Thinking Business August 2021

THINKING

BUSINESS • OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR KENT INVICTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • August - September 2021 •

Renewed optimism surges through construction sector n n n n n

Government Kickstart Scheme p4 The Big Interview with Chris Longden of Whitehead Monckton p18 Economy - Global trade can be a key driver of economic recovery p39 Chamber Events p41-43 New Members p48-49

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Welcome & Contents

Construction sector puts economy on firm foundations to give businesses much more confidence, particularly those in the hospitality and leisure sectors, which have suffered more than most in this pandemic.

Welcome to another edition of Thinking Business. COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease as life returns to something akin to normal again. Scientists and politicians have realised that, even though COVID cases are on the rise again, we are all going to have to learn to live with the virus with the help of the vaccines. This is going

Contents 4

Chamber News

5

Legal Update

9

Members News

11

Patron News

Rising business confidence was highlighted in the British Chambers of Commerce’s most recent quarterly economic survey. The survey of more than 5,800 firms showed that some key indicators, such as domestic sales and business confidence, displayed a significant rise as more firms reported improved conditions, with some indicators returning to pre-pandemic levels as COVID restrictions eased. However, it also showed a steep rise in the number of firms, particularly manufacturers, expecting to raise prices, and in

18

The construction sector still has challenges to face, not least significant skills shortages, but it will still have a major role to play in building a sustained economic recovery. In Kent I believe we have the tools, and the companies, to do just that.

Fortunately, Kent has some excellent businesses that are doing well in key sectors such as creative, digital, food and drink, life sciences and manufacturing. Construction, too, is playing a major role in driving forward our local economy and we shine the spotlight on this vital

Jo James OBE, Chief Executive, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

25-27 Cover Feature - Construction

45 The People behind the business

32-33 International Trade

46-47 Business News

36-38 Members News 39 Economy

18-19 The Big Interview

40

20-22 Members News

41-43 Chamber Events

Members News

industry in this edition’s cover feature. Some of our most innovative companies operate in this sector and we’re delighted to showcase some of them in this feature.

It's vital, then, that businesses are given the necessary support to keep the economic recovery on track. Here at the Chamber we’re doing just that, giving practical advice, creating networking opportunities, understanding companies’ changing needs and signposting them to appropriate support where necessary.

26

12-14 Members News

Our Patrons

businesses citing inflation as a cause of concern.

48-49 New Members 50

Last Word

50

Movers & Shakers

3239 Editorial and General Enquiries Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford Business Point, Waterbrook Avenue, Sevington, Ashford, Kent.

TN24 0LH Chief Executive: Jo James OBE Tel: 01233 503 838 Fax: 01233 503 687 info@kentinvictachamber.co.uk www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk Media No. 1796 Published July 2021 © Benham Publishing

Publisher

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

Advertising and Features

Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 karen@benhampublishing.com

Editor

Jez Davison Tel 0151 236 4141 Jez@benhampublishing.com

Production Manager

Peter Wilkinson Tel: 0151 236 4141 peter@benhampublishing.com

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. © 2021. 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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Chamber News

Government Kickstart Scheme - Give young people the core workplace skills needed to succeed. The Chamber can help you submit an application to the Kickstart Scheme with very little hassle.

The Government’s Kickstart Scheme will subsidise the wages at National Minimum/Living Wage for six-months, for people aged 16-24 and on Universal Credit.

The scheme is now open for employer applications – simply get in touch with us.

Kickstart is a £2 billion funded scheme created by the Department for Work and Pensions to create hundreds of thousands of high quality work placements for a young person, with the aim young people will be more able to enter long-term employment once their placement ends.

Through the scheme, you will be able to access a large pool of young people with potential, ready for an opportunity to learn and upskill. Young people will be supported by their Jobcentre Plus work coach to enrol in the scheme.

If you are an employer looking to create a job placement/s for young people, please submit your interest via the link below, and a member of our Kickstart Team will be in touch with an introductory call to explain the scheme in greater detail, and answer any questions you may have: www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk/kickstartscheme/ Please do not hesitate to look at the Chambers FAQ pages for further details via the link below: www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk/kickstartscheme-faqs/ You can use the Kickstart Scheme to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. The job placement/s a Business provides should support a participant

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in on-the-job training to carry out the role, teach Employability Skills Training, as well as support the participant to find work after the placement has ended.

Funding is available for 100% of the relevant National Minimum/Living Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and for providing Employability Skills Training* (please see more detail below).

Funding is available following a successful application process. Simply contact the Chamber to apply.

Kickstart is not an apprenticeship, but participants may move on to an apprenticeship at any time during, or after their job placement.

Who can apply for funding?

An organisation who:

• Is listed on Companies House or is registered with HMRC as a Sole Trader • Has at least a years’ worth of trading figures

The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not: • Replace existing or planned vacancies • Cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment The roles you are applying for must be: • A minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months • Paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group • Should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement • For the organisation on the application only, the roles cannot be outsourced to a third party *Each application should include how you will provide Employability training, so that the young person has both 6-months’ worth of on the job experience AND careers advice to better access employment going forward.

Employability Skills Training includes:

• Support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals • Support with CV and interview preparations

• Has PAYE set up

• Supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork

• Has no active furlough applications

• Help with job searches e.g. through LinkedIn

How to apply

The Chamber can help guide you in making a successful application to the Kickstart Scheme.

With a network of trusted partners we can also deliver a package that will support you through the process as a whole. For further information and for next steps in applying to the scheme, please submit your interest by following the link here: www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk/kickstart-scheme/ If you are a Sole Trader or Partnership, the scheme is soon to be opening up to you. Please also submit an expression of interest following the same link above, and a member of our Kickstart Team will be in touch with an introductory call.

How to Avoid Construction Disputes

Legal Update

Nicola Webster, an expert in resolving disputes in the construction sector, shares five simple and practical ways to reduce the risk of disputes arising or escalating.

The nature of construction projects often with multiple parties, complex works and various extraneous circumstances beyond the control of the parties, make them fertile ground for disputes. The traditional forum for resolving disputes in Court is notoriously expensive and lengthy and can cause irreparable damage to business relationships and reputations so it makes sense to try and avoid disputes escalating if possible: 1. Clear contractual documentation

Even if you have a long standing relationship with the other party make sure you have clear contractual documentation in place that sets out the details of the project, the scope of the works, obligations of the parties and deals with the main areas of risk.

The most common areas of risk in construction projects are delays/ extensions of time, defects, nonpayment and variations, so it is wise to ensure that the contract has adequate mechanisms in place to deal with each of these main areas.

2. Clear payment provisions

Good cash flow is essential in construction projects and delayed payments can cause animosity between the parties quickly so it is important that the payment provisions in the contract are clear. Ensuring payments are made when due and valuations are carried out promptly can avoid hostility between the parties. If you are ever in any doubt as to whether you should be making a payment under a contract, because the provisions are unclear or because there is

some dispute about the work, seek legal advice.

3. Keep a record

Keeping an accurate written record throughout the course of the project can be valuable when problems start to arise. For example, keep written records of minutes of meetings, when you take delivery of materials, labour undertaken on the project and materials used. As particular areas of risk are delay and variations, keep accurate records of any changes and the impact those changes have in terms of time, resource allocation, and cost.

Other records such as invoices, receipts, timesheets, progress reports, photographs, etc, may also be valuable.

4. Regular monitoring

Regular monitoring of progress, costs and quality can help to identify problems as they arise meaning they are often easier to resolve. It is also helpful if any actions taken to resolve problems throughout the course of the project are recorded.

5. Communication

Regular site meetings and maintaining good communication between the parties are often important factors in ensuring construction projects run smoothly as it means any problems can be identified and resolved quickly.

Construction disputes can be costly for all parties involved.

For further legal advice, please contact Nicola.

Nicola Webster

Associate Solicitor – Dispute Resolution

girlings.com

01233 664711

nicolawebster@girlings.com Thinking Business

5

Important VAT Changes from 1 July 2021

By Greg Mayne, Director of VAT, Azets Maidstone office.

From 1 July 2021 changes have been made to VAT and duty rules for goods and services supplied to EU customers.

These are primarily for ‘B2C’ and e-commerce transactions affecting businesses and online shoppers, but they may impact some ‘B2B’ imports and users of special VAT accounting schemes.

Distance Selling’ Regime Historically supplies of goods sold B2C in the EU attracted VAT from the supplier, eg. UK VAT added to an EU customer. Once a ‘distance sales’ value limit was exceeded a local VAT

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registration was required and UK suppliers had to charge and account for VAT in affected countries.

Changes from 1 July 2021

The UK leaving the EU has changed the position and from 1 July 2021 new rules and values apply.

the supplier is not established in that country.

The EU distance selling thresholds are replaced by an EU-wide value of €10,000. This applies to sales of goods and electronically provided services.

the EU and web sales of goods.

Where B2C sales of goods above €150 (there are specific rules where the value <€150 - see below) are made by a UK company to EU individuals where the transport is arranged by the supplier, new VAT accounting procedures apply.

supplier uniformly across the entire EU.

The rules now move the place of supply to the country the goods are supplied in. This will result in more suppliers having to potentially register and account for VAT in multiple EU countries, however there is now a One Stop Shop (‘OSS’) VAT procedure to account for VAT overseas and avoid the need to register in different countries.

MOSS returns.

One Stop Shop (OSS) The Mini One Stop Shop (MOSS) system allowed B2C suppliers of broadcasting, telecommunications, and electronic (BTE) services to declare and pay the VAT due in other EU Member States on one central return. EU based businesses registered for MOSS in their country of residence, whereas non-EU based businesses could choose a Member State for their registration. Use of MOSS avoided having to register and account for VAT in other EU countries.

The MOSS procedures have been extended to cover all B2C services taking place in the EU where

The new OSS procedures can now be used to account for VAT on B2C sales of goods within

The use of OSS is possible if the business needs to be registered for VAT in multiple EU states. OSS procedures must be used by each

OSS declarations are submitted quarterly, however the deadline for submission via OSS (as well as the due date of the tax liability) has been extended by 10 days compared to

A special registration number applies for OSS, and businesses already using MOSS will automatically participate in the OSS regime.

In addition to OSS there is a new procedure that deals with sales of low value goods imported from outside of the EU, called the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS).

IOSS for imports up to €150 The IOSS helps to simplify the declaration of VAT on B2C supplies with a value <€150.

Registering for IOSS is not obligatory and suppliers can continue to use current arrangements if preferred.

Most goods valued <€150 will continue to be exempt from customs duties.

"The rules now move the place of supply to the country the goods are supplied in.

This will result in more suppliers having to potentially register and account for VAT in multiple EU countries, however there is now a One Stop Shop (‘OSS’) VAT procedure to account for VAT overseas and avoid the need to register in different countries."

An IOSS registration in one EU country allows the business to record and account for VAT on sales throughout the EU. This removes the need to register in every EU country in which goods are sold.

Using IOSS, non-EU suppliers can record and pay the VAT due in EU countries on a single periodic VAT return. Shipments of IOSS goods will not be subject to import VAT and can help move through customs procedures more quickly.

Businesses without an EU-based establishment wishing to register for IOSS may need to appoint an overseas representative to settle VAT through the IOSS platform.

Removal of €22 VAT exemption The VAT exemption applying to imports into the EU with a value up to €22 was removed on 30 June 2021. From 1 July 2021 these supplies

will attract VAT and formal customs clearance, although most goods <€150 will not attract customs duties.

An accurate commercial invoice will reduce customs delays.

4 Review any existing EU registrations to replace these with a single IOSS registration.

4 If you use an online marketplace check responsibility for accounting for VAT on B2C shipments <€150.

Checklist for the changes

4 Update shipping procedures.

4 Confirm the business areas impacted by the

4 If you plan to pass on import charges to your consignee, make sure you inform them of this in advance.

new rules.

4 Assess your VAT needs for the EU: Systems and data records will need to identify and apply appropriate EU VAT rates.

4 Consider IOSS for a single registration to

pay VAT on B2C shipments <€150.

If you require further information or assistance to prepare for these changes, please get in touch with greg.mayne@azets.co.uk

4 Find out if you need an intermediary to ensure tax compliance on your behalf in the EU.

The Accountants and Business Advisory team here to save your precious time.

ACCOU NTI NG / TA X / AU DIT ADVI SO RY / TECH NO LOGY

Get in touch with your local Azets advisors today. azets.co.uk #AzetsSMEchampions

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Members News

How a Quantity Surveyor keeps your contracts watertight Contracts are full of clauses, sub-clauses, amendments with references to annexes and the standard form.

Emma Railton Hoad at Hawk Surveying gives her top 5 tips for reading and understanding your contract thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.

What’s included?

You want to get what you’ve paid for – and not get a shock bill later on in the project.

• Be thorough and check that everything is included.

• Check the exclusions within tender returns • Ask what’s not included

Comparison Compare quotes from different suppliers / subcontractors, ensuring they are like-for-like.

• Review program, materials, resources and labour provisions

Once you’ve signed, it’s often too late to raise anything that you agreed to.

A quote might be appear cheaper in comparison but is it fit for purpose?

Legal Understanding the legalities of a contract can seem daunting with unfamiliar language.

• Does it offer value for money?

Checking Does your contract reflect the standards you expect – in terms of quality, safety, output and design information?

Does your contract reflect each party’s responsibilities accurately?

Fine detail Reading a contract can take time but it’s something that should never be rushed or worse, avoided altogether.

Find time to read it properly

Furley Page seeks next generation of legal talent Karen Cook, senior HR manager at Furley Page, said: “Training the next generation of solicitors is crucial to the success of any law firm, which is why we have invested the time to develop a training programme that is so highly regarded by our trainees.

Graduates interested in a career in the law should act quickly to apply to Furley Page's highly regarded graduate trainee solicitor programme as the deadline for applications is fast approaching.

Furley Page takes on two trainee solicitors each year and the firm is currently recruiting for the next intake who will start their training in September 2023.

and understand what it’s saying with reference to the standard unamended form of contract.

“We give our trainee solicitors real responsibility by allowing them direct contact with our clients and a varied programme that takes in many different areas of the law. Successful applicants will be working with friendly, commercially-driven professionals who will support them throughout their training programme.”

A typical training contract comprises four "seats" (areas of the law) being offered over a two-year period in various teams including corporate and commercial; dispute resolution; employment law; real estate; private client, trusts and estates;

If you don’t understand or partially understand, ask for professional help.

The cost of professional advice upfront is often significantly less than the cost of any problems that become your responsibility after the contract is signed.

Ask us about our contract review service – for help in drawing up, checking, and understanding your contracts. hawksurveying.co.uk elderly and vulnerable client; family law and personal injury.

Trainee solicitors will generally spend six months in each seat with a training supervisor, during which they will gain a wide range of experience and develop their professional skills, laying the foundation for a successful future career in law.

A strong academic background is essential with a minimum classification of a 2:1 degree.

In addition, candidates will need strong inter-personal skills, be commercially aware and ideally have previous work experience where these skills have been utilised.

Furley Page is consistently ranked among the top four of Kent’s best-performing law firms, based on the latest results from independent national legal guides Chambers UK and The Legal 500. The firm is accredited

by Investors in People.

For more information visit: https://www.furleypage.co.uk/ about-us/careers/traineesolicitors/

VA's can make life easy for business owners

Sarah Rose Virtual Assistant Services was established in May 2020, with its owner bringing 35 years’ experience of working in a wide range of business administration and project management roles.

This time last year the thought of outsourcing your admin tasks to a virtual assistant (VA) might have seemed a little like flying to the moon. For a business that needs ad-hoc tasks completed or can only offer irregular hours, working with a VA can offer so many advantages with the benefit of flexibility that you might not get from an employee.

The beauty of working with a VA is that you will only pay for the hours you use the service, so you agree a time and price for the work and that is it! With no need for equipment or to allocate a workspace, working with a VA also reduces your overheads. There’s no sickness or holiday pay and you sign an agreement rather than a contract. Working with a VA is all about making life easy.

Small business owners often wrestle with their admin, spending valuable hours working on paperwork rather than concentrating on growing their business or worse still, running themselves ragged trying to achieve both.

A lot of VAs have a niche product that they offer. Some work on SEO, others on spring cleaning mailboxes and a handful like myself offer a wider range of services much like a traditional PA would offer.

A typical day at Sarah Rose Virtual Assistant Services can include taking minutes, drafting correspondence, data mining and data entry. The list of tasks that a VA can help you with is “virtually endless”!

For more information visit www.srvas.co.uk Thinking Business

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IT From the Outset – Why Infrastructure Should Never Be an Afterthought in the Construction Process All too often, ICT infrastructure and architecture are not thought about early enough in a construction project.

If considered too far along in a project’s lifecycle, it can be too late to implement exactly what the client wants.

Additionally, everyone involved needs to understand the various roles in place and consider all elements required, from infrastructure and cabling, through to equipment, end-user devices and services. Developers should therefore get IT on the agenda from the outset, clearly establishing requirements from all involved.

stages, so early involvement in the process is key to effectively advising on what’s needed, whether this is simply a broadband connection, on-site servers or systems specific to the building function. With an understanding of the defined standards for education and healthcare facilities, we can ensure the different installation needs are met, helping contractors and developers to navigate these.

With over 30 years’ experience in supporting Kent County Council (KCC) with capital projects, Cantium Business Solutions are working with UK construction companies to provide the essential IT element for new builds. Tailored to the needs of each project, this can include strategic planning and consultancy, infrastructure design and installation, IT purchasing and ongoing IT infrastructure support for the client.

In the capital projects programme that Cantium is delivering to KCC, our team is structuring this alongside passive and active network elements installed by the contractors, meaning that when the client moves into the building, the correct standard of IT infrastructure will already be installed and considered from (literally) the ground up. Similarly, we can support construction teams by providing ‘day 1 connectivity’, ensuring they can access their corporate systems from the minute they walk on site to manage the project remotely.

For each project, construction companies may have many systems in place, and without these being linked, it can be hard to get a comprehensive overview of all the information needed. This is another area where an IT provider like Cantium can help, by linking systems to allow for easier access to shared knowledge across a team. Also handling the installation of important IT and communications infrastructure from the outset.

Construction projects usually involve several Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work

Within the service, we also help to manage the division of responsibilities. If contractors aren’t clear on their requirements, delays are inevitable; something which we have experienced on past projects, with broadband lines and lifts being ordered too late. Although early involvement would have allowed us to identify this, we were able to develop tailored 4G solutions to temporarily support these systems and enable the construction team to maintain the project timeline.

Such experiences are why we look to take responsibility for overseeing and managing projects from day one – providing quick turnarounds for IT installation with the ability to implement systems such as CCTV and alarm systems early on.

Recently, we successfully completed a project at the Rowan Tree Health Clinic on behalf of construction company, Beardwell, receiving excellent feedback. The scope of works included IT passive and active network design installation, testing and commissioning, electronic access control, staff attack and intruder alarm systems, CCTV and fire alarm systems, and specialist lighting.

Truly, the scope of our projects often involves more than just IT architecture, with support even extending to better managing the snagging process. Managing this all under one banner helps to give peace of mind to contractors and ensure consistency, efficiency and high standards of installation and service. By providing an end-to-end solution, from strategic discussions through to ongoing infrastructure support, we simplify the process, removing the need to work with multiple providers.

As technology continues to advance, new buildings will inevitably require more comprehensive networked systems. Furthermore, the rise in video conferencing and hybrid working setups will make it more vital than ever for these systems to be considered well in advance and managed efficiently to ensure the right technology is accessible.

Going forward, contractors should prioritise IT requirements from the outset, seeking out providers that deliver end-to-end solutions, to allow for a smooth, efficient installation.

If you would like to discuss how Cantium can support your project, speak to one of our experts today. 03000 415555 | e: sales@cantium.solutions | www.cantium.solutions

Proposed Sugar and Salt tax has the capacity to do more harm than intended good The recently published England’s National Food Strategy makes a key recommendation to impose a sugar and salt tax to combat obesity.

Mark J Lumsdon-Taylor, senior corporate consultant at accountants MHA MacIntyre Hudson, says the recommendations in this independent report, led by businessman Henry Dimbleby and endorsed by Jamie Oliver, are a blunt instrument to a complex problem.

A sugar and salt tax to combat obesity may be a fine idea in principle but needs very careful forethought to ensure it does not go wrong. When imposing a tax intended to change behaviour you need to know who will end up paying it. It seems unlikely price rises will be passed onto consumers because of how competitive grocery retail is. This means if a sugar and salt tax is intended to directly change

Brachers advises trust on pioneering development Kent-based law firm Brachers has advised the East Malling Trust on its involvement in an innovative new development, led by NIAB, to create high-tech plant growing facilities.

The East Malling Trust is a private funder of horticultural research in the UK. NIAB is a charity focused on strategic research, development and innovation in agriculture and horticulture.

The development of new growing facilities includes several

glasshouses and growth rooms, the use of which has increased within the horticulture and agriculture sectors as the sustainability agenda gains traction. The glasshouses will be used by scientists to improve industry profitability by developing new varieties and improving plant health and resistance to disease, by undertaking trials in crop production, breeding, pathology, entomology and plant health.

The East Malling Trust has contributed significant grant funding for the project, with NIAB receiving further

consumer behaviour it is likely to fail. These are primary ingredients in the food chain.

“The report’s authors are banking on the tax changing the behaviour of food producers. This did happen in part following the introduction of the soft drinks levy in 2018 when producers responded with a lot of recipe innovations. The trouble here is the recommendations look very draconian and are liable to drive manufacturers and producers out of business before actually driving reforms.

Patron News overnight, and the end result will be unemployment not reformed consumer habits.

“There are other major problems with the recommendations. Imported manufactured products may not be subject to the sugar and salt taxes, especially given the kind of free trade deals the UK is aiming to strike overseas. This means these products will still be cheap and available to the consumer.

“In short, while tackling obesity is a laudable goal, a sugar and salt tax probably can’t directly impact consumer behaviour but could force food processors under if not handled with great care.”

For more information visit www.macintyrehudson.co.uk

“For example, the price a large food processor is charged per kilo of sugar is 50 pence. The report proposes a £3 tax per kilo: a 600% price increase in direct costs. If this cost cannot be passed on, which we have good reason to think it cannot be, businesses and sectors will vanish

funding from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership Local Growth Fund and from a UK Research and Innovation Strength in Places Fund.

The new growing facilities will be located at the East Malling Trust site, which NIAB currently occupies part of.

arrangement that dovetailed the trust’s funding terms with those of the other grant funding bodies, drafted the leasing terms for NIAB’s occupation of the site, and advised the trust on all relevant construction-related matters.

Brachers advised the trust in its dual capacity as landlord and a grant funder for the project.

This required the Brachers’ team, jointly led by commercial property partner Emma Andersen and commercial partner Alex Cosgrove, to coordinate its advice across multiple teams and a range of legal disciplines.

Emma Andersen said: “The East Malling Trust is a longstanding client of Brachers and we are pleased that we’ve been able to support them in enabling this state-of-the-art project to progress.

The trust is renowned for its investment in pioneering projects and this development with NIAB is an exciting step forward in its commitment to delivering worldclass science.”

As part of its advice, Brachers prepared a bespoke funding

For more information visit www.brachers.co.uk Thinking Business

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Members News

Swiss-Italian joint venture established in Kent Franzosini and Butti is a story of hard work and resilience, and the result of over 40 years of partnership-working towards smooth customs clearance operations between the EU and Switzerland.

Like Switzerland, the UK is now outside of the EU and faces similar customs clearance challenges.

Both are family-run companies.

Franzosini is a leading Swiss transport, logistics, and customs clearance company operating since 1929 and Butti Dino is a Como-based customs management establishment that has served expeditions all over the world since 1968. The arrival of Brexit and a considerable increase in their workload was an opportunity for the companies’ directors to be of service and create this joint venture.

The decision to open in the UK came from Marco’s son, Christian Tepoorten, who manages Franzosini’s branch in Monaco. He immediately noticed the similarities of how the UK would need to clear customs in the future, just like Switzerland.

Through perseverance, video technology and the support of Locate in Kent, the company has been registered in the UK and secured an office space. It has also hired its first UK Manager. Evelynne Morris, who has over 30 years of experience and deep knowledge of customs matters, including the new procedures for the movement of traffic to and from the UK. Post-Brexit, the ultimate goal of the new company is to solve customs borders issues and iron out the customs process between the EU and UK. Armed with contemporary technology and empowered by a hard-working attitude, the team is ready to grow and make a difference.

12 Thinking Business

International Trade Minister visits AC Goatham & Son Parliamentary under secretary of state and minister for international trade, Ranil Jayawardena, visited AC Goatham & Son to see the UK’s largest apple and pear growing, cold storage and packing operation, which is located at Flanders Farm, Hoo.

The visit follows the government’s announcement on the launch of a 14-week consultation to seek the views of the public and business on a future free trade deal with India.

delighted to host a meeting from minister Jayawardena and to show him our fruit, which is supplied to supermarkets across the UK and the packing and cold storage operations here at Flanders Farm. We look forward to exploring the overseas markets that these new UK trade deals present for British apples and pears.”

“India is a huge opportunity – it’s a market of 1.4 billion people – and our Enhanced Trade Partnership is already helping to unlock benefits for our British businesses, such as AC Goatham, who are now able to export their produce to India for the first time since we joined the EU.”

“As our business continues to grow, we want opportunities to showcase the quality of our British apples and pears, which are all grown here in Medway and Kent. Export is something that we have already successfully trialled to the Middle East and we look forward to opening discussions with interested parties in India.”

Ross Goatham managing director at AC Goatham & Son said: “We were

For more information visit www.acgoatham.com

This deal could help enable fruit producers like AC Goatham & Son, who grow one in three of the British apples and pears sold in the UK, to export fruit to India.

International trade minister, Ranil Jayawardena MP said: “It is great to be in Kent today to see first-hand the benefits of free and fair trade to great British businesses and hear about their exporting success to date.

Firms confident in ability to access finance Businesses in Kent and Sussex attending the Kreston Reeves Finance focus webinar are confident in their ability to access the funding to support post-COVID growth – but point to serious supply chain challenges over the next 12 months.

More than 100 business leaders joined Kreston Reeves for its Finance focus webinar to help them understand and prepare for the challenges in a post-COVID and post-Brexit economy and seize opportunities for growth.

Delegates were asked in a series of polls whether they were confident that they would be able to access the finance they needed to support growth – 90% of those attending

were ‘confident’ or ‘very confident’ that the cash will be there.

However, there are challenges on the horizon for businesses with international or complex supply chains.

Jennifer Williamson, accounts, tax and outsourcing partner and webinar chair, said: “Forty-one per cent of delegates told us that they are already experiencing problems in their supply chain with a further 17% expecting to experience problems in the very near future.

“Supply chain challenges are the result of the perfect storm of Brexit, COVID, the temporary closure of the Suez Canal and a spike in demand. We expect supply chain issues to continue for at least another 12 months.”

The Kreston Reeves Finance focus panel discussed and took questions from business leaders on the following business-critical themes over the one-hour webinar, including financial planning for businesses, growth strategies and funding for growth, raising finance, buying a business, VAT and Brexit.

Jennifer said: “Our final poll question asked the extent businesses have explored R&D tax credits. Whilst 41% have taken advantage of the regime, 43% told us that they have not looked at how the regime might help their business."

For more information, visit www.krestonreeves.com

Azets recruits more than 200 graduates and school leavers

In total, Azets will have 975 students studying professional qualifications. This includes 58 in London and 23 additional students across the south east of England.

Investing in the next generation of talent is a key strategy for Azets as it looks to further expand its offer and continue to deliver a high-quality service locally to businesses across the UK.

Azets, the UK's largest regional accountancy and business advisors to SMEs, has announced plans to recruit 213 graduates and school leavers as trainees, all of whom are due to start this August.

Azets is able to offer a varied career path for joiners, with the option to work across different parts of the country and to specialise in different aspects of accounting and business advisory, from general practice and tax to corporate finance, trade, and restructuring.

Members News

William Payne, regional CEO for London and south east, said: “The continuation of Azets’ graduate and school leaver national recruitment drive, against the backdrop of the current pandemic, wider economic challenges and the UK adjusting to post-Brexit life, is also a reflection of growing demand for tailored business advice and services as companies and individuals look to navigate through the increased levels of uncertainty and change.

“Following this extremely successful year of trainee recruitment, Azets is keen to continue this commitment to developing the talent of the future.

Our September 2022 intake will open to applications in September 2021, and will offer opportunities in audit, accountancy, corporate finance, tax and business technology consulting for both graduates and school leavers. These roles will be an excellent opportunity to joining a rapidly expanding firm experiencing fantastic growth.”

For more information visit www.azets.co.uk

Creative mesh solutions for architecture and interior design Metal mesh is a popular material for interiors and exteriors. Not only is it versatile, it also offers a design functionality like no other.

At Amron we represent ourselves as a business that understands the built environment, the issues, the people and most importantly, the challenges facing this industry. With an extensive portfolio of products and knowledge to advise architects and interior designers, our ethos is to influence choice, engage, and inspire.

The history of Amron is built around our customers. Our humble beginnings as a husband-and-wife start-up in 2002 have seen us gain expertise across the industry and develop relationships with some of the most influential brands.

Amron Architectural is delighted to announce that we have undergone a significant and exciting transformation. Deconstructing what the business and our services really mean to us allowed us to take

a creative and versatile approach to ensure our new identity has been developed to highlight our ambitious plans for the future.

Alongside our new website, we will be releasing new initiatives including ‘Ask Amron’, where customers can request one of our many offerings to help with their project. That could be a ‘lunch &

learn’, a mesh surgery or just a chat.

The concept helps to encourage customers to ask for advice to obtain the best creative mesh solutions for any project. We want to help create a memorable distinction and make a difference in developing projects for the built environment.

For more information visit www.amronarchitectural.co.uk

Building a healthy

“speak-up” culture

One industry less likely to embrace the idea of having a healthy speak-up culture, is arguably the industry that needs it most: construction.

Here are just two reasons why: 1. Every year, the UK construction industry endures losses of around £800 million because of common crimes, ranging from theft, to vandalism, to health and safety neglect.

2. Suicide rate for construction workers in the UK is over three times the national average.

This is shocking and both can be related. Some may observe crime and hold their silence because they don’t want to be known as a “grass” or “snitch”. Alternatively, you may witness bullying and do nothing to make it stop. These are familiar scenarios, especially in the world of construction, and often serve as a catalyst to promote a toxic work culture, mental health issues, and – at its terrible extreme – suicide.

So, it’s a relief to know that new legislation currently working its way through the European Parliament will herald change. Companies with more than 250 employees in the European Union will need to comply with the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive by December 2021.

Nick Inge, CEO and founder of a cultural transformation business, iTrust Assurance, is championing a different perspective.

He said: “Many industries such as construction embrace the idea of having a whistleblowing policy.

However, few understand the transformational impact an open and honest working environment can have in preventing the reasons for blowing the whistle in the first place. We’re spending a lot of time talking to companies about the performance advantages of having a healthy speak-up culture. Things like improved staff morale and reduced days lost through sickness have a direct and positive impact on productivity and ultimately profit.”

In other words, whistleblowing legislation may treat the symptom but dealing with its cause will lead to sustainable cultural change.

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Members News

Ashford MKC Training receives RoSPA award Borough Council for health and safety achievements shortlisted for top housing award MKC Training, based in Brompton Barracks, Chatham, is celebrating after landing an internationally recognised award for demonstrating high health and safety standards.

The company provides worldclass training and training design in construction, engineering, project management, ITIL and health and safety to a wide range of companies as well as to the Ministry of Defence.

Ashford Borough Council has been shortlisted in the “Best Development Team (South)” in the Inside Housing Development Awards 2021.

MKC Training has received a RoSPA Gold Health and Safety Award for ten years running for working hard to ensure its staff get home safely to their families at the end of every working day.

The council is one of six shortlisted for the prestigious annual award, with the winner to be announced on November 4 at London’s InterContinental Hotel. The organisers said that the judging process this year proved to be one of the toughest as 2021 saw a record year for entries, with more than 300 entrants.

Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world-leaders in health

Ashford’s dedicated development team spans both the housing team and the corporate project delivery team and is achieving an impressive programme of affordable housing across the borough.

Its new-build homes and acquisitions (including conversions for temporary accommodation) are seeing Ashford deliver strong numbers. The acquisitions include an off-plan purchase (the New Quarter development in Ashford town centre) that represents the single biggest handover of homes to the council in its history.

Despite the challenges relating to the council’s wider response around the pandemic, the team has delivered excellent housing numbers since May 2019. Through its own new-build programme, a variety of off-plan and open market acquisitions and through close enabling work with registered providers, the council has completions on 321 homes since May 2019.

Cllr Bill Barrett, portfolio holder for housing, said: “At Ashford we do things differently.

We began building again in 2011 when the Localism Act gave us the power to do so and we continue to raise the bar. We are now onto the sixth phase of our affordable homes programme and have on site two independent living schemes (delivering 60 homes for people aged over 60 with a housing need) and a general needs apartment block.”

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and safety practice. Every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running H&S industry awards.

Mike Garrod, managing director, said: “I am delighted that MKC Training has been awarded the RoSPA President’s Award for health and safety performance. This award demonstrates we have achieved ten consecutive annual Gold Awards from RoSPA, a significant achievement. All of us are responsible for health and safety at work and so we all share in the success of this achievement.”

Peter Cox, commercial director, added: “This is fantastic news!

A big thank you for all the effort that supports this achievement and to all our teams for their

daily work on, and dedication to, Health & Safety.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s achievements director, said: “The RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, but it receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for health and safety worldwide.

“RoSPA is very proud of the achievements of its entrants, and with this award we recognise the best of the best, those organisations that have gone the extra mile, raising the bar for the delivery of safety in the workplace.”

For more information visit MKC Training - Training Design, Delivery & Assessment

Growth optimism as survey shows 60% of Kent and Medway businesses plan to recruit more staff in the coming year but concerns about finding the right recruits are high.

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, working in partnership with local experts HR GO Recruitment, undertook the Kent & Medway Employment Outlook survey to identify the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on the local employment market.

The survey results show that whilst the employment landscape has shifted significantly over the past 12 months there is real optimism for growth with 60% of employers expecting to increase their permanent workforce in the coming year. However, such economic growth may well be hampered by a severe lack of job applicants with the appropriate skills to fill these vacancies. As a result, many employers are now planning to review salary and benefits packages to attract applicants which could lead to wage inflation issues. Interestingly, businesses reported using multiple channels to source suitable applicants, but social media is now, by far, the most popular channel.

What is clear from this research is that the working environment will never be the same again.

Nearly half of respondents are planning, post pandemic, to permanently adopt a hybrid model of working from home and the workplace.

Talking about the survey, Jo James, CEO of Kent Invicta Chamber said, “By carrying out this research the Chamber has built a better understanding of the current and future needs of local businesses and of the support measures that it needs to consider. Skills shortages are clearly a threat to achieving future economic growth in the county. We will work hard with partners, such as the Kent & Medway Employment Taskforce, to identify the interventions required to address the issues highlighted in the survey that will have an impact on the growth ambitions of our business community.”

Julie Lewis Mackay, Regional Manager (Kent), HRGO Recruitment commented, “This research paints a clear picture of the recruitment challenges businesses face in the wake of Covid 19 and Brexit.

It is now more important than ever for businesses to consider their employer brand, as well as the salary and benefits package they offer, in order to compete for the best candidates. For some roles, remote working provides an opportunity to widen the geographical talent pool. Making the wrong hire can be costly and recruitment agencies can help employers to carefully match skills and personalities to job roles and company culture.”

The full results of the Kent & Medway Employment Outlook survey can be found at: www.kentinvictachamber. co.uk/news/employmentoutlook-2021/

Steve Nicoll,

Director & Business Excellence Coach, The Lean Orange

Management: winning through coaching

Is it time to move away from the traditional command and control style of management?

As a manager, you know what needs to be done. You instruct others how to do it, and you evaluate their performance. Known as command and control management, the name of the game is to direct employees to replicate previous successes. However, has the time now come to reconsider whether this really is the best way to achieve sustainable business results?

I firmly believe that these days many people need and want more than just a job that they can do “standing on their head”. They crave a purpose and a feeling of belonging as well as work that is meaningful to them; work that challenges them to think creatively and gives them a sense of being part of something bigger.

As many of us have seen over the last 18 months, the new “business norm” can mean being in a state of constant and often disruptive change.

Therefore, the traditional management mindset of, “what has got us to this point will also get us to where we need to be” doesn’t really hold up anymore. A sustainable strategy for future growth now requires managers to look beyond simply relying on doing what they have always done.

Despite popular belief (often their own), managers do not always have all the answers, nor should theirs be the only voice to be heard.

An organisation is made up of a whole team of individuals, each with different thoughts, ideas, experience, knowledge, personalities, and skills and when we consider a different model in which traditional-style managers become “leader coaches” great things can happen. Coaching involves demonstrating trust and respect for every individual and creating a safe environment in which people can flourish. It encourages open-mindedness and expansive thinking, enabling people to contribute through guidance instead of instruction. People quickly become motivated to unleash their energy, ideas, loyalty, and commitment into their work, which not only improves productivity, profits, and retention, but also helps to build a resilient and agile organisation able to adapt to unexpected situations or change.

Coaching is unlocking people’s potential to maximise their own performance.

The focus of the leader coach moves away from typical performance management where we find ourselves “heads-down” working in the business, only chasing numbers, and caught up in the trap of endless meetings. Instead, coaching concentrates on growing and developing people to become effective, pro-active contributors to the business, who are empowered to make decisions, put forward ideas and confidently implement them.

Putting this into practice can be challenging of course, as it involves a fundamental shift in our thinking and can feel as though we are completely uprooting the way we have always worked. For example, a manager who is accustomed to tackling performance problems by telling people what to do, may feel that a coaching approach is too “soft”. What’s more, it is likely to make them psychologically uncomfortable, because it deprives them of their most familiar management tool: asserting their authority and so it is likely they will strongly resist the idea of coaching or not even give it a try.

It’s amazing what you can achieve if you don’t mind who gets the credit.

The most powerful question we can ask or be asked has always been, “what do you think?” and we can start to make the shift from manager to leader coach by asking this question as often as possible. Then, by practising the following three

basic concepts at every opportunity, we will begin to see visible behavioural changes that can be measured in performance gains: Listen: Talk less and listen more.

Ask open-ended questions: Encourage expansive, not reductive, thinking.

Practice makes perfect: Practice coaching at every suitable opportunity.

At The Lean Orange we work with teams and individuals supporting them to become leader coaches and unlocking the potential within their people and businesses. Having partnered with organisations across the world we have developed the ACORN coaching framework which has proven to be successful at embedding non-directive leader coaches. The framework challenges you to think about your role as a leader coach by asking five logical questions.

Ambition: What will success look like?

Commitment: How will we support success?

Options: What can we do to achieve success?

Reality: Where are we currently against ambition?

Need: How will we measure success?

The Lean Orange can help you to increase your productivity and profits by adopting a balanced coaching approach, so if you would like to find out more, please contact Steve Nicoll on 07976 608521 or email steve@theleanorange.com

INSPIRING THOUGHTFUL LEADERS, CURIOUS PEOPLE & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE www.theleanorange.com

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HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT NOW Even before T Level graduates join the labour market, our industry placements offer real opportunities to businesses as a way to bring in new ideas, the latest skills and a new means to find, nurture and secure young talent.

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN OFFER A T LEVEL PLACEMENT AT EKCGROUP.AC.UK

The Big Interview

Kent law firm expands its reach 18

Thinking Business

The Big Interview

We’re recognised within Kent as being a very approachable and professional firm. Many of our staff, including several of our directors, completed their legal training with the firm and our ethos of client support and care is very important to all of our staff.

By his own admission, Chris Longden almost fell into the industry in which he currently thrives.

Chris, who was appointed managing director at law firm Whitehead Monckton last year, says: “I was more interested in art and science at school and when I left, I thought: what can I do that will be really useful? For some reason, the legal sector began to appeal to me.”

Chris graduated from the University of Exeter with a law degree and his third year was spent at the Université of Aix-Marseille, where he was awarded a diploma in French private law. He then stayed on at Exeter to complete the legal practice course.

He learned his trade at a firm of solicitors in Canterbury before heading off to work in the City of London. For a while he enjoyed the buzz of city life but as he got older, and his priorities began to change, he knew he needed something different.

“I was living in Kent and I started to get fed up of the daily commute into London,” he recalls.

“I was also at that age where I wanted to start a family so I wanted to be closer to home.

“In 2004 I got the opportunity to work at Whitehead Monckton in the firm’s Canterbury office so I took it.”

Seventeen years later, he’s still there. After becoming a director of the firm in 2014 when it became a limited company, he was appointed managing director last year. In his current role he’s responsible for managing the strategic and operational side of the practice, working with the board and the central services managers.

With 95 staff across three offices, Whitehead Monckton offers a wide range of legal services to individuals and companies, including advice on employment law, professional negligence, wealth management, commercial property and dispute resolution. In the last ten years, annual turnover has doubled and the firm is now one of the largest legal practices in the country.

Chris says: “We’re recognised within Kent as being a very approachable and professional firm. Many of our staff, including several of our directors, completed their legal training with the firm and our ethos of client support and care is very important to all of our staff. I’d like to think that we treat our staff well and that’s one reason why they want to stay with us.”

So, what of the future?

INSIDE STORY:

Chris Longden

“The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly caused some disruption but the worst seems to be behind us,” says Chris. “There will be other challenges, not least dealing with cybercrime, which seems to be on the rise. There’s also increasing competition in the legal sector because traditional firms such as banks are starting to offer legal services.

Favourite food? Anything on the barbecue!

“We’re in a good place, though. We’ve got a good reputation for being a proactive law firm that offers a great service and moves with the times. We’ve moved from being a traditional law firm to one that’s at the cutting edge of the postpandemic revolution.

Describe your family life? Chaos – two boys, five cats and a very large dog!

“Going forward, I’d like to increase our influence in other parts of the south east – London, for example – and grow the commercial side of the business by advising companies on key issues such as cyber-crime and intellectual property. We’ll continue to listen to our clients, acknowledge their needs and make sure we’re giving them the best possible service.”

Favourite tipple? Red wine (to start), followed by a shot of black sambuca.

Favourite holiday? South of France.

It has everything: sun, sea, culture – and I speak the language.

How do you spend your downtime?

Being a taxi service for my boys and, when I get the chance, a round of golf or a game of tennis.

What are your key strengths as a manager? Leading, but not by autocracy.

I seek views from all and try to be collaborative. I encourage and put faith in people.

And your limitations? Always worrying, resisting the temptation to micro-manage.

As well as helping businesses and individuals to resolve disputes, Chris is also accredited by the London School of Mediation to act as a civil and commercial mediator. He’s noted for his work in the construction and transport sectors and enjoys a fine track record for his work in landlord and tenant disputes.

Best thing about doing business in the borough? It’s such a diverse place yet at the same time Kent is a county with a very strong identity.

With typical modesty, Chris acknowledges the fine efforts of his staff in helping to keep Whitehead Monckton on the right track, although it’s his leadership that’s the driving force behind the firm’s success. With Chris at the helm, it appears that the future of this particular law firm is in safe hands.

Most interesting fact about yourself?

When I was 18, I shared a couchette on an overnight train to the south of France with a now very famous television celebrity.

Famous person you’d most like to spend dinner with? Tennis legend Roger Federer.

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Members News

Full fibre broadband is on route to Medway

Full fibre broadband is coming to Medway – but when and how does it arrive? You may have heard lots of people talking about full fibre connectivity and gigabit-speed internet lately – but what is it? And why now?

At CityFibre, we’re investing heavily in bringing it to up to eight million premises as part of our £4bn Gigabit City investment programme, including Medway.

We’ll have things in place and back to normal as soon as possible but, for those interested in knowing more about what it entails, here’s a step-by-step guide to the installation process.

Firstly, why are we bothering to install full fibre?

Because it’s faster, more reliable and can underpin everything from gaming to eldercare technology. The UK’s infrastructure is long overdue an upgrade and new technology such as 5G means our legacy copper networks are no longer fit-for-purpose. Therefore, we’re investing in rolling out full fibre in Medway to make sure it doesn’t fall behind and everyone can benefit from the digital age.

The construction process is very straightforward. Firstly, the site is set up and the team digs micro-trenches to lay the cables. Then we reinstate the pavement, exactly as we found it before our engineers bring full fibre online for every house on the street.

Residents will then be able to select from a range of internet service providers (ISPs) who will connect the home to the network.

Medway residents are now able to register for a service via CityFibre’s availability checker. Once registered, they will receive regular build updates and, more importantly, advice on when they can connect to a full fibre service.

For more information visit www.cityfibre.com/east

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Technology powers modern communications GCL Building Technologies predicts a time fairly soon, when the cat 6a cable powers desks, lights, all comms including voice data, occupancy, and management of space, and integrates with building energy management (BEM) control systems as an internet of things (IoT) collective within buildings – rendering the 13 amp socket a thing of the past!

With the stubborn resistance of COVID-19 and companies being forced to adapt to the new normal, it has become vital to know how an office space is being utilised not only for financial reasons but to ensure the provision of the safest working environment possible for employees.

Many companies whilst fully committed to protecting their workforce are also under tight financial constraints due to the global economic situation brought about by worldwide lockdowns and the resulting contraction of the economy. A digital desk monitoring and space utilisation system is aimed at protecting the workforce and to provide data to optimise the usage from the floor space.

When did you last review your PR and marketing?

We all know it’s important to shout about our business but knowing what to say, to whom, when and how doesn’t always come easily to most businesspeople.

Every desk has a cordless passive infrared sensor (PIR) fitted on the underside which advises if a desk is occupied, vacant or has been vacated within a pre-defined period of time (a member of staff may be getting a drink or on a restroom break). This desk occupancy can be monitored in real time or looked at retrospectively.

Automatic alarms can be raised if two adjacent desks are occupied breaking company policy on social distancing or should too many desks be occupied within a predefined area.

This data can be also used to forecast the need for more meeting rooms, hot desks or general floor space and may prevent unnecessary unplanned and costly alterations to an office.

The complete digital desk monitoring solution includes PIRs, gateways, a cloud system and a data dashboard, connected to the existing data network via local area networks (LAN) cabling and power over ethernet (PoE) outlets.

For more information visit www.gcl.uk.com What are your competitors doing?

Take inspiration from what’s worked for them.

Are you talking to the right people?

A targeted rather than scattergun approach will yield much better results. Where do your customers go? What do they read, watch, listen to, search on Google to find you?

Identify the problem you can solve for them and answer it where they ‘hang out’!

Do your key messages reflect your USP? Think about what sets you apart and repeat those key messages wherever relevant.

• 100% organic? Make that prominent on packaging.

• Support local suppliers? Put that at the top of your website.

And why should it? Their day job is running the business - marketing is just another plate to spin.

• What value or USP makes them buy from you – tell them.

Izzy PR provides marketing support so clients can focus on what they do best – here are some pointers.

Does your image reflect your offering?

Consistency is key. If you sell luxury chocolates, customers will expect beautiful, opulent packaging. Similarly, if you’re a local garage offering great value services, make sure your branding isn’t too premium looking.

What has worked before?

If a previous special offer or social media post generated interest, do it again; if not, consider how it could be more effective.

www.izzpr.co.uk

The Chamber member who starts financial planning with pocket money Who teaches you how to manage your money?

When children get pocket money, they usually know what they want to spend it on and use it all up. Some might save, but mostly, it has gone very quickly!

Later when they start a job, they are earning, they are out and about having fun – and often waiting until the next payday to do it all over again!

Members News

Many young people don’t think too far ahead in the future when it comes to their finances – it’s the privilege of being young, to live in the moment.

Gospel Eadweardfilia from GOE Enterprise Limited is on a mission to inspire one million 12-25-year-olds to be financially savvy and clued up ready to face their future.

She said: “You can never start too early with financial learning and the more young people that know about it, the more chance they have of saving for what they want, living within their means and avoiding debt.

“I help young people to make good use of their money, with my 5-step process of saving, clearing debt and investing.”

Gospel not only runs courses for young people, but also involves their parents, to mentor and guide them. Gospel is keen to work with Kent Invicta Chamber members to support their young workforce, including apprentices, to manage their money as they start their career.

Contact Gospel about her finance workshops for young people in the workplace. She has an exclusive discount for Chamber members. gospel@goeenterprise.org

Old Dairy Brewery wins export accolade Old Dairy Brewery in Tenterden has announced it has been selected as an export champion for the south east for 2021 and 2022 by the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Export champions are successful, experienced exporters who volunteer their time to inspire others to grow their business internationally; for example, by speaking at events and raising awareness of DIT support available. Through sharing their knowledge and expertise, they play an important

On July 1 2000, Morgan Jones started life as a one-woman business. Armed only with a phone and a Rolodex of contacts, the founder had an idea for creating a better-quality recruitment agency. In the company’s own words, “our business is fundamentally built upon treating people with the utmost respect and offering a helping hand of support when needed.”

The original plan was to focus only on permanent full-time jobs but the company’s first client required a temporary HR manager.

Julie-Ann Clarke, founder and director of Morgan Jones, quickly filled the role and this led to Morgan Jones becoming a fully-fledged permanent and temporary recruitment agency.

One year later, Jonathan Clarke, Julie-Ann’s husband, joined the business and they remain the driving force behind the successful firm.

The business has gone from strength to strength, growing its team of specialist recruiters and in-house payroll staff.

As such, the company has provided opportunities and jobs to thousands of people across the country. It now works with clients as diverse as multi-national pharmaceutical giants, international blue-chip engineering firms, private healthcare providers and the all-important small businesses that make up the backbone of our economy.

Twenty-one years in business is an exceptional milestone for any business, especially with the challenging events of the past two decades. Not only this, Morgan Jones is rapidly expanding to meet the demands of more clients asking for staff.

The role of Old Dairy Brewery is to encourage and inspire other businesses to grow through exports by drawing on its experience of entering at least four new markets in the last four years.

Virginia Hodge, export champion at Old Dairy Brewery, said: “We are delighted to be chosen as an export champion by the DIT, supporting other SMEs on their export journey. We currently export to countries in the EU and we’re always happy to share our experiences.”

Morgan Jones: 21 years of helping people

role in increasing the export potential of SMEs and contributing to economic growth.

Old Dairy Brewery in Tenterden has a taproom and brewery shop, which are open seven days a week from 10am. So, if you are in Tenterden, feel free to visit the company in its taproom for a few pints!

For more information visit www.olddairybrewery.com

Morgan Jones has also been active in the community, helping to raise money for local charities such as EKIDS, Thanet Cancer Care Appeal and Pilgrim’s Hospice.

MD Jonathan Clarke said: “Julie-Ann and I are very proud of reaching our 21st anniversary, an achievement we could only have dreamed of when our business began. Having started in very humble surroundings, we have grown into a respected and highly capable business.” www.morganjones.net Thinking Business

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Members News

WHAT’S NEW AT

Waterbrook Park?

The much-anticipated GSE development, Waterbrook Park, is making great progress with its commercial and residential plans.

The development based in Ashford, Kent has been the talk of the town for some time and has been surrounded by excitement and curiosity. The commercial units have offered local business owners the opportunity to already expand their premises, and when complete the commercial element of the development will offer up to 750 job vacancies which is very welcomed given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and job losses within the local and surrounding areas.

It is also very proud to be home to the all-new Ashford International Truckstop, with over 600 HGV spaces, this is the largest truckstop in Europe. The additional space will help combat drivers illegally parking in residential areas in the surrounding areas.

The residential side of Waterbrook Park will see 400 new homes be built offering the perfect place to call home with ideal links to the Ashford International Train Station and the M20.

The development has been designed to also cater for nature with a 25-acre linear park being designed in the centre to offer a habitat that invites and encourages wildlife to thrive. The new truckstop has also been surrounded with aesthetically pleasing acoustic fencing and offers electric charging points for the lorries.

To stay up to date with the progress being made at Waterbrook Park, follow us on social media. www.gse-group.com

22 Thinking Business

Sprinkler system monitoring – new mandate A new revision to building regulations for fire sprinkler monitoring is due shortly and Chamber member RAD Fire Sprinklers is already ahead.

RAD Fire Sprinklers has been fitting fire sprinkler systems for the last 15 years, working with developers architects and private homeowners too.

There is currently no legal requirement for a sprinkler system to be monitored, but a revision to the regulations will mean mandatory monitoring for larger systems – which RAD is already offering to clients.

MD Paul Hummerston said: “A very concerning development within the residential sprinkler industry is the number of in-line valves that are discovered to be turned off when attending service calls.

“If the in-line valves are switched off, water can’t flow to activate the system and it will fail.

“The change to regulations to introduce monitoring is very welcome.”

Monitoring will now become mandatory under the BS9251 regs, affecting certain multiple installations, such as flats and apartment blocks.

Statistics show that in around 8% of cases, a sprinkler system may not work because of: • The isolation valve switched off accidentally • A blockage • Faulty parts • Lack of servicing Monitoring could potentially reduce this figure.

Except for Category 1 systems, all valves which control the flow of water to the system should be electronically monitored for the open position.

An immediate alert is received the moment the valve is shut.

RAD has partnered with FloWatch, who provide monitoring equipment that their installations can have fitted, to send an alert in the event of a system compromise.

FloWatch with RAD Sales and Marketing Manager Tym Wright (second from left) www.radfiresprinklers.com

Can you partner with us to support Carers in East Kent?

1 in 9 people in East Kent is a Carer, looking after a relative or friend who cannot manage without their support. Many Carers also combine their caring responsibilities with working, so it is likely that you have Carers in your workforce. At charity Carers’ Support East Kent, we provide Carers with the information and support they need and support over 9000 Carers a year. We can also help you as an employer to support employees who have caring responsibilities.

During the pandemic, it has been particularly difficult for Carers, some have needed to isolate for long periods and many of the services they rely on were stopped or reduced. Getting a break from

caring responsibilities has always been an issue for Carers, but even more so during the pandemic.

In celebration of our charity’s 20th anniversary, we have launched our Time for Me Fund Appeal, to give East Kent’s Carers access to some much-needed time to themselves.

How your company can help Carers: •

Donate to our Time for Me Appeal www.carersek.org.uk/ time-for-me-appeal

•

Help raise funds for us through employee fundraising events, dress-down days, bake sales and other fundraising activities.

•

Make Carers’ Support East Kent your company’s charity of the year!

• Signpost our services to your employees.

•

Actively support employees who are Carers (we can help you)

Email jennym@carersek.org.uk to discuss how your company can partner with us to support East Kent’s Carers or visit www.carersek.org.uk

Agricultural and Farming Law Farm Sales and Purchases Conveyancing Divorce and Family Employment Law Wills, Estates and Tax Planning Accident Claims Medical Negligence Criminal Law Road Traffic Offences Commercial Property Construction Law Landlord and Tenant Dispute Resolution Company and Commercial Law Health & Safety Prosecutions Business Defence Licensing Notarial Services

info@gullands.com www.gullands.com 16 Mill Street | Maidstone | Kent | ME15 6XT | 01622 689700 Whitehall Place | 47 The Terrace | Gravesend | Kent | DA12 2DL | 01474 887688 24 Thinking Business

Cover Feature

Renewed optimism surges through construction sector

By Ella Brocklebank, co-chair of Kent Construction Focus Group …Once upon a far more precedented time, in a land free from COVID-19, there was an industry already feeling the strain, exposed to a degree of turmoil and uncertainty and always the first to be hard-hit by any sign of economic decline. Working to ever-changing legislation, standards and bureaucratical demands whilst overcoming the many trials and tribulations of developing the built form, life was already challenging for those within the construction sector.

Then it happened: 2020 arrived bringing with it more turbulence, and we were left to consider how to safely move forward and safeguard our lives and our livelihoods…

Whilst I appreciate that is a slightly whimsical take on traditional storybook opening lines, how else do you introduce an article that offers the open-ended brief to ‘write about anything topical in construction right now’ whilst adequately setting the scene from a time in our lives that has seemed somewhat fictional and most certainly farcical.

I have been asked to write this feature in my longstanding role as co-chair of the Kent Construction Focus Group; the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce’s sectorspecific support group, owing to the insight this allows me to the thoughts, opinions, aspirations, and concerns of industry colleagues throughout Kent. Add to that my role at Folkestone-based main contractor Jenner as head of communications and business development, I’m certainly never one to shy away from candidly voicing my views, campaigning for a better future and above all else, wholeheartedly advocating construction.

As eighteen rather arduous months have passed since the world unequivocally changed and we were plunged, without warning, into restrictive living, endless guidelines, and new ways of working, I feel it well-timed to reconsider where are we now and what might the future hold? Without ever wishing to sound flippant when discussing a global pandemic that has tragically claimed the lives and long-term wellbeing

of so many, far too many, and with every ounce of respect for the impact and gravity of the situation on society and the economy, I ask… “is it me or does it feel like an eternal Groundhog Day?” After writing this same cover feature for last year’s construction special which I titled “Rebuilding the foundations of the future” addressing life in the construction industry post-COVID, I (perhaps naively) never would have imagined that a year on, I would be covering the same ground, as we find ourselves only marginally beginning to emerge and rebuild and certainly not ‘post-COVID’ in any way, shape or form. Not even close.

Having openly stated on countless occasions, 2020 was an unimaginably challenging and wholly unforgiving year for the construction sector despite, or perhaps because of, our ability to keep building under ambiguous and largely unsupportive government directive to do so (although I do firmly appreciate, they had their hands full!), and as we race through 2021 it is clear to see that very little has really changed. Whilst we have certainly learnt to live and work safely and operate construction sites as productively as possible in a COVID-world, we now face a raft of new challenges to compliment the suite of pre-existing ones. Most prominently, at this time of writing, this falls to materials and both the availability and costs of these, predominately steel and timber are worst affected which follows on from the height of the pandemic when mortar and plasterboard were scarce and gave further justification for temporary shutdowns. Most recently, there is evidence of shortages of site accommodation and plant too. COVID-19 closures, BREXIT embargos and the continued shortage of skilled workers globally can all be held accountable for exacerbating the problem and which are gravely impacting on project budgets and delivery programmes. Sites that had gained a good degree of momentum in recent months, with many returning to pre-pandemic levels of output, are now delayed by lengthy lead-times for these key components and out-turn costs are contested by exponential price increases that were not foreseen. Add to this the wettest May on record since 1862,

conditions wholly unconducive to construction activity, and industry productivity naturally contracts.

It’s now more important than ever that we pull together, working collaboratively and innovatively and calling upon the exceptional strength we have in our trusted supply chain relations to find better ways to overcome these hurdles and prevent timescales and costs from spiralling, and to ensure our recovery does not falter.

Despite the ongoing issues we face, the construction sector is certainly bustling. Demand and intent is strong. Perhaps owing to our newfound respect of keyworkers (of us in construction and those on the frontline) or to the recognition of how fundamental construction is to the economy and to society, either way there has been a pandemic-induced fundamental shift in perception, and we must continue to enhance on this. Many throughout the industry are openly reporting increased workload and a strong pipeline ahead, which is most encouraging to hear. You only need to glance at social platforms such as LinkedIn to see the huge positivity and sense of renewed optimism that filters through the rafts of contract win and people-development posts and I love to view a skyline filled with tower cranes as a sign that construction is happening and reshaping our towns and cities for a better future.

But are we busy in a the right way, and is it profitable, responsible, and sustainable? With the host of lessons learnt that will ensure we can emerge stronger and better prepared for future adversity, let us take our enhanced, safer, cleaner ways of working and more efficient methods of communication to make us more effective in our operations, leaner in our processes and to ensure our mindsets are focused on addressing the priorities. As an industry we need to work smarter, not harder.

Developer confidence has undoubtedly returned, and what we now need is for all factors necessary to unlock potential sites to align to support this aspiration for growth and maintain momentum. In midKent, we continue to be plagued by ecological matters such as the phosphates and nitrates debacle surrounding the River Stour which has

left many placemaking developments, that could greatly boost our economy, stalled in planning. Casein-point we are compelled to find solutions for viable yet sustainable, environmentally minded development to ensure we always build for the future generations. Furthermore, the speed at which planning consent is determined needs greater impetus, provision of utilities must be adequate to incorporate increased demand and facilitate the implementation of more renewable technologies and we need to see an end to untenable pricing and a greater focus on best value, quality delivery. Add to this the need to deliver adequate housing stock whilst working towards net-zerocarbon (with government stipulated targets drawing ever closer) and the continued skills crisis pressurising our future workforce, there is much to do, and I could go on. Technological advancements such as building information modelling (BIM) and artificial intelligence (AI) alongside modern methods such as off-site, prefabricated construction will unlock future delivery, but we need to ensure we are prepared and educated to implement this change.

As I draw to a close I am all too aware that I have not touched upon gender diversity (which is surprising as a strong advocate for females in construction) or the devastating mental health crisis that looms silently but heavily over our industry, unnecessarily claiming lives on a daily basis (and another cause I am most passionate to address) which makes me think that perhaps I should have opened with "Are you sitting {un}comfortably, then (I’m not sure where) I’ll begin…."

But the moral of the story is that life in construction is all a matter of perception – are the challenges endless or the possibilities boundless? We can either dwell on the past or we can emerge more resilient than ever before, where we openly embrace change, where hybrid working allows for better worklife balance and where improved reputation brings new lifeblood to our industry. I’m a firm believer that every cloud has a silver lining and I’m certainly all for the fairy-tale and the happy ending!

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25

Cover Feature

Building skills for a BRIGHTER FUTURE At a time when construction output is set to grow in the South East by an average of 4.4 per cent annually between 2021 and 2025, the training and development of prospective and existing trades professionals has never been more urgent.

Recent analysis by the Construction Skills Network (CSN) estimates more than 16,750 new tradespeople will need to enter the industry to meet projected construction demand in the south east by 2025.

Meanwhile, an additional 350,000 specialist and high-skilled workers are projected to be needed by 2028 across the UK to meet the sector’s net zero ambitions according to The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)’s Building Skills for Net Zero report from March 2021.

However, as employment opportunities are set to increase, it is important employers and sole traders act now to tackle the challenges posed by the green revolution, growing skills shortage, and ageing workforce.

What can employers do?

In the joint 2020 ‘Trading Up’ report

by The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and CITB, the Government’s new T Level qualifications, alongside existing vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and traineeships, are cited as essential in attracting fresh talent to construction trades and equipping newcomers with the skills and experience needed to thrive on-site.

For these schemes to have the impact needed to safeguard the

26 Thinking Business

future of the UK construction industry, employers of all sizes must understand the benefits of these initiatives in not only bringing new people into the industry, but also upskilling, developing and retaining existing tradespeople.

EKC Group’s knowledgeable EKC WorkHigher team understands the challenges posed to local business and is committed to helping east Kent employers identify opportunities to boost their business through skills development, training and apprenticeships.

To find out how EKC WorkHigher can help your business prepare for the future, visit www.ekcgroup.ac.uk/ business-units/ekc-workhigher

What can sole traders and individuals do?

CITB predicts that one of the largest growth areas in the South East will be in the development of private housing (an increase of 6.9 per cent per annum until 2025), with wood trades and interior fit-out, plumbing and HVAC trades and construction process managers set to be in high demand.

Alongside the boom in residential developments, FMB and CITB cite an urgent need for construction workers skilled in building lowcarbon and digital infrastructure,

green properties and sustainable developments.

To help meet demands, sole traders and individuals can act now to enhance their skills and boost their employment prospects.

Those looking to enhance or refresh their competencies, retrain or start their career journey can benefit from the flexibility of studying fulltime, part-time or on an evening basis at EKC Group’s Colleges in Ashford, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Sheppey.

Students studying trades qualifications with EKC Group receive specialist training and support from knowledgeable industry professionals and gain valuable construction experience through initiatives with local employers and the group’s ongoing projects in East Kent communities.

For more information about how EKC Group can help you take your first step into a new career, or enhance and refresh your skills, visit www.ekcgroup.ac.uk

Mainstream secures ESF grant to support local businesses with skills training

With the construction industry facing significant skills shortages, the topic of upskilling employees in the sector has never been more relevant.

Training and recruitment provider, Mainstream, is addressing this issue through its Enabling Progressions programme. The initiative is aimed at boosting employees’ skills requirements in SME and micro businesses within the SELEP region in a highly cost-effective format.

Mainstream can offer these training opportunities to businesses at substantially discounted rates thanks to a European Social Funding grant (ESF) that the company secured earlier this year. These significant savings are passed directly to employers, allowing them to invest in their workforce to increase productivity and boost performance.

Each learner follows one of six training and career improvements pathways. These include LGV Cat C, LGV Category C +E, forklift, HIAB, construction plant, streetworks, the care sector and life skills. The ESF covers a percentage of the training delivery costs and the remaining amount is match-funded by employers. This excludes the life skills programme that is free of charge and incorporates valuable topics such as managing mental health, decision-making, building resilience and mind mapping.

All course pathways include level 2 in health and safety, a regulated qualification, and the option to complete a level 3 in the same subject.

For more information visit www.enablingprogressions.com

Cover Feature

Adjudication and Insolvency

As well as tackling critical skills shortages, construction firms face a myriad of other challenges. In some cases, this includes the complex matter of adjudication and insolvency.

For example, what is the point of the adjudication process if one or both parties is insolvent and what does this mean for those with construction contracts at a time when there might be an increase in insolvencies?

a claim or dispute under the construction contract.

“Secondly it isn’t an exercise in futility where the adjudication award cannot be enforced straight away. The liquidator might not seek to summarily enforce the adjudicator’s decision or they might offer to ring-fence any enforcement funds. Finally, there’s a statutory right to adjudicate under a construction contract.

“Where the summary enforcement of an adjudication decision will deprive the respondent of its right to have recourse to the company’s claim, as security for its cross-claim is reduced, then the court should refuse summary judgement.”

For more information visit www.gullands.com

David Brown, a partner at Gullands Solicitors, explains: “The crux of the issue is that an adjudication can take place where one party in the contract is insolvent and the adjudicator can order funds to be paid to a company in liquidation.

But if the adjudication goes the other way, it is highly unlikely that the insolvent company will pay, as any funds it has may be lost to other creditors via the liquidation process.

Did you dispose of waste soil this year? Why you need to know where your soil ends up

Apart from the legal side of running a construction business, there are also other practical matters to consider. For instance, if you disposed of waste soil this year, it’s important that you know where your soil ends up.

“The court concluded that adjudication on the application of the liquidator is not incompatible with the insolvency process and it doesn’t mean there is no longer

“Under the Technical Guidance WM3, one of the main responsibilities of the waste producer is to classify the waste to determine its hazardous properties. There’s a lot at stake if you have not adequately classified your waste soil including unnecessary disposal costs, rejection of soil at landfill, prosecution or tax fines.

“Testing the soil is a small price to pay compared to the cost of delay or inappropriate disposal to the wrong waste disposal site.

HMRC is working closely with the Environment Agency to prosecute offenders who have avoided paying a higher rate of landfill tax by not classifying their waste correctly. Landfills can reject soil loads which don’t have proper waste classification, resulting in expensive delays to your project.

“The sooner you get absolute clarity on the classification of any waste soils, the sooner you can plan for the most cost-effective way to dispose it.

Remember waste soils must fall into one of two categories, hazardous soils (17-05-03) and non-hazardous soils (17-05-04).

Inert is not a waste category!

“This stems from The Supreme Court’s decision in Bresco Electrical Services Ltd v Michael J Lonsdale (Electrical) Ltd 2020 where it was decided a liquidator was entitled to refer an insolvent company’s claims to adjudication in the scenario where there were cross-claims between the two parties.

“Both parties in this dispute had made claims against the other for breach of contract and damages. However, Bresco then entered into liquidation and the liquidator began the adjudication against Lonsdale which in return issued proceedings to stop the adjudication.

explains: “If you’ve undertaken a building project, you will have disposed of waste soils.

Whether removed off-site due to groundworks, installation of services/foundations, these soils would be classified as a waste.

Matthew Larkin, associate director at environmental specialist Lustre Consulting,

“It’s a common misunderstanding that you only need a WAC to dispose of soils.

Instead, you need to determine if the soils are hazardous or non-hazardous through a suitable suite of chemical testing, not a WAC.”

Covid clauses in construction contracts – why a one size fits all approach won’t work The construction sector has confounded many expectations and has shown great innovation and resilience since adopting new site operating procedures in 2020 to deal with the challenges of Covid. This enabled last winter’s wave to be far less damaging than many feared for the industry. This proven track record should give some comfort for the challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead.

After the first wave, there was understandably much discussion of the role that so-called Covid clauses could play, in order to allocate or share the risks of future Covid disruption (however that may be defined). Generally, they have been resisted, and many of those that have been tabled have been simply unworkable in practice.

The impact (or fluctuation) of Covid disruption is very fact specific to the nature of the operations being carried out and the potential, specific, impacts on the supply chain –particularly where projects are already in unrelated delays.

As such, any ‘one size fits all’ clause that effectively demands time and/or money “because of [some specified or unspecified increase in the impacts of] Covid” does not wash. Where any such entitlements exist in principle, in practice such a clause will require the consequences of a specific allocated risk to be clearly demonstrated, including evidence of the reasonable steps taken to mitigate its impact. Moving forward, it is likely that the disruptive impacts of Brexit will return to centre stage and linger longer, and separating the two will become increasingly artificial.

There is certainly no legal panacea to allocate fluctuating Covid impacts in a fixed price contract, and the enforceability of any proposed Covid clauses must be carefully considered.

Where mechanisms are agreed and can be invoked, there is no getting away from quite complex analysis being required to enable claims to be presented robustly.

As ever, good record keeping is key. www.ts-p.co.uk Thinking Business

27

When the only certainty is change Uncertainty is part of life, but the world has changed so rapidly that finding creative ways to keep ahead is challenging.

Our lawyers provide the construction sector with pragmatic advice to help our clients adapt and thrive.

www.ts-p.co.uk 01892 510000 @Pragmaticlawyer

Brownfield Development and Regeneration gets further support Advert-2021- Quater Page Advert-July 2021.indd 1

12/07/2021 14:14

across the South East

With the Government pushing again for the prioritisation of brownfield sites and urban regeneration, there has never been a better time to look at the opportunities presented by previously developed land around the South East.

The Government measures, such as the changes to the GPDO and the Brownfield Land Release Fund, include the potential to fast-track planning for brownfield regeneration. These changes are already bringing benefits to sites that have been stalled and under utilised because of their past use.

In parallel, the best practice guidance for the assessment of brownfield sites has been updated this year, with the Environment Agency (EA) promoting the Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM) guidance.

The LCRM process is not materially different in the way it requires you to assess the potential risks associated with a site, but it does present additional steps to be considered.

The progressive use of these steps is especially important if you want a clear run through the planning process or to demonstrate you understand the risks for lenders.

The LCRM guidance is also very relevant as part of the due diligence process before acquisition of brownfield sites, as land condition issues are very material to the value of any site, whether commercial, industrial or residential.

Recent projects have included:

Ensure Environmental Consulting Ltd is a Kent based independent environmental company providing environmental and sustainability support to business across the South East. At Ensure, we have over 30 years experience of assessing brownfield sites, both through the due diligence and later planning process, up to and including the provision of Expert reports at Public Inquiry. This has included sites across Kent and the South East, with projects as diverse as former MoD sites, old landfill and mineral workings, colliery sites, agri-chem plants and numerous former petrol filling stations and farm estates.

•

•

• •

LCRM based evaluation of a commercial property portfolio for a client concerned about residual liabilities and options for redevelopment, Presenting planning reports to support conversion of agricultural buildings to residential, Brownfield options appraisal that concluded flatted development is the most sustainable re-use of a significant brownfield site, Advice to a client NOT to purchase a site that was so contaminated it was more liability than asset.

Ensure also assist local clients by providing environmental support for operations, often through partnership with Kent based Lawyers, Planning Consultants and other professionals.

If you require further information, please contact: Henry Lang Director • 07772 096744 • Ensure Environmental Consulting Ltd Henry.lang@ensureenvironmental.co.uk • info@ensureenvironmental.co.uk • www.ensureenvironmental.co.uk

Dog tired of checking contracts?

Run out of time?

Never needed one before?

Hawk Surveying can help.

Before you sign on the dotted line, give Hawk a call and ask about our contract review services. emma.hoad@hawksurveying.co.uk 01227 361186 / 07548 130854

hawksurveying.co.uk

Thinking Business

29

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International Trade

BCC welcomes

TARIFF SUSPENSION

BCC has welcomed the suspension of tariffs following the recent UK-US Boeing-Airbus agreement.

32 Thinking Business

International Trade

We urge the government to engage closely with businesses over the coming months on how to get the most value out of the final agreement. Chambers of Commerce stand ready to work with government to ensure that the benefits of this agreement are felt by firms as widely as possible.

The agreement will see retaliatory tariffs, imposed during a long-

running dispute over subsidies given to Airbus and Boeing,

remain suspended for five years.

Reacting to the news, William

Bain, head of trade policy at the BCC, said: “The agreement to

further suspend punitive tariffs on a wide range of goods is a boost for UK companies

exporting to the US. The five-year

suspension of tariffs on UK goods such as whisky, cheeses and

jumpers gives greater clarity for

manufacturing exporters than the interim suspension effective from March 4 this year.

“However, these announcements

only create a pathway to resolving the Airbus-Boeing subsidies

dispute. It represents a truce but

a negotiated end to the dispute is still some way off.

“The UK, US and EU must go the extra mile trilaterally and through the World Trade Organisation

to resolve the aircraft subsidies

dispute at its root, and ensure the risk of punitive tariffs on UK (and EU) manufactured goods being

sold in the US is eliminated forever.

“We also need a resolution this summer at the OECD of the

remaining issues on global rules

on digital services taxes, after the progress made at the G7, which

have led to the threat of further US

tariffs on an even wider range of UK, and other European, exports from November 29 this year.”

The tariff suspension announcement came hot on the heels of news that the UK and Australia have struck a new trade deal. Under the terms of the deal, Australia will be able to send a certain volume of agricultural goods per year to the UK without needing to pay import duties.

Iconic British products such as cars, Scotch whisky, biscuits and ceramics will also be cheaper to sell into Australia.

William Bain said: “Businesses will welcome this agreement in principle as a positive step forward. However, there is a long way to go before the signing and implementation of a free trade deal. It should also be pointed out that trade with Australia represents only around 1.2% of the UK’s total, so whilst a deal will have welcome benefits it will not offset the ongoing issues with trade to the European Union.

“This agreement opens the door to a free trade agreement in force next year with lower tariffs, modern rules of origin for certain manufactured goods, customs facilitation measures, mutual recognition of qualifications, a labour mobility scheme, and stronger market access for services between the UK and Australia.

“Businesses remained concerned about the lack of opportunities to properly scrutinise trade deals including this one. There needs to be more in-depth industry consultation, particularly in sectors considered sensitive, to better analyse UK’s offensive and defensive strategic interests and the impact on other agreements.

“Ultimately, it is businesses not governments that trade, and this deal with Australia needs to be complemented by providing practical, on-the-ground support to help firms maximise the new opportunities that the agreement will bring.

“We urge the government to engage closely with businesses over the coming months on how to get the most value out of the final agreement. Chambers of Commerce stand ready to work with government to ensure that the benefits of this agreement are felt by firms as widely as possible.”

"The Australian British Chamber of Commerce in particular will be a crucial partner in sharing the local knowledge on both sides, which will be essential for making the agreement a success for businesses in both the UK and Australia.”

Thinking Business

33

Supporting the regional economy and our future workforce Canterbury Christ Church University is at the forefront of ambitious plans to transform the graduate workforce in Science, Technology and Engineering. In January this year, it opened its flagship £65 million Verena Holmes STEM building in Canterbury, home to new courses, research and industry innovation. The facility is part of a seven-year regional partnership vision to boost the local economy and workforce, by retaining highly skilled, talented, and creative graduates in Kent and Medway. This vision is also at the heart of the industry-informed Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth and Engineering (EDGE) Hub.

What is the EDGE Hub?

The Kent and Medway EDGE Hub is an ambitious response to the regional Engineering and Technology talent shortage in the South East. Started in 2014 this project seeks to address a lack of higher/ degree courses and progression routes from schools and further education; a shortage of local people undertaking the required technical training; poor engagement with industry to design courses, leading to graduates without the required skills; and a lack of diversity (particularly women) in these fields.

Supported by over £13 million of public and private funding, including the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, the EDGE Hub works holistically to address these challenges.

Starting with a comprehensive and engaging range of school and college outreach activities,

to generate a pipeline of future Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) graduates. Young people are particularly supported to understand the creative and problem-solving skills required for STEM careers, and to raise their aspirations – moving from viewing themselves as ‘not-STEM’ to being capable of pursuing a career in STEM. Regional and national businesses have partnered with the University through the EDGE Hub and STEM Learning to engage over a million young people in STEM activities. Contributions range from sponsorship of events, providing sessions or video content, or co-running bespoke events aimed at raising awareness of opportunities in their business or sector. To find out more email edgehub@canterbury.ac.uk.

All of Canterbury Christ Church University’s Engineering and Technology courses continue to support this vision, with a focus on engaging underrepresented groups through use of marketing materials and an innovative curriculum that privileges the ‘real world’ skills that graduates will need. Courses have been codesigned with industry to ensure that students are learning the technical skills that businesses need from their graduates. The EDGE Hub has introduced a range of new courses (Chemical, Mechanical, Software, Biomedical, Product Design Engineering, and Computing to name a few). These undergraduate courses also sit alongside postgraduate courses and higher/ degree apprenticeships, which have been

designed to support businesses in developing their current workforce.

All Engineering and Technology courses at the University use the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Conceive-Design-ImplementOperate (CDIO) system, which allows students to apply theoretical learning directly to industrysourced problems. Embedded at every stage of their learning, these CDIO projects provide a fantastic opportunity for industry to access student talent. The University works with businesses to design project briefs which sit alongside theoretical learning. This brief is then given to students who work in groups to design innovative solutions, which are presented back to the business at the end of the learning period. Students are also encouraged to undertake professional placements of anywhere from a few days to a year’s duration. This gives them the opportunity to experience working in a professional environment, on a single or range of projects or activities.

The new MSc in Advanced Manufacturing and MSc in Data Intelligence, is due to launch in September 2021 and has been designed to support businesses through supporting transition from other sectors and upskilling of existing staff. Modules have also been designed to act as standalone CPD/ short courses, to support workforce development in areas such as advanced manufacturing techniques, big data and project management. To find out more email edgehub@canterbury.ac.uk.

What does this mean for local businesses?

The EDGE Hub will inject over 1,250 new graduates into the region by 2024/25, addressing regional skills shortages and working with students and graduates to find roles locally in industry; consequently, supporting businesses in the region to grow and succeed.

These graduates will be leaving the University with an understanding not only of the technical aspects of their course, but also the professional skills required to work in industry. The University is working closely with businesses to ensure that students are developing professional behaviours early on, through undertaking professional placements of varying lengths, as well as working on industry sourced project briefs. All courses and facilities include a focus on digital, industry 4.0 and industry 5.0, alongside more traditional methods, to ensure that students and graduates have access to the latest developments within the sector. They also benefit from working on state-of-the-art, industrystandard machinery, through a range of maker spaces and workshops.

Students recently completed a project for a local company to design and develop a digital, portable and affordable solution for measuring tensile strength. The project ideas pursued by the students were brilliant, innovative and very diverse (from use of spring, ultrasonic sensor, encoder, strain gauge, to force sensors), providing a range of possible solutions to the business.

These projects are embedded across the curriculum, so if you have a problem that you would like to explore then please email edgehub@canterbury.ac.uk.

Aside from student and graduate talent, the EDGE Hub has also injected new academic expertise into the region. Over the past few years, the University has recruited a range of new staff with expertise across Robotics, Advanced Manufacturing, Cyber Security, Data Intelligence, Materials, Chemistry and Pharmaceuticals, and Product Design. University staff bring a huge variety of expertise and skills, which can support businesses through professional paid consultancy, collaborative research projects, or short courses and bespoke training. Staff expertise is supported by the cutting-edge facilities in the Verena Holmes Building. This facility houses equipment such as CNC machines, 3D printers, laser cutters, an Internet of Things lab, distillation and water treatment plants, a rheometer, and much more.

All facilities have been designed to support businesses with research and innovation – from testing to prototyping and ongoing product development making the hub a truly interdisciplinary and collaborative space.

Find out more about EDGE Hub services by emailing edgehub@canterbury.ac.uk

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Members News

Making retaining walls simpler

One of the greatest physicists of all time, Albert Einstein, once said that “intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them.”

A Maidstone-based construction firm is putting this philosophy into practice by building wall systems that are robust enough to be effective on almost any construction project.

Essentially, Concrete & Rock Solutions is on a mission to make retaining walls simpler. The company specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of proprietary precast, modular, mortar-less block retaining wall systems that will cost-effectively meet clients’ needs.

Whatever your retaining wall requirements, Concrete & Rock Solutions can come up with the appropriate solution. These requirements could be a wall of any length and up to 25m high, a temporary or permanent wall with a block life of more than 100 years, a wall with a natural stone look, or a rapid installation wall system for gardens, roadsides, industrial, rail or flood-plain protection purposes.

Adam Utton-Gaunt at Concrete & Rock Solutions, says: “We are committed to bringing innovative, proven and cost-effective solutions designed to accelerate projects in the construction industry. The best solution for environmental, health & safety and innovation is our onetonne modular block solution for retaining walls – the only engineered solution specifically designed for earth retention projects.

“At last, a fully engineered offsite solution that works every time, keeping site-time and disruption to a minimum whilst optimising the use of your valuable land!”

For more information visit www.concreteandrocksolutions.com

36 Thinking Business

Modular footbridge set to revolutionise railway crossing design The railway footbridge design has not changed for years. Put kindly, it is visually uninspiring, and the notorious unreliability of standardissue station lifts make it far from user-friendly. Despite the length of time this design has been in use, there has been no attempt to streamline how things are done. If any part of the infrastructure sector was ripe for disruption, this was it.

The Ava footbridge is a radical modular design being developed by a consortium of companies, including Network Rail, Walker Construction, Expedition Engineering, X-Treme Systems, MTC, Hawkins/Brown, SCX Special Projects, Norman Foster Foundation and Atelier Ten. The £5.4m initiative is funded jointly by Innovate UK and Network Rail.

Rather than being built in a steel fabrication yard from standard sections, then shipped elsewhere to be painted before being transported to site as a full span length, the Ava bridge is designed to be assembled in 1.2m long modules using structural elements cut from flat sheets of stainless steel and bolted together.

The Ava Bridge consortium must complete its work programme by March 2022 in line with the Innovate UK funding terms. Webb revealed that the team has already had interest from other infrastructure clients, not just those in the rail industry.

For more information visit www.walker--construction.co.uk

The truss modules can be configured to suit the destination site, and fitted out with cladding, canopy, lighting and other mechanical and electrical (M&E) services before being erected as close to finished as possible.

Phil Webb, MD of Walker Construction, said the initiative has been a refreshing change from the normal process he is familiar with after more than 30 years in the sector.

#FYI…it’s not just big jobs that we do!

As the new identity for the smaller scale of projects delivered by Folkestone-based award-winning main contractor Jenner, Park Farm Contracting replaces the former ‘General Works’ division of the group. With much attention naturally drawn to the many larger multi-million-pound residential developments and iconic projects such as F51 (the World’s first multi-storey Skate Park) pushing Jenner, as a regional contractor towards the realms of national contractors,

He said: “SMEs are normally at the bottom of the food chain with no opportunity to influence the development of a project. Here we had the chance to influence the design, cost and buildability of the structure.”

there has been a strong perception in the marketplace that Jenner had become too large to deliver smaller projects. The term ‘General’ was also felt to be somewhat derisory to this nature of works, despite the sizeable investment this signifies for many of our clients, and as such this urged us to reconsider how best to structure, identify and promote this department of the business going forwards.

The new name and its branding are wholly aligned to the Jenner Group, and hope this will help

to reduce any misconception throughout the wider local industry to ensure longevity for this aspect of the business, which is so important to our heritage.

With an in-house team of skilled trades and operatives led by knowledgeable, experienced professionals, Park Farm Contracting will manage all types of projects of any size up to (approximately) £500,000 for both domestic and commercial clients.

If you would like to know more, please do contact the team @ enquiries@parkfarmcontracting.co.uk

Successful year for WW Martin WW Martin has had a busy year during which the company has continued to perform exceptionally well, delivering a turnover of £50 million and winning the Kent Contractor of the Year Award for Health & Safety.

A number of new and exciting projects have been secured which are currently on site or are due to commence in the very near future, with the latest announcements regarding contract wins and progress reports regularly featuring on the company’s website and twitter feeds.

WW Martin is also pleased to continue its traditions of supporting and engaging with the local communities in which it works.

A special mention is made to Ramsgate Football Club for whom WW Martin is a longstanding main sponsor. Working together, they have been actively promoting the participation of young children in sport and the importance of healthy lifestyles. With more than 1,000 children now registered with the club and a series of activities also being held within local schools, this is proving to be a huge success and is having a noticeable benefit for many children and families in east Kent.

In addition to this community initiative, WW Martin is also playing a key role in creating opportunities for people to enter the construction industry. With many members of staff at WW Martin first entering the industry themselves as an apprentice, the company is actively recruiting another round of apprentices to create the workforce of tomorrow and ensure skilled people are available across a variety of roles; including carpentry, bricklaying, groundworks, painting and decorating and accounts.

For more information visit www.wwmartin.co.uk

Members News

EXPO unites construction sector Following the government’s announcement that restrictions are due to be lifted in July, we can be confident that business events will return in the autumn and look forward to welcoming you back to the Kent Event Centre on October 7 for the south east’s leading construction event.

Kent Construction EXPO will bring together more than 2,000 construction professionals, contractors, developers and specialist suppliers for one invaluable day of networking in a face-to-face environment once again since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Brought to you by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Kent County Council and Medway Council, this major annual gathering offers a fantastic line-up of speakers, alongside the south east’s largest exhibition of construction suppliers: providing a unique opportunity for you to get the inside track on major infrastructure projects and the latest industry developments, while making valuable new contacts and building your business.

We already have a great programme line-up confirmed, with inspirational keynotes and practical workshops that will provide you with fresh insights into current construction industry challenges and opportunities on the horizon as well as emerging technologies, practices and innovations – helping you to keep up to date and thrive in the years ahead.

Back by popular demand, our roundtable stream provides a focused platform for discussion where you will have the opportunity to share your challenges and opportunities, hear your peer’s points of view and learn from their experiences, ask questions and voice an opinion.

A few of the hot topics and sector trends that will feature on the programme this year are: • Bouncing Back from COVID-19 • Construction futures • BIM and digitisation

• Major infrastructure developments in Kent and the south east

CSM provides flexible engineering solutions CSM is a privately owned company based at Chatham and was established in 2012. Since then, we have built strong longterm relationships with both public and private sector clients.

We pride ourselves on our flexible engineering solutions that are of the highest quality. Taking the time to listen and collaborate with our clients enables us to provide tailored engineering solutions that sometimes require a more creative and innovative approach.

A specialist multi-disciplinary rail contractor, we have the skills

and experience to deliver turnkey design and construct projects nationwide.

CSM’s values embrace professionalism, passion, integrity and honesty. We strongly believe in going above and beyond in delivering on our promises to ensure the successful completion of projects, thereby exceeding our client’s expectations.

We have extensive experience in delivering a wide range of building and civil services from

• Health & safety regulations • R&D tax credits

• Sustainable innovation

• Mental health awareness • Construction pathways

A key feature at the event is the exclusive opportunity to put your business in front of leading contractors, suppliers and government departments, with more than 600 FREE meet-thebuyer appointments available.

You can also benefit from: • Over 150 market-leading exhibitors • Invaluable networking opportunities to build and maintain business relationships • Live demo areas showcasing the most dynamic and innovative products in the industry • Big Networking Breakfast with a focus on collaboration in the construction sector • Post-Event Gala Dinner with after-dinner comedian Angela Barnes, the perfect way to unwind, network and celebrate excellence within the industry For more information and to register for FREE visit: www.kentconstructionexpo.com new station builds, platform extensions, permanent way, M&E, and lineside civils to remote rural footbridges. All this coupled with an exceptional reputation for the successful delivery of large multi-disciplinary schemes through to small single discipline projects. We provide a vast range of services inclusive of project management, construction and civil engineering design.

Dream homes, grand designs

Have you ever watched shows on TV that follow the trials and tribulations of people building their dream home, extending one or totally refurbishing one?

Vernacular Homes owner and new Chamber member Trevor Weeks watches the familiar story of the client revealing their wish list of features to the architect, who inevitably can’t then deliver it within their budget.

But how do you dream big and stick to budget? Their average project cost is around the £500,000 mark, with some projects over £1m.

Their portfolio includes barn conversions, new builds and restoration projects, having been commissioned by private homeowners, architects and designers large and small to work with them.

Director Trevor Weeks, says it all comes down to solid design and planning.

“Our unique blend of high-quality design, coupled with a grounded approach to build costs works best if we’re involved from the start of the project, at the planning and design stage.

“Our fantastic digital design models with perspective views help to visualise the end result. We use photogrammetric surveying and sophisticated BIM software to aid the design process, developing practical build solutions and presenting projects in an engaging and understandable way.

“The BIM software allows us to adjust, remodel and re-cost designs simply and quickly, and enables us to identify and solve the inevitable design issues that crop up throughout the project.

“By keeping design and build in one place, the client is taken from the initial idea, to moving in, more smoothly.”

Vernacular Homes, Trevor Weeks vernacularhomes.com Thinking Business

37

Members News

CRM systems Betteridge and Milsom can benefit celebrates 35th anniversary small firms With years of experience in digital success solutions, Akita Intelligent Solutions designs, develops, manages and supports business intelligence technologies for organisations across the UK and internationally.

Around 65% of businesses adopt a customer relationship management (CRM) system in their first five years of operation.

Here’s how a CRM solution can transform your business:

Canterbury based Betteridge and Milsom are celebrating being in business for 35 years. The notable construction consultancy business was founded in 1986

by George Betteridge and Ray Milsom as a partnership, before being incorporated in 2005 following the acquisition of another local firm.

The business has grown from its humble beginnings as a two-man operation to employing 16 staff and offering a full complement of construction consultancy services including Quantity Surveying, Project Management and Principal Designer.

The company has seen a consistent pattern of organic

It can support your entire business A CRM system is not just for sales.

There are solutions for all business requirements – finance, marketing, customer service and more.

So, while focus may be on new business now, the right CRM system can benefit your wider operations in the future.

It’s designed to grow with you The right CRM solution will not only help you grow, but grow with you. Our solutions are used by businesses ranging from emerging to enterprise in size. So, no matter how successful you get, your CRM system will support you.

It’s more cost-effective than you’d think Modern CRM solutions are ready out of the box, so there are minimal development costs.

In addition, given that CRM systems can increase sales conversions by a third, a business can quickly see a return on investment.

For a demo of CRM solutions, contact Akita Intelligent Solutions at www.akitais.com

38 Thinking Business

B&M prides itself on its collaborative, people first approach and being an Employer of Choice. They invest heavily into the next generation, bringing through young surveyors and offering them a career in the industry. Currently, they have two apprentices working towards their Quantity Surveying degrees at London South Bank University.

Paul Gannaway, Director said “35 years is an exciting milestone for the company. We’re excited to see what the next chapter holds for the business as we move further into this new decade and at such an exciting time for construction generally.”

It’s ‘big data’ for small (and not so small) businesses Business intelligence is valuable no matter the size of your company. But if you’re running your business from disconnected spreadsheets, you’re unlikely to get the complete picture.

A CRM system brings data together from across your business. From sales enquiries to outstanding invoices, all key information is in one place, giving you a complete view of performance.

growth as well as a widening of the type, scale and style of project they work on. They’re not afraid to work on the unusual either, having delivered some unique projects in Kent, including locks, forts, caves and art galleries.

www.betteridge-milsom.co.uk

Restaurant cooks up a storm The Gastronomist has cooked up a storm in its opening month, with Ashford’s fine dining restaurant welcoming more than 300 guests since its launch in May.

Guests at the dinner partystyle restaurant have enjoyed curated six course tasting menus using seasonal ingredients and contemporary culinary techniques.

Each dish is paired with a wine offering from the Kentish countryside and further afield. The sophisticated evenings have gone down a treat with gourmets as the stunning venue proves to be a desirable draw for destination dining.

The Gastronomist has featured in InsideKENT, the Wealden Times and Ashford For You. Coverage has focused on the concept behind the pioneering restaurant, the celebrated and experienced team and the unique venue itself, which combines an open presentation kitchen and dramatic gallery space with rare and refined ambience.

Ainara Mateu, co-founder of the restaurant, said: “I'm so happy that The Gastronomist Club has received such a warm and genuine welcome from the people of Ashford. We envisioned this exciting new project

just a few short months ago and are thrilled it has now become a reality.

The team and I dreamed of creating a unique place; combining our playful approach with sophisticated tastes. The Gastronomist is now alive with activity and destined to thrive. We are excited to share each new stage of the journey with our guests and friends.”

Amongst the acclaim received by guests were several nominations from visitors for an enviable Muddy Award. It has been announced that The Gastronomist has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Covid Start-Up Business category.

Alongside regular ticketed dinner party evenings, The Gastronomist has begun to include additional events in its monthly calendar. Wine appreciation evenings will be a recurring occurrence, with the first of these exploring a fine selection of Spanish and Kentish grape varieties.

For more information visit www.thegastronomistclub.com

Global trade can be a key driver of economic recovery – BCC

The new director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Shevaun Haviland, has set out the action needed to help firms and communities rebuild.

In her first speech to the BCC’s Global Annual Conference, she said that key steps were needed to boost UK trade, unlock the blockages in the skills training system and build a greener and more sustainable economy that achieves the aim of net zero by 2050.

Putting trade and export at the heart of her future vision for the country, she said: “Imagine what a difference it would make to our economy if we could increase the number of businesses that export from 10% to 20%? We know from our survey data that internationally active firms are more likely to be innovating and introducing new products, services and processes than those not working globally.

“If we are going to truly succeed in our new trading conditions, the government and business must work together shoulder to shoulder. The government must bring together all organisations working in this area, both public and private sector, behind a shared UK trade and investment strategy.”

Following news of the delay on full reopening for England, Haviland also warned against government removing support for businesses too early and of the risks of an uneven recovery.

“Despite the challenges firms have faced – the rising burden of debt and depleted cashflow – there are signs that firms are beginning to feel more positive about the future,” she said.

Haviland also paid tribute to the role that accredited Chambers of Commerce have made to keeping businesses afloat throughout the pandemic.

“While it may be slow, they can see a route back to full operation, where they can start to invest and power the economic recovery.

She said: “As Chambers of Commerce, our business is all about helping other businesses to succeed. This crisis has allowed our Chambers to do what they do best.

“That’s why I am setting out the BCC’s recommendations to rapidly rebuild the economy, to not just take this country back to where we started, but to go beyond that to a better, greener, more productive future.

“We know the financial support put in place during the darkest hours of the pandemic cannot, and should not, last forever. But we must ensure this scaffolding is not taken away too early.

“With many firms struggling with the damage done to their cashflow and revenue by COVID, the risk of a marked rise in insolvencies and redundancies as government support winds down remains high.

“The recovery will be dramatically uneven across different sectors, locations and demographics. So just as the government supported firms to survive through the crisis, they must also act now to enable them to thrive in the recovery.”

“Firstly, our 53 Chambers across the UK have incredible local knowledge and networks and they have provided unparalleled support to businesses in their places, to help carry them through the crisis.

“Secondly, by working together through the British Chambers of Commerce, we have been able to help shape the policies that have kept us all in business.

“Lastly, our growing network of 73 International Chambers around the world puts us in a unique position of strength to grasp global opportunities as we open up again.”

Alongside Haviland’s speech, the BCC also published its Rebuild report, which sets out the detail of what the organisation believes is needed for UK businesses and communities to prosper in 2021 and beyond.

Thinking Business

39

Members News

Cyber attack: Brachers advises The Mum Club on could it franchising operation lose you a construction tender? advice, an online forum with other mums and exclusive offers. The franchising of the business has seen The Mum Club’s presence and network expand across the UK.

South east-based law firm Brachers has advised The Mum Club on the successful franchising of its business.

Cyber attacks are, or should be, a real concern to businesses operating in the digital world – which is most of us these days.

Viruses, hacking, phishing, ransomware attacks and other cyber scams can make for an uncomfortable interruption to business productivity. They can also cause financial loss and, of course, reputational damage.

For those in construction, tenders and partnerships will require strict adherence to, and proof of, the security of your systems.

Nikhil Kamboj, founder of new Chamber member Databox 360, helps businesses to navigate the cyber minefield, offering advice on where their cyber risks are, then looking at how to improve them, be it through training or deployment of security measures.

Nikhil explains: “The majority of the cyber attacks come via email – 95%, where the human has clicked, taken action or done something required in the email and unwittingly compromised security. However, training can be given to heighten their awareness and keep their data safe.”

Training and simulations of cyber attacks help Nik’s clients to know what they look like and test how they react to hacks and scams – because these days, they are very hard to spot.

Nikhil added: “It’s not to catch people out, it’s to test their resilience to cyber attacks because they are getting more and more sophisticated every day and they are designed to fool us, even if we are alert.” https://databox-360.com

40 Thinking Business

The Mum Club is one of the UK’s premier online publication and events companies for women with children. Launched in 2016, the innovative start-up focuses on a “woman first” community, built around accessible local events and online membership options connecting women to expert

Brachers has worked alongside The Mum Club on various commercial matters to support its continued growth and success. This includes negotiating agreements with the company’s key service providers (including website developers and PR companies) and advising on the protection of its intellectual property rights, which has been integral in ensuring the business is future-proofed and attractive to investors as it continues to grow.

The Brachers team advising The Mum Club was led by

commercial partner Alex Cosgrove and assisted by associate Sarah Hewitt and solicitor Connor Iontton.

Alex Cosgrove said: “The Mum Club is a unique business that found an innovative solution for a demand within mothers for more focused support. The launch of their franchise option is an important step in their growth strategy and we are pleased that we’ve been able to achieve the right result for them.

We look forward to watching the business develop and working with them in the future.”

Lauren Webber, co-founder at The Mum Club, said: “Brachers have supported us on a number of matters and we were pleased to have them on our side as we launch this exciting new stage in our business. We really valued their commercial insight and expertise and felt like we were in safe hands throughout the process. Thank you to Alex and his team for their help.”

For more information visit www.brachers.co.uk

Manufacturing businesses report supply chain challenges with stock lead times at 56 weeks Businesses are reporting serious challenges to supply chains, with stock lead times hitting 56 weeks for even the most basic items.

Accountants, business and financial advisers Kreston Reeves in a survey of 100 businesses in London and the South East found that 41% are currently experiencing significant supply chain challenges with a further 17% expecting problems in the very near future. The issue is particularly acute for UK manufacturers.

One manufacturer has reported stock lead time of up to 56 weeks for even the most basic of items.

Andrew Tate, Partner and Head of Restructuring and Transformation at Kreston

Reeves said: “Manufacturing businesses are facing a perfect storm of delays caused by COVID, Brexit and the temporary closure of the Suez Canal, with stock lead times typically between 24 and 56 weeks.

“The demand for high quality and high value UK manufactured products is there, but the ability to stockpile for even just a few weeks is not possible for most businesses. Businesses are unable to fulfil orders and are taking a hit on margins.”

The problems rest in transportation rather than overseas manufacturing, with businesses simply unable to ship to the UK. Problems are expected to continue into the summer of 2022.

“The COVID pandemic has meant that businesses cannot send staff overseas to sort our problems on the ground, and when they can the transportation is simply not there,” says Andrew.

Increased costs to UK manufacturers caused by supply chain delays are currently being absorbed by CBILS and Recovery Loan funding that has yet to be spent, but funding challenges loom large.

Andrew says: “What will happen when that funding is exhausted?

Will banks respond if more funding is needed? Businesses experiencing supply chain challenges should be speaking to their banks now.” www.krestonreeves.com

7th October 2021

Kent Event Centre, Detling

Bringing the construction industry back together in a face-to-face environment this October

Produced by

Kent Construction Expo delivers a multi-track conference programme, over 150 market-leading exhibitors, and a unique opportunity for the construction sector to come together for an invaluable day of networking and innovation. The packed programme also includes over 600 free Meet the Buyer appointments, a Big Networking Breakfast and Gala Dinner.

2021 Speakers: Ben Cheeseman

Fergus Harradence

Dr Paul Toyne

Lee May

Pip Lawrence

Sarah Collins

Ricky Hemmings

Julie Putman

Commercial Director, Harwood Building Control

Deputy Director, Infrastructure & Construction, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Partner, Brachers LLP

Sustainability Practice Leader, Grimshaw & London Sustainable Development Commissioner

Technical Director, RIFT R&D Tax Credits

Wellbeing Director, Wellbeing People Ltd

Oliver Heath Founder & Director of Oliver Heath Design

Managing Director, Ardula Group Limited

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Regional Manager - South, CIOB

Valuing & Implementing Health and Wellbeing in the Built Environment

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42 Thinking Business

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The The Kent Kent Construction Construction Focus Focus Group Group (KCFG) (KCFG) is a one-stop-shop is a one-stop-shop for for businesses to discuss the future of Kent development, giving locallocal businesses to discuss the future of Kent development, giving The Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG) for for The The Kent Kent Construction Construction Focus Focus Group Group (KCFG) (KCFG) isisaaand one-stop-shop isone-stop-shop acontracts. one-stop-shop for companies companies access access to local to local knowledge, knowledge, expertise expertise and contracts. local businesses to discuss the future of Kent development, giving locallocal businesses businesses to discuss to discuss the future the future of Kent of Kent development, development, giving giving companies access tolocal local knowledge, expertise andand contracts. companies companies access access local knowledge, knowledge, expertise expertise and contracts. contracts.

KCFG promotes thetofuture role of Kent land development KCFG promotes thetofuture role of Kent land development and and construction businesses ingrowth the growth and development of Kent construction businesses in the and development of and Kent KCFG promotes thefuture future role Kent land development KCFG KCFG promotes promotes the the future role role ofofKent of Kent land land development development and and and its environment. and its environment. construction businesses the growth andand development of Kent Kent construction construction businesses businesses ininthe in growth the growth and development development of of Kent and its environment. and and its environment. its environment. session will start promptly at 7:30am a chance be put The The session will start promptly at 7:30am for afor chance to betoput into breakout and network with the attendees. into breakout rooms andpromptly network the other attendees.

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The first first Tuesday Tuesday ofand every ofand every month month 7:30am - 9:00amof every month 7:30am - 9:00am The first Tuesday The The first first Tuesday Tuesday of every of month month KCFG Free to attend | Non-Members: £10.00 + VAT KCFG Members: Free to every attend | Non-Members: £10.00 + VAT 7:30am - Members: 9:00am 7:30am 7:30am -Members: 9:00am - 9:00am KCFG Free to attend | Non-Members: £10.00 + VAT KCFG KCFG Members: Members: FreeFree to attend to attend | Non-Members: | Non-Members: £10.00 £10.00 + VAT + VAT

Virtual Business Networking is a bi-weekly, fun way of networking which is highly Virtual Business Networking is a bi-weekly, fun way of networking which is highly interactive, sparking interesting and to bring like-minded people Virtual Business Networking is aconversations bi-weekly,and fun aims way aims of which ispeople highly interactive, sparking interesting conversations to networking bring like-minded Virtual Virtual Business Business Networking Networking isideas a bi-weekly, is aform bi-weekly, fun way fun way of networking ofbring networking which which is people highly is highly together, guide forward and form new business relationships. interactive, sparking interesting conversations and aims torelationships. like-minded together, guide forward new new ideas and new business interactive, interactive, sparking sparking interesting interesting conversations conversations andbusiness and aimsaims to bring to bring like-minded like-minded people people together, guide forward new ideas and form new relationships. together, together, guide guide forward forward new new ideas ideas and and form form new business business relationships. relationships.

Conversation with our guest speaker will be new followed by three breakout sessions Conversation with our guest speaker will be followed by three breakout roomroom sessions Conversation with speaker followed byorthree breakout roomtopic sessions where attendees canguest delve deeper intobe discussion, discuss their in more where attendees can our delve deeper into will discussion, or discuss their own own topic in more Conversation Conversation with with our our guest speaker speaker will be willfollowed be followed bydiscuss three by three breakout breakout room sessions sessions where attendees canguest delve deeper into discussion, or their ownroom topic in more depth. depth. where where attendees attendees can can delve delve deeper deeper into into discussion, discussion, or discuss or discuss theirtheir ownown topictopic in more in more depth. depth. depth.

Every Tuesday | 10:30am - 12:00pm Every otherother Tuesday | 10:30am - 12:00pm Every other | 10:30am - 12:00pm Members: Members: FreeTuesday Free to attend to attend | Non-Members: | Non-Members: FreeFree to attend to attend Members: FreeTuesday to attend | Non-Members: Free to attend Every Every other other Tuesday | 10:30am | 10:30am - 12:00pm - 12:00pm Members: Members: FreeFree to attend to attend | Non-Members: | Non-Members: FreeFree to attend to attend

Employment Law is constantly constantly onthe themove. move.

Wekeep keep track the Employment Law Law is constantly on the move.

We We keep track of the Employment is on track ofofthe changes so you you don’t don’t have to! latestlatest changes so you don’t havehave to! to! latest changes so Employment Employment LawLaw is constantly is constantly on the on move. the move.

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Wednesday Wednesday 15th September September 2021 2021 Wednesday 15th September 2021 10:30am 11:30am 10:30am - 11:30am 10:30am - 11:30am Wednesday Wednesday 15th 15th September 2021 Members: Free toSeptember attend |Non-Members: Non-Members: Free attend Members: Free to attend | Non-Members: Free to attend Members: Free to attend |2021 Free totoattend 10:30am 10:30am - 11:30am - 11:30am Members: Members: FreeFree to attend to attend | Non-Members: | Non-Members: FreeFree to attend to attend

Thinking Business

43

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03/11/2020 15:3

Pentalec is a sustainability focussed building services contractor. We design, supply and install Mechanical and Electrical engineering services throughout the Southeast for main contractors, managing agents and end user customers.

Our Services: • • • • • • •

Tel: 020 8080 2800

www.pentalec.co.uk 44 Thinking Business

Building Services Engineering Site Temporary Services Electrical Compliance Electric Vehicle Charging Solar Generation and Battery Storage Lighting and Controls Solutions Wireless Energy Monitoring

The People behind the business

Construction sector boom fuels Pentalec growth

John Hatt and Sam Stageman are extremely busy people. The entrepreneurs established Pentalec, a specialist building services contractor, in 2017 and are currently spearheading its rapid growth. Much of this expansion is being fuelled by demand for cleaner, greener solutions for the construction and building services sectors, such as solar generation and battery storage facilities, IoT wireless energy monitoring, energy efficient lighting and controls solutions, and electric vehicle charging points.

After a challenging period during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pentalec is now flying. The company is on track to triple annual turnover from £500,000 to £1.5 million in the current financial year, and the partners have ambitious plans to ramp this figure up to £5 million in the next few years.

John says: “We started out as a mechanical and electrical (M&E) contractor, and we’ve now diversified to provide a range of sustainability focussed services that enable us and our customers to take an active part in being environmentally responsible. The world’s approach to climate change has shifted in recent times, and it’s clear that with the UK’s global commitments and various forms of legislation being put in place, we all need to start playing our part in delivering a more sustainable future. Even though we are a small business, we have committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2022 and we look to play an active part in helping our customers become carbon-neutral too.”

We started out as a mechanical and electrical (M&E) contractor, and we’ve now diversified to provide a range of sustainability focussed services that enable us and our customers to take an active part in being environmentally responsible.

The business partners clearly have their plan in motion and their combined 40 years’ experience in engineering and construction is enabling them to deliver their strategic vision for the business.

Sam explained: “We started out with a definition of what we wanted the business identity to be. We derived a set of five core values that became a framework for how we do business. Over the years we’ve seen so many great examples of how to do business, and also a lot of pretty terrible ways too! So we created Pentalec, the name derived from penta as in five, using our core values which are: Safety, People, Customer Service, Quality and Responsibility.”

“Safety for us is number one, because without the safety of our people, customers and partners, there is absolutely no point in doing

what we do. Then People, because as a service provider it’s our people that are our product. We believe that without the right blend of attitudes, behaviours, talent, training, wellbeing and experience, we cannot deliver the service our customers expect and we aspire to deliver. Customer Service is our third value, we are a customer centric business, focussed on creating long term partnerships through delivering exceptional customer service. Quality as our fourth value is about the standards of workmanship we abide by, the processes and procedures we follow, and how we communicate with our customers to ensure we consistently deliver a high quality product and service. Finally, and crucially, Responsibility as our fifth value is our commitment to the environment and our social, charitable and community responsibilities as a business, which we are very passionate about as owners of Pentalec.”

The business owners clearly have a plan and are set for expansion by drawing on the partnership they forged after 6 years working together at a previous company. John explained: “We have always worked well together and our combined skillsets complement the needs of the business. We have each worked across an array of sectors including Construction, Engineering, Energy & Sustainability, Consultancy, and Facilities Management. This has provided us with the experience needed to create and deliver our business plan.”

They have quickly established themselves as a fast growing Kent based business, with a wellpresented office and warehouse space in Aylesford. The company has ten full time staff including three apprentices, and works with a number of suppliers and subcontract partners to help them deliver services for their customers.

Sam says: “Our long term plan is to have five companies as part of a wider group: our core M&E contracting business, site temporary services, outsourced CAD & estimating services, property maintenance, and a development arm that will upgrade vacant or run-down commercial and retail space for alternative uses. We are pursuing a strategy of controlled, well-managed growth and we’re looking to the future with optimism.”

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45

MedwayOne is a demonstration of Uniper’s commitment to more sustainable growth in Kent In a recent issue, Thinking Business focused on the efforts being made by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and other organisations to deliver faster, smarter, and more sustainable economic recovery for the region.

Proposals for a new 1.4GW high voltage electricity interconnector between the site and France have already been approved, providing potential infrastructure for the development.

The Recovery and Renewal Strategy for the South East highlights how by focussing on the green economy and by working in collaboration, the private sector can help the UK to hit its 2050 netzero carbon target.

And the economic opportunities of our vision for MedwayOne are huge. Once fully occupied, MedwayOne would have the potential to create more than 2,000 permanent, full-time equivalent jobs, with at least a further 900 jobs supported in the wider Medway area.

At Uniper we are doing our bit to help the region secure inward investment, create jobs and deliver sustainable economic growth in Medway over the next decade.

When fully occupied MedwayOne would generate at least £48million in economic output and activity per year for the region and provide annual Business Rate contributions of up-to £10million.

Known as MedwayOne, the vision we have put forward would enable the regeneration of the 279-acre former Kingsnorth power station site. It could transform the 152 acres of readily developable brownfield land to create a modern employment space that would deliver new job opportunities and attract long-term sustainable investment into the region.

During construction around 700 temporary jobs will be supported over the lifetime of the build, adding £35million annually to the local economy during this period.

Our vision proposes a mixture of commercial, manufacturing, and industrial spaces, along with the potential for storage, distribution and data centre uses; all of which are intended to attract leading national and international companies to the site.

Speaking to Kent Invicta Chamber, Adam Archer, Uniper’s Project Manager for MedwayOne said: “We are really grateful for the support that Kent Invicta Chamber has given to the MedwayOne project over recent months. Our outline planning application for the scheme will be considered

by Medway Council later this summer and the support we have received from the Chamber and other businesses across Kent which recognise the potential of MedwayOne has been inspiring.

From a net zero perspective, options to create an Energy Hub also form part of the vision and could provide low carbon electricity, steam and heat for businesses located at MedwayOne, as well as a district heating scheme for future housing developments on the peninsula.

“At a time when the UK is seeking to recover from the pandemic, respond to the climate emergency and demonstrate ‘Global Britain’ as a great place to invest, MedwayOne could not be better placed to demonstrate that here in the South East, the private and public sectors are collaborating to turn

46 Thinking Business

government policy into economic reality that makes a real difference to the lives of real people.”

Richard Lavender, President of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “The vision for MedwayOne could deliver a development of unique international significance in an area that is central to Medway and the South East. Already a brownfield site, the demolished power station provides an opportunity for a futuristic environmentally lowcarbon constructed employment park, supporting the local community and beyond.

“The onsite Energy Hub offers the potential to encourage many manufacturers to locate to MedwayOne due to the power, heat and steam opportunities that could be generated onsite – further contributing to the region’s Clean Growth agenda.

“I look forward to working with Uniper over the next decade so that together we can maximise the opportunities to raise skills, create jobs for people living in the area and provide opportunities for our members to help Uniper deliver their vision for MedwayOne.” If you would like to find out more information about MedwayOne you can: Visit: www.medwayone.co.uk Twitter: @MedwayOne Facebook.com/MedwayOne

Business News

Designer Outlet Ashford the go-to destination for fashion Just under two years ago, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford officially launched its 100,000sq. ft. expansion which saw the opening of over 30 premium brands, restaurants, cafes, and immersive guest experiences.

The expansion strengthened and cemented the centre as the South of England’s go-to destination for fashion, food, and homeware, with over 130 premium brands, restaurants, cafes, and guest activities.

Developed by Europe’s leading designer outlet group,

McArthurGlen, the expansion was one of the several major projects highlighted by Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council as key employment and economic drivers in the development of the town. During and post launch, the centre has created in excess of 500 jobs within the local Ashford Community.

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford also partnered with leading green infrastructure company, Biotecture to create Europe’s largest living wall installation featuring 120,000 plants. According to Biotecture,

living walls have been proven to help uplift moods, reduce air pollution and aid biodiversity.

As part of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford’s drive to support the local community, we hosted three separate employment events before we launched the new phase showcasing the variety of roles created from the expansion across our designer brand partners, food & beverage and hospitality outlets. The events proved to be extremely popular with over 300 attendees and a high level of applicants, with 15 per cent of those who attended securing a role working with us in the centre.

RBLI signs up Panattoni for its challenge Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has signed up to the Royal British Legion Industries’ (RBLI) VE Day Highways Challenge.

As part of its £180m investment at Panattoni Park Aylesford in Kent, the company has commissioned RBLI’s social enterprise Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC) to produce the site hoardings needed during the construction phase, as well as all the road and building signage.

BBMC employs more than 100 people – 70% of whom are veterans and people with disabilities. The team produce wooden products, such as pallets and fruit bins, as well as rail and road signs – including the majority placed around Kent.

RBLI’s Highways Challenge, which was launched in line with May’s anniversary of VE Day, aims to generate an extra £1 million of sales by Remembrance Day 2021, with the profits making it provide more employment opportunities to vulnerable veterans in need of work.

Panattoni’s purchasing decision is part of its commitment to source local products and services wherever possible to support the delivery of its recently approved plans to develop 1.9 million ft2 of logistics and distribution space next to the M20.

“Panattoni is living up to its promise to purchase locally. It’s great to see them partner with Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, and at the same time make progress on creating 3,000 new jobs for the borough on a site that’s been vacant for far too long.”

Tony Watkins, Development Director at Panattoni, said: “This is one of those occasions when we have been able to source high quality, competitively priced products and at the same time use a local business that’s doing important work supporting our veterans with employment, training and accommodation.”

Steve Sherry CMG OBE, Chief Executive of RBLI, said: “We are delighted to partner with Panattoni and look forward to see how Europe’s largest warehousing and logistics developers transforms the site over the next couple of years providing much needed economic regeneration in the area.

Following an introduction by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Panattoni shared its signage strategy for the 90acre site with BBMC’s signage team based at the RBLI Village in Aylesford and agreed a programme of works.

Commenting on the deal with RBLI, Councillor Nicolas Heslop, Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, added:

“Every sign and hoarding we produce will help transform the day to day lives of the people that work at Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company and the rest of the veterans we support.”

The commitment from Panattoni sees the property developer join National Rail, road maintenance companies such as Amey, as well as residential and commercial developers and local authorities on BBMC’s customer list.

For further information on the work of BBMC visit: www.britainsbravestmanufacturing.org.uk and for Panattoni Park Aylesford visit: www.panattoni.co.uk/aylesford.

Corporate property search made easier by new online service It’s now even easier to find the retail unit, office or industrial space that’s right for your business thanks to a newlylaunched online service by Ashford Borough Council.

Businesses looking to relocate to the area or existing firms keen to expand can visit www.ashford.gov. uk/business/commercial-property/ council-owned-commercial-propertysearch/ where they will find details of council-owned properties for rent While the authority is keen to showcase its own range of properties to potential tenants, it also includes a link to the AshfordFor website https://www. ashfordfor.com/index.php/locate-yourbusiness where there are details of those properties which are available to rent or buy on the open market.

This ability for businesses to easily tap into a mix of council and privatelyowned properties ensures that firms are presented with the widest choice of available space in one of the fastestgrowing towns in the region.

Visitors to the council’s new online service can search by property type (retail, industrial, office), length of tenure, premises size and dimensions and address.

There is a ‘favourites’ function so visitors can select properties to come back to and view later.

Anyone looking for office space located just minutes from Ashford International Station and its 38-minute fast train link to central London can choose between International House or the nearby Connect 38 building.

Available industrial units at the newly-built 47,000 sq ft Carlton Road Business Park or popular Ellingham Industrial Estate are detailed; while information on a choice of retail space at the town centre Park Mall is just a click of a mouse away.

Cllr Paul Clokie, Ashford Borough Council’s portfolio holder for corporate property, said: “The development of this online platform helps the council to showcase its available properties, ensuring we maximise revenues to fund the services we provide our residents. It also enables businesses to find appropriate sites in the best places at highly competitive rates.”

Thinking Business

47

New Members

Welcome to our new members Abacus Advice Limited Tunbridge Wells 01892 320449 www.aaltd.co.uk Wealth Manager

ACE Interim Solutions

Sittingbourne 07525 807941 www.aceinterimsolutions.co.uk Finance Consultancy

Alex Nevill Racing

Dartford 07588 599199 www.alexnevillracing.co.uk Motorsport Marketing and Events

AML Consulting Global Ltd Northfleet 01474 555507 amlcglobal.com Consultancy

Border Point Films Ltd Ashford 07974 831384 www.borderpointfilms.com Film Production

Broadband for Rural Kent Ltd (B4RK) Faversham 01227 807404 http://b4rk.co.uk Telecommunications

48 Thinking Business

Cadogan Partners Ltd

DSK Environmental Ltd

Intelliteck Ltd

07702 158850

03453 142121

020 3290 4985

London

Automotive B2B

Carers' Support East Kent Deal

0300 302 0061 www.carersek.org.uk A Charity that Provides Carers with the Information and Support they Need

CityFibre Holdings Ltd London

Sittingbourne

www.dskenvironmental.co.uk

London

www.intelliteck.ai

Asbestos Removal

Artificial Intelligence

Element 26 Ltd

Development

London

020 7628 7857 www.element26.tv/?=kent Marketing & Advertising

Finding My Palace Ltd London

07593 366437

Computer Software & Devices

IT Manager Services Ltd Sheerness

01795 342362 www.itmanager.io Computer Services

JK Advice Centre London

020 3302 6682

07716 221819

www.findingmypalace.com

www.cityfibre.com

Providing Excellent Value

Wholesale Digital Infrastructure

Living Space for Customers

Customer Advice Centre

Flowbird Ltd

Kent County Rugby Football Union Ltd

Provider

Cognitas Global Ltd Northfleet

01474 555507 www.cognitasglobal.com Training & Consultancy

Dropalo UK London

07951 520947 Dropalo.com Social Messaging, Media, Technology & Information, Telecoms, SaaS

Ashford

01233 743240 www.flowbird.co.uk Software Solutions Provider and Implementation

Franzosini & Butti Ltd (k/a fbcustoms) Dover

01304 793366 www.fbcustoms.uk Customs Clearance

www.jkadvicecentre.co.uk

West Malling

07952 638643 www.kent-rugby.org Sport

Kent FA Aylesford

01622 822912 www.kentfa.com Not For Profit Organisation Governing Body of Grassroots Football In Kent

New Members

Enhance Kent Housing Ltd Maidstone

01634 566333 www.kenthousing.co.uk Landlord

Local SEO Services Ltd Canterbury

01227 678088 www.local-seo-services.co.uk Search Engine Optimization

Luma-ID London

020 3239 6865 www.luma-id.co.uk Design & Product Innovation Consultants

Marsh Vehicle Services (t/a Venue2Venue) West Hythe

07866 360965 www.venue2venue.com Transport/Events Logistics

Music Diet Ltd (t/a Neuron Wellness) Ashford

07870 604979 www.neuronwellness.com Health & Wellness

Protect NGO Business Services Ltd Folkestone 07731 638052 www.ngoserv.com IT Consultancy for Charities in UK and Worldwide

Procon Engineering Sevenoaks 01732 781300 www.proconeng.com Manufacturers & Service Support for Weighing and Process Control Systems

Refocus Project Ltd (SCA Consortium) Dartford

SGS United Kingdom Ltd Ellesmere Port 01276 697715 www.sgs.co.uk Auditing and Certification Services

Stone's Throw Import, Export & International Representation Ltd Sevenoaks

01732 252240 www.stones-throw.org Agents Involved in the Sale of a Variety of Goods

The HR Dept Southborough

07880 497825 www.hrdept.co.uk Full Service HR and

07834 063108

Employment Law Consulting

www.refocusproject.org.uk

Firm, including Tribunal

Crime Prevention and Intervention - Young People

Results through Resources Ltd Borough Green 07758 952070

Indemnity Insurance Cover, Employee Wellbeing, H&S and Payroll Solutions

Think Globally Act Locally Ltd Tunbridge Wells 07920 146683

HR Consultancy & Interim

www.tgal.co.uk

Services

Construction Consultants

Connect Unicorn TV Ltd (t/a Delissa Associates) Tunbridge Wells 07778 666890

www.delissa.com TV Production

Voice Talent Online Gravesend

01474 356722

www.voicetalentonline.com Audio Localization

Will Barnes Limited Sittingbourne

01795 371009

www.willbarnesltd.co.uk

Recruitment and Training

Windsor Food Machinery Ltd Ashford

01233 733737

www.windsorfoodmachinery.com Supplying Industrial Food Equipment to the Retail, Industrial and Catering Industry

Woodpeckers Of Kent Ltd Ashford

07484 120586

www.woodpeckersok.com

Community Wood Recycling

Thinking Business

49

Last Word Gary Johnson RacingEvents.info Partner Married with one daughter who graduated in 2019. Born in Kettering and moved to Kent in ’87. A passion for sports.

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

Saturday boy in Millets, High St. Kettering – my hometown.

What do you always carry with you to work?

Driving Licence, bank cards & cash.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

Recovering from the pandemic closure and rejuvenating the business - the last major hospitality event was back in November / December 2019.

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

The PM and his government have generally supported businesses well during the pandemic.

What can you see from your office window?

Although I trade from Brands Hatch, my office is home-based and I’ve great views of the skyline, trees and greenery; it’s very peaceful.

If you could do another job what would it be?

As a young boy I wanted to be a Commando and then a Police Officer.

As a business person, what are your main qualities?

Put the customer at the heart of all you do.

What was your biggest mistake in business?

I’ve made several, but I continue to learn from each and every one.

The first though was probably the hardest; I fronted my own financial service-based business, with three sleeping directors, at the tender age of just 19. Five years later, I bought them all out, cashflow was then an issue. I ended up paying my staff first and accepting food parcels from my grandmother – very humbling and something I’ll never forget.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Go for it!

50 Thinking Business

Movers and Shakers

Girlings Builds Its Construction Dispute Focus Girlings’ Dispute Resolution team is delighted to welcome Associate Solicitor, Nicola Webster, a commercial dispute resolution specialist who joins them from another leading Kent Law Firm. Resolving disputes in the construction sector is Nicola’s particular area of specialism and she acts for clients such as building and construction companies, property

developers, engineers and architects, as well as for homeowners.

Produced in Kent appoints new chair of the board

won the London and South East Director of the Year Award for Innovation 2019 from the Institute of Directors.

Dynamic food trade organisation Produced in Kent, the voice of Kent’s independent food and drink sector, has announced the appointment of Sue Nelson as the new chair of the board.

In the last five years she has presented more than 400 radio programmes as the lead presenter of the FoodTalk Show and TechTalk Show. In 2020 the programme was the winner of the UK Food Broadcaster of the Year.

Sue joined the board in 2020 and is an award-winning businessperson, author, broadcaster, and speaker.

She is a member of the Guild of Food Writers and author of ten books including FoodTech UK and the Fine Food Lover’s Guide with Simon Rimmer, the co-host of Sunday Brunch.

Sue founded the multiple awardwinning Breakthrough Funding, which was sold to Ernst and Young in 2020. The year before, the company won the coveted UK Independent Tax Consultancy Firm award at the Tolley Awards for its role in gaining more than £60 million of funding for innovative UK start-ups.

Sue added: “Produced in Kent strives to be a home for all those who are passionate about local and sustainable food and drink. I love Kent and the amazing food and drink we grow and produce, so of course I’m delighted to be able to work more closely with Floortje and her hardworking team.”

In 2017, Sue was named Kent Businesswoman of the Year and

Floortje Hoette, chief executive of Produced in Kent, said: “Produced

For further information visit www.producedinkent.co.uk

Nicola is also experienced at dealing with a wide range of commercial disputes such as contractual disputes, partnership/director/ shareholder disputes, defamation, and intellectual property disputes.

Nicola said: ‘I believe that in any commercial dispute it is important to act quickly and I am delighted to be part of Girlings

Dispute Resolution team which has a reputation for achieving swift and favourable outcomes for their clients. I am very much looking forward to building the construction dispute resolution side of the practice further.’

Nicola will be based in Girlings’ Ashford Office.

Girlings has offices in Ashford, Canterbury and Herne Bay. girlings.com in Kent is delighted to welcome board member Sue as our new chair and is excited by the wealth of industry knowledge that she brings with her. As chair of the board, Sue will be involved in key decision-making and, together with the team, will ensure that the organisation puts sustainability, sector promotion and business growth at the heart of its mission.”

Growing Kent & Medway grows its senior management team The partners responsible for Growing Kent & Medway, a project to strengthen the competitiveness of Britain’s horticulture, food and drink industries, have appointed Dr Nikki Harrison as Programme Director.

She is joining the project led by NIAB EMR in East Malling from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), where she was Head of Business Development. Dr Harrison is highly experienced in partnership development and supporting innovation and research in the horticultural and agricultural sectors.

Nikki has a scientific career spanning more than twenty years and is trained in plant biology and genetics; microbiology and biotechnology, and horticultural cropping systems.

Prior to joining AHDB, Dr Harrison was Senior Research Leader in Horticultural Science at NIAB EMR,

and was an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Reading.

Commenting on the appointment, Professor Mario Caccamo, Managing Director of NIAB EMR, added: “The combination of Dr Harrison’s industry research experience and her track record in delivering partnership projects epitomises what the Growing Kent & Medway initiative seeks to achieve by bringing academia, research and the industry together.

We are delighted she is returning to NIAB EMR.” Dr Harrison, added: “Thanks to the Government’s funding, matched by our partners including the East Malling Trust, it means the Growing Kent & Medway initiative is perfectly placed to establish Kent & Medway as a world-leading region for advanced horticultural production and processing of high-value, nutrient-rich foods and plant-based compounds and it is great to be able to play my part in making it a success.

“By working closely with industry, we will match the partnership’s

research expertise with the needs of food and drink producers to drive innovation, strengthen supply chains and boost the economy – I cannot wait to get started.”

The Growing Kent & Medway consortium is led by NIAB EMR and includes the University of Kent and the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Greenwich, alongside leading industry partners, including APS Produce, Berry Gardens Growers, Chapel Down, Gusbourne Estate, Richard Hochfeld Group, Thanet Earth, Worldwide Fruit, Geku Automation, and Smurfit Kappa.

It is one of seven national projects to drive innovation-led growth and support areas of R&D, thanks to Government funding provided through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund. The project secured funding after its bid received the backing of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, the Kent & Medway Economic Partnership, local councils and Locate in Kent.

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Environmental consultancy

SUPPORTing our natural NETWORK By continually working with our clients to achieve the best possible balance, we are able to monitor and enhance the relationship between our built environment and nature.

Actively encouraging gains in biodiversity and wildlife enhancement.

ECOLOGY SURVEYS

TREE SURVEYS

HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Species mitigation, EPS licensing, baseline appraisals, impact assessments, habitat regulations assessments

BS5837 surveys, impact assessments, tree removal plans, root investigation, anti-compaction systems, tree inspections

Habitat creation, pond creation, long term management schedules, mitigation enhancements works, scheme-wide environmental enabling

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Supporting the Kent community for over 235 years

Whitehead Monckton solicitors are based in Canterbury, Maidstone, Tenterden, and London providing specialist legal services to individuals and businesses. Our clients tell us we are good listeners and great lawyers, but don’t take their word for it.

If you would like help with: • Wills • Tax & Estate Planning • Probate • Family • Residential Conveyancing

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Call Maidstone 01622 698000 or visit our website at

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