Business Direction 52 by Distinctive Media Group Ltd

Business Direction

CYBER SECURITY IN THE SPOTLIGHT PAGE 28

Issue 44 52 July/August November/December 2018 2019

FIRSTWORD

LOOKING TOWARDS NEW OPPORTUNITIES

ction Business Dire

The November/December edition of Business Direction signals the end of an interesting twelve months for the business community - not only in the two counties, but also across the country as a whole. Throughout 2019 we have seen another turbulent and chaotic year in parliament, a new Prime Minister, and of course, another extension to the UK's anticipated departure from the European Union.

RITY CYBER SECU HT LIG IN THE SPOT PAGE 28

52 Issue 44

BUSINESS DIRECTION Business Direction, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s full colour bi-monthly publication. Designed and produced by business people for business people. Distributed to 4,000 businesses. The deadline for the '2020: Decade of New Business' edition is the 25th November Please send all submissions to businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk

EDITOR

Lucy Allen 01905 673 639 businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk

EDITORIAL & SUBSCRIPTIONS

businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk 01905 673 639 www.hwchamber.co.uk/business-direction

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FEATURE EDITORS

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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publisher accepts no responsibility for omissions or errors within this publication. Editorial submissions are included at the discretion of the editor. The opinions expressed in articles and letters within this publication are not necessarily those of the Chamber. All offers, promotions and competitions appearing in Business Direction are the sole responsibility of the advertiser/ promoting party and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce does not accept any responsibility for any representations made within them.

In the countdown to Brexit, businesses have remained resilient despite a continued lack of clarity from government and a second extension that was granted just days before the October deadline. The uncertainty has been met with concerns regarding the national skills shortage, price pressures, falling investment rates and record low business confidence. As we head into 2020, we will continue our support of local firms in Herefordshire and Worcestershire by lobbying for a clearer future of business. We stand alongside our local business community as we prepare to take advantage of the new opportunities that are waiting on the horizon. Despite challenges, we have been able to celebrate business growth and success with our Members who have been recognised in local, regional and national awards. Six businesses from the two counties were acknowledged with the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2019, rewarding their outstanding achievements in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunities.

First Word Chamber News

4-5

Business News

Policy News

Business News

Skills

Business News

Chamber Business Training 20-21 Chamber Events

22-23

Chamber Business Awards 26-27 Big Interview

28-29

Feature

30-31

Visit Worcestershire

38-39

Worcestershire Business Central 42 Movers and Shakers

New Member Proflies

Business News 46 International Trade

48-49

Following the success in our Chamber Business Awards 2019, a record eight firms were crowned as winners in the West Midlands heat of the Chamber Business Awards 2019. The announcement means that all winners will now go on to proudly represent the region in eight out of nine categories at the national Chamber Business Awards 2019.

People to do Business With

Business News

The awards are a fantastic chance to celebrate the thriving business community across the country, highlighting the variety of innovative flexible businesses in the UK in the midst of turbulent times.

Last Word

Charity News 55 Member Benefits

56-57 58

This edition of Business Direction has a focus on Tech, Data and Cyber Security, and I am pleased to welcome ISO Quality Services Ltd as our Big Interview. Looking at how businesses can prevent widespread cyber attacks, Jennifer Semini, MD, discusses tips that businesses can implement to help protect firms of all sectors and sizes. I’m also pleased to welcome BetaDen and Global RadioData Communications as our two leading features – discussing their unique business ideas and the latest trends in the industry.

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Finally, we make sure to celebrate the fantastic achievements from Members in 2019, and very much look forward to ringing in the New Year with new opportunities for the business community. I would like to take this moment to wish all of our Members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Best regards, Sharon SharonS@hwchamber.co.uk

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Our Patrons are:

November/December 2019

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBERNEWS

REGIONAL WIN FOR RECORD NUMBER OF BUSINESSES IN CHAMBER AWARDS 2019 Eight organisations from across the two counties have been crowned as winners in the West Midlands heat of the Chamber Business Awards 2019.

Level Peaks Associates – Export Business of the Year

The winners have been announced as:

OLPRO – E-Commerce Business of the Year.

arrangeMY – Family Business of the Year Bishop Fleming LLP – Workplace Wellbeing Award DRPG – Employer of the Year Environmental Management Solutions – Customer Commitment Award Indra Renewable Technologies Ltd Small Business of the Year

Malvern Panalytical Limited – High Growth Business of the Year

The winners will now go on to represent Herefordshire and Worcestershire on the national stage in the final round of the Chamber Business Awards 2019. All eight companies have been invited to the Gala Dinner on Thursday 28 November at Tobacco Dock in London where the winners will be announced.

The Chamber is delighted to share that it will be joining the finalists on the evening following the news it has been shortlisted in three categories in the national awards – Chamber of the Year, Excellence in Membership Services and Excellence in International Trade. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce would like to wish good luck to all eight firms, and look forward to hearing the results of the awards ceremony later this month.

INDUSTRY EXPERTS PRESENT AT EU EXIT EVENT On Friday 4 October, the Chamber hosted an EU Exit preparation event at Worcestershire County Cricket Club to support with getting businesses prepared for all potential scenarios.

BUSINESS EXHIBITION WELCOMES OVER 800 VISITORS The Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone who attended the Autumn Business Expo on Thursday 10 October, in association with Hewett Recruitment. The event welcomed a whole host of new businesses who both attended and exhibited on the day, and we hope that guests took advantage of the tasty Food and Drink Producers’ Zone, sponsored by mfg Solicitors. Over 200 guests arrived ready for the morning’s Networking Breakfast, where they enjoyed a delicious breakfast before hearing from Sharon Smith, CEO at the Chamber, Ben Mannion, Director at Hewett Recruitment and Nicholas Stamenkovic, Senior Economist at NatWest Group.

Kirsty Long, BEIS, Helen Davenport, Gowling WLG, Ben Mannion, Hewett Recruitment, Tim Hiscock, Strong and Herd LLP, and Wendy Andrews, Bishop Fleming, were invited to present and discuss organisational challenges and opportunities prior to the UK’s departure. Whilst specialists in their individual remits, all speakers agreed that communication was key to businesses understanding and being able to prepare for the EU exit in whatever form it was to take. The guest speakers also discussed topics that are often overlooked in national media, and reminded the 30 attendees that aspects like contract reviews and guidance on data also needed to be considered alongside people, supply chains and VAT changes. The event was well received by those in attendance.

To help raise awareness of World Mental Health Day, attendees were also encouraged to visit the Time to Change and NHS Now We’re Talking stands to find out more about supporting colleagues who have had or are currently experiencing mental health conditions. Stand bookings are now being taken for the Spring Business Expo on Thursday 12 March. For more information and to book your stand, please contact our Events team on events@hwchamber.co.uk.

ONE YEAR ON SINCE SIGNING THE PLEDGE - HELPING TO MAKE TIME TO CHANGE This time 12 months ago, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce signed the ‘Time to Change‘ pledge to transform the way we think and act about mental health at work. In early 2018, Worcestershire County Council announced that the county had been chosen as one of a handful of areas in England to support communities, workplaces and schools to take action to end negative attitudes and behaviours towards people experiencing mental health problems. The Chamber leads on the employer strand of the movement, and we have been working closely with businesses across the counties to establish how we can encourage others to sign up to support the Time to Change Worcestershire hub. From welcoming health and wellbeing professionals to share their top tips and best practice on Time to Talk Day through to hosting mini meditation sessions during Mental Health Awareness Week, it has been fantastic to work with the business community at such a crucial time for mental health awareness.

Sharon Smith, HWCC CEO, with our EU Exit speakers

To find out more about making your pledge, please contact Amanda Wright on amandaw@comfirst.org.uk. November/December 2019

CHAMBERNEWS

TURNING YOUR ATTENTION TO CYBER SECURITY Worcestershire is at the heart of the biggest cluster of cyber security firms outside of London, with 20% of the top 600 companies in the UK located here. Additionally, the launch of the new Cyber Security Centre in Herefordshire is set to bring in over 130 new jobs and will act as a beacon for excellence for defence and security sector businesses and more.

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK PRODUCERS RECOGNISED WITH PRESTIGIOUS CULINARY AWARDS The Great Taste Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, is the acknowledged benchmark for fine food and drink.

culinary world took part in a blind taste test to determine this year’s winners.

Following a decline in small local producers in the 90s, the Guild was founded by a group of food fanatics who came together to celebrate the best of the best - and is now a recognised stamp of approval for consumers.

Companies from the area took the 2019 awards by storm, with 19 winners from Herefordshire and 19 winners from Worcestershire respectively. This year’s acclaimed winners include Members Celtic Marches Beverages, Willy’s Ltd, Hay Wines Limited, The Hop Shed, Pershore Brewery Ltd, Macneil’s Smokehouse Ltd, Hussingtree Gin and Droitwich Salt.

The two counties is blessed with an abundance of food and drink producers, giving us a wide range of delicious delis, baked goods, cured meats and, of course, locally brewed beers and ciders. This year, over 500 judges from all corners of the

The well deserved recognition helps to put a spotlight on the growing food and drink industry in the two counties, helping to reaffirm the region’s strong position on the national food map. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

The average annual cost for a business that loses data or assets due to a breach now stands at £4,180, according to the government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2019. For companies that are newly founded, starting to expand and/or a SME, costs like these can be detrimental to business. Many of these breaches include deceiving users about a company’s ability to keep personal information private and phishing attacks redirecting consumers to fraudulent sites. Though these breaches may be wide scale and very specific, businesses cannot afford to take the risk whilst trying to encourage business growth. The government is being urged to do more to help businesses, after the research found that small firms are being subjected to nearly 10,000 attacks per day – with the average cost of an individual attack standing at £1,300.

NEW BREXIT FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR HEREFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE Regional clusters of Growth Hubs across the country have received a share of new funding that has been allocated nationally to ensure that firms are well placed to handle the next steps in the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

For some business owners and leaders, Brexit may not be a direct concern, however the Hubs are encouraging local firms to consider the possible impact on their companies – taking into account their use of third parties including suppliers.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership's (CWLEP) Growth Hub has been chosen to lead the Midlands’ cluster, which also consists of the Black Country, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Worcestershire and The Marches.

The funding has allowed the Growth Hubs to put new support services in place to guide businesses through these unprecedented business conditions. The Chamber of Commerce will continue to work closely with both The Marches Growth Hub and Worcestershire Business

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Central to support businesses that are unsure about how Brexit will affect their future operations. To speak to the Chamber regarding the support in place, please contact 01905 673 600.

BUSINESSNEWS

BETADEN ANNOUNCES MARKETING PARTNERSHIP READY FOR NEW COHORT BrandRefinery has recently been announced as the official marketing services supplier to BetaDen, a revolutionary accelerator programme for businesses to develop next-generation technology products, services or solutions, defined using emerging technologies as IoT(Internet of Things) Cybertech and AI (Artificial Intelligence).

announced the second cohort of 8 companies that will take up residency at Malvern Hills Science Park from August 2019 for an intensive 9-month programme. Cohort 2.0 will be supported by proof of concept funding, specialist coaching and mentoring whilst developing their products and solutions towards the commercial route to market.

BetaDen established itself in 2018 as Worcestershire’s first tech accelerator available for tech entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale-up businesses and recently

Linda Smith, CEO and Founder of BetaDen said: “We have enjoyed a great deal of success with our first pilot cohort but have learnt a lot in the process. With the additional support of BrandRefinery, plus

Linda Smith, CEO and Founder of BetaDen, and Richard Slade, Director of BrandRefinery

our other great suppliers and mentors that are involved, we are planning on reporting even greater success with Cohort 2.0”. www.beta-den.com

CYBER EXPOSURES AND YOUR D&O POLICY

SOUTHCO MANUFACTURING CELEBRATES 25-YEAR MILESTONE Southco Manufacturing is celebrating an important milestone in its history. 25 years ago, the then newly built facility based in Warndon Business Park, shipped its first part. To mark this special anniversary, the Southco employee family celebrated the occasion with a commemorative lunch and looked back on their outstanding achievements and business growth over the last 25 years. The Worcester facility has been a fundamental part of Southco’s sustained global growth and geographic expansion. After starting production with 80 employees in 1994, today the facility is home to 200 employees and manufactures over 40 million parts every year.

If you’re a senior-level leader within your organisation, the consequences of a cyber-attack expand even further than that of lost data or resources, and business interruption. Suffering from a data breach could also place you in a dangerous position regarding Directors’ and Officers’ (D&O) liability. With this in mind, it’s crucial you have robust D&O cover that takes into consideration the following cyber-exposures: Investigations: following a data breach, various regulatory investigations could take place to determine if legal action is needed. Allocation: If a cyber-attack occurs, you will want to establish a clear boundary between cover for the organisation as a whole (cyber-cover) and cover for yourself (D&O insurance). Be sure to attribute losses and allocate cover appropriately. Reputational damage: As the leader of an organisation that suffered a breach, you could face reputational injury for years to come. Consider including the costs of limiting reputational downfall within your policy.

Phillip Kempson, Managing Director, said: “Over the last 25 years we have relied on the skills, dedication and hard work of the Southco team here in the UK. “It has been a fantastic journey so far and we look forward to an equally prosperous future. I congratulate the Worcester facility team on reaching this significant milestone and more importantly, I want to thank them for their outstanding contributions to our business and our customers.” www.southco.com

Duncan Sutcliffe

Duncan Sutcliffe, Director, Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers, added: “Remember that you don’t have to wait until renewal time to discuss your insurance needs with your broker.”

www.sutcliffeinsurance.co.uk

NMITE SUPPORTS ARMED FORCES WITH CAREER TRANSITION SHOWCASE At the end of September at The Green Dragon Hotel, NMiTE (New Model in Technology and Engineering) hosted a Career Transition Showcase for Armed Forces veterans. NMiTE will also deliver a new age of engineering-related education to professionals through its CPD series, and has been working closely with the military and veteran communities in Hereford and beyond. It launched its Defence & Security CPD (Continuing Professional Development) series with 3CDSG (Three Counties Defence & Security Group) as Anchor Partner, and has received confirmation of an Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence. Over the coming months NMiTE will launch a total of eight CPD courses, each with an Anchor Partner business. The Defence & Security CPD with 3CDSG as Anchor Partner for example has been specifically developed to help Armed Forces leavers increase their future career opportunities, and will cover a diverse range of topics, from global corruption to energy demand. Anyone with an interest can sign up by contacting NMiTE’s CPD team at cpd@nmite.ac.uk. www.nmite.ac.uk

November/December 2019

Your local, award winning legal experts

UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES FORCE MAJEURE AND THE “B” WORD What happens to the parties to a contract if circumstances change in a way that affects one party’s performance of the contract? Can the affected party avoid its contractual obligations? This is an old piece of contract law given new life by the prospect of a no-deal Brexit. Lawyers love a bit of Latin to create a “smoke and mirrors” mystique to their advice. Force Majeure – often know as an act of god – actually means the happening of events outside the control of the parties. In a well drafted contract there will be a clause or definition stating exactly what sort of things this could be, for example, power cuts in a contact to provide services, motorway closures in a contract for delivery of goods, right up to epidemics and pandemics, plagues of locusts and famously zombies in Amazon’s terms of service. The reason for the inclusion of force majeure clauses in contracts is often overlooked, and the clause included as a “boilerplate” clause (more smoke and mirrors). Boilerplate clauses are standard contractual terms that are routinely included in many contracts – such as setting out which jurisdiction’s law will govern the contract. In fact, if you are the party buying goods or services, a force majeure clause may not be in your interest. The effect of the clause is to prevent the party that is affected by the event from being in breach of contract, and instead to suspend that

Jane Rudge

party’s obligations. The classic scenario relates to a charter of a ship, which is late to arrive in port due to bad weather. The delay means that the charterer’s stock perishes, and he wants to cancel the contract because it is pointless to transport spoiled stock. A valid force majeure clause would mean that the delay simply suspended the contract until the ship arrived, and therefore the charterer would be unable to claim damages for breach of contract. In the context of Brexit, the circumstances of the UK’s departure from the European Union could affect the commercial bargain underlying existing contracts, for example in relation to changes in taxes

and tariffs. Without the circumstances of Brexit being spelled out in a force majeure clause, the consensus is that a typical force majeure clause would not be triggered by Brexit. It is a well established principle under English law that a change in market circumstances which affects the profitability of a contract, or the ease with which it can be performed, is not a Force Majeure event. If you would like any further information about force majeure clauses and whether they are appropriate for you, or help with any of your trading terms, please contact Jane Rudge jrudge@thursfields.co.uk, 0121 227 3885 or Stuart Price sprice@thursfields.co.uk 0121 227 3867

www.thursfields.co.uk

FOCUSONTECHNOLOGY

HOW WILL I SAVE MONEY WITH A MANAGED PRINT SERVICE? PRINTING LESS You may well have heard the impressive stat that a Managed Print Service can save your business up to 30% off its printing costs, which is obviously a significant reduction in overheads and a saving that any business would desire, but how exactly is it achieved? Businesses looking to maximise on their print capabilities, may consider the benefits of a Managed Print Service (MPS), which simply covers all aspects of a companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s printing. From automated toner alerts, to detailed accurate print usage reports, a Managed Print Service gives you the control to monitor your print environment for both auditing and cost savings purposes. Traditionally, a Managed Print Service (MPS) will be provided and maintained by the company that has sold or leased the print device, this could be through a manufacturer or via a Managed Service Provider, who can incorporate your print service into other parts of your ICT set up. But how exactly will a Managed Print Service save you money?

Providing full control of your print environment, an MPS enables you to make simple but noticeable changes to your print. Simple changes such as printing to black and white rather than colour, or defaulting to double-sided printing may seem small, but will provide significant cost savings over time. Additionally implementing a function where employees are required to enter a code on their print device to access a virtual print queue not only eliminates wasteful print but also provides an additional layer of security. Documents are no longer printed and simply left in the tray for any number of people to pick up, or simply throw away. Introducing policies that make employees think about what they will be printing and what they're using it for, which also make small but noticeable changes.

MORE EFFICIENT By entering into a Managed Print Service contract your provider will ensure a steady flow of toner based on usage, as well eliminating any unexpected additional costs via maintenance and servicing. By keeping a constant monitor of your print device any errors or faults can be dealt with quickly, in addition to automated

toner updates ensuring you never run out, stock is never over ordered and employees arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t distracted with menial print maintenance.

CONSOLIDATING & IMPROVING PRINT DEVICES Where your business might have too many devices, or devices that are under performing, an MPS will be able to identify where you are draining resources, helping you make smart choices from the amount of devices needed, down to the optimal placement of the device around your office. Ultimately, however the biggest cost savings will come down to the cost of the machine and click charges. A specialist dealer or provider that have strong partnerships with suppliers and leasing companies can offer the best value and prices for their clients. EBC Group have been providing trusted print solutions to their clients for over 30 years. Their relationships with leading providers, such as Canon and Xerox enable them to offer the latest print technology and software at competitive prices, alongside providing premium customer service and support. For more information visit www.ebcgroup. co.uk, or contact us on 0121 585 400 or hello@ebcgroup.co.uk.

November/December 2019

BUSINESSNEWS

CO-OPERATIVE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT WITH COMMUNITY FIRST Community First is pleased to announce the launch of a new Co-operative Development Support Programme for Worcestershire in partnership with The Hive, delivered by Co-operatives UK and funded by the Co-operative Bank. If you are looking to set up a co-operative business, or you’re from an existing co-operative with ambitions to grow, you could benefit from up to 12 days bespoke support, training and mentoring. Community First is the delivery partner for The Hive in Worcestershire and can support businesses and organisations in making applications. There are free workshops in November that businesses can attend to find out if the co-operative model is right for you.

a post-Brexit world, self-help, mutual ownership and control of businesses will become ever more important as business continuity and succession planning becomes more critical. The co-operative business model helps to manage risk, raise investment, increase productivity and improve recruitment and retention.” To find out more about the support available, email nickc@comfirst.org.uk. www.comfirst.org.uk

Nick Comley, Business Development Manager at Community First says: “In

SPIRE SOUTH BANK HOSPITAL RAISED OVER £3,000 FOR THEIR ‘CHARITIES OF THE YEAR’ Local charities Maggs Day Centre and Worcester Snoezelen were nominated as South Bank’s ‘Charities of the Year’ because of their fantastic work that benefits a cross section of people within

Recently, members of staff from South Bank were delighted to present cheques to Maggs Day Centre and Worcester Snoezelen with the amounts raised which totalled over £3,400.

the region.

Tom Ryder, Hospital Director said: “The team have gone above and beyond to raise money for these worthwhile charities and I am very proud of both teams’ achievements and the amount raised. Supporting the local community where our patients and staff live and work is very important to us”.

During the summer, teams from South Bank took on demanding sporting challenges to raise funds for the charities, including a ‘100k in a day’ cycle ride from Spire South Bank Hospital to Spire Bristol Hospital, the ‘Race to the Dragon’ race on the river Severn and the Worcester City 10k race.

www.spirehealthcare.com/spire-southbank-hospital

TAKING THE WHEEL OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY The number of Electrical Vehicles (EV) on UK roads is predicted to soar to one million by 2022. With this shift away from fuel, businesses need to act now to ensure the infrastructure is in place to charge these vehicles. This means EV chargers will become commonplace at supermarkets, service stations and just about anywhere you would park your car. But how will it impact our local network? There have already been installations of EV charging points throughout Worcestershire. Crown Gate Shopping Centre, local supermarkets and even the University of Worcester have all installed EV chargers; supporting the Worcestershire LEP’s Energy Strategy, which aims to install a comprehensive system of rapid chargers for EVs across both urban and rural areas. However, each of these EV chargers will take a supply from the existing electrical network. Rock Power has seen a shift with businesses electrifying their own fleets, requiring banks of EV chargers on their sites. As the speed of charging increases, rapid chargers require greater loads from the network. This capacity must be available locally for this to happen. As more demand is required by EV chargers, this leaves less capacity available for new developments or growing businesses to upgrade their electrical supply. As EV chargers will use electricity, your bill is also likely to increase. If you are on half hourly metering, you may be charged different unit prices for your electricity at different times of the day. If you develop a charging strategy that focuses on the cheaper ‘green’ tariff periods, this will help to mitigate the cost burden. Rock Power is delighted to offer Chamber Members a free, no obligation, competitive quote for your electrical connection project. To take advantage of this offer, please email Emma on emma@rockpowerconnections.co.uk or call 01905 456384. www.rockpowerconnections.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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POLICYNEWS

CYBER CRIME: IS YOUR BUSINESS SAFE? The majority of businesses are now reliant upon electronic systems, or the internet, in one form or another. Although the digitalisation of day-to-day operations brings huge benefits to businesses in terms of efficiency and time management, it can also present significant risks. The average annual cost for a business that loses data or assets due to a cyber breach is £4,180, according to new figures released by the government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2019. This is of concern given that one in three businesses were subject to a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months (DCMS, 2019). The most common forms of attack involve fraudulent emails from cyber criminals impersonating an organisation online, phishing attacks, and viruses, spyware or malware. Where businesses have lost data or assets through cyber security breaches, the financial costs from such incidents have increased consistently year on year since 2017 (DCMS, 2019). With cyber crime proving immensely profitable, cyber criminals are constantly improving their modes of attack to include increasingly sophisticated techniques. Where previous attempts by cyber criminals have often involved requesting money via email from a clearly fraudulent account, it is becoming increasingly common for email scams to come from an email address that appears legitimate. There are numerous small scale low-cost options available to businesses who want to protect their business from the threats posed by cyber attacks:

Check your business insurance. Typically, cover of £100k plus is recommended. Recent cases have been as much as £25-95k worth of damage. Reinforce your IT security policy and make sure there are explicit references to how you manage a ‘request for change’ in payments, email correspondence and so forth. For

One in three businesses were subject to a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

example, any requests for changes to a suppliers bank details must be confirmed internally with a director level staff. Alternatively, if the supplier emails you to advise a change, call them back on the number you have on file, not the number provided in the email requesting a bank payment change. Prior to making the full payment to a supplier, make a small, nominal payment to the new account to check it goes through and confirm with the recipient. To support businesses in becoming more cyber secure and reduce the financial implications of leaving data or assets vulnerable, the Chamber has published a succinct guide to data protection. You can order your copy free copy of the Chamber’s Cyber Guide by contacting policy@hwchamber.co.uk.

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FOCUSONRECRUITMENT

TAKING A FLEXIBLE APPROACH

Over the course of September, Hewett Recruitment contributed to a series of business consultations held by Worcestershire LEP across the 6 districts. The consultations brought together the leading growth companies in the county and the aim was to get their input into the long-term 2040 vision for Worcestershire. The sessions addressed 5 key pillars of ‘Infrastructure’, ‘Place’, ‘Business Environment’, ‘Ideas’ and ‘People’. Hewett Recruitment were asked to present on the ‘People’ element of the Local Industrial Strategy. We were keen to share our insights from several recent pieces of research on the subject of the changing world of work over the next 10-20 years. We looked particularly at the challenges that might present themselves as job-types change in response to a world with increased automation and AI and what businesses could start doing now to ensure they are future-fit employers. One of the key elements of the people strand, and one that provoked much discussion, was around how flexibility in the workplace has a key role to play moving forwards. In the UK, only 11% of jobs are advertised with any type of flexibility…whilst 9 in 10 UK employees either currently work flexibly or would like to. These figures are replicated in the local area data produced by the Timewise Foundation, meaning that for people who

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need or want to work flexibly the shortage of “flexible roles” represents a significant barrier to entering work or moving jobs to progress their careers. As employers we need to be open to reimagining our hiring processes to ensure that we are not locking out local talent. Flexible working can mean many things, not just part-time hours, and considering the measureable outputs of a role, rather than just the hours that someone will clock in, could expose your business to a hither to untapped pool of candidates. And whilst adopting a new approach could have an immediate effect, there is the added long term benefit of ensuring we stay competitive for the next generation of talent, who want to fit work around life and not the other way around.

drives this agenda amongst employers naturally…there are also efforts underway to put in place legislation that would mean unless employers had a sound business reason for having specific working hours, firms should introduce flexibility to every job…in short, flexible working will be the default position. If you would like to read more about the Worcestershire Flexible Jobs Index, you can find a copy on the Hewett Recruitment website in the Employer section. Or call Laura Hewett on 01562 69090 if you would like advice on the subject. laura@hewett-recruitment.co.uk www.hewett-recruitment.co.uk

If the potential for improved recruitment, engagement and retention of staff in a skills short market is not something that

November/December 2019

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November/December 2019

BUSINESSSUPPORT

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BUSINESSNEWS

REFLECTING ON 2019’S TECHNOLOGICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Following important technological and security announcements in the form of GDPR and the new 5G testbeds last year, we take a look at how the advancements are impacting businesses in the two counties. The world is developing at an ever increasing fast pace. Technological developments such as 5G will alter how we interact with the world around us and provide opportunities to enhance customer experiences.

environment and having testbeds locally has the potential to stimulate progress in the region.

While the implementation of 5G will help to power the Internet of Things (IoT) on a consumer level, there are also the advantages to consider within a business

The improved capacity that 5G will bring to mobile connectivity has the potential to change how businesses in the region will interact with their customers and

proudly sponsored by

SHORTLISTING UNDERWAY FOR MARCHES BLUE BUSINESS AWARD The Marches Blue Business Awards, developed by the Environment Agency and Shropshire Wildlife Trust, is aimed at rewarding those who are working to improve water quality or reduce their consumption of water. Leading the way in protecting local water resources, the awards focus on innovative projects being implemented by businesses across the Marches and beyond. Applications for the awards were open to businesses of any sector and size in the Marches area, with previous winners ranging from farms to breweries, hospitals to housing developers, manufacturers to bus companies. Recent reports show that 75% of rivers across the UK failed to achieve good ecological status, and the awards encourage businesses to think about how they can both protect and conserve their local water environment – and share best practice.

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enable innovative ideas to become a reality. As the government and telecoms businesses move further towards to a 5G connected world, companies should start making plans to ensure that their current and future technology is able to leverage the benefits of 5G while also considering the opportunities that it could offer more strategically in terms of product and service offering. Organisations will need to ensure that they are complying with regulatory requirements including GDPR when seeking to take advantage of potential 5G opportunities. www.gowlingwlg.com

CELEBRATING ITS CENTENARY BY LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE Now the 29th largest firm in the UK by turnover, accountancy firm Bishop Fleming has had a memorable year as it celebrates its centenary. Despite its historic timeline having paramount significance, rather than reflect on the past, the firm has seen its centenary milestone as a vision for its future. With 370 staff across seven offices in the West Midlands and South West, the firm has raised over £100,000 to mark its 100th anniversary, the money will benefit 60 charities across the UK. Investing in a rebrand and redesigned website, bringing life to the future of its corporate image, the firm has also taken on a record number of trainees this year, become plastic free champions and won several awards for its staff wellbeing and client services. Staff will join in December where it will celebrate its 100th year and centenary achievements with an all firm event in Bristol. www.bishopfleming.co.uk

THORNE WIDGERY CEO IS RECOGNISED WITH PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL INDUSTRY AWARD Thorne Widgery's CEO Daniel Crowther is celebrating after being presented with a prestigious national industry award. He was named Practice Pioneer of the Year at the Accounting Excellence Awards at a glittering ceremony in the City of London. The award celebrates Daniel’s exceptional work within the firm and his drive to continuously improve accountancy services for clients. Daniel has played an instrumental role in the launch of Thorne Widgery's Ludlow office and our adoption of new technologies. Daniel said: “I am honoured to have received this award, especially as it was judged by a panel of leading independent experts from across the industry.

Shortlisting for the awards is now taking place, and nominees’ projects will be showcased at the Meres and Mosses Business Environment Network event on Wednesday 29 January 2020 where the winners will be announced.

“Of course, this achievement would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of our team. We are committed to making a difference for each of our clients by providing a range of industry-leading services supported by the latest technology.”

www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

www.thornewidgery.co.uk

November/December 2019

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

Taking Recruiting and Vetting to a different level

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How? We can verify Visas, documents, identification cards and driving licences instantly. A CV can be checked in under 24 hours. If required, we can check work history up to 15 years previous. This takes up to 72 hours.

the UK, we can obtain information on companies, directors and persons of interest. Our systems operate worldwide, the level of our investigative skills are vast.

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Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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SKILLS

NEW CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY

MATCON HELPS VALE OF EVESHAM SCHOOL TO INSTALL NEW SENSORY CLASSROOM Matcon has been supporting The Vale of Evesham School, a Specialist School for Cognition and Learning since 2016 - and this year, the firm is proud to announce that £25,000 of funding has been provided towards the installation of a new sensory room. The ultra-modern classroom has been designed to stimulate visual and interactive learning and includes a magic carpet, interactive whiteboard, bubble tube, light up water table, cloud curtain and a range of wooden and low-tech toys. Laura Wainwright, Teacher at The Vale of Evesham School said: “Having the new sensory room has had a significant impact on the learning and engagement of our children with complex needs.” Matcon’s Managing Director, Stephen Ball, said: “We are pleased to have been able to help The Vale of Evesham School improve their Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, which now offers greater expressive communication opportunities to non-verbal youngsters and will in turn make a real difference to the pupils, parents and teachers of the Vale of Evesham School.”

The Chamber Network is launching a campaign to address the critical levels of skills shortages, weak productivity and increasing changes in the way people work. To do so, Chambers across the UK will be working with government, academics, business communities and employees, to make the UK a more productive, attractive and modern place to work. Skills shortages put a brake on business competitiveness, growth opportunities and productivity so addressing the issue is crucial. Investing in talent will not only benefit people but local business communities and the wider economy. Sharon Smith, CEO of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “At the heart of every great business are great people. Finding, retaining, and training talent is a core issue for firms of all sizes and sectors. Chambers understand how important it is for businesses to have access to a flexible and skilled talent pool, so getting the training and development system right in this country is absolutely crucial.” For more information regarding the campaign, please contact enquiries@hwchamber.co.uk.

www.matconibc.com

Last year's winners at the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards

COUNTDOWN NOW ON FOR WORCESTERSHIRE APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS 2019 28 of Worcestershire’s best apprentices, schools, career leads, training providers, apprenticeship champions and employers have been named as finalists for the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2019. There are now only days to go until the shortlisted candidates are welcomed to the black tie ceremony which will be presented by former British Paralympic swimmer and gold medallist, Marc Woods on Thursday 14 November. Taking place at the Treetops Pavilion, West Midland Safari Park, the popular ceremony will recognise outstanding achievement in the two overall awards of Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, which is sponsored by Southco Manufacturing and Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd. Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Each year we see the very best of the county’s high-quality apprenticeships recognised for their fantastic achievements, and I know that these young apprentices can go on to be the business leaders of the future. I’m sure that this year will be another popular reflection of our county’s dedicated schools, businesses and training providers.” www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk

CALL FOR BUSINESSES TO DIVERSIFY INTO AGRI-TECH An innovative new project aiming to promote entrepreneurship to support Worcestershire’s agri-tech sector is set to launch its development programme this month at Pershore College. GrowAgri Worcestershire, a £2m joint initiative between the college and the European Regional Development Fund, is tasked with supporting the development of technologies for use in the horticultural and agricultural industries. The project is being led by WLEP-funded Agri-Tech Research Centre based at the college and will deliver tailored business support through a range of seminars, workshops, technical demonstrations and bespoke consultancy.

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Leader of the agri-tech programme at Pershore College, Professor Roy Kennedy, said: “Growers and farmers face a set of issues more challenging than at any other time in our history. Climate change, ever-shrinking biodiversity and powerful market forces dominate farming methods. It is a time of challenge but also of great opportunity. “We therefore invite Worcestershire businesses to Pershore’s Agri-tech Research Centre to be trained in innovative technologies and work on projects to help develop solutions to the many challenges facing the agriculture and horticulture sector.” www.wcg.ac.uk

Roy Kennedy, Professor in Agri-Tech research and development, Pershore College

November/December 2019

BUSINESSNEWS

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATES HUGELY SUCCESSFUL SECOND YEAR IN BUSINESS Malvern entrepreneurs, Stuart Callister and Eve Winkler, have plenty to celebrate with their eco-friendly housekeeping franchise business, Bright & Beautiful. This month also marks their second-year anniversary and a win at the 2019 Midlands Enterprise Awards. The business has expanded exponentially this year, both in terms of clients and professional housekeepers, which is now 18. The trusted team has delivered over 3,000 home service cleans over a 12-month period across the Malvern Hills and Worcestershire. In recognition of

Stuart’s efforts to promote the County of Worcestershire as a great place to live, visit and do business, he has also been made a ‘Worcestershire Ambassador’ for 2019. Stuart adds: “We are hugely proud to be celebrating our second year in industry. It’s great to see the success and growth of the business and equally rewarding to see how much our customer value our service. The future is exciting as we continue to deliver an exceptional service that’s at the heart of our local community.”

ONE IN FIVE UK BUSINESSES HAVE EXPERIECED CYBER-CRIME A YouGov survey commissioned by SJL Insurance has shown more than one in five (22%) of British businesses have had a cyber-attack that has cost their business financially. 39% of businesses who were victims of cyber-crime had cyber insurance at the time of the most recent attack, with 53% not having it at the time, and 8% of respondents didn’t know or couldn’t remember. 67% of senior decision makers who knew their businesses history of cyber insurance, said their business has never had cyber insurance which is putting companies based in Britain at a higher level of unnecessary risk. Simon Lancaster, CEO of SJL Insurance said: ‘’The YouGov survey found some really alarming trends, both in terms of how many businesses suffered a cyber loss and also how many have inadequate insurance protection against cyber losses. We are keen to educate companies about how they can protect themselves against this emerging threat, in the same way as they do against traditional loses such as fire and theft.” www.sjlins.co.uk

www.brightandbeautifulhome.com

NIFTY'S NATIONAL RUGBY AWARDS IS A HUGE SUCCESS EBC GROUP SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL IT AWARD EBC Group is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted as a finalist in the national SDC (Storage, Digitalisation & Cloud) Awards in two categories; 'Cloud/MPS Project of the Year' and 'Managed Services Provider of the Year'. The awards taking place at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London, on Wednesday 27 November, recognise the very best of the UK's IT industry and celebrate the products and services provided by those operating at the forefront of digital transformation. Having delivered a number of diverse IT projects in the past 12 months, the nomination is testament to EBC Group’s on-going commitment to providing the best cloud solutions and services to its customers and for the cloud project it completed with solicitors Talbots Law.

Nifty Communications, a PR and marketing agency based in Worcester, was at Twickenham Stadium recently overseeing the National Rugby Awards. Rights holders to the awards, Zeus Events, commissioned Nifty to grow the brand through innovative PR and social media campaigns that engaged rugby fans, clubs and potential sponsors. Nifty was instrumental in securing Guinness as title sponsor for the senior awards, a significant development that increased reach and over-delivered on targets. Another key move was persuading the Rugby Football Union [RFU] to join the judging panel, as Nifty brought the sport’s governing body in to support the awards and build a roadmap of activity for 2020 and beyond. Hosted by Sky Sports’ Alex Payne, the National Rugby Awards recognise all those who contribute to grassroots rugby across the country. Players attending included European Player of the Year Alex Goode, former England Internationals Chris Robshaw, Topsy Ojo, Ollie Phillips and Women’s World Cup Winner Nolli Waterman. www.niftycomms.com

‘‘We are thrilled to be nominated for another national award that recognises our excellence in cloud and IT services, and our commitment to our clients’’ said EBC Group Managing Director Richard Lane. To vote for EBC Group, visit www.ebcgroup.co.uk/SDCAwards. CEO, Simon Lancaster, on the latest YouGov survey

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHAMBERTRAINING

www.hwchamber.co.uk/training

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IS FUNDAMENTAL TO ANY BUSINESS ...AND IT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE CRITICAL Whether you are looking for a basic understanding of IT and knowledge for beginners, or are interested in more specialist and bespoke training, the Chamber delivers a range of courses designed to help you take your skill set to the next level.

EXCEL IN EXCEL We deliver four Excel focused training courses both in-house and as a bespoke day at your company’s premises.

INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT EXCEL Microsoft Excel is a key competency that supports many day to day functions in an organisation. A working knowledge of this application is important for most employees operating in a business environment. Microsoft Excel is one of the most used applications, across a wide variety of sectors. Having staff that are effective, proficient and efficient in their work will support the smooth running of your business and will support your staff to become more productive. This introductory course is suitable for those who have never worked in Excel or use it infrequently and need knowledge on how to carry out some of the basic functions.

INTERMEDIATE MICROSOFT EXCEL A course for those who use Excel daily and would like to start to get to grips with the major concepts in terms of managing data lists and understanding complex formulas.

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producing key KPI measures using charting techniques. Perhaps you have only used formulas on one sheet before now you will learn about multi worksheet and workbook linking. All in all a great course to give you valuable business skills in this popular package.

ADVANCED MICROSOFT EXCEL You don't need to be an Excel genius to attend our Advanced Excel course, just a good working knowledge of formulas, charts, sorts and fillers. Attendance on our Intermediate course is recommended. We aim to make even the most clever functions of a complicated nature relatively easy to understand and put to use. Many people would like to get to grips with pivot tables and macros and we show you how it’s not rocket science but simply a great tool perhaps never explained in layman’s terms before. A course for you if you believe you are at Intermediate levels already.

Develop your presentation skills with our PowerPoint training

POWERPOINT FOR PRESENTATIONS Ever wondered how to create a good PowerPoint presentation? Creating professional, unique PowerPoint presentations is easier than you think. This course is intended for anyone who wishes to understand how to design a simple but professional presentation. This course is designed to give delegates a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of PowerPoint, enabling them to produce, edit and theme creative and memorable presentations.

EXCEL MASTERCLASS

You’ve been using simply and competently Excel for a while now and would like to take the next step in your user journey.

An advanced workshop based course for a small group of 6. This will include sophisticated exercises of a lengthy nature to stretch your Excel imagination and skills.

Here is your chance to learn how to sort and filter data lists whether they be parts, customer or any set of business data. You may also rise to the challenge of learning about IF statements and

This should only be attended by a trainee who has been on a Chamber Advanced Excel course and wants to improve further their skills in the work place.

All of these courses take place from our Worcester and Hereford offices. For more information please email training@hwchamber.co.uk

November/December 2019

CHAMBERBUSINESSTRAINING

TRAINING CALENDAR NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 NOVEMBER COURSE DATES

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER DATES

DECEMBER COURSE DATES

Mentoring in the Workplace Tuesday 5 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Effective Use of Social Media Monday 25 November - 9.30am-1.30pm £90+VAT Members £110+VAT Non-members

Introduction to Digital Marketing & PR Tuesday 3 December - 9.30am-1.30pm FREE for Members £110+VAT Non-members

Emergency First Aid at Work Tuesday 5 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £90+VAT Members £110+VAT Non-members

Effective Professional Proofreading Tuesday 26 November - 9.30am-1.30pm £90+VAT Members £110+VAT Non-members

Intermediate Microsoft Excel Thursday 5 December - 9.30am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

7 Steps to Closing the Deal Tuesday 12 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

IOSH Managing Safely Tuesday 26-Friday 29 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £495+VAT Members £595+VAT Non-members

Advanced Microsoft Excel Tuesday 10 December - 9.30am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Search Engine Optimisation Wednesday 13 November - 9.30am-1.30pm £90+VAT Members £110+VAT Non-members

Successful Telesales Techniques Wednesday 27 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Writing Effective Marketing Copy Wednesday 11 December - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

HR for the Non HR Manager Thursday 14 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Effective Time Management Thursday 28 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Fire Marshal Training Thursday 12 December - 10.00am-4.00pm £90+VAT Members £110+VAT Non-members

Introduction to Microsoft Excel Thursday 14 November - 9.30am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

IOSH Working Safely Monday 2 December - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Managing Performance in the Team Thursday 12 December - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Email Marketing Tuesday 19 November - 9.30am-1.30pm £90+VAT Members £110+VAT Non-members

Internal Auditor Training Wednesday 20 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Managing People in the Team Wednesday 20 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

For more information and bookings contact us on 01905 673 611, training@hwchamber.co.uk. or www.hwchamber.co.uk/training Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHAMBEREVENTS

www.hwchamber.co.uk/events

NEW EVENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND POOL RE British Chambers of Commerce

As we turn our attention to Tech, Data and Cyber Security in this edition of the magazine, the Chamber Events team is pleased to unveil a brand new event to ensure your business is protected. Understanding how to protect your business from terrorism Wednesday 27 November 7.30-9.30am West Midland Safari Park, Spring Grove Road, Bewdley DY12 1LF FREE for Members and Non-members

CHAMBER CONNECTS Experiential events Cocktail Masterclass

about some of the insurance options available and enable you to increase your business resilience, better manage your potential risks and update your business continuity plan so it can respond to a terrorist attack.

Thursday 14 November 5.30-7.30pm The Brick Room, New Street, Worcester WR1 2DL £20+VAT Members £35+VAT Non-members

The event has been designed to help ensure that you are aware of how attacks can affect your organisation. It will also update you and your colleagues

HR PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE

in association with Hewett Recruitment

Join us at the Brick Room where you will learn how to be the star of the party by makin’ and shakin’ a variety of popular cocktails. After an interactive demonstration by an expert mixologist, you will be able to create and sample your own cocktail whilst networking with fellow local business professionals.

Festive Afternoon Tea

Thursday 21 November, 9.00am-3.00pm Bank House Hotel, Bransford, Worcester WR6 5JD £37.50+VAT for Chamber Members or clients of Hewett Recruitment £50.00+VAT for Non-members Join other HR Professionals from companies of all sizes and sectors for an event not to be missed to understand the current and future innovations, and challenges facing businesses. Delegates will also have chance to network throughout the day and enjoy a two course lunch.

SPEAKERS: Dave Morris - Founding Director of growth leadership specialists Zentano. Following a 30-year career in professional sales and sales management, Dave has spent the last 8 years using his experience and skills as a Coach, Facilitator and Trainer to help others grow and develop their businesses and their teams. Nicola Whiting - Chief Strategy Officer and co-owner of Titania Group, she is also an Amazon best-selling author and is listed in SC Magazine’s Top 20 most influential women working in cyber security. She is

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passionate about business growth, is an award-winning business mentor for both local and national business accelerators and board member for Worcester LEP. Sally Morris - Partner at mfg Solicitors heading up the Employment Law and HR Services team. Sally has detailed knowledge and understanding of all contentious areas of employment law including unfair dismissal, discrimination and contractual claims. We will also hear some interesting HR case studies from NMiTE, Open GI and True Blue Global Solutions.

Wednesday 4 December 2.30-4.00pm Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, Jennet Tree Lane, Callow End, Malvern WR2 4TY £20+VAT Members £35+VAT Non-members Get into the Christmas spirit and join us at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel for an opportunity to network with other local businesses. Enjoy the beloved British tradition of classic afternoon tea, with a festive twist, in the Piano Lounge of the historic country house hotel.

November/December 2019

CHAMBEREVENTS

NETWORKING CALENDAR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 NOVEMBER Financial Growth Forum in association with EBC Group Thursday 7 November - 8.30-11.00am Chateau Impney Hotel & Exhibition Centre, Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 0BN FREE for Members £20+VAT Non-members Worcestershire Networking Breakfast Tuesday 12 November - 7.30-9.30am New College Worcester, Whittington Rd, Worcester WR5 2JX FREE for Members £20+VAT Non-members

Business Leaders Hereford Race Day Tuesday 12 November - 12.30-5.30pm Hereford Racecourse, Roman Road, Hereford, HR4 9QU FREE event exclusively for Patron and Strategic Members

Cocktail Masterclass Thursday 14 November - 5.30-7.30pm The Brick Room, New St, Worcester WR1 2DL £20+VAT Members £35+VAT Non-members

Leadership Development Series Wednesday 20 November - 8.30-11.00am Bank House Hotel Spa and Golf, Bransford, Worcester WR6 5JD £59+VAT Members £79+VAT Non-members HR Professionals Conference 2019 in association with Hewett Recruitment Thursday 21 November - 9.00am-3.00pm Bank House Hotel Spa and Golf, Bransford, Worcester WR6 5JD £37.50+VAT Members and clients of Hewett Recruitment £50+VAT Non-members Food & Drink Forum in association with mfg Solicitors LLP Friday 22 November 2019 - 1.00-3.00pm Churchfields Farmhouse, Salwarpe, Droitwich WR9 0AH FREE event (exclusive to food and drink producers only) Understanding How to Protect Your Business from Terrorism with Pool Reinsurance Wednesday 27 November - 7.30-9.30am West Midland Safari Park, Spring Grove House, Spring Grove Road, Bewdley DY12 1LF FREE event for Members and Non-members

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Hereford Women’s Business Forum in association with Hereford Racecourse Thursday 28 November - 9.30-11.30am Hereford Racecourse, Roman Road, Hereford HR4 9QU FREE for Members £20+VAT Non-members

DECEMBER Festive Afternoon Tea Wednesday 4 December - 7.30-9.30am Stanbrook Abbey, Jennet Tree Lane, Callow End, Worcester WR2 4TY £20+VAT for Members £35+VAT Non-members

Business Leaders Christmas Dinner Thursday 5 December - 19.00pm-00.00am Abbey Hotel, Abbey Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3ET Black tie event FREE event exclusively for Patron and Strategic Members Hereford HR Forum in association with Hewett Recruitment Wednesday 11 December - 9.30-11.30am Hereford Business Solutions Centre, Coldnose Road, Hereford HR2 6JS FREE for Members and clients of Hewett Recruitment £35+VAT Non-members Herefordshire Networking Breakfast Thursday 12 December - 7.30-9.30am Leominster Golf Club, Ford Bridge, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 0LE FREE for Members £20+VAT Non-members

Maximise Your Membership in association with ISO Quality Services Friday 13 December - 8.30-11.00am Hogarths Stone Manor, Bromsgrove Rd, Kidderminster DY10 4PJ FREE for Members only TYRO Events Christmas Party in association with Worcestershire Cricket Club The Chamber’s young professional’s network Tuesday 17 December - 4.30-6.00pm Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester WR2 4QQ FREE for Members and Non-members

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ADVERTORIALFEATURE

GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH AGRI-TECH An innovative new project aiming to promote entrepreneurship to support Worcestershire’s agri-tech sector is set to launch its development programme next month at Pershore College.

GrowAgri Worcestershire, a £2m joint initiative between the college and the European Regional Development Fund, is tasked with supporting the development of technologies for use in the horticultural and agricultural industries

“We therefore invite Worcestershire businesses to Pershore’s Agri-tech Research Centre to be trained in innovative technologies and work with students on projects to help develop solutions to the many challenges facing the agriculture and horticulture sector.”

The project is being led by WLEP-funded Agri-Tech Research Centre based at the college and will deliver tailored business support through a range of seminars, workshops, technical demonstrations and bespoke consultancy. The initiative aims to support business growth, increased productivity and the introduction of new products, processes and services and is open to all small to medium-sized Worcestershire businesses.

Interested parties are invited to attend a business breakfast launch event at Pershore College on Wednesday 13 November at 7.30am where they will be able to hear more about the programme and the introductory set of seminars scheduled for late winter 2019 and spring 2020. GrowAgri Project Manager, Mark Harwood-Browne said: “This project will be of particular interest to engineers,

food technologists, agronomists, systems analysts or anyone who develops technologies that could be transferable across different industrial sectors.” To book on the business breakfast or for more information about the GrowAgri Worcestershire project in general, email growagri@wcg.ac.uk go to www.wcg.ac.uk/ growagri or call Project Manager Mark Harwood-Browne on 0300 135 7179.

We’re not “just another” bar code company… We like to get involved – to understand your processes, your pain points. Only then will we apply our many years of collective experience to deliver a cost-effective solution perfectly matched to your application, no matter which industry you’re involved in.

labels | barcoding | RFID

Lovett Road, Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate Droitwich Spa Worcestershire WR9 0QG Telephone: 01905 794779 Email: info@fairfieldgroup.com Web: www.fairfieldgroup.com

Bar codes are part of our everyday lives, but what about the terminology? 1D, 2D, all the available symbologies – where to start? At Fairfield, we’ll take away the science, finding the best solution for you and simplifying the process to get your product bar coded or batch / date coded. We can do this by producing them for you as a print bureau operation or providing you with the hardware to do it all on your site, providing you with the flexibility to produce precisely as many labels as you need, exactly when you need them. Our range of printers can handle everything from the simplest retail bar codes to carton labels to the smallest 2D codes for attaching to products like surgical instruments ensuring codes read right first time. Now you have bar codes on your products, you’ll need to read them – we can provide a large range of scanners and verifiers, from a basic hand-held 1D reader, though to high speed, fixed head scanners which will keep up with your production line speeds, reading date codes, 1D or 2D bar codes. So, we think you’ll find we’re not “just another” bar code company.

Member

Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you! 024

November/December 2019

LEGALMATTERS

LANYON BOWDLER TOP RANKING FIRM “So we are naturally delighted so many of our departments and individual lawyers are recommended in the guide, as it shows that our clients value the advice and service they receive from us.

The employment team at law firm Lanyon Bowdler is now ranked as one of the highest in the area in the respected Legal 500 national guide.

“The firm’s head of clinical negligence, Kay Kelly, and head of personal injury, Neil Lorimer, are both highlighted as ‘leading individuals’, which confirms their standing as among the very best in their field on a national level.

Lanyon Bowdler now stands apart as the only employment team in Herefordshire above tier five in the guide - and is one of only three without a Birmingham office ranked in the top four tiers.

“We are proud to have three ‘next generation partners’ in the guide Claire Vale, contentious probate; Dawn Humphries, personal injury; and Debbie Humphries, personal injury.”

Overall, the firm, which has offices in Hereford and Bromyard, has 32 lawyers recommended in the guide across 14 practice areas. Agriculture and clinical negligence have again been named in the top tier of the guide, with commercial litigation, commercial property, personal injury and personal tax, trusts and probate maintaining their rankings in tier two. Lanyon Bowdler is also recommended in the guide for corporate and commercial, contentious trusts and probate, crime,

Brian Evans

debt recovery, education, family and planning. Brian Evans, managing partner at Lanyon Bowdler, said the guide made positive reading for everyone connected with the firm. “The Legal 500 is a highly-respected guide because customer feedback plays a major role in deciding the final rankings,” he said.

Brian added: “Special mention must also go to the employment team, which has moved up the rankings and is now the only team in Herefordshire to be at that level. “It’s a clear endorsement of the superb service our employment specialists give to their clients.” For more information about Lanyon Bowdler, visit www.lblaw.co.uk or call 0800 652 3371.

Our People, Your Team

Transparently priced, practical advice and support delivered by legal specialists in Herefordshire Our specialist corporate, commercial property, dispute resolution and employment lawyers provide support to help you grow and protect your business, giving you a solid foundation to build upon

To find out more about the services we offer call us on 01432 378379 Beaumont House, Offa Street, Hereford HR1 2LH • 44 High Street, Bromyard HR7 4AE

info@lblaw.co.uk www.lblaw.co.uk Shrewsbury • Bromyard • Conwy • Hereford • Ludlow • Oswestry • Telford

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHAMBERBUSINESSAWARDS

YOUR TIME TO SHINE...

In association with

We’re pleased to announce that the 19th Chamber Business Awards is set to return on Thursday 2 July 2020 at the University of Worcester Arena. The awards showcase Herefordshire and Worcestershire as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, and help us to encourage investment in the area from across the country and beyond. For our finalists and winners, the awards provide the fantastic opportunity to build your business brand and connect with a variety of business influencers from across the region. Recognised as the leading business celebration in two counties, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards celebrates organisations that have achieved business excellence across all categories.

Our awards continue to be a testament to the talent, drive and success of local Herefordshire and Worcestershire businesses. In the 2019 awards, we were delighted to announce 15 categories that local businesses could enter, from Best Use of Technology, to Micro Business of the Year and Most Promising New Business. To mark the end of this year’s celebrations, Business Direction spoke to this year’s winners to find out how winning an award has impacted their company now 4 months down the line.

UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Thursday 23 January 2020 Are you ready to enter the Chamber Awards? (A workshop for your application) Friday 24 January 2020 Award entries open for applications Friday 27 March 2020 Awards close for entries Thursday 2 July 2020 Chamber Business Awards ceremony

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CHAMBERBUSINESSAWARDS

WHAT THIS YEAR’S WINNERS HAVE TO SAY NOW FOUR MONTHS DOWN THE LINE... Rowena Innocent, VP R&D, commented: “We are incredibly proud of our people, and our entrepreneurial culture. Our innovative solutions drive our continued growth and maintain market leadership in our industry. Winning the Chamber Award for Excellence in Innovation is a celebration of one of our businesses greatest strengths.

WINNER Excellence in Innovation

MALVERN PANALYTICAL Malvern Panalytical entered the Chamber Business Awards to celebrate the success of the company’s Innovation Journey that was introduced over the last three years, but also to showcase the business as part of promoting the area as a great place to develop technology.

“Being able to consolidate all the factors which contribute towards our Innovation Journey into a single awards submission showed how far we had come, and to celebrate this with other local businesses on the evening was fantastic, as it showed how much Herefordshire and Worcestershire have to offer. “Our best advice to organisations would be to use the entry process as an opportunity to gather some of the different experiences and stories from those involved directly in the process and use them as key communications with your employees to enable them to buy into the process and what has been achieved.”

WINNER Small Business of the Year

ROCK POWER CONNECTIONS LTD Since being crowned Small Business of the Year 2019, Rock Power Connections has continued on a trajectory of growth and new opportunities. Commercial Director, Kev Sankar, took a few moments to reflect on the impact the Chamber Awards have had on the business. “Being part of the awards creates a sense of achievement for the entire company. It is a way of recognising the progress we are making and of ensuring that the team get recognised for the great work they do. “It is also a brilliant way to raise our business profile. Being able to incorporate the Finalist logo on our website and email correspondence is seen as independent verification of our success. It’s also great fun submitting the application and going through the interview process. “The evening itself was excellent as always. You can sense the high levels of anticipation and there is a strong atmosphere of pride in the local business community. People enjoy celebrating the success of fellow businesses.

WINNER High Growth Business of the Year, Exporter of the Year and Business of the Year

LEVEL PEAKS ASSOCIATES Being named Business of the Year meant a great deal to Level Peaks, Hereford’s hidden gem that supplies specialist clothing to the UK Ministry of Defence, UK police and a range of NATO military forces.

The company decided to enter the awards after achieving the ‘five year business plan’ goals in just three years, and wanted to test their performance against neighbouring businesses – and if warranted, formally acknowledge the team’s hard work and success. Following a period of considerable change and uncertainty, the success at the Chamber Business Awards let the Level Peaks team know that they are valued, respected, and above all, extremely good at what they do.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

“To be awarded Small Business of the Year and to share that moment with members of the Rock Team was very rewarding. Like all the entrants, we work very hard all year round. Winning the award was testament to all of our team and the brilliant people I am lucky to work with.” Kev’s advice to other businesses… “Find the category that best suits you and enter. Not only is a great opportunity to reflect upon the successes of your business, but being shortlisted instils a great sense of camaraderie and pride amongst your employees. That is a fundamental part of the culture we work so hard to nurture.”

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BIGINTERVIEW

CYBER SECURITY IN THE SPOTLIGHT Protecting your company against cyber breaches is paramount. As an SME you might not think cyber security is a concern for you, but it’s not just large corporations at risk. Here, Jennifer Semini of ISO Quality Services Limited, explains why we should all take steps to make our businesses more secure. "Privacy, data protection and GDPR are crucial concerns as a breach could lead to reputational damage, loss of business and massive fines. For some companies, however, the threat could also impact on their operational integrity and business continuity."

STEPS TO TAKE "Many routine tasks, such as clicking on an email or answering a phone call, could lead to a breach so cyber security has to be the responsibility of everyone in your company, not just your IT Manager or outsourced IT support provider. "Some security breaches are enabled (often unintentionally) by employees, so training is critical to raise awareness of the issues. Employees need to be told how they can help protect your business, in the same way as they are trained in locking up premises and setting alarms. Once they know what they should be doing, they are keen to help. After all, no decent employee wants to be responsible for taking the company offline for a few hours, days or even permanently, if they can help it!

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"Take advantage of the credible, free training that’s available online and ask all your employees to complete it. This ensures that your staff have common knowledge and will encourage those who are IT savvy but prone to clicking first and thinking later to reconsider their approach. "Once trained, you can test your employees by running mock phishing attempts. These enable employees to test their ‘spotting’ skills and can also highlight where further training may be needed."

PROCESSES IN PLACE "Clear and robust policies are worth their weight in gold and help employees know where they stand as well as protecting your business. Ensure employees sign a document that says they have read and understood each policy, in case you ever need to take action for non-conformance. "Common policies amongst SMEs include use of mobile phones, laptops and storage devices. As well as deciding what constitutes acceptable use of business IT equipment, you need your policies to be clear if employees can use their own kit for work purposes. If so, make it obvious if you require these items to be password protected and have up-to-date antivirus protection."

REDUCING RISK IN OTHER WAYS "There are many free or cost-effective ways to reduce your risk. You can restrict the number of people who can install software on your IT system by making admin privileges the exception and disable auto-run to prevent the spread of malware. "Using WeTransfer is a more secure way

of sending data than memory sticks which are prone to being mislaid. USB ports can even be locked down to prevent the use of external storage devices. "Audit your network drives to ensure that access to sensitive data, such as HR information, is limited. Check if new starters can access more data than you think, you may have blocked them from downloading a client list from your CRM but can they find the same information in Excel form in your marketing drive? It is possible to install software that flags up suspicious activity, but this comes at a cost. "Have a clear desk policy, so that no data is left lying around. Remember that written notes can contain sensitive client or commercial information too. "In terms of saving data, it’s not enough to have a backup system, you need to regularly check the system is working, just as you check the office fire alarm. You don’t want to rely on a backup only to have it fail you. Simply delete an unimportant file periodically and contact your backup provider asking them to

November/December 2019

BIGINTERVIEW

RESOURCES AVAILABLE Robust guidance on how to protect your company is available, some of which is offered for free. Here are a few places to look: Herefordshire-based IASME’s website. Originally one of five accreditation bodies for the Government backed Cyber Essentials scheme, IASME will be the National Cyber Security Centre’s sole Cyber Essentials Partner from April 2020: www.iasme.co.uk The National Cyber Security Centre’s website offers online training for SMEs. Find out more at: www.ncsc. gov.uk Our GDPR training partner, Risk Evolves, provides a phishing service aimed at SMEs. For more information visit: www.riskevolves.com

Jennifer Semini, Managing Director

Employees need to be told how they can help protect your business, in the same way as they are trained in locking up premises and setting alarms. reinstate it for you. If they can’t, you know you have backup issues which need addressing urgently. "You can also ask your key suppliers for proof that they have taken measures to reduce the risk of a cyber security incident in their businesses. After all, if their operations are disrupted, you will feel the knock-on effects."

IDENTIFYING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY "When looking at an email, check that the ‘from address’ exactly matches the expected domain name, if not, delete the email. Spelling errors or emails asking for

something to be done urgently also merit a closer look. "Should you receive an email asking for banking details to be changed, double-check this is the case by phone only, as the email may have been compromised. When you have a large invoice to pay, pay £1 of the bill, check with your customer that the money has arrived safely (again not by email) before paying the remainder.

The Police Digital Security Centre website introduces this summer’s new initiative, Digitally Aware. This is a police-backed certification scheme designed to help SMEs understand their risk of cyber attack or breach. Find out more at: www.policedsc.com ISO Quality Services’ website offers free Introduction to ISO 27001 training. The ISO 27001 Information Security Management System is a comprehensive way of controlling the risks to your business. Certification helps you stand out from your competitors and is often a prerequisite for contracts, so can give your company a competitive advantage. Take the free training module at www.isotrainingservicesltd.com/ Chamber27001 or call us on 0330 058 5551 to find out how ISO 27001 certification can help your business.

"When you come across suspicious activity, communicate your concerns to your IT expert and let your colleagues know so they remain vigilant, just as you would if someone attempted a physical break-in." www.isoqsltd.com

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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FEATURE

ACCELERATING THE TECH SECTOR “Based in the Malvern Hills Science Park, BetaDen is in a great location to foster links with the tech industries. Co-located with the UK’s first Government funded 5G testbeds to specialise in Industry 4.0, we’re situated in a hub where new technologies are being continually developed and tested. In the future, we may operate from additional locations too, enabling us to spread our offer to a wider network.

Linda Smith

Founded in June 2018, BetaDen is Worcestershire’s first dedicated tech accelerator for entrepreneurs and scale up businesses. Linda Smith, CEO and Founder of BetaDen has taken time out of her busy schedule to reflect on their first 18 months in operation. “A commercial technology accelerator is something that’s been needed for a long time in Worcestershire,” observes Linda, “it’s a piece of the commercial jigsaw that was missing. Providing a dedicated service for entrepreneurs, start-ups and SME technology companies has been a long-held ambition.

“Funded by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, our work supports and exploits innovative products, services and solutions in the emerging technology space. Our aim is to help grow new and existing tech companies and their emerging technologies develop and scale up in Worcestershire, rather than move away to facilitate their growth. “What marks BetaDen out from many accelerators, is that we’re a commercial model too, so we understand the pressures and challenges faced by SMEs. The service we provide is business and investment focused, rather than academic, with our nine month accelerator programme helping companies to attain either investment readiness or a go to market product or service. “Every successful applicant for BetaDen’s programme receives mentoring from our team of technology experts, each one of whom is highly experienced in their field, as well as benefitting from our extensive network of contacts.

“£15,000 proof of concept funding is provided by the ERDF project offered by Worcestershire County Council, with an additional £1,750 forthcoming for branding and marketing collateral. Access to a legal clinic and free office space are also on offer for the duration of the programme. “Our second cohort of SMEs has just begun their nine month acceleration programme,” explains Linda “and it’s exciting to see the progress made so far, with companies we’ve mentored moving forward and growing. For those interested in joining our accelerator programme, we’ll be recruiting for Cohort 3 in January 2020, so look out for information on our website www.beta-den.com. “Technology is moving forward at a rapid pace and the value of an accelerator is that it helps companies to dedicate their efforts and progress their ideas to market quicker. We’re committed to supporting businesses to grow here, ultimately supporting for the future more well-paid, higher skilled jobs in the area and developing the tech economic footprint of the county. “We’re bringing the wider business community together too; you can join in a collaborative discussion at one of our events. Our Tech Talks enable tech industry leaders to share their insights and expertise for all levels. Technology businesses around Worcestershire co-host the talks, so if you’d like to attend an event or to be involved, then please contact us.” www.beta-den.com

“There’s a huge capability for designing innovative products in Worcestershire, but historically, we haven’t been very good at letting the world know about them. BetaDen has a crucial role to play in enabling these innovative products to get to market. “Following our launch at the global security event Infosecurity Europe in 2018, we’ve begun the journey of raising awareness of BetaDen locally, regionally and internationally, building relationships with industry, universities and other stakeholders.” With an expert knowledge of the private and public sector, Linda is well placed to develop these relationships, having worked in manufacturing and international trade, bringing UK products to new markets. As CEO of BetaDen, Linda is combining her professional experience with the opportunity to work with emerging technology businesses in her home county of Worcestershire.

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November/December 2019

FEATURE

LOCAL FOCUS, GLOBAL SUCCESS Responding to an emergency or working in a war zone may not be what most of us expect of our working lives, but for the team at Global RadioData Communication Ltd (GRC), this is the reality of the situations in which their equipment is often deployed. In this issue, Steve Slater, Managing Director of GRC, provides us with insights into the origins, development and approach to business of this extraordinary company. “Founded in 1996 by two brothers, GRC drew on the expertise they’d honed working for the Royal Signals, the army’s professional communicators,” explains Steve. “From day one, GRC understood the huge demands placed upon communication and information systems deployed in battlefields and other challenging situations.”

last year, in addition to which they’ve taken on additional staff and have expanded the head office footprint too.

support, GRC operates a 24/7 Network Monitoring Centre at their head office as part of their service.

Today, Iain Pope one of the founders, chairs the company, whilst Roger Davis is the other owner and Steve takes the reins on a day-to-day basis as MD. Their latest product is a low-cost, rugged outdoor satellite modem, providing high-speed internet, voice, video and data connectivity in remote regions, recently launched at the Defence & Security Equipment International event in London.

One commission saw the team provide radio systems and five years of training to four Land Border Regiments in the Middle East region, whilst soon they will deliver Disaster Response capability and training in Kenya which will allow local, two-person teams to operate GRC provisioned satellite systems in isolated regions, providing much-needed support.

In the intervening years, GRC has built up an enviable reputation delivering communications capability to the armed forces, government, disaster response teams, plus oil, gas, onshore wind and mining industries, amongst other commercial businesses.

“Keeping ahead of the competition is the greatest challenge,” explains Steve, “We continue to invest in research and business development and we’re always looking for the next crucial development in mission critical communication and situational awareness systems.” Our success is due to keeping up with technology, designing to user requirements, as opposed to designing something that only we think is a good idea and being able to go from concept to a finished product in just a few months.

Their industry partners include some of the world’s leading suppliers including Avanti, Airbus, Cisco, Thales, Intelsat and Inmarsat, to name but a few and as GRC remains a relatively lean business, they can work agilely to meet demand.

Going beyond designing and providing specialist equipment, GRC offers fully supported systems, focusing on delivering results which get the end user connected when it's needed most. Delivering comprehensive training and

GRC’s robust systems are well suited to all manner of demanding situations, remote or harsh environments, with their equipment being utilised in response to hurricanes, floods, fire and famine, as well as in war zones. In recent years, their focus has shifted from providing radio systems to satellite communications used either ‘at the pause’ or ‘on the move’, with their turnover growing considerably over the

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Based in Hereford, although their equipment is utilised around the world, GRC remains a local company committed to the community in which it’s based. “We’re proud to be a local company,” explains Steve. “We use resources manufactured in Herefordshire wherever possible and work with a local recruitment company, supporting local jobs and the local economy.” As part of their corporate and social responsibility, GRC support local and armed forces charities. Tim Crockett was one such recipient of support, receiving sponsorship for his solo row across the Atlantic Ocean, a trip of more than 3,000 miles which was made in support Combat Stress. GRC is set to sponsor another 2 teams in 2020, who will also attempt to row the Atlantic for charitable causes. Today, GRC is the proud recipient of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme’s Silver Award, which entails the company signing the Armed Forces Covenant and employing armed forces veterans, amongst other commitments. Whilst for their next challenge, 4 staff have signed up to swim the 22 miles of Loch Ness in 2020, in aid of a military charity. www.grcltd.net

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DIGITALINNOVATION Security

Testing

Anti-Virus

Vulnerability

Web Security Wireless Calculate Testing

Phishing

the cost of cyber-crime

The heartbreak of a cyber attack Anti-Spam

Threat Protection

Anti-Malware Email Security

Threat Intel Security Management

Managed Firewalls

Penetration Testing

Paul Colwell, CTO at CyberGuard Technologies, has attended many cyber-related incidents and actively shares his experiences to educate SMEs about the real impact of a cyber-attack and how the risks can be minimised. There is a myth among SMEs that cyber-criminals are only interested in larger companies who they can make more money from. But that’s a misconception as most attacks that we see are low level, avoidable attacks, which cause significant damage. Imagine coming into the office on Monday morning and all systems are down and your computers are showing the same message: “Your files have been encrypted”. What do you do? Very occasionally the cyber-criminal may have used an old piece of software that can be decrypted, or they made a mistake and didn’t delete the snapshots. But most cyber-criminals aren’t stupid, far from it. They are constantly evolving, changing tactics and techniques to maximise their chances of getting paid. In the event of a ransomware attack your best, and probably only, course of action is to restore from your backup. Forward-thinking businesses will have a fully tested, working backup from which you can restore all your servers in a matter of hours and PC’s can be rebuilt from a golden image getting you back up and running in a few days.

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But how many SMEs test their backups to check that what you think will happen in an emergency actually does? That two-hour restore has become 2 days or 2 weeks. Many businesses have backups located in different buildings or data centres but still on the same network using the same credentials as the main network which has now been compromised. Cyber-criminals know you are unlikely to pay if you can restore from a backup, so what do they do? Go after the backups! If they can encrypt or delete your backup, they significantly increase their chances of payment. The restore is now going to take a week or worse case you have no backups at all. What next? Trust me you do not want to be in this situation. You’ll typically now have two choices - start again with no data (not really viable) or pay the ransom. How much is the ransom? That depends. We’ve seen this be anything from £3000 to £200,000 depending on your size, and if they’ve found your recovery method. Once you’ve decided to pay, then the fun starts. It’s not easy buying even £10,000 in bitcoins, you can’t just walk into your bank, so you need a specialist.

cg-tech.co.uk

Once you’ve sorted the bitcoins you have to transfer them to the cybercriminal with no guarantee they’ll respond or ask for more money. All this takes time, and in the meantime, you’re not operational. We’ve attended so many of these types of incidents and its heart-breaking especially for small family businesses who can potentially be ruined. Frustratingly, these types of attacks are largely avoidable by just getting the basics right. • Don’t have services such as remote desktop accessible on the internet • Make sure users have strong passwords, and ideally add two factor authentication • Keep your machines up to date with the latest security updates • Install and maintain a good anti-virus program Prevention is better than cure so if you only take one thing away from this, make sure you have a working, tested disaster recovery plan with offline or cloud backups. Don’t put yourself in a situation where your only option is to trust cyber-criminals.

November/December 2019

DIGITALINNOVATION

SIMPLE STEPS TO DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION It’s no secret that technology is being used to create new business models, enhance existing products and services, and create more rewarding customer experiences. But some businesses are still reluctant to start their digital transformation journey-why? What holds businesses back isn’t the lack of willing to adopt new technologies, but a lack of digital strategy. When faced with a world where technology can rapidly change from one day to the next, many businesses remain unsure about where to start when it comes to adopting technology for their own business needs. Equally, those businesses who have already adopted aspects of technology into their workplace, may still remain unsure on how to take this to the next level. Whether you are at the start of your journey, or already established, every business, needs an IT strategy to align their business objectives with their technology. But taking advantage of new technology and getting the most from your IT investments isn’t easy, with many businesses lacking a trusted advisor to call upon. Whether you’re new to the process or a seasoned IT professional, our five simple steps can assist you in creating an IT strategy for your business.

1. THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF YOUR IT STRATEGY IS TO SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS OBJECTIVES. Start by outlining your business needs, goals and high-level objectives. Then identify the business capabilities that will be required over the period covered by the organisation's strategy. For example if your business objective is to double in size over next 5 years, your IT strategy needs to reflect this with its infrastructure.

2. DEFINE YOUR SCOPE AND TIMESCALES It’s important that everybody involved understands both the purpose of your IT strategy and who is responsible for delivering it. Be consultative and meet with key people in your business units who will be able to tell you how they’re using technology, what their plans are and how your technology can support them. It’s also important to put a lifespan on your IT strategy and frequently review it. Organisations faced with fast changing markets may need to work on shorter time frames than those in more stable markets.

3. REVIEW YOUR EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE Reviewing your existing IT infrastructure will help you define problems, see what’s working already and what can be improved. Determine the business capabilities that will take priority and assess the gaps between the current and required level. It is critical that you are taking into consideration the future needs of your business and how your infrastructure will need to perform during that period.

4. CREATE A ROADMAP Start by defining an overall technology architecture, which is made up of the major software, hardware and other tools you’ll be using. Then consider any department-specific technology that might be required to meet business goals, like specialist financial or HR software. Lastly, think about how the parts in your architecture fit together, and what processes will determine their integration.

strategy over time. Since your IT strategy is supporting your business needs, you need to make sure that it is functional and cost effective. EBC Group understands that piecing together a successful IT strategy can be difficult. Their experienced strategists and skilled implementers will help develop a plan that can be effectively implemented into your business. As a total solutions provider, EBC Group can address all aspects of IT change, from initial scope, though to planning, implementation and on-going support. Their partnerships with leading global technology brands ensure they are not only accredited to the highest standard but able to offer the best solution for your requirement. To talk to member of our experienced team contact marketing@ebcgroup.co.uk, or 0121 585 4400 or visit www.ebcgroup.co.uk.

5. DEFINE YOUR METRICS It’s important to identify some key metrics and KPIs that you can use to benchmark and analyse the performance of your IT

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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DIGITALINNOVATION

THE FUTURE IS OWNED BY THOSE WHO KNOW WHICH BUTTON TO PRESS Martyn Allan from Collate Systems explains how staying current with the latest technological trends gives you a competitive edge in business. Technologies that are just now becoming thought of in the mainstream – ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI)’, ‘5G’, the ‘Internet of Things (IoT) are still a way off directly impacting most businesses. It will take time before practical use cases filter through to everyday life and even more time before anything other than very large organisations use these new technologies to their commercial advantage. But over time, entrepreneurs will create tools that make using and directing these technologies more accessible to ‘regular businesses’. Take as an example, the innovation of the web itself and the scale of change it brought. If you had a time machine and went back 15 or 20 years, you would have to pay significant money to have a website built because the innovation was fresh, the required skill to code websites still high and supply of people with those skills limited. Overtime, after the initial innovation, inevitably comes an integration layer where technologies are wrapped into simpler formats – such as Wordpress, the well known website building tool. The introduction of Wordpress significantly reduced the required skill level to build websites, thus opening the market place to whole new groups of people who weren’t coders, yet had the creativity and potential to generate a profit and economic value. The same will be true for today’s emerging technologies and I am excited by the massive potential we all have in front of us, if we are prepared to seize the moment. There are some dizzyingly ambitious projects on the go right now with these technologies – surgeons being able to operate in locations removed from their patience; ‘synchronised reality’ where groups of people can be brought together in hologram form from different parts of the world; and machines predicting the diagnosis of illness in ways beyond the human brain. Yet as fascinating as these are to hear about, they are still removed from the day to day concerns and decision making of ordinary businesses.

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SO HOW CAN AN UNDERSTANDING OF CURRENT TECHNOLOGY BENEFIT YOU? Looking solely at AI – if you work in customer service, then Natural Language Processing (the stuff that powers your Alexa) can be used to estimate and manage customer intent, and you may already be familiar with the rise of ‘chatbots’. If sales are important to you, then lead generation is made easier through leveraging data at scale across public databases and social networks. For HR professionals the ability to screen, attract and engage the best employees is already being helped by AI. And what about marketing and social media growth? AI powered technology can now ‘listen’ across networks paying attention to trends, opportunities and competition, identifying in real time who is influencing the discussions and placing you at the heart of it. Lead generation, digital analytics and social media being areas that Collate Systems are directly involved in.

undertaking. Frequently it is one that people simply do not have the time or internal skill to do justice to. That’s why we released ‘Collate Reports’ – a platform to bring together data from the full range of digital sources such as Google, Facebook, your own website, Twitter, LinkedIn, your competition, your search rankings and more along the way. Of course, the cycle of innovation will always continue apace. At Collate Systems we pride ourselves on keeping current with these trends, developing and evaluating the latest and greatest available tools and making them available for our customers to help give them a competitive edge here and now. If you would like more information about the services and solutions Collate Systems provide, then please email Martyn Allan on martyn@collatesystems.com www.collatesystems.com

At the core of the rapid technological change is data. I know from speaking to our customers that understanding how to turn the vast amounts of available data into actionable insights is not a small

November/December 2019

DIGITALINNOVATION

THE BATTLE OF THE BUSINESS SOFTWARE ACRONYM: SFA VS CRM WHAT ARE THEY AND WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR COMPANY? Let me start with a quick “official” definition of both Sales Force Automation (SFA) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). SFA is, at its most basic, a collection of tools in a piece of software that allow a business to manage and streamline their sales process (and team). CRM, on the other hand, is a collection of tools in a piece of software that help businesses manage their relationships with their customers, at all stages of the customer journey. Sound similar? Yeah, I think so too. and sales can see when something isn’t going to plan BEFORE they call to chase an invoice.

And that’s because they are. A lot of CRM systems out there have a selection of sales force automation tools within them. There are also quite a few SFAs have limited customer relationship management tools to help the sales team keep on track.

rush to close a sale. (Hey, I’m casting no stones, I’m a salesman myself.) But this automation of the creation of reminders, updating linked information, and sending drip emails…it’s something that SFA tools can really help to address.

In short, not all CRMs have great SFA tools and not all SFAs have good CRM elements.

The final thing I think businesses are looking for with a SFA system is all centred around reporting. Managers want to be able to easily get access to pipeline information, task completion figures, and even build their own comparative reports. These kinds of insights aren’t about being big brother…they’re about keeping tabs on how your business is performing.

Annoyingly I’m not going to tell you the answer (for all that the salesperson side of me is screaming out to do so). Every business is different and needs to decide for themselves what kind of system will most benefit them and their users.

CRMS WITH SFA TOOLS

Go out and get a personal demonstration with a couple of systems that look like they might fit the bill. Sign up for a free (or even a paid trial) to test that system out for yourself. Spend time on the phone with your potential providers to find out if they are the kinds of people you want to do business with…after all, this is a system you will be using to run your business. You want to make sure you actually LIKE the people who you’ll be working with to make it fit you and your team.

SO WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS? As someone who runs a company who develops and sells a CRM system with some great SFA tools within in, I’m going to do my best to maintain some impartiality…but you know, want to be upfront about where I’m coming from. The question really comes down to how you run your business and where the focus of this new software is going to be. So I’d like to explore both options: SFA system with CRM elements and them CRM solutions with SFA tools.

Although SFA systems can be really powerful for the sales team, I firmly believe that a manager should ever completely silo the data from one side of the business from another.

In my experience, there are three key benefits businesses are looking for from SFA systems:

The information about recent customer service requests, upcoming invoices, and ongoing sales negotiations—that’s all information that has a huge impact on the relationship you’re building with your customer. Breaking it into separate chunks, in my opinion, hobbles your team.

First, tools and features that help keep your sale team focused on the right information at the right time. This way they can make the follow up call, nudge a negotiation that’s gone on too long, and chase up the odd overdue invoice. Having the CRM elements that tell them when the last call with the service team was, can feel less important.

Having a system, on the other hand, that has both all of those great relationship management tools working in tandem with powerful sales enablement features…well, that just makes sense to me. Your sales team can work with everyone else in your business to build and contribute to those strong relationships, while also focusing on bringing in revenue.

The second point businesses are looking to address is more about making sure salespeople get all that “boring”, admin work done. It’s about automating those jobs that are easily overlooked in the

With everything all in one place, everyone in your business can see how your relationship with each individual customer is playing out. Customer service can see what originally brought them on board

SFAS WITH CRM ELEMENTS

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

I’LL ASK AGAIN: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

I will leave you with one last piece of advice, however: Try them out before you decide.

To talk to a member of the OpenCRM team about your CRM software can benefit your business, call 01748 473000 or visit us at

www.opencrm.co.uk.

Graham Anderson, is the CEO and founder of OpenCRM, one of the UK’s leading customer relationship management systems.

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CONSTRUCTION

CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO USE A QUANTITY SURVEYOR…? Buildings are an essential part of our lives – as homes, homes for businesses, and often as businesses themselves. They are also an extremely good investment. Most of us understand the need to protect this investment and keep buildings well maintained, – but what do we do when a structure is no longer suitable for our requirements..? The usual answer is to move to a new location, or alter and extend our existing property. Unless you are fortunate enough to find somewhere that is exactly right for your needs, you will probably need building work done. This can seem a daunting idea – how do you set about this process, and avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous contractors…? How do you define what you want, and describe this to your builder…? What are the legal processes to go through, and how do you obtain the necessary permissions…? And most

importantly, what will it all cost, and who is advising you on this…? At this point, it sounds like you will need some professional help. The best place to begin is with a Quantity Surveyor. Perhaps not so well-known as his colleague the Architect, the QS is the money man in the building industry - and hence, if you’re on a budget, this is the place to start. The QS can provide cost advice for your project, right from your initial idea - and keep this updated as the design progresses. He can also steer you towards a suitable architectural practice for the type of works envisaged, or maybe recommend a “Design & Build” approach where the

builder takes responsibility for the design, too. He can obtain competitive prices from reputable builders - basing these on proper written specifications and schedules, and then guide you during the construction process itself - including recommending stage payments and checking and agreeing the final account. This whole service can be obtained for a very small percentage of the overall cost of the project – and indeed a QS usually pays for himself in terms of the savings achieved by the competitive tendering process and astute financial management of the works. Can you afford not to use a Quantity Surveyor…?

The QS can provide cost advice for your project, right from your initial idea

To Let

New and Refurbished Industrial Units Pleasant and Convenient Location For enquiries please call

01384 569556 or 01299 822731 Wilden Industrial Estates Wilden lane, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 9JY

enquiries@wildenestates.co.uk

www.wildenestates.co.uk

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November/December 2019

CONSTRUCTION

01905 676169

01527 872525

info@gjsdillon.co.uk

GJSDillon.co.uk

We work with manufacturers, distributors and office occupiers to find the perfect space for a business to excel

Sales, Lettings & Acquisitions Specialists in the acquisition of industrial and office properties Identifying present and future business needs Find, secure and negotiate terms Invaluable local knowledge

Call our Agency team 01905 676169 Find out more www.gjsdillon.co.uk/services/sales-lettings

MARSHALL STRUCTURES

Marshall Structures Limited

Marshall Structures is now a well-established and growing Structural Engineering business. We operate from our base in Worcestershire and we are able to offer our services over the whole country. The practice was established by Paul Marshall who has nearly 30 years’ experience. When Paul set up the business, he brought with him the ethos of working closely with clients and communicating effectively, together with providing a friendly and tailored service. This ethos has helped Marshall Structures become the trusted and respected business it is today.

Structural Engineers | Party Wall Surveyors | Clerk of Works

We have recently updated our website to better show the range of our services.

Professional and impartial advice for Home Owners, Architects, Estate Agents, and Builders.

We provide professional services for many structures and building types from state of the art to historic buildings, our projects range from small domestic jobs to major projects.

n Structural Advice for Extensions and New Buildings n Structural Engineers’ Reports n Party Wall Notices and Awards n Clerks of Works Inspections Call now for independent guidance, for new or existing properties.

Follow our Facebook and Twitter pages T: 01905 621662 E: admin@marshallstructures.co.uk www.marshallstructures.co.uk Unit 18a | Top Barn Business Centre | Holt | Worcestershire | WR6 6NH

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Building, structural and subsidence investigation, foundation design, engineering advice and design are just some of the important professional services we provide. We regularly advise and act as Party Wall Surveyors as defined by the Party Wall Act. We may advise upon owners’ rights and obligations, prepare schedules of conditions, serve notices, make appointments and prepare and serve Party Wall Awards in accordance with the Act. We are glad to discuss projects and give unbiased advice on whether a party wall surveyor is required. We have considerable experience of offsite construction; both timber frame and lightweight steel frame modular construction. The civil engineering design for roads and drainage can also be carried out by the practice. We have recently recruited Ahmed Al-Oballi as graduate engineer and Sally Hartles as clerical assistant.

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VISITWORCESTERSHIRE

Duncan Sutcliffe

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY FACES CYBER CRIME THREAT A recent report by PwC showed that the hospitality industry is the second most targeted industry for cyber crime, largely due to the volume of data and transactions that take place. This was highlighted this year when Marriott was fined £100million after cyber criminals accessed customer records. So what should the hospitality industry do to reduce the risk?

TECH AND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY There’s no doubt that technology has revolutionised the tourism industry. From the ways tourists book trips to how operators communicate with their customers, there are seemingly endless innovations being rolled out every season. Gone are the days when customers would be happy to sit on hold for half an hour waiting to speak to an operator; today, holiday makers want fast, easy access to information and embrace the things that make their lives easier. For example, AI technology has led to the invention of chatbots, programmes that allow tourism businesses to speak to customers in real time which provides an efficient service with a personal touch. Smart technology is also cropping up more and more, from controlling the lighting and heating in hotel rooms, to

scanners at airports helping to speed up the boarding process. It’s fascinating to think how the tourism industry could look in ten years time, and how the process of booking and taking holidays might evolve. From virtual assistants and eye-scanning recognition, there are seemingly no limits to what could be possible.

Worcestershire’s Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers advises: Ensure that all data is secured with firewalls, virus protection, access controls and user restrictions. Payment details should be separate from other data and sensitive data should be encrypted. Staff are often the weak link that can be tricked to allow criminals in and data out: Educating and training staff in avoiding breaches, spotting risks and responding to incidents will make a huge difference. IT systems and software needs to be ‘patched’ and ‘updated’ to remove known vulnerabilities and maintain security. Verify invoices & payment requests from new suppliers and be suspicious of changes in bank details. Achieve the Cyber Essentials certificate, which is shown to reduce cyber risks by 80%. Purchase insurance to cover the costs of cyber-attacks, data breaches and cyber crime. www.sutcliffeinsurance.co.uk

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A SLICE OF TECHNOLOGICAL HISTORY IN WORCESTERSHIRE Worcestershire can lay claim to its very own piece of technological history thanks to the work that took place at RAF Defford. Originally based at Worth Matravers on the south coast, the military base was moved to Malvern in May 1942. The technical area of the secret base was located in and around the grounds of the Croome estate, and it was here that airborne radar was developed and tested, and subsequently used throughout World War II. The significant technological innovations carried out here were key in helping the Allies secure victory, and were used again during the Cold War years that followed. We are still reaping the benefits of these trials and experiments now, as

they are responsible for many electrical items that are still used today. Malvern College also has its own technological tale, as John G. Trump, uncle of Donald Trump was based there in 1944. He was appointed the director of the British branch of the Radiation Laboratory, where he served from February of that year until the end of the European phase of the war. In 1947, the King of England bestowed His Majesty’s Medal on Dr. Trump for his assistance to the US Air Force and his cooperation with Britain in the field of radar. www.nationaltrust.org/croome www.malverncollege.org/our-history

November/December 2019

VISITWORCESTERSHIRE

BEST TOURISM BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTY REVEALED AT PROMINENT ANNUAL AWARDS Sponsored by

Finalists of Visit Worcestershire’s annual Tourism Awards for Excellence were invited to an opulent awards ceremony on Tuesday 29 October, held at the Chateau Impney, Droitwich. The awards, sponsored by creative communications agency Mighty, welcomed over 80 tourism businesses from across Worcestershire ready to hear the announcement of the winners, highly commended and commended for each of the seven categories unveiled for this year’s celebrations.

The event was opened by Sharon Smith, Chief Executive at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, and James Ashe, Managing Partner of overall sponsors Mighty. Attendees greeted our compère of the day, Hursty, who entertained guests with his jovial personality before beginning the ceremony. Following the announcement of the winners, highly commended and commended, the finalists enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea and networked with the other tourism businesses in attendance.

itwich Chateau Impney, Dro

Tourism Award s for

Excellence 2018

VISIT WORCESTERSHIRE IS DELIGHTED TO REVEAL THE WINNERS AS: B&B and Guest House of the Year

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Sponsored by OLPRO

L’amuse-Bouche

WINNER

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Droitwich Spa Food & Drink Festival

Mulberry Tree Restaurant & Bar and Pensons

HIGHLY COMMENDED

COMMENDED

Pershore Plum Festival and RHS Malvern Spring Festival

1919 Restaurant at Cottage in the Wood

COMMENDED

The Battle of Evesham and Welland Steam & Country Rally

Hotel of the Year Sponsored by DRPG WINNER

Stanbrook Abbey Hotel HIGHLY COMMENDED

The Cotford Hotel and The Abbey Hotel COMMENDED

The Mount Pleasant Hotel

Pub of the Year Sponsored by mfg Solicitors WINNER

The Fleece Inn, Bretforton

Little Owl Farm Park HIGHLY COMMENDED

Worcester Cathedral and The Orange Kitchen Cookery School Commenting at the awards, Emma Wheeler, Tourism Officer for Visit Worcestershire, said: “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the wide variety of tourism businesses in the county for 10 years now, and year upon year the quality of applicants greatly increases. “All judges have commented on how difficult this year was to judge, with every finalist truly worthy of the winner’s title. “Thank you to everyone who entered this year, and we look forward to seeing your entries again in 2020!” Visit Worcestershire would like to congratulate all winners, highly commended and commended businesses in the Tourism Awards for Excellence 2019. To find out more information regarding the awards, please visit www.visitworcestershire.org/awards-forexcellence.

Winners 2019

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHAMBERNEWS

AWARDS ADD UP FOR ACCOUNTANTS Worcestershire Chartered Accountancy firm, Ballards LLP are celebrating a number of awards and award nominations this month. Partner Ben Powell has been nominated in the category of ‘Young Accountant of the Year’ in the prestigious ‘Digital Accountancy Awards 2019’. The Digital Accountancy Awards is the industry’s premiere awards programme, recognising both rising stars and established leaders among the institutions who make up the global accountancy profession. Mr Powell, one of Worcestershire’s youngest Chartered Accountants to be appointed as a Partner within a firm, said “I am delighted to have been nominated for this award. It was a real surprise and I look forward to the ceremony later this month” CEO at Ballards LLP James Syree said “We are keen to maximise the use of technology as a firm and for our clients and so it is great to be associated with the Digital Awards”

L-R Ben Powell (Partner) and Chloe Matthews (Accounts & Audit Associate)

Accounts & Audit Associate, Chloe Matthews joined Ballards LLP on the graduate scheme earlier this year. Chloe has been awarded the Worcestershire University ‘Excellence in Financial Reporting Award’ having gained the highest grade point for both her second and third year studies. On top of that, Chloe was presented the ‘H&W Chamber of Commerce Prize for Outstanding Performance in Accountancy,

Finance & Economics’ which was gained for having the highest grades out of the graduating students. Chloe said “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Worcester University and this is the icing on top. My studies have really helped me hit the ground running in my new role at Ballards LLP”. James Syree continued “I am delighted for Chloe. She’s worked really hard and she’s a great member of the team.”

JOIN THE WORCESTERSHIRE 1000 Get involved in the network at the heart of the new approach to promoting Worcestershire.

The approach to promoting the county

Members of the fastest growing network in the county are champions of Worcestershire’s connected, creative, dynamic vision and advocate what the county has to offer.

Kathy Leather, owner of Copper Beech

By joining Worcestershire’s newest network, members are given access to assets and resources to help raise the profile of the county.

understands that Worcestershire offers a work/life balance without compare.

have access to a supportive network of the county’s businesses. Just visit www.oneworcestershire.com to get started today.

House in Malvern has joined up. She explained: “If you get involved in the business community, they will give you support and guidance in return.” Joining the Worcestershire 1000 is simple. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your business, and you’ll

Get Involved

With the Worcestershire 1000 040

November/December 2019

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

TO EUROPE AND BEYOND – BE PREPARED! While Brexit debates have raged in Westminster, businesspeople have been doing their best to prepare for the unknown, seeking advice to protect their overseas trade, data and major contracts.

Uncertainty may be the order of the day, but taking action to protect key areas of business doesn’t depend on any political agenda – here we offer some top tips on data handling in and out of the EU, safeguarding your commercial contracts and protecting your intellectual property. If you continue to trade with European customers, and if you will handle personal data for EU citizens, there are several points to consider.

KEY DATA ADVICE Unless you have a base in Europe, you will probably need to appoint a data protection representative in Europe; check on the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) website at https://ico.org.uk. The site is similarly useful on the subject of data processing – if you are a data processor for a European data controller, be ready for requests for Standard Contractual Clauses. But do beware - if you find that you have to sign such clauses, there could be ramifications if you use other UK service providers for hosting servers, data storage or work on personal data. Do take legal advice here since the situation is fluid. Also be careful about signing common data protection clauses that prohibit processing data outside the EEA. Don’t rush into migrating to EU data centres unless you have other business reasons to do so or have complex requirements that need a long implementation period – restricting data

flows between the UK and Europe will not be popular, and the ICO is committed to having the UK recognised as a country providing ‘adequate’ data protection laws. If you use a domain name ending with .eu, check the rules about eligibility to use or renew that domain. Apply (and pay) the correct VAT rates. The rules will change for invoicing between the UK and Europe. This could be an issue if you have invoice templates set up on an accounting system which automatically recur.

ARE YOUR CONTRACTS FIT FOR PURPOSE? As well as checking your contracts are robust, make sure you keep an eye on pricing – do re-assess it when entering into any new contracts with businesses in EU member states, particularly in light of new levies, taxes or charges. You should also consider which party is liable to pay any increased costs and how these might be apportioned. Also keep an eye on the effect exchange rate fluctuations will have – your contracts could include clauses that trigger a price alteration or change in currency if an exchange rate reaches a certain level. You could also tie in this clause with a right to terminate, in order to protect yourself from financial hardship. Customs declarations are likely to be more onerous, so do review and update your business operation software to prepare for this extra burden. Make a ‘plan B’,

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

but consider warehousing or alternative transport methods to deal with and minimise any border delays. Consider obtaining Authorised Economic Operator status – it can be time-consuming, but can speed up customs clearance.

PROTECT YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Your intellectual property (IP) still needs safeguarding, wherever you are trading – if you already have registered EU trade marks, you will automatically be granted a comparable UK trade mark (without cost) to ensure you still have the protection you originally applied for. If you have an EU trade mark application pending, this will continue to process as normal but will no longer cover the UK, so you may want to consider also filing a UK trade mark application, if you don’t already have one. For those who don’t yet have an EU trade mark, consider filing an application alongside your UK application or registration; bear in mind that you will have to be able to show use of the trade mark in the EU to maintain such rights. If you are in any doubt about your position on trade marks or on any IP protection, take advice so that you can continue to trade successfully. To be Brexit-ready, contact our Head of Commercial Robert Capper and his team on rcapper@hcrlaw.com or on 01905 744 814.

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WORCESTERSHIREBUSINESSCENTRAL

www.business-central.co.uk

INSPIRING BUSINESS GROWTH 2020 AND BEYOND... Worcestershire Business Central, the local Growth Hub, looks back on this year’s Inspiring Growth business support campaign ahead of finale event this winter. The Inspiring Growth campaign was launched in 2019 to discover the unique businesses in Worcestershire that have strong growth ambitions, an entrepreneurial spirit, and are looking to maximise their opportunities in the county. The campaign featured a series of two independent but inter-linked events, the Inspiring Growth Roundtable and ScaleUp Club, with the aim of providing businesses with information on key issues to consider at the various stages of growth of a business. Taking place at several locations throughout Worcestershire, the events offered businesses the opportunity to collaborate with peers and hear talks from key speakers who shared experiential knowledge from their chosen field. With 100% of attendees finding the events to be useful for their business, Worcestershire Business Central will be continuing the Inspiring Growth business support campaign in 2020, with the addition of a FREE ‘Collaboration Club’ based at The Kiln co-working and hot desking space in Worcester City. The ‘Collaboration Club’ will offer Inspiring Growth attendees the chance to spend the day co-working in a collaborative space,

share knowledge peer-to-peer, enjoy light refreshments, and meet with a WBC Business Engagement Manager to learn about the business support and funding available in the area. Liz Painter, Comma Comma Copywriting, a ScaleUp Club attendee commented: “There is something unique about ScaleUp Club. I always come away with at least one real gem that I can put into practice in my business. There’s a great breadth of experience in the room – and people are open and honest – which means you get valuable insights and ideas that you just couldn’t have come up with on your own.”

We are looking forward to offering businesses more opportunity to collaborate, learn, and grow in 2020 with our continued Inspiring Growth campaign. Kevin Aisbitt, Worcestershire Business Central Growth Hub Manager

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Kevin Aisbitt, Worcestershire Business Central Growth Hub Manager, said: “We are looking forward to offering businesses more opportunity to collaborate, learn, and grow in 2020 with our continued Inspiring Growth campaign. I urge any business to contact our team to find out more and not miss out on the free business support available in Worcestershire.” To find out more about future Worcestershire Business Central events, campaigns, and business support, contact 01905 677 888 or email info@business-central.co.uk. Find out more about the Inspiring Growth campaign on the Worcestershire Business Central website: www.business-central.co.uk/inspiring-growth.

November/December 2019

Journey to Success Does your business need a tune-up before making its next journey? Inspiring Growth is a dynamic campaign created by Worcestershire Business Central to support businesses in Worcestershire that have an entrepreneurial spirit, and are looking to maximise their opportunities for growth.

For more information visit our website: www.business-central.co.uk/inspiring-growth For further business support, please contact our team on 01905 677888 or info@business-central.co.uk

MOVERSANDSHAKERS

APRECO LTD APPOINTS NEW PURCHASING & LOGISTICS MANAGER Since joining Apreco in January 2017 as an Office Administrator, Sophie has recently been promoted to Purchasing & Logistics Manager in-line with Apreco’s growth and continuous improvement programme. Sophie is responsible for sourcing raw materials and employing her excellent communication skills, she has built strong relationships with local suppliers allowing Apreco to negotiate costs, lead times and quality in-turn increasing sales margins.

NEW APPOINTMENTS AT PAINTERS SOLICITORS Painters Solicitors has strengthened its client offering in its Wills & Probate, Property and Dispute Resolution teams, with the recruitment of an Associate Solicitor and two Chartered Legal Executives. Julie Fisher joins the firm as a Dispute Resolution Lawyer, Sharon Rowley joins the Wills & Probate department and Chanal Griffiths has joined as an Associate Solicitor in the Residential Property department.

Mike Hodges, Managing Director comments: “Sophie is a valuable member of our team and we all wish her continued success in her new role.”

Head of Legal Services, Meera Khosla, says: “We are delighted to welcome these exceptional lawyers to Painters. They will undoubtedly bring a new, dynamic approach, whilst striving to maintain our firm’s strong ethos of client care.”

www.apreco.com

www.painters-solicitors.co.uk

CHERRIL BARKER BECOMES A WORCESTERSHIRE AMBASSADOR

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL APPOINTS GENERAL MANAGER CORBY

Cherril Barker, Co-Founder of Queen’s Award winning JMDA Design, has been elected as a Worcestershire Ambassador, joining elite business leaders who are committed to the growth and success of industry and local causes across the county.

Multi temperature supply chain operator, Oakland International, has appointed Mark Cartlidge as General Manager.

Cherril, Finance and Marketing Director at JMDA Design, says: “I’m delighted to become a Worcestershire Ambassador and continue supporting the county. Next year is a big year for the Worcestershire Ambassadors who will celebrate being established 20 years. I’m looking forward to getting involved and further supporting Worcestershire for the good of both businesses and the local community”.

The creation of this new role is due to Oakland’s business expansion following significant investment and extension of Corby’s chilled and freezer locations. Mark takes on responsibility for all aspects of health and safety, training, legal compliance and the negotiation of new business contracts, focusing on improving accuracy and their use of the Snap Fulfilment warehouse management system to support Corby’s existing client base and potential new customers. www.oakland-international.com

www.jmdadesign.com

Tom Pike, Associate Director

LANYON BOWDLER WELCOMES NEW TRAINEE SOLICITORS Local law firm, Lanyon Bowdler, has welcomed new trainee solicitors to the company across its offices in Shropshire, Herefordshire and North Wales. Rachel Matthews has joined the Hereford employment team, and is one of eight new recruits to join the award-winning firm. Kay Kelly, Training Partner, commented: “The right training is vital in becoming a successful lawyer and our team at Lanyon Bowdler is totally committed to ensuring trainees receive the best possible start - they are, after all, our legal professionals of the future.” www.lblaw.co.uk

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FOUR PROMOTIONS FOR PROPERTY CONSULTANCY

ISO QUALITY SERVICES WELCOMES NEW BOARD ADVISOR ISO Quality Services is delighted to announce that Rachel Carr, from Business Checkmate in Hereford, has joined the business this summer as a Board Advisor. Back in 2012, Rachel was chosen as ISO’s Growth Coach through a programme called the Growth Accelerator programme, and provided invaluable support and guidance. Fast forward to 2019, and the business felt it was beneficial to add an external point of view to the board. Rachel joined her first board meeting in June, and has recently taken part in her second this September. www.isoqsltd.com

NEW CONSULTANT EXPANDS PRACCTICE’S SALES TEAM Pracctice is pleased to introduce a new Sales Consultant to its team, Richard Mullan. Richard has a wealth of experience in selling software in a variety of sectors, most recently specialising in CRM software, a key element of the Osprey Approach Case Management Solution. His consultative approach is very much in line with the Pracctice methodology of ensuring its software meets all of its clients’ needs. www.osprey.tm

Fisher German has made four promotions as part of its established career progression framework, which gives employees a clear pathway towards being promoted within the firm. Tom Pike has been promoted to Associate Director, Joe Senior has become an Associate, and Lucy Gilbert and Lettie Moore have both become Senior Surveyors. Tim Shuldham, Senior Partner at Fisher German, said: “We announce these promotions just as our new cohort of graduates and apprentices join us, and I look forward to seeing them rise through the firm to similar roles in the future.” www.fishergerman.co.uk

November/December 2019

NEWMEMBERPROFILES

OGL COMPUTER SERVICES JOINS AS STRATEGIC MEMBERS OGL Computer is the technology partner to over 1,200 UK businesses, including small, growing businesses as well as multi-site enterprise businesses. It is accredited by the world’s leading IT and cyber security vendors, to deliver best-in-class solutions resulting in tangible business benefits. Based in Worcestershire, OGL is proud of its 40-year heritage and 270 staff who enable the firm to deliver a first-class service and ensure it remains at the forefront of emerging technologies.

OGL’s IT Solutions division designs and delivers a full range of managed IT services to help businesses improve their efficiency, productivity and profitability. The ERP Software helps stockists, wholesalers and distributors to buy better and sell smarter by streamlining their stock management, automating their business processes and optimising their customers’ order journey. OGL offers free consultations to review your current situation and understand your future needs. www.ogl.co.uk

LOCAL CARE FROM A LOCAL COMPANY

NEW BUSINESS SUPPORTING SMES

Home Instead Senior Care in Hereford specialises in the provision of at-home care for the elderly within the local community. Their flexible service ranges from help a few hours a day to 24-hour care, enabling people to remain living independently within their own homes for longer.

Newly joined Chamber Member Rubix was formed to work with SMEs in 3 key areas:

BLACKHAWK DESIGN AND BUILD

Natalie Cooke, Owner of Home Instead, is passionate about providing the highest standard of person-centred care. She said: “Our ethos is simple – treat others as we would wish to be treated ourselves. This can only be achieved by delivering on our vision of providing high-quality care and never compromising on this.”

Blackhawk Design and Build offers a range of services including Architectural Design to form creative well thought through concepts and design solutions, planning applications, building regulations, detailing and technical designincluding specifications, and project management.

Home Instead’s services include personal care, home help and companionship services, which can be anything from escorting clients to appointments, to conversation and good company.

Its solution is “from mouse clicks to house bricks” to bring your Idea to life. Blackhawk Design and Build can offer a full design service, from inception to creation and project management. It even takes on projects for building regulations for projects that already have planning permission.

Carers’ experiences, interests and personalities are carefully matched to that of their clients, which helps to create a strong and trusting relationship. www.homeinstead.co.uk/hereford

With an ethos to produce imaginative, forward thinking, inspirational solutions to the built environment, the company is excited to join Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce to meet and build connections with others in the local area.

Cost Savings – It provides a full ‘End to End’ review of key costs within the business. It is able to independently challenge costs to ensure its clients are making the most of their cash resources. Strategic Planning – It provides a lean and agile business process review. It has both experience and expertise in business process re-engineering that it uses to ensure business processes are fit for purpose to support the now and future business model. Financial Planning – It reviews the current and future finance requirements of the business. This may well be to support a growth model or a restructure/refinance requirement. Given the current climate it is also able to re-negotiate payment terms with key suppliers and creditors where appropriate. For your free 2-hour consultation please book at www.rubixassociates.co.uk.

studio@blackhawkdesignandbuild.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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BUSINESSNEWS

WORCESTERSHIRE LAW FIRM FORMS LEADING CYBER PARTNERSHIP FBC Manby Bowdler, which has an office in Redditch, has formed a new partnership with cyber security consultants Affinitas Global and its Director, Stuart Bird, to offer an unrivalled package of cyber solutions for businesses. FBC Manby Bowdler Sales Director Neil Lloyd said an increase in cyber attacks and the number of employees taking sensitive and confidential data with them when they leave a business to join competitors prompted the move. “Government figures released in April show that 32% of all businesses reported experiencing cyber breaches or attacks in the last year whilst the average cost of a cyber attack has risen by around 25% in the past 12 months. “A report for insurance company Hiscox revealed 55% of businesses questioned had been hit by a cyber attack so far this year, with almost three quarters of firms ranked as "novices" in terms of cyber readiness. “Our partnership with Affinitas Global and Stuart means we can now offer the very latest solutions to these problems to businesses, from both a corporate and employment perspective.” www.fbcmb.co.uk

PLATFORM HOUSING GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OLPRO’S AUTUMN CHARITY FUNDRAISING OLPRO is once again collaborating with homeless charity Caring for Communities and People (CCP) to help them to keep rough sleepers warm in the night shelters that they run across Worcestershire. Last winter, the company donated hundreds of sleeping bags to CCP and other organisations who work with people that are homeless, and this year it wants to do the same again.

Platform Housing Group, one of the largest housing associations in the country, has announced the appointment of Elizabeth Froude as its new Group Chief Executive. Elizabeth joins the Platform Group following a successful seven years as deputy chief executive officer at Notting Hill Genesis, one of the UK’s largest housing associations. She has also been more recently involved in supporting the establishment of the new sector funding vehicle, MORhomes.

Further to the sleeping bag donation, for every one sold, £1 will be given to Maggs Day Centre that is fundraising to create a new day centre in Malvern following the passing of two local homeless men and the need for improved services in the area.

Elizabeth said: “I am truly looking forward to joining this great organisation as they start the next step in their evolution. They have a strong legacy and I can already see it has many great people with a passion for good customer service and strong stakeholder engagement. They are much respected as an organisation and I hope I can encourage everyone at Platform to join me in being innovative and brave as we endeavour to make them even greater.”

www.olproshop.com

www.platformhg.com

To support OLPRO in its mission, those looking to help can purchase a sleeping bag whilst OLPRO takes care of the rest. Your donation will include a sleeping bag and pack of wash mitts that will be donated directly to CCP that will ensure they are distributed and used where needed the most.

PROMETHEUS MEDICAL WELCOMES HRH THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER TO ITS HEAD OFFICE IN HEREFORDSHIRE Prometheus Medical, a leading supplier of pre-hospital emergency care equipment and training, welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to its Head Office in Hope-Under-Dinmore, Herefordshire. The visit saw Prometheus Medical officially presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation 2019, an accolade awarded to the company for the development of the Prometheus Pelvic Splint®. The Prometheus Pelvic Splint has been designed to be applied in the pre-hospital environment, allowing a fractured pelvis to be stabilised whilst providing a very cost-effective solution for healthcare organisations. Recognised as the UK’s highest

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honour for business success, Prometheus Medical has previously received the award in 2015 for the design, development and establishment of the Russell Chest Seal®. “We are delighted to welcome The Duke of Gloucester, to our headquarters in rural Herefordshire,” said Dr Malcolm Russell MBE, Prometheus Founder and Group Chairman. “The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation recognises our team and our ethos, and will encourage us even further to continue sourcing and creating solutions to challenges in the pre-hospital trauma care sector”. www.prometheusmedical.co.uk

November/December 2019

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

Our passion is what makes us Discover yours at King’s

Get in touch today to arrange a visit and discover more

T 01905 721 700 E info@ksw.org.uk #DiscoverYourPassion Worcester’s highest-ranked independent school The Sunday Times 2019 Parent Power Survey

You can make a difference

West Mercia Women’s Aid assists women and children affected by domestic abuse. Demand for services continues to grow, despite major reductions in funding from statutory and local authority organisations. Experience Worcester’s rich porcelain heritage in a beautifully refurbished setting where 250 years of design and innovation are elegantly re-presented. We provide a special and unique venue for meetings, events and celebrations; professional presentation facilities are available, and bespoke catering and experience packages can be tailored to your requirements. Museum of Royal Worcester, Severn Street, Worcester WR1 2ND T: 01905 21247 www.museumofroyalworcester.org Open Monday to Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 10 am – 4 pm ‘Royal Worcester’ and the C51 crown device are registered by and used under kind permission from Portmeirion Group UK Ltd to whom all rights are reserved.

As a local charity, every penny donated to West Mercia Women’s Aid will help fund their wide range of services, including a 24hr Helpline, refuge, group programmes, and support for children and young people. If you would like to make a donation or fundaise on behalf of WMWA, please contact our Fundraising Team. fundraising@wmwa.org.uk @WestMerciaWomensAid @WMWomensAid 07870 916688

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Registered Charity #1078496

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INTERNATIONALTRADE

GET YOUR BUSINESS BREXIT READY On Monday 23 September, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce launched its Get Brexit Ready campaign to support with getting local companies prepared for the changes ahead. The campaign followed the Chamber’s and the Department for International Trade’s interactions with over 4,000 businesses locally that need real time guidance regarding how to trade now post the UK’s departure from the EU.

GET SET,

BREXIT 1

CHECK YOUR NUMBER Earlier this year, the government listened to calls from the British Chambers of Commerce to automatically issue businesses with an EORI number. It is important that you check you have this, as if you do not get one it will lead to increased costs and delays. For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/eori

SPECIALIST BREXIT COURSES For those companies who have a number of Brexit-related questions, we offer a range of training courses available to you which follow on from real time events and is led by a dedicated trainer from Strong & Herd LLP. Contact internationaltrade@hwchamber.co.uk for more information.

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FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW If you don’t know what you need to know, and even if you think Brexit won’t affect you, we have a team of trained International Trade specialists to support you with your queries and frequently asked questions. Call us now on 01905 673 613.

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE UPDATES As the business community prepares for the next steps in Brexit negotiations, sign up to receive a free bi-weekly newsletter detailing the latest updates, comments and happenings to ensure your business stays proactive. Contact us for more information on enquiries@hwchamber.co.uk to be added to our mailing list.

November/December 2019

INTERNATIONALTRADE

BUT, WHAT NEXT? The Brexit deadline is by no means the end of the changes and opportunities that the EU exit will bring for both the local and national business community. As we await future clarity from the government, organisations with any queries are encouraged to speak to a member of the team to ensure you are in the best position to take advantage of further business growth post Brexit.

BREXIT - INTERNATIONAL TRADE PREPARATION ESSENTIALS GUIDE As the country nears the EU exit deadline on 31 January 2020, businesses can get prepared this minute with Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, in association with Worcestershire Business Central. Whilst we wait for further guidance from government, we know that leaving the European Union will have a significant effect on the way we trade with other EU countries, and to a lesser extent, with several other countries outside of the EU. The brand new Brexit International Trade Preparation Essentials guide has been developed in association with Strong & Herd LLP, and will help businesses meet

the new compliances and requirements as they happen. The changes will cover a wide range of business activities, but the guide has been designed to help you start to act right away by identifying the issues that will affect you and your company. Key topics covered within the guide include Brexit and trading internationally, General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), temporary tariff suspension, your terms of business, employing EU citizens after Brexit and much more. Though we know it’s not possible to cover every detail in the guide because the government’s preparations for Brexit

will include some temporary arrangements, businesses can be reassured that help will continue to be available to keep you up-to-date with future changes. To pre-order your FREE International Trade Preparation Essentials Guide now, please email internationaltrade@hwchamber.co.uk or order online: www.hwchamber.co.uk/support/advice/ is-your-business-brexit-ready.

INCOTERMS 2020 Last month also welcomed the launch of Incoterms 2020, which comes into effect in January next year, by the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC). Strong and Herd LLP will be continuing to offer training on Incoterms at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce for businesses that are looking to access more information to support with the launch. The next upcoming dates are: Incoterms 2020 – Understanding the 2020 Changes (Half Day) Thursday 21 November - 9.30am-12.00pm £250+VAT Incoterms 2020 – Understanding the 2020 Changes (Half Day) Thursday 21 November - 1.00-4.30pm £250+VAT Incoterms 2020 – Explained (Full Day) Wednesday 11 December - 9.30am-4.30pm £350+VAT Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce International Trade

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

British Chambers of Commerce

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Having a big audience is one thing, knowing how to engage them is another.

e: info@be-everywhere.co.uk t: 0191 5805 990 www.be-everywhere.co.uk

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

A HEALTHY WORKFORCE IS BETTER FOR BUSINESS By encouraging employees to look after their health can have a great impact on the productivity of a company. Taking an interest in the health and wellbeing of your employees can not only show that you care for your workforce but also means that if your staff feel happier and healthier, they are usually more productive whilst at work.

BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital understands that it is important for businesses to provide their employees with helpful information and resources with regards to their health and wellbeing and that is why, as a local business, BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital works with local people to ensure they are cared for and their needs are met. With over 30 years of experience in performing surgical procedures and

delivering consistently high-quality inpatient and outpatient care, BMI is the largest provider of healthcare in Britain. Providing a wealth of specialities and services your employees can seek advice from BMIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expert consultants on the following areas: orthopaedic surgery; general surgery; gynaecology; urology; plastic surgery; cardiology; ophthalmology; ear, nose and throat; podiatry; rheumatology; physiotherapy; diagnostics and imaging; gastroenterology; vascular surgery; and dermatology.

BMI understands that having a full and healthy workforce is extremely important to businesses and for this reason BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital provides fast access to diagnosis and treatment, allowing patients to have rapid access to a consultant of their choice, flexible payment options to spread the cost of treatment, six months aftercare and an all-inclusive treatments with a fixed price up-front.

Our hospital is home to a fully equipped physiotherapy department, imaging department with scanning facilities to ensuring that all your employees needs are catered from consultation to aftercare.

For more information on how your employees can benefit from the services offered by BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital, please contact our Patient Liaison Officer Jeanne Showell â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 01905 793307 or enquire online by visiting bmihealthcare.co.uk/ droitwich

We strive to ensure that all patients who walk through doors of the hospital are cared for in the best possible way, with 99.1% of patients stating that they would recommend BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital to either their friends or family.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

We work with local employers to assist in educating their employees on health and wellbeing and assisting with getting employees back to fitness.

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NEWPEOPLETODOBUSINESSWITH ALCESTER

Beau Boo Beauty

STOURBRIDGE

AVInteractive Ltd

Beauty Services www.beauboobeauty.co.uk

Clarendon Care Group LTD

Business & Corporate Video Production www.avi.co.uk

Squab Group

Luxury Care Homes www.clarendoncare.co.uk

0330 1132757

ALVECHURCH The Unique Puck Company

01527 60212

Manufacture of Picks for Bottle Lines

BEWDLEY Bewdley Hypnotherapy

07486 531873

Private Hypnotherapy Practice www.hypnotherapybewdley.co.uk

Inturi Technology Solutions Ltd

01299 406054

IT Services (CRM Software) www.inturi.co.uk

Portopods

07860 291747

07957 196460

01386 577477 Storage & Removals www.squab.co.uk

HEREFORD EMC Mortgage and Protection

07810 511586

Mortgage, Protection & Wills www.emcmortgageandprotection.co.uk

Epic Global Group Ltd

01432 341234

Electrical, Plumbing & Heating Services www.epicglobalgroup.net

Gilles Biomass Heating Ltd

01432 513777

Install and Service Gilles Biomass Boilers www.gilles-biomassheating.co.uk

Home Instead Senior Care Hereford

WORCESTER Goddard Consultancy

07949 239504

Marketing & Advertising Agency www.non-stopmarketing.co.uk

Harms Way Studios Ltd

07878 094394

Filming & Photography

Laura Wellness Centre

07931 256034

Mental Health, Wellbeing & Therapy www.laurawellnesscentre.com

Rubix Associates Ltd

07972 195252

Financial Planning for SMEs www.rubixassociates.co.uk

Construction www.portopods.com

01432 804000

BROMSGROVE

Limbco Limited

01432 373535

VSourcing Hub

Absolute Automation Group Ltd

Successor Company to STD Pharmaceutical Products Ltd www.limbco.co.uk

Property Sourcing, Housing & Relocation Service www.vsourcinghub.com

01527 313515

System Integration www.aagroup.co

Falcon Contract Flooring Sales Ltd

01527 919988

Nationwide Flooring Contractor www.falconcontractflooring.com

Care at Home (for the Elderly) www.homeinstead.co.uk

WyeSleep

07470 285244 Sleep Health Service www.wyesleep.co.uk

Startin Renault

01905 820777 Car Dealership www.startingroup.co.uk

07896 715144

OUT OF AREA Inspirespace Community Interest Company

01922 606625

JM HSE Solutions Ltd

KIDDERMINSTER

Non-Profit Company Promoting Space Exploration www.inspirespace.co.uk

Health & Safety Consultancy www.jmhse.co.uk

DDM Windows

Momentum Pharma Ltd

Laura Goodwin True Potential Wealth Management

UPVC Window Manufacturers & Fitters www.ddmwindows.co.uk

Pharmaceutical Industry www.momentum-pharma.com

Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Protection, Mortgages & Borrowing www.lauragoodwin.tpllp.com

LEDBURY

Project Pebble

01531 631592

01527 833657

01562 745995

07772 728042

01527 822640 Manufacturing & Design of Boats

0777 9625524

Mushroom Management

Growing Healthier Health, Care & Social Care

0121 2850421

Business Services www.mushroombiz.co.uk

NOA Group Ltd

07511 634517

Wholesaler (Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Products)

DROITWICH

MALVERN

Prolific Media Marketing Design

Jane Newman Financial Planning Limited 01905 779193

Edging Supplies Ltd

Marketing Consultant www.prolificmmd.co.uk

Distributor www.edgingsuppliesltd.co.uk

TD Tyres

Malvern Radio Limited

Tyre Supplier www.tdtyres.com

Event Centre www.malvern-radio.com

The Impact Mentor Ltd

Financial Planning www.janenewmanfp.co.uk

Vertis Accounting Limited 01905 928128 Accountancy www.vertisaccounting.co.uk

07384 810106

01684 577775

07561 784677

01684 252499

07870 629690

Mentor & Coach www.bethanbishop.com

EVESHAM

PERSHORE

ACW Trees

Faith Property Services

01564 777740

Tree Surgery & Grounds Maintenance www.acwtrees.co.uk

Property Maintenance Services www.faithpropertyservices.co.uk

Distributer, Agent for Machines, Testers, Tooling & Spring Wire www.transworldengineering.co.uk

01386 642647

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01905 382289

01386 244474

Transworld Engineering Ltd

November/December 2019

BUSINESSNEWS

HEWETT RECRUITMENT WELCOMES NEW STAFF TO ITS IT AND ENGINEERING TEAMS In order to meet the demands of clients and expand in to new areas, Hewett has begun its latest round of growth with the recruitment of three more members of the IT and Engineering teams, with more to follow. The company is delighted to introduce Alice, Rachel, Luke and Will. Alice has over 2 years IT recruitment experience and will be focusing on PHP Development in the West Midlands, whilst Luke, a newcomer to recruitment will be fast-tracked through Hewett’s in-house training plan, also within the IT sector, focusing on Infrastructure, Support and Testing in Gloucestershire and the South West. Rachel meanwhile joins with over 4 years’ experience within the Engineering sector across the UK and will be supporting the continued expansion of this division. Along with new recruits, there will be continued training and development of

New starters (from L-R): Will, Alice, Rachel and Luke

all staff members as well as identifying where automation and developments in technology can enhance the top-level service that Hewett already provides. New offices to accommodate these growth plans are also a top priority – watch this space. www.hewett-recruitment.co.uk

REBRAND TURNS HEADS estate by installing a large graphic of an elephant on the production centre’s shutter door. Centre Owner, Phil Shellam said: “We’re extremely proud of our new brand look and have had lots of comments from customers and passersby. As a sign company, we understand that first impressions really count, and it is important to stand out from the crowd. Our new shutter door graphic certainly does that!” Signs Express has taken advantage of its recent rebrand by investing in new signs and graphics. Taking a modern, creative approach to its branding, the sign company has created a stir on its local industrial

The finishing touches are completed with window graphics detailing opening times, reception signage on the entrance and new van graphics. www.signsexpress.co.uk

RECOVERING POSSESSION OR RENT FROM NON-PAYING TENANTS There are many commercial property owners across the two counties who at some point have had a tenant breach a payment of rent covenant. Lots of options are available to these commercial landlords but the two most common are forfeiture and Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR).

FORFEITURE A forfeiture clause typically enables you to peacefully re-enter the premises and change the locks if rent remains unpaid after a certain period of time - thereby terminating the lease. The alternative is to issue court proceedings. However, you must ensure that you do not “waive” the right to forfeit e.g. by treating the lease as continuing.

CRAR In the absence of a forfeiture clause, enforcement action can be taken under CRAR, whereby a landlord takes control and sells the tenant’s goods in order to recover the rent arrears. There is, however, a prescribed procedure to follow. If Chamber Members wish to find out more, they can contact Jessica Moore at mfg Solicitors through jessica.moore@ mfgsolicitors.com or telephone 01527 831691. www.mfgsolicitors.com

PERITIA CELEBRATES ITS FIRST YEAR IN BUSINESS Local Networking Coach, Alison Holmes, is thrilled to be celebrating her first year in business with Peritia – by definition, experience, practical knowledge, skill and expertise. Speaking of the last twelve months, Alison said: “Setting up your own business is a like being on a rollercoaster; exhilarating, terrifying, goes too fast, no time to catch your breath and at some point you’ll wonder why you did it!

Alison Holmes

“However, this is where I’ve reaped the rewards of my networking community. Investing time, connections, showing up (and adding value) and expecting nothing

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

in return - these are the key ingredients into successfully building a trusted network. “Within my first month I had five new clients, I’m running workshops directly into businesses, coaching 1:1s and watching my clients win even more sales. Over the last year, I’ve been invited to be a guest speaker in the West Midlands, South Wales and South West and have discovered new opportunities before others, which wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t gone networking. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my first year.” www.peritialtd.co.uk

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ADVERTORIALFEATURE

2020 WORLD VISION Herefordshire and Worcestershire are full of companies that are quietly doing business all around the world. One of those doing so is Chamber member Optimec. Tucked away on Spring Lane Industrial Estate in Malvern is Optimec, the world’s leading provider of measurement and inspection technology for contact lens and intraocular lens manufacturers. Optimec was founded in 1979 and today it exports to over 35 countries around the world, with 80% of its revenue coming from export sales. We spoke to Colin Richards, Optimec’s Managing Director, to ask about the secrets of the company’s export success.

DRIVEN BY PRECISION The first factor Colin highlights in the company’s success is its expertise in its specialist market. “In our niche we are the tech leaders and we have a great deal of experience,” he says. “Our knowledge, experience and insight enable us to understand our customers’ problems and develop instruments and services that solve them.” As an example of what the company is able to deliver, he gives one of the company’s most recent innovations, the Optimec is830 lens imaging system. Like all Optimec’s instruments it was designed and developed by the company’s engineers in Malvern and is manufactured to exacting standards there too. The is830 lens imaging system allows lens manufacturers to obtain measurements that have previously required multiple instruments and user skillsets, and couldn’t

be obtained without destroying the sample lenses being tested. “The contact lens industry continues to develop rapidly, and new innovative contact lenses designs have increasingly complex specifications, that have become more difficult to test,” says Colin. “At the same time, manufacturers’ fundamental needs haven’t changed: they still want to manufacture high quality lenses as quickly and as cost-effectively as possible. The is830, and the recently developed automated version, the is830 Auto, allow them do precisely that.”

PRECISION IN PARTNERSHIP Colin also highlights the company’s approach to working with both customers and partners as a major factor in its success. “We work as an extension of our customers’ teams and we build proactive, service-led relationships,” he says. “We’re also willing to go above and beyond for our customers. As well as our standard ‘off-the-shelf’ instruments, we often work with customers to develop bespoke solutions that solve their unique challenges. We know this personal approach is something they really value.” As well as working in partnership with customers, Optimec also seeks out the support of experts to help its own business where required. To give an example, Colin says Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, which the company has been a member of since 2012, has provided valuable support. “We’ve had numerous practical packages from the Chamber that have helped us navigate the maze of regulations and requirements for export over the years,” he says. “We would have worked them out for

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ourselves eventually, but it is great to have the support of the Chamber to fast track matters.” “The support has extended into the more intangible areas of business too. For example, in a seminar organised by the Chamber with the Department for International Trade we were able to gain a greater understanding of the cultural variations of the global regions we export to at the moment and also of those we plan to export to in the near future. We also attended a business culture masterclass where we looked at business practices around the world and how to embrace those in order to build good business relationships.”

A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY WITH AMBITIOUS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE Optimec’s performance-led but personal approach is clearly working. The company has just completed the first year of a five year plan for growth and results to date have exceeded expectations. The company is seeing significant growth in its export business and it is opening up new opportunities in territories where it wasn’t previously active. Businesses across the country are regularly urged to look to export as a route to growth. Optimec is the perfect example of a company that has harnessed what export has to offer and is quietly getting on with what is needed to achieve success. Colin concludes: “We’re proud to be putting Herefordshire and Worcestershire on the map around the world by delivering world-class instrumentation that our customers can trust.” www.optimec.com

November/December 2019

CHARITYNEWS

BROMSGROVE LAW FIRM DONATE £1,950 TO LOCAL CARDIAC ARREST CHARITY Lawyers at mfg Solicitors made the donation to the Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation (CCSHF) after staff held at variety of raffles, cakes sales and charity days throughout the past 12-months. The Redditch-based charity was set up by parents Rob and Maggie Underwood following the death of their 16 year-old daughter Charlotte in 2010 of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome. Tragically, three years later the couple’s son Craig, 17, passed away from Vascular Ethos

Danlos Syndrome and last January, 19 year-old son Carrick also died due to heart problems. Kim Scolari, a senior associate at mfg Solicitors, said: “Rob and Maggie have been through more than anyone could ever imagine but they show an amazing determination to campaign for more life-saving equipment in public places and in schools. “Everyone had a fantastic time raising money over the past year for such a brilliant and much-loved cause in

PROMETHEUS CHARITY GOLF DAY 2019 RAISES £3,877

The day itself, held at the local venue of The Herefordshire Golf Club in Wormsley, welcomed 19 teams made up of local businesses across Herefordshire who took part in an 18-hole round of golf, followed by dinner, prize presentations and a raffle. Mark Worthing, of MARS, said: “This annual event organized by Prometheus Medical is a regular and significant boost to this wonderful charity, and is very welcomed indeed. It is this kind of regular support, from generous local businesses and societies that keep us well stocked and effective. Thank you so much.” www.prometheusmedical.co.uk

www.mfgsolicitors.com

PARALYMPIAN AND FORMER RAF PILOT INSPIRE BUSINESSES

Friday 26 July this year saw the annual return of the Prometheus Charity Golf Day, in aid of Mercia Accident Rescue Services (MARS). During both the run up to the event and including the golf day itself, a considerable £3,877.95 was raised for the charity. MARS is a local charity made up of a team of specialist doctors and advanced medical practitioners, working across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to deliver enhanced immediate medical care to patients in need.

Worcestershire. We hope our donation will go some way to improving research and training and will help to see more defibrillators in places where people can access them easier.”

Worcestershire Ambassadors hosted its Time to Change lunch at Hogarth’s Stone Manor, Kidderminster, in aid of raising awareness of the local Time to Change Worcestershire hub.

RUGBY WORLD CUP PARTY SUCCESS CELEBRATED WITH THOMAS CARROLL Hereford-based Thomas Carroll Brokers enjoyed a successful networking event (with a difference) whilst watching the England v USA Rugby World Cup Game earlier this year. Whilst celebrating the deserving win for England on Thursday 26 September, the event also raised much needed funds for St. Michael’s Hospice in the newly renovated Green Dragon Hotel.

The afternoon event welcomed two incredibly motivational speakers – GB Wheelchair Athlete Mel Nicholls and John Peters, former Pilot of the Royal Air Force. Following her mantra of ‘the only way to find out what’s possible is to find out what is possible’, Mel is living a life beyond barriers and encouraging people from all walks of life to challenge what is possible. Former RAF Pilot, John Peters, shared his experience of being held as a prisoner of war, enduring both mental and physical torture, and forcibly shown on Iraqi television. Host and Chair of the Worcestershire Ambassadors, Kevin Powell commented: “It is a real privilege for the Worcestershire Ambassadors to support the Time to Change scheme, and I hope that everyone left the event feeling inspired to review their own mental health policies in place within their organisations.” www.worcestershireambassadors.com

A spokesperson from Thomas Carroll commented: “There was a fantastic turnout of local and independent city centre businesses. It was a great opportunity to socialise, and learn about how working together in business and charity can benefit Hereford and the surrounding areas within the county.” www.thomascarroll.co.uk From L-R: Kevin Powell, Dawn Hardman – Director of HR, Chamber of Commerce, Mel Nicholls and John Peters

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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MEMBERBENEFITS

DON’T FORGET TO INTRODUCE US The Chamber is delighted to have recently launched its brand new Introduce Us campaign, which offers existing Members a 10% discount on their renewal fee if they ‘refer a friend’ to us and they join our network of over 1,500 businesses.

Ruby Edwards (L) with Beth Collett, Chamber of Commerce (R)

‘Introduce Us’ today by contacting your Account Manager or visiting your Members Area at www.hwchamber.co.uk/ members-area. However, don't just take our word for it, Member ‘You Do Better’ has already benefitted from this... Ruby, Owner of You Do Better, says: “Chamber membership has delivered a wealth of support for my growing business. I’ve certainly maximised my membership and my clients’ too. For example, together with my clients, we’ve been speakers at Maximise your membership events and the Women’s business forum. “You Do Better and co have featured in Business Direction Magazine - our article “inspiration for a sustainable future in business” was published as the Last Word in the July/August edition of BD Magazine, which was exceptionally well received. I’ve also written and placed pieces for my clients, looking at forward features to ensure the right fit, and seen them showcased in Member News and via social media streams. “I’ve encouraged a number of my clients, like Jackie McGuire from Jackie Maguire clothing, to join up too. Not only does

Jackie gain membership to an accredited and recognised professional body she also stands to gain a wealth of experience as well as opportunities to learn, network and grow her business. It’s a no-brainer for businesses locally. “In addition, I’m soon to join the expanding OLPRO team to support the growth of

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST STRATEGIC MEMBER

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bdht is the largest provider of affordable rented housing in Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas. The organisation also provides housing for younger people and families aspiring to get onto the housing ladder by providing a part-buy, part rent product.

concentrate on the important things in life such as employment, education and health & wellbeing. We believe that everyone deserves this opportunity. This is bdht’s social purpose and our staff are 100% committed to making this happen”.

Mark Robertson, CEO, says: “We recognise that if you have a safe, secure and affordable place to live, you can

www.bdht.co.uk

their business. I met OLPRO’s Owner, Daniel Walton, through the Chamber and Members who introduce others are able to receive 10% off next year’s membership. Win-win. “All in all, Chamber membership has proven exceedingly productive for me, my business and my clients’ businesses too.”

ALSO JOIN US IN WELCOMING...

November/December 2019

MEMBERBENEFITS

HEREFORD BUSINESSES PROVE SUCCESS WITH LOCAL AND EXPERT ADVICE WITHIN THE COUNTY After an initial meeting between Chamber Members Thomas Carroll Brokers and Jackson Property to discuss local businesses, opportunities to work together and local causes, Jackson Property asked Thomas Carroll Brokers to provide an alternative quote on their business insurances that were due. With a full and free review, Thomas Carroll Brokers was able to offer a suitable and competitive alternative which was taken up. With further services provided for the Jackson Property Directors, the company agreed with Thomas Carroll Brokers about using local referrals - and they have found their local recommendations have been well received by their clients in Herefordshire.

The two companies refer each other where appropriate to keep a local touch on business relationships between client and company – keeping the activity within Hereford. The innovative way of working has led to increased exposure for both parties, with more interest and inclusion in local events, charity fundraisers and more. Both firms are looking forward to the future of their working partnership, continuing to refer each other’s businesses where relevant and create a core group in Herefordshire whose knowledge and relationships benefit all types of businesses. www.thomascarroll.co.uk www.bill-jackson.co.uk

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SERIES In association with NEW FOR 2020 Following the huge success of the Leadership Development Series in 2019, where over 50 business professionals were transformed into exceptional Leaders, the Chamber is pleased to announce a new programme for 2020, in partnership with 3WH. With a limited amount of places available and in high demand, we are urging businesses to express their interest now in order to secure a place on this sought-after series. Aimed at professionals from all sectors and of all sizes, the six-part personal leadership development programme allows delegates who manage people to learn more about what it takes to be an exceptional leader, build high-performing teams and lead change with confidence and conviction. The highly interactive sessions are designed to develop the future leaders of business, to help unlock hidden potential in future CEOs, and invest in the future of the people at the heart of businesses.

PROGRAMME DATES AND TOPICS: Wednesday 22 January

Leading with Vision, Integrity & Authenticity

Wednesday 18 March

Leading as a Coach – how the best leaders use coaching as their ultimate tool

Wednesday 20 May

Leading Talent - how to engage multi-generations through engagement & development

Wednesday 22 July

Leading with Clear Goals – providing fabulous feedback and creating culture of accountability

Wednesday 23 September

Leading Continuous Improvement & Innovation - how to embed CI tools and methodologies to stay ahead

Wednesday 18 November

Leading with Motivation - Learn to create a positive change in workplace culture during uncertain times.

COST: £299+VAT Members for 6 workshops £399+VAT Non-members for 6 workshops £59+VAT Members for 1 workshop £79+VAT Non-members for 1 workshop

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Venue and time for each workshop: Bank House Hotel Spa and Golf, Bransford, Worcester WR6 5JD Each workshop takes place from 8.30-11.00am Attendees will need to have an up to date DISC Profile for their current role, to ensure the content is relevant. A DISC profile can be purchased for this series for £100+VAT through the Chamber.

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LASTWORD

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF DATA EVERY CLOUD HAS A SECURE LINING As the demands on the technical side of the events industry continue to increase as fast as the technology itself can develop, cyber security and data protection becomes an ever more complex issue according to the DevOps team at global creative communications group DRPG. Lead DevOps Engineer at DRPG, Joel Stanford states: “We are reaching a point where it is difficult to keep up with tech demands and need to scale while still adhering to the cyber security requirements. “Clients want robust solutions that can unflinchingly handle huge amounts of data whilst being infinitely scalable. The obvious solution is cloud. It’s 100% scalable, you can turn on as much resource as you need, it can handle infinite amounts of data and the capabilities are far more advanced than more traditional server storage options.” Adam Cox, Head of Development adds: “It is also cost effective compared to dedicated hardware. Before, you had to hire dedicated servers for huge amounts money that was only used for one event. A two-day event would require the client to pay for servers that would then sit unused for several months, wasting money and resources. With cloud storage you pay for what you use prior, during and post event, scaling up and down as needed.” According to Mr Stanford, the issue is coming from clients’ fear over where and how data is being stored: “Clients are stuck in this conundrum of wanting the tech bonuses and capabilities, but are hamstrung by the security realities. Clients

feel happier with the more traditional processes, comforted by the idea of us visiting the hosting provider once a year, and being able to understand a physical server. “We get hit hard because of our big corporate clients, and having to constantly battle with compliance processes. Some are keen to use cloud, but often getting sign off is impossible because the compliance process is slow and long-winded. Right now we have no clients using cloud. They all want it, but convincing a client that it’s secure is difficult. “By its very nature, the personal data we are taking, handling and storing, is sensitive and it is important to always

We are reaching a point where it is difficult to keep up with tech demands and need to scale while still adhering to the cyber security requirements. 058

remember this and put yourself in a delegate's shoes. We must never forget the human element of data and make sure that we are doing everything in our power to assure clients of its protection both throughout the working relationship and ongoing.” The solution is coming about as a result of an unexpected influence according to Mr Cox: “While we may be sick to death of the sound of the two most used phrases of the last three years, Brexit and GDPR have meant a significant push to control where data is stored. Cloud providers have been forced to become more transparent, offering storage solutions which promise that data is stored in UK, US or somewhere specific. Knowing that their data is “stored” in one place means that clients are more accepting of this as a solution and in the future will be more likely to accept cloud storage as a solution to their event data storage demands. “As everyone comes around to the idea that cloud hosting is the future, guidelines are beginning to appear to encourage and sanction safe storage. Certifications on top of ISO27001 are starting to include cloud storage (ISO27017). These certifications will go a long way to help convince clients that this is the way forward and often the best and most cost-effective solution for their event needs.”

November/December 2019

YOU CANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T KEEP WAITING FOR THE DUST TO SETTLE

Taking action to protect the key areas of your business doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t depend on any political agenda. Our specialist lawyers can advise on data handling in and out of the EU, safeguarding your commercial contracts and protecting your intellectual property - whatever the Brexit situation for your business. Talk to us today so you can move forward with confidence. Robert Capper, Head of Commercial, Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Talk to us: 01905 612 001 Website: www.hcrlaw.com Harrison Clark Rickerbys Ltd is authorised and regulated by the SRA

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