Offices’ headache of in. These hubs remove thespace. time and headache of and acquiring a new office Specific layouts acquiring a new office space. and furnishings can be tailored toSpecific meet thelayouts requirements furnishings can be the tailored to meetoperation the requirements of each client. And day-to-day of these of each client. Andcleaning, the day-to-day operation of these spaces, including reception services, IT spaces, including cleaning, services, IT support and security will bereception managed for you. They support and security will be managed for you. They will have high speed wifi, meeting spaces and some will wifi, food meeting spaces and some mayhave evenhigh havespeed their own outlets. may even have their own food outlets.
Only a few minutes walk from London Bridge main Onlyrail a few minutes walk from London Bridge main line station, CitySpace Bermondsey, is perfectly line rail station, CitySpace is perfectly positioned for both the cityBermondsey, dweller and the commuter. positionedBermondsey for both the city dweller and the 2020 commuter. CitySpace opened in October and CitySpace Bermondsey in October 2020 and has a unique offering of aopened ‘Managed Office’ workspace has aattached unique offering of amakes ‘Managed and hotel. This for aOffice’ superbworkspace and attached for hotel. makes for avisiting superbclients or combination anyThis business with combination for any businessiswith visiting clients or where staff accommodation required. Members where staff accommodation is required. Members further benefit (not further benefit just from the (not just from the but also convenience) convenience) but also from discounted from discounted membership rates at membership rates at any CitySpace any CitySpace location. location. The work area is 924sqf of open plan space, with its The work area is 924sqf of openand plan space, with its own private entrance, kitchen bathroom. own private entrance, kitchen andwifi bathroom. Membership includes high speed connectivity, Membership includes wifi connectivity, utilities, business rateshigh andspeed no long leases! utilities, business andto noprovide long leases! CitySpace are alsorates on hand 24-hour CitySpace support. are also on hand to provide 24-hour support. As a small independent operator, CitySpace has had As aopportunity small independent operator, has had the to welcome otherCitySpace start-ups with the the opportunity to welcome other start-ups with the same entrepreneurial spirit and would love to same entrepreneurial spirit and would love to welcome other like-minded businesses to join. welcome other like-minded businesses to join. Visit city-space.com or contact work@city-space.com Visit city-space.com or contact work@city-space.com for further information. for further information.
city-space.com city-space.com
Voice from Westminster
VOICE from WESTMINSTER NEIL COYLE MP
Economy needs support to rebuild The UK has now reached the devastating milestone of 100,000 lives lost to covid. We now have the highest death rate in the world and the deepest recession of any major economy. Sadly, much of this could have been avoided had our Government acted more swiftly and taken the appropriate precautions to protect the population and British businesses. One year into this crisis and the Track and Trace system lauded by Ministers as ‘world-beating’ is still not working; our borders have only just been shut and the Prime Minister remains unable to take decisive action as swiftly as needed. In better news, the vaccine has provided a light at the end of the tunnel and it is promising that so many people have now received their first dose of a vaccine – including my dad! Southwark Council are working hard to ensure that everyone in our community is receiving the right guidance about the vaccine and is helping tackle misinformation being disseminated locally. If anyone has concerns or questions about the vaccine they should speak to their GP or check out verified NHS websites. But the road to recovery will be a long one and our economy needs support to rebuild, especially after the damage of Brexit on top of covid. The lack of clarity around whether the furlough scheme will be extended beyond April means that businesses are
struggling to plan ahead and this will impact the amazing hospitality sector in Southwark in particular. The Government’s £2 billion kickstart scheme has not yet lived up to its name, with the Government claiming it has created 120,000 new jobs but less than 2,000 young people have started new roles so far. In Southwark, youth unemployment has tripled in the last year and DWP must get placements started quicker as I have raised on behalf of the Federation of Small Businesses in Parliament. I have also been supporting our cultural institutions. We are all proud of the cultural heritage we have in Southwark, including The Globe and Tate Modern, but all have been hard hit by the virus and closures. I was pleased to support many of the thirty local organisations granted a combined sum of over £6 million through the Culture Recovery Fund. Some businesses have been suffering in silence and more support is out there than it may seem. Southwark Business support can be contacted via: SouthwarkBusinessDesk@southwark.gov.uk
Unemployment has risen dramatically across Southwark and I fear that the closure of the furlough scheme will reveal more of the Brexit damage that has been masked so far within the wider challenges of covid. Obviously, Northern Ireland delivery issues and empty supermarket shelves have brutally exposed the ramshackle nature of the ‘oven-ready’ deal, some fish exports have collapsed and many local businesses tell me they are seeing delays, costs and new barriers to trade – and their physical exports were covered by the deal. Our usually thriving finance sector was ignored alongside 80% of the UK economy in the deal, and £1 trillion and 7,000 jobs are already estimated to have left the City by EY who are based locally at More London. Whether it is Brexit or covid, the pattern of behaviour emerging under Johnson’s Government is one of dither and delay, incoherent advice and last-minute decisions. This is despite his whopping majority but, sadly, it is our local economy and indeed the whole country that is paying the price for this abysmal approach.
‘Unemployment has risen dramatically across Southwark and I fear that the closure of the furlough scheme will reveal more of the Brexit damage that has been masked so far within the wider challenges of covid.’
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Remembering when...
Remembering when...
London was bombed from 1940 until 1941 which became known as the Blitz By Ken Hayes - Honorary Membership Secretary In 1940 when France had surrendered to Germany and the British Expeditionary Force had been evacuated from Dunkirk, Hitler wanted to gain air supremacy over Southern England before mounting an Invasion.
The Royal Air Force had become an independent part of the British Armed Services. It had built up itself in the inter-war period and now had three of the best fighter aircraft in the world, the Hawker, the Hurricane, and the Supermarine Spitfire. The battle between the Luftwaffe and the
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RAF took place between July and October 1940 known as the Battle of Britain and the courage and skill of the RAF pilots convinced Hitler to postpone the invasion of England. Instead, he concentrated on bombing London and other cities such as Liverpool and Birmingham.
Remembering when...
On 7th September 1940, the Luftwaffe increased their raids with an unbroken 57- day assault, with the RAF fighter pilots attacking them with great loss of planes and pilots on both sides. The courage and determination of the RAF fighter pilots slowed down the raids and this phase of the War was named the Battle of Britain. The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, commenting on the success of the RAF said.
Food was rationed and if your home was destroyed you had to move in with your relatives. The government built prefabricated houses and placed them on cleared bomb sites. These were designed to last for 10 years and some were still in use until the end of the 1990’s. As the War moved on the bombing was not as frequent in London. In December 1941, the USA joined the War1, following the bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese and they stationed their aircraft in England to join in the bombing of Germany. In 1944 the new V1 and V11 flying bombs were targeted on London.
“Never in the field of human conflict has been so much owed by so many to so few”. The population of London were alerted to the bombing raids by Air raid sirens and took shelter in Underground Stations, where they could wait until all clear was sounded. Disused tunnels were also used as shelters, as the old tunnels of the City and South London Railway under Borough High Street were. turned into shelters with beds and toilets.
On the 10th of July 1940 Luftwaffe German Bomber planes bombed the London docks the start of a campaign to bomb London and which continued until March 1941. This became known as the Blitz, from the German word Blitzkrieg, (lightning war). On that first day 337 tons of bombs were dropped in East and South East of London and killing 448 civilians.
People living in suburban houses were encouraged to build ‘Anderson Shelters’, (a curved sheet of corrugated iron over a hole dug in their gardens, with the soil piled on top). The bombings were widespread but were mainly aimed at the London Docks in East and South East London. The Rotherhithe and Bermondsey areas suffered huge damage and loss of life as they were highly populated. Coming out of a shelter in the morning after a bombing raid people might find their homes were destroyed.
The King and Queen insisted on staying i n London during the War and they visited the areas that had been bombed. The general population of London adopted a war time spirit of keeping calm and carrying on as best they could in extremely difficult and stressful times. It is estimated that 12000 metric tons of bombs were dropped on London during the Blitz and about 30,000 civilians were killed by enemy action which changed the landscape of the city unlike anything since the Great Fire of London in 1666. • People sheltering on the platform of Elephant and Castle Underground station
The bombing of London became widespread and not always on target. Some of the bombs would be dropped whether they were on target or not to enable the bombers to be able to return to their home bases.
“The population of London were alerted to the bombing raids by Air raid sirens and took shelter in Underground Stations, where they could wait until all clear was sounded.”
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Freedom Wellbeing
What’s the biggest problem people face working from home? If you had asked me that in April last year, it would’ve been the physical discomfort from suddenly having to work an eight hour day or longer, without what everyone now realises are the creature comforts of the adjustable office chair, nice big desk, monitor raised on an arm etc. However, as we’ve all pushed on nearly a year now, although musculoskeletal issues still make up the lions share of what I assess, mental and emotional wellbeing is rapidly catching up.
So, what are the key factors affecting homeworkers mental health?
This can vary obviously, but a big problem is the psychosocial impact of having no physical interaction with work colleagues. We are all glued to successive video meetings now, but it’s becoming apparent that not being able to talk to an actual physical person triggers stress, anxiety and even depression. Then in turn, mental anguish manifests into physical tension, causing back ache, neck pain, headaches, which distresses you even further. It’s a viscous circle. On top of that, people find they are staring at the same four walls day-in-day-out without suitable breaks that would help both mentally and physically.
What can be done to support this? From the individual’s point of view, develop good routines – • Regular breaks away from the screen. • Try to leave the house at least once a day for some exercise and fresh air. • Have a definitive cut-off between home and work, so you’re not constantly “on” checking emails etc. • Correct your home/work life balance. From an employer’s side – • Reduce the standard video meeting length, so backto-back meetings have a break in between to allow the opportunity for a period away from the screen. • If your organisation has an Employee Assist Programme (EAP), heavily promote it and hammer home the point that staff have someone they can talk to in confidence. • Introduce fun team building activities. Here’s a few examples - Step Challenges (www.movespring. com), Online Bake-Offs (www.essenceofcake.com), Trivia Nights (www.triviahublive.io/)
What is the essential equipment needed to stay healthy working from home? Depends on who you ask, but as 99.9% of us work from mobile devices, like laptops, tablets, hybrids, then the absolute minimum is a laptop/tablet stand with a separate keyboard & mouse. Having said that, I’ve assessed people living in a house share or a bedsit, so are confined to one room with no real surface to work from and are just sitting on the bed, an armchair, or even the floor. With these scenarios, the assessor will need to get creative to find the best possible solution.
Do you think ‘Working From Home’ will be a permanent fixture post-covid? I’m going out on a bit of a limb here, but personally, no. If you’d surveyed people anytime from the first lockdown to the end of summer last year, most would’ve said they plan to work from home as much as possible in the future – No travel costs, lie-ins, working in trackies, not sitting next to your boss, but the pendulum seems to be swinging the other way and people I speak to now miss the travel (to an extent), miss speaking to people, miss their ritual Starbucks in the morning. All-in-all, this forced mass-homeworking has made organisations realise it is possible and staff work just as hard at home, so they can now save money on real estate. Having said that, there would need to be an even bigger step-up financially & on an interpersonal level from employers to manage the increased pressure on mental wellbeing. So, I think companies will eventually encourage staff to come back to the offices at least on a 50/50 basis.
What’s the best advice you can give to homeworkers? Well, the last twelve months have given me the opportunity to analyse every possible scenario a homeworker can face. Looking at every homeworking assessment I’ve completed during and pre-pandemic, I’ve formed my ‘Five Pillars for Healthy & Productive Homeworking’. As it looks like I am running out of page, here is the abridged version. 1) Mimic the commute – Book-end your day with a 5/10min walk to have a definitive break between home & work. 2) Start as you mean to go on – Get your workstation setup correctly from the start, adjust the chair, raise the screen height, make sure the lighting is adequate etc. 3) Regular breaks – Get up and move at least once an hour to improve circulation and activate sedentary muscles. 4) 20/20/20 Rule – Every 20mins, take a 20sec break from the screen and look at something at least 20ft away. Refresh your eye muscle and adjust your focus. 5) Avoid Death By Video Call – Reduce the length of video meetings where possible, carry out as many meetings as you can via the phone, so you can be more mobile.
Simon Garcia is the owner of Freedom Wellbeing Inc, a corporate wellbeing consultancy, specialising in workplace assessments, ergonomics training, workplace mental health & safety and commercial mediation. With over ten years experience in this field, Simon has carried out innumerable workplace assessments, with over 1,000 homeworker assessments carried out since the start of the first lockdown in March 2020.
As I say, this is the abbreviated, but you can access and download for FREE the full ‘5 Pillars’ guidance at www.free-well.co.uk/resources
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New Members bodytonic clinic
The aches & pains of lockdown And 5 top tips on how to prevent them from occurring By Bethany Elliott-Hutton As allied health care professionals and key workers, the osteopaths and physiotherapists at bodytonic clinic have been able to continue providing hands-on treatment to the people of London. Since reopening the clinic has seen an influx of both new and returning patients requiring treatments for a range of different ailments. With many people working from home it is not surprising that there have been some recurring themes to people’s aches and pains so we share 3 common areas below:
extra load on the muscles on the back of our neck, resulting in the muscles having to work harder. Over a prolonged period of time this causes the muscles to fatigue and be overused, causing an array of symptoms including pain, restricted movements, shoulder pain as well as headaches.
Neck Pain - the first and most common area of complaint the physical therapists at bodytonic clinic have been seeing throughout the lockdown period, in particular neck muscle strain.
Low Back Pain - the second most common area of complaint is low back pain. It is estimated that 60% to 80% of the general population will experience an episode of low back pain in their lifetime.
Usually, a muscle strain is a result of overuse, improper use, or fatigue of a muscle. The biggest culprit for a neck muscle strain is poor posture! The phrase ‘tech neck’ refers to stressing the muscle of the neck due to using laptops, phones and technology. When we look down at our devices, this puts
The most common type of low back pain we have been seeing in the clinic is known as nonspecific low back pain. This is when low back pain is not due to any serious disease or back problem such as a disc prolapse. Usually, the cause is due to a muscle strain, or soft tissue,
or ligament injury. Everything from the mattress you sleep on, to the job you do can have a cumulative effect on the low back. Whether you are doing a lot of heavy lifting or sitting still for long periods of time, you may be putting unnecessary stress on your back. Wrist and Arm Pain - the third most common area of complaint has been pain in the wrist and arm commonly caused by repetitive strain injury to the muscles of the arm and wrist. Lockdown has meant people are working from home and as result, people are working longer hours. With all the extra typing and sitting it is not surprising that the wrists and arms are feeling the effects, especially when working on a makeshift desk at the kitchen or dining room table and in some cases from the sofa or bed.
So, what can you do to combat those annoying aches and pains? ● Adjust your home set-up. One way to combat aches and pains is to make sure you have your desk and computer set up correctly for your posture. Set the screen to eye level to prevent from looking down. Use a separate keyboard and mouse, take regular breaks from your desk so that you can give your body a rest, and help to reset your posture. ● Keep away from working on the sofa or the bed. Sitting upright in a chair with your feet flat on the ground and hips and knees at around 90 degrees is the best position to reduce strain and stressors through the spine. ● Change positions. Try taking phone calls standing up, this will give your body a rest from your sitting down posture. ● Keep active. Make the most of your daily exercise allowance and try to get outside in the fresh air every day. ● Visit bodytonic clinic. If your aches and pains are not going away the osteopaths and physiotherapists are on hand to help. Your initial consultation will consist of a thorough case history and examination followed by treatment. We will understand the root cause of your problem and develop a tailor-made treatment plan for you, along with advice on ways to adapt your working from home set-up, and provision of exercises to help reduce and manage your aches and pains.
For more information on how we can help you please feel free to contact bodytonic clinic at bodytonicclinic.co.uk and one of our team members will be happy to answer any of your questions. 10-11 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays Road, London, SE16 2XU.
0203 6060 490
bodytonicclinic.co.uk
32 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Canada Water, Stratford and Wapping
The Last Word
PLANNED EVENTS March 2021 to January 2022
We’ve designed our events to help you broaden your network, learn something new or get involved with key topical issues for businesses in Southwark. Our networking events are great for regular members to make and maintain useful contacts, and we always welcome first-timers. DATE March April May June July August September October November December January 2022
The Last Word Warren King Photographer Warren King Photography I studied photography at Berkshire College of Art & Design and have operated as a commercial photographer for the last 22 years. I originally worked in press and PR for various clients around the Greenwich area. My first break came with the Meridan magazine and stints with South London Press. I have also been the SE London Chamber of Commerce photographer for the last 20 years.
EVENT Bank of England talk on the economy macro and micro Annual General Meeting followed by Winning business in a diverse area Business and Education: The advantages of working together Southwark’s changing landscape Wellbeing in a challenging business environment Procurement Mayflower river boat trip
More recently I have been operating from Thames-side Studios in Woolwich, where I shoot headshots, portraits, products and artists’ work.
Subject to Covid-19 guidelines
What is the biggest challenge facing your business?
Apprenticeships: understanding the benefits to businesses Current Business Topics SBA Awards Networking: Making the most of it at the Palace of Westminster Social Media: Which platform(s) should your business be using?
Speakers and times for these events to be announced. For further details on all forthcoming events Email : admin@southwarkcommerce.com www.southwarkcommerce.com
I enjoy the variety that my job gives me and the opportunity to help businesses with their corporate image.
What was your first job, and what was the pay packet? Child: Paper round - About £3 a week Adult: Gym supervisor - £40 a week
What would you do with your last pound? Buy a stamp and post a letter to David Attenborough and the BBC Natural History Unit, to tell them how much joy and wonder they have given me with their documentaries.
People in business who don’t appreciate what a difference professional images can make to their brand and marketing.
If you were Prime Minister, what would be your first decision? Start the process to rejoin the European Union.
If you could do another job what would it be? Something to do with nutrition and physical exercise.
What book are you currently reading? About to start ‘Physical Intelligence’ - Claire Dale and Patricia Peyton(how to harness your body’s untapped intelligence to achieve more, stress less and live more happily).
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 33
Join Us
Join Us The Chamber is made up of active and successful business people from a wide range of sectors, who are based in Southwark, believe in Southwark and wish Southwark to prosper.
Making the most of your SCC membership Successfully helping Southwark Businesses for 95 Years
Our Committee Interim Chairman Peter Mantell and Richard Kalmar
Once you’ve joined us you have access to the opportunities we provide to help support you and your business. Whether you simply want to attend our networking events, run a seminar or sponsor or run an event, we’d love you to get involved. We like our members to make the most of their membership and get as involved as much as they can.
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Southwark Chamber of Commerce 169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW Tel : 07477 581977 Email : admin@southwarkcommerce.com www.SouthwarkCommerce.com Twitter : @southwarkcomm Facebook : southwarkcommerce
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