FEBRUARY 2014
DRIVING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE
CAMBRIDGESHIRECHAMBER.CO.UK
Charity Challenge
Y POLICTE UPDMAPLOYMENT
&E SKILLS NIFESTO MA
CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS FOCUS: WELCOME NEWS FOR LOCAL HOSPICE
36
PAGES OF YOUR BUSINESS NEWS AND STORIES
PLUS
HOT SEAT: TIM JONES, ALLIA ASK THE EXPERT: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
FEATURE
SOLUTION FOR REDUNDANT OFFICES
OFFICIALOCTOBER AWARD | CONNECTED 1THE 2012 WINNING
MONTHLY MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2013 — DUE FOR COMPLETION IN DECEMBER 2013
— 30 minutes from Cambridge SatNav PE28 4WX — 1 hour from London
savills.co.uk
01223 347 000 01733 344 414 Alconbury Enterprise Campus Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 4WX
CONTENTS |
Inside this issue 6
5 6-11 12-15
6-11
18 22-23
12-15
19
Chief Executive’s Comment Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber News Peterborough Chamber News
16
Ely Chamber News
17
Fenland Chamber News
18
Huntingdonshire Chamber News
19
Cambridgeshire Chamber News
20-21
Events
22-23
Out & About
25 26-27
Ask the Expert: Intellectual Property In the Hotseat: Tim Jones from Allia
28
Policy Update
29
Chamber Updates
30
Update from the LEP
32
Charity of the year
34
High Street or Internet
35
Solution for Redundant Offices
36-37
New Members
39-41
Sector Updates
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 3
| EDITOR’S COMMENT
Contributing this month...
Welcome We are delighted by the support of our members that help us shape and produce our monthly magazine to make each edition informative and full of news. Please do keep your articles coming through and share your stories with fellow Chamber members. It is your contributions that help us to create CONNECTED. As well as submitting good news there are opportunities to appear on the Ask the Expert page or you can submit an informative feature article and appear as a contributor. Alternatively submit a high-res photo and caption for the Out & About pages to show us what you’ve been up to. If you would like details of copy deadlines, word count limits or to be considered for the feature articles please do get in touch by emailing me at s.parr@cambscci.co.uk There are also a range of advertising opportunities for those companies who want to promote their products and services. A media pack is available on our website or we can email a copy to you. We look forward to sharing your news and successes during 2014.
Terry Lucking Belvoir Peterborough and Cambridge Managing Director/Owner of a residential lettings company.
Ian MacKellar MacKellar Consulting A freelance journalist with a background as business editor for a local newspaper.
Oliver Halls Method Creative Recent English graduate and journalist working for a local creative agency.
Do you follow us on Twitter? Sadie Parr Editor, CONNECTED, s.parr@cambscci.co.uk
We regularly tweet Chamber news; follow us at @CambsChamber to be kept up to date with all the latest news.
DRIVING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE Chief Executive John Bridge OBE | Editor Sadie Parr | Creative Director Jillian Boys | Designer Alex Uglow Publisher methodcreative.co.uk | Future Business Centre, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2HY | 01223 781220 | Print cambridgeprinters.co.uk Disclaimer Views expressed in CONNECTED are not necessarily those of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions. The editor reserves the right to make amendments without notification. Membership Development Officer Peter Watts 07545 697799 or Bren Coleman on 01223 209811 Cambridge Enterprise House, The Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9ZR. Tel 01223 237414 Peterborough 6 The Forum, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6FT. Tel 01733 370809 Email enquiries@cambscci.co.uk | www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk
@CambsChamber Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce
4 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
Our editorial panel: We would also like to thank Chamber members responsible for shaping the key topics this month and researching these features to better serve the readers of CONNECTED in this edition.
Advertise in CONNECTED and reach more than 7000 potential customers every month! Contact Lorna Hopkins on 01223 781220 or email lorna@methodcreative.co.uk
Prices start from as little as £75
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S COMMENT |
Get
Connected
WITH the latest results of our Quarterly Economic Survey showing unrivalled confidence amongst businesses in Cambridgeshire, it’s been an exciting start to the New Year for business owners and economists alike. The Q4 2013 survey, which was completed by over 8,000 businesses across the UK, found that all the major key balances for both the manufacturing and services sectors were stronger than their long-term averages, and most are higher than their 2007 pre-recession levels. Economists at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) believe that on the basis of these results, GDP growth for Q4 2013 could hit 0.9 per cent, and possibly higher full-year growth than projected in 2013 and up to 2.7 per cent in 2014 may follow. Of the members from our Chamber that completed the survey, 96 per cent reported that UK sales had increased or remained the same during Q4, 100 per cent experienced increased or stable export sales and 100 per cent were forecasting improved turnover over the next 12 months. Sometimes amongst all of the hype, forecasts and political differences, it’s easy to forget that it’s the efforts made right here on the ground that have the most impact on successful business growth. It’s the ideas we shape, the risks we overcome and the relationships we nurture that make a real difference to business confidence and our potential to succeed. That’s why all of us here at the Chamber have pledged to help more of our members ‘Get Connected’ during 2014. We’re stepping up our #ChamberNetwork campaign on twitter, helping companies
to interact with businesses that they can engage with and build new relationships with online. Meanwhile we’ve already kicked off our events programme for 2014 with the introduction of Simply Networking, a new one-hour speed networking session that does away with breakfast and gets straight down to the more structured introductions to help widen your business network. It may seem a lifetime away but this summer we’ll also be hosting a season of special Summer Social events, designed to get your team out of the workplace, enjoying informal opportunities in the summer sunshine with others to build new relationships that we hope will bring long-lasting positive results for your business. I know that by working together and helping as many of your key personnel as we can to ‘Get Connected’ with others from across the Chamber Network, we can support all our members to transform their positive projections for 2014 into a reality. With my best wishes for a really successful year in every way.
John Bridge OBE Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce
It’s already been an exciting start to the new year
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 5
| CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS
Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber NEWS
Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce
Welcome news for local Hospice Arthur Rank Hospice Charity received news in December that Cambridgeshire County Council has agreed to lease the charity a piece of land to build a new hospice.
more than £7m is needed to build the new hospice
The hospice at home service cares for around 40 patients per month
THE charity intends to build a hospice which is not only of inspirational design but will also be particularly energy efficient. The land to be leased by Cambridgeshire County Council at Shelford Bottom, opposite the Gogs Golf Club, will provide a green and tranquil landscape. The new hospice will have 24 beds (currently there are only 12 specialist palliative care beds) but also care in the community, providing a hub and spoke approach to care across Cambridgeshire. Peter Northmore Associates are project managing the build and have run a robust procurement exercise to appoint the design team, which comprises: the Norwich architects LSI, M&E engineers Hoare Lea, structural engineers Hannah Reed, cost advisors Faithful and Gould and CDM coordinators Peter Dann. The charity is also waiting to hear the outcome of the £800 million procurement for Integrated Older People’s Pathway and Adult Community Services, as it is hoping to be the
6 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
sub-contractor delivering specialist palliative care in Cambridgeshire. Dr Lynn Morgan, CEO of the charity, acknowledges that these are two challenging pieces of work for the organisation but points out that coming together as they do, it also creates the opportunity to expand and reshape the care provided. There is also an opportunity to expand the amount
The team of nurses offer palliative and end of life care
of education and research provided by the charity and the NHS. The charity hopes people will be referred to the hospice at a much earlier stage in their illness and by receiving support and care earlier will be able to carry on with their normal lives for longer. Although the charity is expanding the inpatient services it will continue to support the very successful hospice at home service, which is now caring for around 40 patients a month who choose to die in their own homes. The charity needs in excess of £7 million to build the new hospice which replaces the current facility. It is, and will continue to be, the only adult hospice in Cambridgeshire. They have already raised £4.7 million and are actively seeking to secure the balance from grants, trusts, corporate, individuals and the wider community. Anyone interested in donating should contact lynn.morgan@arhc.org.uk. n
CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS |
Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk
120 years for Cambridge Solicitors SOLICITORS Miller Sands are celebrating 120 years of service to the city, and are proud to be the oldest unmerged firm in Cambridge. There have also been some key changes at the firm, with the retirement of Julian Landy after 18 years and the appointment of Siôn Hudson as partner along with William Cowell, and Emma-Jayne Sheehan as Head of Property. Miller Sands passionately provide a personal service to all their clients, whether they are buying a house, going through family difficulties, bereavement or undertaking inheritance planning. They have also launched a brand new website to help clients navigate their way through the modern maze of legal issues. n
(Left to Right) Siôn Hudson, Emma-Jayne Sheehan, Will Cowell
Abcam link up with BlinkPipe GLOBAL life science company Abcam has adopted Cambridge technology BlinkPipe to extend the availability of HD video conference meetings beyond their existing boardroom-based Polycom system. Having outsourced some software development to India, Abcam wanted to conduct daily stand up meetings between the UK and India via video conferencing. However, there was limited availability of the Polycom systems. “Skype video was usually too small and poor to be useful. Setting up, who is going to call whom, was also a nightmare,” explained Ed Ralph, CIO. ”I just wanted to flick a switch and see the other team. The cost structure of BlinkPipe made for a low barrier and the ease of use was a no-brainer,” n
Giving away prompt payment discounts? You’re leaving money on the table. If you are offering generous discounts as an attempt to get your customers to pay on time then we can help. Our professional & highly skilled credit control team will help you get paid on time and for less than your discounts are costing you. Cash flow is the life blood of any business so why not start 2014 on a positive note? Give us a call today and let us show you how we can help your business succeed.
0845 225 1145 BlinkPipe technology in use
Try it for free Not convinced that we can save you time and money? The first 10 Cambridgeshire Chamber Members to apply can take up a risk-free trial. Try our service for two months. At the end of the trial period you only have to pay us what you think it was worth. To secure your trial call us before 28/02/14 quoting CCOM14 FIR CH ST 10 A ME MBER M TO BERS APP LY
www.mycreditcontrollers.co.uk
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 7
| CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS
Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber NEWS IN BRIEF FEBRUARY 2014
A round-up of news and events from across Cambridge & South Cambs
Homerton Conference Centre launch new product
Doctor recognised with award Dr David Zideman, Director of Clinical Operations at the East Anglian Air Ambulance, has been awarded a Gold Medal by The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) in recognition of his highly distinguished career. Tim Page, Chief Executive of EAAA, said: “These honours bestowed upon David Zideman are truly deserved and I offer our hearty congratulations.” Gail Norfolk with Tine Roche
Strategic talent acquisition to ensure ongoing success We understand what makes a strong team and can help you build for the future. Founded more than 30 years ago, we understand the needs of both growing and established companies. Our attentive and personal approach gives us a distinct advantage as an independent agency. Trust us to be your recruitment partner. Call us today on: 01223 350234 Or email: jobs@annpettengell.co.uk
annpettengell.co.uk
8 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce
HOMERTON Conference Centre has joined forces with the Cambridge Cookery School to offer team building. Gail Norfolk, Sales & Marketing Manager, commented: “When researching a new approach for Team Building the answer was literally staring me in the face. The winner of the UK’s Best Cookery School in 2013 is just a scone’s throw away, an existing client and next door neighbour. “Cooking together is a fantastic way to build teams and forge closeness. This combination has created a gastronomic triumph.” n
Planners give green signal for Cambridge’s new rail station PLANS for a new rail station at Cambridge Science Park are on track after planners agreed the proposals in December. The new station will transform train travel to one of Cambridge’s main business areas including the Science Park, St John’s Innovation Centre and the Cambridge Business Park. This key project will create a transport hub which joins up rail, bus services, cycling and pedestrian facilities. The new station will be on the main line between Cambridge and Ely and is expected to be served by direct trains running to London Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Norwich and King’s Lynn. The station received huge support at public consultation with 90 per cent of respondents supporting the proposal in principle. The Council can now move onto the construction phase of the project which is expected to open in December 2015. Cambridgeshire County Councillor Ian Bates, Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning, said: “This new station will provide fantastic benefits for the people of Cambridgeshire, providing a transport interchange linked to the Busway. It will boost economic growth and improve access to the business area of Cambridge as well as the new Northstowe development while linking to Huntingdonshire and Fenland. Delivering this station has been a long term goal of the County Council and we have been innovative in working with Government and the rail industry to bring this forward and fund it.” n
CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS |
Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk
Local gym benefits from million pound investment NUFFIELD Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre has undergone a £1.1 million pound investment. The work has enhanced every aspect of the Centre with a particular emphasis on the healthcare charity’s aim to promote preventative healthcare. The installation of a new clinic, which includes health assessments carried out by doctors, physiologists, physiotherapists, and nutritional therapists, means members of the Centre are able to access professional health treatment under one roof. The Centre also benefits from a new steam room, sauna and poolside showers. The gym also had an overhaul with an upgrade of the reception area has been complimented by a new café bar. n
i-Tech ink system
£4m of charity bonds issued for new business centre DOMINO UK’s coding and marking technology has been highly commended for its sustainable qualities at a major industry awards ceremony. The Bar Hill based company received the honours for the i-Tech ink system in the A420i continuous ink jet printer at the recent British Coatings Federation (BCF) awards dinner. The i-Tech system, which is designed and manufactured in the UK, is a revolutionary new service-free ink system which delivers ultra-low make up usage, lower customer running costs, reduced waste and positive environmental impacts. Entries in the Sustainable Innovation category were judged principally on the reduction in environmental impact that has been achieved between January 2010 and July 2013, as a result of a specific innovation in product, process, packaging or service design. Sandy Shattock, Domino’s Corporate Responsibility Manager said: “We were thrilled to be Highly Commended in the Sustainable Innovation category for our i-Tech ink system in the A420i printer. Sustainability is high on the agenda at Domino and it’s great that our achievements have been recognised by these prestigious awards.” n
WANT TO INcreAse yOur brANd’s vIsIbIlITy?
Seize the opportunity to showcase your business through sponsorship busINess AWArds seekINg spONsOrs NOW • ely standard, 3rd October • Fenland enterprise, 10th October • Hunts post, 31st October
“These awards highlight the greatest achievements of our vibrant and inspirational business community.” John bridge Obe, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce
For more information, contact Ashleigh Jackson Tel: 01438 866081 email: ashleigh.jackson@archant.co.uk
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 9
1197_ERDF_Connect_Advert_190x267_AW03.pdf
1
08/11/2013
13:31
SMART MONEY FOR BRIGHT BUSINESSES C
M
Y
Our ÂŁ5.24 million scheme is now open to SMEs and start-ups within or serving the medical technology, assisted living and telehealth sectors.
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
See if you qualify for a package of free support and even a cash grant to take your business idea further, faster.
Just call us on: 0845 196 4205 Find out more at: medtechcampus.com Delivered across the East of England by:
CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS |
Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber NEWS
A round-up of news and events from across Cambridge & South Cambs
Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce
Ridgeons raise £6,000 for East Anglian Air Ambulance RIDGEONS proudly raised £6,000 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) through a variety of fundraising efforts during 2013. As a result of the unprecedented support received from employees and customers across its 25 branches, Ridgeons is extending its support for the charity during 2014. PR Director Gordon Ridgeon said: “The total that Ridgeons as a group has so far collected for the EAAA is fantastic and we are genuinely astounded at the level of support our employees and customers have so very kindly given in helping us to achieve this. We are looking forward to continuing our association with EAAA during 2014.” Barbara McGee, Fundraising Manager, said: “Working with Ridgeons has been a delight. Their support has not only included the fantastic efforts in their many and various activities, but they are also displaying ‘Proud to support EAAA’ posters on their vehicles, and featuring us on their website. This level of support is so very generous and we deeply appreciate the way Ridgeons have embraced EAAA so completely!” n
Ridgeons present EAAA with a cheque from one of the fundraising events
From printing to planting! Victoire Press have signed up to the Carbon Capture scheme in association with the Woodland Trust. In November Tony Elliott and Dominic Summers wrapped up warm to support Woodland Carbon in their mission to create, protect and restore native woodland. Companies pulled together to plant 1,500 trees – 70 of those planted by Tony and Dominic! n
Martin, Richard, James and Andrew celebrate their promotions
Moving up at Prospect Research CAMBRIDGE business development consultancy, Prospect Research, is pleased to announce four internal promotions. Andrew Blackburn has been promoted to Senior Account Manager, overseeing their work for government clients. James Lepper has been promoted to Senior Account Manager, overseeing their work for IT clients. Richard Gray has been promoted to Account Manager, focusing on their business services clients. Martin McCarthy has also been promoted to Account Manager, focusing on their financial services clients. n Tony Elliott, Director, and Dominic Summers, Account Manager
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 11
| PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS
Peterborough Chamber NEWS
A round-up of news and events from across Peterborough
Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
Cross Keys Academy student success
Academy students with their certificates
ThE first cohort of students from Cross Keys Academy were presented with their certificates in December. The 10 students all successfully completed their level one vocational training in care and employability work skills. The course is run by the housing association’s care service, Cross Keys Care, in conjunction with City College Peterborough.
The course consisted of two weeks intensive training in all aspects of care, followed up by work experience and shadowing experienced care workers. All the students are jobseekers engaged with Cross Keys homes’ Working 4U programme. Claire higgins, Director of Operations at Cross Keys homes, said: “We would all like
Solicitors receive top ranking hUNT & COOmBS Solicitors have received top rankings in The Chambers & Partners UK 2014 guide. Crime, Family, Private Client and Real Estate were all given a Band 1 ranking, the highest possible, by the editors and researchers employed at the Chambers UK head office in London. The report said: “henry Anstey remains a firm favourite among clients. Sources Praise him for ‘demystifying the process’ of trust creation, and say ‘he knows his onions!’.” Senior Director Denis White said: “It’s an honour to once again be recognised by Chambers & Partners.”n Denis White
12 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
to congratulate these students on all their hard work. The Academy is a really exciting development for Cross Keys Care and will help us to recruit fantastic staff for the future. It is also a further demonstration of our commitment to helping our tenants and others around the city, to develop the skills needed to help them into employment.” n
Hedley attain ISO27001 hEDLEY Solutions Ltd is delighted to receive the ISO27001 Information Security management Standard which fully compliments the Quality management and Environmental Accreditations already in place. Alan Tuohy, Chairman, commented: “This standard ensures our clients have complete confidence in providing us with information and/or data, secure in the knowledge that it will be managed safely and confidentially at all times. The implementation of the ISmS standard has enhanced the quality of services to our clients.” The company is also working towards ISO18001 OhSAS standard which will provide them with the full set of internationally recognised standards for the management systems of the company encompassing quality, environmental, information security and health and safety. n
PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS |
Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk
Award recognition for leading lawyers ROYThORNES Solicitors have received an Investors in Education award from the Education Business Partnership in recognition of their commitment to working with young people. The awards are presented to a select number of employers who have gone above and beyond what is required of them to offer amazing work experience, transforming work experience into work inspiration for young people from across the region. Roythornes were nominated by Spalding Grammar School for the way they have looked after their pupils whilst on work experience. Ann Barrasso, Operations and Support manager, said: “We are delighted to receive the award, it is fantastic to be recognised for the work we do for young people and the
community giving them an opportunity to help achieve their ambitions. “It is very rewarding to hear accounts from young people who had benefited from work experience and how their confidence has grown as a result of being welcomed into a workplace and being given real tasks to do.” n
Ann Barrasso, centre, collects the award
Sign makers innovate their way to award success
IN BRIEF FEBRUARY 2014 Product innovation boosts business for IT firm Local IT firm Kamarin Computers are currently very optimistic after an influx of business which was the result of a decision by a national software provider. Sage, providers of accounting software UK wide, recently announced the discontinuation of their Sage EPOS solution, ‘Paypoint’. however, thanks to their innovative electronic point of sale ‘KCPOS’ solution which integrates with a host of branded accounting software packages including Sage 50 and Sage 200 - Kamarin Computers have been able to support a range of partners and customers nationwide who, up until now, supplied Sage Paypoint. managing Director Neil Bedford explained: “These developments have seen our sales increase 30 per cent in the past three months, not to mention an increase in applications to become accredited gold partners, and we’re confident of similar results in the foreseeable future. This has provided a healthy boost for the company on the back of an already successful 2013.”
Anne Hitch, Signs Express Peterborough, with Sales Director Tony Marsh
SIGNS Express (Peterborough) were proud winners of the Innovation award at the Signs Express convention held in November. The Peterborough sign makers fought off strong competition from the nationwide network of over 70 other Signs Express centres and were delighted with their win. The Innovation category called for entrants who had demonstrated innovation in terms of a product solution or ways of working.
Signs Express (Peterborough) entered their work with the The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). They purchased their own Vision 2448 engraver with automatic braille inserter and in three months the centre was an expert in braille and tactile manufacture. This dedication to help their client and finding a solution, however challenging, led the judges to present the sign making centre with this award. n
Danny Gill and Neil Bedford
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 13
Affordable and Accessible Learning for Business Leaders matched funding from the Growth Accelerator service. You will also gain the services of a dedicated business coach to help transfer the learning into the business to achieve rapid, sustainable growth. *subject to criteria
Anglia Ruskin University has an established reputation for delivering work based programmes that reflect the diverse needs of businesses. Over the past few years, our work with corporates and SMEs and extensive sector based consultation, have resulted in an award winning suite of programmes. These offer practical knowledge that can be readily applied to real business situations, together with tools to build leadership ability, growth and impact. Designed for you Anglia Ruskin and GrowthAccelerator have worked together to bring you a unique offer. If you are an owner manager of a successful small business or a senior manager with strategic responsibility for a company and wish to enhance your own or your team’s experience, knowledge and leadership capabilities, through management education, then you may be eligible* to apply for
Courses include • Uni Dip Leading Business Change • Uni Dip Leading Business Development • Cert HE Charity and Social Enterprise Management • PG Cert Leadership and Management • MA Leadership and Management These courses have been pre-approved as eligible for the ‘Leadership and Management’ match funding offer available to members of the nationwide GrowthAccelerator programme. This can be offset against up to £2000 (per participant per company) of recommended leadership and management education undertaken by a member of your senior management team. As part of the GrowthAccelerator service, SMEs will also benefit from dedicated business coaching to transfer the learning back into the company thus achieving visible impact.
These courses are part time and flexible, owing to their fully online delivery via the university’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). For the University Diplomas there is the option for tutor support through the University Centre Peterborough or tutor supported online study. Further details can be found at www.anglia.ac.uk/growthaccelerator
To find out more, including fees, entry requirements and start times contact Think Peterborough on 0845 196 6709 or visit www.thinkpeterborough. anglia.ac.uk.
Education for your Business With Think Peterborough you can gain: • Accredited qualifications for your workforce • Accelerated staff development • A flexible, earn-while-you-learn approach • A freshly motivated team • Access to academic expertise From NVQ through to Masters courses, we can help equip your workforce and your business - with the skills to prosper.
www.thinkpeterborough.anglia.ac.uk
Call: 0845 966709
Email: thinkpeterborough@anglia.ac.uk
PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS |
Peterborough Chamber NEWS
A round-up of news and events from across Peterborough
Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
Larkfleet Homes works with school to raise funds for African community hOUSEBUILDER Larkfleet homes helped Bourne Abbey Church of England Primary Academy to raise money for an impoverished community in Nyansakia Kenya. Each year the school holds a ‘Nyansakia Day’ for local group Friends of Nyansakia and pupils take part in fundraising activities. This year one of the activities included producing drawings, sculptures and other art. The artwork formed a public exhibition hosted by Larkfleet homes at its Abbeyfields show home earlier this year. members of the public were invited to vote for their favourite piece of art and for every vote cast Larkfleet donated £1.00 to the Friends of Nyansakia. All proceeds from ‘Nyansakia Day’ at the local school were added to Larkfleet’s contribution and in total £840.00 was raised. Larkfleet marketing Director helen Jones visited the school for a special assembly where she presented Larkfleet’s contribution to Friends of Nyansakia treasurer Terry Westwood and handed out prizes to three pupils who produced the artwork that
received the most votes from the public. Larkfleet homes managing Director Karl hick said: It is a pleasure to help this excellent local school raise funds for the community
of Nyansakia. The artwork produced by the pupils was of a very high quality. I hope that Larkfleet and the school have the opportunity to work together again in the future.” n
Terry Westwood from Friends of Nyansakia (second left) and Larkfleet Marketing Director Helen Jones (second right) with teachers and pupils from Bourne Abbey Church of England Primary Academy
Accent on Security (AOS) celebrate latest SIA ACS score AOS has been celebrating its latest SIA ACS score, which increased from 158 to 163 following its recent audit. Rog hatlem, CEO, commented: “We are delighted with the results which keep us firmly within the top one per cent of SIA ACS accredited security companies. 2013 proved a difficult year for the security industry we have been actively involved in a number of new projects and 2014 looks set to be a very promising year. We have researched how AOS is perceived; the results have been very encouraging and endorsed our belief that AOS can provide security excellence and that quality remains an important factor when purchasing security.” AOS has set a growth plan for 2014, which will increase the turnover of the business considerably and the company is already well on its way to achieving its target. n
Buckles triumph AFTER smashing their fundraising target in 2012, Buckles Solicitors set themselves an even bigger target to reach in 2013, with the aim to raise over £2,000 for their Charity of the Year, the NSPCC. After spending the year growing a mini garden, building the tallest tower, baking the best cake and throwing the perfect plane, Buckles accomplished their target raising a total of £2,394.98. Every month staff took part in a different child or green themed activity paying £2.00 to enter, the most popular activity being The Buckles Great Green Bake-off in may where staff were challenged to bake a green themed cake. Cakes entered were then sold to staff at the Peterborough office. In addition to the monthly challenges, staff also took part in a table football tournament, a silent jewellery auction and a sponsored leg wax. The leg wax itself raised just under £200 to go towards the total fund. n
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 15
| ELY CHAMBER NEWS
Ely Chamber NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Ely
Business Centre Celebration and Fundraiser
IN BRIEF FEBRUARY 2014 Gowing and Hunt design Kier Construction’s new premises Gowing & Hunt were appointed to work with the Kier construction directors and senior management team to design the new mechanical and electrical services required their office. Work involved the installation of new LED lighting, power, data and domestic water services. The existing four pipe fan coil system, ventilation control installations were modified to suit the new office layout.
Ely Chamber of Commerce
STIRLING House Business Centre in Waterbeach celebrated an incredible first year in business in November and raised £796.30 in aid of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity which was doubled to a fantastic
Stirling House
£1592.60 by the Barclays £ for £ challenge. The drop-in champagne reception was organised and hosted by Hayley-Su Hostead, the proprietor of Jazzy Bean, the in-house cafe at Sterling House. A delighted Aisha Hunt, Community Fundraiser for the Hospice, commented: “This is an exciting way for businesses and organisations to come together and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has participated.” Stirling House has just welcomed IT provider Atos into the building and Aspire Recruitment Core Solutions are also set to move in. n
It’s electrifying
SIGN UP FOR FREE
CHALLENGE... Your Colleagues Your Friends Your Self
A free Electric Bikes loan scheme for employers was launched in September by Cambridgeshire Travel for Work (TfW) Partnership. Grovemere Property were first to take up the scheme helping to encourage staff to travel by bicycle for commuting and business trips. Anyone working at Lancaster Way Business Park was able to benefit and David Austen of Michell Instruments got involved. David said: “I used the bike regularly for commuting to work, for shopping and longer trips for exercise. It was a pleasant experience, I got to work faster, often faster than in a car, and got some exercise at the same time.” n
Join the WORKPLACE CHALLENGE today at workplacechallenge.org.uk/ cambridgeshireandpeterborough
David Austen, Michell Instruments
16 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
FENLAND CHAMBER NEWS |
Fenland Chamber NEWS
Fenland Chamber of Commerce
A round-up of news and events from Fenland
College host international guests THE College of West Anglia Principal, David Pomfret, recently welcomed Paivi Kalliomaki, Pia Karppela and Tommi Neuvonen from Kouvola College in Finland. The three representatives visited to observe and gain further knowledge regarding how to promote apprenticeship schemes and their benefits within the workplace. The Finnish guests were highly impressed with the standard of apprenticeship delivery and the two colleges have now formally cemented an Exchange Programme to commence during this year. It is expected that the College of West Anglia will send several electricians,
plumbers, carpenters, security and Cultural and Heritage Venue Operations apprentices to Finland while there will be several health and social care, engineers and security students arriving from Finland during the early part of this year. n
IN BRIEF NOVEMBER2014 FEBRUARY 2013 B2B Cashflow Award for Elgoods Solutions expand Wisbech Three more brewers associates Elgood have & Sons recently are joined B2B Cashflow celebrating yetSolutions another award taking –the thistotal number time for to one 19. of their draught ales. Karlthe At Lanham, Campaign Associate, for Realsaid: Ale “These Norwich appointments Beer Festival, their give ‘Harry us a greater Trotter’regional won a coverage Gold Award and indemonstrate the Stout & Porter the continued section growth and theninwent the independent on to win Silver commercial in the finance winners. overall sector.” B2B Cashflow Following on from Solutions awards have gained also been nominated by their bottled for the beers thirdearlier year running in the for the Business year this wasMoneyfacts an exciting Awards additionintothe category their trophy of Best cabinet. Commercial Broker.
David Pomfret (right) with Yorien de Boer, Netherlands exchange student and guests fromMetrix FinlandAdvert The Eastern Director 135mmx92mm_Layout 1 08/06/2012 16:45
Knocked for Six When the International Cricket Council were looking for a safe pair of hands to catch their chauffeur transport commitments during this summer’s ICC Champions Trophy 2013 they again chose Pinnacle – who incidentally covered their ICC World Twenty20 Tournament requirements in 2009. Importantly, for such an event, there was a great deal of pre-planning and Pinnacle devoted as much time as was needed to the client so everyone was clear of the itinerary and able to flex with the changes. Pinnacle used the greater portion of its chauffeurs at some point or another to cater for the various VIP transport needs between the three host cities of London, Cardiff and Birmingham, as well as inbound airport collections and final departures. “Obviously proud to be once again chosen by the ICC to fulfil these important transport needs – we were most pleased we were able to undertake every last minute change and addition,” remarked Carole Langley from Pinnacle Chauffeur Transport. For the ICC, Shirley Rattray added: “The professionalism of Pinnacle’s management and chauffeurs really shone through at every stage and was noted by many of us – thanks for all your help!” n
making marcomms more measurable
At Metrix we believe that marketing should deliver measurable results if you agree get in touch to find out how we measure up.
Tel: 01733 564 906 Email: info@metrixmarketing.co.uk
www.metrixmarketing.co.uk
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 17
| HUNTINGDONSHIRE CHAMBER NEWS
Huntingdonshire Chamber NEWS
IN BRIEF
A round-up of news and events from Huntingdonshire
Solo Cup offere work experience to A level student
NOVEMBER FEBRUARY 2014 2013 B2B Free Cashflow advice and Solutions supportexpand Three In February more small associates businesses have recently in joined B2B Huntingdon, CashflowGodmanchester Solutions takingand the total number Alconbury towill 19. be able to take advantage of Karl free Lanham, health and Associate, safety advice said:and “These appointments training thanks give to the usEstates a greater Excellence regional coverage Huntingdon and project. demonstrate the continued growth The Estates in the Excellence independent team commercial will finance help businesses sector.” identify the advice and training B2B Cashflow that willSolutions best meethave theiralso needs been nominated including fork fortruck the third safety, year ladder running safety for the and Business risk assessments. Moneyfacts Awards in the category For more of Best information Commercial contact Broker. the project team at estates.excellence. huntingdon@hse.gsi.gov.uk or ring Paul Davies on 01234 220624 or Keith Lawson on 01480 388291.
New service launched SJ Associates Ltd, led by Simon Jones, is pleased to announce the launch of the Realising Ambition Leadership Academy. The Academy is designed to bring together executives from a variety of companies in small groups on a quarterly basis to work together on their own real-life business challenges and innovative elements of professional development training. This is based on the belief that the best training has the following characteristics: people learn best when driving their own process, through self-evaluation and development, the most effective training is continuous, interwoven with own work responsibilities and does not distract from day-to-day objectives, successful learning environments build on peer-to-peer and collaborative experiences that underpin much of our working and non working life and the best training has an accountability mechanism built in and leads to quick operating successes.
18 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce
Josh Dawson
JOSH DAWSON from St Peters Sixth Form recently undertook a work placement with Solo Cup Europe. Josh commented: “I decided to complete work experience at Solo to gain some work place experience as I am considering an apprenticeship in marketing. It has been really eye-opening and has shown me a lot about the profession I want to work in. “My duties included updating and maintaining the Marketing Department’s documentation as well as preparing product training sessions for webinars. These tasks have taught me valuable IT skills as well as learning to work independently. “I found this experience very rewarding and felt my contribution was appreciated.” n
Hair today, gone tomorrow! THE men of Luminus raised over £600 by growing and grooming moustaches for the Movember campaign. The money was raised through moustache sponsorship. Each November, men are challenged to start the month clean-shaven and grow a moustache. The moustache becomes the hairy ribbon for men’s health and the men growing them become a walking billboard for 30 days. The growth of
The men of Luminus
a new moustache sparks hundreds of conversations about the taboo topics of men’s health and prostate cancer. Group Chief Executive, Chan Abraham, said: “Luminus employees have embraced the idea of giving something back. The Movember campaign is changing the face of men’s health and is an interesting ally in the Luminus mission to change the world for the better where we are.” n
CAMBRIDGESHIRE CHAMBER NEWS |
Cambridgeshire Chamber NEWS
A round-up of news and events from Cambridgeshire
Secret Santa helps Gatehouse STAFF at Gross & Co Solicitors in Bury St Edmunds, held a Secret Santa event in December with a difference. To mirror the present they received from Santa, staff made a donation of tinned/packet foodstuffs destined for Gatehouse Caring in Bury St Edmunds. Due to the generosity of staff, four boxes of food were delivered to Gatehouse by staff from Gross & Co. Gatehouse helps to provide Christmas lunch and hampers to disadvantaged people in and around Bury St Edmunds. The idea for this event came from the staff themselves, and reflects the Christmas spirit of both receiving and the giving of gifts. n
IN BRIEF FEBRUARY 2014 BREEAM accredited professional SRL are now able to offer the BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) service. The BREEAM AP qualification formally recognises specialist skills in sustainability and environmental design, combined with the BREEAM assessment process. BREEAM APs work with the design team to schedule activities, set priorities and negotiate trade-offs throughout the assessment process to ensure the best possible BREEAM rating is achieved.
Secret Sants
Cubiqdesign championed as Top 50
Gateway Peterborough
Gateway Peterborough WORK is progressing on Gateway Peterborough, Rugby based Roxhill’s new 240-acre warehousing and distribution park, strategically located immediately adjacent to junction 17 of the A1(M) in Peterborough. It will be officially opened to the public at the end of February. The second phase of full-site infrastructure construction is underway and is expected to be completed in June 2014. The site is part of Peterborough’s Core Strategy and its development is helping the city to reach its aspiration of creating 25,000 new jobs by 2026. Once fully occupied it is hoped that Gateway Peterborough will create 8,000 jobs. n
CUBIQDESIGN is one of 50 businesses to be showcased by Future50 for making a real impact on the markets for which they serve and drive growth towards. Future50 looks to encourage economic recovery by celebrating entrepreneurs and start-up businesses that have boldly stepped forward at a time when others have exercised caution. John Treby, Director at Cubiqdesign, said: “It’s brilliant recognition for Cubiqdesign and our highly talented team. With the economy showing improving signs of recovery the last year has been a significant period of rapid growth for us capitalising on the wealth of new business opportunities within the region. We now look forward to an exciting 2014.” n
The Cubiqdesign team
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 19
| CHAMBER EVENTS
CHAMBER EVENTS Please visit the Chamber website for full details of all future Chamber events www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk
Your essential business calendar for the next month
International Trade Course INCOTERMS AND EXPORT LICENCE CONTROLS DATE Monday 10 February TIME 9.00am-5.00pm LOCATION Skills Funding Agency, The Business Centre, Station Road, Cambridge, CB24 9LQ MEMBER PRICE £225.00 (plus VAT) NON-MEMBER PRICE £275.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 209808 This course is suitable for all exporters. Incoterms covers the physical movement of goods, but export licensing has a much wider remit. It is vital that you meet your responsibilities as an exporter and have an awareness of financial sanctions. This course is one of six that results in achieving the Foundation Award in International Trade. See the Chamber website for more details. n
Cambridgeshire Export Club DATE Tuesday 28 January, 25 February TIME 5.00-7.00pm LOCATION The Moller Centre, Storey’s Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DE PRICE Free to attend CONTACT h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk or telephone Helen on 01733 370809 Cambridgeshire Export Club is an forum to exchange views with other exporters and to keep up to date with developments in a rapidly changing global business environment. n
Training dates Four of the six courses that you need to complete to receive the Foundation Award in International Trade are listed below. Further course dates will be announced shortly. Monday 3 March Finance Options: Focusing on Letters of Credit Monday 24 March Import: Compliance and Cost Savings Monday 7 April Rules of Origin: Preference and Non-preference Monday 28 April Processing Reliefs: Inward and Outward (IPR& OPR) Full details of each of the courses can be found in the training section of the Chamber website.
Complete courses to achieve the Foundation Award in International Trade
20 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
Discounts available when booking all six courses, speak to Karen for details on 01223 209808. n
CHAMBER EVENTS |
Women in Management
Networking Events
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP DATE Thursday 30 January TIME 9.00am-12.00pm LOCATION Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club, Volac Park, Grantchester Road, Cambridge, CB3 9ED MEMBER PRICE £60.00 (plus VAT) Discounts available when booking all three sessions NON-MEMBER PRICE £70.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT d.rivetti@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01733 370809 This workshop will help you identify and start to address the issues that are challenging your effectiveness as a leader now, or in the future. You will receive practical guidance on how to address these challenges so that you will leave with an action plan.
UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES DATE Thursday 27 February TIME 9.00am-12.00pm LOCATION Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club, Volac Park, Grantchester Road, Cambridge, CB3 9ED MEMBER PRICE £75.00 (plus VAT) Discounts available when booking all three sessions NON-MEMBER PRICE £90.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT d.rivetti@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01733 370809
SAFARI NETWORKING BREAKFAST DATE Friday 14 February TIME 7.45-10.00am LOCATION Orton Hall Hotel, Peterborough, PE2 7DN DATE Friday 28 February TIME 7.45-10.00am LOCATION Bourn Golf and Leisure, Toft Road, Bourn, Cambridge, CB23 2TT MEMBER PRICE £15.00 (plus VAT) NON-MEMBER PRICE £22.50 (plus VAT) CONTACT k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk Safari networking provides the structure you need to maximise the benefit of taking time out of the working day to extend your network of business contacts. You will move around three different tables, taking two minutes at each one to make those initial introductions with everyone and explain what sets your business apart from its competitors. n
Workshop two will give you practical tools to help you understand yourself and other people better, an understanding of how to implement these straight away to make a difference to you, your people and your business. You will also receive a personal individual extended DISC profile giving insights into how you communicate, how others see you and how that impacts on their behaviour.
CONFLICT AND CONFRONTATION DATE Thursday 27 March TIME 9.00am-12.00pm LOCATION Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club, Volac Park, Grantchester Road, Cambridge, CB3 9ED MEMBER PRICE £60.00 (plus VAT) Discounts available when booking all three sessions NON-MEMBER PRICE £70.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT d.rivetti@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01733 370809 This final workshop helps to answer the question: ‘As a leader conflict is inevitable. What can you do to minimise/manage confrontation?’ n
Networking at The Moller Centre, Cambridge
Informal Networking Evenings February 2014 Wed 5, 19
NEW VENUE Park Inn, Peterborough
NEW TIME 5.00-7.30pm
Thurs 6, 20
Holiday Inn, Cambridge
5.00-7.00pm
Mon 10
The Lamb Hotel, Ely
5.00-7.00pm
Wed 12
Waterfront Bar, Wyboston Lakes
5.00-7.00pm
Tues 18
The Old Bridge, Huntingdon
5.00-7.00pm
Wed 26
The Boathouse, Wisbech
5.00-7.00pm
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 21
| OUT & ABOUT
Out&About Enjoy our monthly montage of events and happenings across the local area with this colourful round-up of gatherings. Make sure you send us your photos each month and we’ll include the best of the bunch! Email images straight to the creative team: connected@methodcreative.co.uk
Christmas Lunch Our annual Christmas Lunch took place at St John’s College, Cambridge where we welcomed our guest speaker Mark Andrews, Managing Director of Royal Bank of Scotland’s Corporate Banking division. A raffle raised over £700 for Shine, the Chamber charity of the year.
22 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
OUT & ABOUT |
Concrete Society Awards PUDLO Waterproof Concrete Systems, a division of David Ball Group PLC, was premier sponsor at the Concrete Society awards held in London in November and hosted by the Right Honourable Michael Portillo.
Christmas Jumper Day Cambridge Building Society held a Christmas Jumper Day in December to raise money for their Charity of the Month, Clic Sargent (Cambridgeshire).
Too Many Chefs... Method Creative took time out the office and spent the afternoon with Tine Roche at Cambridge Cookery School to celebrate a succesful 12 months.
Simply Networking Our first Simply Networking event, held on 10 January at the Shine offices in Peterborough, was a success with 20 companies extending their network of contacts for free.
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 23
WE VALUE YOUR BRAND
Innovative brand communication experts. Get in touch to share ideas on 01223 781220.
We have moved... You can now find us at: Future Business Centre, Kings Hedges Road Cambridge CB4 2HY
@method_creative methodcreative.co.uk
ASK THE EXPERT |
Ask the expert: Intellectual Property (IP) Clare Cornell, Partner of Phillips & Leigh, answers some common questions on IP
Q A
What can I protect and how much will it cost me?
Patents – to protect the functionality of your idea (methods, processes and products) Trademarks – to protect a sign (e.g. slogan, trade name, stylised word, shape, sounds) that you use to associate your product(s) or service(s) with your business Registered designs – to protect the look of a product. In the simplest cases, a UK patent costs under £4,000 to register; UK trademark and registered design applications cost under £1,000 to register. Exploitation of IP can take many forms from use by the business itself, as the subject matter for a licensing, franchising or joint venture agreement and as an asset capable of being sold, or as security for loans.
Q A
I think I have something completely new but how can I be sure?
Whether you can protect your new idea depends on whether or not someone else out there has come up with the same idea or is using it/has registered it already. Different registered IP rights handle the ‘novelty’ of things in different ways; however, generally speaking you can never be 100 per cent sure that your ‘something ‘ is indeed new but you can do a lot to try and minimise
the chance of your IP application being rejected. This is typically done by searching the internet, trade literature and the publically available IP databases, as well as other information sources that are relevant. This can be done by you and/or with the help of an IP professional. The more checking you do beforehand, the better the chances are that you’ll save money in the long run (for example through either abandoning the application or by tailoring your application in light of what you’ve found). Also, be aware that some areas of IP law don’t allow you to protect things even if they are new (for example, in the UK you can’t patent new methods of doing surgery).
Q A
I need to take my product global, what are my options?
IP rights only have effect in the jurisdictions in which they are registered. For example, your UK patent cannot stop someone making your product in the US, but it could stop the US manufacturer importing the product into the UK. If you want protection outside of the UK you must apply for protection in the countries of interest to you. For example, you can ‘apply’ to the European Patent Office in a single patent application for registration of a patent in several patent offices throughout Europe. There are provisions to register trademarks and designs in a single right covering the
whole of the EU. This is commonly called a ‘Community’ trademark or a ‘Community’ design. These two ‘Community’ options are commonly used by companies looking at protection throughout Europe. If you want more extensive protection, there are mechanisms for centrally applying with a single application, which can then mature into national applications and granted rights. These routes usually save on costs and simplify IP portfolio management.
Q A
What are the most common mistakes people make? 1. Not checking other people’s IP before going forward on your ventures!
2. Talking to others without confidentiality or publishing your ideas before filing applications. Getting a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) can help you in this respect 3. Choosing a name for your business, product or service that is descriptive of what you do. Such descriptive marks cannot be registered and don’t help you distinguish yourselves from your competitors 4. Not seeking professional advice from an IP consultant! With a combination of legal and commercial expertise an IP consultant helps clients to develop IP strategies to achieve business objectives. n
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 25
| SPECIAL REPORT
In the HOTSEAT
Tim Jones Chief Executive, Allia After spending 12 years setting up successful, life-changing businesses both at home and abroad, Tim Jones has set his sights on improving people’s social wellbeing across the UK. Now in his 13th year at Allia, he is focused on creating more opportunities for people in Cambridge. “IF you close the steel works in Sheffield or you shut the shipyards in Newcastle, you create vast tracts of unemployment,” says Tim Jones, Chief Executive of Allia. Affable, resolute and unafraid of using a metaphor or two, Tim stresses: “It’s not that the employees are not willing to get on their bikes, it’s that they don’t have anywhere to ride them to!” Allia, founded in the 90s, works to create opportunities to raise funds from both individual and corporate investors for organisations delivering social benefit. Tim first got involved in the organisation – then called Citylife – at the beginning of 2002 and had known its founder, Mike Schluter, for many years. At that time, Allia had just launched something called ‘employment bonds’, which was a means to tackle endemic deindustrialisation causing social challenges. “The question was ‘what do you do about that?’ And the answer is you need to create employment and you need to create skills.”
Tim believes that if you can do both those things then you might be able to do something about the problem. But with action comes cost. “If you try and raise charitable money to fund unemployment initiatives most people will turn up their nose because it’s not like a hospice or a cancer charity; people think of
I came up with the flipstopper bottle – it’s in use all over the place now it as a soft cause. So Schluter came up with the idea of approaching large organisations and asking them to ‘park’ their money – not give it away – just park it. That way, provided we could guarantee to give bondholders their money back at the end of an agreed period, they would meanwhile let us put it to use.”
Tim was a perfect fit for Allia as he had already been in business for himself for the previous 12 years. “I first set up a water company called Fraser-Milne, which was Cambridge-based,” says Tim. “I came up with the flip-stopper bottle for environmentallyfriendly packaging of purified water – it’s in use all over the place now! We also had to come up with a water treatment process that made the water bacterially safe whether it was from your kitchen tap, the treatment plant on your yacht, or a private bore hole. We did – and we beat all our competitors as ours was the only one that made the water actually pure! After selling that company on, I went to Belgrade and ended up doing a similar thing across the Balkans from there. I eventually sold my stake in that business to a British shareholder and hooked up with Mike Schluter who wanted somebody to help him get Citylife off the ground. I’ve been doing it ever since for the simple reason that I find it so rewarding.”
The Mission
The Future Business Centre
26 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
”What we do at Allia is all about social inclusion; our mission is about catalysing activities that make a difference to people’s wellbeing,” continues Tim. “That’s a fairly broad canvas of course, as there are many things that make up social wellbeing. It can be about where you live, the cost of housing, whether you have a job, whether you have good relationships with friends and family etc. Social wellbeing can be the difference between whether you go home at the end of the day content or pretty miserable. “We can’t obviously fix all the problems but what can be done by charitable organisations like us is things like employment initiatives.
SPECIAL REPORT |
Staff transport
If you can get people into work then that’s a really useful thing, not just economically but relationally. If you haven’t got a job, not only will you be poor but you’ll also have very few opportunities to go out and have any fun, and as a result your relationships will begin to deteriorate. So it certainly has a knock-on effect.”
The Local Issue “Cambridge is obviously slightly different,” continues Tim. “In Cambridge, you’ve got a wealthy city that is doing very well. The thing that we’re trying to fix here is that, for example, in Barnwell the benefit claimant rate was up to 20 times the rate in Newnham. So why is that? Is the issue as simple as the postcode where you live? What we need to
Networks, one way or another, are really the key to success
Overlooking the canteen
ALLIA IN ACTION One of Allia’s earlier projects was in the Welsh coalfield communities, where precisely that impact of unemployment on young people had led to very high levels of teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and other classic behaviours of socially excluded young people. “These people were living in poor, land-locked communities in a valley with no coal mine,” says Tim. “We started something called the Welsh Talent Nurture Fund, which was an awards fund where we got an array of people to perform their talents (a bit like Britain’s Got Talent) and gave an award to those that we thought were good. Essentially we wanted to urge people to nurture their own talents. We thought if we can do that then those people can certainly employ themselves, possibly others. And they can certainly consume goods and spend money in the local economy thus increasing employment. So it’s about helping stimulate a local economy that works. “One applicant we gave an award to was a young woman who did a soliloquy. She wanted £3,000 to help her get to stage school in New York. We gave her that and she came back and got the part as the young Mrs Thatcher in The Iron Lady – she’s Alexandra Roach.”
Future Business do is to create more social enterprises, more self-employment and more opportunities accessible to the widest possible demographic. That means nurturing and stimulating start-ups and innovations not only out of the Universities but out of further education such as Cambridge Regional College (CRC). For instance, CRC might produce just as many entrepreneurs per head as Cambridge University but they’re not going to be in bio-science, they’re going to be in other things, cleantech construction and engineering for instance, that create employment but are often overlooked. So that’s where our efforts are currently focused.”
Allia’s Cambridgeshire base is the Future Business Centre (FBC). Built by Allia itself, it is the charity’s flagship business innovation centre. Different from most business centres, FBC was built for the sole purpose of growing businesses that do good for society and the environment. With an ethos of collaboration and innovation, it’s a place where people can grow ideas to make a difference in the world. “Here, there’s a common denominator between enterprise that is for social and environmental purposes. Certainly our experience of physical space is that the enjoyment of working there is largely driven
by talking to people, mutual support and sharing a common interest. If you go to the communal cafe area you’re bound to talk to somebody who’s on a similar path, and that will help you to broaden your network. “Networks, one way or another, are really the key to success,” concludes Tim. “It’s not the only ingredient of course, but I think it’s the one that’s often overlooked. It doesn’t matter what walk of life you’re in, you need other people with whom to share the walk, sell the walk and buy the walk. Everything else is in the business manual.“ The FBC still has office space available for rent. To find out more, visit: www.futurebusiness.co.uk n CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 27
| POLICY UPDATE
Policy UPDATE Keeping you informed, representing local business
Skills and Employment Manifesto THE British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the national body for the Network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce representing Chamber businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. The BCC wants to know what Chamber members have to say about skills and employment because it is putting together a statement to address the skills and employment issues you raise in order to tackle these issues with government. You frequently tell us you have trouble recruiting staff with the right skills and experience and that some of the young people you interview simply aren’t ‘work ready’ although you are well aware there are no easy answers when it comes to transforming the education system or increasing the skills of the nation’s workforce. To make sure the Skills and Employment Manifesto accurately reflects Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce members’ views, the BCC’s Skills Policy Lead, John Wastnage, recently attended a breakfast discussion with the Chambers’ Learning and Skills Sector Committee. The Learning and Skills Committee told him that many Chamber businesses are keen to work with schools and young people; offering work experience, work shadowing and internships, but find the route into schools complex and confusing.
28 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
We told him that schools need to give greater priority to careers education and the development of ‘employability’ skills. We said that schools are so focussed on getting a ‘good’ or better Ofsted rating that until Ofsted starts to listen to businesses it is unlikely that schools’ focus will change. Our Schools said they don’t have the capacity, knowledge, skills or the funding to ‘do’ careers education well. They have to concentrate on numeracy, literacy and digital literacy which we agree is vital; as is fitting young people for the world of work. We said that businesses should be encouraged to invest in apprenticeships and higher work-based learning but the routes into training need to be easy and straightforward. Business owners need support if they are to invest in training for
themselves and their workforce - training providers need to offer courses that are relevant to business needs. In an ever changing, global economy workplace skills are constantly shifting so everyone needs access to up-to-date careers advice to enable them to make informed choices and to take responsibility for their own career pathway. The BCC is continuing to refine its Skills and Employment Manifesto; if you would like to contribute to the debate please get in touch: g.prangnell@cambscci.co.uk n
CHAMBER UPDATES |
Chamber Updates
Exclusive networking event New for 2014, our Simply Networking programme promises to help Chamber members ‘Get Connected’ with new companies across the Chamber Network absolutely free of charge.
Our first Simpy Networking event held at the Shine offices, Peterborough
Chamber Idea Exchange THE Chamber has launched a new initiative to enable member companies to share ideas that will enhance how their businesses operate. The Chamber Idea Exchange matches up companies according to location and area of interest, facilitating dialogue between the two so that a member of staff from one can spend up to a day on-site with the other, learning about how their business operates and taking away new ideas and processes that they can implement within their own workplace. Whether it’s new ways of working, introductions to new suppliers, efficiency savings or simply a different approach to problem-solving, the scheme allows businesses to learn from those willing to share their own knowledge and expertise. To find out more or to register your interest in taking part, visit the Chamber website or telephone Daisy Rivetti on 01223 209810. n
TAKING place from 9.30-10.30am, the family-friendly timings are designed with working parents in mind, and at just one hour long the event doesn’t require delegates to invest too much time out of the working day. It’s an exciting new addition to our events programme and with so many business events taking place in the early mornings or evenings, we wanted to meet demand for events for working parents that fit with the hours of nurseries and schools. With more Simply Networking events scheduled throughout the year, we hope that the different timings will allow us to provide structured introductions between a new group of potential networkers within the Chamber Network. If you would be interested in sponsoring, or can host, a future Simply Networking event and take advantage of bespoke promotional opportunities before and during the event, please contact Karen Dawson on 01223 237414 or email k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk n
Survey shows positive outlook for 2014 KEY FINDINGS ✓ 96 per cent of our members that completed the survey reported that UK sales had increased or remained the same during Q4 2013 ✓ 100 per cent experienced increased or stable export sales ✓ 100 per cent of respondents reported that they expect turnover to improve during the next 12 months ✓ 97 per cent expect profitability to improve or remain the same during the next 12 months ✓ 100 per cent of respondents expect their workforce to increase or remain constant over the next three months.
CHAMBER members in Cambridgeshire experienced a positive Q4 2013 and have great expectations for what 2014 has in store, according to the results of our latest quarterly economic survey. Thank you to all of the members who took a few moments to complete the online survey. It was the first economic indicator for Q4, providing valuable insight into business performance and expectations for 2014 and is an invaluable tool for policy-makers and economic forecasters. You can read more, including our reaction to the survey, in the news section of our website at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk. The next survey will be released in February. Please look out for details on our website and weekly e-newsletter on how you can take part. n
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 29
| CONNECTED MAGAZINE
LEP FOCUS
Keeping you informed and up to date
Grants for Agri-Tech businesses As home to the highest concentration of best quality farmland in the UK and some of the finest research establishments in the world, our local area is at the cutting edge of developments in the Agri-Tech arena. So what better place to launch a new £3.2 million initiative to help support further growth within the industry? THE Eastern Agri-Tech Initiative has been designed to provide a significant boost to the food production, agriculture industry and research cluster through investment in new market and supply chain development, essential skills training, and the development, application and commercialisation of Research and Development (R&D). There are two main funds that businesses located within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (as well as businesses located within the GCGP and New Anglia LEP areas) can apply for. The first is the £2 million Agri-Tech Growth Fund, which will provide grants of between £25,000 and £150,000 to support product development and improve agricultural productivity within SMEs. The second is a £540,000 Research, Development and Prototyping Fund, which will help support the research and development of new product or processes with grants of between
£10,000 and £60,000. Both funds are now officially live, and will operate until 31 March 2015 or sooner if all of the money has been allocated. The Eastern Agri-Tech Initiative is a partnership project led by the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP), alongside Cambridgeshire County Council, New Anglia LEP, Norfolk County Council and the local District Authorities. It is funded by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. You can find out more about the scheme by visiting www.agritechgrants.co.uk or by tweeting us @AgriTechGrants. n
The Eastern Agri-Tech Initiative will support future growth in the sector
30 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
Get in touch Agri-Tech Project Manager, Martin Lutman, is leading the initiative and is available to talk to businesses about the funding opportunities available to them via the Eastern Agri-Tech Initiative. You can contact Martin by calling 01223 967009 or 01733 602009, or by emailing info@agritechgrants.co.uk We would like to say thank you to all of the organisations that supported the creation of this successful bid: Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP, Cambridgeshire County Council, New Anglia LEP, Opportunity Peterborough, Norfolk County Council, District Authorities, WLP, with additional input from NIAB-TAG, Sainsbury Laboratories, John Innes Centre, Genome Centre, Hethel Innovation, NRP, University of Cambridge, University of East Anglia, local MPs and others.
CONNECTED MAGAZINE |
Enterprise Zone hits key milestones
Future Business Centre the new home for social and environmental businesses in Cambridge NOW OPEN g ’s
on Kin
H Road edges
The exciting Alconbury Weald site has opened the doors to its new incubator
IN JANUARY 2014 the Alconbury Enterprise Zone (EZ) opened the doors of its eagerly-anticipated Incubator building. The space forms part of the larger development at the former airfield and following planning consent from Huntingdonshire District Council in December, marks the start of an exciting next chapter at the site. It has also been confirmed that the Secretary of State will not call in the application and the Section 106 developer contribution agreement is due to be signed with the council later this month. “Following the go ahead from Huntingdonshire District Council at the end of 2013 for 11m sq ft of new construction in December, we will be accelerating our capital expenditure programme and expect to have invested at least £40 million by December 2014,” says Nigel Hugill, Executive Chairman at site developer Urban&Civic.
We will be accelerating our capital expenditure programme “With our incubator unit for start-up businesses now completed and five new tenants on Alconbury EZ already in occupation, with others under negotiation, we are well on course to have generated approaching 500 occupier and construction jobs by the end of next year. This is before accounting for the first of 5,000 new houses when we also expect to be on site by the fourth quarter of 2014.” So far the Zone has benefitted from £6m worth of private investment - all spent with local contractors to support the delivery of early infrastructure. It has received £100k from the Skills Funding Agency to develop a skills strategy, which will support upskilling, and the Zone’s aspiration of bringing local jobs to the surrounding area. The Enterprise Zone has recently secured a £4.6m loan through the Local Infrastructure Fund to bring forward planned work to link the southern end of the site to Huntingdon town centre, and to create road, bus and cycle ways to link to the new rail station planned for the site. n
The Future Business Centre Cambridge is an exciting new community offering workspace for start-ups and growing businesses which want to make a difference to society. This modern Centre offers hotdesking space, offices and worshops plus meeting rooms and a conference room available to hire. • A different kind of incubation hub • Specialist business advice • Flexible and affordable workspace • Cambridge Cleantech on site to assist start-ups • The place to grow ideas and make a difference – locally and worldwide
IN T E R EST E D IN? ANT B EC O M IN G A T E N
rms allows you to Easy-in, easy-out te a thout committing to try out your idea wi g tin or pp su s we’ll be lengthy contract plu y. wa e th of you every step
Find out more at futurebusinesscentre.co.uk T 0845 456 2432 E hello@futurebusinesscentre.co.uk @ftrbusiness
futurebusiness.co.uk
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 31
| CHAMBER CHARITY OF THE YEAR
Three months left to Shine! We are three quarters of the way through our time as the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Charity of the Year. It has been a great time together so far with great networking opportunities, successful fundraising events, and greater awareness of both hydrocephalus and spina bifida. WHETHER it was Karen Dawson’s epic sponsored swim, the ‘Wine for Shine’ tombola or the successful Christmas raffle, everyone involved has already made a real difference to the people supported by Shine. As we begin 2014 we ask you to get involved and make the next three months a real success. Does your company want to form a team and enter the London Triathlon? Could you run alongside Athene Communications Director, Richard Astle, in one of his 10 Chairman’s Challenge events? Could Shine become the Charity of the Year for your organisation in 2014? There are so many ways in which we can work together and transform the lives of some of society’s most disabled people. Shine is dedicated to giving over 12,000 people everything they need to live fulfilled lives - but we can only achieve this with your help.
‘What does Shine mean to you?’ This is the response from one member whose two year old daughter Maya lives with spina bifida: “Shine has done so much for us and we are incredibly thankful for all your support. “During my pregnancy you gave us the information we needed to make the biggest decision of our life and equipped us to stay strong throughout pregnancy and at every step of our journey as a family living with both spina bifida and hydrocephalus. “We feel a part of a very special and unique community which has given us lots of
To get in touch about any fundraising opportunities please contact Hannah Wysocki on 01733 421351 or email hannah. wysocki@shinecharity.org.uk
32 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
love, support, advice and, most importantly, hope and inspiration for our daughter’s future. “You have empowered us as a family to be strong advocates for our daughter and given us the support to feel confident and proud about her. You helped us build our relationship with her as she grows from a tiny dependent baby into a confident, and increasingly independent, little girl.’ n
:
orting
Supp
DY A E R U O Y E R A E? L T T A B O D O T is happening 14 0 2 s e c a R y Wack and better r e g ig b e b l il again and w than before! s ready Is your busines h? to make a splas
SPR ING 2014
| SPECIAL REPORT
Report from Ian MacKellar
High Street or Internet? IS the High Street seeing off the internet retailing challenge? Or does the Government need to legislate to level the playing field? Or maybe both. Contrary to dire predictions in cheap newspapers, the worldwide web has not sounded the death-knell for personal shopping, as the latest round of Christmasrelated retail results shows only too clearly. What it does seem to show, however, is that High Street retailers prosper when they offer what no internet-only retailer ever can – personal service. It is instructive that the most successful retailers in the run-up to Christmas 2013 were the likes of John Lewis and House of Fraser – both of them companies that put customer service at the forefront of their offerings at the same time as making buying on line simple and convenient. It is probably no coincidence that both groups take exquisite care in the presentation
34 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
of the goods in their stores – to the delight, no doubt, of internet-only traders who sell cheaply on the back of that High Street showcasing – yet it is the solidity of the after-sales support that probably tips the balance with those shoppers who decide to stay with the brands they trust, even if they have to pay a bit more.
internet businesses are moving to the High Street Both Cambridge and Peterborough did well over the Christmas period, which can account for as much as 40 per cent of some retailers’ annual turnover, as traders successfully took on the tax-dodging internet giants. “Visiting a town centre has to be a much richer experience than just going to the shops,” says Emma Thornton, Cambridge’s head of tourism and city centre management. “The recreational experience, combined with our rich heritage, is what will keep people coming.”
Nonetheless, other centres are vulnerable and something needs to happen to level the playing field and stop the internet retailers’ free ride. Both Mrs Thornton and Martin Blackwell, Chief Executive of ATCM, the umbrella body for town and city centre managers, agree that the time has come for the Government to embark on fundamental reform of propertybased taxes for companies. “Business rates are the death knell of too many businesses,” says Mr Blackwell. But that is not the only issue. “In a global market place there needs to be a global solution: the Government must be losing billions [of pounds] in lost VAT with stuff coming in from all over the world.” It is not beyond the wit of man – or G20 – to devise a system under which profits are taxed in the territory into which goods and services are sold, and brand value is not repatriated to tax havens. In the meantime, there are heartening signs for the high street. Landlords have realised that some rent is better than none at all, and leases are being renewed on substantially lower terms. “And we are beginning to see previously internet-only businesses starting to move into the high street – because they want to talk to their customers,” says Martin Blackwell. n
SPECIAL REPORT |
Property Focus
Solution for redundant offices IT is not uncommon to drive or walk through a town or city in Cambridgeshire and see office buildings that are advertised To Let or For Sale, and many for quite some time. Owners of such buildings are not only losing income and paying business rates with their buildings sat empty, but it can be frustrating maintaining a property that is standing empty. At the same time, in Cambridgeshire in particular, there is a growing need for housing and house prices are rising locally due to increased demand. This year, the government have tried to address the need for housing by relaxing the planning rules for the conversion of office buildings to residential. We are starting to see some of our local office buildings, that may have sat empty for some time, undergoing the transformation from empty offices to modern residential apartments which is exciting news for new homeowners, developers and the local community that will start to see life in old unused buildings. Recent projects in Peterborough include the commencement of the conversion of the Bretton Green office village and planned conversion of Cavell Court in Peterborough City Centre.
T E L TO
The government backed Help to Buy scheme is a valuable tool for developers looking to convert offices to residential. As they are providing brand new homes, developers can apply to act as a provider on behalf of the Homes and Communities
planning rules have been relaxed by the government agency for the Help to Buy scheme. This means providers have a wider choice of purchasers and new buyers have a wider choice of properties with many office buildings situated in prime locations in our towns and cities. Owners and Landlords of office buildings, who are currently advertising their buildings for sale or let, may wish to consider the
FOR SALE
option of working with an investor on a project to convert their empty building to residential use to give it a new lease of life, or even simply to sell to a developer seeking to take on such a project. The government decision to relax change of use rules will bring much needed residential accommodation to city centres. This accommodation being new condition, up to current energy efficiency requirements and designed in a way to meet modern living requirements will be highly sought after by residential occupiers, investment landlords and professional tenants. More information on changes of use and Help to Buy can be found on these websites: www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/ commonprojects/changeofuse www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/ help-to-buy n
TO L E
T
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 35
| NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
NEW Members
A warm welcome to our new Chamber members
NEW MEMBERS
JervisBrown Training
THIS MONTH
www.jervisbrowntraining.co.uk JervisBrown Training offer a tailored training solution for individuals or small groups on company premises or in an off-site training room. Their passion is to up-skill staff, remove the obstacles to personal progress, improve productivity, opportunities and confidence when using the Microsoft Office applications and the internet. Angela (pictured) and Matthew have 10 years’ experience between them in training and assessing adults in the workplace, delivering the ITQ User/Application Specialist Apprenticeship qualifications and assisting with the Universal Job Match programme for those seeking employment.
Breeze Technology Ltd Cambridge Golf Driving Range Cambridgeshire County Golf Partnership Capsule DeenZ Ltd Girton Golf Club Green Duck Ltd James Rodgers Digital Media JervisBrown Training Ltd MER Construction Services Ltd Norvic Training UK Ltd
Norvic Training
Solas HR
Pilot Fish Partnership LLP
www.norvictraining.co.uk
www.solashr.com
Norvic Training provide quality training in subjects including First Aid, handling, specialist clinical courses and care-sector specific courses. They provide training at client’s site or at their venue. With head office in Norwich, Norvic recently opened a regional centre in Waterbeach.
Solas HR is a Human Resources Consultancy for SMEs and start ups in Cambridgeshire, East Anglia and bordering counties. They offer affordable, operational and strategic Human Resource solution services to supporting the whole employee life-cycle.
Tee-Kay Packaging Ltd Thorpe Wood Golf Course & Driving Range Unify Enterprise Communications Virtual Lilly Your Company Works LLP
Phillips & Leigh www.pandl.com Phillips & Leigh is a small firm specialising in Intellectual Property (IP), patents, trademarks, designs and copyright, for 130 years. Choosing them means having the combined knowledge and influence of some of the most senior and experienced professionals in the IP sector behind you. P&L staff took part in Christmas Jumper Day and raised money for Save the Children.
36 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS |
Would you like to become a Chamber member? Get in touch today and find out the many benefits. tel: 01223 237414 email: enquiries@cambscci.co.uk
Breeze Technology
James Rodgers Digital Media
www.breeze-technology.co.uk
www.james-rodgers.co.uk
Breeze Technology specialises in the development of bespoke database and software solutions for micro and SME’s. With over 12 years of commercial experience in designing and building systems, whether in Access, VB.net, asp.net or web enabled. Systems are designed around the customers’ business needs and often integrate with Sage 50 software to ensure the best flow from start to finish. As well as creating operational systems that really do work for the business, they provide a number of cloud based services to compliment them; such as hosted email, hosted data stores, antivirus, antispam and online backups.
James Rodgers Digital Media is based in St Neots and provide a web, graphic design and photography service to suit every budget. If you are looking to create a new identity for your business, or you want to rebrand your graphics and web presence they can help. Clients are equipped with all the tools available to market their business effectively, including using the power of social media. Therefore, they provide a unique approach to this and integrate it with their packages. They also provide photographic support for graphic design and top quality photography of products for online shops. Additionally, they offer Photoshop retouching, manipulation and renovation of old or damaged photographs.
Virtual Lilly www.virtual-lilly.co.uk Virtual Lilly is a Cambridgeshire based Virtual Assistant with over 20 years’ experience. Organisation is their forte and owner Anita Turner takes great pride in helping people become more unified within their business. She offers a wide range of secretarial services from call answering and diary management to audio typing and even travel arrangements on either a short term, long term or ad hoc basis. She will take care of your admin: you take care of your business.
Haverhill Research Park www.haverhillresearchpark.com Haverhill Research Park is the brand new addition to the science and technology cluster in the Greater Cambridge area. Located on the Cambridgeshire/ Essex/ Suffolk border, they provide a high quality landscaped environment with fully serviced plots for bespoke buildings, from single occupancy through to business headquarters.
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 37
| CONNECTED MAGAZINE
BUILDING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN YOUR AREA
Peterborough
Fenland Ely
✓ Promote Your Business ✓ Protect Your Company ✓ Get Involved ✓ Succeed Internationally ✓ Reduce Business Costs
Huntingdonshire Cambridge & South Cambs
01223 237414
www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk
WE DON’T FACE CHALLENGES ALONE WE SUCCEED TOGETHER AS CHAMBER MEMBERS WE’RE WELL CONNECTED. IF IT’S NEW CUSTOMERS YOU’RE AFTER OR THE RIGHT ADVICE TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS GROWING, BELONGING TO YOUR LOCAL ACCREDITED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEANS YOU ARE ALWAYS WELL CONNECTED. VISIT WWW.CAMBRIDGESHIRECHAMBER.CO.UK TO SEE HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS.
Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce
38 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
SECTOR FOCUS |
Sector Focus
Updates from Chambers Sector Groups
For any feedback, general information regarding the Sector Groups, or to contribute, please get in touch with Helen Bosett. tel: 01223 209815 email: h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk
BUSINESS WOMEN
Meet Elizabeth! This month we hear from Elizabeth Hughes who runs her own business - Time to Unwind If you would like to feature here, contact Helen Bosett, Sector Co-ordinator, h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk
Q A
What do you do in business?
I help people to re-connect with their bodies – easing the stress, strains, aches and pains in their body through massage and bodywork. health is the absence of dis-ease in the body and mind.
Q A
What are your top three tips for running or working in a business? 1. there is always more to learn 2. Always ask questions – assumptions lead to mis-understandings
3. Smile, you’ll get one back in return. At least, two people will be happy!
Q A
What do you do to unwind?
I have so many options. My favourite is going outdoors whether cycling, nature watching, or walking. I also enjoy reading, good food, and the occasional glass of wine.
Q A
What’s your favourite book and why?
‘Job’s Body’ by Deane Juhan. this book provides the scientific evidence for the power of touch – it is much more than ‘just a bit of pampering’. Juhan takes the reader on a journey of discovery showing how touch affects the skin, muscles, nerves and brain. touch is a true holistic treatment. the book is
INTERNATIONAL
A world of opportunities UKtI have been busy to make sure that businesses in the UK are supported in seeking opportunities to export and grow. Business Opportunities provide sales leads and its main objective is to increase the prospects of UK companies exporting. hundreds of opportunities are published every month in over 40 sectors worldwide. Our staff in London, the UK regions and the British
Embassies, Consulates and high Commissions around the world work hard to make sure you hear about relevant global opportunities. to take advantage of the support provided to make that first step into exporting, the first thing to do is to register for free alerts at https://www.ukti.gov. uk/uktihome/register.html Save time, save money, register now at www.ukti.gov. uk/businessopportunities n
Elizabeth Hughes
eloquently written and I still enjoy reading it.
Q A
What value do you get from being a Chamber member?
Membership provides the opportunity to network and connect with other business people. the monthly magazine, CONNECtED, provides regular updates about what is happening with businesses in the county and beyond. n
Fun and Inspiring thE annual Business Women’s Christmas Lunch was held at Orton hall hotel, Peterborough and some fabulous prizes were won, raising £130 for Shine. Our guest speaker was Rani Viknaraja, owner of K8 Data Protection Consultancy. n
Ladies at the Christmas lunch
CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 39
| SECTOR FOCUS
Sector Guide thESE Sector pages bring you informative news and event updates each month. however for people new to the magazine or the Chamber or even for those in need of a reminder, this guide explains a little about what the Sectors are, how they operate and what they have achieved last year alone. the Sector groups are unique when compared to other Chambers in the country. We have eight active Sector groups, each of which is led by a committee with a Chair and Vice-Chair and small representation of members. the committees meet regularly to discuss issues pertinent to their sector industry or profession, generate topics and ideas for Sector articles and for the vast and varied Sector events that you may have attended or seen advertised. So what have they been up to in the last 12 months…
CONSTRUCTION
COMMUNICATIONS
Peterborough Construction Network continues to grow and in July rolled out to huntingdonshire with support from Alconbury Weald. Both locations will continue with regular meetings. the committee, chaired by David Smith of Waterland Associated, opened dialogue with Serco about the city council’s procurement process, airing concerns and requesting a more transparent policy which local businesses can understand. the dialogue will continue as their procurement framework develops. n
the Communications Sector developed a series of social media workshops ‘terrified towards terrific’ which were hosted at the University Centre Peterborough. they included a hands-on session for LinkedIn and twitter, use of the business tools, data protection, safe use aspect and policy. Discussions are taking place to role these out in huntingdon and Cambridge. Social media support sessions were integrated at the Chambers’ B2B exhibitions and will be repeated in 2014. A wider communications programme of workshops are also being planned. n
BUSINESS WOMEN’S the Business Women’s sector reached a 10 year anniversary in November! they developed a series of Women in Management workshops which focussed on leadership and management. their success has encouraged a repeat in Cambridge during the early part of 2014. Sara Collins, Solicitor at Buckles LLP, recently took on the role of Chair. her enthusiasm helped us kick off ‘Business Brainstorming’ sessions where ladies bring business ideas or issues to bounce off others offering a ‘fresh eyes’ approach. More of these will be repeated during the year. n
Social Media workshops were held at University Centre Peterborough
HR ANd RECRUITMENT
Delegates at one of last years Women in Management workshops
40 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
this sector has developed Spring and Autumn Collection workshops to explain changes to hR law and new legislation. these workshops are informative and interactive as delegates are able to pose questions to the speakers in round table discussions. the feedback from these is superb so more of the same in 2014. they are engaging with the Communications Sector to bring an internal communications event during 2014, plus a summer event to focus on recruitment and retention. n
SECTOR FOCUS |
hOW tO GEt INVOLVED? Join the committee, contribute to the Sector news items, sponsor a Sector event, or simple take advantage of attending and benefitting from the Sector events. to be kept up to date with activities from any of the Sectors, email your details to h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk along with the Sector interest. Each Sector has its own page on the Chamber website where you can see what they are up to and who is represented on the committees.
ICT
INTERNATIONAL
the ICt Sector was re-launched at the end of 2012 and the committee has taken a different approach to engage with members. You may have seen ‘Ask the Expert’ tagged to a number of our informal networking evenings 2013. Members of the ICt committee have been present to generate discussion and answer your It related questions. Any It queries can be put to the committee too via helen Bosett. they promise not to talk jargon and offer impartial advice – it has got to be worth a shot! n
Cambridgeshire Export Club was launched last February providing an open and informal forum for new and experienced exporters to engage with each other and share best practice. held on the last tuesday of each month, they will continue during 2014 in Cambridge and also welcome those considering exporting. A formal working partnership was agreed with UK trade and Investment (UKtI) to help them promote their export services as well as co-branding this Sectors events. Country specific events have been held and we welcome a visit each May from the hong Kong University. A New to Export and Vietnam event are on the map for 2014. n
ICT committee
LEARNING ANd SkILLS ‘Grow your Business through People’ has seen ‘skills’ events in Ely and Cambridge. Supported by the Local Enterprise Partnership and other key partners, they provided interactive workshops to encourage businesses to consider growing by up-skilling and developing existing staff. Some great case study examples from local businesses were heard too. Ely will be repeated in May 2014 and these workshops could be taken to other areas. the Sector attended Business is Good for Young People at the house of Commons and also gave their views and concerns to John Wastnage, Policy Skills Adviser for BCC at a recent committee meeting. n
The Moller Centre host our Cambridgeshire Export Club
SOCIAL ENTERpRISE ANd CHARITy
The recent skills event in Cambridge
Addressing feedback from Sector members a Procurement and Bid Writing workshop was held in September. Relevant information is circulated to or from the whole Sector membership, ie companies offering surplus furniture to a good home, staff offering time in place of cash, recruitment of governors or volunteers. n CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014 | 41
| CONNECTED MAGAZINE
ADVERTISE IN REACH MORE THAN 7000 POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS EVERY MONTH!
A TTLE
S
5 7 £
AS LI FROM
DRIVING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE Tel: 01223 781220 Email: connected@methodcreative.co.uk 42 | CONNECTED FEBRUARY 2014
Want to know more about the £2.8 million funding available? Find out about the capital and revenue funding for small businesses with the
LOW CARBON KEEP PROGRAMME
What is the Low Carbon KEEP programme?
This European and UK Government funded scheme is designed to enable small to medium size businesses to work in partnership with UK universities and colleges.
What can it do for my company?
This programme offers both capital and revenue funding towards the eligible costs of collaborative projects between universities and companies.
How does it work?
The company and university recruit an experienced graduate to work full-time at the company on a specific project with agreed timescales. The graduate is supported by a specialist academic from the university who dedicates at least half a day a week.
What could a typical project look like?
A Low Carbon KEEP project could address resource efficiency within a business, development of new products or services, innovation... the scope is huge!
What is the Low Carbon KEEP Innovation Voucher?
A The Low Carbon KEEP Innovation Voucher scheme allows SMEs to purchase standalone academic expertise from the region’s Universities to support innovation and business improvement. The Innovation Vouchers cover 40% of the costs of purchasing specialist support for a value from £1,000 up to £5,000, which will provide up to 12 days of bespoke assistance.
www.anglia.ac.uk/lowcarbon
lowcarbon@anglia.ac.uk carole.randall@anglia.ac.uk Tel. 0845 196 4310/5818 @LowCarbonKEEP
BMW i
The Ultimate Driving Machine
BE THE FIRST. BECOME ELECTRIC.
Some people follow. Others like to lead. If that’s you, you might be interested in the electric BMW i3, seamlessly designed to combine the benefits of an electric car with ultimate driving pleasure. Your Local Business Development Manager will be able to discuss the advantages of introducing electric vehicles into your fleet, along with the benefits of BMW i. Be one of the first to test drive* the new BMW i3 when it launches in November. To keep up to date on the latest news and developments, please contact Elms Corporate on 0845 129 50 20.
0845 129 50 20
Elms Corporate
Sheepfold Lane, Cambourne Cambridge CB23 6EF 0845 129 50 20 www.elmscorporate.co.uk
Official fuel economy figures for the BMW i3: mpg N/A, CO2 emissions 0 g/km, power output (electric motor) 125/170 KW/hp, total average energy consumption per 62 miles/100 km (NEDC test cycle) 12.9, customer orientated range 80–100 miles, total range (NEDC test cycle) 118 miles. Official fuel economy figures for the BMW i3 with Range Extender: mpg 470.8, CO2 emissions 13 g/km, power output (electric motor) 125/170 KW/hp, total average energy consumption per 62 miles/100 km (NEDC test cycle) 11.5, customer orientated range 150–186 miles, total range (NEDC test cycle) 211 miles. Data subject to confirmation. *Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.