CONNECTED Magazine January 2015

DRIVING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE

CAMBRIDGESHIRECHAMBER.CO.UK

N 27 JANUARY 2015

NEW GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE More support for companies operating on the international stage

THE OFFICIAL AWARD WINNING MONTHLY MAGAZINE

savills.co.uk

01223 347 000 01733 344 414

CONTENTS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

17 22

28

5

6-7

CONNECTIONS

8-9

INFLUENCE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S HIGHLIGHTS

10-11

KNOWLEDGE

12-13

GLOBAL REACH

14-15

NEW MEMBERS

16-19

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS

20-21

PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS

22-23

OUT & ABOUT

25

ELY CHAMBER NEWS

27

FENLAND CHAMBER NEWS

28

HUNTINGDON CHAMBER NEWS

29

STAMFORD CHAMBER NEWS

30

CHAMBER AWARDS

31

LEP FOCUS

33

ASK THE EXPERT – DATA PROTECTION

34-35

37

38-39

SECTOR FOCUS

40-41

EVENTS

42

REPORT FROM IAN MACKELLAR IN THE HOTSEAT – NEIL DARWIN

CHARITY OF THE YEAR

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3

WELCOME TO CONNECTED A warm welcome to the readers of CONNECTED

e m

o lc

e W

Alison Taylor

Conscious Communications

Chamber member wins national award.

The Chamber is delighted to announce that we had two members representing Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce at the finals of the Chamber Awards 2014.

Paul Jackson from Forward Composites was runner-up for the Entrepreneur of the Year award while Larkfleet Group was national winner for the Sustainability Award.

Full details of this achievement can be found on page 30.

This edition we also bring you details of our new global member package on pages 12-13 and the additional benefits available to you to assist with your international trade activities.

Please note that the Chamber will close at lunchtime on Wednesday 24 December and re-open at 9.00am on Friday 2 January.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members a very happy New Year and we look forward to working with you all during 2015.

Do you follow us on Twitter?

Sadie Parr Editor, CONNECTED, s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

We regularly tweet Chamber news; follow us at @CambsChamber to be kept up to date with all the latest news.

DRIVING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE Chief Executive John Bridge OBE | Editor Sadie Parr | Creative Director Jillian Boys Publisher methodcreative.co.uk | Future Business Centre, King’s Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2HY | 01223 781220 | Print xlpress.co.uk Disclaimer Views expressed in CONNECTED are not necessarily those of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce.

Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions.

The editor reserves the right to make amendments without notification.

Membership Development Officer Peter Watts 07545 697799 or Bren Coleman on 01223 209811 Cambridge Enterprise House, The Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9ZR. Tel 01223 237414 Peterborough 6 The Forum, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6FT. Tel 01733 370809 Email enquiries@cambscci.co.uk | www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

@CambsChamber Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

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CONNECTED JANUARY 2015

Contributing this month...

Managing Director of a public relations and marketing agency.

Ian MacKellar

MacKellar Consulting A freelance journalist with a background as business editor for a local newspaper.

Oliver Hall

Method Creative Junior editor and copywriter working for a local creative agency.

Our editorial panel: We would also like to thank Chamber committee members responsible for shaping the key topics this month and researching these features to better serve the readers of CONNECTED in this edition.

Advertise in CONNECTED and reach more than 7000 potential customers every month!

Contact the Method team on 01223 781220 or email connected@methodcreative.co.uk

Prices start from as little as ÂŁ190

members supported to

go global

expert speakers with john bridge

Cambridgeshire businesses have continued to demonstrate their commitment to exploring new overseas markets this month, with many of our members spending an evening learning about the opportunities currently presented by markets in Germanic Europe.

New overseas markets to investigate Once again our International Sector committee had brought together an exceptional panel of expert speakers all eager to share their knowledge and experiences and inspire local businesses to investigate new overseas markets. It was a privilege to be amongst the audience of forward-thinking business people, all determined to make the most of new opportunities as they arise.

With the recent launch of the Chambers’ new Global Membership package, the Chamber has never offered more support to companies looking to trade internationally, whatever stage they’re at. The new package of benefits includes online access to Tate’s Export Guide, a leading international trade reference publication covering the essential requirements for documentation and procedures involved in exporting to over 240 countries. Along with many other discounts and exclusive services, this new package has been designed to add real value to companies operating on the international stage. If you’d like to find out more about how your company could benefit, why not call a member of the international trade team on 01223 237414.

Engaging with the local community

john bridge with the team at the froglife trust

Finally, turning our minds a little closer to home, it was a pleasure to meet the team from Peterborough-based The Froglife Trust at another recent Chamber event and hear Chief Executive Kathy Wormald speak of the charity’s River Nene Dragon Finder project. With so many future events and activities planned to inspire and engage the local community, there are many opportunities for businesses across Cambridgeshire to get involved and I’m sure Kathy would not mind me inviting you to contact her directly if your company would like to find out more. n

John Bridge OBE DL Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

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Connections We provide Chamber members with constant opportunities to widen their network of business contacts – building connections, creating opportunities and maximising the benefits of being part of Cambridgeshire’s most vibrant business network.

GET CONNECTED There are lots of ways to connect with other Chamber members. At events, on social media... you could even pick up the phone after reading their interview right here in CONNECTED. This month we meet Anna Russell, Operations Manager at Best Western Plus the Gonville Hotel, Cambridge.

What do you do IN BUSINESS? I am an Operations Manager for the Best Western Plus the Gonville Hotel. Fundamental to my role is providing a work environment that engenders positive energy, creativity, teamwork and a focus on the guest. I oversee every department so need to be very adaptable and dynamic as the role requires a variety of specialties including: sales, marketing, customer service and human resources.

What do you do to unwind?

I enjoy the North Norfolk coast and travel to Cromer on a regular basis - perfect days walking on the beach!

What’s your favourite book and why?

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Books are an intrinsic part of my life. My favourite book would be ‘War and Peace’ by Leo Tolstoy. Of all the books I have read, this stands out as my most satisfying reading experience. Challenging classical piece, but worth the time and effort.

CONNECTED JANUARY 2015

What are your top three tips for running or working in a business? . Vision and good strategies 1 2. A committed team – good recruitment and training are essential here, you can’t just wish for a better team; you have to train people and make them feel valued 3. Provide an outstanding service.

WHAT VALUE DO YOU GET FROM BEING A CHAMBER MEMBER? L ike the Chamber itself we are at the heart of the Cambridge business community. Membership gives us the opportunity to be very much part of what is going on in the city and enable us to continue to offer everything that businesses want from a city centre hotel.

CONNECTIONS

Collaboration allows Smarter Working Richard Vanbergen of Flex-Able and Hazel Cottrell of Creative Content Company joined together to offer ‘The Smarter Working Week’ presentation in St Ives, the first of five presentations aimed at businesses looking to network, improve and grow.

The event was a huge success with everyone taking tips and pointers away from the presentation. Richard and Hazel are very excited for their next event in January called ‘Kick Start Your Year’. n

delegates at the smarter working week event

Your membership can help to raise your business profile AS a Chamber member you have the opportunity to promote your successes and raise awareness of your company by submitting good news articles into our monthly magazine for free. These articles are limited to 150 words but can be accompanied by a high resolution photograph.

You also have user details to access the member’s area of the Chamber website www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk where you can upload company news, promote your events and submit any member offers. If you are unsure of your user details, please click on ‘forgotten password’ from our home page and enter your email address. You will receive an email with your user details.

If you still have trouble, do not hesitate to contact Hilary Pawley in our membership team who will be able to assist you on 01223 209807. n

Emerald Frog Marketing on a mission Milton based computer company, World of Computers, has signed up with award-winning Cambridgeshire agency Emerald Frog Marketing to deliver ongoing marketing and PR support.

World of Computers has been established for 25 years supplying PCs, laptops, servers and bespoke computers solutions to local and national businesses as well as the general public. World of Computers also offer a repair and maintenance service both in their showroom and a contract option for onsite business requirements.

“World of Computers are looking forward to working with Emerald Frog for future marketing campaigns and promotions.

We were looking for a small local company that offered straightforward, down to earth marketing advice and experience who could expand campaigns reactively for us over the coming years. We see their experience in graphic design, social media and knowledge of local business events as an excellent fit for our technical expertise and services,” says Phil Daft, Owner of World of Computers.

Emerald Frog Marketing will be working with World of Computers on their overall marketing strategy, a new website, refreshed branding, social media and PR via their Virtual Marketing package.

Jo Evans, Director of Emerald Frog Marketing says: “This is a very exciting contract for us, World of Computers have an excellent reputation across the local area for their expert knowledge and customer service. We are looking forward to helping their customer base grow through increasing awareness of their services to businesses and the general public around the Cambridgeshire area.” n

SAMMY Fisher and Cheriee Chater from Emerald Frog Marketing with Phil Daft, Managing Director of World of Computers

CONNECTED JANUARY 2015

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Influence As a Chamber member you have the power to influence key decision makers and play a leading role in tackling the issues that are preventing your business from reaching its potential, while an experienced team of lobbyists represents your interests in Whitehall.

YOUR CHANCE TO hear from KEY DECISION MAKERS BCC Annual Conference 2015

FOR BRITAIN A BUSINESS PLANCentre • London 10th February 2015

• QEII Conference

bers • #BCCConf

.co.uk • @britishcham www.bccconference

‘A Business Plan for Britain’, the BCC’s Annual Conference 2015, is now open for bookings for the 10 February event at London’s QEII Conference Centre, in the heart of Westminster.

Ahead of the UK General Election campaign, set to take place just weeks after this high profile event, the conference will ask some of the key questions facing British business at this critical point in the economic and political cycle. What does business want to see in the 2015 election campaign? What policies are needed to help companies thrive in the UK? What more can be done to help British companies trade the world? How does uncertainty affect business growth prospects?

Confirmed speakers include senior Cabinet Ministers, Sir Clive Woodward, Rugby World Cup Winning Head Coach, Margaret Mountford, former judge on BBC’s The Apprentice, William Hague MP, Leader of the House of Commons and Martin Wolf CBE, Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times.

MEMBER DISCOUNT There is a discount for Chamber members when joining the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce group. Please email Gill Prangnell at g.prangnell@cambscci. co.uk to register your interest and take advantage of the £65.00 (plus VAT) rate. n

Equality is Good for Business, or is it?

Your chance to make a difference women play a vital role in the business world but there are still challenges to be tackled surrounding equality and diversity. This special event in Huntingdon on 3 February, organised by the Business Women’s Sector, will give Cambridgeshire’s leading business women the opportunity to debate the issues that businesses must continue to contend with if they are to reap the business benefits of equality and diversity within their organisation.

Wendy Bowers, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) representative for Women’s Enterprise, will be leading the discussion and

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your ideas and experiences will shape a report that the BCC will present to the government in the spring.

Following the success of our recent storm in a teacup sessions, we are really excited about this unique opportunity for local business women to shape national policy. Get involved and book your place today.

Further details and how to book can be found on the events pages 40-41 n

INFLUENCE

MONTHLY ECONOMIC REVIEW The UK Monthly Economic Review is prepared by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). This briefing provides an easy-touse commentary on the key economic indicators for UK businesses.

The report also provides a comparison between the economic data compiled by external organisations, such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the BCC’s own Quarterly Economic Survey and economic forecast.

The Chamber Policy Group is notified by email when the review is available, but can be viewed by all members in the member area of the Chamber website.

The review is available on the website now for December which is based on November data releases. n

The Business Voice CHAMBER members frequently ask why it is that local authorities and government can’t get local infrastructure and transport priorities right. Why, you ask, don’t local authorities and local politicians listen to the voice of business and support schemes that will deliver sustainable economic development across the whole area rather than simply echo the, sometimes narrow-minded, parochial views of a small number of outspoken individuals?

Business understands that sustainable economic success requires local partners to work together; to identify a strategic vision for the area and collectively lobby government. More cycle paths; improvements to urban bus services and the Guided Busway do not offer a complete strategic solution across our rural economic geography.

In order to identify the ‘Business Voice’ the Chamber has formed an Infrastructure and Transport Group and the group need your help to develop a medium to long-term sustainable infrastructure and transport vision for the area and invite you to contribute to the Chamber’s consultation.

The Infrastructure and Transport Group identified six key areas for investment including: road connectivity; rail connectivity; international connectivity; digital connectivity; housing supply and energy and water supply. Now we need you to tell us the priority schemes under these six investment areas that will unlock business growth in your locality.

Taking part in the on-line consultation is easy; either follow the link from the Chamber’s website: www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk or go direct to the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s/8JGJDZB Tell us your suggestions for schemes that will make a difference.

The Infrastructure and Transport Group will consider all of your suggestions and use them to lobby for progress.

As Rosemary Green, Chair of the Fenland Chamber, said: “Local businesses know what schemes would make a difference so please respond to the Chamber’s consultation. It only took me two minutes to complete, so I hope you will find the time to express the local opinion on these important matters.”

We want three priority schemes for road, rail, international and digital connectivity and housing, energy and water supply responses by 5 January 2015.

Your suggestions will be used to draw up a key priority list which will be used to inform the local enterprise partnership and to lobby local councils and local MPs. If you want the ‘Business Voice’ to be heard do not delay, please complete the Chamber’s consultation. We look forward to finding out what you think and will share our findings with you. n

gill prangnell policy adviser

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Knowledge Chamber membership provides access to key information, expert advice and legal protection, enabling you to stay informed, legally compliant and free to focus on what you do best - building your business.

Chamber Idea Exchange helping to develop your business this initiative encourages member companies to share ideas that will enhance how their businesses operate.

The Chamber Idea Exchange matches up companies according to location and their area of interest, facilitating dialogue between the two so that a member of staff from one can spend up to a day on-site with the other, learning about how their business operates and taking away new ideas and processes that they can implement within their own workplace.

Whether it’s new ways of working, introductions to new suppliers, efficiency savings or simply a different approach to problem-solving, the scheme will allow businesses to learn from others who are willing to share their own knowledge and expertise.

To find out more about the Chamber Idea Exchange and sign your company up for some new ideas, visit the Chamber website or call Daisy Rivetti on 01223 209810. n

Online Health & Safety Training MAKE sure your obligations, under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, are addressed with our online health and safety training courses, ranging from a basic health and safety induction to fire safety, manual handling and even more specialist modules for employees in housing associations, care homes, estate agents and schools.

Developed by our team of NEBOSH qualified consultants, our online training courses demonstrate an employer’s clear commitment to health and safety.

The internet-based training includes additional modules relevant to a wide range of business sectors, from retail and hospitality to healthcare and housing, and there are also a number of courses

at management level including risk assessment and boardroom briefings, essential for companies to stay ahead of their legal duties and responsibilities.

The different areas covered include: • Employee Courses • Management Courses • Health & Social Care Courses To find out more please contact Bren Coleman on 01223 209811 or email b.coleman@cambscci.co.uk n

Full details can be found in the training section of the Chamber website at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk or by visiting www.cambridgeshiretraining.co.uk

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KNOWLEDGE

Are you making the most of membership opportunities?

Negotiating your way to successful sales

COME along to our free ‘Maximise your Membership’ session to familiarise yourself with the benefits that are included within your membership package, discover our latest promotional opportunities and get connected with our cost-saving service providers.

‘Maximise your Membership’ is free to attend but please book in advance as places are limited to ensure everyone gains maximum benefit from the session.

Our next sessions: • Wednesday 25 February Chamber offices, Peterborough 9.30-11.00am • Thursday 26 February Milton Hall, Cambridge 9.30-11.00am Sessions will take place in Huntingdon and Ely later in the year.

For further details or to register to attend please contact Bren Coleman on 01223 209811 or email b.coleman@cambscci.co.uk n

Free advice for Chamber members As a Chamber member you can receive free advice from our Be24/7 a fly onhelpline the wall newline. style HR and Recruitment legal andat HRthe advice Sector event!

Keep these useful numbers to hand: Members will be acting out scenarios of employment issues and inviting the audience to offer advice as to how the situation could Chamber Legal Advice Line 0871 423 5239 have been handled. for advice Health Safety, TaxMore and VAT, Data The actingon is aEmployment, first….and one not to&be missed! details will be Protection, Property, Contractual, Debt Recovery and other announced in future issues of CONNECTED. n related matters.

Chamber HR Advice Line 01455 852037 manned by specialist HR advisors offering advice and guidance, unlimited calls, available 24/7, 365 days a year.

two members of the Chambers’ Communications Sector pulled their sales expertise and knowledge together to deliver a sales event at the Huntingdon Racecourse early in December.

Simon Atack, Managing Director of Ace Tech Training, set the scene looking at the vital importance of creating and maintaining an effective sales culture in order to take best advantage of every sales opportunity.

Andy Collings, business owner of Improve Business Performance, provided a more practical approach encouraging the audience to understand their customers, ways to improve their negotiation skills and offered some top tips to making negotiations work in their favour. n

NEW STYLE EVENTS FOR THE HR & RECRUITMENT SECTOR BE A FLY ON THE WALL AT THE NEW STYLE HR AND RECRUITMENT SECTOR EVENT! Members will be acting out scenarios of employment issues and inviting the audience to offer advice as to how the situation could have been handled.

The acting is a first... and one not to be missed! More details will be announced in future issues of CONNECTED. n n

CONNECTED JANUARY 2015

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Global Reach

We’re your gateway to international trade, providing a unique combination of expert knowledge, essential documentation and the business connections needed to capitalise on new market opportunities overseas and succeed in a global marketplace.

GERMANIC EUROPE Exporters gathered at Cambridge International Airport in November where a panel of some of Europe’s leading experts presented Germanic Europe.

Holland, Belgium and Germany was the focus of the event. The presenters offered practical advice on how companies can successfully break into these markets and identified the opportunities available to business seeking to expand their operations.

A key note address was delivered by Ben de Smit, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Belgium Embassy and was joined

by Christian Kiock, UK Regional Committee, British Chamber of Commerce in Germany and Andrew Wood who represented the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce.

Delegates at the event, sponsored by Cambridge International Airport, the Flight Centre and First Edition Translations, also benefitted from an insight into business culture from UKTI’s cultural and language expert Suzanna Poulton and gained valuable information on how to access EU services and support from Enterprise Europe Network.

All slides from the event can be found within the International Sector area of the Chamber website. n

delegates networking at germanic event

WHY USE A MOTHER TONGUE TRANSLATOR? “Translation is that which transforms everything so that nothing changes.” Günter Grass THE art of a good translation is to succeed in getting the original message, including the nuances and subtleties, across fully and accurately despite the linguistic and cultural barriers that may stand between the original writer and the intended reader.

In order to do this, the translator must have firsthand knowledge and experience of both the source and, in particular, the target language and culture. Only a native, mother-tongue speaker of the target language

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can do this. It is also important, particularly in specialist areas such as pharmaceutical, technical or legal, that the translator have in-depth knowledge of the subject area and keeps up to date with regulatory and industry developments.

A reputable, professional translation agency will always use mother tongue translators, selected according to their language skills, qualifications and expertise. n

GLOBAL REACH

New Global Membership package This new, enhanced membership package has been developed following consultation with our members and includes extra benefits and services designed to provide added value and additional savings that will far outweigh the cost of your annual membership subscription.

A key addition is online access to Tate’s Export Guide, the leading international trade reference publication covering the essential requirements for documentation and procedures involved in exporting to over 240 countries.

From 1 January 2015 access will be included in Global membership subscription, so you can save money by cancelling more expensive subscriptions you may hold with other providers.

Key new benefits include: • Online access to Tate’s Export Guide (worth over £395 a year) • Up to 10 free rejections per year, saving you up to £50 (plus VAT) • One hour of on-site documentation assistance and advice each year from a member of the export team • 10 per cent discount on the Go Global international marketing package from Cintra • Access to a new International Idea Exchange, linking members to share expertise and provide advice • Access to an exclusive LinkedIn networking group for Global Members • Eligibility to enter the new Chamber Global Member Awards and attend the new Global Leaders Lunch at a discounted rate.

These are all in addition to the existing benefits which continue to apply, including additional discounts on our translation services, export training courses and export documentation processed online and in person. You will also continue to receive our monthly international trade newsletter, containing updates to documentation requirements, international news and training opportunities. n Fiona Tester, International Trade Manager, commented:

“

We are delighted to have developed this package with exporters in mind. The range of services on offer will help to assist them with their global trade.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE EXPORT CLUB Organised by the International Sector DATE Tuesday 27 January TIME 5.00-7.00pm LOCATION The Moller Centre, Storey’s Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DE PRICE Free to attend CONTACT h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk or telephone Helen on 01733 370809.

Cambridgeshire Export Club is an invaluable forum in which to exchange views with other exporters, and to keep up to date with new developments in a rapidly changing global business environment.

A place to share best practice, learn about relevant international trade support activities and discuss your problems with a group who understand the environment you’re dealing with. Everyone involved in export, or considering it, will benefit from participation! n

INTERNATIONAL TRADE TRAINING COURSES Chamber training courses are designed to provide the knowledge to assist with your international trade activities and you will receive detailed notes to takeaway to build up a toolkit of reference information.

The rolling programme of courses culminate in the nationallyrecognised Foundation Award in International Trade.

Forthcoming courses: Export Procedures and Documentation DATE Monday 12 January 2015 TIME 9.15am-5.00pm LOCATION Barclays, Mortlock House, Station Road, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 2HY PRICE £250.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £300.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members Full details of all our training courses can be found on the Chamber website but if you’d like any further information please contact Karen Dawson, Events & Training Co-ordinator, on 01223 209808. n

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NEW MEMBERS Would you like to become a Chamber member?

Get in touch today and find out the many benefits. tel: 01223 237414 email: enquiries@cambscci.co.uk

A round-up of the new members that have joined the Chamber in the past month

Evans HR Consultancy Ltd NEW MEMBERS THIS MONTH 3AAA Cambridge Academy Abbey Wealth Management Ltd BCM Colyer Ltd Dream Doors Cambridge ERP Advantage Heliopay Ltd Holiday Travel Club Ltd Iskraemeco (UK) Ltd McCain Foods Northgate Vehicle Hire Preppers Shop/BelchFire Surf Public & Corporate Economic Consultants Sands Smart Technology Ltd The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK The Utility Savings Business TSC Business Advisors Ltd Vehicle Bright

www.evanshr.co.uk Based in Stamford, Jo Evans provides HR services to local businesses, both large and small.

CIPD qualified, with over 15 years experience, Jo can provide you with both the informal and formal advice and support you need to run your business efficiently and effectively.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport www.ciltuk.org.uk The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is the professional body for people in transport, logistics and the supply chain. CILT aims to be the focus for professional excellence, developing the most modern techniques in logistics and transport, encouraging the adoption of policies that are efficient and sustainable.

ERP Advantage www. erpadvantage.co.uk Could your organisation benefit from a free MCIPS procurement professional finding extra profit for you? That’s exactly what ERP Advantage do. They are remunerated through the savings they generate when negotiating new prices for your organisation. This allows you to buy the same products and services at a reduced cost.

ST Robotics UK www.strobotics.com ST Robotics is a high tech company manufacturing benchtop robot arms. Their light industrial robot arms are low cost but serious industrial systems with remarkable software and unparalleled reliability. They make sure the clients’ applications are a success with knowledgeable advice before they buy and total after-sales technical support.

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Dream Doors Cambridge www.dreamdoors.co.uk Dream Doors are the one-stop-shop for all your new kitchen cabinet doors needs in the UK. Ely locals, Gareth and Louise Kavanagh-Dixon, opened their Dream Doors showroom at 29 Market Place, Ely in October.

NEW MEMBERS

BUILDING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN YOUR AREA

5% STAMFORD

Fenland 4%

✓ Promote Your Business Ely 4%

30% peterborough

✓ Protect Your Company ✓ Get Involved ✓ Succeed Internationally ✓ Reduce Business Costs

15% Huntingdonshire Cambridge & South Cambs 35%

7% Other 01223 237414

Vehicle Bright www.vehicle-bright.co.uk Vehicle Bright is a young vibrant exiting company that aims to wow customers by creating stunning vehicle wraps. Clients will find all their vehicle wrapping needs, they provide first hand expert advice, unique design specifically aimed at their customers market as well as a quality service.

www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

Recrion www.recrion.co.uk Recrion are language and behavioural specialists who transform workplaces and people’s careers. They give HR teams, hiring managers and executives insights into the unconscious triggers that make people think, make decisions and express themselves so that they can Hire for Attitude – Increase Self Awareness Develop Advanced Communication Skills - Improve Retention.

CONNECTED JANUARY 2015

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CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Cambridge & South Cambs

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce

IN BRIEF JANUARY 2015 HEWITSONS RECRUIT CHARITIES LAWYER MARTYN ROBINSON Hewitsons’ charities and education team has been strengthened with the addition of Martyn Robinson, a lawyer specialising in both of these practice areas.

Martyn joins the Cambridge office with solid experience, having previously worked with different types of charitable organisations, at both a national and local level, and will add further strength and knowledge to the existing specialist team headed by Chris Knight.

The recent Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners results showed that Hewitsons was a leading UK law firm in both the charities and education practice areas. The firm achieved a ‘UK-Wide’ ranking across ‘Charities’ and ‘Education: Institutions Higher and Further Education’ in the 2015 Chambers and Partners results and also achieved a ‘Tier 1’ ranking for both areas in the Legal 500 rankings.

Chris Knight, who was identified as a leading charities and education lawyer in both the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 rankings, said: “The team is excited to have Martyn joining us, ensuring our growing number of charities and education clients continue to benefit from our specialist legal advice. The team is going from strength-to-strength, so it’s fair to say that Martyn will be busy right away!”

Martyn commented: “I am delighted to be joining the team at Hewitsons, which has a wealth of expertise and a fantastic range of clients in both areas. The charity and education sectors are a key strength of the firm and I look forward to supporting and building on their offering.”

Charities and education is one of the firm’s key sectors. For many years it has provided a comprehensive service combining specialist charity and education law together with lawyers in those disciplines having excellent sector awareness.

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ASL PEDAL POWER TEAM

ASL OFFERS PEDAL POWER FOR EACH AUTOMATED Systems Ltd (ASL) had a unique plan for their next fund-raising event in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices – a sponsored cycle ride with a difference!

Sales Administrator, Slavka Stofova is returning to her native country, Slovakia, to get married. To wish the couple well and support ASL’s chosen charity for 2014, Administration Manager Mandy Dunn came up with the idea of placing a static bike in the admin office for a host of dedicated cyclists who aim to clock up a total of 1200 miles – the equivalent of travelling from Cambridge to Slovakia.

Keen cycling members of the ASL team took time out to pedal through as many

miles as possible, with other staff members choosing to sponsor the individual miles or the whole event. Participants cycled during their lunch hour and at allocated time slots throughout the day - drinks and air conditioning were provided!

Mark Garius, Managing Director of ASL says: “ASL is delighted to support EACH as our chosen charity. Slavka is a valued and popular member of the team and her colleagues decided to help celebrate her forthcoming wedding. It’s a great idea to cycle the distance to Slovakia to raise money for a very worthy charity - as well as have a bit of fun as a team!

We are delighted to have raised £396.86 for East Anglian Children’s Hospices.” n

OBSESSION LEADS TO NATIONAL AWARD PREMIER Travel picked up the much coveted ‘Member of the Year’ award at The Travel Network Group’s ‘Obsession’ conference in Split, Croatia.

The Travel Network Group is Europe’s largest travel consortia comprising of 800 independent travel businesses, operating under the Group’s core brands of Worldchoice, Travel Trust Association and Independent Travel Experts. At the gala dinner and awards evening, Premier Travel was named as the group’s top Worldchoice

Member in front of the 300-strong delegation of UK travel professionals.

Commenting on her award, Susan Papworth, Premier Travel’s Managing Director, said: “We were thrilled to be named as the Worldchoice Member of the Year. It’s a real accolade for us and a great reflection of all the hard work put in by the team. To collect the award and be recognised in front of 300 of the UK’s highest profile travel professionals was fantastic.” n

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS

CELEBRATING 175 YEARS

BY COOKING UP A STORM BIDWELLS celebrated their 175th year in business with a glittering reception at the Napp building, Cambridge Science Park.

Bidwells launched their charity cookbook Make me, Eat me! at the event. All proceeds from their sale will be donated to the Firm’s five nominated children’s hospice charities.

The evening was an opportunity to raise valuable funds for EACH, Bidwells’ Cambridge nominated charity, with over £800 raised on the night from the sale of the cookbooks alone.

Patrick McMahon, Senior Partner at Bidwells, addressed the room: “We wanted to share the evening with those who are most important to us, our clients, without whom there would be no Bidwells. We have been in Cambridge for almost all of our 175 years and one of our first clients, Trinity College (owners of the Science Park), has been with us for almost as long. It is our wish that every single organisation in this room will be with us for at least 175 years.” n

How to #engage your audience

By Rose McDonald, Head of Sales, Robinson College Cambridge

KNOWING what your audience is looking to get out of an event is of course vital when planning and managing the programme. However it is not simply the information given, but the way that it is delivered so that content is relevant and accessible to generations X, Y and Z. This will make the difference between your delegates participating and engaging with the content, to switching off and absorbing very little.

Rose McDonald

We now live in an advanced society where information is so easily accessible via live streaming, that some organisations may feel that conference attendance is no longer necessary. We realised that it is the interactive value around the event programme that is just as important to a successful conference, as the educational aspect.

GRAHAM BUTLAND CEO OF EACH WITH PATRICK MCMAHON SENIOR PARTNER BIDWELLS

GRANT CREATES NEW JOBS DESTINATION Digital is a new countywide scheme to help hundreds of small and medium sized businesses get better broadband connectivity and utilize digital technology. With the procurement of the Destination Digital funding, Cambridge Software purchased several computing items essential for business development.

Steven Ridley, Managing Director of Cambridge Software, explains: “Destination Digital funding has been a great enabler for us. With it we have been able to undertake a much needed IT infrastructure upgrade and expansion and equip our three new members of staff with high quality equipment from day one.”

David McLeary, Web Consultant, says: “Without being able to equip new employees with the appropriate tools we wouldn’t be able to manage the surge in new business we’re receiving.

Thankfully there are schemes like Destination Digital that provide funding to growing SMEs.” n

For our recent conference trade show, Clic+, we experimented with the methods we used to deliver information. We recruited speakers who each had an interesting story in their own engaging presentation styles, but we also encouraged interaction between speaker and audience, via Q and A, panel sessions and visible Twitter feeds.

Interactive workshops, fast paced teambuilding sessions, networking time and plenty of nutritional food and drink meant that the day explored the different ways that people could learn and interact whilst allowing them to have fun and be comfortable. We had some fantastic feedback from people who were glad that they had taken the time out of their busy working schedules to visit Clic+.

Which in this day and age is exactly what’s required to inspire your delegates to take more time to attend conferences in the future.

@RobCollConf robinson.cam.ac.uk/conferences 01223 332859

CONNECTED JANUARY 2015

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r a c r u o y t a e r t Go on, ! s a m t s i r h C s thi

Season tickets available at safe, well lit and conveniently located car parks across the City from only £27 a week (inc VAT)

Car parking solutions Email: carparks@cambridge.gov.uk Tel: 01223 458515 Quote ‘Chamber’ www.cambridge.gov.uk/parking https://www.facebook.com/camcitco https://twitter.com/camcitco

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS

GIVING TIME AND TOYS IN SUPPORT OF CHARITY APPEAL CONSCIOUS Communications, the Cambridge-based public relations and marketing agency, is working pro-bono to raise awareness for Star Radio’s Christmas Toy Appeal, which is being staged with the help of the Liam Fairhurst Foundation and Purple Skips in the run-up to Christmas 2014.

The Toy Appeal, which launched on 26 November, aims to bring some Christmas cheer, in the form of new gifts, to children in the region who need it most. The Conscious Communications team will be raising the profile of the Appeal while helping to securing gift donations from companies and individuals across East Anglia, including the St John’s Innovation Centre where the team are based. To make it easier for organisations based at the Centre, Conscious Communications is hosting a drop off location in its office where those wishing to contribute can leave their toys.

Supporting local charitable causes is a fundamental part of the Conscious Communications team’s work and Alison Taylor, Managing Director of Conscious

Communications said: “Our team is very proud to be able to help this wonderful local charity.

Callum Fairhurst is an extraordinary young man who has taken on his brother’s legacy and made many sacrifices to raise much needed funds for projects that will benefit children and

their families. Bringing a little bit of happiness to children who are unable to be at home for Christmas, is what the season is all about and we hope that through the generosity of others our gift donation points will be overflowing in the next few weeks.” n

CONSCIOUS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THEIR DONATED TOYS

EMPLOYEES RACK UP 225 YEARS OF CONTINUED SERVICE RIDGEONS recently welcomed nine employees to its esteemed ‘25 Club’ in recognition of their continued service. They joined existing members for the Club’s annual dinner.

Each member received a personal welcome to the ‘25 Club’, from event host Gordon Ridgeon, before Director Amanda Smith and Group Deputy Chairman Johnnie Sam, presented each with a gift of their choice, an enamelled insignia lapel badge, a specially commissioned tie, a framed special service certificate and an inscribed pen. n

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! THE MENTION – Method’s monthly mix of must-share content – is back.

Arriving in your inbox on the last Friday of every month, The Mention is your regular dose of all things regional, cultural, unique and creative.

Don’t miss out – sign up at methodmention.tumblr.com n

LEFT TO RIGHT, FRONT ROW - KEVIN EAGLE, MALCOLM NASH, AMANDA SMITH, GRAHAM CHAPMAN AND PAUL COULSON. BACK ROW JOHNNIE SAM, GARY FEENEY, ADRIAN WESTWOOD AND GORDON RIDGEON

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PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Peterborough

IN BRIEF JANUARY 2015 MOORE STEPHENS LAUNCH ANIMATED VIDEO An accountancy firm has launched a new short animated video - ‘10 reasons to choose Moore Stephens’. The video takes a look at just what sets them apart from other accountancy practices and is available to watch on their website at http://bit.ly/15Mx5Xx

LAUNCH OF RIVER NENE DRAGON FINDER Froglife will be hosting two launch events in 2015. Froglife’s River Nene Dragon Finder project, funded by the Heritage Lottery fund, follows hot on the heels of Froglife’s extremely successful London and Scottish Dragon Finder projects.

These three projects have a net worth of over £2.4 million.

The first event will be at Peterborough City Hall on Friday 20 February from 12.00- 2.00pm and the second at The Pump House, Sywell Country Park, Northamptonshire on Friday 6 March.

Guest speakers will discuss the impact of their literature on wildlife conservation.

If you would like to attend either of these events then please contact Kathy at Kathy.Wormald@froglife.org The project will be working all along the River Nene from its source in Northamptonshire to the Washes in Cambridgeshire. Thousands of people will benefit through getting involved in an extensive programme of activities.

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Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

LARKFLEET STAFF SNAP UP HOUSE BUILDER’S PROPERTIES PROPERTIES by Larkfleet Homes are not just proving popular with members of the public - eight of the company’s employees have also recently purchased homes.

Ben Burge, Larkfleet Homes’ Sales Director, is the new owner of a property at Leighfield Park - part of Oakham Heights - Larkfleet’s major urban expansion of Oakham.

Four properties at the company’s Abbeyfields site in Bourne, Lincolnshire, have

also been snapped up by Larkfleet staff.

Larkfleet CEO Karl Hick commented: “It is always pleasing to see how popular our properties are with the general public.

However, these recent purchases by members of Larkfleet Group’s own staff really go to show how highly our own employees rate the quality and value for money of our properties.

“It really is a testament to the value that Larkfleet Homes provides for homebuyers.” n

LARKFLEET’S SALES DIRECTOR BEN BURGE HAS RECENTLY PURCHASED A PROPERTY AT ITS OAKHAM DEVELOPMENT, LEIGHFIELD PARK

BUSINESSES CELEBRATE GREEN ACHIEVEMENTS BUSINESSES joined in a fantastic celebration of eco achievements at the annual Investors in the Environment (iiE) Awards, held at Peterborough’s Kingsgate Conference Centre on Thursday 27 November.

The annual iiE Awards is when businesses are rewarded with Bronze, Silver or the highest level of Green accreditation, plus they can discover who has won further awards – such as the ‘Great Green Star’ and ‘Best Green Champion’.

There are now over 250 members and 3,500 businesses signed up to the iiE green network.

“Our vision is to make sustainable practices the norm and to create a better standard of smarter businesses across the UK,” says Kim Coley, Senior Green Business Coordinator at iiE. “We aim to make our iiE brand and Green accreditation badges instantly recognisable and significant to businesses across the UK.” n

KIM COLEY PRESENTING AT THE iiE AWARDS

PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS

IGNITING A YEARS’ FREE CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP A YOUNG entrepreneur from Peterborough has won a year’s free Chamber membership following a competition run by Ignite Peterborough during Global Enterprise Week.

Five young entrepreneurs took part in a 10 minute pitch to a panel made up of successful local businesses representing a range of sectors. After the pitch feedback was provided to each contestant by members of the panel, who included Sara Drawwater from Something Beckons, Pav Patel from One Source Communications, Jorge Rodrigues from iQube business solutions and Mohamed Mavani from Moore Stevens.

The prize was won by Luke Willcock, founder of Vehicle Bright which provides professional vehicle wrapping services.

Helen Bosett, Sector Co-ordinator at Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, who also sat on the panel said: “The judging panel were very impressed by all the candidates and the calibre of entrepreneurs coming through the Ignite scheme in Peterborough. The enthusiasm, ideas and commitment to making them a reality was overwhelming and our member businesses felt privileged to be able to share some of their experience and advice with the entrepreneurs. We are delighted to welcome Luke and Vehicle Bright to our Chamber network and hope that he will gain great benefit from his membership over the next 12 months.” n

HELEN BOSETT AND JOHN BRIDGE WITH WINNER LUKE WILLCOCK

IPM GLOBAL MOBILITY AWARD SUCCESS INTERNATIONAL HR Consulting firm, IPM Global Mobility, narrowly missed the top slot in the international ‘Expatriate Management and Mobility Awards’ (EMMA’s) run by The Forum for Expatriate Management.

The award-winning firm, which provides independent specialist HR planning and management services for organisations employing expatriates from offices in Peterborough, London, Aberdeen and Copenhagen, was announced runner-up of the ‘Relocation Management Company of the Year (under 10,000 moves a year)’ award category at a glittering Awards ceremony. n

ALAN BENTLEY MD OF IPM AT THE FEM EMMAS AWARDS

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OUT&ABOUT Enjoy our monthly montage of events and happenings across the local area with this colourful round-up of events

Make sure you send us your photos each month and we’ll include the best of the bunch! Email images straight to the creative team: connected@methodcreative.co.uk

TIME TO PLAY DIRTY AT PETERBOROUGH ARENA A muddy Race for Life with a series of obstacles! The event hopes to attract thousands of women to the East of England Showground venue next summer in the fight against cancer.

PITCHING TO THE DRAGONS! Ignite Peterborough offered entrepreneurs under the age of 35 the opportunity to compete for a year’s free Chamber membership. They took part in a Dragon’s Den style pitching event to a panel of experienced business leaders held at Peterborough Regional College in November.

CHAMBER NETWORKING Members came together for a Business Lunch at Poets House in Ely, Business Breakfast at Park Inn in Peterborough and the Business Women’s Christmas Lunch at the Peterborough Marriott.

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OUT & ABOUT

THAT EXTRA MILE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED Luminus has raised over £320 for Children in Need through a dress down day, selling jacket potatoes, baking cakes, including Luminus’ very own ‘Great Luminus Bake Off’ and a sponge throwing event at Ferry Project.

MOVEMBER MADNESS Creative Content Company raised money and awareness for Movember through #CreativeNetworking. Attendees were asked to donate money for a stick-on moustache that was then worn during the networking meeting.

BORDERVILLE: BEHIND THE SCENES Chris Yiannakou, New College Stamford, Richard Olsen, Chair of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce, April Carrol, Principal at New College Stamford and John Bridge OBE DL, Chief Executive at Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce at the new Borderville Sports Centre.

WHAT IS INFLUENCE? Pauline Heron and Linda Hayman presenting at the recent Business Women’s Women in Management training at Peterborough Rugby Club.

FESTIVE FUN IN ST NEOTS Almost 9,000 people flocked to St Neots on Sunday 30 November to enjoy the Christmas Lights Switch On celebrations in the Market Square.

CONNECTED JANUARY 2015

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ELY CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Ely

IN BRIEF JANUARY 2015 KITCHENS IN ELY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN Ely locals, Gareth and Louise KavanaghDixon, opened their Dream Doors showroom at 29 Market Place, at the top of Fore Hill, Ely. The grand opening took place from 23–25 October, with cookery demonstrations, a free prize draw and much more. They have an order book full of customers, all impressed by the company’s time and money-saving kitchen makeover service.

Dream Doors was established in Hampshire in 1999 and now has more than 55 locally-owned franchised showrooms throughout the country.

Gareth and Louise’s showroom is the first to cover the CB postcode area.

Gareth says that, as a franchise, the company offers something other kitchen operators can’t. “It offers the best of both worlds for customers; they’re buying from a national brand that’s won numerous awards and built a fantastic reputation, but they’re also dealing with local business owners who have their own reputation and livelihood at stake.”

Made-to-measure and manufactured in the UK, all Dream Doors kitchen doors and drawers are fitted in as quick as a single day. It’s a convenient solution that leaves kitchens looking like new, but without the stress and upheaval of a full refurbishment. Most customers also choose new worktops and a sink and it is still at least half the cost of a comparable new kitchen.

Dream Doors also supplies sinks, taps and appliances from the best manufacturers and some of the most innovative storage solutions on the market, all making the best use of the space in the kitchen.

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Ely Chamber of Commerce

LOCAL BUSINESS WINS CUSTOM DATABASE COMPETITION BREEZE TECHNOLOGY’S competition for a small business to win a custom built, bespoke database system for their business was drawn at the Chamber’s Ely Business Lunch in November and was won by a local business based in Littleport.

Sigma Embroidery, owned and managed by Kim Oakhill, was the proud winners of this unique competition. Kim will now work with Breeze Technology over the next few weeks to design her own system that is specific to her business and its needs; a prize worth up to £6,500!

Tammy Driver, of Breeze Technology, said: “I am so pleased with the result; a local business, a local need and a local

KIM OAKHILL WITH TAMMY DRIVER

businesswoman who is 100 per cent focused on driving her business forward.

We are looking forward to working with her and her team and promise that the system we build for Sigma Embroidery will help them make that difference.” n

LABOURTECH RECRUITMENT LTD IS INVOLVED IN THE ELY BUSINESS MENTORING SCHEME LABOURTECH RECRUITMENT LTD is delighted to be involved in the Ely Business Mentoring Scheme. The objective is ‘bringing business and education together to help young people succeed’.

Steve Copeland the Business Development Manager for Labourtech Recruitment Ltd, was delighted to be asked to be a business mentor, having been approached by Lis Every, who is actively co-ordinating the scheme from an Ely College Sixth Form perspective. As part of the Labourtech business philosophy, they find it very important to be involved in local community projects, in particular helping young people succeed.

The scheme is a partnership between members of the Ely Cathedral Business Group, Ely Chamber of Commerce and Ely sixth form college. Key aims of the scheme involve providing an insight into the world of work and further higher education, raising awareness and understanding of different careers available, enhancing specific practice skills (eg CV writing, time

management and interview technique), raising confidence and self esteem through the student developing a relationship with a professional person.

Mentoring is a one to one relationship based on encouragement, constructive comments, openness, mutual trust, respect, and a willingness to learn and share. n

RAISING AWARENESS IN THE MENTORING SCHEME

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The Crausaz Wordsworth Building An exciting, modern and unique events space comes to Cambridge in September 2015

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Robinson College Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AN www.robinson.cam.ac.uk/conferences-robinson

Telephone: 01223 332859 Email: conference@robinson.cam.ac.uk @RobCollConf Robinson College, Cambridge

HUNTINGDONSHIRE CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Huntingdonshire

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce

FROM LEFT, ANTONIA BRICKELL, MAGPAS HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS, PR & CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS; NATHAN HOWES, MAGPAS DOCTOR; DICKIE EASTWOOD, HELIMEDIX CHIEF PILOT; ANDIE CRAIGIE, MAGPAS CREW MEMBER; DAN READ, MAGPAS PARAMEDIC; SIMON LEHER, LUMINUS COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER; ANGELA HAMILTON, CUSTOMER SERVICES MANAGER; NANETTE CLEGHORN, PA TO THE GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE

LUMINUS EMPLOYEES RAISE £1,000 FOR MAGPAS STAFF at Luminus, the eastern region’s leader for engagement with employees and premium brand housing services, have raised £1,000 for the emergency medical charity Magpas.

Luminus employees donated through their payroll and fundraising events over the past year to support the charity which they feel makes a real difference in the region.

Magpas is the Emergency Medical Charity for Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Peterborough. They have more than 300 volunteers who save lives at the scene of medical emergencies.

Luminus Group Chief Executive, Dr Chan Abraham said: “In 2014, our year of Reinforcing Priorities and Goals,

Luminus employees have embraced the idea of giving something back to the community. Magpas Helimedix save lives and reduce suffering in the most challenging of circumstances and are allies in our mission to change the world for the better where we are as we seek to make progress along The Road to Renewal.” n

ICAEW AUTHORISES GEORGE HAY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS TO CARRY OUT PROBATE WORK

MANAGING PARTNER BARRY JEFFERD

THE Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has authorised George Hay Chartered Accountants to carry out probate work.

George Hay has recently become licensed by the ICAEW as an alternative business structure (ABS) to carry out probate work and is one of the first accountancy practices in the country to gain this authorisation.

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George Hay provide accountancy and taxation services to a wide range of businesses and individuals and they have been assisting with estate work for several years. However, probate was one service that they could not offer, until now.

Managing Partner Barry Jefferd passed the first ever sitting of the ICAEW exam in Estate and Probate Administration. Barry said: “It was a logical step to apply to become regulated to do probate work as it is an additional service we can offer to clients. It makes sense for us to provide this extra service when we are already providing inheritance tax and succession planning advice and our clients trust us implicitly to handle their financial affairs.

There is now no need for them to involve a third party and the whole process can be much more straightforward for them. We are delighted to now be able to offer this service.”

ICAEW became a licensing authority for accountants wanting to carry out probate and form ABSs in August 2014. n

BRIGHTVISIONS NOW A PROFESSIONAL TRAINING CENTRE BRIGHTVISIONS, provider of IT support, is now offering professional training courses. The St Neots based company offer training in Office365, Office Suite, Microsoft Project and Microsoft Visio.

BrightVisions have a certified team of skilled trainers that deliver professional and structured courses.

Their newly refurbished space is completely soundproof and fully furnished with state of the art equipment. The company plan to maximise the use of their space by also using it as a conferencing and event space. n

STAMFORD CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Stamford

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Ely Chamber of Commerce

IN BRIEF JANUARY 2015 EMPLOYEE CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY AT GARRINGTON

JOHN LONGWORTH BCC DIRECTOR GENERAL

UNCERTAINTY IS THE NEW NORM, SAYS CHAMBER BOSS DUNCAN & TOPLIS recently welcomed John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, as the keynote speaker at their sixth annual Directors’ Briefing.

The message delivered by John’s speech focused on the need for businesses to be ready to deal with uncertainty, which he described as the new norm in the UK

economy. He said national referenda, the likelihood of future hung Parliaments, global conflicts and the possibility that the UK might leave the EU mean doing business in the UK is no longer in any sense predictable.

The briefing was held in November with an audience of over 120 senior business people. n

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Kate Vincent is celebrating her first anniversary with Garrington Property Finders. Kate commented: “It has been a fantastic year. I’ve enjoyed helping clients to navigate a far from easy property market.”

Looking forward, Kate said: “The first half of the year could be frustrating for many buyers as the election may discourage homeowners from putting their properties on the market. My local connections and access to off-market opportunities look set to make it a busy and interesting year.”

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PARSONS ESTATE CONSULTANCY ADDS ASSET MANAGEMENT TO ITS PORTFOLIO As Parsons Estate Consultancy enters its fifth year, it is delighted to announce the addition of Asset Management Services to its already wide-ranging array of consultancy services.

Specialising in commercial property, Parsons Estate Consultancy is thrilled to provide a comprehensive and tailored asset management service covering the property and financial areas of management. The team will provide an outstanding level of service and innovative options that will enhance property investments, reduce operating costs, minimise risk and maximise optimal occupier retention.

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CHAMBER AWARDS 2014

NATIONAL WINNERS

ANNOUNCED On 27 November over 550 people attended the Pavilion at the Tower of London for the 2014 Chamber Awards, organised by the British Chambers of Commerce. Chosen from entries right across the UK, we are delighted that one of the national winners and one of the runners-up are members from Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce.

LARKFLEET WINS NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARD Bourne (Lincolnshire) based housebuilder and developer Larkfleet Group has won the Sustainability Award for its commitment to the environment and for investing in sustainabilityfocused research and development.

The company’s award highlighted features such as the fact that it builds using sustainable timber frames, minimises waste and the use of materials during construction and protects wildlife around its sites. It also noted that the company’s carbon emissions are independently verified and that it is driving down energy and water use, increasing recycling rates and reducing car travel where possible.

Group companies include a major developer of solar power farms and a company which specialises in improving the energy-efficiency of existing homes and other buildings. Solar PV panels were installed at the head office more than three years ago to reduce the company’s carbon emissions and continue to reduce the company’s consumption of energy.

Larkfleet also invests in research and development (R&D) projects which have the potential to deliver environmental gains for the construction industry and for society as a whole.

Larkfleet CEO Karl Hick was at the annual Chamber Awards ceremony, hosted by Fox Sports presenter Georgie Thompson, to collect the award on behalf of the company.

He said: “We are seeking to embrace sustainability in all its aspects.

“We are therefore not just seeking to drive down energy use by managing our own activities and by building energy-efficient homes. We are also trying to create and maintain sustainable local communities wherever we operate - providing local employment, supporting the provision of

The awards reflect the innovative nature of our local businesses

GEORGIE THOMPSON WITH KARL HICK

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JOHN BRIDGE WITH PAUL JACKSON

training for local youngsters, contributing to local community activities and helping to solve the very real problem of providing sufficient affordable, high-quality homes for the region’s growing population.”

PAUL JACKSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FORWARD COMPOSITES, WAS RUNNER-UP FOR ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD This award recognises the achievement of an individual who has been instrumental to the success of a business. Entrants for the award may have exploited an opportunity to develop a successful business from scratch or radically improved the performance of an existing business. Paul took a company in administration in 2012 and turned it into an overnight success.

Paul was awarded business person of the year at the Cambridge News Business Excellence Awards 2014 earlier this year.

Commenting on Larkfleet winning the Sustainability Award and Paul Jackson as runner-up for Entrepreneur of the Year, John Bridge OBE DL, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, commented: “It is great to see companies recognised for their hard work and commitment.

“Having a winner and runner-up at this year’s Chamber awards reflects the innovative nature of our local business community.” n

LEP FOCUS Keeping you informed and up to date with the LEP

FURTHER INVESTMENT IN AGRI-TECH BUSINESSES THE AGRICULTURAL industry has been given a much needed boost across the East of England as four local businesses benefit from further grant funding.

Thanks to the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative has now invested nearly £1.4 million in a wide range of local businesses.

From a gluten-free oat producer near Huntingdon through to a rhubarb growth

research project in Norfolk, the successful projects represent the wide range of Agri-Tech activities that take place in the East.

Mark Reeve, Chairman of the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP), explains: “Since the launch of the Agri-Tech Growth Initiative in January 2014, we have already successfully provided over £1.4m of grant funding to the local businesses in the Agri-Tech sector. By investing this money into local businesses in the form of grants, we will enhance and develop the economic productivity of the local agricultural and research sectors.”

“From funding projects that investigate innovative farming methods to facilitating vital research, NEW BUNCHING LINES FOR JA COLLISON & SONS the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative aims to keep our region’s

PROJECTS AND BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED FUNDING INCLUDE: •S MART Biosystems UK Ltd – Cambridge.

SMART Biosystems UK Ltd supply Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants and installations to companies across the world. The funding will help develop an innovative Hydrolysis Biomass pre-treatment tank for installation in new and existing AD plants globally.

•H argreaves Plants Ltd – Hillington, West Norfolk. Hargreaves Plants Ltd is a leading producer of rhubarb, asparagus, soft fruit plants and ornamental plants. The funding will be used to grow new varieties of rhubarb that will improve the marketability of the product in terms of aesthetic appearance.

•G lebe Farm Foods Ltd – Kings Ripton, Huntingdon. Glebe Farm Foods is a leading manufacturer of gluten-free food for sufferers of food intolerances. The project will create a new 2nd generation gluten free oat mill, packing plant and store for Glebe Farm Foods, with the funding being used to purchase and install the process plant.

• J A Collison & Sons – Near King’s Lynn, Norfolk. Collison is one of the largest cut flower growers. The funding will be used to purchase, install and commission a fully automatic, robotic flower processing and bunching line.

RHUBARB RESEARCH AT HARGREAVES PLANTS

businesses at the forefront of the Agri-Tech industry. We have more money left to invest, and we look forward to helping even more businesses to grow.”

Rupert Hargreaves, Managing Director of Hargreaves Plants Ltd, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this grant.

Hargreaves Plants have been involved in the supply chain of Rhubarb plants for the last few years but it is evident the industry is crying out for some product development. There has been no formal research done on rhubarb since the 1990’s and rhubarb has gained tremendous popularity since then. This grant application will add benefits to all sectors involved in the ever expanding Rhubarb industry.”

The Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative grants are available to those looking to invest in new market and supply chain development, ways to improve productivity and efficiency, and the progression, application and commercialisation of Research and Development.

You can find out more by visiting agritechgrants.co.uk or calling 01480 277180.

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ASK THE EXPERT This months Ask the Expert focuses on Data Protection

ASK THE EXPERT: DATA PROTECTION MAY NOT BE SEXY... BUT IT IS LAW! Rani Viknaraja, of K8 Data Protection Consultants, explains why data protection should be at the top of any company’s agenda.

O WHAT IS S DATA PROTECTION? In simple language, Data Protection relates to any work undertaken with personal data that belongs to living beings.

The Data Protection Act 1998 controls how one’s personal information is used by organisations, businesses or the government.

Compliance with this Act is therefore necessary to safeguard your business, your customers and their reputation.

The message to business is simple: consumers understand the value of their personal information and they expect you to understand too.

WOULD MY COMPANY HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE DATA PROTECTION ACT?

Here is a very simple checklist.

If any of the below are relevant to your company (with a very few exceptions), you will most certainly need to comply:

Every single member of staff (temporary, contract, permanent) is responsible! Each stakeholder, ranging from the cleaner to the CEO needs to be aware of their personal responsibility for the personal data that the company is accountable for. Personal data is a top priority for organisations, especially as almost all industries are data-driven.

Some examples of non compliance: nN on registration is a criminal offence with a fine of £5,000

nH ave a cabinet with customers contact details?

nT he regulator can levy fines of up to £500,000 for serious breaches of the Act

nH old customers details on a computer/ mobile?

nD amage to business and brand name nP ainful clean up costs

nH ave staff working with/for you?

n I rreparable reputational loss

nH ave contractors working for you?

No one is immune from data losses or breaches!

nC apture images on CCTV? nR ecord telephone messages?

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE?

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COMPANY FALLS FOUL OF COMPLIANCE?

nP ublish personal details/images on the internet?

SO WHERE DO WE BEGIN TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE?

As the Edward Snowden scandal highlighted, if a disgruntled worker is determined to unearth critical information, it is not that hard to do so. Snowden was an IT contractor, but he gained access to files he should not have, by simply asking his colleagues to share their passwords. n

A very good place to start would be to give your company a ‘health check’ to establish if your company needs to comply. Following this initial ‘test’, registration with the regulator is the first step to ensure that you are on the right side of the legislation. The ‘health check’ will also help to identify the ‘missing gaps.’

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FENLAND CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Fenland

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER BECOMES GROWTH VOUCHER ADVISOR

QUENTIN PAIN, FIAB MIOD

QUENTIN PAIN FIAB, MIoD and director at Legendary Business Owners Ltd has just been announced as the top Growth Voucher Advisor in the UK. Quentin was one of the speakers at the 32nd Business Show 2014 at Olympia in London at the end of November and bumped into Emma Jones MBE who announced the news.

Emma is the founder of Enterprise Nation who handle the public face of the Department for Business, Innovations and Skills’ Growth Voucher scheme (part of David Cameron’s ‘Business is Great’ initiative).

When told of the news, Quentin responded: “This is obviously good news for me, but I know it will also inspire other advisors to take the initiative and get more businesses into the scheme.”

The Growth Voucher scheme is in pilot mode for a year and ends in March 2015, however Lord Young who got the scheme off the ground has stated publicly there is a good chance it will be extended further. Quentin said: “This is great news for British business who will continue to be able to get 50 per cent of the funding for the best advice on marketing, finance and other areas of business paid for under the scheme.” n

Fenland Chamber of Commerce

IN BRIEF JANUARY 2015 SISTER COMPANY FOR CAMBMAC ENGINEERING Tesserrae Holdings (2013) Ltd, being the parent company of Cambmac Engineering based in March, has acquired Betabite Hydraulics based in Runcorn, Cheshire and is now renamed Betabite Hydraulics & Engineering Limited (BHEL).

Both Cambmac and BHEL specialise in CNC machining with BHEL having the specialist capability developed since 1966 of production of high pressure pipe couplings for all industries plus possessing the skills for unique client requirements. Cambmac continues to increase its clients base by reengineering cast components into CNC machined form whilst supporting developing demand in the production of Titanium ophthalmic instruments.

STUDENT WINS LOCAL HEAT OF ROTARY YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR CWA student Lauren Smith has whisked away the competition in the local heat of Young Chef of the Year.

Lauren, 17, who is studying Professional Cookery at CWA, wowed judges with her culinary skills at the competition, held at the College’s own Vancouver Restaurant.

The Rotary Young Chef Competition is a well-established and successful competition organised and promoted by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. It is a four stage national competition to support and encourage development of cookery skills.

The competition is open to all students in full time education between 11-17 years of age on 31 August 2014.

The competition was judged by local food heroes who praised the work of the students and the high standard of cooking that the entrants who are on the Level 2 Professional Cookery course had shown.

Entrants were required to prepare a three course healthy meal comprising starter, main course and dessert for two people costing less than £15.00, within two hours.

Lauren’s winning three course menu was Thai style mussels, pan-fried fillet of sea bream with carrot and avocado salad, filo stuffed pear with chocolate sauce.

Lauren was presented the Matthew Hunt Memorial Trophy and a £30 book token, by Trinity Rotary Club of King’s Lynn representative, Bert Cook.

Lauren will now head to the district finals which are also to be held at CWA in February. n

LAUREN SMITH RECEIVES HER AWARD FROM BERT COOK

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REPORT FROM IAN MACKELLAR Devolution for Cambridgeshire

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REPORT FROM IAN MACKELLAR

Devolution

for Cambridgeshire Breaking away from central government would allow money generated in Cambridgeshire to be spent for the benefit of our local area.

YOU DON’T have to be particularly cynical to detect from December’s Government announcements and Opposition reaction that there is to be a General Election next May. Dualling of the A47 and A428. A strategic study of the southern A1 corridor. Many voters who are also road-users derive vote-delivering hope from such announcements, even if the timetable inevitably slips like a gearbox with a dicky clutch – when it was first announced on All Fools’ Day 2003, the six-lane A14 was scheduled to open to traffic in 2010!

What makes the Cambridge City Deal a tad more interesting is that, instead of being designed to protect Tory seats (and maybe Norman Lamb’s) from UKIP populism and bigotry, it seems to be aimed at shoring up Cambridge’s Liberal Democrat MP, Julian Huppert, in a constituency that has a history of political volatility (though it is far too sophisticated for UKIP to stand a chance or even to influence the outcome).

That Mr Huppert has noisy support from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg shows that the seat is regarded as unsafe – though it would not have taken a student of recent political history to work that out, given the Lib Dems’ growing lack of popularity since they had little alternative but to get into bed with David Cameron in 2010.

Mr Huppert’s espousal of Greater Cambridge – essentially the city and South Cambs – as not only the recipient of the Government’s financial largesse but as an exemplar of how English devolution might be pursued in the light of the Scottish vote in September is clearly intended as a key plank of his reelection campaign.

There is some substance to it and some merit: he suggests devolving transport planning – Cambridge and Greater London were the only areas in the country to see bus ridership increase consistently after

privatisation in the 1980s – housing and other infrastructure delivery, revenue-raising for strategic investment, and more money for Cambridgeshire’s under-funded schools. He also wants to see an element of local influence on immigration policy – a nuance that is unlikely to be understood by the supporters of the far right.

by local taxation. Nor that it is Whitehall, not Town or City Halls, that decides the business rate poundage and exemptions.

We might even get candidates with vision and – heaven forfend – a more involved electorate.

Which brings us full circle to the tactic of promising large chunks of public money in the hope of retaining marginal seats and its long, if rather undistinguished, pedigree.

It worked for Harold Wilson at the Hull by-election in 1966 – the Labour Party’s Commons majority at the time was just four – when he persuaded Transport Minister Barbara Castle to announce construction of the (then £150million – rather more at current prices) Humber Bridge. Although it did not actually open to traffic until 1981, the announcement was sufficient for Labour to hold the seat with an increased majority.

Our own John Major was less successful in the 1992 General Election, when York MP Conal Gregory – the only Master of Wine in the House of Commons at the time – was roundly defeated by Labour’s Hugh Bayley.

The unsuccessful ruse was for Transport Secretary Malcolm Rifkind to tell British Rail to announce the construction of a large fleet of Networker Express trains at the recently flogged-off carriage-building works just outside York station.

So unsuccessful was it – largely because BR chairman Sir Bob Reid refused to make the announcement until the day after the poll because of ‘election purdah’ – that not only did Gregory return to the wine trade but the works actually closed almost immediately after the trains were built 20 years ago.

So it remains to be seen whether the Cambridge City Deal will be sufficient for Greater Cambridge to buck the national antiLib Dem trend – but then Cambridge is noted for bucking trends, including the recession and the housing market. n

At the moment, too many of our decisions are restricted by rules coming from central government.

He said: “Devolution would give us more control locally, and allow more of the money generated by Cambridge to be spent in Cambridge. And we would have greater freedom to borrow against business plans to invest in housing for the city. It would give us the opportunity to decide what is right for our future rather than it being governed by Westminster.

“At the moment, too many of our decisions are restricted by rules coming from central government. This would allow the people who understand the city best to make the decisions that affect the people living here.”

And he wants to see the direct benefits extended more widely in due course, to much more of the LEP area, which tends to benefit from Cambridge’s prosperity.

This chimes well with those – and I am one of them – who think the present structure of local government, which was designed by Peter Walker 45 years ago, has long run its course.

The implications of the Scottish vote provide an opportunity to reassess how public services, including the NHS, transport and immigration, are delivered locally or regionally outside the shackles of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended!). It cannot be right that the lion’s share of money spent by councils is not raised

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S COMMENT

‘PIE IN THE SKY’ OR REALITY? John Bridge OBE DL gives his reaction to the Autumn Statement.

BUSINESS leaders plead for certainty and delivery following autumn statement promises and we have responded to the Chancellor’s speech by calling for both certainty and delivery to be the reality – the only two conditions upon which the government’s investment plans can be measured.

A14 PROPOSAL Headline figures of £15bn for 84 roads projects in England by 2021 are all very well but in political rhetoric such as this old pledges are often revived and in all cases what businesses really want is for projects to either be delivered or at least certainty that they are going to be.

You will not hear businesses adversely affected by the A14 in Cambridgeshire celebrating that investment is forthcoming because those businesses are intelligent enough to know that no real decision will be made before February 2016, irrespective of the rhetoric and goodness knows who will be making the decision at that time. The long overdue improvements to the A14 are continuing to have a significant negative impact on the wider economy and hamper growth, but it’s not the only inhibiting factor.

Businesses call for certainty and delivery to be the reality

The A14 continues to have a negative impact on the economy INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT In order to establish investment priorities across our local area, the Chambers’ Infrastructure and Transport Group is continuing to ask the business community to identify the key schemes of work that could unlock growth locally. See page 9 of the magazine for more details and how you can help.

This forward-thinking group, chaired by David Ball of the David Ball Group, is made up of companies that recognise a need for enhanced infrastructure and transport provisions to realise future growth but more importantly appreciate the value of a cohesive and intelligent plan. The group has made a commitment to support the work of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership covering the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough local authority areas and lobbying for real progress.

This survey is the first step to achieving that.

Certainty of delivery is the key ingredient business requires to be able to plan effectively ahead and justify their own investment.

JONATHAN DJANOGLY MP , JOHN BRIDGE OBE DL AND CLLR JASON ABLEWHITE LOOKING AT THE A14 PLANS

Our record to date in relation to investment for infrastructure in Cambridgeshire and indeed Cambridge in particular is not good and it is imperative for our continuing success that the government recognises the need to invest in success to provide the maximum economic benefit for UK plc. Only time will tell! n

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SECTOR FOCUS Updates from the Chambers Sectors Groups COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR

WHY AND HOW OLD FASHIONED MEDIA RELATIONS STILL WORK

ALISON TAYLOR SECTOR CHAIR

COMMUNICATION is about getting a message from one mind into the mind or minds of others. If achieved on a mass scale, rather than just on a one-to-one basis, we have the benefit of major efficiencies.

The multitude of media channels consumed by potential target audiences is immense and each publication, whether a piece of physical print, broadcast or digital, offers an opportunity to talk directly to people we may never otherwise be able to reach.

It is a fact that your customers will believe and trust something they perceive to be editorial far more than an advertisement.

To achieve effective media coverage, it’s important you know enough about your target publications and readers.

The public relations industry has always relied on strong relationships with editors and journalists to leverage coverage for clients as they have the power to spread positive messages about your company far and wide.

For the best chance to secure coverage, you should: ✓ Tailor your copy to each publication ✓E nsure the news is relevant, immediate and has impact on audience ✓M ake the journalist’s job as easy as possible- considering tone, style and length ✓ Deliver stories on time.

But just remember that the media relationships you have are not ‘friendships’ and nothing is ever off the record when there’s a story to tell! n

CAPTURING THE ESSENCE HELENA g Andersen attended her first Chamber meeting as a member in Cambridge: “It was fun and I really enjoyed my chat with two members who are both in the marketing business. ‘What do you photograph’ they asked and so, an amusing discussion evolved about the photography of rubbish and junk and whether this can be beautiful.

“It reminded me of a conversation about the design of a waste paper bin when I was working as a young designer in London. Our secretary was quite adamant that because of its function it is not important for a bin to look beautiful as ‘it’s just for rubbish!’

“As a photographer I see the beauty in everythingI am lucky, I know; the pictures substantiate this I hope. One depicts the quiet beauty of the model wearing earrings..., the other the authenticity of a thriving garage interior. It’s about seeing, appreciating and capturing the essence.” n

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PHOTOGRAPHY FOR SARAH PALMER JEWELLERY AND IAN BUTTON CARS. MODEL – GLADYS KYOTUNGIRE

SECTOR FOCUS For any feedback, general information regarding the Sector Groups, or to contribute, please get in touch with Helen Bosett. tel: 01223 209815 email: h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk

HR & RECRUITMENT SECTOR

ARE YOU GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR AGENCY? POLKADOTFROG recruitment specialists, with offices in Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich, is advising companies to ensure their recruitment agency is comprehensively researching the suitability of candidates before they’re presented for an interview. The economy is buoyant, many businesses are experiencing growth and it’s vital that you employ the right people to achieve your commercial objectives.

Lucy Tufts, Director of polkadotfrog offers the following advice for companies who employ an agency: • Ask your agency how comprehensively they research candidates. You’re paying them to send you the right people and

it’s essential an applicant’s suitability for a role is fully investigated. It’s a waste of everyone’s time if they don’t • Do they conduct a comprehensive faceto-face competency based interview? A CV and a phone interview isn’t enough to fully understand someone’s personality and behaviours • Does your agency visit you on a regular basis? It’s important to place candidates whose personalities, background and future aspirations are appropriate for the position and organisation • What is your agency’s record on candidate placement? How long do candidates stay in their positions having been recruited through your agency?

They should have this statistic. n

LUCY TUFTS OF POLKADOTFROG

MIX AND MATCH – CHILD CARE OF THE FUTURE THE REGULATIONS implementing Shared Parental Leave (SPL) came into force on Monday 1 December 2014.

Who do they apply to? They apply to babies born on or after 5 April 2015.

Advice to Employers: Employers are advised to become familiar with the Shared Parental Leave Regulations and think about how they will integrate a policy into their business. Staff Handbooks should be revisited to consider how the new Regulations will impact on their current maternity and paternity policies.

• Eligible mothers, fathers, partners and adopters can choose how to share a pot of leave to look after their child

• Employers could start to receive notices of eligibility and the intention to take Shared Parental Leave from qualifying employees from January 2015 • Eligible employees can make three requests for Shared Parental Leave unless agreed otherwise.

For further advice contact Sally Cox, Employment Solicitor at Hunt & Coombs Solicitors. n

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CHAMBER EVENTS Your essential business calendar for the next month

EQUALITY IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS, OR IS IT? BUSINESS WOMEN AT POETS HOUSE, ELY

organised by the Business Women’s Sector DATE Tuesday 3 February TIME 2.30-5.00pm LOCATION Huntingdon Racecourse, Brampton PRICE £10.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT D.rivetti@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk JOIN this lively debate will give leading business women the opportunity to debate the issues that businesses face as they strive for equality and diversity within their organisation.

Have your say and make a difference! n

GROW YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH PEOPLE STORM IN A TEACUP DATE Tuesday 20 January TIME 10.00am-12.00pm LOCATION Poets House, St Marys Street, Ely, CB7 4EY DATE Tuesday 24 March TIME 3.00-5.00pm LOCATION Paddocks House, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Newmarket CB8 0UE MEMBER PRICE £12.00 (plus VAT) NON MEMBER PRICE £17.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT Daisy Rivetti on 01733 370809 or email d.rivetti@cambscci.co.uk This innovative style of networking invites ladies to brainstorm business concerns or gain feedback of new ideas with a fresh audience outside of the working environment. n

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organised by the Learning & Skills sector DATE Tuesday 27 January TIME 8.15am-12.00pm LOCATION West Anglia Training Association, Hartford, Huntingdon, PE29 1YB MEMBER/NON MEMBER PRICE Free to attend but places must be booked in advance CONTACT d.rivetti@cambscci.co.uk or telephone Daisy on 01733 370809 Why attend?

• Update from Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership • Progress report on Alconbury Weald • Plan for business growth • Employ the right people • Talk with training and development providers • Hear about local business success • Network with other local businesses.

This workshop is designed to encourage businesses to discuss business growth and look at ways of how they can do so, possibly by up-skilling and developing existing staff. n

EVENTS Please visit the Chamber website for full details of all future Chamber events www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

PETERBOROUGH BUSINESS BREAKFAST DATE Friday 23 January TIME 7.45-10.00am LOCATION The Cresset, Bretton Centre, Peterborough, PE3 8DX MEMBER PRICE £15.00 (plus VAT) NON-MEMBER PRICE £22.50 (plus VAT) CONTACT k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk AT OUR Business Breakfast you have the opportunity to meet new business connections through our popular safari networking. The relaxed but structured format offers guests the opportunity to move around the room and form connections with new business contacts from a wide range of industry sectors. n

BUSINESS BREAKFAST AT PARK INN PETERBOROUGH

INFORMAL NETWORKING INFORMAL NETWORKING EVENINGS JANUARY 2015

2014 EVENT AT ELY CATHEDRAL

Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce

TUES 6

HOLIDAY INN HUNTINGDON RACECOURSE - NEW VENUE!

5.30-7.30pm

WED 7

THE CROWN HOTEL, STAMFORD

5.30-7.30pm

MON 12

THE LAMB HOTEL, ELY

5.00-7.00pm

WED 14

WYBOSTON LAKES, ST NEOTS

5.00-7.00pm

THURS 15

HOLIDAY INN, CAMBRIDGE

5.00-7.00pm

WED 21

PARK INN, PETERBOROUGH

5.00-7.00pm

WED 28

OCTAVIA VIEW, WISBECH

5.00-7.00pm

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CHAMBER CHARITY OF THE YEAR

PETERBOROUGH 900

This years charity of the year is Peterborough Cathedral

SPOTLIGHT ON HISTORY

KATHARINE of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first Queen, was buried at Peterborough Cathedral (then an Abbey) in January 1536. She had been in exile from court since 1533 and had eventually died at Kimbolton Castle, near Huntingdon.

Henry VIII gave instructions for her burial at Peterborough and it is widely thought that her interment here was a major reason why Peterborough became a Cathedral, rather than being demolished during the dissolution of the monasteries. n

JOIN AN ASPIRING CAMPAIGN MEMBERS of Chamber are invited by the Dean of Peterborough, the Very Revd Charles Taylor, to a networking breakfast on Monday 23 February from 8.00-9.00am in the Becket Chapel (pictured above).

The breakfast is a great way for representatives of the Peterborough 900 Campaign’s 60 plus Corporate Partners to find out more about the Cathedral’s development campaign and to catch up with one another’s news. It is also a good introduction for those interested in joining the Partnership scheme.

Breakfast will be served by staff from The

Fenland Roaster, and washed down with excellent Cathedral coffee, locally roasted by Masteroast (both are Corporate Partners).

Local businesses can join the Corporate Partner scheme, and support the Cathedral in its developments leading up to 2018, for as little as £900. Payment can be made in instalments over the period leading up to 2018.

To find out more, or to confirm your attendance at the breakfast, please contact Rachael Clarke, Senior Development Manager, on 01733 355301. n

CONTACT US James Dyer: Peterborough 900 Campaign Manager Rachael Clarke: Senior Development Manager Contact us: 01733 355301 campaign@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk Visit: www.peterborough900.org.uk n

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ALISON WEIR TO SPEAK AT KATHARINE OF ARAGON FESTIVAL THE RENOWNED historian and bestselling novelist, Alison Weir, will give an illustrated talk on “The Exile of Katharine of Aragon”, on Friday 30 January, at 7.30pm at Peterborough Cathedral.

Following her talk, Alison Weir will answer questions and sign copies of her books, which will be on sale.

Tickets are £11 (£5.50 U18), including a free glass of wine or soft drink, are available from the Cathedral Shop, or online via peterborough-cathedral.org.uk For more information about the Katharine of Aragon Festival, which runs from 30 January—1 February, please visit our website. n

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