Thinking Business April 2015

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR KENT INVICTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • APRIL / MAY 2015

Kent Manufacturing

- Powerhouse for the South East Also Inside: • Spotlight on Thanet • Big Interview • Ask the Expert • Members News • Chamber Awards

TThere are are r easier easieer w ways aays ys to fund ffund a new n w bus ne business… siness… …

Are you looking for more cash to start up or expand a business?

Visit www.timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk to find out more, and if you’re interested in applying for funds, send your full business plan, together with a covering letter about you and your company, to:

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Kent’s newest weekly newspaper, the Times of Tunbridge Wells, has launched a Dragons’ Den-style £5million investment fund for Kent-based businesses. The newspaper is working with a small group of high net worth individuals to support great business ideas across the county.

So, if you’re a local entrepreneur, start-up business or an existing business looking to expand, why not apply for an investment from the fund in return for a share in your company?

Alongside financial help, successful applicants will receive advice and support by way of legal, accounting and business strategy from a network of advisers.

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TIMES OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS INVESTMENT FUND, 16 LONSDALE GARDENS, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT TN1 1NU

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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Closing date is July 1, 2015. All business plans will be received and viewed in strictest confidence.

Applicants must be 18+ and operating a limited company within the boundaries of the county of Kent. @timesoftw www.facebook.com/timesoftunbridgewells

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CONTENTS

Welcome The start of April already, where has the first quarter of 2015 gone.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who entered this year’s Business Awards; the standard of entries seems to get higher year on year, certainly making the job of the judging panel a rather challenging one. You can see the full list of finalists and winners on pages 14 & 15, all very worthy of the accolade.

We have the Cover Feature on page 26, outlining the importance of manufacturing to the economy.

The pace of business certainly seems to be gathering momentum, which is fantastic if you are managing to translate positively on your bottom line. There is nothing worse that running around like a headless chicken, no time to spare and not reaping any rewards.

Well, I am delighted to say your Chamber team have been exceptionally busy since the start of 2015 but in a positive way. March was a little mad, and I do think we all resembled headless chickens at some point in the month. But what a month it was; we had the annual Business Awards; Get Social Kent Conference and the West Kent Business to Business Exhibition as well as holding around 8 networking events. You are certainly keeping us all very active!

On pages 28/29 there is the Big Interview with Caroline Butterfield, Managing Director and Partner of Oak Creative. This year they celebrate 25 years in business and I would like to personally congratulate them. Having been involved in the Chamber for around the same time, I have seen first-hand the business grow and develop and have always been impressed with Caroline’s leadership, dedication and enthusiasm. At the start of the recession in 2008 we saw many companies in the industry go down, but good business leadership and ability to adapt and diversify ensured that they are here today celebrating 25 years.

Congratulations to Caroline and the Team.

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Members Corner Chamber News Members News Focus on Finance Members News Chamber Awards Members News 24 hours with...

Ask the Expert Spotlight On......

International Trade Members News Cover Feature

Editorial and General Enquiries Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Ashford Business Point, Waterbrook Avenue, Sevington, Ashford, Kent. TN24 0LH Tel: 01233 503 838 Fax: 01233 503 687 Email: info@kentinvictachamber.co.uk Web: www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk Chief Executive: Jo James Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited 3tc House, 16 Crosby Road North, Crosby, Liverpool L22 0NY Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com Published April 2015 © Benham Publishing Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com

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Big Interview Members News The Economy & Us Members News Members News Members Benefits Getting Started Chamber Events Chamber Exhibitions Regional News New Members The Last Word Movers & Shakers

Production Manager Mark Etherington Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: mark@benhampublishing.com Media No. 1372 Disclaimer Thinking Business is published for Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in Thinking Business are not necessarily those of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2015.

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.

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MEMBERSCORNER

Kent supported employment Kent Supported Employment is part of Kent County Council and began in the mid-1990s in Gravesend.

Members Corner from Linda Marsh

Membership Development Manager Since January 2015 we have hosted some excellent events, from breakfasts to “Get Social”.

Kent Invicta Chamber, working in Partnership with ZC Social Media put on an event at the Mercure Hotel in Maidstone on 27th Feb 15.

The event was supported by a great line-up of Headline speakers, all experts in their fields. On the day, over 300 people attended the event. There were clinics on “how to” in each topic, and an exhibition of social media and digital providers, from around Kent.

I thought it might be of interest for you all if I share some statistics with you : Facebook stats, 59% of females used Facebook to message about the event, whereas 41% were male. Total incoming messages on the day were 415, 43 new fans, that’s great feedback for the event. Interesting, Twitter stats, 62% were male followers, whereas 38% were female, a real contrast here to Facebook. Twitter had 352 mentions, gained 185 new followers, with 77 retweets. So at KICC we feel the whole day was a great success. We are going to be working in partnership with ZC Social media to bring you all a series of “Academy” style snapshot “learn how” sessions over the coming months. We are already working on the date and venue for next year’s event, if you are interested in exhibiting, speaking or sponsoring then please let me know, and we have already gained some sponsors so get in quick!

We are about to start our programme of B2B’s across the County starting with West Kent, River Centre Tonbridge on 27th March 15. All other dates are, South East – Ashford 7th July at the International Hotel, North Kent, Brands Hatch Circuit on 15th October 15 and finally East Kent, Discovery Park Sandwich on 4th November 15, so plan these in your diary and we look forward to seeing you all there.

Remember, that the membership team are all available for you if you need help, advice or general information about YOUR Chamber membership so just give us a call, alternatively pop along to one of our networking events, it would be great to see you.

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

We now work across Kent with our main aim being to empower and support disadvantaged people onto a pathway to ongoing upskilling and employment. Employment Support Officers and Job Coaches work on a 1-1 basis with clients to support them in finding and sustaining employment opportunities. This is a free service for clients who are eligible through Social Services and their employers. Our support will include: • Job matching- searching and applying for appropriate roles • Researching and arranging work placements, apprenticeships and volunteering.

• Interview techniques and CV building • “In work support” 1-1 onsite Job Coaching and travel training • Signposting and referrals to training opportunities • Disability Awareness training and advice for employers • Advice regarding disability benefits and Access to Work funding • Job retention service- support and advice for employers and clients to implement positive solutions and strategies to promote sustained employment.

Michael’s Story: How KSE guided me to the career ladder My name is Michael and I have high functioning autism a.k.a Asperger’s. Not very long ago that fact was a source of severe concern for me and justifiably so.

My learning difficulty had made it very difficult for me to naturally develop social skills, making attempts to communicate with people inherently stressful. It also affected my presentation skills and my ability to fully understand tasks.

After leaving University with a degree and post graduate diploma in military history, I found it very difficult to find work.

I didn’t really know where to begin, but also I couldn’t find a way to believe that my condition would allow me to function effectively in the workplace.

After getting in contact with KSE, they helped me build up my confidence and reinforce my social skills at my own pace

by starting me with volunteer roles.

Each role built up my experience so I could land a job at the Kent Association for the Blind. At the KAB I work in the Guide Communicators Office where I answer phones, respond to enquiries, communicate with vulnerable people and help with organizing timetables and processing payrolls. A year ago I would never have even considered those roles, thinking I could never perform them, but my feedback has been very positive and for this I credit KSE for its help.

The Asperger’s related problems I mentioned before are still there, but the difference now is that I don’t see them as crippling problems. As a result I no longer feel that I cannot get a job where I have to communicate with people on a regular basis, which is effectively every job today. Now I feel that there are far more career options available to me in the future, e.g. care management, charity work or anything really.

For further information on Kent Supported Employment and the benefits of employing a diverse workforce, please contact: Chris Grogan KSE Manager Mobile: 07920 152637 Direct line: 03000 416179 email: chris.grogan@kent.gov.uk www.kent.gov.uk/jobs/helping-disabled-people-into-work

See where, when and how energy is being used across your business Do you know if...

• The lights in your business are being left on at night?

• Equipment is left running at night?

• There are unusual patterns in energy usage?

• Your energy spend is competitive?

If you don't know the answer, Utility Insight can give you it with a full overview of your energy use.

Utility Insight can answer all these questions and more - get a grip of your energy spend by understanding how you are using it.

Utility Insight is a web-based reporting platform developed by market leading utility services company, Chamber Energy Solutions to give you total insight into your electricity consumption.

This can help you to monitor and review the way you use energy and improve energy efficiency within your business.

Find out more call 0800 923 0210 or visit www.chamberenergysolutions.co.uk

CHAMBERNEWS

Understanding the business benefits of a data centre As more and more companies are shifting from individual servers to networked systems as well as relying on being online, numerous businesses are realising that the original benefit of running your own server room so your servers are close to your own office location is being outweighed by the advantages of a data centre solution.

Whilst many in-house server rooms have access to power and may well have air conditioning and battery back-ups, this system does not fully protect your infrastructure. Organisations need to consider whether their power solution, as well as the raw cost also includes diverse power feeds and distribution paths? Do you have dual generator systems that can be re-fuelled whilst in operation as well as onsite fuel reserves? Do you have diverse cooling systems, with UPS support in place? Who is monitoring your power and battery levels 24/7? Do you have a 100% uptime solution?

Many companies do not realise that you could save money and have greater resilience in a data centre. Rowland Kinch CEO of Custodian Data Centres in Maidstone, Kent explains why local businesses should be exploring the benefits that a data centre could provide their organisation.

Reductions in operational expenditure and the ability to focus your IT team on your core business, means that data centres offer organisations the ability to maximise the potential within their businesses. Do you have a team where people are available 24/7/365 to re-boot your server or air conditioning when it fails at 3am? Data centres specialise in monitoring and maintaining IT infrastructure and network services, so you don’t have to.

For financial directors and IT directors, a data centre provides the perfect win-win scenario, providing cost savings and delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure.

When you compare the capabilities of a standard comms or server room versus a data centre solution an assessment of the power alone demonstrates the gap between an in-house solution versus utilising the expertise of a specialist.

For an IT director moving from an in-house solution to a data centre is like providing a kart driver with an F1 vehicle. When it comes to connectivity, a data centre means that your business is connected globally, quickly and securely. We find that many companies with on-site server rooms often do not have on-site access to a fast uncontended resilient internet connection with dedicated personnel monitoring traffic flow to ensure that you always remain on.

Data centres enable organisations to benefit from faster networking and resilient connectivity at a fairly low price - as delivering 100 mbps of bandwidth might be hard at an office location and trying to create a redundant solution is often financially unviable. Data centres are connected to multiple transit providers and also have large bandwidth pipes meaning that business often benefit from a better service for less cost.

With these considerations in mind, some organisations start to look to cloud solutions rather than a data centre in the first instance.

Cloud does not provide organisations with a fully auditable system and the ability to have full control over their own infrastructure. A data centre often enables businesses to avoid spending money on storage bills in the cloud, as it is often cheaper to store information on their own servers.

From the periodic necessary replacement of UPS batteries, to the maintenance and

testing of UPS systems, cooling and chiller solutions, generator and fire suppression systems, to pest control, the hidden costs of sustaining your infrastructure to optimal levels can be surprising. Indeed as part of a standard data centre solution, organisations instantly benefit from high level security with ISO 27001 accredited processes, on-site security teams and infrastructure.

Additionally, data centres have the time, resource and impetus to continually invest and research in green technologies meaning that not only can businesses reduce their own carbon footprints at their own office locations, they are also benefitting from continual efficiency saving research.

Companies who move their servers from in-house server rooms typically save 90% on their own carbon emissions.

Choosing a data centre provider away from a city or data centre hub with optimal connectivity options, both to the capital, Europe and further afield means there are the advantages of all central data centres with the added benefits of having attractive power capabilities and the security of being away from being affected from centrally targeted terrorist activity - something that many audits now require. Out-of-town data centres mean that businesses can take full advantage of the capital’s infrastructure without the premium costs associated with it.

A data centre solution provides companies with a variety of opportunities, with exceptional SLAs and having data secured off-site, providing organisations with added levels of risk management and the chance to invest in better equipment and state-of-theart servers. This can enable IT teams the possibility to explore options such as virtualisation and condense the amount of racks and servers required.

Most IT directors understand that their equipment is mission critical to their organization - data centres are able to meet business requirements at a lower cost than if the service was kept in-house. They have the ability to have businesses up and running within hours, as well as provide the flexibility to grow alongside your organisation. Rack space, power, bandwidth and connection speeds can all be increased where required to ensure that all sizes of clients can be catered for. www.custodiandc.com

Caxtons sponsors programme again Once again, Caxtons Chartered Surveyors is delighted to support the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and the local business community by agreeing to headline sponsorship of their 2015 B2B events.

This year’s programme launched on 27th March with the West Kent exhibition at the Tonbridge River Centre.

Ron Roser, Chairman of Caxtons, who will deliver the ‘welcome’ address at each event, .said “Last year’s events attracted many visitors and exhibitors from across the county, raised their profile and emphasised the significance of local businesses talking to and working with one another.

“Caxtons recognises the importance of affirming its presence in the business community, and these exhibitions have proved to be very successful for reconnecting with and building upon relationships with current clients – to say nothing of the new business contacts that they are able to establish. It’s a perfect way of engaging people at a local level.”

This year, Caxtons celebrates its 25th anniversary. Founded in 1990, the company has grown year on year ever since and now employs more than 100 staff in offices across the county.

In addition to the Invicta B2B events, Caxtons will exhibit at the Construction Expo 2015, held in the autumn, and once again, is headline sponsor and major contributor of the prestigious annual Kent Property Market Report, which this year will launch on 5th November.

Kent Invicta Chamber B2B events take place as follows: • 7 July Kent - Ashford International Hotel • 5 October North Kent - at Brands Hatch Circuit • 4 November East Kent - at Discovery Park, Sandwich More details will be available from Caxtons nearer to the date of each event.

For further information email dgurton@caxtons.com

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MEMBERSNEWS

Bonus Schemes and Sickness Absence A recent case in the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) looked at whether failing to pay a bonus to disabled employees with high levels of sickness absence was discriminatory.

Land Registry’s discretionary bonus did not pay out to employees who had received warnings for sickness absence.

Whilst Land Registry had reasonable adjustments in place to postpone issuing warnings to employees following disability-related absences, after such a warning had been issued, employees were automatically disqualified from the bonus.

The EAT found that the fact that employees were automatically barred from receiving the bonus following the warning amounted to unfavourable treatment caused by disability. The EAT took into account that there was no discretion to ignore the warnings. Note that in the case of warnings for misconduct, managers still had

discretion to award the bonus.

Additionally, there was no credit given for any improvement in attendance following the issuing of a warning.

The manager who made the decision not to award the bonus did not know that the employees were disabled, but this was found to be irrelevant; the key factor was that disability had caused the absences which had led to the non-payment.

So what can employers take from this?

It can be acceptable to link bonuses to attendance, but the scheme must allow for discretion in situations where nonattendance is linked to disability and reasonable adjustments must be made to procedures before sanctions are

issued for non-attendance where this is linked to disability.

For further advice, Laura Claridge is a solicitor at Gullands Solicitors and will be hosting a free bi-monthly employment law clinic until June at Gullands new Gravesend office.

To book a session, or for more information, Laura can be reached at l.claridge@gullands.com or visit www.gullands.com.

Active Digital wins gold Double digit salary growth for Kent’s professionals

Active Digital’s front-line support team won a Gold Stevie® Award in the "Front-Line Customer Service Team of the Year – Technology Industries – Telecommunications” category in the ninth annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Established in 1996, Active Digital is a multiaward winning business telecommunications provider. They specialise in providing mobile, fixed lines for the offices, mobile forms and purpose built apps for businesses throughout the UK and Ireland.

Jo Wimble-Groves, Business Support Director and overall head of customer experience, said: “Our commitment to service excellence for our customers and how we look after our people has translated into real value, allowing us to differentiate ourselves in a competitive market place, whilst maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.”

The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world's top sales awards, business development awards, contact centre awards and customer service awards.

More than 1,900 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this year's competition, an increase of 27 per cent over 2014.

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The growing economy is bringing new opportunities for Kent’s employers, but also new challenges to attract and retain the skilled individuals they need, as 70% plan to increase headcount in the next year.

Within construction, for example, the boom in house building and the commencement of some major projects have lead to a demand for a range of construction professionals.

Coupled with the loss of some individuals to the profession during the recession, this is highlighting the issue of skill shortages even further and leading to substantial pay rises.

According to our latest analysis of job placements, while salaries have risen across the UK by an average of 1.8%, some professionals in Kent have seen increases over 10%. Some of the

greatest salary increases have been in procurement and construction with a number of roles in Kent’s commercial construction sector seeing over 10% pay rises.

This is not just limited to construction, in the procurement and finance professions jobseekers also often have the pick of two or three jobs, get snapped up quickly by employers and often receive a counter offer from their current employer, which can push their salary up even further.

Employees rarely move for salary alone but it is an important consideration and

employers need to look at what they can offer in order to attract and retain employees in this competitive environment.

To access Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends 2015 www.salaryguide.hays.co.uk

• Vehicle Graphics • Digital Printing • Shop Signage • Banners & Posters • Exhibition Displays 01233 625383 • medashsigns.com • sales@medashsigns.com Station House, Eastmead Trading Estate, Ashford, Kent. TN23 7RX

FOCUSONFINANCE

Enhanced Annual Investment Allowance – the clock is ticking Rick Schofield Tax Partner 01233 629255 (Ashford) 01689 827505 (Orpington) rick.schofield@wilkinskennedy.com www.wilkinskennedy.com

The enhanced allowance of £500,000 is only with us for this year.

So the time has come to either use it, or lose it.

The Annual Investment Allowance (“AIA”) is a 100% deduction against taxable profits based on total expenditure incurred on qualifying plant and machinery in an accounting period and is designed to stimulate business investment in plant or machinery.

But the most important news is that it is due to change again, to £25,000, on 1 January 2016. This is of course subject to amendment and in this year there will be a Budget on 18th March but this could be subject to any change in the Government following the election on 7th May.

You can claim capital allowances on items that you keep to use in your business. These are known as ‘plant and machinery’. Higher value company purchases are held as assets on the company’s balance sheet and their value is depreciated over time. Company assets are not tax-deductible, and the depreciation charge is not allowed for tax purposes. Instead a system of capital allowances exists that enable companies to obtain tax relief on the value of purchases, subject to various limits and conditions.

The Government is hoping that small and medium sized businesses will take advantage of the current enhanced allowance to increase, or bring forward, their capital expenditure plans. So there is no time like the present in making strategic investment in your business for maximum tax advantage. If you do not have a year end of 31 December careful planning is needed to ensure that when you incur the expenditure it falls into the correct qualifying period.

Allowance increased to £500,000 for this year only The amount was temporarily increased from £25,000 to £250,000 for 12 months to 31 December 2014 and has now been extended to 31 December 2015 with the increase to £500,000.

In total, the AIA has changed 4 times since 2008.

What counts Items that count as ‘plant and machinery’ can be more than just equipment, plant and machinery that you would readily recognise as qualifying.

This includes the following: Integral features of a building (for example lifts, escalators, moving walkways, space and water heating systems, air-conditioning and air cooling

systems, hot and cold water systems, electrical systems, lighting systems, external solar shading) Some fixtures (for example fitted kitchens, bathroom suites, fire alarm and CCTV systems) Alterations to a building to install other plant and machinery (but excluding repairs).

What does not count What doesn’t count as ‘plant and machinery’ are items such as the following; • Buildings, including doors, gates, shutters, mains water and gas systems • Land and structures, such as bridges, roads, docks • Items used only for business entertainment, such as a yacht • Items you lease, rather than own

How Wilkins Kennedy can help Our team has been helping many businesses across the South East take advantage of this unique opportunity. If you would like to know more and would like advice about your plans, contact us today for a no obligation discussion.

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MEMBERSNEWS

BitesizeNews

Materials:

What you need, when you need it, where you need it.

How often when you’re immersed in a project at home do you find that you’re short of a small, but important, item without which the task can’t be completed? And so it is with tradesmen in the construction business.

Harness the Power of Social Media at Kings Hill Workshops Kings Hill based specialist PR & marketing full service agency Suzanne Howe Communications (SHC) can help Kent business’ be part of the conversation by helping them engage with the relevant communities online through effective Social Media training.

For just £75, local large and small companies interested in creating a buzz word about their brand, can learn more about effective social media including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn by attending a half day course at SHC’s offices in Kings Hill, Kent.

Whether you’re completely new to social media or grappling to understand its value in a business context, our half day course will arm you with the practical knowledge and skills for using social media more effectively and help your business become part of the conversation.

Social media professional Wendy Roberts will be running the half-day sessions which includes coffee and a delicious home-cooked lunch at our offices in Kings Hill.

SHC can also put together social media campaigns for businesses including content calendars, social media strategy development and social media community management.

For more information visit www.suzannehowe.com.

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

To put this right, in a commercial environment, requires time and effort, both of which come at a cost. Up to now a trip to a builder’s merchant, usually some distance away, has normally been necessary.

Interclad (UK) Ltd based in Biggin Hill, a member of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, has sought to rectify this situation for builders and construction craftsmen working in West Kent.

They have opened a Trade Counter which will be available to tradesmen between 7am and 5pm from Monday to Friday. They will hold stock of ‘Caterclad’ hygienic uPVC cladding, ‘Interlock’ ceiling plank, adhesives, screeds and many associated flooring and cladding accessories and tools.

Friendliness, a welcome and 25 years’ experience are here at no extra charge!

Stour Chambers: Canterbury Stour Chambers, the longest established set of barristers' chambers in Kent, celebrates its 25th anniversary in May. Chambers' main area of practice is family law but members also practice in a range of civil law fields and in specialist areas including immigration and education law.

2014 was a notable year for chambers. The prestigious guide to the profession, The Legal 500, ranked chambers as a 'leading set' on the SouthEastern Circuit and ranked Gemma Farrington and Jo Porter as 'leading juniors' in the field of family law. The guide reports comments describing Gemma as being, 'highly intelligent and analytical' and that Jo is, 'good with vulnerable individuals'.

Gemma and Jo also feature in Chambers UK Bar Guide. The barristers in chambers receive essential support from clerks whose expertise was recognised

by The Legal 500, which noted comment that, 'Marc Goddard's clerking team provides "speedy responses to enquiries and is extremely helpful with all administrative matters"'.

Gemma Farrington was part of another first for chambers when she joined with current head of chambers, Simon Johnson, in the writing of a well-received textbook Assessment of Parents within Care Proceedings (Family Law).

Finally, on 1st October Head of Chambers, Michael Batey, was sworn in as a District Judge; the first barrister from a set of chambers in Kent to be appointed a full time member of the judiciary.

Stour Chambers, its members and clerks, are proud of these achievements but they come on top of our regular role of providing the quality legal services to individuals and businesses in Kent. We look forward to another busy year in this rewarding 'day job' in 2015.

MEMBERSNEWS

From a quick hop to France to owning your own plane From its base at London Ashford Airport at Lydd in Kent, the Atlantic Bridge Aviation Group (ABA) has provided commercial and business aviation services globally for more than 25 years.

ABA owns a successful airline (LyddAir Ltd and its division World Executive Airways), operating piston, turbo-prop and jet aircraft on domestic and international routes. Services include corporate hospitality packages, champagne pleasure flights, holidays, business charters and more.

Managing director Jonathan Gordon says that gone are the days when executive air travel was a simple choice between owning your own aircraft or chartering one. Now there’s a multitude of options, ranging from leasing and chartering to shared or full ownership through its Air Share division.

He said: “There’s little doubt that flying in an executive aircraft has major benefits for frequent flyers, whether you’re travelling regularly on business or visiting

Investing in Digital is the key to Mobile Working Success… your second home in the sun. It offers the flexibility to work to your own schedule, enables you to fly in and out of smaller airports which may be much closer to where you need to be and saves precious time.

“Using an executive aircraft can be cost-effective if you go for the

right package but given the choices, it’s not surprising that there’s a lot of confusion about what’s best for you. The most important thing is to get objective and honest advice at the outset so that you end up with a made-to-measure solution that suits your travel needs.”

From Bikes to Buses

As a trading arm of South East Coachworks we are quite used to installing graphics on some weird & wonderful vehicles but we don't think we've ever done anything with bicycles, until now that is! .

J C Rook & Sons, Butchers are celebrating their 50th year in business & wanted four traditional Butcher's Bikes complete with suitable graphics. These days, Rooks are keen to promote their online shop www.rooksonline.co.uk If you use it you save 10%.

We had a mad flurry of activity at our Preston Street workshop a couple of weeks ago as we installed graphics to 5 double decker buses for YMS Travel. We started work on the first bus at 7am & we completed the fifth & last bus by 11.45am. We're not messing about & neither is YMS!

When Elemis launched in 1989 the professional spa industry was far from the sophisticated and skilled industry it is today. Elemis has been fundamental in the success of this phenomenal growth and has brought to market new innovations to keep it ahead of the field. Our parent company South East Coachworks converted this bus for this very valued client back in 2010 & it’s seen a fair amount of tweaks & changes of the last 5 years. Here it is freshly vinyl wrapped for its 25 Years of Excellence tour.

We vinyl wrapped this bus for the first time for Samsung back in August 2014 & again in November for their Christmas campaign. Here it is leaving us after a busy week installing a new wrap to promote the new Samsung Galaxy A3 & A5.

We installed this part wrap for a valued customer, Lampkins flooring.

Thank you to Steve Jones & David Jones for your business!

Please remember what else we have to offer. You can find details of our services at www.secsignworks.com or by visiting our Facebook page www.facebook.com/secsignworks

Busy business people spend a lot of time working on the go. But a recent study* found that the UK hasn’t quite got mobile working nailed.

When working remotely, only 25% of people felt as productive as they are in the office and just 8% feel they can work effectively while traveling. Whether it’s lacking the right tools, or an inadequate IT setup, its issues like these that are preventing effective use of the time available, normally wasted while on the move, or in between meetings.

Making a success of a business in the digital age requires flexibility, and an ability to work wherever and whenever. With Microsoft Office 365 and other innovative mobile solutions from Active Digital, your essential software and files are all live online - in the cloud - and can be accessed and edited whenever you’re online, and all backed up with the highest levels of security, to ensure your data is always safe, and always available, so, whether you’re in a café, a train station or on business abroad, your essential files are always right at your fingertips, allowing you to work remotely, and giving you more time and resources to focus on making your business a success.

We are helping businesses of all sizes to implement the right mobile and digital strategy to give their employees the tools they need to be more productive on the move. Some of the most important tools to work lean and remotely are apps. In fact, in a recent report, the largest growth area of apps is business apps^. We can create the ultimate mobile working setup for your business, so you can get ahead of your competition and work as flexibly as a gymnast To find out more on how Active Digital can help you, please contact us online or over the phone.

01892 835522 www.activedigital.co.uk Source: *Rioch

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IoD Tech

Your Kent Mobile Communications Partner

Winners ‘Excellence in Customer Service’ Kent Invitca Chamber Awards 2015

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YOUR PERFECT MEETING VENUE IN

KENT

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MEMBERSNEWS

The General Election could have far-reaching implications for employment law The General Election on 7 May is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable for many years and the result could lead to far-reaching changes to employment law affecting companies of all sizes in Kent.

The possible impact of the election on UK employment law will be one of the many topics placed under the microscope during workshops in Maidstone presented by law firm, Furley Page.

The interactive workshops, run in partnership with Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, will be held in April and May and are open to Chamber members and non-members whatever the size of their workforce. Last year’s workshops were oversubscribed and people have been urged to book early to ensure they secure a place.

Leading the workshops is Andrew Masters, Partner and Head of Employment at Furley Page.

Andrew, who is recognised as a leading expert in this field, said: “Each political party fighting the General Election has policies and manifesto commitments which will, if implemented, have major implications for employment law. We will consider these as part of a comprehensive review of recent developments so employers are

up to date and forewarned as to future developments.

“As well as practical guidance, there will be question and answer sessions so there’s plenty of opportunity for delegates to raise issues of concern,” he adds.

Andrew will be joined by Amanda Okill, an Associate who specialises in employment law.

Both are part of Furley Page’s highly-regarded Employment Team, which is recommended by the independent legal guides Chambers UK and The Legal 500.

The workshops will be held at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel. Registration is from 8am, starting at 8.30am and finishing at noon. They are: Employment Law Update for 2015 (Thursday 23 April) – covering employment law and the General Election, proposed and recent changes to employment law, practical guidance on how to prepare for change, effects on HR policies and procedures and people management as well as new cases, employment reforms

and implementation of European directives.

Investigating Discipline and Grievances in the Workplace (Thursday 7 May) – including wrongful, unfair and constructive dismissal examples, practical guidance on how to prevent unnecessary and costly disputes, how to ensure that discipline is used early and positively, changes to unfair dismissal law and the importance of social media issues.

Managing Sickness Absence (Thursday 21 May) – including managing short- and long-term absence, how best to avoid potential claims, the importance of disability discrimination law, pre-employment health questionnaires and holiday pay and sickness.

Workshop costs, including bacon rolls and coffee, are £80 (inc VAT) to Kent Invicta Chamber members and £90 (inc VAT) to non-members.

Call the booking hotline on 01233 503838, email events@kentinvicta chamber.co.uk or visit www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk

Start up company wins office space at Discovery Park

Howell & Hicks, a start up creative agency based in Deal, is celebrating after winning six months free space in the Start Up Zone at Discovery Park in Sandwich.

Pre-registered visitors to the recent Kent 2020 Vision Start Up Live event were entered into a draw to win a Kickstart prize package worth over £5,000, which included a donation of office space from the science and technology park.

The winning business, a creative partnership between Jen Howell and Linda Broom, will be moving to the park on 2nd March. They currently work from home offices in nearby Deal and Folkestone.

Jen Howell, director of Howell & Hicks, said, “We’ve been to the park a few times before and were impressed by the tenants and facilities on site, so naturally we were delighted when we found out we’d won an office there. We have already met a few of the tenants so we know that we are joining a good network of businesses.”

Linda Broom, creative director of Howell & Hicks, added, “We’re both excited to be moving in.

Having an office at Discovery Park is going to be a perfect addition to our already flexible working environment because we can work at home and in a professional setting too. We have the best of both worlds!”

Lauren Moore, facilities coordinator at Discovery Park, said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming Howell & Hicks to the park. It’s great to see a home-based business expand into our professional offices with a great support network, as it will give them the opportunity to work alongside other tenants.

“Kent 2020 Vision Start-up Live is a great way to support start-up businesses and give them the tools they need to grow, so we’re really pleased to be a part of it.”

Discovery Park plans to donate a similar prize as part of this year’s Kickstart prize at the Kent 2020 Vision Start-up Live, which will take place on 20th October 2015.

We make the complex simple The law can be complicated. But no matter how complex the business situation, we’ll explain your options in plain, simple language. That way, you’ll get the full picture, confident you are receiving the best possible legal advice.

Legal services for business

01227 763939 | furleypage.co.uk

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL | REAL ESTATE | DISPUTE RESOLUTION | EMPLOYMENT LAW | DEBT RECOVERY & INSOLVENCY

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

11

MEMBERSNEWS

BitesizeNews

IT support firm at the double

Absols, the growing IT support business, has underlined its pedigree by achieving two major standards.

It took the Maidstone-based firm just eight weeks to qualify for both ISO 9001, the seal of quality, and ISO 27001, the assurance of IT information and security management.

The standards follow a successful year in which Absols won Government-backed Growth Vouchers, took on more staff, and hired its first apprentice.

They enable the firm to tender for higher value contracts, part of the firm’s ambitious growth strategy.

Absols was well prepared for ISO 9001, having already installed a professional logging system to monitor the status of every project and enquiry.

Paula Wilkinson, Absols’ development director, said it was not a “tick-box exercise” but one that suited the business and clients.

The firm had already implemented most of the requirements of ISO 27001.

Paula said the standard confirmed the firm’s credentials.

“IT support is almost totally unregulated – anyone can start a company. This standard says we have all the right systems in place and are a successful and reputable business.”

The exercise included a client questionnaire that found 100% would recommend Absols, and 100% rated its services value for money.

Paula added: “Nowadays, clients and prospective customers are naturally concerned about data security. They can now be assured of our highest quality processes.”

Kent business establish design school in Ukraine

Revelle Media is video production company based in Maidstone.

In January this year, Revelle Media established a course on branding and design for a group of young adults in Reni, Ukraine.

Over three days, the youth were equipped on branding, creative thinking and logo design. At the end of the school, each team came away with a set of designs to start their portfolio, and a new set of skills.

Martin Revelle, owner of Revelle Media, explained the impact that even basic training can have.

He said: “Ukraine is in a turbulent time and the majority of young people have virtually no job prospects. It’s amazing to me that sharing even the most basic skills I use on a daily basis, can give these youth more options in life, and get them excited about their future.”

The design school was run during a larger initiative to help a church set up an orphanage.

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

Meeting future Fuel challenges Thomas Auto Injection Centre was established in 1977 to provide a diesel fuel injection repair service to the local community.

Since that time the company has grown to have become one of the leading repair shops in the UK and supplies spare parts around the world.

Our business covers any kind of diesel engine, from car, bus and truck to agriculture, construction, power generation and marine.

Meeting modern emission standards means the latest diagnostic and test equipment and staff training. Safety in repairing is more important than ever as the latest fuel systems generate much higher pressure, temperature and voltages.

The future will bring new challenges with even tighter standards and a variation in fuels such as biofuel, LPG and electric being put together with small diesel engines to create hybrid vehicles.

Expertise and experience is invaluable as this knowledge leads to quick and accurate problem diagnosis. This means a faster repair at a lower price.

We tailor our business to our customers It’s important to us to create relationships and cater for different needs. We need to keep

the service and repair parts that you need to minimise valuable downtime. Thomas Autos represent all of the world’s fuel injection manufacturers including Bosch, Delphi, Siemens Continental, Denso and Stanadyne. We only fit genuine parts.

Preventative maintenance begins with the fuel you put in your tank so we take care of all the systems between the fuel tank and the exhaust.

All visits to our Ashford workshop are welcome.

Mandatory conciliation scheme off to a positive start A service which aims to resolve employment disputes swiftly without the need for a tribunal has got off to a successful start, according to the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

The early conciliation scheme was launched at the beginning of April 2014 and became mandatory a month later, which means that anyone planning to bring proceedings at an employment tribunal must now notify ACAS of their intention in the vast majority of cases.

ACAS is expected to publish the full results of a survey into the service this year but latest figures suggest the new regime is working, says employment law specialist Melissa Nelson.

“There are, however, many factors which could contribute to claims not progressing to a tribunal,”

said Melissa, a solicitor at leading Kent law firm Furley Page.

“The ACAS survey will provide further information on what influences the decisions of those involved, including those who decide not to pursue their claim, so it will be interesting to see the results.”

The latest ACAS statistics reveal that, between 6 April and 30 September 2014, more than 37,400 notifications were made to ACAS and that, between May (when conciliation became mandatory) and the end of September, the number of notifications has been fairly

consistent at around 6,700 per month.

The statistics show that only 10% of employees and employers reject the initial offer of early conciliation. They also show that 18% of the cases notified to ACAS between April and June resulted in a COT3 agreement (that is, a settlement agreement that is reached with the help of an ACAS conciliator), and 58% did not progress to a tribunal claim – either because the employees did not pursue the claim further after conciliation or because agreement was reached without the need for a COT3.

MEMBERSNEWS

Combining football and learning Dartford Football Club is joining with neighbouring school, The Leigh Academy, to give students the opportunity to continue working towards their A-Levels whilst pursuing their passion for football.

BitesizeNews

Cirrus e-learning: Knowledge on the Web Cirrus e-learning is a specialist provider of e-learning.

Phil Murray (Head of DFC Youth Development) and Sean Scolding (DFC Community Lead) have been working alongside Simon Beamish (Leigh Academies Trust CEO), Sue Crocker (Leigh Academies Trust Business Director) and Sharon Waterman (Leigh Academy Principal) in order for the scheme to come together.

in the scheme. In order for students to gain their place on the course they must obtain 5 GCSEs grade A-C including Maths and English. Once their academic application is successful they will be offered a trial at Dartford Football Club.

Online interaction is part of daily life and elearning design is used for all kinds of knowledge on the web. By using instructional design skills, rather than just uploading data, Cirrus can make information not only available, but exciting and engaging.

The nature of professional development is also changing. Today’s businesses rely on their teams constantly developing their competence, to perform roles even better, using the latest best practices. In this continuing professional development (CPD) culture, online learning is critical to avoid the costs of staff being away from the workplace on courses. For the learner, elearning offers choice: and we learn more effectively when we choose when, where, and how. E-learning puts you in control.

Web based knowledge is one of the most valuable assets for any business. Please contact Claire Bridger for an informal discussion on the opportunities that e-learning may open up for your organisation.

Visit www.cirruselearning.com

With The Leigh Academy and Dartford FC being located next door to each other it was an opportunity that no one involved could miss out on and a chance to create an ongoing partnership.

Dartford FC already has an Academy in place which runs in partnership with SCL and offers students the chance to gain BTECs along with qualifications and experience in football. Due to many young adults aspiring to go to university after their school education is over, the necessity of A Levels is something that students would currently miss out on at Dartford.

It’s not just how much you earn, but how much you keep that’s important!

• Tax saving strategies

The new partnership with The Leigh Academy now enables those who have a passion for football to continue their studies towards the qualifications they need whilst receiving regular training and coaching from highly qualified FA coaches affiliated to the football club, plus the opportunity to represent the club at levels between Youth Conference Alliance and College Football Teams with the possibility of progressing into the First Team or higher.

With A Levels such as Biology, Media Studies and P.E. to choose from there is a suitable variety of options available for any candidate who is interested

• Profit improvement planning • Inheritance tax planning • Financial planning advice

Talk to us to find out how you can keep more mg@mageegammon.com

01233 630000

www.mageegammon.com

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

13

CHAMBERAWARDS

Chamber Business Awards – an inspirational evening Chamber Members joined together to celebrate success at the Kent Invicta Chamber’s annual Business Awards Dinner, on Tuesday 24th March, at the prestigious Canterbury Cathedral Lodge.

Finalists - Business of the Year

Finalists - Excellence in Customer Service

Baxall Construction Limited and Sleeping Giant Media

Sleeping Giant Media and Woodley Coles LLP

Finalists - Achievement in International Business

Finalists - Most Promising New Business

Enterterainment - Graffiti Classics - a Comedy String Quartet

Now in their 10th year, the Awards have been a great catalyst to promote excellence in business that is in abundance within our membership.

The quality and quantity of applications continue to increase year on year, just going to show that Kent is truly an entrepreneurial County, demonstrating business at its best.

The Awards were in 6 categories • Business of the Year sponsored by The University of Kent: • Achievement In International Business sponsored by HSBC Bank plc

Kenn Export Ltd and International Association of Book-keepers

RARK Solutions Ltd and Striped Leopard Accountancy

• Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Kent Innovation & Enterprise • Excellence In Customer Service sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy LLP • Most Promising New Business sponsored byLloyds Banking Group • Young Person in Business Award sponsored by Canterbury College After the awards ceremony, it has become customary for guests to have an evening of surprise entertainment. Each year guests go away saying, “not sure how you are going to beat that” and this year was no exception, as guests were treated to an entertaining performance by Graffiti Classics, a comedy string quartet.

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

Finalists - Entrepreneur of the Year

Finalists - Young Person in Business Award

Luke Quilter - Sleeping Giant Media and Mark Anderson - We Love Digital

Oliver Trailor - Runway Training and April Hughes - Questor Insurance Services Ltd

CHAMBERAWARDS

Business of the Year sponsored by The University of Kent:

Achievement in International Business sponsored by HSBC Bank plc

Winner - D & D Autos (Ashford) Ltd

Winner - We Love Digital

Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Kent Innovation & Enterprise

Excellence In Customer Service sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy LLP

Winner - Bob O’Connor - Howletts and Port Lympne Reserve

Winner - Active Digital

Most Promising New Business sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group

Young Person in Business Award sponsored by Canterbury College

Winner - Qube Recruitment Ltd

Winner - Ben Towers - Towers Design

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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MEMBERSNEWS

Pinewood opens at Port Lympne Reserve

Vehicle Rental Firm plugs into Hybrids

Port Lympne Reserve has officially opened the newest addition to its accommodation portfolio – Pinewood Camping Pods, cementing its reputation as the UK’s first animal focused holiday destination.

It’s greener and easier on the pocket to rent a car than buy it, says Chamber member Jeremy Feeney.

Pinewood comprises ten contemporary camping pods situated within close proximity to the reserve’s lion, Amur tiger and cheetah enclosures and offers guests an immersive, educational experience with a focus on nature and the importance of conservation.

Bob O’Connor, Managing Director of Port Lympne Reserve said: “The addition of Pinewood, our most affordable accommodation option, means that we can now offer another exciting product to the UK’s popular staycation market. Pinewood is aimed at schools, groups and families on a budget and offers guests the opportunity to sleep within roaring distance of our lions, tigers and cheetahs.”

The site, built with funding from the ICAP Charity Day 2013, will operate all year round and can accommodate up to 44 guests at a time creating several new employment opportunities, whilst encouraging more tourism to the Kent area. Guests will enjoy exclusive access to parts of the reserve before

Hiremorecar, his independent Maidstone-based firm, is one of the first car and van rental businesses in Kent to invest in two new Mitsubishi Outlander cars powered by petrol and battery.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) give a wider range and overcome the frustrations of limited battery power.

They can be charged from kinetic energy, enabling them to go further on electric power.

“This vehicle gives a 500-mile range and zero emissions,” said Jeremy.

“Being green and efficient go hand in hand. There’s an eco-value to rental because it’s better to hire a car and use it when you need it rather than leave it parked outside corroding and depreciating.”

The £28,000 Outlander’s computer system chooses the best time to deploy the most fuel-efficient power source.

Jeremy had considered all-electric cars but rejected the idea. “To go any distance from Maidstone, you’re likely to go on a motorway and electric vehicles are only ideal in urban environments.

“The Outlander generates electricity when you’re driving and switches automatically. By a combination of petrol and electricity, it gets incredible miles per gallon.”

The Outlander costs around £239 a week, or £650 a month, including insurance and vat, to hire.

Jeremy plans to add more hybrids, including smaller versions, to his fleet.

FURLEY PAGE SOLICITORS IN CONJUNCTION WITH KENT INVICTA CHAMBER PRESENT

Employment Law WORKSHOPS Employers & HR professionals

VENUE:

2015

Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel Hollingbourne Maidstone ME17 1RE

Employment law update 2015 Thursday 23 April 2015 NEW DATES FOR 2015

Investigating discipline and grievances in the workplace Thursday 7 May 2015

Managing sickness absence Thursday 21 May 2015

OPEN TO NON-CHAMBER MEMBERS

£80 to members £90 to non-members

BOOK NOW 16

furleypage.co.uk

T: 01233 503838 E: events@kentinvictachamber.co.uk W: kentinvictachamber.co.uk/furley-page

ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

it is open to the public, whilst school and youth groups can opt to take part in fact filled educational activities and enrichment building, alongside animal talks and feeds.

Damian Aspinall, Chairman of The Aspinall Foundation - the conservation charity working in conjunction with Port Lympne Reserve said: “We were honoured to be one of ICAP 2013 chosen charities. Our new ICAP funded educational immersive experience will provide the opportunity for Pinewood guests to learn about our conservation work in a fun and engaging way that will both inspire and motivate.”

Deirdre Wells OBE, UKinbound’s Chief Executive Officer said: ‘Port Lympne Reserve is a valued member of UKinbound and I was thrilled to be given the honour to officially open Pinewood. Pinewood is an exciting addition to an already extensive portfolio of fantastic tourism product at Port Lympne Reserve.

The dynamism of the experiences on offer here will be of great interest to not only our tour operator members, but international visitors alike, to be able to experience something unique, just an hour from London.”

Chamber welcome Golf Club

Hever Castle Golf Club are excited to have now joined the Invicta Chamber.

We hope we can add some real value to the extensive group of businesses represented within the Chamber and are very much looking forward to hosting a golf day for the Chamber on the 9th June 2015.

To sign up for this day please contact Paul Brooks at Chamber HQ on 01233 503838 or paul@kentinvictachamber.co.uk Here are some of the services we offer at the Club and we are pleased to offer Chamber members some introductory special offers available through Member

to Member Offers via the Kent Invicta website.

• 27 Hole Championship Course available to visitors • Flexible business membership • Sponsorship opportunities • Golf Days & Tuition Packages • Meeting facilities We would be very pleased to introduce Chamber members to the Club and its services.

24 HOURSWITH 24HOURSWITH

Managing growth makes for demanding job for Ian

For Ian Wilkinson, the day starts with a walk with the dog at 6am, which gives him much-needed time for reflection and planning.

Ian Wilkinson

We offer a full support package, or support of customers own in-house IT technicians, as well as one-off emergency calls.

That thinking time is needed to set up the day because, as Managing Director of computer support company Absols based in Maidstone, Ian has a demanding job.

Having been established since 2003, the company has grown dramatically over the past year and much of Ian’s day consists of meetings designed to both consolidate what has been achieved and plan for further growth.

His working day proper starts when he gets into the office at 8.30. Ian said: “The first thing I do is some admin, mainly answering the overnight emails.

That leaves me free for meetings for the rest of the day.”

Those meetings range from gettogethers with his skilled team to ones with potential clients when he discusses various options to help their businesses, everything from new and evolving technologies to basic support.

He also carries out site visits to current customers, ensuring that

they are happy with the service received from the engineers.

Absols has invested in an apprentice so Ian makes time each day to ensure that he is challenged and trained, whether onsite or office based.

Ian said: “As a company, we can monitor customer systems, to avoid downtime, often appearing on site, prior to a customer realising an issue is about to happen.

“We offer a full support package, or support of customers own inhouse IT technicians, as well as one-off emergency calls.

“From initial consultations, to supply, installations, maintenance and support the days are always varied, dealing with a multitude of businesses, from the commercial sector, industrial and educational sectors, across the UK. “I also spend time keeping abreast of new technologies.

I am looking for developments that suit each individual client’s need so it is time well spent.

Trusted suppliers of market leading equipment to businesses for over a 100 years

“Keeping up to date with advances in the field allows me to advise on what customers need now as well as helping them plan for growth while also keeping costs down, which means that we can ensure value for money at all times.”

The approach has proved successful for Absols with the business gaining ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 (data security) and developing a reputation for reliability and innovation.

Ian is rightly proud of the team’s success, with customer feedback suggesting that 100% would recommend the company and ‘100% saying that the service received is value for money.’

He said: “We are growing as a company, partly because we sense increasing confidence in the economy - clients who did not spend during the recession are spending now – and also because we are doing more marketing to make sure that people know who we are and what we can do.”

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April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

17

ASKTHEEXPERT

ASK THE EXPERT Name: Duncan Simmons Company: Metro Bank Email: duncan.simmons@metrobank.plc.uk

Q

What gives a business the best chance of success with a loan application?

As the UK slowly returns to growth after a long and hard recession, this is a question I am increasingly being asked.

In recent years, many business people have worked so hard to survive, that thoughts of borrowing money to expand have been far from most people’s mind. There is also a widely held perception that ‘the banks aren’t lending’ so why bother asking.

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

It is certainly true, and somewhat ironic, that the banking sector has been a major contributor to our woes and yet, in trying to tidy up their act, the regulatory controls now in place force many banks to focus on their own balance sheets ahead of supporting those of their customers.

In terms of standing the best chance of getting a positive answer, the following points should come as no surprise to many: • Know your business inside out and be prepared to explain its products/services and track record • Have an up to date business plan (written by you!) which should include a SWOT analysis • Demonstrate your own skills and abilities and why you (and your senior managers) are the best people to be running the business – include CV’s in the business plan

Title: Local Director Web: www.metrobankonline.co.uk Tel: 0203 402 7560

• Explain why you need a loan amount and purpose - and how the business will repay it • Understand the financial history and projections for your business • Recognise that you may have to pledge some security These points are largely common sense but I see too many loan requests which don’t include all of the above.

Of course, none of us are experts and there are lots of places to seek professional help before applying for a loan. Any decent accountant should be able and willing to help you although some of the best sources of guidance with a business plan include asking family, friends and business contacts.

Loan applications are often seen as a tick box process but there is always the need to gain the support of the manager handling the request so that he or she becomes a ‘Fan’ of your business too.

When you approach the bank, be positive and have passion for your business. Successful businesses rely on great people providing a better customer experience and product/service than your competitors. This is an important point to demonstrate all day every day – not just in front of the bank manager.

At Metro Bank, it is our Customer Experience which sets us apart from the other banks. We open 7 days a week and have local bankers making local decisions in every store. Our rapid growth in customers (we call them Fans!) and further expansion into Kent this year are proof that this is working for us.

Don’t forget that banks are not the only providers of funding available. A good bank manager should be able to point you towards alternative sources of finance especially if that might be better for your business.

SPOTLIGHTON...

Thanet – where creativity thrives Thanet enjoys an attractive combination of coastal and rural environments; the Kentish countryside of rolling hills, woodlands and pretty villages is within easy reach, as are miles of coastline.

Thanet - the facts: • Thanet has a fantastic mix of business opportunities alongside all the ingredients for a great quality of life • Thanet has seen a strong increase in inward investment recently with several key projects due to complete in the next few years • Thanet has great value property, meaning a detached home can be snapped up for 20% less than the national average • Thanet has stunning natural assets including the most Blue Flag Beaches in a district in England • Thanet has a high speed train service from the Capital, which means a new generation is discovering the original seaside escape • Thanet has high quality education provision including a large Further Education campus East Kent College and a campus at Canterbury Christ Church University providing higher education courses Kent Innovation Centre

Additional Eurostar services from this May mean Arts-led regeneration has attracted a wave of inward investment, exciting projects, quality low-priced property, ingrained heritage and a creative focus has fostered an atmosphere of start-ups and entrepreneurship.

The result is a district where big business, including London Array, Cummins Power Generation and Fujifilm, all base themselves and creative start-ups find support to grow.

Cultural-led regeneration is putting Thanet back on the map.

The District has a real creative energy which has already helped to realise multi-million pound investment. New hotels, restaurants and attractions are opening and several exciting projects are soon to be realised.

With improving transport links bringing beautiful sandy beaches even closer to the capital, these are exciting times for the seaside resorts.

Work has also begun on site at Westwood providing 1,000 new homes and community assets.

Maximising the potential of existing companies with business support funding schemes Expansion East Kent and SUCCESS provide opportunities for existing and start-up businesses to grow and create jobs.

Thanet District Council is leading regeneration delivering economic growth and attracting investors.

Typically forward thinking was its bold move to compulsory purchase the Dreamland site in Margate due to be a major UK tourist attraction and already drawing investment to Margate.

The area has a number of key assets being capitalised upon including growth at Manston Business Park and strong connections being made with Discovery Park. Enhancements at the Port of Ramsgate and Royal Harbour include diversification to support the offshore renewables industry as the port is part of a Government designated Centre for Offshore Renewable Engineering (CORE), one of six such ports in the South East.

Cummins Factory

Royal Sand West End

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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SPOTLIGHTON...

Ramsgate Royal Harbour

Businesses in Thanet have benefitted from Regional Growth Funding via the Expansion East Kent programme. More than £5.6 million has been allocated through this programme to 24 businesses in Thanet, creating and safeguarding 737 jobs and leveraging a further £22.67 million worth of public and private investment into the area. The Thanet Local Plan and Economic Growth and Regeneration Strategy aim to create the right environment to deliver real economic growth. High Speed One services and additional improvements are reducing journey times to London and the £10m funding to develop a new Parkway Station will make Thanet a credible proposition for investment and growth.

The coastline, heritage and unique location make Thanet a major visitor destination bringing some £286m into the local economy.

The educational tourism sector is another big hitter with the total business turnover associated with study visits to the district was an estimated £47.8m in 2013.

The Council has developed a Destination Management Plan in partnership with industry representatives to help Thanet achieve its potential as a visitor destination, alongside Turner Contemporary and Dreamland. This is matched with significant investment and regeneration activity making Thanet an ideal location to do business.

The high-speed rail line to London from Ashford has transformed accessibility to Thanet. The capital is now just over an hour away. Road links are also

Margate has recently been named ‘One of the 30 most fashionable places to live in Britain’ by The Times whilst being compared to trendy up and coming districts in Berlin and Harlem by Wayne Hemingway OBE and called ‘Shoreditch-on-sea’ by GQ in its latest issue. much improved due to the Thanet Way (A299) and East Kent Access Road.

With many attractive parts of Kent in easy reach, some people choose a short commute into Thanet.

You can also be in Paris or on a Normandy beach in a very short space of time. Thanks to the nearby ferries, Eurotunnel and Eurostar, the continent really is on your doorstep.

As a place to live and work you’ll find Thanet has a huge amount to offer. Compared to London and many parts of the South East, Thanet offers great value in the housing market. Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are quintessential seaside towns with their own distinct character and contrasting attractions, architecture and heritage. There are plenty of smaller villages on the coast and inland among the local farmland too.

The creative sector has also benefited from Regional Growth Funding with £1m allocated to creative businesses across the district. Resort studios is soon to open its doors as a new creative work hub in Thanet providing space for new creative practitioners and existing businesses who want to work alongside other likeminded people. Resort Studios is one of a number of creative workspaces and studios in Thanet including Meltdowns, Crate, Limbo, Marine Studios and the Pie Factory. Many of the studios are working together to improve and raise awareness of the creative sector that is growing in the district.

For more information see www.thanet.gov.uk / business or call our Economic Development team on 01843 577178.

Botany Bay, Broadstairs

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Key sites • Kent Innovation Centre located in the heart of Thanet, the centre is just minutes away from fast links to London. Kent Innovation Centre offers a range of accommodation solutions from large offices to shared space able to meet the changing needs of businesses with its easy in, easy out licences.

• Manston Business Park including the recent speculatively built units that have just been completed with more in the planning • Eurokent mixed use site including residential, education and employment • Port of Ramsgate and Royal Harbour provide employment and leisure opportunities with good access to dual carriage way network to London • Westwood Cross is the prime branded retail and leisure site in the heart of the district, accessible to all of the towns and across East Kent • Royal Sands is a mixed use residential and leisure site in a key seafront location in Ramsgate due to start this year • Ramsgate Pavilion is due for refurbishment into a mixed food and beverage and leisure offering right on Ramsgate seafront • The Rendezvous site has planning permission for a hotel next to the world class Turner Contemporary Art Gallery

Infrastructure investment • • • •

Parkway station Westwood relief road Rail improvements reducing journey times to London The roll out of broadband across the county

SPOTLIGHTON...

Think of Thanet

Think of Thanet, and you will automatically conjure up images of beaches, Dreamland, Broadstairs Folk Week…and possibly fields of cabbages!

Access for All in Thanet Thanet businesses have joined with Visit Kent and VisitEngland to find new ways of making the stunning East Kent coast accessible and inviting to disabled visitors.

The area is one of a number of destinations forming part of VisitEngland’s Access for All project, part-funded by the European Commission.

However, Thanet can boast of an Industry leading, award winning World Class Manufacturing company in Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems (FSIS), based in Broadstairs, employing 320 people on a 4.5 hectare site The previous Sericol business was the world leader in Analogue screen printing inks for a variety of applications ranging from Point of Sale displays, to textiles, and compact discs. However, analogue print was under threat from new Digital ink jet technology, but Sericol had recognised this and invested heavily, and in 2005 Sericol had a fledgling Digital ink jet business that Fujifilm purchased.

Since that time, Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems has slowly transitioned the business from its analogue heritage to the point where it is now a truly Digital ink jet business.

Inkjet is now a viable alternative to traditional print processes, and a key factor is the use of UV curing inks, a technology pioneered by the 65 chemists and technicians working at the Broadstairs site.

The manufacturing facility at Fujifilm SIS occupies 8000m2 with an additional 4000m2 of finished product warehousing, where it exports over 80% of its production to 86 countries around the world.

The FSIS plant uses a sophisticated manufacturing process where quality permeates the whole production environment, allowing “Right First Time” rates of above 98%. The coloured pigments need to be dispersed to lower than 100 nanometres in a £3m process controlled plant that was built in 2012 The plant has also invested heavily in reducing its environmental footprint, and the new Digital ink jet plant uses waste heat from the production process to provide 70% of the heat for the plant, and in 2013 FSIS achieved their goal of “zero to landfill”, where all waste from the site is recycled. This is a great achievement for a plant that produces over 6000 tonnes of printing ink and associated products a year.

These achievements helped the FSIS plant win “Best Process Plant” at the 2011 and 2013 Best Factory Awards, run by Cranfield University. The site is also ISO9001, 14001, and OHSAS 18001 certified, thereby confirming its commitment to Quality, Environment and Health and Safety.

Fujifilm SIS is as much about people as it is about products and processes. It acknowledges that people are hard to attract to this far flung corner of Kent, so it has always maintained a “Home Grown” policy of developing people within the business as much as possible. Part Time study for Technical staff has always been the case. A comprehensive multiskilling programme for operators to understand the digital ink jet processes was implemented, and 16 employees have a NVQ level2 in Business Improvement Techniques, and with a further 34 currently involved in the Qualification, it ensures that the Continuous Improvement theme is always on the agenda within the plant.

Colin Boughton, Operations Director at the plant said “The area is not known for its manufacturing, but Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems is one of many manufacturing companies that are thriving in Thanet, and we are confident that this will continue”

VisitEngland is partnering with seven destinations across the country to promote the areas to visitors with access needs, and to increase visitors’ confidence in England as access friendly for short breaks.

Visit Kent and VisitEngland met with the participating Thanet businesses in Margate to discuss how they can improve or expand their existing accessibility products and services through information and customer care, and increasing awareness of accessible tourism.

The businesses involved in the project are Dreamland Margate, Turner Contemporary, Quex Park and PowellCotton Museum, Smith Court Hotel, Botany Bay Hotel, Margate Main Sands, Holiday Inn and Visit Thanet.

As part of the programme, each business is being audited and will have mystery shopping visits before being able to join a marketing campaign in September.

Chair of Visit Kent Amanda Cottrell said: “This was the first meeting of Kent’s Access for All group, and it couldn’t have been more encouraging and inspiring.

“This project is not only about improving services where needed, but also about educating travellers on how accessible our county is and the hard work many coastal businesses carry out to ensure that no one is excluded from enjoying everything Kent’s coast has to offer.”

The project launched last October and will run until March 2016, and is funded by a €125,000 grant from the European Commission. Visit Kent’s activity is also part funded by Kent County Council.

James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland said: “As the national tourist board, we are committed to ensuring England is a destination that offers a warm welcome for all visitors. The Access for All project is a fantastic opportunity to continue to build England’s reputation as a leader in accessible tourism, and help grow this important and valuable market, now worth £3billion to England’s economy.”

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INTERNATIONALTRADE

Innovation is GREAT: our future King says so A prince, an astronaut and a CEO walked into a hotel… all tap into those stereotypical images and sell products on the back of their heritage and quality.

But companies in the technology or engineering space have to work a bit harder to establish their credentials. Although the UK has more than its fair share of Nobel prize winners, and is responsible for most of the technology that helped Japan to modernise in the 19th century – railways, sewage works, lighthouses – there is relatively little public awareness of the UK’s current strengths in research and innovation.

When I tell Japanese friends that their smartphones are using British-designed semi-conductors and imaging technology, the ATM that they used to withdraw their cash is a British innovation, or that the jet engine that powered their holiday flight was a British invention and quite possibly made in the UK, they usually look sceptical. Yet all of these things are true.

Japanese astronaut, Soichi Noguchi, Prince William and Aston Martin CEO, Andy Palmer

Sounds like the start of a tall story or a bad joke, right? But it actually happened the other day in Tokyo, when Prince William, Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi and Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer joined forces to launch an Innovation is GREAT campaign that will run in Japan over the next year or so. It was great to see the three of them striking up a real rapport in their few minutes together on stage, with Prince William expressing his admiration for anyone brave enough to go into space, his envy of anyone who was actually paid to live and breathe Aston Martins and his own

According to some research that the British Embassy recently carried out, the words most commonly associated with the UK by Japanese people are “tradition” (by a long way the most popular answer), “gentleman”, “royalty” and “handsome”, (“lady” was also in there, though disappointingly not “beautiful”. Must try harder). Also, less flatteringly, “cold” and “arrogant”. Some of those things serve us well in selling to Japan – luxury brands, Royal Warrant holders, and menswear suppliers can

So the Innovation campaign is designed to introduce Japanese businesses and consumers to a side of the UK that they don’t usually appreciate, and to initiate UKJapan partnerships that will promote greater innovation still. It’s been shown that joint UK-Japan scientific research is cited 2.5 times more than the average, so clearly working together unleashes some special creative spark. The same is true of commercial applications as well as basic research: the Suzuki-Intelligent Energy hydrogen-cell motorbike is one good example, and Rolls Royce engines made in conjunction with Kawasaki Heavy Industries,

Do your research before visiting a country. Find out about the history, geography, economy and religions of the country - these will give you insights into the culture and help you to understand customs and behaviours. Be aware of how wider cultural factors affect business such as attitudes to time that may mean that negotiations and decision-making, for example, may take longer than you expect.

Choose colours used in your branding and marketing carefully.

Some have negative or specific associations in some cultures. For example, in Japan red text has negative connotations associated with death. White and/or red flowers are associated with funerals in many cultures. Black and blues are predominant in Western branding whereas brighter and bolder reds, gold and oranges have more positive association in many Eastern cultures.

Be aware of auspicious and inauspicious numbers. Certain numbers can be considered to bring good or bad fortune. The number 8 is

considered very lucky in some cultures, such as in China. Meetings, negotiations and other occasions can be organised according to their numerical significance. The numbers 4 and 9 should be avoided in Japan as they are associated with failure or bad luck. A golf ball manufacturing company experienced poor sales after packaging them in packs of four for the Japanese market, resulting in the company having to withdraw the product at a great loss. A greater understanding of the cultural implications could have avoided this costly mistake.

Translating the written content of websites, other marketing materials and business documents needs to be done by a skilled translator.

Invest in the services of a skilled translator who is a native speaker of the language you are translating into. Materials should also be proof read by a third party before publishing.

If you have an agent or distributor you can ask them to check translations too.

more down-to-earth childhood dream of becoming a policeman.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Sumitomo Precision and a host of other Japanese companies is another. And it’s great to see British and Japanese astronauts working together on that ultimate scientific endeavour, the International Space Station.

So why choose Prince William to launch the campaign? Well, of course we could be sure that he would attract the media attention that we needed to get the campaign off to a good start (we weren’t disappointed – his name was the top trend on Twitter during his visit).

But also he (and indeed the Aston Martin brand) represents a natural link between the tradition and history that the Japanese associate so closely with the UK on the one hand, and on the other the spirit of modernisation and innovation that allows the Royal Family/British economy to continually reinvent itself for a new era. We also hoped that his friendliness and accessibility might help to dispel those notions of coldness and arrogance. So a subtle exercise in rebranding Britain by taking the familiar and extending it in new directions. Will it work?

Well, time will tell, but we’re certainly going to try!

If your company is interested in being involved in the campaign, whether as a sponsor, partner or participant in some of the events that we’re planning, or if you are interested in talking to potential Japanese partners to help move forward your own innovation ambitions, do get in touch with us at exporttojapan@fco.gov.uk

7 ways to engage more effectively with international buyers

By Sara Knowles Building relationships is essential to international sales, and an awareness of cultural considerations is hugely important when selling your products and services in international markets. What may be acceptable in the UK could be deemed as inappropriate, insensitive or even offensive in other cultures, and a little understanding of the culture you are selling into goes a long way.

I have included here a small selection of the advice I often give to businesses before they embark on doing business in international markets Be aware of cultural sensitivities.

These may relate to religion, belief systems, historical and political factors, attitudes to children, animals, gender and sexuality. Graphic design, marketing copy and video production for websites and other media should be produced in association with someone who fully understands the culture of the target market.

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Bear in mind that your target market may use more than one (official) language. For example Belgium has Dutch, French and German and Switzerland has German, French and Italian.

There may also be varieties of a particular language - there are several forms of Arabic: for example, Gulf Arabic is different from Moroccan and Egyptian Arabic. This rule even applies to English, which has many forms apart from the British type (USA, Canadian, Australian etc). Ensure you use the right one(s) for the market you’re targeting.

Learn a few basic words and phrases for occasions when you meet or speak to your customers.

Culture and language are inextricably linked so showing that you have taken the time to learn the basics in your customer’s language is a sign of cultural awareness, courtesy and having invested in building a positive business relationship.

These are just a few examples of some of the many aspects of language and culture our advisers at UKTI can assist UK exporters with.

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INTERNATIONALTRADE

South Korea Find support in this market Capital Seoul Largest city Seoul Administrative divisions 8 provinces Currency South Korean won (KRW) Area 100,210km2

Population 50,004,441 (2012) Calling code +82 Official language Korean

Ease of trading across borders Importing a standard container of goods into South Korea requires:

3 documents 7 days £432

SWOT analysis

Introduction Over the past four decades South Korea has demonstrated incredible growth and global integration to become a high-tech industrialised economy. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion-dollar club of world economies, and is currently the world's 12th largest economy. Following the Asian financial crisis South Korea

adopted numerous economic reforms, including greater openness to foreign investment and imports. The South Korean economy's long-term challenges include a rapidly aging population, inflexible labour market, and heavy reliance on exports - which comprise half of GDP.

Economic snapshot (% annual growth rate) GDP Export of goods and services Import of goods and services Inflation Short-term interest rates (%) Exchange rate (per £) Population Unit Labour Costs

2011 3.7 9.1 6.1 4.0 3.6 0.3 -1.2

2012 2.0 4.2 2.5 2.2 2.9 0.3 -1.1

2013-16 3.2 7.0 7.3 2.3 3.6 0.2 -0.3

Source: Oxford Economics

Economic outlook Quarterly GDP growth exceeded expectations in Q2, rising by 1.1%, the largest increase in over two years.

The rise was driven by a surge in spending by the new government.

Export volumes increased modestly but at a faster pace than imports.

While the economy is being supported by expansionary monetary and fiscal

policy, as well as low inflation, it is currently being held back by subdued global trade flows, high levels of uncertainty, weak business investment and low levels of consumer spending.

However, over time these headwinds will gradually ease, with growth of 2.2% expected this year.

Trade outlook South Korea’s export-driven economy has recently been hit by sluggish demand from debt-hit Europe and its biggest trading partner China.

Exports unexpectedly shrank year-onyear for two straight months in March and April.

The Chinese economic outlook despite recent improvement is weaker than six months ago, forecasting growth of just above 7% this year and next. This also implies weaker prospects for regional trade.

Strengths

• Fourth- largest economy in Asia • Export driven

Weaknesses

• Ageing population • Inflexible labour markets

Opportunities • Production focused on electronics, automobiles, ships, machinery, petrochemicals and robotics Threats

• North/South relations

South Korea’s trade with the UK Food, beverages & tobacco Crude Materials & Fuel Chemicals & related products Manufactured goods Machinery & transport equipment

5% 48% 11% 12% 24%

Sector Segmentation Growth Sectors to watch • Utilities • Iron & Steel

Manufacturing • Aerospace •Electronic components boards

Opportunities for UK businesses and legal services, food and drink (whisky and other alcoholic beverages), pharmaceuticals, high-end fashion and textiles and construction.

South Korea’s 50 million strong domestic population offers UK businesses numerous and varied opportunities. The opportunities lie within the following sectors, financial

Did you know?

Age Matters!

When you are born you start at age 1 not 0. It’s the only country that follows this method. But when you visit Korea, be prepared to get asked how old you are. Often times it is one of the first few questions when meeting a new acquaintance. Age and the elder are treated with a huge amount of respect. Also, when dining or drinking out it is common for the eldest person to pay for the bill

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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MEMBERSNEWS

A fresh approach to business

‘People buy people first’ has long been a business mantra and it’s true.

Tenders for runway extension issued

London Ashford Airport, at Lydd in Kent, has issued tenders to contractors for the construction of its long-awaited runway extension.

The airport has been working with Capita, part of the design team for London’s £14.8 billion Crossrail transport scheme, in preparing and designing the 294-metre runway extension, plus a 150-metre starter extension.

The detailed tender documents have now been completed and issued to a number of prequalified contractors with an invitation to submit offers. An announcement about the successful contractor will be made in the coming months, with construction of the extension due to start later this year.

The airport has been busy fulfilling the planning conditions attached to its consent for a runway extension and a new terminal which was granted in 2013.

Airport Chief Executive Charles Buchanan said: “Issuing the tenders is a major step forward for our multi-million-pound project that will see the runway extended and ultimately a new terminal built. This will give a significant boost to our ambitions, increasing the airport’s operational capabilities and attracting more aviation-related businesses.

“London Ashford Airport is the perfect base for airline operators. Our runway extension will enable regional jet aircraft to fly a full payload of passengers to a wider range of destinations across Europe. We are also providing muchneeded additional airport capacity in the South East of England.”

The airport has spent £35 million upgrading facilities over the past decade, including the installation of a state-of-the-art instrument landing system, a new executive terminal with VIP facilities, improved passenger check-in and security, and a new departure lounge.

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It follows that the first step to doing business is to put your people in front of prospective customers. This is not as easy as it sounds because everyone today is under relentless pressure to buy from all quarters.

One local business offers an ideal solution. At Buckmore Park - the kart circuit where both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton honed their skills - networking and teambuilding are almost the raison d'être of their corporate karting events. After all, aren’t we all naturally competitive? Don’t we all enjoy doing something a bit different? Combining the ‘serious stuff’ with the adrenaline buzz of whizzing along at 50mph as you

gain another place is inevitably going to break down any barriers to doing business.

Think of a go-kart circuit and you probably picture a windswept field with a burger van and dodgy toilets but nothing could be further from the truth at Buckmore Park. You will find a purpose built, air-conditioned conference centre, with multiple suite choices, oodles of parking and full catering facilities. This overlooks the circuit that hosts British Championship racing as well as events for enthusiasts and corporate groups. In addition, as if that weren’t enough, various offroad activities can be enjoyed in the forest surrounding the circuit.

As regular Buckmore corporate host Alistair Maurice of Amlin Underwriting Ltd says. “We’ve been coming to Buckmore for many years. It’s a venue that works well for a range of activities from small groups through to corporate days and is fantastic for hosting networking events.

The organisational support is top notch and helps ensure our guests always have a great time.

For the last five years the venue has successfully hosted our annual charity karting day.

It’s a tremendous success and we find the competitive nature of the event helps ensure we raise a healthy sum for the charities we support.”

Driving y your our hunger hunger 3Ä?

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Advert to follow that Tuck by Truck is an en terprise supports adults with learning disabilities into employment.

FFor or a snack tr tray ay in your your workplace, workplace, a con contact tact us: W est K ent 01622 718867 West Kent East Kent Kent 01227 360762 East Bexley 01322 338659 Bexley www.tuckbytruck.org.uk www.tuckbytruck.org.uk Tuck Tuck by

by T Truck ruck is a mcch en enterprise. terprise. R Registered egistered charity no. 1156486.

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MJ ALLEN GROUP OF COMPANIES Hilton Road, Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate, Ashford, Kent TN23 1EW UK Tel:+44 (0)1233 622214. Fax: +44 (0)1233 643534 Email: sales@mjallen.co.uk Website: www.mjallen.co.uk

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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COVERFEATURE

Kent Manufacturing

Powerhouse for the South East

by Tim Allen MJ Allen Group The Government has finally woken up to the importance of manufacturers to the economy. The truth is the UK is damn good at manufacturing and the nation desperately needs all of us to trade back to economic health.

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

The Government has finally woken up to the importance of manufacturers to the economy. The truth is the UK is damn good at manufacturing and the nation desperately needs all of us to trade back to economic health.

Kent has outstanding manufacturing companies in engineering, electronics, automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, food, defence, medical equipment and others, but for some reason we maintain a low profile.

We have 3,500 manufacturing companies in Kent employing 70,000 people and we should be proud to boast of our achievements and ambitions.

MEMBERSHIP COVERFEATURE

Just the other day, I had the pleasure to meet with Coty, manufacturers of cosmetic products and within a five minute drive from our own plant.

I was struck at how wildly different my company’s products are to theirs and yet how similar our thoughts and needs are. We discussed training and skills, employee development and retention, investment in plant and machinery, the need for constant innovation and improvement…the list went on and on.

I have long been interested in fostering a community of Kent manufacturers, one of many reasons why I became involved with Kent Invicta.

Manufacturers often exist in relative isolation, busily trading with suppliers and customers, but not networking, sharing experiences and best practices and missing out on learning of opportunities from neighbours.

My meeting with Coty only reinforced this. To address this need the Chamber are working on the details for the Kent Manufacturing Focus Group, or KMFG. The Chamber and I would love to receive your thoughts on this and to learn of your ideas as to the events and advice the KMFG should provide.

Something I am immensely proud of is the Chamber’s Manufacturing & Electronics Expo, run alongside the Kent Construction Expo. This event grows year on year and will again be at the Kent Event Centre, Maidstone, on October 7th.

The opportunity to showcase our skills alongside those of our fellow manufacturers is invaluable. As well as the opportunity to meet over 80 exhibitors the visitors can listen to keynote speakers from leading industry sectors, see demonstrations of innovative new technology and take part in technical workshops.

Speakers already lined up include Anthony Eastwood, HR Director at Rolls Royce Motor Cars, and Lord Digby Jones, previous Minister of State for Trade and Investment. Speaking at the evening dinner will be Sir Ranulph Fiennes, regarded as the World's Greatest Explorer. More details can be found on www.manufacturing andengineeringexpo.co.uk The Expo also provides the opportunity to promote ourselves to potential future colleagues. Those in education may not be aware of how creative, rewarding and high-tech our work places can be.

Far better to use a computer to make a real, tangible product than be stuck in the virtual world!

Working as a subcontractor will always be very important to our company but I wanted to diminish our reliance on it by developing our own products.

Manufacturers often exist in relative isolation, busily trading with suppliers and customers, but not networking, sharing experiences and best practices and missing out on learning of opportunities from neighbours.

In 2000, we started talking to Ford about producing All-Wheel Drive systems for their Transit van. There was a seven-year gestation period until production started, and it was scary at times because we had spent a lot of money on it. But when we look back now, we can see how transformational innovating and working with Ford has been.

We hoarded our skilled labour and hung on to them through the downturn - and they stuck with us, too. Now we’re getting busier, there’s overtime available and we are taking on apprentices. The need for skilled and motivated staff has never been more apparent. Manufacturing is a really exciting place to be.

Family ownership runs through our business like a stick of rock - my father started the company in 1958.

He was a pattern maker, which is a traditional woodworking craft. Patterns are used in engineering foundries to create moulds in sand, into which metal is poured and I began working on the foundry shop floor when I left school at 17, in 1977. My two younger brothers and now three of our children are also in the business. We have also had three generations of some employees, too, so there’s a real sense of common purpose.

If the KMFG can create a similar collective atmosphere with a common purpose then it will serve Kent’s manufacturers well. The Expo on October 7th will be an opportunity to further promote the KMFG and to invite manufacturers to join. I very much hope to see you there.

Tim Allen is Managing Director of the M J Allen Group, a casting, fabrication, architectural and machining subcontractor with Kent based businesses in Ashford (M J Allen), Hothfield (Mather and Smith) and Swanley (Rydal Precision Tools). Group subsidiary Countytrac invented an All-Wheel Drive transmission for Ford Transit for which M J Allen cast and machine components.

He is also Chair of the Kent Invicta Chamber with a drive to promote all aspects of Kent manufacturing and to create a Kent Manufacturing Focus Group to provide this vital sector with support, information and networking opportunities.

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BIGINTERVIEW

BIGINTERVIEW

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

Celebrating twenty five years in business Kent is in the blood for entrepreneur Caroline Butterfield, whose Hythe-based business is marking its 25th anniversary this year.

It is that affinity with her native county, and her dedication to building up a solid business grounding during her early working years, that has helped Oak Creative reach the milestone in confident mood.

Caroline, who is Managing Director and Partner, was born in Folkestone and went to school at St. Mary’s Convent in the town, before gaining a place at Folkestone Art School and then Canterbury College of Art studying graphic design.

After graduating from Canterbury College, her first job was as a paste-up artist in a Maidstone advertising agency in a time when the task was done manually rather than using computers.

A year later, she moved on to gain experience in photography and print for two years then then decided to return to College to study Statistics, Accountancy and Law. On completing her studies, she gained further experience by working as an office manager in a

I was a typical Jack of all Trades and it seemed that all my experience in so many fields of design, typesetting, photography and print had brought me to this one place.

Now, on April 1 we enter our 25th year of trading.

BIGINTERVIEW

Whether you’re a new start-up, an established business looking to grow or just need someone to talk to, the Chamber’s Business Support Team can offer professional advice, guidance and information on Partnerships, Insurance, Legal support, Employment laws etc, all to help you succeed.

design studio and was able to keep her creative hand in by doing some design, photography and plate making at the same time.

After that, she worked for three years for the local newspaper as a page planner for two newspapers.

She said: “I loved the job. This was in the magical days of hot metal typesetting and proofing by galley proofs, but I needed to gain more experience in brochure production so I took a position working for a local holiday company.

“I was asked to help start an in-house design studio, bringing together a small team or designers to produce magazines and brochures.”

Nine years later, and by now armed with a varied experience, she established her own business in partnership with Gerry Pack, initially called Apple Barn Creative Design but changed the name to Oak Creative Advertising and Design when they moved from Evegate Business Park, Smeeth to the Royal Oak Public House, Newingreen, which had been converted into offices.

Caroline said: “I was a typical Jack of all Trades and it seemed that all my experience in so many fields of design, typesetting, photography and print had brought me to this one place. Now, on April 1 we enter our 25th year of trading.”

Oak Creative is a team of eight experienced, qualified creatives and from their Newingreen studio they have been producing creative design for print and web for many years, surviving three recessions in the process.

Caroline said: “We help out all kind of businesses large and small, from local family butchers to companies that produce international safety products, from construction companies to jam makers.

“Most of our new customers are recommended to us via word of mouth and we are known for our creativity, personal touch and our strong relationships with our customers.

“We've built a strong reputation for reliability and the ability to deliver cost-effective value-for-money solutions to clients’ needs.

The team offer the full range of traditional and modern design skills and solutions, including handdrawn illustration and high-res graphics for everything from web design to brochure design.

Caroline said: “There aren’t many creative briefs we can’t meet. We like to make our customers feel that we are part of their team; we’re like their very own design department and we encourage them to work alongside us.

“We love start-ups, establishing their brand then applying that to everything they do. One of our recent favourites was Nip from the Hip, selling fresh local picked fruit flavoured alcoholic beverages.

“They started with a logo, then bottle labels, gift packaging, web site, business cards, vehicle graphics, pull up banners... who knows what’s next?

“I remember just what it felt like to start up a business with only one customer but with a lot of hard work and faith we grew the business by 5% each year always having achievable targets and it’s worked - 25 years on now!”

Caroline has also worked closely with the Chamber.

She said: “When I first started the business, I received tremendous support from Jo James’s team at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

support them in every way. Getting the balance of hard work and fun seems to be working because no one ever leaves!

“Gerry and I are lucky to be in a position where we have always made sure that we have provision for emergencies e.g. the Icelandic Ash Cloud, which halted the tourist industry in its steps. This effected 40% of our type of work.

“In this kind of emergency we would still be able to pay the wages and keep the team together and be in a strong position when things returned to normal.

“We plan to keep growing and hope to employ another one to two creatives within the next 12 months.

“Our areas of growth are in web, illustration and packaging - half of the team are illustrators and fine artists.

“Luckily, our offices are able to take an expanding team without us having to move again and being situated in such a prime spot is very advantageous.”

“Whether you’re a new start-up, an established business looking to grow or just need someone to talk to, the Chamber’s Business Support Team can offer professional advice, guidance and information on Partnerships, Insurance, Legal support, Employment laws etc, all to help you succeed.

“I always recommend to any start-ups who come to us for design advice, to ring the Chamber for a free friendly chat and/or become a member.”

As the company reaches its 25th anniversary, there is a real sense of optimism for the future, and much of that is down to loyalty and good planning.

Caroline said: “We always say No Team Oak, No Oak Creative. The team are very important to Gerry and I. “When we entered the last recession the most important thing we had to make sure of was that we kept the team together, no matter what. Also their happiness is our priority and we do our best to

Caroline Butterfield Managing Director and Partner Oak Creative

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BESPOAKcreative/WEB/DIGITAL/WORDPRESS/CMS/BANNER ADS/PHP/DEVELOPMENT/ANIMATION/E-COMMERCE/SOCIAL MEDIA

visit www.oakcreative.net call 01303 812848

“Howletts & Port Lympne have worked with Oak Creative for over 4 years, which speaks volumes in itself. The team always provides a creative, professional and reliable service at a reasonable price. We would highly recommend their services.”

Carole Thomas - Communications Manager Howletts & Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks

BESPOAKcreative/BRANDING/ADVERTISING/EXHIBITIONS/SIGNAGE/LOGOS/STATIONERY/BROCHURES/ILLUSTRATION

MEMBERSNEWS

Celebrate your career in tourism Do you work in tourism or hospitality? Could your story inspire young people to consider a career in the industry? Or do you know someone who is already a tourism hero?

Tell Visit Kent’s Kent Tourism, Hospitality and Transport Guild, and you could win some fantastic prizes.

Visit Kent has set up the Kent Tourism, Hospitality and Transport Guild (Kent Guild) in partnership with Kent County Council, education providers and other agencies to encourage more people to consider a career in tourism.

Chief executive of Visit Kent Sandra Matthews-Marsh MBE said: “The tourism sector is one of the few industries to see a growth in jobs over the last few years, and it is set to continue. However Kent tourism businesses are continually telling us that they are finding it hard to recruit and retain staff.

“Few people realise that tourism is a thriving industry, with so many opportunities available. Think about the incredible locations and exciting settings that tourists visit - and imagine working there, and showcasing them to the rest of the world.

“Recent research shows that thousands of roles will continue to be created in the coming years to meet our tourism demand, from front of house to senior management positions, so it really is a sensible – and exciting – career path to consider.”

Kent Guild aims to promote a positive image of the tourism and hospitality sector, and to change perceptions of it being only for temporary work. It also aims to support young people interested in joining the sector, and to support businesses in recruiting and developing young people within sustainable jobs.

To help people better understand the diversity of the industry, Kent Guild is running two competitions through its new Facebook page www.facebook.com/kenthospitalityguild ) to celebrate Kent’s tourism heroes, and to find inspirational stories from people already working in the sector.

The winner of each competition will get: • A Local Tourism Hero Award Certificate • Free entry at six Kent attractions of their choice (for two people) • £50 voucher at Bluewater Nominate Your Tourism Hero Do you know a local tourism superstar?

Someone who always greets visitors with a smile and a helpful attitude? An employee at a local attraction who brightens up everyone’s day? A volunteer who always goes the extra mile to make sure tourists have an unforgettable experience?

To enter, ‘Like’ and leave a comment on the Kent Tourism, Hospitality and Transport Guild Facebook page wall, titled “MY TOURISM HERO” and share their name, a picture if possible and the reasons why they should win.

The winner will be selected by the Kent Guild team.

Why I Love My Job In Tourism Whether you work front of house in a great hotel, help organise events at a local attraction, manage a site’s marketing plan or meet and greet the public every day, we want to know what motivates you and makes your job worthwhile.

Simply ‘Like’ and leave a comment on the Kent Tourism, Hospitality and Transport Guild Facebook page wall, titled “WHY I LOVE MY JOB IN TOURISM”, explaining why you love your tourism job.

Add images and share stories – the more inspirational, the more likely you will be to win. The winning post will be selected by the Kent Guild team.

For more information about the Kent Tourism, Hospitality and Transport Guild, visit www.visitkentbusiness.co.uk /tourism-business-support-andadvice/how-to.../kent-guild

Futures for Heroes shop open for business Futures for Heroes UK, a Kent based charity providing advice and support for veterans, has opened up a shop at Discovery Park in Sandwich.

Located in the Round House at the science and technology park, the shop sells a range of products from wooden gift items to furniture.

Volunteers and veterans work in the charity’s wood workshop to create and manufacture the items. The shop also receives donations to sell in the shop from local businesses and members of the public.

Linda Jones, manager of the shop, said, “Although we sell many of our products online we were keen to open a shop at Discovery Park to enable people to view the work our veterans undertake and provide a ‘emporium-like’ retail outlet for those who might be looking for that unusual gift or home product.”

Lauren Moore, Facilities Coordinator at Discovery Park, said, “We are delighted that Futures for Heroes UK have decided to open up a shop here. It’s a great opportunity for the charity to showcase their amazing

products and it raises awareness within the local community.”

The charity, which provides exserviceman and women with advice and counselling, works in partnership with the SSAFA, Royal British Legion, Veterans Welfare Service, Job Centre Plus, Kent Probation, Kent County Council and other local authorities.

The shop is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 4pm to both Discovery Park tenants and members of the public.

Exper t legal advice for all employment issues.

Have you got the right team on your side?

Chambers and Partners UK 2015 ranks head of the employment team Amanda Finn as “Up and Coming”.

Clients say Amanda is a “very competent lawyer” with “extensive experience in employment”.

Call us at Maidstone on 01622 689795 or at our new Gravesend office on 01474 886916

info@gullands.com

www.gullands.com April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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MEMBERSNEWS

“Third Annual Spring Ball and Grand Draw” raises more than £16,000 for The Norton Knatchbull School On Saturday 28th March 2015, The Norton Knatchbull School hosted a fabulous fundraising ball for the third time in three years.

Head teacher Susanne Staab with her VIP guests

The Spring Ball and Grand Draw were held in aid of further developing the school’s facilities and learning spaces.

VIPs included the Member of Parliament for Ashford, Damien Green and The Worshipful the Mayor of Ashford, John Link, who enjoyed the evening alongside many parents, governors, students and sponsors from the local business community. Guests were treated to a lavish black tie charity event which saw the Sports Hall transformed into a glittering ballroom courtesy of Jubilee Hire & Bowes Hire.

A delicious four-course sit-down meal was presented by Olive Dining and sponsored by Brakes, 3663 and Robert Neary Catering, who provided the mouth-watering ingredients. In the course of the evening, guests were further enthralled by the amazing talent of the school’s musical ensembles.

Another highlight of the evening was the Grand Draw, which featured an amazing array of luxury prizes sponsored by local businesses. These ranged from a Choice of Mercedes for a Weekend donated by Lookers Mercedes of Ashford; a 42” LG TV donated by NCL Technology; an IPad; Family Activity Packages; and a number of luxury Pamper Packs. Ticket sales for the Grand Draw alone raised in excess of £8,000. The evening was seen out with some serious dancing and animated conversation in the relaxed atmosphere of the professionally run bar and disco.

Chairman of Governors Ian Richards commented: “We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of the huge number of local sponsors who have made this spectacular evening possible. It is clear that the school enjoys excellent support in the local community and that people share our

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vision to provide an inspiring learning environment for all our students.”

Headteacher Susanne Staab added: “Particular praise for the organisation of this spectacular event goes to the NK5 Committee, including our Business Manager Paula Bunnell along with Claire Shore, Susan Butcher and Susan Burberry, all members of staff at the school. It has been a wonderful occasion and our guests were unanimous in their praise.”

The focus of the NK5 Appeal is now to raise funds for the construction of a

ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

new Creative Arts Hub to the estimated value of £3.5 million. This facility would unite Art, Design and Technology, Music and ICT and feature a Music Recording Studio. The school will be able to bid for some of this money via government sources but will need to contribute a substantial figure to this project itself.

Business Manager Paula Bunnell said: “As a school we are facing another year of financial austerity and considerable budget cuts. We have to look at private fundraising initiatives and sponsorship to allow us to implement this vision. We have been truly humbled by the generous support we have received so far but have a long way to go before we realise our target. With donations still flowing in, the evening is anticipated to raise approximately £16,000 in total.”

If you would like to get involved or even sponsor us, please contact appeal@nks.kent.sch.uk.

For more information on the aims of our NK5 Appeal and how we have progressed to date, please go to www.nks.kent.sch.uk/111/nk5the-appeal-so-far.

The School Band VINKS

Norton Knatchbull School NK5 Committee

We would like to thank all of the following sponsors who have supported us so generously: Sponsors Website links Academia www.academia.co.uk Antoniou Hair & Beauty Nail Bar www.ahbgroup.co.uk Ashford Orbital www.ashfordorbital.co.uk Asda (Ashford) www.asda.com Betteridge & Milsom www.betteridge-milsom.co.uk Brakes www.brakes.co.uk Bows Hire www.bowshire.co.uk Bose www.bose.co.uk Biddenden Vineyards www.biddendenvineyards.co.uk Bubbles Publishing Ltd www.creativesteps.co.uk Chart Hills Golf Course www.charthills.co.uk Chilson Park www.handpickedhotels.co.uk /hotels/chilston-park/ Coty Manufacturing www.coty.com Dale Hill Golf Club www.dalehill.co.uk Delta Force www.paintballing.co.uk Delta Partners International LLP Double Deck Disco www.doubledeckdisco.co.uk Eastwell Manor www.eastwellmanor.co.uk Eurotunnel - Tania Pettit Givaudan Uk Ltd www.givaudan.com Great Chart Golf & Leisure www.shoottheboss.co.uk Henwood Signs www.henwoodsigns.co.uk Holiday Inn (Ashford) www.holidayinn.co.uk Inkpellet www.inkpellet.co.uk Jubilee Hire www.jubileehire.co.uk Just Pizza www.justpizzaashford.co.uk Keith Francis Hair Salon www.keith-francis.com Kent County Cricket Club www.kentcricket.co.uk Keel Toys www.keeltoys.com Kent Office Supplies www.kentofficesupplies.com Kent Potato Company www.kentpotato.co.uk Leeds Castle www.leeds-castle.com Madrona Nursery Mercedes Benz of Ashford www.lookers.co.uk Mid Kent Growers www.midkentgrowers.co.uk NCS Technology www.ncstechnology.co.uk Olive Dining www.olivedining.co.uk Robert Neary at Elior Catering www.eliorcatering.co.uk Parents of NKS students Podplus www.podplus-shop.co.uk Potters Home Digital www.home-digital.com PS Financials www.psfinancials.com Private benefactor R M & C Consultants www.rmandcconsultants.co.uk Richard Grebby Photography www.rgsstudios.co.uk Romney Flooring www.romneyflooring.co.uk Students of The Norton Knatchbull School Softcat www.softcat.com Spiral Cycles www.spiralcycles.co.uk Tescos (Ashford) www.tesco.com The Ashford International Hotel www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels /ashford-international-kent.

The Blacksmith's Arms www.theblacksmithsarms.co.uk The Norton Knatchbull School Governors Finance Committee www.nks.kent.sch.uk The Little Raj The Orion Publishing Group www.orionbooks.co.uk UK Mobile Bars Ltd www.ukmobilebars.com Woodside Spa www.woodsidespa.co.uk Wildwood www.wildwoodtrust.org

MEMBERSNEWS

Creative in Kent

Davis Davis Design is a friendly and personal advertising and design agency who have been getting creative in Kent since 1999.

Their studio in the Old High Street, Folkestone is a buzzy environment for ideas, branding, logos and corporate I.D., print, digital and new media ads, employee engagement, web design and the whole marketing comms cornucopia.

They work with companies large and small across Kent and the South East, and offer outstanding value for money by keeping overheads down, deploying a range of highly talented freelancers on an hourly basis.

With many years of senior level experience in London behind them, they are now dedicated to helping local businesses achieve big results through great design and marketing.

As well as their permanent discounted rate for Chamber members, they offer: • Free review of your current design and marketing strategy.

• Free set up of social media accounts with every new social media management commission.

• Free .co.uk domain name and starter web hosting for a year with every new website commission.

• Free business card design and print (500) with every new logo design commission.

For further information visit www.davisdavis.co.uk

AJ Antiques and Collectables Ltd AJ Antiques and Collectables is a friendly husband and wife run business, our passion for quirky and interesting items lead us to form our business.

We have quite a diversity of items for sale, from your vintage to your retro, quirky to your antique, you can find the perfect item either on-line, www.ajantiquesandcollectables.co.uk, or by visiting our shop in the charming village of Bexley, Kent. We have many items to suit everyone’s budget.

Incorporated in AJ Antiques is Juliette’s Vintage Tea hire. We have a charming collection of vintage tea china and accessories for hire. We can cater for all events including - Valentine’s day Weddings - special birthday parties or just that charming get together at home.

We cater for intimate gatherings of 2 to larger parties of 170 and still expanding the attractive tea wear.

Newly introduced is our vintage picnic cases for hiring, from £10 - £20 a day to hire you can enjoy a great family day out to remember either at the beach, a woodland walk or perhaps a day at the races!

So, if you are thinking of that special event or just a get together with friends and family, please feel free to contact us via our website or to visit us in the shop to discuss your requirements.

Food - flowers - wine and props can be organized separately.

We have a charming collection of vintage tea china and accessories for hire.

IAB With over 10,000 members across 60 countries, the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB) is one of the most prestigious not-for-profit organisations for professional bookkeepers in the world.

Regulated by Ofqual, the IAB is both a government-approved and statutory supervisory body. Setting world-class standards, it offers students worldwide the chance to gain the very best financial qualifications – as well as lifelong skills.

Founded in 1973, the IAB initially rose to fame as an examining association. Today, celebrating over 40 years of success, it not only offers a host of accredited bookkeeping and business qualifications, it supports and regulates professionals on their career path.

With membership attracting students, business owners and accounting professionals alike, the IAB’s sights are on the future helping members maintain their skills and respected status.

At the forefront of benchmarking, the IAB works with government as well as standard setting bodies to promote the professional integrity of bookkeepers.

Under the UK Money Laundering Regulations 2007, the IAB is a statutory supervisor - ensuring members in practice comply with the law. Alongside this, it also plays a key role in developing national qualifications too.

Working with the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), it established practical bookkeeping units. Plus, together with the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals, it helped pioneer Payroll qualifications.

Small businesses can easily find a bookkeeper through the service provided on the site with listings of qualified bookkeepers across the UK. Visit www.iab.org.uk

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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ECONOMY&US

The Economy & Us: What Price Usury?

“… Neither a borrower nor a lender be, For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.”

Hamlet, W Shakespeare

Are you in debt? Will your debt end up making you better-off or worse-off?

Usury, ie lending/borrowing at a rate of interest set by the lender in a seller’s market, has for over 4,000 years incurred the wrath of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and other commentators both ancient and modern. Why? The key lies, I suggest, in the unequal power relationship between borrower and lender. As Keynes wrote: “the rate of interest is not self-adjusting at the level best suited to the social advantage but constantly tends to rise too high”. Moreover, every payment hurts the poor more than it benefits the rich; and when the poor hit unexpected problems their fixed commitment hurts them worse.

Historically, usury has transferred wealth from the asset-poor borrower to the (already) asset-rich lender. All the more so today after 40 years’ oil price hikes, and 30 years’ explosion in electronic financial trading in a world awash with loose funds chasing yet more paper profits. This means “the market” is no longer efficient – banking isn’t lubricating the economy by efficiently allocating resources to the benefit of society. Exorbitant wealth at the top doesn’t necessarily promote technological progress, nor even real-economy growth to create a prosperous middle class. Today the middle class, traditionally the bedrock of stable democratic governance, is in decline.

Economic progress since Renaissance times, which has produced such benefits in our living standards, has brought two more debt-related problems. Because lenders will rationally lend to the limits of worthwhile return on investment, ie until the marginal ROI is zero, the cycle of Boom & Bust is built into our financial system whenever something adverse happens in the economy.

More serious, the near-universal application of Net Present Value arithmetic (which discounts future earnings by today’s interest rate) makes it “economically rational” to exploit Nature’s

resources at a much faster rate than Nature replenishes them. Just look at the price of fish, or decent timber – when you can get it – to say nothing of global warming. We are “rationally” stealing from our children the chance to enjoy the world economy as we know it.

Where does this lead? At the personal level, with falling rates for long-term investors we can see that the only path to financial independence, even in old age (pensions), lies in recognising the difference between borrowing that generates new productivity (Good) and borrowing to consume (Bad).

At the national level, as suggested last year by the Financial Times’ economic correspondent Martin Wolf, maybe lending is just too important a public good to be left to bankers. Maybe it is for the state – perhaps the Bank of England – to take control of national policies for finance.

Who will you trust on the economy?

Nick Rowell Director of Policy Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Direct line: 01622 753568 Email: nick@tpbs.co.uk

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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UNIVERSITY OF KENT’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY EMPLOYABILITY POINTS REWARDS EVENING

getting involved in EP can lead to many new experiences and relationships which enhance the overall student experience.’

The University of Kent is delighted to announce details of the Employability Points (EP) Rewards Evening.

The scheme encourages students to develop personal and work skills of value to future employers and offers reward points for active engagement in extra-curricular activities outside their degree programme. The scheme has been highly praised by central Government and the business community.

The rewards evening is a fantastic opportunity to showcase student talent and achievement during their time at University.

Sponsors and supporters from around the country will attend the evening to celebrate the successes of the scheme.

This year’s ceremony will take place on Tuesday 2 June from 5.30pm at the Grimond Building on the Canterbury campus.

Carole Barron, Director of Innovation & Enterprise, said: ‘EP goes from strength to strength. As well as opening doors to employers, 36

ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

Register now A light buffet will be provided to registered guests. Limited tickets are available so please register to this free event before Tuesday 26 May using the link. www.eprewards2015.eventbrite.co.uk For any questions regarding this event, please contact Nerissa at enterprise@kent.ac.uk or phone 01227 816032.

For more information please visit the EP Webpage: www.kent.ac.uk/employabilitypoints/events/epceremony2015 If you have been inspired by this story and would like to become a sponsor or supporter of the EP Scheme, please email Employabilitypoints@kent.ac.uk or phone 01227 824641.

For more information and news, visit www.kent.ac.uk/employabilitypoints Twitter: @EmPoints

MEMBERSNEWS

Evision Supercars: Driving Kent to the Future A new era is dawning in the development of electric vehicles in the UK.

Professional video streaming

They can no longer be accused of being slow, expensive, boring, odd-looking and impossible to run as a new player has come onto the market. Californiabased Tesla Motors has created the phenomenal Tesla “Model S” and Kentbased EVision Supercars are proud to be the first in the UK to offer these vehicle for personal and business hire.

The “Model S” has a range of 200 miles, a limited top speed of 130MPH, and an acceleration of 0-60MPH in only 4.2 seconds (beating a Porsche 911).

All of EVision’s vehicles are either 5 or 5(+2) seaters with a 17 inch, internet-ready, touchscreen display, and the ability to be charged in as little as 20 minutes (for half a tank) for free!

Offering speed, comfort and efficiency for the driver.

Kent-based EVision Supercars are the first in the UK to offer the “Model S” for hire, on either self-drive or chauffeured packages to individuals and businesses, offering the experience of the future of driving, and putting Kent on the map in

the EV world, with the county having more Tesla Superchargers than any other county outside London.

For businesses in these uncertain economic times driving an EVision Tesla “Model S” can offer guaranteed savings on benefit in kind, fuel and parking as well as variable savings such as no London Congestion Charge, free charging at all UK charging points and up to £10,000 worth of savings on fuel per annum.

Hornby announces relocation Model railway brand leader Hornby has announced its plans to relocate to Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent.

From May 1, the company’s office based operations, which include sales and marketing, accounts and human resources, will be based at the 220acre science and technology park, which is one of 24 UK Enterprise Zones.

Hornby will occupy a 16,000 sq ft. space in The Gateway at Discovery Park. The new offices will be just seven miles from Hornby’s existing site, which is located in Margate.

Nick Stone, group finance director at Hornby plc, said: “Our current offices were no longer fit for purpose and we considered Discovery Park to have the best office facilities available. The site also offers room for us to grow, an innovative environment to do business and a positive ethos, gained from being based amongst other businesses there.

“In theory, we could have relocated anywhere, however we were intent upon staying in East Kent for a number of reasons, not least because of the many loyal and experienced employees we have here, but also due to the area’s regeneration and transport links.”

Anna Stone, leasing manager at Discovery Park, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Hornby, a brand leader and well-loved household name, to the site. Discovery Park is the place to do business and this is evidenced by the fact that we have grown from five original tenants to more than 100 in just over two years.”

Discovery Park’s industrial, rail and military past caught Hornby’s attention. The site has a colourful locomotive history, having been covered in rail marshalling yards

during the First World War. It is located just a mile away from a former Train Ferry berth which used to transport goods to Europe and the Royal Engineer unit where locomotive designer Oliver Bulleid was based in the early twentieth century is also nearby.

SuperReel Productions is a corporate video production company specialising in the sports and fitness sector, creating content to sell a company or its product, used predominantly on websites.

Today’s fast internet connection speeds have had a massive impact on video streaming. It’s enabled any website to use it to gain and keep customers, and video now accounts for around half of total global web traffic.

SuperReel Productions Ltd was set up in 2011 by Julian Arriens to provide a top shelf service to clients in the South East of England. After finding more and more work in the sports, fitness and outdoor activity industry, developing substantial expertise producing this content, they made the decision to concentrate in that area in late 2014.

The company has covered cycling events and tours, football matches, produced an array of football training videos, and pieces for martial arts, fitness and mental wellbeing amongst others. The diverse triangle of creative, technical and physical disciplines fuels a fresh attitude, taking every job as a challenge to raise the bar.

Julian has worked as a professional TV editor for 15 years. He brings an expert documentary story telling background and an aim to create visually stunning pieces, employing other TV professionals with similar experience and broadcast sports production skills.

It’s not all sport, fitness, sport, though. SuperReel has covered the likes of estate agents and hairdressers too - but whoever the client, it's about promoting local businesses, showing off the natural beauty, talent and industry within Kent… and producing great content.

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MEMBERSNEWS

We’ll drink to that!

It is said that there are only six degrees of separation between everyone in the world.

In your local area, even fewer, as newest Chamber member India Marshall-Roads recently discovered.

Chamber Membership Representative, Colin Davies, was telling her about a great wine he’d enjoyed over Christmas, “It was a fantastic bottle of wine. So good I sat and enjoyed it alone! I couldn't tell you what it was, only that Keith gave it to me.”. “Not Keith Grimley?” India enquired? “Yes!” Colin exclaimed. “Well it turns out you’ve already tried one of my wines!” From supplier to customer to client; all three Chamber members are linked by a great bottle of wine.

Logic PM entrusted Bottle Bazaar to design a bespoke corporate gift and this recent partnership highlights the benefits of a branded gift. Colin recalls a moment of pleasure which he associates immediately with the client company.

India said: “It really highlights the value of branding your gifts. A generic supermarket wine may have been lost in the wine rack.

Logic PM were able to boost goodwill by association, as well as in the act of giving.”

Bottle Bazaar is an online retailer selling a broad selection of wines with the option of fullycustomisable labelling, at affordable prices.

Cancer scanner company homes in on Maidstone Maidstone is now home to the team behind a ground-breaking skin imaging and skin cancer treatment scanner, after the company Michelson Diagnostics worked with Locate in Kent.

The high-tech medical device company specialises in the clinical application of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology, which uses an advanced laser scanner to see into tissue with an unprecedented image resolution and quality of image.

Founded in 2006 by five experts in laser scanning, the company expects to add a further 18 people to its current 16 strong team over the next three years, to build upon the success of developing, building, testing and securing regulatory clearance for the use of its VivoSight OCT scanners in Europe and USA.

LIK's Phil Last with Jon Holmes of Michelson Diagnostics

Having outgrown its first home in Orpington, the Michelson Diagnostics management went in search of new premises. Thanks to property advice from the team at Locate in Kent, the county’s investment promotion agency, the search led to Eclipse Park, near Junction 7 off the M20 at Maidstone, the business park being developed by Gallagher Group.

Thanks to VivoSight, the company is working with clinicians and medical researchers to help develop its noninvasive skin imaging and earlydiagnosis skin cancer treatments for use in clinical research and hospitals.

ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

“Eclipse Park offered everything Michelson Diagnostics needed, and importantly also put the recently opened Kent Institute of Medicine & Surgery (KIMS) and proposed Maidstone Medical Campus within walking distance.”

The potential for the company’s growth has also been recognised by Escalate, the Regional Growth fund managed by Kent County Council, which approved a £600,000 interest-free loan after the company worked closely with HighGrowth Kent and Locate in Kent.

Delivering quality for 35 years TRS is a Facilities Management, Construction & Rail Company based in Dartford, Kent which has been operating for more than 35 years.

TRS provide construction and FM services to a variety of clients from both the public and private sectors. Our public sector clients include NHS, HM Prisons, Leisure centers and a number of local authorities; our rail division has undertaken a number of projects for DLR and TFL. We also work with many blue chip clients in London.

We are able to maintain building related assets through planned and reactive programs as well as on the basis of project based contracts.

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Today, VivoSight scanners are used in five European countries, as well as USA, Australia and Brazil, and more than 8,000 patients have been scanned.

Jon Holmes, Chief Technology Officer at Michelson Diagnostics, said: “Our new location in Maidstone Eclipse Park is perfect as a base for the company’s management, operational infrastructure, R&D and engineering hub, as we continue to expand the global sales and clinical applications of our VivoSight scanner.

“We are very pleased with the new premises and working environment that Locate in Kent helped us find.”

Paul Wookey, Chief Executive of Locate in Kent, said: “The brief for the new headquarters was quite precise as the company wanted new offices that offered the right quality of image for the growing med-tech device company, but also the necessary motorway connections and space to expand.

Whether it’s changing a lamp or testing the electrical supply and rewiring the whole building or maintaining a boiler or installing a fully designed air conditioning system we will take care of everything. We are growing our organization partly on repeated business from satisfied customers and from building new relationships.

We have gained immense experience in the construction and maintenance sectors. Our senior managers gained much of their skills in large nationally

based companies and bring their experience to the fore as TRS Ltd positions itself to continue to grow the business.

The only constant is the high quality and attention to detail of our workmanship.

We are more than happy to quote any upcoming projects that you may have and assist you in any queries.

Visit www.trs.ltd.uk

MEMBERSNEWS

Employee Assistance Programmes in North Kent Reducing workplace stress and protecting the health of employees are important parts of business management.

“Best Window Cleaner I have ever had” That Checkatrade review for Shidan sums him up. But it’s not a one-off: with an average rating of 9.7, his 167 reviews are peppered with endorsements such as ‘excellent service’, ‘professional’, ‘quality’, ‘reliable’, ‘efficient’ and ‘courteous’. while the frames and sills are washed first, removing dirt that can be washed onto the window by rain, so windows stay cleaner for longer.

Plus Shidan and his team can reach up to six storeys from the ground, preserving their customers’ privacy.

Medway Council and Walk Tall Counselling are assisting managers through a ‘Healthy Workplaces’ programme and an expert counselling service tailored to business’s Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs).

The Healthy Workplaces Programme (ThinkingBUSINESS, December 2014 – January 2015, p. 37) is a holistic approach which addresses topics such as smoking, physical activity, health checks and mental health awareness. It encourages businesses to raise standards by enrolling on the National Workplace Wellbeing Charter.

EAPs can improve worker wellbeing and bring additional benefits to management, such as an enhanced public image, staff retention, and higher productivity. Reducing workplace stress is also a legal requirement if psychiatric injury is foreseeable, as shown in the House of Lords case of Sutherland v. Hatton (2002) and the recent case of Daniel v.

Secretary of State for the Department of Health (2014).

The glowing reviews are partly a testimonial to the window cleaning system that Shidan uses. His company, Waterfed Pole Window Cleaning UK, employs a revolutionary system of pure, filtered water, poles and soft brushes to create sparklingly clean windows. The pure water dries completely, meaning no smears,

But the endorsements are also a testimony to Shidan. Formerly a radio presenter, he is a serious business man, intent on providing a truly professional service to both domestic and business customers.

He is fully insured, CRB checked and approved by Kent County Council Trading Standard, meaning he can work in any environment.

For Shidan, it is not enough to be a great window cleaner: his goal is to be the best in the South East.

Visit www.waterfedpole windowcleaning.co.uk

EAPs typically comprise face-to-face counselling, a telephone help-line, legal advice and critical incident debriefing, and are a valuable means of demonstrating that an employer has fulfilled its duty of care. Signing up to the Workplace Wellbeing Charter provides similar protection.

Walk Tall Counselling is offering ‘inhouse’ workplace counselling, and a referral service at its Ebbsfleet office.

From February 23, it will also be providing BTEC training courses to support in-house EAPs. For further information, see www.abettermedway.co.uk /aboutus/workplacehealth.as and www.walktallcounselling.com, or contact the Walk Tall Counselling Services Manager, Stuart Law 08452708130 enquiries@walktallcounselling.com

EAPs can improve worker wellbeing and bring additional benefits to management, such as an enhanced public image, staff retention, and higher productivity.

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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MEMBERBENEFITS

Businesses invited to apply to Dragon’s Den-style fund

A recent graduate who wants to launch an app to help young people find flat mates, a 55-yearold lady who dreams of opening a training school for dogs, a chef with a vision of opening a chain of fish restaurants along the south coast…

What links these apparently unrelated people? They have all applied to the Times of Tunbridge Wells Investment Fund, a £5 million Dragon’s Den-style investment fund – the biggest fund of its kind in the South East. Launched alongside its new weekly newspaper, the Times of Tunbridge Wells, the Dragon’s Den-style fund is designed to help limited companies, from start-ups looking for seed capital to businesses needing cash to expand.

The fund has received an enthusiastic reception from the local business community. Jo James, Chief Executive of Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “With access to traditional sources of finance still being problematic for many businesses, this initiative is welcomed as it will give the opportunity to further develop local business, creating local prosperity and employment opportunities. This scheme is not just about the finance, it recognises the importance of getting it right advice and support to ensure business growth.”

Alison Parmar, Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses says: “The Times of Tunbridge Wells Investment Fund is a great opportunity for small businesses and we would encourage them to consider applying. We often hear that a lack of funds holds small businesses back from the next step towards growth such as refurbishing a premises, taking on more staff or launching a new product. This investment fund is a clear example of larger firms helping smaller companies and encouraging a more entrepreneurial culture; something the FSB supports.”

Greg Clark MP, Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, sees the fund as instrumental in securing the region’s future prosperity. He said: “For our area to continue to be prosperous requires our businesses to be successful – new start-ups to be created and established businesses to grow. An investment fund that provides extra support is to be warmly welcomed and I look forward to seeing the benefits in action.”

Would-be entrepreneurs need to send a full business plan in writing, together with a covering letter. Suitable candidates will be invited to pitch their idea to a group of High Net Worth businesspeople. Just as in the hit BBC business show Dragon’s Den, investors can either declare themselves ‘out’ or offer funds in return for an equity stake in the applicant’s business, although the investors reserve the right to use other financial structures.

How to apply Those interested in applying for funds should send their full business plan together with a covering letter about themselves and their company to: Times of Tunbridge Wells Investment Fund 16 Lonsdale Gardens Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1NU Closing date is July 1, 2015.

All business plans will be received and viewed in strictest confidence.

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

Making the most of your Chamber, FREE Benefits & Member 2 Member Offers When you become a member of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, you will have all the benefits of being part of an organisation designed to help you succeed in business.

Not only that, but as a member of a chamber accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce, you will have access to a UK-wide network of businesses and opportunities.

Our website provides you with information about all the ways you can benefit from membership, so make sure you make the most of it. We’ll keep in touch with you by email, to let you know about events and special member-to-member offers.

In particular you will have access to the exclusive Members area of the website and here you can find out latest Member 2 Member offers, write a blog, our logos which you can download to use and also the members database.

We love the Member 2 Member offers area and have some great offers coming in all the time from members, past offers we have had include: • Free IT Health Check • Free Pension Reviews • 10% Off Cleaning • Golfing Offers • Hospitality Charter Flight Offers

The Chamber provides: Membership services, Business Advice, International Trade services, Representation and much more. Covering the County of Kent the Chamber is perfectly placed to promote, support and facilitate business across the County.

Member 2 Member Offers Did you know that as a member of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, you can benefit from exclusive special offers made available by other members? Well you can and I am sure you will be surprised at just how many offers there are available to you.

Member 2 Member offers are a great way of promoting your business to other members. You can send us as many member offers as you like. These are then uploaded onto the member’s area on the

Chamber’s Website and also sent out with our email communications.

There are a wide range of offers available to our members so take a look on our website and take advantage of the great offers fellow members are offering.

Should you wish to make or amend an offer (which is only available to members) all you need to do is provide a pdf, make sure there is a clear offer that is only available to other members and don’t forget to include an expiry date. Then send your pdf or any amendments to Sarah and she will do the rest.

If you would like any more information regarding Member 2 Member offers then please email sarahd@kentinvictachamber.co.uk.

GETTINGSTARTED

Name: Company name: Start up date: Website:

Q1: Tell us a bit about your business?

Bottle Bazaar is a wine supplier with a difference, all the wines are personalised for the individual. We’ve a carefully selected collection of wines that you can design your own label for. Our customers range from banks to small businesses who want a bespoke, quality corporate wine gift or staff incentive, to brides who want to put a unique touch to their wedding, to the individual looking for a special gift for a loved ones birthday. Due to our in house printing facilities we can produce any amount, starting from just one bottle.

India Marshall-Roads Bottle Bazaar Ltd November 2013 www.bottlebazaar.co.uk

Q2: What gives your business ‘the x-factor’?

Four things: The quality of the wine - my background is the wine trade and I won’t settle for substandard wines. I will only supply wines that I’d happily drink myself.

If a company or person is putting their name on the wine, they’ve got to be confident its a good one!

Quality of design - we work with various different illustrators and designers to produce an exciting and modern library of label template designs.

Uniqueness of the overall product - many of our customers are so excited to have found such a great product, they’d never heard of before.

Excellent customer service - I believe in treating people how I’d expect to be treated myself. Having previously supplied some of London’s top hotels and restaurants I know service and quality is everything.

Q3: What motivated you to set up the business?

I have a huge love of wine and design and recognised a gap in the market.

Personalisation is so important now, just look at the success of Moonpig and their

t.co.uk esinnken ic t n e r p www.ap

cards and Coca Cola with their personalised bottles. Bottle Bazaar does the same for quality wines with the help of some very talented artists.

Q4: What do you like most about working for a start-up?

I love to learn and starting a business means I’ve had the opportunity to use my wine and sales knowledge but to also to delve into marketing and business. Every day is different and exciting; the achievements and success are all my own and that is the greatest motivation to do even better the following day.

Q5: What has been your greatest business success to date?

As I come from a wine trade background it was a wonderful feeling to be shortlisted for Best Online Retailer at IWSC 2014 International Wine and Spirit Competition a great achievement in our first year of business.

Q6: What has been your lowest moment?

Finding out (quite far down the line!) that the property I was buying had a restrictive covenant meaning we couldn’t add separate business premises.

After long discussions we purchased anyway and let separate commercial premises, which was for the best in the long run anyway.

Q7: In terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next 5 years?

I’d like to have expanded the product range to spirits, for the wedding market to be a larger proportion of our sales, to have a larger office and staff and to be working fewer hours!

Q8: What would be your top tip to someone thinking of starting up their own business?

You can’t even begin to imagine how much hard work it takes to start a business, you need to love it, live it and breathe it and be prepared to bore your friends to death about it!

If it's an option, have a co-founder, someone else to bounce ideas off and to provide support is invaluable, if you are having a bad day, chances are they aren’t and two minds are always better than one!.

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April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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CHAMBEREVENTS

Chamber Events, Seminars & Workshops BUSINESS BREAKFAST Details (unless otherwise stated): Time: 8:00am - 9:30am Non-Members: £20.00 + VAT Members: £15.00 + VAT Join us for a delicious full English breakfast and lots of networking.

2 April 2015 Guest speaker from National Apprenticeship Service The Grand, The Leas, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2XL 10 April 2015 Best Western Manor Hotel, Hever Court Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 5UQ 14 April 2015 The Conningbrook, Canterbury Road, Kennington, Canterbury, TN24 9QR 15 April 2015 Guest speakerJames Burrows from Jigsaw Kloud Mercure Maidstone, Great Danes Hotel, Hollingbourne, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1RE 16 April 2015 Greenfields Shooting Ground, Sturry Hill, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 ONG 01 May 2015 Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 OTG

NETWORKING LUNCH 30 April 2015 Hilton Dartford Bridge Hotel, Masthead Close, Crossways Business Park, Dartford, DA2 6QF Time: 12 noon - 2.00pm Non Members £25.00 + VAT Members £20.00 + VAT

The After Hours Club is a popular and highly successful 'casual' networking event. The informal atmosphere and relaxed environment is the ideal place to relax and chat to fellow business people.

Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm This event is open to Members and non-members. Come and join us for an FREE to members and non-members evening of networking. Complimentary Tea and Coffee will be served.

A Cash Bar is sometimes available.

07 April 2015 The Conningbrook Hotel, Canterbury Road, Ashford, Kent, TN24 9QR 07 April 2015 Nucleus Business & Innovation Centre, Brunel Way, Dartford, Kent, DA1 5GA 14 April 2015 Mercure Hythe Imperial Hotel & Spa, Princess Parade, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6AE 21 April 2015 The Mercure Hotel Pembury, Tonbridge Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4AL 21 April 2015 Ramada Encore Chatham, Western Avenue, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4NT 21 April 2015 The Abbots Barton, 36 New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3DU

Time: 7:30am - 10:00am Mercure Hythe Imperial Hotel & Spa, Princess Parade, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6AE

20 May 2015 Canterbury Cricket Club, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3NZ

17 July 2015

ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

05 May 2015 The Conningbrook Hotel, Canterbury Road, Ashford, Kent, TN24 9QR 05 May 2015 Nucleus Business & Innovation Centre, Brunel Way, Dartford, Kent, DA1 5GA 12 May 2015 Dartford Football Club, Grass Banks.

DA11RT 12 May 2015 Mercure Hythe Imperial Hotel & Spa, Princess Parade, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6AE 12 May 2015 Royal Wells Hotel, 59 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8BE 19 May 2015 Ramada Encore Chatham, Western Avenue, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4NT

19 May 2015 The Abbots Barton, 36 New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3DU 26 May 2015 The Mercure Maidstone, Ashford Road, Maidstone ME17 1RE 27 May 2015 Best Western Coniston Hotel & Restaurant, 70 London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 1NT 02 June 2015 The Conningbrook Hotel, Canterbury Road, Ashford, Kent, TN24 9QR 02 June 2015 Nucleus Business & Innovation Centre, Brunel Way, Dartford, Kent, DA1 5GA 09 June 2015 Mercure Hythe Imperial Hotel & Spa, Princess Parade, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6AE

Kent Healthy Business - FREE Business Breakfast

19 May 2015 Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham, Sandway Maidstone Kent ME17 2BE

42

Join us for a delicious two course hot buffet lunch PLUS lots of networking

AFTER HOURS

06 May 2015 Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Boughton Lees, Ashford, Kent, TN25 4HR

05 June 2015 Mercure Hotel Pembury, Tonbridge Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4QL

This lunch time event slots neatly into the business day and provides the ideal opportunity for you to meet fellow professionals, grow the profile of your brand and to build new business relationships.

08 May 2015

Time: 7:30am - 10:00am Best Western Coniston Hotel, 70 London Rd, Sittingbourne.

ME20 1NT

“Improving economic performance through people and environment” (In partnership with Kent County Council) According to research, UK employers pay an annual bill of £9billion for sick pay and associated costs* Workplace health and wellbeing programmes can increase employee job satisfaction and reduce staff turnover between 10 and 25%** Kent Healthy Business Award is Kent County Council’s free self-assessment framework. By demonstrating

commitment to wellbeing and sustainability, your business could reap the rewards of a healthier workforce and automatically qualify for eligibility for the government’s Health at Work Award being launched in 2015.

Working towards the standard gives you access to: • A Kent Award linked to a nationally recognised award scheme • A local health at work advisor • Expertise in health and wellbeing programmes • FREE resources for a healthier business

CHAMBEREVENTS

WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS International Workshops Letters of Credit Demystified 15 May 2015 Time: 8:45am - 12:30pm Registration from 8:30am - Tea / Coffee, Bacon Rolls Non-Members:

£75.00 + VAT

Members:

£90.00 + VAT

Workshops 09 April 2015

23 April 2015

FREE

Non-Members: Members:

Regus, 26 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4AE Volvo has launched a programme called Co-Pilot with a number of other organisations such as Roadsafe and Driving for Better Business, to raise awareness of road safety with businesses that have employees on the road.

Mercure Maidstone, Great Danes Hotel, Hollingbourne, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1RE Leading regional law firm Furley Page, highly ranked by Chambers and The Legal 500, is presenting this practical interactive workshop on employment law for Kent Invicta Chamber members and non-members.

£80.00 inc VAT £90.00 inc VAT

Investigating Discipline Fire Safety in Schools and Grievances in the Workplace Innovation Centre Medway, Maidstone Road, Chatham, ME5 9FD This is a free event hosted by NKM Fire Protection Ltd, a Kent-based company that specialises in the installation and maintenance of fire detection systems and ancillary equipment, including emergency lighting, door holders, fire extinguishers and refuge systems.

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Waterbrook Avenue, Sevington, Ashford, TN24 0LH Simplify your finances and keep on top of your sales, suppliers and VAT, whenever and wherever you are. The sensible route for small to medium sized businesses

SME Procurement Exchange Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm

FREE to attend

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford Business Point, Waterbrook Avenue, Sevington, Kent, TN24 0LH The SME Procurement Exchange will be the first in a series of comprehensive meet the buyer events that will include workshops, opportunities and training.

Buying categories include construction, food & beverages, public services and much more ...

Exhibitors Why Exhibit?

• Get the opportunity to demonstrate how great your products and services are • Raise your business profile • Reach businesses that you may not usually access

2 metre stand from £180.00 + VAT Come and exhibit and get the opportunity to present your business to potential customers Sponsored by RAP Interiors and BALREED

07 May 2015 Non-Members: £80.00 inc VAT Members: £90.00 inc VAT Mercure Maidstone, Great Danes Hotel, Hollingbourne, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1RE The series is suited to all employers no matter the size of your workforce.

These interactive workshops include extensive question and answer sessions. The workshops will be presented by two leading employment lawyers.

Managing Sickness Absence Sage 50 Accounts 21 May 2015 Refresher / New Businesses Workshop Non-Members: £80.00 inc VAT 27 May 2015

Rising Stars is aimed at non business owners and directors in the professions such as accountants, bankers, financial advisors, insolvency practitioners, solicitors and surveyors.

28 April 2015

Driver Risk and Legal Employment Law Update Compliance

FREE

6:00pm - 8:00pm 20 May 2015 Time: Non-Members: £15.00 + VAT Members: £20.00 + VAT The Chelsfield, 1 Windsor Drive, Orpington, Kent, BR6 6EY "Rising Stars" is the new networking support forum for rising stars in professional services within the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford Business Point, Waterbrook Avenue, Sevington, Ashford, TN24 0LH Join us for an in depth three hour workshop on letters of credit demystified. It will address a wide range of issues that can occur with documentary letters of credit.

23 April 2015

Rising Stars - develop your network as you grow your career

Members: £90.00 inc VAT Mercure Maidstone, Great Danes Hotel, Hollingbourne, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1RE The series is suited to all employers no matter the size of your workforce.

These interactive workshops include extensive question and answer sessions. The workshops will be presented by two leading employment lawyers.

Networking Golf Day Special

09 June 2015 £60.00 + VAT per player Hever Castle Golf Club, Hever Road, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NP

Sponsor a hole for £50.00

On the day, put your business in the spotlight by having a business banner up against one of the holes Your company logo will also be added to any literature handed out on the day.

This includes tea/coffee on arrival, bacon rolls and networking followed by 18 holes of golf and a two-course lunch The Kent Invicta Chamber Golf Day is open to all businesses. As teams of golfers, businesses will play against each other over 18 holes.

The teams and individual players will have the chance to win some fine prizes.

To book either visit www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk/events or email events@kentinvictachamber.co.uk or call 01233 503838

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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REGIONALNEWS

Kent colleges secure skills funding Two further education colleges in Kent are to benefit from a share of £18m to support their students and local businesses following a decision by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP).

Each of the bids to the SE LEP Skills Capital Fund demonstrated a strong focus on helping to reduce the skills shortage, support growth industries and provide the best possible facilities for the South East’s young people to access vocational skills and training.

Signing the SE Growth Deal - Peter Jones and Barones Kramer

Each of the bids to the SE LEP Skills Capital Fund demonstrated a strong focus on helping to reduce the skills shortage, support growth industries and provide the best possible facilities for the South East’s young people to access vocational skills and training.

poor quality facilities, replacing them with an improved learning environment to support more than 900 additional learners.

The bid by East Kent College’s secured £1,186,750 of funding to support plans to provide new training facilities for the local engineering, logistics and service industries at its Dover campus.

Hadlow Group has secured £9,800,000 from SE LEP’s Skills Capital Fund to deliver Phase 1 of Ashford College by SE LEP Chairman Peter Jones said: creating 5,112m2 of floorspace as the “Improving skills is a key priority for us first stage of the new campus in the heart of the town. It will remove existing and our partners. I’m delighted to see

46

ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

colleges are focusing on the skills needs of business and their communities.

lives of the individual students but also the long-term success of the East Kent economy.”

“In the case of Ashford it will support manufacturing, construction and service industries, and Dover will see a renewed focus on delivering skills for local engineering, logistics and service companies.

Cllr Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council said: “This is massively good news for both Ashford and Dover.

Twenty-first century facilities are badly needed in these areas and will strengthen the FE provision in East Kent, giving young people more choice and career opportunities in the future.”

“Each of the successful Kent bids should be celebrated as they will have a direct impact on not only the

The new Ashford College campus on

REGIONALNEWS

In business for £180m as huge EU funding programme launches in South East The East Kent College proposal for Dover is designed to help reduce current low levels of training in the district and will invest in much needed new technical vocational facilities.

Elwick Road will focus on providing skills for the manufacturing, construction and service sectors, linked with a strengthened role for employers.

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, Director of Finance and Resources at Hadlow College, said: “We are delighted with the award of £9.8m to enable the development of the new education campus at Elwick road in Ashford. This is key milestone in the long-awaited creation of a 21st Century learning environment for the locality.”

The East Kent College proposal for Dover is designed to help reduce current low levels of training in the district and will invest in much needed new technical vocational facilities.

An estimated 1,005 (81%) of the 1,241 16-18-year-old students who access further education travel out of Dover, a statistic East Kent College is seeking to turn around by improving facilities and relevance of training opportunities at its Dover campus.

Graham Razey, Principal of East Kent College, said: “Since taking over the campuses at Dover and Folkestone from the former K College, we have worked closely with local employers, such as Dover Harbour Board and others, to fully understand their priorities and needs in terms of skills for the future.

“This funding will help us to deliver on our promise of supporting our important coastal

communities, and transforming the lives of the area’s young people, too many of whom have become disenfranchised from education, skills and training.”

Skills development is a key element of the SE LEP strategy for growth, which will see 200,000 new jobs created by 2021, and 100,000 additional homes built across East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock.

Working closely with the Skills Funding Agency, SE LEP will make the £18m available to be invested over the next two years.

A further £4m will be invested in equipment for colleges and training providers through a separate bidding process.

Skills development is a key element of the SE LEP strategy for growth, which will see 200,000 new jobs created by 2021, and 100,000 additional homes built across East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock.

One of the UK's biggest EU funding programmes was launched today by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP) to boost business growth and jobs across East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock.

Today’s launch is the result of two years painstaking research and development across the area which now sees SE LEP leading the country in getting this funding out as quickly as possible to local business.

In the biggest programmes of its kind for the South East, the £180m EU funding will unfold across the SE LEP area over the next six years to business, universities, councils and social enterprises all of which are now eligible to apply for funding. Its use can include support for business competitiveness and innovation, new low carbon opportunities and rural enterprise.

Further calls for projects later this year will support higher level skills to meet the needs of local high-tech industry and a helping hand towards a job for those furthest from the labour market.

Launching the funding programme, Chairman of the SE LEP EU Committee George Kieffer called on companies across the South East to bid for the funding: "I am delighted that from today, new EU funding is available across East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock for new business growth and jobs.

"It's a huge achievement and the result of co-ordinated work between the LEP, the Government, the private and public sectors.

"I would urge every organisation looking to create jobs to look at the SE LEP website to day and consider making a bid."

In the first stage of the £180m programme, a tranche of some £17m funding is made available today to business including: • £3m for research and innovation • £6m for enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs • £3m for low carbon projects • £1m for small and micro businesses in rural areas Confirming its position as a leading LEP nationally, SE LEP is one of only five LEPs across the country launching its programme to support rural enterprise with a initial focus on agritech and diversification to strengthen and grow the LEP's critical rural sector.

To achieve this, the LEP has enjoyed the close support of officials at DEFRA. SE LEP Chairman Peter Jones added: "This is a major milestone in SE LEP's support for jobs, productivity and skills in our drive to make the South East the country's most enterprising economy."

Further funding calls will be launched as programmes are agreed with the Managing Authorities for the programmes - the Dept for Work & Pensions and the Dept for Communities and Local Government.

Information relating to all EU programme opportunities offered through this funding can be found on the SE LEP website www.southeastlep.com

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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NEWMEMBERS

Welcome to new members 21st Century Carpets.co.uk Rochester www.21stcenturycarpets.co.uk Retail of Various Flooring & Red Carpet Hire

Astro Communications Ltd Dartford 01322 610100 www.astro.co.uk Network Engineers & Video Conferencing

Chemidose Limited Sittingbourne 01795 425169 www.chemidose.co.uk Chemical Dosing For Water Treatment

Factory First Kent Ltd Upchurch 01634 365594 www.ffkcatering.co.uk Catering Equipment

A Question of Thyme Catering Greenhithe 01322 382324 www.aquestionofthyme.co.uk Catering

Banyard Consultants Tonbridge 01732 467000 www.banyards.co.uk Professional Building Services

Chidi Lynn Chiropractic West Malling 01622 433546 www.chidichiro.co.uk Chiropractor, Sports Therapy, Body Mechanic

Get Fruitful Marketing Maidstone 07815 948791 www.getfruitfulmarketing.com Fresh Thinking And Marketing Expertise For Ambitious SME's

Clydesdale Bank Crawley 07920 211396 www.cbonline.co.uk Commercial & Private Banking Loans/Finance

Global Security Integration Ltd Gillingham 02076 663365 www.gsecintegration.co.uk Management Consulting

Ainsworth Civils & Engineering Ltd Maidstone 01622 232550 www.ace-limited.co.uk Covering all aspects of civil engineering in the bridges & highways, Environmental works AJ Antiques & Collectables Bexley 01322 557988 www.ajantiquesandcollectables.co.uk Antiques Alaris London Ltd Dartford 01322 275511 www.alarisavenue.co.uk Kitchen & Bathroom Specialists Andrews - LSS Folkestone 07900 893043 www.andrews-lss.com Lawyer Support Services Angelas Swim School Swanley 01322 632408 www.angelasswimschool.co.uk Swim school Aperio Financial Solutions Ltd Maidstone 07990 574868 Finance Director Aspire Achieve Advance Maidstone 01622 685621 www.3aaa.co.uk Apprenticeships in ICT, Digital Marketing, Social Media and Business Administration

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

BBS Constuction Ltd Maidstone 01622 740160 www.bbsconstruction.com Construction Benham Collectibles Ltd Folkestone 01303 762050 www.benham.co.uk Collectibles Blakemore Communications Limited Folkestone 07984 136044 www.blakemorecommunications.co.uk PR, Media, Communications

Countrystyle Recycling Ltd Maidstone 01622 852880 www.countrystylerecycling.co.uk Waste Management & Recycling

Bottle Bazaar Ltd West Malling 0844 5499060 www.bottlebazaar.co.uk Personalised Wines for Gifts & Events

Credit Limits International Ltd Faversham 01795 594570 www.creditlimitsinternational.com Credit Control, Debt Collection, Trace & Investigations, Legal Recovery through the County Court

Bowden & Lowe Gillingham 01634 851783 www.bowdenandlowe.com Opticians and Contact Lens Specialists

Cripps LLP Tunbridge Wells www.cripps.co.uk Solicitors

Cannons Folkestone 01303 243913 www.cannonaccountants.co.uk Accountants

Curry Lounge New Romney www.currylounge.net Restaurant

CAT Project Solutions Ltd Canterbury 01227 722888 www.cat-psl.com I.T Infrastructure Cabling & Relocations CDA Systems Ltd London 0203 780 0808 www.creativedigitalagency.co.uk Web Design, Development, Branding, Digital Marketing

01892 506331

01797 366292

Golding Homes Maidstone 0300 777 2600 www.goldinghomes.org.uk Housing Gravesend Marine Ltd Rochester 01634 296859 www.gravesendmarine.co.uk Marine Spares Greenbox Recycling Kent Limited Ashford 01233 660099 www.gboxkent.com Waste Management & Recycling Guy Salmon Jaguar - Maidstone Maidstone 01622 797700 www.guysalmonjaguar.co.uk Local big cat specialist, new & used vehicle sales, service, parts and specialist car restoration

Delron Services Ltd Maidstone 01622 688444 www.d-s-l.co.uk Building Services Engineers

Hadmans Place Ltd Ashford 01233 770546 www.hadmansplace.co.uk Coaching, Consulting, Location Home

Eurostar International Limited Ashford 01233 617971 www.eurostar.com Contact Centre, Travel Industry

Harlequin Group Chatham 01634 683635 www.harlequin-group.com Surveying, Planning, Design & Build, IT

NEWMEMBERS

Hertz UK Ltd Dartford www.hertz.com Van & Car Hire

0843 3093020

Highway Care Ltd Maidstone 01622 734215 www.highwaycare.co.uk Suppliers Of Road Safety Products International Association of BookKeepers West Malling 01732 897750 www.iab.org.uk Professional Member Services & Qualifications Justso Clothing & Merchandise Ltd Canterbury 01227 728111 www.justso.biz Clothing & Promotional Merchandise Kenn Export Limited Orpington 01689 639751 www.kennexport.com Trading, Import and Export Kims Hospital Ltd Maidstone www.kims.org.uk Private Healthcare

01622 237746

KVF Consultants Ltd Ashford 01233 623575 www.kvf-consultants.co.uk Health & Safety Advice and Training Lioness Consultants (UK) Ltd Tunbridge Wells 01892 519440 www.lionessconsultants.co.uk Recruitment

Mercedes-Benz Dartford & Orpington Dartford 01322 294414 www.mercedes-benzdartford.co.uk Motor Trade Monster Merchandising Ltd Bromley 02084 677646 www.monstermerchandising.co.uk Branded Merchandise My Working Life Ltd Folkestone 07763 597279 www.myworkinglife.co.uk Career Management & Development NatWest Bexley Heath www.natwest.com Start Up Business

03457 114477

NKM Fire Protection Ltd West Kingsdown 0800 0742427 www.nkmfireprotection.co.uk Supplier, Installer and Maintenance of Fire Detection Systems Noted in Style Limited Folkestone 0845 862 6070 www.notedinstyle.co.uk Branded Premium Products (B2B) Specialists in Notebooks & Diaries Nova IT Solutions Ltd Sittingbourne 0203 1028340 www.nova-itsolutions.com IT Support, Hardware, Software, Data Cabling, Data Security, Project Management, Auditing Outset (UK) Ltd Maidstone 01622 759900 www.outsetuk.com People Management & Legal Services

Lyddair Ltd/World Executive Airways Romney Marsh 01797 322207 www.lyddair.com Airline, Aircraft Sales & Management

Peter Stanley Training Ltd Chatham 01634 816161 www.peterstanleytraining.com Training, Software Sales, Risk Assesment

Maidstone & Mid Kent Mind Maidstone 01622 692383 www.maidstonemind.org Promoting & Delivering Mental Health Activities

Peter Thompson - Toastmaster Rochester 01634 841375 www.southeasttoastmasters.co.uk/peter-thompson Professional Toastmaster

Prima Paper Services Ltd Ashford 01233 666060 www.primapaper.co.uk Paper Recycling From Printers Qube Recruitment Ltd Rochester 01634 735333 www.quberecruitment.co.uk Recruitment Company RBP Design Cranbrook 01580 243206 www.rbpdesign.co.uk Design for Online & Print/ Work Preparation Training Rocket IT Services Ashford 01622 320340 www.rocketitservices.co.uk Website Based IT Solutions For Business Select Appointments Tunbridge Wells 01892 575814 www.select.co.uk Recruitment, The Provision of Temporary and Permanent Staff SMB Airport Taxis Gravesend 01622 727123 www.smbprivatehiretaxi.com Airport Transfers, Wedding Transport & Couriers Suzanne Howe Communications Ltd West Malling 01732 875697 www.suzannehowe.com PR, Marketing, Design, Social Media TE Energy Swanley 0203 627 6575 www.teenergy.co.uk Electrical Contractors, Energy Saving Experts

The Lazy Cow Printing Co Ltd 01303 872015 Dymchurch www.lazycowprinting.co.uk Retail/Commercial Printing, Embroidery, School Uniform, Promotional Items, Leaflet & Business Cards The Parents Consortium Hextable 01322 668501 www.parentsconsortium.org.uk Charity Supporting Disabled Children and Their Families The Ultimate Solution Partnership Ltd Ashford 01233 640257 www.tusp.co.uk Professional Services Provider Three R's Ltd Ashford www.3rs-ltd.co.uk Teacher Recruitment

0845 130 3338

Top Banana Recruitment Maidstone 08000 438300 www.topbananarecruitment.com Low Cost No Nonsense Recruitment Solution Tube Fashion Gillingham 01634 789341 www.tubefashion.co.uk Tailoring and Fashion Designs UKV Solutions Ltd Rochester 01634 560674 www.ukvsolutions.co.uk Social Media Marketing Wesleyan Birmingham 07785 975924 www.wesleyan.co.uk Financial Advise for Legal Professionals

The Institute of Legal Finance & Management Sidcup 02083 022867 www.ilfm.org.uk Membership, Training, Qualifications

Williams Giles Sittingbourne 01795 478044 www.williamsgiles.co.uk Chartered Accountants, Accountancy, Audit, Business Advice

The Kent Cookery School Ashford 01233 501771 www.kentcookeryschool.co.uk Cookery Classes, Teaching

Winkworth Canterbury 01227 456645 www.winkworth.co.uk Lettings, Estate Agency

April - May 2015 ThinkingBUSINESS

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LASTWORD

MOVERS&SHAKERS

Accolade for hotel worker India

The Last Word Name: Company: Job title:

Chris Neeve Girlings Solicitors Partner

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

A. Trainee legal executive with a traditional high street practice. It was a great place to work but the salary of £50 per week was low for a graduate even in 1983!

Q. What do you always carry with you to work?

A. Something to eat. Intended to be lunch I’ve usually yielded to temptation by mid morning.

Q. What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

A. New competitors in the legal sector.

India Marsh, of Canterbury Cathedral Lodge Hotel, has been nominated for an Exceptional Service award by Trip Advisor.

The campaign was launched in October 2014 to honour the dedication that some properties take to provide remarkable service.

India said: “I’m thrilled with this recognition. It’s a nice reward for the Lodge and reflects not just on me but on the whole team.”

A recent survey showed that 67% of travellers think that hospitality professionals do not get enough recognition for their efforts.

Barbara Messing, Chief Marketing Officer for Trip Advisor, said: “Hospitality professionals can be the differencemaker between what makes a trip simple good or

absolutely amazing and Trip Advisor wants to help shine a spotlight on those who do it best.”

Hotel General Manager Richard Moppett said “India is at the front line of our guest welcome to the Lodge and I frequently receive individual written comments from our customers regarding the extra lengths she has gone to in assisting them during their stay.

“It is particularly rewarding that her customer care has been recognised on a public forum such as Trip Advisor, for all to see and I would like to add my personal congratulations to India on her achievement.”

mso takes on new designer Digital agency mso has appointed Nicola Purdie as its digital designer to support and manage the creative team.

Nicola’s role within the company is to develop conceptual ideas, create new designs and ensure everything that leaves mso is pixel perfect!

Prior to working at mso, Nicola spent five

years' freelancing - two of which were spent earning invaluable experience at various London agencies. Following that she built up her own clients developing not only her creative side, but business skills too. Adrian Brown, mso's founding director said 'We are delighted to welcome Nicola on board - her skills will certainly be a great asset to both us and our clients."

Q. If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change to help business?

A. A fairer system for business rates.

‘A’ for excellence in Sittingbourne

Q. What can you see from your office window?

A. The sky - so no distractions!

Most people would not automatically link the current revolution in education with Sittingbourne but the town is playing host to a national centre of excellence which is attracting talent from all over the region.

Q. If you could do another job what would it be?

A. I play the cornet in a brass band so teaching music to adult beginners.

Q. As a business person, what are your three main qualities?

A. I’d say hardworking, approachable and my integrity.

Q. What was your biggest mistake in business?

A. Having made the transition from employee to partner I’m relatively new to the world of business… and still waiting for my first mistake!

Behind the move is accountants Williams Giles, a nationally recognised firm in the foster care sector, whose reputation is also growing across the country for its Academy Schools and not-for-profit specialism.

The Academy sector is growing fast. Nearly 4,500 schools have become Academies

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ThinkingBUSINESS April - May 2015

The company has been drawing in talent, most recently Alex Ffrench FCCA, nationally-recognised Academies and notfor profit specialist who has joined as Associate Director from Baker Tilly.

Alex said: “Having specialised in not-forprofit work for some years, I am excited to have the opportunity to grow our service provision at Williams Giles.”

Visit Kent’s Sandra receives MBE at Buckingham Palace Sandra was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2014 for services to tourism in Kent. She attended the official investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in February, and was presented with her MBE by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Q. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

A. Think it through and if you’re sure you have an idea that will work go for it.

Q. Who do you most admire in business?

A. As a man of Kent it would have to be Shepherd Neame boss Jonathan Neame. Sheps is a fantastic brand and Jonathan is such a great ambassador for the county.

and Williams Giles acts for more than 100 of them from its Sittingbourne base.

Visit Kent chief executive Sandra Matthews-Marsh has officially been made a Member of The Order of the British Empire (MBE).

She said: “I am so proud to have been awarded this honour; it is such a privilege to work in as dynamic and creative an industry as tourism, and it is a joy to champion the Garden of England. To be recognised by The Queen for doing a job that I adore is incredibly humbling.”

“Tourism is a tremendous industry full of passionate, creative, can-do people who manage to retain their sense of humour and positivity however big the challenges. This honour is a wonderful reflection of the Visit Kent team and partnership, and strong recognition of the importance of tourism.

“My wonderful family has been the backbone of all my achievements, and this honour is for them too.”

For more information about Kent, please visit www.visitkent.co.uk