Business Direction 78

International Trade

International Trade

Businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire import from, and export to, countries all over the world. International Trade is crucial for business performance, development and the overall economic growth of the two counties. With numerous businesses across the two counties importing and exporting every month we continue to stay dedicated in supporting businesses during uncertain times.

The Chamber’s recent Quarterly Economic Survey revealed that international trade for UK businesses came with challenges in Q4, with 49% of exporters citing customs checks and declarations as a barrier for exporting and 38% of exporters encountered problems with regulations like product certification. To help counteract this, we remain steadfast in providing support to businesses of any size and experience. The Chamber plays an important role in keeping goods moving internationally, through our translation service, ATA Carnet service and Letters of Credit service, as well as promoting the latest international trade news, events, webinars, and updates.

For businesses in the International Trade sector, we have a variety of training courses, to help your employees develop their skills. These courses range from beginners guide to importing to the more specific courses such as ‘Understanding commodity codes’ and ‘Customs procedures and Documentation’.

Throughout this edition, you can find insights from sector leading professionals, insights into International Trade and the overseas market.

As such, I am delighted to introduce the latest edition of Business Direction entitled ‘International Trade’.

Best regards,

Sharon

Premium Office Space available at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s Worcester Office

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce announces an exceptional opportunity for businesses seeking an upscale office environment. Presenting an exclusive first-floor office space along with two additional meeting rooms, this meticulously designed 221.38 sq. m area offers a contemporary, open-plan layout. This modern office layout offers convenience with communal WCs, a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, a lift, and up to 20 parking spaces at the building’s rear. Located in Worcester’s esteemed Warndon Industrial

Estate, it provides quick access to the M5 via Junction 6 and excellent public transport links.

For Worcester residents, the office’s proximity to the Worcester to Birmingham canal offers a serene setting, complemented by nearby supermarkets and dining options. Additionally, a rear communal garden with greenery and designated seating areas provides a tranquil retreat for your colleagues.

This exclusive opportunity at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s

If you’re interested or wish to know more please call 01905 726220.

Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Award Entries are Now Open!

Entries for the 2024 Business Awards are now open! To submit your business for the awards should take no more than 10 minutes and you can enter your business for a maximum of 3 categories.

The awards are set to be hosted on the 13th June 2024 at the Worcester Arena, Worcester. Sponsored by Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council, the Awards will welcome over 700 guests from businesses across the two counties, celebrating their fantastic achievements and raising awareness of local business success.

The Chamber will present awards in 15 categories, with each category’s winner also being entered into the final coveted award, Business of the Year. The benefits that come alongside entering an award are invaluable, including a spectacular evening that is sure to boost staff morale, a powerful

Charities of the Year for 2024!

Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce that they have selected two charities to support as their ‘Charities of the Year’ in 2024!

We are overwhelmed by the incredible work that is carried out in our local community. We learn first-hand the need for donations of gifts, time, and money from our Charity Members. To fairly dedicate our time to a worthy cause over the next year, we have decided to select two Charity Partners, to whom we will dedicate a number of fundraising activities in 2024.

The two Charity Partners for 2024 are The Courtyard in Herefordshire and Headway Worcestershire. Both Charities were selected through random generator, and we look forward to working with them in 2024!

The Courtyard Hereford commented ‘We’re thrilled to have been announced as the Charity of the Year for Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce –alongside Headway Worcestershire. We’re really looking forward to working with the Chamber to maximise our visibility and all that we can offer through our creative corporate partnerships. The Courtyard’s staff, volunteers and many partners have been working very hard, and to great effect, to breathe new life into our charity, following a very challenging few years for all arts venues. Much needed donations go towards our charity’s expanding community work, including our vital education and outreach programmes supporting all age groups to access creative experiences.’

tool to raise your business profile across the two counties and a way to stand out from your competitors. The awards will be followed by an after-party at the Botanist Bar, Worcester.

The award entries are now OPEN. Entering the Chamber Awards is completely free of charge for Chamber Members and £50 per entry for Non-members and is limited to three entries per company. You will have to supply details of your business and why your business is suitable for the award.

Entries Close March 18th 2024, at 4:00pm. For more information, contact events@hwchamber.co.uk

Headway Worcestershire announced, ‘Headway Worcestershire are thrilled to be Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce ‘Charity of the Year’ for Worcestershire!” – CEO Mandie Fitzgerald sends her heartfelt thanks. Our team look forward to an exciting year working with the chamber, supporting our charity by helping to raise awareness and understanding of acquired brain injury ABI.’

Egg-cellence rewarded: ISO QSL’s Good Egg Awards return for the 7th year

ISO Quality Services (ISO QSL) is thrilled to announce the return of their Good Egg Awards for the 7th year, showcasing their ongoing commitment to acknowledging exceptional individuals. Launched in 2018, this initiative has become a highly anticipated annual campaign. With the understanding that 80% of employees thrive on appreciation, the Good Egg Award aim to boost morale and confidence, providing a sense of accomplishment and job satisfaction. Organisations are invited to nominate their outstanding employees across various categories. This year’s categories include Environmental Egg, Deliver Egg, Passion Egg, Support Egg, and Quality Egg. Acknowledging

these egg-ceptional individuals not only gives them a chance to win an Easter Chocolate hamper but also contributes to a charitable cause. For every nomination received, ISO Quality Services pledges to donate a chocolate Easter Egg to Worcester Foodbank. Last year’s campaign resulted in 134 Easter Eggs donated.

To nominate your good egg visit: form.typeform.com/to/LsgZAz5S. The winners will be announced at the ISO QSL Good Egg Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, March 20th, at 1pm.

To read more about the categories visit: isoqsltd.com/good-egg-awards-returnfor-the-7th-year

DRPG’s strategic move: Elevating global presence through the special event company acquisition

Global creative communications agency DRPG has been on a transformative 40-year journey. Starting as a corporate film agency back in the 1980s, the Midlands-based creative hub of excellence has seen many changes over the years; delving into large corporate events, expanding a 100+ creative team, acquiring its HQ in Hartlebury which hosts one of the UK’s largest studios to going fully online during COVID-19 and creating a £10 million virtual broadcast arm to its business. It’s the latter that shares a likeness to the newest part of the DRPG Family, The Special Events Company.

The Special Event Company is a distinguished live and virtual event agency based in North Carolina, USA. This strategic move is poised to strengthen DRPG’s position in the global and North American markets, offering a platform for delivering enhanced live and virtual experiences to clients worldwide.

Dale Parmenter, Group CEO of DRPG commented “This marks a pivotal moment for DRPG’s global and North American expansion. The Special Event Company’s proven track

record, innovative approach, and booming location provide us with a solid foundation to further elevate our presence in key markets.”

DRPG has been on a five-year global growth plan with offices now in Germany and the US and has no plan to slow down its globalisation. Closer to home, the group have also acquired OWB, a Birmingham-based Marketing Agency set in the heart of the second city. The growth into the overseas market not only helps to build the brand’s name but also allows DRPG to spread its knowledge in Innovation and Sustainability to the global stage.

Hewett Recruitment

No doubt many businesses have spent the first couple of months of 2024 looking at the numbers wondering where they will end up and what the future might hold. For most organisations January – March represents Q4 of their financial reporting period…a chance to try and squeeze as much business in before the end of the year as well as being the time to sit down, take stock, and set budgets and expectations for the coming 12 months. Headcount and recruitment plans are naturally part of this conversation… whether a business is looking to grow and needs to plan for additional resources… or is not expecting anything other than natural churn in their team, workforce planning is a key component of any future strategy. Getting hold of reliable, local Labour Market Information is therefore fundamental.

The 2024 Salary & Benefits Report, produced by Hewett Recruitment and the H&W Chamber of Commerce allows organisations to benchmark against data from just shy of 350 businesses across the 2 counties. Whilst the employment market has definitely cooled down in recent months, with demand calming and candidate availability improving, we are still looking at vacancy levels 12% higher than pre-Covid according to the ONS data through to the end of 2023. This means that it is still very important to ensure that you are pitching your opportunity at the right level in what is still a competitive market for talent. Further to this, benchmarking allows you to safeguard against any complacency when it comes to existing members of the team and is a vital part of effective workforce planning. Recruitment has been – and will continue to be – a significant challenge but retaining and engaging current employees with the right package can help ease some of these headaches. Taken as part of a joined-up, strategic approach to workforce planning, it ultimately leads to the right people being in the right seats…with any recruitment left over being targeted at the roles your business definitely needs to be successful.

To get hold of a copy of the S&B Report or discuss Workforce Planning in more detail then please get in touch with Ben Mannion on 01905 613413 or ben@hewett-recruitment.co.uk.

Protecting your assets against an alarming surge in theft across the UK

The UK is experiencing a worrying upswing in theft. The impact of this surge is particularly evident in smaller commercial thefts, such as shoplifting, break-ins and thefts in businesses located within industrial estates - Simeon Chapman, Director at Hazelton Mountford Chartered Insurance Brokers.

To the team at Hazelton Mountford, the upswing emphasises the urgency of safeguarding your assets in the face of this growing threat.

Simeon explains: “Theft has been on the rise, reaching levels reminiscent of the period just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thefts have become more frequent, burdening local businesses and retailers. In Worcestershire, for instance, theft claims have surged, putting a significant strain on the local companies affected.”

In addition, break-ins to houses and commercial properties have become a widespread concern. Businesses, particularly those located in industrial estates, are falling victim to theft at a growing rate. These incidents not only result in significant financial losses but also disrupt the normal course of operations, leading to a loss of productivity and customer trust.

Simeon Chapman, who specialises in risk management and mitigation via insurance, advises that vigilance is needed. He confirms:

“Business owners and individuals alike should take immediate steps to review the security of their premises and possessions. It’s important to check the integrity of lock, that they meet the insurance minimum security conditions and ensure that alarm systems are functional and maintained. Properly set alarms can deter potential thieves and, in case of an incident, alert the authorities promptly and reduce the

time thieves have in your premises.”

Simeon also warns about the consequences of inadequate security measures: “Neglecting to set alarms or failing to update contact information can lead to false alarms and delayed responses. In some cases, repeated false alarms can result in the withdrawal of police response and negatively impact insurance policies.”

In light of the increasing theft incidents, it is crucial to review your security measures, alarm systems and insurance policies.

Simeon concludes: “Protecting your assets and livelihood is important. The surge in theft is a stark reminder that complacency can lead to financial losses and disruption. By taking proactive steps to secure your property and possessions, you can help mitigate the risk and minimise potential damage. Don’t leave your things unsafe; take action now to protect what matters most.”

Contact the team at Hazelton Mountford if you’d like to chat about your insurance: www.hazeltonmountford.co.uk.

Discover the future of care and training in Worcestershire

Looking for a cutting-edge facility to revolutionise your care provision, training programs, or education in the Worcestershire area?

Look no further, nestled in the heart of Worcester City, Heart of Worcestershire

College’s (HoW College) SmartLiving Technology Enabled Care Academy redefines the future of care, seamlessly integrating education and technology.

Immerse yourself in the future of care as these flats redefine industry possibilities, showcasing the potential of technology-enabled care. Ideal for students gaining real-world experience, teaching staff exploring innovative methods, and professionals staying ahead of the curve. The flats showcase the potential of technology-enabled care, pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable in the care industry.

Complementing the living spaces are two small classrooms, one featuring CCTV for

enhanced observation of training, teaching, or assessment activities. This integration elevates the educational experience, providing a comprehensive approach to learning.

HoW College offers flexible hiring options, allowing businesses to choose individual flats or classrooms tailored to specific needs. Alternatively, opt for a comprehensive package, complete with a dedicated Tech Demonstrator, ensuring organisations harness the full potential of these cutting-edge facilities.

For enquiries and to discover the future of care and training in Worcestershire contact Julia Breakwell at jbreakwell@howcollege.ac.uk

Worcester based Environmental Consultancy rebrands with a fresh identity for 2024

Managing Director Stephanie Turner tells us more about BLADE, the reasons behind the rebrand and her plans for future growth of the business.

Why now?

Since establishing the Landscape Architecture practice in late 2017, we have grown organically over the last 6 years to a combined team of 12, after adding Ecology and Arboriculture to our portfolio.

The introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for development in England seemed the perfect opportunity to bring together all three disciplines, to provide the ultimate in-house consultancy. This allows us to collaborate in the early project stages ensuring we can maximise BNG opportunity through considered design and deliver improved outcomes for developers and the environment.

The rebrand has not been a quick process. We’ve had to start right at the beginning with a new name and this was, by far, the most difficult part. The creative agency team at Thunder have worked with us to get to this point and have been incredibly patient!

This is an exciting chapter for us, and collaborative working is at the heart of what we do. It’s great that we can finally shout about it and head into 2024, and beyond, providing the best service and the best outcome for our clients.

What do we do differently?

We continue to extend and adapt our BNG services, whilst remaining at the forefront of new guidance and legislative updates. Truly successful BNG is reliant on early design input, collaboration and understanding within the

design team, and is underpinned by strong design principles.

Why partner with us for Biodiversity

Net Gain and environmental expertise?

Collaboration between our in-house Ecologists, Arboriculturalists and Landscape Architects enable our schemes to deliver for both the requirements of the metric and prioritise feasible habitat creation, enhancement, and viability over the course of 30 years.

We deliver bespoke services and solutions whether this be a BNG desktop review of an estate to target specific land parcels for habitat banking, in line with Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS), or pre-sales BNG advice to inform land value assessments. We also continue to monitor and stay on top

of the emerging biodiversity credit market, partnering with habitat banks to secure the best credit prices and availability for our clients.

In addition to our broad range of expertise, our ecology team are also accredited to undertake the approved field and desk study measures required to generate the River Condition outputs for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations.

River Condition Assessments can only be undertaken by accredited ecologists, unlike for habitat and linear condition assessments.

Get in touch and stay up to date

If you have a development site or parcel of land in your existing portfolio or looking to purchase, get in touch. Whether it’s solving a problem, addressing a particular business need, or delivering CPD sessions we can advise on how best to approach design to ensure biodiversity is left in a measurably better state than before the development took place.

You can keep up to date with the most recent developments on BNG and what we’ve been up to, by following WE ARE BLADE on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Further information about us and the team can be found on our new website www.weareblade.co.uk

Find out more at ebcgroup.co.uk

The Importance of Backup and Recovery

We live in an ever increasing, tech-oriented world, in which the importance of backup and recovery cannot be overstated.

No matter the size of your business, establishing robust strategies for safeguarding data against unforeseen events is crucial in order to keep it running. For example, small businesses rely on digital records for daily operations, making backup measures a lifeline against disruptions. Medium and large-sized businesses, have a larger pool of digital data for financial transactions, customer information, and operational intricacies.

“90% of businesses close their doors 2 years after suffering a data emergency”.

The implementation of comprehensive backup measures is not just precautionary, but a strategic imperative for these enterprises. Recognising the significance of backup and recovery is key to navigating the dynamic landscape of technology and ensuring your business is prepared for the unexpected.

Protecting Against Data Loss:

The data a business holds can be vulnerable to a wide range of threats, stemming from hardware failures, software glitches, cyberattacks, and even human errors. Without a comprehensive backup solution, the loss of critical information can have severe consequences. Imagine losing important documents, financial records, or even irreplaceable memories due to a system crash or accidental deletion. A robust backup system ensures that data is preserved, allowing for a swift recovery in the face of adversity.

Mitigating the Impact of Cyber Threats:

Cyber threats are becoming increasingly more sophisticated as time goes on, making the importance of backup and recovery solutions vital components of a businesses comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Ransomware attacks, in particular, have become more prevalent, holding data hostage until a ransom is paid. With a reliable backup in place, businesses and users can restore their systems to a pre-attack state, rendering ransomware attempts futile.

Financial Losses, Reputational Damage & Business Continuity:

For businesses, downtime can translate to significant financial losses and damage to reputation. Unexpected disruptions, such as natural disasters or system failures, can bring operations to a standstill. A well-designed backup and recovery plan ensures minimal downtime by swiftly restoring critical systems and data, allowing businesses to resume operations with minimal disruption.

Compliance and Legal Requirements:

In many industries, there are strict regulatory requirements regarding data storage, protection, and retention. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal consequences and financial penalties.

Implementing a robust backup and recovery strategy

not only helps businesses comply with these regulations but also demonstrates a commitment to data integrity and security.

Preserving your Businesses History:

Losing personal things to us like photos on our phones, videos, and other cherished memories can be heart-breaking. Similarly, businesses accumulate years of work, achievements and milestones that are then captured in digital formats and these things can be irreplaceable. Regular backups serve as a safety net to ensure these valuable assets can be recovered even in the face of unforeseen events.

Scalability and Flexibility:

Backup solutions are not one-size-fits-all. They should be scalable and adaptable to the evolving needs of the business and their users. Whether you’re dealing with a growing business or expanding personal data, a flexible backup and recovery system can accommodate increased storage demands and technological advancements.

Conclusion:

It is no longer a precautionary measure to have backup and recovery plans in place, instead it is now a fundamental aspect in order for a business to remain resilient in this day and age. Whether you’re protecting sensitive client information or safeguarding business data, investing in a reliable backup and recovery solution is an investment that ensures you can take care of your business in the long run to withstand any hurdles along the way. Integrating a backup and recovery plan establishes comprehensive security measures for your business, delivering peace of mind for both employees and business owners.

Employers warned over paternity legal hurdles

Businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire must ensure they are one step ahead in the coming weeks and months following the publication of new draft paternity leave legislation.

Through the media and our own social media platforms, this was a warning I issued back in January just days after Whitehall unveiled the Paternity Leave Amendment Regulations 2024 which will apply to parents whose children are born or adopted on or after 6 April this year.

Essentially, the new rules will allow fathers or partners to separate statutory paternity leave into two blocks of one week within the first year - different to the current paternity rules which sees them made to take one continuous block of leave of one or two weeks within the first eight weeks.

From April, employees will only have to give 28 days’ notice of their intention to take paternity leave. The previous obligation was 15 weeks, so it’s a big change with a tighter timescale.

These government changes have been on the horizon for several months and will come into effect at the same time as other family-friendly policies such as changes to flexible working rights, improved redundancy protections for those who are pregnant and taken family leave, and the introduction of carers leave.

However, the paternity rule changes are significant as from April they move the goalposts and will see businesses and HR teams here in the two counties having to not only be more prepared, but ensuring their paperwork, templates,

policies in relation to paternity leave and a host of other print or digital literature is amended in time and in-line with the new rules.

More than anything, the rules give more power back to parents which in a postpandemic world is widely welcomed, but it does mean all businesses must be well-read on the rules and what it means for them. As with all employment legislation changes, it needs companies to stay one step ahead so they can not only advise employees properly, but also to protect themselves.

Sally Morris is a partner at Chamber patrons mfg Solicitors, and head of the firm’s award-winning employment and HR services department. For any further advice on the changes, readers can contact Sally through sally.morris@mfgsolicitors.com.

From March, mfg Solicitors will once again be hosting their popular programme of Employment Law Workshops.

For more information, or to book a place, please email elizabeth. armstrong@mfgsolicitors.com

21ST MARCH 2024

Employment Law Update, managing sickness absence in the workplace, stress and mental health to include neurodiversity

9TH MAY 2024

Employment Law Update and dignity in the workplace

4TH JULY 2024

Employment Law Update, managing disciplinary procedures, dismissals and Settlement Agreements

19TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Employment Law Update, protecting your business to include recruitment, practices, different types of Contracts of Employment and the implications of the Gig Economy

7TH NOVEMBER 2024

Employment Law Update, managing grievances in the workplace, GDPR and Subject Access Requests

Sally

Salary & Benefits Report 2024 has been released

The Salary & Benefits Report 2024, in partnership with Hewett Recruitment, has been released. In November and December 2023, businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire were asked to share, in confidence, the salaries and benefits they offer to employees. It is well documented that people are the most valuable resource to any business; they are the heart of any organisation.

In the challenging times businesses are facing, recruiting and retaining staff remains a significant challenge in the current labour market. The Salary & Benefits Report allows us to establish best practice across the two counties, benchmarking pay and benefits in multiple roles. This creates a vital resource for local businesses, supporting your recruitment and retention goals for the near future.

88% of those surveyed in this report attempted to recruit staff over the past 12 months. 69% of these businesses experienced recruitment difficulties. Engineering (32%), Sales (26%), and Manufacturing (24%) roles were the most difficult to recruit for.

The report also provides a summary of the options that businesses, who are looking to supplement lower salaries with a strong benefits package, currently offer. This is demonstrated by the fact that 75% of companies offer working from home, and 78% offer flexible start and finish times. After the pandemic, working from home became normalised, however

for certain industries the workforce can’t work from home, emphasising the importance of the workplace. Yet, sectors such as manufacturing do offer more flexible working for those in sales, marketing, HR and finance. The most common model of flexible working is the 60/40 method, where 2 days out of 5 are ‘work from home’. Flexible working conditions have become a crucial part for most people when considering their roles.

Employees are viewing their work-life balance as important as their salary.

It has never been more crucial to compare the salary and benefits that your business offers to attract and retain staff. We can also see more companies are offering benefits this year compared to last. 83% of companies in this report offer free training to employees, compared to 78% last year and 55% of companies offer enhanced sick pay compared to 45% last year.

The Salary & Benefits Report allows us to establish best practice across the two counties, benchmarking pay and benefits in multiple roles. This creates a vital resource for local businesses, supporting your recruitment and retention goals for the near future.

Friday 3rd May 2024

Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire

Join Midlands Air Ambulance Charity at Cheltenham’s only evening fixture for a meeting with seven hunter chases.

Individual and corporate packages are available, with prices starting at £115 per ticket. Email Wiktoria Jaworska, Corporate Partnerships Executive via Wiktoria.Jaworska@midlandsairambulance.com to purchase your ticket.

Scan to find out more

Image courtesy of Francesca Altoft Photography

Logistics and supply chain needs more women

Nationally women are still underrepresented within the logistics and supply chain sectors, a situation that many businesses like total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International are working hard to change.

With their goal to have a workforce which broadly reflects labour availability, Oakland International has rolled out several initiatives with the sole aim of cutting through the many real barriers’ women face.

Operating flexible shift patterns, trialling

workplace childcare facilities, and offering the same pay rates, irrespective of gender for both part-time and full-time workers, are all aimed to enhance gender diversity.Oakland believes a mix of masculinity and femininity brings benefits, including alternative thinking, increased productivity, reliability, and retention, and that by attracting more female talent and providing a platform for career development benefits all parties.

Women only represent around 7% of the logistics sector workforce, which employs over 2 million people and generated £139 billion in 2019.

Reducing your carbon footprint and costs

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

(CBAM) is a carbon tariff on carbon-intensive imports like steel, cement and some electricity to the European Union (EU).

Enacted as part of the European Green Deal, the tariff becomes effective in 2026 and is a crucial step in mitigating global carbon emissions. Since October 2023, the mechanism has demanded quarterly declarations from companies on both direct and indirect emissions associated with their imported goods.

Recognising the impending impact on businesses, Control Energy Costs offers a proactive solution through its Carbon

Solutions service. Collaborating with carbon specialists Auditel, the service assists businesses in reducing both their carbon footprint and costs simultaneously. It includes comprehensive carbon footprint reporting and carbon-neutral verificationindispensable services given the anticipated requirement of verified product carbon footprints for CBAM certificates. Offering a verified low-carbon product will establish a strong competitive advantage for companies supplying to the EU.

Want more information on how we can help your business? Contact Nigel Addison-Evans at nigel.addison-evans@cec.uk.com or 07500 027480.

Data backups could save your business

It’s alarming to know that ‘90% of businesses close their doors 2 years after suffering a data emergency.’

This statistic underlines the critical importance of backup and recovery strategies for businesses of all sizes. Small businesses, relying heavily on digital records, find backup measures crucial for daily operations, while medium and large-sized businesses manage extensive digital data, including financial transactions and customer information.

Data vulnerability arises from various threats like hardware failures, software glitches, cyberattacks, and human errors. The absence of a comprehensive backup solution can lead to catastrophic losses of critical information. For instance, system crashes or accidental deletions can result in the loss of vital documents, financial records, or irreplaceable memories.

Furthermore, the rise in sophisticated cyber threats, especially ransomware attacks, makes backup and recovery solutions

essential components of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. A reliable backup system enables businesses to restore their systems to a pre-attack state, countering the effects of such attacks.

Business continuity is another critical aspect. Downtime, caused by unexpected disruptions like natural disasters or system failures, can lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage. A well-structured backup and recovery plan minimises downtime and ensures quick restoration of critical systems and data.

Compliance with regulatory requirements is also a significant concern. Many industries face strict regulations regarding data storage, protection, and retention. Implementing robust backup and recovery strategies not only ensures compliance but also showcases a commitment to data integrity and security.

Backup solutions are crucial for preserving a business’s history, like digital records of milestones and achievements. These

solutions should be scalable and flexible, adapting to the evolving needs of a business. In conclusion, backup and recovery plans are fundamental for business resilience. They provide security and peace of mind, ensuring businesses can withstand various challenges and continue their operations smoothly.

Mike Forrester: Chair’s Report

As a previous owner of a food ingredient SME - and winner of a then Queens Award for Export - I feel compelled to comment on the health of our UK SMEs and their ability to grow their export markets: especially within the EU, which remains a particular interest of mine and more generally the Chamber of Commerce.

The Trade Confidence Outlook, conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce’s Insights Unit, is a survey of more than 2,000 UK SME exporters and it shows SME exports have been broadly static since the pandemic and remain far less likely to see improvements - when compared to the pre-pandemic and pre-Brexit period.

The proportion of businesses reporting decreased overseas sales began to rise in the run up to Brexit and has remained stubbornly higher ever since. In Q4 2018, 28% of SME exporters reported an increase and 16% reported a decrease in value. For the same quarter in 2023, 23% reported an increase and 24% a reduction.

Post-pandemic, there has also been a noticeable divergence between domestic trade performance and exports. As the economy reopened in 2021, there was a sharp increase in UK sales, but overseas orders saw no corresponding rise, indicating that SME exporters have been disproportionately impacted by headwinds in global trade caused by Covid lockdowns and post Brexit new trade barriers with the EU.

The global outlook was already looking fragile for 2024, but with increasing disruption to Red Sea shipping routes, increasing shipping container costs and continued geo-political uncertainty, it appears even more brittle. The upcoming changes to importation of phytosanitary goods and common usage charges

are expected to cost importers £330 million annually and we still do not know what the EU exporter will have to pay to send goods to the UK. There is a real fear that these extra costs will end up being passed on to the UK importer and their customers, putting upward pressure on inflation. In the context of UK exports this is likely to add additional cost to raw materials destined to be used in subsequently exported goods: further increasing material costs and damaging our export competitiveness.

The reality is if we want to remain one of the world’s largest economies, then we need to get more firms selling goods and services internationally.

This is not easily done in the aftermath of a pandemic, supply chain disruption, Brexit, increased non-tariff trade barriers and further global headwinds.

The UK has great strengths in our exports – services (including professional, business and travel services), renewable energy, green finance, engineering, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automotive, food and drink and R&D. Finally, we need to look again at ways of improving trade with the EU. It is still our biggest trading partner, but firms continue to express huge frustration with the complexity and costs involved – which go way beyond what they face elsewhere.

Mike Forrester

Closing the agri-tech skills gap

Pershore College has been awarded £488,000 of Local Skills Improvement Funds (LSIF) awarded by the Department for Education to upgrade equipment to help close the agri-tech skills gap in the region and meet increasing course demand.

The funds will be used to update the glasshouses in the college’s Agri-Tech Research Centre, and follows rising student numbers on the college’s horticulture courses and apprenticeships.

Renovated heating systems and the addition of technologies for increased control of heat, water, ventilation and lighting, will enable more students to work in the greenhouses year-round and gain valuable hands-on experience as well as learn about how newer technologies can result in more efficient production.

The college will also use part of the funding to phase out its current gas boiler system in its glasshouses in favour of a more environmentallyfriendly biomass boiler system, making them more efficient in their energy consumption.

Some of the funding will also be used to upgrade connectivity across the site, with cabling upgrades, improved Wi-Fi and electronic screens for classrooms to support the increased student numbers.

Peter Husband, Interim CEO and Principal of WCG, said: “We are thrilled to be awarded £488,000 by the Department for Education.

“Agri-tech is one of the five priority sectors highlighted in the Worcestershire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), which identifies key skills gaps across the region, so we are delighted to be using the funds to upgrade our glasshouse system at Pershore College.

The LSIF funding is in response to the region’s LSIP which was developed by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, working in conjunction with Worcestershire Local

Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council alongside regional employers and post-16 education providers.

For more information about Pershore College’s Agri-Tech Research Centre, visit wcg.ac.uk/agritech

Unlock the potential of your business ...with our proven strategies!

Transform your workplace into a thriving hub of innovation, productivity and job satisfaction. We specialise in cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit, driving high performance and fostering a people-centric culture that ensures every team member loves what they do. Our Approach: Drawing inspiration from global thought leaders, we translate ideas into actionable, engaging and enjoyable learning experiences.

Services Offered:

•Insights Discovery • Training

•Leadership & Team Development

•Coaching

•Mentoring

Located in the heart of Worcestershire, we’re dedicated to partnering with businesses that share our unwavering commitment to continuous learning and growth. We firmly believe that your people are the key to your success.

Let’s Discuss Your Business Challenges: We’re always eager to engage in conversations about your latest business hurdles. Whether it’s nurturing a culture of creativity or empowering individuals to reach their full potential, a 20-minute chat can often illuminate your next steps, even if you’re unsure of what they might be at first.

Contact Liz Gait TODAY! e: liz@egpeopledevelopment.co.uk or visit www.egpeopledevelopment.co.uk

Spring may be just around the corner but for some this can be a daunting prospect

As the seasons change we come into contact with different allergens in the environment around us.

Everytest™ specialises in allergy and food intolerance testing, recognising the challenges posed by shifting seasons, which can also include changing what we eat. This can trigger ill-defined but common conditions like IBS from food intolerance.

Other symptoms like itching, sneezing, or digestive discomfort may all signal underlying allergies. Each test is accessible from home and can provide insights into your allergens and even pinpoint specific intolerances.

We offer accurate advanced testing for all ages in our UK professional ISO accredited laboratories covering common hay fever triggers, asthma triggers like dust mite, and food sensitivities.

Our molecular testing identifies multiple allergies from one small sample.

Visit Everytest™ and use code FIT100 for a 40% discount and receive a comprehensive report detailing your reactions to 286 potential food intolerance triggers.

You can also order the revolutionary Tasso+, blood collection device if you prefer to

produce a sample without the use of a needle!

For severe allergies, find guidance and support from Allergy UK on our site. Armed with knowledge, you can manage allergies effectively, minimizing exposure and symptoms. Collaboration with medical professionals ensures a proactive approach to well-being.

Start the journey to understanding your allergy or intolerance with us and don’t let allergies hold you back from living your best life. Visit everytest.co.uk for a Healthier Tomorrow.

Our

Record breaking year for Midlands law firm

Award-winning Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler is celebrating another year of increased turnover, customer satisfaction and staff engagement.

The firm, a strategic Member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce which has offices in Redditch, Wolverhampton and Shropshire, saw turnover and profits rise for the fourth consecutive year.

Managing partner Neil Lloyd said: “It is a phenomenal achievement given the tough economic headwinds.”

Some of the profits will be invested into new systems and IT infrastructure, while the firm also paid out the biggest bonuses in its history and made cost of living payments to most staff.

Other 2023 highlights included Neil being made managing partner, and apprentices Abigail Noakes and Chloe Turner qualifying as solicitors after six years of work and study in the Business & Company Law, and Family Law, Divorce and Children teams respectively. There are now 24 trainees or apprentices across the business.

Neil said: “We are really proud of our 82.5 per cent staff engagement score – anything over above 60 per cent is considered world class. Staff engagement is critical to our success, and this as one of the main

reasons why we are number one for client satisfaction in the West Midlands for almost all of our work types.

“We know that continuing to listen and respond to the needs of our customers and our staff will set us in good stead, alongside our ongoing commitment to delivering innovative, customer-first legal services to individuals and businesses in the West Midlands.”

Bewdley Festival are planning some new multi-arts events this year, in addition to the main October festival

This year’s main Festival is running from 11th – 20th October. It will headline, as in Festival’s previous 37 years of unbroken existence, performances including music genres, comedy, drama, poetry, films, lectures, interviews and all things from the arts relevant to the modern world. Household names annually come to perform in Worcestershire at Bewdley Festival from all over the UK and beyond.

Prior to October, our first Children’s Literary Festival “Step Into Stories” takes place on March 13th at four different venues, bringing 13 leading authors, poets and storytellers to talk

about their work and transfix with their tales and poetry. The day will have 19 events suitable for children (and their parents) from Key Stage 2 to age 12+. Tickets available on website.

In addition, planning is well advanced to create “One Earth Festival” in July. Working in partnership with Bewdley School, “One Earth” will be a day featuring local youth performing and participating in a multi-arts day focusing on sustainability and climate change topics combined with experts explain the issues.

All information for all Festival activities, as our plans progress, can be found at bewdleyfestival.org.uk

NatWest view on Cash management: 3 ways to better efficiency

Recent events in the Red Sea are affecting supply chains, reminding us that robust cash management is a key part of any financial strategy. Here are three key considerations:

1. Ensure efficient oversight of cash & liquidity management

Cash is vital for both day-to-day operations and long-term strategy, whether it’s preserving cash to fund future investments, or to address market volatility so you might be considering whether to keep more cash on reserve.

Could excess cash be treated differently, with deposits shifting to term for a greater potential yield? Or does the business need to stay on the shorter-tenor side of the spectrum

and prioritise flexible access to liquidity over long-term yield? There are different business savings accounts, depending on how quickly you need access to the funds. Criteria apply.

2. Manage risk in your supply chain

Businesses must build resilience into their supply chains; this includes everything from assessing customer viability to researching alternative suppliers. Hedging commodities could be another important way of managing price risk through unforeseen events.

3. Optimise your technology for maximum efficiency

Does your business have a strategy to use digital technologies to boost competitive advantage, increase revenue, or use capital

more effectively? The use of AI, automation, and data science, for example, could be transformational by improving systems, processes, customer experiences and leading to more productive ways of working. Before choosing your technology though, understand your adoption costs and assess the risk.

Neil Lloyd (centre) pictured with four new partners and two new associates promoted in 2023 across FBC Manby Bowdler branches

Barry Lewis, NatWest Director Commerical Banking, Herfordshire & Worcestershire

Finding Peace and Success: The Power of Mindfulness in Business

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, it’s crucial to find effective tools to help you thrive. One such tool is mindfulness, which has gained popularity in recent years. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment, with a non-judgmental awareness. It allows you to better manage stress, make clear decisions, and foster creativity. By practicing mindfulness, you can enhance your focus, productivity, and overall well-being.

Incorporating mindfulness into your business practices can create a positive work culture, boost employee morale, and ultimately lead to greater success. Embrace mindfulness and unlock your full potential in the business world.

The Business of Mindfulness

Redefining mental health and wellbeing in the workplace

Mental Health First Aid Workplace Training Courses

Level 1 - General Awareness

Award in Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health suitable for all your employees to make them aware of mental health in the workplace.

Level 2 - General Knowledge

Award in First Aid for Mental Health suitable for all your employees to provide them with more in depth knowledge of mental health in the work-place and how to implement a first aid for mental health in your business.

Level 3 - Specialist Knowledge

Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health suitable for Wellbeing Champions to be able to implement a first aid for mental health in the workplace and understand mental health conditions and symptom management.

Interested? Get in touch!

Email: info@mindfulness.uk.com Tel: 01905 935069

Our Vision:

“A fusion of Academic, Professional and Practical Know-How, delivered through a collaborative approach, helping individuals and organisations achieve their goals together”.

Our Philosophy:

We work in collaboration with individuals and organisations to Research, Consult, Develop, Deliver and Reflect on their current challenges and help them to create solutions. We bring a future focus to ensure they are equipped with skills and knowledge to tackle the problems of today and develop the skills to build the solutions for tomorrow.

Our Services:

We offer three award winning services:

CONSULTANCY:

In today’s challenging world all sector leaders are being asked to work differently; therefore, we recognise that they need for innovative solutions. This is where we can help with consultancy which is specifically developed to meet these demands.

RESEARCH:

We use the latest research techniques, supported by many years of practical experience, to provide assessments against key professional standards. We specialise in collaborative working, leadership and governance.

TRAINING

Through our research and consultancy work we identified that just making recommendations for today’s challenges is not enough. All of our training programmes are bespoke and ‘Institute Approved’ ensuring that our clients have professional level training that meets their unique situation.

To find out how we could help you - Contact Dr Robert Milford on:

(01386) 335878 or email: robertmilford@milfordresearch.co.uk

Free access to an online decarbonisation portal for Worcestershire organisations

Worcestershire County Council is supporting organisations and businesses across Worcestershire to reduce their carbon emissions to help move towards the net zero carbon target.

Free access is being given to a select number of businesses and organisations to an online portal which helps make monitoring and the reporting of carbon emissions simpler.

The software, run by Climate Essentials, allows organisations and businesses to upload energy, water, waste, transport, and supply chain emissions. Through the portal, you will have the ability to actively track carbon spending and saving over a period; will be able to determine a baseline for carbon emissions, and benchmark against similar businesses/organisations.

One organisation to benefit from the portal is IASME Consortium. Dr Emma Philpott MBE, CEO, said “It was really easy to use and helped me make sense of how to calculate the different elements. It has helped us understand what the important aspects of our energy use are and to focus on how we can make an impact. As a company but, also, as a team of individuals, we care about reducing the impact of climate change and reducing our costs.”

Why you should sign up

Differentiate your brand based on your green credentials.

Get ahead of regulation and legal requirements about carbon reduction.

Future proof your business from rising energy costs and customer demand.

To learn more and to register your interest, visit, worcestershire.gov. uk/worcs-decarb-portal.

Navigating international trade trends in 2024: a perspective for UK businesses

For businesses in the United Kingdom, the landscape of international trade in 2024 presents a myriad of challenges and opportunities. As geopolitical tensions, digitalisation, and sustainability imperatives reshape the global marketplace, UK businesses must adapt and strategise to remain competitive on the international stage, particularly given the recent announcement that the UK is in recession. In this article, we explore the key trends defining international trade in 2024 from the perspective of businesses in the UK.

Resurgence of regionalisation

Amidst the uncertainties stemming from geopolitical tensions and the aftermath of Brexit, regional trade agreements may offer the opportunity to bolster resilience and foster growth. Initiatives such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (“CPTPP”) and potential trade agreements with emerging markets represent promising opportunities for UK businesses to diversify their export markets and access new sources of demand. The UK has been considering joining the CPTPP as part of its post-Brexit trade strategy.

Digitalisation driving trade

The digital revolution continues to make far-reaching changes to the way UK businesses engage in international trade. From leveraging e-commerce platforms to tapping into digital payment systems and blockchain technology, businesses are increasingly embracing digital solutions to streamline cross-border transactions and enhance supply chain efficiency.

Embracing digitalisation not only enhances competitiveness but also enables UK businesses to reach new markets and customers worldwide, positioning them for sustained growth in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Geopolitical realignment

Geopolitical tensions and shifting alliances present both challenges and opportunities for UK businesses engaged in international trade. The evolving dynamics between major powers, such as the United States and China, require UK businesses to navigate geopolitical uncertainties and potential disruptions to global supply chains.

Conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Gaza war and the recent targeting of shipping vessels in the Suez Canal represent increasing international trade pressures UK businesses are reckoning with. Strategic engagement, risk management, and diversification strategies are essential for UK businesses to mitigate geopolitical risks and capitalise on emerging opportunities in key markets around the world. Robust commercial contracts can help businesses protect themselves in these uncertain times.

Sustainable trade imperatives

The imperative for sustainable trade practices is gaining momentum in 2024, driven by growing consumer demand for supply chain transparency and environmentally-friendly business practices. UK businesses are increasingly embracing sustainability initiatives, such as responsible sourcing, carbon footprint reduction, and ethical supply chain management, to meet evolving consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.

Legislation like the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD”) from the EU stipulates companies must conduct reasonable due diligence on their business lines and supply chains to prevent human rights abuses and environmental violations from happening. Embracing sustainability not only enhances brand reputation but also unlocks new market opportunities and fosters long-term competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Working capital optimisation

Due to global growth slowdown, the reduction in consumer demand and other tough macro headwinds, many are looking to streamline amid the surging cost pressures. Working capital optimisation can enable businesses to gain efficiencies, by helping them to mitigate funding and liquidity challenges. As such, companies must try and squeeze as much value as possible out of their working capital, as too many businesses – both big and small – are currently leaving value on the table.

By staying abreast of key trends and adopting a proactive approach to international trade, UK businesses can thrive amidst uncertainty and chart a course towards sustainable and inclusive prosperity.

Nicolas Groffman, Partner, Head of International

T: 03301 075 803

M: 07816 592 934

E: ngroffman@hcrlaw.com

Welcome to Everything DiSC Workplace®

The idea that people act in predictable ways isn’t a new concept. The fascination in understanding what makes others act in a certain way or why personality traits have a particular set of characteristics has been around for centuries. This theory was first introduced by the work of psychologist William Moulton Marston in the 1920’s. These ideas were then transformed during the 50’s into the DiSC profile model that we are familiar with today.

This profiling system is based on four distinct behavioural styles represented by the acronym DiSC - Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness(C)©

We are all unique and have a blend of different personality styles. These affect our behaviours, responses, influencing skills, how we react to rules and procedures plus many other aspects of our working lives. Understanding how people work can be invaluable to leaders, managers and team members, facilitating more effective communication, motivational techniques and ultimately influencing productivity levels.

The business benefits of introducing the Everything DiSC Workplace® Profile assessments in your workplace are numerous, they include:

Improved communication within teams and leadership

Interpreting behavioural styles to manage team dynamics effectively

Manage conflict better when it arises

Personal growth for the individual which will enhance business interactions creating a high-performing team

Better understanding of team members’ decision-making processes, styles of working, and interaction preferences

Build stronger, more effective relationships

Everything DiSC Workplace® was introduced into the Chamber training portfolio back in 2023. This half-day workshop will allow you and your teams to come together to explore this fascinating behavioural tool. This short workshop will help support businesses to understand how individuals’ responses and

Training update!

behaviours are shaping your business, and how you can get the best out of your teams collaborating more effectively.

Your Course Tutor

Dawn Hardman is Director of Human Resources at the Herefordshire & Worcestershire

Chamber of Commerce. A qualified practitioner with a background and qualification in psychometric assessment. She has extensive experience in HR strategy and general practice.

Half-day Workshop and analysis of profiles, per session

£450.00+VAT Members / £550.00+VAT Non-members

DiSC profile per person

£95.00+VAT Members / £155.00+VAT Non-members

We will be launching our course calendar later this month if you would like a copy, please email training@hwchamber.co.uk

More information about each training course and upcoming dates can be found on the Chamber website - hwchamber.co.uk/events-and-training-calendar

Meet Our Training Team

Training & Development

March Course Dates

Managing Performance in the Team

Wednesday 6 March, 9.00am-4.00pm

£160+VAT Members / £200+VAT Non-members

Location: Virtual

Intermediate Microsoft Excel

Tuesday 12 March, 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members / £200+VAT Non-members

Location: Virtual

Excel Masterclass

Wednesday 13 March, 9.00am-3.45pm £200+VAT Members / £250+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

Using the Telephone and Virtual Platforms in Selling

IOSH Working Safely®

Tuesday 19 March, 9.00am-4.00pm

£160+VAT Members / £200+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

Using AI for Businesses

Thursday 11 April, 9.00am-4.00pm £169+VAT Members / £210+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

Assertiveness and Confidence at Work

Wednesday 20 March, 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members / £200+VAT Non-members

Location: Hereford

Advanced Microsoft Excel

Thursday 21 March, 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members / £200+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

Managing People in the Team

Wednesday 27 March, 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members / £200+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

Wednesday 13 March, 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members / £200+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

HR for the Non-HR Manager

Thursday 14 March, 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members / £200+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

Professional Telephone Techniques – Hereford

Monday 18 March, 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members / £200+VAT Non-members

Location: Hereford

An Introduction to Digital Marketing and PR

Tuesday 16 April, 9.00am-11.00am Free for Members / £115+VAT Non-members

Location: Virtual

Emergency First Aid at Work

Thursday 18 April, 9.00am-4.30pm £95+VAT Members / £115+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

Mental Health First Aid (1 day)

Wednesday 24 April, 9.00am-4.00pm £210+VAT Members / £262+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

April Course Dates

Delivering Exceptional Customer Service

Thursday 4 April, 9.00am-4.00pm £169+VAT Members / £210+VAT Non-members

Location: Virtual

Introduction to Microsoft Excel

Tuesday 9 April, 9.00am-4.00pm £169+VAT Members / £210+VAT Non-members

Location: Worcester

Mailchimp & Email Marketing

Tuesday 30 April, 9.00am-12.30pm £95+VAT Members / £115+VAT Non-members

Location: Virtual

Courses may be subject to change from the time of printing.

Our local Fire Service needs YOU!

Fancy being an On-Call Firefighter while still doing your primary job – or allowing a member of your staff to do their bit for the community? Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are looking for people just like you, and they will be at the Expo to explain all.

On-Call Firefighters provide vital support to the local Fire Service.

They work alongside full-time (known as Wholetime) Firefighters, responding to emergency calls which can include anything from house fires and road collisions, to rescuing animals in distress.

Full training is provided, on par with Wholetime crews. On-Call Firefighters are paid a monthly retaining fee, and an hourly rate for responding to calls and training, which can add up to an income of £6,000 to £8,000 per year.

Currently, 342 On-Call Firefighters are affiliated to the region’s 25 stations, but there’s plenty of demand for new recruits, especially on daytime shifts.

As Group Commander Deb Davies explains, “You could be a self-employed plumber or a hairdresser or a part-time shop assistant. You just need to live or work within five minutes of any of our On-Call Fire Stations.

“On-Call Firefighters have pagers to alert them to incidents, so they can dash over to the station, get changed and provide vital support. When it’s over, they come back, get changed and return to whatever they were doing – it could take 30 minutes, or a couple of hours depending on the emergency.

“Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to join if you can pass the fitness tests, and are not afraid of heights, small spaces or climbing ladders!

“There’s also no height or upper age limit – one of our recent recruits is 62 and incredibly fit.

Our only restriction is colour blindness, as candidates must be able to identify primary colours.”

Deb herself was a Veterinary Nurse when she first signed up as an On-Call Firefighter and carried out her dual role for a lengthy spell before joining the service full-time.

She adds, “It’s an amazing career – I’ve been doing it for 23 years and I love it!”

Initial training takes approximately three weeks, which is split over some weekends, to try to help spread the time away from work and home. During the initial training, new recruits learn how to operate the Fire Engine and handle all the equipment, including breathing apparatus.

There are also plenty of opportunities for personal development in the form of new skills and qualifications.

What are the benefits for employers?

Participating employers say they gain enormous reciprocal benefits from the scheme. The most obvious aspect is being able to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

Deb says, “The main feedback is that employees become real team players. They are highly trained in Health and Safety, Risk Assessment and trauma care.

“They are more dedicated to their company and employers, because they feel valued and appreciated by being allowed to do this role alongside their primary job.

“And they also tend to be methodical, reliable, quick thinking, organised and good communicators.

“The nature of the job means being dynamic; it helps people to think on their feet and drive situations forward in a positive way.

“On Call staff also tend to be very calm with common sense attitudes. They’re not afraid of hard work, responsibility, using their initiative, and taking a leadership role. They actively work individually or part of a highly skilled team.

“And obviously, these skills are transferable to their primary jobs, with all the tangible benefits attached.

“It also makes good business sense to show your community that you care, by employing local people who are prepared to give back to others.

“As for our On-Call Firefighters, the role really gets ‘under the skin’ so to speak - being part of a team, responding to incidents and making a positive impact.

“It genuinely helps bond people to their local community and employers.”

Deb and colleagues from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service will be at the Expo to explain the roles in more detail to prospective employers and employees, together with the recruitment process and the flexible shift contracts on offer.

More details at hwfire.org.uk/on-call/ or contact Deb Davies DDavies@hwfire.org.uk

Celebrating 40 years of hospice care across Worcestershire

This year marks a milestone for St Richard’s Hospice as it celebrates 40 years of providing free, expert specialist care and support to patients, their families and bereaved people across Worcestershire.

From very small beginnings, the vision to set up a hospice in south Worcestershire became a reality in 1984. There are now 256 staff and 676 volunteers who make St Richard’s what it is today, with support from local communities - including businessesplaying a crucial part in the hospice’s story.

Fundraising Director, Tricia Cavell said, “Everyone within our community should feel proud of their part in ensuring St Richard’s has been able to grow and care for many thousands of people at a very difficult time in their lives. We remain an independent charity and throughout the years our total focus has always been with the patient, their carers and the people they love. This remains our top priority as we look to the next decades.”

“It’s heart-warming to hear the feedback from so many people about the impact our care has made on their lives over many years. It is our privilege to care and long may we do so into the future.”

“We know life does not stand still and St Richard’s cannot stand still. We embrace the future and look forward to caring for life, together, for many more decades.”

Looking ahead

Tricia explained, “These are challenging times for raising funds as our community and hospice are hit by the rising cost of living. Voluntary support, including from donations, legacies, retail and events raises 78% of our income with the remaining 22% from the NHS. For each £1 we spend, 84p goes to our care and support of patients, families and loved ones.

“We have robust strategic plans in place to enable us to deliver our purpose and vision of ‘Caring for life, together’ sustainably to meet the needs of our community. Those plans include delivering another art trail this summer, turning Worcester into a fun, free exhibition space once again.”

Raising awareness of and funds for St Richard’s, the great Waddle of Worcester will see 80 penguins slide into hearts and camera rolls.

Following the success of two previous partnerships with Wild in Art, the charity’s third art trail will celebrate the support shown by the local community in its fortieth year. From 22 July to 15 September 2024, Worcester will be transformed by the arrival of 40 super-sized penguin sculptures plus 40 chicks painted by schools and community groups.

Located alongside some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, each large penguin will be uniquely designed by artists from the region and beyond, providing a fantastic, family-friendly trail for locals and visitors to follow.

A trail map and App will direct avid art adventurers across the trail, which is fully accessible and can be reached via public transport. As each sculpture on the App is unlocked, more will be revealed about the trail and the brr-illiant city of Worcester.

Whilst exciting and inspiring people of all ages to celebrate the local area through creativity, the trail will shine a light on hospice care and the vital services provided to the whole community. When the trail ends, the super-sized penguins will be auctioned to raise funds for St Richard’s.

“Our past two trails raised, after costs, more than £700,000 combined for our care. So, as well as offering a summer of fun locally, these events help make a real difference to patients, their families and bereaved people.” Tricia, added.

Why penguins?

Penguins are some of the most loveable and loyal creatures on the planet. When the cold winds blow they know they’re better off together; huddling close to look after their neighbour. After four decades caring for patients and loved ones, nothing captures the spirit of St Richard’s better than these beautiful creatures.

Looking forward to the great Waddle of Worcester

St Richard’s is excited to be working with Wild in Art once again along with Presenting Partners; Crowngate, DRPG, Worcester City Council and Worcestershire Ambassadors, Community and Education Partner; Worcester BID and Media Partners; the Worcester News and BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Tricia Cavell

Get on course to tackle cyber-crime

The University of Worcester has recently opened its brand-new Cyber Lab - a special facility where the cyber professionals of the future will hone their skills and learn what it’s like to work on a network when it’s under attack. Richard Wilkinson, Head of the Department of Computing, shares his thoughts on the current cyber-crime climate, the people who commit the crimes, the businesses at risk, and the students training to take on the criminals.

Find out more about

When we think of firms targeted by criminals, we think of jewellers on a high street, or businesses holding a lot of cash but, in recent months, the firms hitting the headlines after cyber-attacks aren’t the kind you’d associate with having expensive items to steal: local authorities, a housing association, IT service providers. They might not have fleets of fancy vehicles or cases full of diamonds, but what they do have is data and network infrastructure.

These, in the eyes of a cybercriminal, are like supercars. They’re valuable, they’re desirable, and there are people who’ll break the law to get at them.

Richard says; “The obvious reason for taking this seriously is the financial impact cyber-crime has on

businesses. If they are hacked by ‘bad actors’, it can seriously harm a business and its reputation.

“There are different types of attack. There’s ‘denial of service’, where the criminals attack someone’s website or network to stop it functioning. They might go to an ecommerce website and just constantly try and access it, thousands of times a second. The attack makes their website become unresponsive and that really hurts because the business can’t use their web infrastructure.”

Richard adds: “Because organisations are so reliant on their websites now, when it goes down and it can’t function, that could mean the team aren’t able to work

for a few hours which in turn can mean tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of pounds, worth of business being missed out on.”

He continues: “Then there are ransomware attacks, which use things like phishing emails, where the attacker sends an official looking email which purports to be from someone within that organisation, saying ‘reset your password’ or, ‘click this link’. It looks like it’s come from somewhere like the IT department.

“When you click that link and give your password details, it allows these people to access your system using your login, your username, your password. Once they’re in, they can install software which takes over the entire system.

“The hackers might then send a message saying, ‘Pay us X amount of money and we’ll release your computer’, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll do that even if you pay them.”

Richard reflects on who these criminals really are: “A lot of them are very clever people, they’re very well versed and trained in the methods of hacking and they don’t necessarily do it for financial gain, sometimes they just do it for credit, for kudos, for being the one that can do it.”

Today, the Department of Computing at the University of Worcester is an exciting place to be. In September, it launched a new degree in Cyber Security, and it has a real-life working network for the students to practise on.

Richard says: “We needed something dedicated for our students to learn cyber security from for the new degree, and we’re really proud of the Cyber Lab. It’s a big investment from the University of Worcester and it’s going to allow us to train up the cyber professionals of the future.”

We can deploy some of the techniques which hackers and cyber attackers use so we can show the students how to defend against them as they’re happening.

Richard Wilkinson Head of the Department of Computing

The closed nature of the training network means the students can see what an attack will look like.

Richard says: “We can deploy some of the techniques which hackers and cyber attackers use so we can show the students how to defend against them as they’re happening.”

But who are the people training to take on the criminals? People who aspire to work in cybersecurity don’t need in-depth skills like programming to work in the field.

“We teach students from the ground up,” he says. “People coming onto this course don’t have to have any previous computing knowledge, or even any computing qualifications, we start at the beginning and train these professionals.

“While the cyber criminals are very clever people, we’ve got a lot of very clever people as well and we can train them in the ways of the cyber criminals so they can deter them, they can fight back against them and help organisations get to a place where they’re less vulnerable.

“Ideally, a cyber professional is someone with a logical mind, but that’s not restricted to people who have grown up with a love of computers. It also includes musicians and mathematicians - we find that people with an artistic mind are also very good at logical thinking, and that’s what’s required.”

It’s an exciting time for a graduate with a degree in cyber security to be in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

“We have a lot of high tech and cyber companies around us in places like Malvern at the science park, and the jobs are there,” says Richard.

“We work very closely with those local businesses and they’re constantly coming to us with these graduate opportunities. Until now we’ve not been able to fill those graduate opportunities because we’ve not had those cyber security professionals, but now we are creating them, and they don’t have to up sticks and move to the big city to get an exciting job in the industry.

“The hope is that they’ll stay local, and work in the local economies when they graduate.”

The University of Worcester’s website offers more information on the cyber security degree and opportunities for your own learning and career growth.

For more information on how the University of Worcester is preparing students for a life in cybercrime and computing, visit worcester.ac.uk . Applications are still open for September 2024.

Chamber Annual Dinner

Wednesday 24 April, 6.00-9.00pm

Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel, Bromsgrove Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 4PJ

Members £89.00+VAT / Non-members £109.00+VAT

We are pleased to invite all businesses to our new Chamber Annual Dinner event. This evening event will include a welcome drink on arrival and a two-course meal, an abundance of networking opportunities, and the chance to hear from our inspirational Guest Speaker Major Phil Ashby.

Joining the Royal Marines at the age of 17, Phil was sponsored to read Engineering

at Pembroke College, Cambridge, he was awarded the Commando Medal as top student at the end of Officer Training and, at 28, he became the youngest officer to be made Major in the British Armed Forces. One of Phil’s most memorable missions was in Sierra Leone, where he had enlisted himself to join UN peacekeepers. Arriving in the conflict-ridden country as rebel forces were re-starting the civil war, the lives of Phil and his co-workers were put in grave danger when a local warlord turned on them. They were taken hostage and, after days of being brutally held captive, Phil led a daring plan to help the group escape through the jungle to be met by the British Army. Phil was

awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his incredible demonstration of ‘Coolness, Courage and Leadership’. Although safely back in the UK, Phil had picked up a spinal virus; paralysed from the waist down, he was forced to re-evaluate his professional life when front-line soldiering became impossible. He has since made a full recovery and is able to pursue his love of rock climbing.

Open Business Advice Morning with the Chamber Area Council

Tuesday 9 April, 8.30-10.30am

Chamber of Commerce, Prescott Drive, Warndon Business Park, Worcester WR4 9NE

Free for Chamber Members and Non-members.

The Chamber of Commerce has two area councils representing Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the area council Members cover a wide range of sectors which reflect the two counties’ businesses. Whilst representing the interest of Members and the business community, they also have

Leadership Development Series 2024-25

The Leadership Development Series enters its 6th year and with it, we have compiled 6 new topics and a new half day conference to inform leaders and ignite curiosity and development.

Wednesday 22 May 2024

Workshop Topic: How to shift from a manager to a leader.

Wednesday 24 July 2024

Workshop Topic: Managing difficult conversations.

Wednesday 18 Septetmber 2024

Workshop Topic: Leading and building resilience.

Wednesday 20 November 2024

Workshop Topic: Emotional intelligence skills.

Wednesday 22 January 2025

Workshop Topic: Neurodiversity and inclusive leadership.

Wednesday 5 March 2025

Workshop Topic: Embedding productive work relationships.

a wealth of experience, and part of the role of the area council is to support fellow Members. We would like to invite businesses to join the Chamber Team and the Area Council Members at this drop in session, to discuss challenges and opportunities faced by businesses.

Wednesday 26 March 2025

A Half Day Conference with networking, guest speakers and topics including, emerging leadership trends, the wellbeing of you and your people, and leading through change and uncertainty.

Important information:

• In person attendance bookings will include refreshments, printed course notes and face to face group work/networking.

• Virtual attendance bookings will be streamed live via Zoom from the venue, with the same course content and breakout rooms will be used for group work. The sessions will not be recorded.

• Full series bookings cannot be mixed and matched between virtual and in person attendance.

• The Half Day Conference will take place from 8.30am-12.30pm and can be booked as part of the package or individually, the conference cannot be accessed virtually.

• Each workshop will run from 8.30-11.00am and take place at the Bank House Hotel, Bransford, Worcestershire, WR6 5JD or via Zoom for virtual attendees.

Worcestershire Ambassadors appoint new Chair and Vice Chair for 2024

The Worcestershire Ambassadors Board have appointed a new Chair and Vice Chair to lead the organisation in 2024 and beyond. Jim McBride BEM takes over as Chair from Vince Hopkins with Isla Buchanan stepping into the role of Vice Chair.

Jim has been a Worcestershire Ambassador for over a decade and has been at the helm of Worcester City engineering company, Lesk Engineers, since 2005. Jim is well-known to businesses in Worcestershire having been both Chair and President of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, a champion for inward investment, and a fierce supporter of local charities and good causes.

Worcestershire Ambassadors is a membership organisation with five key objectives: promoting the county, growing the Ambassadors through like-minded individuals forming friendships and fellowships, charity fundraising and sponsoring local good causes, using its membership to influence non-political objectives that support the county, and working in partnership with other organisations to promote inward investment to benefit businesses and communities.

Worcestershire Ambassadors, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, and other stakeholder organisations in the

county have all recently re-committed to partnership working to enhance each other’s objectives and promote Worcestershire as a great place to live, work, visit, invest, and do business.

Grow more in 2024 with the Marches Growth Hub

Businesses across the Marches were today urged to grow more in 2024 by making full use of the vast range of funding and support available to them.

The Marches Growth Hub and three local authority partners – Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils – have a

combined £13million in business support programmes available to help companies grow and thrive.

And the Marches Growth Hub – the business support arm of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership which is delivered by the three councils – says its website can open the door to scores of business support programmes, events, seminars and advice.

The Marches Growth Hub has now launched its Grow More in 2024 campaign to make sure businesses across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin make the most of the funding and support available.

Marches LEP Chair Sonia Roberts MBE said: “Thanks to the sterling work of the LEP, Growth Hub and our three partner councils, there is a tremendous amount of help out there to support businesses so they can launch, thrive and prosper.

“The Marches Growth Hub website brings all that support together in one place and should be the first port of call for any business looking for funding, first-class support and advice.

“From the website you can access the full range of local, regional and national business support programmes and see all the events,

seminars and networking opportunities available in your area.

“We know that the cost-of-living crisis has had a significant impact on many businesses, so the access to funding provided through the website is a tremendous asset all businesses should be considering.

“Whether you are looking to cut the cost of your energy and become more sustainable, extend your current site to meet your growth ambitions, starting up a new business or developing your employees’ skills, the Marches Growth Hub will be able to signpost you to the fantastic support offered through both the LEP and the three councils.”

The Marches LEP and Growth Hub has £1.3million available to support businesses through its Marches Energy Grant. Through funding from the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund, Herefordshire has an overall budget of £4.2million for business support, Shropshire Council has committed £4.98million whilst Telford & Wrekin has allocated £2.4million.

The Marches Growth Hub is made up of the website and business support centres in Hereford, Shrewsbury and Telford, which are delivered by the councils for each area.

Sonia Roberts MBE

Multimillion-pound business support package available

In partnership with Worcestershire’s district Councils, Bromsgrove District Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Redditch Borough Council, Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council has developed a customer-centric, dynamic package of business support.

Getting the right support can make a huge difference to a business and this package is all about making sure businesses have what they need to grow sustainably.

Part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and County Council, the support helps businesses to start up, develop a solid foundation to scale, grow, innovate, and achieve net zero ambitions.

Supporting start-ups

Masterclasses equip aspiring business owners with the essential knowledge, skills and confidence needed to begin their venture.

For businesses under three years old, the Enterprising Worcestershire Programme offers invaluable coaching and funding to help set a strong foundation for growth.

Fuelling growth

Established Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can benefit from Elevate Worcestershire, an exclusive growth programme offering bespoke one-to-one coaching, guided peer-to-peer support, and funding to implement strategic growth plans.

Contributing towards a thriving low-carbon economy

Net Zero Worcestershire, in affiliation with the Business Energy Advice Service, provides specialist support to help SMEs identify where existing energy consumption can be reduced and energy efficiency be improved, often resulting in a reduction of their carbon footprint and costs. Funding is also available to implement energy-saving initiatives.

Fostering Innovation

Grant funding through Innovation

Worcestershire is available to help businesses develop and introduce ground-breaking, innovative services and processes.

Success stories that have emerged from the business support programmes show Worcestershire’s commitment to providing a supportive ecosystem where businesses can develop and thrive.

Learn more about business support visit worcestershire.gov.uk/businesssupport-and-grants

Sutcliffe & Co new sponsors of Waddle of Worcester

Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers are teaming up with the Hopmarket Charitable Trust and Platform Housing Group to sponsor a penguin sculpture this summer, as part of St Richard’s Hospice great Waddle of Worcester campaign.

The historic Hopmarket, which is insured by Sutcliffe & Co, is an ideal location for one of the 40 large penguins that will be waddling onto Worcester City streets on 22nd July.

Having worked with the Hopmarket Charitable Trust and Platform Housing Group for many years, Sutcliffe & Co are the latest company to be announced as a sponsor in the Wild in Art event, brought by Worcester by St Richard’s Hospice.

“The St Richard’s art trails in 2018 and 2021, featuring giraffes and elephants have brought so much joy to the City in the past, so to be part of the great Waddle of Worcester campaign this year is very exciting” says Duncan Sutcliffe, Managing Director at Sutcliffe & Co. He adds “Businesses and charities working together is what makes Worcester such as special place to live. We are delighted to be working with our clients at the Hopmarket whilst supporting the amazing work that St Richard’s does in our community”.

Sara Matthews, Business Development

RWC in Worcester takes a leap forward

Real World Consultancy (RWC) a Worcestershire-based pioneering business coaching company, known for its commitment to fostering business growth and overcoming obstacles for micro and small businesses, is thrilled to announce a great leap forward by recently welcoming four new business coaches to the team. Welcome Gary Hopkins, Sophie Weller, Vicky Hoey and Nick French.

This expansion reflects RWC’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guidance and support to its clients by offering even greater

expertise and flexibility to meet the diverse needs of micro-business owners across the UK.

‘As we expand our team and move into larger office spaces, we are not only adapting to growth but embracing it,’ noted Emma Fishlock.’ These developments signify our ongoing commitment to creating a supportive environment for both our team and our clients. We are enthusiastic about the opportunities these changes will bring and the positive impact they will have on the businesses we serve.’

Manager for St Richard’s Hospice, said: “It’s fantastic to see The Hopmarket, Platform and Sutcliffe & Co joining up to waddle with us and it reflects the spirit of the trails – bringing people together to celebrate our wonderful city with friends, family and colleagues.”

As a multi-award-winning fourth generation of insurance brokers based in the heart of Worcester City, Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Broker has a long history in supporting charities across the County. The team at their Foundry Street Head Office will be running initiatives to further promote the great Waddle of Worcester campaign, to help make this year’s art trail the best yet.

For more information about Sutcliffe & Co sponsoring a penguin in the great Waddle of Worcester campaign, contact the Sutcliffe Head Office on 01905 21681 or alternatively email enquiries@sutcliffeinsurance.co.uk.

An Apprenticeship in Insurance –My Journey by Andrew Jackson from Hazelton Mountford

Since joining Hazelton Mountford as an apprentice in 2022, Andrew Jackson – or AJ –has been busy building his career in insurance and successfully achieving a permanent role within the team.

AJ joined the Independent Chartered Insurance Brokers after attending the Hazelton Mountford hosted Apprenticeship Day in 2022. He started with the growing firm via an apprenticeship in insurance as a trainee account executive and gained a permanent position in 2023. Since joining, AJ’s worked hard to achieve success, explaining:

Movers & Shakers

Read about the latest movers & shakers for this issue.

“Over the last 16 months I have learnt about a vast

number of industries, the risks they face, and most importantly how we can help to protect the financial security of businesses within these industries.”

So far, I started as an apprentice, learning the basics of the insurance industry – from claims to sales – and have now progressed to an account executive working towards a particular niche in churches, charities and not for profit organisations. Alongside the experience I have gained from working in each department I am furthering my education nearing the completion of my first professional qualification.”

Group Director Jake Mountford confirms: “AJ’s done well since joining Hazelton Mountford, beginning with an apprenticeship in insurance and now as an employee. We’re delighted to be able to support him, with continual learning and a clear path forward in his insurance career. It gives us immense satisfaction when our apprenticeship programme produces such great employees.”

Senior appointment announced at Minster Micro

Worcestershire IT provider Minster Micro has appointed a new software specialist to lead the delivery of the company’s growing number of client ERP software projects.

The IT specialist, which has its headquarters in Kidderminster, has appointed Yogesh Joshi into the new role of senior ERP consultant and team leader. With over 30 years’ experience within the IT and software sector, Yogesh will oversee a nine-strong team of software project experts and developers, working closely with Minster’s clients across the UK to deliver a wide range of systems and software solutions.

Susan Marlow, managing director at Minster Micro said: “We’re delighted to welcome Yogesh to Minster Micro and to our management team. He has gained extensive experience over three decades within the industry and has an exceptional track record of delivering complex projects for the likes of the NHS,

Hewett Recruitment

the Arts Council and a range of professional services organisations.”

www.minstermicro.co.uk

The start of 2024 saw 3 new members join the Hewett Recruitment team.

The B Corp Certified business welcomed Rachael Walsh as Marketing Executive along with Harriet Flint and William McCann both joining the firm’s growing team of Consultants.

Harriet will be focusing on Commercial / Office roles within Herefordshire and William will be specialising in Finance positions across the Three Counties. To get in touch, please contact hello@hewett-recruitment.co.uk.

Yogesh Joshi

Andrew Jackson

Talbots Law joins Herefordshire + Worcestershire Chamber

A national award-winning law firm has joined the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce after opening the doors of its Worcester office, to support local residents and businesses in the city and surrounding area.

Talbots Law acquired Scaiff LLP on January 1st 2024, adding a wider range of services to its existing specialisms.

The new Talbots Law Worcester office is based at 23 Foregate Street and the firm is looking to make a positive impact on the city, both through its expanded legal services offer and its commitment to community support.

All 18 members of the Scaiff LLP have been retained by Talbots and the firm is also actively recruiting to add to the Worcester-based team.

Worcester becomes the eleventh office in the Talbots portfolio, with its team of more than 450 staff currently split across Bewdley, Brierley Hill,

Member Benefits

Codsall, Coventry, Dudley, Edgbaston, Halesowen, Kidderminster, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton. The firm also employs a number of remote workers across the country and operates nationwide from its central base.

To learn more about Talbots Law’s legal services or to see a list of current vacancies, visit www.talbotslaw.co.uk or call 0800 118 1500

A Chamber membership is centred around business support and guiding your business to growth and success. We do this through International Trade services, Events and Training and our extensive business network; you’ll also have access to our affiliate services.

Whether you are a sole trader, small business, or multinational corporation you’ll receive an exclusive Primary Healthcare Plan with Westfield Health, 24/7 comprehensive HR, Legal, H&S, and Tax Support Plan with Quest, Business Healthcare

cover with AXA, discounted Fleet Roadside assistance with the AA, discounted Foreign Exchange through Moneycorp, and cybersecurity with Chamber Cyber Essentials.

Are you importing, exporting, paying for a service abroad or receiving international funding?

Moneycorp offer great exchange rates sourced through a panel of liquidity providers with funds safeguarded in segregated client bank accounts. You will receive on-going support from a dedicated account manager with the option to arrange deals online or via the phone and help in managing currency volatility and risks associated with foreign exchange.

What Moneycorp offer Chamber

Members:

Exchange more than 120+ currencies

Make payments 24/7 with secure online access

Fast, secure online transactions

Market updates to keep you informed of currency movements

Highly Competitive exchange rates whenever you trade

Competitive pricing gives you access to more than 14 liquidity providers

Find out more by visiting hwchamber.co.uk/ support/finances/moneycorp

The Case for a Thoughtful Digital Strategy

As companies navigate an increasingly digital landscape, developing a clear and effective digital strategy has become crucial for business success. However, many companies still undervalue the importance of strategic digital planning, seeing technology as merely a series of tools rather than an integral part of their business strategy.

As an IT and Digital Transformation specialist, advising businesses on technology and growth, I often encourage clients to take a step back and thoroughly consider their digital strategy from a broader, long-term perspective centred around their customers and market. After all, digital permeates nearly every aspect of business today - from operations to products and services to customer engagement. Failing to actively manage your digital presence and ecosystem leaves you vulnerable to more nimble competitors.

So why should your leadership team dedicate time and resources towards developing a digital strategy? Consider a few key reasons:

First, a sound digital strategy allows you to effectively allocate technology investments, so they actively drive growth for your business. Too often companies adopt the latest apps, software, and tech trends without clear goals, resulting in disjointed systems and wasted budgets. With a strategy tied to business objectives, you can make selective investments in technology that helps achieve your goals around customer acquisition, operational efficiency, market reach and more.

Additionally, in today’s constantly evolving technological landscape, a digital strategy helps future-proof your business from disruption. Incumbents in sectors from media to hospitality now face sudden disruption from digital-savvy upstarts. Having an adaptive strategy in place allows you to monitor the competitive landscape, run experiments with emerging tech, and pivot your operations in response to market shifts. Otherwise, your company risks falling behind the curve.

This leads to the next benefit - with a digital strategy, your business can more easily build

A sound digital strategy allows you to effectively allocate technology investments, so they actively drive growth for your business.

critical new capabilities before rivals do. An e-commerce platform, a customer app, an AI-enhanced recommendation systemstrategic digital moves like these can help you gain sustainable competitive advantage. Without a proactive stance and timeline around developing differentiating capabilities, you leave the door open for other players to beat you to crucial innovations.

Beyond competition and disruption, customers themselves now expect sophisticated digital experiences when engaging with brands. From personalised, omnichannel journeys to instant digital transactions, customer experience benchmarks continue advancing across sectors. A sound digital strategy ensures your company meets rising customer expectations through continually improved touchpoints, service and value. Fail to digitally transform the customer experience, and you risk disengagement.

Tying all this together, having an intentional digital strategy allows you to drive enterprise-wide alignment, innovation and focus required for digital success - rather than siloed technical solutions or one-off projects. With so many moving technology pieces -

Sean Devlin, Ballards LLP

from sales software to supply chain analytics - coordination is essential. An integrated strategy rallies your company around shared objectives while providing a framework for implementing initiatives across departments. Clearly, actively developing and governing your digital strategy is no longer an afterthought - it represents a fundamental shift companies must make to remain competitive and drive growth. While the tactical applications of technology are vast, remember that any solution should ultimately ladder up to strategic business imperatives around customer value, operational efficiency, data capabilities, and more. Consider if your executive team dedicates enough leadership bandwidth to digital governance. Do your current investments and initiatives align to a cohesive digital strategy? By elevating the role of strategic digital planning, your company can unlock new sources of value and sustainably outpace disruption.

For more information please contact sean. devlin@ballardsllp.com

Yemeni attacks on shipping vessels: remedies in contracts

Yemen’s Houthis, a political and military organisation which first emerged in the 1990s, have been disrupting Red Sea trade for the past two months. However, there are remedies to disruptions in contracts for those in the supply chain.

Force majeure

Many commercial contracts include a force majeure clause, which typically excuses one or both parties from performance following certain events.

A force majeure clause will usually include terrorist attacks, war, and actions taken by a government body. The exact wording needs to be scrutinized to see if it does actually cover the specific actions of the Houthis, whose government of south Yemen is not internationally recognised. Furthermore, in many cases the delays are not caused by actual attacks, but by the fear of attacks which might not even happen.

If the clause does not cover the risk of attacks, there are limited remedies available under English law. However, the doctrine of frustration may apply.

The doctrine of frustration

The legal doctrine of frustration is only relevant if the events that prevent performance are not covered by the force majeure provision. The event must also be unexpected and beyond the control of the parties - meaning it becomes physically or

commercially impossible to fulfil the contract – or that it radically transforms the obligation. Where the importation of goods has become impossible, frustration may not be relied upon if alternative performance is available, and arguably a change to the route from Suez to around the Cape would be just such an alternative. Yet the affected party might argue that this is not a genuine alternative, because goods would spoil or critical deadlines be missed.

The effect of frustration is that the contract is automatically discharged and all parties are excused from their future obligations.

The contract remains in force, and if a party incurred obligations before frustration, it must fulfil them.

For more information, please contact Nicolas Groffman, Partner, Head of International on 03304 075 803, 07816 592 934 or ngroffman@hcrlaw.com

New look for West Midlands Safari Park…

West Midlands Safari Park has announced that it will have a new look for this year, with a brand-new logo and brand identity.

The Bewdley tourist attraction is now in its 51st year, and following the Park’s 50th anniversary celebrations, staff felt it was the right time to embark on a rebrand and truly mark the start of a new era.

Since being taken over by the Looping Group in 2018, the Park has grown substantially, with the addition of onsite accommodation, new animal habitats and attractions.

The logo has had a complete revamp, with a new, fun font, vibrant colours and the addition of a giraffe icon which reflects the attraction’s exciting offering of up-close experiences with animals.

Head of Marketing, Rochelle Zare, explained, “We have grown so much as a business, especially in the last four years, so we felt that we needed a new logo and brand identity, which can grow with us into the future.

“After thorough research, in which we invited feedback from various stakeholders, guests and prospective customers, we gained valuable insight into why people love our brand and why guests want to visit. This proved that we have one of the best, immersive animal experiences in the country, so we wanted our new brand identity to reflect that, hence the addition of a giraffe icon. We hope all our guests love it as much as we do.”

We have grown so much as a business, especially in the last four years, so we felt that we needed a new logo and brand identity, which can grow with us into the future.

Nicolas Groffman

International Trade

HMRC is closing CHIEF! Are you ready?

On the 31st March 2024 CHIEF closes it’s doors for good.

The way of declaring your goods to customs will make the switch to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). Is your company ready for this? Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are.

Here at the Chamber we have a team of accredited customs agents who can complete Import & Export declarations on your companies behalf. The ChamberCustoms team are the only customs agents who hold a badge for every single UK port.

Understanding Export and Export Documentation (Virtual)

5 March 2024 09:30 to 15:30

hwchamber.co.uk/product/understanding-exportand-export-documentation-2024-03-05

An Introduction to Export and Import Procedures (Face to Face)

27 March 2024 09:30 to 15:30

hwchamber.co.uk/product/an-introduction-toexport-and-import-procedures-2024-03-27

Give us a call on 01905 673614 or email the team to find out how we could save you time & money when it comes to declaring your goods. We operate using the Customs Declaration service, are fully qualified and ready to assist.

If you are unsure about whether your business might be ready for the switch to CDS or just want to educate your team on the requirements of trading internationally, then consider attending this range of specialist courses as they will give your team a wealth of knowledge on the ever changing landscape of UK Customs for both imports & exports.

Understanding Commodity Codes (Virtual)

7 May 2024 09:30 to 12:30

hwchamber.co.uk/product/understandingcommodity-codes-2024-05-07

Customs Procedures and Documentation (Virtual)

15 May 2024 09:30 to 15:30

hwchamber.co.uk/product/customs-proceduresand-documentation-2024-05-15

Contact the team today on internationaltrade@hwchamber.co.uk to discuss additional membership discounts when all 4 courses are booked as a block.

Meet Our International Trade Team

Our International Trade Advisors are on hand to support you with any questions you may have. For further details, please don’t hesitate to contact the team on 01905 673614 or email internationaltrade@hwchamber.co.uk.

Kayla Ball

Emma Harris

International Trade Training Courses

Understanding Export and Export Documentation (Virtual)

5 March 2024 09:30 to 15:30 hwchamber.co.uk/product/understanding-export-andexport-documentation-2024-03-05

A Beginners Practical Guide to Importing (Virtual)

13 March 2024 09:30 to 12:30 hwchamber.co.uk/product/a-beginners-practical-guideto-importing-2024-03-13

Incoterms 2020 (Virtual)

20 March 2024 09:30 to 12:30 hwchamber.co.uk/product/incoterms-2020-2024-03-20

An Introduction to Export and Import Procedures (Face to Face)

27 March 2024 09:30 to 15:30 hwchamber.co.uk/product/an-introduction-to-exportand-import-procedures-2024-03-27

A Beginners Practical Guide to Exporting (Virtual)

17 April 2024 09:30 to 12:30 hwchamber.co.uk/product/a-beginners-practical-guideto-exporting-2024-04-17

An Introduction to Export and Import Procedures (Virtual)

23 April 2024 09:30 to 15:30 hwchamber.co.uk/product/an-introduction-to-exportand-import-procedures-2024-04-23

Understanding Export and Export Documentation (Virtual)

1 May 2024 09:30 to 15:30 hwchamber.co.uk/product/understanding-export-andexport-documentation-2024-05-01

ATA Carnets – A Practical Guide (Virtual)

2 May 2024 10:00 to 13:00 hwchamber.co.uk/product/ata-carnets-a-practicalguide-2024-05-02

Understanding Commodity Codes (Virtual)

7 May 2024 09:30 to 12:30 hwchamber.co.uk/product/understanding-commoditycodes-2024-05-07

Customs Procedures and Documentation (Virtual)

15 May 2024 09:30 to 15:30 hwchamber.co.uk/product/customs-procedures-anddocumentation-2024-05-15

*Courses may be subject to change from the time of printing.

Unlocking International Markets: Translations for Export and International Trade

The success of your business relies on effective communication. By helping you to break down language barriers and understand cultural nuances, your business can open doors to new markets and opportunities.

Why choose Business Language Services?

Market Expertise (>30 years)

ISO:9001 Accreditation

All Major Languages

We

People to do Business With

Aware Ecology Ltd

07470 433712

www.awareecology.co.uk

BARN (Bromsgrove and Redditch Network)

01527 80282 / office@barn.org.uk www.barn.org.uk

Bewdley Festival Limited 01299 404808 / admin@bewdleyfestival.org.uk www.bewdleyfestival.org.uk

Bistrot Pierre - Kidderminster 01562 813530 / kidderminster@pierre94.co.uk

www.bistrotpierre.co.uk/locations/ kidderminster/

Bourne2Care Limited

07825 925493/ 0800 246 5913 enquiries@bourne2care.co.uk www.bourne2care.co.uk

Compassionate Leaders Ltd 07814 463933 / hello@hayleygillard.com www.compassionateleaders.co.uk

Compco Fire Systems Ltd

01905 741600 / reception@compcofire.co.uk www.compcofire.co.uk

DAP 23

07803 048540

www.dap23.co.uk

Eko Global Services Ltd 07447 947625

GD Signs and Graphics Ltd 07964 881343 / gdsignsandgraphics@gmail.com www.gdsigns.co.uk

Hereford Football Club 01432 268257 / info@herefordfc.co.uk www.herefordfc.co.uk

Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel 01684 296200 / events.tewkesbury@hilton.com www.hilton.co.uk

King Sheet Metal Limited

01886 833220 / kingsheetmetal@live.co.uk

www.kingsheetmetal.co.uk

Maggs Day Centre

01905 25027 / info@maggsdaycentre.co.uk www.maggsdaycentre.co.uk

Meraki Promotions

07854 926434

www.merakipromotions.co.uk

Metro Bank

07976 649807

My Netball Ltd

07811 836672

www.mynetball.co.uk/

Number Fifteen Recruitment

07855 265280

www.numberfifteenrecruitment.co.uk

Out Of The Cage

07904 556047

www.outofthecage.co.uk

Pabon Hall International Trade Negotiators Ltd

07398 538440

www.pabonhallbusiness.com

Popcorn Mail

0121 318 8318

www.popcorncrm.co.uk

Prepco Island Vacation and Tours LLC

03302 844709 / info@prepcotravel.com www.prepcotravel.com/

Prestantia ECO Property Services Limited

01527 396397 / accounts@prestantia.co.uk

www.prestantiaheatpumps.co.uk

Probam Healthcare

0330 1339093 / admin@homevisithealthcare.info

www.homevisithealthcare.co.uk

Shaw Trust Work & Health Programme

07849 830724 / support@shaw-trust.org.uk

www.shaw-trust.org.uk/

Shrubbery Dental Practice 01905 20136

www.shrubberydental.co.uk

Sitemark Limited 01684 580680

www.sitemark.co.uk

Small Biz Digital Media 07824 661038

SPC Stainless LTD 07501 285783

www.spcstainless.com

Switch Jam Digital 01386 830750 / contact@switchjam.com

www.switchjam.com

Technical Solutions Group Ltd

01432 430123 / contact@tsg-ops.com

www.tsg-ops.com

Terry Livesey Photography 07800 653291

www.terryliveseyphotography.co.uk

Turner Corner Learning Solutions 07725 480974

www.turnercorner.co.uk

Veg Life 07369 240471

www.veglifeeats.com

We are Alp Ltd

07817530155 / hello@wearealp.com

www.wearealp.com

Wye Training and Consultancy 01432 508694

www.wyetraining.co.uk

Herefordshire High Sheriff visits Gwen Walford Care Home

In a demonstration of commitment to local communities and the wellbeing of residents in Herefordshire, Robert Robinson, the esteemed Herefordshire High Sheriff, paid a special visit to Gwen Walford Nursing Home on Wednesday, 31st January.

Gwen Walford, renowned for its exceptional care and dedication to the older generation, felt truly honoured to host the county’s High Sheriff. During the visit, Mr. Robinson engaged warmly with residents and staff, further solidifying the bond between the monarchy and the local community.

The Office of High Sheriff, an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year, has ancient origins dating back to Saxon times. While the role’s duties have evolved, supporting the Crown and the judiciary remains central. High Sheriffs, in recent years, have actively promoted crime reduction initiatives, especially among young people, and have supported local charities aiding vulnerable populations.

The visit commenced with a warm welcome as Mr. Robinson interacted with residents during an art session, sharing insights into the role of a High Sheriff while admiring the residents’ artistic talents. Later, he joined

Home Manager Louise Craddock for tea in the lounge, enjoying cakes baked by the residents.

Home Manager Louise remarked, “We are grateful for High Sheriff Robinson’s visit, allowing us to showcase our beautifully refurbished home and the positive impact we make on our residents’ lives. It was equally enlightening to learn more about the High Sheriff’s role and its impact, particularly on the judicial system. His presence reaffirms our residents’ sense of belonging and highlights the importance of community bonds. We consider it a privilege to have welcomed Robert to Gwen Walford and extend our heartfelt thanks for his visit.”

Operated by Rotherwood Healthcare, Gwen Walford located on Hampton Park Road provides award-winning Residential and Nursing Care overlooking the banks of the River Wye. For more information, call 0808 175 6408, or visit www.gwenwalford.care.

The hidden costs of covenants

Many property buyers are unaware of hidden costs in order to comply with covenants contained in an original Transfer or Lease. Failure to comply with the covenants may prevent a property achieving registration of title at the Land Registry.

The terms of Leases and Transfers can differ but fees imposed on the buyer can include:-

Provision or approval of a Deed of Covenant

Issue of a Land Registry Certificate of Compliance or Land Registry Form

RXC to override a restriction on a title Notice fee when advising the Landlord/Management Company of the change in ownership

Issue of a new share certificate for a share in any Management Company

A legal representative should always advise of such fees upon receipt of contract documentation to enable the buyer to budget for any additional charges.

For further advice, members can email Becky Husband at mfg Solicitors through becky.husband@mfgsolicitors.com

Chronic shortage of high-quality business accommodation persists

This was one of the key points of discussion at the launch of GJS Dillon’s Commercial Property Market Report at Sixways on 21st February. ‘2023 was one of our busiest years ever and rents are still rising’ said Andrew Lewis, GJS Dillon’s Commercial Agency Director and author of the report ‘Office take-up increased by 21% last year. But industrial take-up stagnated with demand outstripping supply.’

This is the sixth year of publication for the highly anticipated report which looks in detail

at the office and industrial markets across the county’s six sub-markets.

Based on figures from CoStar, the report enables GJS Dillon to advise commercial property owners, local developers, landowners and local authorities on their commercial property strategy.

GJS Dillon’s Worcestershire Commercial Property Market Report 2024, which is prepared in collaboration with the Worcestershire LEP, can be downloaded at www.gjsdillon.co.uk/marketreport

Business growth in Worcestershire continues to be stifled by a shortage of top-quality Grade A accommodation according to Worcestershire’s largest commercial property consultancy GJS Dillon.

Becky Husband

Discovering the charm of Malvern: An idyllic town with stunning views

The Malvern Hills offer incredible views that span far and wide. It is a paradise for nature enthusiasts as it overlooks the beautiful landscapes from Herefordshire to the Cotswolds and the Black Mountains.

The delightful town of Malvern is rich in history, boasting three unique areas. Great Malvern, Barnards Green, and Malvern Link feature Victorian buildings, reflecting the town’s past as a popular destination for the Victorian Water Cure. People from all over would visit to experience the healing powers of Malvern Spring Water, attracting famous personalities such as Florence Nightingale, Charles Dickens, and Charles Darwin.

For shopping enthusiasts, Malvern houses a variety of independent shops selling everything from artwork to jewellery. The Farmer’s Markets and arts markets at the Priory Church Grounds are must-visits for locally made goods.

Adjacent to the Malvern Hills is the Three Counties Showground, which hosts events throughout the year. From CountryTastic in April to the Malvern Autumn Show in September, there is always something interesting going on.

Malvern invites visitors to appreciate its beauty, delve into its history, and admire the natural wonders that envelop this picturesque town.

Community Action Trustees

Community Action Malvern & District is a registered charity that has been serving the Malvern area since 1972 and we aim to combat social isolation by connecting people through transport and other community projects delivered by volunteers. We currently have 10 staff, over 100 volunteers, a Men’s Shed, a volunteer recruitment project, and a small fleet of accessible minibuses and wheelchair vehicles.

“Serving as a trustee can be immensely rewarding…I guess I help because I can” CH, current trustee

We have recently moved to new premises in Malvern Link, opened last month by Harriett Baldwin MP and Malvern Mayor, Councillor Clive Hooper. We are now looking for at least two new Trustees to play an essential role in ensuring that the charity fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries, delivers on our core purpose, supports our strategic development and identifies service innovations.

“Being a charity trustee allows you to use some of the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired to bring fresh ideas and perspective to the charity” MA, current trustee

We welcome people from diverse backgrounds and careers; our only requirement is that you have basic skills in financial management, business planning and IT, and want to work as part of a team. Anyone with greater financial or legal skills, or

an interest in becoming our Treasurer would be particularly welcome.

“For anyone still working, or perhaps considering a slower pace of life following retirement, trusteeship is intellectually stimulating, providing exposure to the fascinating legal, ethical, and financial

aspects of running a charity.” RH, current trustee

Contact info@communityaction.org.uk for more information.

Community Action Malvern & District 112 Worcester Road, Malvern WR14 1SS

MALVERN HILLS SCIENCE PARK

What makes a great Science Park is a combination of brains, buildings and finance

The Science Park occupies a 10 acre site at the foot of the Malvern Hills, in an area of outstanding natural beauty

Situated in the heart of Cyber Valley, adjacent to QinetiQ and close to GCHQ, Malvern Hills Science Park (MHSP) is home to a number of growing companies working to strengthen the UK response to cyber attacks. Home to the Betaden Tech Accelerator, focused on driving new products and solutions across a range of emerging technologies including AI, Hazard Intelligence, Biometrics, Cyber, 5G and many more.

Transport links are good, with a direct train service to Birmingham and London (Paddington). 20 minutes from the M5 at Worcester, an hour from Birmingham Airport and city centre.

Malvern has good road and rail links to the Midlands, London and the South

Schools, housing and leisure facilities are excellent in Malvern

Our tenants have access to an on-site manager for business advice

The full range of office and laboratory support services are available, including a manned reception, 24/7 electronic access, kitchen facilities and our on site café providing snacks, meals and catering

Extensive meeting room facilities are available for tenant use. Numbers from 5 to 45 can be accommodated with optional refreshments and further catering provided by the on site café.

Extensive meeting room facilities are available for MHSP tenant use

Offering 5G laboratory services, indoor & outdoor private 5G network testbeds

MHSP staff have experience in managing laboratories development

Contact us today to see how MHSP can help you

Call us: 01684 585200

Email us: alanwhite@mhsp.co.uk

Visit us: Geraldine Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3SZ

mhsp.co.uk

Malvern Hills Science Park has offices, laboratories and meeting room facilities as well as an on site café

Flexible and short term leases are available, designed to create a hassle free environment for young and mature businesses to flourish. Accommodation is flexible and can be remodelled to suit the varied requirements of tenants. Most units are carpeted with a raised access floor. They share a manned reception area, kitchen facilities and on site cafe.

Access to units and the shared area is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through an access control system. Units have network capability and there is access to full fibre to the premises services available through our partner Modern Networks and a managed telephone system.

The Innovation Centre has 23 individual units, from 350 to 2000 sq ft, and short term leases are available

The Regional Technology Exchange provides further discrete units and laboratory facilities

Phase 3 building has 35,000sq ft of offices, laboratories and meeting room facilities

malvern hills science park

The price of International Trade: SMEs fail to acknowledge the cross-border tax dimension

Entrepreneurial endeavour leads to expansion, the formation of groups, and even overseas subsidiaries. Most groups will acknowledge the need for local tax compliance. Few will realise the additional obligation of the concept of Transfer Pricing, and fewer still will be compliant.

If you are operating through a group then by definition your organisation will have more than one company. There are likely to be a myriad of transactions between them from providing management services through to the supply of goods and services for onward sale to the market.

Business owners will focus on keeping costs down and optimising the market price and in turn growing the group’s margins. But many are unaware that they also need to set internal pricing at commercial rates – as if their group companies were not related.

This is transfer pricing. Designed to avoid tax avoidance, an OECD concept enshrined in domestic tax law across the globe. Failure to price commercially and demonstrate this in ‘transfer pricing’ documentation can lead to tax adjustments, interest, and penalties – both in the UK and the overseas jurisdiction.

Most companies are unaware of this need.

Nor are they aware that it applies to UK groups not just international. This is increasingly being seen as a tool to increase tax revenues across the globe and it is very much on HMRC’s radar. The solution? Benchmark your pricing, work up a suitable methodology and document it. But few groups will have the time, expertise, and resources to do this. Outsourcing to third party consultants has historically been prohibitively expensive for all but the largest of groups. However, in an exciting new development, Bishop Fleming have launched their own competitively priced transfer pricing service.

Bishop Fleming offers a cross border service, together with UK-UK analysis, which is compliant with overseas authorities. To discuss any of the above please feel free to contact either Chris Walklett, CWalklett@ bishopfleming.co.uk or Becky Targett, RTargett@bishopfleming.co.uk, who lead Bishop Fleming’s transfer pricing team.

A warm welcome to Out of the Cage who have joined the Chamber

Out of the Cage are proud to join HWChamber and are looking forward to networking with you all in the coming months. Headed up by Claire Wozencroft Out of the Cage provides outsourced or/and interim sales and marketing services specifically tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Claire is also a lover of coffee so welcomes 1-1’s to find out more about your business. We understand that sales can often be a

significant overhead cost for businesses, which is why we offer flexible solutions to help alleviate this burden.

Whether you require contracted, part-time, or ad hoc services, we can help in raising your business profile and drive sales growth. Our founder, Claire is dedicated to helping you achieve your sales objectives efficiently and effectively.

To find out more visit outofthecage.co.uk or email Claire on claire@outofthecage.co.uk

Thursfields Solicitors announces the appointment of Scott Vanes as Associate Director, specialising in Private Client Matters

Thursfields has recently appointed Scott Vanes as Associate Director leading their Wealth Preservation team, operating from their Worcester office. Scott specialises in Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Wealth Preservation matters and is also an Associate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Scott Vanes said “I am looking forward to connecting with clients and contacts and to be providing them with specialist and bespoke advice and guidance in respect of their succession planning. Working alongside such dedicated professionals is truly exciting, and I am eager to contribute to the success of Thursfields.”

Scott is available to handle matters not only across the West Midlands, but nationwide.

With significant experience, Scott possesses extensive knowledge in the areas of inheritance tax and estate planning. He is adept at assisting individuals and families in dealing with intricate Private Client matters such as domiciliary issues, corporate succession planning, lifetime trust creation,

and administration. Scott’s expertise also extends to handling complex and delicate family structures and circumstances, which often call for a tactful, compassionate, and sensitive approach.

“We are thrilled to welcome Scott Vanes to our team,” said Terry Cooper, Director, and Head of the Private Client Department at Thursfields. “His extensive knowledge and experience in inheritance tax and estate planning, particularly in assisting high net worth individuals with owner-managed businesses, make him a valuable asset for handling a variety of complex Private Client matters. Scott’s leadership in Worcester will undoubtedly enhance our Private Client department at Thursfields, and we are very excited to have him on board.”

Becky Targett

Scott Vanes

Ballards LLP and Four Squared Recruitment raise over £1,400 for Worcester Foodbank

Ballards LLP, a leading accounting firm that has been serving clients in Worcestershire for over 40 years, and Four Squared Recruitment, a well-established recruitment agency also operating in the area, have together raised an impressive £1,400 for the Worcester foodbank through dedicated fundraising events and volunteering initiatives over the past few months.

The successful fundraising efforts were spearheaded by Ben Allman, Partner at Ballards LLP, and Emma Richardson, Managing Director at Four Squared Recruitment. Their teams came together to sell raffle tickets for prizes, encouraged employees to obtain sponsorships as they trained for a half marathon, and rallied participation for a challenging sprint triathlon. These energetic fundraising events generated funds to support the foodbank’s vital services.

In addition, groups of employees from both firms volunteered their time regularly over the holidays at the Worcester foodbank location to assist with day-to-day operations. Volunteers help sort through incoming food donations, carefully pack nutritious emergency food parcels for families, and lend a hand with food distribution procedures. Employees found it rewarding to support the foodbank through hands-on volunteer work.

“We are extremely grateful for the incredible support from Ballards and Four Squared through their fundraising and volunteering efforts,” said Ruth Allsopp, Operations Coordinator at Worcester Foodbank. “Thanks to their dedication and generosity, we can continue providing food and assistance to local families struggling to make ends meet. It is heartwarming to see businesses stepping up to help those in need in our community.”

“We are absolutely thrilled that our collective fundraising and volunteering efforts over the past few months have resulted in over £1,400 raised for the important services that the Worcester foodbank provides,” said Ben Allman of Ballards LLP. “Our employees brought great enthusiasm not only for raising money through creative fundraising events, but also for donating their time and talent by

arrangeMY are awarded for their sustainability

arrangeMY’s Laura Dudley recently attended the Greengage Sustainability and Insights event, hosted at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.

Laura’s attendance garnered an award for Positive Impact, in recognition of the work being carried out by arrangeMY. Laura shared her thoughts on the event, expressing her enthusiasm for the incredible stories, inspirational speakers, and the urgent need to take immediate action to protect our planet. This passionate commitment to sustainability is at the core of arrangeMY’s ethos, driving their continuous efforts to create positive change within the travel industry.

volunteering at the foodbank itself. It has been tremendously rewarding for our staff to support this critical cause.”

Emma Richardson of Four Squared Recruitment added, “Seeing the passion and dedication from our employees as they went above and beyond to participate in fundraising events and consistently volunteer their time has shown us how committed we all are to helping our neighbours in need. We are thankful to have been able to support the foodbank in multiple ways, and plan to continue and expand our fundraising and volunteering efforts.”

The proceeds from the fundraising efforts will allow the Worcester foodbank, which aids thousands of individuals and families across the city every year, to continue providing emergency food parcels and other assistance to local people facing financial crisis. The foodbank relies heavily on donations and volunteers to serve the many struggling residents across Worcester.

Oakland International B Corp Certified

Joining a growing global community

Oakland International has received B Corp Certification, meeting the high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Co-Founder Dean Attwell commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have attained B Corp Certification as this accreditation provides an external verified standard for several areas not considered by traditional certifications such as corporate responsibility, being a good employer/neighbour, our commitment to social improvement and

green credentials, and acknowledgement of our sustainable practices.

“We hope others in our sector will follow our lead as we genuinely believe that better business results are delivered from practices encouraged by the standard.”

The B Corp movement aims to bring about a systemic change of the global economic system, moving from profit driven to a system that takes people and the planet into account alongside profit and a positive shift to impact all stakeholders from employees, communities, customers, and the planet.

St Michael’s Hospice supporter Mike Pullin receives national TV recognition

Many people across Herefordshire will be aware of Mike Pullin, and his unwavering dedication to St Michael’s Hospice.

Now, thanks to a feature on one of the country’s most watched TV shows, he is familiar to millions. The unwavering dedication of 87-year-old Mike was recognised by The One Show which surprised him as part of the BBC show’s One Big Thank You series, aired recently on Thursday evening.

Funky hair fun

A Hereford charity has the perfect idea for any business looking to support a great cause in a fun and engaging way this year.

The Little Princess Trust launched its Funky Hair Funday campaign to support its work for children with cancer.

The simple event sees people style their hair – or heads – in any way they like to raise money to help the charity provide real hair wigs to young people and fund childhood cancer research.

Businesses can create some competition to the day by awarding prizes to the colleague showing the most imagination. Free fundraising packs are now available to order from The Little Princess Trust’s website to help anyone planning an event of their own.

Simply log on to www.littleprincesses.org. uk and search for Funky Hair Funday and complete a short online form to receive your free fundraising pack.

The accolade was recognition for decades of support for St Michael’s through the Hospice Angels fundraising group, which was founded by Mike and has now helped bring an astonishing £700,000 into the Bartestree-based Hospice.

“I never thought the Angels would reach this milestone,” said Mike, who received a BEM (British Empire Medal) in 2012 in recognition of his charity work. “I’m just so proud to have been a part of it, but also so grateful to everyone who has supported the Angels over the years.”

Mike graciously says he wouldn’t have achieved the success without his fellow Angels. In truth though, Mike’s tenacity and dogged determination has been a big factor in helping the coffers continue to pour in. Not afraid to try new ideas, his fundraising has been nothing if not varied. Just a couple of years ago, while well into his 80s, he completed his tenth skydive. In 2002, he joined his great friend Mick Marshall – who later died at St Michael’s – in accompanying Mick’s horse, Frank, to London.

Mike’s dedication and loyalty resulted in him being recognised – and surprised – by The One Show having been nominated by a close friend.

The bright lights of the studio were a far cry from Mike’s 60th birthday party in 1996 when he first invited donations to the Hospice. That night raised £1,650, and signalled the start of his fundraising. Seven years later, the Angels was formed by Mike and a group of Hospice-supporting biking enthusiasts.

They would regularly take overseas trips, visiting six of Herefords’s twin towns over the years, and 19 countries in total, raising money and awareness of St Michael’s along the way.

“It’s a charity I care deeply about,” added Mike. “The work carried out by those at St Michael’s is exemplary, and I have known many people who have received this care, and they have all been so grateful.

“Of course, I never thought we would reach £700,000. It’s just thanks to the generosity of our community that this milestone has been reached. People are kind, and only too happy to support St Michael’s Hospice, which just tells you how loved and respected the charity is. It’s been a memorable journey, and one I don’t wish to give up. I’ve met so many wonderful, caring people. I’ve laughed, cried and made so many memories. I really have loved every minute of it.”

Mike Pullin

How the Chamber can support you, when starting a new business

Starting a new business can be an exciting experience, but knowing how to take the first step can be daunting, especially when you have your business plan ready.

At the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, we believe that preparation is key. To support new starting businesses the Chamber works closely with the Marches Growth Hub in Herefordshire and the Worcestershire Growth Hub. Together, we are experts at guiding new businesses with their new ventures, ensuring they are well-informed and equipped at every step of their new business. This is not limited to first-time business owners. Every business is different, and every journey has various stages; even if you have owned businesses before, we are all here to help.

Support doesn’t end there. Commencing a business involves more than just registration or a business plan; it’s a process that requires time. We understand the evolving needs and shifting aspirations of new businesses. This understanding motivates the Chamber to provide a specialised ‘Starter Membership’ tailored for new businesses, classifying each Member according to size. For businesses within their initial three years of trading (with fewer than 5 employees), the Starter Membership is priced at £20.80 per month. This membership grants access to a wide array of benefits aimed to support and guide you along your journey.

How a Chamber Membership Can Help You Start Your Business

Securing initial support at the outset of your business journey can prove challenging, particularly when unsure whom to turn to. However, you gain uninterrupted access

to our comprehensive support by being a Chamber Member. This includes personalised guidance from your dedicated account manager at the Chamber, available to address any enquiries related to your Membership. Additionally, we extend internal benefits designed to help launch your business. One such invaluable resource is our Business Directory, a cornerstone service accessible exclusively to our Members. Recognising the importance of creating business connections and expanding networks for new ventures, we are committed to consistently providing details of our diverse business community to all Members.

Member Benefits – Affiliate Partners

Once you have become a Member of the Chamber, you will have direct access to our affiliate partners and their exclusive Chamber services. Our affiliate services for Members include Healthcare for you and your business, Cyber security, help with money exchange, discounted price of roadside assistance and HR, Legal, health and safety and Tax reports.

How your Member Benefits can help you Start your Business

Embarking on a business journey is not always a straightforward path. It involves navigating various legal requirements and responsibilities, all extensively outlined on the UK Government website. To assist our Members in tackling these challenges, we consistently advocate our Member benefits available through our Affiliate Partner Quest. Chamber Members gain access to vital support in HR, Legal, Health and safety, and Tax matters. This invaluable resource serves as a guiding hand for new businesses, offering expertise in navigating the legal requirements of establishing a company and ensuring

BUSINESS DIRECTION

Business Direction, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s full colour bi-monthly publication. Designed and produced by business people for business people, with a total readership of over 10,500.

Please send all submissions to marketing@hwchamber.co.uk

MARKETING TEAM

01905 673600 (option 5) marketing@hwchamber.co.uk

EDITORIAL & SUBSCRIPTIONS

01905 673 639 hwchamber.co.uk/ business-direction

PRODUCTION & DESIGN

compliance with Government policies. These services can be accessed with one phone number for HR, Health & Safety, Legal, Tax and VAT advice – 01455 852 037, and one website for access to over 750 free downloadable template documents. When enquiring, you will be asked to provide your name and company name. Provided by Quest, your business benefits from a comprehensive legal expenses insurance policy with a total of £1,000,000 excess free cover and £100,000 per claim.

In conclusion, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is a pillar of support for businesses at every stage. Through tailored support such the ‘Starter Membership’, comprehensive guidance via dedicated account managers both the Marches and Worcestershire Growth Hubs, and access to vital resources such as the Business Directory and Affiliate Partners like Quest, we ensure that businesses, new or experienced, receive the necessary tools and assistance to navigate legal complexities and thrive in their ventures.

Contact our team to find out more about how the Chamber can support you.

Distinctive Media Group Ltd, 3rd Floor, Tru Knit House, 9-11 Carliol Square, Newcastle, NE1 6UF distinctivegroup.co.uk

ADVERTISING

Angie Smith

Business Development Manager, Distinctive Media Group Ltd 0191 5805472 angie.smith@ distinctivegroup.co.uk

FEATURES EDITOR

Karen Southern karen.southern@ distinctivegroup.co.uk

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.

CLOSE YOUR TALENT GAP

Access new skills and grow loyal employees

APPRENTICESHIPS

Expand your workforce with WCG, the largest apprenticeships training provider in the West Midlands, training 2000+ apprentices in over 60 sectors annually.

T LEVELS

Like the idea of an apprentice but need a short-term solution? Take on a T Level student for a 45-day placement and help them kickstart their career.

WCG now offers T Levels in:

• Agriculture

• Animal Care

• Business

• Construction

• Craft & Design: Furniture or Fashion & Textiles

• Digital Support Services

• Education & Childcare

• Engineering & Manufacturing

• Health

• Media, Broadcast & Production

INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS

Trial a potential apprentice or employee by offering a work placement that’s completely flexible to your business needs.

Find out how WCG can help your business gain a competitive edge today by contacting our Business Development Team:

0300 135 6940 employerenquiries@wcg.ac.uk