Thinking Business June 2020 Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

THINKING

BUSINESS • OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR KENT INVICTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • June 2020 - July 2020 •

Embracing new Technology The challenges of keeping businesses secure online

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Sector Focus: Supporting Life Sciences in Kent P16 The Big Interview with Andy Ransley, Commercial Director and Co-Founder of MPR IT Solutions p18 International Trade: UK-US Trade Talks P20 Economy: Covid-19 Loan schemes too slow to help businesses P33 Health & Wellbeing: New study highlights work-life imbalance P37

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Welcome

Welcome & Contents

Building resilience in tough times

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Jo James OBE Chief Executive

Welcome to the latest edition of Thinking Business. The world has moved on at great pace since the coronavirus took hold of the world a few short months ago.

In Kent, many businesses have had to temporarily shut their doors, some have used the government’s furlough scheme to keep staff on their books, while a fortunate few have managed to carry on as before. Others have adapted their products and services to the current situation – by using ethanol to make hand sanitiser, for example, or turning excess materials into face masks.

I’ve been struck by the resilience of local businesses as they try to navigate their way through the pandemic. What has also been noticeable is the desire to support one another, to offer advice and guidance via remote means and support the community through these challenging times.

As highlighted in these pages, West Kent Mind continues to deliver (remotely) mental health training to organisations, Sight & Sound Security is helping businesses to protect their premises during lockdown, while photographers Luke and Bethany Granger have been keeping busy by raising money to help frontline workers.

of these issues, cybersecurity, and explores how businesses can stay one step ahead of the sophisticated cybercriminal.

The Chamber, too, is continuing to provide help and support to businesses through our Kent Invicta LIVE webinars and virtual networking events, which offer something for everyone regardless of sector or company size.

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At a time when there is great uncertainty about the economy and the way we do business, it’s good to know that help is out there.

Stay safe and healthy.

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Jo James OBE

As we move gradually out of lockdown into some semblance of normality, there are still some key long-term issues to be tackled.

Our cover feature addresses one

PLEASE NOTE: Some articles in this edition were written before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Article content therefore reflects this time lapse.

Contents 4

Members News

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Legal Update

6-8

Patron News

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Members News

11 -15 Members News 16 Sector Focus- Life Sciences 18-19 The Big Interview

Our Patrons

20-21 International Trade 22-30 Cover Feature –

Technology -

Communication-Cyber Security 32 In Conversation with…

33 Economy 34-35 Members News 37 Health & Wellbeing

39 Ask the Expert 41 Members News 42-43 Chamber Events 45 The Person Behind the Business 46-47 Business News 48-49 New Members 50 Last Word 50 Movers & Shakers

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 Media No.1753 Published June 2020 © Benham Publishing

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Publisher

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

Advertising and Features

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

Editor

Jez Davison Tel 0151 236 4141 Jez@benhampublishing.com

Production Manager

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

Disclaimer

Thinking Business is published for Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in Thinking Business are not necessarily those of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2020. Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

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Members News

I can hear Olaf… OR A message from one of the Demelza Children’s hospice nurses We are very proud to support Demelza Hospice Care for Children as our chosen charity at Kent Invicta Chamber and we are delighted to share a little update from them during this strange, changeable time…

Hi I'm Jo, one of the care team and wanted to tell you about my morning.

Please bear with me as it’s written post nights with no sleep.

When leaving work this morning after a night shift I took the time to stand and take in the wonderful place that is Demelza. The recent rainbow day decorations are still up and looking amazing. I then spent a little time playing with one of the children resident at this time (totally topped off my night shift).

As I left the hospice I heard lots of laughter coming from outside.

Mmmm so obviously I investigated and saw Olaf, Elsa and a very pretty unicorn playing on the pirate ship in our playground!

I am very lucky to be part of an amazing nursing care team here.

However, none of us would be able to support the children and their families, particularly through these difficult times, without all of you!

Demelza are still delivering emergency clinical care and end of life care. It is a sad truth that our work doesn’t stop just because there is a pandemic on. We have been supporting the NHS by accepting cases from bigger London hospitals to free up beds and capacity and some of our staff have been seconded to hospital intensive care units. We are trying to help the most vulnerable of families at a time when Demelza’s income is currently 52% down (with all our events cancelled and retail shops

closed) which means we are very grateful that Kent Invicta Chamber have extended their support of us until March 2021.

Despite all the uncertainty around us, we are still a place of colour, fun,

life and memories. To the Chamber and all the businesses who support us and are continuing to do so now, it really does mean so much. www.demelza.org.uk

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Thinking Business

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Beware of Coronavirus Scams

Legal Update

Gareth Harvey, Compliance Officer at Girlings Solicitors looks at the challenges the Coronavirus crisis brings to online security and offers some tips.

In just one week in April, GCHQ (Government Communications HQ) had 5000 reports of suspicious emails in one day, and in many cases one email had been sent to thousands of people. The crime reporting agency, Action Fraud estimates that £2.4 million has been lost to scams linked to coronavirus.

During the crisis, email security company, Mimecast has blocked UK users from clicking on malicious websites 6.5 million times, an increase of almost 56% from January 2020. In addition, Google reports more than 18 million fake emails relating to coronavirus scams were sent world wide in one week alone.

‘Criminals are seeking to exploit our greater use of emails, video conferencing and other technologies. It’s despicable that they are using the coronavirus outbreak to try to scam and steal. We all have a part to play in seeing they don’t succeed.’

James Brokenshire, Government Security Minister So what are these scams?

During April GCHQ took down over 471 fake shops selling face masks.

Some scams seem unbelievable - such as one site offering ‘coronavirus free’ blood. Others are all too plausible - such as false emails from the Government saying the recipient was due a payment and requesting bank details.

The Government is fighting back.

The SMS sender protection registry of caller ID has been established. Most major phone companies are participating and the service was fully operational from April. The service registers an exclusive claim to a sender’s identification name such as HMRC and HSBC which means criminals will no longer be able to

use these names within their fake email addresses.

Hackers are sending fraudulent emails and WhatsApp messages that attempt to trick you into clicking on malicious links and opening attachments. These actions can reveal your name and password and can be used to steal money or sensitive information.

Any email from a reputable organisation should not: • ask for your username or password to access personal or financial information

• include attachments you did not ask for • charge money to reserve a hotel or register for a conference • offer prizes, grants, certificates through email

• ask you to visit a link that appears unrelated to the sender organisation

• contain spelling or grammatical errors • pressurise or rush you.

In all such cases thoroughly verify the authenticity of the email before clicking on any link or responding.

Tips to stay safe online Here are five simple steps to cyber good practice for staying safe online: 1. never use the same password across the web and check that system firewalls are active

2. check the email address before you click 3. be extra vigilant on verification

4. keep your system software and applications updated 5. train staff to keep themselves and your business ‘cyber safe’.

Gareth Harvey

Solicitor and Risk & Compliance Officer

girlings.com

01227 768374

garethharvey@girlings.com Thinking Business

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Patron News

Brachers wins Kent Law Society Community Award Brachers has been recognised for its work with the community by Kent Law Society. The firm, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, received the Community Award, which recognises charitable giving and community support.

The judges said Brachers stood out as a leader in its commitment to the community.

“Impressively this culture pervades the whole firm and all members of staff and is manifested in many ways, ranging from fundraising to provision of pro-bono advice to deserving causes,” the judges said.

Joanna Worby, Brachers Managing Partner, said the win is proof of the firm’s dedication to the community.

“This win is testament to all our staff’s hard work and commitment to the community. Charitable giving has always played an important part of Brachers’ culture and staff are encouraged to give back through donation of time or money.”

“Over the years, the firm has raised more than £40,000 for local charities and individuals give up a lot of their spare time to support them. This win reflects our commitment to helping the community in which we have been a part of for 125 years.”

The law firm was shortlisted in all three categories of the award. As well as the Community Award category, Partner Mary Rimmer was shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution, and Solicitor Alistair Wickham for Junior Lawyer of the Year.

Every two years Brachers chooses a local charity to support with donations of time and money, and aims to raise the charity’s profile. Over the past four years, Brachers’ staff have raised over £40,000 for Kent charities, including Macmillan Kent, Heart of Kent Hospice, Headway West Kent, Blackthorn Trust, Demelza House, Five Acre Wood School, as well as its 2019-2020 charity, Spadework.

Alongside fundraising efforts, the firm’s charitable arm – Brachers Charitable Trust – has donated money to various community causes since 1990 – this year marking its 30th anniversary.

Around 30 Brachers staff also act as trustees for various local charities and schools. This work is purely voluntary and carried out in their own time, by providing legal expertise to the charity.

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Can’t see the wood for the trees?

How to navigate through these unprecedented times and come out stronger.

When we look back on this time, what are we going to remember? The time that everything fell apart and nothing good happened, or the time of great change and forward movement.

In the short-term change is always troubling and not something most people like, but in the long-term things can change for the better.

From all the sadness and loss, both people we care for and things we have worked so hard for, can come a new chapter, a challenge spurred on by our loss.

As a Tax Adviser my job is no longer just to focus on tax, now I find myself as a counsellor, a confidant, that trusted adviser others in my profession should strive to be. My clients are important to me and so are their businesses.

But how do we turn such a negative into a positive? Firstly, looking at what support is available.

The Job Retention Scheme, furloughing, a word most people

had never heard of until March this year and now its everywhere.

Loans and cash grants, its important to know the difference. A grant is not repayable however it will have to be included in your taxable profits.

Depending on your circumstances there maybe additional financial support and your accountant should be able to advise you on what is available to you.

Whilst we have all been working from home or finding ways to cope, we have been advancing in the discovery of new ways of working.

We have found that we can still communicate with each other and that there really is the technology out there to make our lives carry on with some degree of normality.

I have a weekly networking session with people that have now become a close group that support each other and really care about each other’s success, and that is only possible with the advancement of technology.

How HR GO Recruitment has reacted and adapted to Covid-19 Like most people, I was taken unawares by the scale of the changes to our business from the coronavirus pandemic when it hit.

I remember worrying back in March about the way that permanent recruitment fell away, with offers being put on hold and interviews being cancelled, about the small businesses being forced to close their operations, hopefully temporarily, and about the effect on our own people of the sudden move to working from home.

At the same time, me and the rest of the Board were suddenly busier than ever before, as we refocused all our energy to where there was a growing and urgent demand for people for essential services.

The fact that the HR GO Group had invested massively in our IT systems over the last year or so

started to pay off exponentially.

Our consultants were all able to set themselves up working from home, not just able to email but to access our candidate databases, carry out job advertising, manage responses and conduct interviews over video.

Our new online registration platform was fast-tracked to enable remote hiring of temporary staff.

It turned out that many of our key clients, such as Serco, G4S, NHS and Royal Mail, were suddenly at the sharp end. These companies were desperately trying to find staff to meet the increasing demand for re-stacking shelves, answering calls, delivering goods, staffing hospitals and pharmacies.

And as we proved ourselves capable of delivering quickly and efficiently the clients kept on asking for more. We’ve now supplied staff to 8 of the new Covid-19 test

I am a true believer that taking stock of one’s business is a necessity and therefore what better time to do it. Look around at new ways of working and try to embrace them, your business will be much healthier for it.

We at MHA MacIntyre Hudson are on hand to steer you through your options, but the real question we should all be asking is, what does the future look like? But more importantly, what do we want it to look like?

Hayley Benn Business Services & Tax Manager MHA MacIntyre Hudson hayley.benn@mhllp.co.uk centres and are hiring for track and trace agents, mostly people from areas like hospitality where their customer service skills and experience are just what is needed.

We are still in the thick of it and there are plenty more challenges ahead I’m sure, but I’m pleased to say that my initial worry about people not coping with working from home has not turned out to be a problem.

Looking ahead, the business that is Covid-19 related will gradually be replaced by opportunities from companies that are coming out of lockdown and our employees on furlough will return to help us meet their needs.

It’s been tough but I know we will emerge from this stronger than ever.

Cindy Hare, Managing Director

Patron News

Covid-19 and Commercial Embracing property management CHANGE

Although for Caxtons it has been very much business as usual during the Covid 19 lockdown, it has brought some additional challenges across all sectors of the property market.

One major issues for commercial property management is missed or partial payments of rent.

In April, a survey by Re-Leased of 10,000 commercial properties revealed almost half of quarterly commercial rents due in March remained unpaid – usually ‘paid’ rate at this point is closer to 79%.

The government has prohibited commercial property landlords from pursuing legal action to ‘aggressively’ recover rent arrears during the emergency, banning tenants statutory

demands, formal payment requests or winding-up orders until 30th June.

Unless they are owed 90-days unpaid rent they can’t use rent arrears recovery or bailiffs, and all other methods of enforcement are effectively blocked.

“We are looking, case-by-case, to agree deferred payments of outstanding rents. Some tenants are pro-actively making proposals and many landlords are able to accommodate them.

Charlotte Laherty, Commercial Director at Caxtons said “Tenants still remain liable for rent during the period to 30th June and while many large multiples have not paid any of the quarter’s rent, we’ve found many smaller tenants have made more effort to pay something.”

Looking forward, tenants may find that June is a greater problem, with little or no income in the interim.

Caxtons is encouraging flexibility for landlords and tenants and to reach agreement on how and when outstanding rent should be paid. In response, some landlords are granting a rent free period to vulnerable tenants.

Charlotte continued, “Generally our approach is to direct tenants to government help that’s available, in particular, grants, loans, a year’s business rates free, and deferred VAT and tax payments.

“We would advise tenants to consider if their landlords might agree monthly payments over the next quarter or, if suitable, re-gearing the lease in return for a rent concession such as removing break clauses or extending the length of the lease term.”

Charlotte concluded “Caxtons is trying to ensure that as much rent as possible is paid whilst endeavouring to avoid businesses failing, which will be detrimental to the landlord.

“The message is, plan now rather than waiting until problems arise or become unmanageable.”

£1M HOMELESS INITIATIVE by Ashford Borough Council nearing completion An innovative project that is set to benefit homeless households and save taxpayers money is continuing to take shape in Ashford, with the work expected to be completed later this summer after a brief pause caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Ashford Borough Council bought the large disused home in Beaver Road for £430,000 and is investing around £500,000 to convert it into eight homes, capable of accommodating up to 25 people. A refurbishment programme has been underway since last autumn to add facilities like a communal kitchen, dining room and laundry room.

Christchurch Lodge follows the same blueprint adopted by the council when it created Christchurch House, a rundown property bought at auction for £278,000 in 2013. It was transformed into good quality short-stay accommodation and was so successful that the money saved on placing homeless people in costly B&Bs meant that Christchurch House payed for itself in four years.

Kent-based Jenner Contractors is carrying out the Christchurch Lodge conversion and a feature of the project is the commitment to using high-quality products and materials to ensure maximum build quality, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency.

Jenner is also contracted to deliver Halstow Way, a scheme providing 17 units of general needs accommodation in South Ashford.

Work recommenced on the project in May after a four-week halt and contractors are working to new social distancing guidelines on site. Jenner is proactively working with its supply chain and liaising with utility firms to progress the project in the most effective way.

Jenner’s general works manager Michael Larnder said: “We have enjoyed excellent working relationships with the team at Ashford Borough Council for many years now. As a forward-thinking, progressive, and proactive authority, we are proud to be working with them once again and playing our part in the ongoing regeneration of the town.”

Cllr Bill Barrett, portfolio holder for housing, said he was relieved that the project had recommenced because tackling homelessness remained a priority for the authority. He said both the prevention of homelessness and using the council’s own stock to house homeless people, rather than using paid-for nightly accommodation, made financial sense.

“Following the blueprint of Christchurch House represents a win-win strategy. For five years it has offered households a better solution than the upheaval of living out of a B&B. It is also good news that the council has saved considerable sums of money it would have had to pay in B&B costs. We are proud of the proactive approach we take to delivering new housing projects.”

Fortunately at MidKent College we’re no strangers to operating outside of our own four walls, so although our campuses are currently closed, teaching and learning for our students and apprentices working in businesses across the county has continued, albeit having switched to virtual classrooms.

It has been amazing to see the innovation and ingenuity on display from staff and students, and we’ve learnt some valuable lessons about digital transformation that will continue to change the way we operate long after this crisis has ended.

That said, like many businesses we are proud that on top of the day-job some of our staff, resources and facilities have been put to fantastic use with our community partners.

In the last two months we’ve had IT staff configuring laptops for frontline NHS staff, our PPE stocks redistributed to health workers, over thirty staff actively volunteering to befriend isolated and vulnerable residents through buying and delivering groceries, collecting prescriptions, and helping people use technology to stay connected with family and friends.

Our Maidstone campus restaurant – Oaks – is now a temporary Fareshare Kent and Family Foodbank distribution centre, and our Medway restaurant – McLeods - is preparing 100 meals each day for Street Angels.

Thank you to our staff, and staff from businesses across the county who are striving together to help our communities – we really appreciate your work.

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Patron News

FREE RESOURCES & GUIDES For New World Business Planning The world has been turned upside down, and many businesses have felt a whole host of effects due to the lockdown of the country. However, at Sleeping Giant we strongly believe that there is a lot of hope for business, whether they have been affected positively or negatively.

There is a lot of talk about “recovery” and “bouncing back”, but we believe these hold negative connotations and are not healthy for the approach we should take for the new world.

Recovery means things are not going well, and getting back to

where you were, rather than the opportunity of reinvention through innovation.

Instead, we invite businesses to adopt new mindsets to thrive in the new world. We have approached this under a “Re-Start up Mentality” as we recognise many similarities to the situation now, to that of 12 years ago when we started our business.

In this pack, we have papers, template, and guides on: • New World Planning Template • Our Guide to Video Conferencing • Our Guide for Maintaining Business Culture Using Digital

Adopting this mentality brings an optimistic idea, one focused on opportunity, reinvention, and growth.

• The Pandemic Change Curve

Re-Start up Mentality, new thinking, ready for a new world.

STEPPING UP TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES As Covid-19 has spread around the world, Universities have been stepping up to provide support.

The University of Kent is no different, with academic and professional services staff from across the institution working on projects to help stop the spread of this disease. The business and innovation gateway is here to support you during these strange times with advice, guidance, and support. Helping you build connections with academic expertise, and other businesses.

For others to adopt this mentality and apply it to their business planning and decisions, we have created a pack full of templates, guides and frameworks that are free to download.

- How to Market & Guide Your Business

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been collaborating with universities, businesses, the NHS, hospices, and charities to support the local community. Our main project has been producing 3D PPE printed shields. You can read about this story on the enterprise/ covid19 website page. Across the University, staff have been working to help produce a vaccine, donating equipment, creating online educational materials, supporting mental health and much more.

How we support businesses.

The gateway team can help you make informed decisions about which direction to grow and develop your business in the new climate. Our subject experts are leaders in their field with real-world experience of delivering innovative solutions helping you achieve a range of business objectives including increased productivity, a growth in sales, reducing business costs and helping you develop new products and services.

We can aid you with collaborative funding to support your engagement with the University. Our dedicated Knowledge Transfer Partnership team can work with you to improve your competitiveness by bringing new skills

• The Revenue Trajectory Curve - How to Reach Your Deserved Trajectory All you have to do to access these is visit the page on our website. Search ‘Giant Re-Start up Mentality’ on Google and we will be there.

Join us every Wednesday & Friday live on YouTube where our CEO, Luke Quilter, is joined by business leaders to discuss the latest happenings. Search for ‘The Business As Unusual Show’ to find us. And if you fancy getting involved on the show, get in touch. www.sleepinggiantmedia.co.uk and the latest academic thinking to deliver a specific strategic project.

We are here to support your business during and after this lockdown and trying times, by giving you access to our talented students, our academic research, new technologies, and world-leading facilities. We also offer bespoke training opportunities for your staff with our leading academic staff.

Get in touch with our business innovation gateway team now to find out how the University of Kent might be able to support you and your business.

Email: enterprise@kent.ac.uk or call 01227 827376.

Visit our website for more details: www.kent.ac.uk/enterprise.

British led supply chains for the future All businesses have in recent weeks learned lessons for the future and for many it is the need for shorter, less risky and more transparent British led supply chains. Whatever your business sector, improved supply chains are vital to ensure that we as a nation are prepared for challenges in the future.

As Britain heads for a new trading relationship with the world, what is the future for British based supply chains?

Starting with the basics there is nothing more important than feeding the nation and Britain’s short, robust supply chains within the food sector have been vital during the current pandemic.

Labour is a key part of any supply chain and disruptions were caused

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this year by the shortage of seasonal workers to harvest British spring crops.

in the UK under this new pointsbased system.

Whilst Coronavirus was responsible for this, it is the longer term that is more uncertain due to the UK’s proposed new points-based immigration system.

have access to safe, sustainable and healthy food in the future.

The agricultural sector needs 70,000 seasonal workers each year and in February, the Government announced it was extending a pilot scheme for seasonal agricultural workers to increase the number allowed to 10,000. That is still nowhere near the total that the sector needs and growers like us are urging the government to commit to delivering a full scheme for 2021 and beyond to end the uncertainty.

The best supply chains are short and robust and the government should support those that begin here in the UK. Given what we now know and the lessons we have learned in recent weeks, we urge the government to review the evidence presented to them regarding the need for seasonal agricultural workers.

This will help to give farm businesses the certainty that we can harvest all of our crops in the future and enable us to invest back into our businesses, to plant more orchards and grow more British apples and pears to feed the nation in the future.

Earlier this year our business which employs between 800 and 1,000 seasonal workers a year across our 25 farms in Medway and Kent, warned of the “massive disruption” to the future supply of British fresh produce as a result of this new system.

Given what we now know about how critical key workers are to keeping Britain running, supplied with food and looked after in our care homes and hospitals many of these workers may in the future be denied the opportunity to work

Due to the speed at which the Coronavirus threatened food supplies in March, it is critical for Britain to support its farmers and the fresh produce sector and to support their British supply chains, to ensure we all

Carol Ford is Commercial Director at AC Goatham & Son www.acgoatham.com

Members News

Diamondbrite donate Hand Sanitiser to the NHS and key workers Maidstone based Diamondbrite, purveyors of the industryrenowned paint and fabric protection systems and a huge range of automotive, motorcycle and leisure vehicle aftercare products have responded to the Covid-19 crisis by switching half of its production capability to manufacturing its new Hand Sanitiser, Surface Sanitiser, Velvet Soap and Carbon Class Antibacterial Cleaner products.

As well as offering the four new products for sale, Diamondbrite have been sure to donate a quantity of Hand Sanitiser and Surface Sanitiser to the local schools and services. For example, a quantity of Hand Sanitiser went to Five Acre School in Maidstone.

Head Teacher Tim Williams said ‘Huge thanks from all of us at Five

Acre School for this incredibly generous donation. This will really help us to keep our staff and pupils safe at this very challenging time’ Lance Boseley, Diamondbrite Marketing Director, said.

The ICO is currently writing to businesses who are not registered for data protection. Mainly to raise awareness, but the language is pretty firm and there’s mention of a significant fine.

It may be that business owners think paying the fee is the easiest option, but not every business has to register so it is worth checking. The ICO website (ico.org.uk) has a simple selfassessment tool that you can use with questions covering CCTV, processing of information and the key question – your business category.

For further information please contact Lance Boseley: lance@jewelultra.com

‘We saw an issue with the availability of hand sanitiser at the very start, and as a chemical manufacturer, knew we could help.

Since then we have shifted most of our production over to these new products and as well as Five Acre School, we have also supplied free products to Kent Probation Service and The Weald of Kent Hospice.

All four products are now available on the Diamondbrite web shop; Hand Sanitiser (70% alcohol) at £3.80 – 100ml, Surface Sanitiser at £5.80 – 500ml and £21.87 – 5 litres, Velvet Hand Soap at £17.95 – 5 litres) and Carbon Class Antibacterial Interior

STILL HIDING FROM DATA PROTECTION Four letters that can still bring a shudder to any business owner - GDPR. Perhaps even more so if you have recently received a letter from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Cleaner at £7.95 - 250ml – with free UK delivery on orders over £20.

Action to take even if your business does not need to register with the ICO. Introduce or update your privacy notice to explain to individuals how their personal information will be used and protected. You need to make this easily accessible and user friendly so that your customers understand why you want their information, what you’re going to do with it and how can they stop you, if they want to, from using their details.

But do not copy a privacy notice from another business! No two businesses use data in the same way, and you need to make sure your privacy notice accurately reflects how your business manages its data.

There is lots of free information on the ICO website, but if that is too much our clients say that we make GDPR pain-free – if you want some help, please get in touch.

Data and Business Management Services

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Get in touch for a free consultation about how tou can make the GDPR work for your business www.businesstamer.co.uk 0207 294 7599 | hello@businesstamer.co.uk

Thinking Business

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103-105 High Street, Watford, WD17 2DQ Tel 01923 586270 email: info@plmcentral.co.uk

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10 Thinking Business

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Members News

Golden Google is BUSINESS OWNERS’ HOLY GRAIL Coronavirus and the lockdown have had a huge impact on the world’s health and economy, but also attitudes have changed on how businesses market themselves online, according to a new survey.

New Chamber member Advance Online in Surrey surveyed clients based primarily across the South East and found that, due to the pandemic, they were looking to make changes to their business operations in their respective industries.

Post-COVID-19, their clients knew they needed to communicate those changes to existing and potential customers more effectively than they were pre-lockdown, to make sure they gave their business the best chance of surviving – and the most efficient way to communicate these changes would predominantly be through their website and social media.

Wanting to know more about how the pandemic was affecting other businesses, director Malcolm Porter created a survey to delve into what the post-COVID-19 landscape looked like for business owners in terms of digital marketing and online presence.

He discovered that the focus for businesses was to update or improve their websites with the aim of ranking on the first page of Google.

Bowden PR announces new client STORY22 Bowden PR is delighted to be working with Kent marketeers Sonya Whittam and Julie Firth who with over 45 years marketing experience between them have launched a new venture – a one-stop marketing agency STORY22

I am sure many Kent Invicta Chamber businesses might be interested in learning more from them about Why Your Brand Story is Killing your Business.

Having a clear brand message and an effective sales engagement ladder

He also discovered that whilst many had some budget to do it, the majority would appreciate a “buy now pay later” offer or no deposit/ lump sum to get them re-launched and back to trading.

He said: “The data revealed that now more than before, businesses were aware of the importance of having a website. It was really pleasing to see that seven out of ten businesses had been able to keep trading and although three out of ten had temporarily ceased trading, none had closed permanently. The data was encouraging in that many had the budget and a keen interest to use their websites and digital marketing to push their businesses through to survive the pandemic.”

The survey also revealed that whilst more than 80% had been negatively affected by the pandemic, 70% were still able to trade and 40% were definitely going to be making changes to services and operations in response to the current situation.

For further information visit advanceonline.co.uk

has never been more important, as businesses across the UK have discovered during the pandemic, but with so many consumers switching to e-commerce, cutting through the significant online noise to grab attention can be challenging. This is where the ancient art of storytelling can make the difference by securing fresh interest and increasing sales and Julie and Sonya are experts.

makes sense and connects with the customer’s own story. Story is the most effective form of communication and is 22 times more likely to be remembered than facts alone. Your words matter – so much more than the amount you spend. An ugly website with the right words will outperform a beautiful website with a confusing message every single time.”

Sonya says, “We want to help businesses understand how to reposition their messaging so that it

If you would like to know more about STORY22 contact Bowdenpr.co.uk

Members News

Battle of Britain July commemoration to move online

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

12 Thinking Business

Ambitious plans to replace Memorial Day with an online event that will allow people around the world to join commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain are being discussed by the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.

Memorial Day is always held on a Sunday close to the start of the Battle of Britain, which began on 10 July 1940, and following this year’s virtual event, the next ‘traditional’ commemoration is planned for Sunday 4 July 2021. This year’s online event is scheduled for 12 July.

The Trust, which is responsible for the National Memorial to the Few on the clifftop at Capel-le-Ferne, just outside Folkestone in Kent, is looking closely at the possibilities of a ‘virtual’ commemoration to replace the traditional event.

Keen to ensure that the 80th anniversary of the RAF’s victory is properly commemorated, the trust has already rearranged the dates for its programme of Sunday afternoon talks, with those events now happening in September and October.

“Clearly the coronavirus crisis means we can’t have Memorial Day in its usual form, but we are committed to pressing ahead with a suitable commemoration of the RAF’s victory in 1940,” explained hon secretary of the trust, group captain Patrick Tootal OBE.

“We were planning a year of special events and we are determined that they will still happen, even if we have to alter our plans significantly,” Patrick said.

“The country is facing a similar challenge to the one it faced in 1940 and we are determined to show the resolve that the men of the RAF showed in the face of adversity. We will not be beaten by the virus but will find other ways to commemorate this important year.”

“We hope the public will continue to support us in that ambition. The trust is proud of its role as guardians of the National Memorial to the Few, and with no visitor income at present we hope those who value the contribution made to Europe’s freedom by the RAF in 1940 will play their part.”

Online donations to the trust can be made at http://ow.ly/olh950yPOlM

WE ARE STILL HERE

West Kent Mind are still open to support the local community. We had to make the heart-wrenching decision to suspend all of our face-to-face services but we continue to support our clients via remote means and our community services team are on-hand through this challenging time. Our duty line remains open for anyone who needs to reach-out and our website has been updated with a current list of resources.

Our mission is to ensure that nobody is alone when managing their mental health and this is more vital now than ever. With increased isolation, financial worries,

uncertainty and disruption to our normal routines, it is understandably a time of increased anxiety.

Everyone has mental health and therefore everyone has the potential

to experience poor mental health or mental illness.

An important part of what we do at West Kent Mind is delivering training and education to organisations, as they embed a culture change around mental health awareness. This does not stop now even though we are all working remotely. In fact, looking after our own mental wellbeing and that of our families and

Members News

colleagues needs to remain firmly at the top of the agenda. We remain committed to working with businesses, organisations and individuals to provide this muchneeded education and awareness surrounding mental health, stress management and self-care. We would encourage you to visit our website or get in touch if this would be valuable to you at this time. training@westkentmind.org.uk

How a little bit of DIY marketing can improve your reputation “Choose a different career Sarah… journalism is a man’s world.”

These were the words of wisdom handed down to our new member Sarah Hawes from Izzy PR, by the careers teacher when she was 17.

There wasn’t a Plan B, so the next 20-odd years followed with a broadcasting degree, eight years at the Kent Messenger Group as a journalist and news editor, before a jump over the fence into PR. First with Kent Police (a real baptism of fire), onto a large Kent creative agency, various PR roles across charity and public sector, plus a stint on BBC Radio Kent’s breakfast show.

Izzy PR was launched in 2015, working with clients large and small,

regularly or ad-hoc, to promote the business, their products and services and build their brands to become familiar in front of their target market and peers.

Website

She uses a mix-up of methods from the PR & marketing ‘toolbox’.

Sarah said: “Marketing & PR can often be very low down the list for some business owners. It can seem a scary world of buzzwords and things they do not understand, but it doesn’t have to be.

• Do your social media links work?

• Is all the information correct and current? (Pen corrections look very bad!)

Social media

• Are you proud to hand them over?

“It can seem a bit of a chore which they might not know how to do or think they have no time to do, but there are jobs they can do to make a difference to both their business and personal PR.”

• Is the content regular and relevant?

Sarah’s given us a marketing checklist to make small but effective improvements to your business’s marketing.

• Is all the information correct?

• LinkedIn is fantastic for business – your photo, summary and experience sections should be completed in full and look good.

• Products / services – still correct?

Business cards/flyers

• Is it a website that will work viewed from a mobile well?

• Do they look good?

• Is it up to date?

• Is the profile picture correct and good quality?

• Is the background OK?

• Are you liking, sharing and commenting as well as contributing?

• Are you in any relevant groups?

(Local/business) • Use a scheduler to help plan good content rather than ad-hoc

• Good quality paper and print?

• Well-designed?

• Clear?

If not, make a note to see about getting some new ones created.

Sarah Hawes Izzy PR izzypr.co.uk hello@izzypr.co.uk

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Members News

Security Former Brachers managing firm has partner retires got you covered Securitatem Installations is pleased to now be associated with the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

Established in 2012, we are insuranceapproved to design, supply, install and maintain security systems including intruder/ burglar alarms, access control and CCTV systems. Based in Harrietsham, Kent, we predominantly cover Kent, London, the home counties and the south east.

The company is NSI NACOSS Gold, ISO9001-approved and is led by ex-law enforcement professionals with extensive experience in the provision of security and security advice. The company aims to provide safety through security, delivering the highest public service standards for our clients.

As well being an Alcumus Safe and Alcumus Safe PQQ contractor, we hold a bronze armed forces covenant and support the armed forces community.

We believe passionately that everyone has a right to feel safe and secure at home and are reassured that businesses and other valuable assets are protected from attack. We have an expert team of technicians with many years of experience designing, installing and maintaining bespoke security systems across complex and straightforward situations for commercial, domestic and government customers. All of our staff are security-screened and employed.

Using the latest smart technologies across a range of manufacturers, suppliers and products, we will undertake a no-obligation free survey to provide your perfect security solution based on your property and circumstances.

For more details visit http://www.securitatem.co.uk/

14 Thinking Business

John Sheath has retired from Brachers, the law firm where he has worked for 39 years and was managing partner between 2004 and 2012.

During his 44-year career, John has dedicated himself to supporting and enhancing NHS services through his legal expertise. He was instrumental in forming Brachers’ healthcare team in 1982 and was involved in several legal landmarks that have significantly contributed to legal practice.

In 2012, John was instructed in the Court of Protection case of

a local authority versus an NHS trust, involving the sensitive issue of contraception for, and sterilisation of, a vulnerable adult. The judgement set out seminal guidance to the legal and medical profession in regard to protecting patients, families and doctors’ rights, which remains in place to this day.

commitment to immersing himself in and understanding the operation, opportunities and challenges of the healthcare sector and his progressive approach to collaboration between legal and healthcare services, means he will be remembered.”

Brachers’ current managing partner, Joanna Worby, said the firm was losing an asset.

John obtained an MBA and supporting thesis in knowledge management in healthcare and is cited for successfully turning theory into practice by sharing his extensive know-how with healthcare professionals in Kent. He was able to enhance their medico-legal knowledge and equipped them to improve patient services and reduce the risk of harm.

“John has contributed a great deal during his career and his passion for improving healthcare services has undoubtedly contributed to the success of the firm. John’s unwavering

During his career, John provided extensive services to the NHS, including free training and education, information and newsletters, and contributed to patient safety groups, risk management and ethics committees.

He was also instrumental in Brachers’ appointment as the South East-based firm to deliver legal services to the NHS and wider public sector organisations.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DURING A PANDEMIC

By Neil Chatterton, managing director of Caxtons conducted by Re-Leased, revealed almost half of the quarterly commercial rents due in March remained unpaid. Usually “paid” rate at this point is closer to 79%, showing a massive increase on the norm.

With a quarter of the world in lockdown due to Covid-19, UK commercial (and residential) landlords and tenants continue to face the day-to-day issues associated with owning or renting property.

One of the major issues that has arisen for the commercial property management sector is missed or partial payments of rent.

A new survey of 10,000 retail, industrial and office properties,

Immediately thereafter, the government banned commercial property landlords from pursuing legal action to “aggressively” recover rent arrears during the current emergency. They have been prohibited from sending tenants statutory demands, formal requests for payment or winding-up orders until June 30. So, unless commercial landlords are owed 90 days of unpaid rent, they will be unable to use rent arrears recovery or send in the bailiffs, and all other methods of enforcement are effectively blocked.

Caxtons is encouraging its commercial landlords and tenants to be flexible at this time of crisis and to reach agreement on how and

when outstanding rent should be paid. In response, some landlords are granting a rent-free period to vulnerable tenants.

Generally, our approach has been to point tenants in the direction of government help that has been made available, in particular, grants of £10,000 or £25,000, a year’s business rates free, deferred VAT and tax payments and the governmentbacked coronavirus loans.

We are looking, on a case-by-case basis, to agree deferred payments of the quarters’ rents.

Caxtons’ property management departments work with multiple clients across the commercial and residential property sector, from businesses and private tenants to industrial, corporate, students and private landlords. For more information visit www.caxtons.com

Members News

How to protect your premises during lockdown During periods of unrest, economic depression and the present coronavirus pandemic, security services are always required.

In the last few months, Sight & Sound Security has experienced a huge increase in demand across all of its security services.

As lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted, it’s paramount that we adhere to strict social distancing, providing work colleagues and visitors with a safe environment.

Using a thermal imaging camera can help in this respect. It can detect people entering buildings and/or public spaces who are exhibiting symptoms of the virus; elevated body temperature may indicate the presence of a fever, which is a symptom of COVID-19.

Paul Purchase, Sight & Sound managing director, said: “The lockdown in the UK is helping to overcome the health risk that the country faces.

However, only by ending the lockdown can we address the economic, social and quality of life challenge.

“We have staff working 24/7 to help businesses protect their premises and personnel, and to ensure they are not exposed to COVID-19 and remain healthy. As a provider of Hikvision thermal cameras, we can help prevent someone who is exhibiting symptoms of a virus from entering a building, thus preventing the spread of the virus to many more people.”

Companies can also ensure their property is as safe as possible during the lockdown by:

• Ensuring all exit and entry points including fire escapes and windows are locked when the building is empty • Making sure outdoor lighting is working and preferably on a sensor • Testing CCTV, intruder alarms, fire and sprinkler systems to ensure they are fully operational For further information visit http://sightandsoundsecurity.com/

• Training staff to be vigilant and to report suspicious circumstances • Keeping high-value stock locked within an inner secure cage or completely off-site

Stay at Home Sleepout raises funds for the homeless A charity that uses the power of football to improve the lives of vulnerable and homeless young people has taken part in a national fundraising scheme.

Street Soccer Foundation got involved in the Stay at Home Sleepout, a countrywide initiative to raise cash for homeless people and those who are living in poverty.

The event commenced on the evening of June 1 and saw participants “sleep out” somewhere safe at home due to the current coronavirus lockdown

restrictions, raising sponsorship for people who need it most.

Each participant gave up the comfort of their own bed to raise a minimum target of £100 from their network of friends, family, contacts and colleagues. They gained a fantastic insight into the issues surrounding homelessness, poverty and inequality while sleeping in solidarity with those who are facing unimaginable hardship during the coronavirus crisis.

Formed in 2015, the Street Soccer Foundation is a charitable, notfor-profit organisation which uses

football as a catalyst to improve the lives of vulnerable and homeless young people across the country. A Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce member, the organisation is adapting its service so that it can continue to support people through the current coronavirus pandemic.

CEO Keith Mabbutt said: “We have increased our telephone-based mentoring support and are now holding regular sessions with young people. Alongside this, we are actively creating new digital content across our social channels.

“We’ve got activity packs for schools and younger people; our online podcast shows with lots of interviews are available to listen to online. In addition, we’re posting regular exercises and challenges and we’re now working on a mobile app that will serve as an emotional and physical well-being tool to help support vulnerable and homeless young people nationwide.”

For more information visit https:// streetsoccerfoundation.org.uk/

Photography duo raise cash to help frontline workers

New members of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Luke & Bethany Granger, have certainly been keeping busy during the coronavirus pandemic.

The creative Northfleet couple, who run Luke Granger Photography, are usually found photographing weddings or landscapes across the country. Since April, they have been focusing on a project called North Kent 3D Face Shields to help protect key workers doing their jobs on the frontline.

Initially £2,000 was donated

by Luke Granger Photography and sister company Drone Pilot

Services, with a further £10,000 raised via their gofundme campaign. This has allowed the project to produce and distribute more than 7,000 shields to 300 grateful organisations across Kent.

suppliers that do have availability are taking advantage by increasing their prices. That is one of the reasons we have made them available for free.

Photographer Luke said: “The key workers who have received our shields have been so grateful that it just goes to show how important PPE is to them.

“If people are in a position to donate, that’s great, but we are not doing this to make money. We just want to do our bit for society and help the key workers know that there are people who care.”

“Without our project, many frontline organisations wouldn’t have been able to provide their staff with anything. Stock across the country is limited and the

If you want to get involved with the project, visit www.3dfaceshields. co.uk. The duo regularly post blogs about the campaign and would love others to get involved.

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Sector Focus - Life Sciences

Supporting life sciences in Kent

16 Thinking Business

Sector Focus - Life Sciences

"I am absolutely delighted that DICE should receive such an accolade. It is a much-deserved tribute to the exceptional work of its students, staff and alumni and the outstanding contribution they make to global conservation." honours system, for exceptional contributions by institutions in the higher and further education sectors and will be presented at Buckingham Palace on 20 February 2020. DICE has been a leader in its field, and is the largest UK higher education institute to undertake this work, offering interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate courses in wildlife conservation. To date, over 1000 conservationists from over a 100 countries have trained with DICE.

At the University of Kent, we support small and medium enterprises, third sector and corporate businesses covering a range of disciplines, one particular strategic priority for the University is the life sciences sector.

Life Science Opportunity Zone

Recently, the county has welcomed a new Life Science Opportunity Zone based at Discovery Park.

This is one of five new zones announced by the Office for Life Sciences (OLS). Discovery Park is the county’s leading science park and a global leader for science and enterprise. The University’s research community and business and innovation gateway work closely with Discovery Park on a wide range of initiatives and partnerships to support the development of a Kent life sciences ecosystem.

Professor Philippe de Wilde, the University of Kent’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation, said: ‘Kent has extensive experience of collaborative working, both internally and with a wide range of external stakeholders, including life sciences product and service suppliers, NHS Trusts, businesses and charities. We would

like to congratulate Discovery Park on achieving Life Sciences Opportunities Zone status and look forward to the new opportunities that will arise from this.’

Kent and Medway Medical School

Life science is a diverse sector and the University has a long established reputation for the quality of its research, teaching and innovation in this area. In a partnership with Canterbury Christ Church it will open the region’s first medical school Kent and Medway Medical School in September 2020. The medical school will educate aspiring doctors, from all backgrounds, to train to deliver 21st century medicine.

Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology Queen’s Anniversary Prize

The University is pleased to announce that the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology has been awarded with the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.

The official announcement took place at St James’s Palace on 21 November 2019.

The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are awarded, within the

Professor Karen Cox, ViceChancellor and President of the University, said: ‘I am absolutely delighted that DICE should receive such an accolade. It is a muchdeserved tribute to the exceptional work of its students, staff and alumni and the outstanding contribution they make to global conservation.’

Covid-19 support In these strange times, the University of Kent is pulling together to support the local community in the fight against Covid-19, including: research collaborations to develop Covid-19 therapies and a vaccine, designing and producing face shields for staff in the NHS, hospice and charitable care organisations, the provision of specialist molecular biology equipment to the NHS, academics, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students volunteering to help perform testing at hospitals in the country, and students have been supporting the local agricultural economy through fruit-picking.

The University is still open, willing and able to support you and your business in any way we can.

Please get in touch to talk to one of our business innovation gateway colleagues at enterprise@kent.ac.uk.

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The Big Interview

Diversity is key to success IN COVID-19 PANDEMIC

18 Thinking Business

The Big Interview

"The coronavirus may also help people to achieve a better work-life balance and quality of life. The commute into London may become a thing of the past for a lot of people.

We can provide the IT infrastructure that allows people to spend less time on the train and more time working productively from their own living room" Running a business that offers a diverse range of services is particularly useful in times of economic crisis. While the coronavirus pandemic has halted the progress of many businesses – permanently, in some cases – MPR IT Solutions is carrying on as normal, providing IT support and services for businesses that need it.

Commercial director and co-founder, Andy Ransley, says: “We don’t really suffer the peaks and troughs that other businesses experience because we offer so many different services. When demand for one service drops off, demand for others takes off.

“Carrying out IT infrastructure projects, such as WiFi or fibre optic cabling, is difficult at the moment due to COVID-19, but we’ve seen a spike in requests to help companies set up a remote working environment for their staff. We’ve moved a lot of people to Microsoft Office 365 so they can work from home and in the first two weeks of lockdown we had around 1,000 laptops in for service.

“We also work across many industry sectors, which has cushioned us against the impact of COVID-19.

Although some sectors have shut down temporarily, others have carried on as before and this has allowed us to keep money coming into the business.”

Andy has known tough times before. Along with two co-directors, Alex and Richard, he set up MPR two months before the financial crash happened in 2008.

“We were fortunate because we managed to secure a few wealthy clients and our overheads were low,” he recalls. “We started off working in our own homes so we had no business rates to pay.”

Initially the company offered basic IT support but added more strings to its bow as technology and

customer demand evolved. Telephony systems, internet connectivity solutions and security awareness training were added to the mix, along with a range of technical services including wireless network installation and configuration, point-topoint WiFi and cabling design and installation.

Now the company has an annual turnover of just under £2 million, 27 staff, a growing network of loyal customers and a healthy-looking order book – vindication of Andy, Alex and Richard's decision to launch the firm twelve years ago.

By then he had built up a wealth of experience of the IT world. After leaving school at 16 he got a job at a software company in Ashford before becoming IT manager at an interior design firm in London. The busy commute into the capital became tiresome, however, so he joined an IT firm in Kent where he worked in technical sales for three years.

He says: “I didn’t like the way certain things were being done and I thought I could do them better. I wanted to change IT support for the better and get

The inside track: Andy Ransley Favourite food: Sushi. It has become an acquired taste over the last three or four years.

Favourite tipple: Pepsi Max (cherry flavour), mixed with vodka in the evening.

Favourite holiday? Anywhere warm! I tend not to go back to the same place more than once.

Describe your family life? I’m a single dad of one – my 12-year-old daughter, Fraya.

How do you spend your downtime? I love playing golf and spending time with my daughter.

rid of the complications, ridiculous charges and generally poor customer service that businesses had to suffer. That’s when I decided to set up MPR with Alex Mendes and Richard Proctor.”

Twelve years on, and he’s very glad he did. While the economic future looks uncertain, he’s confident that MPR is in a good position to adapt and capitalise on new trends spawned by the coronavirus.

“Flexible and remote working is likely to become more popular,” he says. “There will also be a greater focus on cybersecurity. Companies will be asking: is our data secure if we allow remote working? Where is it being held?

“The coronavirus may also help people to achieve a better work-life balance and quality of life. The commute into London may become a thing of the past for a lot of people. We can provide the IT infrastructure that allows people to spend less time on the train and more time working productively from their own living room.”

What are your key strengths as a manager?

I’d like to think I’m a good listener who takes time to understand people.

And your limitations? I have very little patience when people repeatedly make the same mistakes.

Best thing about doing business in Kent?

The people. Also, it’s great that I don’t have to travel into London every day.

Famous person you’d most like to spend dinner with? Tiger Woods. He’s a colourful character and I’d like to get to know him more.

Most interesting fact about yourself? I once spent two days with Bruce Willis! He was a customer of an interior design company that I used to work for.

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International Trade

UK-US trade talks bring HOPE TO EXPORTERS

20 Thinking Business

The UK and US governments have opened negotiations on a free trade agreement, with hopes high among the SME exporting community that a planned chapter to help the UK’s 5.9 million small businesses will help them to export their way out of the Covid-19 crisis.

The first round of talks was launched by UK international trade secretary Liz Truss and US trade representative Robert Lighthizer via videocall, and will be held for approximately two weeks, involving around 100 negotiators on each side. The UK government says that further rounds will take place approximately every six weeks and will be carried out remotely until it is safe to travel.

Liz Truss said: “The US is our largest trading partner and increasing transatlantic trade can help our economies bounce back from the economic challenge posed by the coronavirus. We want to strike an ambitious deal that opens up new opportunities for our businesses, brings in more investment and creates better jobs for people across the whole of the country. As the Prime Minister has said, the UK is a champion of free trade and this deal will make it even easier to do business with our friends across the pond.”

Robert Lighthizer said: “Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States will negotiate an ambitious and high-standard trade agreement with the UK that will strengthen our economies, support good-paying jobs and substantially improve opportunities for trade

International Trade

PRIORITY FREIGHT WINS PRESTIGIOUS QUEEN’S AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE

“Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States will negotiate an ambitious and high-standard trade agreement with the UK that will strengthen our economies" and investment between our two countries. This will be an historic agreement that is consistent with US priorities and the negotiating objectives established by Congress in US law.”

Total UK-US trade was valued at £220.9bn last year, making up 19.8% of the UK’s exports. The US currently levies £451m in tariffs on UK exports

each year, with food and farming, manufactured goods and textiles benefiting most if these are lifted.

With some 30,000 UK SMEs already exporting to the US, taking into account their needs when striking a deal will be crucial, according to Mike Cherry, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Priority Freight, a leading timecritical logistics specialist, has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2020.

Her Majesty The Queen and Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, recommended that Priority Freight receives the UK’s most significant award for business performance.

The awards celebrate the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices.

Neal Williams, Group Managing Director at Priority Freight commented, “We are delighted that the company has been recognised for its achievements in and contributions to international trade. Winning this award is great recognition for the company and a testament to our ongoing commitment to our customers. Our clients know they can trust us to deliver even when the options are limited or time-critical.

“This has been particularly apparent during the COVID-19 crisis where we have been supporting governments and companies to bring PPE in from around the world.”

The Queen’s Award comes after Priority Freight appeared in The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table for the fourth time in the last five years.

The remarkable growth has been during a period of uncertainty for British business due to Brexit, but Priority Freight has continued to adapt to the challenges and expand its skill base and physical presence.

The company has also gained AEO certification across its operation. The logistics specialist is one of the few providers to be globally accredited for both Quality Assurance (ISO 9001:2015) and Environmental Management (ISO 14001:2015).

Priority Freight’s highly experienced multilingual logistics specialists are committed to providing the fastest, most cost-effective, and reliable solutions, time and time again.

With an industry-leading reaction time of under 15 minutes and an on-time delivery rate of 99.6%, it is this dedication that has seen the company achieve the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Neal Williams will be invited to Buckingham Palace where the accolade will be presented by a representative of HM the Queen during a royal reception for The Queen’s Awards winners.

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TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION AND CYBER SECURITY

Cover Feature

How to use digital tools to raise your profile and maximise sales The online world has seen a huge area of growth – but have businesses harnessed all it has to offer?

Digital agency Kayo Digital, based on Kent Science Park in Sittingbourne, looked at the county’s fastest growing firms to analyse how they operate online.

Here’s a guide to help your business take advantage of the digital world using the traditional marketing funnel.

AWARENESS

How companies view and remember your brand Reviews:

Research from the Spiegel Research Centre in 2017 found that people are 270% more likely to purchase a product with a review.

Research from Nielsen, specialists in analysing consumers and markets, revealed that 92% of us trust a peer’s review, whilst 70% of us trust a stranger’s. Word of mouth is king, but reviews can be considered queen, even if we don’t know who wrote them.

Kayo Digital's tip: Ask your customers to give you a review; on your website, Google My Business or on third party platforms such as Feefo, TripAdvisor or CheckATrade.

LinkedIn:

People buy people - did you know LinkedIn is the most likely social media to appear in search results if an individual looks for your name. Active accounts reflect both you and your brand to potential prospects and help you appear in front of a new audience.

As a business leader, improving your brand can be so beneficial because when consumers feel they know you and can relate to you, they’re more likely to be loyal to the company you head up. It’ll grow your reputation and increase the number of people who want to associate with you – great for opening up the channels of communication and exploring opportunity.

costing you sales. If a customer can’t get your website to work on their phone or tablet to find out what they need, they may go elsewhere. And you end up looking dated.

Kayo Digital's tip: Update your profiles and post good quality content. If you’re in a B2B industry, think about if you could post more; B2B businesses post around 75% less than B2C businesses.

Paid advertising:

Video:

With YouTube being the second largest search engine on the planet, it’s a great place to meet your audience and fill it with FAQ-type content. Think about those things people ask about your business time and time again. If they’re asking, tell others too through video.

As video content is set to account for 80% of all online content by 2021, YouTube is the perfect channel to explore.

Kayo Digital's tip: Get filming!

Videos can be longer and informative, or short and snappy, in a more question and answer style.

Kayo Digital's tip: Update your website to be mobile optimised,so that it works on all devices; this is especially important for companies that are more likely to be searched for on a phone..

Paid advertising is mainly used by B2C businesses, but the B2B sector could massively benefit from it too.

Recent evidence showed over 35% of people click on search engine adverts without even realising.

Paid advertising allows you to target and drive high value traffic to a website or particular landing page – giving the right people the right message.

Kayo Digital's tip: Consider paid advertising as part of your strategy – put by a budget and understand what ‘return on ad spend’ rate you need maintained and stop at that point.

Apps:

People use apps over websites and internal paper documents for a variety of reasons, but a few include speed, improved user experience and ease of information consumption offline.

ENGAGEMENT

Kayo Digital's tip: Take a look at your business and see if an app could make it easier for customers and staff.

Website:

Newsletters:

How people communicate with you Does your website work on all devices? If it was built a few years ago, it’s unlikely to and could be

Only send these out if you’ve got something useful and relevant to say and enable sign-up on your website too.

At the moment, open rates have soared because people are glued to their inbox, but make sure you give them useful and relevant information only.

Kayo Digital's tip: Create an informative newsletter, one that focuses on sales or something that helps educate your audience.

SALES

How you persuade people to buy Call To Action (CTA):

If we’re not told what to do either consciously or sub-consciously, we won’t do it!

And that’s what a call to action is.

Examples include; sign up, buy now, visit the website, leave a review, vote in a poll, fill in a survey, share, comment, or enter a competition.

Research from Wingify revealed that adding a CTA can increase work enquiries by around 49%.

Kayo Digital's tip: Make sure your marketing and advertising tells your audience what you’d like them to do next.

Ecommerce:

Customers can buy directly from you, but if you sell a commodity, what stops you from selling directly through your website? If a business’s competitors aren’t listing their prices then ‘the race to the bottom’ has been nullified and you’ve already differentiated yourselves by making your pricing available.

Kayo Digital's tip: Review how you could sell online.

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TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION AND CYBER SECURITY

Cyber security challenges John Taylor,

Board Director, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce; Chairman, Kent Police Business Advisory Group, and Aimee Payne, Kent Police Cyber Protect & Prevent Officer.

24 Thinking Business

TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION AND CYBER SECURITY

Working from home Many organisations are either moving to working remotely for the first time or significantly increasing it, and this presents a number of cyber security challenges. Advice on how to respond to those challenges is set out in the NCSC’s working from home guidance.

There are a number of practical steps organisations can take to reduce the risk including: • Supporting people to use stronger passwords and setting up two factor authentication.

• Ensuring staff know how to report problems, especially those related to security.

• Creating ‘How do I’ guides for new software and tools staff may be using.

• Using VPNs to allow users to securely access the organisation’s IT services.

• Ensuring devices encrypt data whilst at rest.

Some organisations may be allowing staff to use their own devices to work remotely. In this case, please refer to the NCSC's Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) guidance.

It is worth being aware of phishing emails which trick users into clicking on a bad link. Once clicked, the user is sent to a website which could download malware onto your computer, or steal passwords.

We know that cyber criminals are opportunistic and will look to take advantage of people’s fears, and there is evidence that the coronavirus outbreak is being exploited in this way.

Those who do fall victim shouldn’t feel bad – these scams can be extremely convincing – but what they should do as quickly as possible is report it to their IT department when the incident is work-related or Action Fraud when it is personal. They can also open their antivirus (AV) software if installed, and run a full scan, following any instructions given. If they’ve been tricked into providing password, they should change their passwords on all their other accounts.

Cover Feature

The NCSC’s guidance on suspicious emails provides more tips on this.

As a further resource, the Global Cyber Alliance has created a ‘Work From Home Community Forum’ support group where subject matter experts are on hand to answer specific questions about security issues related to working from home.

Suspicious email reporting service The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched a suspicious email reporting service in partnership with the City of London Police.

The service makes it easier than ever to flag suspicious emails – including those claiming to offer services related to coronavirus.

Members of the public can send their suspicious emails to report@ phishing.gov.uk and the NCSC’s automated programme will immediately test the validity of the site. Any sites found to be phishing scams will be removed immediately.

As well as taking down malicious sites, the service will support the police by providing live time analysis of reports and identifying new patterns in online offending - helping them stop even more offenders in their tracks.

Key protection advice for businesses Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They will spend hours researching your business, hoping you will let your guard down for just a moment.

Stop: If you receive a request to make an urgent payment, change supplier bank details, or provide financial information, take a moment to stop and think.

Challenge: Could it be fake? Verify all payments and supplier details directly with the company on a known phone number or in person first.

Protect: Contact your business’s bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to Action Fraud.

CONTINUED Thinking Business

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Keeping your business secure online Criminals will try and gain access to your device or network, and everything stored on it. They can do this by:

TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION AND CYBER SECURITY Unfortunately, Zoom has received quite a lot of adverse publicity because of security flaws. Below is some top tips for zoom users. Please also see the latest video conferencing guidance from the NCSC.

Zoom Guidance

• Sending emails with malicious attachments;

• Make sure you have the latest version.

• Exploiting vulnerabilities in your operating systems if they are not up-to-date;

• Running anti-virus software or a firewall on your computer and keeping software up-to-date will improve your security.

• Trying to get you to click links or visit malicious websites.

Once they have access to your device and your data, they may try to steal your data or extract money from you by getting you to pay a ransom. There are a number of steps you can take to protect your device and operating systems and educate others on your network. Please visit the NCSC website to find out more.

You can also read the National Cyber Security Centre’s Small Business Guide: Cyber Security for more advice on how to keep your business secure online.

Video Conferencing For many, the sudden adoption of remote working, social distancing and self-isolation has created a demand for simple easy ways to stay in touch with family, friends and co-workers. The demand has popularised many apps and one of the most talked about in Cyber Security is Zoom, a video chat platform.

WE’RE TALKING SOLUTIONS

• If you are holding public meetings, be sure to configure screen-sharing settings.

• Turn off 'Annotation', if you are worried about how people might annotate your shared slide show.

• Set up a Zoom meeting and create a 9 digit ID. Don’t advertise this on social media.

• If you use the 'Options Panel' when setting up a meeting, you can add an access password too.

• Use the 'Advanced Options' to enable a 'Waiting Room', you can grant or deny access to your conversation.

• Organisers can lock the meeting once everyone who needs to has joined. Click Manage Participants >> More >> Lock Meeting.

• Accessing Zoom through the browser is more secure than downloading the app.

We are still delivering solutions and are here to help you communicate with staff, clients and suppliers at a time when communication is more important than ever. Pay as you go telephone interpreting, translation services and brand new video interpreting now availble.

FREE SET UP

THE ETHICAL CHOICE

Bruce K9 offer a variety of security options to suit everyone's needs, whether it be a security dog handler or static guard who provide a permanent security presence to deter would be intruders.

Some of the services we provide:

• Security Dog Handlers • Security Guards • Property Securing & Alarming • Concierge • CCTV Monitoring • Risk Assessments • Access Control • Key Holding • Door Supervisor We are fully insured, and naturally, we treat all our contracts with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.

Why not get an expert opinion? We would be happy to provide a risk assessment for you to consider free of charge and no obligation

Tel: 01233 626669 / 07595 981684 Email: info@brucek9ltd.co.uk

26 Thinking Business

TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION AND CYBER SECURITY

Cover Feature

Stay vigilant to COVID CYBER CRIME

Highlighting why businesses need to be vigilant to increased efforts by fraudsters to commit cyber crime, saw Neil Miller, Founder of Kings Hill-based investigation, and protection company TenIntelligence, present at a Kent Invicta LIVE webinar.

fears and vulnerabilities. Worryingly there has been an exponential rise in online fraud relating to the provision of Government financial support.

TenIntelligence constantly analyses emerging trends of new or increased acts of fraudulent activity, including during the current Covid-19 crisis. Its team helps clients avoid becoming a victim of digital fraud, and protecting themselves by staying aware, or how to respond if a fraud is identified.

The source of fraud can also be closer at hand, especially with many people working from home remotely via company laptops with access to sensitive information. A recent study showed 80% of frauds were committed by employees facing some form of disciplinary action or change at work. Warning signs include employees living beyond their means; facing financial difficulties (exacerbated by furlough); control issues and not wanting to share duties, being irritable or defensive.

National fraud and cyber crime reporting service – Action Fraud – reported a 400% increase in Covid-19 related cyber crime with fraudsters preying on our collective

Take control, remain vigilant and trust your instincts. TenIntelligence recommends implementing simple checks and measures. Verify all invoices and question every request to

change banking details, review financial transactions and look for errors.

Check every request for information is legitimate and contact the supplier directly using established contact information. Do not use the phone number on the email as it might be

part of the scam and controlled by the fraudster. If in doubt, check with a colleague and do not be afraid to escalate the issue.

And with many people working from home, make sure access to sensitive financial information is carefully controlled, waste documents are cross-shredded and perform background checks on all new suppliers.

If you have received a suspicious email, TenIntelligence’s recommendation is to forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS), operated by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk. Then securely remove it from your inbox.

For further information on how TenIntelligence can help Kent Invicta Chamber members with investigation and protection measures, visit: www.tenintel.com or contact Neil Miller at neil.miller@tenintel.com

Keep vigilant | Stay safe Due Diligence Background Checks Financial Crime Compliance Strategic Intelligence Investigations Corporate Fraud Litigation Support Digital Forensics Protection Brand Protection Cyber Security Data & Privacy Advisory

ENDS

Moorgate | +44 203 963 1930 Kings Hill | + 44 173 252 5810 Business Bay | +971 4425 3002 www.tenintel.com

ISO27001 ISM Certified

Thinking Business

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TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION AND CYBER SECURITY

Cover Feature

#1 For UK Business VoIP Systems Voicemail & voicemail to email Auto attendant Call recording (Encrypted) User portal Mobile Twining Desktop Software

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28 Thinking Business

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Innovo IT

The world has undergone massive change, in a very short space of time, opening our eyes to new ways of working.

There is a huge opportunity to capitalise on this “new normal”, but it requires a change in the way we think about the technology we use for our work.

It’s possible to rework your work IT so that it improves productivity, flexibility and security, while reducing costs and ultimately bringing your teams closer together.

These are my 4 pillars that, I believe, will change how you think about and get results from your technology.

1. Simplicity - Many of you will use multiple devices for work, with data (both yours and your customer) spread across them.

Some on your laptop, some on your desktop, some in Dropbox, some in Google Drive and, most heinous of all, some stored in your email system. Often a result of your business growing and changing quickly, with IT being an afterthought, the result is it takes you far too long to find documents, or having multiple copies of the same document and not knowing which is the latest version. It’s also very common to use many separate software tools to get your work done, where an all in one solution would make more sense.

Services like Google GSuite and,

to an extent, Office 365 provide email, calendar, task management, chat, audio and video calling tools all in one place.

2. Security - The above scenario also makes securing your data much harder and gives you a much bigger headache if one of those devices fails. Attacks from ransomware, phishing emails and good old fashioned malware are all much more likely and damaging if you have no control over your data and who can use it. Storing all your data in one place, be it Google Drive or MS Sharepoint, coupled with a solid cloud backup service, means your data is controlled, secured and much more resistant to hack, attack, loss of device, or even a malicious act by a disgruntled employee. Finally, there’s a real danger of using free software not being secure. The sudden growth in use of the free version of Zoom is an example, as it has become apparent that their lack of care over your data is a huge security risk. GSuite and Office 365 allow you to share documents securely, only with those you specify, and you have the control to add more people or remove people as you need.

Unlike email where, once sent, you lose control of that document forever. Tools like Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, allow you to chat securely with anyone, sharing screens for training or even just your morning coffee catch up.

3. Scalability - As your business grows and you hire more people, the common scenario is that

the mess from my 1st pillar gets worse. More people and devices leads to ever growing spread of data and bigger risk for your business. GSuite and Office 365 are priced monthly, so you can add and remove licences as your team grows or shrinks. Need to hire some temps to get you through a busy tax period? You’ll only pay for the software for as long as you use it. If you also sign up to a service like our Tech as a Service, you can spread the cost of new devices over 1-3 years. This avoids the usual big up front cost of buying new kit as you grow.

4. Sustainability - One of the few benefits of this worldwide pandemic has been on the reduction in carbon emissions as people, inevitably, were unable to travel to or for work. While we will all need to return to work, we can also use our technology choices to help lower our carbon emissions. Google’s data centres, where GSuite runs from, have been carbon neutral since 2017.

They generate the immense power, heating and cooling needed from sustainable sources such as solar, wind and recycled water. Microsoft are also working towards this goal, but don’t have the head start that Google had due to having many data centres built on fossil fuels.

Why should you care? Well, it means that when you move your data and IT tools to their services, you lower your own carbon footprint. By not hosting your data on your laptop, your laptop doesn’t need to work so hard. This means

it uses less of your energy. Using virtual meeting tools, as suggested above, will also save you having to travel for meetings unnecessarily.

Face to face will always be best, but too much of our travel is due to us having outdated views on its necessity. Plus, the cost savings can be passed onto your team.

Free coffee, anyone?

Summary - I hope you can see the opportunities presented by changing how we think about how we should use the technology tools that are so crucial for work.

Collaborating on files in real time, by team members working in any location, can cut your work effort time by hours per month.

Moving your IT services to follow my Simple, Secure, Scalable and Sustainable pillars can save you time, money and give you peace of mind. You can focus on your business, instead of having to waste time and effort in sorting through the mess.

Paul Goggin has run Innovo Consulting Ltd, providing Cloud services to professional service businesses in the South East, since 2012. To learn more visit https://innovo-it.com or email paul.goggin@innovo-it.com

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TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION AND CYBER SECURITY of lack of trust in our dedicated team, but a highly effective safeguarding measure ensuring that we are at all times aware of their location and can make contact with them should we suspect a problem. We are also able to send reinforcements to a precise location should the need arise.

REGIONAL SECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER FOR OVER 30 YEARS In recent years, innovating technology has allowed the private security industry to expand exponentially with new ways of liaising with staff and digitalising traditional report writing and patrolling. The private security industry is certainly not compromised with this new technology but enhanced.

Right Guard Security is a regional security service provider operating for over 30 years and based in the heart of

Kent. Right Guard utilizes the globally recognised Workforce Management Software ‘Timegate’, created by Innovise and a variety of other software to streamline our processes and increase customer satisfaction.

Timegate allows all of our operational functions to be fully digitalised, including staff rotas, incident reporting and patrolling. It is quality assurance for ourselves and our clients whilst doubling up as essential safeguarding for

Electronic Security Defence Systems

our guards as we can locate their movement which is extremely important to us, especially when they are working at remote sites.

Our electronic security defence systems are highly valued by our clients for providing them with added security measures in the absence of security personnel.

Our installations include intruder alarms, fire, and emergency lighting systems.

With the Right Guard Security group's recent addition 5 years ago to provide cleaning and logistic services, Timegate easily integrates with all facets of facilities management soft services.

As a modern and diverse multiple service provider, we are always looking at new and innovative ways in which to protect our staff and enhance our services.

Vehicle Trackers

Right Guard Security has been proud to be key workers whilst supporting the NHS.

The implementation of vehicle trackers was in no way a reflection

The strength of the Right Guard Security group is our diversity, client commitment and loyalty.

Retail Security Manned Guarding Keyholding and Alarm Response Mobile Patrols Vacant Property Inspections

Queue Management and Social Distancing Cleaning Teams Covid Secure Deep Cleans Irregular and Regular Cleaning

Find us on Google!

01227 464588 • info@rightguard.co.uk

30 Thinking Business

How can my office staff and I work remotely?

With recent events, we have been busier than ever helping our customers and some non-customers with making their staff agile by enabling them to work at home remotely so they can continue their business.

We have done a 30 minute video and blog here:

https://bit.ly/homeandremoteworking We have even helped some new customers transition to HOME WORKING within just a few hours – it can be pretty easy REGARDLESS of what phone system or IT set up you currently have.

You may have already made some provision for this.

But there is a chance you have done this the quickest way possible and it may not be very workable or give your organisation or people access to all the tools they need. It may be ‘makeshift’.

There are immediate answers to this.

In our video and blog we cover:

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY

COMPUTING • Connection to your work servers

• Connections for your office

• Connection to your Office PC

• Connections for home workers

• Working in The Cloud from anywhere and any device with Office 365, Sharepoint and Onedrive

VOICE • Quick fixes to work at home

• Terminal Services • Hosted Desktop

• Diverting your phone lines and numbers– ISDN, analogue and SIP diverts – what is possible…..and what isn’t

COLLABORATION

• Instant soft phone and smart phone working at home – Low cost and instant – look and feel like your staff are in the office – no difference for your customers – keep them happy and communicating

• Video Chat and Conferencing

• How a Hosted VoIP system is your REMOTE AND HOME WORKING UTOPIA

• Getting instant answers on threads with Microsoft Teams

HOW TO MOVE TO HOME WORKING INSTANTLY • Temporary Measures

• Why moving to Hosted VoIP will PROBABLY lower your costs

• Permanent Transition

• How to get FREE HANDSETS

• Seamless Migration of Data and Emails

For help and advice, please call us on 01622 584600 www.tecwork.co.uk | Email: helpme@tecwork.co.uk linkedin.com/tecwork-uk

In conversation with...

In conversation with… Terry Roffey, MD of Brook Security £1 million to £20 million and we had 450 staff. When the company was sold on to Secom by the parent company in 1995, I was made redundant so I bought a controlling stake in Maidstone-based Brook Security in 1998. I’ve been managing director there ever since.

What does your business do?

How did you arrive at your current position?

We design, install and maintain a wide range of electronic security systems, including bespoke intruder alarms, CCTV, and access control and door entry systems. We also provide security solutions for homeless hostels, churches and listed buildings to protect against crime and antisocial behaviour.

Our goal is to provide a top-class service for our customers, as well as constantly training and developing our team to meet future challenges.

I’m in my forty-eighth year in the security industry so I’ve seen a lot of innovation and change. I started my working career as an apprentice engineer in 1972 before taking a security start-up on a journey from private company to PLC. Under my management, turnover of the subsidiary business increased from

We’ve achieved the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) gold standard – the highest accreditation that a company in this industry can achieve. I’m also the south east chairman for the NSI NACOSS Gold Regional Scheme, which was introduced to drive up standards in the industry.

32 Thinking Business

How is your business is adapting to the current crisis?

We’ve been largely unaffected. We’ve had to furlough some staff but work has been able to continue. We’re lucky in that the NHS has been a client of ours for several years. We secured a new contract in February and started work on it in March. We’ve had to adapt our service provision as the NHS’s requirements have changed; for example, hospitals are now looking to lock down certain areas to control the movement of people and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The pandemic has brought about some interesting trends. While there has been a fall in residential crime because fewer people are leaving their home, some offices and industrial premises have been targeted as intruders take advantage of people not being at work. Owners of these premises want help to improve their security to stave off this threat.

So, will security practices change at all as a result of the pandemic and if so, how?

There’s likely to be more automation of security practices.

We’ll probably see greater adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence. Mobile and webbased applications will become more widespread – so security systems will be able to be set and maintained remotely, for example.

In the short term, there may be increased use of CCTV by companies to make sure staff are adhering to social distancing measures and health and safety protocol.

What opportunities for future growth will there be?

Technology will give us the opportunity to grow and evolve the business. The lockdown has shown us that we can do things differently. Conducting 360-degree surveys on construction sites via video technology may become more common, for example. Cyber security will continue to become more important, both as a threat to business continuity and as a way of improving business security.

Economy

Cash-strapped firms need faster help, survey shows Government loan schemes are still too slow to help many cash-strapped firms though the COVID-19 crisis, but the furlough scheme to protect workers’ jobs is staving off redundancies.

Those are the main conclusions from the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker.

Results from the tracker survey revealed the majority of businesses surveyed ahead of changes to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) scheme announced in late April did not intend to seek financial support through CBILS bank loans – and most of those who had applied were awaiting a decision or had been unsuccessful. Loans under the scheme are 80% backed by the government.

While the appetite for loan support is highest amongst firms with the most urgent cash flow problems, many of these firms did not intend to access CBILS due to concerns they could not repay the loan.

• 57% of firms did not intend to apply for CBILS or other finance

• 13% of all firms who attempted to access CBILS have been successful, while a majority are still awaiting a decision or have been unsuccessful • Of those not applying, 30% of the most cash-strapped firms said they could not re-pay CBILS loans Cash reserves remain a key concern for most businesses, with 51% saying they have three months’ cash in reserve or less and 5% reporting no cash in reserve, broadly consistent with previous weeks.

The number of firms that had furloughed a portion of their staff rose to 76% as the scheme went live. An encouraging number of firms have accessed the Job Retention Scheme’s online application portal, with 49% of firms reporting they had submitted a claim with ease. In addition, 14% had submitted a claim with difficulty and 30% had not yet made a claim but planned to do so.

The data revealed almost no redundancies had been made by the businesses surveyed, demonstrating

the importance of the furlough scheme in preserving jobs.

BCC director general Dr Adam Marshall said: “Our data shows loan support has not been getting to businesses fast enough, so the announcement of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and further improvements to the CBILS scheme are welcome steps toward getting cash to businesses on the front line.

“Application processes need to be easier, and decisions made more quickly, especially for those firms that have struggled to access CBILS loans.

“There can be no let-up in the pace of work to get cash to stricken businesses, and ministers must keep an open mind on making even more changes to the support available. It may become necessary for the government to consider grants, rather than loans, for some of our hardest-hit firms that are concerned about taking on debt amid unprecedented economic challenges.”

But he added: “The Job Retention Scheme has become an essential support mechanism for businesses,

particularly those unable to operate during the lockdown. With companies now beginning to receive payments, HMRC deserves credit and recognition for getting the scheme up and running successfully.

“While the furlough scheme cannot be indefinite, it will need to run well beyond June 30 in some form to help businesses transition toward a ‘new normal’ as the lockdown is eased.”

Since the BCC tracker survey was conducted, ministers have announced a Bounce Back Loans Scheme which offers government-backed loans to small businesses worth up to 25% of their turnover, up to £50,000.

Adam Marshall said: “The chancellor has demonstrated he is listening to the concerns of our business communities and taking steps to get cash to the front line where it is needed.”

“This new route for our smallest companies to apply quickly and get a fast decision will be crucial to those who have struggled to get a CBILS loan.”

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Members News

Quality first at ARM Concepts Although having only been formed in early 2018, ARM Concepts has been in and around the interior fitout and drywall industry for more than ten years and considers itself lucky to have an internal wealth of knowledge and skills amongst its staff and contractors that goes back even further.

Based in Ashford, Kent and covering London and the south east, we have an extensive team of qualified and skilled operatives along with SMSTS & SSSTS trained managers and supervisors.

We believe in delivering each project to the highest quality, ensuring that all we do aligns with our core values and company mission statement.

ARM Concepts specialises in internal dry lining, partitions, suspended ceiling & SFS as well as high-quality internal finishes to the construction Industry.

We use only correctly qualified and trusted supply chain partners who share the same vision and understand our business core values of delivering projects safely and to the highest quality.

ARM Concepts has the knowledge and experience and understands the importance of project delivery, quality and budget.

For more information visit www.armconcepts.co.uk

EY announces acquisition of Kent boutique firm EY has announced the acquisition of Breakthrough Funding, the Kent-based research & development (R&D) independent tax consultancy which supports companies accessing R&D tax relief through the SME scheme.

This bold deal, which underlines EY’s continued commitment to the SME market, will see the Breakthrough Funding team become an extension of EY’s Innovation Incentive R&D tax team under the new name – EY Incentives – and its 20 employees will continue to operate from its head office in Ashford. Breakthrough Funding’s client base are mostly privately-owned SMEs. Frank Buffone, EY partner and founder and head of EY’s innovation incentive team, said: “SMEs are the lifeblood of the UK economy and this acquisition will help these businesses access the much-needed R&D tax relief they need to grow and reinvest in innovative products and services.

Being able to advise clients from the SME market up to large businesses on R&D reliefs really sets us apart from our competitors.”

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Roxane Markarian, EY partner and head of London market for innovation incentives, added: “EY recognises that the private mid-market is the engine room of the UK economy, and the acquisition of Breakthrough Funding – one of the UK’s leading R&D tax boutiques – provides access to this huge SME market and over 1,000 existing clients.

“As announced in the recent Budget, R&D is seen as a huge growth driver for the UK and EY’s acquisition of Breakthrough will help SMEs take advantage of the opportunities available to them through R&D funding and investment.”

credits but the broader spectrum of funding programs available, including local and national grant programs, patent box opportunities and more. This acquisition will allow the team to provide additional funding opportunities to SMEs and help them access the funding they need to invest and focus more on R&D.” Breakthrough Funding was established in 2015 by Sue Nelson, who later joined forces with Brady Last as managing director, starting out in Sue’s conservatory in her house in Wye armed with just two laptops.

Started by Frank Buffone over 15 years ago, EY’s innovation incentive team now boasts over 100 R&D specialists across the whole of the UK. The team’s current focus is predominantly R&D tax claims under the large company schemes.

The company has become synonymous with innovation in the workplace and family-flexible working practices, winning multiple awards including the Kent Invicta Chamber’s New Business of the Year in 2017 and the prestigious national winner of Tolley’s Best UK Independent Tax Consultancy Firm 2019.

Roxane Markarian added: “EY’s innovation incentive team differentiates itself in the market by taking a holistic approach to funding – considering not only R&D tax

Sue has also won Kent Business Woman of the Year and was the Institute of Directors 2019, London and South East Director of the Year for Innovation.

Winner of Tolley’s Best UK Independent Tax Consultancy Firm 2019, Breakthrough Funding has helped small business owners get back more than £60million in tax benefits since its inception. It now employs 20 local people and has a £2.5 million turnover.

Sue Nelson decided to sell the business to secure investment for rapid expansion across the UK. Inundated with offers for her business, it was EY’s culture and focus on its people that helped seal the deal.

Sue said: “We received substantial offers from a number of highly respected firms, but it was EY’s attitude to our culture and the emphasis on our people which was most important to me. I did not want any of our operational processes or ability to put the customer first in everything we do, to change. It’s in our DNA, it’s what makes us so successful and EY understood these values completely. We are so excited that our team in Ashford has been recognised for their outstanding work by a highly respected multinational and will get the opportunity to expand more rapidly across the UK.”

Members News

Royal seal of approval for Nim’s Fruit Crisps Transforming the snack market with a healthy ‘crisp’ alternative has seen a Kent manufacturer recognised with its first ever Queen’s Award for Innovation.

Nim’s Fruit Crisps, which employs 18 people at its bespoke A-Grade BRC accredited facility in Sittingbourne, joins an elite group of businesses to receive this prestigious accolade after enjoying significant retail success with the UK’s only air-dried fruit and vegetable crisps and range of edible teas.

The company continues to tap into the demand for more healthconscious ‘food on the go’, investing another £100,000 into R&D in 2020 that will see it launch its first infusion slices for drinks within the next few weeks.

“Wow, we are absolutely gobsmacked that a small firm has been recognised with the biggest business award in the UK, maybe even the world,” explained Nimisha Raja, founder of Nim’s Fruit Crisps.

“This royal seal of approval is a massive boost to our growing brand and will give industry buyers and independent retailers even more confidence to select our products. We innovate, we create and, importantly, we have a track record of delivering.

“Major supermarkets have really embraced our great-tasting, healthy crisps, with our apple, pineapple and kiwi, beetroot and parsnip and tomato and cucumber varieties now a household fixture on the shelves of Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons and hundreds of shops across the UK. “We are so blessed with an incredible team at Nim’s, especially our production team as they work so hard and are so supportive when it comes to developing some of our crazier ideas. They understand and appreciate the importance of leading the innovation trend in what is one of the world’s fastest-moving sectors.”

Nim’s is the brainchild of Nimisha Raja, who was becoming increasingly disenchanted by the

lack of healthy snacks on offer for parents and toddlers and decided to do something about it.

She sold her coffee shop and house and ploughed all of the money into launching the UK’s only air-dried fruit crisp brand, quickly building a stateof-the-art factory that can produce 12 million packs every year.

Her products are now sold across more than 20 different countries including Belgium, France and Ukraine.

“Despite all of the pressures we are facing, we will continue to innovate and bring new products to market.

It’s what we do best.”

The Queen’s Award isn’t the first time Nim’s has been recognised for its innovation. The company has also secured recognition at the World Food Innovation and Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

For further information, please visit www.nimsfruitcrisps.com

“We had targeted doubling our turnover this year after a number of major wins at the tail end of 2019, but, like many in our sector, we are having to adjust to the challenges presented

by COVID-19,” added Nimisha.

“Nim’s has its own production line and a strong supply chain and this – combined with effective social distancing and flexible shift patterns – is really helping us adapt so that we continue to meet orders. Retailers have been extremely supportive as well.

Kent digital agency and distribution firm team up to help get businesses back to selling and out of trouble during corona lockdown A website built in a week by Kentish digital firm Kayo, has helped their newest client to save 150 jobs and £400,000 of food stock.

It's also led to a partnership between the digital experts and a distribution firm, to help other businesses to get back to selling, with the delivery easily organised.

BACKGROUND Coronavirus lockdown meant that Watts Farms was left with warehouses full of food and drink at its 10 sites across Kent, Essex and Bedfordshire.

Due to the food service industry grinding to a halt, restaurants, hotels and schools were cancelling their orders, so the food was looking like it was going to waste and jobs would be at risk with such a huge loss.

They needed to do something and fast, and so they turned to digital experts Kayo and asked for the usually

impossible - a website in a week to ensure as much food as possible could be sold before it started to spoil.

Whilst the website was being built, Watts Farms was working on delivery logistics, using their vans and staff for home deliveries rather than commercial ones.

Managing Director Richard Pilton, said: "Currently, the large companies are monopolising online sales because they have the ability to sell online and deliver. We wanted to give smaller businesses the opportunity to do just that and open again.

Digital plunge a success A month after thinking their 68-yearold family business might be facing collapse, 14,000 orders have been taken via the website. The initial £400,00 stockpile was saved, plus more has been ordered in and sold on top, with the online sales their sole route to market now.

totally new side to the business, turned to in response to the coronavirus situation. It also sparked an idea for Kayo - to offer a reasonably priced website and logistics package, suitably named The Garden of England.

Managing Director Richard Pilton, said: "After working with Watts Farms, we realised that some businesses needed not only a website, but logistics too.

We are in unprecedented times where some companies are being forced to be storage companies due to them being unable to sell or deliver their goods. This needed to change.

"When we emerge from isolation they'll have taken a big leap in going digital something they may not have thought of before or were hesitant in doing; they've now been pushed.

2,000 orders were taken in the first fortnight, worth £100,000.

"We spoke with logistics experts Alan Firmin to see if it was possible and we are now able to offer websites with a click and delivery system in place, online store, payment gateway and fully accessible on mobile, tablet or desktop.

The e-commerce is linked to logistics, offering full automation for deliveries - a

"We can also provide an app alongside it too."

The reductions are made possible by smaller businesses sharing deliveries with others - instead of setting up their own logistics.

It is better for the environment too less journeys will be made with less of an impact.

A spokesman for Alan Firmin said: "It's great to be partnering with another Kent company, offering something unique at a time when many businesses need to take a different approach to get back on their feet.

Kayo's idea means that not only will they have the online sales platform they need, but also the distribution network too.

It's not something we've done before but when Kayo asked us, we thought it would be good to be involved.

We can now work with clients we may not have had the opportunity to meet before, offering them a great deal on logistics; growing their business and ours too." https://shop.wattsfarms.co.uk/ Thinking Business

35

Health & Wellbeing

KIMS HOSPITAL CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2020

New study highlights work-life imbalance Half of employees working from home during the lockdown are unhappy with their work-life balance, according to the results of a new survey.

A poll of 500 workers conducted by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) during the first two weeks of the lockdown found that 50% of respondents were not happy with their current work-life balance, with 48% putting in longer and more irregular hours than they would under normal circumstances.

More than one in four (43%) said they didn’t have enough time to get their work done, 36% felt under too much work pressure while 26% continued working despite being ill.

Although work motivation was holding up for most, especially if they were in regular contact with their manager, 34% worried that decisions were being taken without their knowledge or consent.

These statistics were part of the interim findings of an ongoing study into the wellbeing of home workers since the government imposed severe restrictions on movement and social contact in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The study highlighted a general fall in respondents’ wellbeing on various levels.

Rising concerns over matters such as job security and the health of family members were causing sleep loss for 64% of respondents, with six in ten claiming they were fatigued. One fifth (20%) reported increased alcohol consumption, 33% were eating less healthily and 60% were exercising less since the lockdown started. One third reported frequent feelings of isolation and 45% admitted that their day was not filled with interesting things to do.

There was also a rise in physical complaints.

More than half of respondents reported new aches and pains associated with bad posture, including in their necks (58%), shoulders (56%), backs (55%) and – worryingly – chest (33%). Almost four in ten (39%) had experienced heartburn or indigestion, while headaches or migraines were a complaint for 55% of respondents.

The survey said mental health was poorer for younger members of the workforce, those new to homeworking and those working more than ten hours longer than their contracted hours per week. Those in less frequent contact with their boss also had lower levels of wellbeing.

In light of these results, the IES has highlighted several actions that employers could take to improve wellbeing among their workforce: • Make sure home ‘office’ set-up is safe and ergonomic and that employees are mobile and take exercise • Provide mental health support via informal messaging groups, virtual coffee mornings, access to EAPs and regular contact with bosses and colleagues • Focus on “high risk” groups – financial concerns, eldercare, those struggling to adjust, those prone to feelings of isolation, those at risk of domestic abuse

KIMS Hospital is celebrating International Nurses Day 2020 with coffee, cake, social distancing, and video calls. 2020 is an important year in any nurse’s calendar as it is the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth and the World Health Organisation’s Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

However, in these unprecedented times when nurses across the world are going above and beyond to care for patients and where mass gatherings cannot take place, KIMS Hospital has found other ways of celebrating their nursing team whilst adhering to social distancing.

Although not how they had envisaged celebrating such an important day, the team at KIMS Hospital are celebrating with coffee and cake in small groups in their staff canteen ensuring they remain 2 metres apart. They have invited any members of their team who are currently based at home to participate in the celebrations via Zoom and have created an eyecatching display of photos of their nurses when they graduated versus present day.

Jackie Groom, Chief Nurse, comments, “This is a significant year for nurses as it is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale and the World Health Organisation’s International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Now more than ever, acknowledging the amazing work that our nurses, and all nurses around the world, are doing each day has never been so important. At KIMS Hospital, our nurses provide safe, outstanding quality care for our patients every day and I am immensely proud to lead such a wonderful team. Helping them to celebrate during this momentous year is the least we can do to show our appreciation for all that they do.”

Along with other independent healthcare providers across the county, KIMS Hospital is working closely with the NHS to support them by providing care to those patients that still need urgent treatment for other health conditions during the COVID-19 outbreak. They have postponed all their non-urgent treatments and surgeries to ensure that they can provide essential support for the NHS whilst they focus on caring for patients with COVID-19. KIMS Hospital are still seeing private patients for some more urgent health conditions.

• Rethink performance targets and monitoring, and involve employees in decisions about reorganising work and reallocating tasks & priorities Thinking Business

37

CONSIDERING A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT? LJPM Ltd is a Construction Consultancy serving London and the South East.

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Our services includes providing professional and technical advice, assisting with project planning from concept to completion.

Working closely with private and commercial clients on various projects, including private residential, schools, offices and other building types.

Collaborating with other Architects and consultants, providing Principal Designer services and Client advice in accordance with CDM 2015 Regulations.

Our approach and expertise will add value to your project saving you time and money in achieving your goal.

TYPES FROM SMALL TO LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENTS.

The Services we offer include:

Architectural Services: • planning and building regulation submissions

• Client Advisor • Principal Designer (CDM 2015 Regs)

• construction drawings

• Design Risk Management

Building Surveying Services: • Building Defects

• Independent Certifier / Monitor of construction works

• Condition Surveys

• Project Management

• Contract Administration

• Party Wall Matters

LJPM Construction Consultants Zealds House, 39 Church Street, Wye TN25 5BL & 3 More London Riverside, London SE1 2RE

www.ljpm.co.uk email: info@ljpm.co.uk

Contact Les Johnson on 01233 800808, 020 313 79808 or 07931 231 898 Proud members of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

asktheexpert

How can companies use spatial computing to achieve business success?

Your business may have a website. You may also have an app, or a digital brochure. But there are other emerging technologies that your business can utilise right now.

This change is happening – and it’s happening fast. Is your business ready for this change? How will it benefit?

One of them is a concept that many businesses haven’t heard of before: Spatial Computing. It’s the next big leap forward. You may have already heard of Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality (VR, AR and MR); technologies that yesterday seemed like magic, but are now essential tools in the innovative business arsenal. Spatial computing is a new paradigm in which the hardware is disappearing and the interactions we have with our digital content happen within the context of the world around us.

Instead of taps and clicks, we can use our voice, or gesture. We call this frictionless interaction.

Virtual Reality is being used to create immersive, virtual environments to train staff how to use complex, expensive and potentially dangerous pieces of equipment. In the current climate, with social distancing rules in force due to the coronavirus, this is useful as it allows staff to learn in a practical environment from the confines of their home. For the company, using a simulated environment is cost-effective and can be deployed at scale quickly and efficiently.

It’s not just engineering and manufacturing firms that can benefit from immersive technologies. It can be used by retailers to enable shoppers to “try on” products without visiting the store: how are those shoes? Is this jewellery bling enough? Does this sofa fit? Is the TV going to fit on that wall?

Soft Skills training in Virtual Reality uses the power of empathy, and presence, to put HR managers,

charity volunteers, and humanitarian aid workers into challenging scenarios. By using Artificial Intelligence, and realistic 3D avatars, the user can have meaningful, responsive conversations in the virtual world; additional insight is gained by swapping roles and changing perspectives.

Learning by doing is the most effective way to retain information; most workers acquire an estimated 70% of their skills and knowledge from experiential learning. Research from Brandon Hall Group has highlighted unprecedented interest in using AR/VR simulations as training tools, with 30% identifying it as a top learning priority for the next two years – a 66% increase from 2016. Likewise, 45% of those surveyed considered VR and simulation tools either important or critical to achieving their business goals over the next 18-24 months.

Voice technologies such as Alexa and Google Assistant are changing the way we acquire information and will replace the need for a website. Complex help systems and long, drawn-out forms can be replaced with natural, conversational

experiences. Automated agents will replace the need for customer support departments. These technologies are replacing the traditional User Interface, and are not restricted to speaker devices.

You may use voice to drive a Virtual Reality Experience, or to shortcut to a deep, dark corner of your website.

Hardware costs are falling rapidly, and with Apple entering the market soon with the rumoured Apple Glass, it won’t be long before a new gold rush starts. Businesses will need to innovate to keep up. Weald Creative offers a free consultation service and can advise on areas of your business that could benefit from these new and emerging technologies.

Lee Probert is the creative technologist and founder of Weald Creative, which provides immersive media production services such as virtual and augmented reality, 360 video production and mobile app development.

For more information visit https://wealdcreative.com/

Thinking Business

39

Putting people and purpose at the core of your strategy Are you able to describe your company’s strategy in 20 words? Could your managers and employees also explain it using those same 20 words? If you find yourself struggling to answer yes to either or both of these questions, you are certainly not alone, however now could be the perfect time to prioritise your business strategy.

One of the few facts that most leaders seem to agree on is that without a clear and compelling strategy, a business will fail to reach its full potential. Yet many organisations still often find themselves in a state of strategic confusion.

Having a clear, concise and aligned strategy that everyone within the organisation can easily adopt is crucial for businesses excellence.

Research shows that organisations with strong strategic alignment can experience an increase in performance of 20 per cent or more.

Steve Nicoll, director at The Lean Orange said: "As a business excellence coach, I work with leaders all over the world on strategy and execution and fully understand that keeping an entire

organisation strategically aligned is an immense challenge. It can be tempting for organisations to avoid making investments in this area by deferring vital decisions or freezing resources. However, a business will either fail or succeed based on the ability of its leadership to move it forward, particularly during periods of uncertainty."

You may feel that you already have a clear strategy, however, is everyone within the business aware of it? Do they understand the role they play in bringing it to life and is the work they are currently doing aligned to that strategy? A truly successful organisation needs its entire team working as one to create value for its customers and provide sustainable results for the business.

The following three key areas of focus can help remove strategic confusion and strengthen the position of your business.

carried out as effectively as possible, an increase in productivity will naturally follow.

Shared purpose: A purpose is good, but a shared purpose is better.

Involving everyone and bringing them together to work collectively within the organisation is key to success.

Values & behaviours: Developing and deploying your strategy in line with the core values of your business is essential to influencing organisational behaviour.

Strategy alignment: For an organisation to be successful in the long-term, it must be engaged in a relentless quest to make things better.

When you involve your people in the creation of your strategy, they will fully understand their role in ensuring the sustainable future of the business.

There are many performance and behavioural advantages to be gained when people and purpose are placed at the core of your strategy, including:

A strong feeling of belonging and involvement: When people feel valued and are encouraged to be curious, they not only become more productive, but innovative.

Improvements for your business will naturally occur as a result of having a highly engaged, motivated workforce.

Greater connectivity between suppliers, customers and employees: When this is achieved, meaningful and value-adding work is delivered for everyone, and your strategy simply becomes part of your day-to-day performance.

If you would like to find out more about how The Lean Orange can help you create a purposeful strategy for your business, please email steve@theleanorange.com or call 07976 608521.

Increased productivity: When the right work is consistently being

INSPIRING THOUGHTFUL LEADERS, CURIOUS PEOPLE & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

www.theleanorange.com

40 Thinking Business

FURLEY PAGE ADVISES

Ashford boutique firm on acquisition The corporate team at Kentbased law firm Furley Page has played a key role in advising Sue Nelson on the sale of Ashfordbased niche R&D tax relief specialist Breakthrough Funding to multinational professional services giant EY. Breakthrough Funding is a UKbased research & development (R&D) independent tax consultancy which specialises in supporting companies accessing R&D tax relief through the SME scheme.

The company was established in 2015

by Sue Nelson, later joined by Brady Last as managing director, starting out at home in Sue’s conservatory with just two laptops. Breakthrough Funding has since become synonymous with innovation in the workplace and family flexible working practices.

The multi-million-pound deal will see the Breakthrough Funding team become an extension of EY’s innovation incentive R&D tax team under the new name – EY-Breakthrough Incentives.

Breakthrough Funding’s 20 employees will continue to operate from its head office in Ashford, Kent.

The specialist team at Furley Page was led by experienced partner and

head of corporate, Susan Jennings, who worked closely with solicitor Will King on all aspects of the acquisition. This included managing an extensive due diligence process, negotiating the share purchase agreement and disclosure letter and a multitude of ancillary documents to get the deal done.

Sue Nelson said: “It was a pleasure to work with Susan Jennings, Will King and their team at Furley Page to complete this complex transaction. Throughout the process they demonstrated a strong depth of knowledge in all aspects of corporate law, and provided reassuring, calm and authoritative leadership. The process was expertly managed to an exacting timetable and we were able to reach a very agreeable deal for all parties.”

has a fantastic team of people and we are sure it will continue to thrive as part of EY.”

Susan Jenning, Partner, Furley Page

Many people who have been in business for many years say that they do not need to advertise because all of their business is from “word of mouth”. So how is that working for businesses in this climate? The thing to understand is that social media done properly is “word of mouth”

and now more than ever people and businesses are turning to social media for support, company, advice and all of the social aspects that life used to offer us at events, in networking groups, meeting family and friends or simply popping to the pub.

If I was starting my business page today, I would be contacting all of my happy customers, friends, colleagues and acquaintances and ask them to follow and like my page. Then I would be thinking about the type of content that would help them solve their problems, give them inspiration or make them smile during this difficult time. I would also be sharing my posts in the community, networking, trades or significant

We offer various HS&E and ISO business activities, many that can be carried out remotely thereby saving time and money whilst ensuring your business critical statutory and regulatory requirements continue to be fully met and maintained.

These services can include: • A statutory annual review of your company health and safety policy document • A gap analysis of your health and safety management system to confirm compliance with your statutory and regulatory duties

Sue Nelson, Breakthrough Funding

Why social media is relevant and important in the current climate By Linda Cloke, We Do Social Media It was only when I saw the power and effectiveness of social media that I embraced it for my business of 14 years. As with anything in life when it is done badly or without understanding, it is ineffective so the key to achieving what you want from social media is to, first of all, as with any marketing strategy, decide how you want it to work for you and your business.

Consultancy helps firms with compliance

Posener HS&E Group is a family-orientated consultancy that can offer a wide number of health, safety, environmental and ISO management system services. These services have many benefits to our clients which include ‘second to none’ professional services at a particularly competitive daily rate.

Susan Jennings said: “Having worked with Sue for the last five years it has been fantastic to see her grow the business over that time and achieve her objective of selling the company. It has been a privilege for us to support her during this transaction.

“We strive to look after our clients’ best interests in a practical and personable way and are delighted that Sue was happy with the service we provided. Breakthrough Funding

Members News

industry groups so that they can see my business is supporting them and their needs.

This is not the time to hide. It’s the time to promote your business as useful, interesting and engaging even when no one can use your services. This is a time to be building lost relationships and cultivating new ones and social media is at your disposal to do this. Social media has never been more relevant or important for your business and if you have simply played at it in the past, now is the time to learn more, ask for help or just give it a go.

For more information visit https:// www.wedosocialmedia.co.uk/

• A review of critical documents such as operational risk assessments and method statements • Provision of remotely coordinated training workshops covering various HS&E topics. These include selection and use of PPE, manual handling, fire and emergency management and working at height • Assistance to develop an ISO management system to a particular British standard to support the growth of your business, e.g. BS EN ISO 9001: 2015 (Quality), BS EN ISO 14001: 2015 (Environmental), BS EN ISO 45001: 2018 (Health & Safety) If you are interested in any of the services that are on offer (as detailed within our KICC business listing), please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to discuss your business needs further.

More information at http:// posenerhsandegroup.co.uk/ Thinking Business

41

1st October 2020 1st 2020 KentOctober Event Centre, Detling 1st October 2020 1st October 2020 Kent Event Centre, Detling 1st October 2020 Kent Event Centre, Detling Kent Kent Event Event Centre, Centre, Detling Detling

Fresh insights into current construction Fresh insights into current construction industry challenges, opportunities, emerging Fresh insights into current construction industry challenges, opportunities, emerging Fresh insights into current construction technologies, practices andconstruction innovations Fresh insights into current industry challenges, opportunities, emerging technologies, practices and innovations industry challenges, opportunities, emerging industry challenges, opportunities, emerging technologies, practices and innovations technologies, practices and innovations technologies, practices and innovations

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The Kent Construction Expo delivers a multi-track conference programme The Expo delivers a multi-track conference and Kent offersConstruction a unique opportunity for the construction sector to programme come together The Kent Construction Expo delivers a multi-track conference programme and off ers a unique opportunity for the construction sector to come together for an invaluable day of networking and innovation.

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HIGH-LEVEL AGENDA HIGH-LEVEL AGENDA HIGH-LEVEL AGENDA HIGH-LEVEL AGENDA HIGH-LEVEL AGENDA

OVER 150 EXHIBITORS OVER 150 EXHIBITORS OVER 150 EXHIBITORS OVER 150 EXHIBITORS OVER 150 EXHIBITORS

INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES

MEET THE BUYER APPOINTMENTS MEET THE BUYER APPOINTMENTS MEET THE BUYER APPOINTMENTS MEET THE BUYER APPOINTMENTS MEET THE BUYER APPOINTMENTS

Government recommended Covid-secure measures will be put in place for the safety of our Government recommended measures will put in place for the safety attendees, we look forwardCovid-secure to bringing you together onbe Thursday 1st October 2020. of our Government recommended Covid-secure measures will be put in place for the safety of our attendees, we look forwardCovid-secure to bringing you together onbe Thursday 1st October 2020. of Government recommended measures will put in place for the safety attendees, we look forwardCovid-secure to bringing you together onbe Thursday 1st October 2020. of our Government recommended measures will putGala in place forReception the safety our Event Partner Event Partner Media Partner Video Partner Gold Sponsor Dinner Sponsor Managed by attendees, we look forward to bringing you together on Thursday 1st October 2020.

Sponsor attendees, we look forward to bringing you together on Thursday 1st October 2020.

Event Partner Event Partner Media Partner Video Partner Gold Sponsor Gala Dinner Reception Sponsor Managed by Event Partner

Event Partner

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Video Partner

Gold Sponsor

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Event Partner Event Partner

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Sponsor Gala Dinner Sponsor Gala Dinner Gala Dinner Sponsor Sponsor

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For more information on exhibiting or visiting please visit For more information on exhibiting or visiting please visit For more information on exhibiting or visiting please visit www.KentConstructionExpo.com For more For more information information on on exhibiting exhibiting or or visiting visiting please please visit visit

www.KentConstructionExpo.com www.KentConstructionExpo.com

Kent Invicta LIVE Webinars

Every Tuesday and Thursday 10:30am* Every Tuesday and Thursday we aim to bring you our Kent Invicta LIVE programme. The online programme includes some of the best local businesses and professionals from different industries giving you a mix of fresh, up-to-date information and training sessions ensuring there is something for everyone. Designed to mirror our face-to-face events with a wide range of topics, each event offers invaluable information, with allocated time to each event for Questions and Answers with the speakers. Each event is hosted by a Member of the Board at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, with expert background knowledge of the topic being discussed. * Time subject to change

Past Topics Include:

• Furloughing – Job Retention Scheme • Cyber Security – Keeping Vigilant and Staying Business Safe • How to Utilise your Crisis Communications, Digital Footprint and Social Media • Growing Through a Crisis • Future of the Workplace • Mental Health and Wellbeing

AND MORE...

The First Tuesday of Every Month 7:30am – 9:30am

The Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG) is a one-stop-shop for local businesses to discuss the future of Kent development, giving companies access to local knowledge, expertise and contracts. KCFG promotes the future role of Kent land development and construction businesses in the growth and development of Kent and its environment.

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce have partnered with Furley Page Solicitors to bring you Virtual Business Networking events. Each event will have a different topic of conversation with a short expert-led discussion followed by Breakout Rooms, discussions and the opportunity to connect virtually. It is important that we continue to add value, and help people upskill and be armed with the best tools and techniques to motivate staff, retain business and secure growth. At each event, we will optimise the use of Breakout Rooms giving attendee’s two Twenty minute sessions with up to 5 other people in each room.

This allows plenty of time to introduce yourself, be heard, ask questions and take part in discussion. You will leave having met up to 10 new connections.

Hosted by members of the KCFG committee, Ella Brocklebank, Jenner Contractors and Cheryl Causebrook, Freelance Development Consultant with Guest ‘in the know’ speakers, from Kent and the surrounding areas, who will discuss current and future projects whilst giving you an opportunity to discuss your views and questions. You must be based in Kent and work in the construction industry to attend.

Export and Import Training

Export Online Training: Introduction to Export Procedures and Documentation (including CDS awareness) Thursday 18th June 2020 (9:30am to 12 noon) International Trade and Finance (for Exporters and Importers) Thursday 9th July 2020 (9:30am to 12 noon) More Training Sessions To Be Announced Soon

If you are interested in taking part in our Kent Invicta LIVE programme as a Speaker or Sponsor then please e-mail Events@Kentinvictachamber.co.uk

BOOK NOW: www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk/events

Thinking Business

43

BULLET DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

44 Thinking Business

Person behind the business

"Our skills lie in consultancy, business analysis and systems design with respect to identifying inefficient workflows through to delivery of robust, secure, easy-touse applications which revolutionise how people work" good friend, we sold up, resigned from our careers and headed to Chamonix in the French Alps to buy an Irish Gastropub, as you do!

“What followed was an amazing experience. I gained some great insights into running a business and discovered that you have to hire the best people for key roles.”

Doing things differently Simon Wilson, Bullet Digital Solutions Simon Wilson’s journey to becoming MD of a successful digital transformation company has been anything but conventional.

The initial road was orthodox enough – solid A levels, a good degree at Exeter University and a graduate job at an IT consultancy in London, where under the tutelage of experienced mentors he gained useful insights into software

development, business analysis and problem-solving.

Then, however, an unexpected curveball.

“Life was good but something was missing,” says Simon. “It was all too safe. What followed nearly sent my father over the edge.

“He was a civil servant for 40-plus years – same job, same commute, same packed lunch. It was my duty to rebel against this! So, with a

After two years the business was sold for a profit and Simon returned to the UK. He worked for a small digital agency before setting up Red Bullet, a creative agency that designs innovative solutions to improve customer experience. In 2014 he launched a sister company, Bullet Digital Solutions, to explore the wider adoption of digital technology in commercial settings.

Backed by user insight and robust technology, these solutions help companies to transform business processes, making them more efficient, productive and profitable.

Simon says: “Bullet Digital Solutions was created around a desire to help organisations work more efficiently.

In the era of digital transformation, using web applications to improve processes is a vital part of that transformation. Our skills lie in consultancy, business analysis and systems design with respect to identifying inefficient workflows through to delivery of robust, secure, easy-to-use applications which revolutionise how people work.”

“The challenge is finding a way to help people work more effectively from home”, says Simon. "We want to encourage them to do things in a different way. The coronavirus is likely to accelerate automation and the application of cloud technology in the commercial world. How can companies apply web-based tools, artificial intelligence and other digital innovations to make their business more efficient?”

It’s a question worth asking, as many businesses have already benefited from doing things differently. Medway Council, for example, has transformed the way it manages and delivers its public health services by using a bespoke tool built by Bullet Digital Solutions. The tool collates data into a centralised, easy-to-manage database and allows the council to make informed decisions on which local health programmes to prioritise. Bullet Digital Solutions has also devised a digital solution that enabled training provider Dovenest to build, manage and track its apprenticeship programme delivery.

Simon adds: “We’re also able to build volunteer management systems for organisations that provide services to help vulnerable people through the COVID-19 crisis.

The power of digital can be used in so many different settings.”

These services are particularly useful in the current climate, with the coronavirus pandemic triggering radical changes in usual working practices. Meetings via Zoom are becoming more commonplace, business travel is vastly reduced and, for many, the regular 9am-5pm working day is a thing of the past.

Thinking Business

45

Business News

Film studio-led development

GETS GO-AHEAD Planning approval has been granted for an ambitious £250m film studio-led regeneration of a derelict railway works in Ashford – with Amazon and Netflix among several global streaming giants poised to back the scheme.

Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee approved the “game changing” planning application in April, green-lighting the transformation of the Newtown Works site, which has been abandoned since the 1980s. The development will put Ashford on the map as a key UK hub for the creative industries, boosted further by fast connections to London and Europe from the adjacent international station.

46 Thinking Business

The decision will also launch a formal bidding process for studio space with Netflix and Amazon among the companies actively interested in the site to meet global demand for content.

Work to deliver 240,000 sq. ft of dedicated production space will begin immediately with a target date of 2022 set for the launch of Ashford International Studios. It will support the creation of 2,000 jobs and a major new creative hub for the UK. Four new build film studios will be equipped with the highest acoustic and lighting specifications.

The project’s master developer Quinn Estates, working with its funding partner U+I and operator The Creative District Improvement Company alongside award-winning architects Hollaway, has spent more than three years developing the project.

Quinn Estates will also deliver a 120-bed hotel and repurpose Grade II-listed locomotive sheds for mixed commercial and residential use, including workshops and 300 apartments with space for a new Kent Film School, in partnership with local universities and colleges. A roof-top restaurant and a 383-space multi-storey car park are also incorporated into the development.

Mark Quinn, CEO, Quinn Estates, said: “The decision by Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee to approve Newtown Works is fantastic news, both for the town of Ashford and the broader south east region.

“Their backing means we can collectively start to rebuild the industry, jobs and momentum temporarily lost as a result of what

has been happening globally, building on the investment in the town that has already been made to deliver an exciting new era for Ashford.

“The demand for studio space has never been higher, and the coronavirus pandemic has not changed that. We are also at an exciting stage in the process of attracting a number of private equity and institution-backed funds to invest in the site.

“Netflix and Amazon are among those vying for our production space. This decision will mean we will be able to confirm with them that the studios will be open for business in 2022.

Richard Upton, chief development officer at regeneration specialist U+I, commented: “Newtown Works will be a jewel in the crown of the UK’s

Business News

Locate in Kent gears up for the Global Hack An inward investment agency brought Kent to the attention of the world for an event billed as the biggest ever online hackathon.

The Global Hack brought together 15,000-plus people from more than 100 countries in a bid to find global solutions to the impact of coronavirus across a range of subjects – from the environment and governance to the economy and social wellbeing – in just 48 hours.

The event enabled leading tech investors and entrepreneurs from around the globe to use the online platform Slack to collaborate, discuss and turn brilliant ideas into potential actions.

Locate in Kent was the only UK inward investment agency to take part, sponsoring the economic track of the event, which included a number of challenges to fire debate, all connected to a central theme of identifying ways to stimulate the world economy under lockdown.

entertainment industry, enlivening and rejuvenating this previously underused part of Ashford with a creative new community.

Guy Hollaway, from Folkestonebased Hollaway, which has worked closely with Quinn Estates on the design of the scheme, added: “This is a significant opportunity for Ashford to embrace a new creative industry and resurrect these disused listed buildings, and we look forward to helping to realise this ambition.”

Piers Read and Jeremy Rainbird, founders of The Creative District Improvement Co. said: “Amidst this current global pandemic, it is extremely exciting to be given the go-ahead by the council to start work on what will become one of the UK’s biggest creative hubs.

“Global streaming giants have already expressed interest in the scheme as demand for their services booms and before there is a huge backlog in production, as people stay at home and burn through original content at record levels.

Gavin Cleary, CEO for Locate in Kent, added: “I see Ashford International Studios as a game changer for the creative and digital sector in Kent. In addition to the thousands of jobs that the film studios will create, the prospect of a Kent Film School also bodes extremely well for the growth of the creative industries in Kent.”

For more information visit https:// www.quinn-estates.com/ property/newtown-works/

Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur, Sam Altman - personal investor in global tech brands including Airbnb, Stripe, Pinterest and Change.org and the futurist Thomas Ermacora, were among the big thinkers taking part in the event, alongside thousands of people from a range of business disciplines.

Gavin Cleary, chief executive of Locate in Kent, said: “We live in unprecedented times but it was clear from this fantastic event that global co-operation will be key to ensuring the economies of Kent, the UK and the rest of the world can be restored as soon as possible once this crisis is over.

“For Kent and Medway, we asked the world to give us their ideas on how sectors reliant on discretionary consumer spending can be protected, how sectors such as leisure and hospitality and non-food retail will look in future and what policy changes will help.

“We also challenged those taking part in the event to share with us what they thought the three phases of the Kent Recovery Plan should be and to consider what the new normal for Kent and Medway would be.

“We had some invaluable insights and perspectives from all those taking part. This will certainly inform our thinking as we work with partners to support Kent business through this period and put the steps in place to ensure that when we do come out the other side, we are ready.

“It was also a great opportunity to virtually meet with many of those involved in the global tech investment community – conversations that will certainly have put Kent and Medway front of mind as an exciting and ambitious location for business innovation.”

Gavin Cleary also had the privilege of being selected as a judge for both the Economy Track led by Steve Jurvetson, board member of SpaceX and Tesla and the Environment Track, led by Samantha Cristoforetti, Italian Space Agency astronaut. They were part of a panel of global experts giving their verdict on ideas that emerged over the course of the event.

Vendito, an e-commerce solution for 4.1 million SME businesses in Mexico that was forced to close its doors, was named economic track winner with Crisis Budget, a chatbot set up to help businesses understand in an instant the range of support available and their eligibility for it.

In the environment track, Norwaybased team Material Mapper was chosen as the winner with its argument for market research that would provide the data to ensure the continued dramatic reductions seen in pollution as a result of measures to combat the epidemic.

To view other track winners, visit: https://theglobalhack.com/results

Thinking Business

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Membership of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce brings a wealth of immediate benefits to your business. Through ourselves and the Accreditation to British Chambers of Commerce, our Members benefit from free of charge services and specially negotiated discounts on services ranging from vehicle breakdown cover, through to healthcare packages.

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

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Last Word

Movers and Shakers

Nimisha Raja Nim’s Fruit Crisps Founder and Managing Director Nimisha Raja gave up her home and coffee shop to launch Nim’s Fruit Crisps, the UK’s only airdried manufacturer of fruit and vegetable crisps.

The Kent entrepreneur invested everything she had into creating a bespoke factory that produces 15 million packets of healthy crisps every year, supplying Morrisons, Tesco, Waitrose and lots of independent retailers.

In addition to the fruit and vegetable crisps, the Queen’s Award-winning company has also launched its own range of edible teas and infusions for drinks.

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

Ha, that was a very long time ago. It was a paper round, aged 13 and I think I got £3 per week and an extra £2 for weekends.

What do you always carry with you to work?

A bottle of water and Channel No 5 perfume.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

Finding the right, dynamic, passionate sales people who get what we do and can communicate it clearly.

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

Promote British manufacturing more and make it mandatory for all food products to have country of origin on packaging, so that consumers wanting to actively support UK firms can do so.

What can you see from your office window?

Our massive yard where lots of deliveries come in and out every week. Very industrial I’m afraid, but I love the ‘beep beep’ sound of the forklift loading pallets on to massive trucks.

If you could do another job what would it be?

A lawyer or a judge, mainly so I can put the world to rights.

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

Tenacity, belief in being able to learn anything I need to in order to make it happen and not being afraid to be different. ‘Innovate rather than rehash’ is my motto.

What was your biggest mistake in business?

I had never been in manufacturing or had any experience in sales, marketing, PR, export, import or Food Regulations, which meant I was going in blind with Nim’s. I listened to too much advice and didn’t back my gut instincts, as much as I should have done.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Don’t overthink at the beginning, otherwise you will never get off the ground. Everything will probably take twice as long and cost twice as much so prepare for that eventuality.

Who do you most admire in business?

Not so much business, but I really admire The Queen. She has dedicated her entire life to serving her purpose, making great sacrifices in the process and learning along the way.

Throughout this period, Her Majesty has never wavered from serving as a monarch to the absolute best of her abilities.

50 Thinking Business

BRACHERS COMMITS TO NURTURING FEMALE TALENT WITH SEVEN PROMOTIONS

Brachers has marked its 125th anniversary year by recognising the dedication and achievement of its staff with several promotions across the firm.

The firm, which has offices across the South East, in Maidstone, Canterbury and London, has made seven promotions in total, including one new partner.

Demonstrating Brachers ongoing commitment to nurturing and promoting female talent, all seven of those promoted are female.

Mary Rimmer who heads the Vulnerable People Team was made Partner. Mary has been instrumental in the firm being nominated for several awards

through her tireless work with dementia sufferers in the region.

As part of this, she has trained more than 75% of Brachers staff to be ‘dementia friends’ - a scheme which is endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Five members of staff have been promoted to senior associate, including: Rhia Davies in Family, Louise Brenlund in Employment, Nicky Alabaster in Debt Recovery, Kim Harrington in the Trust Team, and Lacie Kerner in Commercial Litigation.

Fran Cutler was promoted to Associate in Healthcare.

Joanna Worby, Managing Partner, said: “It’s more

important than ever to recognise the professionalism and ability of our talented staff and give them the promotions they deserve. We know that it is the high quality of the service we provide to our clients that makes us really stand out as a firm, and all seven of those promoted have demonstrated that in abundance.”

“I would like to congratulate all those promoted and thank them for their outstanding contribution to the business. All the partners at Brachers look forward to celebrating with staff in person at the end of the lockdown.”

Law firm appoints senior partner in historic year

Law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore has announced the appointment of Joanna Pratt as its new senior partner.

Joanna, who is head of family, will take on the role from June 2020, ahead of the firm’s landmark 450th anniversary in July.

Her appointment comes as James Partridge, who has held the role since 2008, reaches the end of his final term as senior partner. James joined Thomson Snell & Passmore 34 years ago, becoming a partner in 1989 and head of corporate and commercial in 1999. As senior partner for 12 years he has, through organic growth, taken the firm from 171 people with £13 million fee income to more than 250 people and a fee income of over £22 million, with 30 practice

areas ranked by Chambers UK and The Legal 500.

June will mark the end of the firm’s current five-year plan and the launch of its new business plan.

Joanna, alongside CEO Sarah Henwood and the rest of the senior management team, will be responsible for bringing this new plan to fruition, harnessing the firm’s expertise and experience to navigate the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, with a view to continuing to drive longterm organic growth.

Before joining Thomson Snell & Passmore in 2005, Joanna worked at the same firm of solicitors on the Sussex coast for more than 14 years, progressing to become an equity partner. Previously she

served as Her Majesty’s Deputy Coroner for East Sussex and is a trained collaborative lawyer.

Joanna said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of senior partner.

Although these are currently challenging times for all – with the coronavirus impacting every aspect of life – as a firm we have continuously adapted to change and helped guide clients through many difficult and uncertain situations over our long history.”

Joanna Pratt

James Partridge

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