INSPIRING BUSINESS SUCCESS
ISSUE 71/OCTOBER 2018
The official monthly magazine for Chamber members
PROGRESS
There is an air of contentment and productivity in St Neots. At its epicentre is the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters of Cole-Parmer PLUS. . . all the news from the Chamber Network Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce 100 YEARS inspiring business success
this issue
CONTENTS
30
33
25
29 5
Chief Executive’s highlights
6-7
Connections
8-9
Influence
10-11
Global reach
12-13
Knowledge
9
21
22-23
Cambs & South Cambs Chamber news
24-25
Out & about
27
Cambridgeshire Chamber news
29
Ely Chamber news
30-31
Peterborough Chamber news
14
Protection
15
Ask the expert
34-35
16-17
New members
39
Signpost 2 Grow
18-19
Charity
41
Insight from Sarah West
20-21
Huntingdonshire Chamber news
33
45-47
Stamford Chamber news Jamie Gallifant
Events
Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce 100 YEARS inspiring business success
connected October 2018 3
welcome from the
EDITOR
Welcome.... 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 Facebook has been confirmed as a speaker at our Peterborough B2B taking place at KingsGate Conference Centre on 31 October. Details of the seminar and networking programme can be found in this edition on the events pages. Turn to page 47 for details of how you can pre-register to attend for seminars and as a visitor on the day. The date for our Christmas Lunch has been set, please turn to page 43 for more information and details of how to book your place. This month the experts explain the importance of creating a will and how to change your telephone provider; turn to page 15 to read more.
Sadie Parr Editor, connected s.parr@cambscci.co.uk
Print xlpress Design Richard Thomas Clare Turner Advertising Caroline Baker caroline.baker@trinitymirror.com 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 Oct 2018
4
Amazing Benefits of Chamber membership, Cambridge
1
Informal Networking Evening, St Ives
8
Informal Networking Evening, Ely
2
Storm in a Teacup, Ely
3
Amazing Benefits of Chamber membership, Peterborough
16 17 18 Safari Networking Breakfast, Cambridge
Informal Networking Evening, Peterborough
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 October 2018 connected
18 Informal Networking Evening, Cambridge
26 30 31 Informal Networking Evening, Chatteris
3
Informal Networking Evening, Stamford
Global Business Network, Cambridge
Peterborough B2B Exhibition
International Trade Summit, London
view from the
BRIDGE
I recently met with Jonathan Oates, Corporate Affairs Director at Stansted Airport, to offer the Chambers full support with the expansion of Stansted Airport. We desperately need an international gateway to support our outstanding businesses and provide direct links to key world locations. The current planning application to increase passengers to 43 million per year is crucial to enabling success of the local economy and we are pleased to fully support this application. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Stansted Airport as the development of long-haul international flights is crucial to our economy’s growth aspirations. I was pleased to receive an invitation from the Cambridge China Centre to attend the workshop: Think like Chinese v Think like Westerners held at the Cambridge Union Society where I caught up with Bill Brogan, Vice-Chair of Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber, and Jinzhao Li, Director of Cambridge China Centre. The speakers combined their Chinese and Western perspectives to explain and debate, with rich examples, common Chinese and western behaviours that may seem odd to each other. They shared their experiences and observations to provide strategies for overcoming such cultural barriers. I have visited China myself and experienced the cultural differences and this event offered a unique opportunity to listen to the experts who highlighted how you need to adapt to local cultural differences if you are to ensure global success. China is a key market for local companies and the country is regularly listed in the top five countries for Cambridgeshire exports. Founded by a successful team of Chinese business people, with the support of an extensive advisory board, Cambridge China Centre is inundated by a wealth of experience and insight that will help to establish and nurture these prosperous relationships between Cambridge and China for many years to come. Magic Wand Property Cleaning Company were sponsors of our annual Riverboat Georgina Networking Lunch and it was a pleasure to meet Managing Director Kevin Andrews. We set sail along the River Cam on one of the hottest days of the year with the Captain declaring it the hottest trip he had ever taken - our sponsors certainly used their magic wand to produce the weather! Magic Wand Property Cleaning Company are a one stop shop for cleaning and are an innovative, forward thinking company who constantly strive for better, safer and more efficient ways to clean. They took the opportunity to explain their new ‘soft wash’ cleaning which magically cleans paths, patios and houses, restoring them like new and helping to prevent deterioration. What can be achieved is quite outstanding. Soft washing is an exterior cleaning method that removes biofilms which may have built up over time. In contrast to a pressure washing system, a soft wash system uses a chemical solution to remove biofilms on exterior surfaces. Details can be found on their website www.magicwandgroup.com
John Bridge OBE DL Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce connected October 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.
AGM NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the fifteenth Annual General Meeting of the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be held at the Old Bridge Hotel, Huntingdon PE29 3TQ on Thursday 22 November 2018 at 9.30am for transaction of the following business: • Approval of the report of the Directors and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2018 • Election of Directors; In accordance with Article 54 of the Articles of Association of the Company, Victor Graham Annells who was appointed as a Director on 22 March 2018, Joanne Evans and John Brian Fawcett Jones who were appointed as Directors on 25 January 2018 and Shaun James Hindle who was appointed as a Director on 26 April 2018 offer themselves for election by members • Re-appointment of Baldwins Audit Services Limited (formerly Rawlinsons) as auditors of the company • Authorising the Directors to determine the auditors’ remuneration. The Directors Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2018 are available on the members’ section of the Chamber website. A proxy form can be downloaded from the members’ section of the website; this must be returned to the registered office 48 hours before the meeting.
By order of the Board Michael Tolond Company Secretary September 2018 Registered office: Enterprise House, The Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9ZR
Welcome to Stella Cockerill Over the past few months the Chamber has carried out a Strategic Review of all the aspects of our operations and services we provide to our members to ensure we provide customer service second to none. One of the key recommendations was to appoint a Chief Operating Officer (COO) as part of our team and in respect of this we are pleased to advise that Stella Cockerill has now joined the Chamber as interim COO. Stella was most recently Head of Skills for the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority following her transfer from the Local Enterprise Partnership where she also had responsibility as Skills, Careers and Enterprise Manager. Stella is looking forward to meeting as many members as possible following her commencement at one of the extensive range of activities and events held by the Chamber. Please do take the opportunity to speak with her as she is particularly interested to hear your thoughts on your involvement with the Chamber. Stella will be highlighting key aspects of her involvement in future issues of connected. 6 October 2018 connected
A memorable Open Business Day at Cambridge County Polo Club On Friday 27 July Cambridge County Polo Club, recently visited by HRH Prince William, opened its doors to host its first Open Business Day. Local businesses set up stands, networked and entertained clients in marquees and hospitality tents in the super-hot summer sun alongside the exciting games of polo played on the beautifully managed polo pitch. The popular Polo Business Day went very successfully but ended spectacularly when the Polo Club, nestling in 220 acres of Cambridgeshire farmland, was hit by a mini tornado which wreaked absolute havoc. Hospitality tents went flying, chairs were smashed to pieces and people had to shelter from the crazy winds, torrential rain and hail storm. Thankfully no spectators, riders or ponies were injured by this freak of nature. Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce held their Summer Garden Party at the event and other attendees included Bentley cars displaying their new Bentley Continental and Bentayga SUV, CKLG chartered accountants, Cambridge Dining Company, Cambridge Wine Merchants, East Anglian Air Ambulance, Peregrine & Black, a Mayfair based investment company, Provenance Food Truck and Smashed Crab Studio who came all the way from Hull to meet potential clients.
widen your
MEMBER
OFFERS Sterling Stock Free Telecoms Review
When was the last time you had your telecoms reviewed? Last month, last year or maybe you shopped around when you started and think you’ve still got the best deal? Or you struggle with Broadband in a rural location. Sterling Stock Auditors are offering a free telecoms review to all Chamber members to see if you really are getting exactly what you need from your telecoms company, to see if you are missing anything essential from your telecoms and to ensure you are paying the right price for the service you are receiving. It’s a no obligation telecoms review; we will look at what your business does, what you need telecoms wise and how much you are paying for it. Then we will make any recommendations on how telecoms can work better for you, if they can – and if there is a better deal out there. If you’d like a free telecoms review then please contact Sterling Stock Auditors directly on 01733 806330.
HOW CAN YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT LURKS BENEATH? Are you buying or selling a property this autumn? Whether buying or selling a property, you certainly don’t want to discover any unpleasant surprises. A delay in selling wastes unnecessary time and could result in a lower selling price, purchasing a property with damaged drains could result in inherited problems and unexpected repair costs. Drain damage within a property is often caused by old age and tree roots which create blockages, causing water to leak into the surrounding soil. If not rectified, it can lead to further problems involving drain collapse and subsidence. Metro Rod Cambridge, local Drain Care and Repair specialists, provide CCTV drainage inspection surveys in the form of a homebuyer’s or vendors survey giving you complete peace of mind when buying or selling a property. Metro Rod Cambridge are delighted to offer 10 per cent discount on this service to all Chamber members. Please contact Naomi or Kevin on 01353 659047 quoting your Membership number. Offer available until 30 November 2018. If you have a member 2 member offer please upload details to the member area of the Chamber website.
CONNECTIONS
Hospital Treatment Insurance As a Chamber member you have access to many exclusive and discounted offers from our national partners and local Chamber members, helping to drive your business costs down. One of these partners is the Chamber Primary Health Plan from Westfield Health. With the NHS under increasing pressure and unlikely to get any better, introducing hospital treatment insurance makes sound business sense. How hospital treatment insurance can help your business: • Combines with the Chamber Primary Health Plan to give your employees a low cost alternative to private medical insurance and quick access to specific private surgical and medical procedures • Employees get prompt access to private treatment • Staff get treated sooner and return to work quickly • No medical required, no excess to pay • Choice of a wide range of hospitals, both private and NHS • Private treatment from just 18p per day or £5.55 per month, per employee for Surgery Choices 1 • One price for all – prices aren’t age related and premiums won’t increase with claims • Simple and straight forward to set up • Available for groups of five or more employees • Two levels of cover to choose from, allowing businesses to choose exactly the right cover for their staff. For further details please visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber or call Bren Coleman on 01223 209811.
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As a Chamber member you have the power to influence key decision makers and play a leading role in tackling the issues that are preventing your business from reaching its potential, while an experienced team of lobbyists represents your interests in Whitehall.
Rural Businesses in Cambridgeshire to benefit from additional £4m investment in faster broadband Businesses in the most rural areas of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are set to benefit from superfast broadband after a successful bid for over £4m government funding by the Connecting Cambridgeshire digital connectivity programme. Led by Cambridgeshire County Council, the successful programme has been awarded £4.15m funding from the government’s Rural Broadband Infrastructure Scheme to target remote rural businesses in areas where broadband services are not available. The funding will be used to extend the next phase of the fibre broadband rollout to the most rural parts of the county, supporting Connecting Cambridgeshire’s ambitious targets to exceed 99 per cent superfast coverage across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by the end of 2020. The Connected Futures - Rural Business Solutions project aims to help over 700 small and medium sized businesses in rural areas that currently do not have superfast broadband or any connection options available to them. The funding announcement follows the launch of the government’s Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review this week which outlined plans to prioritise hard-to-reach rural areas for roll out of full fibre connectivity. Rural Affairs Minister Lord Gardiner said: “Rural areas should not be left behind in the connectivity slow lane, missing out on the opportunities high speed broadband can bring. The funding made available through the Rural Broadband Infrastructure Scheme champions our countryside communities and businesses by opening up access to broadband of at least 30 Megabits per second, in some of the most hard to reach areas.” Welcoming the announcement, Cllr Ian Bates, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Economy and Environment Committee, which leads the Connecting Cambridgeshire digital programme, said: “It is fantastic news that our Connecting Cambridgeshire digital programme has been allocated just over £4m Government funding for rural businesses. This additional funding will support our existing plans to deliver superfast broadband access to over 99 per cent of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by the end of 2020, and will help to ensure that very rural locations do not miss out on connectivity, which is vital for growth and jobs.” Earlier this month Connecting Cambridgeshire launched a new Digital Connectivity Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, which aims to significantly improve broadband, mobile and Wifi coverage, while extending full fibre networks and 5G coverage, over the next four years.
8 October 2018 connected
These ambitious plans will also be supported by a £5.6m investment by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority and £4m Government funding for Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN). The Connecting Cambridgeshire superfast broadband rollout has now reached over 96 per cent of the county. A third phase of the rollout is underway, and a fourth phase is being planned to reach remaining areas over the next two years. Residents and businesses can check superfast broadband coverage plans for their area using the postcode checker on the Connecting Cambridgeshire website at www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk
the power to
INFLUENCE
NEWS FROM THE BCC… Migration figures no cause for celebration Commenting on the ONS quarterly migration figures, Jane Gratton, Head of Business Environment and Skills at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “These figures are nothing to celebrate, and given businesses are facing record skills gaps at every level it’s disappointing to see the decline in people from Europe coming here to work. Despite valiant efforts to recruit at home, plus heavy investment in training, employers still need great people to fill job vacancies where there are local shortages. “As the UK leaves the European Union, our government should be shouting from the rooftops about its desire to keep attracting talented people from the continent and beyond who want to live and work in one of the world’s most dynamic economies. “Businesses don’t want to hear silly gimmicks like UK-only passport queues at the border – which deliver no benefits and make the UK seem unwelcoming and closed-minded. Instead, firms need absolute clarity on what the UK immigration system will look like, when new rules will take effect, and whether government has the courage to take a scythe to the Kafkaesque bureaucracy of the Home Office. “The Immigration White Paper must provide clear answers for business – and fast”
Apprenticeships great path for students, but system needs reform to boost numbers
Commenting on this year’s A level results and the apprenticeship statistics released by the Department for Education, Jane Gratton, Head of Business Skills at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Business people across the country will offer their sincere congratulations to all the students who received their A level results. “Right now, UK companies are hungry for work-ready and employable staff to be part of their teams. Students and their families should remember there are many paths to success in the world of work. Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for young people to develop their skills while learning on the job, but to maximise the number of people taking advantage of this route we urgently need to see reform of the system. “Once again, we’re seeing a disappointing number in apprenticeship starts due to the shortcomings of the Levy. It’s time to address the barriers and blockages in the system that prevent employers of all sizes from recruiting and training the next generation of apprentices. “Employers are crying out for more skilled staff, but they can’t train apprentices if the necessary standards are not in place or if there is no local provider to deliver the high-quality service they need. “For smaller firms, the 10 per cent co-investment requirement has significantly increased the cost of recruiting and training apprentices. On top of the other costs of employment – such as pension auto-enrolment and above-inflation wage increases – it is pricing people out of apprenticeship jobs and development opportunities, and needs to be scrapped urgently. “If government, business and providers work together we can create a more flexible system and ensure far greater numbers of young people choose this path to gain the skills and experience they need to kick-start productive careers.”
Little sign wage growth is set to take-off Commenting on the labour market figures for August 2018, published by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The continued rise in employment and the drop in the unemployment rate is further confirmation that the UK’s jobs market remains in good shape, despite subdued economic conditions. “With earnings growth continuing to slow, the pace at which pay is exceeding price growth remains negligible, and is therefore unlikely to provide much respite to the financially squeezed consumer. Achieving sustained increases in wage growth remains a key challenge, with sluggish productivity, underemployment and the myriad of high upfront business costs weighing down on pay settlements. As such, there remains precious little sign that wage growth is set to take-off - undermining a key assumption behind the Monetary Policy Committee’s recent decision to raise rates. “More must be done to support firms looking to recruit and retain staff, including easing the upfront costs on business and addressing the chronic skills shortage, including through the delivery of real reform to the Apprenticeship Levy, so it works better for everyone.” Commenting on the labour productivity statistics, Suren added: “Although there was a welcome rise in productivity in the second quarter, it only offset the Q1 decline, and the longer-term trend remains weak at best. The UK’s productivity continues to be hampered by the failure to fix the fundamentals of the domestic business environment, from the growing skills shortage to the chronic underinvestment in infrastructure. There must be a greater focus on boosting growth and productivity, including doing more to incentivise business investment, and greater investment in our physical and digital infrastructure.”
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We’re your gateway to international trade, providing a unique combination of expert knowledge, essential documentation and the business connections needed to capitalise on new market opportunities overseas and succeed in a global marketplace.
Accredited Training in International Trade The Chamber runs a rolling programme of training courses that culminate in the nationallyrecognised 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. Incoterms and Export Licence Controls Tuesday 9 October, 9.15am-5.00pm
Congratulations
Rose… We are delighted to welcome Rose Griffiths to the Chamber to work in our busy export team processing export documentation. Rose has completed her export training and is qualified in certification and international trade procedures. She is also Personal Assistant to John Bridge OBE DL.
Finance Options: Focusing on Letters of Credit Tuesday 17 October, 9.15am-5.00pm Import: Customs Compliance and Savings Tuesday 13 November, 9.15am-5.00pm Customs Special Procedures: Focusing on Inward Processing and Outward Processing Tuesday 27 November, 9.15am-5.00pm Rules of Origin: Preference and Non-preference Tuesday 11 December, 9.15am-5.00pm 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 October 2018 connected
Trading with Turkey In our monthly top 20 list of countries for export documents processed, Turkey has consistently been ranked first or second each month during 2018. At the Global Business Network in November we will be welcoming a representative from the Department for International Trade who will explain the documentation requirements when exporting to Turkey and how the EU and Turkey are linked by a Customs Union agreement, which came into force on 31 December 1995. Trade picture • Turkey is the EU’s fourth largest export market and fifth largest provider of imports. The EU is by far Turkey’s number one import and export partner • EU exports to Turkey are dominated by machinery and transport material, chemical products and manufactured goods • Turkey’s exports to the EU are mostly machinery and transport equipment, followed by manufactured goods • Turkey’s main export markets are
the EU (44.5%), Iraq, USA, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and Iran • Imports into Turkey come from the following key markets: the EU (38%), China, Russia, USA, South Korea and Iran. Find out more: Global Business Network Tuesday 27 November, 5.00-7.00pm The Moller Centre, Cambridge, CB3 0DE
extend your
GLOBAL REACH
AMBITIOUS NEW EXPORT STRATEGY TO BOOST BRITISH BUSINESSES
Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce
International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP has set out how the government will make Britain a 21st century exporting superpower through better use of our overseas network, new online tools and building an extensive business to business network. This comes as the government continues to roll out sector deals as part of the Industrial Strategy, boosting jobs and growth in the areas where the UK has a competitive edge – now supporting the export of this expertise across the world. Research shows that companies that export have increased growth potential, are more productive and have better paid jobs. Last year £620 billion of goods and services exported by British companies accounted for 30 per cent of our GDP, with UK exports at a record high. However, the Department for International Trade estimates that 400,000 businesses believe they could export but don’t, while demand for
British expertise and goods overseas is only growing. Dr Fox, joined by Baroness Fairhead, Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, set out the government’s long-term ambition to go further and increase total exports as a proportion of GDP to 35 per cent. Responding to a call from business, The Export Strategy outlines how the government will produce smarter and more tailored support to UK companies. There are key elements to the strategy to support companies selling overseas: • Encourage and inspire more businesses to export This includes an increased focus on amplifying the voice of existing exporters to inspire other businesses and facilitating peer-to-peer learning. • Inform businesses by providing information, advice and practical assistance on exporting New measures include developing great.gov.uk into a single
digital platform for both domestic business growth and export support and working with large companies to help build the capability of UK supply chains. We will also assess financial incentives and signposting as a means to support SMEs access new markets and private sector export support. • Connect UK businesses to overseas buyers, markets and each other New measures include support for businesses looking to invest overseas and developing an online tool enabling businesses to submit nontariff barriers they face. • Put finance at the heart of our offer Deploying an awareness campaign to target UK exporters most likely to benefit from up to £50 billion worth of export finance and insurance support from UK Export Finance (UKEF), and promoting UKEF support in overseas markets to help UK companies and consortia win contracts. Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Dialing up the intensity of UK trade - both close to home and further afield - will be the cornerstone of our future economic success. “Working together, business and government have a real opportunity to turbo-charge UK exports, and help more of our firms increase sales and profits in markets all across the world. Our biggest competitors invest heavily in promoting their countries’ products and services, and the UK must match or exceed them. “We welcome the government’s pledge in the new Export Strategy to work hand-in-hand with business to unlock opportunities for UK firms all across the globe. A clear, long-term commitment to support British firms on the ground - both here at home and overseas - is needed to provide a springboard for many companies to take risks and go for growth.”
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Chamber membership provides access to key information, expert advice and legal protection, enabling you to stay informed, legally compliant and free to focus on what you do best – building your business.
How to Learn to Listen By Blue Donkey Intelligent Telemarketing
Learning how to listen a little better will improve your sales technique and help you achieve impressive results from your campaigns. Learning to concentrate Learning to listen means learning to concentrate. All too often we begin to drift off when another person is speaking. This can result in missing out on vital information, something that can make it harder to form an insightful and relevant response. When someone is speaking to you, make a conscious effort to hear everything they’re saying. Focus on their words, their tone, and their meaning and then try to use the information they’ve given you in your response. Don’t be afraid of silence In general, listening involves being quiet. You have to give the prospect the time and space to speak if you want them to give you information that’s really interesting and worthwhile. Once your potential customer has finished talking, allow at least a second or two of silence to let their words sink in. Be interested If you believe your company offers genuine value to its customers, you’ll be interested in their responses to your questions and staying focused during the conversation should be easy. Do your research If you’re thinking about what you’re going to say next, listening when a potential client speaks will be a challenge. Instead of reading through a script, hunting through spreadsheets and looking up technical details during your call, do your research before you pick up the phone. As well as making it a lot easier to listen when the potential client is speaking, this should help your call to flow more naturally.
12 October 2018 connected
Mental health at work becoming less taboo, say BCC and Aviva Almost 30 per cent of businesses have seen an increase in the number of staff taking time off for mental health reasons, according to a survey conducted by leading business organisation British Chambers of Commerce, and Aviva, the UK’s largest insurer. One in three (33%) business leaders have also noticed an increase in the length of time that staff are taking off due to mental health issues. The survey, of over 1,000 business leaders from every region and nation of the UK, suggests that firms are more aware than ever of mental health concerns in the office, and that the topic is becoming less taboo for both employees and employers alike. The findings suggest that employers are supporting staff with mental health issues, from reviewing individual
workloads (36%) and flexible working options (35%), to organising counselling for staff (20%) and training for managers to better support staff (18%). However, the findings also suggest that firms could do more. Nearly half (49%) of those surveyed said that they did not access occupational health support for their staff from external bodies, and 10 per cent were not aware of any available support.
Is your brand exhibition ready? As the autumn exhibition season approaches, now is the time to check your exhibition kit and ensure your backdrops, banners and counters are in good working order, according to Peterborough print and promotional merchandise experts Vibrant Colour. Roller banners should be free of creases at the top, and the rail should be glued or snapped tight some glues will have loosened in the recent hot weather. Curved pop-up displays should be test assembled before use - ensuring all panels line up and magnets are still in position. If your curved display has seen better days, fabric-based pop-ups may be a good option for its replacement. Fabric display stands take up far less room, can be carried by one person, and feature one continuous stretch fabric graphic far less susceptible to damage than the panel strips. The fabric socks can be replaced at will, too - for themed marketing messages.
Promotional pens should be tested to ensure batches still work, and best before dates should be checked on edible items such as mints and sweets. If you need to top up your merchandise or leaflet stocks, the best selection and cost balance of merchandise can be achieved up to four weeks before the event, but there are ranges available at short notice for sticky situations. To bring yourself up to speed, contact Vibrant Colour by email on hello@vibrantcolour.co.uk or calling 01733 736936.
grow your
KNOWLEDGE
Alconbury Weald work experience pilot highlights range of careers available in construction Urban&Civic organised a work experience pilot in July to give local secondary school students an insight into the construction industry and the wide variety of skills required to develop a new community like Alconbury Weald. The week-long programme brought together 10 Year 10 and Year 12 students for a range of theoretical and practical experience from Urban&Civic and its contractors, consultants and housebuilders to help show them the many job options and careers paths available in the area. Victoria Denny-Morley, Skills Lead at Urban&Civic, said: “Through our work experience pilot we were able to dispel myths about the construction industry, broaden horizons and raise aspirations about the types of careers that are available locally and how to access them. We are committed to working with schools and local partners to help address skills shortages in the construction industry and are planning to organise more work experience courses following this successful pilot.” Following a talk on health and safety in the construction industry and an introduction to Urban&Civic’s Master Developer role at Alconbury Weald, the students found out more about civil engineering at the Breheny compound. They gained hands-on experience of plant machinery and were shown the importance of maths whilst conducting
practical engineering tasks such as measuring surface areas. Over the course of the week, the students experienced a range of sessions covering structural engineering, planning, design, geo-environmental engineering, archaeological and historical considerations as well as the design, installation and maintenance of different landscapes. Students were also given advice about careers in construction and development and the various routes into industry, including apprenticeship schemes being run by contractors at Alconbury Weald and in the wider area. At the end of the week, all the students were given a certificate for successfully completing the pilot scheme and each gave a short presentation on their expectations for the work experience, what they had learnt and their personal highlights. Max Hawthorne from Hinchingbrooke School said: “I wasn’t expecting to leave with so much knowledge and insight into the industry. I expected more of a standard office workplace environment and just shadowing workers at Alconbury Weald. This experience has opened up my options and I will look for more work experience and explore apprenticeships as well as university courses. I would recommend this work experience to students in the future.”
Mindfulness at Maggie’s Cambridge
is to help people develop skills which can manage physical and psychological issues. Observing how we think about and react to any given situation can open up new possibilities for how we feel and behave as a result. With practice these skills can allow us to navigate on-going challenges in life with curiosity, calmness and resilience. Mindfulness is not a new concept and forms of mindfulness can often be found in many cultures for thousands of years. For example in Buddhist traditions forms of mindfulness meditations have been practiced for 2,500 years. Mindfulness entered the mainstream in the 1970’s after Jon Kabat Zinn, a medical doctor based in the USA, undertook significant research in to its benefits. In the 1990’s Mark William a psychologist based at Oxford University collaborated with the MRC in Cambridge to help develop Mindfulness based cognitive therapy. This evidence based approach has since been developed to help people manage physical and psychological health. This approach is taught worldwide by trained facilitators who incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives.
Research has highlighted that mindfulness has significant benefits for managing stress Mindfulness has enjoyed being in the media spotlight for some time now. From newspaper discussions, courses, books and apps to an All Party Parliamentary group advocating its use in education, health and the criminal justice system in order to reduce stress and increase wellbeing. It is also now used regularly in NHS settings as well as in business. Mindfulness is the practice of directing our attention to our experience as it unfolds with open-minded curiosity and acceptance. Mindfulness invites you to bring your attention to the present moment with an intention of acceptance, paying attention to thoughts and feelings without judging them and without believing there is a right or wrong way to think in a particular moment. The intention of these practices
Numerous research studies have shown that people who learn to practice mindfulness find they are better able to cope with their cancer experience, finding an increased wellbeing and enjoyment of life. Indeed a study undertook by researchers at Harvard University discovered through neuro imaging that people who practice mindfulness daily displayed measurable changes in the brain. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommend Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for the treatment of depression. A cancer diagnosis gives rise to many physical and emotional challenges which may continue well beyond treatment for the person experiencing cancer and their family and friends. Mindfulness as an evidence based approach is an integral part of the programme of support that is offered here at Maggie’s Cambridge; ranging from individual psychological support to the stress management course that we offer. We will be offering the Mindfulness Based cognitive therapy group in our centre in Cambridge in the near future.
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enhance your
PROTECTION
To access these services please visit the protection page on the Chamber website or call our membership team on 01223 237414.
Complying with employment law – could it be easier? Employment law raises its head from the moment of recruitment, during employment and through to you and your employee parting company. Throughout the time that your employee is with you, you will have issued a contract to them, worked out their salary and holidays, provided training and monitored performance. Not to mention providing welfare facilities and ensuring that they have a safe environment to work in. Then there is the odd grievance to deal with, equality and discrimination and then you need to let someone go and so the recruitment procedure starts again. Added to which you are in business to make a profit, well hopefully, but keeping up with the latest legislation, keeping records of your employee’s time off, sending correspondence to them etc etc just eats into the time you have to run your business. It can be never ending. This year, for instance, saw the introduction of the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which will have a great impact on employer’s obligations under the regulations when dealing with employee data. You at least, as a Chamber member, have excellent support with ChamberHR, ChamberH&S, ChamberLegal and ChamberTax where you can access the
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document libraries and get unlimited advice from experts when you need it. If only it was easier though! If there was a system to store all information about the employee in one place and automatically populate documents that are downloaded from the libraries with their information. It could save time, ensure records are kept compliantly and provide an audit trail. Well there is! Qdos who provide ChamberHR, ChamberH&S, ChamberLegal and ChamberTax have launched Qdos Office, a revolutionary new HR management software platform which contains an exciting new range of online services. It is the most significant service development for many years. An integrated Employee Management System (EMS) allows management of employee sickness, holidays, employee records, performance and more. With AdminLite you can automatically populate and build documents (from the document libraries) with the stored employee data that is in the EMS. So yes, it could be easier. As valued members of the Chamber, Qdos Office is available to members at exclusive rates – contact Bren Coleman on 01223 237414 or email b.coleman@cambscci.co.uk for more information.
ask the
Anne Dickens, Senior Chartered Legal Executive at Hunt & Coombs Solicitors, discusses the importance of creating a Will. What happens when you don’t have a Will? If you do not have a Will then the state decides who is entitled to your estate under the ‘rules of intestacy’. This means that if you are not married and not in a civil partnership, your nearest blood relative is likely to inherit.
Do you have a will?
How old do you have to be to make a Will? The legal age for making a Will is 18 (or 16 if you are in the armed forces) and there are many reasons for making a Will regardless of age or how much you own. Why should I make a Will? You do not have to have financial assets but you might have an unmarried partner, a child, a pet, a business, some treasured possessions, or just one absent parent. You might want to stop an absent parent turning up and claiming their half share or fighting over what sort of funeral you will have.
EXPERT
What about my partner or child? There is no such thing as a ‘common-law’ marriage so as an unmarried couple your partner will not inherit anything of yours if you have not set this out in a Will. If you own a property together it is important to know whether it is as ‘joint tenants’ or ‘tenants in common’ - with joint tenants the survivor owns it outright on your death but with tenants in common your nearest blood relative would own your share. A Will can ensure that your child will be cared for by an appointed guardian if both parents were to die. What about my assets? If you have some financial assets, you may wish siblings to inherit them rather than parents. You could have jewellery, sporting equipment or musical instruments that you want a friend to have and wish to stop an absent parent turning up and claiming their half share. You can also prevent any fights occurring over what sort of funeral you will have and make the whole process easier for your loved ones. For more information on making a Will, contact Anne Dickens on 01733 882800, www.hcsolicitors.co.uk.
How do I change my business telephone provider? The reasons for changing are many and varied but it is easy to do so long as you follow these simple steps says Mike Adams, Director of Stamford Telephone Company. 1. Find a company that are suitably skilled Ask how long they have been in business, how many business telephony customers they have and what services they provide. 2. Are they focused on Business Telephony? Ask what other services they provide
to ensure they are specialists. 3. Ask about number porting A key element in moving your provider is ‘porting’ or moving your number to their network. Without careful management, you could lose your service temporarily or possibly even your number forever. 4. Will the new company handle your support calls in-house? Many companies outsource this vital element. Ensure your chosen provider offers this service themselves and ask about how your call is answered? Will it be an engineer or call-handling agent?
How long does it take to be answered and how long will resolution take. 5. Will the new company offer a billing service? Again, many companies outsource this vital function. To ensure accurate and up to date billing you should have the same company providing the service, support and billing. 6. Is the new company likely to stay in business? The last thing you want is for your provider to go bust. Look at their accounts for a sound balance sheet.
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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 ARAVIS BUSINESS GROWTH CAMBRIDGE BID @CAMBRIDGEBID CROMWELL BUSINESS SYSTEMS DEANTA UK LTD @DEANTADOORSUK
Active8 Managed Technologies Ltd Active8 Managed Technologies are one of the fastest growing suppliers of critical business technology within its sector in the UK. Supplying office print equipment/document solutions, Telecoms and IT services. With branches across the country, they would be delighted to invite you to our newest office at Fordham House, Fordham, covering East Anglia. www.Active8MT.co.uk
FULL MIX MARKETING @FULLMIXMARKETIN GIGGABOX @GIGGABOX HEMISPHERE FREIGHT SERVICES LTD @HFSGLOBAL KIDNEY RESEARCH UK @KIDNEY_RESEARCH KNOWYOUCAN NLP COACHING @JOHNKNOWYOUCAN MANSION HOUSE MOVE MARKETING @MOVE_B2B ONE BROKER @ONEBROKER1 TARGET MARKETING GROUP @TARGETPR
Rygan Transport Rygan Transport offer bespoke UK and European light haulage solutions. Whether it’s an envelope to central Cambridge, a pallet to Inverness or a parcel to Paris, Rygan Transport will deliver your promises on time and in full. Call them on 07591 851217 and let them deliver your next shipment. 16 October 2018 connected
Blue Nugget Consulting Ltd Blue Nugget Consulting enables startups, scale-up’s, SME’s and Enterprise customers to scope, design, embed and sustain their customer success strategy. They provide a blend of sales and partner enablement, sales operations, learning and development and marketing solutions that transform how organisations win and retain customers by driving adoption of their products and services. www.BlueNuggetConsulting.com
Full Mix Marketing Full Mix Marketing provide intelligent marketing which delivers bottom-line results. Named a Future50 Business, the Institute of Directors award-winning agency are credited with helping clients achieve unprecedented growth. Led by CIM Chartered Marketers, they deliver strategic, digital and offline marketing which creates success in sectors including manufacturing, IT, services and retail. www.fullmixmarketing.co.uk
Knowyoucan NLP Coaching John White has proven business strategies that work in everyday life that allow the client to reconnect with their passion and values. So, they act with confidence, which gives them both the financial results and peace of mind that their business and life are heading in the right direction. www.knowyoucan.org.uk
news from
NEW MEMBERS
Falcon Imaging Keith Parker is the director of Falcon Imaging, a long established wide format printing provider in the exhibition graphics market. Recently becoming a printing.com studio with a powerful web to print interface and a huge range of print products. He looks forward to participating in future Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce events. www.falconimaging.co.uk
SWITCH NOW
Switch Now CIC is a training organisation and alternative education provider for young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities based in St Neots, set up in 2015 by Mark Hawking and Catherine Fairholm. Switch Now promotes community and social engagement, focusing on training and up-skilling young
Giggabox Limited Giggabox provide high quality, creative and cost-effective event production and video production services. They work with large (Vauxhall, Ducati, Pirelli) and small businesses, agencies and venues across the UK. They are specialists in event production and crafting beautiful films for business. Their expert team are here to work with you through each element of your event and content needs. From large scale corporate events or product launches to stunning promotional films, Giggabox have the know-how to ensure you succeed. Whether it’s conference production, a product launch, a music event or any other form of business or social event where you need to bring people together, they can help create and deliver content that is original and unique. www.giggabox.co.uk
people in practical and vocational settings, with the aim of progression into employment. Since forming, Switch Now has progressed 20 per cent of the people they work with into employment or voluntary work, this bucks the six per cent national statistics and three per cent local statistics. www.switchnow.org.uk
Hemisphere Freight Services Limited
Kidney Research UK
Hemisphere is a global logistics provider and has grown to be one of the largest independent UK providers of logistics solutions across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa and Australasia. They specialise in providing global supply chain solutions and can handle every aspect of their clients’ cargo needs via their expert in-house teams – from start to finish, regardless of point or origin or destination. www.hemisphere-freight.com
Do you know how important your kidneys are? Would you know if they weren’t functioning properly? Most people don’t know the vital role their kidneys play, until they stop working. There is no cure, for kidney disease. Dialysis and transplant are the only options available to patients they are not cures. Today more than 5,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant. Transplants currently last for an average of 10 to 15 years. A cocktail of drugs is needed to stop the body rejecting the new kidney. It isn’t good enough, that’s why Kidney Research UK funds research to save lives. To find out more about their partnership scheme and how your organisation can join them in making a difference, please contact kategelder@kidneyresearchuk.org www.kidneyresearchuk.org connected October 2018 17
Frenchies Fly High for Arthur Rank Patricia Dalby and Amélie Boudjeriou from Alliance Française took to the skies on 22 July in support of Arthur Rank Hospice. Jumping with them was Arthur Rank CEO, Lynn Morgan. Plunging over 13,000 feet to land in Peterborough at Sibson airfield this daring leap raised £1,660 for the charity that works so hard to make every moment count for people in respite care. Pat Dalby said: “Well I had to admit I was terrified, but wasn’t going to let that get in the way of supporting this amazing charity. The Alliance Française has been part of the Cambridge community for 36 years and we think it’s important that we play our part in making this a place where people care and are cared for. Arthur Rank symbolises this for us, which is why they are our charity of choice this year.
Support the Anna’s Hope 900 Challenge in the Perkins Great Eastern Run
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In support of Peterborough Celebrates 900 campaign Anna’s Hope has set a challenge to provide 900 weeks of specialist neurorehabilitation for children with a Brain Tumour. To help Anna’s Hope achieve this goal the charity is challenging businesses, families and friends to run or walk and raise funds for Anna’s Hope in either the Anna’s Hope Fun 5k Fun Run or the Half Marathon in the Perkins Great Eastern Run which takes place on 14 October 2018. To support the 900 Challenge all you need to do is raise at least £30, which will fund one week’s specialist neuro-rehabilitation support for one child with a brain tumour. Everyone who signs up to run and commits to raise at least £30 (one week’s funding) will receive an Anna’s Hope t-shirt to wear on the day. For more information about the Anna’s Hope 900 Challenge and how to enter please contact Carole Hughes at admin@ annashope.co.uk
OVER £10,500 RAISED FOR EACH AT THE 2018 MOËT & CHANDON JULY FESTIVAL Newmarket Racecourses is proud to announce that racegoers who attended the Moët & Chandon July Festival helped to raise a total of £10,576.03 for local children’s charity and chosen charity partner, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). This donation marks the highest amount raised for EACH over their four-year partnership with Newmarket Racecourses. The charity had a presence on course where they had a stand and took bucket collections on the gates over all three days of the festival. Racegoers were also invited to give £5 by texting a number advertised in the days’ racecards. In addition, £1 from the sale of every Mojito cocktail, Cosmopolitan cocktail and Strawberry Mojito mocktail on course went to EACH. Amy Starkey, Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses, East Region, said: “I would like to thank our generous racegoers who helped raise a staggering £10,576.03 for EACH, our official and very worthy charity of the Moët & Chandon July Festival. ”We’re proud to be able to support this fantastic charity for the fourth year running and we’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with the team at EACH for years to come.”
(L-R) Vicky Matthews, Corporate Fundraiser, EACH; Jonathan Tewson, Partnerships Manager, Newmarket Racecourses; Emma Wood, Partnership Business Development Executive, Newmarket Racecourses
chamber supports
CHARITY
HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE PREPARE FOR THEIR FUTURE Eight young men and women, who have been part of Romsey Mill’s Aspire programme for the past decade, are now successfully moving on to the next stage of their lives. Romsey Mill’s Aspire programme provides safe social spaces and support for young people in mainstream education between school year 5 and age 19, with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum conditions (ASCs). The young people who attend the groups know they will find other people just like them and are free to take part in activities of their choice, where they are supported to build and maintain meaningful friendships that last for the whole of their time at Aspire, and beyond. Ruth Watt, who leads the Aspire programme said: “For young people with ASCs, change can be overwhelming, and periods of transition in their lives can be particularly difficult. Our work is all about helping them to be themselves; build friendships and be equipped to deal with the big transitions in their lives. This is achieved by establishing long term
relationships of trust and confidence, which takes place over many years.” Ruth added: “Whilst it is always sad when these amazing young people come to the end of their time with us, aged 19, there is also a great sense of pride in what they have achieved and their improved confidence to move on with their lives.” One of the young men, Ben, is going on to study a retail course at Cambridge Regional College and hopes to volunteer with Romsey Mill in the future. Reflecting on his time with Aspire, Ben said: “I made some new friends at Aspire. The groups helped me to feel more confident and try new things. I enjoyed doing trips to local cafes and learning how to buy things. The greater number of helpers meant it was easier to get support if you needed it than it was on days out at school or college. The Aspire team are all very helpful and easy to talk to about worries.” Ben is pictured on one of the Aspire trips, eating fish and chips with Dan, another young person who is leaving
Friends Dan (left) and Ben (right) enjoying fish and chips on an Aspire trip to the seaside.
Dates for the diary:
Aspire this summer to go to University. Dan has also been volunteering with Romsey Mill’s Admin team for the past year, helping to build his confidence with other people, before going away. Ben and Dan knew each other before attending Aspire, but over their time in Aspire they have become great friends. Ben’s mum, Lisa, added: “Ben used to refuse to attend school trips because he found them too busy or stressful but when he went away with Aspire I knew he would feel more comfortable.” She added: “Attending Aspire’s weekly groups gave Ben an opportunity to have a social life. Young people like Ben who have autism can be vulnerable and can find having a social life difficult. With Aspire he had a safe place to help him find his feet. He had a chance to discover what he likes to do and how to socialise and practice his skills in different environments. The groups also helped him find his own ways of dealing with stress and anxiety, which will all help him hugely in the future.”
Ben, pictured when he left Romsey Mill’s Aspire programme, this summer, holding a photo of him when he joined, ten years before.
Romsey Mill Black Tie Fundraising Gala Dinner – Saturday 10 November An evening of fun, live music, surprises with a superb three course meal, at Hallmark Hotel, Bar Hill, CB23 8EU. Tickets £55 per person. Contact: Georgina Forbes, Romsey Mill Community Fundraiser on 01223 566492 or email Georgina.forbes@romseymill.org
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Cambridge Regional College secures Matrix Standard The Huntingdon Campus of Cambridge Regional College (CRC) has full-college Matrix accreditation. The Matrix Standard assesses and measures information, advice and guidance services; which supports individuals in their choice of career, learning, work and life goals. The Huntingdon Campus award is testament to CRC commitment to constantly improving the quality of its service offering to students, adults and businesses alike and completes the set, with the Cambridge Campus already kite marked for the Standard. During the Accreditation Review, the college was praised by the assessment team. The assessor for the Matrix accreditation, Christine Smart, commented: “Evidence was established that illustrated clear leadership and direction from the
top Managers and Staff spoke about the opportunity to contribute to the development of the service and how they all felt truly engaged with the vision and direction of the College. All were proud of what CRC is achieving and considered that the open and encouraging style from top down engendered the ongoing, ‘can do’ mentality.” Michelle Dowse, Deputy Principal at CRC, said: “This is a real mark of our progress and highlights the outstanding Careers and Student Support provided to our students. Our aim is to provide the very best support for our students to help them achieve and secure great careers. We are delighted with this latest accreditation.”
Just Digital invests in new technology to bolster its services Print and marketing service provider, Just Digital, have recently invested in the new Xerox Iridesse production press, enabling them to produce speciality metallic colours for their customers. The new machine will add to the existing nine presses currently fitted which operate on 24hour shifts. The Iridesse further complements Just Digital’s production firepower and enables them to provide additional enhancements to their customers printed literature. Adam Hill, Managing Director at Just Digital, comments: “We are excited to be one of the few companies in the UK to have the Iridesse. Previously, we have not been able to print digital metallic colours, but with the Iridesse, we are proud to say we can now offer this to all our customers.”
Helping you thrive in a changing world Accountancy, audit and tax advice. Bookkeeping, payroll and tax returns. A complete solution for businesses and individuals. T +44 (0)1733 379 300 E east.midlands@moorestephens.com
www.moorestephens.co.uk/eastmidlands
PRECISE. PROVEN. PERFORMANCE.
Moore Stephens East Midlands is an independent member firm of Moore Stephens International Limited. Registered to carry on audit work and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. DPS40252 April 2018
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news from
HUNTINGDONSHIRE CHAMBER
First Mailing turns 20!
Warren Access delighted to announce depot has moved! They are now located in the beautiful area of Hartford, just two miles from central Huntingdon. It’s an exciting move that’s come off the back of a successful five years in the area, having acquired our first southern depot in 2012. The premises served us well, but our ever-expanding fleet and increasing range of training courses combined with the need for a more visible location meant it was time for an upgrade. Set within landscaped grounds and surrounded by mature trees and open green spaces, we have fantastic air-conditioned training rooms suitable for up to 12 students, an internal training area for our mobile vertical training (scissor lifts) courses and, most excitingly, an extremely unique outdoor training experience on a mock-up piece of motorway, complete with street lighting and overhead signs. It’s the ideal location for static and mobile boom training as students experience life-like scenarios rather than pretend ones. And, for refreshments, we have a superb Refectory with a great selection for breakfast and lunch – it really does tick all the boxes! The excitement doesn’t stop there though. The move also marks the start of a fruitful partnership with the West Anglia Training Association (WATA), who we’ll be sharing the premises with. Graeme Warren, MD of Warren Access, says: “We are delighted with our new premises and what we can offer our customers now. We are excited about the future and our new partnership with WATA. We have also recently expanded our hire fleet, giving us even more scope to supply our loyal customer base.”
August marked this important milestone for us and we have been reminiscing our incredible progression, with pride. We continue to invest in our people and the services offered to ensure we maintain a superior standard and long term business relationships with our customers. Our highly skilled work and customer service continues to receive very positive feedback. Today First Mailing offer a lot more than basic envelope inserting or polywrapping, our vast array of services include data management, print and personalisation of a large variety of products and materials, fulfilment, postage discounts and digital marketing services. Always selecting the best solutions to improve all of our customers’ engagement and marketing campaigns. We have fully embraced the challenges the industry has presented to us such as adopting ISO accreditations, General Data Protection Regulations, the Blue Planet effect and the ever changing Digital Market.
Headway accreditation for Marbrook Centre Headway, the UK’s largest brain injury charity, have accredited The Marbrook Centre’s specialist brain injury rehabilitation service as one of their approved providers. The Centre’s active rehabilitation service was assessed against Headway’s best practice to ensure those living with complex physical and cognitive impairment are supported to the highest standards. Marbrook’s multidisciplinary team which
Beacon Wealth Management recruit administrator This year Beacon Wealth Management Ltd is looking to expand, taking on new younger recruits to increase energy, introduce different ideas and a new way of thinking. Rebecca Tearle commented: “I joined Beacon Wealth Management in May 2018. I came from a pensions company as an experienced Customer Service Representative (CSR) and Line Trainer. After working for a pensions company, I felt that I would like to see what it was like from a different perspective working for an Independent Financial Adviser and especially as I want to become a para planner. “Everyone always puts in 110 per cent effort into helping their clients. As I was previously a CSR, customer service is very important to me and caring for clients is a must and Beacon does this perfectly! I love every part of my job from meeting new people to the research we do on clients’ plans.”
includes therapists, nurses and senior team, all demonstrated the in-depth skill set to enable those living post brain injury, a future with the highest quality life. Kathy Bullock, Chief Executive Officer for Headway Cambridgeshire, said: “We are really pleased that The Marbrook Centre have achieved Headway UK Preferred Provider accreditation. It’s great for the county to have specialist provision, providing increased choice and resources for people with a brain injury.” Lesa McAnulty, Chief Operating Officer for Marbrook, commented: “Our very positive CQC inspection report (rated Good) was reason to be proud of our achievements, but it is wonderful to have also received this challenging accreditation. The standards required are high and a huge congratulations is in order for the wonderful Team Marbrook who collectively cleared the hurdles to reap the award! It is so much more than a badge; it is evidence of our dedicated and unwavering determination to help people who have had life changing experiences be the best they possibly can and have a future to enjoy.”
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 October 2018 21
Forward thinking Science Marketing Agency on the move
Celebrating local schools and businesses coming together to ‘Form the Future’ Form the Future CIC invited their biggest supporters from schools and businesses across Cambridgeshire to join them in celebrating the end of a very successful academic year! The summer party was held at the Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology (CAST) and was kicked off with a summary of our impact this year. Through all our programmes, we have worked directly with 24,000 students aged 8-18 years old, from schools and colleges across Cambridgeshire. To put this in perspective, we have spent 60,000 hours providing them with careers inspiration and support – which is nearly seven years! This has included students taking part in 158 careers-awareness or employability skills events, 1,216 work experience placements, 92 mentee-mentor pairings, 200 students using our Careers Advisory Service and 1,070 students taking part in Cambridge LaunchPad, our STEM outreach programme. After taking part in our activity days with STEM industry partners, 95 per cent of these students said they found STEM subjects more fun or interesting. These are the types of positive steps we are taking to equip young people with the skills, knowledge and experience they’ll need to join the world or work and to reduce skills gaps in the near future. Anne Bailey, Co-founder and Director of Form the Future CIC, said: “It’s amazing to step back and quantify everything we’ve done this year. Without our brilliant volunteers, our generous funders and schools’ trust in us, we wouldn’t be able to have the impact we’ve had on over 24,000 young people this year alone. It was absolutely fantastic to hear from Catrina that our work makes such a difference.” 22 October 2018 connected
As part of a major period of expansion, Manchester-headquartered B2B marketing agency Move Marketing is launching a second office in Cambridge, located on the Cambridge Innovation Park within the rapidly developing ‘Silicon Fen’. Move has already built strong relationships with a number of local companies, including global research materials powerhouse Goodfellow Cambridge Ltd and ground-breaking beam welding technology manufacturer Cambridge Vacuum Engineering, both of whom export 80 per cent of their product sales. Move has helped drive the global expansion of both companies through product launches and integrated marketing campaigns which have supported job creation and underpinned business growth. Move’s strapline is ‘we speak B2B’ which provides a perfect summary of what the company does, living and breathing B2B marketing and helping its diverse client base to communicate with their customers and prospects in multiple languages and across multiple marketing channels, both traditional and digital. The B2B ethos has also been woven into wall graphics in the new office, which feature the ‘we speak B2B’ phrase translated into 10 different languages.
Greater Anglia invests in stations Stations including Norwich, Lowestoft, Chelmsford, and Cambridge have all been repainted, as part of a project which has seen 8,500 litres of paint used – enough to fill 106 bath tubs or three Olympic swimming pools. Stations have been given a deep clean and repainted to enhance the overall look and feel. Teams have travelled across the network to paint station buildings, railings and lampposts to make the stations look more welcoming. Work started in March 2017 and is expected to be completed by June 2019. The work was carried out during off-peak hours and when stations were closed. Cambridge station, which is
In a world of constantly evolving geographical business challenges this also reflects the cross-border fluency and impact of Move’s B2B campaigns. Speaking about the new office launch, Managing Director Alex Cairns commented: “This is an exciting time of expansion for Move as we have only recently moved into a bigger HQ in Manchester. We have also added two new staff members in the digital and account handling departments and will be looking to recruit a further two new staff members in Cambridge, giving us a firm presence in the South of England from which we can better service our existing client base and build on our success. There is an incredible buzz in the Cambridge area in terms of scientific innovation, manufacturing excellence and global exports and the additional premises will provide Move with a platform to offer our comprehensive range of bespoke B2B marketing services to sciencebased companies, manufacturers and innovators within the area. We look forward to helping more companies in the region ‘speak B2B’.”
the busiest station on our network, was painted on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director, said: “We know our passengers care about the cleanliness and appearance of their local stations and we are very pleased with the feedback from this project so far. “The paint project makes stations look brighter and cleaner, and feel more pleasant.” Stations were painted in heritage colours including traffic grey, traffic red, hollybush green and signal white, signal black and a bright yellow. Throughout its franchise, Greater Anglia is spending nearly £60m on improving stations. This work includes new customer information screens, more ticket machines and more parking for cars and cycles.
news from
CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER
Scrutton Bland gets a new look
West Court at Jesus College gains Venues of Excellence accreditation Officially opened in October 2017, West Court offers a historical setting with state of the art AV facilities and a variety of flexible spaces. The RIBA award-winning development houses a lecture hall with retractable seating holding up to 150, a range of meeting rooms, quality catering including a café-bar and private dining facilities, as well as year-round hotel-standard bed and breakfast accommodation. To gain accreditation, venues must meet and maintain stringent high quality standards across areas including facilities, staff, service offer, catering, environmental impact, customer support and health, hygiene and safety. Mandy Jennings, Executive Director at Venues of Excellence, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome West Court at Jesus College on board with us. Set in beautiful, historic surroundings, our assessors were wowed by the team’s attention to detail, the facilities and services they offer delegates and their innovative approach to meetings and events.” Christopher Ogston, head of hospitality at Jesus College, said: “We’re very proud to have become members of Venues of Excellence, cementing our commitment to going the extra mile for our customers and offering meetings and events space of the highest quality.”
Leading financial services firm updates its logo, supported by a brand new website. Where the name Scrutton Bland was once synonymous with accountancy and insurance, the East Anglian based firm has spent the last few years expanding its services and now offers the range and breadth of financial services to both business and private clients which is more often associated with large national brands, but which Scrutton Bland deliver through structure of locally
based teams. Jason Fayers, the firm’s Managing Partner, was excited about the announcement: “We can be justifiably proud of the professionalism, depth and breadth of advice we offer our clients and we need our brand to reflect this. Over the past few months we have been working on refreshing the Scrutton Bland brand – starting with our logo and colours. “Our new logo has been designed to be optimistic, bright and modern - all attributes with which we want to be associated.” Talking about the reasons behind the new website, Jason said: “Over the past three years we have significantly grown our range of services. We now have a sophisticated employee benefits division which looks after clients both within the region and beyond and have invested in our Corporate Finance Services team who have become a significant force in their area and last year our Cloud Accounting solution was nominated for a national award. We are now a truly multi-disciplined practice and it is important that we can show our clients and prospective clients that we are a joined up financial services provider and our website is the perfect way to do this.”
Inotec AMD Limited receives the Global 2018 Product Leadership Award in Chronic Wound Care Management from Frost & Sullivan Inotec AMD Limited’s NATROX® Oxygen Wound Therapy has earned the prestigious 2018 Product Leadership Award in Chronic Wound Care Management from Frost & Sullivan. The Frost & Sullivan’s Global Product Leadership award recognises companies that deliver consistent high standards in product leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development across multiple markets, sectors and geographies. NATROX® Oxygen Wound Therapy is a small portable device designed simply to heal chronic wounds. According to Frost & Sullivan, Inotec AMD’s innovative NATROX® Oxygen Wound Therapy has proven to be highly effective in treating non-healing chronic wounds in a home care environment. The product’s simple yet intuitive design, ease-of-use, and flexible integration into existing wound care workflows as well as its evidence-based clinical performance is the new gold standard in treating hypoxic wounds that have not healed for an extended period of time, such as a year or two. The company’s innovative positioning and flexible purchase models, coupled with the high cost-effectiveness to care providers in terms of faster healing time, reduced nurse hours, consumables
expenses, and higher patient satisfaction is expected to offer unmatched growth opportunities for the company. The product, having been able to demonstrate significant value to wound care providers, is ideally positioned to expand to newer conditions and markets, thereby ensuring sustainable long-term growth opportunities. With its strong overall performance, Inotec AMD has earned Frost & Sullivan’s 2018 Product Leadership Award. Craig Kennedy, CEO, commented: “I am very proud that the dedication of the whole Inotec team has been recognised through this award. It is through their combined efforts that Inotec has evolved from a small start-up company to a globally recognised innovator in wound care technology which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.” connected October 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
TEAM LUMINUS PADDLE TO SUCCESS Luminus competed in the St Neots Dragon Boat Festival for the fifth year in a row on Saturday 4 August having started paddling competitively as a team in 2014!
BUCKLES LAWYER OFFERS EXPERT ADVICE AT NATIONAL FRENCH PROPERTY SEMINAR Sally Dilks, associate solicitor at the Buckles Solicitors LLP Stamford office, was invited to give professional and expert advice at the recent FrenchEntree event organised by the French Media Group. Sally was among a group of key speakers to offer a legal insight into purchasing a property in France; alongside information on foreign currency exchange, mortgages, tax and purchasing trends.
Local employees reach mountain summit for charity Five courageous employees from Mick George Ltd have returned from successfully completing the famous ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ this weekend, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Delegation from Sri Lanka welcomed to Global Business Network 24 October 2018 connected
Mr V S Radhakrishnan, State Minister of Education, and Dr Peter Shephard, Vice-President of the University of the Valley and a British national, attended the recent Chamber Global Business Nework event at The Moller Centre and spoke about education, business and tourism in Sri Lanka.
it’s happening
OUT & ABOUT
CHAMBER EVENTS MAKE THE MOST OF THE SUMMER SUN
Elgoods take the trophy Nine teams took part in the Fenland Quiz with event hosts, Elgoods Brewery, scoring top and winning the trophy. A delicious hog-roast, provided by The Fenland Roaster, was enjoyed in the brewery gardens while the scores were tallied.
Enjoying the Sport of King’s The Chamber’s annual Summer Garden Party took place at Cambridge County Polo Club during their Open Business Day. 40 businesses networked in the summer sun whilst enjoying live Polo matches during the afternoon. This event was sponsored by Avitus Group.
All Aboard! 45 delegates set sail on our annual Riverboat Georgina networking lunch along the River Cam on one of the hottest days of the year. We thank our event sponsor, Magic Wand Property Cleaning Company, who took the opportunity to promote their new soft wash cleaning product.
Star Shine Night Walk raises almost £35,000! Arthur Rank Hospice’s Star Shine Night Walk sponsored by Bramley Court Care Home, has now raised almost £35,000. More than 450 walkers - many of whom were walking in memory of someone they love - embraced the neon-theme and turned out in spectacular outfits to celebrate the event’s 10th Birthday year. connected October 2018 25
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news from
FENLAND CHAMBER
The College of West Anglia: Leaders in the Degree Apprenticeship Revolution Degree apprenticeships can contribute to almost every organisation. While theoretical knowledge is vital, it is most powerful when applied in a practical, everyday context, where the impact is immediate. The College of West Anglia (CWA) has been quick to embrace the opportunities available through this new work-based learning initiative and is offering BSc (Hons) Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA). This comprehensive learning programme combines business education with organisational needs and aspirations. The curriculum covers an extensive range of business skills including managing people, planning and strategy, leadership and sustainability and marketing and finance. The apprenticeship is an exciting development route for both existing and aspiring leaders, who are seeking formal management qualifications, as it enables them to continue earning while developing their management and leadership skills within the workplace. The College of West Anglia is one of the largest and most experienced providers of apprenticeships in the region, with its apprenticeship department earning an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating at the latest inspection (2017). CWA offers a range of apprenticeships across various industries and currently works without around 900 employers to provide training for over 1,100 apprentices.
The CMDA programme is delivered over three years, with apprentices attending the college’s university centre one day a week, for 36 weeks, to complete formal training. Additional learning is supplemented online. Course Modules Year One • Accounts and Finance • Academic Skills • Economics for Managers • Principles of Marketing. Year Two • Responsible Business
• Human Resource Management and improving organisational performance • Project Management • Managing HRM. Year Three • Career Management • Advanced Strategic Management • Business and Employment Law • Undergraduate Major Project (followed by end point assessment). For full information regarding this apprenticeship, please call 01553 815 600 or visit cwa.ac.uk/apprenticeships
Traffex ‘Seeing is Believing’ Force One Ltd had an enjoyable time at the Traffex ‘Seeing is Believing’ event. Part of the Transport Network and partnered with Highways England, this show was centred around highway maintenance. This was the first year in which Force One Ltd has exhibited and was seen as
a great opportunity to showcase our new Suction Excavator - the 26t twin fan with fully remote-controlled power arm. This Suction Excavator is very versatile and can be applied to many different projects. This event allowed us to meet both
new and existing customers but also helped spread the word about Force One Ltd and Safe-Dig Suction Excavation. It is always a pleasure to answer people’s questions regarding Suction Excavation and to highlight the benefits of this technology.
connected October 2018 27
THE CARPET MILL
news from
King’s Ely reaccredited with International School Award King’s Ely has received reaccreditation of the British Council’s prestigious International School Award for its ‘exemplary’ work with students overseas. The International School Award is a badge of honour for schools that do outstanding work in international education, such as establishing links with partner schools in different parts of the world. The globally recognised accreditation helps schools to enrich learning and improve teaching by guiding their international learning activities, from introducing international education into the curriculum to embedding it within a school’s culture. King’s Ely was first awarded the International Schools Award in 2012. The award lasts for three years and when applying for reaccreditation, schools have to prove that they are working above and beyond to promote international learning and fostering links with schools and organisations overseas. In their feedback report to King’s Ely, an assessor from the International School Award said: “Your pupils are privileged to engage with internationally based lessons from an early age and this clearly gives them the confidence, as well as the
skills, to use foreign languages in real collaborative contexts with their peers in your many partner schools. I have flagged your application as an example of good practice, as the language activities that you provide and the international school partnerships that you have created are exemplary. We hope that the scope of your excellent international activities will continue to develop and benefit the school community; your support, commitment, creativity and innovative international work is greatly appreciated.” The reaccreditation comes just weeks after King’s Ely was officially recognised as an ‘eTwinning School’ at the eTwinning National Conference. Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Co-ordinator at King’s Ely Junior, Lorraine Oldham, was on
ELY CHAMBER
hand to collect the plaque, as well as the Quality Label awards that all four of King’s Ely’s eTwinning projects received. As if that was not enough to celebrate, Ted’s Travels, one of Mrs Oldham’s eTwinning projects that she has run with King’s Ely Junior pupils, also won a Highly Commended award at the conference. The MFL departments at King’s Ely are a hive of activity and we thrive on developing linguistic competence in all our pupils while offering a wide range of enrichment opportunities. Strong links with our partner schools, such as in France, Germany and Spain, allows us to make learning a language a rich and real experience, through the use of projects on which to base students’ learning.
King’s Ely Sixth Form students celebrate excellent A Level results King’s Ely is celebrating some of the highest set of A Level results on record with almost half of all grades achieved being A* and As. 47 per cent of all A Level grades achieved this year were A* or A, 75 per cent were graded A* to B, 89 per cent were graded A* to C and 99 per cent of all students achieved A* to E. The number of students who achieved A* grades also increased to 18 per cent this year. By most measures, the results are the highest ever achieved by King’s Ely students, with 22 per cent of pupils achieving all A* or A grades in their subjects and 51 per cent achieving all A* to B grades in their subjects.
Principal of King’s Ely, Sue Freestone, is understandably delighted with this year’s results. She said: “These results are fantastic! This resourceful and determined group of hardworking young adults, and the staff and parents who have supported them throughout their educational journey have done a first-rate job. We are very proud of them.” Vice Principal Academic of King’s Ely, Jane Thomas, said: “This year group faced the challenges of new linear, reformed A Levels in all of their subjects. Inevitably, new examination specifications bring an element of uncertainty for both teachers and students therefore we are particularly delighted with these results.”
connected October 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
Annual Strawberry Cream Tea Garden Party raises awareness for Peterborough Association for the Blind A strawberry cream tea followed by competitions and raffles was held in August to raise money and awareness for Peterborough Association for the Blind. Held in the grounds and home of Trustee Martin Lucas, a few members together with the Committee were joined by the President of the Whittlesey Lions Club, Steve Palmer, who presented a cheque in the sum of £200.00, received from fundraising carried out by the club. The money will go towards PAB’s monthly walking group, just one of the many regular groups and clubs that PAB run for people with a visual impairment. Competitions included ‘Name the Teddy’, ‘Guess the Weight of the Cake’ and ‘Wine or Water?’ Cakes were made by friends, family and volunteers, and the Co-op Stores at Oundle Road and Thorpe Road kindly donated prizes for the raffle as part of their commitment to support PAB this year under their community fund initiative. PAB would like to express their gratitude to Susan and Martin Lucas
for opening up their home for this event. The guide dogs certainly appreciated some time off to enjoy the beautiful gardens! Thank you to our Trustee Norma Wildman for her time spent putting the event together. And last but not least, our sincere thanks to all of the volunteers that provided cakes and their valuable time.
BUCKLES CHIEF EXECUTIVE TOPS THE CHART IN LEGAL RANKINGS Having built a career on advising high net worth clients, Duncan Jackson has achieved a new height of his own. The Chief Executive of Buckles Solicitors is the only lawyer in the East Anglia region to be ranked as an ‘Eminent Practitioner’ in the 2019 Chambers & Partners HNW guide. There was further cause for celebration as the law firm retained its Band 1 ranking as a Private Wealth Law service provider. Recognised for his expertise in trusts,
30 October 2018 connected
Wills and tax planning, Chambers highlights Duncan’s professional knowledge and quotes a source describing him as ‘very commercially minded’ and ‘excellent in dealing with the private client aspects of more commercial clients’ needs’. Duncan commented: “I’m grateful to receive this accolade but it’s very much a team effort and I’m most pleased that our private client team has been recognised for the excellent service they provide.”
Finalists for three Small Business Awards Mark and the EML Electrical Team are thrilled to announce that they have been selected as finalists for the Small Business Awards Peterborough, in not one, but three categories! These categories are Small Trade Business of the Year, Small Ethical Business of the Year and Small Business Owner of the Year. These are some amazing achievements for a new business in Peterborough. In October, Mark and his team will be attending the Small Business Awards Ceremony to celebrate with all the other finalists and they’ll find out the winners of the awards.
news from
Tim Peake attends glittering launch event of his Soyuz Spacecraft Tim Peake was the guest of honour at a special launch night for the installation of Tim Peake’s Spacecraft, presented by Samsung and the Science Museum Group, at Peterborough Cathedral on Friday 10 August. He was joined at the event by 380 invited guests, including Dame Mary Archer, Chairman of the Science Museum Group, Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group, and the Dean of Peterborough, the Very Reverend Chris Dalliston. The dignitaries were accompanied into the Cathedral by Richard Strauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra (better known as the theme music to 2001: A Space Odyssey), played on the Cathedral organ by Director of Music, Steven Grahl. The Dean welcomed guests to the exhibition launch, saying that he was ‘absolutely thrilled’ that Peterborough had been awarded this ‘extraordinary exhibition’. He stated that space ‘deepened people’s sense of wonder’ and hoped that over the coming months ‘many will enjoy learning more about space, and become
PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER
inspired and challenged to become more fully what they’re supposed to be’. He was followed onto the platform by Dame Mary Archer, who thanked ‘the Dean and his team for their dedication to pull off this wonderful feat of bringing the Soyuz capsule to this magnificent place of worship’. She called the Cathedral ‘a splendid backdrop’. Then Tim Peake took to the stage to be asked some questions by children who had won the chance via a Heart FM competition to ask Tim a question at the launch. Following the speeches, guests were invited to view the Soyuz spacecraft, as-well as its 25m parachute displayed directly above the spacecraft and Tim Peake’s own Sokol spacesuit. They also enjoyed a unique virtual reality experience – Space Descent VR, presented by the Science Museum Group and supported by Samsung. This traces Tim Peake’s 250-mile journey back to earth inside the Soyuz capsule. Tim Peake’s Spacecraft is on a national tour to eight cities around the UK. In March, Peterborough Cathedral won an open competition to be being the sixth venue on the tour. Tim Peake’s Spacecraft, presented by Samsung and the Science Museum Group will be open to the public until Monday 5 November.
Larkfleet building for the future Trainee architect Dan Wedekind has joined the team at Larkfleet Homes to help meet the company’s plans for expanding the number of new homes it is building. Dan’s appointment as an architectural assistant is part of Larkfleet’s commitment to encouraging and developing the next generation of construction professionals. Dan took his A Levels at Hinchingbrooke School before going on to the University of Lincoln where he gained an honours degree in architecture. Now he is working with Larkfleet Homes to develop new housing. The experience will eventually enable him to return to university for another two years to complete a master’s degree and become a fully qualified architect. Dan said: “I am learning a lot from my boss and colleagues, seeing how a site is laid out and learning some of the more technical aspects of development. “I am really enjoying the experience and seeing how all the design and engineering planning finally comes together into a completed housing development.” In the long term, Dan hopes to join an architectural practice where he can gain work on a wide range of buildings in addition to new homes. He said: “I hope to be at Larkfleet for about another year. I have been pleased already to get an opportunity to work on buildings other than housing as we have recently been involved with planning a development that includes some commercial buildings.” Part of Dan’s role involves attending open evenings at Greater Peterborough University Technical College (GPUTC) and trying to get current and prospective students interested in the construction industry, in particular the design side. Larkfleet has been involved with GPUTC since before the first plans were drawn up and is one of the sponsors. Karl Hick, Larkfleet CEO, said: “Investing in the future of the construction industry by supporting local young people in their training and development has always been part of Larkfleet’s ethos.”
Handelsbanken named most recommended for SME banking in CMA survey Handelsbanken, the local relationship bank with over 200 branches across the UK, has been ranked top in four of the five categories identified by the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) independent service quality survey for business banking. Handelsbanken Peterborough branch credits its decentralised model and strong local customer relationships for the Bank’s top ranking in the survey. The survey, conducted from September 2017 to June 2018, is intended to help customers compare the quality of service offered by Britain’s 14 largest business current account providers. The survey looks at customers’ willingness to recommend a financial provider to other SMEs based on factors such as their overall service quality and their online, mobile,
lending and branch services. The results show that Handelsbanken was rated best for overall quality of service (84%), relationship / account management (90%); SME overdraft and loan services (84%), and services in branches and business centres (76%). Handelsbanken’s branchbased banking model places a clear focus on customer satisfaction and developing long term customer relationships. The Bank has no product or sales targets and customers enjoy direct contact with local, decision-making branch teams. This approach has already led to Handelsbanken receiving the highest rating for customer satisfaction and loyalty for the ninth year running in an independent survey of British banks’ personal and business customers*. Julian Turner, branch manager of Handelsbanken’s Peterborough, commented: These results are very satisfying and reflect the focus the bank has on providing its customers with experienced locally based teams who really understand their market who are committed to offering best advice and excellent service.” connected October 2018 31
news from
STAMFORD CHAMBER
New College Stamford celebrate top grades
Strawman celebrate a year with Alltech and ‘Farm Feed’
It’s been another triumphant year for A Level results at New College Stamford with students celebrating 100 per cent pass rate in 16 subjects and a 99 per cent pass rate overall. Over 39 per cent of students receiving the top grades from A* to B. Janet Meenaghan, Principal of New College Stamford said: “We are exceptionally proud of our students who have performed incredibly well this year.” “With a 100 per cent pass rate across 16 different subjects, the proportion of students achieving high grades has increased again, with well over a third of our A Level students achieving A*, A and B grades. We wish them every success in their future studies.”
Head of A Levels Marilyn Kennedy added: “We are thrilled with the results and are so pleased to see that the experience we offer at New College Stamford has supported so many students to achieve the grades they needed to progress to University and in to their future careers in the workplace.” New College Stamford is not only celebrating outstanding A Level results but with their University Centre recently placed in the top five per cent in the country for Student Satisfaction by the National Union of Students survey, they are also welcoming new and returning students who have decided to pursue their University level studies with the College.
Not everyone has the luxury of sitting down with a morning latte, to read the news in peace. This thought guided Strawman a year ago, when the team were approached by animal nutrition specialists Alltech, to help with their newsletter for farmers and nutritionists. A non-London perspective helped Strawman communicate a technical subject, to a busy audience whose company car pulled a plough. Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management division wanted to raise awareness of Mycotoxins in animal feed, leading to poorly animals and reduced productivity. The result was Farm Feed, an interactive digital publication information clearly and concisely: articles with audio readings while you work, rich media case studies, headline summaries and further details, all in a mobilefriendly design. The fourth issue is out soon on Alltech’s ‘KnowMycotoxins’ site, and if you’re looking for a non-London perspective on print or digital work, get in touch with Strawman. They’ll supply the lattes!
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 October 2018 33
THE CULTURE OF
SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS here is an air of contentment and productivity in St Neots. At its epicentre is the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters of Cole-Parmer, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of scientific laboratory equipment and consumables for the pharmaceutical, industrial, environmental, food and beverage and academic markets. If we rewind by eight months, this was the home of Kinesis, winner of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2016. The drive for this level of scientific excellence and outstanding achievement is still very much a focus for all involved, but things have elevated to a grander scale. Looking back to the beginning, Kinesis was founded in 1997, by a group of likeminded individuals, including Jamie and Debbie Gallifant, who took pride in building upwards from the desk space of a spare room to becoming an internationally recognised champion of chromatography supplies, in the UK, Australia, Germany, Italy, and the USA. Driving the business forward and offering unrivalled service and support to their global customer base, whilst retaining their identity and ethos, was critical. The most logical step was to join with another company, and so, Kinesis was acquired by Cole-Parmer on 6 October 2016, following which the Kinesis St Neots premises underwent significant expansion to officially become the EMEA headquarters for ColeParmer on 1 January 2018. Jamie, now Managing Director of Cole-Parmer EMEA, expressed: “As with all integration projects there are challenges, but with the goodwill of all members of the Cole-Parmer family wanting to drive for success, the move to make St. Neots the headquarters of Cole-Parmer EMEA business has been a huge accomplishment. Being part of the Cole-Parmer family has created significant opportunities for existing and new personnel, to develop new career paths on a global basis, making the acquisition good for the company as a whole.” Jamie went on to say: “Cole-Parmer continues to provide pre-alignment of deuterium lamps, a chromatography
34 October 2018 connected
service, and a pipette service. The Kinesis brand and other historical proprietary products have been retained, and we still offer commitment to the most prestigious brands in chromatography, such as IDEX, Diba, and Accustandard. The acquisition has given us all the opportunity to offer a broader portfolio. It is an exciting time for everyone, with product development creating the opportunity for our customers to access evolving, intuitive, accurate and precise products, so that they can focus their attention on results and data.” Cole-Parmer aims to provide products that serve the purpose of making life in the laboratory easier. They achieve this will simple and intuitive product development, whilst striving to provide more sophisticated solutions. At one end of the scale the company provides Stuart melting point apparatus, SMP50, that can record and save the precise point at which a sample melts, and thus allow the user to rest assured that their sample is free from impurities. There is also the TraceableGoTM bluetooth datalogging thermometer and hygrometer that is designed to travel with a sample, ensuring it is not compromised en-route. At the other end of the scale, however; are the more sophisticated products that are designed aid workload management, so that people have more freedom and flexibility to undertake other critical tasks. For a scientific professional there is a dream that the workplace can be smart and Internet of Things (IoT) integrated, making the collection of data seamless or the running of a laboratory process smoother. Over the past years we have seen a dramatic rise in the availability of ‘smart-home’ options. You can now programme your heating, display a high-resolution image or video on a window, get a fridge alert about out of date produce, and order your shopping just by speaking. For Cole-Parmer, the customer is number one as they tirelessly conduct activities for the benefit of others. Thanks to the merger, Cole-Parmer EMEA can provide the scientific community with a platform from which they can acquire such technology and help to make their lifestyle more fluidic. This technology revolves around CPLiveTM, a proprietary cloud-enabled technology, which allows you to remotely monitor and control a range of lab equipment and devices, acting as a personal assistant, by working around
the clock. Products that have this cloudbased technology include: MasterflexLiveTM enabled pumps which can be securely monitored and parameters intuitively adapted, by stopping, altering, and starting processes; CPLiveTM enabled Jenway spectrophotometers, that give scientists access to real-time data, letting them focus on results and protocols; and datalogger TraceableLive®, which is excellent for storage and clean rooms, giving real-time access to the environmental conditions of any Wi-Fi enabled location. The critical and most important aspect of CPLiveTM is that notifications and error messages can alert its user network to a threshold breach, thus preventing the loss of valuable samples. For any scientific professional this is an important improvement. Cole-Parmer is a $400M company, manufacturing products in multiple countries, who are committed to delivering leading edge instruments and services to its growing customer base. They will continue to put customers at the centre of everything they do, ensuring that they deliver levels of support and service that are the envy of competitors. Cole-Parmer believes in driving towards greater achievements, and giving scientists working in busy environments, with highvalue samples and hazardous materials, the freedom that they deserve. Watch this space for more technological developments.
report from
JAMIE GALLIFANT
connected October 2018 35
MEETING THE FUTURE Conference organisers are making their events stand out by embracing technology. Christopher Ogston, Head of Hospitality at Jesus College, talks though what to consider when planning an event.
EASY TO ATTEND People expect to be able to attend an event from wherever they are in the world. Whether it is a speaker joining via video conference or a virtual attendee tweeting the chair of a question-and-answer session, technology should make it easy and seamless for everyone involved.
ROOM LAYOUT Think carefully about the layout for each session. How interactive should it be? Where should people’s attention be focused? Have a clear idea of your event format and the mood you want to create, then compare it to the room features and layouts a venue offers. Don’t forget to consider accessibility for attendees with disabilities.
GET BACKUP Even a small glitch can affect the perception of the event. Have a practice run to check that everything is working properly and make sure that you have technical support on hand throughout your event so that it runs smoothly. It is always worth asking presenters if they can arrive early so you can make sure that they have everything they need.
SOUNDS GOOD Good acoustics are crucial for everyone attending, whether in person or virtually. Don’t forget to check that your venue offers support for people with hearing impairments and think about whether you need to have subtitles available.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND Help your event achieve longevity by making it available to view during and after the event. From a simple live stream which can then be published on your YouTube or Vimeo channel, to an edited video or podcast picking out the highlights of the day, a good venue should offer you the option to film or record your event.
STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREEN The purpose of an event is to get people in the same room. Although technology can enhance an event, there still needs to be plenty of space for people to mingle and network. Many of Cambridge’s venues include beautiful views as part of the package, giving delegates space to think as well as to work.
RECENTLY AT WEST COURT At Jesus College we support everything from large scale international conferences to intimate question and answer sessions. We have an in-house AV expert and
It is easy to think that technology can only amplify an event, but with careful setting and lighting you can create an event that feels intimate but can still be broadcast to and include questions from people around the world.
broadcast standard cameras and lighting. The College’s Intellectual Forum recently hosted a sold out event with The Simpsons star Harry Shearer, the voice of Mr Burns (above). Despite the large audience, the event organisers wanted to create the feeling of listening into a private conversation, so we set up our large Frankopan Hall in amphitheatre style and arranged two comfortable armchairs and a small table in the centre of the hall. The Intellectual Forum ran a spectacular event. There was a packed audience in the hall and a significant number of people watched the live stream on YouTube, Periscope and Facebook Live and tweeted their questions to the student interviewing Harry.
PLANNING YOUR EVENT If you’d like to talk through the options, please contact conference@jesus.cam.ac.uk or call 01223 760524 to discuss your requirements and arrange a tour. Offering a historical setting with modern AV facilities, a variety of flexible spaces and luxury overnight accommodation, our award winning West Court development is your ideal venue.
www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/conferences
connect with
SIGNPOST 2 GROW
Cambridgeshire business success Statistics show that businesses with distinctive brands are twice as profitable as those without. Today, gaining the edge relies on having the very best marketing and design expertise at your fingertips, but inflated design agency fees can make that impossible, and managing freelancers can be a challenge. Virtualdesigncloud is an onlinebased design agency that aims to solve this problem. It’s an innovative way of accessing the very best integrated creative solutions, helping businesses develop and launch powerful campaigns easily, speedily and cost-effectively. This means they offer all the benefits of a big create agency, through a smart online process, at a fraction of the cost. Adrian Fry, the founder of Witchford-based virtualdesigncloud, has extensive experience as both a designer and in senior management
roles, working for a variety of design agencies ranging from small boutiques, to large corporates, on creative for prestigious brands as diverse as the BBC, Universal Films, Mercedes-Benz, Starbucks and many more. This experience with design and digital creative led him to setup the company in 2017. Adrian contacted Signpost 2 Grow in 2017 to discuss their support options and were pleased to find a range of business support was available. From our referrals the company went on to be awarded grants from the Cambridgeshire FENS LEADER programme, KEEP + and European Regional Development Fund allowing them to launch and develop the virtualdesigncloud.com website,
they have also worked closely with Signpost 2 Grow partners NWES to help the company expand and grow and Anglia Ruskin University to define their strategic marketing research. Gaining these opportunities has allowed virtualdesigncloud to fulfil their desire; to bring creative services delivery into the 21st century, leveraging the internet to bring truly unique systems to streamline client’s creative workflow. To see how they can help you, contact virtualdesigncloud on 0207 193 6397, or visit www. virtualdesigncloud.com and to see how Signpost 2 Grow can help your business get in touch with our team on 01480 277180 or visit our website www.signpost2grow.co.uk
connected October 2018 39
insight from
B2B Marketing What’s the Right Mix? CIM Chartered Marketer Sarah West, of award winning agency and new Cambridgeshire Chamber members Full Mix Marketing, shares her top tips for successful B2B marketing. 1 - Understand the difference between B2B and B2C Consider someone buying new clothes. They will typically make a quick decision based on satisfying their emotional need to be comfortable and stylish. They’re unlikely to want a close relationship with the brand they choose. Now imagine a business choosing an accountant. The decision is more rational, will take longer and may involve several people. The decision maker
will want to be seen to make a good decision. Whilst consumers favour snappy marketing, businesses customers typically appreciate more information and marketing which seeks to ‘court’ them. 2 - Choose the right strategy Businesses may be unaware of your product or that they need it. This may require ‘push’ marketing which reaches out and informs them, such as telesales, email or PR. Alternatively, businesses may be actively seeking what you deliver. ‘Pull’ marketing like online advertising, SEO or social media will let them know you’re the best choice. Short lived ‘burst’ marketing is ideal for selling ice creams in hot weather. However, for business customers, ‘drip’ marketing where you utilise various methods over time is typically more effective. 3 - Go direct Some marketing methods are good at publicising your company but it’s difficult to gauge success. If you know who your business customers are, better results typically come from targeted marketing which reaches them directly like mail, email or LinkedIn.
first we listen
SARAH WEST
4 - Use reference not deference 20 years ago, we looked to businesses, politicians and our elders for opinions. Now we’re more likely to trust our friends, family and other customers. Review sites, testimonials and social media can be a powerful way to influence business decision makers. 5 - Stand out There is more media and competition for attention than ever. However, there are some simple rules to help your business stand out. 1. Communicate the strengths your customers value most, not just those you’re most proud of 2. Keep your brand message simple and clear. Don’t rely on customers to translate the benefits for themselves 3. Use multiple marketing methods to reach your customers. They don’t discriminate and the combined results will be greater. More details of Full Mix Marketing, their services and work with B2B companies, can be found at fullmixmarketing.co.uk.
Ashtons’ experienced residential property team don’t only help with buying or selling your house but with equity release, mortgages and re-mortgages, tenancy agreements and the transfer of property shares too.
then we advise 01223 363507
Bury St Edmunds | Cambridge | Ipswich | Norwich | Thetford
@ashtonslegal www.ashtonslegal.co.uk connected October 2018 41
ONDA
With its finely curved fronts onda ranks as a true classic amongst rational’s broad range of kitchen designs. As if mimicking the motion of a wave, the furniture fronts gently taper off towards the top and bottom. Here white and copper harmonize superbly to create a homely ambience. The warm-lustrous shimmer of the appropriately apportioned copper lends the elegant-timeless colour white a hint of glamour. The reflections of the precious metal perfectly counterbalance the coolness of the white.
4 STATION ROAD, HISTON, CAMBRIDGE CB24 9QL T. 01223 236 456 info@kitchensmiths.co.uk www.kitchensmiths.co.uk
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Christ mas Lunch Friday 7 December 12.00-3.00pm St John’s College St John’s Street Cambridge CB2 1TP
Join us in The Great Hall at St John’s College for the Chambers’ most prestigious event of the year, the annual Christmas Lunch. Take in the grand surroundings over a welcome drink before a three course lunch is served by the award-winning hospitality team at St John’s College. A raffle will take place in aid of our Charity of the Year – Romsey Mill. If you would like to donate a prize please get in touch. Sponsorship package available, please contact Jenni Misseldine on 01223 209810 or email j.misseldine@cambscci.co.uk for details. www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk
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AMAZING BENEFITS OF
CHAMBER
MEMBERSHIP DATE: Wednesday 3 October TIME: 9.30-11.30am LOCATION: Peterborough Chamber, 6 The Forum, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6FT DATE: Thursday 4 October TIME: 9.30-11.30am LOCATION: Milton Hall, Ely Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6WZ PRICE: Free to attend, please register in advance CONTACT: Bren Coleman on 01223 209811 or email b.coleman@cambscci.co.uk 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, 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.
WEST NORFOLK BUSINESS BREAKFAST DATE: Thursday 27 September TIME: 8.30-10.00pm LOCATION: King’s Lynn Minster, 16 Church Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 5EB COST: £20.00 (plus VAT) per delegate CONTACT: Jenni Misseldine on 01223 209810 or email j.misseldine@cambscci.co.uk Connect with members of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce at their business breakfast and take part in networking activities.
CAMBRIDGE SAFARI BUSINESS BREAKFAST DATE: Tuesday 16 October TIME: 7.45-10.00am LOCATION: Girton Golf Club, Dodford Lane, Girton, Cambridge, CB3 0QE 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.
STORM IN A TEACUP DATE: Tuesday 2 October TIME: 9.30-11.30am LOCATION: Poets House, St Mary’s Street, Ely, CB7 4EY PRICE: £12.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £17.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members CONTACT: Helen Bosett on 01733 370809 or email h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk Organised by the Business Women’s Sector
Storm in a Teacup is a supportive network offering the unique opportunity to glean feedback and ideas from others. If you want to sound out a new initiative outside your own working environment or looking to explore a new business idea, this event offers you the ideal platform.
Chamber members can book events online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk connected October 2018 45
Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce 100 YEARS inspiring business success
Your essential business calendar for the next months.
INFORMAL NETWORKING EVENINGS
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St Ives (Hunts) Golf Club, St Ives 5.00-7.00pm
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The Crown Hotel, Stamford 5.00-7.00pm
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Poets House & Restaurant, Ely 5.00-7.00pm
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Sue Ryder, Peterborough 5.00-7.00pm
Ashtons Legal, Cambridge 5.00-7.00pm
Cross Keys Hotel, Chatteris 5.00-7.00pm
International Trade Summit
2018 DATE: Thursday 18 October TIME: 9.00am-5.00pm LOCATION: etc venues, 155 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3YD PRICE: and details: www.britishchambers.org.uk/events/ international-trade-summit
This event will give delegates practical advice, invaluable resources and the contacts needed to grow their business and begin the next step of their export journey. Whatever stage of the export journey you are at, the BCC’s International Trade Summit is the event that will help you take your business to the next level. There will be a choice of informative workshops, lively panel discussions with businesses with export experience from a range of sectors, stimulating speeches from policy makers, successful exporters and household names. Plus, plenty of time for networking with members from across the UK Chamber network. 46 October 2018 connected
MANAGING YOUR FINANCES WHEN TRADING OVERSEAS DATE: Wednesday 31 October TIME: 11.00am-12.30pm LOCATION: Peterborough B2B, KingsGate Conference Centre, Peterborough PRICE: Free to attend with light lunch included. Places for this event are limited. If you would like to be involved please contact Helen Bosett on 01733 370809 or email h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk We’ve teamed up with Bibby Financial Services and the British Chambers of Commerce to bring you a solutions led event exploring the finance options available for businesses trading overseas. This private roundtable will take place at our Peterborough B2B Exhibition. Having drawn from the experience of helping over 10,000 customers to take steps towards growth, this roundtable discussion will provide practical support and advice on trading overseas. So whether you’re importing, exporting or looking to take advantage of the international market place this event is for you. From working capital funding and protection from late payments - it’s time to unlock the potential and take advantage of the post-Brexit opportunities. Many businesses trading overseas are unaware of the export or specialist finance available to them and how to use it, or the options available to avoid putting an unnecessary strain on their business’ cashflow. This event will explain the financial supply chain and how funding gaps can be reduced by using trade finance to purchase stock when importing, and invoice finance when exporting. With exchange rate volatility a top concern for every business, we’ll explain the options available to protect against currency fluctuation, using case studies to put the theory into practice. On the day you will be joined by businesses who are importing, exporting or looking to trade overseas. This discussion will be based around what finance options are available for importing and exporting goods; the financial supply chain from receiving an order to delivering the goods, and how you can protect against current exchange rate volatility and bad debts. Also you’ll hear about what support is available to help deal with legal nuances, cultural differences and language barriers.
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Peterborough B2B Exhibition
DATE: Wednesday 31 October TIME: 9.00am-3.30pm LOCATION: KingsGate Conference Centre, Peterborough STAND PRICES: starting from £229.00 (plus VAT) for Chamber members and Bondholder members. Attending as a visitor is free CONTACT: Helen Bosett on 01733 370809 or email h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk The Peterborough B2B is Peterborough’s longest established business to business exhibition and networking event which is organised by the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce and Opportunity Peterborough. This event brings together more than 500 people for fantastic networking, great business insight and a showcase of some of the city’s thriving and diverse companies. Starting with an Opportunity Peterborough Bondholder Breakfast at 7.30am the day will include a hall full of exhibitors alongside a programme including:
• A roundtable discussion with Bibby providing practical support and advice on trading overseas • A talk focusing on leadership and how to attract, retain, motivate and develop millennial leaders • A practical workshop to help you create your own short video clips for use within social media platforms • Your chance to meet the procurement team of Peterborough City Council and learn how to be on the council’s supplier list • Plus, our popular speed networking session.
EVENTS
Organised in partnership with
Sponsored by
Hot news! Facebook speaker confirmed. More details to follow. We’re delighted that this year that Digital People in Peterborough group will a partner at this event bringing valuable expertise and knowledge of the digital world! Further information and regular updates on the programme can be found at www.peterboroughb2b.co.uk and follow us on twitter @PboroB2B
Global Business Network: Entering the US Market DATE: Tuesday 30 October TIME: 5.00-7.00pm LOCATION: The Moller Centre, Storey’s Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DE PRICE: Free to attend, places to be registered via Eventbrite CONTACT: Helen Bosett on 01733 370809 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. This month we welcome Frank Levene, Director of Avitus Group, who help to facilitate USA entry. Frank will advise of the key steps you need to take to establish yourself in the US.
Sponsored by
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Sector experts Working with the companies that make Cambridge successful for almost 40 years.