Thinking Business Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce June 2019

• OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR KENT INVICTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • June - July 2019 •

Inside:

How businesses can think small to achieve big in the Green Revolution. Page 18

Securing opportunity as Port deals with challenges Doug Bannister Chief Executive, Port of Dover. Page 22

How Industry 4.0 is revolutionising business

UK businesses taking advantage of growth in international markets. Page 38

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Welcome

Welcome & Contents

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Opportunity beckons in an uncertain world

Welcome to the latest edition of Thinking Business, which includes a look at one of the most important and exciting developments to impact on industry for many years.

What is it? Brexit? Exporting?

Emerging markets? Well, yes, all of them are important but our cover feature on page 24 instead shines a light on the emergence of Industry 4.0.

Not heard about it? Or maybe you’ve heard about it but are not quite sure what it is? Well, as our piece says, every so often a development emerges that represents a true industrial revolution and Industry 4.0 is one of them.

Encompassing the emergence of the Internet of Things, the growth of automation and the development of Artificial Intelligence, it is already referred to as ‘the fourth industrial revolution’.

Industry 4.0 improves the way technological systems talk to each other and, for industry, that means creating the ‘smart factory’.

Contents 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12-14 15

News Legal Update Members News Focus on Finance Members News Patron Dinner Patron News Members News Business News

Our Patrons

Jo James

Chief Executive

Driving the transformation is a growing realisation that huge amounts of time and effort is being wasted because too many production and back-office systems are not connected.

Our feature examines the way that technology is changing that and the opportunities it presents for savvy businesses.

Another of our features, to be found on page 16, examines the way that businesses can take advantage of the move towards a low carbon economy. The subject has never had a higher profile and our piece looks at the challenges and opportunities.

Opportunity also features prominently in our Big Interview on page 22 when we talk to the new Chief Executive at the helm of the Port of Dover.

It would be easy to expect to read about a conversation that is dominated by talk of Brexit but for Doug Bannister there are plenty of other initiatives that are interesting him as well.

They lead him to declare that this is a time of great opportunity for the port despite the turmoil surrounding our exit from the EU. Also talking opportunity is the subject of our Person Behind The Business piece on page 33 in an interview which reminds us that technology may be vital to business success but so is the personal touch.

For businessman Nick Brandon and his team, every day is a search for the Wow Factor. Operating in the competitive area of IT and telecommunications, his Kent-based business, tecwork, has grown steadily since Nick founded it and he sees many opportunities ahead, underpinned by a dedication to quality customer service.

It’s a reminder that, even in a time of great change, some things stay the same.

16-18

35 36-37 38-39 40 42-43 45 46-47 48-49 50

21 22-23 24-27 31 32 33

Sector Focus on Environment Economy & US Big Interview Cover Feature Technology 24 Hours with...

Members News The Person behind the Business

Ask the Expert Business News International Trade Chamber Exhibitions Chamber Events Members News Business News New Members Movers & Shakers

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Editorial and General Enquiries

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford Business Point, Waterbrook Avenue, Sevington, Ashford, Kent.

TN24 0LH Chief Executive: Jo James Tel: 01233 503 838 Fax: 01233 503 687 info@kentinvictachamber.co.uk www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk

Published June 2019 © Benham Publishing

Disclaimer

Publisher

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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

Advertising and Features

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Mark Etherington Tel: 0151 236 4141 mark@benhampublishing.com

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. © 2019. 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.

Thinking Business

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News

Royal Patron for Kent charity

A Kent charity set up to honour the men who died in one of the fiercest battles of World War Two has received Royal support.

HR GO secures five-year recruitment deal with Council The HR GO Recruitment team in Ashford

HR GO Recruitment has won a contract to supply temporary agency workers to Ashford Borough Council for the next five years.

The council chose the Ashfordbased national business after a detailed tender process.

The roles cover all essential services such as cleaning, clerical, customer services, community safety, housekeeping, facilities, payments, planning and welfare.

The contract spans 19 different role and pay band categories, with specific jobs ranging from housekeeper to housing options officer, repairs assistant to revenues officer, customer service advisor to civil enforcement officer, administration assistant to arborist.

Cindy Hare, Managing Director of HR GO Recruitment, said: “I am so delighted to be working with Ashford Borough Council.

Our head offices are in the town and we have enjoyed seeing its growth and development over the past few years.

“It has truly become a key business location in the county and much of that is down to the ambitions and achievements of the council.”

Michelle Pecci, Head of HR and Customer Services with Ashford Borough Council, said: “The tendering process was a highly competitive one so we are pleased to be able to welcome experienced local recruitment company HR GO on board.”

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His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO has become Appeal Patron of The Hill 112 Memorial Foundation, which commemorates a crucial victory that helped British forces secure peace in Europe.

The Hill 112 Foundation is continuing the work of the late Albert Figg, from Rough Common, Canterbury, who was a sergeant in the Royal Artillery during the struggle for Hill 112 and was determined to honour his fallen colleagues.

Before his death in 2017 at the age of 97, Albert had worked with the Odon Cote 112 Association in Normandy to establish the site as a ‘Hill of Peace’.

As the Allies moved south after the D-Day landings in 1944, they knew that taking and holding the high ground known as Hill 112, on the outskirts of Caen, was of vital importance.

The battle to take the hill from the Germans took 10 weeks of bitter fighting. After changing hands

The RBLI Let’s Make A Will campaign has secured the support of law firms Brachers, Buss Murton, Cooper Burnett and Girlings and Gullands.

Each of the firms will offer ten free wills to individuals or couples across Kent as part of the initiative, which is linked to the RBLI’s Centenary Village appeal to develop new apartments, homes and community facilities at Aylesford, near Maidstone.

The idea for the initiative came from a conversation between RBLI’s Chief Executive Steve Sherry and one of the charity’s trustees Blair Gulland, Chairman of Maidstonebased Gullands.

several times, Hill 112 came under British control in early August, allowing US forces to strike south and achieve the first major breakthrough of the campaign.

The Earl of Wessex’s support is particularly significant, as the victory was won by men from the 43rd Wessex, 53rd Welsh, 15th Scottish and 11th Armoured Divisions, who took on six crack SS Panzer divisions.

His Royal Highness is a regular visitor to Hill 112 to attend an annual commemoration to mark the sacrifices made by the men of the Wessex Regiment, and is well known to many of the veterans.

He said: “I am pleased as Patron to be able to support the appeal, which will provide a long-term focus for the commemoration, to ensure the battle’s importance is remembered and the story of bravery and sacrifice is passed on to new generations.”

Thanks to Albert Figg’s untiring efforts, the memorial now features a renovated Churchill tank, a statue

and a 25-pounder field gun, along with 112 trees planted in the shape of a Maltese Cross to create four Avenues of Remembrance.

Albert’s daughter Annette, who lives in Canterbury, now chairs the appeal that has been set up to see her father’s dream realised.

The Hill 112 Memorial Foundation is also raising funds to create a viewing platform on the site that will overlook Caen and highlight its strategic importance.

Annette said: “Dad was determined not just to see his fallen comrades remembered but to highlight the horror of war and use his experience to promote peace.

“We are working hard to raise the funds we need and we are thrilled that The Earl of Wessex has agreed to be the Appeal Patron.”

The next fund-raising event is a 75th Anniversary D-Day Ball being held at The Hythe Imperial Hotel on 12 July.

For details see www.75thddayballhythe.co.uk

Lasting legacy thanks to RBLI Let’s Make A Will campaign

Five Kent law firms have signed up to support Royal British Legion Industries’ first legacy campaign in its 100-year history in an effort to promote the importance of having a will, while also offering support to former military personnel and disabled people.

Steve said: “In this, our 100th year, we are looking at how best to leave a legacy for the future generations of veterans and disabled people we support. With more than half of all UK residents not having a will, people also need to think about how best they can leave their own legacy for their families and good causes, which is why we’ve set up the RBLI Let’s Make a Will campaign.

“Every penny donated to RBLI through legacies will go directly to providing crucial care to support severely disabled veterans, as well as those facing homelessness.

“We are really pleased to have been joined by such great legal partners and delighted by their generosity.”

Sue Lidbetter, Legacy Fundraiser at RBLI, said: “Having an up to date will prepared by a solicitor ensures your wishes are respected and can avoid difficult decisions and legal complications for your family.

“Taking part in our Let’s Make A Will campaign allows you to plan for your family and friends’ futures, and at the same time leave a gift to the charities that you care about.”

Members of the public interested in being one of the recipients of a free will through the RBLI Let’s Make A Will campaign should visit www.rbli.co.uk or email legacies@rbli.co.uk

Government calls time on the ‘blame-game’ April the government Ibenannounced that steps are to taken to introduce a new

‘no fault’ divorce system overhauling the current divorce procedure which has been in place since the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

After a lengthy passionate campaign by Resolution, the national organisation of family lawyers committed to nonconfrontational divorce and family problems, and other high profile organisations, this change in the law is most welcome.

The changes will be introduced ‘as soon as parliamentary time allows’ and will apply to both marriages and civil partnerships.

As a result spouses will no longer have to make allegations of unreasonable behaviour or cite adultery against the other spouse.

Currently divorces are granted if it can be proved that the marriage has irretrievably broken down because of one party’s ‘unreasonable behaviour’, adultery, desertion or after a period of separation of at least two, sometimes five years.

If a spouse contests the divorce, such as in the widely reported 2018 case of Mr and Mrs Owens heard in the Supreme Court, then the couple can be faced with having to wait until they have been apart for five years’ separation before a divorce can be commenced.

Mrs Owens, once her husband contested the divorce, failed to satisfy the court that her complaints of her husband’s behaviour were sufficient so she is now forced to delay the

Legal Update

Sarah Finnis, Head of Family Law at Girlings welcomes the new legislation planned to update divorce law and reduce family conflict. divorce until they have been separated for five years.

Effectively this means that she has to delay seeking her application for financial settlement.

The change in the law is seen by many as a positive move to reduce the acrimony often present in divorce proceedings as it abolishes the need to apportion blame. This should reduce tension and avoid an entrenchment of the parties which can escalate legal costs and damage the family dynamic particularly having an impact on the children. It should assist parents to maintain their dignity and work effectively in a new co-parenting arrangement.

The new divorce procedure will not permit parties to obtain a divorce overnight. There will still be a procedure to follow but it will be a procedure that avoids blame and allows some privacy; it should also prevent a spouse feeling trapped. Many believe it will go some way towards preventing wealthy individuals having years to dissipate assets.

Ultimately it should help avoid some of the emotional stress, reducing conflict and legal costs enabling the family to be supported to separate as amicably as possible for the benefit of each party but particularly their children.

Early advice at the time of relationship breakdown is often key to matters being resolved amicably and cost effectively. For further advice ask the expert and contact Sarah.

girlings.com

Sarah Finnis Head of Family Law 01227 367355 sarahfinnis@girlings.com Thinking Business

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Waterloo supports The Big House

Members News

After securing a long lease on an old factory that made mirrors and wooden frames, the Big House Theatre Company relocated to new headquarters in North London with help from a Kent company.

The £300,000 renovation has transformed the building into a facility to support marginalised young people. The newly refurbished building includes performance and rehearsal spaces as well as counselling rooms and offices. Waterloo Air Products plc in Kent was one of the companies to support the charity.

The Big House Theatre Company worked with MALA Building Services Engineers in

London,to plan the refurbishment.

Phase one, which totalled £127,000, is now complete and phase two is under way.

Simon Drake from MALA, a design-led practice based in London, said: “Like other businesses, MALA did not charge.

We carried out a fair bit of work, including heating, plumbing and ventilation. It was rewarding to be involved and I’ve since been to a couple of the theatre shows, which were brilliant.”

Steve Skillett, specialist sales manager at Waterloo, worked with MALA to ensure products met with their specification and were delivered on time. He said: “When MALA told us about The Big House, we were really happy to get involved.

Being part of projects like The Big House is important to us.”

To match with the building’s rustic style, both Waterloo’s double deflection grilles and eggcrate grilles were installed.

Arran Sewell, partnerships and communications coordinator at The Big House, said: “We could not have completed the first phase without help from all the businesses who supported us.

The charity means so much to the people it works with and we wanted to give them something special. We are about inspiring youngsters and in a place like this, we can do it. We’re so proud of our new home and we’d like to thank everyone, including Waterloo, for their kindness.”

Kent based agency Keeping businesses safe online The statistics could not be clearer: cyber crime is posing an named in UK ever-increasing threat to both big and small organisations. award category

On Thursday 11th April, representatives from the Folkestone based agency Sleeping Giant Media went to London for the CIM Awards, which recognise marketing excellence.

Sleeping Giant Media were named as finalists in the Agency of the Year category, recognising agencies that have had an unrivalled year and are able to showcase success across strategy, insight and creativity when delivering for clients.

They were up against nine other leading agencies from across the UK with an array of marketing specialisms.

Despite not taking the award home, Luke Quilter, CEO of Sleeping Giant Media, was proud to be recognised at this level:

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He said: “It is such an honour to be recognised at such a prestigious award and something that we are all very proud of even if we didn’t win.”

Managing Director Anthony Klokkou said: “It’s a real honour to be recognised for all the hard work we do, and what an awesome opportunity to put a Kent based agency on the map.”

The agency recently celebrated its tenth year in business, taking its staff to Ibiza for a long weekend to celebrate all their hard work.

About 40% of national businesses have been the victims of a cyber security breach or attack during the past year and, at the rate threats are proliferating, online misconduct is looking to incur a combined global cost of over £4.5 trillion by 2021.

It is, therefore, unsurprising that, according to recent findings by the UK government, cyber crime presents one of the greatest threats to national interests.

This harrowing phenomenon has forced organisations to invest more of their financial resources into protecting themselves and their assets against potential cyber threats. In some cases, this works out to be up to 20 – 40% of their IT budget.

So how, many are asking, can businesses protect themselves from harmful online activity?

The team at Cyber Engineers is convinced that one of the principle ways of mitigating the evolving, global cyber threat is by ensuring that staff are properly equipped with the correct tools and knowledge. Especially since the world is in urgent need of a greater number of cyber security professionals.

Figures state that a minimum of three million more experts will be

required by 2029 in order to effectively fight against cyber crime.

As part of their unceasing commitment to promoting a safer and more ethical digital space, Cyber Engineers’ team of IT security professionals, certified ethical hackers and expert trainers offer a comprehensive range of cyber security services for every organisation.

Gloria Opara is CEO of Cyber Engineers.

Future proofing your business

Focus on Finance

Many business owners would have been shocked to hear of the untimely death of a global law firm chairman who was in his early 50s and no doubt made some wonder what would happen if they were suddenly unable to run their business.

By Nigel Kimber, McBrides Chartered Accountants

It certainly makes sense to have a plan in place – a living will if you like – which sets out what should happen in such an event.

This could simply detail the key information about your business, which would enable someone else to step in and oversee it. It would include details regarding your bank, professional advisers and IT support providers and hold key documents such as insurance policies, renewal dates, your business plan, important customers/clients and payroll details.

Alternatively, it could be a more comprehensive document, which assigns responsibilities to named individuals.

In either case, you should ensure the document is regularly reviewed as part of good business continuity planning.

An often-overlooked ‘must do’ is to appoint a lasting power of attorney (LPA) – someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make decisions for yourself in the future.

LPAs can cover personal welfare as well as property and financial affairs and enables a named individual to write cheques and pay bills, sell or rent out property, carry out trade or business activities, honour any contractual obligations, and conduct any legal proceedings on your behalf.

You can arrange for a LPA if you're aged 18 or older and have the mental ability to make financial, property and medical decisions for yourself. Many people will appoint a LPA while reviewing or revising their will and usually with the help of a solicitor. However, you can also apply online via www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney.

Your attorney also needs to be 18 years old or over and could be your spouse or partner, a relative, friend or a professional. They do not need to live in the UK or be a British citizen and they should be someone you trust to make decisions in your best interest and whom you believe will manage your finances and/or business well.

You may want to appoint more than one attorney – perhaps one focused on family matters and another on business matters. You need to decide if they can make decisions separately, also known as ‘joint and severally’ or if they’ll make them together (‘jointly’) and so need to agree every decision.

LPAs can be cancelled at any time, but you must have the mental capacity to make that decision.

It’s good to know that the Court of Protection can cancel a LPA if an attorney isn't acting in a person's best interests and is making excessive ‘gifts’ to themselves or others.

It’s certainly worth thinking about how your business would survive without you and even better if you can put something in place for that possibility. It would certainly give you, your loved ones and business stakeholders more peace of mind should they have to face that (hopefully unlikely) situation.

• If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this article, please contact Nigel Kimber at McBrides Chartered Accountants on 020 8309 0011 or nigel.kimber@mcbrides.co.uk

fully understand both my business “ they and my aims for myself and my companies.

As such, they are an integral and vital component of our planning strategy

”

MCBRIDES CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Trusted advisers always ready to help mcbridesllp.com

Thinking Business

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Kent Space has exceptional office suites ranging from 2-10 people, meeting rooms and coffee break areas.

A modern design, it is built to the highest standard with a use of natural light and open plan reception areas.

What’s included?

All the offices are fully furnished and offer 24/7 access, full climate control,

allocated parking. CCTV and much more. There is also a range of additional extras including Catering, Secretarial services and Business Self Storage. All supported by high-speed 100 MB internet and state of the art keyless security systems.

Serviced offices allow businesses the opportunity to expand and exploit facilities only available in a collective space.

For viewings, please call us on 01233 22 22 33 (Ashford), 01634 67 33 07 (Chatham) or 01474 555 300 (Ebbsfleet) or visit our website at www.kentspace.co.uk

{Artist sketch of Ebbsfleet}

DIRECTORS AND INSOLVENCY - PEERING THROUGH THE TWILIGHT The last few years have been among the most uncertain in recent memory for business and with an uncertain outlook, directors must be ever more mindful of the duties owed to the companies they serve, and the manner in which they exercise their powers.

While no director can ever act as a director without risk of incurring liability or inviting scrutiny, especially when approaching insolvency, directors can take certain steps to mitigate the risks facing them.

The Companies Act 2006 (Act) contains a fairly detailed breakdown of directors’ duties and the matters to which directors should have regard in making decisions. The Act is therefore a very helpful source of reference. The duties contained in the Act are not comprehensive, and directors will always need to exercise some judgement.

As a company verges on insolvency, directors must consider further responsibilities arising. For example, they must be careful not to trade while insolvent, while at the same time attempting to pacify any number of creditors. They must not give preferential treatment to one or more creditors as compared with the creditors as a whole, perhaps by paying one creditor to avoid a director’s personal guarantee being enforced. Rather, directors should consider the interests of all creditors in terms of what can be paid back and when.

Directors should ensure that they always remain aware of their further duties and responsibilities, not only those contained in the Act. They may be subject to specifically targeted responsibilities or indeed limitations on their powers as contained in the company’s constitution or in financing documents or other contracts.

Directors should meet regularly and keep detailed minutes of points discussed, including dissenting views.

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Thinking Business

In so doing, a proper record can be maintained of the directors’ thought processes. At board meetings, the directors should consider the potential impact of decisions on various factors such as employees, creditors, shareholders and even the environment, to name a few.

Directors must remain aware of the company’s financial position, and maintain accurate and up to date financial records, proper management accounts and cash flow projections. While keeping a keen eye on financial performance, directors should review affairs regularly to ensure best practice, identify potential savings and be better equipped to react to changing circumstances.

Financial facilities should be reviewed regularly. Is the company getting best value, and is it complying with its funders’ requirements? Are there more appropriate alternative sources of finance available, either more flexible or less expensive.

In addition to arranging general commercial insurance, directors may consider taking out insurance to protect their own liability i.e. directors’ and officers’ insurance. Having such a policy will not prevent problems from occurring, but can manage exposure and focus minds on the risks that the directors face.

Even though there is no magic wand to protect directors in all circumstances, by following steps such as those outlined above, directors will stand a better chance of understanding their responsibilities and avoiding getting into trouble. When concerned about their responsibilities, in particular during difficult trading conditions, directors should consider taking appropriate professional advice on legal issues, solvency or financial performance. Early action may help prevent much larger problems later on.

For further information on this or other corporate & commercial matters please contact Harry Bowden on 01689 887869 or email him at harry.bowden@cwj.co.uk For further information on the range of legal services we provide please visit

www.cwj.co.uk

Viva La Revolution!

Kent-based event management company Revolution Events celebrated 20 years in business just before the Easter break, with al fresco fizz and a team meal at the Poacher & Partridge pub.

Revolution is well-known for organising the long-running Business Vision LIVE and Kent Construction Expo events but until 2011 the company had worked with very few local clients, despite always being based in Kent.

The business was started in 1999 by owners Nick Litton and Rich Tribe, who had already worked together for six years as directors of the Interactive Group, a trail-blazer in the IT events space, who almost singlehandedly invented the seminardriven exhibition format that has become ubiquitous in many markets.

When that company was sold to a US private equity vehicle, Rich and Nick decided to take what they had learned to start a venture of their

own, this time surfing the wave of the dot-com boom and the emerging world of e-business.

In their first year, Revolution launched and ran ten own brand eWorld events for specific industry sectors, explaining how the principles of e-business could be applied to sectors such as finance, manufacturing, government and many more – and went on to organise thirty more the following year, including bespoke projects for high-tech clients such as Microsoft and Sage Software.

Operating from offices at the castle end of Tonbridge High Street for the first ten years, the company organised a wide portfolio of niche events in London, Birmingham

Improved housing a focus for Dan

Local architect Dan Codrea has joined Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce with a vision to promote sustainable architecture, in particular independent and assisted living communities in the area.

A fully qualified chartered architect and managing director of DC Architecture Ltd, Dan believes that ‘there is a great need for independent and assisted living accommodation communities - even the Government is crying out for it’.

According to the Nuffield Trust, the ageing population means NHS care is expected to increase, because of longer life expectancy and the rising cost of treatments. NHS costs increased by £11bn from 2011/12 to 2016/17. In Kent, the number of people aged 65 and over is forecast to increase by 57.5% between 2016 and 2036.

A recent study from Lancaster University found that elderly people living in adequate communities are more active, less anxious and were ‘never or hardly ever’ lonely.

The residents’ improved physical and mental health also leads to cost savings for the NHS. Dan said: “The NHS is virtually not coping with elderly people who end

up in hospital. Even if they’re actually well, sometimes they can’t return home because nobody can look after them or their homes can’t be adjusted for home care. The Government is beginning to focus on home care, but for that you need suitable accommodation.”

Dan has 35 years of experience working for architecture firms in London and Germany, specialising in sustainable residential and commercial projects. He established DC Architecture Ltd. as an independent practice in 2016.

He has had the idea to work on a project tackling not only this specific housing need for a ‘long, long time’, but also to regenerate the sustainable building industry in the South East.

Dan said: “I have a concept that I would like to discuss with developers.

It’s an important project and people really need retirement homes. The ageing population and its strain on the NHS can be sorted if the right accommodation is built properly.”

and other European capitals (and even as far away as Thailand), establishing a core expertise in areas such as Procurement and Information Management before becoming a key strategic partner for John Prescott’s Department of Communities & Local Government, helping to deliver the Local e-Gov agenda.

Having reached full capacity at its Tonbridge offices, Revolution started a new chapter when it bought a derelict farm building (together with nearly fifty acres of farmland) at auction in 2007, with a plan to convert the building to offices and relocate its team to the idyllic Kent countryside between Pembury and Colts Hill. Hawkwell Barn is now

Members News

home to four other local companies, as well as Revolution’s team of twenty event specialists.

The next major development happened in 2011 when Revolution were asked by BSK-CiC and Kent County Council to take over the organisation of the popular Kent 2020 Vision exhibition (now Business Vision LIVE).

Revolution now organise all three of the county’s largest business events: Business Vision LIVE (which they now own), The Education People Show (for Kent County Council) and most recently Kent Construction Expo (for Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce).

Law firm appoints new head of Property Dispute Resolution

Kent-based law firm Furley Page has appointed a new head of Property Dispute Resolution.

(L-R) David Hall and Jeremy Ferris Partner Jeremy Ferris takes over the team following the retirement of Consultant David Hall after nearly 40 years with the firm.

Jeremy is recognised by legal guides Chambers UK and The Legal 500 for his expertise in Dispute Resolution.

Peter Hawkes, Senior Partner and Head of the Dispute Resolution team

at Furley Page, said: “Jeremy is an outstanding lawyer and his background as a Chartered Surveyor gives him particular expertise in resolving property disputes. I am confident he will ensure that our business continues to go from strength to strength.

“David Hall is an exemplary professional and it has been my pleasure to work with him for many years.”

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Patron News

Kent Business Leaders Dinner held at AC Goatham & Son in May

Kent Invicta Chamber Patrons, along with invited guests, attended the latest Kent Business Leaders Dinner in May.

Host Carol Ford, AC Goatham & Son with her table of guests and fellow directors.

The event was hosted by KICC Patron AC Goatham & Son, one of the UK’s leading fruit growers and was staged in ‘The Village Hall’, a purpose built event space at Flanders Farm, near Rochester.

Guests were treated to a fascinating tour of the state-of-theart processing areas of the Farm before dinner.

Tudor Price, Deputy Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber, welcomed dinner guests and keynote speaker Alex Stojanovic, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government, the leading independent think tank working to make government more effective

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by providing rigorous research, analysis and topical commentary on the key challenges facing government. Alex helped guests make sense of the turmoil that currently surrounds Westminster, the various Brexit pathways under consideration, and their potential outcomes.

Over 60 guests enjoyed an evening of good food, provided by local caterers Invicta Food Design, and engaging conversation. A lovely meal was accompanied by wine, apple juice and cider from Kent based Biddenden Vineyards.

Photography: Ali Kittermaster

Tudor Price, Deputy Chief Executive, welcomes guests

Speaker Alex Stojanovic, Institute For Government

Details of the next Kent Business Leaders Dinner are available from morag@kentinvictachamber.co.uk

Chris Hare, MidKent College

David Armstrong, Towergate Insurance Brokers

David Gurton, Caxtons Chartered Suryeors

Host Carol Ford, AC Goatham & Son with Julian Barnes, Biddenden Vineyards

Jackie Fotheringham, University of Kent

Nathan Anthony, Lee Evans Partnership

Roddy Barrow, HRGO plc

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Jo Nolan, One Ashford Hospital

Duncan Cochrane-Dyet, MHA MacIntyre Hudson

Joanna Worby, Brachers

A new look reflecting global capabilities

Patron News

Alyson Howard Partner Alyson.howard@mhllp.co.uk 03330 100 220

The brand alignment emphasises MHA MacIntyre Hudson’s ability to service clients conducting business overseas, and closer collaboration with the global network will support growth at a firm and network level. MHA MacIntyre Hudson has been the UK member of Baker Tilly International since 2014.

The brand refresh includes the use of the Baker Tilly International ethos ‘Now, for tomorrow’, encapsulating a commitment to make a difference to the futures of clients, employees, communities and the accountancy profession by staying adaptable and ensuring it maintains, protects and builds on its collaborative approach and great relationships.

MHA MacIntyre Hudson recently adopted the brand identity and ethos of Baker Tilly International, the top-10 global accountancy network with 126 members firms. brings international expertise and support for MHA MacIntyre Hudson clients with overseas operations, or who are looking to expand into new territories or relocate.

Amid the current Brexit uncertainties, international expertise is invaluable. Our work with clients across industry sectors highlights an optimism and appetite to grow internationally.

We are in a strong position to support clients in achieving their plans. Closer national and international alignment will play an essential role in the next phase of our strategy for growth, creating further opportunities for our clients and team to prosper.

about building strong, supportive partnerships that help our clients to achieve sustainable growth.

Our roots in the owner-managed business community have helped us to develop a deep understanding of the UK’s vital small and medium business (SME) sector. Today, we are using that expertise and insight to also offer a full range of financial and business strategy services to larger and multinational organisations.

We are proud of our personal and responsive approach, which we believe is the key to building successful relationships that

Having tomorrow’s conversations, today…

enable our clients to achieve their business goals. Whether your business needs a growth strategy, advice on acquisition or sales, guidance on the complexities of incorporation or flotation, compliance or tax, MHA MacIntyre Hudson can help you seize the initiative.

At MHA MacIntyre Hudson, we aim to combine our years of experience and knowledge with the right support and understanding for your business, helping to secure success both now, and tomorrow.

Offices in Canterbury and Maidstone

In a disrupted world where change is the only constant, great relationships are more important than ever. At MHA MacIntyre Hudson, we are passionate

Long-established Recruiter gears up for exciting new future Membership of Baker Tilly’s International global network

Sarah Mitchell explains her vision for the future after her recent appointment as director of RHL Recruitment in Ashford, part of Kent Invicta Patron, HR GO plc.

Professional and technical recruitment has never been more challenging.

Finding the best talent to fill these demanding roles is vital to the success of every business in the South East.

With low unemployment rates, recruiters need to be innovative and fleet-of-foot to meet the rapidly changing needs of clients and candidates.

For more than 40 years, RHL has been doing just that supplying talented people to many technical sectors, from automotive to pharmaceutical, oil and gas to engineering, healthcare to manufacturing.

In more recent times, we have developed expertise in filling hi-tech roles in the fast-moving renewables and autonomous vehicle.

Having recently joined RHL, I’m looking to take the organisation in fresh directions, extending our services and growing our offering to clients and candidates alike.

RHL Recruitment has so many opportunities in the digital era.

We have embarked on a period of transformation, inspired by my desire to position the company as a leader in professional, technical and executive recruitment. We need to be proactive, to seek out and, where necessary, develop talent.

In my previous role as managing director at an education recruitment consultancy, a sector with a high demand for experienced and skilled talent, I set out the strategy and goals that would attract and develop that talent. I learned that the absolute priority is delivering exceptional customer service to

clients and candidates, and I’ll be bringing this experience to bear in my role at RHL. Step one in our transformation is a re-branding exercise to bring our image bang up to date for the digital age. We’ve launched a new website with clearer focus on our specialist sectors and a play-onwords campaign based around values: “What does RHL stand for?”

We’ve come up with some ideas, such as respectful, responsive, reliable; helpful, honest, hiring; leaders, loyal, logical, and we’re inviting people to contribute to the discussion on social media.

Everything we do will seek to build on the company’s proud heritage that began in Dartford in 1957. Twenty years later, in 1977, RHL became one of the first joint ventures established

by Jack Parkinson (now executive chairman) as part of the growth of his family-owned business and services group HR GO plc.

The Ashford-based HR GO group now has more than 40 offices, including in Australia and Poland, and turnover close to £90 million.

Service excellence of course is much more than a re-branding exercise. Let us prove it to you.

Further information at www.rhl.co.uk

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Members News

Providing you with a complete document solution

At SMB Records Management centre, we take the security of your documents seriously, with fully-integrated CCTV and alarm systems which cover the complete site externally and internally.

We are a team of caring individuals who truly understand about records management. With more than 20 years of experience, we have the ability and experience to provide innovative and tailored solutions.

We are a growing family-run business servicing document storage and secure destruction and digital scanning for Maidstone, Chatham, Gravesend, and surrounding areas.

We can assist you in the management of your hard copy documentation and provide a service to fit your needs.

Our rates are very competitive for both the smaller business with quantities under 200 boxes to store but also for larger customers, too.

SMB Records Management, which is located in West Malling, specialises in secure document storage and confidential destruction of paper, IT and WEEE equipment and digital

Disputes Conflicts, failure to agree Not all business runs smoothly – disputes inevitably occur.

These can be costly, sour long term relationships and impact future profitability.

So it’s important to resolve them as effectively as possible.

Whitehead Monckton’s Dispute Resolution team can provide you with expert advice and strategies to resolve your business disputes. Ranked in Chambers and Legal 500, we have an enviable track record - achieving excellent agreements whilst preserving future relationships.

Take the first important step before the gloves really come off – contact us today on

Tel: 01622 698047 E-mail enquiries@whitehead-monckton.co.uk www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk

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.

TB 05/19

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scanning. We are aiming at the small to medium businesses but can also manage large businesses, too.

We have a unique pricing structure for storage, helping the utilisation of off-site document storage for smaller businesses, giving muchneeded space back in their offices and helping them reduce their costs.

Our destruction service is able to cover most of the UK and Scotland and we can supply bespoke services that suit your business. We also carry out a digital scanning for those that want to move across to digital storage.

SixPorts showcase their cuttingedge UX and UI solutions at Business Vision Live

Custom app developer SixPorts, part of PageSuite, attended Business Vision Live, held in Kent’s Event Centre in mid-May. Returning for a 15th year, this annual event draws together more than 3,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors every year. Its aim is to create new customer, supplier and partner relationships to improve businesses.

SixPorts were exhibiting among more than 200 exhibitors from a wide range of sectors. SixPorts showcased their custom app development software and innovative mobile and tablet solutions.

Ross Murphy, CEO, SixPorts, said: “We are in the middle of a technological revolution that is already transforming how we live and connect today. There’s a lot more to come as the full potential of the internet of things is realised and SixPorts intends to play a full part in that. This may be a challenging time for all sectors of business, but it’s also a time of great opportunity.”

VooServers sets sights on US expansion

UK IT infrastructure company VooServers has announced the launch of its new New York-based subsidiary, Vinters Corp.

In April 2018, VooServers launched its sister company, VintersIT, which delivers highly responsive managed IT services. One year on, the launch of Vinters Corp marks an extension of this existing brand.

VooServers has built a successful presence in the US with data centres in New York City and Seattle supporting U.K. firms with operations Stateside. With the new company it hopes to expand its server capability into new locations such as Portland and New Jersey, in partnership with their US data centre partner.

VooServers currently uses

sub-contractors for technical work throughout their US operations, but the launch of the new brand provides the opportunity for them to develop their US team. The initial focus will be on winning new business across New York state with Texas, California and Florida also on their radar for future growth.

Matt Parkinson, VooServers founder and Technical Director, said: “We are really excited about our new US venture, Vinters Corp.

It’s a great opportunity to expand our client base, both in New York and in the wider US.”

Approval for plans to bring new life to seaside site A redevelopment scheme designed by Canterbury’s Clague Architects for a key derelict town centre site has been given the go ahead by planners.

The plans developed for Canterbury City Council will see underused car parks and derelict buildings and warehouses in the centre of Herne Bay make way for 33 new homes, a new shop, two new workshop / studio spaces, along with 25 car parking spaces and improvements to public areas.

The proposals for Beach Street were approved by the council’s Development Control Committee.

The existing buildings making way for the new development include the former Tivoli shop unit at 73 Central

Parade, while number 74 Central Parade which occupies half of a symmetrical pair of bow-fronted Regency townhouses but is in a very poor state of repair, is to be demolished and replaced with a replica building, matching its neighbour once again.

Mayler Colloton, Partner at Clague Architects, said: “Beach Street carpark lies at the heart of Herne Bay. The existing buildings on site are generally derelict and in a very poor state of repair, particularly the Tivoli which is a later infill building

and detracts from the Conservation Area and Central Parade.

“The design of this new development for Canterbury City Council has been undertaken with great care to ensure it fits into the scale and textures of the built context and enhances this part of Herne Bay, introducing much needed new homes & businesses.

“The proposed infill building on Central Parade replacing the derelict Tivoli building will, in particular, serve to repair this damaged but very important part of the Conservation Area .”

Planning regime changes ‘offer opportunities’

Changes to the planning system will protect local employment and ensure that homes converted from offices in town centres are of the right quality, according to Hobbs Parker Property Consultants, a leading Ashford-based planning consultancy.

Having consulted on the issue and driven by the need to protect employment in town centres and increase the delivery of new homes, the Government first implemented Permitted Development Rights (PDR) to make it relatively simple to convert office space into residential accommodation.

The Government is now expected to introduce changes to PDR which will allow premises used as shops, for financial and professional services, or as hot food takeaways, betting shops, pay day loan shop and launderettes to change use to offices.

Steve Davies, Senior Planning Consultant at Hobbs Parker Property Consultants, said: “The Government has sought to widen the use of PDR in an attempt to support the High Streets of many of our towns.

“With the vacation of retail space, it is important that the vitality and viability of affected areas is maintained by providing the legislation that will allow the introduction of other suitable uses that will retain footfall and avoid dead frontages quickly.”

There has also been widespread criticism of the quality of the housing that has come forward, converted from the former offices, and many businesses have found themselves homeless as landlords looked to change the use of their property and increase their value.

Steve said: “The benefits of obtaining residential use mean that many property owners continue to seek to change their commercial space to residential.

However, the pace of change has slowed as many of the obvious buildings for

redevelopment have already been converted.”

“One of the unintended consequences of PDR has seen some local businesses lose their offices to residential conversion, forcing them to go in search of new ones.

What we have yet to see is developers with the confidence to bring forward plans to create new space and satisfy this pent-up demand, but that may be as a result of the lack of confidence over the likely impact of Brexit.”

The PDR regulations have also had implications for residents and councils.

Across the country, an estimated 32,000 new homes have been created by converting office accommodation to residential but 90% of those are without any amenity space for residents.

Steve said: “Many councils have challenged the PDR

changes and sought to protect their existing offices from redevelopment for residential.

“They have also strongly argued that because the owners don’t have to make any Section 106 contribution when converting the property, the local authorities lose the business rate revenue and at the same time bear all of the burden of the increased population, making it difficult to sustain local services.”

Members News

MHA Macintyre Hudson seals merger with Kent firm Percy Gore

The Kent offices of national top 15 firm of chartered accountants MHA MacIntyre Hudson have completed a deal to merge with Percy Gore, an established firm of chartered accountants based in Margate.

The merger comes hot on the heels of MHA MacIntyre Hudson’s merger with the Kent offices of Haines Watts in December last year. The move further strengthens the firm’s hold in the region creating a county-wide team of nearly 100 partners and staff operating from offices in Maidstone and Canterbury.

Duncan Cochrane-Dyet, MHA MacIntyre Hudson’s Kent Managing Partner, said: “Kent is a really exciting marketplace and we continue to see it as a growth area.

This strategic merger will enable us to grow our specialisms across the region and will provide access to a wider suite of services for Percy Gore clients, and enhanced career and development prospects for all members of the expanding team”.

Andrew Leal, Partner at Percy Gore, said: "We're thrilled to be merging with MHA MacIntyre Hudson, a firm that has an excellent reputation and is recognised by professionals, business people and private individuals both regionally and nationally.

“I am pleased that this development will enable us to continue to support our existing clients but now with the significant benefit of the added infrastructure and specialist services that the larger MHA MacIntyre Hudson group can provide. It is an exciting future for us all and I am delighted to be part of it.”

Percy Gore will relocate to the MHA MacIntyre Hudson offices in New Dover Road, Canterbury.

Merger, Acquisition and Strategy Consultants Foulger Underwood were lead advisors to Percy Gore.

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Members News

'No fault’ system represents biggest change to divorce law for 50 years

Changes to the divorce laws in England and Wales will see the introduction of a "no fault" system.

Under current rules, one spouse must allege adultery or unreasonable behaviour by the other in order to pursue a divorce. The new law will introduce a ‘no fault’ system, whereby a spouse only needs to state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

Rayma Collins, Partner & Head of Family Law at South East law firm Furley Page, said: “This is the most significant overhaul to the divorce laws since the Divorce Reform Act was introduced in 1969.

Small businesses face confusion over new tax legislation, warns MHA MacIntyre Hudson

Small businesses are facing confusion over the planned introduction of new tax rules affecting members of their teams working off-payroll, Kent-based chartered accountants MHA MacIntyre Hudson has warned.

Already in force in the public sector, the IR35 (off-payroll working) legislation is designed to ensure off-payroll workers pay broadly the same tax and National Insurance contributions as their employee colleagues.

The legislation, which is due to be extended to cover private sector companies, defines off-payroll workers as being those who work for a client through their own intermediary, but who would be an employee if they were providing their services directly.

An intermediary can be a worker’s own limited company – known as a personal service company (PSC) – a partnership, or another individual. People working through an intermediary pay Income Tax and National Insurance contributions in a different way to an employee.

“In practice, it is the disagreement between the parties on where and what blame is being ascribed which makes agreeing the terms of a divorce so painful and time consuming.

“It is hoped that the new law will make the process less acrimonious by replacing the ‘fault-based’ divorce system, which often creates animosity between the two parties and can have a particularly harmful effect when children are involved.”

The new rules will include a minimum timeframe of six months from petition stage to decree absolute - the legal document that ends a marriage.

Rayma said: “Divorce can be a very stressful time during which emotions are running high. The introduction of a minimum timeframe will ensure a sufficient cooling-off period, giving couples the time to reflect on their decision before completing the divorce. In my experience, this is a very useful mechanism which gives both parties time to consider their options and can lead to a more amicable outcome once the dust has settled.”

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Jon Harvey, Employment Tax Supervisor at MHA MacIntyre Hudson, warned that HMRC’s consultation on the proposed application of IR35 legislation to private companies shines a spotlight on the additional complexities of rolling out the changes to the private sector.

He said: “It’s always been the intention to exclude small businesses from the rules, but there is still no watertight definition of what will constitute a small business. In the public sector the size of the organisation is irrelevant as the rules apply to all. However, in the private sector the size of the business will be a crucial factor.

“A legal no-man’s land beckons for small private companies: do they need to implement IR35 rules or not?”

Jon outlined how the current consultation suggests taking the definition of a small company from the Companies Act 2006, but this only applies to limited companies.

He warned: “If you’re a small unincorporated business, for

example a sole-trader or a partnership, you probably need to tread very carefully and take appropriate advice before concluding you’re safe from IR35.

“The consultation proposes defining whether an unincorporated business is small by the number of its employees.

This is a questionable approach given a company might qualify as small only if it defines members of its workforce as off-payroll, the whole crux of the issue IR35 is trying to address.”

Jon added the consultation also raised a significant question over timing, with HMRC pledging the legislation to introduce IR35 changes will be in a draft Summer Finance Bill, while the consultation runs to 28 May 2019.

“This leaves a very short window for it to be incorporated into any draft Summer Finance Bill, which would have to be published soon after the deadline to allow time to pass through parliament,” said Jon.

“It’s always been the intention to exclude small businesses from the rules, but there is still no watertight definition of what will constitute a small business.”

Partnership is appointed

Kent Invicta Chamber Patrons Lee Evans Partnership have been chosen as the Architect for the proposed redevelopment of Folkestone College.

Following a tender process, design competition, and interview, LEP was chosen by the EKC Group based on their approach to the development and its alignment with the Group’s vision for the future of the site.

The redevelopment will help

rationalize and consolidate the buildings on the site, and will include a new welcoming entrance frontage on Shorncliffe Road. The works will be divided into strategic phases, allowing the College to remain operational throughout the works, minimising disruption for

students, and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment.

The new redesigned college site will provide enhanced facilities in modern and inspiring spaces, providing a wealth of opportunities for the local community.

Growing Kent & Medway gets Government backing

Business News

A project to improve the productivity of protected crops and processing across the South East by using the latest technologies, growing techniques and varieties has been shortlisted by the Government, which could see NIAB EMR and partners unlock more than £15 million of funding to establish the area as the UK’s leading region in the sector.

The Growing Kent & Medway project has been awarded £50,000 from the UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund to prepare a full business case on how an industry-led research and innovation-focused business cluster would improve the performance of the area’s growers and the whole food supply chain.

NIAB EMR based at East Malling in Kent is working with a worldclass consortium of partners including APS Group, Berry Gardens Growers, Thanet Earth Ltd, World Wide Fruit Ltd, Hadlow College, the University of Greenwich, and the University of Kent.

Professor Mario Caccamo, Managing Director of NIAB EMR, said: “Growing Kent & Medway aims to make this part of the UK, the leading region for the

production and processing of high-value foods and plant-based compounds.”

If Growing Kent & Medway is one of the successful final bids to the Strength in Places Fund it will receive between £10 and £50 million to carry out projects that drive substantial economic growth.

The proposed collaboration, which will increase research capacity and industry engagement to drive innovation, commercialisation and novel training programmes in a protected environment, has the backing of the industry and council leaders.

Professor Mario Caccamo added: “As an area we already deliver 40% of high-value horticulture in the UK, but we could do so much more and the opportunity for growth in the sector is significant.

“However, productivity in this region is under-performing those areas where investment in research and business-led collaboration has resulted in significant economic uplift and prosperity. Thanks to novel scientific techniques and new higher-yield varieties, bought about by scientific research, means we can provide even greater support for our industry.

“By driving innovation and productivity throughout the agri-food supply chain, Growing Kent & Medway will support new businesses, create jobs and sustain our communities, some of which are the most deprived areas in England.

“This seed-corn funding reflects the hard work and aspirations of the consortium partners to invest in and grow the regional economy.”

The vision for Growing Kent & Medway aligns with both national and local strategic priorities by supporting an entrepreneurial culture, business start-ups, encouraging inward investment, job creation, skills development, social inclusion, and economic growth across the sector.

Rob James from Thanet Earth Ltd, an innovative producer of salad crops based in east Kent said: |“This exciting initiative will allow industry to respond to the significant challenges that currently face horticulture and food production systems, increase food security, the UK’s competitiveness and deliver sustainable economic growth to the region. We welcome this opportunity to be part of this progressive and industry-focused consortium.”

Jasmin Vardimon receives double boost

An acclaimed dance company is set to become first choreographer-named organisation to have its own purpose-built creative space outside London.

Jasmin Vardimon Company has announced that it has received two major boosts in its bid to relocate to a new purpose-built home in Ashford.

To coincide with the approval of the development of a currently disused site in on the Henwood Industrial Estate by Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee, the company revealed that Arts Council England has approved a grant of over £3 million of National Lottery funding towards the project.

This project will provide the Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company, which has had its base in Ashford for the past seven years, with a self-financing, energy-efficient, bespoke, newbuild home in the Kent town.

The building will be designed to advanced standards of sustainability and efficiency. Its fitout, which will provide the capital infrastructure in order to deliver financial resilience, will enable the company to develop its artistic model and content, education and outreach work well into the future.

At the same time it will provide the Ashford community with a valuable asset, which will add to the town’s health and fitness and arts offering as well as contributing to the local economy.

The new space will have the capacity to house a creation and presentation space for Jasmin Vardimon Company and dedicated training spaces for the educational wing of the company.

In addition to the facilities for Jasmin Vardimon Company, the scheme being put forward by

Kent County Council, also includes 29 light industrial units, the proceeds of which will help to make it self-financing.

The space will also include incubator and start-up spaces for emerging local creative companies and individuals.

Community facilities will include space for additional training courses delivered in partnership with Kent County Council, a Pilates and yoga studio to house classes and a café for people to meet and socialise.

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Sector Focus on Environment

Helping BUSINESS GROW SUSTAINABLY Christopher Seamark

Sustainable Business Programme Manager at Kent County Council

The low carbon, environmental goods and services sector supports many jobs throughout Kent and has underpinned signi cant employment growth and attracted major investment. It is this continued investment that will ultimately enhance the sustainability and resilience of our businesses and will support long-term competitiveness.

With key successes in the offshore wind sector and uptake Adapting to Climate of electric vehicles, Change – the Challenge is Real: Kent, through the Businesses throughout Kent have work of the Low reported challenges around energy Carbon Kent Network, and resource ef ciency and issues regarding ooding as being signi cant. has been at the The global climate is changing and forefront of the move the impacts of this are becoming more frequent and severe. It’s predicted that towards low carbon the UK will experience warmer, wetter winters with increased risk of ooding economic growth.

With a track-record of innovation in energy and manufacturing technologies, a strong academic base and valuable natural assets, our strategy is not only to enhance and commercialise existing strengths, but to also bring the next opportunities to market and enable long-term sustainable and resilient growth.

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and hotter drier summers with more frequent droughts and heatwaves. Even if efforts are successful in mitigating climate change, some impacts will still be felt, so it’s essential that businesses plan to adapt to the changing climate, to mitigate risk and realise opportunities.

The easiest way to make your business more resilient to a changing

climate is to increase the adaptive capacity of your business. This means ensuring that your business is exible, prepared and able to thrive in increasingly changing and sometimes dif cult climate conditions. This can be achieved by incorporating climate risks and adaptation actions into your business continuity plan. Many businesses already have business continuity plans in place that may contain actions that are adaptive but are not always labelled as such.

They key to ensuring your business continuity plan is adaptive is to make sure it considers future changes in climate and focuses on both short term (1-5 years) and long-term actions (10-20 years).

Identifying Opportunities/ Diversifying to Succeed: Adapting your business to climate change can create opportunities for your business to grow. Climate change is expected to increase the demand for some products and services and reduce others.

Opportunities and risks have been identi ed within the tourism, agriculture, insurance, nance and engineering sectors amongst others.

The Environment Agency has found

Sector Focus on Environment

that 33% of market opportunities arising from climate change will be within the next 3 years.

Ask yourself, does your business have the adaptive capacity to succeed? Consider if any of your assets, capital or services may be threatened by climate change risks and think about how adopting an adaptive management approach could allow your business to harness opportunities that may arise from a changing climate. For example, growing a new type of crop that thrives in a warmer climate or harnessing the revenue/economic bene ts generated by increased summer tourism.

Businesses working together for a low carbon future

The Time to Adapt is Now The effects of climate change are already being observed in Kent, so the best time to start increasing the adaptive capacity of your business is now. Preparing for climate change and being aware of how its impacts could affect your business is vital for future resilience. The Low Carbon Kent Network is here to help with direct access to funding and in-house support to help embed sustainability and resilience into your business plans.

For more information

please get in touch with one of the team at

lowcarbon@kent.gov.uk

or 03000 415111

or visit the website:

www.lowcarbonkent.com

17

How businesses can think small to achieve big in the Green Revolution Sector Focus on Environment

commonsense The need to tackle climate change measures can cut by at least 50 has never occupied a higher place perbillscent, according to some estimates. on the UK’s political agenda The same is true when it comes to other everyday office functions. than today.

The impact of Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and the school pupils’ strikes she has inspired and the recent activities of Extinction Rebellion, primarily in London, have focused attention like never before on the need to halt Mankind’s contribution to potentially disastrous global warming.

In addition, a recent United Nations report saw scientists warn that one million species of plants and animals are at risk of going extinct, with species being lost at a rate of tens or hundreds of times faster than in the past, unless governments, companies and individuals take action.

Just about everyone agrees on the need for action but what can a business in Kent do faced with what often comes over as a global problem?

At a time of difficult trading conditions and economic turmoil, saving the planet can come pretty low down the list of priorities for businesses trying to make a living and many managers find themselves wondering if they really can make a difference anyway.

However, a few simple measures cannot just benefit the environment, they can also benefit the bottom line.

One recent estimate suggested that businesses spend at least 4% of their turnover generating waste because the cost of waste is not just the cost of its disposal but also includes wasted energy, water, raw materials, consumables and labour.

Many business people may still assume that such issues relate primarily to big industry where major changes in processes can bring about major savings. However, there is a growing awareness among many owners of businesses of all sizes that changes in the office can have a significant effect as well, that switching off the light at night, turning off that leaking tap and recycling paper is not just a ‘good thing to do’ but it can also save money.

Agencies working in the waste minimisation field say that the largest controllable outgoing in an office is often energy consumption

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but that a few

The call does not just relate to the company itself because there is growing pressure on companies to ensure that the businesses in their supply chain are doing the same. Small businesses seeking to carry out work for larger companies are increasingly finding themselves required to demonstrate their green credentials.

Sound scary? Wondering where to start? Here are some simple ideas that businesses of all sizes can adopt.

RECYCLING • Ensure that all photocopying and publications are produced in doublesided format on recycled paper.

• Consider setting aside one business printer for draft documents only – and load it with scrap paper.

• Use electronic material where possible to reduce printing and faxing.

• Use paper recycling bins, including one next to the photocopier.

• Post reminder notices on the walls to ensure that staff remember to switch off lights, printers and faxes etc when not in use.

ENERGY • A single computer and monitor left on 24 hours a day can cost more than £50 a year, according to some estimates. Switching them off out of hours and enabling standby features could reduce this to £15 a year each and prolong the lifespan of equipment.

• Measure how much energy you’re using. Keep track of bills, and how they change after the introduction of energy-saving tips.

LIGHTING • Artificial lighting can be automatically controlled through daylight sensors, motion detectors and zoned controls to switch off lighting in unoccupied areas – some estimates suggest that they could cut lighting costs by as much as 15%, possibly more.

• Replace high wattage lamps with low energy versions, which could make energy savings of 65-75%.

• Make the most of natural light cleaning windows and skylights regularly will allow maximum daylight to enter the building and significantly reduce the need for electric lighting.

HEATING • Temperature control – keep a thermostat set at the minimum comfort level. Heating costs will go up by 8% each time the temperature goes up by just one degree.

• Keep the thermostat away from draughts or hot and cold spots these will all affect the thermostat and automatically increase heating costs.

• Don’t put equipment that generates large amounts of heat, like photocopiers, near cooling vents the cooling system will need to work harder to cool an area that is constantly being heated.

• Maintain equipment properly poorly maintained heating equipment could be adding as much as 10% to a heating bill.

WATER The rate of water use by businesses in the UK is 1.3 billion cubic metres each year – the equivalent of 1,400 Olympic swimming pools every day. However, businesses that take action to cut the waste typically achieve a 20-50% decrease in the amount of water used, which in turn cuts costs both in water supply and water disposal charges.

Tips include; • Identify areas of wastage, including leaks. Keep water-using equipment well maintained and check it periodically for leaks.

• Make sure staff are fully aware of the importance of water minimisation.

Ensure staff are encouraged to report leaks and that leaks are repaired quickly.

• When purchasing new equipment, take its water efficiency into account. Fit water minimising controls where possible, eg push taps, flow regulator/restrictors, cistern displacement devices and low flush toilets.

••• Food and hospitality industries urged to act

Businesses in the worlds of food retail and hospitality have been urged to take action to drive down food waste, seen as important as the planet seeks to make more efficient use of land.

The call came from the Government’s Food Surplus and Waste Champion

Ben Elliot ahead of a recently-held symposium called ‘Step up to the Plate’, which he hosted alongside Environment Secretary Michael Gove at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

Attendees were asked to sign up to a number of commitments on measuring and reducing their own food waste and inspiring others to follow their lead.

Every year, about 100,000 tonnes of readily available and perfectly edible food goes uneaten and the Step up to the Plate campaign aims to stop good food going to waste through a range of measures.

These include setting an ambitious target to halve food waste by 2030 in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 and encouraging others to take the problem seriously and to change their habits to be Food Value Champion at work and at home, buying only what they need and eating what they buy.

Food Surplus and Waste Champion Ben Elliot said: “Wasting food is an environmental, moral and financial scandal. We intend for the symposium and pledge to spark action, not just conversation, and inspire us all to champion change. It’s time to ‘Step up to the Plate’.”

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “Together, we must end the moral, economic, and environmental scandal of food waste. The UK is showing real leadership in this area, but I urge businesses to join me in signing the pledge so we can bring about real change.”

Susan Barratt, Chief Executive Officer at Institute of Grocery Distribution, said that 90 food businesses across the UK have already committed to reduce food waste.

She added: “The time is right for change, so it is encouraging to see so many representatives from both industry and government coming together to tackle this growing issue.”

Helen Munday, Chief Scientific Officer, Food and Drink Federation, said the organisation encouraged members of the industry as a whole to do more.

She said: “Food Waste is an important issue to our members and by working across the value chain, we can make a real change happen on this important social and environmental issue.”

You can find out more about the pledge at https://www.gov.uk/government/ news/slashing-food-waste-majorplayers-urged-to-step-up-to-the-plate

External wall insulation equals thermal comfort & internal well-being

Baumit research has identified three key principles to consider when building a sustainable home: thermal insulation, external-wall materials, and indoor air humidity.

Good thermal insulation not only makes a significant contribution to a building’s energy efficiency, it keeps walls warm in winter and pleasantly cool during summer. This temperate quality is essential to occupants’ long-term comfort and wellbeing.

The purity of indoor air is also crucial to our health; particularly when it’s considered we inhale up to 13.5kg of interior air, compared to 1.5kg of fresh air, per day.

Desirable interior

The most effective method for creating a healthy living space is to optimally insulate the façade - the better the insulation, the more comfortable the space will be.

Quality External Wall Insulation (EWI) can help achieve this desirable level of interior comfort. It’s a solution that is particularly effective in multioccupancy properties.

Through everyday living, residents create water vapour. Baths, washing, cooking, all creates steam.

Now, consider how much vapour is generated in a multi-occupancy building containing, say, 150 tenants. All that vapour will pass through the building’s elements.

This can lead to increased air humidity, condensation and damp, which once inside a property, can take a lot of time and expense to remove. Therefore, an EWI solution will limit future maintenance and unforeseen expenditure.

Robust frontage

Applying a non-breathable renovation system to a building causes what might be referred to as the “plastic bag effect” - walls can become cloaked in condensation from non-escaping vapour. To create a breathable outer layer for buildings an EWI system topped with a silicon-based finish render, such

as Baumit’s SilikonTop, is preferable.

Water-repellent, stain and weather resistant, the system provides a robust white or coloured façade, whilst optimising occupants’ living environment.

Baumit EWI systems comprise six, high-quality vapour permeable components. Choose from a range of insulation boards and renders to complement specific requirements.

When applied as part of a new-build or refurbishment project, each component helps increase a structure’s ‘breathability’ to collectively offer outstanding levels of insulation.

retaining heat; our buildings are also retaining moisture - which creates problems of its own.

Allowing buildings to breathe on the outside will not only ensure those living on the inside are living a lot happier and healthier; a good thermal insulation can help reduce household heating costs by up to 50%, which is a great comfort provision.

There can be no doubt the government is right to address the alarming statistic provided by the Green Building Council report which stated 25 million homes across Britain will not meet insulation standards by 2050. However, air tightness can mean as well as

Healthy living begins with a buildings façade External wall insulation offers by far the simplest and most cost efficient solution for improved insulation performance.  EWI and render systems for new build or renovations  Installed by a fully trained & approved network of installers  The widest range of façade colours for endless design options  Available nationwide for residential and commercial works

Contact: t: +44 (0)1622 710763 e: contact@baumit.co.uk w: baumit.co.uk

I d e a s wi t h a f u tur e .

Thinking Business

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MACINTYRE HUDSON

Great relationships Great conversations Great futures

Contact your local Kent office: Canterbury 03330 100 220 Maidstone

03330 100 221

Now, for tomorrow

macintyrehudson.co.uk

The Economy & Us

Brexit ‘crisis’: some oddities

“When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?”

John Maynard Keynes

“Very few Britons (except tax-dodgers afraid of the EU’s new anti-tax avoidance directive) have any economic stake in [Brexit].”

Financial Times (10/1/2019)

Tories persuade Parliament to legislate that Britain will crash out of the EU by 29 March 2019 if no deal agreed.

“Cheers!” Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images.

Like many UK institutions this magazine has scrupulously avoided taking sides over Brexit itself. Here we simply note some unfolding oddities.

The unexpected ‘Leave’ win.

Those holding the ‘victory’ press conference mumble in apparent shock. Nos 10 & 11 Downing Street fall vacant. Many voting ‘Leave’ say they never expected to win. ‘Leave’ campaigners have no implementation plans. Most Britons don’t know what they’ve voted for, leading shortly to the nonsense assertion ‘Brexit means Brexit’.

Deteriorating public discourse.

Ahead of the referendum – and since – open-minded discussion is frequently shouted down. The TV BAFTA-winning exposé by Channel 4, “Data, Democracy and Dirty Tricks” shows how this divisive culture was planted:

Cambridge Analytica’s CEO explains how they identify individuals’ hopes & fears to target them with bespoke visceral but untraceable ‘facts’.

A prominent referendum ‘winner’ passes up the chance to stand for Prime Minister. His sponsor suddenly drops him, and later loyally supports the eventual PM. Three referendum ‘winners’ – empowered to make Brexit work as Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Brexit and International Trade, respectively – do very little for two years. Eventually the PM invites her Cabinet to Chequers where she presents her own ideas for EU negotiating.

Afterwards these three resign, asserting no EU agreement is possible. If that’s what they thought, why did they accept two years’ money and status without informing the Cabinet/nation?

After the PM negotiates the best and only deal on offer, senior Tories reject it as turning Britain into a “vassal state”. They thus reject terms that could provide for (a) full political withdrawal whilst (b) preserving the status quo during negotiations on future trade, residency and legal arrangements. Why so little objective discussion of this?

The current ‘crisis’ is framed by senior Tories as caused by the PM. Whereas, as anyone not bedazzled by propaganda knows, the crisis was initiated three years ago by Brexiteer Tories holding a referendum for which, straight-faced, they promised undeliverables.

Why has the PM not roundly said so, on national media and in Parliament?

The Economy & Us

Nick Rowell

Director of Policy Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Direct line: 01622 753568 Email: nick@tpbs.co.uk Why has it fallen to a former Speaker in the House of Commons, now a Baroness in the Lords, to observe publicly: "Nobody voted for this mess.

I blame the charlatans who peddled the falsehoods that [Brexit] would be easy.

What does it say about our politics that those who peddled the falsehoods are among the favourites to become our next Prime Minister? I wouldn't trust them to run my bath, let alone run my country.”

Senior Tories oppose a People’s Vote that might keep us in the EU - but aren’t doing whatever it takes to get the negotiated agreement passed? Why support neither? Surely it’s unbelievable that committed Parliamentarians would break their oath of allegiance, to gain personally by crashing us out of the EU.

Just oddities. Wonder what they mean?

“The current ‘crisis’ is framed by senior Tories as caused by the PM. Whereas, as anyone not bedazzled by propaganda knows, the crisis was initiated three years ago by Brexiteer Tories holding a referendum for which, straight-faced, they promised undeliverables.”

Thinking Business

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Big Interview

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Thinking Business

“Dover Western Docks Revival is the single biggest investment we’ve ever made, which seeks to grow each of our business streams and provide the catalyst for regeneration of the area.”

Securing opportunity as Port deals with challenges

Big Interview

Doug Bannister Chief Executive, Port of Dover

Talking to the new Chief Executive at the helm of the Port of Dover, it would be easy to expect a conversation that is dominated by talk of Brexit.

However, although ensuring that the port is prepared for any scenario has loomed large in Doug Bannister’s thinking, he is also greatly focused on developing and delivering a host of opportunities for the port, its employees and for business in Kent.

He said: "We have taken a long term view and part of that thinking has been the delivery of our massive £250 million Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR), the single-biggest investment we’ve ever made, which seeks to grow each of our business streams and provide the catalyst for regeneration of the area by better utilising the western part of the port.

“Last year, our cargo business achieved a ship import tonnage increase of almost 40 per cent.

Through DWDR we can take more and bigger ships.

“Our cruise business had a 35 per cent increase in cruise calls – we have even more this year and will play host to the naming ceremony for Saga Cruises’ first new-build in July.

DWDR will enable us to take more multiple cruise calls.

“Our marina business saw a 6 per cent increase in visitors.

DWDR is delivering a brand new marina in a much more prominent location. We have a fantastic opportunity to grow each of these businesses, attract new and more customers and, together with our waterfront property activity, create a great place to live, visit and work.

“By developing the western docks, DWDR effectively leaves the eastern docks as a dedicated ferry terminal with the opportunity to create more space and more efficiency.

This is great news for a business that has just seen a 3.1 per cent increase in car volumes, a slight increase in passenger numbers and the fourth busiest year in its history for freight vehicles handled – and what’s more that freight traffic has grown by 5 per cent in the first quarter this year.

“So this is a great time to really maximise Dover’s unique selling points as the closest port to mainland Europe, to secure and grow the £120 billion of trade that is handled each year and reinforce Kent’s key gateway credentials.”

The importance of Dover was amplified by a recent report from Drewry Maritime, which highlighted the UK’s reliance on Dover.

According to the report, the Port of Dover is the freight market’s clear UK preference and will continue to be so because it delivers unrivalled speed, flexibility and capacity.

The report says that, although this is a time of great change, what has not changed is the ability of the port, two ferry operators and a fleet of 12 ferries to be capable of handling up to 10,000 lorries a day.

Neither will geography change, says the report, and Dover will remain the only place from which such a fleet can achieve up to

120 ferry movements a day, where each ferry is berthed, unloaded, re-loaded and heading back to France in as little as 45-50 minutes on the shortest sea crossing.

Doug said: ”Dover is closer to France than it is to London and we are not just important when it comes to exports and imports between the UK and Europe but between EU countries. For example, a significant amount of the traffic we handle involves companies in the EU trading with Ireland.”

However, one major concern for Doug is the need to ensure that Dover and Kent are served with the road infrastructure that such an essential national gateway deserves.

The port has added its voice to calls for a major new Lower Thames Crossing with half of its freight traffic heading beyond London to support economic activity in the Midland and the North. However, there is one other key and inter-connected investment that will make all the difference, providing necessary capacity, flexibility and resilience.

Doug said: “Free-flowing traffic is crucial for all of us. One of the things we urgently need to see is the last few miles of the A2 into Dover turned into dual carriageway.

“If ever there are blockages on the M20/A20, port-bound traffic looks to the A2 to reach Dover. A single carriageway is not adequate to handle up to 10,000 trucks a day and certainly not adequate when shared with local traffic. The Lower Thames Crossing will encourage even more traffic along the A2 and, although we absolutely support that scheme, it has to be linked to road capacity investment around Dover or it doesn’t make sense."

While addressing such challenges, Doug is confident about the years to come. He said: “I have only been in the post for a few months but the thing that has struck me is the sheer intensity of the operation – it is like nowhere else.

“That makes it a sandbox for innovation and offers us an opportunity to come up with new ideas and to develop new products and services that will continue to make Dover the port of choice that sets the standard.

“Throughout the Brexit debate, what people have been desiring is certainty. Uncertainty may be continuing, but the port is prepared. One thing is certain however, and that is how we are building for a great future.”

Factfile

The Port of Dover handles:

• Up to £122 billion, or 17%, of the UK’s trade in goods.

• 2.5 million freight vehicles per annum.

• 2.3 million tourist vehicles per annum.

• Almost 12 million passengers per annum.

Thinking Business

23

Technology

Cover Feature

How Industry 4.0 is revolutionising manufacturing Every so often, a development emerges that represents a true industrial revolution.

In the 19th Century it was the dramatic advance of mechanisation and the harnessing of electricity, in the late 20th Century it was the rise of the computer, in the early years of the 21st Century it has been the appearance of The Cloud.

Now, we have Industry 4.0, which encompasses the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), the growth of automation and the development of Artificial Intelligence.

Already referred to as ‘the fourth industrial revolution’, the impact of Industry 4.0 on manufacturing businesses of all kinds in Kent is going to be massive. It is already having a major effect.

Industry 4.0 relates to the way technology talks to each other and, for industry, that means creating the ‘smart factory’ in which systems communicate

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Thinking Business

in real time via the Internet.

At Industry 4.0’s heart is a growing realisation that huge amounts of time and effort is being wasted because too many production and back-office systems are not connected.

That disconnect means that skilled personnel ranging from manufacturing teams to sales staff find themselves

repeating the same tasks when, if managed properly, their IT could do it in a fraction of the time.

For instance, it makes no sense if a machine is producing data that impacts on another piece of equipment but the information is not available to its operators without having to go through a complicated process to obtain it.

How much better, supporters of Industry 4.0 argue, if the data from Machine One is automatically made available to Machine Two? The benefit for companies embracing Industry 4.0 is that more data integration results in better planning for production and logistics and makes them more cost-effective.

Technology

Cover Feature

“In the smart factory, sensors can automate tasks, report performance levels, flag anomalies and generate alerts giving companies new insights into their business processes and performance and allowing them to run predictive analytics to forecast problems before they occur.”

It all makes perfect sense but there are concerns for many companies, including the need for high investment at the beginning of the process and anxieties surrounding data security as the activities of hackers make organisations feel more vulnerable.

Concerns aside, the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 are here to stay and smart factories are already beginning to appear in the manufacturing sector.

In the smart factory, sensors can automate tasks, report performance levels, flag anomalies and generate alerts giving companies new insights

into their business processes and performance and allowing them to run predictive analytics to forecast problems before they occur.

That is useful because, if you can predict the failure of a key piece of equipment well in advance of the breakdown, you can take action to prevent it. Avoiding a serious failure and resultant downtime saves money and prevents damage to reputation.

Analysts suggest that when more flexible access to information happens, it brings about up to 40% higher employee productivity.

Imagine a scenario when

a maintenance worker receives an instruction on a tablet to change a valve, complete with information on the exact nature of the problem. The worker receives step-by-step 3-D instructions to follow until the new valve is installed. After that, the worker confirms that the repair is done and the information is instantly available to management, all of which saves time and cost and increases transparency.

R&D is among those areas to also benefit. Because R&D demands heavy investment, companies are looking at advances in data management to predict the outcome of that investment. For example,

advanced analytics helps researchers to understand the properties of materials and consider possible new combinations.

Away from the plants themselves, Industry 4.0 helps manufacturing companies plan their supply chains in many ways, including: • By improving data on products and raw materials in transit, companies are able to better manage their supply chain • Companies can better forecast demand for products and expand or contract their production capacities accordingly

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Technology

Cover Feature 83% reported increased business efficiency.

However, the study also uncovered a number of obstacles that are preventing IoT from delivering greater business impact; the cost of implementation (50%), maintenance (44%) and integration of technology (43%) were highlighted as key issues.

Of course, the overriding factor that will convince companies is a beneficial impact on the bottom line and there are clear signs that the message is getting through across the manufacturing sector.

A recent global study by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, revealed that IoT

will soon be widespread as 85% of businesses plan to implement it by 2019.

The research questioned 3,100 IT and business decision-makers in a variety of sectors across 20 countries and showed that 62% of respondents in industry had already implemented IoT;

The study found that 84% of organisations have experienced an IoT-related security breach and more than half of respondents said that external attacks are a barrier to embracing the technology.

What is clear, though, is that entire industries have already been transformed. According to a recently-published book by Eric Schaeffer and David Sovie, more than 75% of industries are at risk of disruption, or have already been significantly

Simple Steps to Boost Your Cyber Security Loss of your business data, or even your customer details, would be catastrophic.

Small businesses like yours are being targeted by criminals. That said 60% of data loss incidents are caused by accident, or malicious acts by your own staff.

Fear not, here are some simple steps you can do to boost your cyber security.

1 - Install computer updates.

They are a pain and sometimes seem pointless, but they keep any gaps in your systems safely closed.

2 - Use strong passwords.

It’s amazing how many use a pet’s name for their computer password, or the same password on every website. This makes you an easy target. Instead use an app like LastPass.com, a web based password utility. It allows you to

manage all your passwords in one place. Not only that, you can create 1 master password and either save your existing passwords or let Last Pass generate random passwords for you. You never need to remember them, whenever you visit a website you’ll be prompted to tick a box and Last Pass will automatically fill in the password for you.

3 - Save your files to the Cloud.

Saving files on your computer is convenient, but risky. If your computer fails, or is stolen, you lose everything.

Use Google Drive instead.

It’s cheap, convenient and secure. Not only do Google own many more sites than Dropbox, but they encrypt your files too.

However, this isn't foolproof so...

4 - Back those files up.

If you use Microsoft Office 365, or Google G Suite, use Spanning Backup to ensure you can get files back that are accidentally lost, or deleted.

5 - Secure your screen.

Coffee shops and co-working spaces are great for free WiFi, or a change of scene. It’s easy to forget that anyone can see your screen, too.

They can see what you’re doing, who and what you’re emailing, everything.

To avoid this simply sit with your back facing a wall.

That means your screen will be facing the wall and not the whole coffee shop or window.

disrupted, and that new technologies, including 5G networks, quantum computing, 4D printing, nanotechnologies and smart materials, are bringing about, or will bring about, big advances.

While such disruption is seen as a threat by many, the authors argue that digital technology also presents a big opportunity for product-making businesses to re-think how they conceive, make, distribute and support the next generation of goods in the marketplace.

In Reinventing the Product (published by Kogan Page), the authors say that fundamental changes are happening much faster than most organisations realise and that companies that fail to embrace digital technologies today risk failing tomorrow.

The future, it seems, is here.

Summary You work hard for your customers and staff, these simple steps will ensure you don’t risk it all.

Paul Goggin has over 20 years’ experience in the IT industry; Innovo Consulting can help you use the Cloud to save time and money in your business.

Chamber Members can book a free Cloud assessment, worth £100 at www.innovo-it.com/chamber

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Technology

Artificial intelligence: no limits

Cover Feature

Don Shaw-Case, Knowledge Exchange Lead (Artificial Intelligence), University of Kent

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can bring great benefits to business through increases in efficiency and productivity.

What most people don’t realise is that AI covers a range of methods and techniques developed over the last 60 years that enable programs to analyse, adapt and learn from the data they are exposed to, improving the programs performance when solving problems.

Because AI techniques can be applied to a variety of problems, there are no limits to its application.

For instance, in construction AI is being used to better manage resources and reduce costs. In more general business environments, AI is being applied to gain understanding from

the wealth of data being collected using “Data Mining” techniques.

In the field of health care, AI is used to measure biometrics, for example, measuring heart rate and blood pressure to look for the early signs of heart disease or searching for cancer cells. Consumers even use AI devices at home in the form of voice activated speaker systems like Amazon Echo and Google Home, and through mobile technology such as smart phones and tablets.

As is common when a new advance in technology gains popular interest, there is a lot of excitement

and speculation as to what impact the technology will have. AI offers great potential to improve the speed and accuracy of tasks, enhancing the activities undertaken by the work force and so improving productivity.

There are many new and novel ways of using AI that will support business activities to better utilise and target resources, bringing considerable benefits to every sector of business.

The University of Kent, through the School of Computing, has academic expertise specialising in areas of AI covering

machine learning, data and knowledge discovery, artificial neural networks, computational creativity, biometric data analytics and cyber security. The School of Computing has also been awarded “Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research” by GCHQ and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The University of Kent is part of a consortium of eastern region Universities

Photo Credit: University of Kent

including the University of Essex, University of East Anglia and University of Suffolk who are working together on the “Enabling Innovation: Research to Application” (EIRA) project.

EIRA is £4.5 million government funded project intended to enable businesses to benefit from the wealth of academic knowledge available in the eastern region. EIRA focuses on three themes; Artificial Intelligence, Digital Creativity and Biotechnology.

Thinking Business

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CONSENTED DEVELOPMENT LAND ESTABLISHED TRADE LOCATION

Consented Development Land - FOR SALE 2.71 acres Location

Town Planning

Axiom is situated on the well established Orbital Park adjacent to Ashford Trade Centre. Junction 10 of the M20 is less than a mile away and provides direct access to the National Motorway Network. A new Junction 10A is currently under construction with completion anticipated in the summer of 2020.

The land benefits from a planning permission (18/01791/AS) dated 02/04/2019 for the delivery of a 15 unit industrial development totaling 43,000 sq ft, comprising a mix of B1(c), B2 (industrial) and B8 (storage) uses.

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Consented site layout plan

Further Information 020 7629 7282 realestate.bnpparibas.co.uk

Stephen Richmond stephen.richmond@altusgroup.com

Will Merrett William.Merrett@realestate.bnpparibas

Stewart Smith stewart.smith@altusgroup.com

Iolo Morgan iolo.morgan@realestate.bnpparibas

www.salmonproperty.com

www.orbitalpark.co.uk

The Garden of England remains THE place for food and drink business

The food and drink sector in Kent is worth £2.6bn to the U.K. economy, with some of the country’s leading manufacturers, producers and distributors located here.

Excellent connections, a strong logistics and supply network and access to support and guidance from Locate in Kent and sector champions Produced in Kent and Rural PLC (Kent) have all contributed to the sector’s ongoing success.

Nimisha Raja, Founder of Nim’s Fruit Crisps is one of the companies in Kent to have benefited from that support.

“The team at Locate in Kent spent a good few months searching for the right premises for us, making sure they met all of our requirements,” she says. “They also helped us secure funding that we didn’t realise we were entitled to.”

Stephen Russell from Copper Rivet distillery in Medway adds, “We’re incredibly proud to fly the flag for Kent as a food and drink destination.

“It’s a big market in its own right so it’s a great place to seed your business with great access to London and fantastic universities, an important source of talent.”

Gavin Cleary, CEO, Locate in Kent, said: “Kent has a well-deserved reputation as a centre of excellence in the food and drink space and the brands based here are thriving.

The connectivity of the county to London and Europe alongside a strong supply chain and an ecosystem of support means businesses based here are perfectly placed for success.

“At Locate in Kent we have the expertise in place to support ambitious and innovative companies looking to continue the county’s success in this vitally important sector.”

Need help growing your food and drink business? From property and site selection to access to funding, skills advice and sector expertise, call: 01732 520 700 or visit: www.locateinkent.com

Glasses raised to a foodie county, where business sparkles.

Kent produces.

Join the growers Image: Copper Rivet Distillery, Chatham © Visit Kent

Last month Chapel Down opened its long-awaited new brewery in Ashford at a prime town centre location that will be able to produce some 9,000 pints a day of its Curious Brew range once fully operational. With visitors lining up to tour the site, this is a place that will drive tourism and contribute to a major boost for the local economy.

The company is a great example of an ongoing healthy appetite for investment in a thriving sector that first put the Kent and Medway region on the map and remains a success story for the county with close to 2,500 food and drink related companies, employing 18,000+ people.

Standout beverage companies include Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewer, through to a growing number of new awardwinning breweries, distilleries and winemakers such as Copper Rivet in Chatham Maritime and, of course, Chapel Down England’s biggest winemaker based in Tenterden.

AC Goatham’s multi-award winning fruit growing business, meanwhile, has changed the approach to growing apples and pears here in the UK, leading the industry with new technological advances, including state-of-the art packing facilities. Artisan food companies like Fudge Kitchen, Zingiberi Bakery and Simply Ice Cream have built their gourmet brands from Kent, supplying local eateries through to leading UK retailers.

The quality of Kent’s natural assets - with some of the most productive agricultural land in Britain - is also bolstered by a reputation for innovation that has created a thriving ecosystem for food manufacturing, production and distribution, including Thanet Earth, the largest greenhouse complex in the UK.

Kent’s food and drink sector is worth £2.6bn to the UK economy. It’s already home to leading manufacturers, producers and distributors.

Have a taste for success? Come and join us.

www.locateinkent.com

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One Ashford Hospital Your Local Private Hospital One Ashford is Kent’s local private hospital, developed and designed with the patient in mind. We are easily accessible, located just off the M20 at Junction 10 and provide free onsite parking for all patients and visitors.

One Ashford Physiotherapy One Ashford Hospital offers outpatient physiotherapy assessment and treatments for a variety of conditions.

Our dedicated team are highly experienced, chartered physiotherapists that practice in a modern and fully equipped physiotherapy suite. Our aim is to provide you with fast, easy access to specialist practitioners who can help you achieve your rehabilitation goals – however big or small.

Based in the heart of the community of Ashford and surrounding villages, One Ashford is perfectly placed to serve all its local residents.

Our friendly and dynamic team will assess, diagnose and treat your condition using a holistic approach encompassing education and support, so that you can swiftly return to your normal activities, work or sports.

We also offer competitive fixed priced packages on our self-pay procedures, with 0% and low interest finance available*

Why choose One Ashford Hospital?

At One Ashford, you will be treated in a brand new purpose-built hospital where we offer excellent, dignified patient care in a private calm environment.

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Conditions that we frequently treat at One Ashford Hospital include: • Neck and back pain • Nerve pain • Arthritis • Rehabilitation • Headaches • Sports injuries • Urinary incontinence

We are welcomed and recognised by all major insurers, so if you have private health insurance, it is worth checking your policy to see if your insurer could cover the cost of your stay.

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Kennington Road, Willesborough Ashford, Kent TN24 0YS ashford.info@onehealthcare.co.uk | 01233 885777 www.oneashfordhospital.co.uk

24 Hours with...

24 Hours with ...

Martin Cleverley General Manager

Running a theatre can be a time-consuming and demanding business. Running two at the same time requires skilful management of time.

That is the task facing Martin Cleverley, of Parkwood Theatres, who is General Manager of the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone, and who since January has also been doing the same job at the Castle Theatre in Wellingborough, overseeing a wide range of work to upgrade the venue.

As such, there is no such thing as a typical working day although Martin tries to start work between 9 and 10am wherever possible.

He said: “I try to deal with my emails first and be disciplined about it. If you leave them too long, they can easily get out of hand.

Hire the

Meeting the demands of a life in the theatre

“At the moment, a lot of my time is spent dealing with financial matters relating to the upgrade work at Wellingborough and I like to correspond via email because it gives me a trail.”

Prior to January, his main focus was the Hazlitt Theatre and Exchange Studio. Named after William Hazlitt, the famous essayist who was born in Maidstone in 1778, it opened in 1955 and is managed by Parkwood Theatres working in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council.

Since Parkwood assumed responsibility for the Castle Theatre as well, Martin has divided his time between the two venues.

He said: “I tend to work at Wellingborough for the first two and a half days of the week then Maidstone for the rest of the week.

Hazlitt Theatre

“However, I like to be as flexible as I can. There are two distinct workforces in the theatre, the day shift and the evening shift, and I like to work late duty manager shifts sometimes because it allows me to keep in touch with the evening staff and also see how audiences are reacting to the shows that we are staging.

“I am responsible for overseeing the programming for both theatres and I like to see new shows before we book them whenever I can.

“It helps that, being part of a group like Parkwood, we also receive recommendations from colleagues about new shows.

“A lot of our shows are proving very popular. The recent Panto at the Hazlitt, for example, attracted 19,300 people in a month, which meant that 92 per cent of tickets were sold, which is remarkable.

“We also have a commitment to new writing and new shows but do struggle sometimes to sell tickets for conventional theatre.

“However, both venues are fortunate in having main auditoriums and studio theatres so we can stage theatre in the studios and more popular shows like musical tribute events and big-name comedians in the main theatres. We also have a commitment to community theatre and to community groups.

“I try to attend as many of the shows that we stage as I can and my working day tends to be very flexible.

“I do work a lot of evenings, which means I don’t finish until 9 -10pm, but if I am working a typical day it tends to be 10 - 6pm.”

Various sized rooms to hire: Hazlitt Theatre / Exchange Studio / Maidstone Room / Gallery / 4th Wall Perfect for: Meetings / Rehearsals / Functions / Charity Events / Training / Team Building

Call: 01622 758611 www.HazlittTheatre.com @HazlittTheatre

@HACMaidstone

Thinking Business

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Members News

A hotel ideal for business and pleasure

The 4-star 85-room Best Western Plus Dover Marina Hotel & Spa is a seaside gem on the Dover seafront, with excellent access to the ferry and cruise terminals. It is ideal for business and leisure.

Thanks to its fusion of 21st Century comfort and 19th century décor, the hotel is full of character and bursting with charm.

State-of-the-Art rooms, sea views and a charming atmosphere making the Best Western Plus Dover Marina Hotel & Spa a wonderful place to stay.

The hotel has everything you need, including free Wi-Fi internet access, free car parking, a café serving morning breakfasts and Starbucks coffee, a modern Spa offering treatments including Ayurveda, and one of the largest and most well-equipped fitness centres in Kent!

A feature of the hotel are the two Marco Pierre White restaurants in Mr White’s English Chophouse and Wheeler’s Fish & Chips, which are open seven days a week to the general public and hotel guests When you spend a long weekend or a short break in Dover or are on a business trip, you will be able to enjoy everything from our good food to great facilities which include two Marco Pierre White dining outlets, bar, coffee shop, & business facility, and four function rooms.

The guest rooms have flat screen TVs, hair dryers, iron and ironing board, coffee & tea making facilities, room safe and a desk.

A touch of French atmosphere

Whether you’re looking for a leisurely breakfast, a casual dining experience or to celebrate a special occasion with friends and family, the team are always ready to welcome you, allowing you to relax and enjoy the French-inspired surroundings at Côte Brasserie Maidstone.

If you prefer to dine earlier in the day, you can enjoy the Lunch and Early Evening Menu from 12 noon to 7pm. With two courses for just £10.95, and three courses for £13.50 this menu offers fantastic value and is the perfect introduction to some of our most popular dishes, including our Crème Caramel. This traditional set vanilla pod custard with dark

caramel and cream makes for a perfect finish to your meal.

For those that are looking to dine after work, or just a little later, our Prestige Set Menu is available from 12 noon to 11pm (and 7pm on Friday). Enjoy 2 courses for £15.95, or 3 courses for £18.95 and sample some of the highlight dishes of this menu, like Roasted Pork Tenderloin, pan roasted pork

First impressions count

So, business is good and you’re feeling confident. The time is right for you move up a notch and pitch to bigger clients for more valuable projects and packages of work.

You’ve got one opportunity to get this right so one last check before the meeting. But there’s a problem.

You look great but your company identity and slide deck doesn’t. And then it slowly dawns on you that your visual collateral is never going to work at this new level of presentation!

Clients will always be looking for suppliers and partners who present well. They not only want businesses who satisfy the project, tender or framework requirements, but will

also be looking for suppliers who can enhance their reputation and go that extra mile.

That is why businesses and organisations have to take their company naming; logo design; content of mission statement; and, the choice of typefaces and colours for the print and digital collateral seriously. The identity and guidelines must be fit for purpose from the outset.

tenderloin with celeriac purée, pearl onions, bacon lardons and a veal and thyme jus.

With monthly menu changes across the sets and special menus there’s always new dishes to tempt your taste buds, not forgetting monthly drinks too. Keep an eye on our website for menu changes and offers, www.cote.co.uk.

From handing out the first business cards to delivering the initial powerpoint presentations, audiences will be judging. First impressions have the ability to make or break a business, and a positive experience can create long-lasting business relationships.

So, making a good first impression is particularly important when it comes to meeting customers and pitching to potential clients. And dont forget!

Once you’ve left the building, it’s your brand identity and branded collateral that remains behind as your representative.

Nick Stewart Creative Director Stewart2 Branding & Communication www.stewart2.com

K O ? g o d r u o y h t i w e m i t Spending d e t s a w g n i Spend t o n y b y e n o m ?

P I o V o t g n i mov NOT OK!!!

Find out how one of our customers is saving over £50,000 over 6 years by moving away from ISDN to VoIP!

www.tecwork.co.uk/is-voip-cheaper/ 01622 584600

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Thinking Business

kicc@tecwork.co.uk

The Person behind the Business Operating in the competitive area of IT and telecommunications, his Kent-based business tecwork has grown steadily since Nick founded it two years ago.

That success has been based on a belief that customers deserve, and require, a rapid service that is transparent so that they understand exactly what is happening with their service at any given time.

Nick, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the telecoms and IT industry, founded tecwork to provide advice, support and solutions to small businesses and organisations in Kent and Sussex on anything to do with IT and telecoms.

That could be anything from upgrading them to a VoIP or Cloud-based phone system or Cloud-based IT to installing a better internet connection and cabling and helping them to move office seamlessly.

Delivering the

WOW Factor For businessman Nick Brandon and his team, every day is a search for the WOW Factor.

“I have always maintained that the most important thing in a business is people.

Employing good people who are happy and fulfilled with lots of experience and knowledge will always deliver for you and for the customer.”

Nick created the business, which has an office in Tunbridge Wells, after trying to buy out the company where he had worked for 23 years, eventually rising to Director. When the management buyout did not happen, he struck out on his own.

He said: “I had been building up a business for many years that I thought I would own. What happened was tough and I made an immediate decision to start tecwork, a new brand of what I had been doing anyway for 25 years.

“Our aim is to be the best company in the area at servicing businesses with telecoms and IT. We strive for Wow Factor service.

“I think the key to creating that Wow Factor is about keeping the customer in the loop. We respond to requests within ten minutes and, if there is a problem, we keep the customer informed throughout the process to put it right.

“You hear of cases where customers have a problem which could take hours, or even days, to resolve but their provider does not keep them informed. That leads to frustrations and is simply not good enough.

“We take the view that we will keep them updated on a regular basis so that they know what is happening.

“I think another key to the success of our approach is ensuring that we can deliver what we promise.

“Our target market is any organisation in a 30-mile radius of Tunbridge Wells – we want to stay locally-focused so we can react and respond quickly.

“We deal primarily with businesses who are small, some with just one person, some with fifty or a hundred staff. I prefer that size as we can build relationships with the owners and managers more easily and our value gets more visibility at a senior level.

“Building these relationships is what I love most – it is very satisfying, rewarding and enjoyable. I have built up many relationships with business owners who I have helped and become friends with over the past 25 years.

It’s important to enjoy those relationships and if you are reliable and do a cracking job for people, you build loyalty, trust and friendship.”

For Nick, hiring the right people is crucial when it comes to providing the Wow Factor. He said: “I have always maintained that the most important thing in a business is people. Employing good people who are happy and fulfilled with lots of experience and knowledge will always deliver for you and for the customer. “ Also important is taking customers through the dramatic changes in the communications industry, particularly the rapid move of services away from conventional methods such as landlines to the Internet.

Nick said: “The big issue, at the moment, is Cloud migration, without a doubt. For most organisations, moving your voice service to VoIP is a win-win. Often people find they save money, get a new system and become more efficient and agile but it has to be done right and a premises-based system still has its place.

“However, people with an ISDN system should upgrade to either a fully hosted system or change their ISDN for a SIP trunk, offering a voice service on their internet connection.

“With regards to IT it’s similar with people moving from premisesbased servers and applications to Cloud Solutions like Microsoft Office 365, Sharepoint and One Drive. But again, it’s not always right for everyone and sometimes we suggest a ‘hybrid’ solution – part Cloud, part premises-based – it just depends. Being agile and efficient is important and giving all the people in the business that agility has never been easier.”

You can find out more about tecwork at kicc@tecwork.co.uk or 01622 584600.

The website is www.tecwork.co.uk Thinking Business

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Thinking Business

asktheexpert

Ask the Expert

Why are senior management the blockers to website success?

Questions such as:

1. How many enquiries did we get about Product/Service A last month?

2. How many visitors did we get to the Product/Service A part of our website last month?

Andy Harris A1WebStats andy@a1webstats.com www.a1webstats.com

We never get asked that question, but it’s one that needs asking because every single day I see how businesses are losing potential customers.

Most businesses have websites and staff (internal or outsourced) who focus on bringing visitors to the website and evolving the content of the website.

Most businesses also fail to gain enough enquiries from their website visitors!

The problem is with senior management who aren’t asking the right questions of their staff/outsourced suppliers of web-related services.

3. How many of those visitors were relevant (i.e. not noise data, such as visitors from countries we don’t serve)?

4. Of the resulting RELEVANT visitors to the Product/Service A part of our website last month, how does that number compare to the overall enquiries gained about Product/Service A?

These are just a few of the questions that senior management should be asking.

Instead, the focus is often on useless data such as overall visitor numbers and how many clicks were gained from paid advertising or social media.

If you are reading this as senior management, I can 100% guarantee that I will find holes in your website. Holes that are losing you enquiries, and sending prospects going to competitors instead.

It’s not the fault of your staff/service providers.

It’s the fault of them having a role/agenda, and the fact that you’re not asking the right questions of them.

The problem with this is that their competitors may have chosen A1WebStats, which will give Contracts Engineering, Sittingbourne them MUCH stronger insights into website visitors data. Those insights lead to website/marketing improvements, which leads to more enquiries and sales for the competitors.

They will receive additional information from us, making it clear that A1WebStats is designed to achieve a lot more than companies’ tracking, and should also be used as a tool to strengthen overall website success.

So, the sales person who has focused purely on ‘companies chasing’ has, regardless of the solution they’ve chosen, condemned their employer to lower levels of new business than they should be getting.

Take, for example, someone in sales, who trials A1WebStats purely because they want to identify the names of companies that have visited their website (so that they can follow up with them).

But what if it was different?

However, the person in sales is focused purely on their own agenda – chasing companies that visited their website.

What if senior management asked the right questions about their website visitors data?

The questions that started with a focus on how many enquiries/sales were gained.

They don’t think about the bigger picture - how other analysis of website visitor patterns can result in more incoming sales leads.

So they trial A1WebStats and they will probably trial other solutions.

They will ultimately buy the solution that most closely matches their own agenda – chasing companies.

If that solution is not A1WebStats then they will be buying into a system that only provides visiting companies data.

The answer is simple: identification of holes in the online presence that, when plugged, will lead to substantially more business gained.

Ready for the brutally honest truth about your website?

Reach out for a free and beneficial insight.

Because your business deserves better results from website visitors

01227 251251

ThinkingBusiness Business Thinking

35

Business News

Elwick Place

recognised by leading architectural awards

Ashford Borough Council has welcomed the news that one of its key developments, Elwick Place, the new 850 seat cinema complex adjoining the new Travelodge hotel, has been nominated for a leading architectural prize.

Guy Hollaway Architects design for Elwick Place was selected as a finalist in the 'Retail and Leisure Architect of the Year' category at the Building Design Architect of the Year Awards 2019.

The Building Design Architect of the Year awards recognise the most creative, innovative and dynamic talent in the industry and is distinguished from other architectural awards by virtue of honouring overall achievement within a particular sector.

The cinema complex is clad in a gold coloured, anodised aluminium mesh, shaped to wrap up the building from the first floor, and in sections to curve around the building’s facade. Set around a new landscaped public square, Elwick Place aims to cultivate a sense of community and creates a clear landmark destination for Ashford Town Centre.

Ashford Borough Council Chief Executive Tracey Kerly said: “Change can be challenging but when it is done in a sympathetic way that also takes time to recognise our heritage, it can be truly uplifting. Elwick Place will become a symbol of the regeneration of Ashford.”

The opening of the Picturehouse at Elwick Place is part of a phased opening which will also include new food and beverage offerings, a new meeting and events space at Elwick Square, a 58-room hotel and a surface car park of 282 spaces.

The first phase opened in December 2018 on time and on budget.

The former brownfield site has been transformed into a go-to destination for people in Ashford and surrounding areas of Kent.

Elwick Place is one of the lead projects of eight regeneration developments in Ashford that the council is investing in to revitalise the town and bring employment, tourism and leisure facilities to a premium standard for residents and visitors to the town, which is one of the fastest growing in the South East.

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Honour for mentoring company

Kent based start-up Goal 17 has won at the National Mentoring Awards and been recognised as having the number 1 sports-led mentoring programme in the UK.

Just five months after launching the enterprise, co-founders Fran Boorman, from Tunbridge Wells, and Keith Mabbutt, from Maidstone, were honoured in a star-studded ceremony as national winners, ahead of long-established multinational organisations such as Allianz and Ricoh.

The win came just weeks after the pair were awarded business recognition from Theo Paphitis having been selected from 370,000 entrants to Paphitis’ weekly #SBS business competition.

The National Mentoring Awards are a national

Steve Hamilton

Our business can count over fifty years of experience within media, and well over 2 million media campaigns constructed across all media channels, with a significant amount of websites developed and launched in that time.

However, we have also observed the challenges that face businesses in dealing with many different media companies, and their approaches.

We have seen agencies that speak in jargon and are providing websites and

celebration to honour ‘Mentoring Excellence’ and give public recognition to individuals and organisations who mentor across all walks of life, whether in their business, community, personal or professional lives, founded by leading business mentor Chelsey Baker.

The event was attended by more than 300 of the UK’s top mentors, mentoring organisations alongside business leaders, government officials and CEO’s form every sector of business, and society. Goal 17 teaches mentoring skills by pairing corporate staff

with homeless young people who are on a 10-week football themed transformational academy with Goal 17’s charity partner, The Street Soccer Foundation (based in Kent and founded by Kent entrepreneur Keith Mabbutt).

This revolutionary programme breaks down boundaries, shifts mindsets and helps everyone involved learn about themselves and how best to work with others.

Fran Boorman said: “We feel honoured to receive so much wonderful recognition

All in one box

at such an early stage in our business. Whilst the awards are lovely what really matters to us is the impact we are making on the lives of both our young people and corporate mentors. We are driven by a passion to break down boundaries and bring two very different sides of society together.

For us, the biggest rewards are seeing the change our programmes creates and the many different people that we are able to effect in a positive way.”

Media in a Box was created by Steve Hamilton and Sarah Boyce, two extremely experienced professionals with more than 50 years in the media and marketing industry. digital services that business owners just don’t understand, with media plans that DON’T revolve around the objectives of the businesses they serve.

In many cases, this is the livelihood of the business, and budgets are ultravaluable.

Therefore, understanding what a business is trying to achieve, understanding the audience that they seek, and maximising approach around conversion is significantly important.

The time cost associated

with dealing with all these things is substantial. Our business is based in New Romney and Medway, Kent.

Our business can provide services anywhere in the United Kingdom. Media in a Box prides itself on working as an extension of your business.

Our world revolves around your objectives, your growth.

Our aim is to simplify the approach and provide one point of contact, with many different services, all in one box.

Providing quality recruitment

Sarah Boyce

Why not contact Media in a Box for an informal chat about your business, and see if we can help you?

Visit the website at mediainabox.co.uk, email us at info@mediainabox.co.uk

Xquisite Recruitment provide an extremely professional recruitment service across a wide range of genres, and position levels on a National basis.

With more than twenty five years’ experience of recruiting, many through managing the eminent high street agencies, we are trusted and seasoned recruiters, passionate about our business and yours.

This is our business, and we are not constrained by traditional office hours, power meetings etc.

Our time, and that of our large resourcing compliment, is dedicated to making your recruitment process easier by finding you the ideal

candidate that will help enhance your business.

We never compromise on standards. However, we can have a degree of flexibility on price as we concentrate on your recruitment needs only, without the glossy brochures.

We pride ourselves on being that responsive friendly voice on the end of the phone that you can discuss your needs with and put the world to rights.

We also provide Job Search Training for those looking to re-establish themselves in a

new job, those after a career change and companies who are unfortunately closing and wish to give their departing employees the best possible chance of re-employment.

It’s not easy out there.

People struggle, primarily because they don’t know what we know, through our recruitment knowledge, and this can have a demoralising effect, and impact on one’s self worth, raising their stress levels.

Our training will give the attendee every single tool

they will need to be successful in their job search.

Encapsulating everything from CVs, responding to adverts, researching unadvertised roles, getting the best from the job boards, interview techniques, absolutely everything which includes our ebook as a reminder.

Courses are held on either a one to one basis, groups of three upwards, or at a company’s premises for their staff.

RBLI to provide a commercial health and disability support service in 100th year

Businesses looking for support in employing or helping people in work with disability and health conditions can now turn to a charity with 100 years of experience in helping those facing such challenges in the workplace.

Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) was founded in 1919 to provide support for sick and injured troops returning from the battlefields of the First World War. Today its two social enterprises, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC) and Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) provide jobs for more than 110 disabled veterans and civilians at its three factories in Kent, Surrey and Renfrewshire.

Through its Employment Solutions division, the charity is now making its century of expertise available to companies UK wide through a range of services which include workplace assessments, training for diversity and disability in the workplace, supporting staff and managers with education around disability or health issues, and supporting colleagues experiencing workplace barriers or issues.

Andy Milton, Director of Employment Services at RBLI, said: “As a charity dedicated to working with people with disabilities and health conditions, providing them with employment and accommodation and helping them live independent lives for more than 100 years, we believe we are uniquely placed to help businesses improve their own support for such colleagues.

“We provide a range of management support, including working with occupational health and HR teams to implement practical workplace solutions, or with senior management teams to improve organisational awareness and understanding around having a diverse team.

Our national team of expert qualified assessors enables us to identify and recommend the right solutions that really can level the playing field and maximise potential in the workplace.”

RBLI services include professional workplace assessments for anyone with work-related barriers, disabilities or impairments; workstation assessments; and disability awareness training.

For more information on RBLI’s Employment Solutions, visit workplaceinclusion.co.uk or email experts@rbli.co.uk or call 01622 795983

Cripps advises Safic-Alcan on acquisition of Langley-Smith & Company

Law firm Cripps, incorporating Pemberton Greenish, has advised longstanding French client Safic-Alcan on its acquisition of UK-based Langley-Smith & Company.

Safic-Alcan is an independent distributor of specialty chemicals headquartered in France.

Langley-Smith was established in 1907 and is a specialty chemicals distributor in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, with a focus on adhesives, paint and coatings, polymer modification, road marking and rubber processing, inks and varnishes.

The acquisition of Langley-Smith will cement Safic-Alcan’s position as a leader in specialty chemicals distribution in the UK and Ireland and will allow the company to develop its capabilities in mainland Europe.

Partner and Head of International Olivier Morel and Senior

Associate Erin Willock led the Cripps team advising Safic-Alcan on all legal aspects of the acquisition. They were assisted

by Juanne Jambaz (Corporate); Patrick Glencross (Employment); Dan Badham (Commercial) and Roberta Organ (Real Estate).

Yann Lissillour, Director of Mergers and Acquisitions for Safic-Alcan, said: “We have worked closely with Cripps for many years and value the experience and understanding of Franco-British business dynamics they bring to our transactions. The team worked tirelessly to ensure our acquisition of Langley-Smith ran smoothly and was completed to the satisfaction of both parties.”

Langley-Smith & Company was advised by Paul Cooper, partner at Blake Turner LLP.

Business News

Business signs up

Clear Voice Interpreting Services has joined the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), the UK’s only professional institute dedicated to supporting translators and interpreters.

Following huge customer growth in the past five years, the business has recognised the need to join an organisation such as the ITI to strengthen its offer to its existing clients and maintain its appeal to new businesses.

Becoming a member of the ITI gives the business access to training opportunities to strengthen its interpreters’ portfolio of skills and sector support through regional and language networks.

In becoming members of this globally respected body, the business is demonstrating its commitment to continuous improvement which benefits both our interpreters and clients.

Fund brings together Ashford businesses committed to supporting community

A new fund, run by Kent Community Foundation (KCF), will connect socially responsible businesses and entrepreneurs with innovative projects to make a difference in the Ashford community and help those most in need.

Every year, KCF helps hundreds of local causes that provide services and support for the most vulnerable in the county, creating new opportunities for the disadvantaged and transforming the lives of those most in need.

Members of Ashford Corporate Giving Fund will make an annual charitable donation to KCF of between £1,000 £2,500 which will be pooled to create a collective fund to support local causes.

Twice a year, KCF will invite members to come together at a networking event to decide which local causes to support and find out more about the most pressing issues facing the local community.

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation, said: “Ashford is one of the fastest growing towns in Kent and was recently voted the number one business location in the county. We already manage a successful Corporate Fund in Medway, which has since 2012 awarded 32 grants totalling in excess of £60,000 to community projects and we are confident that the new Ashford Corporate Giving Fund will become a popular means for Ashford businesses and entrepreneurs, to support the local community” If you would like to join the Ashford Corporate Giving Fund, to help make positive, lasting changes in your local community, please contact josephine@kentcf.org.uk Thinking Business

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International Trade

UK businesses taking advantage of growth in international markets

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Thinking Business

Intenational Trade

Recently released data has underlined the growing demand for UK products and services internationally despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit.

The information compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the export of goods and services to non-EU trading partners in 2018 reached a high of £345.1bn, demonstrating the growing appetite for British produce and services outside the EU.

The latest figures show an increase in the share of exports going to the UK’s top three nonEU trading partners, USA, China and Switzerland, increasing from 21.3% in 2000 to 25.4% in 2018.

UK exports also grew faster to India (up 19.3%), Japan (7.9%), China (4.6%), and Canada (4.2%), than to the EU (3.6%) in 2018.

Contrastingly, as Brexit uncertainty continues to have an effect, the share of UK exports to the EU has decreased significantly from 54% to 45.6% over the same period.

According to ministers, the data shows that the UK was one of only two EU member states to export more goods to non-EU countries than within the EU in 2018, demonstrating the UK’s increasing popularity in markets beyond the union.

Secretary of State for International Trade Dr Liam Fox said: “Even with an increasingly challenging global economic outlook, these latest figures show demand for UK exports across the globe continues to grow and there is clear appetite for British products all around the world. Now more than ever is the time for UK businesses to be exploring opportunities overseas.”

The USA remains the UK’s top destination for exports, increasing by 3.9% to 118.2bn in 2018.

Latest data also highlights the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for foreign investment as inwards stock increased by 12.6% to a record high of £1,336.5bn in 2017. The USA is the UK’s top investor, with investment stock increasing by 19.5% to 351bn.

There has been a growing demand from Asian investors in the UK, with inwards investment stock increasing by 201% since 2008, the highest growth rate of any continent. Furthermore, the share of inwards stock from Asia increased from 6.8% to 9.6% between 2008 and 2017.

Trade deal is signed

The UK has signed a new trade continuity agreement with Norway and Iceland.

The agreement will see British businesses and consumers benefitting from continued trade with the two countries after the UK leaves the European Union.

Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to Europe Andrew Mitchell signed the UK- Iceland-Norway agreement in London, with Stefán Haukur Jóhannesson, Ambassador of Iceland to the UK, and Wegger Christian Strømmen, Ambassador of Norway to the UK. The agreement covers trade in goods and will only be used in a no deal scenario. It maintains the same level of tariffs on goods traded between the UK, Iceland and Norway.

British businesses could avoid up to £15 million a year in tariff charges on exports that would otherwise apply if an agreement wasn’t in place.

The UK’s trade with Iceland and Norway was worth around £30 billion last year, with just over £24 billion of this in goods.

Andrew Mitchell said: ”The agreement secures continued preferences for goods trade with Iceland and Norway for British businesses, as we prepare to leave the EU. These are key trading partners with whom we have a longstanding and historic trading relationship.

“This is good news for British businesses and we have a golden opportunity to further liberalise trade with these countries in the years ahead.”

“Even with an increasingly challenging global economic outlook, these latest figures show demand for UK exports across the globe continues to grow and there is clear appetite for British products all around the world.”

Thinking Business

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Thursday 3rd October 2019 Kent Event Centre, Detling

The South East’s largest gathering of construction industry professionals, contractors & suppliers

Produced by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, the Expo delivers a multitrack conference programme, over 150 market-leading exhibitors, and a unique opportunity for the construction sector to come together for an invaluable day of networking and innovation. The packed programme also includes over 600 free meet-the-buyer appointments, a Big Networking Breakfast and Gala Dinner.

Just Confirmed!

Our Gala Dinner guest speaker has just been confirmed as former world heavyweight champion, Frank Bruno!

Register for your FREE place at: www.KentConstructionExpo.com

Aspect Four Demolition has more than 40 years’ experience within the industry and have quickly developed an enviable reputation for the quality and scope of its work.

This extensive knowledge means Aspect Four Demolition are well-equipped to enable the most demanding, complex, intricate or delicate of projects to be undertaken.

Customer satisfaction and health & safety remain are our top priority.

We are very keen to tender for your demolition, asbestos removals, site clearance and the associated works in the future, and I can assure you the prices tendered will be extremely competitive.

We specialise in: • Complete Demolition and Site Clearance • Soft Strip • Salvage • Asbestos Removal

With many decades experience in the industry, our Managing Director has been doing this for 50 years now, we are highly confident in our promise to provide Safe and Economic Solutions for our clients.

All our projects focus on two specific areas:

Heath and Safety:

Our site staff and operatives hold the highest level of safety certification and undergo regular industry specific training (all of our operatives are CCDO carded – Certificate of Competence of Demolition Operatives) to standards often higher than those required by the regulatory authorities.

We are currently certified by SMAS, CHAS, CSCS committed to a Platinum Award, CQMS, Constructionline

Environment:

Our industry is in an excellent position to ensure maximum reuse of material and often go to extreme lengths to maintain circa 97-100% reuse of all materials.

You will see a summary of a few of our recent projects on line: www.aspectfour.co.uk

Aspect Four Demolition Services Limited

7D Lysander Close| Pysons Road Industrial Estate Broadstairs | Kent | CT10 2YJ Office: 01843 210796

Eagle Heights Falconry Show and Lunch

Chamber Events

Join us at Eagle Heights for a magnificent falconry show followed by a delicious networking lunch.

Make new business connections whilst watching the display over lunch.

This outdoor event will give you an opportunity to step out of the office and enjoy these beautiful birds in their falconry demonstration.

“Take a Break” Networking Lunch

Guilty of working through your lunch hour?

Take a break with us at the Royal Wells Hotel for or new bi-monthly Networking Lunch series.

Step away from your desk for the chance to make new contacts over a delicious buffet lunch.

In a relaxed environment, businesses from all sectors and sizes enjoy the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals from in and around Kent, especially the West Kent area.

Members: £20.00+VAT Non-Members: £25.00+VAT 10th July 2019 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Royal Wells Hotel, 59 Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8BE.

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Eagle Heights is one of the UK’s largest Bird of Prey Centres, currently having a collection of approximately 100 raptors.

This includes over 50 species, many of which are now breeding at the centre or can be seen flying in our daily demonstrations.

They have also become a wildlife sanctuary and house a variety of animals including, Meerkats, African Servals, Farm Animals, Reptiles, Huskies and more.

Eagle Heights is actively working on wildlife conservation here in the UK, whilst also assisting with conservation in West Africa.

Members: £20.00+VAT Non-Members: £25.00+VAT

20th June 2019 11:30am – 2.00pm

Eagle Heights, Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, Dartford, DA4 0JB

Midsummer Afternoon Tea

Spaces are limited so book your place now.

Join us at Lympne Castle for a tranquil and relaxing Afternoon Tea complimented by the outstanding views across Kent, that you can see from the castle terrace.

Lympne Castle offers you the opportunity to be transported back to a medieval fairy-tale and to follow in the footsteps of real monarchs who may once have walked the halls.

On arrival, experience the glorious sounds of live harp music performed by 2 of Harps, to relax and inspire your soul whilst sipping a glass of Pimms (hopefully in the sunshine).

Enjoy a magnificent afternoon in the open marquee and castle grounds whilst enjoying your Afternoon Tea with a selection of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats.

As well as being in this charming setting, you will also have the opportunity to engage and connect with like-minded local businesses.

Members: £20.00+VAT Non-Members: £25.00+VAT

16th July 2019 3.00pm – 5.00pm

Lympne Castle, The Street, Lympne, Kent, CT21 4LQ.

For further information on all events please contact events@kentinvictachamber.co.uk or call 01233 503838

Chamber Business Events June 2019 onwards

GENERAL NETWORKING Business Breakfast 5th June 2019 at 08:30am Members: £20.00 + VAT Non-Members: £25.00 +VAT Sands Hotel, Margate Muesli Mafia Breakfast 20th June 2019 at 7:30am Members: £20.00 + VAT Non-Members: £25.00 + VAT Ashford International Hotel, Ashford “Take A Break” Networking Lunch 10th July 2019 at 12.00pm Members: £20.00 + VAT Non-Members Non-Members: £25.00 +VAT Royal Wells Hotel, Tunbridge Wells Coffee Connections* 17th July 2019 at 10:30am Members: £8.50 + VAT Non-Members: £12.50 + VAT The Companile Hotel, Dartford Muesli Mafia Breakfast B 18th July 2019 at 07:30am Members: £20.00 + VAT Non-Members: £25.00 +VAT Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel After Hours Meetings (Free) 6.00pm - 7.30pm June 2019 4th: Conningbrook Hotel, Ashford 11th: Burlington Hotel, Folkestone 13th: Hempstead House Hotel & Spa, Sittingbourne* 19th: Abbots Barton Hotel, Canterbury 25th June: Hotel Du Vin, Tunbridge Wells July 2019 2nd: Conningbrook Hotel, Ashford 4th: Bridgewood Manor, Chatham 9th: Burlington Hotel, Folkestone 11th: KIMS Hospital, Madistone* 17th: Abbots Barton Hotel, Canterbury 31st: G Casino, Broadstairs * Business Togetherness

SPECIAL EVENTS “Behind The Scenes” Gin Tasting and Tour 5th June 2019 at 4:30pm Members: Free to attend Non-Members: £15.00 + VAT Anno Distillers, Tonbridge

TRAINING AND SKILLS

“Behind The Scenes” at Chilstone Summer Evening Special 19th June 2019 at 5.00pm Members: Free Non-Members: £15.00 + VAT Chilstone,Victoria Park, Tunbridge Wells

Customs Declaration Service: Tariff Codes And Customs Classification 13th June 2019 at 08:00am Members: £75.00 + VAT Non-Members: £90 +VAT Innovation Centre Medway, Chatham

Eagle Heights Falconry Show and Lunch 20th June 2019 at 11:30am Members: £20.00 + VAT Non-Members: £25.00 + VAT Lorem Ipsum Eagle Heights, Dartford

Sta Medway KICC Start 3 Day Business Start Up Course 3rd July 2019 at 9:30am Free to Medway Residents Non-Resident of Medway: £50 + VAT Innovation Centre Medway, Chatham

Midsummer Afternoon Tea 16th July 2019 at 3.00pm Members Members: £20.00 + VAT Non-Members: £25.00 + VAT Lympne Castle, Lympne

Export Training: International Trade and Finance 11th July 2019 at 08:00am Members: £75.00 + VAT Non-Members: £90 +VAT Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford

PEER TO PEER NETWORKING Kent Construction Focus Group Breakfast 4th June 2019 at 7:30am KCFG Members: £18.00 + VAT KCFG Non-Members: £30.00 + VAT The Village Hotel, Maidstone Kent Construction Focus Group Breakfast 2nd July 2019 at 7:30am KCFG Members: £18.00 + VAT KCFG Non-Members: £30.00 + VAT The Village Hotel, Maidstone

INFORMATION EVENTS

INFORM EVENTS

Supporting Over 50’s in the Workplace Partnership with the National Careers Service 19th June 2019 at 10.00am Please email: events@kentinvictachamber.co.uk for more information

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING A KENT INVICTA CHAMBER EVENT? Call us Visit us Email us

01233 503838 www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk events@kentinvictachamber.co.uk

Does your business have the capacity and ambition to grow?

Scale Up is the Chamber’s newly launched high growth, executive coaching service.

Identified as an exemplar service by the Scale Up Institute, it’s aimed at dynamic businesses looking to expand and grow.

Using our in-house trained coaches, we apply a methodology that delivers proven tangible results to both the

bottom line of your business and the development of the senior management team. You will be guided through a programme of development that will embed a culture of goal setting, accountability, adherence to core values and achievement.

call us +44 (0) 1233 503 838

www.scaleupkent.co.uk

New Chief Executive for Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex

Members News

A highly experienced leader and Chief Executive with 25 years’ experience in the health and international aid and development sectors is taking over as the new Chief Executive of Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (AAKSS).

Currently Chief Executive of Leeds Cares, a multi-million pound charity supporting the health and wellbeing of the wider community in partnership with one of the largest and most successful NHS Trusts in the country, David will be relocating to the South East and starting his new role with AAKSS on 1 August.

AAKSS operates 24/7 and serves the 4.7 million residents of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, as well as the huge number of people that travel through the area on business or pleasure each year.

David said: “I know from my current role the vital and life-saving difference that can be made by rapid response to trauma and medical emergency and providing the emergency medical support patients

An honours graduate in history and economics at Glasgow University, David Welch pursued a successful early career in retail management before switching to pursue international aid and development work including in conflict-torn countries such as Angola, Rwanda and Bosnia.

David then led a number of health-related charities in his native Scotland and, most recently, the north of England.

need. I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to lead and develop Air Ambulance Kent Surrey and Sussex, an inspirational organisation with an excellent reputation and an incredible team of staff and volunteers who together through their experience, hard work and commitment make such a positive impact on the lives of their patients.

“The frontline crews at AAKSS are recognised as among the very best and most innovative in the country – if not the world – and they are backed by a first-rate wider staff team, some 200 volunteers and an incredibly supportive and visionary Chair and Board of Trustees.’’

David will take over from Michael Docherty, who has

been the charity’s interim Chief Executive since August 2018 and will now return to the Board as a Trustee.

Dr Helen Bowcock, Chair of Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex, said: “David was the outstanding candidate to become our new CEO. He brings a wealth of leadership experience having already served for some years as a chief executive in the health and charity sectors with a strong track record of successful income generation and innovation.

“The Trustees are immensely grateful to Michael Docherty who has served as Interim CEO. He has provided exemplary leadership and has enabled us to attract the best possible candidate as permanent CEO.”

Top graduates sought as Kent law firm opens applications for programme

One of Kent’s leading law firms is offering graduates the chance to kick-start their legal careers.

Furley Page is now accepting applications for its Trainee Solicitor programme and successful applicants will start their training in September 2021.

George Crofton-Martin, Training Partner at Furley Page, said: " We have developed a highlyrespected training programme that helps Furley Page attract the brightest, most talented graduates. With excellent opportunities for career progression, many of our

trainees go on to make an important contribution to the firm for many years.

“Our trainee solicitor programme provides graduates with a fantastic start to their legal career by giving them real responsibility, direct access to clients and the chance to sample many different aspects of the law.”

First year Trainee Solicitor Kirsty Morrison said: “Furley Page takes a very handson approach with trainees and I have been given a

surprising level of responsibility. As a trainee, you are genuinely involved in crucial client work.”

Ellie Boreham, who is currently in her second training year with the firm, said: “There is a perception that trainees will only ever undertake low level tasks, with little or no support, but this has not been my experience. I have really enjoyed my training and I have felt challenged, supported and trusted throughout.”

New Associate Director for Caxtons Caxtons has announced that Head of Block Management Tony Martin has been made an Associate Director of the South Eastbased independent firm of chartered surveyors.

Born in London and raised in Kent, Tony is a graduate of Greenwich University in Management and Maintenance and qualified in 2000 whilst working for the Royal Borough of

Greenwich. Tony joined Caxtons as a Property Manager in 2006 and was promoted to Senior Property Manager four years later.

This was followed in 2016 by

his appointment as Head of Block Management, where he has continued his work in developing best practice in the sector and guiding and expanding the department.

A typical training contract comprises four practice areas offered over a two-year training period in various teams including Corporate and Commercial; Dispute Resolution; Employment Law; Real Estate; Private Client, Trusts and Estates; Elderly and Vulnerable Client; Family Law and Personal Injury.

Applications for the 2021 intake must be received by Friday 12 July 2019, with shortlisted candidates interviewed during the week commencing 24 July.

Brachers announces seven promotions across the firm

Brachers has recognised the dedication and achievement of its staff with seven promotions across different areas of the firm - including a new partner and director.

Emma Andersen of the Commercial Property team becomes a Partner of the firm and Justine Sloover of Private Client becomes a Director. Emma joined Brachers in 2014 and specialises in high value property acquisitions, disposals and lettings, working for both landlords and tenants. Justine is Head of the firm’s Trust team with a wealth of knowledge gained over 28 years in trust management.

There are two new Senior Associates – Harriet Humphrey of Healthcare/Clinical Negligence and Tim Tuner of Corporate & Commercial – while Joanna Simpson of Commercial Property and Sarah Hewitt of Corporate & Commercial step up to become Associates. In addition, Wendy Sell in the Debt Recovery team has been promoted to Senior Customer Executive.

Joanna Worby, Managing Partner, said: “I am delighted that we are able to recognise the professionalism and ability of our talented staff and give them the promotions they deserve.

We know that it is the quality of the service we provide to clients that will make us really stand out as a firm, and all seven of our promoted individuals demonstrate that in abundance.”

Thinking Business

45

Business News

Since it opened in October 2016, the helipad at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, has been operational between the hours of 7am and 9pm.

Any patients requiring specialist trauma treatment and care outside these hours have been brought to King's via road ambulance, which could take up to two hours for patients on the Kent coast.

With the extended operating hours, patients in the hospital’s catchment area of Kent and south-east London can now be airlifted to King’s by Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex in less than 30 minutes at any time of the day or night – something that could make the difference between life and death for seriously injured people.

Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff, Helicopter Emergency Services (HEMS)

New life-saving service for Kent residents in night-time medical emergencies

The time taken for Kent residents to get specialist trauma treatment at night has been dramatically shortened, with King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust becoming the first Major Trauma Centre in London to have a fully operational 24/7 helipad.

Consultant at Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex and Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma at King’s College Hospital, said: “A 24/7 helipad at King’s is a game-changer for patients in south-east London and Kent as time is absolutely critical when it comes to treating trauma patients. Those with head injuries, multiple fractures or significant blood loss require timely treatment by a specialist team with the right equipment.

“The air ambulance crew can now administer emergency care on scene and, in less than half an hour, transfer patients to a specialist trauma hospital, which is the most appropriate place for them to continue to receive care. The speed of getting patients into specialist care provided by King’s can be the difference between life and death.”

Planning permission granted for £9.5 million Innovation Centre

Innovation Centre at Kent Medical Campus Situated beside Junction 7 of the M20, the four storey, 37,000ft2 Innovation Centre – designed by Bond Bryan Architects - will provide flexible office space, facilities and business support for small and medium-sized enterprises working in the life science, healthcare and med-tech sectors.

Construction will commence in autumn 2019 and the Innovation Centre will be ready to welcome its first tenants in summer 2021.

Once completed, the Innovation Centre is expected to support around 270 jobs and will generate a further £120m of additional gross value added to the local economy over the next decade.

William Cornall, Director of Regeneration and Place at Maidstone Borough Council, said: “The Innovation Centre is integral

46

Thinking Business

Planning permission has been granted for Maidstone Borough Council’s proposed Innovation Centre at Kent Medical Campus, part of the North Kent Enterprise Zone.

to our growth ambitions, and it builds upon the Government’s support for the North Kent Enterprise Zone which includes the Kent Medical Campus as a key location for employment growth that will deliver 4,000 jobs for Maidstone”.

Tony Collins, Chairman of Kent Medical Campus, said: “Once again Maidstone Borough Council has signalled its belief that the campus is the largest economic driver for the borough and a major centre for science, healthcare and education employment.

“Our existing planning permission for 98,000m2 of commercial space, combined with Enterprise Zone status, the arrival of Cygnet Health Care and work under way on Care UK’s latest care home, means the campus is already delivering on its potential for Maidstone.”

Dr Helen Bowcock, Chair of Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex, added: “Having a helipad operating 24/7 at King’s will greatly enhance the service we can provide to our patients.

“Previously, we had to rely on road ambulances if patients needed to access the specialist trauma services provided by King’s during night-time hours. With a round-theclock helipad now operational, journey times will be cut by some three-quarters, ensuring seriously injured patients receive timely care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Patient numbers have been tracked since the helipad opened more than two years ago. It is anticipated there will be up to two night-time landings per week at King’s. King's Cranio, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and

Clinical Director for the South East London Kent and Medway Major Trauma Network, Mr Rob Bentley, said: "Night landings represent a significant move forward for trauma patients in the south east; it provides equity of access for patients across Kent so they can get the same timely care as patients in London.”

Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex relies on income from the general public to fund its operations and needs to raise more than £11m a year to keep flying. Last year its services were required for more than 2,000 people in life-threatening situations, with each emergency callout costing an average of £3,700.

Drive to push forward digital skills for the South East

A new Digital Skills Partnership (DSP) will bring together businesses, public sector organisations and the charitable sector to focus on how best to ensure the need for these vital skills is met across the South East.

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) will coordinate the DSP and act as a link between the Government’s Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and corporate partners including the likes of Google, IBM and local digital SMEs to help support residents and businesses across the area.

The SELEP Skills Strategy identified that there is a growing need for digital skills.

Business growth is being held back with vacancy numbers remaining high and many companies are struggling to recruit and retain digitally-focused staff. In the past calendar year, it was reported there were more than 35,000 digital vacancies, including web and software developers, programmers and coders across the SELEP area, which covers Kent, Essex, East Sussex, Medway, Southend and Thurrock.

Across 195,000 enterprises in the SELEP area, the need to enhance access to digital skills included businesses ranging from agriculture, construction, education, IT, digital and creative, manufacturing and engineering sectors to transport, logistics and warehousing.

Announcing the South East DSP, Minister for Digital, Margot James said: “Businesses need people with

the skills to thrive in the modern digital age. The New South East Local Digital Skills Partnership will help people get the skills that businesses need.

“This government’s modern industrial strategy is devoted to making sure everyone can enjoy the benefits of our thriving digital economy and help build a Britain fit for the future.”

Christian Brodie, Chair of SELEP, added: “We made a compelling case for a South East DSP and we are delighted it has been recognised by the Government.

“In order to improve our economic productivity, we urgently need to improve digital skills in our communities, by training, upskilling and reaching out to educators. This will help inform young people and adults of potential career routes, help those looking to return to the workplace and also support those who are currently disengaged from digital skills.”

“By engaging with tech businesses across our area and civil servants we are confident we will be able to influence national policy and help our Skills Advisory Pane currently being set upl help develop and bring forward initiatives to address local digital skills needs.”

LEPs collaborate on Clean Growth Strategy to cut carbon emissions in South East

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) has teamed up with its neighbouring LEPs and Siemens to deliver an ambitious energy strategy designed to cut carbon emissions and promote clean growth across the whole of the South East.

The South2East Local Energy Strategy, which will help meet statutory climate change targets for 2032 and 2050, has been drawn up by SELEP, Coast to Capital and Enterprise M3 LEPs, in partnership with Siemens.

The shared vision for the region is to become a leader for sustainable energy production within the UK, powering innovative, decarbonised and clean economic growth.

SELEP Chair Christian Brodie said: “It is clear that the scale and ambition embodied in this local energy strategy and accompanying action plan is massive, requiring strong leadership, the deployment of significant resources and considerable investment.

“Our role as the local LEP is to translate this strategy into action and ensure the delivery of projects which will make a significant difference to the businesses and people in our area by generating investment and improving the quality of life.

“The SELEP area is strong in the field of renewable energy, being home to a range of both on and offshore wind farms, including the world’s second largest in London

Array, as well as solar farms, with ambitious plans for more.”

The agreed strategy lists five priority themes for action: • low carbon heating; • renewable energy generation; • energy saving and efficiency; • smart energy systems; • and transport.

If this strategy is delivered in line with recommendations, by 2032 the tri-LEP region will deliver impact in the short and medium term, and prepare the foundation for meeting long-term targets through: • Securing investment in the region toward an estimated £14.755 billion in commercially and technically viable projects which deliver healthy returns to stakeholders • Delivering a reduction in emissions across the electricity, heat and transport sectors of 13,615 kT CO2e, which is the equivalent of removing all five million cars in the south east from the road • Transitioning 47,455 GWh from polluting, high-carbon generation to clean energy sources, the

Business News

equivalent of providing all 3.4 million homes in the tri-LEP region with a low-carbon supply of both electricity and heating • Creating or securing 75,652 jobs across the tri-LEP area Juergen Maier, CEO Siemens UK, said: “The energy system that has served us for more than 120 years is in the midst of great change, driven by the emergence of new technologies and a growing social consensus around climate change and sustainability.

“Analysts from across industry, government and academia agree there is a global trend away from high-carbon economies and towards a low-carbon alternative.

This transition presents a significant opportunity and an enormous challenge for both the public and private sector.

“We are pleased to be working with the three Local Enterprise Partnerships to help the area understand how to capitalise on the opportunities this new era presents.”

Within the 5 priority themes, 18 key project models have been identified which can be rolled out and scaled

Business Improvement District aims

up across the region and that will attract investment and achieve significant carbon emission savings.

These include: • supporting the development of district heat networks • connecting off-grid homes to gas supplies • hydrogen injection into the natural gas grid to lower the carbon content of gas • encouraging offshore wind development • developing solar arrays on council-owned landfill sites • supporting the development of a biomass supply chain to use the South East’s natural resources.

Further project models include supporting the scaling up of the ultra-low emissions vehicle charging infrastructure across the South East; supporting the roll out of the use of compressed natural gas for HGV fleets; build housing developments fuelled by hydrogen for heating and cooking; and supporting the development of carbon capture, usage and storage.

to make Maidstone town centre sparkle

The Maidstone Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a specialist street cleaning service in Maidstone town centre.

The service, which is the second initiative to be funded by Maidstone BID, will provide additional cleaning to the BID area to ensure an improved environment for local businesses and visitors to the town.

It will go beyond the services already provided by Maidstone Borough Council targeting issues of particular concern to local businesses.

Services will include routine power washing and deep cleaning of pavements, as well as the removal of gum, vegetation and graffiti.

In addition, the contract includes a rapid response service for emergencies, such as spillages, graffiti removal and rubbish collection. The Street Ambassadors will support local businesses by reporting any issues to the cleansing teams.

Ilsa Butler, BID Manager for One Maidstone, said: “We’re pleased to announce the launch of this enhanced street cleaning service, dedicated to the BID area. Local businesses and visitors will benefit from the service which will ensure the town centre is as clean and attractive as possible.

“The enhanced cleaning project has started with gum removal along King Street and the High Street and will undertake routine cleansing activities on an ongoing basis.”

Four companies tendered for the street cleansing contract, which was won by Maidstone Borough Council’s Cleansing Department in February 2019. Through the BID, One Maidstone will invest £120,000 over the three-year contract, with the potential for an additional year.

John Foster, Head of Regeneration and Economic Development at Maidstone Borough Council, said: “This latest programme funded by Maidstone BID complements the Council’s strategy to support local businesses. As Kent’s County Town it is important that Maidstone looks the part and the Council has carried out a comprehensive programme of public realm improvements in the town centre, including in Week Street and Gabriel’s Hill.

“By making the town centre a clean and attractive place, the cleansing initiative will help to encourage more people to visit and enjoy Maidstone’s fantastic business, retail and leisure offer.”

A BID is a business-led and business-funded body formed to improve a defined commercial area.

The Maidstone BID will fund initiatives to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as events and promotions to promote trade and footfall in the town. All the money is ring-fenced so that it can only be spent by the BID company in the specific BID area.

To request the new cleansing services, businesses located within Maidstone’s Business Improvement District should contact One Maidstone by emailing nigel.reed@onemaidstone.com or calling 01622 678777 Thinking Business

47

Welcome to our new members

New Members

Action K9 Security Ltd

Chatham 01634 685119 www.actionK9security.co.uk Providing Professional Security Personnel

Acumen Finance

Sidcup 0800 211 8330 www.acumenfinance-hoque.co.uk Commercial Finance Broker

Agile Business Consortium

Ashford 01233 611162 www.agilebusiness.org Membership Organisation, Research, Education

All About Image

Dartford 01322 275151 www.allaboutimage.uk.com Print & Embroidery Clothing

Auream Aesthetics

Dartford 01322 274161 www.aureamaesthetics.com Aesthetics

Basepoint - Northfleet

Northfleet 01474 338700 www.basepoint.co.uk Work Space to Let, Meeting Room Facilities, Virtual Offices, Networking Hubs

Bibby Financial Services Ltd

Redhill 0808 302 3052 www.bibbyfinancialservices.com/contact-us Financial Services

48

Thinking Business

Bright Sparks Marketing

Rochester 01634 907036 www.brightsparksmarketing.co.uk Marketing Consultancy, Strategy, Digital Marketing, Public Relations

Cell Projects Ltd

Maidstone 01622 851177 www.cellprojects.com DNA Equipment Supplies

Cheeky Communications Limited

Royal Tunbridge Wells 01892 539903 www.cheekycommunications.com Advertising Marketing Agency

Core Finance Management

Rochester 0800 211 8121 www.corefinancemanagement.com/ Payroll Services

Corrina's Cutting In Style Lydd 01797 322243 Hairdressing

CĂ´te Brasserie Maidstone 01622 391170 www.cote.co.uk Hospitality

Dachser Limited

Dartford 01322 299831 www.dachser.com International Freight Forwarding and Logistics

DC Architecture Ltd Dover

07961 122650

www.codrea.uk

Architecture

Delta House Maintenance Ltd West Malling

0845 621 1295

www.delta-house.co.uk

Mechanical Services

Destra Engineering Ltd Ashford

01233 638996

www.destra.co.uk

Plastic Injection Moulding

East Kent Spatial Development Company Whitstable

01227 802222

www.cloverhousewhitstable.co.uk

Serviced Offices, Development

& Regeneration

European Metal Recycling Rochester

01322 344317

www.emrgroup.com

Metal Recycling

HDL CAD Solutions Maidstone

07739 017990

www.hdlcadsolutions.co.uk

Offering a Range of Specialist

Services Utilising SolidWorks and

Associated Programs such as

AutoCAD and DraftSight

New Members

Infocus Resources Ltd Swanscombe

01322 370100

www.infocusresources.com

Labour Supply - Rail Infrastructure

& Construction

JK Online Gillingham

07568 558105

www.wearejk.co.uk

Digital Marketing Agency

Specialising in Small Business

Kent Association for the Blind Maidstone

01622 691357

www.kab.org.uk

Charity for the Visually Impaired:

Training, IT, Visual Awareness & Built Environment Assessments

Lustre Consulting Ltd Chatham

01634 757705

www.lustreconsulting.com Environmental Consulting

Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel Tunbridge Wells 08448 159074

www.mercuretunbridgewells.co.uk

Hotel, Conference, Events, Leisure,

Restaurant

MP Payroll Solutions Ltd Tunbridge Wells 01892 686480

www.maxipay.co.uk

Payroll Bureau and HR Services

Partnership Invoice Finance

Paddock Wood 01892 576470 www.partnershipinvoicefinance.co.uk Invoice Financing

Personal & Professional Development Ltd

Gillingham 07973 216323 www.jeremyfrancis.co.uk Training and Development

Peter Winstanley Right Equity Release

Hythe 07973 615557 www.equityreleaseeastkent.co.uk Equity Release (Independent) Adviser

Reina Group

Folkestone 01303 248648 www.reinagroup.co.uk Contract Mechanical Services

Remsup Consulting Limited

STL International Ltd

Maidstone 01622 749633 www.stl-int.co.uk Lighting Solutions for Industrial Applications

T Cards Direct

West Malling 01732 871417 www.tcardsdirect.com Manufacture and Supply of Manual and Online T Cards and T Card Systems

The Ian Wright Organisation

West Malling 01732 529511 www.thewrightevent.co.uk Corporate Events

Triple A Events

Sittingbourne 0800 772 3242 www.tripleaevents.co.uk Event Management, Delivery and Technical Services

Windmill Training

Tonbridge 07595 157825 www.remsup.co.uk Business Consulting Cost Management, Interim Management and Strategic Procurement

Chatham 0845 003 4203 www.windmilltraining.co.uk Education & Training

Rochester 07939 912 992 www.scaff-force.co.uk Scaffolders Recruitment

London 03457 616263 www.worldpay.com Payments Provider

Rochester 01634 880705 www.stewart2.com Branding and Communication

Whitstable 01843 621019 www.xquisiterecruitment.co.uk Recruitment and Job Search Training

Scaff-Force Recruitments Ltd

Stewart2 Ltd

Worldpay (UK) Ltd

Xquisite Recruitment

Thinking Business

49

Last Word

David Redgate Girlings Solicitors Partner, Commercial Property

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

At sixteen I worked as a match day steward at Brands Hatch, cycling a ten mile round trip up, what is known locally as, ‘Death Hill’ to work ten hours for the princely sum of £25.

What do you always carry with you to work?

My ‘homework’, a dictaphone, paper, pens and of course some Girlings mints!

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

As a Commercial Property lawyer it would have to be the increasing tide of regulation that we have to deal with as well as lenders restricting work to panels.

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

A comprehensive review of tax laws to create a fairer system and one that does not stifle business growth, but supports positive development.

What can you see from your office window?

Whitefriars multi-storey car park quite handsome as far as car parks go and with the added benefit in the Winter of full beam headlights to illuminate my desk!

If you could do another job what would it be?

I am inspired by the work of The Aspinall Foundation and similar organisations and would like to work in a conservation role to improve animal welfare and preserve endangered species.

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

The ability to listen, understand and think creatively.

What is the biggest mistake businesses often make?

Owners not learning to delegate when their business gets to a certain size and realising that they can’t do it all and need support both internally and from external advisors.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Do your homework, plan and never let go of your ambition.

Who do you most admire in business?

I admire clients who have found a niche and worked hard to grow their business from humble beginnings to a thriving enterprise.

Kevin Byrne, founder of Checkatrade is a good example.

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Thinking Business

Hobbs Parker expands property consultancy team

Movers and Shakers

Hobbs Parker Property Consultants has welcomed a new Director to its team.

Vicky Phillips, whose career started as a graduate at Hobbs Parker, has more than ten years of experience in valuation, estate strategy and tax planning, compulsory purchase and compensation.

Having reached the position of Partner in her previous role at a national firm, Vicky has

a wealth of experience in farm, land and estate valuations in the south east and nationally, for private client, high street and private wealth banks. She has been heavily involved in compulsory purchase and compensation working for landowners and occupiers affected

by High Speed 2, petitioning parliament and representing clients

at the House of Lords Select Committee.

Sam Snart, Managing Director of Hobbs Parker Property Consultants, said: “It’s always gratifying to see how well graduate employees progress in their careers, so it’s with great pleasure that we welcome Vicky back to the team, as a Director. Many years ago we saw promise in her

and we are pleased to see her potential realised as part of our team.”

Vicky, who has an MSc in Rural Land and Business Management, rejoined the Hobbs Parker team at the beginning of March.

In her free time she enjoys spending time on the family farm in Herefordshire and exploring the world.

She said: “It’s great to be back and focused on Kent and the South East, working with farming clients and using my experience to add to the growing property consultants team.”

Nathan Anthony promoted to partner

Leading South East architectural and planning practice, Lee Evans Partnership, has promoted senior planning consultant, Nathan Anthony, to the position of Partner.

Nathan joined the practice in 2008 following a successful career in local authority planning, and has been instrumental in developing Lee Evans Partnership’s planning capability in recent years.

Nathan’s proactive and bespoke approach has led to successful outcomes on projects of varying scale across all areas of

planning including multiple residential developments at the emerging Ebbsfleet Garden City, and obtaining permission for the first new primary school and community centre for the area.

Other successful projects include the Gildredge House Free School with contractor Willmott Dixon, which reimagines an extensive, former NHS building as a new ‘through’ school to provide consistent education for ages 4-to-18 years; and obtaining planning permission for a 200-home masterplanning scheme in the Maidstone district.

Working alongside Partner Jeanne Taylor, Nathan’s new role will involve nurturing relationships with Lee Evans Partnership’s existing clients while expanding and diversifying the team’s portfolio of projects across the residential, education, civic, commercial, and community sectors.

In his new role, Nathan will be focusing on strengthening ties with local authorities, national housing developers and contractors in key areas of the South East – particularly Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex – while also working to develop a closer link between the

practice’s urban design and planning portfolios.

Nathan said: “I have been a part of an exceptional team over the past decade, both contributing to – and being shaped by – their focus, commitment and determination. I am delighted to take up my new position and look forward to strengthening the practice’s reputation, portfolio and growth.”

Nicholas Lee Evans, Senior Partner, Lee Evans Partnership, said that Nathan’s promotion reflects the exceptional body of client projects he has developed over the past decade.

New MD brings people focus to Stagecoach South East

Connecting the community and putting people at the heart of the business is the mission of Joel Mitchell, newly appointed Managing Director at Stagecoach South East.

With 20 years’ experience in the transport sector, Joel joins Stagecoach from c2c Rail where he oversaw operations as the Delivery Director.

Running between Essex and London, c2c boasts the best on-time punctuality rates in the country and was named Rail Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards in 2018.

Joel intends to bring that best practice to Stagecoach with reliability and punctuality at the forefront of his mind. He said: “This is a people business. If we put our employees at the heart of what we do, they in turn will look after our customers and the business and that’s really what it’s all about.

We are here to get people from A to B, on time in an affordable way.

Obviously there are challenges but we want to deliver on that mission; we intend to communicate and consult with our passengers, and get our core service absolutely right.”

Although Joel will be based at Stagecoach South East’s headquarters in Canterbury, he visited all the local depots in

Ashford, Dover, Folkestone, Herne Bay, Thanet, Hastings and Eastbourne in his first week and will make regular visits in the future.

Mike Watson, Regional Director at Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “As Joel has so much experience in the transport sector, he has been able to hit the ground running. We are delighted he chose to bring his wealth of

Joel Mitchell, newly appointed Managing Director at Stagecoach South East

expertise to Stagecoach South East and are looking forward to seeing how he can bring further success to the company, making improvements that will really benefit our customers.”

Brachers bolsters corporate and commercial team with partner hire

Brachers has announced that Alex Cosgrove has joined the corporate and commercial team as a partner, further strengthening this busy and successful area of the firm.

Alex advises corporates and lenders on a wide range of commercial transactions including project development and financing, corporate lending, joint venture and shareholding arrangements, construction and operation arrangements, and a wide range of commercial agreements.

Alex was previously Managing Counsel at a boutique firm in London, and prior to that worked at Latham & Watkins and Norton Rose Fulbright (where he qualified in 2005).

During this time Alex has been based variously in London, Tokyo and Hong Kong developing significant international experience and expertise.

The appointment comes as the firm continues to perform strongly, recording a record turnover in 2018 – up nearly 10% to £13.5 million – with

corporate and commercial work a particular driver of that growth. An increase in transactional work and the appointment of experienced commercial partner Erol Huseyin in 2017 contributed to the success of the team.

Alex said: “I am very proud to be joining Brachers. The firm has an excellent track record in corporate and commercial work by a strong team with a much deserved reputation in Kent and beyond for the quality of its work across a wide range of clients. This is an exciting

opportunity to join a dynamic and ambitious firm adding to their already proven international credentials.”

Erol Huseyin said: “We are thrilled to bring Alex on board.

He has extensive and impressive experience in the UK and internationally, and will be a great addition to our growing team.”

Copy Deadline: News items for the August-September issue to be submitted by 12th July.

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