Thinking Business Kent February 2022 by Benham Publishing Limited

THINKING

BUSINESS • OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR KENT INVICTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • February - March 2022 •

Kent-based partnership develops blueprint for local skills growth n n n n

The Big Interview with Michael Hoggart and Martin Munday of Modus p16-17 International Trade p32-33 Chamber Events p42-43 New Members p48-49

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Welcome & Contents

Strong skills base can maintain business resilience Whilst the virus is still in circulation, it appears that the Omicron variant is not as severe as other variants before it. This will give individuals and businesses the confidence that, gradually, we are edging towards something akin to normality.

Welcome to the latest edition of Thinking Business. At the time of writing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the end of the government’s “Plan B” restrictions. People are no longer being told to work from home, mandatory COVID certification has ended and face coverings no longer need to be worn in public places.

Contents

In Kent, companies are doing an admiral job of getting on with business, although there are still things to consider when integrating staff back into the workplace. Lateral flow tests, screens, hand sanitisers and improved cleaning regimes may still be needed, for example. Managers should also allow staff to air any concerns they have about returning to the office.

If there’s a COVID-outbreak in the workplace, are there plans in place so that the business can remain operational while employees and customers are kept safe? In the longer-term, businesses must also ensure they have the right skills to maintain their resilience in the face of increased competition, both locally and across the world. Education and skills are the key themes of this edition’s cover story and in Kent we’re seeing increased collaboration between businesses and education providers in a bid to bridge skills gaps. This is encouraging and must continue. Here at the Chamber, we’ll also provide

Economy

24-30

Cover feature - Education and Skills

Top Tips

Members News

Business News

5 11-14 16-17 19

21-22

Legal Update

32-33

International Trade

Members News

Skills

The Big Interview

Members News

Technology

Members News

Our Patrons

45 48-49 50 50

Members News New Members Last Word

Movers and Shakers

whatever support we can to help businesses unearth new talent and upskill their workforce. I said in the last edition that I’m optimistic for a brighter 2022 and I see no reason to change that view. There are challenges – rising inflation is a concern for many businesses – but I’m confident that Kent firms have the agility, innovation and resilience to meet them head on.

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

3241 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. 1864 Published February 2022 © Benham Publishing

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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

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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. © 2022. 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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Surging inflation hits company finances Inflation hit a ten-year high in November on the back of soaring energy, transport and raw material costs. The cost of living measured by the consumer prices index (CPI) surged by 5.1% in the 12 months to November, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – its highest level since September 2011 and up from 4.2% the previous month. Higher fuel, energy, raw material and clothing costs were largely responsible for the steep rise. Energy bills in particular have spiralled in recent months due to soaring global wholesale gas prices. Volatility in wholesale markets has led to the demise of several energy suppliers, with

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further rises in household gas and electricity bills likely to follow in the next 12-18 months. Increased demand for secondhand cars was also a factor in driving up inflation. In November, petrol prices jumped to record levels – 145.8p a litre – while the cost of used cars rose due to shortages of new vehicles. Commenting on the inflation statistics, Suren Thiru, head of economics at the BCC, said: “The latest figures confirm that the surge in inflation continued unabated in November.

“The increase largely reflected higher fuel prices and strong base effects which pushed up clothing and footwear prices in comparison with November 2020. Stronger growth in producer prices points to an acceleration of cost pressures in supply chains, indicating that inflation will drift higher over the coming months. “It is concerning that inflation is outpacing wages and if this disparity continues to increase as we predict, real household incomes will be squeezed further, dampening consumer spending and weakening overall economic activity. “Inflationary pressures are expected to intensify in the near term as the rising cost of imported raw materials, higher energy

prices and the reversal of the VAT reduction for hospitality and tourism drives inflation materially higher by the middle of 2022. “Omicron could accelerate the current surge in inflation if restrictions in the UK and overseas to combat the new variant trigger more supply chain disruption. “While interest rates will rise sooner rather than later, with the current inflationary spike mostly driven by global supply constraints and price pressures, higher rates will do little to curb further price rises. “Greater support is immediately needed for those businesses impacted by Plan B, including making additional grant funding available and reverting the VAT for hospitality and tourism back to its emergency rate of 5%.”

Retirement planning? Time to take stock

Legal Update

If you are approaching retirement, or you are in the process of retiring, you may focus on the change to your everyday life and neglect some less obvious points when retirement approaches. Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney Retirement can constitute a big change in personal circumstances, particularly if you no longer hold the same proprietary interest you once held in the business. Your Will may have been drafted with your business assets in mind so it is sensible to revisit this to check it is still relevant to the assets you own now. You may even find your Will can be simplified. The other legal document you might consider making or revising, is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). There is a common misconception that you make an LPA when you are becoming unable to manage your affairs or make decisions. In reality, an LPA needs to be made when you are mentally able to make an informed decision as to who you wish to appoint as your Attorney to act in the event you ever become unable. Retirement is an ideal time to put LPAs in place as you’re likely to be mentally able and if you have children, nephews or nieces you might be looking to appoint as Attorneys, they are likely to be of age and, therefore, able to be appointed to act as your Attorneys.

dormant it may be, requires registration under the new legislation. It is anticipated that fines will be applied to those who fail to register their Trust and fail to keep the register up to date so now would be a good time to get ahead.

If you own a business or are looking to retire, please contact Charlotte for further legal advice.

Digital and Crypto Assets If you are recently retired, bought out of your business or otherwise, you may have experimented with digital or crypto assets. Given the digital nature of these assets there is a tendency not to hold any paper or physical note of their existence. If no arrangements have been made to ensure your executors can access crypto assets, the assets will quite simply die with you. Keeping an asset log, but taking steps to ensure it is secure, is a good way of making sure that those you appoint to deal with your estate on your death, or handle your affairs should you ever become incapable, can do so with relative ease.

Trusts Have you made or been involved with any Trusts at any stage? The UK’s implementation of the European Union’s 5th Anti Money Laundering Directive (5MLD) has drastically expanded the types of Trust which are required to be registered with HM Revenue & Customs’ Trust Registration Service. When revising your affairs, don’t forget to check whether any Trust you may be involved with, no matter how old or

Charlotte Nock Partner - Wills, Tax & Estate Administration Tel: 01227 367 355 Email: charlottenock@girlings.com

girlings.com Thinking Business

Seeking to claim for R&D tax relief? Careful planning is key By Adam Lacchin, Director of Tax at Azets adam.lacchin@azets.co.uk Maidstone office

COVID-19 support measures are coming to an end and many SMEs will look for alternative options of how they can positively impact their cash flow and reduce their corporation tax bill. A key consideration for UK companies should be R&D tax relief - a generous relief for businesses who continue to invest in innovative activities.

Who can qualify for R&D tax relief?

As the Government looks to turn the UK into an innovative powerhouse to support its recovery from the pandemic, investment in Research & Development (R&D) is more important than ever for UK businesses. 6

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Broadly, to qualify for an R&D tax credits claim, a company’s project must seek to achieve an advance in science or technology through the resolution of scientific or technological uncertainties. This R&D definition can lead many to believe that the activities they undertake and expenditure they incur are not qualifying, however, in our experience, clients often do not realise the potential for R&D in their work and therefore aren't making the most of R&D incentives and the tax savings the scheme offers. There are two schemes currently available, the R&D expenditure credit (RDEC) scheme which replaced the large company scheme in April 2016, and the small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) scheme aimed at smaller businesses. RDEC can also be claimed by SMEs who have been subcontracted by a larger business or who have received a grant or subsidy for their R&D project. For companies undertaking work that qualifies, R&D can result in significant tax savings or cash repayments. The benefit of R&D tax credits can vary considerably depending on how the relief is applied.

This is why careful planning is paramount to ensure that this R&D benefit is utilised in the most efficient manner. There is a misconception that R&D tax relief is only beneficial to profitable companies, however, even loss-making companies have a range of options to choose from, including the potential for cash repayments. What’s more, even if your development is abortive or unsuccessful, it still counts. The rate of Corporate Tax is rising to 25% in 2023 – making the relief even more valuable. Planning around R&D tax is crucial to achieve the best outcome, especially if the goal is to reduce your tax liability.

Take care when choosing the right R&D Tax specialist The savings come at a significant cost to Government and as a result, legislation is regularly introduced to counter abuse of the relief. Plenty of activity is being seen in the R&D consultancy advice space which is unregulated, poor quality and could lead to serious consequences for businesses if non-qualifying activity is claimed for. This is partly due to a small group of ‘rogue’ boutique advisors who inappropriately seek to maximise R&D tax relief claims and actively target SMEs hit hardest by the pandemic. Recent figures suggest £311m is over-claimed through errors and fraud annually. To tackle this, HMRC are employing a greater workforce to

Business photo created by DCStudio - www.freepik.com

For companies undertaking work that qualifies, R&D can result in significant tax savings or cash repayments. The benefit of R&D tax credits can vary considerably depending on how the relief is applied. This is why careful planning is paramount to ensure that this R&D benefit is utilised in the most efficient manner. scrutinise R&D claims and we are anticipating an increase in HMRC enquiries for R&D claims.

R&D tax relief. There are significant potential costs for getting it wrong.

The UK Government are incentivising companies to increase investment in innovation and attract talent to the UK and have recently announced plans to widen the scope of qualifying costs but will seek to restrict relief to UK R&D activities only. This, coupled with the complexities and restrictions when performing calculations on eligible expenditure, highlights the importance of an R&D tax advisor who understands your business and can help you navigate the highly complex world of

Get the right advice and start your R&D Tax Relief claim At Azets, our trusted business advisors are on hand to offer R&D tax relief advice and have a wealth of experience in making R&D claims in a wide range of industries and sectors. Our specialists have an excellent track record in making successful, HMRCcompliant claims and have delivered significant tax savings for our clients.

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

Using our deep knowledge of the government support available, the qualifying criteria, and the application process, we’ll help you to unlock those all-important incentives and cash injections. Get in touch with the Azets specialist R&D team today to find out more and get started with your claim.

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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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

If your business needs help with: • Contracts & Transactions • Property • Licensing • Employment

Call Maidstone 01622 698000 or visit our website at www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk

e. info@whitehead-monckton.co.uk Address: 5 Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3EN Whitehead Monckton Limited (no. 08366029), registered in England & Wales. Registered office: 5 Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 608279.

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Super allowances having little effect on UK economy, says Azets tax expert but says there is a risk of the schemes having little impact unless more businesses start using them.

The super allowances available include the super deduction, a 130% first-year allowance for expenditure on main pool qualifying assets such as machinery, furniture, fittings, computers etc., and the enhanced special rate, a 50% first-year allowance for assets including integral features in buildings such as electrical, water and heating systems.

Too few SME businesses are taking advantage of super allowances for the incentives to have any positive effect on the wider UK economy, according to a leading tax expert. Gurj Sandhu, National Head of Capital Allowances with Azets, a UK Top 10 firm SME focused international accounting, tax, audit, advisory and business services group which has offices across the South East including in Kent, describes the introduction of super capital allowances during the Spring Budget 2021 as an unexpected boost to companies,

These are in addition to the existing Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) which permits 100% relief for up to £1 million of expenditure incurred each year on qualifying plant and machinery assets, until 31 March 2023. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) the uptake rate of the super deduction scheme still remains unclear but “early evidence suggests super deduction claims are building more slowly than expected.” Gurj Sandhu, National Head of Capital Allowances Azets, said: “Business investment accounts for a significant part of GDP and is crucial to boosting long-term growth

Advanta Wealth: we listen! Many people in the UK distrust the words spoken by financial services professionals and often see a self-serving industry dedicated to the profit motive rather than the individual.

Caring deeply about the individual is fundamental, understanding the work that goes into earning, building income and giving due serious passionate thought into the right decisions that will protect, enhance and deliver financial results that propel individuals into a healthier and happier future.

We seek to dispel the myths, end financial scarcity, and through dedicated advice, create abundance. Advice on debt repayment and/ or investing for the future Frequently we get asked for advice from clients on whether they should repay their liabilities, namely their main residential mortgage contract, or whether they should invest in products such as stocks & shares ISAs and/ or pensions for the betterment of their financial planning.

and productivity – weak spending undermines the recovery and risks more underwhelming growth in living standards, despite Government efforts to incentivise spending.

“The lack of uptake of super allowances is likely due to uncertainty, with the ever-present threat of stricter Covid measures and the economy being thrown back into lockdown leaving business owners reticent to spend too quickly, particularly with the ongoing spread of the Omicron variant.” Gurj Sandhu is urging businesses to review their ability to invest now and use the incentives available to them whilst they still can. He concluded: “Business owners should look carefully at the timing of planned investment in new assets to take full advantage of the enhanced allowances. Up to 31 March 2023, the additional tax savings through super allowances will be most beneficial to companies that have already absorbed the 100% relief available through the AIA. Businesses should seek professional advice from specialist firms to maximise and accelerate the available tax incentives.” www.azets.co.uk With interest rates at record lows and many investments providing growth and reward as they have for several years, it may be tempting to simply reply with a terse response of little thought, a “one size fits all” approach. Every individual and every family are on a different journey. At Advanta Wealth, we listen, we get to know the individuals before tailoring a financial plan that works and delivers to help you on your journey, and we’ll be with you on that journey every step of the way. www.advantawealth.co.uk

Members News

Citizens Advice Tunbridge Wells and District seek to appoint three new Trustees to strengthen Board

In 2021, the Tunbridge Wells and District Citizens Advice team of 34 staff and volunteers supported over 5000 people, many of whom have been impacted by the knockon effects of the pandemic. The area has seen a 146% increase of Universal credit claimants between March 2020 and July 2021, alongside a rise in the number of children living in poverty. The Board of Trustees, led by Chair, Peter Oakford, work together to use their skills, knowledge and experience to help guide and govern the local team to achieve the best possible outcomes for communities in and around Tunbridge Wells. In early 2022, they are looking to appoint three new Trustees to bring additional expertise in the following key areas: • Technology – to ensure that the Board can make the right strategic decisions as they continue to transform the way services are offered. • Fundraising – to look at new ways to sustainably fund services in 2022 and beyond. • Human Resources – to help shape and develop the local team to drive the right outcomes for clients. Peter Oakford, Chair of Trustees, said: “It’s a hugely rewarding experience and a great way for talented professionals to contribute locally.” The charity is looking for competent, confident and connected Trustees who will provide strong local strategic leadership and who reflect the diversity of the community. Details on the role of a Citizens Advice trustee can be found on their website: www.catwd.org.uk Enquiries about the Trustee roles should be sent to: volunteering@catwd.org.uk

Advanta Wealth recognised by FT Adviser, a publication from The Financial Times Whilst littered with hundreds of years of collective wisdom and experience within the practice, for a small boutique and youthful company like Advanta, to rise as fast as they have up the FT Adviser rankings – to 18th in 2020 and 8th in 2021 – is an extraordinary testament to the care, skill and will of the team.

For more information contact: Kate Bourne Email: kate.roberts@catwd.org.uk Nathan Pitt Stevens Advanta Wealth

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Funding your business: working capital finance Rachel Emmerson, Business Advisory, Accounts and Outsourcing Senior Manager at Kreston Reeves. When it comes to cash flow and calculating working capital requirements, knowledge is power. The more you know, the easier it is to get ahead of challenges before they take hold. Continually monitoring your cash flow, not only lets you know where you are on any given day but where you’re likely to be in the next month, quarter or year.

Invoice finance

But I often hear clients say: “I’ve got steady cash flow right now, so there’s no reason to secure funding.”

Merchant cash advance

Actually, this can be the best time to consider funding options because you’re applying from a stronger financial position. You’ll secure more funding, at better rates and more easily when things are going well and then you can use it proactively as part of your strategic business plan.

This type of funding lets you advance the money owed to you in outstanding invoices, without waiting for your debtors to pay. It’s a flexible way to access funds as and when you need it – to buy more stock than usual ahead of your busiest season, or to release some cash sitting in slow paying customer debt.

This is an alternative to your standard bank loan that gives your business a bit of wiggle room. You pay the loan back as a pre-agreed percentage of daily card transactions, so in months when you know there’ll be less money coming in, you can relax knowing you’ll also pay less on your loan.

Try to identify trends in your cashflow, times of year when cash flow is tight because of slower sales, for example, or months where your costs will be higher as you prepare for increased demand. Consider lead times on materials and historic data of when customers are likely to pay. Then get the right funding in place to get ahead of seasonal dips and peaks in demand for cash. We all understand a term loan as providing a simple cash injection to pay back over time plus some interest. However, is this really the right sort of funding to help manage your day to day working capital? As they say cash is king and it needs to be in supply to support ongoing trading and any growth. Some alternative working capital funding products available are; Background photo created by katemangostar - www.freepik.com

If you would like to find out more on funding for your business, visit www.krestonreeves.com/shapingyourfuture or to discuss, call us on 0330 124 1399. Rachel Emmerson can be contacted via email at rachel.emmerson@krestonreeves.com.

Trade finance and purchase order finance This kind of funding enables you to take on more customers and fulfil bigger orders than you would otherwise be able to by providing capital to cover upfront costs. The key thing to look for in this kind of funding is a transparent fee structure where you only pay for the funds you use. You’ll also want the flexibility to access funds quickly, but only as and when they’re needed. It is vital that you allow yourself enough time to discuss, research and consider the right type of funding for your business and its needs.

Is your business ready for the new Plastic Packaging Tax? From 1 April 2022, Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) will be introduced in the UK. The UK Government is introducing this new tax to encourage the use of recycled rather than new plastic within plastic packaging. What is covered under the Plastic Packaging Tax? Plastic Packaging Tax will apply to finished plastic packaging manufactured in, or imported into, the UK where the plastic used in its manufacture is less than 30% recycled. It will include: • Plastic drinks bottles • Ready meal trays • Bubble wrap • Sticky tape • Re-usable plastic boxes • Sandwich bags • Bin bags The tax will be calculated at £200 per metric tonne of plastic packaging. Who must register and account for Plastic Packaging Tax? At any time after 1 April 2022, you must register for PPT if your business meets either of the following conditions: 1. The manufacture or import of finished plastic packaging is expected to reach 10 tonnes or more in the following 30 days — you must register within 30 days of the first day that this condition is met.

David joins KICC for third time

For most, joining Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce (KICC) is a one-time experience, but

2. You have manufactured or imported 10 tonnes or more of finished plastic packaging in a 12 month period ending on the last day of a calendar month (e.g. December) — The company becomes liable for PPT from the first day of the next month (1st January) and must register within 30 days (by 31st January). For the second condition, there is a special arrangement on introduction of PPT so that a business only needs to register for the tax when the amount of plastic packaging is 10 tonnes or more in a 12 month period from 1 April 2022. What is ‘finished’ plastic packaging? Finished packaging is in a format that can be used to contain and transport goods. This may be packaging that is fully complete (e.g. plastic carton), or semicomplete packaging, such as a plastic bottle without a cap. The goods become liable to PPT on completion of manufacture in the UK, or at time of import into UK. For the latter, the consignee named on the UK import declaration will be responsible for retaining records and registering for PPT. When do I need to register? Although registrations cannot be submitted until 1 April 2022, we recommend that businesses start reviewing plastic packaging

production or supply chains to confirm whether you will have to register for PPT. Evidence will need to be retained to confirm the quantities of plastic packaging so that this can be audited by HMRC. Such records include: • Total amount in weight and a breakdown by weight of the materials used to manufacture plastic packaging, excluding packaging which is used to transport imported goods • Data and calculations used to determine if a packaging component is, for the most part plastic, and how much recycled plastic it contains • Weight of exempted plastic packaging and the reason for the exemption • Amount in weight of plastic packaging exported, and allowed relief from the tax We can assist with this analysis so that you can be confident that you have satisfactory records in place to justify exemption, or to calculate accurate taxable amounts for submission to HMRC. Further details on the records to be retained can be found on www.gov.uk. Exceptions to Plastic Packaging Tax There are 4 groups that are excepted from the tax. These are: 1. Transport packaging used when importing goods into the UK.

Members News

2. Plastic packaging used in aircraft, ship or railway stores for international journeys. 3. Plastic packaging produced or imported for use in the immediate packaging of a human medicine. 4. Components permanently designated or set aside for nonpackaging use.

You must still include 3 and 4 when assessing whether you meet the 10 tonnes threshold of plastic packaging in a 12 month period for determining if you need to register for the tax even though the tax is not chargeable on these. How do I register? Companies will be able to apply for PPT from 1 April 2022 via the government gateway. The link to register is not yet available. What can I do to prepare? MHA MacIntyre Hudson is holding a free webinar with Kent Invicta Chamber on 15 February at 2pm where we will explain how you should prepare for the new tax. Visit kentinvictachamber.co.uk/ events for details Alternatively, please contact Sue Rathmell, VAT Partner, MHA MacIntyre Hudson sue.rathmell@mhllp.co.uk

the knowledge of the value of membership to one business development manager has seen him join up for the third time. David Dadswell recently started a new post with CAF Ceramics & Porcelain, an importer and supplier of wall and floor tiles and outside paving, and within weeks of being behind the desk he has joined KICC once more. David said: “Joining an established company with 16 years of strong trading background, my role is to assist and support further growth into the commercial market supplying direct to housing developers. After being a member at two previous companies, I knew that joining KICC would be the first job on my to-do-list to open up opportunities and meet valuable connections in all sectors but also targeted connections within the KCFG.”

CAF is also working on new partnerships with local charities for 2022 and will help to raise funds and volunteering time throughout the year. The first project started with the HOKH in January, helping to collect old Christmas trees for recycling. More news of charity work will be found on the company’s new website coming in 2022.

Sustainability is also on the agenda and a recycling partnership has already been agreed with a fellow KICC member and is underway to help recycle the large amount of cardboard recycling. So, the New Year really is a start for new opportunities, new challenges and new markets! www.cafceramics.co.uk Thinking Business

Members News

Office accommodation - where next for my company? Now that working from home (WFH) is no longer recommended by the government, sole traders to large companies may be wondering what their next steps should be with regard to office accommodation. How to keep themselves and their employees happy whilst doing the best for their business.

Sole traders whilst used to working from home, may want to alleviate dayto day loneliness that can result, and be looking for a cost-effective office base. Somewhere they can interact with others but not be tied into costly long term contracts. Or they may be thinking of taking on staff for the first time. If this is you, consider using a co-working space or a serviced office which offers ‘easy-in easy-out’ options where rent is inclusive and paid for on a rolling month basis. These types of premises are often more friendly, supportive and collaborative than other arrangements too. A recent survey revealed 50 co-working facilities currently operating across the county, boasting more than 60% occupancy for hot desking and 80%

for private offices. In 2021 alone new spaces were opened in Maidstone, Dartford, Gravesend (with Thamesside views) and Ashford among others.

In contrast your company may have an established office and now need less space due to continuing WFH. In this instance, traditionally the company might sell up and purchase a new office, or in the case of renting, especially if you were towards the end of a lease, give up the lease and find a smaller office. This may be what is needed but can be expensive especially by the time legal expenses, the cost of ‘dilapidations’ and moving costs are taken into account, and finding an office in a suitable location can be challenging. An alternative, if you own the property, is to sub-let. This may also be an option if you rent but you will need your landlord’s permission. This has many advantages in addition to lower costs it enables you to expand if you need to in the future.

Cubic expands product range Cubic Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2008 and since inception, it has distributed and traded ethical, generics, OTC and unlicensed medicinal products.

Practice (GDP) embedded in them.

We have developed a few products in the past years in partnership with our manufacturers, and we’re looking to introduce many more in the next few months.

Knowledgeable Customers use our products because they trust in the expertise that has been used in their development. We’re backed by science and driven by experts. This makes us reliable and has helped us to build a distinguished reputation in our field.

As one of the UK’s major suppliers of medicinal products, our staff are committed to providing the best standards of service and support, from the moment we take an order through to a delivery schedule on which you can depend. Cubic Pharmaceuticals is regulated by the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and all of our processes have Good Distribution

12 Thinking Business

Everything we do at Cubic Pharmaceuticals is based on three key elements:

Passionate Our passion for health and community makes us who we are and drives the products we make. It's so important to us that our customers experience genuine health benefits from using our products. Our products are environmentally-friendly and we take our social responsibility incredibly seriously.

If your company is expanding and you need more space, the only option may be to move unless your landlord can offer you more space or you own the building or space and can extend, perhaps by adding a mezzanine. However it is worth considering, with hybrid working, whether you actually need more space? An office fit-out company will be able to help you re-plan your layout to suit modern ways of working and is nearly always more cost-effective than moving.

Recent evidence shows that employees who have to be office based, even if only for part of the week, or need persuading to return to the office, or are seeking a new role with a new company, are looking, as well as for flexibility, for a wider range of staff facilities. Whether that just be better kitchens/staff rooms, more relaxed spaces for working collaboratively or gyms and exercise equipment. Better facilities, are becoming essential for companies who want to recruit and retain good staff which is fundamental to running a successful business.

Serious We believe that when it comes to people's health, it's important to take things seriously. For this reason, we use science and research to ensure that we produce the very best products. We are, and we want to be considered, a reliable source of a product that people put in their bodies and in their children's bodies, and we don’t compromise on the quality of our products.

In most cases, if you decide on serviced offices, professional advice is probably not needed other than to get a solicitor to look over the lease/contract. In every other case getting the appropriate advice is essential to ensure you are making the best choice and have all legal points covered. Mark Coxon

All of our products focus on helping our customers achieve the right balance of everything the body needs. Cubicole products play a vital role in maintaining good health, better quality of life and living longer. For more information visit www.cubicole.co.uk

Elite celebrates 20th anniversary Why Elite Blinds and Shutters recently celebrated 20 years of providing shading solutions for homes and businesses throughout Kent and London.

Elite soon evolved into providing motorised solutions and shutters and also built up a diverse range of commercial clients, including local schools, businesses and developers.

The company, founded when owners David and Katie Lester returned to Katie’s hometown of Canterbury, aimed to fill the gap in the market for made-to-measure blinds for local residents.

Elite is keen to give back to the community to celebrate and commemorate this anniversary, and will be working with a local charity throughout the whole of 2022. The company will also be undertaking 20 charity challenges to celebrate each year of trading and raising as many funds as possible for its chosen charity.

David quickly gained a reputation for his professionalism, attention to detail and the range of bespoke made-to-measure solutions he was able to provide. This in turn has helped Elite Blinds go from strength to strength and nearly 20 years later the company is still going strong, despite the recession of 2008 and the recent, ongoing pandemic.

Keep your eyes peeled for information on Elite Blinds Charity events of 2022 on the company’s social media pages and show support by following the journey. For more information visit https://elite-blinds.com/

Initially known for supplying madeto-measure blinds for homes,

Lawyer warns Kent pensioners could be missing out on £3,000 benefit A lawyer has warned pensioners in Kent could be missing out on thousands of pounds in state benefits.

Recent data from the Government reveals that around one million eligible UK households are missing out on pension credit, an underclaimed state benefit that can boost the average pensioner’s yearly income by around £3,000. Pension credit is extra money for pensioners to bring their weekly income up to a minimum amount if they earn less than £177.10 per week as a single person or £270.30 per week as a couple. Around 1.47 million people claim pension credit, with a further one million households estimated to be eligible but not currently claiming. James Simpson, a solicitor with law firm Furley Page’s elderly and vulnerable client team, said: “The welfare benefit landscape has

changed significantly in recent years, affecting claimants of all ages, and older individuals are no exception. The system is complex, which causes confusion about the varied benefits that elderly people are entitled to. The result is that many people often miss out on support such as pension credit, which could make a big difference to their quality of life.

“In addition to the extra income, pension credit can act as a gateway to other support options, such as council tax support schemes and old-style housing benefit, so it’s essential that pensioners check their entitlement to make sure they aren’t missing out on financial benefits.” For further details visit www.furleypage.co.uk

Members News

customer reviews are vital for marketing

By Sarah Hawes

Customer feedback is one of the most important tools for your business. It tells you what your customer likes and dislikes about your products or services and can be used everywhere in your marketing. Here’s how and why to put reviews at the top of your marketing list! People buy products with reviews Speigel Research Centre (2017) data shows that people are 270% more likely to buy a product with a review. A few five-star ratings can turn a browser into a buyer. People trust reviews Most people leave reviews because they feel strongly about their experience – so their feedback is viewed as authentic. Neilsen research shows that 92% of people trust a recommendation from a peer and 70% from a stranger. Incentives encourage reviews Often people who have received the service they expect don’t feel compelled to shout about it. A simple reward can encourage feedback without affecting perceived authenticity. Testimonials make great content Post positive quotes on your social media. Encourage customers to post images of themselves using your product or service. Add testimonials to your website too. Go back to Christmas customers Contact any Christmas shoppers who didn’t leave reviews. You could uncover a great bank of feedback to use throughout the year. Handling bad reviews If the complaint is genuine, apologise and if appropriate, make a compensatory offer. Ask for feedback once it has been dealt with. This reassures other customers that any mistakes are resolved quickly. www.izzypr.co.uk Thinking Business

Members News

Decarbonising your business and making it future-proof With sustainability high on the agenda following the recent COP26 summit, now’s the perfect time for businesses across Kent to consider how they ensure their organisation is committing to decarbonisation.

Local further education college group, EKC Group, is helping to kickstart this process for companies working in the manufacturing sector across Kent as part of its recent successful bid into the Government’s Skills Development Fund. As part of its ‘Decarbonising Kent’ initiative, EKC Group is inviting external parties to collaborate as the county works towards achieving carbon net zero status. The Group – working in partnership with sustainability consultants KPS and HSSMI – is delivering a range of high-quality training opportunities that will empower local manufacturing companies to decarbonise their processes, whilst ensuring they maintain, or even enhance, their profitability. The first of these virtual events took place at the end of January, with businesses tuning

in to listen to industry experts on ‘Turning Threat into Opportunity: Achieving Net Zero with Greener Skills in Manufacturing’. Leading speakers from the manufacturing industry gave tips on demystifying decarbonisation, while employers gave their views on potential roadmaps and what EKC Group’s students need to know before joining the manufacturing workforce in Kent.

based at Ashford College and, at Canterbury College, a Green Engineering and Mechatronic Lab with Electric and Assisted Vehicle Centre. Near these new ‘Learning factories’ will be incubation spaces for start-up businesses, allowing for demonstrations of cutting-edge equipment present in the areas. The proximity is also intended to enhance the partnership between the EKC Group and local SME businesses. Specialist advisers will be on hand to chat with businesses about what they can do to decarbonise as well as how they can future-proof their company and workforce. Any manufacturing business that operates within Kent which is

EKC Group is also seeking to grow its existing industry partnerships to help inform the ongoing curriculum development within its family of six Colleges and four Business Units, enabling students to have the practical knowledge and skills necessary to become great assets to any firm immediately after progressing from the Group. www.ekcgroup.ac.uk

Places are still available for upcoming virtual workshops, including one in February which will focus on ‘Turning Threat into Opportunity: Future-Proofing Our Covid Recovery with Digital Skills’. Alongside its work to develop businesses decarbonisation plans with businesses, EKC Group is also creating ‘Learning Factories’, accessible to both students and employers, that help to focus skills development on future technologies and skills to enable a green revolution within the manufacturing sector in Kent. These sector leading areas include a Green Engineering and Design Centre

Salient introduces new Master Collection Salient Knives, the Kent-based maker of boutique hunting knives, has introduced new Master Collection hand engraving, hand checkering and hand finishing options on its Cambridge and Canterbury models.

Created by master craftsmen, these knives are true works of art that combine outstanding performance in the field with stunning looks. Exclusive and available only in limited numbers, these ultimate field sports knives are set to become prized heirloom pieces for people that value the very finest. Whilst a fairly recent entrant to the hunting knives market, Salient has already demonstrated its commitment to setting the standard in hunting knives with rave reviews

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looking to nurture its employees’ skills in emergent fields is being invited to get involved with Group-led Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This aims to ensure businesses aren’t left behind in the ever-evolving marketplace.

years of experience in hand engraving and hand checkering, working for some of the most prestigious names in the London gun trade.

for the quality, performance and presentation. With this new Master Collection of hand engraved blades and hand checkered and finished handles the company is pushing the bar even higher. Each year Salient will offer a different hand engraved motif which will further enhance collectability. Master Collection knives can also feature personalised engraving to mark special occasions, or to complement engraving on a favourite gun or other engraved item, making them the perfect gift for the discerning country sportsman

Salient director Marc Engall said: “Our knives are created through a combination of time-honoured craft skills and precision manufacturing techniques. Inspired by the stunning and ornate craftsmanship that embellishes the finer shotguns, we felt our many clients who are passionate about shooting would appreciate a knife that complements this. We sought out the master craftsmen that helped create these beautiful guns and are now working with them to create knives of a similar calibre that can be equally highly prized pieces and sported with pride in the hunting field.”

The Master Collection knives are created by master craftsmen with

For more information visit www.salientknives.co.uk.

Steve Nicoll,

Director & Business Excellence Coach, The Lean Orange

Leadership Lessons from TV’s Ted Lasso

Like many people, I discovered Ted Lasso during lockdown. For anyone who hasn’t seen the show, Ted is an American Football coach hired to coach an underperforming Premier League football team in England, despite having no knowledge or experience of the game. Everyone expects him to fail, and he is met with animosity and resentment from the team and its fans. However, in the face of adversity, his open-hearted leadership style and relentless optimism eventually wins them over. Ted is a great leader. He is transparent, empathetic, shows compassion to his team members, and takes a bottom-up approach to coaching. Here is my take on some of the lessons we can all learn from Ted’s unique style.

Know your Purpose

Ted’s purpose is to help his players be the best versions of themselves on and off the pitch and he is fully committed to putting their needs first. Leading with clear purpose ignites a passion in those around you and creates an engaged, inspired, and motivated team.

Get to know your people

Ted understands the importance of building relationships across the whole team and makes the time to get to know people on a personal level. Strong relationships that are built on respect and trust are fundamental to creating a highperforming team.

Great ideas can come from anywhere

It’s amazing what you can achieve if you don’t mind who gets the credit. Ted encourages all members of the team to put forward their ideas, which fosters a positive culture and encourages individual and team growth. An organisation where everyone is free to suggest new ways of working and solutions to current problems is rich in innovation.

People create success

The key to success in any organisation is the people. Although Ted doesn’t know much about football, he does know people, and he is able to motivate and inspire his team to succeed. Leaders who take the time to genuinely connect with and care for people will see great things happen.

Be vulnerable

To be vulnerable is to acknowledge that you are human and imperfect. It takes courage to be your authentic self as a leader as traditionally this has been perceived as a weakness. Leaders who show vulnerability can form meaningful connections with colleagues who see them as real person; someone they can relate to, leading to better working relationships and greater productivity.

The little things matter

Sometimes the biggest impacts come from the things we might otherwise consider insignificant. Being able to identify the small things that really matter to people sends out the message that you are listening, and that you value them. It could be something as simple as upgrading to a better brand of coffee in the staff room, or, in Ted’s case, fixing the rubbish shower pressure in the team’s changing room. Ted Lasso reminds us that successful leadership is defined by a set of behaviours that endorse integrity, trust, kindness, selfawareness, effective listening, innovation, strong relationships, and the power of doing the right thing. The show presents inspiring lessons for us all.

You don’t have to have all the answers

We often think that as leaders we should have all the answers, however successful leaders understand the power of asking the right questions. A curious leader will not jump straight in offering their advice or solutions, instead they might ask your opinion, why you feel the way you do and what you would suggest. They help people to become creative thinkers and innovative problem-solvers.

The Lean Orange works with organisations to provide effective leadership coaching. 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

Thinking ThinkingBusiness Business

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The Big Interview

Investment in apprenticeships pays off for Modus Having started their quantity surveying careers as apprentices, Michael Hoggart and Martin Munday both know full well the value of this type of training. The dynamic duo are currently spearheading the expansion of Modus, a thriving Favershambased construction consultancy, and are committed to investing in their staff to achieve further growth.

“I recall my apprenticeship and remember learning so much on the job. You don’t just acquire technical skills; you also learn life skills, such as how to negotiate and communicate effectively.

Martin explains: “We want to grow organically and develop people through apprenticeships. We’ve always had this philosophy since we started the company in 2014. Our aim is to take on at least one apprentice every 12-18 months.”

“There’s a misconception that apprenticeships tend to be suitable only for traditional manual jobs such as bricklaying and plumbing. Not many people know that you can do an apprenticeship in quantity surveying, and this can lead to a range of exciting careers. Martin and I speak regularly in schools and colleges to get that message across to young people.”

Michael, a quantity surveying graduate with nearly 20 years' experience in the industry, adds:

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Their focus on workforce development has been recognised in the wider business community. Modus won the prestigious accolade of Employer of the Year in the Kent Excellence in Business Awards 2021, with the judges making a point of praising the company’s commitment to apprenticeships and other forms of staff training. This commitment helped Modus to record the highest annual turnover in its history in the year to April 2021 – no mean feat when operating in the jaws of a global pandemic. Turnover is expected to have a 20% increase year on year. Martin and Michael are

also aiming to add to their ten-strong team of staff as more work floods in. Modus offers the full spectrum of quantity surveying services including cost management, preparation of bills of quantities, employer’s agent, contract administration, project coordination and monitoring surveying. The company has spread its wings in many sectors including residential development, education, leisure, commercial and healthcare. Martin says: “In the last few years we’ve carved a niche in the healthcare sector. We bid for a fouryear framework contract with the

The Big Interview

We’ve become extremely wellknown in Kent, which is a fantastic place to work and home to a closeknit construction supply chain. Now we want to grow our footprint in other areas, such as Surrey.

Inside Story:

Martin Munday and Michael Hoggart

Favourite food? Martin: Italian, particularly pizza Michael: Turkish. Particularity sitting outside on a warm summer’s day with a cold beer Favourite tipple? Martin: Curious Beer Lager Michael: Bear Island beer and partial to a glass of Rioja

NHS and were successful thanks to our previous experience in this field. “We also do a lot of work with the education sector and have forged good contacts with school academies, which has enabled us to win repeat work. In Kent there’s a lot of private development work going on, predominantly residential, so we’ve been well served by this market too.” During his career, Martin has worked on a wide variety of projects in a range of sectors using different procurement routes and forms of contract. He began his career in the industry as a trainee surveyor in 1999 and ended up meeting Michael in 2002, when they worked for the same company. “I worked my way up the ranks and was promoted to the position of associate,” says Martin. “I worked for this company for about 13 years but by the end of my time there I didn’t feel as though I could progress any further. I thought I could do the job better myself so I founded my own practice in 2013.” By then, Michael had already left to work for a quantity surveying practice in London. He quickly made a string of new connections and was made associate director of the practice in 2012, the same year he became a qualified chartered surveyor. By then he had gained varied experience within a wide range of sectors and procurement routes, undertaking all aspects of quantity surveying, contract administration and employer’s agent roles, and

specialising in high-end residential, affordable residential, local authority and healthcare projects. However, by 2013 Michael fancied a change of direction and ended up joining forces with Martin to launch Modus the following year.

Favourite holiday? Martin: Sorrento, Italy Michael: Safari in South Africa Describe your family life? Martin: Busy, with 4 children under 12 years old, there isn’t much respite Michael: Enjoyable but hectic - with 3 children (2 under 3) and our dog Rufus

“I brought a lot of clients with me and this, along with our combined experience, meant that we started on a strong footing,” says Michael. “From the off we wanted to do things differently to traditional quantity surveying practices by working collaboratively and going above and beyond what clients expected of us. We were keen to build a well-trained, motivated team of professionals who could continuously deliver an outstanding service and sound commercial advice to our clients.”

How do you spend your downtime? Martin: Coaching my sons football team, renovating the family home and playing PS4

Michael and Martin are well on the way to achieving their goal of making Modus the region’s leading independent quantity surveying practice.

Michael: Managing rather than leading. It is something I am actively working on

Martin says: “We’ve become extremely well-known in Kent, which is a fantastic place to work and home to a close-knit construction supply chain. Now we want to grow our footprint in other areas, such as Surrey.

Michael: It feels like a family. All parties in our industry enjoy each other’s company and all work together and create strong relationships

“There’s a shortage of talented quantity surveyors, architects and designers, which is a challenge, but I’m confident that companies like ours can tackle this by banging the drum for the industry. Michael and I are evidence that this is a great career to be involved in.”

Michael: Watching football or any TV or playing one of my various guitars What are your key strengths as a manager? Martin: Being able to read people and understanding their individual characteristics and motivations Michael: Being open and available at all times, whether for business or personal reasons And your limitations? Martin: I get frustrated by peoples lack of self-motivation and drive to develop themselves and their career

Best thing about doing business in the county? Martin: The close relationships that are formed between all factions of the industry

Famous person you’d most like to spend dinner with? Martin: Andy McNab Michael: Liam Gallagher, although I would expect he’d prefer a pub rather than a dinner Most interesting fact about yourself? Martin: I spent three years in the territorial army Michael: I used to be the lead singer and guitarist of a few bands (if you can call them that) when I was younger

Thinking Business

Modus Construction Consultants is an independent, chartered quantity surveying practice based in Faversham, Kent.

We provide professional cost consultancy services to the construction industry, helping both private and public sector clients to reduce financial and contractual risk on their projects. Kent - Surrey - East Sussex - West Sussex

Services: Quantity Surveying Contract Administration Employer's Agent Project Co-ordination Monitoring Surveying Contractor's BoQs

Sectors: Education Healthcare Residential Leisure / Recreation Industrial Commercial

2021 Accolades... Employer of the Year Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA) Best Construction Apprentice South East Construction Awards

01795 500960

www.modusltd.co.uk info@modusltd.co.uk

Key Zone helps traders navigate market risks Key Zone Traders is an online trading education company, offering a risk-focused, realistic and sensible approach to trading, with services to suit all levels of experience and commitment The course material is supported by founder Ross Maxwell’s successful career working within the financial markets in London and Hong Kong. He said: “I worked for more than a decade regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, South African Future Exchange and the Hong Kong Securities Institute. This gave me a deep understanding of the power of risk and money management in financial markets, having traded through some of the most volatile times in history. “Trading involves a high degree of risk and must be approached with care and in a sensible manner. We provide the foundations that successful trading

needs to be built on. We also help with the mindset issues that cripples most aspiring traders and teach actionable techniques to help overcome them. “We promote a risk-focused approach to trading, so that you can learn the right processes and build the necessary skills to be a successful trader in a safe and productive environment. Trading takes hard work and dedication to master. “Everyone will have different aspirations. Whether your goals are to create an additional revenue stream, look to your future or trade full time to replace your income, our methods provide you with the skills needed to take with you through the rest of your life and give you more flexibility and freedom, not just financially but in time as well.” For more information visit keyzonetraders.com

Technology

Blue Strawberry Can Help With Your Social Media Campaign Time is of the essence for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Whether we are talking about a start-up, or established businesses with a website, e-commerce shop, or blog, social media campaigns are vital for professional success. Writing blogs, creating YouTube videos, scheduling posts, selecting the best images, researching hashtags and keywords are all time-consuming endeavors that just need to be done in the quest for increased awareness and sales. There is no way around them if you want to run profitable social media campaigns and earn the loyalty of your customers.

What many business owners do not realise is that Influencers, vloggers, bloggers invest long hours in creating their online presence, increasing their visibility, and ranking higher in searches using original and well-planned social media strategies. So how do you manage to compete against so much activity for your business here in Kent. Blue Strawberry, which is Kent based, is an artificial intelligence software designed to create social media campaigns from existent blog posts, ecommerce and YouTube videos with just a few clicks. All you need to do is feed the URL you want to base your social media campaign on, and the Ai software will take care of the rest. The software will scan the content, create hashtags, and schedule social media posts up to 18 months in advance. Designed exclusively to support entrepreneurs, and small businesses, it reduces the time spent planning social media marketing strategies from several days per week down to a few minutes. Using advanced Ai technology, it allows you to invest energy in running the business and save time and money. Why work more when you can work smarter. Discover how to create clickable content in a matter of minutes and with minimum effort. Visit www.bluestrawberry.app for more details.

Thinking Business

Members News

Shepherd Neame announces new charity partner for 2022 Faversham-based brewery Shepherd Neame has named Kent Wildlife Trust as its charity of the year for 2022.

Based in Sandling, Maidstone, Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is the county’s leading conservation charity. KWT manages more than 80 nature reserves across Kent, ensuring that the landscape is protected and enhanced for wildlife. This year, KWT is preparing for several groundbreaking reintroduction projects in Kent with species such as bison, beavers, chough and pine martens. The organisation is also paving the way for carbon lock-up and native habitat restoration with these nationally important but locally delivered projects which protect threatened land and seascapes across the county. Chief executive Jonathan Neame said: “We always aim to do the

right thing for our communities and the local environment, which is why this year we’re delighted to have KWT as our 2022 Charity of the Year. We’re incredibly excited about working with them to help protect and improve habitats in the countryside, coast and town for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent.

groups and individuals in support of their fundraising activities.

brewery and across its pub estate throughout the next 12 months.

The Sheps Giving committee will be working with Kent Wildlife Trust to organise fundraising and promotional activities at the

For more information visit www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk and www.shepherdneame.co.uk/ sheps-giving

“In addition to raising money for the charity during the year ahead, we also hope that our team members will get involved with some of the many volunteering opportunities on offer across the county.” It is Shepherd Neame’s third charity of the year partnership following the relaunch of its Sheps Giving charitable arm in 2018. The company’s Sheps Giving committee co-ordinates the donation of thousands of pounds worth of beer each year, along with vouchers for its pub and hotel estate, to local

VoIP – ringing in the changes Like it or not, Openreach is committed to switching off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by 2025.

What does this mean? Previously all telephones have been connected to our traditional network, whether it’s on analogue or ISDN, and Openreach has had the unenviable task of trying to maintain an outdated and expensive network of a copper infrastructure that we have all become reliant upon. Moving forward, we’re all going to have to move away from this technology to utilise our internet connections to enable us to make voice calls and retain our telephone numbers (VoIP). Although initially it sounds like a massive inconvenience, the truth is that by adopting this technology we’ll all benefit from a massive array of enhanced services and,

in most cases, cost savings over the traditional technology being used. VoIP enables a “work from anywhere” culture with add-on features that most SMEs just wouldn’t normally be able to afford, along with adding the now popular video calling which has become the norm.

The key is to select the right “platform” with the right provider and with our 16 years’ experience in the telecoms sector, The Ikonix Group has isolated the best products combined with unrivalled customer service to provide the ultimate package. Our solutions come with free built-in “call recording”, “voicemail and voicemail to e-mail”, “auto attendant”, “mobile apps” and lots more. If you’d like to find out more, visit www.ikonix-telecoms.co.uk. Thinking Business

Members News

Communities in line for £150,000 windfall to celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Kent Community Foundation will be one of a network of community foundations distributing the Arts Council England Let’s Create Jubilee Fund. The fund is a £5million programme that will support community and voluntary organisations in England to develop creative and cultural activities as part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June. Organisations will be able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 and

are encouraged to partner with established artists, creatives, and cultural organisations to develop their activities. This will ensure that the jubilee celebrations give people throughout England the chance to experience the best of the country’s culture while celebrating an important milestone in the country’s national history. Josephine McCartney, chief executive of Kent Community Foundation, said: “We’re proud to be administering the jubilee fund across Kent and Medway.

The types of activities that will be funded include music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature, festivals, carnivals, museum and library activities. We look forward to receiving applications for imaginative and innovative celebrations to mark this historic occasion and strengthen cultural involvement and opportunities within local communities.”

Applications opened on January 4 and organisations should apply by visiting www.kentcf.org.uk/ funding/jubilee-fund

Connecting you to knowledge Established in 2006, Canterburybased Think Connect has been investing in its network infrastructure, cloud services and virtual support team ever since, evolving to meet modern businesses’ connectivity and communications needs as a comprehensive managed service provider.

At Think Connect we pride ourselves on being your experts. We have a dynamic and skilled team, well versed in many aspects of digital working, from providing the servers that host your website to helping you set up your business for remote working and, most importantly, keeping your business and data safe online.

with recent technology news and any cyber security alerts you need to know about. We’ll not only help you nurture your digital and cyber security education with regular articles and tips, we’re also here to bridge the gap between your business and the digital landscape so anything you don’t have time to learn, we can cover for you.

In an ever-changing digital landscape, keeping up to date and educated on the latest technology innovations, cyber security news and communications tools seems like a very daunting task, yet for businesses it’s a crucial one. Especially over the past couple of years, where more and more businesses have had to embrace digital sales and communications tools to stay active and accessible even to customers in lockdown, knowing not only how to work efficiently in the digital world, but also how to protect yourself and your business within it has been a challenge many have struggled with.

Partnering with Think Connect will provide connectivity and security solutions for you and your business, as well as keeping you in touch

We connect you and your business to the knowledge you need as we all embrace digital working.

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www.thinkconnect.co.uk

Invicta Linux who? At Invicta Linux the founding partners still work at the coalface, ensuring we are proud of what we deliver. Between us, we have over half a century of experience in the IT industry.

We like to pick out the good bits and think with the right information you are best placed to help us do so. For example, a new iPhone will automatically migrate your environment from your old one. To do so it must read all your personal data, preferences, history and manipulate it. We can’t tell you what’s for the best but we can ask you more clearly what you’d like. We believe your control is your right, not a privilege. We believe in ‘don’t put your hand in the fire’ or ‘don’t step out in front of the car’. We’re not against fires or cars. For example, Dropbox is great, CERN saw Dropbox but couldn’t do a satisfactorily secure deal with them so built their own using Open Source code. If you want your own server, we can supply it. Costs start from a few hundred pounds – and what’s more, you can carry on using it even when the internet is down. We offer alternatives for Office 365, Exchange, Dropbox, VoIP telephony and more. Talk to us about restoring your control, expanding your system or just repurposing your old kit. We’re more than a voice in the cloud. For further information email: hello@invictalinux.co.uk

Cyber Security? It’s essential By Russell Gower-Leech, Cyber Security Manager When you hear ‘cyber security’ you may start to nod off – unless you’re me! But the fact is cyber security is essential for business. Like plumbing or electricity, you don’t think about them much when they are working well. As soon as there’s a leak or a power cut, you want to do something about it. The same goes for cyber security – once you experience a breach or a near-miss you want to make sure you have the right processes and systems in place to deal with it. In the same way you wouldn’t have an office without electric or water, you shouldn’t be running a business without a good cyber security plan. Shift the perspective and think of cyber security as a major utility that your business needs to run successfully. Cyber security is much more than protecting your business from threats and security breaches. More and more, being compliant with recognised cyber security practices and certifications is a necessity and could be the difference between growing your business and losing out on new opportunities.

Insurance: Are you covered? Did you know, you might not be approved for some business insurance unless you have Cyber Essentials? This is becoming a more common requirement by certain providers. Anything your business can do to reduce risk is going to help you get that much needed insurance. Having Cyber Essentials in place could get you that extra layer of protection so if in the worst case you experience a security breach, the insurance will pay out for ransomware and costs incurred from data loss. So, you’re now probably thinking it might be a good idea to get Cyber Essentials. You can start by talking to us about the process. We can help you every step of the way to getting certified with our WorkSafer service. You can call me directly on 01892 830141, or email me rgower-leech@select-technology.co.uk

A good place to start is getting Cyber Essentials certified.

What is Cyber Essentials? When you drive your car, you can trust that it’s safe because each year you go and get that all important MOT. Cyber Essentials is sort of the same but for cyber security. It’s a Government-backed scheme that sets certain technical expectations and standards that you need to adhere to, and pass annually. It makes life easier too, by giving your business a great check list of things that you need to do to make it harder for the “crims” to compromise your organisation.

Why do I need it? Winning new clients (and keeping current ones) A Cyber Essentials certification is becoming a “need to have” requirement as threat levels increase and the continued use of technology grows. For instance, if you want to create partnerships or bid on certain contracts (specifically Government, or any big supermarket), you may find them asking you, “are you Cyber Essentials certified?”. This is becoming more and more of a requirement for suppliers, partners and vendors, so it’s best to stay ahead of the curve. Loss of business If you experience a breach or don’t have the right security processes in place this can result in a loss of trust from your customers. For instance, if a business has been locked out of their systems, this can stop sales processes in their tracks, this is a direct financial loss to your business. Another consideration is, where do those customers go? A competitor! The longer-term financial impact is created by the loss of trust, which is hard and almost impossible to come back from.

Are you one certificate away from winning bigger contracts? We can help you get Cyber Essentials Accredited

Win more clients

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Protect your business

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Thinking Business

Education and Skills

Kent skills trailblazer hits first milestone

24 Thinking Business

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A Kent-based partnership has completed the first part of its task to help develop a blueprint for skills to support the growth of local firms. Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and Further Education partners EKC Group, MidKent College and North Kent College, have joined forces to develop a Local Skills Improvement Programme (LSIP) to tackle the immediate and long-term skills needs of local businesses. In excess of 1,200 businesses actively participated, including the team interviewing 667 business leaders over the telephone to get their views on the day-to-day skills issues being experienced across the county, as well as looking to the future. Kent Invicta worked with key stakeholders such as the South East LEP and Kent County Council, as well as other business organisations such as IoD Kent and FSB. In line with the profile of the Kent economy, the companies interviewed, 92 per cent employed less than nine employees, six per cent had between 50 and 249 employees, with less than two per cent having a larger workforce. The Chamber then hosted a series of industry workshops with partners, with all the companies who responded to the

survey committing to continuing the discussion. Designed to support the whole of the county’s economy, the LSIP has also identified three key sectors – agriculture, construction and engineering – with a shared thread of decarbonisation, as priorities for skills development in Kent. Jo James, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “The responses show skills continue to be a priority issue for businesses and our education providers are committed to responding to the everchanging skills agenda. However, to achieve this we need to know where the gaps are, and at what level, in order to help companies recruit and retain the skilled people they need in order to grow. If we fail to respond, our county’s productivity won’t reach its full potential. “A big thank you must go to all the organisations who partnered with us to reach out to as many local firms as possible. Their feedback will help shape the curriculum delivered by local further education colleges, so ensuring the county’s skills priorities are aligned and businesses across Kent are able to grow.” Partners will be invited to comment on the LSIP in February, before Kent Invicta present the programme to Government. The Kent partnership was appointed by the Government with the aim of influencing the national skills framework which is to be launched later this year. For further information on the LSIP visit: www.kentemployerskillsplan.org

A big thank you must go to all the organisations who partnered with us to reach out to as many local firms as possible. Their feedback will help shape the curriculum delivered by local further education colleges, so ensuring the county’s skills priorities are aligned and businesses across Kent are able to grow.

Thinking Business

Education and Skills

Ashford College expansion gets Government fund backing A major extension to Ashford College has been given Government support, as additional funding was recently announced. The EKC Group’s bid for investment through the Post-16 Capacity Fund has resulted in a financial injection into its Phase 2 project at the Station Road campus. It is the only Kent-based project to be successful in receiving part of the Fund, designed to increase capacity for a growing cohort of students entering Sixth Form and College age.

Efforts to submit a planning application request will now begin.

“This fund is enabling providers like ourselves to futureproof provision and grow it in line with local need. It will ensure that the many thousands of young people we and others can train due to this fund, are able to ‘Level Up’ with new opportunities available to develop outstanding skills that meet local employers’ needs.

EKC Group CEO Graham Razey welcomed the news, saying: “There’s a real and pressing need for additional high quality technical and vocational education places within the community served by our Ashford College.

“Our College Group has a mission to play a leading part in enhancing the social and economic prosperity within the communities we serve, and this fund will enable us to do this for even more people.”

The work will see a new building constructed which will house additional facilities for Information Technology, Engineering and Business courses.

26 Thinking Business

Altogether, the upgrade will allow about 250 additional students to study with Ashford College. The ‘Engineering Hub’ will aim to promote access to the field for females and underrepresented groups and is set to focus on how engineering can create solutions to climate change and decarbonisation. It will be the first building work on the site since the College opened in 2014 as part of Ashford Borough Council’s Big 8 projects.

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This announcement means the delivery of the multi-million extension on the Elwick Road site to support Engineering, Business and IT curriculum provision and expands the capacity of the college to meet the increased demand for educational provision in Ashford. Council leader Gerry Clarkson noted: “This is excellent news for the college, current and future students, and the wider borough as it will enable the next phase of the development of Ashford College to come forward, which is one of the Council’s priorities in our Corporate Plan. “This announcement means the delivery of the multi-million extension on the Elwick Road site to support Engineering, Business and IT curriculum provision and expands the capacity of the college to meet the increased demand for educational provision in Ashford.” Ashford MP Damian Green also added his congratulations, saying: ““It is fantastic to see this investment in building the capacity of Ashford College. “The capacity fund was created to ensure providers that are primed to grow get the opportunity to do so.

“This funding will ensure the college is future proofed and able to deliver a firstclass education for students who attend it as Ashford continues to grow and flourish in the future.” Mr Razey was very grateful for the overwhelming local support the College has received from people and groups across the borough. He said: “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the wonderful support we’ve had from all of the key stakeholders across the Ashford Borough, from the council to the local MP Damian Green, to the wonderful employers here. “This work is absolutely a result of their fantastic partnership work with us and we’re delighted this has come to fruition – we’re very much looking forward to seeing this vision become a reality.”

This excellent news for EKC Group comes just days after the organisation opened a new employability centre down the road from Ashford College.

Its IntoWork business unit will use its new site to teach employability skills to reintroduce unemployed people back into the workplace.

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As a business, ensuring you have the skilled employees you need to grow and flourish is critical. And one way you can do that is through taking on an apprentice. EKC Group works with businesses across East Kent – and beyond – as a trusted provider of apprenticeships. We believe in a collaborative approach to ensuring your business is able to nurture a pipeline of talent. We offer businesses wraparound support, from ensuring you’re able to recruit the right apprentice for your organisation, through to working closely with you to make sure we’re developing the skillsets you’ll need from them. Apprentices are a sure-fire way of adding ambitious employees to your team while adding value to your company, and EKC Group is here to facilitate your apprenticeship success with top quality training and support. Our Group’s EKC WorkHigher team offer a wide range of apprenticeships in a range of courses, that will ensure you and your apprentice will make the most from working together.

BUILDING YOUR APPRENTICESHIP PIPELINE You will be able to build the future of your industry, helping to shape and guide apprentices with your expertise as they switch careers or join the labour market for the first time. Through apprenticeships you can help to grow your own workforce, creating a pipeline of talent to safeguard your business’ future while upskilling your existing staff via apprenticeship training.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU Throughout your apprenticeship journey, our expert EKC WorkHigher team will be on hand to guide you through the entire process of onboarding an apprentice that will add value to your company. We can provide a full recruitment and screening service, help you to access funding and incentives and work in partnership throughout the apprenticeship journey. Part of our support is Collegebased training encapsulating cutting-edge techniques, methods and equipment to boost your company’s knowledge and skill set.

With more than 35 apprenticeship pathways on offer, from leadership and management to horticulture and science, construction and engineering, there’s sure to be a perfect fit for your company. The benefits are so great, we’re certain that after one successful apprenticeship you’ll soon be enquiring after another candidate to join your business. So why delay when you can begin reaping the benefits of an apprentice today? Visit ekcgroup.ac.uk/ekcworkhigher/apprenticeships now to find out more.

Education and Skills

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Get help to go digital to deliver your business vision urges KCC Technology photo created by rawpixel.com - www.freepik.com

Kent’s small businesses are being encouraged to make the most of support on hand to get fit for the online present and future. Digital technology can help firms innovate as well as save time and money As well as developing brand, digital technology can help businesses more efficiently manage the books, build networks, collaborate and expand. The Government’s just-launched Help to Grow: Digital scheme offers eligible businesses up to £5,000 off approved digital accounting software, such as Sage, Intuit and E-crunch, plus various customer management relationship (CMR) systems, to better oversee finances and clientele. There’s also a new Help to Grow: Digital website that offers free practical support around how digital technology can boost business performance, including what software products best meet a firm’s needs. Details on the criteria businesses need to meet to qualify for the software discount, including employing between five and 249 people, can be found at: www.learn-to-grow-your-

business.service.gov.uk/ about#provide For more business advice, contact the Kent and Medway Growth Hub via www.kentandmedwaygrowthhub. org.uk Meanwhile, the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) is running Adapting with Digital and Starting and Succeeding in Business programmes that offer free workshops and one-toone help, as well as a grant of £500-£2000 to spend on online adaptations. You can find out more at: wsxenterprise.co.uk Small businesses, sole traders and freelancers looking to harness creative technologies to innovate can also register for a series of free workshops with the Hi3 Network, whose partners include Creative Folkestone, Canterbury Christ Church University, and Maidstone Television Studios. The sessions show how virtual reality, animation and more can put enterprises ahead of the curve and you can learn more:

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hi3network-are-you-innovationready-tickets-238154425297 According to Federation of Small Businesses’ findings, just 40% of small business owners have used applications such as cloud services and online data storage or back-up. But research reveals companies using CRM systems to manage their sales and customers enjoy an average 18% boost to their productivity. Businesses who adopt digital accounting software to track spending, and automatically raise invoices, also record higher sales – by an average 11%, say the Economic and Social Research Council. Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development Derek Murphy said: “SMEs are a vital part of the Kent economy, contributing jobs and to growth, so it is in all our interests they embrace digital technologies. “However, we know many small businesses don’t feel confident in their own basic online skills.

“So, my message to our start-ups and entrepreneurs is: ‘make the most of all the free advice available. Smarter digital ways of working will help save you time and money, drive your ambition and deliver your vision.’“ Launched by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, Help to Grow: Digital is part of a package of government Innovation Strategy projects designed to help UK businesses expand and thrive. To find out how you can get more, visit Help to Grow page at: GOV.UK.

SMEs are a vital part of the Kent economy, contributing jobs and to growth, so it is in all our interests they embrace digital technologies. Thinking Business

Education and Skills

Cover Feature

Medway Council ARG (Additional Restrictions Grant) Skills and Employment Grants Programme has been designed to benefit businesses and residents in Medway, and support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. eived Medway businesses, we have rec Since the applications opened to ships have nth. More than 50 new apprentice mo ch ea ns tio ca pli ap 30 ly ate approxim tment. ral more in the process of recrui been created and there are seve Apprenticeships have been across various sectors, in industries from hospitality to construction. Our Medway Apprenticeship Advice Service is available to support businesses who have not previously run an apprentice scheme. They can guide businesses through the process from understanding the business need through to recruitment and management. For businesses interested in finding out more about Kickstart Retention, Supported Internship and Supported Employment, we have a number of partners who can help, including Job Centre Plus, Bemix, Forward to Employment and Kent Supported Employment.

Skills and Employment Training Grant The Skills and Employment Training Grant has been created to help businesses fund the staff training they could otherwise not finance. There are three categories of training that businesses based in Medway can apply for: 1. Help to recruit new staff, and training staff to a competency level that meets the needs of the role

2. Helping businesses to retain staff. Providing employees with the necessary skills and development opportunities that will help you be a business of choice that employees want to remain working for 3. Upskill staff. Providing staff with the necessary skills that enable them to continue to be an asset and add value, whilst enabling them to develop, expand their knowledge and gain a greater understanding of your wider business.

To apply, to find out more, or to talk to someone about your business training needs visit: medway.gov.uk/skillsgrants. Please note that all grant applications must be made by 20 February 2022.

Why Employ an Army Reservist? I am an active Army Reservist for 3 PWRR, an infantry battalion based in Rochester, and a Company Director of Sharp Relations, an award-winning F&B Communications agency based near Ashford. What is the Army Reserve? The Army Reserve is a volunteer organisation that supports the regular army in everything they do, it was previously known as the TA or Territorial Army. There are small units dotted around Kent with various roles including engineers, medics, mechanics, logisticians and the infantry. How does it work? Every Wednesday, after a day running a busy media press office for our clients, I swap my open collar shirt for uniform and head straight to Rochester for an evening of training. We might be training on the ranges, working on our personal fitness, planning future activities, understanding briefs about the goals and

activities of the wider army and undertaking other role specific training sessions. It’s not just 3 PWRR, every Wednesday evening all over the country there are small gatherings of volunteers who, in their own time, are seeking to serve their country in this small way. For many, joining the Reserves is about friendship, fun and adventure. There’s relatively little cost to the employer, typically there is an annual training fortnight, which you can choose whether to include in annual leave allowance. Otherwise, the commitments are unlikely to affect your business, being held in evenings or weekends.

What are the benefits of employing a Reservist? As an employer, if I see Army Reservist on a job applicant’s CV, I get excited. It tells me this person is motivated, reliable, driven, eager to learn and challenge themselves. Not only that, they have a higher level of wellbeing, they have diversified their skill-set, shown loyalty and commitment. These driven young people who already have ‘get up and go’ and a desire for selfimprovement, are showing all the markers of being your future managers. As they give up their own time to volunteer they will be learning exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills, from one of the most effective leadership organisations in the UK. All excellent foundations for a dedicated high performing employee. Not to mention huge WHY HAVING loyalty to you and your business forRESERVISTS supporting them to make a dream a reality. IS GOOD FOR YOUR BUSINESS A GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS

The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Army Reserve Infantry Battalion

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International Trade

Survey highlights trading difficulties with the EU

Almost one half of firms polled in a new survey said they faced difficulties trading with the EU under the post-Brexit trade agreement. The survey of 981 businesses carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has thrown sharp focus on the impact the UK-EU trade deal (TCA) is having on UK firms one year on from its implementation. The figures show rises in the proportion of firms reporting difficulties with the various changes to UK-EU trade compared to when the BCC last asked the same questions in January 2021. The BCC has now launched its “TCA – One Year On” report, which explores the experiences of businesses with the new trade relationship over the past year, and ways in which it could be improved in the short, medium and long term. When asked how easy or difficult has it been for your business or supply chain to adapt to changes flowing from the UK-EU TCA across the following areas, the most recent responses were as follows: •

Buying or selling goods: Very/ Relatively Easy – 15%, Very/Relatively Difficult – 45%, Too Early to Say – 9%, N/A – 32%

•

Buying or selling services: Very/Relatively Easy – 14%, Very/ Relatively Difficult – 23%, Too Early to Say – 9%, N/A – 54%

•

Moving people: Very/Relatively Easy – 8%, Very/ Relatively Difficult – 20%, Too Early to Say – 7%, N/A – 64%

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•

Transferring data: Very/Relatively Easy – 17%, Very/ Relatively Difficult – 9%, Too Early to Say – 12%, N/A – 62%

•

Buying or selling services: Very/Relatively Easy – 10%, Very/ Relatively Difficult – 14%, Too Early to Say – 19%, N/A – 58%

UK exporters were more likely than firms overall to report difficulties across these areas. For buying and selling goods, 60% faced difficulties; for buying and selling services, 30%; for moving people, 24%; and for transferring data, 11%.

•

Moving people: Very/Relatively Easy – 8%, Very/Relatively Difficult – 9%, Too Early to Say – 18%, N/A – 65%

•

Transferring data – Question not asked in January survey

These figures showed increases in the proportion of firms reporting difficulties in each area compared to when the BCC last asked the same question in a survey in January 2021: •

Buying or selling goods: Very/Relatively Easy – 10%, Very/ Relatively Difficult – 30%, Too Early to Say – 16%, N/A – 45%

Shevaun Haviland, director general of the BCC, said: “These results, especially when compared to our data from January 2021, give us a strong indication of the experiences on the ground for businesses that are dealing with the changes to the UK-EU trading relationship. While the data does suggest, one year into the

International Trade implementation of the deal, that trade is becoming more difficult rather than smoother, we do believe there are solutions which can improve conditions for our import and export businesses. “These data certainly do illustrate that the issues with the TCA are not teething problems but more structural defects that, whilst fixable, if not attended to will lead to long-term damage to our economy. “Businesses want political leaders on both sides to move on from the debates of the past and find ways to allow them to trade more freely. The government has ambitious goals for the UK export sector, which we share, and if these are to

be met then we must improve the experience of firms trading with our nearest and largest trading partner.” Liam Smyth, managing director of ChamberCustoms, said: “What these figures and our experiences on the front line with ChamberCustoms this year show is that there are several significant and specific issues that must be resolved so that importers and exporters can fully play their part in the recovery from the pandemic. “At ChamberCustoms we work day in and day out with companies to help them navigate the complexities of international trade. We’ve seen a huge demand for our services in relation to trading with the EU since the implementation of the TCA, and we know firsthand what difficulties firms on the ground are facing.

What these figures and our experiences on the front line with ChamberCustoms this year show is that there are several significant and specific issues that must be resolved so that importers and exporters can fully play their part in the recovery from the pandemic. “We need to see the government reach an agreement on VAT cooperation with the EU to reduce the number of UK companies requiring a fiscal intermediary to conduct cross-border trade – similar, for example, to the situation in Norway.

“It would also be advantageous to make agreements with the EU and member states, on widening access for labour mobility and mutual recognition of professional qualifications.”

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Skills

How to push through your fears Frederique Murphy has a three-step plan to push through your fears, get out of your comfort zone and achieve more in business. Wherever you and your business are at, there’s always that next level to step onto. That step always requires a shift in our mindset; breaking through to that higher level involves breaking through fears, insecurities and doubts that come up at those moments. I call this ‘the edge’. The edge can be scary and that fear can keep you from achieving your full potential. Everything you desire, wish for and dream of is outside of your comfort zone. Your best moments are on the other side of your fears. Don’t let these fear moments control your beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. So, here for you are my three scientifically proven strategies to jump into 2022 strong.

Step 1: Accept As you step up and commit to accomplish something you’ve never done before, your brain is naturally responding to this with panic as this is uncharted territory. Take a moment to think about it from the brain’s point of view. Your brain wants to be as efficient as possible and you are asking it to go for something that is new; it simply does not know yet how to respond and support you at that moment. By normalizing it, you’re already moving towards a much calmer brain. You’re facing your fears by letting your brain know that you understand its initial response. Accepting where you are is the key to moving forward to where you want to go.

Step 2: Adopt Next, you want to encourage your brain to hop onboard your vision, thus support that next step. This step lies in this quirky scientific insight: your brain cannot tell the difference between what’s real and what’s imaginary. Mental rehearsal is enabling you to step up your game by boosting your motivation, sustaining your momentum and inspiring you to push through. By imagining that you have already achieved your goal, your brain will believe that you’ve done it before and will ease you in when you do it for real.

happen: behaviour triggers motivation, not the other way around. Acting through your fear leads you to go beyond the edge of your comfort zone. Voilà! There you have the plan: implement these three steps to break through your next level. Accept, adopt and act to rewire your brain for success as you lead beyond the edge and achieve extraordinary results. For more info: www.leadbeyondtheedge.com

Adopting means you’re embracing how your fear symbolizes an imminent jump to a better you.

Step 3: Act This is the most straightforward step, the one that stands between where you are right now and where you want to be to reach your goal. Acting through the fear gives you the upper hand over your brain as you help it cheer you on. That first step is often the scariest, yet you must take it to obtain something different. This leads you to progressing and that progress raises your anticipation of what’s to come, and your brain activates the reward system. By taking action, you’re driven to make even more

Frederique Murphy is a leadership mindset strategist, keynote speaker and author of new book, Lead Beyond The Edge: The Bold Path to Extraordinary Results. She inspires and equips leaders to move through extraordinary change. With her Mountain Moving Mindset platform, as a multi award-winning keynote speaker and consultant, she helps global organisations – including Fortune 500 companies – tap into the power of their leaders’ minds to rewire their brains for success to drive powerful transformations. She brings together 19 years’ experience in corporate change and scientific expertise in positive psychology, neuroscience and behaviour change with strategic vision and business acumen. When Frederique takes to the stage, sparks fly: she is a passionate and charismatic speaker who captivates audiences and awakens the neural paths in their brains.

34 Thinking Business

Cyber Security Awareness Training In 4 Simple Steps

Members News

with a spear phishing attack. Employees need to be trained and remain on their toes with security top of mind. Databox 360 have partnered with KnowBe4 to provide businesses with a platform to better manage the urgent IT security problems of social-engineering, spear-phishing and ransomware attacks. KnowBe4 is the world’s largest Security Awareness Training and Simulated Phishing platform with over tens of thousands of customers. With an exponential increase in the cyber security threats leading to business interruptions, insurance companies are starting to decline coverage or reject claims due to poor security practices.

Employees are the weak link in an organization’s network security. They are frequently exposed to sophisticated phishing and ransomware attacks. In fact, 91% of successful data breaches started

Businesses can strengthen their human firewall by taking the following four steps: 1. Conduct a Baseline Testing Baseline testing to assess the Phish-prone percentage of your users through our free simulated

Celtic and Biogenie relaunch as Englobe Leading specialist remediation contractor Celtic and soil treatment facility operator Biogenie have relaunched after full integration with their Canadian parent company, Englobe. The two UK-based firms will be known as Englobe, combining their UK leading end-to-end contaminated land, soil treatment, engineering, and environmental solutions under the new name.

of Englobe internationally in addition to the continued delivery of excellent service to projects across the UK and Ireland.

Existing and new clients will see no change in the services provided and the internal management structure will remain the same. All current projects will be led by the same dedicated team of experts and executed to clients’ original contract specifications.

Celtic is one of the longest standing and most experienced specialist remediation contractors in the UK with over 30 years of direct experience of solving a wide range of contaminated land problems. Biogenie will continue to provide high quality specialist off-site treatment of contaminated soils and materials at its five treatment facilities across the UK. Both companies will harness the expertise and innovation

Aerial image of Redhill Soil Treatment Facility and Biffa landfill area restoration scheme.

phishing attack. Scores are even benchmarked by industry. 2. Train Your Users - The world's largest library of security awareness training content; including interactive modules, videos, games, posters and newsletters. Automated training campaigns with scheduled reminder emails. 3. Conduct Regular Simulated Phishing Tests - Best-in-class, fully automated simulated phishing attacks, thousands of templates with unlimited usage, and community phishing templates. 4. Real-time Intelligent Reporting Enterprise-strength reporting, showing stats and graphs for both training and phishing, ready for management. Reflects the great ROI! For more information, visit https://databox-360.com/awareness/ Nikhil Kamboj (Founder, Databox 360)

Julia Roberts, Managing Director for Englobe UK said of the announcement: “The renaming of Celtic and Biogenie is the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle for Englobe as we continue to build upon our international experience and reputation in the UK after acquiring Celtic in 2008. Working under one name will enable Englobe to develop and grow by providing the full suite of engineering and environmental services to some of the UK’s most exciting developments.” For further information visit englobecorp.com

How important is it for a company to recycle their used devices?

As more companies have embraced remote or hybrid working conditions, employees are issued with laptops, tablets and smartphones that facilitate their productivity and are tightly integrated into their workflow. But what happens with used company-issued electronics when it is time to upgrade to the next generation of laptops or smartphones for security and reliability? Sustainable cycle-through company-owned devices is not something management can simply be aware of. Reuse and recycling of used devices should be second nature and an integral part of a company’s upgrade procedures. Whilst accelerated digitalisation of everything is becoming a new norm and proves to be crisis-resilient, it is quietly causing a side effect to business as well as consumers can no longer ignore. This is none other than the rapidly growing e-waste rates which unfortunately are only set to break new records. In 2021 alone it was estimated to be 57.4 million tonnes. E-waste is not only damaging to the environment, but it is a wasted opportunity to reuse alreadymined materials to produce new electronics. The more we realise the earth’s resources are finite, the more we understand our role to play in the circular economy. So why hold onto boxes of used devices when you can recoup their value while reaching your corporate sustainability goals? With Compare and Recycle’s corporate recycling service, businesses can rely on secure data erasure and responsible disposal of used devices. Find out more at www.compareandrecycle.co.uk/ business-mobile-phone-recycling

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People vector created by pch.vector - www.freepik.com

Researching the heck out of your market! Marketing is more than just promoting your product or service. It’s all about communication; delivering the right messages to the right people at the right time. First things first, who are the right people? Who are your current customers? Why do they buy from you? Who are your competitors’ customers and why don’t they buy from you instead? On the journey to find the answers to these questions, you’ll often solve business problems along the way, and you’ll identify how to approach the best channels for your targets. Or rather, the channels which will reach the right people.

If you appoint a marketing agency, you can be assured of getting all of this work done by an experienced team, allowing you to continue focusing on the many other aspects of your business.

We’ve being doing this for some time. We’ve worked with bluechip clients and across the entire marketing spectrum. At The Digital Lookout, we deliver experience and knowledge, not templates.

Members News The best thing about digital marketing is that it’s accessible for businesses of all sizes. If you hire the right digital marketing experts, you can manage the cost within any budget. We promise a no-jargon, no nonsense, direct approach. We work with business owners, sales directors and just about anyone who wants to improve their marketing. Together, we find the opportunities in your landscape. For more information visit www.thedigitallookout.co.uk

Only once you’ve done thorough research can you confidently create a marketing strategy with fresh and effective ideas to change behaviour, interact with consumers and drive profits through marketing.

Positive outlook for Discovery Park More than 50 new companies were attracted to a science, technology and innovation park near Sandwich in Kent during 2021.

provider Cummins, which relocated 200 staff from its former base in Thanet, taking 16,500 sq ft of office space.

involved in the study of viruses and zero emission transport, focused on solving some of the most important issues of our time.”

Last year Discovery Park’s property team agreed leases with 53 new arrivals for a total of more than 46,000 sq ft of office and laboratory space at the site in East Kent.

Strong demand for space at Discovery Park is from businesses involved in life sciences, which collectively took more than 10,000 sq ft of laboratories to facilitate expansion.

Recognising the needs of tenants to recruit and retain skilled staff, Discovery Park recently brought together the combined expertise of Canterbury Christ Church University, EKC Group, Pfizer, The Stem Hub, University of Kent and new arrival Cummins, to create the Skills Hub. It will enable tenants to offer further training to their workforce and find new talent to drive their businesses forward.

Mayer Schreiber, chief executive officer at Discovery Park, said: “Despite the COVID lockdowns with many people working from home, we finished the year on a high. “Over the past year we saw a growing demand from innovationbased businesses, especially those in the industrial biotechnology sector, including those focused on the net zero agenda. Each new arrival is eager to work alongside like-minded entrepreneurs, as well as wellestablished companies with access to high-quality laboratories and clusters of professional advisers.” Highlights in 2021 included the arrival of global power solutions

Jane Kennedy, chief business officer at Discovery Park, added: “Our pipeline of enquiries remains strong, with heads of terms agreed with several businesses. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be announcing the arrival of companies

For more information visit www.discovery-park.co.uk.

Lawyer sheds light on unexpected benefits of rejecting an inheritance There has been an inheritance windfall in the UK, with more than 11 million people inheriting money over the past decade. While many will benefit from using their additional wealth, some people choose to give up their inheritance for a variety of reasons. Rich Risino, a senior associate with Kent solicitors’ Furley Page, specialises in inheritance advice. He explained: “There may be times when someone chooses to pass their inheritance entitlement to someone else. Redirecting an inheritance allows an individual to navigate the (sometimes) negative tax and financial repercussions of accepting it, and allows the inheritance to pass directly to their own heirs or to a less financially secure family member. “Changing the way an estate is to be distributed can also ensure that a family member, close friend or significant part of the deceased’s life, who would otherwise miss out, will be fairly provided for.” An individual can choose to voluntarily vary their entitlement to inherit, which gives them the opportunity to decide what entitlement to retain, what to give up and, perhaps most importantly, who to give it up in favour of. Rich concluded: “Giving up an inheritance does have consequences for you and for the estate, and you should seek legal advice before disclaiming or varying your interest so that you are content it is the right decision, and you structure it in the best way.” Furley Page’s private client team can advise on disclaiming or varying an interest in an estate, as well as on the probate process in general, to help you make sure that you are making the best decision and that your choices are clear and legally binding. For further information visit www.furleypage.co.uk Thinking Business

CRM And Marketing Automation For Financial Services And Industries Jason Rainbird, MD, Flowbird Ltd

You don’t get a more influential sector with a more diverse target audience than financial services, and at Flowbird we know that whether you’re in insurance, asset management or commercial banking, your business’ growth and development is dependent on having targeted and relevant marketing.

Marketing Automation And Financial Services Whatever the sector, marketing automation is an essential tactic when it comes to growing your client base, optimising your marketing performance and keeping hold of your customers.

And the real beauty of marketing automation? A good platform will allow you to reach your customers whenever and WHEREver, whether you’re targeting prospects on social media or speaking to clients via a live chat, the adaptive design of marketing automation means that your systems can be mobile-ready - ideal for the customer-on-the-go which, let’s face it, is most of them these days.

If you want to build strong relationships with your customers, build brand confidence and sustain customer loyalty, CRM and marketing automation is essential. But why? CRM And Financial Services Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is just as important to the financial sector as it is for any other business. CRM will help you to manage your customers and their needs in the best way possible, enabling you to come up with the right solutions, quickly. CRM will help you to communicate with your customers in their preferred way, and help you to match them with the right financial products to suit their needs - whether that’s a joint saving account, or a life insurance policy. By being able to track your individual customer data you can get a full view of their financial goals and deliver a personalised service that will build trust and loyalty - and keep them away from the competition! CRM enables your business to give your customers the service they expect, including real-time responses to enquiries, as well as allowing you to track product purchasing trends and discover new engagement opportunities so that you can implement personalised customer experiences. They say that time is money, and CRM is going to save your business buckets of both by keeping repetitive administrative tasks to a minimum, streamlining your processes, and keeping every team member informed of their customers’ needs across the board.

bolster customer confidence and loyalty. Tracking your audience through marketing automation means you can get to know your customers better and meet their needs before they start looking to your competition to do it for them!

At Flowbird we know that timing is everything, and marketing automation means that your email subscribers will receive the right message at exactly the right time and allow you to set reminders for insurance policy renewals or loan payments (for example), saving you and your team time, all while keeping clients engaged and in the loop. Building customer trust and loyalty is always the aim of the game when it comes to getting repeat business, and the financial sector is no exception. Having top-notch, on-brand communication systems in place will build trust in your brand and keep customers coming back for more. Marketing automation means that you can deliver consistently good customer experiences with engaging landing pages, retargeted ads and emails, as well as building personalised loyalty schemes. By having an insight into your customers’ interactions with your business, you’ll receive a complete overview of what they want and need, making it easier to send relevant messages and material - and it’s this personalised service that will

CRM and Marketing Automation systems are only getting more powerful as time goes on, and these platforms are advancing FAST - which is great news if your business is looking to step up its marketing game - the tools are ready and waiting! Flowbird is fast becoming the financial sector’s first choice when it comes to customer retention and effective marketing automation. We can take a look at your current sales process, let you know how it can be improved upon, and consult on the best practice for moving forward. We will help your financial service businesses to grow and thrive, increase customer volume, strengthen customer relationships, and maximise revenue. So get in touch with our expert team today! We can put in place a customised plan jampacked with strategies for every stage of your customers’ journey using marketing automation to ensure that you are generating and converting leads, growing your website traffic and engaging in intelligent marketing.

11th May 2022, Kent Event Centre, Detling

We can’t wait to bring you the atmosphere, excitement and energy of a live event when Business Vision LIVE returns for it’s 15th outing on 11th May 2022.

FREE ENTR Y

Don’t miss out on the countless opportunities for your business, see what you can gain from this FREE one-day event: • Opening Keynote from Ben Thompson, BBC Business Reporter & Presenter • Gain valuable industry insights from the packed programme of inspirational keynotes, practical workshops and interactive roundtables • Meet with 200+ market leading suppliers providing a huge range of products and solutions • Share ideas and best practice with 3000+ other attendees within the Kent Business Community • PLUS the opportunity to win fantastic prizes!

Opening Keynote Ben Thompson, BBC Business Reporter & Presenter

Save the date and secure your free place:

www.businessvisionlive.com @BizVisionLIVE

For information on exhibiting and our new sponsorship packages please get in touch:

Email Emily@revolution-events.com or call 01892 820939 Event Partners

Members News

Brachers sponsors Leeds Castle Concert for the sixth year Two iconic Kent brands will come together once again this summer, as award-winning law firm Brachers is confirmed as headline sponsor of the Leeds Castle Concert for the sixth year. This iconic event takes place on Saturday July 9. The concert returned with a bang last year after a year away due to COVID and the audience loved every minute! John Rigby will be returning as host and conductor. In what will be his twelfth season as artistic director for the Leeds Castle Concert, he’ll be masterfully conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) which for more than seven decades has been at the forefront of musicmaking in the UK. John Rigby said: “I’m thrilled that Brachers is once again joining forces with us to present the 2022 Leeds Castle Concert. Their support over the last six years has been invaluable in being able to bring to the people of Kent an evening of music-making of the very highest calibre and I’m sure that this year will be no exception.” There will soon be an announcement on the exciting selection of performers who will also be taking to the stage in July this year. Joanna Worby, managing partner at Brachers, said: “We are very pleased to return as headline sponsor of the Leeds Castle Concert in 2022. The concert is always a highlight in the county’s events calendar, with last year’s feeling extra special following the pause in 2020. I’m sure this year will be another fantastic evening of celebration and we look forward to enjoying the wonderful music and entertainment.” Join us on Saturday July 9, 2022 for a truly memorable evening. Tickets are currently on sale at the reduced prices of £49 picnic and £59 seated. Purchase ten or more tickets and receive a 10% discount. KICC members can benefit from a 10% discount when using code LCKICC. www.leedscastleconcert.co.uk

40 Thinking Business

Clear Voice launches InPower project Dover-based Clear Voice Interpreting Services witnesses first-hand the heart-breaking stories of migrants and asylum seekers arriving in the UK.

Clear Voice has provided telephone interpreting, face-to-face interpreting and written translation to charities and businesses across the UK for more than ten years. Many of its clients work with vulnerable refugees as they try to find their feet in a new country. Clear Voice believes it is vital that everyone has equal access to services, regardless of their language skills.

pursue employment as professional interpreters. Thirty-seven previously unemployed refugees now work with Clear Voice as freelance interpreters, with a further nine currently undertaking the training. This has helped individuals such as Radil, an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK on Boxing Day 2019, to join the workforce and rebuild their lives.

Given the success to date, Clear Voice intends to expand the InPower Project substantially in 2022. The hope is to train 128 refugees over the year, giving more vulnerable people the chance to resume some normality. For more information about Clear Voice’s language services and how they could help you communicate effectively in more than 200 languages, visit www.clearvoice.org.uk.

As a social enterprise, 100% of Clear Voice’s profits are donated to its parent charity – Migrant Help – directly supporting those affected by displacement and exploitation. Clear Voice wanted to go even further in its support of refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the UK, which is why it launched the InPower Project. The project offers fully funded community interpreting qualifications to refugees, enabling them to

Frost Group supports Kent businesses By Linda Golding, insolvency practitioner at Frost Group

Business is tougher than ever, with so many changeable issues to deal with that are simply out of the control of many businesses. The current pandemic has become increasingly protracted and it is difficult for us to see a return to what used to be normality in the near future. Whilst the government provided financial support at the beginning of the pandemic in the form of furlough funding, bounce back loans, SSP

support, VAT deferral, business rates relief for those in the hospitality and childcare sectors and other grants, these schemes are being reduced or withdrawn completely. The Insolvency and Corporate Governance Act 2020 protected businesses from the use of statutory demands and winding up orders but these restrictions are now being tapered out. Therefore, there will be increasing creditor pressure on troubled businesses, not least because creditors are themselves in a tight financial squeeze. It’s at times like these when it’s best to discuss your business needs with

a specialist adviser to facilitate negotiations with all of your stakeholders, including creditors and employees, to find a way forward that best protects the interests of as many of those involved as possible. Frost Group provides a range of restructuring, refinancing and insolvency options to assist businesses to survive in one form or another. We aim to provide practical bespoke solutions that fit the matter in hand. We believe in ensuring that the most sympathetic answer is provided in troubled times. www.frostgroup.co.uk

5 MARKETING TIPS TO INCREASE SALES IN 2022

Top Tips

By The Digital Lookout Marketing experts What’s the point in marketing if it’s not producing any tangible results? Sales is what it’s all about, right? Making enough sales to turn a decent profit. The goal of marketing is to make sales easier. To have no marketing is like having a boat with no sail. To have no sales, you have no business. Ideally, marketing should align with sales and the two should work together. The Digital Lookout is a marketing agency, but one thing that’s different about us is that we (the two founders) are both from a sales background, so naturally, we work with a sales focus. You may know you need marketing, but in our experience it’s an investment most businesses begrudge, because all too often, you can’t quantify any tangible results from it. It’s all well and good looking pretty on paper, but a pretty face will only get you so far. So, we’re sharing our 5 top tips as to how to approach marketing that will achieve sales;

1. Do your research first

Understanding your marketplace is vital. Too frequently, business decisions are made without any awareness of important consumer habits, trends, or what unmet needs currently exist. Doing your research before reaching into your pocket will save you both time and money.

2. Stop wasting money in the wrong places

You don’t get results from marketing just by throwing money at Google and Facebook or by simply building a flashy new website. By really understanding your market, you can cut out the wheat from the chaff, and spend only what you need, to target the right people in a way that appeals to them, and you’ll then be able to see results, without waste.

3. No one boring is ever remembered (for good reasons)

Again, if you understand your audience, you’ll be able to talk to them in a way they’re receptive to. Marketing should feel like building a relationship. It’s about being entertaining, interesting and memorable. Most companies just bang on about their product or service, which is all well and good but there’s a time and a place.

4. Don’t be blinded by big numbers

Your post got 1 million impressions? That’s all well and good, but what does that mean for you, and more importantly, when will you see sales off the back of it? By reporting on the things that really matter, you can be sure your marketing efforts are bringing in more sales, not just big marketing numbers.

5. Pay attention to the reports and your ROI

Ongoing analysis of your return on investment, allows you to learn what works best and act on that, adapting your efforts for even better return. Be involved in these conversations, it’s your money at the end of the day! So, they’re our top tips for getting your marketing right in 2022.

If you need a hand, feel free to get in touch. From developing websites, to creating content, to nurturing leads and exploring new channels, there’s not much we don’t do.

Thinking Business

Every week we bring you an eclectic mix of information sessions, workshops, panel sessions and training sessions with some of the top local business professionals from an array of different industries. Each event is designed to mirror our face-to-face events, offering invaluable information tailored to our attendee’s wants and needs. So far, we have helped offer over 8,000 attendees throughout our online event programme, offering support and guidance through hardship.

Virtual Business Networking Tuesday 8th February 2022 Creating and Managing Mental Resilience Thursday 10th February 2022 International: INCOTERMS 2020 Revision Tuesday 15th February 2022 Virtual Business Networking Tuesday 22nd February 2022 Decarbonisation Project Wednesday 23rd February 2022 International: Letters of Credit Demystified Thursday 24th February 2022 Annual General Meeting Friday 25th February 2022

Chamber Connections

Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG) Tuesday 1st March 2022

These informal events will give you an opportunity to promote your business and make invaluable connections with local businesses in Kent. ‘Chamber Connections Networking’ is a new networking event, free to both members and non-members. Each month will be in a new location, so to be inclusive of all businesses in Kent.

Virtual Business Networking Tuesday 8th March 2022

Any business, any size, we know and understand the pressures and ambitions your business has. Imagine what you could achieve being part of a local, national and international business community. ‘It is not just who YOU know, its who they know – the power of connections!’ 10:30am - 12:00pm Members: Free to attend | Non-Members: Free to attend

Chamber Connections Networking Thursday 3rd March 2022 Hempstead House Hotel, Sittingbourne

International: Introduction to Export Procedures and Documentation Thursday 10th March 2022 Tour of Turner Contemporary Gallery and Networking Thursday 17th March 2022 Turner Contemporary, Margate Kent Business Leaders Dinner Thursday 17th March 2022 Virtual Business Networking Tuesday 22nd March 2022 Intro. to Import Docs. and Procedures Thursday 24th March 2022

42 Thinking Business

Hosted by members of the KCFG committee, Cheryl Causebrook and Ella Brocklebank, we bring you KCFG Live! The Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG) is a one-stop-shop for local businesses to discuss the future of Kent development, giving companies access to local knowledge, expertise and contracts. KCFG promotes the future role of Kent land development and construction businesses in the growth and development of Kent and its environment. The session will start promptly at 7:30am for a chance to be put into breakout rooms and network with the other attendees. The first Tuesday of every month 7:30am - 9:30am | The Village Hotel, Maidstone KCFG Members: £20.00 + VAT | Non-Members: £30.00 + VAT

INCOTERMS 2020 Revision This course is a complete guide to all eleven recognised INCOTERMS as designed in 2019 and effective from January 2020. Letters of Credit Demystified Take a look at the whole export and import function of Letters of Credit. Introduction to Export Procedures and Documentation This webinar gives a complete description of the documentation requirements. Introduction to Import Documentation and Procedures This course is designed as an introduction to the main documents, terminologies. 9:30am - 1:00pm Members: £56.25 + VAT | Non-Members: £67.50 + VAT

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

Conversation with our guest speaker will be followed by three breakout room sessions where attendees can delve deeper into discussion, or discuss their own topic in more depth. Every other Tuesday | 10:30am - 12:00pm Members: Free to attend | Non-Members: Free to attend

Tour of Turner Contemporary Gallery and Networking Our next physical networking event is certainly not to be missed, as we will embark on a guided tour of Turner Contemporary Gallery, Margate. There will be plenty of networking opportunities, as well as Tea, Coffee and Pastries served in our own private room. During this event you will get to see the exhibitions… The Turner Contemporary Open Sirens - Sophie Von Hellermann and Anne Ryan Tuesday 17th March 2022 | 10:30am - 12:30pm Members: £20.00 + VAT | Non-Members: £25.00 + VAT

Thinking Business

Use your Chamber membership for marketing Izzy PR can help you to reach Chamber members with: • Member News: 250-word story in Thinking Business (£100) • Member Blog: Published on the Chamber website (£100) • Directory listing: Chamber website – to make sure you can be found (£45) • Member 2 Member offer: An advert for the Chamber website to share an exclusive member offer (£95)

£250

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44 Thinking Business

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Members News

GVMS – MAKE SURE YOUR GOODS DON’T MISS THE BOAT As at the 01 January 2022, all freight moving from the European Union to The United Kingdom, via the Short Straits, requires a Good Movement Reference (GMR). Hauliers that have registered for Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) are able to generate a Goods Movement Reference. The GMR is required at the European Border before proceeding to the UK. Apart from various issues

triggers an automatic update of our pre-lodged customs clearance to a definitive import entry. Your shipment can immediately depart the terminal and be on its way to the end destination.

upon inception, GVMS is expected to facilitate efficient movement of goods and improve traffic flow between the two territories.

by the carrier. If it is not a valid GMR, the load is rejected and returned as an error to whoever created the GMR.

A GMR can be generated up to 28 days prior to the journey and is scanned at the European Border

Once the goods arrive at the UK border, CHIEFS/CDS update the goods to ‘arrived’ status which

Hauliers are also required to have a valid GMR for empty movements. Where applicable, in January, easements were allowed by HMRC, to manage traffic flows. Use of the temporary easement is however no longer available with effect from 01 February 2022 and ALL movements will require a GMR at GVMS locations. For all your customs queries, please contact Otentic Customs UK, Your Customs Company on email rod@otenticcustoms.uk

New apartments to replace dilapidated historic building in Ashford; development will record links with former wartime hospital A building in Ashford town centre which has stood derelict for nearly 20 years will be demolished to make way for highquality apartments located a short walk from Ashford International Station, with its 38 minute fast rail connection to central London. The 19th century Swanton House served as an auxiliary military hospital in the First World War, and was later used by Kent County Council’s Social Services. Unfortunately the building was beyond economic reinstatement but, in recognition of its history, a planning condition requires that the developer brings forward details of a scheme to record the site’s local history to Ashford. The building – next to Ashford College in Elwick Road and backing onto the Memorial Gardens – was purchased in 2019 by the development arm of A Better Choice for Property Ltd, an independent private limited residential investment/development company owned by and funded by Ashford Borough Council. A planning application was submitted in June 2020 to demolish the dilapidated building

and build 34 apartments in two blocks. However Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee deferred the application due to concerns as to whether the design was sympathetic enough with the surrounding conservation area.

Now the scheme has been redesigned to be more in keeping with the character of the area, with the flat roofs replaced with pitched roofs. Metal-clad gabled features have been introduced to represent the surrounding 19th century architecture as well as the features on Swanton House itself. The apartments will include a mix of six three-bedroom flats, 24 two-bedroom flats and four one-bedroom flats, all with private balconies and built to a very high specification. 25 of the 27 car

parking spaces will be fitted with electric vehicle charging points.

When the application was resubmitted to the planning committee, A Better Choice for Property said the redesigns had been made to “blend the positive features of the previous scheme to create a positive architectural design that both reflect the ever-changing streetscape of Elwick Road as well as appreciating

the local conservation architecture that the previous Swanton House proudly emphasised”.

A report recommending approval of the plans told councillors that the proposal is considered a ‘contemporary twist’ on the pitched roof of the existing building and would relate the development better to both buildings in the conservation area and the modernist architecture within the vicinity. The applicant had taken a great deal of care on the detailing of the buildings using traditional materials appropriate to the conservation area. “I conclude that the scheme would accord with key policies seeking responsive well-designed buildings and that its benefits outweigh the issue of any harm to the character of the conservation area, especially when taking into account the derelict nature of the existing building,” the report concluded. Resolution to grant planning permission was passed by 11 votes to two, subject to a number of planning conditions, including bringing forward details of a scheme to celebrate the site’s local history to Ashford (including its status as a WWI hospital). Thinking Business

Business News

GOLDEN JUBILEE for ASHFORD AND TENTERDEN SAMARITANS 2022 marks an impressive 50 years of listening by Ashford and Tenterden Samaritans at their Queen Street branch. Samaritans across the UK take over three and a half million calls a year; anyone can need help at any time and Samaritans are there 24/7 to listen and support. During Golden Jubilee year, we aim to increase funds, to encourage more volunteers and raise awareness of the amazing work Samaritans do here in Ashford.

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP: •

Sponsor the plaque to be presented by the mayor - 31st March (£250).

•

Donate a raffle prize.

•

Sponsor a hole for the Golf Day on 13th May - put your banner on the green (£100).

•

Cover costs for a Musical Evening at Godinton House 22nd June (£150).

•

Promote Tea and Talk week (20th June) – a chance to catch up with friends and raise funds.

•

Choose us as your Charity of the Year.

HOW ASHFORD AND TENTERDEN SAMARITANS CAN HELP YOU: One-day training in-house or at Samaritans in London, helping staff look after themselves, those around them and customers by learning to spot signs in others and manage difficult conversations. Wellbeing in the Workplace online course helps staff recognise emotional distress in themselves and others and how to approach someone who is not okay. A visit to talk about our work and share listening skills with your staff. To discuss any of the above, please contact Kate Jamieson on 07810721125 or email ashford@samaritans.org

46 Thinking Business

New hub to strengthen skills The launch of a new partnership will ensure businesses at a life science campus are in the best possible place in Kent to grow their workforce. The owners of Discovery Park, the life science and innovation campus near Sandwich, have brought together the combined expertise of Canterbury Christ Church University, EKC Group, Pfizer, The Stem Hub and University of Kent to create the Skills Hub. This is a way for tenants to offer further training to their workforce and help them find new talent. Jane Kennedy, chief business officer at Discovery Park, said: “Access to skills is critical to improving business productivity and strengthening the Kent economy. The Skills Hub

will connect more than 160 organisations based at Discovery Park with the area’s young people and adults looking to retrain. It will tap into the combined expertise of our partners, including our local further education college groups and universities, and ensure there is a pipeline of talent.” The Skills Hub will help companies navigate the complex landscape of qualifications and career opportunities, from work placements and traineeships to internships, apprenticeships and degrees. It will also promote awareness of the recently created T Levels, which are the equivalent of three A Levels and designed to meet the needs of industry.

“The Skills Hub will make it easier for Industry to access our student and graduate talent and connect with our academic expertise, providing a platform to inspire and support a new generation of skills and initiatives.” Jonathan Smith, director of stakeholder engagement at EKC Group, added: “We’re excited to work in collaboration with our partners to ensure that the Skills Hub serves the needs of businesses at Discovery Park and acts as a catalyst for their continued growth by developing the next generation of skilled employees.” For information visit www.discovery-park.co.uk

Abbie Kempe, head of enterprise and engagement at Canterbury Christ Church University, said:

from left: Pictured are Toby Lucas-Smith (Enterprise & Engagement Manager at CCCU), Abbie Kempe (Head of Enterprise & Engagement at CCCU), Charlotte Goode (Enterprise & Engagement Manager at CCCU), Jonathan Smith (Director of Stakeholder Engagement at EKC), Kimberley Anderson (Skills & Community Manager for Discovery Park) & Karen Wheeler (WorkHigher Business Development Manager at EKC)

Quinn Homes recognised with major industry awards

Quinn Homes has received top industry recognition at the recent Housebuilder Awards and WhatHouse? Awards 2021. At a black tie event at the InterContinental London – The O2, the company won accolades for its Best Refurbishment Project for The Engine Sheds at Hammill Park and Best Community Initiative for Eddington Park & Herne Bay Sports Hub. Quinn Homes was also named joint Small Housebuilder of the Year.

The housebuilding arm of Quinn Estates was also awarded gold in the Best Small Housebuilder category, while its Eddington Park project in Herne Bay also secured Bronze for Best Apartment Scheme at the prestigious WhatHouse? awards ceremony. The Housebuilder Awards recognise the best in the housebuilding industry from design and sustainability to community impact and regeneration. With a heritage of over 40 years, the awards are a highly respected symbol of excellence in and outside of the industry. Having been spun out of one of Kent’s most proactive and innovative mixed-use developers, Quinn Homes is gaining significant industry recognition for its work, particularly in regard to its commitment to supporting local communities and breathing new life into heritage buildings. Mark Quinn, CEO and chairman of Quinn Homes, said: “We’re delighted to have won these

awards, especially as a new brand against such tough competition. To be acknowledged for our ambition, innovation and design, as well as for supporting the communities in which we build, is a huge honour. It drives our team to be the very best we can be and continue to deliver projects to be proud of. A huge thank you to the judging panels and awards organisers for this recognition.” For more information visit https://www.quinn-homes.com/

LtoR - Clare Balding OBE, Mark Quinn (Quinn Homes), Richard Hill (Nicholls and Clarke) and Huw Evans (Quinn Homes)

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New Members

Welcome to our new members Advanta Wealth

Chatham 020 3668 7480 www.advantawealth.co.uk Advising Private Clients on Investments, Retirement, Tax and Mortgages

Antique Revivals UK Ashford 07958 614286 Antique Restoration

Aquaheat Ashford Ltd

Ashford 01797 369253 www.aquaheatashford.co.uk Gas Boiler Installation Specialists

Bee Conservation

Edenbridge 07806 602879 www.beeconservation.org.uk Environmental

Blue Reef UK Ltd

Aylesford 01622 749749 www.bluereef.life Joinery, Event Organising, Skate & Coffee Shop

Boxley Parish Council

Chatham 01634 861237 www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Parish Council

Brimstone Site Investigation Ltd

Rochester 020 7117 2492 www.brimstoneuxo.com Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Experts

CAF Ceramics Ltd

Aylesford 01622 717107 www.cafceramics.co.uk Retail and Trade Supplier of Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles

48 Thinking Business

Citizens Advice Tunbridge Wells & District Tunbridge Wells 01892 354802 www.catwd.org.uk Charity

Coastal Rides Ltd

Glaucoma UK

Ashford 01233 648171 www.glaucoma-association.com Eye Health Charity

Green Business Hub Ltd

Dover 01304 201073 www.coastalrides.com Marine Engineering and Parts Supplier

Sandwich 07768 267515 greenbusinesshub.eco Environmental Business Platform

Coniston Ltd

Green Hub Recycling Ltd

Cortec IT

Heritage Technical Ltd

Canterbury 01227 935816 www.conistonltd.co.uk Construction Wilmington 020 8467 9222 cortecit.co.uk IT Support/IT Managed Services

DURTY Media Ltd

Maidstone 01622 535345 www.durty.co.uk CGI and 3D Video Animation

Expect Logistics

Sheerness 01795 660207 Freight Forwarding & Logistics Solutions Provider

Frost Group Ltd

Bromley 0345 260 0101 frostgroup.co.uk Insolvency Practitioners & Business Advisors

Gillingham Marina Gillingham 07788 216218 Marina

Canterbury 07540 248783 www.greenhubrecycling.co.uk Recycling

Ashford 07711 981359 www.heritagetechnical.co.uk Engineering Related Scientific and Technical Consulting Activities

I Do Marketing Ltd Canterbury 01227 585200 idomarketing.co.uk Marketing

IKONIX Telecoms

Maidstone 01622 843421 www.ikonix-telecoms.co.uk Phone Solutions

Indicator FL Memo

Ashford 01233 438025 www.indicator-flm.co.uk Publishing Business Producing Content about Tax, Accountancy, Financial, Legal, Personnel and H&S

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ISG Ltd

Oliver Davis Homes

J E Therapies Ltd

Qunubu CBD Ltd

Whitstable 07855 007185 www.isgjackson.com Contractor

Folkestone 01303 851969 www.jetherapies.co.uk Therapeutic Counselling to Children, Young People & Adults

Kent Construction Consultants Margate 01843 809109 kcclimited.co.uk Construction Consultancy Specialising in Cost Management, Project Management & Surveying Services

Kingswood Learning and Leisure Ltd Ashford 07584 443364 www.kingswood.co.uk Outdoor Education

MC Personnel Ltd

Gillingham 01634 576111 www.mc-personnel.co.uk Recruitment

Med Concept Ltd

Sandwich 07519 690493 www.telehealth360.co.uk Remote Medical Healthcare

No26 Property Stagers Ashford 07491 138676 Property Stagers

Canterbury 07718 926212 www.oliverdavies.com Property Development

Ashford 07395 296265 qunubucbd.co.uk Health and Wellbeing Products

RIFT Accounting Ltd Ashford 01233 539501 www.riftaccounting.com Accountancy

Road of Change

Chatham 01634 301152 www.roadofchange.co.uk Resilience and Positive Psychology

Roch PR Ltd

Dover 01304 807744 www.rochpr.com Strategic Communications and Public Relations Agency

Salient Knives Ltd

Rochester 07359 060728 www.salientknives.co.uk Manufacture and Sales of Hunting Knives

SAMS Ltd

Connect Seventy6 Building Services Ltd Herne Bay 01227 367411 www.seventy6.co.uk Building Services for Home Extensions, Renovations & Shop Fit-Outs

Smart Office Group

Wrotham 01622 809508 www.smartofficegroup.com Photocopier & Printing Supplier

TAG Trees Ltd

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Thinking Business

Last Word Thalia White Bee Conservation CEO I am the CEO and Founder of Bee Conservation. My background is in sales, leading as a director at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and conducting European sales for Russell Publishing. I grew up in rural Kent and the countryside has always been a big part of my life. I’ve always been fascinated by bees and was driven by my love for the environment in my career. I enjoy beekeeping, horse riding, and spending time with my son. What was your first job and what was the pay packet? I worked for the SmytheOsbourne family on the hunts. I lived in the stable block and had a pay packet of £30 a week! What do you always carry with you to work? A bee suit and my diary. What is the biggest challenge facing your business? Adapting to the challenges of COVID. It’s so much harder not being able to do things in person and keeping momentum up. If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change to help business? I would massively invest in the green energy sector, particularly around making electric cars accessible and affordable. I would also prioritise investing in other green technology and climate solutions. What can you see from your office window? A laurel bush and Edenbridge train station. It’s not a bad view for a home office! If you could do another job what would it be? I wouldn’t want to do anything else! I’m very happy. As a business person, what are your three main qualities? I’m very driven, compassionate, and I make things happen no matter what challenges arise. What was your biggest mistake in business? I don’t feel I’ve made any mistakes, just opportunities to learn from. If anything, it was not having enough faith in myself. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? Go for it. If you feel passionately about something, do it and ride with it. Nothing is perfect but you have to do it anyway. Who do you most admire in business? Elon Musk.

50 Thinking Business

Food manufacturing entrepreneur joins East Malling Trust UK’s fruit research sector and the strengthening of supply chains for fruit growers and food and drink manufacturers.

An entrepreneur at the heart of a revolution in healthy fruitbased snacks has joined the board of East Malling Trust, the charity dedicated to promoting horticultural research. Nimisha Raja is the driving force behind the success of Nim’s Fruit Crisps, the UK’s only manufacturer of air-dried fruit and vegetable crisps. She will bring her industry knowledge to help identify opportunities for the

Movers and Shakers viewed as one of the food sector’s most exciting disruptor brands. The company has tapped into the demand for an alternative to unhealthy snacks that currently dominate the eating habits of adults and children in the UK. Nimisha Raja added: “Advancing research in horticulture is vital for the UK, especially for companies who manufacture and sell fruit and plant-based products.

Oliver Doubleday, chairman of East Malling Trust, said: “The trust has always focused on supporting research that promotes the commercial success of growers. Nimisha’s arrival will help us strengthen the connection between research and growing to secure opportunities for manufacturers to close the loop and bring new fruit-based products to the market.

“Collaboration and more R&D focused towards manufacturers processing fruit could be a new avenue for EMR with the aim that it’s turned into commercial benefits for the trust and its partners at NIAB EMR, as well as for the country’s domestic food manufacturing sector.

“East Malling is synonymous with advances in soft and top fruit production, and we’re delighted to have Nimisha join the board to help us continue our journey.”

“As a trustee I look forward to being a voice for innovative companies using UK-grown fruit and connecting them to future horticultural research supported by East Malling Trust.”

Nim’s Fruit Crisps, which was presented with the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2020, is

For further information visit www.eastmallingtrust.org and www.nimsfruitcrisps.com.

Award winning lawyer, Daniel Tozer returns to head Whitehead Monckton’s Corporate, Commercial and Employment team

The directors and staff are pleased to announce and welcome the appointment of Daniel Tozer as the firm’s new Head of the Corporate, Commercial and Employment team. Daniel originally trained with the firm’s longstanding Head, Janet Goode, before going on to become Head of Corporate at asb law LLP and Knights PLC. Janet, retains a key role in the team but will have more time to expand her ever growing Notarial Practice alongside her corporate work.

Daniel returns to Whitehead Monckton following a seven-year absence during which time he became a Partner at asb law LLP and went on to head the Corporate Finance team and see through a sale of asb law LLP to Knights PLC. His dedication and commitment to his clients saw him awarded the Insider Dealmakers’ South East Corporate Lawyer of the Year in 2020. The firm’s Managing Director, Chris Longden says: - “It is always great to announce the appointment of new talent to our ever-expanding team, but even more so, when the joiner has trained with us. We are eagerly awaiting to see how Daniel will shape and drive the team going forward. We know that Daniel’s

Avante Care & Support welcomes new Director of Care Operations Sarah-Jane Clapson has recently joined Avante Care & Support’s Executive Management Team, as Director of Care Operations. Sarah-Jane, known by many as SJ, has held a series of executive, trustee, and senior positions over the last 30 years. She has a Degree in Nursing and a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Throughout her career SJ has won several Industry Awards and Global Bupa Awards. SJ joins Avante from Bupa Care where she was Head of Outstanding and a Regional Director. Stuart Cross, Managing Director at Avante, said, ‘SJ is passionate about delivering first class care for our residents and service users, encouraging staff to develop their

technical know-how, ambition and business network make him the ideal recruit to lead our team in the future.”

Daniel Tozer, our new head of Corporate, Commercial & Employment says: - “. I always envisaged returning to Whitehead Monckton when the time was right and am delighted that the time has come. Whitehead Monckton has a culture that employees and clients want to be a part of. The CoEmp team is very strong and experienced, and I look forward to building on Janet’s hard work and achievements. It’s an exciting time for us all and I think a journey the team, our clients and contacts will enjoy being a part of. careers, and maximising our use of new technology. She will drive forward our strategy to deliver Good and Outstanding services in line with our Vision - Communities where everyone has a vibrant and fulfilling life.’ Sarah-Jane said, “I am absolutely delighted to join Avante Care and Support and proud to be a part of their exciting future”.

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Thinking Business Kent February 2022

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n The Big Interview with Michael Hoggart and Martin Munday of Modus