Southwark
BUSINESS TODAY
Issue 34: June 2021
THE ECLECTIC ENTREPRENEUR Charles Tyler of Paladar Restaurant
• Skills London South Bank University (LSBU) supporting the local business community. Page 10
• Economy Job market remains resilient. Page 20
Page 18
• Remembering when... Dr Alfred Salter and his wife Ada settled in poverty stricken Bermondsey. Page 24
Join an international, award-winning university business school with a reputation for a holistic approach to your personal development and career ambitions. Applied, professional, accredited programmes in: • Accounting • Finance • Business • Economics • Marketing Full-time and part-time courses including apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees starting in January and September. Find out more and register for an Open Day: lsbu.ac.uk/opendays
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Welcome
Contents
Welcome to
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
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The Southwark Chamber of Commerce magazine for all businesses in Southwark. It is my pleasure to introduce myself as the new chair of Southwark Chamber of Commerce, I am honoured to be elected to this role and I will endeavour to ensure that the chamber is an advocate for all businesses within the borough. My background is firmly rooted in business, having worked in accounting roles and led training courses. For the past 16 years I been in education, supporting the next generation professionals in all avenues of business; accounting, economics, marketing, and management. I am currently the dean of LSBU Business School, with course provision and business support options in Southwark and Croydon. Our focus is on being a civic university and I’m delighted to be part of our local business community with Southwark Chamber of Commerce.
Looking to the future
Therefore, we know we need to change to ensure that we truly represent our society. We will actively seek to increase diversity across the chamber, in all of its forms.
Representing you To ensure that we are doing the right thing, we need you to be on the journey with us; we need to understand what you require so that we can provide the service that you want. We need to hear your voice and act upon it accordingly. To this aim, in the next few months, the executive team will be reaching out to the local business community to tap into your knowledge and experience. We will find out what support you need and the information you provide will feed into our action planning. In addition, if you would like to get more involved with the workings of the chamber or feed into our action planning sooner, I would love to hear from you. Please do get in touch with me via my contact details below. In the meantime, we do have a great programme of events planned for you and it would be great to meet you at some of these and get to know you better! I look forward to working with you.
As we come out of COVID and we look to the future, the chamber will provide members with transformative opportunities for knowledge exchange, education, and business promotion to support a thriving and sustainable business community. We aspire to provide a step change in our provision.
Best wishes,
Furthermore, we believe in the value of a diverse team. We recognise that the key to our success is that our membership and executive are reflective of our local community.
Sarah Moore-Williams FCCA., MSc., PGCHE Dean of London South Bank University Business School, Chair, Southwark Chamber of Commerce Limited e: moorewis@lsbu.ac.uk
4 Legal 5-6 Up Front 8-12 Skills 13 Southwark Business Awards 14-15 British Land 16 Technology 18-19 Big Interview 20-21 Economy 22-23 Construction 24-25 Remembering When… 26 Welcome to new members 27 Voice from Westminster 28-32 Health & Wellbeing 33 Chamber Events 33 Last Word 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
June 2021 © Benham Publishing
Advertising and Features
Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com
Studio
Mark Etherington Email: mark@benhampublishing.com Media No.1828
Cover photo by Helen Maybanks 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
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.
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 3
Legal Advice
Can a periodic business tenant in occupation of premises obtain SHARE BUYBACKS a- lease from their landlord? how to buy out a 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.
Shareholder
Alan Zeffertt Consultant
the company • be reducing the will be When director/shareholder in alease, SME perhapsAinshare a new lease, the tenant orderbuyback to grow is whereresolve You maya have been paying rent the dispute which could besubstantially wants it for is preferable forortheir sell your business, youthe willshares not monthlyto or leave, quarterly some purchases at an agreed price. unsatisfactory to both parties and able to a new and lease on shareholding byobtain over 25%; be on theto landlord years, but landlord has company still the uncertaintly of a court case terms to be agreed or if not shares toyour be sold to the orable to serve In order do this, company law rules must • hold under 30% of the issued share notice underbe section 26 of the not given you a fixed term lease. whoa will could be avoided by agreeing agreed as determined by the the remaining shareholder/s followed otherwise the directors can be capital. court. Accordingly the landlord 1954 Act requesting a new lease. What can you do to force the upon lease terms. continue to run the business. found liable for breach of their duties and The right to do this only applies landlord’s hand? cannot simply impose any terms Onetax way in which the landlord HMRC can deny concessions condition is and thatthe thecourt buyback must to tenants whose tenancy was favourable it wishes will look can regularise the position isAnother to The shareholders will usually ask the Rights under a periodic granted for a fixed term certain for the shareholder. be for the benefit of the company’s trade at the implied terms of the periodic serve a written notice under company’s tenancy accountant to advise on the exceeding one year or for any tenancy when what section 25 of the 1954 Act (or to pay inheritance taxconsidering from a death). value of the a price has term and thereafter Funding foryear the transaction must come from from It is likely thatshares. you areOnce a periodic terminating the tenancy andIn order to terms should be these inserted in the check whether conditions been thehave question theyear. tenantagreed, and if you been isinwhether to the company which muststating have sufficient whether or not the landlord new lease. occupationwill of business willand be satisfied, it is usually advisable to company buy backpremises the shares, or So thewhat should the tenant do? distributable reserves to is fund the to share willing grant a new lease The landlord is therefore likely to paying rent for more than remaining shareholder/s? apply for advance clearance that so on what terms including rent to HMRC buyback. If the funds areif not paid from Negotiate with your be agreeable to grant a lease to 12 months, you will have become and length of lease. the buyback will qualify for capital gains distributable reserves, liabilities can arise. a periodic tenant especially since landlord a protected business with Selling shares to thetenant remaining If the landlord opposes the tax grant treatment. Funds tenant can come from retained profits or it cannot increase the rent without the rights granted by the Landlord A periodic protected should shareholder/s is simpler than a company of a new lease, then it may only first terminating the lease under & Tenant Act 1954 Part 11. positionortoborrowings. negotiate share buyback, but there may be tax be in a strongcapital
Companythelaw As such the landlord cannot Act, procedures and the position will a new lease with the landlord who benefits in structuring the deal in the statute, most commonly issuesthe simply terminate your lease by as a would be keenTax remain uncertain. to regularise refusal on the grounds of The main company law requirements to be company giving youbuyback. one month’s notice. position. Without a lease, the Taking legal persistent rent ablewith for If a shareholder sells their shares to thearrears, being dealt a buyback ofadvice shares include: landlord cannot unilaterally It would need to serve you with Share sale or share buyback? to demonstrate It is best to seek legal advice first company, then the the shareholder may be an intention to increase the rent, or regulate a statutory notice under the 1954 • A contract for the share terms buyback thethe premises for its own before finalising in principle charged profit on use of the premises or income prevent tax. Theoccupy Act giving yousale, not less 6 nor With a share the than selling shareholder use or an intention to redevelop. between the Seller and the with your landlord toCompany. ensure that the tenant from sharing more than 12 notice and sale is treated like a dividend. However, in will simply sellmonths’ to the purchasing the terms of the new are not The landlord must demonstrate occupation or certain assigning its you will then have the right to • Board minutes to approve thelease share the shareholder may shareholder for the price. Thistenancy. could It is unlikely circumstances, the ability to do these things if onerous and reflect the terms of that the apply to the court foragreed a new lease buybackyour and existing paymentoral fortenancy. the shares. charged tax. be lumptosum payable completioinlandlord or by producing plans and Where couldbe easily sell itscapital gains necessary on a terms be agreed oron decided specifications and the necessary in the property while structured a payment over a periodinterest of there is a dispute with the landlord upon by theascourt. • Directors statement where payment The requirements for HMRC to treat the planning permissions. This can a protected periodic tenant thecapital. landlord is taking steps to time, or could be linked is made and out of Can you require the to future profits share buyback are that the for a landlord to it difficult contiuues in occupation for anas capitalmake terminate the tenancy without of the company, as an earn out. Funding landlord to grant a new seller must: regain possession. indefinite period. • A resolution of the shareholders. offering acceptable new lease will come from the purchaser and if the lease? terms, form it willtransferring be importantthe to seek If the tenant5 is a protected • Stock transfer With oral tenancy agreements if • have owned the shares for over years; purchaser is an existing shareholder, their legal advice as to your rights and business tenant and the landlord If the time has come that you a dispute arises the court would individual shareholding will increase. • be selling all their shareholding; or grounds to oppose shares. how to protect your position. does not have need the certainty of a fixed term need to hear evidence and try to refuse on certain grounds set out
expertlegal commercial solicitors will be pleased to advise. Please contact Alan Zeffertt IfOur youteam needofexpert advice, please contact Alan Zeffertt by email on aze@anthonygold.co.uk if you would like assistance: E: alan.zeffertt@anthonygold.co.uk T: 020 7940 3950 or ask for him or a member of our Commercial Property Team, telephone 020 7940 4000.
Anthony Gold Solicitors specialise in many different areas of law Our solicitors are experts in their fields. We are negotiators and litigators,
committed to doing whatever is best for our clients.
T: 020 7940 4060
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Southwark BUSINESSTODAY TODAY Southwark BUSINESS
Offices in London Bridge, Elephant & Castle and Streatham.
E: mail@anthonygold.co.uk
W: www.anthonygold.co.uk
Up Front
£6m campaign to bring people into London
London’s recovery “hinges on high streets”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced a £6 million investment to support the re-opening of London’s economy as COVID restrictions are lifted.
The local economic recovery could “hinge on high streets” and a London High Streets Board should be put together to set out plans for the capital’s reopening, according to a new report from the London Assembly Economy Committee.
Around £5 million has been earmarked to support the eventual reopening of central London, including a new campaign to attract visitors and tourists back into the capital later this year.
Two thirds of Londoners live within a five-minute walk of one of London’s 1,204 high streets. The assembly’s report highlights that without the boosting of high street business, a slow economic recovery is far more likely.
A further £1 million will be spent on attracting people from across the UK to visit the capital postlockdown, which will be vital for the recovery of hard-hit retail, hospitality and cultural venues. Working with the business community, new initiatives will be brought forward to encourage Londoners and tourists from around the UK back into central London. These are likely to include major
events that showcase central London’s public spaces and cultural riches. The money could also be spent on helping local businesses to put in place more al-fresco dining to enable hospitality venues to reopen successfully post-lockdown. The announcement comes as a new report lays bare the full extent of the challenges facing central London’s economy. Conducted by Arup with Gerald Eve and the London School of Economics, the report says that if home-working remains the norm for office workers and no further action is taken, this could lead to an estimated 86,000 fewer jobs
within the Central Activities Zone (CAZ) by 2031, with job losses in retail, food and culture. The economy of London could contract by £36bn by 2031, the study says – a significant hit to the UK economy. Sadiq Khan said: “Central London is the engine of the UK’s economy. There simply won’t be a national economic recovery from COVID unless all levels of government realise the crucial importance of protecting central London’s unique eco-system of shops, hospitality and world-leading cultural venues. That’s why I’m investing £6 million directly in attracting people back into London once COVID restrictions are lifted.”
Dame Judy Dench becomes patron of Salter Centenary Project
Renowned actress Dame Judy Dench has agreed to become the patron of an initiative that celebrates the work of two iconic figures in Southwark’s proud history. The Salter Centenary Project was launched to commemorate the lives of Ada and Alfred Salter, who devoted their lives to helping others and improving the lives of people in the borough. Next year will be the centenary of Ada Salter becoming Mayor of Bermondsey and Dr Alfred Salter becoming MP. Local residents are getting together to celebrate the Salter legacy and carry their inspiration forward. A range of exciting celebrations are planned for the weekend of 10-11 September 2022. Sheila Taylor of the Salter Centenary Project said: “We are delighted that Dame Judy is supporting this worthwhile campaign. It will really help us to showcase the centenary celebrations and the
work of two such important people in Southwark’s history. “Dame Judy is a Quaker like the Salters and in 2013 she helped to fund the statue of Ada on the riverfront. Like Ada, she’s an enthusiastic environmentalist, and it’s a great honour to have her support. “The Salters devoted their lives to work in three key areas: environment, housing and public health. Their vision was ahead of their time and is desperately relevant for the future of our world. We aim to create a weekend of events in the spirit of Ada and Alfred!” Ada was the first female councillor to be elected in Bermondsey in 1909 and eleven years later was elected mayor of the area, making her the first female mayor in the capital.
A social reformer, politician and environmentalist, she became a key figure in the Bermondsey Uprising – a strike which saw thousands of women march against appalling pay and working conditions. In addition, she embarked on a mission to make Bermondsey a more attractive place in which to live, bringing trees, parks and playgrounds to the area. Dr Alfred Salter was a Bermondsey GP who devoted his career to improving the health of local people. Born in Greenwich in 1873, he became the youngest person to study medicine at Guy’s Hospital at the age of just 16. He was also a politician, reformer and peace campaigner who served on Bermondsey and London councils, and was elected Labour MP for Bermondsey in 1922.
Londoners have rediscovered the benefits of having handy shops just a walk or cycle away, with a friendly face behind the counter. Businesses have had to adapt to meet customer and safety needs, developing online shopping offers or click-and-collect options. The London Assembly said now is the time to develop detailed plans, with the government’s economic roadmap to recovery well underway. The assembly has put forward five key solutions to support high street recovery. These include the establishment of a London High Streets Board to analyse threats such as COVID-19 and help shape an economic bounce-back. Under the assembly’s plans, the board would prioritise lobbying for business rates reforms and levelling the tax playing field between online and in-person companies. Increased financial support for business improvement districts and strategies for tackling vacant premises and driving footfall to local high streets have also been highlighted in the proposals. Leonie Cooper AM, chair of the London Assembly Economy Committee, said: “London’s recovery will partly hinge on its many local high streets. Before COVID-19 hit the city’s economy, there were 127,715 local businesses open in the capital’s neighbourhoods – about a quarter of the city’s commercial makeup. “It’s time to reap the rewards of reopening by doing it right and setting up a London High Streets Board. Getting this right will really allow us to build back local and build back better, fit for the new, more local future.”
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 5
Up Front
New musical mural for Camberwell The Peckham Road entrance to Camberwell has a new piano keyboard mural. Inscribed on the wall of 36 Peckham Road, the mural is inspired by the history of the Piano Factory building. Constructed at the turn of the last century, the building was used as an ammunition factory during World War 1 before becoming the Piano Factory, retaining its name when it was converted into apartments in the 1990s. A QR code will be added to the mural soon, offering a short history of music in Camberwell. It will play clips such as the Basement Jaxx track “I live in Camberwell” and Mendelssohn’s Spring Song, which is also known as Camberwell Green as he composed it while staying there in 1833. The mural was painted by artist Lionel Stanhope after consultation with Piano Factory residents and the 23rd Camberwell Scouts Group. It was funded through a crowdfunding campaign which raised more than £1,000. The balance of £500 was contributed by the Camberwell Society. Kelly Blaney, chair of the Camberwell Identity Group which organised the crowdfunding campaign, said: “Camberwell Murals is part of building the buzz around Camberwell. It encourages people to explore more of our diverse area and attracts new customers for our local businesses.” Camberwell Murals is part of the Camberwell Identity project run by SE5 Forum, Camberwell Society and Camberwell Arts in partnership with the local community and businesses. The aim of the murals is to highlight Camberwell’s unique identity and make everyone feel proud of it. The identity group has already successfully installed three murals: one on the Camberwell New Road entrance to Camberwell, one at Denmark Hill station, and another on Wren Road at Butterfly Walk.
Council awards £370,000 to community organisations Voluntary organisations which bring together Southwark’s diverse communities and help people affected by the COVID pandemic have received a £370,000 cash boost. Southwark Council has awarded the money to 16 organisations to help them tackle social isolation, build skills and promote a greener borough. Some of the money is being diverted to causes that support vulnerable individuals, such as those who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. One of the grant recipients, Walworth Golden Oldies, is a charity that supports older people from the Windrush generation. The funding will be used to help these people access health services, healthy living information and other resources online. Russell Profitt MBE, chair of Walworth Golden Oldies, said: “This grant is literally a lifesaver for our elderly black, Asian and minority ethnic users. It’s particularly welcome at this time, as it will help us expand our efforts to help improve digital skills of local elderly residents. It’s critically important
that elderly people are not left behind in the relentless rush to make everything digital.” Educational charity Global Generation was awarded a grant for its Paper Garden initiative, which encourages local young people to volunteer, learn from nature, and share their ideas about the rapidly changing areas of Canada Water. Emma Trueman, Paper Garden manager at Global Generation, said: “Thanks to the grant, we’re able to offer 60 free spaces to local young people on our Paper Garden youth programme. Young people will look at how they can take positive action to improve their communities, learning about environmental social justice and how to look after their mental and physical health along the way. “The project gives them the chance to work with local groups and businesses, get creative and develop important skills to take with them through school and employment.”
“This grant is literally a lifesaver for our elderly black, Asian and minority ethnic users. It’s particularly welcome at this time, as it will help us expand our efforts to help improve digital skills of local elderly residents.”
Bermondsey housing scheme gets green light Southwark Council’s plans to build 49 new council homes, two new playgrounds and an outdoor gym at Rennie Estate in Bermondsey have been granted planning permission. Twelve of the new homes will be family-sized, three and fourbedroom properties, providing much-needed accommodation for local families in the area. The development forms part of Southwark’s ambitious New Homes Programme, which is building 11,000 new council homes across the borough by 2043 to tackle the housing crisis locally. The council is looking at innovative ways to build new council homes, such as converting garages and disused areas across the borough. The development will see two new playgrounds built on Rennie Estate, one for under-fives and one for
6 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
older children, as well as a new outdoor gym for adults. The plans also include the creation of a new communal amenity space, and landscape improvements between Trevithick House and the new buildings. In line with the council’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2030, the new development will use air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water for the buildings. This sustainable heating system absorbs heat from the outside air instead of burning fossil fuels, meaning fewer carbon emissions and lower costs for residents.
Councillor Stephanie Cryan, cabinet member for council housing, said: “I’m thrilled this development now has planning permission and will be going ahead. These new homes will be perfect for local people in housing need in the borough, providing the safe, secure homes they desperately need. “I know that adults and children living on Rennie Estate will be delighted with the new playgrounds, gym and other improvements we’ll be making there.” Works are due to start on site in winter 2021 and the development is expected to be completed by winter 2023.
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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.
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 7
Skills
BOOSTING SKILLS is the route to economic recovery Last month Amazon took the unusual step of announcing a multi-million-pound training programme to upskill staff who are looking to leave the company to explore a new career. 8 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Skills
Up to 5,000 new staff will be offered training as part of Amazon’s Career Choice programme, where the company pays course fees for its employees who’ve expressed an interest in pursuing a career outside of the company something that’s designed to boost the skills and employability of British workers. The move comes after a major new report called for a root and branch reform of the UK’s training system to help businesses access the skills they need to boost industry productivity – and help get the UK economy back on track after the COVID pandemic. The report from the Workplace Training and Development Commission (WTDC), which was established by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and indeed, identifies solutions to a series of obstacles for employers in using the current skills system, including issues of complexity, cost and inflexibility.
It provides a series of recommendations including: • help for smaller firms to identify and invest in the skills needs of their workforce • more bite-sized, flexible learning which supports people in work to gain new skills faster • a greater say for businesses on what type of skills training is needed at the local level • better support for people to retrain and move into higher earning roles • a renewed focus on digital skills and innovation All of this is important in the context of the COVID pandemic, which has seen businesses lay off or furlough staff in their thousands. Those who’ve been affected have had plenty of time to mull over their options. Some have launched a new business venture; others have decided to embark on a new career. The problem for many of those in the latter camp is that they don’t have the skills to break into their chosen line of work – a point hinted at by Jane Boardman, chair of the WTDC. She said: “The problem of skills shortages has long hampered the UK economy, leaving employers struggling to fill job vacancies and raise productivity.
The workplace is rapidly becoming more digital and automated, so businesses need more people with the technical skills for these changing jobs. But too often employers cannot access the training they need and, as a result, are spending less and less on training each year. “The impact of the pandemic has made investing in adult skills more important than ever. Employers need a more joinedup and flexible system that can respond quickly to skills needs and opportunities. “The last year has seen the economy placed under the greatest strain it has experienced in decades and the full impact on employment and growth has yet to be seen. As businesses rebuild and respond to the challenges ahead, a more agile skills training system will be crucial.” The UK government is trying to build a more agile training system through its Lifetime Skills Guarantee, which will give every adult access to a flexible loan for higher-level education and training at university or college, useable at any point in their lives. This will build on the extensive action already underway to revolutionise the skills and training offer across the country, including the introduction of new T-level courses and access to free, job-relevant “bootcamp” courses.
“Coming out of one of the worst economic crises this country has ever faced, with the dual impact of Brexit and COVID, it is crucial to get people into work. Here in London the mayor has stepped up, committing £318 million extra to the adult education budget to help, including £38 million towards a Good Work Fund to equip Londoners with the skills they need to secure jobs in health and social care, creative work and digital employment.” Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 9
Skills Skills
SUPPORTING our local business community As a civic university, London South Bank University (LSBU) is keen to support the education of professionals – and also to provide support to our local business community. LSBU Business School runs a series of events open to the public, and also offers tailored options through our Business Solutions Centre and Consultancy programmes. 10 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Business Solutions Centre Run by students of LSBU Business School and overseen by our university professional and academic staff, our Business Solutions Centre offers a free drop-in service to local businesses. A trained team of Student Advisers can help your business with advice on areas including small business accounting, marketing, social media and IT solutions.
How does it work? A consultation from the Centre is free and easy to arrange. After completing a registration and initial questions, our advisers will discuss your case and present you with solutions. These may be in a written report, a workshop, or a hands-on, practical Clinic group session where you’ll have a chance to gain practical insights and one-to-one support. These are a great way for businesses to benefit from the skill of our students, whilst giving our students the practical experience they are looking for.
Find out more To register or find out more, please visit lsbu.ac.uk/bsc
Skills Skills How do I get consultancy? If you would like support for your business, organisation or yourself, please contact the named expert directly to discuss options: further details on staff and their contact details are available by clicking their name. The length and cost of consultancy varies depending on your needs.
What areas of consultancy are covered? At LSBU, our London Centre for Business and Entrepreneurship Research (LCBER) members have experience in working with practitioners across a wide range of sectors. We focus on three main aspects of business life: Leading people, teams and organisations; Digital transformation and Marketing.
• Knowledge management: Supporting organisations, leaders and employees in effectively sharing knowledge and information, and strategically developing and retaining core expertise, both online and face to face. [Prof Karin Moser]
Leading People, Teams and Organisations • Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI): Supporting organisations to develop inclusive cultures, effective EDI management practices and to build a strategic approach to EDI. [Dr Aidan McKearney]
Digital Transformation
• Employee participation in decisionmaking: Supporting organisations to create, implement and improve participative management practices aimed at increasing employee participation in organisational decisionmaking. Experience with SMEs and start-ups. [Dr Rea Prouska]
CONSULTANCY We’re excited to be launching a range of consultancy options for businesses. Our highly skilled academic team have a huge knowledge base, which they’re keen to share with individuals or companies of any size to solve business challenges. Rea Prouska, Academic Lead for LSBU Business School Consultancy says “there are a myriad of challenges modern businesses are facing – both as a result of COVID, and also outside of this. Through the skills of our academics, we aim to work in partnership with businesses and individuals to overcome these obstacles”.
• Emotional intelligence: Supporting business owners, managers and employees to develop self and social awareness to improve their communication and relationships with colleagues. [Dr John Opute] • Multicultural teams: Supporting organisations with global teams working across cultures to increase their effectiveness. [Prof Karin Moser; Dr May Tungtakanpoung] • Project management: Supporting organisations to set up a Project Management Office (PMO) or a Project Management Centre of Excellence, and to help such organisations detect early warning signs in projects to increase project success. Experience with project-based organisations (PBOs). [Dr Sara Hajikazemi]
• Remote working and leading: Supporting organisations, leaders and employees in effectively managing virtual work while maintaining a healthy and productive work culture. [Prof Karin Moser] • Data management: Supporting organisations with digital transformation, value extraction from data, and with financial advice in planning debts/investment positions. [Dr Valerio Ficcadenti]
Marketing • Marketing communications: Supporting organisations to effectively communicate with their consumers. [Dr Barbara Czarnecka] • Digital marketing strategies: Supporting organisations to develop lowcost, high-value tools which can be used strategically to promote their business. Experience with SMEs and start-ups. [Dr Emily Ngan] • Social media marketing strategies: Supporting organisations to create and implement social media marketing strategies especially for Instagram/ Facebook. Experience with SMEs and start-ups. [Dr Rana Tajvidi]
Find out more For further information and contact details for the academic leads above, please visit lsbu.ac.uk/consultancy
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 11
Skills Skills
What motivates people to become a leader? “I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.”
That was the view on leadership of famed US political activist Ralph Nader, who led several consumer and environmental campaigning groups to change the Federal law many times. But for many organisations finding these potential leaders among their ranks is a complex and problematic task. Those who choose to become leaders are not always the ones who should become leaders, while there is large pool of people who want to lead but don’t see themselves able to lead, yet they might be excellent candidates. Then there are those who don’t want to lead and don’t see themselves as a leader but may be or become a very effective leader – women are stereotypically in this category. So finding potential leaders among this complex array of groups is a difficult task, especially as popular images of the charismatic, heroic and strong leader that perpetuate film, newspapers and magazines may not be the ideal type or might appear unreachable to potential leadership candidates. Meanwhile, leadership development training, books and blogs tend to tell people they need to be a certain way; that they may need certain characteristics to become a leader, often by portraying the ideal leader. So there is this assumption that it is only people with these characteristics, like being charismatic, intelligent or dynamic that should put themselves forward to lead. This may make it even more unlikely that some
suitable candidates put themselves forward. And yet research has found 40% of workers have experienced bad leaders. We examined what happens when people compare themselves to typical (as opposed to ideal) leaders and how that affects their sense of ability and motivation to lead. We found that if employees feel their characteristics are congruent with the typical leader in their organisation, they feel more able and motivated to become a leader. By comparing themselves to an organisation’s typical leader rather than an ideal leader also means they can perceive themselves to be “better” in certain attributes, such as intelligence, making it more likely they see themselves as leadership material. When somebody feels like they match or are better than the leadership images they see around them they are more motivated to keep persisting in their attempt to become a leader, showing the determination that can help them stand out in their organisation as a potential leader. For companies, this can be an important discovery, as by clearly communicating the
characteristics they are looking for in leaders, people who identify with them will come forward as potential leaders, rather than those who associate with the popular stereotype of the ideal and sometimes perfect leader portrayed in the media.
cleverness, dynamism and manipulation. The survey asked them to rate a typical leader on these dimensions, then rate themselves on the same dimensions. We further measured individual’s perceived ability and motivation to lead.
This theory was backed up by our research, which instead of focusing on people’s image of the ideal or an effective leader, we asked that they characterise the typical leader. Thus, being dynamic might be a trait of an ideal leader but if people do not see dynamism in the typical leader at their organisation and they don’t perceive themselves to be dynamic it is not going to put them off striving to become a leader.
The results showed that when people saw themselves as dynamic and having integrity, just like the typical leaders they have encountered, then they were more motivated to become leaders themselves. We also found that when employees saw themselves as having more integrity and being cleverer than a typical boss, then they were also more likely to want to become a leader. There were no circumstances where perceiving their leaders as manipulative or seeing themselves as being manipulative inspired people to become a leader.
So, rather than the particular characteristics of a leader being important, it is employees’ congruence – whether the perception of their own characteristics overlap with that of an organisation’s typical leader – that is the deciding factor in motivating them to become a leader. We surveyed 497 employees twice, 56% male and 44% female, three weeks apart, and identified four common dimensions of leadership, which were: integrity,
“The results showed that when people saw themselves as dynamic and having integrity, just like the typical leaders they have encountered, then they were more motivated to become leaders themselves.”
Executive Leadership Programmes Warwick Business School’s Executive Diplomas are designed for a senior executive audience who are looking to address a specific challenge they are facing – such as digital disruption, managing change, leading strategically and driving innovation. Delivered at WBS’ London base at The Shard, over four four-day modules, the Diplomas provide a deep dive into a particular subject matter, with a typical day involving interactive classroom sessions, break-out work in groups and case study material.
Find out more by visiting www.wbs.ac.uk/go/diplomas
12 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
So for people to be motivated to lead we can’t just look at employees’ characteristics or how they rate themselves in terms of their leadership credentials. Organisations need to see the context of how employees perceive the leaders in the company. Thus, communicating what characteristics an organisation wants from their leaders is important in persuading the right type of people to come forward. By projecting these leadership values and embedding them into the company’s culture organisations will be able to attract the type of leaders it needs.
The Southwark Business Resilience Awards 2021 This year’s incarnation of the borough’s prestigious Southwark Business Excellence Awards launches with an online event on Wednesday, June 23.
The reinvention of the hugely popular awards programme – in association with long-time partner London South Bank University - reflects the challenges and opportunities that businesses have faced during the pandemic and acknowledges how they have adapted and innovated to ensure they survive through lockdown.
Categories include:
The awards – featuring the strapline ‘We are stronger together’ - are organised by White Label on behalf of Southwark Chamber of Commerce and Southwark Council. They are run in partnership with London South Bank University and sponsors include high-profile companies invested in the borough of Southwark including British Land, Elephant and Castle Town Centre, Landsec and Lendlease.
• Outstanding Team Award
They are designed to appeal to every type and size of enterprise from start-ups to SME’s and large corporates. White Label Head of Events, Julie Leggatt, said: “Our usual campaign which recognises highly-successful and high-achieving businesses and individuals culminates in a black-tie Gala Ball with dinner and dancing. Given the impact COVID-19 has had on both businesses and communities, this didn’t feel quite right for 2021 – although we do anticipate that with lockdown restrictions lifting, we will return to our usual glitz and glamour next year. “Many businesses have thrived in 2020/21 despite the pandemic, perhaps through creatively adapting their business model, while others have showed remarkable grit and ingenuity to keep going, or when forced to close have channelled their resources to support others who have been adversely affected by the pandemic. We wanted to recognise this spirit of resilience, innovation and charitableness found in abundance in Southwark businesses.” Businesses can apply for up to two, free-to-enter categories via the Southwark Business Resilience Awards website from June 23.
Using football as a way to bring young people together, Peace Ballers uses mentoring to develop enterprising skills in young people.
• COVID-19 Business Resilience Award • Business Pivot Award • Sustainable Green Investment Award • Local Lockdown Hero • Community Collaboration in Response to Covid-19 • COVID-19 Start Up • Young Person’s Contribution • COVID-19 Business Commitment to Education, Training & Skills After the closing date for entries, a list of finalists will be drawn up for a public vote. The Awards winners – including the overall Southwark Business of the Year – will be exclusively announced at a Virtual Awards Ceremony. Last year, as lockdown meant all major events were cancelled, the awards presentation moved online. Held in November, the Virtual Awards Ceremony saw more than 190 hopefuls and their friends, family and colleagues log in to watch the awards evening, hosted by award-winning broadcaster Fayon Dixon. The event was hailed a great success with participants dressing in formal evening wear, enjoying their drinks and nibbles via Zoom, as they listened with anticipation to the winners’ names being called. A total of 11 categories were decided on the evening, including the prestigious Southwark Business of the Year Award, which was won by Peace Ballers. Zion Zachary, who set up the football enterprise in May 2019, also won Entrepreneur of the Year for his role in mentoring young people to tackle youth crime in the borough.
Zion said: “I am personally very touched to have been recognised as a winner, and am totally blown away. This really has been an amazing year for us. We are in the events sector, and had to shut down, but we are problem-solvers so put our efforts into creating our online events solution. I didn’t launch my own business when I was younger as I wanted to be ready, and I have learned so much. I am elated by the recognition.” Sarah Moore-Williams, Dean, School of Business at LSBU, said: LSBU Business School is very proud to support the Southwark Business Awards for the third year in a row. Our commitment to this initiative is recognition of the importance of business sustainability for our local community. The past eighteen months have been hard. As we come out of COVID, we need to celebrate our resilience, regroup to move forward as one, supporting each other as we go to create a better life for us all. These awards give thanks for all we have done and a bridge to look forward to an exciting future, we are very proud to support them.”
The breakfast-time Southwark Business Resilience Awards 2021 launch runs from 8:30am-9:30am. Businesses from across the borough of Southwark are invited to join the virtual event to recognise the resilience of businesses in the borough, share information on this year’s awards programme and enjoy networking with other attendees. Follow the awards on social media @southwarkawards To register for your free place, visit www.southwarkawards.co.uk
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 13
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 Team As I am sure you have noticed, a lot has been going on recently. You have probably seen hoardings going up in the area and construction vehicles on Quebec Way and outside of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. We are sorry for any disturbance this may have caused - although we hope you will be pleased with the results. Last year, Southwark Council gave their unanimous approval for the Canada Water development (known as Canada Water Masterplan) which covers an area about the same size as 29 football pitches. The plans are being brought forward as a partnership between British Land, Southwark Council and the people who live and work here in SE16. Over 5,000 local people gave us their feedback to help shape these plans. Approval was given to create a new town centre for Southwark, including shops, restaurants, bars, offices and community and leisure facilities. There will also be new homes and public open spaces, including a new park and a town square. As you can imagine, this will take some time - but we want to reassure you that we are here for the long-term.
Engineering the future of Canada Water
be coming forward as part of the development. In the last year, Global Generation have involved over 1,100 people in the area including children from Redriff and Albion Primary schools and local families.
We are thrilled to announce that this summer, TEDI-London will be moving to a new campus off Quebec Way. Co-founded by three universities (Arizona State University, King’s College London and the University of New South Wales in Sydney), TEDI-London’s aim is to transform engineering higher education.
To learn more about Global Generation and the work they do, please visit: www.globalgeneration.org.uk
Supporting disadvantaged people to start businesses that THRIVE
One of the ways they do this is by diversifying the range of people studying and entering the profession. They have already begun working with a range of local partners and are offering sponsored places for Southwark residents so that TEDI-London will be accessible to those from the local area. The modular design of the new campus means it is mainly being built off-site to minimise disruption to people living in the area. The first modular buildings arrived on site a few weeks ago, and the campus is due to be completed in the summer.
Up until now, most of the work being done by the team has involved planning, designing, and getting various sites ready for construction. We have now entered an exciting new chapter where we can begin to deliver on the promises, we have made to the people who live here.
More details including job opportunities and information on bursaries can be found at: tedi-london.ac.uk
Clearly, it has been a difficult year or more for everyone in so many ways. Covid-19 has placed a huge amount of pressure on us all. Although things are still difficult, and we might not be able to meet people in person, we are still committed to engaging with the community as we work up detailed plans for certain parts of the development.
We have a longstanding relationship with the charity Global Generation - and have recently identified a new, more permanent home for them as part of the TEDI-London Innovation Hub near Printworks on Quebec Way. Moving into this new space will allow Global Generation to continue to provide educational workshops and classes for local young people and families aimed at enhancing their connection to the natural world and their local environment.
To get up to date information, please visit us at: canadawatermasterplan.com. We believe in working in partnership with local charities and community groups – and supporting projects that benefit local people. We have included some local news and updates below.
Giving young people space to grow
As part of this, Global Generation will be working with local school children to get them involved in shaping elements of the public spaces that will
We have been working with Tree Shepherd, a social enterprise that helps disadvantaged people across London reach their full potential and start their own business. They run THRIVE, a workspace in Surrey Quays Leisure Park that provides low-cost private space for local start-up businesses whose owners live in SE16. It is home to a number of exciting businesses including Strongmans Tipple, Queen Quashi and Repercia Therapeutic Counselling Services. In June, the charity launches a free Start Your Own Enterprise course for unemployed, low paid and local SE16 residents. It will be led by experienced tutors and business advisors, providing advice on all the steps needed to start a business. Sandra Ferguson, CEO of Tree Shepherd said: “We want to show people, especially the unemployed, that they can realise their dreams and run a business. With the advice and guidance that our tutors and advisors provide they can be running a successful enterprise in no time. The courses will offer insight into all aspects of running a business.” The 6-week course covers topics from writing a business plan to marketing a business and starts on 23rd June. To find out more visit www.treeshepherd.org.uk. To book a space email info@treesheperd.org.uk
We remain committed to keeping in touch and responding to any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact the team. Email us at team@canadawatermasterplan.com. Call us for free on 0800 470 4593.
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 15
Technology
IT’s time to find the Krypton Factor (or “5 things to look for when choosing an I.T. support firm!”) PAUL RAVEY Business Development Manager, Labyrinth Technology (Paul knows a little about I.T., and a lot about customer service!)
I won’t lie; technology can be very complicated and very boring. OK, that’s not true for some people, but for the rest of us it’s about a mouse, a keyboard and a screen. We just want to sit down at our desk, point and click the mouse, and we really don’t care how it works. So when a computer goes wrong most people rely on IT support to keep their business systems running. This could be an internal function and you simply take what you are given with no choice involved. But what if you can make a choice? What if you can get a cost-effective outsourced IT support function? How are you going to make that choice if you aren’t an IT expert? What do you need to look for?
What makes an I.T. support company stand out from the crowd?
1. Value: they may be the cheapest but remember that you’re not buying pencils! So ask if their support plan offers unlimited remote support, unlimited on-site support, and routine maintenance (eg: servicing and firmware updates)
audits for their clients? Do they supply and monitor anti-virus for all devices? How do they manage access control for their clients? 4. Reputation: Don’t buy on price. Don’t buy on empty promises. Don’t choose an IT provider you cannot trust. Find out how long they have been in business. Ask if testimonials are available. Stability is important, so ask about staff turnover. Ask if they have clients in a similar business sector to yours. 5. USP: Look for something that makes them stand out. Look for something that is meaningful. Look for something that makes you go “Wow”!
2. Service: How do you want your IT support provider to be memorable? Quality of service or because they give you lots of freebies? Let’s face it, you can always use that free mug to make a cuppa whilst your laptop isn’t working, can’t you? Ask your prospective IT support provider if they proactively monitor your network, and what their guaranteed response times are. Do they create a library of essential documentation? 3. Security: Cyber-, data- and info-security are becoming more important on a daily basis. It is essential that you have a professional security plan in place. So ask them, what are their baseline security recommendations? Do they carry out regular security
Here at Labyrinth Technology we will NEVER ask our new clients to sign up to a long-term contract, and only ask them to commit to a 30-day rolling agreement. How does that sound? We believe there is a better way to deliver IT support, and if we don’t deliver our clients can leave after 30 days. We believe this drives us to deliver the best customer service ever to make you stay with us, as demonstrated by our 98.5% approval rating from clients. As I said, technology can be very complicated and very boring. Let Labyrinth Technology guide you through the maze of modern technology.
Find out what makes us different!
• No long term contracts! • No obligation! • No hard sell!
16 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
020 3790 7500 enquiries@labyrinthit.com
https://Labyrinth-Enquiries.com
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Big Interview
The eclectic entrepreneur To say that Charles Tyler’s career has been colourfully diverse would perhaps be an understatement. 18 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Big Interview A skilled entrepreneur who currently runs Paladar restaurant near Waterloo in London, he has an eclectic background in photography, publishing, travel, aviation and hospitality, and worked in places as far flung as Malaysia and Latin America. It’s the latter influence that colours his current venture, Paladar, which serves creative Latin American cuisine to customers who come from all over the world. “Pre-Covid, about 25% of our business during the summer months was from international visitors,” says Charles. “Our restaurant is experiential. When we were forced to close our doors last year due to Covid, we operated a takeaway service but it didn’t really work. At Paladar we want to showcase the best of Latin America - from the food, wines, cocktails, art, music and hospitality. It is a total dining experience, that you can’t really replicate with a takeaway service.” As with most hospitality businesses, Covid hit Charles and Paladar hard. Fortunately, he was able to access government support in the form of grants and the furlough scheme - a lifeline that has enabled the business to continue trading today. Outdoor seating in the garden has also been a blessing. Charles says: “We’ve had to do things a little differently as a result of the pandemic. We’ve put social distancing measures in place and upgraded our reservations and EPOS technology and also gone cashless.” “Moving forward, we have to be prepared for the unexpected and be flexible enough
The Inside Story: Charles Tyler
u Favourite food? I’m a great fan of creative, non-traditional cuisine. I’m not necessarily talking about finedining molecular gastronomy, but anything that presents food in a new light, with interesting or unexpected combinations.
u Favourite tipple?
I’m very much into my wine, rather than spirits and cocktails. I like to be surprised – so rather than overpriced French Claret or Burgundy, I prefer to seek out less well-known regions and grape varieties.
to deal with it. We’re fortunate in that we’re in a great location with good transport links in a vibrant area of London. I’m pretty optimistic about the future.” Charles has always displayed a positive attitude throughout an eclectic career which started when he branched into publishing after completing a master’s degree in psychology and philosophy at Oxford University. With a keen interest in the aviation industry, he became editor of Airlines International and Airport World magazines. He carved a niche in travel, tourism and aviation industry journalism, supported by his skills in photography, and spent several years working in Malaysia. While there, he opened a restaurant with a friend, which “became very popular”, and he used this experience to eventually open Champor-Champor restaurant near London Bridge station. “I sold it 11 years later and embarked on a Latin American travel venture with a friend, which took off well and from which I discovered amazing experiences, wines and the diversity the region. Sadly, we found we couldn’t really work together so we decided to split and my friend bought me out.” Charles then saw a gap in the market for a Latin American restaurant in London and established Paladar four years ago. As with most ventures that Charles has undertaken, it has been a success. He says: “Our mission is to showcase the best of Latin American culture and cuisine in the heart of London. I think that we do it well and the customers have responded. Hopefully we’re now through the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic and we can get back to some sort of normality.”
u Describe your family life?
Probably the most memorable ten days of my life was my trip to the Galapagos Islands. The wildlife is just extraordinary; the animals just pose for you – a photographer’s dream! My other really fun trip was two weeks in Cuba with nine other friends.
u Best thing about doing business
Family life takes a bit of a back seat at the moment. I have seen very little of my family due to COVID restrictions, but hopefully that will change this summer!
in the borough?
u How do you spend your downtime?
I’m generally quite a go-go sort of person and probably don’t give myself enough downtime. This last year, of course, has forced me to slow down a bit and reflect on life and what I really want to achieve in the next few years.
as a manager?
u Famous person you’d most like to
I like to take a very inclusive and democratic approach to management. I think it’s important to be a leader rather than a manager (a term I never really liked very much) and lead by example rather than sitting behind a desk giving instructions. I can be too soft and not take decisive action when action needs to be taken.
I’d love to have dinner with Sir David Attenborough. At heart I’ve always been very environmentally conscious and have been concerned about the fragility of the planet. It might be interesting to invite Greta Thunberg to join us for coffee afterwards.
u Most interesting fact about
yourself?
u And your limitations?
I’ve been living in Southwark for about 20 years now – and this is my second restaurant in the borough. It’s a large and diverse borough, which I find fascinating: from the hip-and-happening areas around London Bridge and Bermondsey, to the sometimes troubled, but up-and-coming zones around Peckham and the leafy lands of Dulwich – there’s something for everyone.
spend dinner with?
u What are your key strengths
u Favourite holiday?
“Moving forward, we have to be prepared for the unexpected and be flexible enough to deal with it. We’re fortunate in that we’re in a great location with good transport links in a vibrant area of London. I’m pretty optimistic about the future.”
I have a degree in psychology and philosophy, which many people find slightly bizarre!
Photo Credit : Helen Maybanks
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 19
Economy
Job market remains resilient as lockdown restrictions ease A fall in the unemployment rate and a jump in the number of available vacancies has highlighted a resilience in the UK jobs market as coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that job vacancies hit their highest level since the start of the pandemic as employers start hiring again. There were 657,000 vacancies in the three months to April 30 – a rise of around 48,400 on the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.8% in the three months to March, down from 4.9% in February. Following a period of employment growth and low unemployment, since the start of the pandemic employment has generally been decreasing and unemployment increasing. However, the ONS said the latest figures show signs of a recovery. Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The decline in the unemployment rate and the rise in payroll employment is further confirmation that the UK jobs market is now more resilient to the ongoing restrictions. “Continued government support and the easing of restrictions as the UK moved to step two of the government’s roadmap helped drive higher payroll employment in April. “The rise in the number of job vacancies points to an encouraging upturn in demand for labour amid the gradual reopening of the economy and the strong vaccine rollout. “UK unemployment remains on track to peak at a much lower level than in recent recessions. However, the squeeze on business cashflow from any marked delay to the planned full reopening of the economy may trigger renewed job losses, particularly when furlough becomes less generous over the summer.
20 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
“The economic scarring caused by coronavirus may drive a two-track jobs market recovery, with strong demand for labour in sectors where activity rebounds quickly, but with young people now entering the workforce and those whose lost their job during the pandemic at particular risk of longer-term unemployment. “More interventions are likely to be needed to support the UK jobs market, including extending the kickstart scheme to help protect young people from the risk of displacement from the labour market.” The labour market figures come after it emerged that the UK economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of 2021. However, the third month of the quarter saw a 2.1% rise as lockdown restrictions began to ease – bringing hope that, finally, a corner has been turned. Suren Thiru said: “While the UK economy contracted in the first quarter, the downbeat headline figure masks a renewed momentum through the quarter from January’s drop in output to an exceptionally strong March outturn as lockdown measures started to ease. “The decline in economic output in the first quarter largely reflected the squeeze on activity from coronavirus restrictions, which was partly offset by growing business resilience to those restrictions and a boost from the reopening of schools in March. “The first quarter decline should be followed by a robust rebound in the second quarter as the effects of the release of pent-up demand are fully felt. “However, with the longer-term economic damage caused by coronavirus likely to increasingly weigh on activity as government support winds down, the recovery maybe slower than many, including the Bank of England, currently predict.”
“While the UK economy contracted in the first quarter, the downbeat headline figure masks a renewed momentum through the quarter from January’s drop in output to an exceptionally strong March outturn as lockdown measures started to ease.” Suren Thiru Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce
Economy
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 21
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Construction
New approach vital to overcome delays and squeezed margins from materials shortages
As an increase in house building gathers pace, shortages of key construction materials including steel and timber are threatening to derail the recovery. With increasing pressure on deadlines and margins, how can the industry adapt its approach to mitigate the impact of these unprecedented factors? The use of dashboards provides full visibility of trends, based on actual and real-time data, giving the business an accurate and up-to-date representation of a project. Producing weekly and monthly reports will help to raise any concerning trends, and real-time information can prevent over-spend.
Here, Carol Massay, head of construction at The Access Group, explains the role of technology in keeping construction on track. The number of homes delivered reached 243,770 in 2019/20, the highest annual figure since 1987 and marking the seventh consecutive year of growth in the number of new homes delivered. Strong house building activity has also fuelled an encouraging first quarter of 2021, but a recent RICS survey found that 57% of construction surveyors highlighted materials shortages as their main obstacle to building back better.
materials will stabilise any time soon. This makes it imperative for businesses to have the right systems in place to ensure those already working to tight margins can continue to deliver projects effectively. When costs start to spiral, without specialist software in place it can be difficult to identify trends, putting the profitability and success of projects at risk, as well as impacting the bottom line.
The BCIS Materials Cost Index showed that materials prices rose by 2.7% in Q1 of 2021, compared to the previous quarter, and 5.6% with the same period a year earlier. The same Index forecast a 7.2% year-on-year rise in the second quarter of the year.
Using a cost value reconciliation (CVR) process home-builders can track any overspend or under recovery, meaning any alarming trends can be dealt with immediately. Digitising the CVR process also helps project teams to keep on top of the monthly expenditure and revenue. The project team can ensure accurate liabilities for work yet to be billed is entered against the project in the correct period reporting, and also record any under/over measure against the client. The project CVR process also allows the project team to forecast revenue and cost through to completion so that this information is easily shared with the finance director who is ultimately responsible for the financial stability of the company.
With financial constraints and a shortage of labour continuing to hold back projects, estimators are having to work hard to win tenders. Rising material costs are also increasing the pressure on surveyors, site managers, and commercial and finance teams to deliver projects on time and on budget.
Depending on the size of the project, some circumstances may require additional levels of detail assigned to individual cost transactions, known as element or work breakdown structures.This is particularly useful in the volatile market conditions we are currently seeing.
Given the ongoing uncertainty in the industry, as businesses grapple with the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit repercussions, it remains highly unlikely that costs and the supply of
As management teams face up to rising costs and potential delays for materials, access to accurate, up-to-the-minute analytics is vital to inform smarter decision making.
Anyone working in the construction sector will be aware of the widespread concern about shortages this year. The impact of Covid-19 on mills and factories, container shortages, increased red tape at UK ports, and sharp rises in shopping costs are just some of the factors likely to result in longer lead times, as well as higher and increasingly volatile prices.
The use of mobile apps also means that staff working on-site can instantly view or submit key data to the ERP and finance system, rather than waiting until they are back in the office. With market forces changing rapidly, this speeds up the process and minimises any chance of error or confusion. There is no doubt that the house building sector is at the heart of the UK’s economic recovery and it is also clear that the challenges we have seen over the first half of 2021 will be with us for the foreseeable future. There is little businesses can do to impact material shortages or delays at ports, so it is vital that they put the right technology and systems in place to bolster their operations. This approach means that on-site and officebased teams can maintain full visibility and control of projects from start to finish, as well as mitigating the impact of disruption.
“When costs start to spiral, without specialist software in place it can be difficult to identify trends, putting the profitability and success of projects at risk, as well as impacting the bottom line.”
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 23
Remembering when...
Ada opens a playground by planting a tree. Alfred is on her left.
24 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Remembering when...
Remembering when... Dr Alfred Salter and his wife Ada, nee Brown, settled in poverty stricken Bermondsey in 1898 and began their campaign to improve the health and wellbeing of the local population in SE London By Ken Hayes - Honorary Membership Secretary
• Ada Salter
Ada Brown was born in Northamptonshire in 1866 and at the age of 30 left her well off home to become a social worker as a Methodist Sister of the People in the London slums where she met Alfred. They married in 1900 and Alfred set up his medical practice and was elected to the new Metropolitan Borough of Bermondsey for the Liberal Party. He and Ada then began their work to alleviate the effects of poverty on the health of the local population. Dr Salter only charged a minimum fee for medical consultations and gave them free to those who were unable to pay anything.
• Alfred Salter and daughter Joyce Alfred was born on 16th June 1873 in South Street Greenwich to Walter and Elizabeth Salter. He was educated at the John Roan School in Greenwich. He studied medicine at Guy’s Hospital from 1889 and qualified in 1896. In 1896 he was awarded the GoldingBird gold medal and scholarship in public medicine and a research scholarship in Pathology. He was then made house physician and resident obstetric physician at Guy’s Hospital and was also appointed as bacteriologist to what became the Lister Institute of Preventative Medicine. In 1898 Dr Salter became a resident at the Methodist Settlement in Bermondsey, an area of widespread poverty. The main employment in this area was the Port of London docks, which operated on a casual daily basis making it hard to make a decent living wage. He was shocked by the poor health and housing conditions.
They both joined the religious Society of Friends, known as Quakers, and were pacifists. This led to them starting out with their plan of setting up a pioneering local health service. Alfred also set up a mutual Health Insurance scheme which gave allowances to members during ill health and started an adult education school for men on Sunday mornings. Their daughter, Joyce, was born in 1902. In 1903 he was elected to fill a vacancy on the London County Council caused by the election of George Cooper as MP for Southwark and Bermondsey. Alfred was re-elected to the LCC in 1907 but soon resigned. Ada had already left the Liberals because they refused to give women the vote and Alfred now joined her as a member of the Independent Labour Party. When Cooper died in 1909, Alfred stood in the by-election but finished third of the three candidates. Ada Salter was elected in 1909 to Bermondsey Council, the first woman elected to Bermondsey Council and she campaigned for the rights of women workers and encouraged them to join Trade Unions. This brought about the ‘Bermondsey Uprising‘ in 1911 when thousands of women workers went on strike. Ada organised food supplies for the hungry families.
She was given an honour by the Trade Union movement and she was elected in 1914 national President of the Women’s Labour League. Alfred was elected MP for Bermondsey in the 1922 General Election, the result being announced by the Mayor of Bermondsey, Ada Salter, the first woman Mayor in London. The Salters were devastated when their only child, Joyce, had tragically died of scarlet fever at the age of eight in 1910, which made them determined to create better housing and health care for the local population. Dr Salter promoted free health care using modern methods, a Health Centre, a Solarium for tuberculosis sufferers and educational films about personal hygiene. As a result by 1935 the annual infant mortality rate had fallen from 150 to 69. And no women died giving birth. Ada led a Beautification Committee to transform the slums planting 9,000 trees, offering prizes for the best window boxes, opening playgrounds at Long Lane, Tanner Street and Tooley Street and organising sports and musical events. In the 1930s, with Ada elected to the LCC, Herbert Morrison tasked her with spreading beautification all over London. She planted trees and gardens everywhere, and helped create the Green Belt. In 1931 Ada was elected Chair of the National Gardens Guild. As Chair of Housing, Ada prepared ambitious plans to replace 180 year old tenements with lower density developments such as in Wilson Grove, formerly Salisbury Street, where 1035 people lived in 155 homes. She pushed through a slum-clearance programme, which was a model for other parts of the country. Alfred Salter remained an MP until his death at Guy’s Hospital in 1945 and was pre-deceased by Ada in 1942. They both dedicated their lives to improving the health and wellbeing of the working classes in SE London. The Salters are commemorated by statues along the Thames River Path in Bermondsey.
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 25
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Southwark Chamber of Commerce welcomes its latest member companies Lendlease
Spaced Digital
Iain Smith 20 Triton Street, Regents Place, London NW1 3BF UK Iain.Smith@lendlease.com
Stephen White Unit L04, Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road. London SW9 8PQ stephen@spaced.digital
26 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Voice from Westminster
VOICE from WESTMINSTER NEIL COYLE MP Rebuilding our economy Restrictions have begun to ease and the sun has even appeared a few times, so I hope to see our amazing hospitality sector get a boost after such a terrible time during covid and the lockdowns. Someone who runs several businesses in our borough and across the UK called me to say that Southwark Council topped the chart of local authorities who had helped his firms nationally. I know the council has worked fast to help local businesses throughout the pandemic, allocating and distributing £130 million worth of grants, but this independent endorsement made me especially pleased! The council has also helped local businesses rebuild by increasing the amount of outdoor seating available for customers. Since the pandemic began, an additional 297 businesses in our borough have been issued with Pavement Licenses to aid their recovery and help them re-open safely. Now the council is launching the ‘High Street Recovery Fund’ worth £300,000 to help Southwark high street shops bounce back from covid, including supporting local events to boost footfall. The support is available to any small business, arts group, creative or voluntary sector organisation so please do get in
touch with me or the council directly at: southwarkbusinessdesk@southwark. gov.uk if you are interested. In Parliament, I recently chaired the latest inquiry session for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Wines and Spirits with the help of The Wine and Spirits Trade Association, based in Bermondsey. I heard first-hand from a range of SMEs in the distilling industry about how their businesses have handled the double whammy of covid and Brexit. I hope that the Government will take on board some of the recommendations of our inquiry to ensure that better support is provided to businesses and entrepreneurs as they rebuild after a such an awful period. The APPG’s full report will be published here soon: https://www.wsta.co.uk/ I’ve also been backing Southwark businesses in Westminster by helping establish a new cross-party group examining how firms can relocate into, or within, the UK and what more the Government could do regarding visa
costs and other red tape. Our community has one of the highest relocation records in the UK but I want to build on that success. Sadiq Khan has been re-elected Mayor, receiving 51% of the vote in the first round locally. He has already secured £1bn of funding to support Transport for London for the next six months, despite the Government trying to attach further punishing conditions. Pre-covid, Sadiq managed to fix the financial mess he inherited from previous Mayor (Boris Johnson) and reduced TfL’s operating deficit by 71%. Sadly, Ministers seem set to penalise Londoners for following the national lockdown rules and are holding back our capital’s chances of quickly rebuilding the £39bn NET to the Treasury we provided pre-covid. All the talk of ‘levelling up’ cannot be achieved without being level with businesses and providing the support to rebuild as fast and as safely as humanly possible for all of us to benefit.
“I’ve also been backing Southwark businesses in Westminster by helping establish a new cross-party group examining how firms can relocate into, or within, the UK and what more the Government could do regarding visa costs and other red tape.” Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 27
THE SPORTS CLUB
SEE OUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR OFFERS AND A TOUR OF OUR FACILITIES
GET FIT HAVE FUN MEET PEOPLE dcsportsclub.co.uk dcsportsclub.dulwich DulwichCollegeSportsClub DULWICH COLLEGE SPORTS CLUB London, SE21 7LD Telephone: 020 8299 9292 Email: sportsclub@dulwich.org.uk Web: www.dcsportsclub.co.uk
THE SPORTS CLUB
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It’s hard to imagine all this magic, nestled in a leafy borough of South London.
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After over a year of uncertainty and chaos as a country, we have learnt to appreciate the simpler things in life. A walk in the park became something of a luxury. Everyone began to appreciate green open spaces, crisp fresh air and watching children playing together again. Moving from unimpeded fitness to being huddled up at home, Dulwich College allowed residents use of their grounds. Bringing people together, giving the public the opportunity to experience fresh air outside their homes. Now as we return to normality, things are set to change again.
THE BUZZ OF THE SPORTS CLUB ON A SATURDAY The vast areas of green spaces in which little ones excitably waddle through, whilst waiting for their older siblings to finish perfecting their flairs and various swinging tricks above a pommel horse in Gymnastics. Pure excitement could be seen from toddlers splashing in the swimming pool for the first time, their childish giggles bringing smiles to those who have been isolating for months. Rugby Tots tumble around the vast open spaces while holding mini rugby balls, faces full of joy running into their parent’s open arms. Alongside the booming sounds of an elite instructor, challenging the class to push themselves to their peak in a BodyBlast Bootcamp - compelling individuals to be the best versions of themselves, whilst encouraging them to perfect their techniques. The crash as the barbell plate ricochet from the rubber floor. Members enjoying the exhilaration from a challenging workout in the Free Weights Room. Teens in a Jiu Jitsu class rolling across the Exercise Studio floor, all very much excited to be back. And more teenagers running, jumping, and climbing around the Sports Hall during Parkour.
Discovering their potential resilience, problem-solving and teamwork abilities. The clash of hockey sticks battling for the ball echoes from the Astroturf, whilst supporters cheer on their respective teams, each week competing against a new team. Parents breathing a sigh of relief as they whisk their little ones off to parties once again, buzzing at the chance of an afternoon off with adult conversation. Enthusiastic Party Supervisors singing their names as we watch children dazzled by the sight of a gigantic bouncy castle. Badminton players reunited with their friends at Club Night, the camaraderie, friendship and discipline flowing throughout. Shuttlecocks fly and shoes screech as people chatter on the sidelines, bringing back memories of pre-pandemic times. Everyone working together to comply with the extensive set of new rules, showing such astonishing gratefulness for a chance to be a part of the bustling atmosphere. It’s hard to imagine all this magic, nestled in a leafy borough in South London.
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 29
Freedom Wellbeing
Covid Anxiety Syndrome So, the roadmap out of lockdown is well underway and so long as these new variants are kept under control, we should be back to close normality by the middle of summer.
Simon Garcia owner of Freedom Wellbeing Inc With the impending return to office life on the horizon, workers will be encouraged to leave their homeworking ‘safe space’ to now mingle once again with multiple people, through the commute to and from work, actually being at work, then you’ve also got the lunchtime periods where everyone is queuing for their sandwich and coffee. Now, some people will be really eager to get out of the house and work away from the home again. Others, happy to do it, but don’t mind either way. Then you have one more group of people. Those with Covid Anxiety Syndrome! So, what is Covid Anxiety Syndrome? Nearly a year and a half has passed since SARS-CoV-2 reared its ugly head and began to spread across the world. Its appearance first caused mild concern, with it being compared to the flu, soon turned into serious worry as more people received a diagnosis of COVID-19. In the beginning, everyone, including the scientists looking into it, knew very little about this novel virus and the disease it caused. The unknowns and the virus’s remarkably rapid spread incited fear among health professionals, scientists, and the public.
At the time of writing this (beginning of June) There have been close to 4.5 million registered covid cases in the United Kingdom alone. Those figures understandably are enough to spark worry in anyone. However, then you look at the number of those that have made a full recovery, almost 4.3 million and that should help ease some of those fears. Professors Ana Nikčević from Kingston University of London and Marcantonio Spada from London South Bank University, developed the concept of COVID-19 anxiety syndrome. You can view their full study at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC7375349/ Symptoms of this syndrome mimic those of other mental health conditions, including anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). And, the pandemic and related factors appear to be the cause. Signs of the condition include; • Worrying about getting on public transport • Feeling stressed at the thought of being in the office with others • General concerns about leaving the house Personally, I can see this potentially being the next big challenge for businesses over the next 12 months and below I will give some guidance for both employers and employees on how to manage the condition going forward. Obviously, it is a fairly new condition and as such, there will be varying degrees on the spectrum of the condition, but this should be a good grounding for working through it.
Advice for Employees • Communicate your anxiety issues early with your Line Manager. Outline what your concerns are for full transparency. • Where possible, plan your commute outside traditionally busy periods. Be sure to clear this with management, as it will impact your working pattern. • Do not rely on mainstream media news for your information on the pandemic. Think of the news as any other TV show. They need ratings, therefore, they need Hook you in to watch tomorrow. Do independent research and use government, NHS and health authority websites for factual updates. • Above all else, trust your instincts. Some people will inevitably shrug their shoulders at your condition, but focus on what’s best for you. If you don’t feel up to going to the office, work from home for a few more days until you’re ready. • Take baby steps. Maybe try a short train to test out how it feels. Ask if you can begin with a part-time return to the office. Mornings there, afternoons from home.
Advice for Employers • Be on top of the relevant information and updates relating to the pandemic. Make this Information readily available, update your internal intranet, send out weekly comms, etc. • Have a strategy in place in advance, so you are prepared for any requests that my come in. Communicate what your return to work strategy is. • If you have an occupational health provider, seek their guidance and ask what they offer in way of support through EAP (Employee Assist Programme) counselling. • Line Managers could raise the topic semifrequently in team meetings and encourage people to approach on a one-to-one basis so they can discuss any concerns early on.
If there are any HR professionals, managers or just anyone with general concerns on the subject, please feel free to contact me direct to discuss further. 0203 560 7287
simon@free-well.co.uk
www.free-well.co.uk/contact
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 31
New Members bodytonic clinic
Is Running Bad for your Joints?
By Sam Tan
The upcoming London Marathon is planned to start this 3rd October and will take place physically and virtually with up to 100,000 participants across the globe. A monumental event that is inclusive of runners of all levels, shapes, and sizes! The epic race spans 26.2 miles from Blackheath and finishes in front of Buckingham Palace. However, 1 in every 3 runners report of a running-related injury whilst training for a half marathon or marathon predominantly in the knee and lower leg. These mostly include muscle and tendon injuries, and given the close relationship between muscles and joint health, it gives rise to the question: “Is running bad for joints”? Short answer: No, and it can be pretty good for them. A popular study recently published by Horga et al. (2019) was done on novice marathon runners (London Marathon 2017). An MRI scan was performed on their knees before and after the event. Bearing in mind that up to 43% of asymptomatic adults in the general population can have MRIconfirmed abnormalities in their knees, the results were astonishing. For those that had knee abnormalities and completed the marathon, they actually showed a reduction in bone marrow swelling, which is one of the signs of osteoarthritis. In other words, marathon running created a reversible change in joint degeneration.
developing. However, as with all exercise, it can definitely be theorised that running strengthens the soft tissues around the joint. Soft tissues such as the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and the joint membranes, are all affected by exercise and can adapt accordingly. Going back to the dreaded term osteoarthritis, which is often referred to as “wear and tear” of the joints (it’s more “wear and repair”, but I digress), it is now considered more of a whole joint disease, meaning it’s very important to consider the aforementioned soft tissues surrounding it and not just the joint surfaces. Therefore, it is logical to think that if we strengthen the soft tissues surrounding the knee, we also strengthen the whole joint.
Is it all good news?
But how does this work?
Before you go out and start putting on those running shoes to strengthen those joints, there are a few things to bear in mind Running-related injuries still occur in 1 in every 3 runners, mainly overuse type injuries like muscle and tendon injuries. In addition, it has also been shown multiple times that less experienced runners are more likely to get injured.
Well, no one really knows the entire mechanism behind how marathon running can improve the knee joint, particularly as MRI-related running research is still
As much as we all want to benefit from the great protective and strength benefits of marathon running, preparation is key in minimising the risk of injuries.
So how do we prepare? There are 3 main things we can do to make sure we don’t go injuring ourselves: 1
Planning & Pacing
This means to not overdo it at any stage. No matter what level you are at, if you are going past the limits of your tissues, you will get injured. Start with a training plan, the ones for beginners on the London marathon website are a good place to start as it eases from running 6-8 miles per week to 18-20 miles per week at a sensible pace. 2
Strength Training
Get your legs strong! One of the most common joints to be affected is the patellofemoral joint, which is the one between your knee cap and your thigh bone. Variations of the compound lifts like squats and lunges are there to build the resilience of the patellofemoral joint. 3
Physical Therapy
Sometimes, no matter how much we plan or prepare, the human body just doesn’t respond the way we want it to. This can happen for a variety of reasons, from work-related stresses to not eating right. So listen to your body! If you feel any pain and want more guidance, working with your physical therapist, such as an osteopath or physiotherapist, can help optimise your body and work towards your goals. So what are you waiting for? Let’s strengthen those joints and get running! References: Horga, L.M., Henckel, J., Fotiadou, A., Hirschmann, A., Torlasco, C., Di Laura, A., D’Silva, A., Sharma, S., Moon, J. and Hart, A., 2019. Can marathon running improve knee damage of middle-aged adults? A prospective cohort study. BMJ open sport & exercise medicine, 5(1), p.e000586.
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
The Last Word
PLANNED EVENTS June 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 June July August September October November December January 2022
EVENT Southwark’s changing landscape Wellbeing in a challenging business environment Procurement Mayflower river boat trip Subject to Covid-19 guidelines
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
Steve White Director Spaced Digital
I run an agency called Spaced Digital, we give businesses direct access to a team of experts that have spent years launching and optimising websites.
Q1. What was your first job, and what was the pay packet? A paperboy! Delivering newspapers before school each morning, and I was paid a very small amount per paper. Q2. If you were prime minister, what would be your first decision? Introduce something similar to the Gross National Happiness index to track our nation’s progress rather than focussing only on GDP and economic growth. Improve mental health and wealth. Q3. What is the biggest challenge in your business? Good question… staying up to date with the latest technology, especially Google Search algorithm changes, which can have a big impact overnight for our clients. Q4. If you could do another job, what would it be? That’s tough.. either sports psychology or performance coaching. Q5. What’s your favourite London building? I’d say Buckingham Palace. I’m a runner and the start/finish line for a lot of races is on The Mall so seeing it holds a special place. stephen@spaced.digital https://spaced.digital
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 33
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34 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
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