The Masthead October 2017

the

masthead

Official Magazine for South East London Chamber of Commerce - Issue 4

• FOCUS ON LONDON BOROUGH OF BEXLEY - Growth that works •

• BIG INTERVIEW with Lord Kerslake • CONSTRUCTION - Report shows that the

construction boom is spreading • SKILLS - Apprenticeship Levy begins to have an effect •

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Welcome | 4

find

inside 8

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8-12

14-15

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17-18

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News

Business News

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Arts & Culture

Education & Skills

Focus on Bexley

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Royal Borough of Greenwich Business Awards

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Festive

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and finally....

Big Interview

Chamber Events

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Construction

Ask the Expert

Focus on Finance

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Welcome To The Masthead - the South East London Chamber of Commerce magazine.

Photo: Warren King

The Awards ceremony will be covered in the next issue of Masthead and I am delighted to represent the Chamber on the panel of Judges.

The Chamber is going forward

y theme of partnerships continues and we are delighted to be working in association with the Royal Borough of Greenwich on their first Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards.

Full details of the awards are in this issue and all nominations are free, but need be submitted by the closing date of Friday, 24 November.

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Editorial and General Enquiries South East London Chamber of Commerce Unit TW/45, Trinity Wharf, Harrington Way Warspite Road London SE18 5NR Tel: 020 8317 3365 Email: office@selondonchamber.org www.selondonchamber.org

Business Development Director: Peter Wilson

At the AGM, we said goodbye to two directors – Tim Sullivan, who has been the finance director for three years and Steve Nelson, a former President who has served on the board for eighteen years.

Steve has taken on the role as Chair of London’s Local Chambers of Commerce Forum where we will still work together. Transport and river crossings are always on the agenda and I will pass on the Forum’s thoughts on these major issues.

This year, the Chamber held the AGM at the Bexleyheath Marriott on Thursday, 21 September.

Before the AGM and networking lunch, there was a presentation from the Leader of Bexley Council, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE and you will see that this issue of the Masthead focuses on Bexley and their exciting regeneration vision.

The big interview is with Lord Kerslake, chairman of Peabody.

Peabody are regenerating Thamesmead which is split geographically between Bexley and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

The Chamber’s new Finance Director is Raff Gallo, Manager of the new Blackheath Branch of Handlesbanken and Phil Clipsham, Director, Greenwich Bright, who will shortly unveil the refreshed Chamber portal, it’s exciting! A full review of the process will be in the January issue of the Masthead.

Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com Published: October 2017 © Benham Publishing

Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com Production Manager Mark Etherington Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: mark@benhampublishing.com Media No. 1572 Disclaimer The Masthead is published for South East London Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members.

Photography Warren King Tel: 07779 337765 email: warren@wkphotography.co.uk web: www.wkphotography.co.uk

Front Cover: Bexley Riverside

The Board: • Helen McIntosh, U+I - President • Terri Johnson, HR2HR Solutions Vice President • Dr Linda Hyder, Uni of Greenwich Company Secretary • Raff Gallo - Handlesbanken • Peter Wilson - New Business Director • Rupert Chichester - Boulter & Company • Paula Hines - Peabody • David Warnes - LSEC • David Sayes - David Sayes Digital Marketing • Phil Clipsham - Greenwich Bright

I look forward to my next year as President. Our new mantra is: What gets measured, gets done.

Helen McIntosh FCIPR President

All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at South East London Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in The Masthead are not necessarily those of South East London Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2017 Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

October 2017

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| Business Awards

The Apprentice star to host first Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards Sir Alan Sugar’s former right hand man and Countdown presenter Nick Hewer will host the first ever Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards. rganised by the Royal Borough of Greenwich in association with the South East London Chamber of Commerce, the ten awards categories celebrate businesses’ diversity, passion and contribution to the borough.

Royal Greenwich is proud to be home to over 10,000 businesses and boasts higher business growth and survival rates than the London average.

These awards will showcase the variety of thriving businesses that we have to offer and highlight the vital role businesses play in providing sustainable growth in Greenwich.

Supporting both existing and new businesses is vital to the health and future of our borough. The awards will provide excellent networking opportunities for traders and boost business in the lead up – and beyond.

The categories are: • Business start up • Innovation • Young entrepreneur of the year • Sustainability • Tourism and culture • Independent retailer • Digital leadership • Food and hospitality • Social enterprise • Greenwich employer of the year.

It’s free to make a nomination - giving businesses of all sizes the chance to gain publicity and highlight their successes.

The winners of two awards (Independent Retailer and Food and Hospitality) will be decided by residents, with the shortlisted businesses going through to a public vote.

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October 2017

Nominations are open from 02 October and close at 5pm on Friday 24 November, with the glittering awards ceremony taking place on Friday 19 January 2018 at the InterContinental London The O2.

Discounted tickets are available for £35 per person thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, who have funded the whole awards ceremony. £5 from the sale of each ticket will be divided equally between the Mayor’s charities which are The Garrison Church of St George and Wide Horizons.

This donation also buys you a raffle ticket which will be drawn by the Mayor at the awards ceremony.

Ticket holders will enjoy a champagne reception, sponsored by J.B. Riney, followed by lunch and the ceremony which will include entertainment by The Millennium Performing Arts College.

All of the awards have been sponsored by and will be presented by businesses who operate in and around the borough. The Council is particularly grateful to the headline sponsor, housing-led regeneration company Lovell.

The awards have inspired U&I to launch a young enterprise programme in schools to encourage the next generation of budding entrepreneurs.

Nick Hewer, who spent a decade on The Apprentice and now hosts Countdown, said: “I am delighted to be hosting the very first Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards.

“As many of the tasks on the Apprentice show, successful promotion is a key way to boost profits so I’d encourage all businesses to get involved.”

Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Councillor Denise Hyland said: “The Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards are a fantastic celebration of the diverse range of businesses that we are home to. Supporting both existing businesses and new businesses is vital to the health and future of our borough and this event will provide excellent networking opportunities for all types of traders.

“I would encourage all business owners to nominate themselves to be in with the chance of being chosen as a finalist or even a winner at our first Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards.”

To nominate your business, buy tickets or find out more information about the Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards, visit www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/ businessawards2018

Join in the conversation by liking our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ GreenwichBizAwards and using #GreenwichBizAwards on Twitter.

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| Business News

The Wine Challenge Alan Smith, Deputy Mayor of Lewisham

tarting off Autumn with a touch of class, the South East London Chamber of Commerce, in association with the University of Greenwich organised a wine tasting event – with a twist.

Sponsored by Breakthrough Funding and hosted by Vinorium, a Wine Challenge was organised for 12 September. Attendees were tasked with identifying mystery wines, guessing the type of grapes used and estimating where exactly the wine was made.

After the initial meeting, greeting and cheese eating – the event opened with words from Helen McIntosh, Chamber President, and Dr. Linda Hyder of the University of Greenwich.

Event sponsor Brad Morgan from Breakthrough Funding took the floor to announce their tax relief initiatives for British research & development – aimed at fostering UK innovation growth in a highly competitive global market.

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Sponsored by Breakthrough Funding Vinorium’s hosting was marked with a distinct blend of energy and informative flair; we imagine even our attendees who considered themselves authority on wine left feeling very informed.

Breakthrough Funding, true to their name, were generous enough as sponsors to allow for a wonderful evening of relaxed networking.

The event was closed by the hosts Vinorium – announcing the winners of the Challenge - and Breakthrough gave their parting words. However, the relaxed atmosphere allowed for networking to continue even after the Challenge was over.

Do you have an AED (defibrillator) on your premises, or are you considering buying one?

If so, you should be aware that if an employer provides a defibrillator in order to fulfill their duty under the First Aid Regulations 1981, then the Provision and Use of Workplace Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 apply. mployees should therefore be appropriately instructed or trained in their use and the employer should maintain the equipment. The instruction or training must be adequate to allow safe operation of the equipment.

In the case of designated workplace first aiders, defibrillator operation awareness has now been introduced into the training syllabus for First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) courses. BEAT also includes this in Paediatric First Aid courses.

Operation of defibrillators is not though restricted to trained first aiders, as long as PUWER requirements are met.

If you need training for your staff BEAT can offer this on-site.

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October 2017

Full details are on the BEAT website, but I am offering an ‘Autumn Special’ price reduction from £200 to £175 per course, or only £300 for 2 courses back-to-back on the same day. Please contact Dave (bexleyemergencyaidtraining@gmail. com – 07425 123277) to discuss additional excellent discounts available where large numbers of staff require training. Each course lasts 3 hours.

Also please note that the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the British Heart Foundation have developed a new UK AED location sign with the aim of ensuring that more people understand what AEDs are used for and are encouraged to use them.

Growth on the agenda for HR specialist Human Resources expert Chamber Member, Simon Morgan has taken on a new colleague and moved into new offices as he celebrates a decade since setting up his own business. o mark the occasion, Mr Morgan was joined at a recent celebration by some of his longstanding clients at which he thanked them for their historic and ongoing support.

Mr Morgan set up The HR Dept South East London and North Kent in September 2007, to provide high quality yet affordable outsourced HR advice and support to SMEs in the area.

The move to set up on his own came after 30 years working in corporate HR, in various private sector roles heading up HR and training departments.

Now, after a successful decade running his own HR business, he has established a client base of 50 local firms.

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Simon Morgan (centre) cuts the anniversary cake with colleague John Quigley and clients looking on

Half of those clients have been with him for more than five years and five of the businesses he works with have been using his services for almost the full decade.

High profile clients include the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Bird College of Performing Arts in Sidcup and mobile crane firm Bronzeshield Lifting, in Crayford.

With his sights set on further business growth, Mr Morgan has moved to new offices in Basepoint Dartford in Dartford Business Park and has appointed John Quigley, an experienced employment lawyer and qualified HR professional, to help him grow the business further.

Mr Morgan said: “It is great to have John on board. The size of my client base now is making things rather busy so having an extra pair of hands will help manage my current workload and also help us plan for future expansion.”

Business News | Royal Arsenal

A company with the golden touch Rendall & Rittner currently manages c.45,000 residential units throughout the UK with a wide range of schemes spanning the spectrum from small high–end developments to some of London’s largest regeneration projects, including Royal Arsenal, Kidbrooke Village and Greenwich Millennium Village. elebrating its 27th year of business this year, Rendall & Rittner has established a strong reputation in the sector and is one of the few managing agents regulated by RICS, being recognised as an Inclusive Employer and being given early adopter status.

The company has recently retained its Gold Investors in People status under the new standard demonstrating its commitment to staff training and development. It has three times been named Property Manager of the Year at the RESI Awards within the past five years, most recently

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at this year’s awards. At the inaugural ARMA Ace Awards this year they took home three awards including: Customer Service Award, Larger Managing Agent of the Year and the award for Corporate Social Responsibility.

They have also most recently been recognised this year for their commitment to health and safety standards and have been awarded a Gold RoSPA, exceeding last year’s Silver award.

Rendall & Rittner is committed to driving the best value for clients and residents and delivering excellent standards of service, one way they do this is

with The R&R Residents Club which in 2017 has been rolled out to its London developments following a successful pilot across 15 of the larger R&R managed developments in SE and SW London.

The added value initiative enables residents to save money on the great things they can see and do, on their doorstop, while also promoting local businesses in and around the developments, during the pilot this specifically focused on those around the developments it manages and the number of businesses offering discounts continues to grow.

Team ‘wheel’ their way to charity success An intrepid group of accountants completed an unusual challenge which saw them walk 10km pushing wheelbarrows full of plants to raise funds for a local hospice charity. cBrides Chartered Accountants pushed wheelbarrows from their offices in Sidcup to the grounds of the Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice in Abbey Wood.

McBrides chose the Hospice as their nominated charity for 2017 and have already completed a series of fund raising events.

The drive to raise funds is close to the hearts of several members

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of the McBrides’ team, including Chris Camfield, who has worked at the firm for 14 years.

Chris said: “Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice were excellent in tending to my father when he needed palliative care.”

Tanya Hamilton, staff partner at McBrides, said: “The Hospice provides a fantastic service to those in our community and has to raise an incredible amount of money each year to do this.”

Kate Heaps, Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice Chief Executive, said: “We’re grateful for the support shown by individual members of staff at McBrides and by the firm as a whole.”

The team have raised a total of £5,350 for the Hospice this year and continue to raise funds via:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com /team/McBrides092017

Exciting new café opens in Woolwich to help the community

Leading mental health and wellbeing charity, Bridge Support, has opened an exciting social enterprise café, Stir, in the heart of Woolwich, South East London. The local communities there struggle with mental illness and social problems – issues that the café project will tackle.

Stir Café offers a wholesome meeting and eating place at reasonable prices.

Mental health campaigner, and Bridge partner, Rachel Kelly, donated signed copies of her good mood recipe book.

Students of the Recovery College, which is in the same building as Stir Café, have received copies to showcase recipes they try out. The College, which is run by Bridge, helps people recover from mental illness. The café will be developed into a restaurant with the help of Good Food in Greenwich, an organisation that helps food start-ups by offering training.

Public Health England has provided a grant to create job opportunities for people with mental health and social problems. There is also a garden in development and a ‘crisis café’ aimed at keeping people out of hospital.

If you want to support the local community, Stir is the place for you. Pop along for a pick-me-up, if the atmosphere doesn’t make you feel good then the food will!

Stir 23 Anglesea Rd, Woolwich, London SE18 6EG Tel: 07585 625 942 Email: info@stirltd.com

https://twitter.com/StirWoolwich https://www.instagram.com/stirwoolwich/ https://www.facebook.com/Stir-1938345223069912/?pnref=lhc

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| Focus on Bexley

Growth that works Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, Leader of the London Borough of Bexley or centuries, Bexley has been a place of enterprise and endeavour: from iron working and ship ďŹ tting in medieval times to silk printing, quarrying and heavy engineering in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

People have been drawn to Bexley by our riverside locations, bustling town and village centres and pleasant neighbourhoods, as well as good links to London and Kent. These now include major airports, the Channel rail link and ports.

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October 2017

Today Bexley remains a popular place to put down roots and for businesses to start and grow. We have a wealth of quality housing and employment land where businesses large and small are investing for the future. We also have a variety of historic buildings, neighbourhoods and open spaces that provide an important link to our proud heritage and provide a rich resource for culture, leisure and recreation.

We are used to change and we are ready to respond and adapt to meet the latest opportunities presented by

the digitally enabled global economy. London continues to experience unprecedented growth and Bexley will play its part in ensuring the capital continue to thrive.

Bexley has huge potential to grow in exciting ways, attracting new residents and businesses. There is growing momentum here that promises to open up amazing possibilities.

The arrival of Crossrail to Abbey Wood will provide fast and reliable links into central London and has generated exciting developments in east Thamesmead. New housing

schemes across the borough are sweeping away old, tired housing estates and replacing them with good quality, modern homes. Commercial investment in our towns and employment areas is creating new jobs and improved local facilities.

Our aim is not just to build new homes and workplaces, but to create sustainable, healthy high quality neighbourhoods where people want to live, play, learn and earn.

Further transport improvements could see us able to develop large underused sites around our stations in the

Focus on Bexley |

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• Improve health and wellbeing by supporting healthy activities such as recreation and social interaction and access to good quality health and social care facilities.

New Elizabeth Line Station at Abbey Wood north of the borough. These wellconnected places could see new higher density neighbourhoods offering a range of homes supported by healthy streets with ‘walk to’ facilities and high tech infrastructure, and access to a variety of good quality jobs both locally and in economic centres outside the borough. Innovative thinking will allow us to create new approaches to housing and employment that will attract new residents and businesses and safeguard our success well into the future.

Many different things will need to happen to ensure that Bexley is well connected, entrepreneurial and vibrant.

So we are not developing one plan, but several, that together will make the right things happen at the right time.

The Growth Strategy is the first of these plans. It looks at Bexley’s built and natural environment to identify what makes it such a special place.

It sets out the areas that will grow and what kinds of development they will see. It also talks about the new infrastructure necessary to make sure these areas work properly. The plan is ambitious and will see some areas change dramatically, while retaining and improving those features that local people value.

At the heart of our vision is the creation of high quality places in well-planned locations where people can live safe, healthy, fulfilling lives close to high quality facilities and services and with access to a range of good job opportunities.

After all, that is what has always drawn people to Bexley throughout its long history.

To join in the future development of the borough, please contact Bexley’s Economic Development Team on 020 4867 5926, email economicdevelopment @bexley.gov.uk

A strategy for growth

Our draft Growth Strategy was published for public consultation in May this year. A revised version will be considered for adoption in November.

The Strategy will outline our vision for growth and how it can be achieved in a way that is sustainable and will benefit residents across Bexley.

Our vision Bexley will play a key part in helping London grow sustainably, while respecting the borough’s overall character and identity.

New and existing communities will be strong, sustainable, cohesive and prosperous.

People across the borough will have a better quality of life and improved wellbeing, supported by effective local services and facilities.

To achieve this vision, we will • Secure some of the highest economic growth in London and create more local prosperity, including the reintroduction of more diverse manufacturing activity as part of a resurgent Maker Movement and new engineering.

• Protect the natural environment as an essential characteristic of the borough.

Our principles • Reducing the need to travel and providing a range of travel choices will improve quality of life for residents and opportunities for businesses.

• Transport improvement will enable housing and job growth.

• Well designed, convenient and easy to use places can make people more active, happier and healthier.

• Growth will drive economic development, benefitting existing businesses and opening up new opportunities.

Delivery When the Bexley Growth Strategy is adopted it will inform new planning policies for the borough. Detailed planning guidance, including opportunity area planning frameworks and town centre master plans, will be produced.

We intend to publish an early draft of the Bexley Local Plan setting out new planning policies on growth for consultation following the adoption of the Bexley Growth Strategy. In this way we can make sure that new developments help us meet our objectives.

Context for growth

Bexley is rich in open spaces, waterscapes and heritage. It has good connections to the strategic road network and direct rail lines into major London stations, including the Elizabeth Line from 2018, the Channel Tunnel and ports, Eurostar and major international airports. Our excellent location provides opportunities for large-scale growth over the next 20 years.

Thames barge mural in Erith Projections suggest that, with the appropriate infrastructure, the borough will gain 31,000 new homes and 17,000 new jobs by 2036.

In the north of the borough, as a result of its rich heritage, Bexley Riverside has large availability of underused industrial land, including beautiful Victorian buildings. This area stretches for 9 kilometres along the south bank of the Thames, from Thamesmead to Kent. It is home to one of the most significant development opportunities in the capital.

To the south of the borough Sidcup is London’s newest university town. It is home to two world class colleges specialising in the performing arts and has a rich heritage, with attractive historic buildings. These solid cultural foundations will support the creation of a new production, rehearsal and innovation zone as part of the wider Thames Estuary Culture Production Corridor.

Despite increases in property values across London, prices in Bexley continue to be relatively affordable. As the London property market moves east, we believe there is now significant potential to close this gap with the rest of London, based on quality developments for those who want to live or work here.

With strong cross-party support for growth, the transformation of Bexley Riverside and Sidcup, plus other key areas, offer a wide range of exciting opportunities.

• Provide high-quality and sufficient housing that offers a genuine choice of living styles for all life stages and tenures, including co-living.

• Achieve a step change in connectivity and accessibility, with improved public transport and facilities for walking and cycling.

• Provide social and community infrastructure.

View from Erith Yacht Club

Crossness Pumping Station at Thamesmead

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| Focus on Bexley Bromley and Cannon Street (31 minutes), as well as excellent road connections to the M2, M20 and M25.

• Opportunity to be an integral part of the Mayor of London’s proposed Thames Estuary Cultural Production Corridor.

Place & Making Institute

Bexley Riverside

Andy Scott with his Cob statue in Belvedere

Bexley Riverside is one of London’s most exciting investment opportunities.

The availability of land, prime riverside location, connectivity to other areas of London, buildings with significant architectural value, accompanied by its industrial heritage, contribute to give the area authentic purpose and positioning.

Our vision for Bexley Riverside is to create the first dedicated, major shared living and working neighbourhood in Europe, to become the capital of the ‘maker movement’ in London and to be home to a new luxury outlet shopping destination.

Rose Bruford College viewed from Lamorbey Park

Bexley Riverside by numbers • 9 kilometres of riverfront, with more than 4 million square metres of under-used industrial land.

• 1.7 million people are estimated to live within a 30 minute commute, or 5.2 million for a 45 minute commute.

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• Well connected. Train: 32 minutes to the City of London and 37 minutes to Westminster; Road: 10 minutes from the M25; Air: under 30 minutes to City Airport; Sea: less than 40 minutes to London Gateway ports.

• Elizabeth Line services will start to run to Abbey Wood Station in 2018, cutting journey times to Canary Wharf (11 minutes) and London’s West End (23 minutes).

Bexley Theatre and Production Centre

Sidcup, in the south of the borough, has a wealth of buildings of historical and architecture interest and a thriving town centre, which is ideal for niche traders. Property prices are still relatively low by London standards and there are areas of undeveloped land available.

Two world-class higher education institutes are located in the area that specialise in the performing arts, one of which has recently gained university status.

They provide strong foundations for the creation of a hub for the UK’s biggest touring theatre production centre.

Our vision includes the creation of a production, rehearsal and innovation zone, providing the whole spectrum of facilities that are being demanded by touring theatre companies in London.

We also aspire to develop an audience-facing theatre, to further enhance our ambitious and innovation culture offer.

We are also keen to secure a quality, boutique hotel for visitors to the area.

Why Sidcup?

• Two world class performing arts colleges – Bird College and Rose Bruford College.

• Well connected to central London, with direct trains to London Bridge (22 minutes), Charing Cross (31 minutes)

Over the next two decades, our Growth Strategy will enable the construction of more than 30,000 quality new homes in Bexley.

They will be among a potential 260,000 new homes across the east and south-east London.

To create the workforce required to support growth on this scale, the London Borough of Bexley, Peabody and London South East Colleges are developing proposals for a Place and Making Institute in the north of the borough.

Creating quality communities where people want to live and work will require highly skilled professionals across a range of disciplines. The issues relating to critical skills, training and recruitment in the development and construction sector are well documented, and it is these that the Institute is designed to address.

Our ambition is for the Institute to be a world-class centre of excellence for built-environment related learning, research, experimentation and business.

An inspirational campus would be an exemplar for innovation and green technologies, transforming an under-used space in Thamesmead, less than a mile from a new Elizabeth Line station, and at the heart of one of London and Europe’s largest regeneration projects.

It would bring together a confederation of learning providers across a single campus, delivering courses from basic skills to post-graduate.

Learners across multiple disciplines and levels of attainment will be able to benefit from a world class offer. Technical excellence will be valued as highly as academic success.

Facilities and curricula at the Institute will be developed in partnership with businesses and other organisations across the sector. Continuous collaboration with industry will ensure that the Institute continues to adapt to meet the demands of employers, while flexible buildings will ensure the facilities serve future generations of learners.

A potential business village of incubators, modular construction facilities and workshops could be co-located on the site, or locally.

It would build on the already established offer at the Thames Innovation Centre. Co-location of learning and enterprise would offer employment opportunities and create direct links between the classroom and employment.

Thames Innovation Centre There are a range of opportunities available for organisations to become involved in the delivery of the new Institute.

Industry and educational specialists will be able to help shape the facilities and curricula, teaching institutions will be able to join the confederation of learning providers, businesses will be able to co-locate on the site and nearby, and sponsorship opportunities will be available.

An information event has been organised on 1 November at City Hall for interested organisations to find out more.

If you are interested in attending or learning more about the project, please email placeandmakinginstitute @bexley.gov.uk.

Bird College students performing with paint

Focus on Bexley |

First Aid Training

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BEAT courses are high quality at prices which are up to 40% cheaper than some major national providers.

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For further information visit www.beat-training.co.uk Or contact Dave on 07425 123277 bexleyemergencyaidtraining@gmail.com

October 2017

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| Big Interview

A desire to tackle deprivation that has stood the test of time It does not take long during an interview with Lord Kerslake to realise that he has a determination to help people achieve the very best out of life. hroughout his career, he has taken on roles that focus on the need to remove the barriers to success and that extends to his current job as Chair of the Peabody Group, one of London's oldest and largest housing providers.

Following its merger with Family Mosaic, the Group provides homes and services to more than 111,000 residents and 8,000 care home services customers, owning and managing more than 55,000 homes across 29 London boroughs as well Kent, Sussex and Essex.

Driving the Group is a determination to provide good quality homes for people, which was a passion for founder the American philanthropist George Peabody, whose vision in the 1860s was to provide safe and affordable housing for the working poor of Victorian London.

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Big Interview |

The organisation’s efforts gained fresh impetus in the ‘Cathy Come Home’ era, which shocked Britain when the film was aired in 1966, revealing the problems many families had securing homes.

Lord Kerslake said: “The work of the great Victorian philanthropist George Peabody to ameliorate conditions for people living in poor housing in the Capital and the effect that the Cathy Come Home film had are the two great cornerstones of what the Peabody Group does.

“Both ourselves and Family Mosaic share the same aims, to create affordable housing.

“It does concern me that, as a country, we are not building enough affordable housing and that is not to denigrate the work being done by housing associations and private housebuilders.

“There are already a lot of houses being built, and the South East is certainly seeing that, but we need to step up our social housing programme to compliment the work already being done.

“What we need is to get more out of private housebuilders but you have to build a lot of houses to have an impact on price and it takes a long time to have that effect so we also need a much bigger programme of social housing.”

However, as Lord Kerslake points out, housing is just one piece of the jigsaw when it comes to tackling deprivation.

Indeed, in addition to providing homes, the Group delivers a range of community programmes, including through the Peabody Community Fund.

One of Lord Kerslake’s recent roles reflect his belief in a wide-ranging solution to deprivation, involving him in efforts initiated by the Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG) to address inequality, efforts which have involved many other organisations including the South East Chamber of Commerce. Indeed, Peabody and RBG are both Strategic Partners of the Chamber and Peabody is represented on the board.

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Providing good quality housing is Peabody’s social mission but we do not view the solution to deprivation as just about housing. Our work is also about helping in other ways.

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Lord Kerslake’s task was to chair RBG’s independent Greenwich Fairness Commission, which reported earlier this year and was established to deliver a strategy to tackle inequality and poverty within the Royal Borough.

He said: “Providing good quality housing is Peabody’s social mission but we do not view the solution to deprivation as just about housing. Our work is also about helping in other ways. ”When the council approached me to chair the Fairness Commission, I was happy to do so, not least because Peabody is strongly represented in Thamesmead, which has some of the highest areas of deprivation in the borough.

“We set out to make the review evidence-based and we took a very wide-ranging view of the work because poverty is not just about housing or employment, it is about many more aspects of life, including financial inclusion, health and education.

“Our aim was to produce a report which would ensure that, as the borough grows in prosperity, no one is left behind.”

The commission’s 60 recommendations included: • National government should investigate ways of introducing auto-registration for pupils entitled to Free School Meals, in order to ensure that resources are reaching all eligible children • The Royal Borough should co-ordinate with employers to create a borough-wide Apprenticeship Levy strategy to support local young people into apprenticeships

• The South East London Chamber of Commerce should partner with Greenwich Local Labour and Business and establish a baseline of in-work training offered by local employers and encourage them to increase the amount of in-job training provided.

Barriers to training and the reasons for not providing training should also be considered, said the report • National government must re-examine welfare changes in light of the impact on homelessness and the rising cost of Discretionary Housing Payments, and establish a system that limits the need for emergency relief to a minimum. In particular, the shared accommodation rate of Housing Benefit should be reviewed in the context of risks to vulnerable young people.

• A council ‘one-stop shop’ should be created for residents with long-standing multiple debts • In the first year of leaving care, a young care leaver should receive a full council tax exemption, with an annual incremental increase (up until the age of 25 years old, where they would be expected to start paying the full amount) • Royal Borough of Greenwich and Greenwich Jobcentre Plus should partner to review the application of benefit sanctions at a local level Lord Kerslake said: “I am confident that something will come of the report.

The council already had a strategy and there have already been successes.

“The council endorsed all the recommendations in the report and has established a small panel to take it forward.

There is a real determination to achieve change.

“What did disappoint me was the response from Government. As a Crossbench Peer, I have no political axe to grind but when we sent it to the Government, the response was bland.

“We received a standard reply rather than one that went into depth. That was disappointing because our view was that you could take the report and apply it to similar areas elsewhere in the country.”

Lord Kerslake factfile

Bob Kerslake was born in 1955 and qualified as a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and went on to hold a number of posts with councils in London before becoming Chief Executive of the London Borough of Hounslow.

He then moved to Sheffield to take up the post of Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council in 1997 and from 2008-10 he was Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency before being appointed Permanent Secretary of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Lord Kerslake served as Head of the Home Civil Service until 2014 and became a Crossbench life peer in the House of Lords in 2015.

October 2017

Chamber Events |

17

Making the right connections Each month the Chamber hosts a variety of events which offer members a superb opportunity to meet and chat to fellow business people. Here, we review a few of our past events.

BBQ

Date: Thursday 20 July

Venue: The Clarendon Hotel Topic: The weather was not

at its best, but the Chamber’s Summer BBQ in the walled garden of The Clarendon Hotel was a success.

As always, a great selection of food was available and great fun was had by all.

Bexley

Terri Johnson - Vice President, Cllr Teresa O’Neill, Leader London Borough of Bexley & Helen McIntosh President of the South East London Chamber of Commerce

Date: Thursday 21 September Venue: Bexleyheath Marriott Hotel Guest Speaker: Cllr Teresa O’Neill Topic: Update on the borough, crossrail & regeneration.

Our guest speaker this time around was the wonderfully charismatic Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, leader of Bexley Council. Cllr O’Neill spoke of the council’s big vision for the area and Bexley’s proposal to extend the current Crossrail system with a further three stops within Bexley as part of their greater scheme of investing in Bexley’s future.

Image by: William Fitch

Big on Business

Date: Friday 18 August Venue: London Biggin Hill Airport Guest Speaker: Nigel Farage MEP Topic: The Chamber hosted a table at Bromley’s Big on Business event on Friday 18 August at London Biggin Hill. The Guest Speaker, Nigel Farage MEP picked Chamber member, Peter Young’s WPA business card from the bowl held by Helen McIntosh, President of the South East London Chamber of Commerce, to win a bottle of champagne.

Image by: Terri Johnson

Greenwich Breakfast

Date: Tuesday 3 October Venue: Novotel, Greenwich Guest Speaker: Len Duvall OBE Topic: Bright and early for our

Chamber event this autumn with a breakfast held at the Novotel London Greenwich hotel.

As our attendees arrived and networked, the venue provided an excellent buffet breakfast – a delectable change from the usual for many we would imagine.

Our guest speaker was Len Duvall OBE, Assembly Member for Greenwich & Lewisham who gave us a very insightful talk regarding the future of London and Mayor Sadiq’s policies.

Helen McIntosh with Len Duvall OBE

His speech was both compelling and informative, touching on the role of London Assembly and its relation to the Mayor, transport, housing, the police and Brexit’s effect on the capital.

Here at the Chamber we have no doubt that our attendees felt their days got off to an enlightening start!

Berkeley Homes host “Constructing the supply chain” event Berkeley Homes hosted a “Constructing the supply chain” event in conjunction with the South East London Chamber of Commerce at Royal Arsenal Riverside. he event attracted a diverse T range of people from the building industry to gain an insight

into how Berkeley Homes work across not only their Royal Arsenal Riverside development but also Kidbrooke Village, which once complete will be home to more than 10,000 properties.

Helen McIntosh, President of the South East London Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Berkeley Homes Production Director Jason Margetts to explain ways in which

local business and colleges can work with the organisation.

Jason said: “By hosting an event like this the attendees were able to find out that we actively want to work with local businesses and the ways in which this can be made possible. It was great to hold our first event with the South East London Chamber of Commerce and I am already confident that new working relationships will be formed.”

Director of East London Business Place Glen Addis said: “The event was very well organised and I like the way a couple of Berkeley Homes tier 1 tier 2 trade contractors got up and spoke in front of everyone about their good experience of working with the company. The other refreshing thing was that Berkeley Homes don’t just use main tier contractors on their sites and are open to other businesses as long as they make the grade.”

Helen McIntosh said: “A number of new business connections have already been made and serves to prove that Berkeley are a business that are open and willing to work with businesses across the South East of London.”

October 2017

18

| Chamber Events

EVENT NAME

DATE & TIME

VENUE

Thursday 12th October 12.30 - 14.00

The Crown, 49 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, London SE3 0BS

Thursday 19th October 09.00 - 17.00

Great Hall, Richard Hoggart Building, Goldsmiths, University of London. New Cross London SE14 6NW

Join hundreds of local businesses, start- ups & entrepreneurs for Lewisham's best business exhibition of the year.

Barnehurst Golf Club, Mayplace Rd East, Barnehurst DA7 6JU

Greenwich B2B Link 'n Drink

Wednesday 25th October 17.30 - 19.30

Free monthly Informal meeting in a relaxed atmosphere, open to businesses from all boroughs. Chamber host will be Vice President, Terri Johnson. Don't forget your business cards.

Tuesday 7th November 18.30 - 20.30

The Greenwich Tavern, The Treehouse, 1 King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9JH

Networking Lunch & Presentation (NEW DATE)

Thursday 9th November 12.00 - 14.00

The Educational Space, Unit 2, first floor - Thames Side Studios, Harrington Way, Warspite Road, London SE18 5NR

Bromley breakfast meeting

Thursday 16th November 07.30 - 09.30

The Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, Bromley BR1 4JD

Evening Drinks Reception

Thursday 23rd November 18.30 - 20.30

Novotel, 173-185 Greenwich High Rd, London SE10 8JA

Lewisham Networking Lunch Lewisham Means Business

Bexley Link 'n Drink

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Come & enjoy a tasty buffet lunch with two glasses of wine whilst networking with like minded individuals. Opportunity for one minute slots to introduce / promote your business.

Free monthly informal networking meetings in partnership with Greenwich B2B. Topic & speaker TBC. Speaker: Chamber member & Independent Crowd funding Advisor Clive Reffell, Commanche Communications & Marketing.

Topic: Crowd Funding.

An introduction to the main types and advantages of crowdfunding as a means to start-up or scaleup a business. With local examples including specialist retailers, a market stall trader and a business valued at £6m within four years of launching from scratch with crowdfunded equipment and premises.

Speaker: Bob Stewart Conservative MP for Beckenham A business update from the aspect of local and national government.

Plus your opportunity to ask questions of the guest speaker.

Speakers: Bradley Hemmings - Artistic Director,& Michelle Walker Executive Director & Greenwich & Docklands International Festival.

Topic: If you haven't been to the Greenwich & Docklands International festival (GDIF)l before, you will hear all about it at this event as Bradley & Michelle deliver a presentation on London's largest outdoor festival of performing arts.

Bromley Link 'n Drink

Wednesday 29th November 17.30 - 19.30

The Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, Bromley BR1 4JD

Christmas On Top of The World

Free monthly Informal meeting in a relaxed atmosphere, open to businesses from all boroughs.

These meetings happen twice a month, taking turns in Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley & Bexley.

Chamber host for this event will be Chamber Vice President, Terri Johnson. Don't forget to bring your business cards & enjoy the complimentary canapés.

Thursday 14th December 12.30 - 14.30

Everest Inn, 41 Montpelier Vale, Lewisham, London SE3 0TJ

Glass of Prosecco and canapes on arrival. Bowls of Nepalese food to be shared at each table and a festive dessert.

Two glasses of wine/beer/soft drinks. £30 members/£35 non-members

Tuesday 5th December 18.30 - 21.00

The Greenwich Tavern, The Treehouse, 1 King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9JH

Free monthly informal networking meetings in partnership with Greenwich B2B. Topic & speaker TBC.

Tuesday 9th January 18.30 - 21.00

The Greenwich Tavern, The Treehouse, 1 King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9JH

Free monthly informal networking meetings in partnership with Greenwich B2B. Topic & speaker TBC.

Thursday 11th January 12.30 - 14.30

Venue TBC

Friday 19th January TBC

Houses of Parliament Westminster SW1A OAA

In association with Southwark Chamber More details to follow on the Chamber website

Friday 19th January 12.30 – 16.30

InterContinental London The 02 Waterview Drive Greenwich Peninsula SE10 OTW

More details to follow on the Chamber website

Thursday 25th January 07.30 - 09.30

Royal Blackheath Golf Club, Court Road, Eltham SE9 5AF

Greenwich B2B Link 'n Drink Greenwich B2B Link 'n Drink

Lewisham Networking Lunch

House of Commons Tour & Evening Drinks Reception Greenwich Business Awards

Greenwich Breakfast Meeting

October 2017

Speaker: Clive Efford Labour MP for Eltham A business update from the aspect of local and national government.

Plus your opportunity to ask questions of the guest speaker.

Arts & Culture |

What’s On at the Greenwich Theatre Bookings : 020 8858 7755 ticketing.greenwichtheatre.org.uk The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Wed 4-Sat 7 October Eves 7.30pm Thu & Sat Matinee 2.30pm Stolen Thu 5-Sun 8 October 7.30pm Nocturnes Tue 10 October 7.30pm

Live Canon: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Wed 11 October 7.30pm Promise And Promiscuity: A New Musical by Jane Austen and Penny Ashton Thu 12-Sat 14 October 7.30pm

Kwaidan Thu 19-Sat 21 October 7.30pm

The Dream Factory Sat 21-Sun 22 October Sat 2.30pm & 4.30pm Sun 11am & 2.30pm

Luke Jermay - Sixth Sense Sun 22 October 7.30pm Aleena's Garden Mon 23 October 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm The Three Musketeers Mon 23 October 11am & 3.30pm ME Tue 24 October 2pm

Kathy Lette's Girls' Night Out Thu 26 October 8pm

Yana and the Yeti Thu 26 October 2pm & 4pm

The Secret Keeper Fri 27 October 7.30pm How Time Flies Sat 28 October 2pm & 5pm The Red Room Sun 29 October 7.30pm

Antigone Mon 30 October 7.30pm

Cinderella Fri 17 November 2017Sun 7 January 2018 Times vary Get Therapy Mon 27 November 7.30pm

October 2017

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Spice up later life with the Cinnamon Care Collection

Doreen Eytle enjoying the seaside fun in the photobooth at the Darby and Joan event

e strive to provide the very best care and support in the most luxurious surroundings. Whether we are supporting someone recover from an illness or simply making life more comfortable for a person in their older years, we are determined to make a difference for the people that live with us, the families and friends that visit and the team of dedicated Cinnamon people that work alongside us The Cinnamon Care Collection is proud to offer bespoke and tailored care services to older people including residential care, shorter respite breaks, specialist dementia care and in two of our homes, nursing care.

W

Eileen and Jo enjoying a dance at the Summer Party

October 2017

With established care homes around London, in Hampshire and Southampton, Cinnamon also has locations in Birstall near Leicester and Bromsgrove near Birmingham. Due to a smooth and controlled growth over the past two years, Cinnamon is pleased to announce the imminent opening of another home for Blackheath - Rectory Court; a sister home to Leah Lodge which opened in 2016.

Anticipation is also mounting in Hextable, Kent as Emerson Park, a development of 47 purposebuilt, luxury retirement apartments for the over 55’s will be available in early 2018 complemented by a new, 85-bedroom care home.

The Cinnamon team offers vast healthcare expertise combined with a mission to make care in our homes the ultimate difference in later life care. We strive to be attentive to the things that are most important and enjoyable for the older people in our care with the ultimate aim of helping our residents feel comfortable, reassured and respected. Each of our uniquely styled homes offers security, independence and

The Cinnamon Care Collection is a privately-owned company providing an exclusive group of luxury care homes and retirement properties in beautiful locations throughout the country and since 2016 has opened two new care homes in Blackheath. round-the-clock personal support for those with a condition that requires frequent specialist care.

And our commitment to quality runs seamlessly through our collection of luxury homes, from the beautifully appointed en-suite rooms, to our delicious meals and wide variety of engaging activities putting our residents’ individual needs at the heart of all we do And for Cinnamon staff, care is not just a career choice, it is part of our nature. We know it is the little things that can make all the difference – like always having time for a chat and never forgetting a birthday or anniversary. Our friendly team of compassionate carers understands the different stages and types of dementia and their extensive experience and training ensures the continuity and consistency that is so vital to people with dementia.

Individual care plans help to ensure the precise needs of every single resident are recorded – everything from the meals they enjoy, hobbies they love and their personal routines.

Helen and Frances

These plans also cover specialist care requirements and dietary needs, guaranteeing our team can contribute directly to each unique resident’s happiness and health.

Every one of our residents receives a warm person-centred approach to their care, which is based on respecting their individual needs and wishes and treating them with the dignity and kindness they so richly deserve. Our carers love nothing more than chatting over a cup of tea, reminiscing through old photo albums and getting to know residents’ likes, dislikes and habits.

If you would like to find out more about the Cinnamon Care Collection, refer to our website www.cinnamoncc.com where you will find details of our care homes and retirement apartments.

If you are interested in either of our care homes in Blackheath, call 0208 318 2272 for Leah Lodge or 0208 297 5860 for Rectory Court.

For your journey Ser vices: • Audit and Assurance • Business Advisory • Cloud Accounting Services • Corporate Finance • Financial Planning • Forensic Accounting and Expert Witness • Human Resources • Outsourced Bookkeeping and Payroll • Restructuring and Recovery • Software Consultancy • Tax Planning Offices across Kent Ashford T 01233 629 255 E ashford@wilkinskennedy.com Canterbury T 01227 454 861 E canterbury@wilkinskennedy.com Maidstone T 01622 690 666 E maidstone@wilkinskennedy.com Orpington T 01689 827 505 E orpington@wilkinskennedy.com Sandwich T 01304 249 997 E sandwich@wilkinskennedy.com

For more information www.wilkinskennedy.com

22

|

Learning and Development Training for Business Professional Leadership and Management Training (AAT/CIPD/CMI)

Statutory Compliance Training (First Aid/Health and Safety)

Gas Safety Courses

London South East Colleges Your Innovative Business Partner

www.LSEC.ac.uk | e: Emma.Bray@LSEC.ac.uk | t: 020 8295 7000 ext 7425 London South East Colleges is the trading name of Bromley College of Further and Higher Education

October 2017

Skills |

23

Apprenticeship Levy begins to have an effect The Government’s Apprenticeship Levy is starting to change the way that companies access the training they need to ensure that the UK has the right skills for the years ahead. here has been growing concern at the skills shortage affecting many UK sectors with increasing number of company bosses expressing worries that many students emerge from education without the skills needed to thrive in the workplace.

Government ministers officially launched the levy in April as part of the biggest shake-up of skills for a generation, designed to address the concerns.

The levy requires all employers in the UK with an annual wage bill of more than £3 million to pay 0.5% of it towards funding apprenticeships.

The money will be invested in quality training for apprentices and double the annual investment in apprenticeships in England to £2.5 billion by 2019 to 2020, compared with 2010 to 2011 levels.

Employers in England can set up an online account to

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manage their funds and invest in training for apprentices working for them.

The Government will provide a further 10% top up to levy contributions each month into employers’ accounts.

The levy will encourage employers to invest in highquality apprenticeships ensuring even more people have a chance to reach their full potential.

Support will also be provided for smaller employers with an annual pay bill below £3 million and therefore not required to pay the levy.

Since its introduction, he levy has been having a growing effect. Companies of all sizes and large organisations including councils have been taking advantage of the new system to run courses in everything from fraud prevention to the sciences, as part of initiatives to boost the numbers of young people pursuing careers in the STEM subjects.

The schemes are bringing to fruition the aims of the Government in introducing the system.

“

Companies of all sizes and large organisations including councils have been taking advantage of the new system to run courses in everything from fraud prevention to the sciences, as part of initiatives to boost the numbers of young people pursuing careers in the STEM subjects.

”

Skills Minister Robert Halfon said when the levy was launched: “There has never been a more important time for Britain to invest in the skills of our people and businesses.

To make Britain stronger and fairer, we need to make sure that everyone gets the chance to climb the ladder of opportunity to gain the education and skills they need to be successful in life.

“Our apprenticeship levy is a massive part of this.

More than 90% of apprentices go into work or further training, and the quality on-the-job training on offer will make sure we have the people with the skills, knowledge and technical excellence to drive our country forward.

“Building an apprenticeship and skills nation is essential in ensuring that we have the home-grown workforce we need in post-Brexit Britain to address the skills shortages facing industry and give everyone the chance to succeed.”

October 2017

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26

| Construction

Report shows that the construction boom is spreading New research suggests that the construction boom that London has been experiencing is being replicated across other parts of the country.

Construction | he Regional Construction Hotspots in Great Britain 2017 report, produced by industry analysts Barbour ABI and the Construction Products Association, shows that contract awards on major regeneration and infrastructure projects have seen ‘hotspot’ pockets of construction emerge across Great Britain as investment in housebuilding, infrastructure and commercial project shifts away from London and the South East.

Also, the report showed that levels of construction contract values awarded in 2016 in London saw a decrease of 15 per cent compared to 2015, down to £13.1 billion on the year.

Only two London regions made it into the top ten for overall construction value in 2016 with Tower Hamlets and Camden & City of London, fourth and eighth respectively, boosted by projects such as the £300 million Chrisp Street development in Poplar and the £500 million 22-24 Bishopsgate tower in the City (formerly the Pinnacle).

When it comes to residential construction, in contrast to other regions in Great Britain that experienced a fall in contract value in 2016, London’s annual total held steady at £5.5 billion, with developments such as Royal Greenwich Council's £262 million Woolwich Estates regeneration and the Atlas Building in Hackney with a contract value of £170 million.

Looking at the commercial sector in London, contract awards totalled £3.4 billion in 2016, broadly unchanged from the 2015 value.

Key commercial projects commissioned in the capital in 2016 included four worth more than £250 million: 22-24 Bishopsgate, Ten Bank Street in Canary Wharf, Bechtel House in Hammersmith and Building S4 at the Olympic Promenade in Stratford.

Infrastructure projects totalled £1.5 billion in 2016, a 50.5% decrease from 2015, but in line with the long-term average, says the report.

Major contracts awarded included £350 million for HS2, £170 million for upgrades to baggage facilities at Heathrow and £150 million for the Garden Bridge, which has since been cancelled.

In past years, London frequently dominated the ‘hotspot’ pockets of construction activity.

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However, the report for 2016 indicates a spread right across Great Britain, with London only holding six of the sixty-one hotspots.

London hotspots for commercial activity were Bromley, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham, Hackney and Newham. Barking & Dagenham and Havering were the main hotspots of activity for infrastructure, due to utilities projects including a £70 million energy-from-waste plant and a £30 million anaerobic digestion plant.

London was the sole region where there were no residential ‘coldspots’, with contract awards for large developments keeping values relatively unchanged from 2014 and 2015. There were also no infrastructure coldspots across the London districts.

Two London districts – Brent, Camden & the City of London - saw commercial activity cool to below long-term averages in 2016, but this was the joint lowest number of regional coldspots in Great Britain, tying with the North East.

Michael Dall, Lead Economist at Barbour ABI, said: “After a fruitful year for construction in 2015, especially in the Capital, it was always going to be challenging replicating similar figures, particularly with the uncertainty of Brexit falling in the midst of 2016.

“However, housebuilding once again proved to hold strong and prop up construction with a number of major developments commissioned across the city, as investors and housebuilders continue to see the value in developing residential property in London.”

Rebecca Larkin, Senior Economist at the Construction Products Association, said: “With residential and commercial contracts having remained at high values, the sharp decrease in infrastructure contract awards in London during 2016 was disappointing.

“It is, however, softened by the fact that values simply dropped back to relatively normal levels after an impressive 2015.

“That means construction output over the next few years will be buoyed by work on previous hotspots – the Thames Tideway Tunnel and the Gospel OakBarking Overground extension for example – with new projects awarded contracts in 2016 adding to the pipeline of activity.”

Levy improves training

Research has shown that funding from members of industry body the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is being used to increase the amount of skilled people working in the sector.

Money provided by CITB levies is being used to increase training, qualifications and promote construction careers.

The Impact of CITB Project Funding report shows that £17.8m CITB’s Flexible and Structured funding went to more than 300 projects in England, Scotland and Wales between September 2015 and December 2016.

The largest group to receive funding in the period were micro and small employers (231), followed by construction federations (38), large employers (18), CITB-funded training groups (9), medium employers (6) and one Trade Union.

The levy monies CITB collects from construction employers are invested back into industry. The report shows how these funds were awarded to projects which match the construction industry’s priorities; careers, standards and qualifications and training and development.

Of the 303 projects that received levy payers’ money in the period: • 149 were funded to reduce the skills gap • 119 received monies to increase access to the right training • 18 won funding to reduce skills shortages • 14 projects increased the appeal of working in construction • Three increased the value added per employee.

Steve Radley, CITB Director of Policy, said: “This report shares key findings on how levy payers’ money is having a positive impact on our industry, including on many small firms.

“It shows that CITB funding helps people gain qualifications, reduce skills gaps and improves staff morale.

“For employers, it has encouraged innovation and facilitated new partnerships, as well as improving perceptions of construction as a career. We will continue to work closely with our industry to ensure that funding is targeted at its priorities and delivers the outcomes it needs.”

27

Compact living could add income and create jobs Special compact living developments could bring an additional £200m of income and more than 1,000 new jobs to Central London, a new study has found. he report from Development Economics also found that compact living could reinvigorate many communities in Zone 1 by enabling a mix of young workers to live centrally.

Compact living town flats would be housed in buildings with a range of communal and co-working facilities.

These town flats would be for rental only, meaning they could not be sold on by speculators. Because of their smaller size, they could be built within Zone 1 and still be affordable for those paying the London Living Rent.

In the report, based on an assumption of locating five town flat developments sites in each of the nine inner London boroughs, the key economic findings are as follows: • Town flats would house 3,555 more working age adults than typical accommodation on the same sites • Town flats would deliver an additional £202.5m of household expenditure a year • Town flats would support 1,035 more local jobs • Town flats would provide 4,770 more homes It is this return of young working age adults to central London that leads the report to highlight the social benefits of the town flats concept.

The report was welcomed by U+I Deputy Chief Executive, Richard Upton, who said: "For too long and for too many people London has been hollowing itself out - diluting the rich blend which has made it the global capital. The centre is now only affordable to either the very wealthy, only occasionally present, or those living in what social housing remains. For a new generation of workers in the middle, often working centrally, living in the middle of London has long been a dream.”

The inspiration for the town flats concept is reinforced by a paper, also commissioned by U+I, from the author of Stuffocation, James Wallman. In the paper, entitled Can we fix it?, Wallman argues that compact living fits in with the way in which people's lives are evolving. One key trend is people's increasing desire to have fewer things and take up less space.

The author of the Development Economics report, Stephen Lucas, concluded: "With greater numbers of people than ever choosing location over space when deciding where to live, building sufficient quantities of highquality, centrally-located housing will be essential for London's future economic, social and cultural growth.”

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October 2017

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October 2017

Ask the Expert |

29

Why GDPR matters to you

by Neil Linter Managing Director, Glemnet The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) calls on businesses of all types and sizes to protect their customers’ information so that their privacy is guaranteed.

DPR, which is set to replace the Data Protection Act 1998, will come into effect from the 25th May 2018. If you are not fully compliant, and cannot demonstrate that you took appropriate steps to abide by the regulation, you can expect fines of up to 20m Euros or 4% of your annual turnover.

Here, Neil Linter, Managing Director of. Glemnet answers some of the key questions What does GDPR mean to your business?

It means a lot of work in preparation for May 2018 and a complete shift in the way in which we handle data.

We need to change the way that we engage with existing and prospective customers as we need to show that we have their specific permission to contact them.

We need to ensure that our data is secure, accurate and that all data is accounted for and held in a central

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repository. It requires all departments to coordinate and ensures that they are compliant with the legislation.

Lots to do but we have set up an internal GDPR task force and DPO which is helping us to work our way towards compliance.

What can you do with the data you already hold?

We need to first of all make sure that we know where all of the data is stored. We then need to arrange to store this centrally and securely.

We need a system whereby we can, if required, delete a record in its entirety.

What technologies have you adopted to help your organisations with compliance?

We have implemented a Cloud-based CRM solution MS Dynamics 365 and Office 365. This has taken a lot of the headache away from the process as all customer and prospective records are flagged and stored in

a central location which is secure and backed up.

Another important aspect of the GDPR is the Data Subject Rights which gives customers the right to know what information your organisation is processing and storing.

This presents some challenges as not all information stored in CRM is easily searchable.

With Microsofts BI companies are able to search a range of applications from Excel spreadsheets, onpremises data sources, streaming data, and cloud services. It doesn't matter what type of data you want or where it lives.

What kind of information does the GDPR apply to?

The current Data Protection Directive defines personal information as; "any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person ("data subject")”; an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by

reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person. The GDPR’s definition is clear that your online identifier such as your IP address is personal data.

This definition will likely change, it will be slightly more detailed in that it will make clear that online identifiers, such as an IP address, email address, mobile numbers will also be classed as personal data.

It’s all about information that we hold on our customers and our prospective customers and wherever we have detail on any organisation. We need to protect their privacy and ensure that we have the means of demonstrating that we are able to delete information whenever it is requested.

Using Dynamics CRM has made this task far easier.

Tackle GDPR with Glemnet over breakfast on the 12th October Bromley Football Club

T: 020 8639 0230 | www.glemnet.com | info@glemnet.com October 2017

Christmas @ Novotel London Greenwich

Book your Christmas party from 13th November or spend Christmas in style @ the Novotel London Greenwich, with an exclusive 10% discount

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Festive |

Party On regardless!

Autumn may just be upon us, but it’s the time of year when people are already thinking about booking that all-important Christmas Party. espite all the turbulence in this postBrexit Referendum world, people still want to celebrate the festive season – perhaps even more than usual.

Also, the report showed that levels of construction contract values awarded in 2016 in London saw a decrease of 15 per cent compared to 2015, down to £13.1 billion on the year.

A good Christmas Party can do wonders for staff morale, which is crucial in these uncertain times, and the chance of finding the best venue for your needs is very high indeed as long as you take care in preparing the groundwork.

The South East London region is blessed with excellent restaurants, hotels and other alternative venues that can stage the best parties possible, taxi companies that can take you home or hotels should you decide to spend the night.

So how do you know how to select the best venue?

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Maybe a tribute in a short speech or a thank you note on place settings would be a good idea.

And, yes times, have been tough for some, yes, budgets have been tight, but a cheap party looks cheap so if you are a boss who is determined to hold one, loosen the pursestrings a little - err on the side of generous and your staff will appreciate the gesture.

However, for some people a straightforward party is not enough and there is a growing trend for something a bit more ambitious to celebrate the festive period.

Themed parties can work really well so consider what will generate the most goodwill and what kind of event will appeal to most people.

That could mean bringing in specialist companies to dress up venues to mimic everything from Thirties America to space-age celebrations. Anything is possible.

Whatever you fancy venues or specialist events companies can oblige, providing the right décor and costumes and guaranteeing the right ambience.

Such events could happen everywhere from hotels and restaurants to marquees in gardens – it does not really matter where because venues and events companies are adept at making magic happen. All you need to bring is that initial spark of imagination and they can make the rest happen.

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South East London has an excellent array of fine restaurants, hotels and other venues that can host the best parties possible.

If you are looking for the ultimate festive fun and feast then sample Bexleyheath Marriott Hotel where you can celebrate the festive season in style. Indulge in delicious Festive Afternoon Teas, Christmas Day and Boxing Day Lunch with your friends or family.

If you want to dance the night away with your colleagues to the resident DJ then go along to the 'Join in' Party nights which include party hats, crackers and novelties! or celebrate the end of the year at the New Year's Eve Gala dinner.

Why not try something new for your festive celebrations this year.

Eat, Drink and be Merry at the Novotel London Greenwich.

You will discover a vibrant setting bursting with atmosphere and style, just perfect for dining or partying with friends, work colleagues and family. To find out more about Christmas party packages visit www.novotel.com/3476 Partygoers can also relax and unwind at The Ibis London Greenwich and, sip a chilled Glass of wine or enjoy a beer or two in the stylish on-site bar.

The perfect place to kick back and relax and spend quality time with your colleagues, or stay over and enjoy the Inviting, modern and comfort of a "Sweet room by Ibis" which has got everything you need for a pleasant stay.

Well, it’s all down to first impressions - do you like the décor, does it look like it can generate a good atmosphere, are the staff friendly?

It is crucial to selecting venues that make everyone feel welcome.

Some staff members might not appreciate a busy pub, whilst others might not want a restaurant so it’s worth putting a bit of thought into making a choice that strikes the right balance.

Choosing the right menu is important as well. People like choice so even though most guests will go for the traditional Christmas meal, it’s a good idea to make sure there is an alternative and definitely a vegetarian option.

Also, people like to be appreciated. Maybe your staff and suppliers have gone over and beyond what was expected of them to help the business. A good boss knows to acknowledge that at the Christmas party.

October 2017

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| Retail

The Glades is back with the best in retail therapy and family fun Following last year’s successful rebrand back to its original name, The Glades Shopping Centre is firmly on the map as Bromley’s premier retail and food destination. And with bigger offerings and bolder events – the hotspot is better than ever! he last 12 months have been packed with exciting new openings, exclusive fashion celebrations and spectacular kids’ entertainment – all of which have been enjoyed by thousands of people.

With a stylish gathering of retailers under its roof, The Glades has been bringing its collections of brands to life in unmissable ways, such as its VIP Fashion Gallery event, which showcased the trends like works of art in a shoppable gallery. Lookbook Live is The Glades’ autumn/winter fashion presentation, currently hitting refresh on seasonal dressing.

Elsewhere across the centre, Bromley has been devouring palatepleasing flavours at its global cuisinespanning Restaurant Terrace, with family-friendly eateries catering to a variety of tastes and needs.

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October 2017

Kate Miller, General Manager of The Glades, said: “More than a million additional visitors have enjoyed great food and drink in picturesque garden surroundings since we opened our terrace, and with a playground to keep the little ones entertained, it’s no wonder a ‘quick bite’ easily turns into a leisurely day spending quality time with loved ones.”

The centre’s calendar of free events has also been providing families with unforgettable days out. This summer, space exploration exhibition ‘Kids On The Moon’ landed in the UK for the very first time. The gravity of the event pulled in thousands of budding astronauts who embarked on an intergalactic ride; learning

about the moon and history of space travel. It also caught the attention of The European Space Agency, with a member of its communication department spending a day at the centre, with 200 local children participating in a one-off Q&A session.

The fun doesn’t stop there as once a month, the themed Little Explorers Kids’ Club takes young adventurers on a new educational expedition to a historical period, an event from the past, or a visit to key characters through creative story-telling, songs and games.

Offering a brilliant chance to meet other mums and dads is Baby Bubble - a new addition to The Glades’ familyfocused activity.

Each month parents are invited to bring their babies and tots to free drop-in sessions such as first aid and baby yoga, with classes led by experts.

With top stores, delicious dining options and lots to keep children entertained, the centre has the best of everything. Its plentiful offering brings convenience in abundance and with many more events still to come, there’s much for visitors to discover at The Glades.

Focus on Finance |

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High earners: act soon to fund [comfortable] retirement Most of us think retirement planning is something to leave on the ‘to do’ pile!

But if you are a high earner, recent tax changes mean you should think about dealing with this sooner rather than later. or people in the fortunate position of earning £150,000 or more per annum, new rules mean that with effect from 6 April 2016 the amount you can contribute to your pension fund, in a tax favoured fashion, is diminished. So much so, that if your income exceeds £210,000, the maximum you can contribute and receive tax relief on is £10,000 per annum.

Prior to 6 April 2016 the contribution limit was £40,000.

For most people earning £210,000 pa putting £10,000 per annum aside to fund their retirement is hardly likely to keep them in the manner to which they have become accustomed!

What’s more, if you fund your pension at higher levels than these the additional contributions will be taxed at a whopping rate of 45%.

So, if you are one of these high earners is there anything you can do to boost your

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pension fund now, while you are still able? Well, the answer could be yes, but you’ll need to consider this relatively soon.

In addition to the annual contribution rules, there are carry-forward rules which, if you have any sort of pension fund already open, allow you to take advantage of years where you have not used the full contribution allowance.

These go back three years, but if you don’t use them, you lose them!

So, as an example, if you regularly earn say £210,000, and have a pension fund to which you’ve made no contributions in recent years you could contribute up to; • 2017/18 £10,000 • 2016/17 £10,000 • 2015/16 £40,000 • 2014/15 £40,000 • A maximum of £100,000 But the point is, if you don’t use up the £40,000 from 2014/15 in 2017/18 you’ll lose

the ability to do so and replace that allowance with a much smaller one of only £10,000 (for 2018/19).

For people with taxable income between £150,000 and £210,000 the additional £30,000 allowance is whittled down by £1 for every £2 of earnings, so the same applies there, but the availability of relief will depend on your actual income for those years.

Use it or lose it

If you have the income and the spare cash, you might want to think about utilising

any unused relief before it expires at 5 April 2018, or is otherwise taken away by a Chancellor looking to make further savings, potentially in his next Budget, due in November 2017. Because if you don’t, you may just find you don’t have the ability to use pension funds to any degree to provide for you and your family when you retire!

Every circumstance is different and you should take specific advice from a suitable professional before acting or deciding not to act.

Please speak to us if you would like further help or advice on this topic.

Nick Paterno is Managing Partner at McBrides Chartered Accountants. He can be contacted on 020 8309 0011 or email nick.paterno@mcbridesllp.com

October 2017

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| New Members

And Finally…

Duncan Adams Director of Marketing and Communications London South East Colleges Duncan joined London South East Colleges in September 2016 having previously been Group Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment at Warwickshire College Group for four years prior to his appointment.

Duncan has a wealth of experience in marketing, communications, branding as well as internal communications gained in Further Education, the charity sector, consultancy and policing.

Welcome to our new members CCCGB LTD

NIC Services

Chris Taylor Computer Services

Select Appointments Lewisham

T: 0742 432 7715 E: admin@cccgb.uk Contact: Cedric Longange

T: 0776 851 0812 E: chris@cetaylor.co.uk Contact: Chris Taylor

Handy AV Limited

T: 020 8466 6500 E: sales@handyav.com Contact: Aubrey Wright

Help Save Lives

T: 07985 728014 E: Rhona@helpsavelives.co.uk Contact: Rhona Manning

Movo Insurance Brokers T: 020 3137 8020 E: hoosh@movoinsurance.com Contact: Hoosh Mires

What was your first job and what was the pay packet?

T: 020 3744 0505 E: dwilmott@nicgroup.co.uk Contact: Desmond Wilmott

My first job was working at a stationers and bookshop. It was a great job with great people and I worked there on Saturday’s and during holidays for several years. I honestly can’t remember my pay packet, it was that long ago!

But it can’t have been that bad if I stayed that long.

T: 020 3865 9605 E: b.adeojo@select.co.uk Contact: Busola Ade-Ojo

What would you do with your last pound?

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As a member you're well connected with access to our range of benefits and services, including our directory of local member businesses.

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As a member of our Chamber, you are joining a unique organisation with a strong campaigning voice for business to local and national government.

You can access a range of services, networking events and support to help your business do better. Importantly, you can also access other members to find new suppliers, promote your business services, or join forces on new opportunities.

Find out how to join and learn how others are benefiting from their membership.

For more information telephone: 020 8317 3365 email: office@selondonchamber.org October 2017

Having worked at Sussex Police for nearly ten years as a Press Officer and then PR Manager Duncan also has a wealth of experience in crisis communications and reputation management.

In addition to the day job Duncan is now also a trustee at his local hospice, St Wilfrid’s, in his home town of Eastbourne.

Give it to the charity I’m a trustee of, St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Eastbourne. I’ve seen first-hand the amazing work that the hospice movement does and these amazing places cannot survive without the support of their local communities.

I’d urge everyone reading this to support their local hospice.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

There are many challenges facing the education sector, not least the reduction in funding year on year. From a marketing perspective though the biggest challenge for us is keeping up with developments in technology and how this can help, and sometimes hinder, our marketing – people are bombarded and we need to cut through this to get our message out there.

If you were Prime Minister, what would be your first decision?

Politics can be very personal and so it’s difficult to answer that one. But, education and end of life care are two areas that are very close to my heart so it would have to be something in each of those. Both need more support!

If you could do another job what would it be?

Barrister. An easy answer. Not doing law is my one big regret in life, I would simply love to do it – whether I’d be any good at it is another question. Having been a juror on a long and complex case I have the upmost admiration for criminal barristers and would dearly love to have followed this path.