connected March 2018

INSPIRING BUSINESS SUCCESS

ISSUE 64/MARCH 2018

The official monthly magazine for Chamber members

THE FUTURE Ian MacKellar - These are interesting and unpredictable times in which it’s foolish to try to predict, but that is what I am about to do

PLUS. . . all the news from the Chamber Network Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce 100 YEARS inspiring business success

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this issue

CONTENTS

13

25

33

8

29 5

Chief Executive’s highlights

6-7

Connections

8-9

Influence

10-11

Global reach

12-13

Knowledge

21

22-23

Cambs & South Cambs Chamber news

24-25

Out & about

27

Fenland Chamber news

29

Huntingdonshire Chamber news

30-31

Peterborough Chamber news

14

Protection

15

Ask the expert

33

16-17

New members

34-35

18-19

Charity

39

LEP

20

Matthew Gooding column

41

Insight from Alex Spencer

21

Ely Chamber news

45-47

Stamford Chamber news Ian MacKellar

Events

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce 100 YEARS inspiring business success

connected March 2018 3

welcome from the

EDITOR

Welcome to the March edition of connected.

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce 100 YEARS inspiring business success

Chief Executive John Bridge OBE DL Editor Sadie Parr Published by

I am delighted to announce that our new charity of the year from 1 April is Romsey Mill.

You can read more about who they are and the work they do on page 18.

March is a busy month for Chamber events including International Women’s Day, Two Counties Business Exhibition, Big Brain Quiz and a seminar designed to prepare you for GDPR. Please turn to the event pages for further information on everything taking place this month.

Also in this edition we hear Ian MacKellar’s predictions for the year ahead, welcome our new members and bring you news from across the Chamber Network.

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

Print xlpress Design Richard Thomas Clare Turner Advertising Caroline Turnbull caroline.turnbull@cambridge-news.co.uk Membership team Bren Coleman 01223 209811 Paul Gibbons 07759 934111 Cambridge Enterprise House, 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 Visit cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk @CambsChamber Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

DIARY DATES March 2018

7

Informal Networking Evening, Stamford

8

IWD: #PressforProgress, Peterborough

8

BCC Annual Conference, London

5

7

Informal Networking Evening, St Ives

GDPR: Getting you Prepared, Cambridge

8

9

Amazing Benefits of Chamber membership, Cambridge

Safari Networking Breakfast, Cambridge

12 12 14 15 15 Informal Networking, Ely

Health and Safety update workshop, Huntingdon

Two Counties Business Exhibition, Cambridge

Meet the Neighbours, Stansted

Informal Networking Evening, Cambridge

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

Views expressed in connected are not necessarily these of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/ or omissions. The editor reserves the right to make amendments without notification.

4 March 2018 connected

21 21 22 22 27

Amazing Benefits of Chamber membership, Peterborough

Informal Networking Evening, Peterborough

Amazing Benefits of Chamber membership, Cambridge

Big Brain Quiz, Cambridge

Global Business Network, Cambridge

view from the

BRIDGE

2017 was a very special year for Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce as we celebrated our centenary.

We marked this special 100th anniversary with a series of special events that brought members together to celebrate the many achievements of the business community, and the role that Chamber members have played in changing the world we live in.

There are many highlights, too numerous to mention, from the year including our centenary launch event in January and a special centenary dinner in October.

The event with our Board of Directors launched the start of our 100th anniversary celebrations, a century and a day after the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce was convened at the Cambridge Guildhall. I was delighted to welcome Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, to this event and we were able to discuss the key issues and potential barriers facing businesses today, and reflect on those where no resolution has been forthcoming during the 100 years!

Members of our vibrant business community gathered together at the Huntingdon Marriott to continue our celebrations with a black tie dinner in October. I was able to comment on the Cambridgeshire economy and identify how so many successful businesses in our area are ensuring the economy stays that way.

Our Business Women’s Sector marked the occasion with a series of initiatives designed to inspire future business women to become our entrepreneurs of the future, while our Learning and Skills Sector worked with Chamber member schools and colleges to hold a Young Entrepreneurship Challenge.

We were determined to use the year to shine a light on our charity members and the business community to provide help and support to those who need it. The Chamber staff were successful in meeting our 100 charitable hours target and it was a pleasure to get involved myself with the Bridge the Gap event that raised money for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.

As we venture into 2018 we are already paving the way for the next 100 years of inspiring business success.

John Bridge OBE DL Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce connected March 2018 5

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

PRIZE DRAW WINNERS DECEMBER The final centenary prize draw was made by Steve Dighton from Breheny and member of the Huntingdonshire Chamber Committee, alongside Paul Gibbons from the Chamber.

Our new member winner is Biorbyt and our member winner is Jessica Stillwell from Lloyds Bank.

Both members will receive £100.00 off their next membership renewal.

John Bridge OBE DL, Chief Executive at Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, commented: “We wanted to extend our centenary celebrations to all our members during 2017. This monthly draw offered us the opportunity to reward our members with money off their Chamber membership renewal as a thank you for supporting and being part of the Chamber Network.”

Connect with Jane Telfer

Jane Telfer, Trinity Hall’s experienced Wedding Co-ordinator, shares her tips on planning the perfect wedding.

“I’ve been fortunate to have planned more than 250 weddings at a range of exclusive venues around the world. In my current role as a Wedding Co-ordinator at Trinity Hall, I love being able to turn our wedding couple’s dreams into a reality.

Our stunning riverside grounds and beautiful historic architecture offer an idyllic wedding venue.

“A recent bride wrote to say that her wedding day at Trinity Hall was ‘just like being in a movie,’ and that ‘the day was absolutely perfect and exceeded our expectations in every way!’ It’s an honour and a privilege to have such a personal involvement in a couple’s big day.”

Creating the perfect wedding day There isn’t a definitive way to create the perfect wedding but I do believe it has to be personal.

Those weddings that have stood out most for me are undoubtedly those where the personality of the couple has permeated the celebration, often from quite subtle elements incorporated in their day.

Advice offered by Jane: Always start with a budget. Whether it is £100 or £100,000, everyone needs to know exactly how much they can spend. When you know your limits you can prioritise where you want to spend it. It might be food and wine, or decor and flowers.

A wedding day should be made up of a series of memories. Think back to all the weddings you’ve attended and remember what left you with the best memories.

Don’t overlook the little details, they inevitably will be the things that your family and guests will remember most. Traditions are lovely most of the time but not all traditions suit all couples so don’t be afraid to do something different which matches your personalities. (credit @Scott Gilbert Photography)

6 March 2018 connected

widen your

CONNECTIONS

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

2018 #PressforProgress will be debated and discussed at our forthcoming International Women’s Day event at Peterborough Cathedral on Thursday 8 March.

A morning of inspirational speakers, networking and debates will be led by our keynote speaker Georgie Bullen, Paralympian GB Goalball Player, who competed in the London 2012 Olympics.

Georgie was registered blind from the age of five, but her determination to be as independent as possible through her school life, and after attending a Paralympic Talent Identification Day at the age of 14, she went from not knowing anything about Goalball to being in the GB line-up and competing in London 2012. Since then, after finding difficulty seeking employment Georgie set-up her own business, Team Insight, to raise awareness and educate businesses of visual impairment to improve employment levels.

We look forward to meeting and hearing from Georgie, who will share her journey, key lessons learnt and how she has reached her own goals.

Other speakers from the local business community, including Fiona Onasanya MP for Peterborough, will inspire and motivate us as we continue on our own careers or personal journeys.

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

The feedback we received from last year’s sell-out event was overwhelming and we look forward to engaging and inspiring another sell-out audience!

Follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date with the event and all activities from the Business Women’s Sector @CCWomensSector. Please turn to page 47 for details of how to book this event.

‘IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD’

Sponsored by Hunt and Coombs

“An old African proverb suggests that the raising, teaching and supporting of a child is the responsibility of the whole community of people around them. At To The Moon and Back Foster Care we wholeheartedly believe this to be especially true for children who find themselves in foster care.

In raising the profile of the need for foster carers and support of children in care across

Cambridgeshire, I have met some great business women. The Business Women’s Christmas lunch was a fantastic opportunity to meet likeminded and socially responsible women, willing to listen and offer advice, whilst having fun. I feel a part of a great supportive ‘business village’.”

Angela Hunt, Managing Director, To The Moon and Back Foster Care Ltd connected March 2018 7

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

BCC Annual

Conference 2018:

The Future of Business

The programme for the 2018 Annual Conference explores the subjects most relevant to UK business. The conference aims to provide insight into these key topics through panel discussions, keynote speakers and by providing opportunities for discussion with other attendees.

The conference is a must-attend event for business leaders, corporate affairs and public policy professionals and is an exceptional opportunity to network with people from all sectors. The key themes that will feature at the Conference are the Future of Work – Skills, People and Technology, the Future of UK Trade and Diversity in Business.

Annual Conference 2018 Thursday 8 March, 9.00am-4.00pm QEII Conference Centre, London As the authentic voice of UK business, the conference attracts the highest calibre speakers.

These include political figureheads, business leaders and those whose thought leadership forms and shapes British business success in the UK and on the international stage.

For the line-up of confirmed speakers please visit bccconference.co.uk/speakers To attend the event as part of the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce group please contact Michelle Caspersz on 01223 209813 or email m.caspersz@cambscci.co.uk

BCC talks... gender pay gap Allan Williams, Head of Press and Communications at the British Chambers of Commerce, interviews Sara Abbonizio, Head of Business Engagement in the Gender Pay Gap team at the Government Equalities Office, to discuss gender pay gap reporting for business - what it means for large companies currently subject to reporting, potential plans to roll out further, and what businesses should do to adopt best practice.

8 March 2018 connected

The British Chambers of Commerce podcast series looks to discuss key topics and business issues that concern the Chamber Network and its member businesses.

Produced on a fortnightly basis, the podcasts analyse events and issues and aim to be thought-provoking and engaging, while informing businesses.

You can listen to this interview, and more, at http://bit.ly/BCCpodcast

the power to

INFLUENCE

LABOUR AND SKILLS SHORTAGES BIGGEST CHALLENGE The findings of the British Chambers of “This must be the year employers’ act rather evidence from our survey in the county Commerce quarterly economic survey, the than just complain on skills, and the year shows that growth and confidence remain UK’s largest and most authoritative privategovernment delivers clarity, leadership and subdued overall as we enter a new year. sector business survey, indicates that skills investment in people and most essentially “Labour and skills shortages are set shortages are reaching critical levels. infrastructure. Kick-starting growth, and to be the biggest potential drag anchor Of the service sector firms hiring, the boosting wages and prosperity for all, on business in 2018, since ultimately it percentage of firms reporting recruitment depends on this.” is people that make businesses work.

BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE difficulties rose to 71 per cent, the highest Recruitment difficulties: Business itself must do more – by training since records began. In manufacturing, In Q4 2017, 50 per cent of service sector and investing wherever possible in people the percentage of recruiting firms firms reported that they had attempted to – but government must also give firms the reporting greater difficulties is at its recruit employees. Of these firms, 71 per Inhighest Q4 2017, 50% of service sector firms confidence reported to that had attempted putthey their livelihoods on the to recruit employees. Of since Q4 2016. cent said they faced recruitment difficulties, line and go for growth. these firms, 71% theyJohn faced recruitment difficulties, the highest proportion began.

Commenting on said the results Bridge the since highestrecords proportion since records began.

Professional/managerial staff were the most difficult category of employee to recruit.

The below heatwere the most OBE DL, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Professional/ managerial staff Chambers of the Commerce, said: “While map shows breakdown of this indicator by UK nation and region: difficult category of employee to recruit. there are many business bright spots The below heat map shows the throughout Cambridgeshire breakdown of this indicator and Peterborough, the

by UK nation and region.

RECRUITMENT DIFFICULTIES

Scotland

45%

North East

62%

Yorks & Humber

North West

64%

77%

Northern Ire

East Midlands

71%

70%

East of England

Wales

88%

82%

London

57%

West Midlands

67%

South West

76%

South East

80%

connected March 2018 9

The regions and nations which saw the largest percentage of service sector firms facing recruitment difficulties were Wales (88%), East of England (82%) and the South West (80%). The regions and nations which saw the fewest service firms report difficulties were Scotland (45%),

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

Accredited Training in International Trade

GLOBAL AWARDS 2018

The Chamber runs a rolling programme of training courses that culminate in the nationally-recognised Foundation Award in International Trade.

The courses provide the knowledge to assist with your international trade activities and you will receive detailed notes to take away to build up a toolkit of reference information.

The Chamber have a series of awards to recognise Chamber members that have achieved success in overseas markets. The four Global Awards will be presented to members at a Global Leaders Lunch taking place in June.

Finance Options: Focusing on Letters of Credit Tuesday 27 February, 9.15am-5.00pm Getting paid is a vital part of the sales transaction, so join us on this one-day course to explore the options and reduce the costs involved in receiving payment. You will learn why, when and how to use Documentary Letters of Credit (L/cs). This masterclass will guide you through the complexities of L/c rules and regulations (UCP600) so you can be proactive in instructing your customer to encourage L/c clauses that work for you.

The categories are: Award for International Service Provider Award for Achievement in New Markets Award for Overall Growth in Exports New Exporter of the Year These awards will be open to Chamber members only; look out in the next edition for how to enter, the deadline submission date and details of the Global Leaders Lunch.

Sponsorship opportunity: we are looking for companies to sponsor the individual awards. For further information please contact Helen Bosett at h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 209815.

Import: Customs Compliance and Savings Tuesday 20 March, 9.15am-5.00pm Join us to understand the rules and intricacies of goods crossing borders. We’ll cover when import duties and taxes are applicable, and look at ways to reduce or even abolish these charges. Together we’ll view the Tariff and comprehend how to classify your goods. You will also learn about Customs Procedure Codes and the rules of valuation and understand how to read your import entries to ensure you will pass customs compliance audits. Different customs regimes to be considered will also be looked at.

Customs Special Procedures: Focusing in Inward Processing and Outward Processing Tuesday 27 March, 9.15am-5.00pm This course looks at the roles of processing in order to identify if you could trade more competitively.

With IP, you could benefit from duty being relieved on imports of non-EU goods, which are to be processed in the community before being put to an eligible disposal while with OP we will explain how you are allowed to claim relief from customs duty on the EU goods which have been exported for process.

Cost per course: £250.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £300.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members.

Venue: Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, 6 The Forum, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6FT Full course outlines can be found at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk To book, please call Jenni Misseldine on 01223 209810 or email j.misseldine@ cambscci.co.uk

10 March 2018 connected

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CHAMBER

GLOBAL AWARDS

extend your

GLOBAL REACH

TRADING WITH THE

US Bringing your business to the United States is no easy task, especially when the market is so culturally and economically diverse. But understanding the trends that occur in the ever changing landscape can help your company predict new market channels, change expectations of your brand and bring your product to new audiences.

Avitus Group will present eight trends to consider when bringing your business to the United States at an event to be held in April and organised by the International Sector.

Further details will be available shortly on the Chamber website and in next month’s edition of connected.

New leadership at the RBCC

The Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce congratulates Alf Torrents on his appointment as the Executive Director of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce (RBCC).

Alf’s career path has seen him serve in the British Army when he first lived in Russia, working in a manufacturing

start up in Zimbabwe and in a London business consultancy before he joined the RBCC last October.

Alf says: “With a long-term interest in Russia working in the RBCC is my dream job. Brits and Russians are similar in more ways than you would think and make for good business partners. This, however, is not immediately obvious and I spend a lot of my time trying to dispel the many myths about doing business in the UK and Russia that exist on both sides.

Encouraging business engagement is key to the work I do, and I am heartened by the genuine interest the two countries have for each other. With the rising oil price and the global focus that the Football World Cup will bring, we are hoping to see an upswing in interest

in Russia as a business and investment destination in 2018 and beyond.”

Alf will be speaking at the Going Global Trade Exhibition at the Excel Centre on 17 May. The RBCC is also planning a Trade Mission to Kazan in Russia 23–27 April 2018. The Mission will focus on the IT, logistics, education, tourism and Halal sectors.

If any of this is of interest, Alf and his team can be contacted at the RBCC by email: alf.torrents@rbcc.com or telephone 020 7931 6455.

The Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce will host Alf as a speaker later this year. Please email Michelle Caspersz m.caspersz@cambscci.co.uk if you would like further information.

connected March 2018 11

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

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

As a Chamber member you have free access to HR, Legal, Health & Safety, Tax and VAT advice through our partnership with Qdos Consulting.

Advice Line – 01455 852037 Covering HR, employment law, legal, health & safety, tax and VAT. Website – chamber.cambs. qdoshr.com/qed/ Featuring a comprehensive library of employment, legal and health & safety documents.

Your right to know small businesses can switch water retailer

Since April 2017, businesses, charities and public sector organisations in England have been able to switch their supplier of water and sewerage retail services.

By switching, or negotiating with their current supplier, customers can get a better price or a more tailored service.

Retail services include billing, meter reading and handling customer queries and complaints.

The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) is the independent consumer body for the water industry in England and Wales. We want the new market to work well for customers.

By switching or negotiating a better deal you could benefit from: • Lower prices • Better customer service • Tailored services • Improved water efficiency • Consolidated bills.

Research shows that only a quarter of small and medium sized businesses know what retail competition means for them.

CCWater are here to give you FREE advice and support and do not charge for their services.

For more information visit www.ccwater.org.uk/businesses/

Law Careers - How do you attract and retain the best people?

Legal careers are changing. The pace and nature of client work, the impact of new technology, global markets, diversity targets and changing career aspirations are leading to changes both in opportunity and expectation for lawyers.

Managing Change recently published report on law careers in the UK draws upon the experiences of lawyers at different stages in their careers. It assesses their career needs, aspirations and expectations. It is intended to provide valuable insights to employers and firms to inform their approach to job structures, career development, job satisfaction, well-being and retention efforts.

In a forthcoming series of articles 12 March 2018 connected

we’ll be assessing the findings of the survey in more detail and presenting solutions to address them. Specifically we’ll be focusing on retention and career satisfaction, performance, gender diversity and well-being.

Our findings include: • 84 per cent of lawyers indicated that changes to job content or structure would encourage them to stay longer in their firm • 59 per cent of lawyers experiencing negative stress consider that they do not receive the support they need.

To see what’s going well and less well in law careers download this free report http://bit.ly/2A1WaAQ.

grow your

KNOWLEDGE

Carillion Insolvency - a quick guide for sub-contractors and suppliers After weeks of speculation, Carillion has finally thrown in the towel, or rather its creditors have made the decision on Carillion’s behalf. The shock is that the company is being liquidated immediately without first placing the business into administration.

Buckles Solicitors have prepared a practical guide for sub-contractors and suppliers where the main contractor is insolvent.

The guide can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/Inslvncy

The evolution of sales and telemarketing Blue Donkey have taken the time to reflect and taken a closer look at the evolution of sales and telemarketing.

Since it first became a major industry in the 1960s, telemarketing has evolved to become more efficient and more effective.

Lifetime value A major change in the world of sales and telemarketing is that businesses have begun looking at long term goals rather than just short term gain. For a long time, the main focus of telemarketing calls was making a sale. These days, most successful telemarketers and forward-thinking businesses have changed the main focus of their campaigns. Instead of making one-off sales, telemarketers are now encouraged to think about the lifetime value of a customer and to build long lasting relationships with the companies they’re calling.

Big Data For years, all a caller would have had was a company name, a little basic information about the industry and, if they were lucky, a contact name. Big data is now providing telemarketers with a vast amount of information about the businesses they’re trying to speak to. It allows campaigns to hone their call lists and find companies who are genuinely in need of the product or service they’re providing. Companies can also use social media to get to know their prospects better, improving their chances of telemarketing success.

Understanding Using basic psychological techniques developed through decades of research and experience can help telemarketers navigate past gatekeepers and communicate effectively with decision makers.

This can go a long way to helping a company achieve its goals and boost its profits.

connected March 2018 13

enhance your

PROTECTION

To access these services please visit the protection page on the Chamber website or call our membership team on 01223 237414.

GDPR KNOWLEDGE IN DEMAND AS REALITY STARTS TO BITE… With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into full force in the UK in May 2018, and with the threat of fines of up to €20 million for businesses that don’t comply, there is a sudden increase in demand for knowledge on the subject as business leaders look at what they need to do to comply.

Luckily for businesses across Cambridgeshire, access to such knowledge is easy. In two seminars organised by Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, Mike Holland from OlsenMetrix Marketing will outline what the new law requires of companies and how to stay out of trouble with data.

10 KEY POINTS OF GDPR

GDPR: Getting you Prepared DATE: Wednesday 28 February TIME: 9.00am-12.00pm LOCATION: The Bull Hotel, Peterborough, PE1 1RB DATE: Wednesday 7 March TIME: 9.30am-12.30pm LOCATION: Holiday Inn Cambridge, Impington, CB24 9PH PRICE: £30.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £45.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members Bookings can be made via the Chamber website or telephone Jenni Misseldine on 01733 370809.

14 March 2018 connected

The aim of the GDPR is to protect all EU citizens from privacy and data breaches in an increasingly data-driven world that is vastly different from the time in which the 1995 directive was established. The key points of the GDPR, as well as information on the impacts it will have on business, can be found below.

Schedule General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect on 25 May 2018.

Territorial scope GDPR is mandatory for all companies interacting with the EU residents, regardless of where the company is located/headquartered.

Impacts of Brexit on the GDPR The regulation will be transposed fully into UK law, even once the UK has made its exit from the EU. Penalties Under GDPR organisations in breach of GDPR can be fined up to four per cent of annual global turnover or €20 million (whichever is greater). This is the maximum fine that can be imposed for the most serious infringements e.g.not having sufficient customer consent to process data or violating the core of Privacy by Design concepts.

Consent Consent must be clear and distinguishable from other matters and provided in an intelligible and easily accessible form, using clear and plain language. It must be as easy to withdraw

consent as it is to give it.

Breach notification Breach notification will become mandatory in all member states and must be done within 72 hours of first having become aware of the breach.

Right to access Data subjects will have the right to obtain from the data controller confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning them is being processed, where and for what purpose. Further, the controller shall provide a copy of the personal data, free of charge, in an electronic format.

Right to be forgotten It entitles the data subject to have the data controller erase his/her personal data, cease further dissemination of the data, and potentially have third parties halt processing of the data.

Data portability GDPR introduces data portability – the right for a data subject to receive the personal data concerning them, which they have previously provided in a ‘commonly use and machine-readable format’.

Data Protection Officers DPO appointment will be mandatory only for those controllers and processors whose core activities consist of processing operations which require regular and systematic monitoring of data subjects on a large scale or of special categories of data or data relating to criminal convictions and offences.

ask the

EXPERT

Martin Rickman, a Chartered Land Surveyor in Peterborough, provides a specialist service to homeowners and landlords, and their solicitors, in boundary dispute resolution.

Boundary Disputes can be very expensive, very time-consuming and very stressful for those involved.

In addition to the legal services provided by the solicitor involved, a Chartered Land Surveyor provides expert knowledge of maps, plans, measurements and dimensions – and knows how these can help to resolve the dispute.

Martin makes maps, and has been doing so ever since he left university in 1973. He has worked in the UK and the Middle East, and established his own practice in Yaxley in 1993, which was when he first started doing specialist boundary consultations. In the interim 25 years he has done hundreds of site visits and site surveys, and has testified as an expert witness in the County Court, at the Land Registry Tribunal, and at a Planning Enquiry.

One of the very successful techniques

What can the construction sector expect in 2018?

Sarah Lidgett, Construction Solicitor at Greenwoods Solicitors LLP, offers some useful insight about some of the expected changes for 2018.

Construction Industry Advisory Network (CONIAN)

used by Martin is his ability to make his own map of a disputed boundary. By mapping all the relevant features of one or both properties, it can highlight any discrepancies or inaccuracies in the Land Registry title plans, and can also determine whether a claim to land by one of the parties is justified or not.

Land Registry compliant sale and lease plans In additional to his boundary work, Martin also undertakes site surveys for Land Registry compliant plans, because the specification for these is very exact.

Mostly the conveyancing solicitors use the plans that were inherited from the previous sale of a property, but where land is being divided prior to sale then new plans are required. Also, where property has not been registered then First Registration plans need to be prepared, and the old deed plans are often not compliant with the Land Registry requirements.

Martin has undertaken the investigation to determine the exact ownership of land belonging to large farms and estates. Often

these have a mixture of registered land, unregistered land for which title deeds are available and unregistered land of unknown ownership. By use of a mixture of office-based investigation, and site survey and measurement, Martin has been able to identify the problem areas and has provided plans to the conveyancing solicitors to enable them to undertake first registration or Land Registry rectification.

Commercial Property Measurement Another expert service undertaken by Martin is the measurement of accurate areas (square feet and square metres) of both commercial and residential properties.

These are fairly easy to do where a building is straight and square, but can be much more difficult when the walls are not parallel or vertical, or when they are curved; and Martin specialises in these latter. Also, he has been appointed as the single joint expert in disputes between landlord and tenant (concerning the floor areas) and has undertaken a separate accurate survey which both parties have beforehand agreed to accept.

The HSE has launched a new ‘stakeholder network’ aimed at sharing best practice within the construction sector and to provide support to those that need to improve health and safety performance. This will run alongside the Help Great Britain Work Well strategy to change behaviours and provide organisations with advice on how to manage construction risks.

Pre-Action Protocol for Construction and Engineering Disputes Having come into force in November 2016, the Civil Procedure Rule Committee has announced that the review of this PreAction Protocol will now take place after February 2018.

Construction Skills Shortage This issue was tackled in the Autumn 2017 Budget with the suggestion of various measures the address the shortage including: 1. The National Retraining Partnership focusing in particular on construction skills 2. £204 million of funding for innovation and skills in the construction sector, to focus on building new homes 3. A new ‘Construction Sector Deal’ aiming to support innovation and skills through investment.

Grenfell Tower and Building Regulations The Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017 showed the inadequacies of the Building Regulations 2010, and its relevance to high rise buildings where a local authority both owns the building and is the building control body. An independent review has since been set up alongside the public inquiry, with its final report due by spring 2018.

BREEAM The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) was launched back in 1990. An industry working group has now been set up to develop a merger with the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme (CEEQUAL) to devise a new set of joint standards. These are due to be released in early 2018.

Whole-life carbon assessment RICS’ Whole-life carbon assessment for the built environment, 1st edition, becomes mandatory for use by its members on 1 May 2018. This will require RICS members to assess carbon emissions from construction projects and will be applied to the built environment, including infrastructure. connected March 2018 15

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce 100 YEARS inspiring business success

Would you like to become a Chamber member?

Get in touch today to find out the many benefits.

Tel: 01223 237414 Email: enquiries@cambscci.co.uk

NEW MEMBERS this month BIORBYT LTD @BIORBYT BREATHE TECHNOLOGY LTD @BREATHETECHNO1 BRIDGE GROUP @BRIDGEFIBRE

Cambridge 105 Radio Cambridge 105 Radio is the local radio station for Cambridge – it broadcasts across the city and South Cambridgeshire on 105 FM, on DAB Digital Radio, online through their website www.cambridge105.co.uk and on mobile apps such as RadioPlayer and TuneIn. They have been on air since 2010 and broadcast more than 100 hours of live

programming from their Gwydir Street studios every week, with a wide range of popular music, speech and specialist music programmes.

Many local businesses, charities and community groups advertise with them because they reach local audiences.

Meet the team behind Cambridge 105 at Strawberry Fair, The Cambridge Folk Festival and The Cambridge Rock Festival as well as numerous city events.

CMI CONSULTING LTD @CMIWORKPLACE GEL HR LTD @GELHRCOUK HEART OF HISTORY HRGO DRIVING (FENLAND) LTD JESUS COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE @JESUSCOLLEGECAM JONATHAN TOLE CONSULTING LTD @JATOLE MADE AGENCY @MADE_TWEETS METRO ROD CAMBRIDGE PETERBOROUGH ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND @LOCALPAB RECOGNITION EXPRESS PETERBOROUGH @RECEXPRESS_PB S A C CONSTRUCTION LTD @SACCONSTRUCTION SLADEN ESTATES LTD THE BROADWAY (PETERBOROUGH) @THEBROADWAYUK TIKANT 16 March 2018 connected

Neil Whiteside and Linda Ness host the Weekday Breakfast Show on Cambridge 105 Radio, Monday to Friday 7-9am

Biorbyt Ltd

Biorbyt is a Biotech company which has bloomed from a basement start up to a thriving e-commerce business supplying and distributing bioreagents for the global scientific community. Based in Cambridge, Biorbyt has experienced steady growth by refining product improvement and new product ranges, operating out of San Francisco and Wuhan. www.biorbyt.com

Breathe Technology Ltd Breathe Technology have been trading since 2003, a managed IT services and network security specialist that focuses on SME’S and educational sectors throughout East Anglia. Breathe IT Services are tailored and delivered professionally, their technical consultants have an above average skill and are accredited with

professional qualifications across a wide variety of software and hardware vendors. www.breathetechnology.com

news from

NEW MEMBERS

Jonathan Tole Consulting Limited Do you want to benefit from Technology? Jonathan Tole Consulting brings a practical approach to the use of technology to support your business growth plans and improve efficiency and creativity. Through leadership development programs, technology use mentoring, culture change and strategic planning they can help you unlock the benefits. www.jonathantole.com

CHRIS GROOME DECORATING LTD Brett Groome is the director of a family run painting and decorating business working within the construction industry and commercial sector also offering complete property maintenance solutions for planned and reactive works, property development and small build solutions. www.chrisgroomedecorating.co.uk

Peterborough Association for the Blind Peterborough Association for the Blind support local people with serious sight problems. It is estimated that by 2020 there will be 5,400 Peterborough residents with un-correctable sight loss which can sometimes lead to isolation, depression and loss of confidence.

They support their members by enabling them to live independent lives by providing befrienders, social activities, sports, events and information about local services. They also offer specialised training for family and carers. www.mypab.org.uk

connected March 2018 17

INTRODUCING Romsey Mill has been chosen as our 2018-19 charity of the year. Romsey Mill is a Christian charity committed to supporting children, young people and families in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Sadie Parr, Communications Co-ordinator and Charity of the Year Co-ordinator, commented: “It was a pleasure to meet some of the team at Romsey Mill recently and gain an understanding of the important work they do in creating opportunities across our region for young people and families.”

Neil Perry, Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce’s Charity of the Year.

“Cambridgeshire is a vibrant place with great opportunities for business.

As a charity, we work in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, to create opportunities with young people, children and families, including some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, to help them learn new skills, grow in confidence and thrive.

“We are excited at this announcement and we are really looking forward to working with the Chamber and its members during 2018/19.”

Charity PECT reaches 25-year milestone for environmental action

Photo credit to Keith Heppell

His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex visits Arthur Rank Hospice Arthur Rank Hospice’s home at Shelford Bottom was officially opened at 2.00pm on Friday 19 January

by His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward.

The Earl enjoyed a tour of the Hospice – meeting patients, volunteers and staff – before unveiling an official plaque to mark the special occasion.

The Earl was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence at Shelford Bottom where he was introduced to the Hospice’s CEO Dr Lynn Morgan, Chair of Trustees Ms Isabel Napper, Chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council Cllr Mandy Smith, Chairman

18 March 2018 connected

of South Cambs District Cllr David McCraith, and Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet Hannah Currell.

CEO Dr Lynn Morgan comments: “We are delighted that The Earl of Wessex was able to take the time to visit us and officially open our new home, continuing a legacy of Royal recognition which has continued since Arthur Rank Hospice first came into being. As well as unveiling a plaque marking this special occasion, The Earl was kind enough to sign the front page of our Founders’ Book, which also includes the names of all the people who donated to our Founders’ Appeal.”

Back in 1993 the charity PECT was launched to house the city’s environmental ambitions. The organisation has now reached its 25year milestone, and is calling for members of the public to get involved in its plans to achieve an even greater impact in the next quarter of a century too.

“Globally we are using resources at an unsustainable rate,” explains PECT’s CEO Carly Leonard. “This means that we are emitting more carbon than the oceans and forests can absorb, we are catching more fish, felling more trees, harvesting more, and consuming more water than the Earth is able to produce in the same period.

“Things need to change to protect our natural environment and enjoy a better quality of life for ourselves, our families and future generations. We’re calling for people to get involved with our work to enable us to make an even bigger difference.”

PECT aims to play a part in tackling these issues through delivering projects locally and further afield. Now, to mark its silver anniversary, the charity is looking for even more people to get involved with its work.

Stay tuned by visiting www.pect.org.uk

Photo credit to Neil Barker

chamber supports

CHARITY

CHARITY EVENTS Can you spare some time to support our charity member events?

Friday 9 March YMCA Sleep Easy St Catharine’s College, Cambridge Sign up and find out more on Eventbrite, search Sleep Easy 2018 – Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival Peterborough Saturday 9 June Peterborough Rowing Lake Raising funds for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/ peterborough

CHAMBER MEMBERS SUPPORT CHARITIES Community support for Little Miracles

After the atrocity of vandalism, to the Lottery Funded charity Little Miracles in Peterborough, DALROD were only too happy to lend a hand, along with many other businesses throughout the city.

The charity, who became famously supported by Nick Knowles and the BBC’s Big Build, come under attack from vandalism, with the centre’s garden and play area affected by an explosion of fireworks and paint, as well as stolen items and damage created to the shed and fencing. The charity support many families within the local area, who have children with severe illnesses and disabilities, giving this a place of respite and retreat.

The Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce were quick to act and gave a plea for businesses in Peterborough to come to the Little Miracles aid on their social media.

With no hesitation DALROD Peterborough contacted the Little Miracles headquarters ‘The Spinney’ to see how they could help.

The guys from DALROD Peterborough attended the centre and completed the clean operation with the help of our powerful jetters, removing the paint from the pathways and play equipment.

As much as this is an extremely sad situation for the Little Miracles Centre, it has reconfirmed what a great business community we are a part of, well done to all.

Hundreds of socks donated to the homeless

King’s Ely went all out to donate as many pairs of new socks as possible to the Socks and Chocs initiative again this year. The charitable scheme aims to relieve hardship and distress among homeless people and those living in adverse housing conditions.

Generous students, staff and parents collected a whopping 700 pairs of socks, as well as a stash of chocolate goodies, all of which will be delivered to Jimmy’s Cambridge, which has been providing help for the homeless in Cambridgeshire for over 20 years. The charity works with the local community, volunteers and partner agencies to deliver 24/7 emergency accommodation and supported housing for those who would otherwise be homeless or vulnerably housed.

Marketing agency sets ambitious fundraising target OlsenMetrix Marketing, has leapt into 2018 by announcing an ambitious charity fundraising goal for the year.

On 20 October 2018, they will be hosting The Big Bold Ball, a glamorous evening of dinner, music and entertainment with proceeds going to the local charity, Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.

To help achieve their fundraising targets, the team will be reaching out to local businesses to ask for their sponsorship support. They have already secured a headline sponsor for the event that will be formally announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the ball will go on sale soon, but, in the meantime, those who are keen to register an interest in sponsorship or ball tickets should get in touch with OlsenMetrix on 0333 101 0075. connected March 2018 19

business talk with

MATTHEW GOODING

Leaving gifts Did you know that 31 January is ‘resignation day’, the day people are most likely to hand in their notice and leave work for pastures new?

Well, you do now, and you may be slightly miffed to learn you’ve missed your chance to join the masses heading out the door for a new role.

There’s always next year.

This news was brought to me by fundraising platform Leetchi.com, which has been crunching the numbers and reports that the average Cambridge office spends £12.30 clubbing together to get colleagues a leaving gift. The methodology behind this important research isn’t made entirely clear, but apparently we’re the third most generous city in the country when it comes to presents for departing colleagues.

I don’t think £12.30 sounds like a lot, but according to the survey the national average is £11, and I guess it depends how many colleagues you have. I’ve had various leaving gifts over the years, ranging from a digital camera, to various bits of Cambridge Unitedrelated paraphernalia and a decorated wooden spoon.

I perhaps wasn’t very popular in the latter role, but I still have it somewhere at home.

Perhaps I shouldn’t take it personally, as 31 per cent of Cambridge people questioned said they don’t like their co-workers enough to bother with leaving gifts, and 64 per cent believe their co-workers don’t put their hands in their pockets. Personally I always contribute something, the only barrier being if I don’t have cash in my pocket – the day you can make a contactless contribution to a whip round can’t come soon enough if you ask me.

And while you may feel aggrieved about putting money in an envelope for someone who has irritated you consistently over the years, look on the bright side; if you send them on their way with a good gift, there’s less chance of them coming back.

Matthew Gooding is Business Correspondent of Cambridge Business magazine, produced by Cambridge News & Media, which this year scooped the Santander SME/Enterprise Title of the Year for an unprecedented third consecutive year.

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20 March 2018 connected

news from

Grovemere Property showcases business growth Hosted by site developers Grovemere Property, local Councillors saw firsthand how the rapidly developing area has flourished since the completion of substantial investment in infrastructure during the past year.

Grovemere Property, founded in 1924, is a family-owned business which has evolved into a provider of high-quality employment space. In 2007, Grovemere Property moved to Lancaster Way Business Park in Ely, where they work closely with the council’s proactive economic development team, to bring new businesses into the area.

Approximately 75 acres of additional commercial development land was opened as part of a Phase II infrastructure project at Lancaster Way in August 2017 by MP for South East Cambridgeshire, Lucy Frazer QC. Harvey Bibby, Marketing and Development Director at Grovemere Property Limited, said: “We have enjoyed hosting Councillors from East Cambridgeshire District Council. The aim of the day was to highlight the significant progress being made at the Lancaster Way Business Park Enterprise Zone. I think first-hand experience of the site and buildings being constructed on the park will enable the Councillors to engage with interested parties and the wider community which will in-turn assist with the promotion of the park and encourage jobs growth for the district.”

Ellgia is in the Top 100 companies in Cambridgeshire Ely based Ellgia was recognised in the Cambridgeshire Ltd 2017 report as one of the Top 100 Businesses in Cambridgeshire, which is compiled each year by Global Accounting and Consultancy firm Grant Thornton.

They compose the report using the most recently publicised

ELY CHAMBER

available accounts (September 2017), offering unique insight into the performance of the county’s business community.

It provides financial analysis of Cambridgeshire’s 100 largest companies which are both owned and managed within Cambridgeshire.

Ellgia was one of 22 new entrances to the award in 2017, recognised as one of the vibrant and dynamic companies contributing to the economic growth of the county.

This demonstrates the success of the investment in the company over the past few years, delivering strong performance and exciting growth.

Hazel Platt and Phil Sharpe of Grant Thornton presented Steve Crook, Managing Director of Ellgia, with the award to recognise the achievement. On receiving the accolade, Steve commented: “It is an honour to be recognised among the list of high-profile companies within the county. I have watched how the industry has changed over the years and we are always looking at ways to improve and evolve with today’s competitive environment.”

New governor appointed at King’s Ely The school welcomes Gavin Acheson to the Board of Governors, all of whom work alongside the principal to oversee the leadership of the school.

Educated at King’s College School, Wimbledon, Trinity College, Oxford, and then the College of Law, Guildford, Gavin is a lawyer and specialises in property and charities. He worked at Farrer & Co. in London for nearly 30 years and has recently moved to Birketts Solicitors in Cambridge.

Speaking about his appointment, Gavin said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Board of Governors at King’s Ely. These are, as ever for such institutions, exciting and challenging times particularly, from my life in property, for the school’s estate - and I am much looking forward to engaging with the school in developing that estate to meet the needs of its future.”

Chairman of the Board of Governors at King’s Ely, Jeff Hayes, said: “I very pleased that we have been able to attract someone of Gavin’s calibre to

the Governing Body of King’s Ely. I am certain that Gavin’s experience as a lawyer, specialising in property and the charity sector, will prove an invaluable asset as the school looks towards the future. Living relatively close to the school and having two young children will also allow Gavin to bring his perspective to the Board as a parent.”

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk connected March 2018 21

New Apprentice for Analytik Analytik, leading suppliers of innovative analytical instrumentation, welcomes their new Digital Marketing Apprentice Jacob Rochester from 3aaa Cambridge.

While undergoing a level 3 diploma in Digital Marketing, Jacob will spend most of the course’s duration within the team at Analytik. He will undergo the required external education under the tuition of 3aaa Apprenticeships.

Jacob has gained valuable customer communication and

interaction skills while working within a variety of part-time job roles. He has also gained insight into a range of marketing and video-production skills while producing a short promotional documentary alongside English Heritage for an event at Audley End House and Gardens.

Jacob commented: “My choice to pursue a Level 3 Digital Marketing Apprenticeship was motivated by my passion for the application of creative techniques within marketing.”

Marks & Clerk receive high ranking Marks & Clerk has been named the UK’s top patent filer, having filed the highest number of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications between January 2014 and December 2016 according to new data published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Operating from offices across the UK, including Cambridge, and with offices in France and Luxembourg, Marks & Clerk is also named one of Europe’s top three filers.

Marks & Clerk’s first-place ranking

Domino appoints new Director Domino Printing Sciences has appointed Jeremy Jones as Global Marketing Director.

In his new role, Jeremy will lead the Global Marketing Team in continuing to build on the company’s cohesive, 22 March 2018 connected

highlights the increasing role of innovation in driving the UK economy.

Innovators in Cambridgeshire in particular have filed more than 200 European Patent applications since October 2016.

Kirsteen Gordon, a Partner in Marks & Clerk’s Cambridge office, said: “That Marks & Clerk is again recognised as the UK’s top filer of PCT applications is testament to the expertise of our team, but also to the dynamism of the economy in and around Cambridgeshire and the wider UK.”

global and focused marketing function to support corporate objectives.

Speaking of his new role, Jeremy said: “I am delighted to join Domino as it is a company I have admired for a long time.

This is a very exciting time in Domino’s ongoing evolution. The ambition shared throughout the organisation is immense and the opportunities for growth are significant.

As a marketer focused on delivering value to the business, this is truly inspiring.”

Cambridge station wins heritage award Greater Anglia has received the MTR Crossrail Award for Urban Heritage at the National Railway Heritage Awards for its work to restore the station building to its former glory, meticulously repairing and repainting its ornate roundels, cleaning and repairing damaged brickwork and tidying up unsightly cabling and surface pipes.

The station’s 32 beautiful roundels represent the coats of arms of Cambridge University’s colleges, and local dignitaries from when the station opened in 1845. Work to carefully restore the mouldings, removal of the redundant cabling and repairing of damaged brickwork on the Grade II listed station cost £250k and took a year to complete. This work was funded by a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust.

Presenting the award, Steven Brindle, English Heritage, said: “Cambridge was one of a number of excellent schemes submitted by Greater Anglia. That one of the newest franchisees has recognised in this way the importance of the heritage environment in which it operates is exemplary and it is to be hoped that future franchisees will demonstrate a similar commitment.”

news from

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER

Law firm appoints family solicitor

Exciting times for Scrutton Bland Scrutton Bland has been named as one of the Top 100 financial planning firms in the UK. The annual list of financial planners recognises ‘prominent leaders and outstanding achievements in the UK financial advice community’ and is compiled by the media platform New Model Adviser and website citywire.co.uk.

Grant Buchanan, Financial Planning Partner at Scrutton Bland, reflected on the past 12 months: “2017 was a pivotal year

Miller Sands has appointed a new family solicitor to head up its family law division, to provide expert advice on all matters including divorce, separation and child arrangement orders.

Rebecca Varey will handle all family

law matters for the firm, helping clients navigate the legal landscape in a professional and sensitive manner.

Rebecca said: “I am excited to be a part of the team at Miller Sands, a longstanding local law firm in Cambridge with an excellent reputation for client care.

“I pride myself on being friendly and approachable and I explain matters clearly to my clients, ensuring they understand the process and my involvement.”

Rebecca qualified as a solicitor 12 years ago and has been working in family law ever since. She has experience in a range of areas within family law and is a member of Resolution, a national organisation of family lawyers committed to nonconfrontational divorce, separation and other family problems.

for us. We have expanded the number of partners in our leadership team from nine to 15, opened a new office in Cambridge and increased our footprint in Chelmsford.

Additionally we have worked to give greater professional development training and autonomy to our technical people in our Financial Planning team. This has enabled us to grow our involvement in many areas of investment including defined benefit pension transfer advice.”

Grant continues: “The coming year will bring new developments which will directly benefit our clients. Over the next few months we will be introducing new technology and online platforms which will provide clients with greater choice and ease of access to

their savings and investments.

“We have strengthened our team even further with the appointment of Jonathon Clarke who will join our team of financial advisers in the summer and will be supporting our growing business in Cambridge.”

NASA technology helps racing drivers cool off NASA technology is being used to make suits for racing drivers which are out of this world. Little Shelford firm Walero is behind the base layer suits, which use temperature-regulating technology originally developed for astronauts.

Walero has just made its big break into the American market, signing a deal with HMS Motorsport as its official North American distributor.

“Breaking into the USA has been one of our goals since we launched the company in January 2015,” said Fiona James, Walero’s founder and director.

“To have been able to achieve this in less than three years, and to be partnered with such a prestigious company as HMS is incredible. It is very fitting to be launching this partnership at PRI, one of the world’s leading motorsport shows in historic Indianapolis.”

The Outlast fibres in the Walero’s fabric help to regulate core body temperature and reduce perspiration by as much as 30 per cent, which in turn means that drivers’ heart rates and respiration rates can be significantly reduced. This means that driver performance can be increased due to reduced fatigue and heat stress leading to improved reaction times and concentration.

The base layers are SFI and FIA rated, meaning they can be used at all levels of international motorsport. connected March 2018 23

Send us your photos each month and we’ll include the best of the bunch! Email images direct to s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Networking for the construction industry Joanne Sainsbury, MD of iMET and event sponsor, gave a short presentation on the manufacturing and skills centre at the recent Huntingdon Construction and Property Network event held at Alconbury before delegates were given a tour of the near completed £10.5m state of the art facility.

TACKLING POVERTY Helen Crowther, Equality and Anti Poverty Officer at Cambridge City Council, was guest speaker at our January safari breakfast event held at Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge. She spoke about the Real Living Wage and how to tackle poverty in Cambridge City.

HAINES WATTS

supports local charity Katie Thomas from Opportunity Peterborough gave an update on the circular economy at the January Peterborough Construction Network event held at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium.

24 March 2018 connected

The staff at Haines Watts Peterborough City office were delighted to hand over a cheque for £213 to Jacqui Campey, Services Manager at Peterborough Rape Crisis Care. Staff members nominated a local charity to receive funds from their ‘Dress Down Fridays’ Charity collection.

it’s happening

OUT & ABOUT

Christmas Cocktails In December Michelle Caspersz attended the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce event at Armourers’ Hall in London to celebrate the festive season, sponsored by BP. RBCC Patron HRH Prince Michael of Kent gave Christmas wishes during a drinks reception.

WEBTEC EXPAND FOCUS ON CHINA

LARKFLEET COMMUNITY

FUND

While presenting at a technical conference in China, Webtec’s Managing Director, Martin Cuthbert and Huimin Zhang, Market Development Director, used the opportunity to announce two new distribution agreements in-line with the company’s strategy to expand its current business in Asia.

The Larkfleet Homes Community Fund has donated nearly £50,000 to community groups and ventures across the country which support the Larkfleet Homes vision of integrating new developments into the community.

connected March 2018 25

GERMAN QUALIT Y KITCHENS

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info@bydi.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce 100 YEARS inspiring business success

news from

CAMBRIDGESHIRE & FENLAND CHAMBER

College link up with Anglian Water to offer courses

Flagship Group Chief Executive David McQuade has said goodbye to his beard in aid of The Helping Harry Trust

The College of West Anglia is working with Anglian Water, and its four alliances, to offer two exciting courses at the college’s Wisbech campus: Engineering (Level 3) and Construction (Level 2).

These courses are specifically designed to lead into apprenticeships within the Anglian Water @onealliance and offer students hands-on work experience within industrial environments. As an extended element of its support to the college, Anglian Water has now sponsored the creation of a new training facility at the Wisbech campus.

This new space will provide a modern, fully-equipped workshop in which students can hone their practical skills. The official opening takes place on Friday 2 March with representatives from Anglian Water and Stephen Barclay MP in attendance.

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch.

Tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

After one year of growth, the impressive facial hair has now been replaced with an ‘almost’ clean-shaven face. All the action was live streamed from the @_FlagshipGroup twitter account.

Although many people liked David’s hairy look, equally as many are pleased to see his face once again – especially his wife and family.

The Helping Harry Trust was set up to support two year old Harry Charlesworth.

Harry suffered strokes prior to being born which left him with severe brain damage. As a result, Harry has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, breathing difficulties and is tube fed.

David said: “I’m delighted to be able to do something for such a worthy cause.

Harry is a brave boy indeed.

Any money raised will help Harry get the essential equipment, treatment and care he needs to have the

best future possible.”

Harry’s mum Hayley said: “We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received for Harry and delighted David has decided to raise money for our cause.

Despite the challenges Harry faces, he is such a happy little boy and as a family we are still coming to terms with this new reality but we are growing stronger and more resilient each day.”

To sponsor David and support The Helping Harry Trust please visit: www.gofundme.com/2ptcczw including the reference: DAVID-BEARD. The ‘beard off’ has also marked the start of Flagship Group’s 2018 Charity League where teams across the business will raise money carrying out various activities for their chosen charity throughout the year.

connected March 2018 27

news from

Webtec and HTM Hydraulics announce new joint venture for India Webtec Products Ltd, the hydraulic measurement and control specialists, and HTM Hydraulics Pvt Ltd have announced a new joint venture.

This is an important strategic agreement for Webtec as it expands its sales and services into India’s fast growing hydraulics market.

Bangalore-based HTM Hydraulics brings extensive local market knowledge and understanding, which will greatly complement Webtec’s expertise in hydraulic component design and manufacture. This new venture will enable distributors and customers to gain greater access to technical sales, engineering and marketing expertise as well as direct access to Webtec’s manufacturing, resulting in improved productivity, reduced downtime and lower total cost of ownership.

Martin Cuthbert, Webtec’s CEO, commented on the agreement: “This is a great opportunity to extend our reach into India and so it has been important to choose the right partner, which HTM is. We are looking forward to growing our market share and also upgrading our repair and recalibration facility for Webtec hydraulic test equipment giving our India customers a faster and more comprehensive service.”

HUNTINGDONSHIRE CHAMBER

Mick George secure waste management contract The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme recently marked its first anniversary, and great progress has been made to date, along the 21mile route of this £1.5 billion Highways England scheme.

The project team is committed to positive engagement with local communities, employing local workers and companies wherever possible.

Mick George Ltd has been contracted to complete a significant proportion of work on the project, for which circa 1,000 locally-sourced staff members are employed, of which 150 have been recruited for this project alone.

Following on from the £16 million contract for the supply of concrete for the main highway build, the company has now been awarded a further £1 million agreement for the exclusive supply of skip and waste management services.

With more than a quarter of the project’s main construction work now complete, owing thanks to the 2,200-strong labour force that has completed a total of three million hours worked to date, as you would imagine, there is a considerable volume of differing construction,

trade and general waste materials being produced.

The decision to award a local supplier with the waste management contract, drastically reduces the number of vehicle movements and distance travelled along routes throughout the counties road infrastructure, consequently improving the project’s green credentials.

Alongside this, Mick George Ltd has committed to provide complimentary containers for all waste metal materials produced, charging only for the haulage. Any proceeds gained from the sale of the recycled metals will go back to the scheme to become part of the A14 Community Fund, which supports local community projects.

Michael George, Contracts Director of Mick George Ltd, commented: “The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme has been long overdue and we are extremely excited about playing a key role in the scheme’s development and delivery.

It is fantastic that Highways England recognise the strategic benefits of using local suppliers, adding significant value and benefits to the wider local economy and communities.”

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk connected March 2018 29

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page?

Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Positive outlooks from MHA MacIntyre Hudson MHA MacIntyre Hudson’s corporate finance team has had another busy few months, with a number of ongoing transactions.

The team was recently shortlisted for four of the top awards at the prestigious regional Insider Dealmakers dinner. This is the tenth year running that both partner Laurence Whitehead and the team have been shortlisted for the Dealmaker and the M&A Team of Year awards and Laurence believes that there is much to look forward to

RICS Accredited Expert Witness In November 2017 Arbicon Director Harvey Cooke became an RICS Accredited Expert Witness.

Harvey is an expert in the management, measurement and valuation of all aspects of construction and civil engineering works with 37 years of experience.

Harvey advises and works with employers, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, solicitors and barristers; familiar with all aspects of ADR and the Technology & Construction Court.

Harvey is a specialist in all aspects of Construction Contract ADR and is regularly appointed as an Expert Witness assisting the parties or the court/tribunal in getting to a resolution in disputes. Harvey’s expert opinion has been used in adjudication, arbitration, the County and High Courts and he is a very experienced practitioner in these procedures.

30 March 2018 connected

in 2018 for M&A activity in the UK - despite the continuing distractions around Brexit and wider global issues.

Laurence commented: “Fundamentally the UK has several unique selling points which stand us in good stead. We have a strong tradition of entrepreneurial drive, a long history of inbound and outbound M&A activity, a deep culture of corporate transparency, creative funding structures, our global language and our robust corporate legal system.

“There are three key areas which will influence the positives outlined above. One is future trading relations with both the EU and the rest of the world, a second one is access to, and retention of, talent and the third one is capital availability.

“Many challenges lie ahead for corporate UK’s M&A aspirations. However, many of these are of a macro nature and out of the control of business owners. Strong businesses with focused plans and strong management teams will thrive on the opportunities that arise. Indeed, with funding options greater than ever, funding costs at all-time lows and the UK possessing a number of USPs, now could be just the time to push forward with those M&A plans.”

New initiative to help tackle housing crisis Larkfleet Homes has set up a new organisation to help tackle the housing crisis by providing affordable homes to rent.

The Lincolnshire-based builder and developer has established Swift, a ‘registered provider’ of affordable housing. It will take homes on Larkfleet sites that are allocated for ‘social housing’ and manage them directly, finding tenants, collecting rents and maintaining the properties.

Karl Hick, CEO of Larkfleet Homes, said: “On many new housing developments we provide social housing – homes for rent to people on lower incomes or for sale through a number of different schemes to people who need help to get onto the ‘housing ladder’.

“This social housing is usually provided through a housing association which buys the properties from us and then rents or sells them.

“Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult for housing associations to obtain the funds they need to buy new homes.

We have therefore set up Swift which has access to private sector funding to take on this role directly.”

Swift is regulated by the government’s Homes and Communities Agency as a ‘registered provider’. This means that it has had to pass strict tests to demonstrate its financial strength and its commitment to effective and responsible management and governance.

The majority of Swift’s directors are independent of Larkfleet. They include Mick Leggett, former chief executive of housing association Cross Keys Homes, Chris Collier, former senior partner at accountancy firm Rawlinsons, and Paul Simmons, a former senior banker at Barclays.

Not all social housing provision on Larkfleet sites will be through Swift. The company also plans to continue working with other housing associations where they are able to take on new homes.

news from

Stand Up for Peterborough ‘Stand Up For Peterborough - Protect Our Vital Services’ progresses the Leader’s commitment to lobby government, a big part of which is generating public support for the lobbying activity and achieve greater awareness of our funding situation across Peterborough.

The campaign asks council staff, residents, businesses and all other interested groups to support the campaign and ‘Stand up for Peterborough’.

They can do this by leaving a comment on the online form www.peterborough.

Event venue’s founder sponsors enter into new partnership deal Long running supporters of the East of England Arena and Events Centre (EEAEC) - Alan Boswell Group - have recently renewed its sponsorship agreement, for the fourth year with the regional venue.

The new deal will see Alan Boswell Group further raise its profile across the region through the venue. As part of the agreement the Group benefits from branding presence at the EEAEC and on its website as well as joining together on social events.

Andy Kirton, regional manager at Alan Boswell Group, comments: “As a local business, we are delighted to continue our support of the venue which is making huge strides to fast becoming known as a regional and national centre of excellence for its facilities, location and versatility. We hope to continue the relationship for years to come.”

EEAEC Commercial Manager, Ian Strange, added: “As the founder sponsor of the venue, it is fantastic that Alan Boswell Group sees the mutual benefit to both parties and we are thrilled to continue our partnership.”

East of England Arena and Events Centre commercial manager Ian Strange with Alan Boswell Group account executive Gary Bentley and regional manager Andy Kirton

gov.uk/council/campaigns/stand-up-forpeterborough/, pledging support for the campaign, or by writing to the Leader of the Council at the Town Hall. People may also have their own ideas about how they can support the council’s lobbying efforts.

The letters and emails will then be delivered to the government to demonstrate the strength of feeling in the city.

The campaign follows a commitment by the Leader of the Council, Councillor John Holdich, to lobby government for fairer funding. Councillor Holdich believes the city council no longer receives a fair deal and that our residents are being short-changed.

Since the government’s austerity

Extrusion facility opened in Peterborough Global supplier of extrusion systems, Baker Perkins has opened a new Extrusion Innovation Centre.

The new facility is a dedicated resource for chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical, packaging, coating and construction materials trials, particularly for companies exploring a change from batch to continuous processing.

Included in the new centre is a Baker Perkins MPX24 Integra twin-screw extruder with integrated feeder, chill roll and flaking unit. This instrumentation enables customers to perform hot-melt extrusion for any application that involves mixing and thermal processing of a wide range of granules, pellets and powders. Additionally, the company states that liquids, lowdensity materials and low-volume additives can all be injected into the mix.

The UK-based facility can be used to source thorough data that enables smooth, uncomplicated commissioning of new equipment or development of new products.

A full set of analytical instruments are available to check consistency and quality of the product.

Customers can work with their own raw materials, and with complete confidentiality working alongside Baker Perkins’ technologists.

PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER programme began in 2010 the amount of funding that all councils receive has fallen at an alarming rate. In 2013/14 the city council received £55million in Revenue Support Grant, the government grant which supports a range of council services, and this will have reduced to just £15million in 2018/19 and then £10million in 2019/20. That will be a reduction of 80 per cent over seven years.

New era dawns at Buckles Solicitors Thriving law firm, Buckles Solicitors LLP, is preparing to enter a new era in 2018.

With bold plans comes planned change in the firm’s leadership: Colleen Gostick – Buckles’ managing partner for more than 16 years – hands the baton in April to Duncan Jackson.

Having grown the firm from a local practice in 2001 to a strong regional player picking up many awards and accreditations along the way, Colleen will move to the new role of Chairman to support Duncan in his new role as CEO. The firm has ambitious growth plans, through acquisition and organic development; a path is being carved through the firm’s niche international offering and solutionoriented approach.

Duncan said: “Buckles has been completely transformed under Colleen’s leadership and a big part of my role will be to build on her success and develop opportunities to further grow the firm.

“Continuity and a managed transition is at the heart of the change. We also have exciting plans in place to build on the recent achievements of the firm and there are many significant projects in the pipeline.”

Colleen said: “Duncan has my wholehearted support and I am very much looking forward to seeing just how far we can take the firm under his leadership.”

connected March 2018 31

news from

STAMFORD CHAMBER

No Oysters, please

THE 2018 STAMFORD PROPERTY MARKET FORECAST In 2017, Stamford had a low unemployment rate of 3.4 per cent which contributed to maintaining a decent level demand for property (interestingly – an impressive 503 Stamford properties were sold in last 12 months). Whilst finally, the number of properties for sale in the town has remained limited, thus providing support for Stamford house prices, meaning property values are 5.8 per cent higher than a year ago.

In 2018, there will be greater pressures on incomes as inflation starts to eat into real wage growth, thereby restraining consumer confidence.

Stamford homeowners and landlords should be aware of what happens in the rollercoaster housing market of central London, but not panic if prices do drop suddenly. Over the last eight years, the central London property saw house prices grow by 89.6 per cent, whilst in Stamford they only rose by 30.2 per cent.

This year, I believe Stamford house prices will end up between 0.2 per cent lower and 1.4 per cent higher, although it will probably be a bumpy ride to get to those sorts of figures.

David Crooke, MD & Owner of UPP Property, Sales & Lettings

Sheep, sharks, cows and professional footballers. All have featured prominently at creative agency/menagerie of mad, Strawman, over the last 12 months.

As part of a growing trend of local businesses working with a range of regional and international partners, Strawman prove that you don’t need an Oyster Card to expand your network of clients.

Research for print, branding and social work with national wool-based bedding company, woolroom, would be trickier when you’re struggling to

get a Herdwick sheep through the Northern line.

And it’s much easier to understand the challenges of improving animal feed, for global biotech company Alltech, when your neighbour drives a tractor, not a black cab.

Whether it’s introducing a continental beer brand to Derby County FC, launching city-wide outdoor campaigns in Manchester, or helping improve social media presence, location is no longer a barrier, but a bonus for businesses.

GoodEgg support local businesses Having spent 2017 helping the best in digital secure their next step, GoodEgg digital are quickly becoming an essential component in creating a successful working dynamic from the ground up for start-ups and SMEs across the UK. More and more businesses are approaching Tom and the gang in search of a team that can take their

business to the next level, and the results speak for themselves.

Take a leading CRO agency based in London as an example. Since their inception in 2013, GoodEgg has been there every step of the way to ensure that the next person in the team is the one for the job, making growth and expansion a breeze and keeping them at the top of their game.

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk connected March 2018 33

34 March 2018 connected

report from

IAN MACKELLAR

I didn’t see the Brexit vote or Trump coming hese are interesting and unpredictable times in which it is foolish to try to predict the future. But that is what I am about to do.

At least I do not risk the fate of Roman soothsayers, whose necks were at greater risk from the content of their predictions than from their accuracy – even though it is now becoming more fashionable to shoot messengers.

One thing is for sure: 2018 will be a significant year in history – but then every year is, so that’s the easy part. That forecast is one in which I feel supreme confidence. Less so, in much of the rest, though some things are more likely than others.

For example, the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation in May will be a headache for some companies (and charities) and, I am pleased to say, a nightmare for others, particularly spammers. GDPR applies to the whole of the EU, so phishing scams based in the near Continent will also fall into the net.

It will be an inconvenience in the short term for businesses marketing themselves by email but, once they have re-established their databases on a compliant basis, things should settle down.

Be in no doubt, however, that firms that fail to comply risk some very hefty fines – if only to fund the hugely beefed-up enforcement régime being put into place by the Information Commissioner’s Office. It will not eliminate phishing, but at least the spammers after 25 May are likely to be more professional.

When I used to forecast the coming year in the past, my track record was pretty good. But I didn’t see the Brexit vote or Trump coming, in spite of being on the money since then with Macron and Merkel. So a liberal pinch of salt might be prudent.

What is less predictable is what will happen on the UK political front. It is too easy to predict that Mayor Palmer will make a Horlicks of anything he turns his hand to, but the national horizon is less clear.

I do not expect Mrs May to be so reckless as to venture a further snap election – but I made the mistake last year of believing her assurances that she would not go to the country then. She is advised by charlatans and head-bangers, so anything is possible.

Everything is going wrong for the Government, from the realities of Brexit to the collapse of Carillion. Both are fundamental challenges to underlying principles of post-truth Conservatism, just as a dogmatic reliance on ever-changing monetary indices was to Mrs Thatcher’s 1980s governments, and the ‘middle way’ to Blair.

Brexit is driven by the dogmatic assertions of neo-colonialists that Britain can have its own way in the world so long as the Government sends a gunboat to assert its superiority. But we don’t do gunboats any more or, if we do, they leak, and we don’t have any overpriced aircraft to sit on them. We would be better to send a gumboot. At least it would protect our feet while we clear up the mess the Brexiteers have created.

As to Carillion, its public work was founded on and fuelled by the myth that public sector management is, by definition, incompetent and anti-innovative, and that, conversely, the private sector is, also by definition, the opposite. So entrenched has this

notion become that it has taken 30 years of PPI (public-private incompetence) to debunk the myth. The truth, of course, is that there is good and bad in both.

But a lot of Britain’s service economy is founded on the same economic model: these huge undertakings are basically facilities management brokers that outsource nearly all their activities, including, worryingly, financing. They bid low on the assumption that they will be bailed out by HMG if they (deliberately) get the sums wrong to win the business – vide East Coast Main Line. Branson and Souter got lucky but only, I suspect, because it suited the Government to move the goalposts to enable the commonsense re-integration of rail operations and infrastructure provision.

(Since the early 1990s, governments have sustained the myth that the EU required the two activities to be separated.

In fact, Directive 91/440 simply required them to be accounted separately, not managed separately. That wilful misunderstanding gave us the national disaster that was Railtrack.)

That brings us neatly back to Europe, where the Brexiteers know they have lost the argument. All that’s left to play for is scorched earth. Unless we are completely to abandon the pretence that Britain is a democracy, a further plebiscite is inevitable. The neat and most efficient course would be to ditch the whole benighted Brexit endeavour now, but that won’t happen.

Notwithstanding their domestic difficulties in Catalonia, the Spanish have now embraced the idea that their 16th century Armada does not patrol the western world. If only the Rule Britannia! tendency would acknowledge the same fate for the British Empire. In 2018, the EU is the best empire for us to embrace – Trump has made that abundantly clear – and we could continue to shape it if we abandoned the half-witted, suicidal idea that we should leave it.

Come what may, we shall have to agree the terms of Brexit this year if we don’t abandon it. And the parliamentary mathematics say there will be no de facto border this side of the Six Counties, so we must stay in the Single Market and EU Customs Union. It’s up to us whether we do it with or without influence.

Even now, the 27 would have us back on reasonable terms – but we might have to apologise for wasting everyone’s time.

It may take another referendum or a General Election that re-legitimised the told-you-so Liberal Democrats. If so, that process will be well under way before this year is out.

Alternatively, transitional arrangements might be selfperpetuating for generations, with the UK remaining in the Single Market and EU Customs Union. It would leave us still a divided nation, and it’s not the answer.

Whatever the strident voices say, and whatever the referendum result, most Britons do not hate foreigners so much that they want to break bonds of friendship. But they do hate cynical, selfish, arrogant and spiteful politicians so much that they will cut off their own noses when they should be thumbing them. We need reconciliation now, not after Brexit. connected March 2018 35

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INNOVATION AND PRODUCTIVITY Increasing productivity is a great opportunity for businesses to leverage resources to decrease cost and increase profits. However, getting this principle to translate to your own business can

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SKILLS Finding new members of your team with the right skills can be a real challenge for local businesses. With an increasing skills-gap between local talent and business needs, it’s now a vital time to get closer to schools and help define the talent pool of the future.

Find out what role your business can play (however large or small) in developing a suitably skilled workforce in this local area, and how you can continue to support those skills needs to impact your business in the longer term.

The strategies you help build now, will inevitably help answer many of your scale-up problems in the future.

For more information on any of the services or scheme mentioned above please contact our Signpost 2 Grow team on 01223 967676 or 01733 602060 or visit www.signpost2grow.co.uk/support

connected March 2018 39

Join the conversation

insight from

ALEX SPENCER

Alex Spencer, Spirus Marketing, offers four tips on how to win back lapsed customers

A great way to increase your sales is to rekindle the love between your business and lapsed customers.

A study by Marketing Metrics has found firms have a significantly better chance of winning business from lost customers than from new leads. The research found the average business has a 20 to 40 per cent probability of successfully selling to lost customers, and only a five to 20 per cent probability of making a successful sale to brand new prospects*.

Here are our fool proof ways to win them back.

Pick up the phone

A friendly conversation with an old customer will give you immediate feedback about why they have moved on. It also gives you the chance to spot new opportunities, solve any problems and to find out if they are working with your competitors.

Choose the right time One size does not fit all. Setting a CRM target of contacting all your old customers every three months will leave some feeling harassed whilst you miss opportunities with others. For instance, someone who bought a website may not think about creating a new one for a couple of years. Someone who buys printer ink may need to order a new supply every couple of months. Call them at the right time to maximise your chance of a sale.

Address customer service problems If former customers raise issues about product problems or shoddy customer service with you when you get back in touch – now is the time to deal with the problem. Empathise

and act quickly to rectify the mistake and you will soon win them over again.

A customer satisfaction survey can really help to address falling sales when you have been unable to pinpoint the cause. It’s good to have a third party to do the calls, such as a telemarketing agency, in order to gain honest answers.

Get personal If you have a handful of high-value customers you want to win back then go the extra mile to see what they care about. Follow them on social media and see what issues they are talking about. Could you join in the conversation too or would this be useful as an ice-breaker at the next networking event you both attend? A telemarketing agency could do this in depth research for you and devise a bespoke campaign in order to win back a select number of high-value clients. *Source: Jill Griffin http://theloyaltymaker. com/winback-book/

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connected March 2018 43

chamber

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

EVENTS

100 YEARS inspiring business success

AMAZING BENEFITS OF

CHAMBER

MEMBERSHIP DATE: Thursday 8 March and Thursday 22 March TIME: 9.30-11.30am LOCATION: Milton Hall, Ely Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6WZ DATE: Wednesday 21 March TIME: 9.30-11.30am LOCATION: Peterborough Chamber, 6 The Forum, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6FT PRICE: Free to attend, please register in advance CONTACT: Bren Coleman on 01223 209811 or email b.coleman@cambscci.co.uk

explore new opportunities to do business overseas, or take advantage of the cost-savings and protection available, our extensive membership package offers it all.

You will also discover our latest promotional opportunities and get connected with our benefit service providers. We will also explain how we can help you engage with others in the Chamber network and across the wider business community.

Come and learn the real, tangible benefits of membership in terms of financial savings and increasing revenue and profitability.

Whether you’re looking to generate interest in your services and increase sales, develop your professional skillset,

CONFERENCE 2018

Join us at the Annual Conference for a day of

Limited Places Available DATE: Wednesday 7 March TIME: 9.30am-12.30pm LOCATION: Holiday Inn Cambridge, Impington, CB24 9PH PRICE: £30.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £45.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members CONTACT: Jenni Misseldine on 01733 370809 or email j.misseldine@cambscci.co.uk The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force in the UK in May 2018. It could expose you to fines of up to €20 million. GDPR is not just about what marketing material you can send to your customers, it also covers all ‘data processing’ that your business undertakes, whether that is done on a computer or on paper. If you are not now planning for GDPR, you probably should be. Mike Holland of OlsenMetrix will outline what is required of you and how to stay out of trouble with your data to ensure you stay within the law.

This event is also taking place on Wednesday 28 February at The Bull Hotel, Peterborough.

CAMBRIDGE

BCC ANNUAL DATE: Thursday 8 March TIME: 9.00am-4.00pm LOCATION: QEII Conference Centre, London CONTACT: Michelle Caspersz on 01223 209813 or email m.caspersz@ cambscci.co.uk

GDPR: GETTING YOU PREPARED

stimulating panel debates and inspiring keynote speeches from senior politicians, business leaders and opinion formers. You will have the opportunity to interact with businesses of all sizes and sectors and representatives from across government and the Chamber Network.

SAFARI NETWORKING

BREAKFAST DATE: Friday 9 March TIME: 7.45-10.00am LOCATION: Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, CB3 0DF PRICE: £17.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £24.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members CONTACT: Jenni Misseldine on 01223 209810 or email j.misseldine@cambscci.co.uk Take advantage of our safari’s group format and get connected with other Chamber members table by table, plus the opportunity for a little extra networking over a full English breakfast before you head back to work.

Chamber members can book events online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk connected March 2018 45

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce 100 YEARS inspiring business success

Your essential business calendar for the next months.

INFORMAL NETWORKING EVENINGS

March 2018 5

St Ives (Hunts) Golf Club 5.00-7.00pm

7

The Crown Hotel, Stamford 5.00-7.00pm

15 21

Allia Future Business Centre, Cambridge 5.00-7.00pm

Peterborough Greyhound Stadium 5.00-7.00pm

HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE WORKSHOP DATE: Monday 12 March TIME: 9.30am-1.30pm LOCATION: Wood Green Animal Shelter, Godmanchester, PE29 2NH PRICE: Free to attend, Chamber members only, but must be booked in advance CONTACT: Bren Coleman on 01223 209811 or email b.coleman@cambscci.co.uk Keep up-to-date with your risk management responsibilities under health and safety legislation at our free Risk Assessment workshops, designed to help members understand what the law requires and how it affects your business.

46 March 2018 connected

12

Poets House & Restaurant, Ely 5.00-7.00pm

GLOBAL

Business Network DATE: Tuesday 27 February and Tuesday 27 March TIME: 5.00-7.00pm LOCATION: The Moller Centre, Storey’s Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DE PRICE: Free to attend CONTACT: Helen Bosett on 01223 209815 or email h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk Organised by the International Sector Whether you are already involved in international trade or considering expanding into new markets, Global Business Network offers a unique informal environment to share experience and expertise.

• Monthly guest speakers

MEET THE NEIGHBOURS DATE: Thursday 15 March TIME: 3.00-5.30pm LOCATION: Novotel London Stansted, CM24 1SF PRICE: £15.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £25.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members CONTACT: Jenni Misseldine on 01223 209810 or email j.misseldine@cambscci.co.uk ‘Meet the Neighbours’ is an innovative networking event combining quality businesses from a range of sectors from across the region. Guest speaker at this event is Chris Wiggan, Head of External Affairs at London Stansted Airport, who will explain how they are building for the future.

providing specialist knowledge and advice • Learn more about markets and successful strategies by talking to other exporters • Form relevant connections across the globe • Hear the latest initiatives and meet those that can help to support your international trade activities • Obtain export documentation advice from the Chambers’ in-house international trade team.

At our February event guest speaker, Margaret Chadwick of Chadwick Export Services, will advise you of the right way to export, ensuring you have your paperwork in order…be compliant, be safe!.

CAMBRIDGE

BIG BRAIN

QUIZ

DATE: Thursday 22 March TIME: 6.00-10.00pm LOCATION: St John’s College, Cambridge, CB2 1TP PRICE: £50.00 (plus VAT) for a team of four CONTACT: Jenni Misseldine on 01223 209810 or email j.misseldine@cambscci.co.uk Enter your team of four and challenge other organisations with questions on culture, entertainment, food and drink, famous people, landmarks and sport as well as the popular picture round – there’s something for everyone!

Tuck into a supper whilst the scores are totted up and winners receive their trophy.

chamber

TWO COUNTIES

BUSINESS EXHIBITION DATE: Wednesday 14 March, TIME: 10.30am-3.00pm LOCATION: Millennium Grandstand, Rowley Mile Racecourse, Newmarket Come along as a visitor to meet exhibitors and build new connections through our popular speed networking session, plus take advantage of a series of free seminars running throughout the day.

10.45 - 11.35am Google: Build a Digital Marketing Plan

EVENTS

Huntingdonshire DATE: Wednesday 25 April TIME: 10.00am-4.00pm LOCATION: Wood Green Animal Shelter, Godmanchester • Huntingdon’s biggest business to business networking event • Over 100 exhibitors • Free speed networking sessions • Expert seminars • Stands available from £95.00 (plus VAT) Organised in association with the Federation of Small Business.

11.40am - 12.40pm Speed Networking 12.50 - 1.25pm Spirus Marketing: How to find content ideas for your blogs and press releases

IWD: #PRESSFORPROGRESS

1.30 - 2.20pm Google: Social media strategy 2.30 - 3.15pm iMET: working with business to develop the skills for the future Attendance is free and you can register in advance via EventBrite.

Est 1819

Cambridge Independent

Sponsored by

DATE Thursday 8 March TIME 9.30am-12.30pm LOCATION Peterborough Cathedral, PE1 1XS PRICE £20.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £27.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members CONTACT Helen Bosett on 01733 370809 or email h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk Join us for this prestigious event at Peterborough Cathedral, with inspiring speakers, debates and networking to celebrate International Women’s Day a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The aim of the event is to raise the profile of issues that are central to career development for female colleagues at both a local and national level and have the opportunity to share experiences in a supportive environment.

Speakers include Georgie Bullen, Paralympian GB Goalball player, competed in London 2012, and Fiona Onasanya, MP for Peterborough.

Sponsored by

Please visit the Chamber website for full details of Chamber events. www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk connected March 2018 47

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