INSPIRING SUCCESS
ISSUE 94
The official magazine for Chamber members
PLUS. . . ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE CHAMBER NETWORK
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this issue
10
13
28
24
33 6-7
CONTENTS
Connect
38 26
Charity news
8
Protect
28-31
Cambridge & South Cambs area news
10-11
Inform
33
Ely & East Cambs area news
12-13
Ask the Expert
34-35
Huntingdonshire area news
14-15
Global
36-37
Peterborough & Stamford area news
16
Training
38-39
Opportunity Peterborough
18
Marketing Insight
40-41
Green news
19-21
Transform
42
Growth Works
22-23
New Members
44
Construction Sector
24-25
Cambridgeshire County Day
46-47
Chamber events
connected 3
welcome from the
EDITOR
ISSUE 94 INSPIRING SUCCESS
The official magazine
Welcome ....
for Chamber members
Christmas is fast approaching and detailed key dates for export documentation can be found on pages 14-15. This includes our Christmas closure dates, the final date for submitting consular documents and the date and times that we will process online documents during our closure.
PLUS. . . ALL THE LATEST
ER NETWORK
NEWS FROM THE CHAMB
Chief Executive Vic Annells Editor Sadie Parr Published and Printed by
www.xlpress.co.uk
Our events calendar is filling out as we approach the New Year. Please see pages 46-47 for events taking place during the first quarter of the year and make a note of the dates in your diary. Our key event is the return of our popular Comedy Night taking place in February and organised through our Construction Sector.
information about this event on our centre page spread. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members a peaceful Christmas break and we look forward to working with you all in 2022.
Another key event in 2022 is Cambridgeshire County Day organised by the Lieutenancy of Cambridgeshire. You can find out more
SADIE PARR s.parr@cambscci.co.uk
Design Helen Dwyer Advertising Sadie Parr s.parr@cambscci.co.uk Membership Team Bren Coleman 01223 209811 Chamber contact details Clifford House, 2 Station Yard, Oakington, Cambridge, CB24 3AH Tel 01223 237414 Email enquiries@cambscci.co.uk Visit www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk @CambsChamber Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce @CambsChamber
Views expressed in connected are not necessarily these 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.
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• D IA RY DAT E S • JAN 2022 FEB 2022
12
10
12
Informal Networking Evening, Huntingdon
Safari Networking Breakfast, Peterborough
3
7
8
nformal Networking Evening, Ely
HR & Recruitment Sector webinar
25
Comedy Night, Peterborough
Informal Networking Evening, Ely
Safari Networking Breakfast, Stamford
17
18
Informal Networking Evening, Cambridge
Construction Networking Breakfast, Huntingdon
13
19
New Year, New Connections, Cambridge
Informal Networking Evening, Stamford
9
16
Informal Networking Evening, Huntingdon
22
Safari Networking Breakfast, Cambridge
Informal Networking Evening, Peterborough
comment from the
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Chief Executive’s comments 2021 is drawing to a close, and we find ourselves looking forward with eager anticipation to 2022. We’re delighted to have safely returned to face-to-face events during the latter part of this year and are keen to continue this into the next. By continuing to follow government guidance and implementing best practise, we will ensure that our events remain safe for everyone attending. In this way, we can connect with members new and old through our fantastic face-to-face events. Coming up in early 2022, we have our Comedy Night in February, International Women’s Day at Peterborough Cathedral in March, and Huntingdonshire Business Fair in April which we organise in partnership with the Federation of Small Business. These events have all been well-attended in the past and we hope to see good numbers attending once again as we find confidence in new ways of working and coming together. Dates and details for these events can be found on pages 45-47. Last month I hosted Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England at one of our private roundtable sessions reserved for patrons and key local businesses within the Chambers. This was part of the Governor’s regional visit to Cambridgeshire, and my guests and I were privileged to hear first-hand the state of the economy and the future outlook. We look forward to hosting many more such events in the future, giving our patrons exclusive opportunities to meet with the Bank of England and other key economic players in 2022 and beyond. If you would be interested in being part of these private sessions in the future, please do let us know by emailing chamber@cambscci.co.uk and we will ensure you are added to our patron mailing list and kept in the loop about upcoming opportunities. This month’s issue of connected has some great content as always, with two exciting guest features. Our centre page spread will tell you all you need to know about the very first Cambridgeshire County Day, a fantastic event being organised by the Lieutenancy
of Cambridgeshire which we at the Chamber are very pleased to be able to support. For Chamber members and local businesses, this is a unique opportunity to showcase the best of our region and to reflect on achievements over the last 70 years during the reign of Her Majesty the Queen. We hope you will join us in showing your support and making this a great celebratory day for everyone across the county. We also focus this month on Opportunity Peterborough and their latest adventures. Tom Hennessy, Chief Executive of Opportunity Peterborough, shares more information on their plans and upcoming activities in their double page feature on pages 38-39. Opportunity Peterborough is a not-for-profit organisation working for the economic development of the city of Peterborough. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members a Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year. I look forward to connecting with each of you again in the new year as we continue our fight against Covid-19 and the rebuilding of our economy.
VIC ANNELLS Chief Executive
Phil Eckersley, left, with Andrew Bailey, centre and Vic Annells connected 5
We provide Chamber members with many 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.
CONNECT
REGIONAL AWARD WINNER
The Chamber extend huge congratulations to the team at AstraZeneca who have been announced Regional Winners in the British Chambers of Commerce Business Awards 2021. Their astonishingly innovative efforts have transformed the global healthcare market, developing, deploying and delivering an effective vaccine for COVID-19 and protecting hundreds of millions of people around the world. In acknowledgement of this incredible effort, AstraZeneca had been named Problem Solver of the Year for the East of England.
Getting connected with Chamber membership Chamber membership provides you with links with national companies providing business services at exclusive rates to Chamber members.
CHAMBER FINANCE FINDER The Chamber Finance Finder simplifies and speeds up the funding process, matching members businesses with the right funding opportunities across loans, equity investment, grants and commercial mortgages.
CHAMBER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Whether you have a small or large fleet of cars or a single commercial vehicle we can help you to keep your company on the move with Chamber Roadside Assistance. In partnership with the AA, we’ll ensure you keep motoring at an exclusive competitive price; Chamber members can receive up to 67 per cent discount on the cost of business breakdown cover.
HALF PRICE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
Taking your business to the world? Make savings every time you ship with this exclusive half price offer from DHL, leaving you more money to invest in other areas as you establish our business on an international scale. Available to all Chamber members providing you’ve not shipped more than five times with DHL in the last 12 months.
CHAMBER FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Moneycorp can save your business money by creating a foreign exchange strategy tailored to your business needs. Highly
competitive exchange rates, low or no fees, free online currency accounts plus access to Moneycorp online, a web-based portal for making payments and trading foreign exchange.
CHAMBER PRIMARY HEALTH PLAN
This low-cost employee reward helps recruit and retain staff, manage risk and reduce absenteeism. Provided by Westfield Health, packages include cash benefits towards routine treatments such as dental and optical, diagnostic scanning facilities, a 24/7 advice line operated by GPs, Employee Assistance Programme and subsidised gym membership. Cover starts from as little as £1.10 per employee, per week, with additional upgrades and partner cover available.
AXA HEALTH
As AXA’s UK health and wellbeing specialists, AXA Health will be your health partners to keep your business healthy and happy, and help your employees bring out their best selves. Whatever healthy looks like for you and your team, they’re here to help you get there, building a wellbeing culture throughout your organisation – no matter how big or small.
DC INTELLIGENCE LTD
We have teamed up with DC Intelligence Ltd to offer cloud solutions that are highly cost effective with exclusive discounts for Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce members. Further information on all these services are available on the Member Benefits page of the Chamber website www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/member-benefits
CHAMBER CONFERENCE ROOM AVAILABLE TO HIRE We have a conference room available to hire for up to 10 people with free parking. Costs: £200.00 (plus VAT) full day, £115.00 (plus VAT) half day. 10% discount for Chamber members. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided for £2.00 (plus VAT) per person. If you’re interested in hiring the John Bridge Conference Room please email enquiries@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 237414 6 connected
network and
CONNECT
CHAMBER FINANCE FINDER UPDATE You may have seen in the press two new grants that have been announced. Innovate UK smart grants: October 2021 has just closed to applications but Circular economy for SMEs – innovating with the NICER programme has a deadline of 11.00am on Wednesday 5 January 2022. If you’re thinking of putting in an application, the Chamber Finance Finder can help boost your chances of success: commercial grant funding is highly competitive and these applications are a big commitment. The Chamber Finance Finder has partners who are experts in the field and can support you in every stage of your grant application, helping you increase your chances of success. Read on to find out more about the grants and how we can match you to the right support.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR SMES – INNOVATING WITH THE NICER PROGRAMME
Project’s total eligible costs: £100,000 to £500,000 Project length: between 6 and 18 months Deadline: 5 January 2022 11:00am Looking for a grant but don’t think these are quite right for you? You can sign in to the Chamber Finance Finder here https:// swoopfunding.com/cambridgeshire-chambers-of-commerce/ to check your grant matches or get in touch with our experts. * Please note: We do not review or fund these grant applications. Good luck on your application! #ChamberFinanceFinder
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is investing up to £25 million in the best game-changing and commercially viable innovative or disruptive ideas. All proposals must be business-focused. Applications can come from any area of technology and be applied to any part of the economy, such as, but not exclusively: ✔ the arts, design and media ✔ creative industries ✔ science or engineering During September Swoop matched over 25 businesses to writers for Innovation grant applications. If you think your business might be eligible for one of these commercial grants, get in touch with the Chamber Finance Finder today. https://swoopfunding.com/cambridgeshire-chambers-of-commerce/
photo created by pch.vector - www.freepik.com
connected 7
case studies BROCHURE 0330 113 0303 sales@guardtech.com www.guardtechcleanrooms.com
Order yours today – or view on our website
To access these services please visit the protection page on the Chamber website or call our membership team on 01223 237414.
how to
PROTECT
CHAMBER FOUR SERVICES As a Chamber member you have unlimited access to four services - HR, Legal, Health & Safety and Tax. This includes: 5 Advice Lines – HR, legal, health & safety, tax and VAT 3 Document Libraries – HR, Legal, Health & Safety that contains almost 800 templated documents £1,000,000 Legal Expenses Insurance – includes employment cover and Tax Enquiry cover. Visit https://chambercambs.questcover.com/login or call the helpline on 01455 852037. If you don’t know your log-in details to access this service, please give the team a call on 01223 237414.
EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WORKER OR EMPLOYEE An employee is defined as an individual who has entered into or who works under a Contract of Employment. Arising from this status as an employee, a large number of statutory rights have developed.
is not his/her client or customer. These contracts are commonly called Contracts for Services and such workers are often referred to as non-employee workers.
These are: • Continuity of employment on the transfer of an undertaking • Equality for fixed term employees • Guarantee payments • Itemised pay statements • Maternity, adoption and paternity rights • Minimum periods of notice • Not to suffer unlawful deductions from wages • Parental rights • Medical suspension payments • Redundancy rights • Flexible working • Statutory sick pay • Time off during working hours • Unfair dismissal protection • Written statement of the main terms and conditions of employment • Written statement of the reasons for dismissal.
In addition to the statutory rights which apply to employees all workers have a set of main worker statutory rights for which there are no qualifying periods of service necessary before the worker benefits from the rights.
A worker is defined as either an employee working under a Contract for Employment or someone who works under a contract other than a Contract of Employment and is offering his personal service in return for remuneration to the employer who
These rights are: • Breaks and rest periods • Equal pay • Equality for part-time workers • Health and safety rights • National Minimum Wage requirements • The right not to be discriminated against on the grounds of: - Age - Disability - Race - Religion or belief - Sex or sexual orientation • Paid annual leave • The right not to suffer detriment for inadmissible reasons • The right to be accompanied at discipline and grievance hearings • The right to take part in Trade Union activities • Public interest disclosure (whistle blowing) protection.
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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.
What if your company pension and benefits can support you on your journey to going green? With the recent COP26 summit in Glasgow, individuals and businesses are more aware than ever before of the impact their choices make on our planet. Recently Steph Butcher, Director at EBCam Ltd, ran a session via the Chamber on how you could use your company pension and benefits to support your business in being greener. Some of the key items we discussed as part of this session are set out below: Benefits to consider that meet the green agenda: • Electric car scheme • Cycle to work scheme • Carbon Offsetting through payroll • O nline benefits/total reward statements • R ewarding healthy behaviours with vouchers that could be used to plant trees • A ssessing your pension and benefit providers and advisers to see if they are doing their bit?
Considering your pension scheme: Every company that employs people now must have a company pension arrangement due to the Auto-Enrolment rules however have you ever stopped to consider how this is invested and whether this is in fact funding the climate crisis? Recent studies by Cushon found that the average pension pot finances around 23 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year through its investments (this is the equivalent of burning 1,100 coal fires annually or using 940 propane gas cylinders). In addition, their research found that: • 99.5% of employees have no idea how much carbon their pension contributes • 88% want their employer to take action • 62% would engage more with their pension if it was investing in positive change Pension arrangements investing in things such as fossil fuels or greenhouse gas polluters are causing an issue. Reviewing
your pension and its investments are key to ensuring your pension invests in a way that will drive and fund positive change. Please contact sbutcher@ebcam.co.uk should you wish to discuss this further.
Is it time to re-imagine work experience as we traditionally know it? Work experience in its traditional and simplest form is the perfect opportunity to see if employer and job seeker are mutually suited.
and recruiters to think again about work experience and explore different ways of measuring and demonstrating skill sets for all parties.”
While offering the candidate an insight into their chosen career and the chance to enhance their CV, it also gives the employer an opportunity to professionally gauge the capability and suitable of the job seeker.
She added: “The lack of opportunity job seekers have had in recent months to physically enter a workplace, or for employers to see their prospects ‘in action’ in the workplace has been, and continues to be frustrating for those looking to gain employment and to recruit right now.
But as recruitment specialist Judith Broughton explores, have the pandemicled challenges of allowing people into the workplace forced a re-think when it comes to hands on work experience? Judith, who works for Peterboroughbased Anne Corder Recruitment, said: “We are all familiar with the benefits of work experience; offering skills and life lessons that cannot be taught in the classroom. “While many job seekers have enjoyed school, college or university placements with employers over many years, the pandemic has forced candidates, employers 10 connected
“However, there are a number of ways in which job seekers can demonstrate their skills and show off their personality to employers who must also be willing to adapt to new ways.” Candidates can: • Update their CV to demonstrate any lockdown additions to their skillset • Create a LinkedIn profile which adds personality to their credentials • Show they are a team player with evidence of being part of a sports
team, music group, community organisation etc. • Prove they have the ability to take a brief and get the job done, through a volunteering placement for example • Demonstrate self-motivation through learning a new skill or embarking on an external course • Show assertiveness through having held a position of responsibility, perhaps as a student council member or club captain. Judith added: “While employers may not have been able to share office space or hands on working time with candidates, there is now an opportunity to get to know them, consider their worth ethic and gain an insight into their personality through measures like role play exercises, work shadowing, re-introducing psychometric testing or even just asking them to answer the phone - personality and being a great fit may be just as important to the business as ability and capability.”
learn and
INFORM
Fully Funded Training for Independent Businesses to Help You Grow Small and medium sized enterprises in Cambridgeshire can take advantage of free training in a range of areas to upskill their workforce and drive growth. The training courses are delivered as part of the Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme. Eligible businesses can benefit from: • Training needs analysis – identify the skills your employees need to support your business ambitions • F lexible training – pick full qualifications or mix and match individual units to suit your business • O n-the-job vocational training meet individual and business needs
including taught learning, workplace assessment, distance learning and online learning • Learning pathways for your employees - enable them to progress within your organisation onto higher level qualifications or apprenticeships • Recognised accredited qualifications and training courses to enhance your employees’ skills. SSW is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), which means you can access a wide range of training at no cost to your business. SSW has a wellestablished network of expert training
providers who deliver a range of fully funded training courses and accredited qualifications to help businesses. The courses on offer include: • Digital Marketing • Health & Social Care • Warehousing • Construction To find out if your business is eligible for the funded training programme, visit https://www.serco-ese.com/skillssupport-for-the-workforce or contact Howard Cordingley, Partnership Coordinator, at skillssupport@serco.com.
Full fibre connectivity can bring learning to life The growth of the internet has brought with it endless opportunities to learn new things; whether it’s for work, school or a hobby, the online world means there is an infinite amount of information at our fingertips. It has changed how we learn, and new technology such as personalisation, virtual reality and artificial intelligence means that education is evolving into a whole new experience. Key to being able to access these new learning opportunities is connectivity. Access to a fast, reliable, high-capacity internet service is vital here - especially when it comes to new data hungry learning tools – and a full fibre connection, which is 100 times faster than most current UK broadband services, is the best technology for the job. This is why CityFibre is investing up to £4 billion across the UK to bring full fibre enabled internet access to more than eight million homes, 800,000 businesses, 400,000 public sector sites and 250,000 5G access sites. This includes in Cambridge where we are investing in the city to bring the fastest most reliable network technology to practically every home and business locally. Cambridge’s new full fibre network will make it possible for you to take advantage of all the benefits of online learning, from ease of access and controllable pace, to the ability to choose from a wider range of options that suit your own unique learning style and ambition. Immersive technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), for example, are already transforming education, making learning a whole new experience. There are countless examples of this technology being used, which include The Unimersive, which is an app which uses VR to help people learn a new language, and the Gibson App which uses AR to help people learn guitar. Everyone learns in different ways; some need to read information, while others need to see it illustrated. So how
do you deliver a learning experience which suits everyone? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is enabling the development of training programmes that are completely personalised to each person. Similarly, adaptive learning platforms are being used to meet the needs of each individual learner, ensuring that they can understand the information, learn at their own pace, and repeat any sections they don’t understand. Prodigy Math is just one example of this, the game, which teaches mathematics, uses an algorithm to match the learning to the student’s style and level. Another benefit of AI-enabled technology is that as it is largely based online, meaning you can get 24/7 access to learning. And, with fast, reliable connectivity, such as the services enabled by CityFibre’s full fibre network here in Cambridge, quality online experiences are accessible to all – no matter how data intensive. This is just a snapshot of how the way we learn is changing, and the massive opportunities which exist to develop new skills and experience new things. Our city-wide full fibre networks will future proof communities, ensuring that as the learning landscape continues to change and expand, people will be able to use the technology and take advantage of these remarkable innovations in learning. connected 11
ask the
EXPERT
Small changes reap big rewards! • Just making small, simple changes can make a big difference, especially for our planet. For example, swapping Bics for refillable fountain pens, or pens for unpainted pencils which are far more environmental.
Jan McGregor, Office Manager at Allcontrols Ltd, shares hints and tips that you may want to adopt for your workplace around office supplies and recycling. Office Supplies – think again • It’s always good to shop around and compare the competition. We often do it in our personal lives such as home, car, personal insurance so why not with our office suppliers. Finding a new, more ethical and environmentally friendly office equipment supplier via a quick Google search can reap great rewards. • The cost of recycled/recyclable supplies may be higher but take this as an opportunity rather than a problem. Evaluate what supplies your workforce actually need versus what is currently being used and that could really balance the stationery budget.
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Team Members – send a clear message • Create a set of values and state everyone in your company must follow it. Make this available to everyone on the staff intranet or staff briefings. • Challenge any behaviour that goes against the recycling ethos of your business. For example, speak up if you witness someone putting rubbish in the wrong bin or suggest people proofread documents on their computers rather than printing them out. • If your organisational departments love to pitch against each other, then why not start incentivising great working practices. Set targets for each department and disseminate the results. Not to name and shame, but to encourage everyone coming on board. If the highest achievers are applauded with a reward like a free lunch voucher or going home early one day, that will surely encourage a collaborative approach. • Appoint departmental recycling champions throughout the business. These members of the team will be on hand to answer recycling related questions and encourage best practice. Whose responsibility is it? • The UK government says that every
business has a responsibility to prevent, reuse, recycle or recover waste - in that order! To make this possible, both the corporation and the individuals within it need to take ownership of recycling in their workplace. • Encourage team members to view the office as an extension of their own homes in terms of their attitudes and behaviour. This spreads a global mentality towards recycling and reducing waste. • Most of us have children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. If the recycling efforts within the office begin to feel like hard work, then try to focus on doing the right thing now to ensure a better future for them. Five questions to ask yourself as an office manager when thinking about what stationery your office needs: • Do I really need it? • Is there something else which can do the job just as well that we already have here? • Is what I’m purchasing recyclable or, does it have a good carbon footprint e.g. has it been made from recyclables? • Can what I am looking to replace be repaired instead? • What is going to happen to it when it doesn’t work anymore? If you would like to hear more of my thoughts on being more environmentally aware, visit my LinkedIn page, or to understand more about Allcontrols click www.allcontrols.co.uk
ask the
EXPERT
Future of Print Marketing Bill Marshall, owner of Printmarshall Creative design and print based in Peterborough, explains the importance of print for the future of marketing and how it is a sustainable option for businesses. Why is print still important? Print always has been and will continue to be an important part of any marketing communications plan and we would suggest that any business that neglects print completely, does so at great risk to their engagement and sales levels. As printers, we may be considered biased but our thoughts are supported by significant research and just some of the supporting statistics include the following from the BPIF (British Printing Industries Federation) • Campaigns including print are 67% more effective at delivering new customers than those without • 21% of all addressed mail and door drop items go on to create a commercial action. • Newspaper ads are viewed 2.5 times longer than the average digital ad. Alongside these statistics, print has been proven to increase trust and loyalty with reported figures being as high as 60 per cent of consumers that they trust print more than other advertising channels. As well as printed material being retained for longer, it also significantly aids recall compared to digital alternatives. Whether you’re producing training material or educational content, we would highly recommend the production of print versions. With the younger generation becoming more aware of the health issues relating to screen time, we’re anticipating that print demand will continue to grow over the next 10 years, with key messaging being reinforced digitally. We’re huge believers in print, not only because it’s our business but because it works in terms of driving trust and loyalty and connecting businesses globally. Our industry is committed to doing the right thing to
preserve our planet and our contribution to the UK economy is invaluable. Is print sustainable? 59 per cent of Europeans believe that our forests are shrinking and this couldn’t be further from the truth. European Forests have actually been growing by over 1,500 football pitches every day and these forests supply over 90 per cent of the wood used by the European paper industry. As an industry we’re committed to a move towards carbon neutrality and at Printmarshall we ensure that all of our paper is FSC accredited. FSC is the Forest Stewardship Council. They’re a notfor-profit organisation that’s dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide. In addition to this, we’re committed to reducing our impact right here in the UK so we’ve signed up to the Carbon Capture scheme. Managed by The Woodland Trust and the Woodland Carbon Scheme, it’s a method of mitigating CO2 emissions from paper purchases by planting native woodland. How can I give my printed material more impact? People naturally judge a business based on the quality of their print material and as an example, cheap quality, poorly designed business cards can give the worst first impression. These are just some of the ways that we’d recommend for elevating your material to the next level: • Ensure that you use good quality, high resolution images either produced by a professional photographer or sourced from a professional stock library • We would always recommend using professional copywriters to ensure that you get your message across clearly and consistently • Good quality graphic design is a given to ensure that your printed material is
impactful and professionally presented, whilst representing your brand in a consistent way that’s reflective of your company values and unique selling points • You could also embellish your print with special finishes including laminates, foiling, and UV varnish • To create additional stand-out you could die-cut your print material which involves cutting it into a unique shape. Are promotional gifts worth the money? The answer to this is most definitely yes. Promotional merchandise genuinely does deliver results and research carried out by the British Promotional Merchandise Association proves it. • 96% of recipients said that promotional merchandise increases brand awareness • 55% of respondents are more favourable to a brand after receiving a promotional gift • 83% of people who receive promotional merchandise can remember the brand advertised for an average of 12 months • 79% said they were likely to do business with the company in the future. We always send out promotional material and we can definitely say that it’s contributed to the growth of our business. From calendars that are in full view for a year, through to notepads, coasters, and of course our famous Toblerones.
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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.
Documentation processing over the Christmas Break The Chamber will close at 1.00pm on Friday 24 December and re-open at 9.00am on Tuesday 4 January. We will process online documents on Friday 31 December from 10.00am-1.00pm. Please ensure you upload all supporting paperwork to enable us to process these applications or email internationaltrade@cambscci.co.uk. The last date for submitting consular documentation is 11.00am on Monday 20 December. Documents submitted after this time will not be processed until Tuesday 4 January.
REX: Invoice Statements - Declaration of Origin: If you are importing goods into the UK from a country or bloc with whom we have a free trade agreement (FTA), your overseas supplier will need to declare the goods originated in their country. Each FTA will have an official notification in the documentation. It could be a statement on the invoice, a Certificate of Origin, a preferential trade certificate, a supplier’s declaration, a trusted trader status i.e REX (Registered Exporter), Approved Exporter (AE) or Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) or evidence that the goods originate in a GSP country. Whatever it is, you as the importer of record must show HMRC that you have done sufficient due diligence to prove the goods you are importing meet FTA preference rules. As this is a new chapter in our relationship with the EU, from 1 January 2022 all suppliers from Europe must have a REX
authorisation. The REX registered number must be shown on their Commercial Invoice for the goods to enter the UK duty free. Any goods arriving at the UK customs border point without the REX authorisation number will have an import duty charge if the products commodity code carries duty. It is important that all businesses bring this to the attention of all their EU suppliers. It is very easy to get REX authorisation and it is free. For UK companies exporting to the EU, they will continue to put officially worded origin declarations on their commercial invoices. For the rest of the world UK-EUR1 preferential trade certificates, Certificates of Origin, invoice statement declarations, long term supplier’s declarations or a trusted trader status (REX, AE, AEO) etc will be used to prove origin.
Document Translation – How Does It Work? Have you ever purchased a new product, opened the instruction manual and noticed how it’s written in several languages? That’s the magic of document translation! To put it simply, document translation is the process of transferring a written text from one language to another. But it’s so much more than that! Language translation has had a remarkable impact on the world, as it’s enabled people from all corners of the planet to communicate and share information – how amazing is that? At PAB we understand the importance of communication, which is why we offer our translation services in over 200 languages (and counting!) including Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese and English, to name a few. Recognised by both the public and private sector, we take pride in the quality of our translations and provide our services for a range of companies both nationwide and internationally. Our dedicated team of native translators specialise in professional, certified translations for all types of documents, ranging from immigration paperwork to visa applications. And each project we deliver for you is handled with the care you’d expect from an award-winning team. Firstly, we offer a complimentary, five-minute telephone consultation to get a clear understanding of your needs. Then, our skilled translators analyse the documents each step of the way, translating every word with speed and accuracy, ensuring that you have a dynamic, content rich document. And you can be assured of our attention to detail as every project we deliver on goes through our 5-step quality process. 14 connected
So… why is language translation so important? Let’s take the German word ‘Treppenwitz’ for example, which means “a clever remark that comes to mind when it’s too late to say it.” There is no word or expression equivalent to this in English, however a translator would know precisely how to grasp that ‘Treppenwitz’ and convey it to you in your native language. Sure, they might have to use a couple more words, or perhaps reword the entire paragraph, but the meaning remains the same. Professional translation comes with a person that is well versed in the language as well as the culture so when they come across words such as “Treppenwitz”, they know exactly how to translate it correctly! This is why using a skilled, certified translator is crucial – they are able to identify words and phrases a machine would overlook. PAB languages was founded on the belief that great things happen with true and transparent collaboration between our staff, clients and community, regardless of their language, location, or culture. We’re proud to be ISO 9001 accredited and we pride ourselves on accuracy and speed of delivery. Our main goal is to ensure your materials are always translated with the highest level of precision, whilst respecting cultural standards and values. Whether it’s a five-word translation or an entire book, you can always rely on us to translate your documents with quality and care. The Chamber work in partnership with PAB Languages to offer translation services. To find out more, or to receive a translation quote, please mail translation@cambscci.co.uk
extend your
GLOBAL REACH
8 out of 10 firms report increased prices as issues in supply chains mount
When asked if they had seen a change in the price of their goods or services in the past year, 80 per cent of respondents in total reported increases, with 46 per cent reporting significant increases and 34 per cent reporting slight increases. 15 per cent reported no change with only two per cent reporting any kind of decrease. For manufacturers the above question drew an even starker answer – 92 per cent had seen an increase in the price of their good and services. When asked whether they, or any business in their supply chain, had experienced either increased costs or shortages of a variety of commodities over the past 12 months the results were striking: • O f all respondents: 52% cited vehicle fuel, 34% shipping containers and 30%
utilities such as gas or electricity • Of manufacturers: 50% cited steel, 47% shipping containers, 45% vehicle fuel, 39% paper or cardboard, 38% plastics or rubber, 29% chemicals, 19% semiconductors. Only 2% of manufacturers reported that they had not faced increased costs or shortages from the items listed. Half (50%) of businesses surveyed reported that either they, or others within their supply chains, had experienced skills shortages in the past 12 months. This figure rose to 75 per cent for larger firms with over 50 employees and was least prevalent among firms employing less than 10 people at 31 per cent. Roles commonly mentioned included HGV drivers, engineers, warehouse staff, accountants, chefs and IT technicians. Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “These figures present a deeply worrying picture of the difficulties that businesses are currently facing, across multiple fronts as supply chain disruption persists. “Firms are facing huge pressures as they battle to keep on track for Christmas and provide the goods and services the UK
needs, but we have yet to see any concrete steps to address these issues. “Unless action is taken soon, firms could be forced to cut back on their capacity or limit the range of products they offer. “The huge number of unfilled vacancies is placing further strain on staff having to cover, and Covid is also still with us. With more than 30,000 people a day having to isolate, it presents another ongoing disruption to the workforce which businesses must grapple with. “While there are some global issues at play, there are levers that the Government can pull to improve current business conditions, for example, the introduction of an energy price cap for SMEs and providing more temporary visas in the hardest hit sectors through expansion of the Shortage Occupation List. “The new Supply Chain Advisory Group must look carefully at these and other solutions to the immediate and longerterm challenges. “Firms also want to see a moratorium on all policy measures that increase upfront business costs for the remainder of this Parliament.”
by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
New BCC data from a survey of over 1,000 businesses has thrown sharp focus on the impact of skills and commodities shortages for UK firms, with spiralling prices in evidence. The data show an overwhelming majority of businesses are raising prices as they face acute shortages and cost pressures - with vehicle fuel, shipping containers and utilities cited as the top areas of concern.
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chamber
TRAINING
The Chamber runs a rolling programme of training courses that culminate in the nationally-recognised Foundation Award in International Trade. Our regular training courses provide the knowledge to assist with your international trade activities. Currently, all courses will take place online via Zoom.
CHAMBER TRAINING 2022 Course Dates
UNDERSTANDING EXPORTING 13 January, 10 May, 8 September This course covers all the basic key areas around exporting. It will explain the requirements for documentation, plus an overview of country of origin and incoterms. INTRODUCTION TO IPAFFS 20 January, 21 April By the end of this course you will have the knowledge to successfully import live animals, their products and germplasm. UNDERSTANDING IMPORTING 25 January, 19 May, 20 September This course covers all the basic key areas around importing and will explain the requirements for documentation, plus an overview of country of origin and incoterms. UNDERSTANDING LOGISTICS 3 February, 19 July, 13 October Understand the process of managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported to their final destination. BITESIZE WORKSHOP: EXPORT STRATEGY 3 February, 10 May, 8 September We will discuss the importance of Export Strategy, new or old. Building new international markets is the first stage. Export Strategy: • Market entry • B arriers to understand and overcome • U seful tools and website to help your journey • A ssessing needs of customers and capabilities • Making a procedure plan. CUSTOMS PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION 10 February, 7 June, 6 October The course looks at the procedures required to deal with customs. It is vitally important that importers and exporters understand the information required to be submitted, fines and inspections are things that no company wants to endure. BITESIZE WORKSHOP: EXPORT MARKETING 10 February, 7 June, 20 September 16 connected
Find out how to market your products and services overseas. • Understanding how countries adopt different methods when marketing your products • Origin plays a key role when dealing with some countries • Check best Trading Countries - we will show you some useful tools to use • Importance of FTA when exporting. INCOTERMS 2020 22 February, 23 June, 18 October This seminar will explain Incoterms® and their importance in international trade contracts. BITESIZE WORKSHOP: DOCUMENTATION 22 February, 23 June, 18 October Having the following set up allows Export and/or Import departments to move goods without delays and extra costs. • Processing and Documentation • Understanding Incoterms • Understanding Commodity codes • Correct Documentation and procedures. UNDERSTANDING A CUSTOMS DECLARATION 3 March, 5 July, 3 November This course will highlight what you need to know to complete customs declarations accurately for both the import and export of goods, including taking you through step-by-step guidance on completing the SAD C88 form. BITESIZE WORKSHOP: LOGISTICS AND BROKERAGE 3 March, 5 July, 3 November Gain a snapshot of what is involved with logistics and brokerage: • Engagement with Forwarders • Understanding Costs • Insurance • Documentation - having a good broker and the importance. LETTERS OF CREDIT 15 March, 15 November This workshop covers the five main types of payment for exports, from advance payment to open account, including Sight Documentary Collection,
Term Documentary Collection and Documentary Letters of Credit. It includes the use of Bills of Exchange with and without documents. INWARD AND OUTWARD PROCESSING 24 March, 1 December The course will cover special procedures and the benefits of using IP and OP in your compliance. UNDERSTANDING RULES OF ORIGIN 29 March, 14 July, 6 December This course will explain all aspects of the Rules of Origin and Trade Agreements and how to understand and comply with them to help companies be more competitive in export markets. IMPORT/ EXPORT DIAGNOSTICS WORKSHOP 26 April, 11 August, 24 November This workshop shows companies how to look at their SOPS and compliance, going through key areas of procedures and compliance, preparing for trading internationally either by exporting or importing.
Full course details are available on our website www. cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/ training TRAINING COURSES Our training courses run from 9.30am-1.00pm. Cost per course: £250.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £330.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members. BITESIZE WORKSHOPS Our Bitesize sessions run from training courses run from 3.004.00pm. Cost per bitesize session: £50.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £75.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members. To register please visit our website, email s.parr@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 237414.
LOGISTICS local experts, globally connected
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insight from
SARAH WEST
How to create successful B2B branding MAKE IT CONSISTENT
One of the most common signs of poor branding is inconsistency. Once you have created a brand look, it needs to be consistent across every outlet, whether it’s your website, packaging or communication. It may be a good idea to create a set of brand rules – a document that states do’s and don’ts regarding, for example, font style, colours or tone of voice. Creating successful branding is a challenge – but pointless if your brand guidelines fall by the wayside when applying it across different channels.
MAKE IT MEMORABLE
Our lives are so busy, it would be impossible to remember every brand we come across. It’s therefore important to create a brand that is memorable for your potential customers. Some brands do this with colours – like Cadbury’s purple or Coca Cola red - which feature at a every customer touch point. Whether it’s B2C or B2B branding, this could equally be an interesting word, phrase or image that sticks in people’s minds. We see and absorb brands everywhere but we only notice some of them!
Anything you can do to maximise brand recall will ultimately increase your chances of being chosen.
Poor branding can be a source of failure in a crowded market. So, in the business-to-business (B2B) environment, how can you avoid making the most common mistakes when launching (or re-launching) your brand?
It’s tempting to copy the style of a brand you admire - perhaps to ride on their success! However, you will just end up making yourself less relevant and noticeable.
Sarah West, Managing Director of B2B marketing experts Full Mix Marketing, shares some tips:
Every human being on the planet is unique and the same principle should apply to brands.
WHAT IS A BRAND?
Each brand should have its own unique identity to stand out.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says: “Branding is what you want people to think about you when you’re not around”. Much more than just your name and logo, a brand is the impression you make on people and the reputation you develop - making successful branding critical for success.
KNOW YOUR BRAND INSIDE OUT
Before attempting any form of branding for your business, it is vital to get under the skin of your brand. What does your business stand for? What do you want people to remember about your business? Finding the answers to these questions can be time-consuming but stick with it because you’re laying the foundation for your future brand look and communication to be successful. Identifying that little golden nugget of what your brand is about is the first step.
FIND YOUR USP
Identifying a unique selling point (USP) is an important aspect of creating a brand.
DON’T BE A COPY-CAT
DON’T TRY TO BE SOMETHING YOU’RE NOT
A common trap that many brands fall into is portraying themselves as something they’re not. Brands like Innocent started a huge health trend. With messages like ‘nothing added’, there was suddenly a real emphasis on taking nasties out of things we consume. Consequently, many brands started to portray themselves in a way that matched this health ideal. The danger is losing sight of what your brand actually stands for and why consumers buy it.
MAKE IT EYE-CATCHING
In a busy world of brands shouting for attention, it is crucial to stand out from the crowd. Quite often, customers spend no more than a few seconds on their brand decision, so if you don’t catch their attention immediately, chances are you won’t.
With competition everywhere, what is it that makes you different? If you can’t answer this question, you may struggle to stand out in a crowded market.
Thinking about your shopping experience in a supermarket is a good way to highlight just how many brands you are bombarded with. What would it take for you to notice something new? What would that brand need to do to be chosen by you?
In the motor industry, car brands often feature a slogan. Audi’s is “Vorsprung durch Technik” and BMW’s is “The Ultimate Driving Machine” – different in message and tone but each getting across their own reason why someone should buy their car – their USP!
More help can be found at https://www.fullmixmarketing.co.uk/contact/
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Whilst being seen is key, it’s important to stand out for the right reasons - a flashing neon logo may not be the answer!
the power to
TRANSFORM
Chamber Network secure wins for business communities The Autumn Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) 2021 was delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP on Wednesday 27 October. Working together, the British Chambers of Commerce and the Chamber Network secured a number of wins for business communities across the UK.
CHAMBER NETWORK POLICY WINS
AUTUMN BUDGET AND SPENDING REVIEW 2021 WHAT WE CAMPAIGNED FOR
EXTEND THE £1M ANNUAL INVESTMENT ALLOWANCE to support business investment and lift productivity.
ABANDON NEXT YEAR'S BUSINESS RATES UP-RATING to give firms headroom to repair cashflow diminished by the pandemic.
MORE FREQUENT BUSINESS RATES REVALUATIONS to reduce the huge changes in rates bills that cause businesses problems.
12-MONTH DELAY BEFORE BUSINESS RATES ARE INCREASED WHEN A PROPERTY IS IMPROVED to give firms space to invest.
REMOVE DISINCENTIVES TO GREEN INVESTMENT in the current business rates system.
UPSCALE THE BRITISH BUSINESS BANK’S REGIONAL ANGELS PROGRAMMES to support our growth companies of the future across the UK.
OUR WINS FOR YOU
£1 MILLION ANNUAL INVESTMENT ALLOWANCE EXTENDED to 31 March 2023.
BUSINESS RATES MULTIPLIER FROZEN for 2022/23 financial year.
BUSINESS RATES REVALUATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE EVERY 3 YEARS (rather than 5 years) from 2023.
100% IMPROVEMENT RELIEF FOR BUSINESS RATES 12 months relief from higher bills where eligible improvements to an existing property increase the rateable value.
FROM 1 APRIL 2023 UNTIL 31 MARCH 2035 TARGETED BUSINESS RATE EXEMPTIONS for eligible plant and machinery to support the decarbonisation of nondomestic buildings.
ADDITIONAL £150M FUNDING for the British Business Bank’s Regional Angels Programme.
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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.
CHAMBER NETWORK POLICY WINS
AUTUMN BUDGET AND SPENDING REVIEW 2021
(continued)
WHAT WE CAMPAIGNED FOR
OUR WINS FOR YOU
FUTUREPROOF CAPACITY OF THE BRITISH BUSINESS BANK’S START-UP LOANS PROGRAMME
ADDITIONAL £312M FUNDING
to support the likely rise in the number of new companies following a recession.
EXTEND THE RECOVERY LOAN SCHEME
for the British Business Bank’s Start-Up Loans Programme.
RECOVERY LOAN SCHEME EXTENDED
to sustainable support businesses through the recovery.
for a further six months until 30 June 2022.
GREATER LEVELS OF FUNDING FOR ADULT SKILLS
THE NATIONAL SKILLS FUND BOOSTED
through increasing the National Skills Fund.
with a total investment of £550 million.
MORE BITE-SIZE TRAINING/RETRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
ENSURE ADDITIONAL APPRENTICESHIP FUNDING IS AVAILABLE to maintain access to apprenticeships for SMEs.
SAFEGUARD AND INCREASE FUNDING IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
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PAGE 2 OF 3
QUADRUPLING the number of Skills Bootcamps places.
APPRENTICESHIP FUNDING WILL INCREASE by £170 million to £2.7 billion by 202425.
£1.6 BILLION FOR 16-19 EDUCATION to boost college funding and provide additional classroom hours for up to 100,000 young people taking T levels.
the power to
TRANSFORM
CHAMBER NETWORK POLICY WINS CHAMBER NETWORK POLICY WINS
AUTUMN BUDGET AND AUTUMN BUDGET SPENDING REVIEWAND 2021 SPENDING REVIEW 2021
(continued) (continued)
WHAT WE CAMPAIGNED FOR WHAT WE CAMPAIGNED FOR
OUR WINS FOR YOU OUR WINS FOR YOU
MORE SUPPORT TO GET MORE SUPPORT TO GET ADULTS INTO WORK ADULTS INTO WORK as recommended by the BCC’s
INVESTING APPROXIMATELY INVESTING APPROXIMATELY £10 MILLION A YEAR £10 MILLION A YEAR
Workplace Training and as recommended by Development the BCC’s Commission. Workplace Training and Development Commission.
in Sector Based Work Academies in Sector Based Work Academies
£170 MILLION BY 2024-25 £170 MILLION BY 2024-25
IMPROVE ACCESS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CHILDCARE. CHILDCARE.
to increase the hourly rate to be paid to years to deliver the to to early increase theproviders hourly rate to be paid government’s free hours offersthe early years providers to deliver government’s free hours offers
SPEED UP AND SIMPLIFY THE SPEED UP AND SIMPLIFY PLANNING SYSTEM. THE PLANNING SYSTEM.
£65 MILLION INVESTMENT £65 MILLION INVESTMENT
to support the digital transformation of the planning system. to support the digital transformation of the planning system.
£2.6 BILLION FROM 2020-2025 £2.6 BILLION FROM 2020-2025
INVEST IN ROADS INVEST IN ROADS INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE
to deliver a long-term pipeline of over local road upgrades and funding to50 deliver a long-term pipeline of over local roads maintenance. 50 local road upgrades and funding local roads maintenance.
IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
EXTRA £1.5 BILLION EXTRA £1.5 BILLION
for City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements. for City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements.
Despite several welcome announcements in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review, there was little action to ease staff announcements and supply shortages rising cost pressures. Notwithstanding Despite several welcome in the and Autumn Budget and Spending Review, theresome was positive measures, the changes to shortages the business rates cost system fell some way short ofsome the little action to ease staff and supply and rising pressures. Notwithstanding fundamental reform that positive measures, the businesses changes towere the promised. business rates system fell some way short of the fundamental reform that businesses were promised. The BCC will continue to make the case for measures relieve immediate pressures, particularly on smaller more fundamental reform of business rates and a longer term rebuild strategy particularly on The BCCbusinesses, will continue to make the case for measures relieve immediate pressures, to turbocharge growth post-Covid. smaller businesses, more fundamental reform of business rates and a longer term rebuild strategy to turbocharge growth post-Covid.
PAGE 3 OF 3 PAGE 3 OF 3
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Would you like to become a Chamber member? Get in touch today to find out the many benefits. Tel: 01223 237414 Email: enquiries@cambscci.co.uk
• NEW MEMBERS • Africa Xchange Ltd
Holiday Inn Peterborough West
ATSPACE LTD
Huwawei Technologies (UK) Co Ltd
Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland
Iris & Violet
Class Q
JSM Partners
Connections Legal Management
Potter Space
Cromwell Museum Trust
Radfield Home Care Stamford, Peterborough and Rutland
Evergreen Care Trust
Railpen
Futures for You
Ruddy Raven
GRC International Group
A to Z Energy Solutions offer quality loft insulation to homeowners, landlords and builders throughout Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas. 25% of your home’s heat is lost through your roof. Loft insulation can not only help lower your carbon emissions but is a cost effective way to reduce your bills. www.atoz-energy.co.uk
The Cromwell Museum The Cromwell Museum is delighted to join the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. Located in the oldest building in Huntingdon, we house the world’s best collection of items relating to the 17th century soldier and statesman Oliver Cromwell, telling his story ‘Warts and all’. And no, he didn’t cancel Christmas… www.cromwellmuseum.org 22 connected
Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland Bluebird Care Peterborough & Oundle A locally owned, award winning provider of quality Home Care Services in and around Peterborough, Stamford and Rutland and the surrounding villages and towns. CQC rated outstanding, Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland and Bluebird Care Peterborough & Oundle provide the highest quality of home care, leading the field in customer service. Our services support you to maintain your chosen lifestyle. You keep the control, and we provide you with the home care that you want, where and when you want and need it. Special features: • Home Care • Live-In Care • Night Care • Dementia Care • Home from Hospital Care • Companionship Care • Pet friendly Care services www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/stamford-rutland
welcome
NEW MEMBERS
GRC International Group
Class Q
GRC International group is the holding company for a group of companies, providing a one-stop-shop to help customers source, deploy and/or integrate an appropriate mix of solutions that focus on cyber security and cyber resilience, data protection, PCI DSS, penetration testing, management standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 22301, and Cyber Essentials. Our products and services are designed to give our customers peace of mind by enabling them to: 1. Understand what their legal, regulatory and commercial obligations are 2. Identify the risks that exist in their data protection and cyber security systems and procedures 3. Design and put in place systems and procedures to train their management and employees so that the customer can meet their obligations and address the risks identified 4. Obtain certification such as: ISO/IEC 27001; PCI DSS; or Cyber Essentials. Our head office is based in Ely, on the Cambridgeshire Business Park. https://grci.group
Class Q is an independent planning and architecture consultancy based in Stamford, Lincolnshire. We offer a bespoke consultancy service to landowners seeking to secure planning permission for developments large and small. Whether your site is located in an urban or rural location, our experienced planning and architecture teams work closely with you to achieve your desired outcome. Our planners and project managers oversee the end-toend planning process and work directly with your local authority so that you don’t have to lift a finger. If you have a project in mind, call us on 01780 239181 to arrange a free site appraisal. Alternatively, use our free online Eligibility Checker for instant feedback on your site’s suitability for development.” www.classq.co.uk
Futures for You Futures for You are a Careers Specialist organisation who provide individuals and organisations with qualified information, advice and guidance to help start and progress career journeys. Our organisation can help identify training needs, development opportunities and, in less enjoyable situations, redundancy preparation and support. Our services are generally all fully funded by Government contracts (the key contract being subject to Ofsted inspections) that we hold across the East of England and East Midlands, but bespoke commercial packages can be designed to ensure individuals or organisations have the level of support they need. Our services are here – many just don’t know it! www.futuresforyou.com
Connections Legal Management Connections Legal Management (CLM) act on behalf of statutory undertakers, connection providers and private landowners. We have a vast range of experience in the negotiation, management and legal completion of easements, land acquisitions, wayleaves and consents, associated with new electricity, gas and water connections. We recognise the importance of bridging the gap between landowners, connection providers and the adopting networks and provide effective management, ensuring lines of communication remain open throughout the process and legal agreements are completed without delay. CLM are proud to have worked on some of the most acclaimed sites in the country including the redevelopment of Wembley Park, the Olympic Park as well as the largest commercial, industrial and new residential developments in the UK. www.clm-ltd.co.uk
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chamber
GUEST ARTICLE
Cambridgeshire County Day: Celebrating our county and inspiring the next generation Cambridgeshire is one of the most diverse counties in the UK. From the agricultural flat lands of the fens, to the booming hub of technological advancements and scientific discovery, there is so much to celebrate and inspire future generations. After a hard 18 months for all, and in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Lieutenancy of Cambridgeshire, in partnership with key organisations across the country, has launched the first ever Cambridgeshire County Day, which will showcase the very best from Cambridgeshire businesses, charity, community and public sectors on 23 June 2022 at the July Course, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire. Open to all communities, faiths and cultures that live within the county, the day will seek to inspire young people with an unrivalled display of innovation, ambition, commitment and passion to encourage them to be the best they can be, to raise their aspirations and know that their dreams are possible. Both schools and the general public from across Cambridgeshire will be invited to attend, and it is anticipated that over 6,000 people will be attending the Day. Alongside this, the Day will be showcasing the key achievements in Cambridgeshire during the 70 years of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign. Next year, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, 70 years of service, having acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 at just 25 years of age. There will be year-long Platinum Jubilee celebrations throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world as communities and people come together to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s historic reign. A wide range of events will be arranged across Cambridgeshire to complement a series of national celebrations, with Cambridgeshire County Day being a key event in the calendar. The Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Mrs Julie Spence OBE QPM, Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in the county, says: “I am delighted to announce the launch 24 connected
of Cambridgeshire County Day, a key part of The Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. This is an unmissable opportunity to bring the county together, celebrate all that makes Cambridgeshire so unique, and to inspire the next generation while also reflecting on our amazing progress over the last 70 years.” Together with an exhibition which will showcase the best organisations from across the County, the Day will also involve: networking and hospitality for businesses to enjoy with colleagues, clients or family; demonstrations and performances from bands, choirs and performing arts groups; static displays including tanks, tractors and more; a Garden Party; and racing on the July Course. Chairman of the Organising Committee, Chris Parkhouse, Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, comments: “As well as providing a fantastic experience for businesses, charities and individuals, the event will raise essential funds for the new Regional Children’s Hospital; we are currently the only region without such a facility, so it is desperately needed. We also hope to raise funds for the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation Lord-Lieutenant’s Fund, established to support those with less means to fully take part in county life.” There are a number of options for businesses and organisations interested in supporting, taking part or getting involved with Cambridgeshire County Day: •
e a sponsor: support this once in B a generation celebratory event and raise awareness of your organisation across the county. Sponsorship packages vary in cost and availability and range from being a lead sponsor to sponsoring a race, which includes naming the sponsored race to reflect your current marketing activities; judging the best turned our horse award; access to watch the race from the sponsors’ viewing area and more
• Exhibit: be part of the Cambridgeshire showcase and reach, connect and network with new audiences
Julie Spence • Hospitality: delight your customers with an exciting day at the July Course as part of the unique occasion celebrating the Jubilee. View the sponsorship opportunities here > https://bit.ly/CountyDaySponsorship Hosted by kind permission of Newmarket Racecourses, the majority of the Day’s activity will centre around the Garden Enclosure, which is where the exhibition, demonstrations and performances will take place. The Garden Party and hospitality experiences will be hosted in the Trackside Pavilions, which will offer guests quintessential British hospitality, in stylish surroundings. The Business Lounge at the Champions Lawn will provide a space for meetings with colleagues or customers away from the main exhibition, and includes a private bar and formal landscaped garden, where guests can experience the adrenaline-filled racing. The Lieutenancy is only able to run this event with the support of sponsors that share its goals to create a wonderful, diverse and exciting day. If you are interested in taking part as an exhibitor and/or sponsor, please contact the Cambridgeshire County Day team on: enquiries@cambridgeshirecountyday.org
chanber
GUEST ARTICLE
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chamber supports
CHARITY
Making Christmas magical for children harmed by crime Christmas is coming and most people are busy buying gifts to fill Santa’s sleigh. But Santa needs YOUR help. He has a special wish list of presents from children facing terrible trauma because of crimes they have experienced. These children have told us one gift they’d really like and Santa is hoping YOU can ensure they get it. Dear Santa 2021 is run by Peterborough-based charity Embrace Child Victims of Crime (Embrace CVoC) based in Copse Court, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough. Each child chooses a gift up to £35 which is made available for the public to buy on Embrace’s website. Embrace CVoC, works with children who have been harmed by crime. Their mum, dad, brother or sister might have been unlawfully killed. Some have experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse or have been traumatised by domestic abuse. Police and safeguarding professionals refer them to Embrace for support. Chief Executive of Embrace CVoC, Anne Campbell, said: “Some children we support have never had a Christmas present before. This is your chance to sprinkle some Christmas magic. When you buy a gift you’ll be giving a child a reason to smile on Christmas Day.”
To buy a gift visit www.embracecvoc.org.uk/dear-santa-2021
Record-breaking eBay ‘gem’ brings in a cool £1,650 for EACH A “hidden gem” tucked in a pile of eBay items has earned a record-breaking £1,650 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). The Nikon Super CoolScan LS-9000 ED 35mm +120/220 Medium Film/Negative/Slide Scanner was donated to the charity’s shop in Market Place, Bungay. It was listed by EACH’s eBay team on 30 September. Ten days and 16 bids later, it was snapped up for an amazing £1,650. Bethany Watchman, an EACH E-Bay Sales Assistant based in Thetford, said: “This item is our highest selling item to date, beating our previous record of a mini grand piano which sold for £1,020. “It was tucked away in our pile of scheduled items from shops, so was quite the hidden gem and went for an incredible price.” The eBay team are hoping for more success in terms of selling cameras and photographic accessories. “We have a brilliant volunteer who has an expansive knowledge on this subject,” she said. “We’ve definitely seen an increase in profits because of it.” EACH cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions, and their families, across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. The charity has developed a thriving retail sector which is an essential funding stream to keep care services running. As well as increasing income and physical shops, the charity has focused on growing its online presence. 26 connected
It has a popular eBay store which has seen a threefold increase in income since its launch in 2016. Following the achievement of a new record turnover of £243,889 in 2019/20, the shop took income of £311,131 in 2020/21, despite being closed for three months due to lockdown. The store sells items across the world and has even sold clothes donated by EACH Ambassador Ed Sheeran.
Chamber Charity of the Year
Anna’s Hope is the leading children’s brain tumour charity in the East of England. We are committed to giving hope to children and young people diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Every penny Anna’s Hope receives from those who raise money for our charity goes to helping children and young people with brain tumours.
https://annas-hope.co.uk
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Ashtons Legal assist on formation of multimillion pound oat processing plant A multidisciplinary team from Ashtons Legal has recently advised Camgrain Stores Limited in relation to their involvement in a new multi-million pound, state of the art, oat processing plant in Northamptonshire.
members on this exciting project which will meet the ever increasing demand for oat ingredients which we all use in our dayto-day lives.”
The other parties involved in the creation of new entity Navara Oat Milling Limited were Frontier Agriculture Limited and Anglian Maltings (Holdings) Limited. Along with Camgrain Stores, the plant will be owned and run through the new Navara Oat Milling brand. The Kettering plant, which has already started to be constructed, will be the largest, most modern oat-processing facility in Europe. Expected to complete in 2023, it will produce oat ingredients for the food and drink industry. Advising Camgrain Stores on the venture were partners Paul Whittingham and Geoff Hazlewood from Ashtons’ Corporate and Commercial Team. They were ably assisted by partner Simon Cunningham from the firm’s top-tier Agriculture & Estates Team. Paul Whittingham said: “Myself and the team at Ashtons’ are delighted to have assisted Camgrain and their co-operative
The Cambridge donates extra £160k for local charity grants “The grants we have already awarded are having an impact on the lives of local people. We are committed to ensuring we do everything we can to support a range of community groups and charities who face increasing challenges at this time.” Four local charities have so far been awarded grants – homeless accommodation service, Cambridge Cyrenians, charitable housing association, CHS Group, support centre, Wintercomfort and Disability Huntingdonshire, which provides advice and support for older people. The Society launched its charitable fund in September 2020 with an initial £500,000 made available through its participation in the Dormant Assets Scheme, a UK Government programme that enables financial institutions to use dormant funds for the public good.
The Cambridge Building Society has donated a further £160,000 from dormant accounts to provide grants to local charities that support homes and housing. The additional funds mean The Cambridge Building Society Community Fund’s grant pot now has more than £650,000 available for local charities to apply for. Chief Executive, Peter Burrows, said: “We are delighted to top up our fund with additional money to support charitable groups committed to helping vulnerable people with their housing needs. 28 connected
The Fund can be accessed via a twice yearly grant application programme, which awards up to £10,000 to charities, community groups and organisations operating within a 15 mile radius of The Cambridge’s branch and store network. It is just one of a number of initiatives in the ‘Making The Difference’ community programme - the Society’s commitment to find new ways to help people have a home, and to work with the community to support those who offer services for shelter and housing. The Cambridge was one of the first building societies to sign up to the Dormant Assets Scheme and has since been advising others who want to undertake similar projects.
news from
CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS AREA
DOMINO UK ACTIVITY WEEKEND RAISES FUNDS FOR CHARITIES Thirty one Domino UK employees and their families took part in the virtual event, travelling the equivalent distance between the company’s sites in Bar Hill Cambridgeshire, Liverpool and Stirling. Over the two days, a combined total of 655 miles and 144 hours of activity were clocked up. Not only were the participants promoting well-being and health, they also raised a total of £1,300 which was match-funded by Domino to give a total of £2,600 to be shared between the MS Society and FND Hope which supports those with Functional Neurological Disorder. Both charities were close to the heart of two former Domino employees who have been diagnosed with the conditions. Rachael Satchwell, Head of UK Sales at Domino, said: “This was an inspiring initiative which allowed staff from all our UK sites to take part with their families. Not only did it provide an incentive to get out and exercise in the fresh air, it also raised valuable funds for two important charities. We hope to make it an annual event.”
UKs first Cleantech Cluster celebrates 10 years The COP26 United Nations climate change summit in Glasgow has emphasised the importance of working towards a greener future, and the opportunities for innovators and investors in the sector. Cambridge Cleantech is helping to turn this strategic ambition into reality on the ground for the future of the planet.
The pioneering centre for environmentally friendly technology in the UK, Cambridge Cleantech, has marked its tenth birthday with a call for more companies to join its multi million pound pan-European success story.
Since its founding in 2011, Cambridge Cleantech has helped ground-breaking start-ups and entrepreneurs raise more than £135 million in backing, seen £26 million invested in climate friendly technology through collaborations with corporates, and saved 216,000 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere a year.
Martin Garratt, CEO of Cambridge Cleantech, said: “After 10 years promoting climate technologies, it is heartening to see the cleantech sector at the top of the political agenda. There has never been a more urgent time to support the cleantech sector and we will continue to play a pivotal role in bringing climatefocused innovators, corporates, investors and academics together. The solutions are already there, they now need to be implemented, and while we are pleased that political leaders have made a commitment to cutting emissions and accelerating the phasing down of coal, it is crucial that these agreements translate into firm action if we are to have any chance of staying within the 1.5C target.”
New Strategic Land Manager joins This Land Dominic Bryant has joined housebuilder This Land as Strategic Land Manager. He will be joining the company’s Land Team in an appointment that reflects the planned, structured growth of the company. Previously Senior Surveyor at multidisciplinary property consultants Bidwells, Dominic has a wealth of experience in the acquisition and promotion of land for residential development. His previous role saw him act on behalf of landowners in relation to the sale of land
as well as developing and undertaking disposal strategies, monitoring strategic land promotions and acting on behalf of developers to acquire strategic sites. His role at This Land will see him lead on specific land projects including the acquisition of sites for potential development. He will assist with strategic land promotions and purchases, through to sale or development by This Land. He will also assist with sites where This Land will act as master developer. connected 29
news from
CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS AREA
A fresh start for the Alliance Française Cambridge Our charitable organisation Alliance Française Cambridge has had a bit of a makeover! After 10 great years at 60 Hills Road, we have moved to new premises at 1 Red Cross Lane, not far from Addenbrooke’s. With our new modern premises we remain ready to continue our mission to serve the heart of cosmopolitan Cambridge This new beginning is perfectly timed in a year which is all about coming back together. The Alliance Française Cambridge opened the new academic year on 4 September, welcoming French learners from 3 to 89 years old. The teaching team is complete, and ready to
support members new and old alike. A full course of Covid friendly events is currently being put together where we look forward to meeting old friends again and will be delighted to welcome new Francophones and Francophiles. Next year we will celebrate our 40th anniversary in Cambridge. Stay tuned for news of how we plan to celebrate this milestone. In today’s world, fluency in a foreign language is increasingly expected, especially in a multilingual city like Cambridge, so, whether you’re planning a week in Montreal, a weekend in Paris hoping to (re)discover Maupassant, keen
Guardtech Cleanrooms – the total controlled environment package How the controlled environment all-rounders are catering to every aspect of their clients’ critical needs. 2021 has been quite a year for Guardtech Cleanrooms – and things are set to get even better over the coming 12 months for the multi-faceted modular masters. The Suffolk company have been providing their turnkey construction services, modular cleanroom builds, CleanCube portable cleanrooms and ISOPOD pop-ups at sites all over the UK, with concurrent 400sqm and 150sqm projects currently underway for Grade C and Grade D cleanrooms in Cambridge and Sevenoaks respectively. Guardtech provide a surprisingly comprehensive array of furniture and equipment options to all their clients – from cleanroom grade chairs, sinks and cabinets to biological safety cabinets, laminar flow units and transfer hatches. Commercial Manager Daisy said: “Our stainless steel frame Trespa top workbenches have proved incredibly popular this year – due to their outstanding quality level at really competitive prices, and that’s a good example of the sort of item we’re providing in large numbers for many of the jobs we take on. “With the pandemic and all the associated PCR testing, we’ve had to provide a huge number of biosafety cabinets for firms looking to protect their staff and their businesses. “This is only going to grow over the next year as we get our teeth into another jam-packed construction schedule.”
to talk about Lupin during your lunch break, helping your children with their French studies, or simply trying to brush up on the basics, we are the ideal partner to accompany you step by step as you progress towards your goals. You may have French-speaking friends, a francophone partner or even a French grandmother. Wouldn’t it be great to surprise them with your French skills? More than 550 people have already taken the plunge this year and become members of the Alliance Française Cambridge – why not you? With l’Alliance Française Cambridge, it’s easier than you think!
Stone King rated a top law firm by The Times Cambridge law firm Stone King has once again been recognised for its expertise in both education and charity law by its inclusion in The Times Best Law Firms 2022 list of top 200 legal practices in England and Wales. The firm has been included since the list’s inception in 2018. The renewed listing follows top rankings in the latest Legal 500 and Chambers independent directories. The annual list is compiled independently and based on peer review. Alison Allen, Chairman and Head of Private Client at Stone King, said: “It means a lot to us that our colleagues in the legal profession have been consistently recommending us for our expertise. We thank them and are proud of the level of skill, knowledge and experience of our people across all our specialist fields of education, charity and social enterprise, business and private client and we always strive to provide the best service we can for our clients.” The current list, published on 4 November 2021, has been compiled independently based on more than 4,500 respondents, recommending who they consider to be the best firms in respective legal fields. The firms that achieve the most votes are included in the list of top 200 legal practices in England and Wales. Checks are in place to prevent respondents voting multiple times or for their own firm. connected 31
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news from
ELY & EAST CAMBS AREA
King’s Ely celebrates 50 years of being co-educational In 1970, King’s Ely admitted girls for the first time in its 1,000-year history – a move which made headlines across the land. To commemorate 50 years of being co-educational, (well, 51 years now but the school was unable to celebrate properly last year due to Covid-19 lockdowns), King’s Ely hosted a wonderful event recently where some of the first girls to join the school were invited back to take a trip down memory lane. King’s Ely was delighted to welcome back Gaye Hayes (nee Corcoran), Jocelyn Howell, Marilyn Small (nee Reid), Lisa Casey (nee Allpress), and Cheryl Warin. The ladies – also known as the “first girls” – were given tours of King’s Ely’s buildings and campus, where they were able to reminisce about their days at school, and see how much has changed since they left, including the purchase and renovation of the Old Palace.
Roy Wood, Mark Southwell, Marc Hawes and Rosie Holliday; and Heads of School, Ted Pepper and Eleanor MacGillivray. Speaking about the event, Mr Attwater said: “It was wonderful to welcome back these pioneers from a hugely important part of our school’s history, perhaps the moment more than any other which set us on the path to being the modern, excellent and forward-looking school we are today. Everyone at the reunion was Other guests at the event included partners of the “first girls”; Hubert Ward, who was Headmaster at King’s Ely from 1970 until the testament to their King’s Ely education and how King’s has always provided a foundation for interesting, diverse and happy lives.” early 1990s, and his wife; former teachers Bridget Pope and Angela Humphries; Mrhalf and page Mrs Attwater; several members1 of 19/11/2021 the Old CCCI Ad - 184x130 artwork.pdf 17:58Today, King’s Ely educates more than 1,000 students aged 2-18, just under 500 of whom are girls. Eleans Committee, including Kim Charter, Mark Wilkinson, King’s Ely’s Archivist, Elizabeth Stazicker, organised a fascinating display of archives and press cuttings from when girls first joined the school, which was followed by afternoon tea in the garden at Queen’s Hall, which is the home of King’s Ely’s Principal, John Attwater, and his family. The event concluded with Evensong at Ely Cathedral.
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Do you have come exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237424 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk
OBE for Services to International Trade Stuart Gibbons, Managing Director of Le Mark Group Ltd, share his OBE story that he received by HRH The Princess Royal on October at Windsor Castle. On 2 December 2020, I was first advised that I had been ‘approved’ for an OBE by the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood based in St James Palace London. I was also informed that my name and nomination would be passed to HM The Queen for final Royal approval and confirmation! You can imagine my absolute shock to have received this information by an email! Apparently 2020, due to Covid-19, was the first year ever that emails had been used for official correspondence of this type. At first, there was total disbelief as I had never sought any recognition for doing the job I have loved and enjoyed for nearly 40 years. I have always been a passionate exporter, knowing that the UK must export to survive and flourish. As a committed DIT Export Ambassador, I enjoy encouraging new and existing SME exporters to take the international challenge. After sharing my shock and talking to my export team, it started to dawn on me the amount of work that had been done behind the scenes. Karolina Wlodarczyk, Head of Export had been approached in strictest confidence by the Chancery office back in March 2020. Being ‘sworn to secrecy’ she had been asked to provide a history of my exporting career alongside my community roles by researching Le Mark records. The nomination had in fact been submitted by the
Department of International Trade who had set the official wheels in motion. I must pay tribute to Karolina Wlodarczyk who kept the secret and did all that the Chancery asked her to do over a period of months, completely without me knowing! David Earp – International Trade Advisor for DIT was also a part of the ‘conspiracy of secrets’ acting as liaison for the DIT when they sought more information regarding my career. In all honesty, I do not believe my OBE nomination would have progressed without their commitment, professionalism, and diligence, and I am exceedingly grateful for all they did.
Award wins for Wyboston Lakes Resort Wyboston Lakes Resort’s team have been recognised in the Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) highly sought-after miaList 2021, which recognises inspiring and exceptional individuals in the business meetings and events industry. Simon McMahon, General Manager for Venues, and Linden Beattie, Hotel General Manager, both members of the resort’s senior management team, were recognised as the Best Events and Operations Team. The pair were key to getting the business ready for reopening after lockdown, launching the
resort’s comprehensive Covid Policy, running a Government Pilot event, and engaging and training staff to bring them back from furlough. Rachel Bradshaw, the Resort’s Front of House Manager, was also recognised in the list. The judges said that Bradshaw was an “unbelievable asset to the business particularly during the pandemic. She has shown resilience, adaptability, kindness, ceaseless energy and enthusiasm for her role and for her venue. Her maturity, integrity, and capability in making decisions shone through for the judges; she has without a doubt showcased her future potential within the sector.” Wyboston Lakes Resort has also won an important award at the IACC’s annual Europe Festival of Knowledge, a major international event for the meetings and events industry across the continent. The Bedfordshire resort won the IACC Better Tomorrow Service Week Award of Achievement. Steve Jones, Managing Director of Wyboston Lakes Resort, commented: “To gain this high recognition from IACC, a prestigious international organisation, in the company of events professionals and venues across Europe is a wonderful honour and a superb testament to the skills and commitment of our team.”
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news from
HUNTINGDONSHIRE AREA Living Sport’s new chairperson brings wealth of experience to the charity Sports and physical activity charity, Living Sport, has appointed prominent Cambridgeshire businessperson Frazer Bennett as its new chairperson. Frazer is the Chief Innovation Officer at PA Consulting, a Cambridge-based innovation and transformation consultancy, and he will provide advice and expertise to support Living Sport, building on the work of outgoing chairperson Simon Morris. Speaking about his appointment, Frazer said: “Living Sport is one of the most dynamic and busiest Active Partnerships in the Eastern region. “I have been inspired by the people working within Living Sport and the purpose they have to improve the health, happiness and wellbeing of people across Cambridgeshire. “The charity has had considerable impact over the course of the pandemic working with some superb delivery partners. I want to make sure Living Sport complements that strength of partnerships by opening up relationships with other organisations.” Living Sport provide support to people and organisations across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough that deliver, influence, and inspire others to be active. The charity received significant funding support from Sport England to the network of Active Partnerships, to help them to deliver their strategy ‘Uniting the Movement’. Additional partners include local authorities, educational institutions, and the health, voluntary and private sectors. As an expert in the fields of technology and innovation, Frazer
was at the forefront of the UK Government’s Ventilator Challenge – a response to the Covid-19 pandemic by rapidly building and delivering the much-needed equipment to the NHS frontline. Chief Executive at Living Sport, Simon Fairhall, said: “We are delighted that Frazer is Living Sport’s new chairperson. “Frazer is a hugely experienced businessperson with very strong ties to the Cambridgeshire area. His knowledge and strategic expertise will be of tremendous value as we both maintain and develop our work to improve the health and wellbeing of people across the county.”
Local business beating the Christmas rush St Ives-based company CBS Group has been helping its customers breathe new life into their homes in time for Christmas. The firm and its sister companies offer a wide range of services including cleaning (CBS Cleaning), waste management (CBS Waste) and removals (CBS Removals).
Gutter cleaning has been a popular autumn service while many customers are expecting visitors this Christmas and have been booking in carpet and upholstery cleans.
CBS Waste and CBS Removals to help them.
Customers having pre-Christmas clearouts or moving house prior to 25 December have been also been calling on the teams from
For more information visit cbs-group. org where you can find links to all the businesses under the CBS umbrella.
CBS Group is expecting a busy year ahead helping commercial clients with office fit outs, refurbishments and dilapidations.
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IT Naturally celebrates its 2nd Birthday IT Naturally was born from the demise of Tour Operator, Thomas Cook. Our CEOs, Julie and Richard worked for the Group when they went into administration.
infrastructure without anything going down! To then re-size it for 5k employees rather than 23k, yet again without breaking anything.
One of the internal airlines knew it had to go it alone to survive. They approached Julie and asked her to set up a company to run their IT infrastructure services. Within a month of Thomas Cook collapsing, IT Naturally was registered with Companies House, she had set the ball rolling to launch a business that needed the skill and expertise of a large enterprise.
Within just two months lockdown hit, all employees were sent home from the office, but IT Naturally continued to go from strength to strength.
Julie decided to find a business partner, together they recruited a Leadership Team, and within three months a team of experts and its first client was signed. The aim of the business was to hit the ground running, take over a fragile IT
IT Naturally now has 31 members of staff, several accreditations including ISOs and Cyber Essentials and Investors in People – Silver. Our IT Managed Services are also available on government and public sector frameworks having successfully complete G-Cloud 12 and TS3. We were proud to be able to develop an app for one company to help their team get vaccinated quickly.
This year we have really focused on who we are as a company and what makes us different. We are human-centric, dedicated, and playful. We are inclusive and caring; take ownership of everything we do and we’re light-hearted and bring good humour to our day. That is reflected in what we do. We empower our customers’ business by looking after their IT infrastructure because IT comes naturally to us. We love turning a challenge for them into something simple and manageable. Our proudest moment this year has been gaining full marks in our Net Promoter Score. “We are so incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and we are looking forward to the next two years as we continue to grow.” Richard Gardner, CEO, IT Naturally
DSM Group acquire managed services provider EasyLifeIT EasyLifeIT, founded in 2008 has built an excellent reputation for the provision of premium on-demand Managed Services. DSM Group’s CEO, Mike Richardson said: “The fit with DSM is perfect, whilst both EasylifeIT and DSM operated in each other’s sectors, and did it well, the route to enhancing their offerings could really only be achieved by a united front.” Mike went on to say: “Joining forces will enable the delivery of a refined and wider range of premium services, nationally and internationally, our five year vision is to make a number of strategic acquisitions, further solidifying DSM’s market position.” 36 connected
EasylifeIT’s Director and Founder, Lindsey Hall said: “EasylifeIT’s success has been built around its unique Help Desk model and proactive systems management. Joining the DSM Group not only provides the resource to continue growing this exceptional service, but also allows for EasylifeIT to bring to its clients the vast array of cloud services and expertise that DSM has to offer. “I’m excited to be part of this new adventure, as Group IT Director I look forward to developing, enhancing and combining, for the benefit of our clinets, the services of both DSM and EasylifeIT.”
news from
PETERBOROUGH & STAMFORD
Cross Keys Homes retains highest possible rating from Regulator Cross Keys Homes (CKH) is delighted to announce that it has retained the highest possible rating from the Regulator of Social Housing, who have confirmed that CKH retains its rating of V1 for viability and G1 for governance. G1 means CKH meets the Regulator’s governance requirements. V1 means CKH meets the Regulator’s viability requirements and has the financial capacity to deal with a wide range of adverse scenarios. The news is particularly welcome in the currently challenging times. CKH adapted to the pandemic and focused on the welfare of its resident and
employees. Its Be Kind fund ringfenced £1.2m on supporting residents through the worst of lockdown, enabling them to purchase white goods, laptops for home-schooling and household items for those moving from short stay accommodation into their permanent homes. It moved to delivering food and medicines and adapting the support it offers to the most vulnerable to be done in safe way. Despite the challenges faced by the construction industry, CKH still managed to build 290 homes and a further 35 through its joint venture, Medesham Homes. CKH retains ambitious plans to build 500 affordable
homes for shared ownership and rent each year. Claire Higgins, Chief Executive of CKH, said: “I am very proud that we have retained this rating despite all the challenges of the last couple of years. It really is down to the hard work and talent of our employees, and their commitment to getting it right for our residents. It also highlights that we are a sound business for our investors and stakeholders and gives them the confidence in our business approach to risk. We are continuing to work with some amazing partners to change even more lives and communities for the better in the future.”
New Volunteer Coordinator joins the Peterborough Cathedral team Charlotte Amato-Gauci has joined the team at Peterborough Cathedral as their new Volunteer Co-ordinator. Charlotte’s full-time role will see her recruiting volunteers to help with tower tours, gardening, serving in the Cathedral shop (which is set for an exciting relaunch in the coming months) and assisting with a packed programme of events. Inclusivity is integral to the Cathedral’s Vision and Values and Charlotte will be working with a wide range of people to encourage them to become Cathedral volunteers. She will also be liaising with businesses looking to arrange a ‘volunteering day’ for their staff, perhaps as a team building exercise or as a way of giving back to the community. Charlotte brings a great deal of experience to the role having worked with members of the community in her clinical job at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon, where she led a team of staff to achieve their full potential. She is keen to support volunteers to do the same. Canon Tim Alban Jones, Vice Dean of Peterborough, said: “We are delighted to welcome Charlotte to the team and excited about the skills and insights she brings with her. Volunteers play such a vital role in the life of the Cathedral and we simply couldn’t manage without them. We hope that they, in turn, gain valuable friendship, skills and experience from us and we look forward to Charlotte being able to offer these opportunities to a wide variety of people”.
work the volunteers do. If you are thinking of volunteering at the Cathedral, we really do have such a variety of opportunities to get involved in. Our team love developing their knowledge of the history of the Cathedral, using their skills, working with and meeting new people, all the while knowing that their work is needed and valued.”
Charlotte Amato-Gauci said: “I have had such a wonderful welcome to Cathedral life from all of our staff and volunteers, so I am confident that any volunteers who come forward would get a similar reception. I look forward to promoting the inspiring
To find out more about volunteering opportunities at Peterborough Cathedral, please get in touch with Charlotte Amato-Gauci via volunteer.coordinator@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk or call 01733 355315. connected 37
New adventure for Opportunity Peterborough Agency (EEDA), and English Partnerships (latterly the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA)). Around 2010/2011 the regional development agencies, including EEDA, were closed and replaced but Local Enterprise Partnerships, and the HCA’s remit changed, leaving Peterborough City Council as the sole shareholder.
Tom Hennessy Many people will be aware of Opportunity Peterborough’s work to drive economic growth in the city but the company, whollyowned by Peterborough City Council, is about to embark on an exciting new adventure. Tom Hennessy, Chief Executive of Opportunity Peterborough, shares their plans for the future and his ambition to really put Peterborough on the map. Opportunity Peterborough started as an urban regeneration company in 2005. Urban regeneration companies were established to tackle large scale master planning and regeneration projects and Opportunity Peterborough played a significant role in major schemes such as the removal of the Corn Exchange building from in front of St John’s church in the city centre, and the regeneration of Cathedral Square. Back then the company had three major shareholders – Peterborough City Council, the East of England Development
Many local authorities closed their urban regeneration companies down but Peterborough City Council continued to invest into Opportunity Peterborough whose remit changed from urban regeneration company to economic development company. One of the key activities Opportunity Peterborough was tasked with was promoting the city to attract more inward investment in the form of businesses looking to expand into, or relocate to, Peterborough in order to drive jobs creation in the city. Opportunity Peterborough works closely with planning departments, location consultants, accountants, chartered surveyors, developers, and the Department for International Trade in order to secure such investment and has delivered an impressive track record in this field. In 2020/21, Opportunity Peterborough supported the creation of 700+ jobs, injecting an additional £21m into the local economy and providing a return on investment of about £150 per £1 currently invested in Opportunity Peterborough by Peterborough City Council. And this is before the cost of construction, and the uplift in business rates received by the council is taken into consideration. Building on this fantastic record, Opportunity Peterborough has now taken responsibility for the Visit Peterborough website and social media channels. Instead of focusing purely on attracting new investment, Opportunity
Peterborough will now be taking a broader, place marketing approach to the promotion of the city, encompassing inward investment, visitor economy, business tourism, and talent attraction.
So what is it that makes Peterborough such a great city? First of all, Peterborough is a city of opportunity, whether that be to raise a family with its high rates of good and outstanding schools, affordable housing, green spaces, and plethora of activities; to start a business in the fastest growing, most entrepreneurial city in the East; or for you to reach your potential with its study opportunities, buoyant jobs market. Many people only know Peterborough as a ‘new town’, given its designation and rapid expansion in the late 60’s and early 70’s, but the city is steeped in history and nothing could be further from the truth. Due to the preserving nature of the surrounding fenland area, Peterborough is home to some of the finest examples of Northern European bronze-age settlements and artefacts in the world, discovered at sites including the 3,500 year old Flag Fen and Must Farm, also known as ‘Britain’s Pompeii’ for the richness of preserved materials including the 3,000 year old Must Farm boats. Peterborough also has a fine, 900 year old cathedral that has seen its fair share of drama having been ‘sacked’ by Hereward the Wake, for its own good of course, and having been the burial place of two queens. Mary Queen of Scots was briefly buried at the cathedral before being moved to Westminster Abbey, and Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife (and one true love it is said) remains buried there to this day inspiring very many Spanish tourists to make the pilgrimage to visit and lay pomegranates on her grave. Later the city became known as an important logistics hub on the burgeoning railways, and from the late 19th century and for much of the 20th century, Peterborough was the UK’s leading producer of bricks, infamous for its hardwearing Fletton brick. Today Peterborough is a fast-paced, ambitious city. It is the second fastest growing city since the turn of the century; it has the fastest growing economy on the East of England; it was recently named the 4th most entrepreneurial city in the country; and a report from the Centre for Economic and Business Research predicts Peterborough will be one of the fastest growing economies of 2021.
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community, to give students the broadest range of skills they need to succeed and to give businesses the employees they need to hit the ground running.
And to those of us who know the city, it’s good to hear, but not too surprising. Peterborough’s star is in the ascendance. It has always been well placed logistically, sitting on primary North-South and EastWest routes, and now it is only 39 minutes to central London by train – closer to London than half of London. Coupled with its digital infrastructure, being one of the first Gigabit Cities in the country, and affordable land and property, Peterborough has seen a boom in inward investment in the last few years, especially in the manufacturing and logistics sectors.
This is all fantastic news for residents and businesses alike. A vibrant and resilient economy is essential for our businesses to be able to grow and to provide a variety of high quality, well paid, secure jobs that will enable residents to maximise their life chances, to achieve financial security at the very least, but ultimately provide them with fulfilment and enable them, and challenge them, to reach their full potential. Of course, in order to take advantage of these opportunities residents will need the skills demanded in order to compete. After many years of discussions, we are now seeing the new university, ARU Peterborough, coming out of the ground on the embankment. Opening in 2022 to its first cohort of 2,000 students, ARU Peterborough will expand over the next decade to host 12,500 students at full capacity. ARU Peterborough will be a university designed from the ground up as a university for the 21st century. From its sustainable and flexible study environments to the nature of the delivery of its courses, much of which will be vocational, embedded in the local business
If we are lucky enough to love what we do for work then we are blessed indeed. But even then work and study aren’t the only things in life. Peterborough’s leisure, heritage, and cultural offerings are endless with something for everyone. From Flag Fen, the museum, cathedral to Burghley House; from rowing, cycling, sailing to rugby, football, and martial arts; from bars, clubs, and restaurants to the Nene Valley Railway, RailWorld, Ferry Meadows, and the countryside that inspired the great poet, John Clare; from the best stand-up comics to classical music recitals; from TruckFest to world famous horse trials, a multitude of festivals, and the largest beer festival outside of London - you’re spoilt for choice in Peterborough. And right now you can enjoy an exciting calendar of spectacular, weird and wonderful street performers in the city centre in the run up to Christmas, and from December this year until May you will be able to enjoy an evolving exhibition of some of the world’s best street and modern artists at the Peterborough Museum, including multiple pieces from Banksy, Damien Hirst, Kaws, Pure Evil and more. And this is before we start talking about the £22.9m the city has secured from the Towns Fund in order to kick start its £600m regeneration programme, the £20m it has secured to build the universities ‘Living Lab’, the cutting edge R&D centre being brought forward by Photocentric and ARU Peterborough, or the potential relocation of the football club creating a new, state of the art multi-purpose venue for the city. Peterborough has a lot to be proud of right now and the future is even brighter. Opportunity Peterborough sees it as a great privilege and a great responsibility to be entrusted with putting the city’s best foot forward, changing people’s perceptions of the city both within and without. We look forward to working in collaboration with everyone who wants to see the best for our great city, and to welcoming ever more guests with whom we can share it with.
photo credit Chris Maines-Beasley
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chamber
GREEN NEWS
Business and Governments must unite to hit net zero target A new survey by the British Chambers of Commerce has revealed how challenging net zero targets will be to hit unless governments work with businesses across the globe on making the transition. More than 1,000 businesses, including some from the BCC’s International British Chamber Network, took part in the survey to understand what steps they are already taking to reach net zero and what support would encourage them to further reduce their carbon footprint. It found most businesses were either unaware of or were not taking steps to get involved in key net zero strategies. These included the impact of changes to food supply chains (93%), a ‘Just Transition’ to net zero (93%), or the use of ‘nature-based solutions’ (89%) It also highlighted that businesses want to see capital grants and tax allowances to support them to make the transition. A previous BCC survey from July that found although most firms were taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint, only one in 10 currently measure their carbon footprint, falling to just one in 20 for microbusinesses.
SURVEY FINDINGS The latest data also highlight the divide between larger and smaller businesses, with only five per cent of firms with less than 10 employees carrying out an assessment on potential net zero changes to food supply chains, compared with 10 per cent of firms with more than 50 staff.
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Firms of all sectors and sizes overwhelmingly said that either capital grants or tax allowances would do most to support them to reduce their carbon consumption in the long-term, with 61 per cent citing either of those options as the single most effective type of support. Businesses based outside the UK were also most likely to cite tax allowances as their preferred type of support. The latest data survey also gave an indication of which of the UK’s 10 key priorities for a green industrial revolution were most important to them. It found that 39 per cent recommend prioritising ‘protecting our natural environment’, while 34 per cent favoured ‘greener buildings’, 33 per cent ‘delivering new and advanced nuclear power’, 33 per cent ‘advancing offshore wind’, and 32 per cent ‘driving the growth of low carbon hydrogen’. Reacting to the findings, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “Everyone is aware that the target of reaching net zero by 2050 is extremely challenging but of historic importance. “There is a real danger that smaller businesses will get left behind unless politicians and business leaders come together to galvanise action. “The steps a High Street hairdresser must take to get to net zero will be very different to those needed for a farmer or those of a component manufacturer. “Larger firms need to help smaller businesses within their supply chains to adapt and adjust. The BCC has developed
a Net Zero hub, in partnership with O2, to provide businesses with a one-stop shop on everything they need to know about setting Net Zero targets. “Chambers are also working with their members to help them develop their plans to become carbon neutral. “Politicians, for their part, must find ways to help business help themselves, especially smaller firms concerned about extra costs and red tape if they want to adopt green technology and practices. “What we are still lacking is much of the detail. There needs to be both carrot and stick for firms to make the change. We need to know how businesses will be supported to switch from gas boilers, when electric vehicle charging points will become commonplace, how our freight systems will be decarbonised and our energy sources diversified and stabilised. “Inevitably, how we pay for all of this is a big question. The ambitious transition to a carbon neutral economy will put a huge strain on public sector finances in the years to come. “The pandemic means many firms are still struggling to get themselves back on a sustainable footing and cannot currently bear additional tax rises that will further squeeze their cashflow.” The Chamber has a Net Zero page on our website offering support on starting you Net Zero journey www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/ net-zero
chanber
GREEN NEWS
Technology is a major driving force in the ability to manage climate change DSM has been an advocate of climate awareness for many years and has sought to apply and innovate in pursuit of reducing the carbon footprint of not only itself but that of its clients too. As suppliers of IT/Cloud services we recognise the importance of providing solutions that are eco-friendly and sustainable. Every business uses IT, and more and more are doing so by way
of remote means (‘the Cloud’). Cloud services are notoriously carbon heavy; DSM has a determination to reduce the carbon hungriness of its Cloud offerings, and in the process, assist its clients with reducing theirs also. DSM are committed to exploring and implementing all avenues of carbon reduction, with an aim to attain overall net zero by 2025.
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WHAT’S KILLING YOUR GROWTH PLANS?
Growing your business can be just as, if not more difficult than, creating it. It’s unpredictable, cash intensive and full of obstacles that can stop your growth in its tracks. But regardless of your industry and however niche your product or service is, there are four common challenges that frequently occur – all of which can remedied with focused strategy, effective financial management and a willingness to change. 1. Not having enough money Few things are more disheartening than the inability to grow because of finances. But without the money to increase production, hire more people or invest in and pilot new strategies, there is no room to expand. Two things to help? One… get support you need to build and confidently present a solid value proposition for equity investors that will give you the flexibility and time you need to hit your financial stride. Additionally, are there other ways you could be generating finance, like R&D tax credit, debt funding, or crowdfunding? And two… identify what opportunities are available in the region for grant funding to help you invest in new development, expert services or equipment (freeing up your cash to use as working capital). 2. Not knowing your audience and market Our audiences and their expectations have evolved, and that evolution has accelerated because of the pandemic. What do your customers now need? And are there prospects in the market who could need you, but just don’t know it yet? Have you got access to real-time data to inform and back up your strategies and understand your customer base? It’s also worth taking note of your competitors. What are they doing to capitalise on trends, or have they implemented new processes to make repeat business easier? Without taking time to investigate and build these strategies, your growth could come to a stand-still.
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3. Not thinking about your people The dream of a totally flat organisation is over as it’s impossible to give people the attention they deserve as you rapidly grow. Without implementing appropriate measures, you could risk spending much of your time in reactive management mode and triaging issues that will inevitably affect your retention of high-performing team players. What ways are you making sure you retain talent? And what strategies have you got in place for finding the right people to join your team in the short- and long-term? Start thinking about how you’re branding yourself as an employer, review your HR processes and training schemes and keep asking the question: “What makes us so great to work for?” 4. Not investing time in developing your leadership You’ve made excellent decisions to get where you are now, but leading a growing business can be tiring, isolating and with the numerous challenges you face on a day-to-day basis, there will be issues that you just don’t know what to do. Seek advice, be supported, and gain insights from other people’s experience. Make sure you have a clear vision and be supported in experimenting and solidifying strategies that will help you get there. It will also help you motivate your team in sharing your ambitions. These aren’t the only things that can kill the growth of your business, but we know your ultimate goal is to develop a successful and efficient company that creates impact, and is filled with talented people who love their job. Doing the work now will help you get there. Good news is, Growth Works can support you with all of this (and for absolutely no cost). Growth Works support growth ambitious and high growth business to unlock and accelerate their growth. Get started at www.growthworkscoaching.uk/get-started to book in your first consult.
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Construction
NETWORK
Construction Network returns Over 50 people attended our first Construction Networking Lunch since lockdown in Peterborough last month where delegates heard from Ashley Shorey-Mills, Head of Sizewell C Supply Chain Engagement at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce. Plans to build Sizewell C, a new nuclear power station, are currently being considered by the Government. The project, planned for the Suffolk coast, is key to help the country reduce its carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and EDF have partnered to build a robust local and regional supply chain to ensure the East of England benefits from this once-in-alifetime economic boost. Ashley explained that to do this, the Sizewell C Supply Chain Team is asking interested companies from across all sectors to join the supply chain and create a legacy for this region. The project is an exciting opportunity for businesses to recover and thrive after the hardships of the past few months and a chance put the region on the front foot for large scale energy infrastructure projects in the future.
Sponsorship and speaking opportunities Our Construction Network consists of networking events alternating between Peterborough lunches and Huntingdon breakfasts. The Construction Network brings together businesses and professions associated with development, property and construction from across the Cambridgeshire area. It allows opportunities to informally network, discuss issues relating to their businesses and make new connections. As a sponsor of these events your organisation is profiled during the promotion of the event and you have the opportunity to present to an audience of 40+ businesses at the event. Sponsorship £250.00 (plus VAT) 44 connected
The package includes: - Your company logo on the event promotion - Your logo on the event page of the Chamber website including a link to your own website - Three free places to attend (ie staff, speakers, invited guests) - 15 minutes speaking slot - Company banner stand displayed at the event - Your company literature provided to delegates. If you are interested in sponsoring a future Construction Network event please contact Zoe McCabe Brennan z.mccabebrennan@cambscci.co.uk or call 01223 237414.
KEEP CONNECTED #ChamberNetwork
CHAMBER MEMBERS SAVE 50% ON ADVERTISING RATES The official magazine for Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce members puts you in touch with people you want to do business with. Content includes expert opinions, local business success stories, Chamber events and features key strands of Chamber membership – Connect, Export, Inform, Promote, Protect and Transform. Our new rates are affordable for everyone. CHAMBER RATE Quarter page £50.00 Half page £100.00 Full page £200.00 Back page £300.00 Inside front £300.00
NON-CHAMBER RATE Quarter page £100.00 Half page £200.00 Full page £400.00 Back page £600.00 Inside front £600.00
All prices are plus VAT Save 10% when you book 3 or more editions. To place an advert please contact Sadie Parr: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk
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chamber
Many Chamber events are still being held online but we are working on a programme of face-to-face events to get our members connected again. Please see our website for the most up-to-date event listing.
EVENTS
Chamber events January – March 2022 JANUARY Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Informal Networking Evening Art & Soul Huntingdon 5.00-6.30pm
New Year, New Connections Turing Locke / Hyatt Centric Cambridge 4.00-7.00pm
20
21
22
23
27
28
29
30
Informal Networking Evening Poets House, Ely 5.00-6.30pm
Safari Networking Breakfast Marriott Hotel, Peterborough 7.45-10.00am
17
18
19 Informal Networking Evening The Crown Hotel, Stamford 5.00-6.30pm
24
25
26
31
FEBRUARY Monday
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 2
Thursday 3
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
4
5
6
10
11
12
13
19
20
26
27
HR & Recruitment Sector Online Webinar 10.00-11.00am
7
8
9
Informal Networking Evening Poets House, Ely 5.00-6.30pm
Safari Networking Breakfast TBC Stamford 7.45-10.00am
Informal Networking Evening Hunts FA, Huntingdon 5.00-6.30pm
14
15
16
17
18
Informal Networking Evening TBC Peterborough 5.00-6.30pm
Informal Networking Evening Quy Mill Hotel & Spa, Cambridge 5.00-6.30pm
Construction Networking Breakfast TBC Huntingdon 8.00-10.00am
23
24
25
21
22 Safari Networking Breakfast TBC Cambridge 7.45-10.00am
28 * Sponsorship opportunities available 46 connected
* Comedy Night Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough 6.00-11.00pm
chamber
Many Chamber events are still being held online but we are working on a programme of face-to-face events to get our members connected again. Please see our website for the most up-to-date event listing.
EVENTS
MARCH Monday
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 2
Safari Networking Breakfast Holiday Inn Peterborough West 7.45-10.00am
7
14
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
4
5
6
10
11
12
13
19
20
26
27
HR & Recruitment Sector Online Webinar 10.00-11.00am
8
9
* International Women’s Day Peterborough Cathedral 9.30am-1.00pm
Informal Networking Evening TBC Huntingdon 5.00-6.30pm
15
16
17
18
Informal Networking Evening TBC Stamford 5.00-6.30pm
Informal Networking Evening Cambs FA, Histon, Cambridge 5.00-6.30pm
Construction Networking Lunch TBC Peterborough 12.00-2.00pm
22
23
24
25
29
30
31
Informal Networking Evening Poets House, Ely 5.00-6.30pm
21
Thursday 3
Safari Networking Breakfast TBC Huntingdon 7.45-10.00am
28
* Sponsorship opportunities available NEW YEAR, NEW CONNECTIONS Thursday 13 January, 4.00-7.00pm Turing Locke / Hyatt Centric Cambridge
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Tuesday 8 March 2022 Peterborough Cathedral
We are delighted to welcome Julie Spence OBE QPM, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, as our guest speaker.
Come along to our charity event New Year, New Connections, held across two beautiful Cambridge city hotels for business networking and a showcase of environmentally sustainable hospitality.
#BreakTheBias is the theme of the 2022 International Women’s Day.
Further details will be announced as they are confirmed on the Chamber website and social media channels.
We’re delighted to be hosted by Turing Locke and Hyatt Centric Cambridge for this New Year, New Connections event, who will provide drinks and canapes at their environmentally sustainable hotels in Eddington. Start the new year by making new connections and taking the opportunity to have a tour of the hotels, see the facilities available plus outstanding examples of environmental stewardship. Cost: £5.00 (including VAT) per person The ticket price will be donated to Anna’s Hope, the Chamber charity of the year.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias. Peterborough Cathedral will again provide the setting for a morning of inspirational speakers, networking and debates. International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Previous events have been a sell-out with over 100 business representatives and 6th form and college students. We look forward to another engaging and inspiring event!
Huntingdonshire Wednesday 27 April, 10.00am-3.00pm Burgess Hall, St Ives Build new connections, promote your products and services and be inspired by a programme of guest speakers and speed networking. 2x2m stand: £125.00 (plus VAT) Chamber and FSB members. £175.00 (plus VAT) non-members Sponsorship opportunities available for this event. For more information, please contact Zoe at z.mccabebrennan@cambscci.co.uk Organised in partnership with the FSB
To speak with a member of the Chamber team regarding events and training, please contact Zoe McCabe Brennan, Events Co-ordinator, on 01223 237414 or email z.mccabebrennan@cambscci.co.uk connected 47
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