Inside business08matters chairmans column
december/january 2018 business edge
12 ask the expert 13 fine print 14 business support 18 sustainable management 20 travel and distribution 24 cover feature 27 inspirational leaders 35 business matters 36 finance focus 40 training and events 44 new members 46 5 minutes with the magazine for sussex chamber of commerce members
december/january 2019
Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially open the University of Chichester’s new £35million Tech Park Page 24
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december/january 2018 business edge
Sussex Chamber of Commerce
Sussex Chamber of Commerce currently represents over 1,000 member businesses. Membership of Sussex Chamber of Commerce offers access to invaluable business advice, money saving benefits, networking opportunities and provides a voice for businesses at a local, regional and national level. Business Edge is delivered free of charge to all Sussex Chamber of Commerce members as well as key business decision makers across the county. It has a circulation of 4,000 copies per issue. Business Edge is a Sussex Chamber of Commerce publication. If you have any stories you would like to tell us about or any comments please drop us an email at enquiries@
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PRODUCTION & DESIGN Distinctive Publishing 3rd Floor Tru Knit House, 9-11 Carliol Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6UF Tel: 0191 5805990 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk
Welcome to our Business Edge magazine! Ana Christie Chief Executive Sussex Chamber of Commerce
The Sussex Chamber is proud to be one of 53 Accredited Chambers in the UK, with the British Chambers representing business voice in government. We are delighted that the Chancellor listened to the voice of Chambers in the recent Budget. The Budget measures were supportive of investment and growth and largely positive for business. A detailed report has been provided in our Business Edge magazine. The Chamber network is focused on the practicalities of Brexit for business communities across the UK. Our website has resources to help business prepare for the change and to assess the progress of negotiations. Please review the Brexit
Checklist on the website. All firms, not just those directly and immediately affected, should be undertaking a health check and a broader test of existing business plans. Clarity is urgently needed so that businesses can plan their trade following the UK’s departure from the EU. The Risk Register highlights the negotiations between the British Chambers and UK government. Early in 2019, on 16th January, we are holding our first networking event “Campaigning on behalf of business”. Come along to share your concerns and have a voice and hear the latest updates from the Chamber network. Our magazine is packed full of amazing member stories. Membership provides many benefits, services, and savings. Please speak to the team to find out more and make the most of your membership. Enjoy reading the latest Business Edge. I look forward to seeing you at one of our events or training courses. For further information please contact the Sussex Chamber on 01444 259 259.
ADVERTISING Angie Smith, Business Development Manager, Distinctive Publishing 3rd Floor Tru Knit House, 9-11 Carliol Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6UF Tel: 0191 5805990 angie@distinctivepublishing.co.uk
CONTENTS
FEATURE EDITOR
welcome
Ellen Rossiter ellen.rossiter@distinctivepublishing.co.uk
sustainable management
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DISCLAIMER Distinctive Publishing or Business Edge cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and Business Edge.
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representation
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business matters
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chairmans column
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inspirational leaders
sustainable management
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travel & tourism
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ask the expert
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training and development
fine print
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business matters
business matters
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finance focus
business support
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business matters
sustainable management
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training and events
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transport and distribution
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business matters
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business matters
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new members
cover feature
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five minutes with...
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sustainable management
december/january 2019 business edge
Adelphi win prestigious industry award The Adelphi Group of Companies were thrilled to win the prestigious Environmental Initiative of the Year Award at the Process and Packaging Machinery (PPMA) Show in September. PPMA established the Environmental Initiative award to recognise one company per year who have “demonstrated the most significant progress over the past 12 months in reducing its environmental impact”, with entrants being required to “outline key environmental initiatives and provide key performance indicators of the benefits achieved”. The winning entry outlined Adelphi’s ecofriendly warehouse production facility, The Friary, which was completed in October 2017. Exemplifying Adelphi’s core values, The Friary took into account energy efficiency at every stage of the build, and as a result had eco-friendly LED lighting installed, thermal
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testing conducted, high quality insulation introduced, and 256 photovoltaic solar panels mounted on the south-facing roof of Adelphi Healthcare Packaging’s warehouse, which now produce more electrical power than we use. The building was also constructed to harvest rainwater for use in the company’s cleaning and toilets. Whilst work was underway on The Friary, an old artesian well was uncovered, which was excavated, re-lined and recommissioned. This, along with the harvested rainwater, now serves all the buildings on site with water for cleaning and is also used for machine testing. Wherever difficult choices were presented, we avoided taking the cheapest option, to deliver a facility to be proud of in every regard. Staff, contacts and clients alike have been impressed with the scope of the project, which was designed to deliver a statement about Adelphi’s commitment to a more sustainable future. Now complete, The Friary has given life to a new consciousness within the company, and a determination to improve our environmental impact in as many ways as possible… Adelphi’s environmental awareness initiatives now extend beyond what has
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been facilitated by the building of The Friary. An air source heat pump has been installed to provide eco-friendly heating for our sister building Blacksmiths. We swapped plastic for paper cups in all water coolers and for all hot drinks, and have had a conscious drive of everyday recycling awareness among staff, taking our recycling of cardboard above 95% every month. In early 2018 we replaced our oldest company diesel car with a hybrid model, and will do the same for every company car we replace moving forward. We also recycle plastic, metal and glass wherever possible. We exchange offcuts of stainless steel at the local scrapyard. A local recycling company called Shredded Neat collect our waste cardboard and plastic. Biffa also collect our recycled card, cans and plastic bottles generated by staff food consumption. The whole Adelphi team are understandably delighted, with managing director Chris Wilson commenting that “these awards reflect the commitment Adelphi have to pursuing excellence. We are constantly looking to improve our machines and our processes, and are thrilled to have been recognised among our peers on such a prestigious occasion”.
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december/january 2018 business edge
sustainable management
Investment and Growth The new Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) produced by the Coast to Capital LEP is an ambitious document. It sets out a vision for investment and growth for the next 12 years across an area with a total population of two million, an economy worth £50.7 billion and one of the nation’s most highly skilled workforces. Trevor Beattie Chief Executive, South Downs National Park Authority
Commentary on Coast to Capital’s Gatwick 360 Plan
So what’s the problem that the new Plan seeks to tackle? It explains that the area’s competitive advantage is being eroded with its economic growth not showing the recovery after the 2008 financial crisis of other comparable LEP areas. It is over reliant on London, with 10% of workers travelling to London each day. House prices reach London levels despite median wages that are significantly lower than the capital and are even below the average for the South East. The Plan’s answer to this challenge is to create a more sustainable economic base that is less reliant on London and that makes more of the area’s natural strengths such as its international connectivity, its countryside, its strong University sector and its reputation for innovation. The concept of sustainability runs throughout the document and one of its eight economic priorities is investment in sustainable growth, including natural capital and low carbon technology. One of the LEP’s key natural assets is the South Downs National Park. The quiet beauty of the rolling downland and its iconic coastline is one of the main reasons
businesses choose to locate here in the first place, as well as providing an incentive for them to stay put as they grow. The LEP area also includes parts of the Surrey Hills and High Weald AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) so it is richly endowed with high quality landscapes. The South Downs National Park Authority is pleased that the Plan recognises the huge importance of its world-class natural environment and protected landscapes like the National Park and AONBs as foundations for economic growth and we look forward to working closely with Coast to Capital in its ambition to be a partner of choice in delivering the Government’s 25 year Plan for the Environment. If the potential of the area’s natural capital is to be exploited to the full, however, it should not be restricted to one or two priorities within the Plan but should support and enhance them all. Environmental connectivity is just as important as digital or transport connectivity. Our green infrastructure supports the necessary improvements to the area’s brown infrastructure, giving business the room to breathe and the space for recreation, as well as providing the water supply and produce on which they depend. The Plan is right to identify Gatwick as the fulcrum for much of the growth that it seeks to stimulate – funding
from the airport is already helping us open up access for disabled people in the National Park through our Miles without Stiles programme – but care must be taken not to be too singleminded in this aim. The diversity and innovation of business in the South East is an important competitive advantage and the rural economy a key component. For example, a recent SDNPA study showed that there are 8,000 businesses in the National Park, most of them small or micro, and there are 5,000 jobs in manufacturing. A fifth of Coast to Capital’s businesses are in rural locations, accounting for 27% of its economic output. Viticulture is undergoing dynamic expansion and the visitor economy makes up nearly 10% of all enterprises. There is a constant flow of activity between rural and urban, with micro business start-ups in the countryside moving to larger premises in towns but others relocating to rural areas for quality of life and lower costs. Brexit, and the huge uncertainties about the future of farming, make the need to focus more on the rural economy all the more urgent. Coast to Capital’s new Strategic Economic Plan is therefore right to be ambitious and its vision provides a sound basis for sustainable economic growth. However, the forthcoming Local Industrial Strategy, which will flow from it, needs to champion growth in the rural economy with as much zeal as it is addressing urban growth if it is to unlock the full potential of our exceptional region.
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sustainable management
december/january 2019 business edge
Driving sustainable private sector-led growth and job creation Christian Brodie Chair of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP)
Welcome, my name is Christian Brodie and I am the Chair of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) which covers, East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock, established to provide the clear vision and strategic leadership to drive sustainable private sector-led growth and job creation in our area. There are 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships nationally, we are the largest partnership outside London, using our scale, ambition and expertise from across the patch we are seeking to bring together public and private sector to guide investment which will deliver new jobs, homes and strategic development needed, to see our area grow.
Skills and sustainable management I am pleased to be able to tell you more about our areas of activity in particular relating to sustainable management, one area which we have seen significant success in recent months is in investment and approach to Skills. Skills development remains at the very heart of our South East LEP strategy for growth. A high quality network of Further Education (FE) Colleges and training providers is vital to achieving this, in driving up skills levels and in maximising funding. South East LEP plays an important role in bringing together business, government and education providers to influence the delivery of skills solutions that are needed for the area. We work very closely with industry and have recently launched a new five-year strategy to develop the skilled workforce needed to help the South East continue to grow and play its vital role in the UK economy.
Skills strategy developed with business The SELEP Skills Strategy has been developed with local businesses and education providers and supports the Government’s Industrial Strategy and new national Careers Strategy, the SELEP blueprint is an employer and evidence-led statement of the skills and employment priorities needed to drive productivity and growth across the LEP area. We are clear on the fundamental role played by skills in responding to current and future growth across our LEP area. We have rural and urban areas, internationally significant companies and burgeoning
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SMEs. Sectors such as manufacturing, construction, IT, digital, creative, finance health, care and logistics are huge employers and on a scale larger than that of most other LEP areas. These sectors offer a vast range of job opportunities and will continue to do so, and it is vital that we ensure a pipeline of skilled people to respond.
opportunities available saw SELEP host ‘The Delivering Inclusive Growth’ event in September. Featuring a keynote address by Dame Carol Black, an expert advisor to the Department of Health who herself defied the expectations of her family and society to forge a highly successful career in medicine.
The SELEP Skills Strategy 2018-2023 is available at www.southeastlep.com/
Achieving inclusive growth, which will mean everyone in our society benefits from significant employment opportunities and businesses can secure the talent they need to grow, is at the heart of our recently launched Skills Strategy.
our-strategy/skills/
Other areas of recent activity: Responding to the consultation on a new Lower Thames Crossing. SELEP has called on businesses in the South East to give their view to the latest consultation on updated plans for the major new road linking Kent, Thurrock and Essex. The new tunnel would nearly double road capacity across the river Thames and almost halve northbound journey times at Dartford crossing, under updated plans.
‘Once in a generation’ scale project The multi-billion pound project will connect communities, boost the economy and add vital extra resilience to the national road network while reducing pressure on the existing Dartford Crossing, essential for movement of trade and industry in our emerging new relationship with Europe. This is set to be the most ambitious road project since the M25 opened 30 years ago and will include the UK’s longest road tunnel. This marks the important next step for this once in a generation’ scale, urgently needed and game changing project which will help us secure vital investment in infrastructure to drive forward the economy of the South East.
Everyone benefits
We want to ensure those people who are furthest from the workplace – whether that be through social expectations, disability, mental health issues, access to support or whatever barriers they may be facing – receive all the support necessary to get them into employment. The Delivering Inclusive Growth event brought together a range of employers, local authorities, business support organisations and other partners to highlight the support available locally and discuss how SELEP can influence the provision of what is most needed in its area. Find out more at www.southeastlep.
com/selep-and-partners-join-forces-tobring-work-to-all/ SELEP recently produced a document showcasing our success and record of delivery, you can read more in our ‘Story so far document’, which provides an overview of our projects, investment and themes of work. To learn more about SELEP and our ways of working visit www.southeastlep.com
Find out more at www.southeastlep.
com/lower-thames-crossing-to-boostroad-capacity-by-90-per-cent/ Helping those furthest from the workplace to make the most of the employment
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sustainable management
december/january 2019 business edge
Sustainability & Resilience I’ve quoted one of my favourite business gurus, Gary Hamel in a previous Business Edge column having been subject to his personal insights at the London Business School in the mid 1990s. I particularly recommend his book “Competing for Success” (HVBS press, 1996) which he co-authored with C.K. Prahalad. Once again I was reminded of Gary and his book when reflecting on this issue’s key theme of business sustainability and resilience, and my mind went back those twenty years to his great truism that no business had lasted at the top, in the long term (greater than 50 years), apart from government institutions and the civil service. Just look at Xerox, IBM, HP, Blackberry or even perhaps Microsoft to name a few. The public sector are of course legal monopolies/cartels and as we perceive, behave accordingly with a constant stream of funds, no competition to worry about, and with private-sector beating pay rises and pensions to reward their staff.
Sustainable Living – Lessons from the Past The Weald & Downland Living Museum is a working museum, showing how our ancestors managed their precious resources, providing valuable insights for us today The Museum seeks to represent and interpret primary food production on its site in a variety of ways but there are gaps in its story which two new buildings - Newdigate Bakehouse and Eastwick Park Dairy – perfectly fill. The Museum has a 17th Century working watermill which is one of the most popular exhibits on the site, because of the engagement opportunities that it offers for adults and children alike. Equally popular is the working Tudor kitchen which provides tasters of everyday life from the 1540s. Throughout the Museum the aim is to show and tell the story of domestic food production from growing crops, harvesting using traditional methods and
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the management of livestock, to the food on the table in the rural homes of South East England across 1,000 years of history. The Bakehouse will enable us to finish the food production journey, taking the stoneground flour from our mill through to the finished bread product. The fully functioning bread oven will be utilised by staff and trained volunteers, who will engage the public in the processes involved. The Dairy will represent an important development in the story of agricultural building history of the early 19th Century. Again it will offer authentic produce for visitors to sample. Practical demonstrations will include traditional bread, butter and cheese-making. The working buildings will be extremely important for the financial resilience of the Museum. The Museum is an independent charity and is self-sustaining through visitor admission income, membership, fundraising and donations, secondary spend and course fees. It has a vast responsibility to maintain its collection of rescued historic buildings. It is therefore mindful of sustaining and increasing visitor numbers and commercial activities to support its regular and ongoing maintenance commitments.
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The rest of us however, have to ensure value, customer service and high quality just in order to survive and make a profit, facing the constant pressure of the market. So how best to make your business resilient, sustainable and future proof? If you cannot depend on public sector funded straight line growth then compete for the future by investing in change, now, whilst the going is good. If you’re plateaued, flat-lining or losing market share, then it is probably already too late and bringing in expensive consultants will be a waste of time, delaying the inevitable. When the times are good it is hard to contemplate that growth will not naturally continue forever, so take heed of the examples above and when the profits are there use them to be creative and re-vitalise your business for the future. Don’t be tempted to bank it and rest on your laurels. This is where consultants can be useful, helping determine where to diversify, what new technology to take advantage of or how to rebrand and change your public image. Don’t wait for the plateau, act now!
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David Sheppard Chairman Sussex Chamber of Commerce
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICHESTER Degree apprenticeships bring together the best of vocational training and higher education and enable apprentices to combine university study with valuable ‘on the job’ training. The University of Chichester offers a range of degree apprenticeship options to suit the needs of local businesses. Our Degree Apprenticeships: n Chartered Manager n Digital Marketer n Digital Technology Solutions (Software Engineer) n Digital Technology Solutions (Cyber Security Analyst) n Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineer n Mechanical Engineer n Postgraduate Teaching n Senior Leaders Masters Level (MBA)
FIND OUT MORE Find out about the University of Chichester’s degree apprenticeships at www.chi.ac.uk/apprentice. Interested businesses should get in touch at apprenticeships@chi.ac.uk
sustainable management
december/january 2019 business edge
Gatwick delivers its draft master plan Innovative plan shows how the airport might grow incrementally and sustainably over the next 15 years.
Paul Leonard, led the project which saw Gatwick achieve 100% LED runway and approach lights
Gatwick has just announced its draft plan for the airport’s ongoing development and growth into the early 2030s. The plan sets out the airport’s latest thinking on how it can meet the increasing demand for air travel, provide Britain with enhanced global connectivity and new economic opportunities and jobs across the region for generations to come. Taken forward the plan sets out how Gatwick might deliver a further 20,000 new jobs. Eight thousand of these would be on the airport campus in addition to the 24,000 existing on-airport jobs and £2 billion in new economic value would be generated across the region. The plan is also a direct response to the Government’s recent call for UK airports to look at ‘making best use of their existing runways’ and it explores how Gatwick could grow across three scenarios:
SCENARIO 1: USING NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO INCREASE CAPACITY ON EXISTING MAIN RUNWAY In the near term, the airport has explored how deploying new technology could
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increase the capacity of the main runway, offering incremental growth through more efficient operations.
SCENARIO 2: INNOVATIVE PLAN TO BRING EXISTING STANDBY RUNWAY INTO USE Under its current planning agreement, Gatwick’s existing standby runway is only used when the main runway is closed for maintenance or emergencies. However, the
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40-year planning agreement will come to an end in 2019. The draft master plan sets out for the first time how Gatwick could potentially bring its existing standby runway into routine use for departing flights, alongside the main runway, by the mid-2020s. This innovative development, which would meet all international safety requirements, would be delivered without increasing the airport’s noise footprint and provide greater operational resilience.
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sustainable management
december/january 2018 business edge
SCENARIO 3: ADDITIONAL RUNWAY - SAFEGUARDING FOR THE FUTURE
GATWICK’S WASTE MANAGEMENT PROCESS
While Gatwick is not actively pursuing the option of building a brand new runway to the south of the airport - as they did through the Airports Commission process – the airport believes it is in the national interest to continue to safeguard this land for the future as part of its master plan.
Growing sustainably It remains vital however that everything possible is done to develop and grow in a sustainable way, by striking the right balance between economic growth and environmental impact. To support the delivery of its plans for future growth, the airport will also drive forward a programme of measures to minimise and mitigate its impact on the environment, just as it has over the last decade. Results to date have been encouraging and, in some cases, Gatwick is at the forefront of UK and European airports. Overall, since 2010, and with passenger numbers growing over 45% to 46 million, total energy consumption has fallen by 12% and water consumption by 25%.
Investing in energy efficiency Some of these results come from sustained investment in energy efficiency, including purchasing 100% renewable electricity since 2013 and being the first airport to join RE100 – a global coalition committed to increasing the use of renewable electricity. Gatwick was also the first London airport to be certified as carbon neutral. A range of innovations underpin Gatwick’s energy performance, including installing 100% LED runway lights. The airport’s runway and approach lighting totals around 1,100 individual lights and reaching 100% LED has achieved a 50% energy efficiency compared to the previous halogen bulbs.
Recovering energy from aircraft cabin waste Gatwick was also the first airport in the world able to process Category 1 aircraft cabin waste on site and convert it into energy. Category 1 forms the majority of waste from non-EU flights and its disposal is governed by strict rules that - until now - require specialist processing offsite to protect against the potential spread of disease and infectious material. Gatwick’s £3.8million waste processing plant however, converts this material - and all other organic waste - into solid biomass fuel pellets for use in a 1MW biomass boiler. Energy generated is used to run the process
and heat the building, helping to reduce natural gas consumption by 2TWH p.a.
Gatwick offer free tap water to passengers, providing another opportunity to re-fill a bottle and encourage its reuse.
Sending Zero Waste to Landfill
Gatwick staff have also been provided with reusable coffee cups and plans are underway to extend this initiative to other reusable items such as water bottles.
The waste to energy plant also includes a waste sorting centre as Gatwick has brought responsibility for sorting in-house to maximise the amount recycled – and this, together with the biomass boiler, has boosted the airport’s recycling/ reuse rate to almost 65% of all waste. The waste plant was an important component in Gatwick becoming the first airport to achieve a Zero Waste to Landfill accreditation from the Carbon Trust this year. This robust and globally recognised framework for verifying waste to landfill claims was awarded to Gatwick because it sends zero operational and commercial waste to landfill. Gatwick also sends all empty coffee cups and plastic bottles for specialist recycling in the UK.
Reuse Promoting the reuse of cups and water bottles By providing and promoting free water sources, passengers are encouraged to reuse their water bottles after security and take them airside. Several water fountains are currently available in both terminals and the highly visible and appropriately placed branded signage has just been introduced and is expected to increase reuse rates further. All catering concessionaires at
Noise The airport is also working closely with airlines and aircraft manufacturers’ and other partners on initiatives to reduce noise and emissions. As outlined in the draft master plan, the number of people impacted by noise with the existing main runway will reduce as quieter ‘new generation’ aircraft replace existing noisier planes. The number impacted will be broadly similar to today should the standby runway scenario be brought into regular use – except at night – where there will be significant reduction in noise due to a combination of night flying restrictions and quieter planes.
Decade of Change The airport’s progress against its environmental aims is closely monitored and audited. Ten ambitious environmental and community-focused targets have been set over the ten years between 2010 and 2020. The airport calls this its Decade of Change strategy and it is a strong foundation to build on to ensure that Gatwick continues to grow sustainably and maintains the trust of its stakeholders.
It remains vital however that everything possible is done to develop and grow in a sustainable way, by striking the right balance between economic growth and environmental impact.
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ask the expert
december/january 2019 business edge
Make a bigger splash online
Graham Goacher Director, Impact CMW
Graham Goacher, from full service marketing agency Impact CMW, explains the key fundamentals. Marketing your business online can feel like a huge, overwhelming prospect. The problem is often time; as a business owner or decision maker, there’s every chance your to-do list is already never-ending – so finding a spare couple of hours for research on how to improve your online presence is often just impossible. The good news is; you don’t need to be an online marketing expert to get it right. While there are lots of businesses who use the internet to promote their work, a much smaller number are truly doing it effectively. Countless studies have been done on what customers look for when they’re browsing products or services online – and, whether you’re a B2B or B2C company, the things to get right are largely the same.
A modern, mobile friendly website Websites are your storefront online – so it’s amazing to consider quite how many of them are a little out of date or difficult to use. With a world of choice at our fingertips, sites that aren’t modern, informative, and easy to use, will see potential customers quickly clicking away to find one that is. When thinking about your website design, it’s also vitally important to ensure it works just as well on people’s mobile devices. 2017 was the first year that saw mobile browsing
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figures overtake those of desktops and laptops – so it pays to look good on mobile.
you’re only using high-quality original images alongside your brand.
Website video
Paid advertising
If you’re a social media user, you’ll notice that you’re seeing more and more video appearing in your newsfeeds. The reason is simple; people love watching and engaging with video. By creating video for your website, you’re packing a massive amount of information into a medium your customers want to watch.
As the numbers of internet-savvy businesses grow, the online world becomes an increasingly difficult marketplace to stand out in. With careful consideration about where your target audience is likely to spend their time online, paid online advertising lets you push your way to the front of the crowd – putting your products and services in front of the right people.
Think about what would be ideal for your brand. For some companies, soaring drone footage is exactly what’s needed – for others, simply having information, graphics and statistics presented in video form is perfect.
Consistent branding Trust and familiarity are two key components of winning and keeping a loyal customer base – and with carefully considered branding, you get to control these two things. Your name, logo, website address and social media pages can all feel like uncertain territory for customers if you don’t send a clear message about who you are. With consistent branding, any doubt is taken away.
Professional copy The text you use for your website and marketing materials can make the difference between winning someone’s business – or having them click away and find a competitor. Words carry the ability to steer your customers toward taking the action you’re hoping for – so having a professional help you put them together can be a very smart investment.
High-quality photography If a picture paints a thousand words, it’s crucial that those words are the right ones. Customers put a lot of value in seeing what your products, people, services and premises look like; so if you want to make the right impression, you should ensure
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Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) It’s rare for people to use search engines to look for individual companies. Instead, they’ll perform generic searches that normally include the type of service they’re looking for – and sometimes their local area. Do you stand out when you look for the service you offer in your area? If the answer’s no, exploring what Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) could provide can be a lucrative move. Google and other search engines look for certain information from your website – by making sure it’s in place, you establish yourself as a credible source of information – and can quickly climb higher in results pages.
What’s the first step? It’s useful to consider what your online presence looks like now – before comparing that to the fundamentals laid out here. Some will be quick fixes; others may require a little support – but when this online jigsaw is complete, you’re likely to see significant differences in the way customers interact with you online – and the amount of business that follows. If you’re interested in useful resources or tips to enhance your online presence in these areas, the team at Impact CMW are always delighted to point local business in the right direction.
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fine print
december/january 2018 business edge
Entrepreneur Building Your Business From Start to Success By Lars Tvede & Mads Faurholt - Published by Wiley A step-by-step guide for building or revitalising a world-class business
Matt Saunders
Entrepreneur: Building Your Business From Start to Success is a guidebook to achieving entrepreneurial success.
Managing Director, Storm12
Measuring video and its ROI Video is an incredibly accessible and effective way for any business to make an impact and reach a new audience. Here’s a few stats for you - 78% of people view online videos every week while 55% watch every day, and it’s estimated that by 2020, around 80% of consumer internet traffic will be made up of video. According to Forrester Research, a single minute of video is worth an incredible 1.8 million words. However, video may not be the right solution for every business – to gauge whether it’s a good investment, it’s important to be able to measure its impact and the ROI that it generates.
Define your goals To understand the performance of video, the first step is to define what you’re going to measure that performance against. You need to set goals with respect to the outcomes you want to see from investing in video for your business.
Establish your metrics There are three key ways to measure video campaign ROI. You can measure it as a comparison, for example the performance of the video campaign compared to print ads you have run. Another way to measure ROI is with an absolute measurement such as cost per download or cost per subscriber. Finally, you can measure your video campaign using attribution modeling, which looks at the impact of the video on every marketing channel, as well as each part of your buying funnel.
Choose analytics to evaluate with A wealth of analytics tools exist to help you evaluate how people interact with your video marketing campaign. You could focus on shares or views, for example, as well as the success of the campaign in terms of new followers or target demographic engagement.
Define your distribution Your video can only be effective if you get it in front of the right people. Your YouTube channel, website, social profiles and email newsletter are all good places to start.
Analyse your results Take the goals you set at the start of the process, measure them against your metrics and integrate the analytics you’ve used. Together, these should give you a good idea of whether the video campaign generated a sound return on investment for the business. If you’re new to video marketing, your first campaign could well be a learning curve if you’re going it alone. Give Storm12 a call and we’ll give you a helping hand.
Whether the reader has an idea for a business, is running a start-up or needs to revitalise an existing organisation, Entrepreneur reveals a stepby-step process for building a successful company. The book will help users translate ideas into effective business plans, raise the capital needed to start and grow their business, build a winning team and leave the competition behind. Drawing upon their experience founding more than 30 companies, the authors - entrepreneurial experts Lars Tvede and Mads Faurholt - share their wisdom and reveal the real-world techniques that lead to success. They explain how to: Develop the personal characteristics and lifestyle of any great entrepreneur Find the combination of ideas that makes a project a winner Attract, build and sustain a world-class team Grow your company, beat the competition and reap the rewards. With a pragmatic and personal approach, Tvede and Faurholt provide invaluable insight into real-world entrepreneurial methods that work. Whether their business is established or just starting out, Entrepreneur will give readers the skills, knowledge and motivation needed to create monumental success. “Becoming an entrepreneur is a great way to make a difference in the world, and this book shows you how.” —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Founder and CEO of Rasmussen Global, former Secretary General of NATO and Prime Minister of Denmark “Entrepreneurs are essential for our world, as they develop new solutions to key problems. This book tells you how to be successful as an entrepreneur.” —Taavi Roivas, former Prime Minister of Estonia and youngest Prime Minister in the European Union “A great practical guide by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs on the power of execution, stamina and how to unlock the full potential of your ideas.” —Jimmy Maymann, entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO at Huffington Post.
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What Makes a Great Business Software For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by what makes a good piece of software. As the first iterations of Windows and Apple OS were released, the world was awash with questions, ideas and brainwaves as to the utopian future computer software would bring. Fast forward to 2018 and software is a major part of our lives, both personally and professionally and for many of us, something we now believe we couldn’t live without. But with many business software packages, including ours by the way, bringing a myriad of time and cost saving benefits, I wanted to share the 4 key components you need to consider to ensure any software is truly worth it’s investment.
Tailored Functionality It may sound simple, but your software has to actually do what you need it to. A fully featured solution is a must, ensuring it can meet the needs of your business even when those needs may be subject to change as you grow and evolve. I’ve seen many people get blown away by fancy marketing campaigns and sales teams who promise the earth, only to find out what they need simply isn’t available - often after they’ve parted with their cash. I’d always recommend taking the time to work out the objectives you need to achieve, mapping against your business processes where possible. As you engage in the buying process, ensure the functionality is all there, either asking for a demonstration or taking a test drive of the system yourself. In the end, to bring the benefits your investment deserves, the software needs to deliver. In the same way you would only hire a new team member who shows they can bring the desired output, make sure you put the software (and the provider) to the test first to ensure you have all the functionality you need!
Intuitive Design With the functionality assured, you need to actually enjoy operating your new software and that often has a lot to do with the interface. Take some of the most popular email clients around such as Outlook or Google the core functionality of what they do hasn’t changed in a while, but they’re constantly updating their interface to make the experience slicker. We recently released a new version of OpenCRM, incorporating a brand new interface design to provide a modern and refreshing experience to our customer base. It’s amazing what slight tweaks in colours, fonts and layout can do to make a big different to the overall enjoyment of a system.
So, when you’re looking at a new software package, remember to ask yourself if the experience is a good one. The goal is to make your business life easier and more enjoyable. After all, if it’s software that’s central to your working day, you’re going to be staring at it for many hours a week. Failure to pick something you truly enjoy will leave you feeling a little miserable in the workplace and will most likely mean your back on the market for a change in no time at all.
Customisation Options In a modern business climate, organisations need to be dynamic and adaptable to stay relevant in their marketplace, so why should their software be any different? The software you land on needs to have an inherent level of customisation to ensure it really does fit your business, both now and in the future. Let’s take an example imagine if in your business, you referred to your end users as ‘clients’ but your software system called them ‘customers.’ Seems like a small difference, but you can probably deal with it, right? Wrong! Your systems need to fit your business, they need to reflect what you do, say and feel to give you and your team the most value. Even something as small as having the right terminology makes the user experience 1000x better and helps to slot straight into your business as though it was just another member of the team. There are many ‘off-the-shelf’ systems out there that are highly malleable to give you and your business exactly what you need. If your needs are really unique, don’t be afraid to ask about Custom Development options or even
consider a bespoke software solution to give you the maximum benefit!
Integration Capability With us all operating in such a technology driven landscape and so many different software packages on the market, one single system is never going to do it all. You need your different software packages to speak with one and another to provide a harmonious experience between different processes. Whether it be as simple as capturing communications or more complex operations like syncing large data quantities, the modern software should always have the ability to work with others. If your data is held ransom in a single system, it’s going to mean a lot of duplication of effort, with the initial benefits of taking the system on becoming completely redundant. We live and operate in an interconnected world, so ensure whichever new piece of software you adopt has the power and functionality to collaborate with systems you’re currently utilising. Combined with the previous points, a system that has the ability to be part of an overall integrated solution is really the key difference between being just a good piece of software, and being a great one! To talk to a member of the OpenCRM team about how CRM software can benefit your brand, call 01748 473000 or visit the website: www.opencrm.co.uk
Graham Anderson, is the CEO and founder of OpenCRM, one of the UK’s leading customer relationship management systems.
business support
december/january 2018 business edge
Practical Compliance Ian Ashleigh Compliance Matters
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Cryptocurrencies, e.g. Bitcoin, have been in the news a lot recently, but what are they, what is the technology that drives them and what future for this relatively new form of exchange? This article briefly describes Cryptocurrency and the software behind it, Blockchain.
What is Cryptocurrency Cryptocurrencies are digital means of exchange. Because most cryptocurrencies aren’t regulated by national governments, they’re considered alternative currencies – mediums of financial exchange – that exist outside the bounds of state monetary policy. Most, but not all, cryptocurrencies are characterized by finite supply. Their source codes contain instructions outlining the precise number of units that can and will ever exist. Cryptocurrencies’ finite supply makes them inherently deflationary, more akin to gold and other precious metals – of which there are finite supplies – than traditional currencies like Sterling, which
central banks can, in theory, produce unlimited supplies of. It is estimated there are more than 2,000 cryptocurrencies in existence, the most well-known one being Bitcoin, which is generally credited with bringing the movement into the mainstream. Others you may have heard of are Ethereum, Litecoin or Ripple. Early cryptocurrency proponents shared the goal of applying cutting-edge mathematical and computer science principles to solve what they perceived as practical and political shortcomings of traditional currencies (also known as fiat currencies from the Latin ‘let it be done’). Although Bitcoin was the first established cryptocurrency, between 1998 and 2009 there had been previous attempts at creating online currencies with ledgers secured by encryption. In 2009 the Bitcoin software was made available to the public for the first time and mining – the process through which new Bitcoins are created and transactions are recorded and verified on the blockchain – began. As it had never been traded, only mined, it was impossible to assign a monetary value to the units of the emerging cryptocurrency. In 2010, someone decided to sell theirs for the first time – swapping 10,000 of them for two pizzas. If the buyer had hung onto those Bitcoins, at today’s prices they would be worth more than $100 million.
What is Blockchain Blockchain is the digital ledger behind cryptocurrencies, blockchains are either the most important technological innovation since the internet or a solution looking for a problem. The original blockchain is the decentralized ledger behind the digital currency Bitcoin. The ledger consists of linked batches of transactions known as blocks (hence the term blockchain), and an identical copy is stored on each of the roughly 200,000 computers that make up the Bitcoin network. Each change to the ledger is cryptographically signed to prove that the person transferring virtual coins is the actual owner of those coins. But no one can spend their coins twice, because once a transaction is recorded in the ledger, every node in the network will know about it. The idea is to both keep track of how each unit of the virtual currency is spent and prevent unauthorized changes to the ledger. The upshot: No bitcoin user has to trust anyone else, because no one can cheat the system.
How can we help Compliance Matters UK Limited offers cost effective and practical guidance in respect of governance, risk and compliance to firms regulated by the FCA.
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business support
december/january 2019 business edge
Cyber crime pays – so watch out Chilling new research reveals cyber criminals are outspending big businesses and posing an ever-increasing threat to UK companies.
your system makes password changes mandatory so that everyone has to update their password regularly. Also, discourage staff from importing files from personal computers onto your business network and incentivise employees to police their own behaviour for example, by rewarding people who blow the whistle when they see others sharing passwords. The fact remains that the enemy isn’t just outside the gates of your castle, it’s inside where sloppy practises can unlock the door to malicious attacks.
The survey commissioned by software company Carbon Black reveals that 92 per cent of all UK businesses have had their cyber defences breached within the past 12 months – and 82 per cent have experienced more attacks this year than in 2017. Twenty eight per cent also reported at least one malware attack and 17.4 per cent at least one ransomware attack. The research cannot be ignored because it records the responses of 250 senior IT executives in the UK. It highlights that cyber crime pays because the perpetrators are prepared to spend an estimated US$ 1 Trillion dollars on it each year. Significantly, while many IT experts point the finger at Russia and China, many of the attacks actually start in North America. Gary Jowett, from Computer & Network Consultants in Brighton, said: “The report shows cyber attacks in the UK are becoming ever more frequent and sophisticated.
They are more difficult to defend against because the people behind it are able to disguise where the attack comes from and can keep changing where they launch it from. Businesses need to set aside more budget for regular security audits to combat these criminals. Too many companies wait until the horse has bolted before doing anything about it. When the nightmare happens, corporate and customer data is often compromised manifesting in terminal damage to your business.”
Simple but effective Ensure your company has sound security processes and protocols in place. Simple things, for example, such as making sure
Another report estimates that cyber crime, if measured by GDP, would be the 24th biggest economy in the world. Cyber criminals made US$600 billion last year which is a 32 per cent increase on the previous 12 months. Gary added: “What’s also alarming is that RiskIQ’s latest Evil Internet Minute report reveals how hackers are increasing their attacks on small and medium sized businesses because they’re much softer targets for attackers and often commit less time and resource proportionately to IT security. So, don’t assume that the criminals are just after the FTSE 100 big cats, they can rake in millions from smaller enterprises because the power of digital communication helps them cast their net far and wide, making the chance of catching you in their trawl much more likely.”
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A LAW FIRM WITH A REFRESHING APPROACH
sustainable management
Delivering the utility water Delivering theof utility of water Delivering as a water utility
Delivering as a water utility
ach ssential part to play delivering our rategy for 2020-25 nd beyond.
OUR AMBITIOUS VISION IS
To create a resilient water future for customers in the South East defined by five long-term outcomes
defined by five long-term outcomes
Resources We work together to recycle every drop of water.
Environment Economy We keep rivers, We collaborate to lakes, reservoirs build a resilient and coasts economy for the Environment healthy and clean. South East.
Communities We innovate together to create sustainable Economy communities.
Value We recognise the value of water in our daily lives.
Networks
Resource
Sustainable
resilient supply network for future generations.
wastewater treatment works into community assets.
across the sewer network.
Resources We work together We keep rivers, We collaborate to to recycle every lakes, reservoirs build a resilient AND ADD FIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL PROGRAMMES drop of water. and coasts economy for the healthy and clean. South East.
Target 100 Reducing average daily consumption to 100 litres per person.
Catchment First Ensuring catchments are at the heart of decision making and delivery.
Communities We innovate together to create sustainable communities.
Value We recognise the value of water in our daily lives.
2030 Drainage 2030 Hubs AND ADD Creating FIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL PROGRAMMES a more Creating capacity Transforming
CONTINUED PROGRESS OVER TIME
uture
Each of us has an essential part to play in delivering our strategy for 2020-25 beyond. of and us has an
OUR AMBITIOUS VISION IS
To create a resilient water future for customers in the South East
CONTINUED PROGRESS OVER TIME
Creating Creating a resilient a resilient water future water
december/january 2019 business edge
+
BEING BRILLIANT AT THE BASICS Networks Target WE START BY Catchment 2030 100 First Creating a more Reducing Ensuring resilient supply average daily catchments are at network for future consumption to Network the heart of Quality Vulnerability Experience Clean, Servicesdecision Support for customers A refreshingly generations. 100safe litres per making and sustainable effective and fit in vulnerable easy customer person. and delivery. water. for the future. circumstances. experience.
Resource Hubs Transforming wastewater treatment works Affordability Bills into are community affordable for assets. our customers.
Sustainable Drainage 2030 Creating capacity across the sewer network.
+
WE START BY BEING BRILLIANT AT THE BASICS
Quality Clean, safe and sustainable water.
Network Services effective and fit for the future.
Vulnerability Support for customers in vulnerable circumstances.
Experience A refreshingly easy customer experience.
Affordability Bills are affordable for our customers.
Water for life - An ambitious vision for the future of water in the South East Ian McAuley CEO, Southern Water
All of this will be supported by an increase in investment to £4 billion between 2020 to 2025, up from £3.2 billion for the current five-year price control period.
The future of water Water is essential to every aspect of our lives. We drink it, cook with it and use it to clean. It grows the food we need, helps generate the energy we use, and goes into the creation of everything we own. But our water supply faces big challenges. The population of the South East is growing fast, and climate change will bring droughts and more extreme weather. It’s a future of more people needing water and wastewater services, with less water to go around. That’s why we’re working hard to create a resilient water future for customers in the South East and our proposed business plan for 2020-2025, which has now been submitted to our regulator Ofwat, outlines how we will achieve this ambitious vision.
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Twenty-five years from now we will have lost a third of our water sources through climate change, seen a reduction in the amount of water we are allowed to take from rivers and underground sources, and our population will have grown by 15%. Without action, we predict a supply and demand deficit by 2030, equivalent to around 50% of our current supply. To consider how to address these challenges we have consulted directly with over 42,000 customers, local and regional stakeholders and global experts. The expectations were clear, customers, stakeholders and regulators want Southern Water to focus on the basics like customer service, water quality and affordable bills as well as doing more to use water wisely by tackling leaks and helping customers to do the same. Protecting and enhancing the environment
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and ensuring the business is fit for future challenging were also hugely important. All of this has helped co-create an ambitious, deliverable and affordable plan, which outlines how the company is working towards becoming “brilliant at the basics” as well as transformational programmes to tackle longer term problems with innovative solutions. The company’s “strategy on a page” within the 300-page business plan defines the basics as: quality, network, vulnerability, experience and affordability and it builds on these with five long-term outcomes: resources, environment, economy, communities and value.
Becoming brilliant at the basics The business plan focuses on delivering safe, clean water through a reliable, future proof network at a price that everyone can afford – with great customer service at every step. Improvements to the water network will include hundreds of kilometers of new water mains, and refurbished water treatment works, which will help cut water supply
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sustainable management
december/january 2018 business edge
disruptions while maintaining the same clean, safe water we all need. Southern Water is also reducing the amount of water lost to leakage by using advanced technology like drones and satellites to spot leaks early and will replace 30 smaller reservoirs with eight new ones and invest in automation around the network. The company is also working to improve its customer service, with simple and personalized tariffs and payment plans and a dedicated team to help quickly resolve questions or complaints. It is also overhauling their online services and sharing more regular updates during planned (or unplanned) disruptions to the water supply. Water is an essential service, which means it is vitally important that everyone can afford it, especially those who may be in vulnerable circumstances. To help, Southern Water is launching a Reach and Support programme, which will bring together partner organisations to provide support for customers in need. Working in conjunction with charities like Age UK, it will ensure the dedicated customer service teams have the skills they need to identify and prioritise the needs of every vulnerable customer.
Transformational programmes Southern Water has committed to taking the lead in looking after the South East’s most precious resource, but everyone has a part to play. By working with a range of partners, the water company will be undertaking a number of key transformational programmes which are supported and informed by its customers. Target 100 is a great example, reducing average consumption to an industry-leading 100 litres per person per day by 2040, while reducing leaks and improving our supply network. The company is also working with local authorities to turn its wastewater treatment works into Resource Hubs, with the aim of transforming traditional approaches to wastewater treatment works by turning them into new community assets where we generate energy, provide water for industry and develop the skills our region needs. While the hubs, such as its pilot site at Peacehaven, will still treat wastewater to the highest standard, they could use the heat generated during the treatment process to warm local facilities like swimming pools, as well as providing rooms for training and community use, and utilising waste cooking oils from local businesses to generate biogas and green energy for local use.
Other ‘transformational’ programmes include: Network 2030 will create a more resilient supply system through greater automation of assets – meaning we can predict, detect and fix potential issues faster Sustainable Drainage 2030 - will unlock capacity for future growth by making better use of our existing networks and greater uptake of sustainable drainage methods Catchment First - ensures the environment is at the heart of our decision making and shifts our thinking from asset-centric approaches towards natural-resilience solutions
Spotlight on innovation Innovation is essential to the long-term future of the South East’s water supply. Southern Water is working with a range of academic and industrial partners, like the University of Portsmouth and Google, to find smarter, more innovative ways of running the network and making it fit for the future, while also protecting the environment. The company has also recently launched its Bluewave laboratory in Brighton, which brings together experts and customers
“The company has also recently launched its Bluewave laboratory in Brighton, which brings together experts and customers to imagine clever new solutions to water challenges. And employees are innovating too, using a ‘Digital Idea Portal’ to submit their own bright ideas.”
to imagine clever new solutions to water challenges. And employees are innovating too, using a ‘Digital Idea Portal’ to submit their own bright ideas. Since the portal was set up, the innovation team has had more than 250 submissions and more than a quarter of these are already being implemented.
Water for life Southern water – and the water industry as a whole - is at a turning point, facing unprecedented change driven not simply by potentially volatile climate, but by increased demands for cost effective basic services, particularly to meet the needs of vulnerable customers, growing, diverse and yet ageing populations, changing social attitudes and priorities, technological advancements and more challenging requirements for environmental security and long-term sustainability. With water and wastewater services critical to, for example, energy generation, food production, housing development, environmental protection, our tourism sector and other vital industries and services, it’s vital we put resilience and collaborative working at the heart of our future plans too. Southern Water forms a vital part of the core infrastructure of the South East and we are working hard to champion the utility of water by supporting economic growth and protecting and improving our environment for future generations. The vital nature of water, and the need to keep it flowing far into the future is what we mean by Water for Life. And it’s why we need to start acting now for the challenges ahead. To find out how more about our Business Plan, please visit: www.southernwater.
co.uk/our-business-plan-2020-25
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transport and distribution
december/january 2019 business edge
Bring in the experts It is a simple truth that many businesses would not be able to operate without logistics companies. Trying to run a manufacturing firm is a massive undertaking. Managers have to worry about designing and making the products, testing them before they leave the plant and ensuring that the packaging is right. This is particularly true as more and more companies trade abroad, seeking out new and emerging markets to compensate for the declines in their traditional ones. That means shipping products, something which some companies may not have experienced on an international scale before, particularly at a time when Europe may look less attractive due to trading conditions but the likes of China, Brazil and Mexico might offer previously non-existent opportunities. The smart companies explore the opportunities and realise that transport is best left to someone else. Because dealing with the logistics of business is very time consuming and takes effort and expertise,
logistics companies are seen as an ideal solution. To ease the worry, many businesses outsource the delivery of their products to specialists, allowing them to focus on running and growing their businesses.
That makes good business sense as these specialists understand the world of ferries and airports, Eurotunnel and foreign motorways. As a result, the number of logistics firms have grown dramatically over recent years.
IF WE CANT MOVE IT‌ IT CANT BE MOVED‌
Tel: 01444 400830 www.mairon.co.uk Mairon Freight Management UK LTD Rock Business Park,The Hollow Washington West Sussex RH20 3DA
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transport and distribution
Improvements underway for Brighton’s train services As Network Rail complete the 2018 planned schedule of work on the Brighton Main Line Improvement Project, Sussex businesses will be heartened to know that work has progressed as planned. To date, we have completed a range of work right across the line including: Upgrades to the signalling and power systems New switches and crossings, which make it easier for the trains to cross over to an alternative track Drainage repairs across Clayton Tunnel, Balcombe Tunnel and Haywards Heath Tamping Process that compacts ballast under sleepers to maintain the correct geometry of the track. Conductor rail renewal – The conductor rail is the rail through which electricity is supplied to electric trains operating on the third rail system High Output Ballast Cleaning. Ballast is the aggregate stone, gravel, or cinders forming the track bed on which sleepers (ties) and track are laid to ensure stability and proper drainage. Track renewal Replacement of the footbridge at Streat Green (Plumpton Racecourse) – the footbridge was replaced As a result of this work, passengers will benefit from: Improved performance and greater reliability on the line Fewer delays for Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express passengers Throughout the duration of these works, the joint Network Rail/GTR industry communications team provided weekly updates to our business stakeholders and passengers. We worked closely with local businesses to refine our plans weekly
Throughout the duration of these works, the joint Network Rail/GTR industry communications team provided weekly updates to our business stakeholders and passengers.
following detailed reviews. We listened to stakeholders who provided feedback on key areas such as the branding of buses, communication at stations and promotion of the works to local businesses and we developed strong relationships with organisations who have collaborated with us to promote the project and raise awareness of the closures. At all of our stakeholder meetings we have offered the opportunity to work on joint communications. In identifying innovative ways to market how the Sussex coast remains open for business, one of the many organisations we engaged with in a new way of working was VisitBrighton. VisitBrighton ran a campaign in tandem with our own campaign which focused on their east and west coast neighbours. In the build up to the 9-day intensive engineering work when the closures will have a greater impact on local businesses, this campaign showcases what is on offer in the region. For more information go to: www.visitbrighton.com/ meet-the-neighbours and to find out how to get involved contact: partnership@ visitbrighton.com Our level of engagement has extended to business improvement districts, local economic partnerships, retailers and business organisations. If there is a way for us to work together, please reach out to us. Attention now moves towards 2019 and the 9-day closure during February’s halfterm and the remaining 8 weekends of planned engineering work. We are keen to hear your feedback and work with you as we move towards this critical element of the programme. Our priority for the
new year is to implement the enhanced replacement service operation. Negotiations are underway with Gatwick Airport and other parking service providers to identify a solution for season ticket holders looking to drive part of the journey and take a train from an alternative station. Information on this service will be communicated as soon as it is available. As outlined previously, following consultation with stakeholders and listening to your needs, our team has developed a series of resources which will explain the engineering works and reasons for the £300 million investment along the Brighton Main Line. These resources will help your colleagues, employees and customers prepare for the closures. Information on the tools and resources can be found at https:// brightonmainline.co.uk/information-forbusiness/. It is essential that you plan ahead and we are available to assist you in your planning. We look forward to working with you as we continue to build awareness of the line closures and engage with stakeholders to understand their views. Please sign up to our business stakeholder newsletter at eepurl.com/dvPswf or follow us on Twitter @brighton_line. If you have any questions about the Brighton Mainline Improvement Project or on how you can prepare your business for the improvement works, please contact us at BrightonMainline@ networkrail.co.uk
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advertorial
december/january 2019 business edge
Intelligencia Training raise intelligence skills within local authorities Specialist training provider, Intelligencia Training Limited, have successfully completed a programme including delegates from Hertfordshire County Council, Suffolk County Council, Luton Council, The London Borough of Hackney, The Royal Borough of Greenwich, Peterborough and Central Bedfordshire Councils. This mixed cohort of local authorities utilised the Apprenticeship levy funded Level 4 Apprenticeship in Intelligence Operations and represented the UK’s 1st public sector organisations to take advantage of this cutting edge programme. Previously this level of intelligence training was only available within military intelligence settings and the ability to take advantage of the latest skills and techniques available received excellent initial support from department managers. The Level 4 Apprenticeship in Intelligence Operations represents the UK’s highest level of vocational training available for intelligence and analytical personnel and delivers significant skills within specialist sectors that have not previously benefited from formal, professionalised training. The mixed local authority cohort was championed by Hertfordshire County Council who invited a number of their neighbouring local authorities and strategic partners to participate in the programme. Andrew Butler, the council’s Head of Protection (Business) said: “It is more important than ever before that we make the best possible use of the intelligence that we have to ensure we are directing our resources in the right areas. “The course will help our people detect fraud and assist trading standards teams in taking forward prosecutions in what are often complex cases.” The programme included delegates from a range of departments including Trading Standards, Regulatory Services, Counter Fraud, Housing and Intelligence Teams. The ability to work together, utilising a collaborative approach to the way in which intelligence and intelligence led decision making processes are offers significant benefits to public sector department and Government agencies.
Alison Brown, Trading Standards Officer, Public Protection, Central Bedfordshire Council commented, “I would like to say how much I enjoyed the apprenticeship in Intelligence Operations which I recently completed. The tutors were very knowledgeable and approachable. I found it particularly beneficial to meet up on a regular basis with fellow apprentices, as many of them were full time Intelligence Officers whereas I am new to the role. We participated in lots of group exercises so I was able to tap in to their expertise as well as that of the tutors. The assignments we had to complete during the course were very useful as they required us to apply the techniques we had learned to our own organisation. I have been using my newly learned skills more or less since the start of the course, to better inform the work carried out by my Trading Standards department, and to provide intelligence to colleagues to assist them in carrying out their roles. Looking to the future, I believe I can use my new skills to help other departments within my organisation. “I’m hoping to use my new knowledge to help my department work smarter, finding out the real issues affecting local residents and businesses and taking effective action. I would also like to help other CBC services that have traditionally been reactive to be more intelligence led in their ways of working.” “I would say to any employee looking to upskill through an apprenticeship to “go for it”. It will give you a new lease of life, especially if you have been in the same job for a long time like I have.” Joanne Smith, Senior Trading Standards Enforcement Officer, Luton Borough Council commented “Since undertaking the course, I have moved jobs to one where I now oversee intelligence gathering and analysis, I am showing members of my team, and other teams, how they can utilise intelligence to help make better informed operational decisions. We are use trend and pattern analysis regularly to assist with target identification, as well as using some of the other techniques to help inform enforcement operations direction and to seek partners to assist where wider intelligence means there are cross boundary and remit interests.” Jordan Frances, Intelligence Officer, Hertfordshire County Council, commented, “From completing the intelligence operations course our 3 Intelligence officers have gained a good insight into how many
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avenues intelligence can be used in the work place by showing us techniques that we did not know before which can be applied within our role. It also taught us ways to think critically about how we can make better use of information given to us and how to get the best intelligence out of it. What made the course very beneficial were the scenarios they used for us to try out these analytical techniques which made the techniques easy to understand and carry out in a work like situation; having us present the work to the class also gave us confidence in being able to present to work colleagues in the future. The delivery team were very knowledgeable and able to assist us with any query we had on the task at hand. This level 4 qualification will come as a huge benefit to all of us, we now have evidence to show for our knowledge regarding intelligence.” Nick Atkinson, Intelligencia Training’s Commercial Director, advised that this mixed local authority cohort “gave us the opportunity to showcase how this rewarding apprenticeship programme could be utilised by public sector departments to develop the intelligence skills of key personnel. We have identified that previously this type of training had only come from within organisation’s own skill set without access to the latest skills and techniques.” Nick pointed out that “as a direct result of the initial feedback from this programme we are now engaged with over 35 local authorities now taking advantage of this programme with the vast majority involved in inter-organisation, mixed cohort delivery models to promote the regional and sector use of intelligence. The apprenticeship programme has also been adopted by a number of Government agencies from, law enforcement and custodial sectors as a method to formalise and professionalise their intelligence processes. We are also very proud to be operating within the private sector with the apprenticeship programme being utilised by many high profile organisations within the banking, insurance, utilities and retail sectors. These certainly are exciting times for our organisation and the opportunity to participate in cross sector engagement, promoting the effective use of intelligence is very rewarding, we consistently receive positive feedback from both our learners and employers. The ability for public sector departments and large organisations to make cost effective use of their significant Apprenticeship levy payments is obviously a huge advantage!” You can read more about Intelligencia Training and the programmes they currently offer at www.intelligenciatraining.com
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business matters
december/january 2018 business edge
Generating employment, wealth and prosperity across Sussex In an industry known for fast staff turnover, Harwoods’ people tend to stay within the business for many years. Considerable investment has been made to create new retail and service facilities. Covering an area of five acres, the new multimillion pound Jaguar Land Rover centre in Crawley was officially opened in May last year by sporting legend and Land Rover Brand Ambassador, Sally Gunnell. More new developments are to follow creating additional employment opportunities across Sussex.
Harwoods Jaguar Land Rover Fleet Department The sale of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles have grown enormously over the past decade, with both brands offering significant home grown competition against the mighty German prestige car manufacturers. Based in Sussex and established over 85 years ago, privately owned Harwoods Group represents Jaguar Land Rover throughout much of the South of England, serving customers across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent and beyond. There are no fewer than 17 showrooms across the Harwoods Group, its network incorporating five Jaguar sites and six Land Rover Centres. Taking all franchises into consideration, here in Sussex, Harwoods’ retail centres can be found in Brighton, Lewes, Crawley, Chichester, Five Oaks and Pulborough. More than 850 staff are employed throughout the Group, with every member of the team dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. A major employer across Sussex, Harwoods Group is proud of its credentials as a sustainably run business. Staff training is incredibly important at Harwoods where the aim is to ensure that all members of the team have an opportunity to develop their careers within the company.
Harwoods’ Jaguar Land Rover Fleet Centre is based within the Crawley operation. Mike Harris, Head of Jaguar Land Rover Fleet Sales, oversees the department, working closely with Jaguar Land Rover Business Development Manager, Kate Chapman. Kate says: “The Jaguar Land Rover Fleet & Business Programme is a true partnership between the manufacturer and Harwoods Group. Together we aim to deliver exceptional customer service and take our respective businesses from strength to strength. I am really delighted to be able to say that in 2017, I attained the ‘Jaguar Land Rover Fleet & Business Manager of the Year Award’, which was achieved through customer contact, sales and vehicle demonstrations made across the year.” Kate continues: “The Fleet & Business Programme is all about building a stronger relationship with local businesses with the support of Jaguar Land Rover itself. We have very relevant products for the Fleet and Business sector, but that alone isn’t enough. I am the dedicated contact for customers to actively sell to small businesses, after all, there is a great deal of competition and we
cannot wait for the market to come to us! We are ready to seize the opportunity as our products become ever more competitive within the fleet market place.”
New Jaguar I-PACE One of those new Jaguar models is the all-new Jaguar I-PACE, now available for key company car fleet decision makers to consider. This revolutionary all-electric Jaguar I-PACE offers a 292-mile range (WLTP), five seats and zero emissions, making it both a practical and financially savvy choice for fleet and business buyers. Thanks to its zero emissions powertrain, the I-PACE sits in the lowest Benefit-in-Kind band, at just 13%, which means that it costs just 5.26 pence-per-mile to run, roughly half the cost of a standard diesel-powered, fourwheel-drive SUV. With 0-60mph arriving in only 4.5 seconds, the I-PACE also provides sports car levels of performance. What’s more, in 2020/21, this Jaguar will be liable for BiK rates of just 2% as new legislation kicks in. The first of a whole series of electricallypowered Jaguars, the I-PACE is available now from Harwoods Jaguar Land Rover, priced from £58,995, including government incentives.
Mike Harris - Harwoods’ Head of Fleet Sales - Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Mike Harris concludes: “The current Jaguar and Land Rover product range is proving highly popular with our fleet customers, and that popularity can only grow as the choice of models continues to expand to include new electric and hybrid cars.” Mike continues: “I am very proud of the JLR fleet team. They’ve worked extremely hard to demonstrate our capability to handle the sharp rise in fleet sales to local businesses. Well done and thank you to our Jaguar Land Rover Fleet Team at Crawley”.
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cover feature
december/january 2019 business edge
Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially open the University of Chichester’s new £35million Tech Park James Haigh
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially open the University of Chichester’s Tech Park (courtesy of the Chichester Observer)
Press Officer, University of Chichester
The University of Chichester’s new Tech Park is officially open – by Royal appointment. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted by students and staff to unveil the new £35million development, located at the institution’s Bognor Regis campus. The Tech Park, which is open to students now, brings together degree courses in engineering as well as creative and digital technologies to create a new area of academia focused on STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. As part of the visit, the Royal couple were welcomed by University academics, students, and guests, including staff who are active members of the Armed Forces reserves. They first visited the Tech Park’s animation studios designed by Max Tyrie, Head of 3D Animation and VFX, who is a BAFTA award-winning animator and has worked on the Spiderman franchises. Steph Kidson, 19, is studying 3D animation. She said: “They’re lovely, and were very interested in what we are doing. They know a lot about the industry so we could relate to what they were saying to us.” From there the Duke and Duchess walked to the Engineering labs to undertake a live-action stress-testing experiment using state-of-the-art Mecmesin tensile equipment. Engineering students including Louise Grainger, who was born, raised, and schooled in Bognor Regis, were involved in the experiment. She said: “It was nerve wracking at the beginning but they were really relaxed. Girl from Bognor gets to meet the Royal couple. The Tech Park gives me opportunities I’ve never had before and I cannot wait to start learning in its laboratories and workshops. I’m so excited that I will take my first steps into engineering in such an incredible place.” The Royal party then visited the Sound Stage: a 300 square-metre, three-storey space which is one of only three in the south capable of accommodating a professional orchestra. Here they oversaw Creative and Digital Technologies students as they filmed a live-rehearsal of the University orchestra – and were invited to get involved in the action.
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Next to the space is a dedicated 75 squaremetre green screen stage, alongside nine editing suites, and a dubbing and master suite, professional recording studios, and live room with screening theatre. Welcoming the Royal couple was ViceChancellor Professor Jane Longmore, who said: “We are delighted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s have agreed to undertake the task of formally opening our magnificent new Tech Park. “This is a University which takes its obligations seriously: within the West Sussex coastal region there are areas where pupils are six times less likely to enter higher education than in more affluent parts of the country. This building is a physical embodiment of our commitment to social justice, to ensuring that the children of this region have the strongest possible life chances and that they can become the engineers, technologists, and film makers of the future.” The Tech Park’s newly-launched Engineering department combines purpose-built, stateof-the-art workshops, laboratories, and equipment with an innovative approach to learning which takes on board input from the commercial sector, designed to produce well-rounded, creative engineers who meet current and future requirements of industry and beyond. Also included is the University’s existing Creative and Digital Technology department, now located at the development, to build on its alreadyestablished international reputation in the
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world of film, animation, special effects, and gaming. The construction has so far received support from more than 40 industry organisations, including Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Sony. It has been part-funded with an £8million grant from the government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, which works to encourage economic growth across the region. Additional financial contributors include the Office for Students which provided a grant of £2.7million in funding. Coast to Capital Chief Executive Jonathan Sharrock said: “We are delighted that the University’s cutting-edge Tech Park has been officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The £8million local growth funding was contributed towards the project which will help create skills for the future. “Our ambition is to boost our economy by giving people the skills they need to maintain high quality jobs and earn an income which allows them to remain living in the area. This has been identified as a strategic priority in our plan ‘Gatwick 360’ and we look forward to continuing our work to actively support skills initiatives by working closely with partners including the University of Chichester.” For more about Tech Park at the University of Chichester go to steam. chi.ac.uk. To view more photos from the Royal visit go to www.facebook.com/
UniversityofChichester.
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representation
december/january 2018 business edge
Sussex Chamber of Commerce – representing the business community at national level Sussex Chamber of Commerce is tackling key issues facing Sussex businesses. Your voice is important to us and is given a platform as we report your concerns to our parent organisation, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). These efforts have translated into significant ‘wins’ for business in the latest Budget. Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The Chancellor responded directly to the BCC’s calls for bold incentives to turbocharge business investment, for steps to support high street businesses struggling with business rates, and for measures that cut the cost of apprenticeships for SMEs.”
Annual investment allowance Increasing the Annual Investment Allowance to £1m was the central ask of the BCC and we’re delighted the Chancellor has listened to our call for bold measures at this time of uncertainty. This announcement will provide a major enticement for firms to invest and grow. It will give companies across the UK the confidence to push ahead with investments in plant & machinery, property and staff training.
more jobs, and better career development opportunities for people of all ages.
On the introduction of Making Tax Digital We are disappointed that no action was taken to alleviate the impending administrative and cost burden associated with the implementation of Making Tax Digital, despite low business awareness of this change and the deadline coinciding with the UK’s departure from the EU. With only a few months to go before its introduction, we would urge the government to look again at the pressures that Making Tax Digital is placing on firms at a time of significant change.
On support measures for UK high streets
We are also pleased that the Chancellor delivered on the BCC call to incentivize investment in new buildings through a 2% capital allowance.
We’re delighted that the Chancellor has heeded the BCC calls to offer rates relief for the high street by cutting bills for the vast majority of high street firms. It’s crucial that we support our town centres as they find their place in a changing world.
On the changes to SME co-funding for apprenticeships
A need for a comprehensive Brexit deal
The BCC called for co-funding to be dropped for SMEs but at least the Chancellor has met us half way. This is good news for employers, the workforce and young people starting their careers. Apprenticeships are key to solving the skills crisis that is now crippling businesses across most regions and sectors, but the costs can be prohibitive for smaller firms. Reducing the cost of apprenticeship training for SMEs will help firms to invest in workforce skills to boost their productivity and competitiveness, as well as creating
Dr Adam Marshall added “While today’s Budget measures were largely positive for business, the final and most important piece of the jigsaw is a comprehensive Brexit deal that gives firms the clarity and precision they need. The pro-business measures announced in the Budget will only yield their greatest possible results when paired with a Brexit deal that delivers certainty on the UK’s future terms of trade beyond March 2019. “We are pleased that the Chancellor listened to our call to keep the VAT threshold
unchanged over the near term, providing much needed certainty to firms across the UK. Against a backdrop of Brexit uncertainty and the rising cost of doing business, a reduction in the VAT threshold could well have proved to be a tipping point for some of our most promising young firms.”
Deferment of VAT on imported goods The government has a raft of ‘Technical Notices’ outlining the procedures that the UK government intends to follow if the UK and the EU are unable to reach a deal by March 2019. Businesses still require greater clarity and precision to trade as smoothly as possible across borders. The BCC has already been instrumental in delivering an important concession on VAT for imported goods. In the event of no-deal Brexit, business will not be compelled to pay VAT on goods at point of import. As a result of that challenge from the BCC, the UK will introduce postponed accounting – the same system that is currently in place for intra-EU trade. This measure will significantly reduce the cash-flow burden on UK businesses and gives much needed certainty on this critical business area. To find out more about the BCC Business Brexit Checklist:
www.britishchambers.org.uk/media/ get/Business%20Brexit%20Checklist. pdf To find out more about the BCC Business Brexit Risk Register:
https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/ media/get/Business%20Brexit%20 Risk%20Register.pdf
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business matters
december/january 2019 business edge
Ceres Power launches state of the art Fuel Cell manufacturing facility in Surrey James Falla Chief Operating Officer, Ceres Power
Ceres Power has reaffirmed its commitment to the Sussex and Surrey region by announcing a brand new, state of the art fuel cell manufacturing facility in Redhill. The new plant will represent an Investment of £7 million over 2 years, with the creation of 60 high-skill jobs. This new site will have manufacturing capacity of ~2MW per year by the end of 2019 and is expandable to accommodate up to 10 MW of manufacturing capacity in the longer term. Ceres’ Redhill base will act as a “lead plant” to provide near-term manufacturing capacity and further develop the processes needed to enable high volume manufacture with international partners under license. A world leading developer of low cost, next generation fuel cell technology, Ceres will fund the £7 million from existing cash resources following a year of increased investment and partnership agreements.
Extending our footprint in Surrey The new Redhill facility will expand our manufacturing capacity significantly and adds to our UK operations, with the nearby Horsham facility remaining as our headquarters and Technical Centre. Redhill will allow the Company to initially supply the equivalent of 2 MW of fuel cells per year with the capacity to expand to I0 MW to meet growing customer demand, as we have seen a marked growth in interest from our development partners recently.
Latest step in a year of key developments Over the last 12 months, Ceres has signed a number of key partnership agreements. In May we agreed a strategic partnership with Weichai Power (one of China’s largest OEMs) to develop range extenders for the electric bus market and have Weichai invest up to £40m of equity in the business. July saw us raise £20m from both new and existing investors in an oversubscribed fundraising, whilst a £7m Government grant awarded in early August will allow us to develop electric vehicle range extenders with Nissan. In late August, Ceres made a joint statement with Bosch announcing a £9m equity investment and strategic collaboration on distributed power generation. This blue-chip list of partners and their desire to invest in Ceres illustrates the faith
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in, and potential scope for, our SteelCell® technology.
Exporting technology from Redhill to the rest of the world These partnership agreements and strategic collaborations will require a major increase in production capacity. Ceres’ strategy is to generate revenues through licensing our technology to major, multinational partners in the development phase and then generate royalties through manufacturing partners when full scale commercialization is achieved, rather than act as a large-scale manufacturer itself. The Redhill facility will allow us to meet significant existing demand for the SteelCell® from customers in the development phase and provide capacity for the early stages of commercial product launch, whilst also advancing process development and demonstrating how rapid scale up and lowcost manufacturing is deliverable. This process can then be duplicated on a larger scale by future manufacturing partners, growing from 10 MWs to 100MWs of capacity per year. CEO Phil Caldwell said: “I’m delighted to be investing in the UK to increase our
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manufacturing capability and create new jobs in what should be a key strategic sector for the country. The UK is establishing itself as a world leader in fuel cells with technologies such as the SteelCell® growing in international reputation, as evidenced by our partnerships with Bosch, Weichai Power and Nissan.”
Bringing Fuel Cell technology to the public We are proud to be leading the way in bringing fuel cell manufacturing into the mainstream, having already demonstrated the ability to scale our processes from research and development to high volume. This facility in Redhill achieves another commercial scale-up milestone in separating R&D product development from commercial production. The new manufacturing site will illustrate that we can scale up to significant volumes efficiently, in an appropriate capital investment profile to match increasing customer demand. We are always looking for motivated, driven people who want to play a key part in determining the next stage of energy generation and use in the UK across homes, businesses, data centres and electric vehicles, and are very proud of our Sussex and Surrey roots.
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inspirational business matters leaders
december/january 2018 business edge
Developing mental resilience Our recent Chamber Business Leaders Conference focused on mental toughness and it turned out to be a subject that resonated greatly with our members. You may also have observed that though help is readily available for many of our physical ailments, support for mental wellbeing is not always so accessible. However, with a £2bn funding boost for mental health services announced in the budget, it is hoped this will change. Few days too, go by without a media report about the impact of mental health issues on society and statistics show that a quarter of us will experience these challenges at some point in our lives. So, with mental health very much on the agenda, we felt it was time that Business Edge looked at what can be done to support good mental health at work, so we spoke to Anna Golawski, founder of Stratus Coaching, about developing mental resilience. Anna specialises in training and coaching in ‘mental toughness’ and ‘resilience’ and, with the help of a “Mental Toughness” psychometric tool, she identifies stress-points and challenges affecting organisations and individuals. The information gleaned, is used to inform and assist those organisations and their employees to better target and manage workplace issues and stress, improve confidence, and perform under pressure. “Developing your employees’ mental toughness enables them to manage stress better, so they don’t succumb to the pressures of the workplace, improving their performance and allowing them to develop their career. “Mental health coaching also enables us to better identify and support those colleagues who are struggling. It is a valuable way of understanding why people act and respond the way they do to pressure.” “When people sense a colleague is struggling they often don’t know what to say – but mental health coaching equips managers with the knowledge and skills to support, listen to and engage with their staff. “The imperative to support our colleagues’ mental health, is threefold, firstly it is a moral obligation, we have a responsibility to look after our employees’ wellbeing. “Secondly, we have a legal obligation under the equality act to assist those with mental and physical disabilities, and providing mental health first aiders in the workplace is soon likely to become a statutory obligation. “Thirdly, it makes good business sense, as an estimated 70 million working days are lost in the UK each year due to mental health problems, costing employers approximately £2.4 billion per year. “Yet we mustn’t lose sight of the immense contribution made to the economy by people
with mental health issues – a recent study found that people living with mental health problems contribute an estimated £226 billion to the UK GDP – a contribution we can’t afford to lose. “I would always say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - for every pound invested in employees’ mental wellbeing, employers receive a return on investment of four pounds.” Anna is able to offer various services to corporate organisations and their employees including one-to-one leadership coaching, workshops/group lunch and learn sessions in respect of resilience and mental toughness, recruitment and assessment support (often using psychometric testing), and strategic advice around wellbeing, mental health and performance.
organisations, including CitiBank, Barclays Visa, Oracle, IBM, Capita Symonds, the MET police, Transport for London, HS2 and The Prince’s Trust – to name but a few. Anna is happy to support local businesses in the Chamber with their mental health training. Improving our mental toughness and having an awareness of mental health issues, it is clear, is good for us as individuals, good for society and makes sound business sense too. Photo © Pete Jones
Anna has a steadfast commercial background, with experience of both a manufacturing and retail setting and an MBA from Henley Management College. During her career, Anna has worked at Rolls Royce and Harrods in HR, and for IBM in marketing, so her mental health coaching is underpinned by a robust commercial and HR background. As the co-author of a book on mental toughness, a licensed user of MTQ48 (Mental Toughness psychometric tool), she is well equipped to assist people in developing their mental resilience. Anna’s coaching achieves results, attendees say her courses are “delivered exceptionally well, brilliant content, outstanding exercises, a truly wonderful course all round” and that she provides “excellent training - well delivered”. Set up in 2008, before the full impact of the recession was felt, Anna’s company has gone from strength to strength. To date, her coaching has been utilised by private sector, public sector and third sector
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Anna Golawski Stratus Coaching
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travel and tourism
december/january 2019 business edge
Sussex by the Sea equals success for tourism businesses The tourism industry is thriving in Sussex by the Sea, the tourism ‘brand name’ for the Arun District of West Sussex, with long established names being joined by new businesses. Arun District Council’s Economy Group actively support the local business community and encourage investment in the district, with tourism and leisure being part of a wide ranging business offer, alongside light industry, horticulture and digital/ media. As well as supporting and promoting local tourism businesses, working with partners at Tourism South East and Visit Britain, we see the sector as an integral part of our invitation to all new businesses to establish their business in the Arun district. Who wouldn’t want to offer such a lovely place to visit, live and work in to their employees and customers? With an enviable sunshine record, award-winning beaches and parks and an historic town as a ‘Gateway’ to the
glorious South Downs National Park plus good links to London and south coast ports, it’s hard to beat for location. We offer a vibrant, competitive and sustainable place to live, work and do business, with household names like Butlin’s, Bognor Regis and their three stunning ‘state of the art’ hotels, plus a fabulous new swimming pool to be opened in 2019, the award winning East Beach Café on Littlehampton’s promenade and historic Arundel Castle and Gardens, plus countless other attractions. New businesses to the district range from a funky Gin and Pizza seafront Beach Bar–
perfect for the long summer evenings of 2018, the ground breaking Tech Park at the Bognor Regis Campus of the University of Chichester, recently opened by the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a new ‘Digital Hub’ opening soon in the Edwardian Railway Station of Bognor Regis, a new swimming centre and a water sports centre in Littlehampton and Rolls Royce choosing Bognor Regis for their Technology and Logistics Centre. There’s no denying that any business will be in good company in Sussex by the Sea! See more at: arun.gov.uk/businessregeneration and sussexbythesea.com/
tourism-business-centre
For over 60 great days out use
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travel and tourism
december/january 2018 business edge
How do successful businesses in Brighton & Hove talk to over 10 million visitors? ‘VisitBrighton played a crucial part in our success helping us reach a target audience outside the city…’ The Salt Room ‘From marketing support to driving revenue into the hotel, VisitBrighton are the best value for money channel we have’ Old Ship Hotel ‘It’s important we let people know we’re here… VisitBrighton has proved a cost effective way for us to do this’ – Vinyl Revolution To join these and 550 other businesses enjoying the benefits of partnering with VisitBrighton, contact us at partnership@ visitbrighton.com or call 01273 292621, quoting VB01 for your exclusive 10% discount. Find out more at www.visitbrighton.com/work-with-us
THE SUSSEX NATIONAL RACEDAY Sunday 6th January 2019 GATES OPEN: 10:30am FIRST RACE: 12:40pm LAST RACE: 3:40pm SUSSEX NATIONAL: 2:40pm
“Blow away those festive period blues – start the year at the Sussex National – a Sussex tradition!”
Race times all subject to change, please ensure you check before travelling
- 7 Quality Races - Marquee Restaurant - Live Music - Children’s Entertainment - Kids Go Free Advanced discounted tickets from £16
Tel. 01273 890383 racing@plumptonracecourse.co.uk www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk
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sustainable management
december/january 2019 business edge
Water efficiency at work Regardless of size, every organisation across the UK relies on water to some degree. For some businesses water plays a small but vital part of day to day life – take the humble tea run for example, and for others, such as food and drink manufacturers, having access to water 24/7 is an essential requirement for their business operations. also save money by reducing the amount of water they consume. In April 2017, the English retail water market opened. This has paved the way for all businesses and public sector organisations to choose their supplier and get a better deal for their water. As a result, retailers are working hard to help their customers save water and money. Whilst thousands of customers are already reaping the benefits of this new market, and reducing their water use; others have yet to take the plunge.
Jo Dow, Chief Executive, Business Stream Managing water consumption effectively is more important to businesses than ever before. You only need to reflect on the extreme weather conditions the country has experienced this year to understand that water is a precious resource that we need to look after. The sustained impact of drier and hotter conditions, especially in southern parts of the UK, is a concern and an issue that we can no longer ignore. In addition to helping to address issues such as water scarcity, reducing water use would also have a positive impact on energy consumption levels. There is no doubt that reducing water use is vital for the environment – both now and to help protect against future challenges. But that’s not the only benefit; businesses can
Ofwat – the body responsible for the economic regulation of the new market in England – recently reported that only 0.2% of those who switched or renegotiated their water deal in the first year of the new market identified water efficiency and leak reduction services as a key benefit of switching. This would suggest that take up of services designed to help customers reduce water use is low. And yet, for those customers that have already explored this area, the benefits are significant. Ofwat estimate that business customers that have already switched or renegotiated terms with their retailer, have reduced their consumption of water and waste water services by between 270 and 540 MI – the equivalent of between 100 and 200 Olympic sized swimming pools.
“We recognise that this pledge is ambitious but it wouldn’t be worth doing if it wasn’t. We understand the importance of water efficiency for our customers and the environment and believe that as a responsive forward thinking water retailer we have a responsibility to do everything we can to help businesses use water wisely. Over the years we have developed a vast array of services and solutions to help our customers reduce the amount of water they use”.
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That’s a good start, but according to one of the largest operators in the English and Scottish retail water markets, the potential is much greater. Business Stream is committed to promoting the importance of water efficiency and is pro-actively working with its customers to help reduce their water use. Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream explained: “Although water efficiency is often touted as a clear benefit of the retail water market, it won’t happen by itself, we will need to work hard to realise its full potential. A key contributing factor will be raising awareness to ensure customers truly understand the benefits, including the positive impact that reducing water use has on energy efficiency as well”. Business Stream, a Sussex Chamber member, has been operating in the Scottish retail water market since 2008. Last year, the company significantly expanded its operation to capture an increased share of the English water market, estimated to be worth £2.5bn a year. In addition to acquiring the non-household customer base of Southern Water, it also opened a new office in Worthing and now serves over 200,000 customers across the UK. Passionate about water efficiency, the firm has helped its business and public sector customers save over 38 billion litres of water over the past 10 years – that’s the
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december/january 2018 business edge
equivalent of nearly half a billion bath tubs of water! This also generated almost £75 million of financial savings and over 66,000 tonnes of CO2 savings. To build on this momentum, the retailer recently announced ambitious plans to help its customers reduce their water consumption by 20 per cent. In order to support the pledge, Business Stream will be working with its customers, in particular those that haven’t adopted water efficiency measures to date, to identify and deliver the right solutions for their needs. They have also launched a marketing campaign to raise awareness of the importance of water efficiency and to promote the steps customers can take to use water wisely. Reflecting on the commitment, Jo Dow commented: “We recognise that this pledge is ambitious but it wouldn’t be worth doing if it wasn’t. We understand the importance of water efficiency for our customers and the environment and believe that as a responsive forward thinking water retailer we have a responsibility to do everything we can to help businesses use water wisely. Over the years we have developed a vast array of services and solutions to help our customers reduce the amount of water they use”.
sustainable management
Counting major companies such as Morrisons, Coca Cola, Greggs and Network Rail, as well as thousands of SMEs, as its customers, Business Stream has also partnered with the NGO, Waterwise, the leading authority on water efficiency in the UK, to help promote the importance of water efficiency and conservation to business customers across the UK. As part of this partnership, Jo Dow is Co-Chairing Waterwise’s new Retailers Leadership Group, which has been set up to enable water retailers to work together to share ideas and best practice, as well as promote more ambitious water saving targets for customers across the UK. We each have a responsibility to reduce the amount of water we use but it’s reassuring to know that retailers such as Business Stream are passionate about raising awareness of the issue; promoting its benefits; and providing support and solutions to customers to help them reduce their water consumption. By using water wisely, customers can lower their bills and help to protect what is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. Business Stream contend that by implementing small changes such as installing water saving devices and Automated Meter Readers (AMRs),
or undertaking water health checks, businesses in Sussex could see a direct impact on their bottom line. Dow explains: “Customers can achieve significant cost savings by reducing the amount of water they use – and even small changes can make a big difference”. Dow is however also quick to reiterate that the benefits aren’t purely financial: “In addition to the cost savings, a focus on water efficiency will also help to generate greater environmental efficiencies – either to contribute towards individual business’ sustainability targets or those set by government.” “Problems such as water shortages during periods of drought are likely to continue and this will have a significant impact on our environment and day-to-day business operations unless we take the appropriate action. We all have a role to play to ensure we only use the amount of water that we need. Regardless of a customer’s main incentive – be it to cut costs, to generate efficiencies, or to help tackle current or future environmental challenges – a greater focus on water efficiency will have a significant positive impact”. So, with all this in mind, next time it’s your turn to do the office tea run, it might be worth taking a second to consider just how far you need to fill that kettle up!
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businessand training matters development
december/january 2019 business edge
Vanquis Bank and Intelligencia Training build on success Vanquis Bank and Intelligencia Training are to roll out intelligence analysis training to more of the bank’s employees, following the success of a pilot scheme. Late last year, the bank embarked on a staff development programme, utilising their Apprenticeship Levy to offer Intelligencia’s Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Intelligence Operations. The initial cohort comprised a select group of 12 delegates, all of whom work in fraud identification or risk management. Such was the success of the programme, that the bank is set to offer the training to more employees, safe in the knowledge that the intelligence training received will be on a par with that delivered to government agencies. “Collaborative working was what the apprenticeship was all about. We’ve been so pleased with the result that the training will
Apprentices have been well supported and guided through the programme.” Gary Cloke, Head of People Development, Vanquis Bank Intelligencia provides intelligence analysis and cyber security training for public and private sector organisations, their clients include financial, insurance and utility providers to name but a few. They are also the sole provider of intelligence apprenticeships to the UK government and their agencies.
be offered to more employees. What has been exceptional is how the delegates have been able to apply what they learnt to their roles in fraud detection. “Many of the attendees hadn’t been in a learning environment for a long time – yet Intelligencia provided support that went over and above what we expected – meaning we had a 100% completion rate. The knowledge and credibility of the trainer was outstanding.
Intelligence analysis training facilitates better decision making processes, assisting those working in counter fraud, financial crime, intelligence analysis, law enforcement, custodial services, market & pricing analysis, customer insight, audit, risk management and compliance. To find out how your employees would benefit from intelligence analysis training, visit www.intelligenciatraining.com, email info@intelligenciatraining.com or call 03330 431 440
“Intelligencia have made the Apprenticeship process seamless for us and meant our
Placements as a means for alternative recruitment – link up with talented Sussex students Your business could benefit from taking on a University of Sussex Business School placement student in 2019/20. Why recruit a placement student? Placements are a great way to complement your recruitment activity, supporting gradual growth and bringing fresh thinking into your business. A placement year benefits both students and employers, providing a chance for students to gain real world experience whilst helping you achieve your business goals and try out staff in new roles. Recruitment of placement students has become increasingly competitive, as it gives employers the chance to really try out a person in a new role before committing to creating a permanent position. What makes for a good placement role? Students are keen to find roles in marketing, PR, finance, accounting, consultancy and HR to begin in summer 2019 for a minimum of 40 weeks.
benefits if you have a new role you’re thinking of introducing or if you have a specific project that the student can be responsible for. Our placement students bring learning from two years of study and hands on project work. We brief students fully before they begin their placement and our Placement Tutors are on hand to provide support to students and employers throughout the year. Contact us to find out more business-placements@sussex.ac.uk www.sussex.ac.uk/business-school/business-connections
Work should be of graduate level and will often bring the best
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tel: 01444 259 259
training and business development matters
december/january 2018 business edge
IS YOUR BUSINESS MISSING SOMETHING?
NEED HELP NAVIGATING THE NEW APPRENTICESHIP LEVY? Contact our dedicated levy hotline to find out how we can help. Contact us on 01243 812948
LET US HELP YOU FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT WITH A CHICHESTER COLLEGE APPRENTICE
Apprenticeships are a great way for you to develop your business and invest in its future – and they are available for new team members or for upskilling your existing staff!
From micro businesses to multi-nationals, apprentices can fill your skills gaps, bring new ideas and innovations, motivate your teams and help your business fulfil its potential.
CONTACT US business@chichester.ac.uk 01243 812948 chichester.ac.uk/apprenticeships MRN: CC1436_07.18
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Funded Training for YOUR business The Skills Support for the Workforce programme provides fully funded workforce development to upskill your existing staff through workplace training. We can support your business in reviewing your workforce development plans, identifying staff skills gaps and delivering training to boost your bottom line. This fully funded programme offers your business: Training Needs Analysis Opportunities for your staff to achieve qualifications
We can offer fully funded City and Guilds qualifications including: Hospitality Supervision and Leadership Principles of Social Media within a Business
Sussex, Brighton & Hove, Lewes and the Gatwick Diamond. We can even deliver training at your own premises. For further information please contact 01273 281981 or e-mail workforceskills@wrecltd.co.uk
Emergency First Aid at Work Digital Marketing and Sales ILM Leadership and Management Maths and English for Business To be eligible your business must be a SME (2 – 250 staff) and based in West
The programme is funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency through the European Social Fund
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business matters
december/january 2019 business edge
It’s not IF but WHEN it happens to my business Data breaches and systems shutdown seem to hit the headlines on a daily basis. The criminals are always one step ahead and this is why it is so important for businesses, of all shapes and sizes, to continuously review their risk and cyber security. Insurance can also play an important role by helping clients manage incidents and get them back on their feet.
What type of claims do we see? With thousands of clients, we handle multiple numbers of cyber insurance claims every year, and we have decided to share 2 real life examples during 2018:
Extech Cloud launch new IT service to modernise legal SMEs Andrew Hookway Managing Director, Extech Cloud
Alongside its core operations Extech Cloud (formerly Extech) is launching a new dedicated IT service specifically designed to modernise law firm’s technology.
1. Our client had a dispute with a supplier and on Monday a CCJ was issued. On Thursday they received a phone call from a bailiff explaining they were on their way to remove goods to the value of £14,000 unless they settled the claim now. It was a fictitious bailiff who had accessed information from the government database. 2. Our client made all their supplier payments through online banking. During work hours they were hacked and their banking password was scanned. The criminals changed the supplier bank account code and number to their own and transferred £414,000. By the time it was discovered, the money was out of the country.
What type of policies can I buy and which one best fits my company? There are 42 insurance companies providing cyber insurance in the UK, all offering different types of cover and conditions. That is why, in 2016, we created a dedicated cyber team to give our clients specialist advice and we have built one of the industry’s only intelligent comparison tools. We also have our own Policy which is designed to be the best in the market and find that our clients really value this. Sutton Winson is a privately owned Chartered Insurance Broker and professional risk advisory business with offices based in the Sussex and Middlesex area.
After extensive research and by working with Legal 500 firms, Extech Cloud is applying their specialist knowledge to tailor IT services to meet the needs of SME law firms. Extech Cloud’s mission is to modernise and improve the use of technology that the legal sector is using today. The large traditional law firms possess resources which legal SMEs do not have, such as brand advantages and innovation budgets to explore new technologies, including artificial intelligence. For legal SMEs to keep up, it’s paramount that they adapt and maximise the value from the current and future technology available for legal SMEs. Extech Cloud’s research indicates that many regional and local law firms are struggling to utilise technologies that have been readily available for years. Extech Cloud, as a partner to the legal sector, are leaders in digital transformation projects, are a Gold Microsoft partner and ISO27001, ISO9001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certified business. The overriding objective is to help law firms achieve their goals, through long-term partnerships and continuous innovation. The new service by Extech Cloud will address these points and empower law firms to deliver their growth strategies. The next step to developing a solid foundation for your firm’s growth is to start the conversation with Extech Cloud to see how technology can aid in delivering your firm’s business objectives. Speak with Andrew Hookway today.
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www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
Phil Bower Head of Technology, Sutton Winson Insurance Brokers & Risk Managers
tel: 01444 259 259
advertorial
december/january 2018 business edge
Energy Saving for your Sustainable Business Reduced maintenance costs
Phil Cottrell
Longer lasting lamps
Managing Director of GCL Ltd
Reduced heat emissions Occupancy detection and daylight sensing systems There has been a rapid increase in energy consumption within public sector and commercial buildings over the last decade. Public sector spending on fuel and energy is at an all-time high and currently stands at £761m for 2017/18. To reduce these levels of energy consumption the government has acted, to not only reduce its own consumption but that of businesses, by enforcing the ESOS programme. These regulations currently apply to large businesses; however, it makes good business sense to undertake regular energy audits, to ensure you are running a sustainable and energy efficient premises. Running a business can be a difficult venture, when considering all costs involved, and how these an impact on your annual budget. One major factor that is often overlooked, and requires careful consideration is the cost of energy and efficiency when operating. Currently 80% of small businesses in the UK are overpaying for their energy, whilst only 41% of business owners conduct an annual review of their energy consumption. Because of constant excessive energy consumption, that is not properly managed and regular maintained. You are not only adding additional unnecessary costs to your overheads budget, but also increasing your carbon footprint. To run a sustainable business and reduce your operating costs, considering factors such as, assessing customer and employee needs to provide quality products and services. You will be able to cut costs where you need it most. Some of our client reporting energy saving usage of up to 80%.
Important factors to consider regarding you premises; Are lights always on in your business? How long are they on for? Do you have security lights? Is all lighting on automatic timers? Do you use air con throughout the summer? Is heating constantly required through the winter months? Introducing energy saving policies and sourcing sustainable materials can significantly impact your sales. Research conducted has shown that a dramatic increase in the number of consumers willing to pay a premium for products and services, from companies committed to Corporate Social Responsibility. Benefits your business will see with reduced energy consumption
Invest in energy saving devices
Energy cost savings Complying with environmental regulations (ESOS) Reduction in carbon footprint Attracting new tenants to offices Another important factor to consider when creating your sustainable workplace is the wellbeing of your staff. New smart lighting technologies, such as bio-adaptive lighting. Bio-adaptive lightning provides controlled artificial light, which mimics the needs of the human biological cycle. Providing improved health, and well-being whilst supporting aspects of human behaviour that benefit from changeable lighting. The ability to vary colour temperatures and intensity levels, to suit specific tasks within your workplace. Will have a positive impact on the effectiveness of these tasks being carried out.
Bio-adaptive lighting benefits Impact of colour - utilising coloured lighting such as blue light, has been scientifically proven to suppress natural melatonin secretion within the human body reducing tiredness and fatigue. Effect on cognitive behaviour – lighting levels within your offices, play an important role in human cognitive behaviours. Combining these with variable coloured lighting, will provide support in tasks being carried out efficiently.
LED Lighting Lighting is one of the highest consumers of energy in a commercial building. An easy fix to reduce your consumption is by replacing your filament, halogen and strip lighting to LED lamps. LEDs emit the same brightness, whilst providing increased lifespan and an average saving of £6 per lamp per year. You can also opt for a detection system that senses movement and natural light. These automatically turn lights on and off in unoccupied spaces and remove the need for conventional switches. Further reducing energy usage and costs.
Energy efficient devices such as building energy management systems (BMS) have higher initial implementation costs. However, they will save you money long term. Computer based devices measure, monitor and manage your buildings performance. Including heating, ventilation, air condition, lighting and security. By monitoring these elements, you will be able to see your current usage in each individual space and adjust this accordingly, to reduce your energy usage.
BMS benefits Offers complete control of your building environment, by coordinating the operation of all systems Monitors energy efficiency Reduces energy consumption GCL building technologies are specialists in providing energy saving, electrical and network cabling, BMS and WIFI. We are committed to delivering sustainable, integrated electrical and smart systems within the construction, property management and commercial and property management sectors. If you require further information on ESOS compliance or would like specialist advice on any of our services, please contact our offices on 01892 576 950 or email sales@gcl.uk.com.
Electric cars Electric vehicle technology is fast maturing, and owning one is becoming an attractive option for many drivers. Initial purchase prices may be higher but is offset by the reduction in running and maintenance costs.
EV benefits A full charge, on a pure EV costs are as low as £2-4 per 100miles. There are fewer mechanical components compared to conventional cars, resulting in lower servicing and maintenance costs. EV’s emitting 75g/km Co2 or less are congestion charge exempt.
Contact details Phone: 01892 576950 Email: sales@gcl.uk.com
LED lighting benefits Low energy usage
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finance focus
december/january 2019 business edge
When is your FOMO going to make you look into a claim for R&D Tax Credits? FOMO – the Fear Of Missing Out It’s not often I am ahead of my time, but I wrote a blog about the Fear Of Missing Out on an R&D Tax Relief claim in December 2016 and published it in the New Year. I knew I was ahead of my time when my Social Media partner asked me what FOMO was! Normally FOMO is the fear of missing out on something happening when your friends go out but it can be applied across a number of other areas, I am just repurposing it for the sake of R&D Tax Credits! Well, if it hasn’t done before, your FOMO should be twitching about now if you operate in any of the sectors listed in the table. HMRC and the Office of National Statistics have recently published the statistics for R&D Tax Relief claims processed for the 2016/17 tax year and finalized the figures for the 2015/16 tax year, which finally was closed to amended returns on 31 March 2018. They make for some very interesting reading. Headline figures for all the claims submitted in relation to the March 2016 tax year show that a total of 43,040 claims for R&D Tax Relief were submitted, of these 36,820 (over 85%) were submitted by SME businesses. The total value of all claims during the year was a staggering £3.7bn of tax relief. If you think those figures are significant, the initial figures for 2016/17 are even more staggering, so far HMRC have processed 39,960 claims of which 34,060 are from SME businesses, but there were still another 9 months for claims to be submitted. This time last year the number of claims processed for the 2015/16 tax year stood at only 26,255 claims, so nearly 40% of all claims were processed after the statistics were published. If the same trend were to follow that would mean that in 2016/17 there would be over 66,000 claims an increase of over 50% on 2016/17. Now I am not sure that’s going to happen, as more companies become aware of the
“If your FOMO is going to get the better of you, you’re in luck, through November and December we are going to be trialing a series of 15-minute phone calls with companies who want to engage their FOMO and determine whether their company has the ability to claim.”
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South East Claims Industry
South East Value (£m)
2015/16
2016/17 (incomplete)
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
41
33
2
2
Mining and Quarrying
5
5
<1
<1 62
Manufacturing
2015/16
2016/17 (incomplete)
1,525
1,316
65
Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning
10
10
2
1
Water, Sewage and Waste
33
41
2
2
Construction
212
30
10
9
Wholesale & Retail Trade, Repair
662
181
19
20
Transport and Storage
48
589
2
2
Accomodation and Food
23
22
1
1
1,468
1,460
77
82
Financial and Insurance
82
77
6
6
Real Estate
21
21
1
1
Information and Communication
Professional, Scientific and Technical
1,107
1,030
63
74
Admin & Support Services
324
306
13
16
Education
59
55
2
2
Health and Social Work
48
46
2
2
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
57
57
6
6
Other Service Activities Total
101
96
3
4
5,825
5,250
305
330
value of claiming, they try and claim within the current tax period and get the benefit sooner rather than later. That is sort of supported by our own anecdotal evidence and some statements from HMRC to the R&D Consultative Committee that they were struggling with the volume of claims in the period between January and March this year, such that their normal processing times of 4 to 6 weeks, were extended to nearly three months for claims submitted at the end of March. Now here’s why your FOMO should be twitching, the table above represents the total claims under the SME Scheme for companies in the South East. They don’t publish the split of claimant sectors by region, so we have just taken a pro-rata distribution of claimant companies. Even though it’s not 100% accurate, if you operate in one of these industries and aren’t claiming you can bet your bottom dollar that one or perhaps more of your competitors are claiming and that will be giving them a distinct advantage both in terms of tax and accessing other sources of finance. If your FOMO is going to get the better of you, you’re in luck, through November and December we are going to be trialing a series of 15-minute phone calls with companies who want to engage their FOMO and determine whether their company has the ability to claim. Our #FindOutInFifteen promotion will allow you to have a no obligation discussion with our director, Simon Bulteel to determine
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whether your company has a project that is eligible to claim Research and Development Tax Credits. Finally, the 2018 Budget announced on Monday 29th October included one small change to the R&D Tax Relief landscape, which whilst only small, may have a significant impact on smaller businesses paying notional salary and dividends to a director performing R&D or on overseas business “starting-up” and seeking investment in the UK through a UK Limited company but offshoring their R&D to an existing entity. The change has applied a cap on the amount of payable tax credit in the event of the company making a loss in the year, where that cap is three times the total PAYE and NI Payments the company has made. Whilst the measure is designed to reduce the tax loss overseas in the latter scenario, it may well have a negative impact on the former, but if the company has a history of paying dividends, it will have a history of making profits and therefore paying tax, so it may not necessarily end up in a loss position. How this change may affect the government’s desire to make the UK the best place for tech businesses to “start-up” we’ll have to wait and see!
tel: 01444 259 259
finance focus
december/january 2018 business edge
Tax savings for planet savers Caroline Milton Partner Menzies LLP
Whether it’s plastic straws, carrier bags or coffee cups, in recent years there has been a revolution in the way that people engage with products, with a focus on environmental sustainability. Many consumers are seeking out environmentally sustainable and energy efficient products. At the same time, many businesses are also choosing to do their bit to help the planet. Companies that work to solve the problems of pollution and waste, through the development of sustainable products, may find themselves eligible for valuable tax relief. The examples of businesses who are successfully focusing on the environment are numerous, with many industries successfully responding to this shift in demand. For example, buyers now request offices and homes to be designed and built with a focus on harnessing renewable solar energy to support heating the building. This has had a knock on
effect for architects, surveyors and construction workers, who are finding innovative solutions to ensure buildings are energy efficient. Consumers are also looking for existing houses to reduce their carbon footprint. Businesses have noted a demand for retro-fitted insulation creatively utilised in walls and loft spaces, with buyers particularly valuing this being done in a time and cost efficient way. The focus on the environment has also been driven by businesses themselves, with many manufacturers analysing their own production processes to ensure waste is minimised. Companies have focused on solutions which use precious resources such as energy and water in the most efficient way, often using technology to improve processes, whilst continuing to meet quality and regulatory standards. For example, reducing the amount of water used in production helps to manage costs whilst also putting the business on a sensible sustainable footing. To implement such a solution takes time to test and improve the new technology, and this time and expense can form the basis of a claim for Research and Development (‘R&D’) tax relief.
sustainability problems. In many examples HMRC have accepted that making a process more environmentally friendly is a ‘scientific or technological improvement’, and therefore the development costs are ‘qualifying expenditure’ for the purposes of R&D. Menzies have a wide variety of clients who have been successful in adapting their products and processes to be more sustainable and efficient, and supported them with a corresponding claim for R&D tax relief. For further information please contact Caroline Milton, partner at Menzies LLP on 01372 360130 or email cmilton@menzies.co.uk
R&D tax relief is available for businesses who endeavour to solve environmental and
High Value Capital and Revenue Grants Now Available via KEEP+ undertaken contributes to the development of a new product or service. This can be new to the world at large, or simply new within the business. To date the programme has approved grant funding for businesses developing a diverse range of exciting projects, including the application of VR Technology for language learning, the development of new medical devices and the research and design of ambient cooling technologies for temperature controlled liquid baths. Case studies are provided on the KEEP+ website.
What is KEEP+? The KEEP+ programme has match funded grants available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) developing new products and services. The funding is provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for businesses to access specialist expertise via collaborating with academia, sourcing a graduate intern or securing a standalone grant for capital equipment purchase or consultancy services.
New Funding Opportunities for Eligible Businesses As of October 2018 these grants have been expanded to include both low value and high value capital purchases and consultancy funding. Small value grants are capped at £24,999 total spend of which 40% of costs can be reclaimed, to a maximum grant of £9,999 excl VAT. High value grants are capped at £199,999 total spend of which 30% can be funded, to a maximum grant of £59,500 excl VAT. Internships and academic collaborations (knowledge exchange) is funded at 50% intervention rate.
Is My Business Eligible for ERDF Funding? KEEP+ is open to SMEs who meet EU eligibility criteria, with the programme’s
core area covering four Local Enterprise Partnerships across the South East, from North Norfolk all the way down to East Sussex. The programme is led by Anglia Ruskin University and supported by a partnership of five other institutions across the South East, who are all committed to working with businesses to support them through their innovation journey.
If you are unsure whether your business is eligible for ERDF funding, the KEEP+ website has a useful Eligibility Checker to help you understand the EU criteria. If you think your project could benefit from a KEEP+ grant the team or one of our partners would be pleased to discuss your requirements. Find us online at www.KEEPplus.co.uk and follow us on social media for all the latest updates about the programme or email keepplus@anglia.ac.uk
Is My Project Eligible for Funding? KEEP+ can potentially fund projects across a wide range of sectors providing the activity
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37
business matters
december/january 2019 business edge
HSBC UK commits £450 million fund to support Surrey and Sussex SMEs Andrew Steer Head of Business Banking, Surrey and Sussex HSBC UK
£450m fund available to SMEs in Surrey and Sussex £100m set aside for SMEs either already trading or aspiring to trade internationally Part of UK wide £12bn HSBC UK SME fund HSBC UK has recently launched a £450 million lending fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Surrey and Sussex which is part of a broader commitment to helping British businesses realise their ambitions for growth. The Surrey and Sussex fund is part of a wider £12bn fund for SMEs across the UK which has also been launched. Now entering its fifth year, HSBC UK’s dedicated SME Fund is the largest to date – increasing £2bn on last year after the 2017 fund was fully utilised by British businesses seeking to expand. This SME Fund is double the first SME Fund of £6bn – launched by HSBC in 2014 – and brings total funds committed to SMEs over the five years to £46bn.
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In Surrey and Sussex the fund has increased by £150m since 2017.
committed to helping businesses in the South East innovate, evolve and grow.”
Andrew Steer, Head of Business Banking, Surrey and Sussex for HSBC UK, said: “This latest fund highlights HSBC UK’s unwavering commitment to supporting the growth of SMEs right across Surrey and Sussex. Each year the fund helps and encourages businesses to grow locally, national and internationally, in turn helping them achieve their ambitious goals and create jobs for the Surrey and Sussex economy. We hope to see many more businesses throughout the area taking advantage of the fund over the coming months and into next year.”
“HSBC UK can provide access to new trading networks for businesses of all sizes, help them to understand how they can consider trading globally with confidence, and has the expertise to help businesses navigate change by being responsive, flexible and nimble. Now is the time to consider new trading relationships.”
“A major focus of this year’s fund is to encourage small businesses to feel confident about exploring opportunities for overseas trade. As such, £100 million of the lending fund for Surrey and Sussex has been designated to help support SMEs that aspire to trade internationally, or wish to grow their existing international business. With a geographic network covering more than 90% of global trade and capital flows, HSBC UK is uniquely placed to help businesses to understand the available markets and overcome the obstacles to growth.” Brian Weare, Regional Director, South and East for HSBC UK, added: “Many SMEs in the South East are ambitious, entrepreneurial and ready to expand. After the success of last year, this increased SME Fund for 2018 will help more businesses plug the gap between ambition and reality, supporting their growth. HSBC UK is
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
HSBC UK 2018 SME Fund and broader package of support includes: * A £12bn UK-wide fund for SMEs, allocated regionally across the UK. A free banking offer of up to 18 months for start-ups and 12 months for switchers. A 12 month fixed-price monthly tariff to commence at the end of a customer’s initial free banking period. A Personal Guarantee Fee of just £10 for any lending facility above £10,000. An arrangement fee of £100 for Small Business Loans up to £25,000. The Business Lending Eligibility Checker (BLEC) – an online tool offering potential new customers and existing customers a credit decision in principle for loans of up to £30,000 in under two minutes. A free text alert service for informal overdrafts, which will help customers avoid paying informal overdraft fees and interest. *Terms and conditions apply
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advertorial
december/january 2018 business edge
EMW’s Legal Insights: Digital Startups – Inception through Growth This is the second in a three-part series on Digital Startups – Inception through Growth providing insights and guidance to help safeguard your business and put you in the best position to grow. Having secured your brand and digital offering, your sights are set on commercialising your ideas and doing business with the masses. The nature of your offering will determine how you do this, but you’ll probably be selling, licensing or doing both. Whatever the means, contractual relationships are at the heart of it, so you’ll need to get your contracts in order. If you’re selling products or services online, who are you selling to? Is it to individuals (consumers) or other businesses? It makes a difference. The law gives consumers a higher level of protection and so your terms of sale and business practices need
When licensing software in a B2B context, you will want the licence cover the key commercial points (price, licence duration, number of users, installation terms). Don’t assume anything; the software’s permitted uses should be made clear as well as any restrictions and circumstances that would result in higher licence fees. Often, the importance of software to a client’s business (and the potential damage that could be caused should it fail) will far outweigh the value of the software itself. So, be sure to limit your liability under the licence.
Tariq Sayfoo, Senior Solicitor
to reflect that. If you’re selling to other businesses, then you have more flexibility to incorporate favourable contract terms. The idea is that you strike a balance between, reducing your risk exposure and ending up with a one-sided contract which hinders you from doing business. Maybe your ‘product’ is a piece of software or an app, in which case you’ll look to license it. If it’s an app for consumers (B2C), then you’ll prepare an ‘end-user licence agreement’ (EULA) describing how the app may be used. EULAs are intended to be legally binding, so you need to think practically about how users accept the terms before the contract is concluded.
If you’ll be offering clients maintenance and support, then this needs to be addressed. Clients will inevitably want to know what support comes ‘as standard’ under their licence, what additional support is available (and the cost), and what are the expected service levels. We can help commercialise your digital offering. For more information, please call 0345 070 6000 or visit our website at www.emwllp.com.
FONTWELL PARK. MORE THAN JUST A R ACECOURSE. A beautiful venue set in the ideal location with excellent transport links, situated just off the A27 with ample free parking and only 2 miles from Barnham Station – the main link from Portsmouth to London Victoria. ‘Flexibility’ and ‘Space’ are two words that define Fontwell Park perfectly when it comes to Venue Hire. Offering a range of versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, each with their own unique characteristics. Perfect for any event, whether it be business or celebration.
events@fontwellpark.co.uk 01243 543335
FontwellParkRacecourse
FontwellPark
FontwellPark
#FontwellRaces
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business matters events
december/january 2019 business edge
Events & Training Diary A lot of business people simply want to meet new clients directly and a cost-effective way of generating new business is networking. Networking is a great way of building your connections quickly at a very low-cost. Our networking events will bring you face to face with some of the brightest business minds this county has to offer. They will give you the chance to grow your contacts through our 100+ annual events and get you shaking hands with the right people.
Training isn’t just important to your company, it’s vital. Training across your workforce can improve competitiveness, morale, profitability, market share, customer satisfaction and company reputation. In these uncertain times training increases your ability to respond effectively to change. We are proud to announce the expansion of our training programme, please see the next page for a selection of current and new courses which are now available for bookings.
Please see below a selection of events which are now available for bookings.
Networking Breakfasts 08:00am - 11:00am 26th Feb
Finding and Retaining Talent in a Post-Brexit World
Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club, Eastbourne
Networking Lunches 12:00noon - 14:30pm 11th Dec
Festive Networking
Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield
16th Jan
Campaigning on Behalf of Business
Holiday Inn, Brighton Seafront
Non-Members Only 09:00 - 11:00am 4th Dec
Connect with Sussex Chamber - Benefits of Becoming a Chamber Member
Jubilee Community Centre, East Grinstead
5th Dec
Connect with Sussex Chamber - Benefits of Becoming a Chamber Member
Freedom Works, Hove
11th Dec
Connect with Sussex Chamber - Benefits of Becoming a Chamber Member
Sussex Chamber of Commerce, Burgess Hill
22nd Jan
Connect with Sussex Chamber - Benefits of Becoming a Chamber Member
Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre, Uckfield
23rd Jan
Connect with Sussex Chamber - Benefits of Becoming a Chamber Member
Rathbone Investment Management, Chichester
Forums - Cyber Security 24th Jan
Encryption and Protection
The Jury’s Inn Waterfront, Brighton
2n April
GDPR a Year On
Holiday Inn, Gatwick Airport
Forums - Maufacturing 6th Feb
Manufacturing & Engineering - Ricardo Centenary Innovation Centre
Ricardo UK Ltd, Shoreham
Forums - Construction 5th March
Environmental issues in the construction sector
TBC
General Networking 19th March
Better Business For All Regulations
Hilton Avisford Park Hotel, Arundel
Premier Event 18:00pm - 23:55pm 6th Dec
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Exclusive Premier Member Gala Dinner
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
East Sussex National Resort, Uckfield
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business matters training
december/january 2018 business edge
Business Courses
Tailored Group Training
Sussex Chamber of Commerce will unleash your business potential by developing employers’ staff to perform effectively, efficiently and with pride to deliver excellent customer service.
Sussex Chamber of Commerce can provide on-site bespoke training courses, this is a fantastic way of designing one of our training courses to suit your business needs. This is a cost-effective way of training a group of your employees at the same time, on a date that suits you and at the premises of your choice.
A variety of short courses are available to all throughout the year. Typically, 1/2 day, one day and 2 days in duration, sessions are interactive and lively to ensure real benefits that contribute to the success of you and your business.
Scheduled Training Courses All scheduled courses are held at the King’s Church, 33-35 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill RH15 9LR
Sales & Customer Service 4th Dec
Selling Skills for Results
14th Jan
Selling Skills for Results
22nd Jan
Great Customer Service
Business Skills 4th March
Networking for Business Growth
4th March
Coaching for Performace
14th March
Train the Trainer
Human Resources & Development 25th April
Workplace Stress
Personal Development 7th Feb
Mental Toughness and Wellbeing
22nd Feb
Introduction to Emotional Intelligence
26th Feb
Stepping Up to Senior Management
30th April
Stepping Up to Senior Management
Management & Leadership Skills 17th Jan
Introduction to Supervision & Team Leadership
31st Jan & 1st Feb
Essentials of Supervision & Team Leadership - 2 Day Course
20th Feb
Managing People for Business Success
12th March
Introduction to Supervision & Team Leadership
International Trade 18th Jan
Becoming an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
28th Jan
An Introduction to Export Procedures
28th Feb
Using Documentary Letters of Credit, Drafts & Bills
25th March
Exporting - Understanding the Paperwork
26th April
A Foundation Course in Importing
For more information or to see our 2018 Calander visit our website www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk to book please call us on 01444 259 259.
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business matters
december/january 2019 business edge
Practical Safety and Risk Management Andy Painting and David England, safety & risk management consultants from Attis, explain the importance of a cohesive solution to through-life safety management. Reducing business risk by ensuring that each concept is safe to operate and operated safely. Andy Painting,
David England,
Engineering & Risk Management Consultant, ATTiS
Safety & Risk Management Consultant, ATTiS
Safety may seem like a modern phenomenon but even the Factories Act of 1819 sought to make life slightly better for the children who worked in the cotton industry (stating that children between 9 and 16 could only work a maximum of 12 hours a day for example!). Today, safety is inherent in everything we do, not just at work; but how is that achieved? Good safety starts with good design. This means the construction, operation and layout of the machine, factory or ship or whatever, as well as its surroundings and how people interact with it. When completing a risk assessment, we are looking at the risks of the machine, process or building that could not be designed out. In a perfect world, all the risks would be
dealt with at the design stage, but we do not always think in straight lines and the human element is often fundamental in many serious accidents. Attis studied over 60 serious industrial incidents to define the most prevalent causes of failure. Combining this knowledge with an understanding of psychology, anthropometry, design intent and operation, we are able to ensure that safe function is paramount from concept to final operation and disposal. This is an engineered solution – tailored to the precise requirements of the project and is seamless from start to finish. What drives safety in the modern world is a mixture of regulation and technological
advancement. For example, today we have self-cleaning glass in windows that are hard or dangerous to access because the law requires that windows are kept clean. A clear case of regulatory requirement driving technological change. Not all risk can be removed – even a one in a million event will happen eventually – but by considering any project in its entirety it is possible to minimise risk to as low as reasonably practicable. This means looking at factors that extend far beyond normal design criteria of does the machine make sufficient numbers of widgets, or does the building have enough escape routes or can the ship float? And by building or making or financing something that is inherently safe, a lot of additional expense can be saved further down the line. Remember the last project you were involved with that had expensive adjustments made during its lifetime because of a problem that wasn’t considered? By engineering safety in at the beginning, those adjustments could have been averted.
Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd achieves the Investment in Young People Award Investment in Young People (IiYP) is the business mark for corporate social responsibility. IiYP is a National Award that recognises the important work that businesses carry out in assisting young people aged 5 to 25 to gain employability skills and to assist them with the transition from education to the world of work. Sussex Chamber of Commerce (as the sole delivery agent in Sussex for this prestigious award) is extremely excited to announce the first company in the county that has successfully achieved the required standard. Since its launch over 35 years ago, Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd (ETI) has become the UK’s leader in the design and manufacture of electronic thermometers and temperature probes. They also manufacture temperature and humidity data-loggers, as well as humidity and pH meters. ETI has an internationally recognised, UKAS accredited calibration laboratory, for both temperature and humidity. In 2018, ETI won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the fourth time in six years and has enjoyed the recognition of its business model and apprenticeship scheme by national bodies. Peter Webb, MBE, Managing Director: “ETI are proud to have achieved the National Award in Investment in Young People. Our
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business has unquestionably benefited from our apprenticeship scheme and liaison with local schools and colleges; introducing young people to the many aspects of our manufacturing business, and also giving them an opportunity to experience potential employment. Not everyone has the time or facilities to offer significant opportunities to younger people, but as they are undoubtedly the future, any encouragement is worthwhile. From work experience placements and CSR events, through to offering a little time in mentoring students. Investing in young people has proved a valuable feature of our business; however, we recognise that there is always room for improvement and would encourage any business to enter the IiYP awards to provide self-awareness.”
young people. ETI has shown huge determination to working with local schools and colleges and providing young people with opportunities by gaining employability skills and assisting them in the transition from education to work. The IiYP accreditation is a national initiative of the British Chamber of Commerce’s Young Chamber and makes a business stand out from the crowd as a Sussex-based employer of choice. This will help to attract and promote Sussex-based jobs which are competing with London and elsewhere giving you, Sussex employers, the tools to reduce your recruitment costs and help you satisfy your replacement staff demand.” To find out more visit www.iiyp.co.uk or
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
Ana Christie, Chief Executive, Sussex Chamber: “The Investment in Young People award demonstrates the company’s commitment to investing in and supporting
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
tel: 01444 259 259
business matters
december/january 2018 business edge
How to retain your staff in a competitive market Upskilling your current employees could be the key to keeping them Ian Ross Managing Director, Whitehead Ross Education and Consulting
Latest figures from the ONS tell us that employment is at its highest level for over 40 years, with 75.5% of 16-64 year olds recorded as being in employment. The figures also tell us that the number of job vacancies listed is at a record high (738,000 at the latest count). This makes for a booming job market, but it does also bring some challenges for employers. Staff turnover rates are high, recruitment is difficult and retaining staff in a competitive environment can be challenging. So how can businesses retain staff and avoid costly recruitment exercises? One proven way (others include offering financial incentives and regular appraisals) is to offer opportunities for up-skilling employees through training and retraining. This can then lead to greater and/or more varied responsibilities, promotions and career progression for those who participate. Employees feel valued and invested in and are more likely to stay loyal. The training in itself need not be a costly exercise for employers as there are a number of government schemes and initiatives out there which offer funding for upskilling their workforce. Whilst businesses are generally aware of the availability of government loans, grants and apprenticeships, there is less knowledge and uptake for funded training courses. The Government offers access to funded training for small businesses (defined as those with 2-250 employees) in eligible business sectors under the skills for the workforce initiative. The sectors included are ones which the government describes as priority sectors and for Sussex they are: creative and digital, advanced manufacturing and engineering, health and life science, financial and business services, environmental technology, construction and the visitor economy (which also includes hospitality and entertainment services). Data from Companies House suggests that there are more than four thousand businesses in Sussex and the Gatwick Diamond area which fall into the eligible criteria for funded training.
The training available to these businesses includes accredited courses run by approved providers across a wide range of areas such as First Aid for the workplace, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Sales and Marketing, Business Administration, Social Media for Business, Functional Maths and English Skills as well as Food Hygiene and Hospitality Leadership and Supervision. These can prove invaluable to businesses who want to offer their staff a route to progress and improve their skills. It also helps create a greater sense of loyalty amongst employees. Eligible businesses also have access to a Training Needs Analysis, which helps them to take a step back, think about where there may be skills gaps and opportunities for
growth and development and get a plan of action in place for staff training. A strategic, proactive and targeted approach to skills and training can be hugely beneficial and prove much more cost effective for businesses. Rather than reacting to skills needs as they arise and pursuing a policy of recruiting skills and talent on a needs-must basis, employers are advised to identify critical skills in advance and develop them in-house. So, in summary, there are definitely resources out there for businesses to take advantage of and they could prove invaluable in helping to upskill and retain employees in a buoyant and competitive job market.
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business new members matters
august/september december/january 2019 2018 business edge
Welcome to Sussex Chamber of Commerce Membership of Sussex Chamber of Commerce can help you increase profits, get the best from your people and find new clients. Also, it saves you money, gets your voice heard and puts you in contact with even more businesses.
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ASC Finance for Business
Falcon Homes (Sussex) Ltd
Nutribrand Fulfillment Ltd
Rear Second Floor Offices, 174 Churchill Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2DJ
Falcon House, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 1LW
10 Court Meadow Close, Rotherfield, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 3LW
www.asc.co.uk 01273 760037
www.falconhomes.co.uk 01243 533713
www.natren.org.uk 07889 791935
ATTiS
Finewood Marketing (UK) Ltd
2 Woodcroft Gardens, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO8 9PZ
Maritime House, Basin Road North, Hove, East Sussex, BN41 1WR
www.attis-engineering.co.uk 07539 215649
www.finewoodmarketing.com 01273 729988
Bluestar Resourcing
Fresh Financial Services Ltd
2nd Floor, 40A The Boulevard, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1XP
13a Hastings Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, West Sussex, TN40 2FQ
www.bluestarmedicssolutions.co.uk 01293 517760
www.fresh-financial.co.uk 07977 814787
Brighton Gin
Genius Within CIC
Unit 4, Wellington House, Camden Street, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41 1DU
12 Chapel RoadPlumpton Green, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3DD
www.brightongin.com 01273 448092
www.geniuswithin.co.uk 01273 890502
COGO Travel
Hare Digital Ltd
6-7 Lovers Walk, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 6AH
Sussex Innovation Centre, Schience Park Square, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9SB
www.cogotravel.co.uk 01273 020528
www.hare.digital 01273 882789
Corporate Liquidity Partners
Impact CMW Limited
Laurel House, PO Box 22, Grange Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6DT
Unit 23 Blackhouse Farm, Blackhouse Road, Colgate, West Sussex, RH13 0QX
www.corporateliquidity.com 01580 766 066
www.impactcmw.co.uk 01293 852995
Data Compliance Specialists
Melius Media
21 The Landmark, 70 Sackville Road, Bexhillon-Sea, East Sussex, TN39 3FA
Kintyre House, 70 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BB
www.datacompliancespecialists.co.uk 07541 772078
www.meliusmediagroup.com 07500 700371
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
tel: 01444 259 259
business new members matters
august/september december/january 2018 2018 business business edge edge
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP
School of Information Risk Management
TEPR
The Courtyard, River Way, UCKFIELD, East Sussex, TN22 1SL
Becketts House, 2-14 Ilford Hill, Ilford, Essex, IG1 2DA
La Dehesa, Harecombe Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1NE
www.rixandkay.co.uk 01825 761555
www.SIRM.AC.UK 0207 0737029
www.tepr.co.uk 01892 663289
RLA Business Coaching
Shield Security Services Ltd
The Lock Centre Security Ltd
Espinette, Spinney Lane, West Chiltington, West Sussex, RH20 2NX
294 High Street, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4LT
8 The High Street, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 1SR
01798 300573
www.shieldsecurity.co.uk 01252 319899
www.thelockcentre.com 01243 829427
Ruby
Ten2Two
Worthing Homes Ltd
Coldean Lane, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9GD
37 North End, Ditchling, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8TD
Davison House, North Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1ER
www.rubycoldean.co.uk 01273 019613
www.ten2two.org 07810 541599
www.worthing-homes.org.uk 01903 703100
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business five minutes matters with
august/september 2018 business edge december/january 2019
Karen Lord appointed Corporate Partner at Healys’ Brighton Office Leading law firm Healys has expanded its operations and appointed a new partner to its new corporate team in Brighton. Karen Lord joins from Morrison’s Solicitors, where she was a partner for the corporate and commercial team since 2011. As a corporate specialist and with 20 years’ experience and significant expertise, Karen specialises in corporate transactional work for UK and International clients.
5 minutes with...
We started Images on Line in 2000 when an opportunity to good to refuse presented itself. (Rent free accommodation for 12 months and the landlords doing some of our selling
to their own customer base). Our first few weeks being sat on plastic storage skips. (To say Open Plan Office was accurate) We now scan several million pages per year have a vast warehouse with many thousands of storage boxes. Some of which are very delicate in terms of the data they hold. Having successfully navigated GDPR we find ourselves with a robust IT infrastructure and retrieval solutions (including CLOUD based) for the vast majority of scanning applications.
What was your first job and what was the pay packet?
If you could do another job what would it be?
Working at a Skatestar, Skatepark, Guildford in the late 70’s whilst I was still at School. Basically Stewarding (and Skating) to ensure the riders were capable of riding some very scary bowls. Much less than £1.per hour.
Probably follow the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough. He’s been lucky enough to see some pretty amazing parts of the World many of us can only dream of.
What do you always carry with you to work?
Understanding, Willingness and Drive.
Christian Pott Managing Director, Images on Line
What was your biggest mistake in business?
What is the biggest challenge facing your business?
Realising there is usually someone up the ladder with more power than the customer you have built a relationship with, meaning they pull the strings!
If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change to help business? Get this Brexit thing done and dusted. It’s becoming another Millenium bug; businesses are getting paranoid. Things will barely change.
What can you see from your office window? A big Oak tree and a family of squirrels gathering their nuts. Planes landing at Gatwick Airport in the distance.
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Karen is local to Brighton and has been involved in supporting and advising a range of local businesses. Karen has worked alongside the Sussex Innovation Centre and with many of the tenant businesses over the last 20 years. She is particularly passionate about supporting start-up businesses. Dino Skinner, Managing Partner, says: “Karen’s appointment is thoroughly deserved and adds high level expertise to our corporate team in Brighton. I wish her success, and look forward to continuing to expand upon our already comprehensive service offering.”
As a business person, what are your three main qualities?
An open mind; very few days are the same, expect the unexpected.
None specifically; lots of little issues can add up though.
Recognised as a leader in her field by both new editions of Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, she can provide advice and assistance in all corporate matters. This includes share and business sales and acquisitions, cross-border transactions, joint ventures, management buy outs, demergers and private equity investment, start-ups and corporate restructuring.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? Create a good Business Plan to assist with funding and be prepared to be flexible, the business plan is for guidance and is not set in stone. Have a projected cash flow for at least 12 months in advance. Be wary of speculative promises from new suppliers! These very rarely materialise.
Who do you admire most in business? Anyone prepared to step away from a stable job and go it alone.
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
tel: 01444 259 259
Karen Lord
business matters
december/january 2018 business edge
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business matters
december/january 2019 business edge
jamestodd&co more than just accountants
“ It’s not a myth - great accountants do exist!”
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors in the South, South East and London
Want to give your business the edge?
Our clients…
Our clients have…
Enjoy peace of mind. We guarantee to turn around your accounts in six weeks or less. Treasure our traditional values in this technology-driven world. We answer calls and emails the same day.
James Todd & Co in 2015 was one of the best “ Engaging business moves I’ve ever made,’ says Karl Petter, from Arbus Ltd. Our accounts were in a complete mess and for 10 years with our previous accountants, I felt we had no control over our finances. I wanted more than a ‘finger in the air’ approach to financial decisions.
Value our pre-agreed fees and monthly payment options, so you can manage cash flow.
Having James Todd & Co on board has transformed our business. Michelle and her team drilled down into our accounts to show us where our business was doing well – and which bits needed fine tuning to work better. In the past three years, our turnover has doubled. That would never have been possible without the clear financial information James Todd & Co provided for me, in a way I could really understand and use. James Todd & Co do things different to other accountants – in a good way. They take the time to listen to you and find out what you really need. They don’t just understand the numbers – they understand business.
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We offer free initial consultations and a money-back satisfaction guarantee. Can you afford not to call us?
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info@jamestoddandco.co.uk www.jamestoddandco.co.uk
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
Lavant Office
Chichester Office
Lewes Office
1&2 The Barn, Oldwick West Stoke Road Chichester PO18 9AA T: 01243 776938
16 Northgate Chichester West Sussex PO19 1BJ T: 01243 776938
The Mews St Nicholas Lane Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2JZ T: 01273 470123
tel: 01444 259 259