february/march december/january 2019 2018 business business edge edge
Inside business08matters chairmans column 08 business matters 12 ask the expert 13 fine print 14 business support 18 innovation and design 22 inspirational leaders 24 cover feature 36 finance focus 38 training and events 44 new members 46 5 minutes with
the magazine for sussex chamber of commerce members
april/may 2019
Innovation and design driving Sussex success Page 24
Sussex Chamber of Commerce
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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@
sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
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Welcome to our Business Edge magazine! Ana Christie Chief Executive Sussex Chamber of Commerce
Businesses are constantly facing change and having to adapt as a result of new requirements, processes, technologies or changes in the economy, some of which are unavoidable such as new legislation or regulation, e.g. GDPR, Making Tax Digital and Brexit. Change can be destructive if not carefully planned or implemented. However, change in business can also be as a result of innovation and new ideas - a catalyst for business growth. For hundreds of years, businesses have continuously had to be innovative, creative and resilient. Taking risks and learning from mistakes is an essential part of this process. Over the last few years, the Sussex Chamber has evolved; offering improved processes and services; an enhanced membership offering; informative networking events and forums; essential skills development through our training courses; vital documentation via our
welcome
Ellen Rossiter ellen.rossiter@distinctivepublishing.co.uk
business matters chairmans column
www.issuu.com/distinctivepublishing
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.
Innovation, creativity, hard work and acumen are what makes us one of the world’s strongest and most resilient economies. Awards are a fantastic means to showcase your business. Sussex Chamber members can enter the Chamber Business Awards (for free), the UK’s most contested and prestigious business awards programme. The perfect opportunity to celebrate our business community’s achievements, to take stock of the outstanding performances of UK businesses and to encourage and inspire others. www.britishchambers.org.uk/events/ chamber-awards 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. For further information please contact the Sussex Chamber on 01444 259 259.
CONTENTS
FEATURE EDITOR
E-BOOK
international trade services; as well as being a strong voice for business. All of this is as a result of listening to our members, gathering feedback and developing the services we provide.
innovation and design
3 4-8 8 10-11
construction focus
26
business matters
29-30
innovation and design
34-35
finance focus
36-37
ask the expert
12
training and events
38-39
fine print
13
family in business
40-41
business support
14-17
innovation and design
42
innovation and design
18-19
chamber benefits
43
corporate & social responsibility 20-21
new members
inspirational leaders
22-23
five minutes with...
cover feature
24-25
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44-45 46
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business matters
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Innovation in action – exploring new technology and encouraging business innovation in Brighton Augmented reality, AI (artificial intelligence), 5G and virtual reality haven’t been far from the news of late, and now their impact on business will be discussed in Brighton. The Let’s Do Business exhibition taking place on June 13th will showcase the latest in innovation - including new technologies available in the region - via the use of a brand new Innovation Zone. Event organisers Sean Dennis, Deputy Chief Executive at the Let’s Do Business Group and Simon Groves, Managing Director at PRG Marketing Communications, talk about ways to encourage innovation in Sussex and its impact on business… Innovative technologies have hit the headlines lately thanks to discussions about how AI can be used within companies and institutions such as the NHS and Facebook to streamline processes and save time. But of course, it isn’t just new technologies that are providing innovation in Sussex. Innovation also covers new and cutting-edge methods and services that are designed to rethink procedures and increase productivity.
Innovation and education Encouraging innovation begins with education, something Innovation Zone sponsor East Sussex College Group has recognised. As the country continues to navigate uncertain times, innovation in the workplace plays a crucial role in ensuring the UK’s future prosperity. This begins in our educational institutions. The education sector plays an important part in encouraging pupils to challenge stereotypes, to innovate and to be curious; after-all they will be the workforce of tomorrow. The question is though, how do you encourage innovation? Dan Shelley at East Sussex College Group says ‘“Empowering our students and staff to think big and to challenge the preconceived norm is a central part of the Group’s ethos. It is part of the reason we are so excited to be a sponsor of this year’s Let’s Do Business exhibition. “We are changing the way we deliver education and will become one of the first providers, nationally, to offer T-Level qualifications. By introducing these new qualifications we will provide the technical skills required to maximise the impact of new technologies and we want to work with our local partners and employers to ensure that we meet their current and future needs.
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“We are also planning to redevelop our campuses in Lewes and Eastbourne to give local people inspiring and state-ofthe-art facilities to learn in and welcome the opportunity to talk to employers at the expo about the exciting innovations we are planning.”
Innovation in the workplace One key to unlocking the innovative potential of your workforce is to think about what your employees value; when people are motivated and feel looked after, they’re more productive. Involve everyone, from every level of the business – it’s important to foster an environment where the business’ strategies and direction are openly communicated. Although when we think of business innovation we think of success, accept that time and money invested doesn’t always pay off first time. Take preventative measures to minimise risks but don’t make people afraid of failure; the best ideas often require fine tuning. One of the key things employers can do to help encourage innovation is to free up time for employees to dedicate to research and development. Cooden Tax Consulting, sponsors of the Let’s Do Business exhibition guide, will be on hand on June 13th to discuss how the Government will pay for you to innovate. Simon Bulteel, Managing Director of Cooden Tax helps companies to ensure they aren’t missing out on the tax relief available to any creative, technological and manufacturing companies investing in research and development.
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
Transforming business Investing in new technologies needn’t be expensive. If you’re unsure how the likes of AI, augmented reality and other such technologies can work for your business, start by simply investing time in getting to know how they work and what the benefits are. For example, artificial intelligence could help to automate time consuming processes and enhance the experience for customers using your company. Naturally, with great power comes great responsibility. Ensuring you respect data and customer privacy should be at the heart of how you use innovative technologies. No matter which area of business you operate in, knowing your customer is crucial. Only once you know what they like, what problems they have and what solutions they require can you begin to find innovative ways of adapting your offering. Analysing trends can also help you innovate. Ask yourself questions about the future of your business. What threats may be coming that you can help mitigate? Where are your customers? What is changing about your customers’ purchasing habits? The best way to do this is to get out and meet them! If you operate in the B2B sector, exhibiting at or attending an exhibition such as Let’s Do Business Brighton is a great way to meet multiple people interested in your business in one day and to discuss how innovation is working for your business. To book your stand at Let’s Do Business Brighton, please visit https://letsdobusiness. org/event/brighton-2019/. To find out more about the Innovation Zone sponsored by East Sussex College Group please email
info@letsdobusiness.org.
tel: 01444 259 259
business matters
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
The value of face-to-face marketing & exhibitions Mike Monk Director, Monk Marketing Franchising Ltd
office isn’t necessary, you need to take note. B2B buyers, for example, are increasingly millennials and they love networking. * Statistics from HubSpot
Trade shows bring your ideal customers to you Face-to-face marketing instantly connects you to potential customers. Not only can you show people your products and how they work, you can highlight the benefits in much more detail. Customers like dealing with a business in person. What’s more, you can learn from the experience by listening to and taking onboard feedback. One of the biggest growth areas in sales is networking. It connects new businesses to the right people and helps budding entrepreneurs extend their contacts quickly. In fact, networking is now considered as important as referrals. You can start networking to grow sales by joining a local business club. If you are new to this type of marketing, these tips will help you: Find out who is attending an event in advance and make a note of who you would like to be introduced to Always carry business cards Arrive early and leave late to make the most of networking events Don’t be afraid to talk about the weather or general business topics. Nobody wants to be subjected to a full-blown sales pitch the first time they meet you Not convinced networking is for you? Consider these statistics: up to 85% of jobs are now filled through networking; 41% of networkers want to network more frequently; 100% of people say face-toface meetings are essential for long-term business relationships; the close rate for in-person meetings is 40%. With 7 out of every 10 millennials saying going into the
The benefits for exhibitors is that they know what they are offering will be seen by their ideal customers. Can you imagine having thousands of potential customers all under the same roof, at the same time? It is great for businesses because this type of marketing increases awareness about their brand, helps them make new connections and also brings in sales - all in one day. This is another form of networking and why business shows are popular. Exhibiting at a trade show does not have to be expensive. For example, a stand at West Sussex Expo starts at under £400. Exhibitions can also be great fun and open up huge opportunities.
Latest news on West Sussex Business Expo, May 2 Interest in this year’s West Sussex Expo is exceeding all expectations. With stand prices starting from just £395, the district’s biggest one-day B2B networking event is both affordable and fast-approaching. Better still, members of Chichester Chamber, Sussex Chamber of Commerce and Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce can claim £100 discount for stands in the expo’s Chamber Zone. Mike Monk, who is once again organising the event, says: “The response has been tremendous. Last year’s shows were very successful but this years are already shaping up to be record-breakers. “One of the great things this year is the stand upgrades we now have available. Exhibitors can choose Silver or Gold packages to help them make the very most of the event.”
West Sussex Business Expo is taking place at Fontwell Park Racecourse on May 2. Around 400 businesses are expected to attend. Benefits include one-to-one business clinics, free business advice, speed networking, and quality seminars and workshops. Taking place from 10am to 3pm, it is considered the go-to event for ambitious businesses wanting to grow their connections - and sales. Mike says: “I would encourage anyone in business who is thinking of exhibiting at the event to contact me now. They can check out our expo floor plan and choose a stand that is exactly right for them. “This show really does help local businesses grow their connections and generate quality leads. It is the perfect platform for a business to showcase what they do face-to-face with potential customers.” Online registrations for free visitor passes is open. Full details are on the West Sussex Expo website and its social media platforms. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Businesses can gain exposure through sponsoring the expo’s Networking Café, Exhibitor Lunch, Show Bag, Seminar Theatre and more. Brighton Business Expo Sponsored by Castle Water is taking place at Brighton Racecourse on October 3 with 112 Exhibitors and 600 to 700 visitors on the day, This year boasts a start-up village - something that is exciting new brands. The village is being sponsored by NatWest and it aims to showcase local talent and introduce established businesses to new ideas and services. A £100 off stand prices special offer is available until the end of April…
To book a stand at either business expo or to find out more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Mike on 01273 286133. Mike@monkmarketing.com www.b2bexpos.co.uk/westsussex www.b2bexpos.co.uk/brighton
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business matters
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Sussex businesses optimistic for a post-Brexit Britain Finance Focus – 8.00-10.30am, 25 April, South Lodge Hotel, Horsham Richard Spofforth Partner, Kreston Reeves
On Thursday 25 April Kreston Reeves will host its popular Finance Focus conference for business leaders in Sussex. As preparations for Finance Focus get underway, partner Richard Spofforth says Sussex businesses are optimistic for a postBrexit Britain. Sussex businesses, despite the greatest period of political uncertainty for over a decade, are optimistic and predicting strong growth for the next three years. Future growth is most likely to come from domestic markets yet, despite the UK’s decision to leave the EU, Europe remains a key market. In 2018, Kreston Reeves undertook a major piece of research, published in a report called Going for Growth: UK company growth strategies to 2021, with 530 privately owned businesses across Sussex and the wider South East. Our study was designed to help better understand the hopes and aspirations of businesses towards growth and the barriers to growth as Brexit draws ever closer. Going for Growth reports that 60% of privately-owned UK businesses have seen growth of 25% or more over the past three years, with 58% predicting growth over the next three years of 25% or more. Businesses also appear optimistic about Brexit, with 47% seeing our departure from the EU as
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a business opportunity and 45% say their growth plans have been positively affected by Brexit. Just 24% perceive Brexit as an obstacle and only 24% think it has negatively affected their growth plans. A third (32%) of the businesses we surveyed generate between 50-100% of their revenues from their immediate geographic location. And the UK is set to become an even more important market for businesses, with 56% believing their immediate geographic location to be the most attractive market for future growth. But it is not necessarily a case of ‘Britain first’ – 46% of the business surveyed believe Europe to be highly attractive for future growth. The Going for Growth report highlights include: 60% of businesses have grown by more than 25% over the past three years. 58% of businesses remain positive that they will grow by more than 25% over the next three years. 34% expect to see growth come from investment in new technology. 31% of businesses will finance growth through retained profit. 21% believe business uncertainty to be the biggest barrier to growth. Access to funding (20%) and increased competitor activity (20%) follow closely behind.
35% of businesses have no international aspirations at all. 28% say they are unable to resource international expansion, with 27% saying the lack of experience holds them back. 32% say they would like help in finding international customers. 47% see Brexit as a business opportunity, with 45% saying their growth plans have been positively affected by Brexit. Just 24% perceive Brexit as an obstacle and only 24% think it has negatively affected their growth plans. The remaining businesses remain uncertain. A quarter of businesses report that they simply do not know how to access international markets, which suggests that all the time, effort and money successive UK governments have invested in encouraging UK businesses to expand internationally is not yet working. There is clearly more that can be done. Kreston Reeves will be joined by guest speaker Mike Herd, Executive Director of the Sussex Innovation Centre, providing business leaders with practical guidance on growth strategies for the year ahead and on how to access and raise finance in the current economic climate. The Kreston Reeves Finance Focus event is well attended and with spaces limited. If you would like to attend visit www.krestonreeves.com or contact Ella Parsons at events@krestonreeves.com.
35% of businesses fail to scenario plan and prepare for eventualities that may impact their business.
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
tel: 01444 259 259
advertorial
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
The business side of invention Robb Cunningham leads the marketing for the University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform, and its national business network, Clean Growth UK. “It took me 15 years and 5,127 attempts to develop the first bagless cyclonic vacuum. And I won’t lie, it was frustrating, aggravating – but it was also invigorating, exciting.” Even for James Dyson, taking a new product to market is no mean feat; it takes a lot more than a good idea to make a success of it. As well as the excitement of product development, there’s a host of commercial considerations to take into account that can be easy to ignore. If you’re in the process of developing a new product or service, here are some key steps to factor in to your planning.
Understand who your customer is Without customers, you won’t sell anything and your innovation won’t have an impact. It’s important to know who you will sell to, and what problem your product or service solves for them. To really understand your customer, carry out research so that you can create profiles. Consider including information on age, lifestyle, motivations, how best to reach them, how they buy, where they work and who influences them. Also, think about the value that your product brings to their lives.
with you receiving royalties on each sale in return.
otherwise you risk landing in hot water and compromising the whole project.
It might seem overkill, but armed with this insight you’ll have a great idea of what your sales and marketing strategy should focus on. It can help with your product development too.
The benefits of licensing are numerous. You don’t need to make a significant investment in materials, a manufacturing site and equipment, and your licensee will likely have good market knowledge and be in a better position to make a success of sales and marketing than you would be. They may also be able to benefit from greater economies of scale.
You also need to make sure that you’re not infringing on anyone else’s intellectual property, including not just the design of the product but also any name and logo that you choose.
Know your competition
You’ll can also enjoy ongoing royalties, whilst you’re free to concentrate on other ventures.
Knowing who your competitors are will show you what works well and what doesn’t, and will help you identify your unique selling point (USP). Start your research on the internet, It’s free, easy and you can find out a lot. But it’s important to go beyond what’s available online. Read trade publications, network within your industry and go to trade shows to see what others are doing and where trends are going. And think of your competition from your customers’ point of view; it won’t always be businesses doing exactly the same as you. A wind turbine supplier’s competitors would include solar panel suppliers, for example.
Choose the right business model A product can be brought to market in different ways, and the one you choose should be given careful thought. Two options to consider are licensing the product, or producing it yourself. Licencing involves handing over the rights to produce and sell your product to someone else, often
But there are downsides too. You give up control over your product, including how it is marketed, its packaging and where it is sold. You may not be involved in future product development and the earning potential might be lower. You won’t necessarily have access to accurate sales data either, meaning you have to place trust in your licensee to act ethically.
Don’t leave your pricing to guesswork It can be hard to decide how to price a new product or service. Try to avoid the temptation to price based on cost, because your production costs have nothing to do with what people are prepared to pay, or the value your product or service provides. You should always aim to let the market determine how much you charge.
Do your due diligence You must be confident that your innovation is legally compliant and meets any regulations of the industry you’re planning to sell in,
And don’t forget the other side of the coin – protecting your own intellectual property. Without the right patents in place, others can copy your idea.
Clean and green innovation As the true impact of climate change begins to hit home, it’s becoming increasingly important to understand the impact your business has on society. Developing new products and services that use less energy and resources and create less waste is crucial if we’re to ensure a prosperous economy for generations to come. Based at the University of Brighton, the Green Growth Platform supports businesses developing clean and green products, services and processes with innovation, commercialisation and investment readiness support. Businesses can access R&D expertise and facilities, business coaching and workshops on commercialising products and getting investment ready. The Green Growth Platform is the South East regional delivery hub for Clean Growth UK, a national network of universities supporting clean and green business innovation. Visit www.clean-growth.uk to find out more about the support you could get and book a discovery meeting with one of our skilled advisors.
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business matters
april/may 2019 business edge
Sussex Chamber of Commerce appoints new Chairman By the time this edition of Business Edge is published I will have been confirmed as the new Chairman for Sussex Chamber.
Managing Health and Safety Jon Gorf Managing Director, Health and Safety Help
Managing Health & Safety (H&S) need not be complicated or time consuming. In fact, the benefits of a good H&S system can decrease costs; reduce risks - leading to fewer accidents; improve employee morale, attendance & retention; increase productivity and improve your company’s reputation. The negative side of failing to address H&S is revealed in the HSE’s recent statistics which reported 1.4 million workers suffering from work-related ill-health and over 26.8 million working days were lost. If you add increased costs of insurance premiums, loss of reputation and your moral duty then this brings to mind the adage of “if you think health & safety is expensive, try having an accident!” The law places duties on organisations and employers, and directors can be personally liable when these duties are breached. Delegating responsibility to an individual does not absolve you or other members of the board as there is both a collective and individual responsibility for health and safety. Good safety culture isn’t just about ‘doing enough’ to keep within legislation. Good culture is leading from the top and by example, with the aim that everyone goes home healthy. The HSE management system is a simple, continuous cycle of ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’. Plan. Think about where you are now and where you need to be. Decide what you want to achieve, who will be responsible, how you will achieve this and how you
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will measure your success. If you have 5 or more employees, then you must have a written Health & Safety Policy which should outline who does what and when. The policy should be regularly reviewed, ideally annually and communicated throughout the entire company. Do. Know, identify and control your risks by carrying out a risk assessment. The assessment should identify what has the potential to cause harm, who could be affected and what you will do to manage and reduce the risk. Make sure you involve your workforce and communicate the risks so that everyone has a clear understanding. Once the hazard has been identified implement a plan to prevent and protect those that may be harmed. This will also involve training, instruction and supervision. Workers are vulnerable to injury within the first few weeks of starting employment or a new task and it is important that they know how to follow the safe system of work. Check. Measure your performance to ensure that the plan is being followed and works. This may involve an audit or inspection report by you or an appointed safety consultant. Check on whether there have been any accidents, incidents or near misses. Use all the information gathered to check how well your organisation is performing and communicate this to the board and your employees. Act. From the audits, inspection reports and checks, take action on what you have learned. Decide what can be done to improve and then revisit your plan and assessments to see if they need updating
The first thing I’d like to do is thank David Sheppard for his energy and wisdom in steering the Chamber very successfully over the last 3 years; his contribution and sense of fun will be long remembered. Possibly by the time of publication we may also have some clarity on the Brexit separation agreement, but equally possible, we may not – it would be foolhardy to try and predict the twists and turns that may have happened by the time you read this. What is certain is that Sussex Chamber and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Network is increasingly influencing Government thinking by focusing on the real practical issues that need to be sorted, particularly to keep goods and people moving and trade happening. For your Chamber that means learning new skills and delivering new services, such as the Customs Declaration Service that the BCC Network is going to be providing for HMRC. Whatever form Brexit ultimately takes will require all businesses to adapt and innovate. Fortunately, innovation is in the business DNA of this country, but it does require effort and the courage to try new things, such as finding new export markets. I am looking forward to working with the board of directors we have assembled and to representing the views of our members as we all work through this latest period of change.
If you would like to discuss your health & safety system or arrange a free assessment, then please feel free to get in touch with us at Health and Safety Help.
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
tel: 01444 259 259
Rob Clare Chairman Sussex Chamber of Commerce
Degree Apprenticeships 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: • Chartered Manager • Digital Marketer • Digital Technology Solutions Professional (Software Engineer) • Digital Technology Solutions Professional (Cyber Security Analyst) • Digital Technology Solutions Professional (Business Analyst) • Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineer • Mechanical Engineer • Postgraduate Teacher • Senior Leader Master's (MBA) • Social Worker
“the apprentices quickly become very talented. For us there hasn’t been a time when they haven’t been working on a commercial project, which is very beneficial to the company. In the digital sector this is the most positive step towards addressing the skills shortage that I can recall.” Simon Pringle, CEO Red River Software (supporting Software Engineering degree apprentices) “If we can take local students, children who have grown up in the area, and education then in science, business, and engineering, before having them back in the community, then it’s a win-win for everyone involved.” Henry Powell, CEO Inpress Plastics (supporting Business and Engineering degree apprentices)
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
business matters innovation and design
december/january february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Workhorse software driving performance through design with Bisley South-East business management software company, Workhorse, is on a mission to empower small businesses with software that works for them without the big development price tag. Alison Prangnell Head of Marketing, Workhorse
Workhorse’s innovative software design, adaptable to any sector or business type, has attracted funding from Two, Bisley UK’s technology innovation arm. As a result, Workhorse is expanding its reach in the contract furnishing and interiors sector. As the UK’s leading contract office furnisher, Bisley, is on a mission to solve workplace problems and enhance enduser experience in order to improve performance by investing in and developing modern technologies. In a sector driven by design, Bisley recognised how SMEs were being hamstrung by systems and software that didn’t quite meet the requirements
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for individual company processes and often complex, bespoke client projects. Generic software on the market lacked flexibility, agility and customisation and just didn’t give businesses what they needed.
Bespoke client requirements are logged and managed with stock and then jobs are allocated and tracked. By integrating with key solutions like Xero, companies also avoid doubling up on admin and data-keying.
Workhorse software bucks the trend of generic, off-the-shelf software. By capitalising on cloud technology, Workhorse is able to deliver bespoke solutions to small businesses that don’t break the bank. Its modular system is deeply customisable and is implemented fast, within just weeks, even with significant automation.
The resulting solution has already saved in excess of £100k per annum, in terms of process improvement, use of resource and error reduction giving back valuable time that various parts of the business are able to use to grow and develop.
Bisley’s investment in Workhorse (through Two) has led to the two companies working together, developing unique systems that deliver on the design process criteria core to client delivery in the sector. Businesses are able to follow one order and project management process from enquiry, through quoting, purchasing, delivery and billing.
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
Workhorse is now implemented in 4 (Evaclite, Two, Dealer+, SPR) Bisley divisions, departments and companies with a further white-labelled system in development for distribution via Bisley’s own network. goworkhorse.com
tel: 01444 259 259
innovation business andmatters design
february/march april/may december/january 2019 business 2019 2018 business edge business edge edge
Pushing at the ceiling Architecture is often seen as innovative and progressive, possibly even an art-form. Irrespective of whether the end results are described as ‘paradigms of beauty’ or ‘carbuncles’, buildings from any era can often inspire leading-edge discussion. Nigel Marcoolyn Director of Architecture, Cowan Architects
But does building design innovate? Innovation is described as “the process of translating an idea or invention into goods or services that creates value or for which customers will pay”. What is key here is that it is the application of ideas that are novel and useful, rather than the idea itself. Indeed, one of our most visually impressive projects recently has involved the application of a product and technology that has been around for more than a century. Back in 1887, Canadian company, Sprung, developed a “fabric structure like no other” that was a uniquely tough canvas for chuck wagons and pioneers’ tents. Decade upon decade has seen improvements until now the tents have become high-performance, portable building structure that is currently finding its use in a growing number of new and varied applications. After designing and constructing the NASA Space Shuttle housing facility in the early 1980s, these portable structures began to gain a good reputation. More recently, the high-quality materials that are individually tested have proven their durability in some of the most extreme climates on earth, from the hottest desert to the windiest arctic tundra
and coldest mountain highland. The only building left standing in Buras, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was a Sprung tensile structure. Cowan Architects, working with Sprung’s UK partner, Paragon Structures, has recently applied this engineering masterpiece in the development of two new, world-class sports and teaching facilities for cricket and golf at a top public school that is world renowned for its sporting heritage. Here, we have designed the new structures to fit alongside existing, extensive internal and external facilities and sports areas. These advanced, fabric tensile structures are meticulously engineered to allow total design flexibility, all-weather performance, strength, long-term quality and costeffectiveness. But it is the speed in which they can be designed and constructed that really impresses – as does the relative cost value. Their modularity also makes them easy to re-locate but the patented technology and construction features have additional advantages that extend their applications. Paragon Structures largely uses this product in the sports hall and recreational facilities market but it can span a multitude of opportunities from warehousing to logistics, military to industrial units, educational buildings to hospitality events and even aircraft hangers – very Gatwick-relevant. For an independent school, the attractions are numerous. It has versatility as the
design can be tailored to meet any school’s specific needs. The speed of construction is also particularly appealing as it will keep the disruption to the rest of the school to a minimum. Many clients will also find that the progressive look and feel of the buildings work well to reflect an aspiration to be ‘leading the field’. Time savings are significant. Where it might take 2 – 3 months for an architect to design a conventional building, I can do a Sprung structure in as many weeks and it then takes only a matter of 2-4 weeks to erect (at a pace of 500 – 1500 square feet per day), compared to 9 – 12 months. Other benefits include a 20% saving in energy running costs, an air-tight envelope, high ceiling, BREEAM Excellent rating, the need for fewer light fittings due to the Sports England compliant daylighting panels, and its easy re-location – should the need arise. We may all see the old prefab hut as a thing of the past, but it’s a lesson to us all not to reject old design as irrelevant to today’s marketplace. By reimagining these icons and applying a bit of modern-day technology, something remarkable can be achieved. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing where these beautiful structures will take us next.
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ask the expert
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Business Coaching to achieve your goals Over the last 15 years there has been profound shift in how Business Coaching is perceived and where once if you’d heard a coach had been called in you might have thought something was wrong with the business. Ryan Andrews ACTION COACH, RLA Business Coaching
These days it’s quite the opposite, gone is that stigma, replaced by the consensus that if a coach is involved the company has made a commitment to invest. There is more openness and willingness for business people to admit they need the help of a professional coach to understand themselves and to grow and develop in their working environment. People will now readily admit that they have had coaching and that it has informed them as leaders and influenced their value systems, the way they deal with other people and the way they approach their work. Increasingly this is something business people will openly be proud to admit – it demonstrates a level of emotional intelligence, maturity and insight. Here are some key reasons why you should consider coaching: You feel your business is already good, but you’ve recognised that it’s going to take a little extra to become outstanding You no longer love your business… A good coach will reignite that passion, and help you define a new vision and goals that bring the joy and excitement back You feel married to your business and it’s demanding too much of your time. A coach will show you how to take control of that time and work more effectively with better results
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Your business generates profit but not enough to justify the effort – keep doing what you’re doing for more of the same. A business coach will challenge you and focus your actions on what will grow profits. There will be change, and you will need to be prepared for this You feel more like an employee than the owner of your own business, unable to even take a break from it for holidays or otherwise. You need to revaluate your business systems and perhaps develop a management team Time for some ‘me-time’; You’ve invested in training for your staff? … So, what about yourself? There’s room for improvement for everyone, your coach should be able to work on specific aspects of your own performance. With a coach you’re not alone, with one to one support to motivate you to greater success and a sounding board for new ideas, a coach can really help you get better results. With RLA Business Coaching our work together will involve identifying your goals, creating a plan of Action and then ensuring that the plan is implemented. The accountability that a coach offers means that you are far more likely to follow through on this plan and achieve the desired outcome. Failure is not an option. In short, a coach acts like a bridge between planning and doing. I believe that people can achieve far more than they think they are capable of. My role is to inspire, educate, challenge and support you so that you keep going until you arrive at the destination of your making. So, defining and executing this plan really equates to what I call the ‘what, where, when, who and how’ of business.
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Begin with the end in mind Interestingly, often the least consideration is given to the why and it is the identification of the real purpose behind our objectives which I believe to be one of the most important parts of the coaching process. For my clients, the process starts with us spending a day together and establishing ‘where they want to be’. To me, this is a critical part of the coaching process because without knowing where we are going, we can’t plan how to get there. Perhaps more importantly the first goals and objectives I encourage my clients to think about are personal goals, that’s goals not related to work. The logic here is that what we want in our personal lives drives our willingness to change in our business lives. This is the WHY. This is the reason you are prepared to do what needs to be done. Your business should be viewed as a vehicle to deliver your personal goals. We will create a business plan which specifies what needs to happen in the business in the next three years in order to move you towards achieving your Lifetime plan. We then prioritise these goals for the next 12 months before building a 90-day plan scheduling the activities which will need to be done in order to meet the said goal. These actions or short-term goals will of course be SMART goals. Here at RLA Business Coaching we’ll get you to focus on the next step of your plan, ensuring you take the action necessary to achieve the goals you set. You’ll achieve more in less time, grow your business and accelerate the success of your business and yourself. Remember, a plan without Action is just a dream.
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fine print
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
Unlocking Creativity: How to Solve Any Problem and Make the Best Decisions by Shifting Creative Mindsets By Michael A. Roberto Published by Wiley
General Dynamics UK achieve the Investment in Young People Award General Dynamics UK is a leading defence and technology company, with more than 1,400 employees in the UK. At our two sites in Hastings, we design, develop and manufacture avionic systems used on different types of military aircraft around the world. We are delighted to have achieved the National Award for Investment in Young People from Sussex Chamber of Commerce. General Dynamics UK is committed to investing in and helping with the development of young people who are local to our sites. We offer exciting opportunities for young people through our support of the Engineering Education Scheme, visiting schools and colleges as STEM ambassadors, and providing work experience placements within our Company, as well as offering our own apprenticeship programme and graduate scheme. We are incredibly proud of this award, as it acknowledges the great work that our employees do to invest in the future generation of engineers and it will continue to inspire our ongoing dedication to these projects. Ana Christie, Chief Executive of Sussex Chamber of Commerce said: “General Dynamics UK has shown true commitment to supporting young people. They encourage apprentices, graduates and workexperience students to understand their business. They work on various campaigns including; Year of Engineering, Women in Engineering, and the Reserves Day and Armed Forces. They have shown huge determination to work with the local community and schools to showcase the opportunities available. They encourage students to work on real-life projects who learn skills including; software engineering, being creative, using calculations and soldering. General Dynamics UK encourages young people to engage with them through their website and their business plan incorporates having an inclusive environment where a highly engaged workforce can achieve their potential. It gives me great pleasure to award General Dynamics UK with the Investment in Young People Award.”
Tear down the obstacles to creative innovation in your organisation Unlocking Creativity is an exploration of the creative process and how organisations can clear the way for innovation. In many organisations, creative individuals face stubborn resistance to new ideas. Managers and executives often reject innovation and unconventional approaches due to misplaced allegiance to the status quo. Questioning established practices or challenging prevailing sentiments is frequently met with stiff resistance. In this climate of stifled creativity and inflexible adherence to conventional wisdom, potentially gamechanging ideas are dismissed outright. Senior leaders claim to value creativity, yet often lack the knowledge to provide a creative framework. Unlocking Creativity offers effective methods and real-world examples of how the most successful organisations create cultures of innovation and experimentation. Best-selling author and scholar Michael Roberto presents a thorough investigation of organisational obstacles to creative thought. Highly relevant to the growth crises many enterprises face in today’s economic landscape, this book examines how to break barriers to spark creativity and foster new ideas.
About the Author MICHAEL A. ROBERTO became Director of the Center for Program Innovation at Bryant University after serving six years on the faculty at Harvard Business School. Professor Roberto has written over 30 case studies used in business schools, including the bestselling Everest Leadership and Team simulation and an award-winning multimedia case about the Columbia space shuttle disaster. He has published two books, including the business bestseller, Why Great Leaders Don’t Take Yes for an Answer. Professor Roberto received his doctorate from Harvard Business School in 2000.
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business support
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Are an innovator looking for support to help you grow your idea or business? “Innovate UK in the South East of England: Driving regional strength through business support for national impact.” is the event for you. It is a free, all-day event on Wednesday 10th April, in Brighton.
partnership with Coast2Capital Growth Hub and the University of Brighton Enterprise Team.
Who should attend?
Why attend?
Innovation is key to maintaining a competitive advantage in business. This FREE TO ATTEND event is all about the support you can access to help you turn your ideas into reality. It will also focus on how digital technologies can take your business to the next level. To book your free space, visit http://bit.ly/ InnovateSouthEast or search for ‘Innovate UK South East’. This event is organised by Innovate UK (The Government’s innovation agency) and its supporting organisations: Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and Digital Catapult. It’s, in
10 | 04 | 2019 Brighton
Help the region’s largest industrial players find solutions to their problems
Find out about funding opportunities (including the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund).
Individuals and businesses of all sizes who are looking for support on how to progress their ideas.
Understand where you can get help to take your business to the next level
UK businesses and R&D centres seeking to maximise the impact of their growth and investment portfolios.
Meet staff from Innovate UK, KTN, EEN and the Digital Catapult and ask your questions
Universities and SMEs exploring funding options and looking to grow their contacts base.
Get an insight on how to approach universities with cutting-edge expertise to expand your business potential.
Businesses seeking to partner with university R&D intelligence.
Network with other businesses and organisations
Academics who are keen to engage with the needs of the industrial landscape, especially within the digital economy.
Connect with potential collaborators and research partners
When? Wednesday 10th April 2019, 9am5pm
Learn how to write a successful grant application
Where? Clarendon Centre, New England Street, Brighton
Learn about the opportunities that digital technologies may unlock for your business.
To find out more and book your free space, visit http://bit.ly/InnovateSouthEast or search for ‘Innovate UK South East’.
Innovate UK in the South East of England
#InnovateSouthEast
Driving regional strength through business support
To book your free space, search for 'Innovate UK South East'
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business support
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
Probably the best located Flexible Office Space in Crawley! Only a few minutes walk from Three Bridges Mainline Station n Gatwick – 1 minute n Brighton – 18 minutes n London Bridge – 32 minutes n 5 minutes drive to M23 High quality, flexible workspaces from single desks to larger requirements available. n Prices from £175 pppm n Flexible contracts n Adaptable workspaces n Onsite parking n Help & support n Immediate availability We make office space easy. For more information call Edward on 020 3142 7000. Locations also in Horsham and London. www.needspace.co.uk
Are you a Small or Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) developing an innovative new product or service? We have grants available for academic collaboration and internships, as well as funding for low and high value capital equipment purchases and consultancy services. Contact the KEEP+ team on 01245 684207 or email keepplus@anglia.ac.uk to find out more. KEEP+ is a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supported programme, offering match funded grants to eligible SMEs developing new products and services. The programme is a partnership of six universities across the South East.
KEEPPLUS.CO.UK
KEEPPLUS
@KEEPPLUS
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business support
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Time’s up for Windows 7 Time is running out for businesses in Sussex to make the move to Windows 7 as it reaches its End of Life phase. So, this is definitely the right time to move to Windows 10 because it will make working with business partners and customers so much easier.
that, technical assistance and automatic updates won’t be available.
According to Netmarketshare, the new operating system has now superseded Windows 7 as the most popular in the World. This may have taken more than three years to achieve but the benefits of such an evolutionary system are now beginning to convince organisations large and small.
The good news is that upgrading can be relatively painless. It could also be an opportunity to review all your IT needs and identify new opportunities to use technology to improve business operations – including enhancements to your customer relationship management.
However, some surveys suggest that 70 per cent of businesses worldwide still use Windows 7 whilst recent research indicates that a significant number of companies aren’t making proper plans for an upgrade to Windows 10. Gary Jowett, from Computer & Network Consultants in Brighton, said: “In 2009, Microsoft committed to 10 years of product support for Windows 7. However, when we reach mid-January next year, there will no longer be support for anyone still using Windows 7 leaving little time for the transition to Windows 10. After
Painless transition
Windows 10 has a similar look and feel to Windows 7 and it means your business will be able to use the Office 365 suite of applications. To fully understand Windows 10 better and to see how Office 365 can improve your business operations, it’s best to consult with an independent expert who can help you organise your migration to take maximum advantage of future business opportunities. Gary Jowett said: “Businesses have been slow to adopt Windows 10, preferring to stay with what they know and love. However, Microsoft has definitely learned
IMAGINE HAVING ACCESS TO ALL THE BEST IT SERVICES.
from its mistakes and Windows 10 should convince even the most sceptical to stay loyal and become more efficient and successful using Windows 10 as the backbone of their IT infrastructure.” www.cnc-ltd.co.uk
ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 27001:2013 Certified
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CNC provide the most comprehensive range of IT services in the South East including: – IT Support & Outsourcing
– Hosted Phones & Mobiles
– Internet Connectivity
– Security Services
– Installation & Infrastructure
– Cloud & Hosting
– IT Hardware & Software
– Disaster Recovery
– Cloud e-Mail Archiving
– Apple Support
– Mobile & Remote Access
– Virtualisation
– Off-Site Data Backup
– Office 365 & Azure
We would love to talk to you and offer a complimentary systems & security check-up with no obligations to use our services.
— 01273 386 333 — sales@cnc-ltd.co.uk — www.cnc-ltd.co.uk
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business support
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
Sussex train services fit for the future Sussex passengers are seeing the benefits as Network Rail handed the railway back on time following a 9-day closure for vital engineering work that will make their train service more reliable. More than 250 engineers worked around the clock at 26 sites to complete the biggest upgrade of the railway between Brighton and Three Bridges in more than 30 years. Over the extended closure, they have carried out the lion’s share of the £67 million improvement programme to this stretch of railway. They have improved track, signalling and drainage on the route, which is one of the busiest on the network, carrying 300,000 passengers on a normal weekday, but has also been one of the least reliable on the network. In addition, thousands of Southern and Thameslink passengers who rely on the Brighton Main Line each day returned on Monday, 25 February 2019 to brighter and cleaner stations as Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) took advantage of the closure to carry out a series of improvements at Balcombe, Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Hassocks, Preston Park, Plumpton and Cooksbridge stations, with more to come over the next few weeks. Having worked closely with our local communities, we know these station improvements will be welcome.
Highlights of the engineering work completed include: Extensive drainage works in Balcombe Tunnel: The Victorian brick culvert drainage system in one of the South East’s longest railway tunnels had a build-up of silt and other debris, along with damage to brickwork. This compromised the drainage system and led to flooding, which in turn caused signalling and power supply problems.
Balcombe Tunnel Junction: Renewed and upgraded this junction, replacing 600 metres of track, improving the layout of the junction and replacing switches and crossings, which allow trains to move tracks. A complete renewal and upgrade of the lineside signalling and power systems between Haywards Heath and Preston Park, with more reliable, modern hightech equipment. Extensive work at affected stations, including platform improvements, deepcleaning, repainting waiting rooms, ticket offices and station buildings, repairing and replacing footbridges, and repairing fencing as well as tidying up plants and hedgerows. A joint Network Rail/GTR industry communications team worked to establish strong connections with business stakeholders, the local community and passengers to raise awareness. This enables us to listen and understand first-hand how we could work closely together with businesses in Sussex to promote the line closures and identify new ways of working together to ensure that we could achieve the required behaviour change in travel plans but to also highlight how the Sussex coast would remain open for business. These new relationships also enabled us to give back to the local community through volunteering. With the half marathon impacted by the final day of the line closures, the Brighton Main Line team volunteered to man a water station at the Brighton half marathon. The team
handed out over 6,000 cups of water on an unusually warm February day and met many members of the local community who had been impacted by the major engineering works. Also working with stakeholders, we were able to donate a number of teak benches which were used in the bus hub at Three Bridges to deserving charities and local community groups across Sussex, all of whom were nominated by our stakeholders. Our level of engagement has extended to business improvement districts, local economic partnerships, retailers and business organisations. These relationships have provided us with a great insight on how working so closely with businesses and the local community can positively influence the success of a communications campaign around engineering works. Without your support, we couldn’t have succeeded and for that, we say thank you. Our engineers will now turn their attention to planning for the final stages of the work, which will be carried out over five weekends between March and May this year. The works have been carefully planned to ensure that trains will run at Easter and work will not impact the Brighton Festival or the all-important Summer season. This will allow the coastal towns to run their marketing campaigns to attract business to this picturesque part of the world and we will continue to support them to extend the reach of these messages through our communications channels.
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business matters innovation and design
december/january february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Rap Interiors wows Brighton patients with new take on NHS interiors For the interior designers at Brighton fit out company Rap Interiors, the ability to think outside-the-box is an essential attribute.
Chris Sparham Marketing Manager, Rap Interiors
Take early last year, for example, when they were asked to transform an unused warehouse mezzanine floor into a state of the art winery and visitor attraction. Or the year before that, when a local primary school requested a new library design with an ‘enchanted forest’ theme. Indeed, there is rarely a dull day in the Rap Interiors office for the design team. Just when the designers thought they had seen it all, late last year they were met with another interesting challenge: to come up with a new design concept for a healthcare facility in the heart of Brighton. To give you the full picture, their client, Care UK, provides care homes, GP services and treatment centres for the NHS. Care UK is currently delivering a new model of care for general practices called ‘Practice Plus’, a comprehensive, technologically advanced GP service which provides patients with fast and convenient appointments. The project would entail transforming a vacant and dilapidated GP surgery into a Practice Plus facility with a ‘health spa’ style theme. Additionally, the facility needed to be disability-friendly and consistent with stringent hygiene regulations, adding extra layers of complexity to the already challenging remit. Despite the challenges, the design team set to producing 2D plans and 3D visuals
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for Care UK’s consideration. This included the creation of a multitude of spaces, including reception/entrance, waiting area, washroom, lobby, consultation room and three GP practices. In order to create the patient friendly health spa environment Care UK requested, the design team were required to think laterally, as Scott Howard, Rap Interiors Senior Designer, explains: “We really had to think intelligently about our aesthetic choices with Care UK; I even took into account my own GP experiences to achieve the health spa remit. Like most people, I always want to get out of my GP practice as quick as possible, so to make Practice Plus more relaxing I introduced Brighton-themed feature walls and LED sky ceiling tiles. “I also took into account the GP lobby areas, which always have tiny, hard to see signs on the doors. With that in mind, I pitched to Care UK that we print large numbers on the GP doors in bold yellow, ensuring the rooms are easily identifiable once you enter from reception. The yellow, according to research, is also the easiest colour for visually impaired people to identify, so this helped to inform my decision. “The GP surgeries can also be identified by their purple frames and green doors, highlighting that they are areas for patient access. Conversely, the ‘staff’ and ‘utility’ rooms are painted with a grey frame and sport a blue font, highlighting that they are for staff access only.” Another key element in creating the health spa environment was the reception/waiting area, which needed to be configured to
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ensure it could accommodate the patients on busy days. Despite the space being relatively small, Scott and the team created a suitable configuration by introducing rows of small modular chairs. It was also vital that the chairs were made with nonabsorbent, wipeable material in case of sickness and blood spillages. Therefore, the team proposed using a chemical resistant faux leather material to ensure optimum hygiene. Other key features of the waiting area included check-in screens to streamline the appointment process, an information screen, Practice Plus wall branding, new LED lighting, leaflet holders and a play area for children. These elements, in addition to the intelligently selected furniture, make for a modern, inviting and practical waiting area. With the help of Rap Interiors’ innovative design team, Care UK now has a state of the art flagship GP surgery that will work as a blueprint for future projects. By thinking intelligently about the design scheme, our designers were able to create a modern space that fulfils the health spa aesthetic remit, adheres to health and safety regulations and provides excellent usability for patients. Who ever said NHS interiors had to be boring? Rap Interiors is a design, fit out and refurbishment contractor with offices in Brighton, London, Croydon and Maidstone. Established in 1988, the Rap team has long history of delivering cutting edge transformations that help companies to build on their success. www.rapinteriors.co.uk
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february/march april/may december/january 2019 business 2019 2018 business edge business edge edge
innovation business andmatters design
Embracing Industry 4.0 to help create the factory of tomorrow Last year was a very significant period for Nordell. It was our 50th year in business and this proved to be a catalyst in helping us drive a phase of unprecedented development for our business. Emma Penn Business Development Manager, Nordell
Last year was a very significant period for Nordell. It was our 50th year in business and this proved to be a catalyst in helping us drive a phase of unprecedented development for our business. This included a series of appointments with all new starters bringing a forward-thinking attitude to enhance our current team and ensuring that our clients continue to receive our continuously developing “Nordell Edge” - a competitive advantage & exemplary services that our clients need to keep them at the forefront of their respective sectors. Working within the plastics industry, we understand that we have a duty to provide a service with the environment firmly in mind. Therefore, we ensure that our environmental objectives are communicated throughout the business, and this includes displaying notices in the building highlighting new policies. In addition to notable shifts in our approach, such as using wood cellulose filled material with a 50% carbon reduction,
we have also made further improvements to the amount of energy consumed onsite with fitted LED lighting across site, which has raised our energy efficiency and lowered our running costs. At Nordell, we continue to display a level of innovation in keeping with the global advances in automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0. Across the entire business is an integrated ERP system that links not just inventory and planning operations, but also financials, supplier and customer relations as well as manufacturing operations. IQMS is our manufacturing derived ERP system and it is our common source of data, its consolidation and reporting across the entire business. Across the company we have over 700-years’ worth of combined plastic trade knowledge, spread across our 80 staff members. Working with pioneering manufacturing equipment, complimented by our industry specific ERP software, gives us the confidence to offer solutions and combinations of services which others may not have knowledge of. In terms of design, we are continually spurred on by doubt. On many occasions we receive projects which, when presented to us, state that “it cannot be done”, either
from a practical or economic perspective. This is what motivates us to pleasantly surprise our clients. This drives us on to deliver real value, drawing on a huge back catalogue of proven solutions offered across a very broad range of industrial and consumer goods sectors. We also continue to buck the trend when it comes to attracting women into the engineering industry. At Nordell the current ratio of women to men is at an all-time high of 28% female workers ranging from Operators to Senior Management. The team all act in various areas of the business from Administration to Quality, Production Manufacturing, and Logistics. We will continue to make a huge push to new managers and team leaders which will also increase the number of women in leadership roles who are responsible for managing and supervising the engineering and manufacturing operations of plastic parts. With an eye to the future, Nordell understands that by being open-minded and enthusiastically embracing new ideas, concepts and lean principals, we will be well placed to capitalise on the innovations and advancements being made in solution, innovation and environmentally driven polymer developments.
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corporate & social responsibility
Maximising the benefit of Gift Aid donations The government’s Gift Aid scheme aims to maximise the value of donations made to charities whilst allowing most UK taxpayers to benefit from tax relief on the gift. Since the scheme allows payments to be related to a previous year, the end of the tax year is a good time to give the matter a review. The Gift Aid scheme allows individuals to claim tax relief on making one-off or regular gifts to charity and there are no lower or upper limits on donations. When a payment is made, it is treated as being made net of tax at the basic rate. So, if a basic rate taxpayer makes a donation of £100, the charity will be able to claim back tax of £25 from the government (£125 being the ‘grossed up’ value of the payment). The charity gets £125, but it costs the donor only £100. Higher rate taxpayers can claim 20% (the difference between the higher rate of tax at 40% cent and the basic rate of tax at 20%) as a tax deduction on the total value to the charity of the donation. So, on a gift of £100, the charity still receives £125, and the higher rate taxpayer reclaims £25 (20% of the gross donation of £125). The claim is usually made via the individual’s self-assessment tax return. It is worth noting that the basic rate tax deemed to have been deducted from a donation will be clawed back by HMRC if the donor’s income tax and/or capital gains tax (CGT) liability for the year is insufficient to match the tax retained. The person making a donation doesn’t necessarily have to be working to be paying tax - tax deducted from pensions and/or income will also cover the tax on Gift Aid payments. For tax planning purposes, for example, to reduce a liability to higher rate tax in a previous year, it is possible to elect for a donation to be treated as paid in the previous tax year. The election must be made to HMRC by the date on which the individual’s tax return was submitted for the previous tax year and, in any event, no later than 31 January following that tax year. An election can only be made if the gift can be paid out of taxed income or gains of the previous tax year. The election provisions may be particularly useful to someone whose income for a particular tax year nudges just over the higher rate income tax threshold. It may be possible to make a gift under Gift Aid, which in turn will reduce liability to tax at the higher rate, and mean that the taxpayer could potentially avoid paying tax at marginal tax rates of up to 64.75%. It may be worth reviewing any donations made under Gift Aid to ensure that full entitlement to potential tax reliefs has been utilised.
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Creating a County where no one is silenced by sexual violence… 1 in 6 men are affected by sexual abuse - that’s 130,000 in Sussex, 5 million across the UK. Mankind is one of only a handful of organisations in the UK offering specialist support services to these men.
What we are doing Through research and client consultation, we have created a unique staged clinical programme that empowers male survivors to choose their own pathway to recovery. Every year we help over 100 men to get their lives back on track. However, all of this is at risk…
What you can do Mankind believes that sexual abuse is a community issue - and that it needs us to work together as a community to tackle it effectively. However a 2017 report by the Directory of Social Change predicts that UK charities risk losing at least £258.4m in EU funds through Brexit.
60 years of opportunities with Pestalozzi This year we are embarking on an exciting new phase in our development, working in partnership with United World Colleges to provide quality education to talented students who need it most. In September we will embark upon a joint scholarship programme with our first cohort of students studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma at Atlantic College in Llantwit Major. Every penny donated to Pestalozzi is invested in the education of a young person through the Scholarship Programme. The ripples that our alumni create stretch out across the globe.
To counter this, we have created a new campaign called Support Our Service that aims to change the balance of power between the shrinking funds and the vital work we do.
Ruramai Chivasa graduated from Pestalozzi in 2018. She realised that young women in her home country of Zimbabwe were missing out on their education because they could not afford sanitary protection.
If we all give a little, we can achieve a lot
Whilst on her gap year, she started Project 1000 Pads giving disadvantaged young girls from her village access to free reusable sanitary pads so they can stay in school.
If only 3,000 people gave just £3 a month, we would decrease our reliance on outside funders by 50%. Our vision is to create a community owned organisation that puts people back in control and being part of the solution. To find out how you and your company can become part of our vision and make a real difference to men’s lives, please contact Martyn Sullivan on 01273 933223.
Ruramai has been able to make such a big difference to these young women because she in turn was supported by Pestalozzi. As Pestalozzi begins this new stage in its evolution, your support will be as vital as ever, enabling talented students like Ruramai to achieve their potential and make a difference in the world.
Follow: @MankindCharity
For more information about Pestalozzi’s exciting new programme contact CEO, Susan Walton on susan.walton@pestalozzi.org.uk or on 01424 870444.
TXT SOS to 70085 to give £3 a month
www.pestalozzi.org.uk
Email: admin@mkcharity.org Visit: www.mkcharity.org
www.parkerpartnership.co.uk Twitter: Parkers_Hove
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february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
corporate & social responsibility
Connecting your company with the local community by supporting The Bevern Trust Take the plunge… make your big moment theirs Imagine doing something amazing, crazy or just mindblowingly brilliant. And you’ll be directly helping children with life-shortening conditions and their families. Get involved with Chestnut Tree House, the children’s hospice for Sussex and South East Hampshire. Your business could make a real difference. For today. For tomorrow. For the Now. Here are just a few of the ways your business can help make a difference: Take part in a fun, fundraising event Make Chestnut Tree House your Charity of the Year Set up Payroll Giving for your employees Join our Corporate Volunteering days Chestnut Tree House cares for around 300 children and young people with lifeshortening conditions across Sussex and South East Hampshire, all of whom are unlikely to reach adulthood. As well as care provided at the House, there is a Community Nursing Team who visit families at home, taking children out to explore their local community or simply giving tired families and carers the chance to take a well-earned break. Then, when the time comes, Chestnut Tree House help families say goodbye, in whatever way feels right for them, either at home or in the hospice itself. They offer ongoing bereavement support for the whole family. It costs over £3.9 million every year to provide these specialist care services and less than 6% of that comes from central Government. All care is offered to families free of charge, so Chestnut Tree House relies heavily on the generosity of the local community. To find out how you can make a difference and help support local life-limited children and young people, visit www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk or email corporate@chestnut-tree-house.org.uk
We are a Sussex disability charity, passionate about giving people with complex health conditions the opportunity to live their life to the full. With a growing number of volunteering opportunities, events and activities your staff can get involved in, supporting the Bevern Trust has never been easier. Companies like Knill James in Lewes have benefited from sponsoring our fun run with staff teams taking part and all helping to raise vital funds for profoundly disabled people in Sussex. Whether you’re looking to generate positive PR with local press coverage, motivate your staff on away days or just give something back to the community, you can be sure of a rewarding experience partnering with The Bevern Trust. With more and more companies recognising that staff well-being is a higher priority for them, we offer the opportunity for you and your colleagues to spend time volunteering at our care home in Barcombe. Colleagues can come together, away from the office to help make a meaningful difference to the lives of some of the most marginalised people in society. From helping in the garden, the kitchen or even reading or helping our residents in the hydrotherapy pool, choosing to support The Bevern Trust as your preferred charity, brings instant rewards and morale boosting experiences that make a difference. Email info@beverntrust.org or call 01273 021241 to see how you and your colleagues can benefit.
Kangaroos celebrating 25 years of support Mid Sussex special needs charity, Kangaroos is looking to partner with more businesses. Please help make their anniversary year even more special by supporting this wonderful local charity. Originally a Saturday Play scheme with 6 children, Kangaroos now provides year round activities for over 200 young people with learning disabilities from age 6 - 35. Corporate and Business support can play a huge part in helping charities make a real difference. By committing to effective partnerships you can help improve people’s lives and communities.
There are various ways in which you can help Working in partnership with Kangaroos can bring lasting benefits to your company whilst helping to raise funds to help improve the lives of disabled young people, motivate staff and encourage team building Meet Corporate Social Responsibility objectives Make a difference locally. Put your company at the heart of the community, supporting a local cause rather than a national one Raise your company’s profile
Ways to Support Charity of the year or longer term partnership Sponsorship Volunteering Fundraise Gifts in Kind Payroll Giving Donate raffle / Auction prizes “We’ve seen first-hand what a difference Kangaroos clubs make to the children and young adults who attend them and the valuable respite it offers to their families. Kangaroos is such a brilliant charity doing amazing work.” Please call Samantha Norgate 01444 459108 sam@kangaroos.org.uk to get involved www.kangaroos.org.uk
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inspirational leaders
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Leading as a team In this issue, Andrew Hiesley spills the beans on his first year as Managing Director of ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW, providing us with insights into their distinctive approach to running a business. Andrew Hiesley Managing Director, ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW
Andrew was previously the Managing Director of a national law firm, operating in a very corporate environment, but wanted a new challenge with a team and culture that would inspire him on a daily basis. After a long search to find a law firm that was professional and ambitious but that was also not afraid to be different, Andrew found Acumen. ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW is a commercial law firm whose expertise and application of the law is completely business focused. Each department is peopled with specialists in that particular field, advising on topics such as employment law, corporate law, commercial contracts, commercial disputes, intellectual property and all aspects of running a business. Set up by Penina Shepherd in September 2007, Acumen swiftly went from strength to strength, despite the emerging banking crisis. Acumen is a boutique law firm with a distinctive ethos which has turned out to be its great strength, enabling it to flourish and grow. Today, Acumen is a multi-awarding winning firm, recognised by the Financial Times as one of the Top 50 Groundbreaking & Innovative Law Firms in the UK and Europe; and voted a UK Rising Star by the Observer. Continuing to grow, their office in Hove has been joined by one close to Gatwick and their broad client base embraces SMEs and multi-million pound businesses alike. The inspiration for Acumen was a desire to create an accessible, approachable and unpretentious law firm, in contrast to the aloof culture that is often associated with the legal industry. “Acumen has grown organically with a clear idea of who we are and what we do,” explains Andrew. “We’ve deliberately created a relaxed, informal atmosphere in our offices, which works better for our clients and our team. People prefer the open, relatable ethos. As we say on our website, ‘If you happen to see a lawyer in flip-flops, not to worry, it is one of the ways we do happy.’.” Indeed, happiness at work seems to be a fundamental feature of the Acumen ethos and culture. “This approach has additional benefits, for when your team is happy this flows through into your service delivery – in
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essence, happy people work better. Our team feel free to share their ideas, to be creative, to innovate and inspire, and this is all to the benefit of the business and our clients.” A year ago, ACUMEN LAW launched ACUMEN PEOPLE, a sister law firm that started by offering residential conveyancing services. That department has been a huge success and the business has since added Wills, Lasting Power of Attorneys and Family law to the services it provides. Andrew explains that many business directors wish for a high level of employee engagement but then limit that engagement themselves through their daily activities. “The more people understand what is happening and are given the opportunity to genuinely influence the decision making process, the more engaged they will be. Being democratically run is important to us because we care about what every person thinks. Good ideas come from every corner of the business; very often the best ideas come from those doing the job and not from the directors. We’ve made the deliberate decision not to have a hierarchy in the office, including everyone in making key business decisions. Regular meetings are held at which everyone can have their say and contribute ideas; this benefits the business on a commercial level and is great for team working too.” It is clear when speaking to Acumen’s new MD that they take a personal approach to their work. “We don’t have secretaries and all of our clients have direct access to their lawyer, including mobile numbers, so they can contact them whenever the need arises. The unpretentious atmosphere in the office also means that people feel more comfortable popping in.”
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As well as dispensing with hierarchy, Acumen’s business model is different in other ways too, scrapping the traditional hourly rate system and operating a fixed fee-pricing model for all non-contentious work. A ‘no win, reduced fee structure’ for commercial disputes has also been introduced, limiting clients’ liability in the event of a loss, though given their litigation department’s 96% success rate, this will rarely need to be actioned. A Free Legal MOT session, offers businesses the chance to meet with a commercial solicitor for approximately 1.5 hours (at no cost), to discuss all legal aspects of their business. Whilst businesses can also benefit from the services of a legal director or expert employment solicitor for a fixed monthly fee, so they have specialist advice to hand, whenever it’s required. “As an independent law firm, started from scratch less than a dozen years ago, we understand the commercial reality of setting up and developing a business. All of our solicitors are commercially astute. We’re here to assist our clients in achieving their desired commercial goals, not simply to advise them on the technicalities of the law.” Andrew arrived at Acumen after working in the legal sector in a variety of roles, from finance to customer service, business analytics, operations management and latterly as a Managing Director. His advice for developing your career is clear, “take an interest in all aspects of the business and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Don’t worry about the reward, prove yourself first and show that you deserve that promotion or pay rise.” Andrew.Hiesley@acumenbusinesslaw.co.uk www.acumenbusinesslaw.co.uk
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inspirational business matters leaders
february/march april/may december/january 2019 business 2019 2018 business edge business edge edge
Casting a bright future The commercial casting sector may be facing challenges but a specialist engineering company producing high precision castings is bucking the trend. FineCast Foundry MD David Gratton reveals how the business is blazing a trail, reporting continual growth even in uncertain economic times, doubling their sales turnover in under three financial years. FineCast Foundry design, develop, cast and machine a wide range of non-ferrous and ferrous components predominantly for the automotive, motorsport and defence industry. Made at their Littlehampton West Sussex facility, their parts are exported across Europe, North America and more recently Asia. An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for some of the most renowned names in the sector, FineCast work with Mercedes High Performance Engines, Aston Martin, Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche and Ford, amongst others. Their portfolio includes cast automotive body and engine parts, including engine blocks, cylinder heads and they are at the forefront of electric and hybrid vehicle technology. Often working on prototypes, their components sit at the heart of innovations being made across the automotive and motorsports industry, in addition, the business supplies safety critical components to the MOD. All of which necessitate precision engineering of the highest standard. “We’re a family business,” explains David. “My father started the firm back in 2002. It was a great leap of faith because he took on a foundry that had gone out of business. “At a time when many people were looking to low-cost economies to supply parts, the outlook for a firm producing commercial casting services wasn’t good, and yet the business has grown. “For us, as for others, business was difficult during the recession and we decided to look outside the UK for work. We headed to an automotive exhibition in Germany, as their automotive sector was buoyant and it turned out to be the turning point for the business. “Buyers and designers were impressed with the quality of our products and at that first exhibition we were offered the opportunity to become a prototype supplier to a global leading OEM - we’ve never looked back. Given the high esteem in which German engineering is held, it was a huge compliment. “I joined the business after university in 2007. At first, I spent a lot of time concentrating on the practical and engineering side of the business to complement my academic studies, then I had the opportunity to get involved with the operational and commercial side. “I’ve since worked in a number of roles, seeing the business from different perspectives and gaining a deeper understanding of both our
products and our customers’ needs along the way. Last year, becoming the Managing Director at just 34, was both exciting and a privilege, providing me with the opportunity to lead the business and people forward. “Despite the fact that the company’s grown and we now employ 84 people, I like to think that we still have a family and personal atmosphere here and anyone can come up and talk to me any time. Due to the markets we supply, our people need to be flexible and committed, so it is important that they have a say in the business. “We hold regular meetings to which the entire team is invited and people can share their ideas, feedback and concerns. It’s an open forum, where the whole team comes together, so we are all updated about what’s happening throughout the business. “It’s the people who make the business. We have a great team, who are very committed and stay with us for the long term. Like a lot of businesses, we found the skills gap a challenge but over the last few years, we’ve invested in apprenticeship and a graduate scheme working with local schools, colleges and leading technical universities across Europe, with the support of the Casting Metals Federation. “I’m pleased to say we’ve just welcomed our third intake of apprentices and more recently our first graduates. It is our aim to offer these young people the best internal and external training and exposure to our customers and manufacturing technology so they can evolve into the leaders of the future.
“Our components have a critical part to play, so our quality monitoring systems are exacting, we use the latest technology optical 3D scanning technology through to x-ray and computerised tomography (CT scanning) to check parts. Complex castings can be checked for defects in a manner very similar to patients undergoing a scan in hospital. It’s important to establish every piece produced meets the stringent standards necessary. “Over the last few years, we’ve invested over £6M in our facility and equipment, we are very technology and science orientated. As I look out of my window, I can see our new, purpose-built automated foundry being constructed too to support Body and White light weight casting manufacture in higher volumes. “As a prototype business, we are also at the forefront of additive manufacturing using the latest 3D printing technology creating sand moulds layer by layer straight from the customer computer design. Customers can have complex engine parts cast and machined within days from this process reducing development times’’. “Our market is global rather than local and we are always looking for new opportunities. We’ve experienced significant growth over the last few years and the main thing for me is to keep driving the business forward whilst maintaining our core principle of being reactive to meet our customers’ needs.” www.finecast.co.uk
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cover feature
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Innovate or alienate? The challenge of innovation in an established, change-adverse customer base FermionX are contract electronics manufacturers with a portfolio of own brand products, based in Worthing, West Sussex. Dan Crothers Managing Director, FermionX Ltd
Our successful brand of Seward Stomacher lab blenders, whilst globally recognised and referenced in numerous protocols over 40 years were still in demand, and although we prided ourselves in being ‘innovators’ within the sample testing industry, we had not launched any design or product upgrade for 18 years. Was this necessary?
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If Seward Stomacher lab blenders were still selling, why change? (The ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ argument!). However, we were seeing increasing pressure on margins as competitors launched similar products. It was becoming more difficult to differentiate our products and maintain pricing points to the customer.
The opportunity v the risk ... Being the inventor of the stomaching process and manufacturer of the Stomacher product presented both an opportunity and a risk. The process and product is similar to the use of the brand name Hoover and
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business covermatters feature
february/march april/may december/january 2019 business 2019 2018 business edge business edge edge
What is it like being a lab manager in today’s industry – what are their core concerns and problems? It was time to get back to basics and go back into the labs, talk to the users and really find out what the day -to day operational pressures were.
Identify the issues, explore the solutions ..
‘hoovering’. The legacy of the Seward brand name and reputation gave us credibility, but in a change-adverse industry. The microbiology sample testing world covers everything from defining sell by dates on your ready-to-eat lasagne to cutting edge microbiome research. Although the industry is used to scientific breakthroughs and leaps in applications, anything that appears to deviate from defined protocols can be seen as invalidating output. Our biggest challenge would be in driving innovation whilst assuring the end user that there would be no change in output and test results.
The product, the process, the user ... the innovation triangle The basic stomaching process was set in years of documented protocols and scientific research papers. There was no room for re-inventing the way in which the actual sample was processed so the design team looked directly at the user experience, asking some key questions:
How have working practices in labs changed over the last 5 years?
It quickly became clear that the key issues facing commercial laboratories in today’s competitive environment were operating costs, work flow (more tests in less time) and demonstrating a drive towards sustainability and reduced environmental impact. Most samples are processed in a simple plastic bag. The bag has to be sterile and post-testing, must be disposed of securely due to the highly toxic nature of the organisms that may be present (think salmonella and E. coli as an example of some of the basic sample testing carried out in food safety labs). If over 8 million tests are being carried out in food testing labs daily, plastic consumption and disposal is significant in terms of costs and environmental impact to say the least. It was the user experience aspect that the FermionX team focused on. There is currently no alternative to the use of plastic as the material for the sample bags, but
there was significant potential to reduce the size of bags by anything up to 30%, directly reducing plastic consumption and waste disposal costs. By challenging long-standing beliefs (in this case, something as simple as the size of the sample bags) we discovered that we could offer a solution on at least two of the main day-to-day pressures faced by lab managers – reduction in operating costs and improving sustainability credentials. The new EVO Stomacher lab blender incorporated patented technology that allowed smaller bags to be used but ensured the same test results – the Seward Stomacher EVO along with its Eco bags delivered on cost reduction and sustainability.
Challenge the norms and innovate to change The process that Seward originally created is now embedded in the microbiology industry’s protocols, and the basic product (a paddle-based lab blender) has not changed. However, the development of the Stomacher EVO and its Eco bags does demonstrate that by looking at how the end user operates within their environment and by identifying outside global trends, innovation can create new opportunities for an established product in a risk-adverse customer base.
“Our biggest challenge would be in driving innovation whilst assuring the end user that there would be no change in output and test results”
What are the current global trends affecting the industry and individual attitudes?
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25
construction focus
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Choosing the right firm for the job Buildings are an essential part of our lives – as homes, homes for businesses, and often as businesses themselves. They are also an extremely good investment. But what do we do when a structure is no longer suitable for our requirements? The obvious answer is to move to a new location, or alter and extend your existing property. Unless you are fortunate enough to find somewhere that is exactly right for your needs, you are probably going to need building work done. This can seem daunting – how do you set about this process, and how do you define what you want? What are the correct legal processes and how do you obtain the necessary permissions? And what will it cost, who can advise you on this, and how do you avoid being
ripped off by unscrupulous contractors? Again, there is an obvious answer – use reputable building companies with proven credentials, and do not avoid relatively small sums for professional advice. You are making a major investment, so do not assume that doing this in the cheapest possible way will work out best. The building industry is currently expanding rapidly, after a number
of years in recession. All sectors are busy, and prices are increasing. New start-up companies are appearing some of these will employ people with many years’ experience, and should be applauded – others not so. How do you choose? The answer is to use firms with relevant trade or professional recognition, and seek proper independent advice at all stages.
Passionate about building our future Sarra Hawes, one of the Founders and Directors of Hawes Building Ltd, is keen to give back to an industry where she has learnt so much. Originally employed at Walter Llewellyn Ltd in 1988, she quickly progressed to become one of their first female management trainees before being appointed as a site manager. With Hawes Building Ltd.’s position now firmly established in Sussex Sarra has followed her passion for raising the profile of the construction industry with young people and especially young women. Becoming an Enterprise Advisor was her first venture into the role of mentoring. Sarra has been teamed with College Central in Eastbourne (a Pupil Referral Unit) as an employer to assist the school in gaining their Gatsby Benchmarks.
Training Board. This enables her to go into Schools and Colleges to promote the variety and opportunity of apprenticeships and training available to candidates contemplating enrolling in the building industry. ‘’The construction sector is expected to grow by 3% over the next 5 years with a 2.5% growth in the South East alone, this will create an additional 2,590 jobs.’’ If anyone you know is considering a building project, please contact: sarra@hawesbuilding.co.uk Tel 01323 483085 www.hawesbuilding.co.uk
This role involves not only raising the children’s awareness of employer’s expectations when they leave school and venture into the workplace but also the variety of roles that the building industry offers. Sarra has also become a Construction Ambassador for the Construction Industry
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Part 2 of 4
Preventing Expensive Reworking You’ve paid for the best and most innovative designers. You have a contractor who is at the top of their game. The site looks immaculate and industrious. You are looking forward to seeing your project commissioned and in operation after all the expense you have lavished on it. But the designer and the contractor didn’t meet during the project build. The contractor has brought in a subcontractor who read the wrong plans. Someone thought they would be helpful and try and finish the outside fixtures before Building Control came. And now you’re left with a huge bill to put it right. The best design in the world is only one mistake away from needing rework which can cause additional cost and expensive delays. By independently verifying each stage of the project, with all of the stakeholders, Attis can help to remove the need for rework and make sure projects are completed on time and on budget. How valuable could that be to your next project?
Did you know? All employers owe a duty of care not just to their workers but also to anyone else who may be affected by what they do. This we know as the test of ‘common humanity’ and came about in a landmark case in 1972 involving a six year old boy who was injured on a railway line after climbing through a broken fence along the side of the tracks. As the railway company who owned the fence were aware it was broken it was judged that they were liable for the boy’s injuries.
The case, Herrington v British Railways Board, led in part to new legislation covering the duty of care owed by occupiers of premises to anyone who may be reasonably expected to come to harm on those premises. This overturned a previous judgement – made in 1929 – and established the duty of occupiers of work sites to take reasonable steps to prevent harm, even to trespassers. Today, many construction sites are boarded around their perimeter, instead of being just temporarily fenced-in to prevent unauthorised access, particularly by children who may see the site as an exciting playground.
Get all the help you need with Attis Whether you are moving premises, buying new plant, launching a new product, constructing or developing buildings, facing an engineering problem or just need practical advice on safety, risk or welfare — Attis have the expertise to help today.
Design and validation | Construction (CDM) | Health, safety and welfare Operational processes and maintenance schedules | Assessments of risk
Welfare in Construction We are all used to seeing construction workers ankle-deep in mud, working in all weathers to build the things we need. But we shouldn’t ignore construction workers in terms of their welfare. Schedule 2 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 lists what is required to be provided on site in terms of toilets, washing facilities and rest areas, and these things should be checked both before and during the project. It is usually the principal contractor who provides the welfare but it is actually the client who is legally responsible for making sure this is done. So the client should be making their own checks that everything is provided in accordance with the Regulations. This may mean employing an independent advisor to perform site inspections and report back to the client to demonstrate their duty of care. Attis can offer site inspections as an integral part of its principal designer role, ensuring seamless project control.
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business matters
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
South East Construction Expo 2019 offers construction industry insight into surviving new challenges
FOR SUSSEX CHAMBER MEMBERS Pay for a SILVER stand package and we’ll upgrade it to GOLD – saving you between £130 - £200 on the price of a stand. And we’ll also give you a FREE insert in our conference bags
In a year when the construction industry is facing heightened levels of uncertainty, on the back of one of the biggest growth periods in several decades, leading lights in the industry will be joining together in Sussex this September to share their expertise and insight into how to tackle the challenges ahead for the industry. Darren Jarvis, from ConstructUK.com, said, “It’s safe to say that construction’s fortunes are heavily influenced by wider economic conditions and it is even more vital for businesses to focus on those sectors and regions offering the greatest opportunities. “In January alone, London and the South East accounted for 32% of all contract awards. South East Construction Expo is working with the region’s top construction companies to help create awareness of the millions of pounds worth of business available throughout the region and across all the industry’s sub-sectors.” South East Construction Expo 2019 will be held at the South of England Event Centre in Ardingly on 26th September, after a hugely successful event there last year, when over 2,000 leading lights from the region’s construction industry met buyers, explored new projects, networked with other businesses and sampled the industry’s latest technology. The trade show, founded 11 years ago and previously held in Kent, will showcase the region’s largest range of construction products and services and is a ‘must visit’ for anyone whose business deals in development, property and construction. An exciting programme of speakers is being put together for 2019 and will be announced over the coming months. Hot off the press, the key note speaker in September will be Florence Hubert, Deputy Agent for Central Southern England at the Bank of England giving an ‘off-the-record’ briefing on the outlook for the UK economy followed by a questions and answers session.
Speakers last year included experts such as Wayne Hemingway MBE of The Design Council Board and Neil Edwards of the Builders’ Conference trade association, tackling subjects such as the immediate and long-term future of the construction industry.
and are seeking entries for six categories, ranging from best construction project to best architectural design, best contractor to best supplier. We are also looking to celebrate women in the industry and want to reward the best apprentice on a construction project in the South East.”
Industry leaders from Kier and The London Resort spoke about the learning journey provided by previous and current projects, whilst the ‘Meet the Buyer’ area was a hive of opportunity with business leaders from Gatwick Airport, Lower Thames Crossing, Orbis and East Sussex Country Council discussing new projects and plans with attendees.
Before the awards dinner, the Expo will offer a full day of useful activities including free Meet the Buyer appointments with the top construction companies in the country, great exhibitor packages, brilliant networking opportunities, high quality workshops, plus the latest news on projects and developments across the UK.
Sussex Chamber of Commerce is supporting the event this year as well as the IoD. Big name businesses already involved include Balfour Beatty, Glenigan, Builders Conference, Willmott Dixon, Galliford Try, Logan Construction and Westridge Construction Ltd. SOUTH EAST CONSTRUCTION AWARDS 2019 This year, the Expo is also holding the first annual South East Construction Awards and is already open for entries in six categories, which will be celebrated at the Expo dinner on 26th September.
Businesses in the sector wishing to get involved in the Expo and the Awards as a sponsor, trade stand, delegate on the day or entry for the awards, can find out more and register for details at: www.constructionexpouk.co.uk Twitter @ConstructExpo or Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/ groups/4530020/ South East Construction Expo 2018 will take place at South of England Event Centre, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Thursday 26th September 8.30 am - 4 pm, with details of the awards and the dinner at www.constructionexpoawards.co.uk
Carole Black from South East Construction Expo said, “We don’t have an awards scheme in the region to properly celebrate our heroes in this industry and so we have put together an exciting panel of judges
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business matters
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Worthing Motors – Serving the Motoring Community for Almost 100 Years Worthing Motors Limited is a family run business based on the Broadwater Road in Worthing. We have been proud to supply, service and repair Citroen vehicles since 1923 when the dealership was built and opened by John Poxon the great grandfather of Richard Poxon, the present Managing Director and Dealer Principal. Richard Poxon Managing Director, Worthing Motors Limited
It was the first British Citroen dealership and came about after John travelled to Paris in 1922 to attend a Citroen export banquet and there met Andre Citroen and acquired the distribution rights for Citroen covering the whole of Sussex and started selling and servicing the product range in 1923 In the early days the most popular vehicle was the 5CV or Cloverleaf as it was commonly known. Sadly during WW2 the company wound down and concentrated on sales and servicing used vehicles. Thankfully, after the war Richard’s grandfather effectively reopened the company and shortly the iconic 2CV appeared and was launched at the Paris Motor show in 1948. To begin with opinions were divided but it eventually became a real success. Innovations to the vehicle followed producing various different versions. They were extraordinarily fun cars to own with a wonderful soft suspension that would be a blessing on today’s pot holed roads! Many hundreds of these were sold to local Sussex customers. Do read about the 2CV history at www. citroen.co.uk/about-citroen/our-brand/ citroen-2cv In the following decades we saw the introduction of DS19 which at the time was considered to be a decade ahead of its time. Later saw the arrival of the BX and the finest diesel engines available. Then followed the Xantia and later the reintroduction of the DS line. Moving forward into the 21st century and Citroen’s latest innovation is the wonderful new C5 Aircross SUV which Worthing Motors is proud to present in our showroom. As an ambassador of the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme, the New C5 Aircross stands out as the most comfortable SUV in its segment thanks to two exclusive Citroën innovations: suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions® and Advanced Comfort seats. Its three individual, sliding, incline-adjustable and folding rear seats make C5 Aircross the most modular and spacious SUV in its segment. Its boot capacity, varying from 580 to 720 litres, sets a new standard in the segment. Finally, with 19 driver assistance technologies and six
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connectivity technologies, it is truly a nextgeneration SUV. We are all very excited about the new C5 Aircross, particularly as last year the smaller Citroën C3 Aircross Compact SUV was crowned the winner in the ‘Best Small Crossover’ category of the UK Car of the Year Awards 2018. It was particularly praised for its unique personality, competitive pricing and overall comfort. Worthing Motors prides itself on exceptional customer service whether selling, servicing or repairing vehicles. We have a wonderful team of local staff many who have been
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with the company for a long time. The new C5 Aircross as well as many vehicles from the extensive Citroen range including the smaller C3 Aircross and C4 Cactus, both new and used, are readily available for test drives at our recently refurbished showroom. Many options and offers are available for business customers alongside personal, as well as Motability adaptations should they be required. We are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and as such can offer a variety of finance options. www.worthing-motors.co.uk
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advertorial
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
GDPR one year on Bob Marsh Professional Services Director, Blue Cube Security
GDPR took effect on 25 May 2018, but almost a year later what progress has been made? In this issue, we speak to Bob Marsh, Professional Services Director at Blue Cube Security, about where things stand one year on and why businesses need to protect themselves against the growing Cyber Security threat.
GDPR applies to your business “It’s important to realise that GDPR hasn’t gone away and that it’s not going to go away. What concerns me above everything else is that some organisations have been ignoring GDPR or simply don’t realise it applies to them. It’s crucial that businesses, however small, take on board that GDPR applies to them. You can’t afford to be complacent. “Though big companies have typically taken GDPR seriously, some smaller companies haven’t taken any steps to ensure they are GDPR compliant. But if anything, one year on, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will begin to take a tougher stance on businesses that don’t meet the requirements.
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Brexit and GDPR There is a common misconception that Brexit will make a difference to GDPR – but that’s not the case, in fact, GDPR was ratified directly into UK law, so it will apply whether or not we leave the EU. The legislation even applies to companies outside of the EU who trade within it, so the ramifications are huge and businesses need to take note.
The role of data security “GDPR is all about data security, it’s about making sure your business isn’t the victim of a cyber attack and doesn’t experience a data breach. It’s so much more than a form filling exercise, you need to ask yourself if your business’s Cyber Security is up-todate and fit for purpose.
Protecting personal data “If you hold any data that identifies an individual, then you hold information that could be useful to a hacker. The ICO website is a good place to start if you’re not sure what constitutes personal or sensitive data. There is also a lot of confusion around consent – but there are just six lawful conditions for holding data and you need to ensure your business meets one of these criteria. “There are numerous ways in which a little bit of information could be valuable to someone who wants to cause you harm. As soon as somebody sees the structure of an email address, it’s possible to work out the emails of numerous people within a company and this, in turn, makes it possible to send a swathe of phishing emails. Given so many security breaches are enabled by human error, just one click
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on a phishing email could lead to sensitive information being leaked.
Education, education, education Meeting GDPR requirements is all about education. I’ve seen a lot of small and medium sized companies fail to provide their employees with any basic education surrounding GDPR and Cyber Security – but it’s imperative that they do so. Businesses need to put in the time and resources to educating their employees. Many businesses rely on their IT support to provide Cyber Security but this isn’t necessarily the right course of action.
Cyber Security Forum At Blue Cube Security, we are Cyber Security specialists who help businesses to get past their concerns about GDPR and ensure they have robust protection against online threats in place. That’s why we’re assisting the Chamber in organising a forum at which you can learn how GDPR guidelines have evolved over the last year. Find out whether you’re taking the right steps to ensure your business is secure and compliant. Cyber Security Forum, Holiday Inn, Gatwick, Tuesday 2nd April 8am-10.30am
To book your place visit: https://www.sussexchamberofcommerce. co.uk/events/chamber-events/cybersecurity-gdpr-a-year-on
tel: 01444 259 259
advertorial
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
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
New entrepreneur’s relief test - an end to the uncertainty? Amidst the recent focus on Brexit, you could be forgiven for not noticing the approval of the Finance Bill by Parliament. With Finance Act 2019 receiving Royal Assent on the 12th February, this means that the finance rules for the coming year are now agreed.
saving of £1m, and so is a key relief for business owners.
A welcome change introduced at the last hour saw key amendments to the government’s proposed changes to Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER). These amendments will be a relief for many business owners considering a sale as they resolve much of uncertainty introduced by the original measures.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?
WHAT WAS THE ISSUE?
OUR VERDICT
Broadly, ER can currently reduce the rate of capital gains tax from 20% to 10% on capital gains of up to £10 million, a maximum
The new test resolves much of the uncertainty and is likely to be preferred in practice as it is likely to be more
In relation to companies, the existing ER rules require an individual to dispose of their ‘personal company’. The recent Budget contained significant changes to the definition of a personal company, requiring a claimant to have an entitlement to 5% of the company’s distributable profits and net assets. The original proposals made it unclear whether this entitlement could be challenged if the company has more complex share capital arrangements (eg alphabet shares, growth shares) at any time during the ER qualifying period.
The revised rules add an alternative economic test, which would instead make ER available if the shareholder would be entitled to 5% of the proceeds on the sale of all of the business’ ordinary share capital. The sale value is taken to be the market value at the end of the period.
straightforward to determine whether the shareholder meets the condition. However, it is worth remembering that even these revised measures have introduced considerable extra complexity into the ER rules. We would advise that, before considering any transactions you should speak to your Menzies advisor, as it may be necessary to plan well in advance to ensure that you benefit from this valuable relief. Andrew England, Partner Menzies LLP aengland@menzies.co.uk
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business matters innovation and design
december/january february/march april/may 2019 business edge
How one company claimed over £220,000 in R&D Tax Credits over eight years Dyteqta Ltd (aka the Drainage Detectives) are based in Brighton & Hove and offer green innovative solutions to help solve commercial and residential drainage challenges. David Oldland Director & Founder, Oldland Consulting
Dyteqta’s permanent proactive drainage solutions help with challenges which include: Sewage backing up and flooding Sewage smells Drain blockages, dry traps Harmful pathogens spreading through drainage The roots of their patent pending drainage technology started as a research project at the Heriot-Watt University and was transferred to the then newly formed Dyteqta Ltd in 2010. The university’s research began after the World Health Organisation identified defective water trap seals as a major contributor to the deadly 2003 SARS epidemic in Hong Kong. Dyteqta’s Chief Engineer Charles Hartley was a member of the original Heriot-Watt team and has remained with the widening project ever since. California born Managing Director Meg Stone joined the company in 2014 and manages everything including the company’s relationship with Oldland Consulting. A business consultant (Ian Thomas) visited Dyteqta in 2012 and quickly recognised that clever things were going on, he asked if the company was claiming R&D Tax Credits and receiving a negative response introduced Dyteqta to Bognor Regis based David Oldland of Oldland Consulting Ltd. That introduction took place over six years ago, during the intervening time Oldland Consulting have helped Dyteqta produce eight annual R&D claims which have delivered over £220,000 in much needed cash to this highly innovative company.
Dyteqta benefit from the two UK Government R&D schemes. The first scheme is designed to benefit UK companies that are conducting research and or development projects at their own financial risk (spending their own or investors money). This scheme known as the SME scheme allows claimants to amend their tax computation to treat each qualifying £1 spent as if the company had spent £2.30. This artificial enhancement will reduce a company’s Corporation Tax liability and / or generate a Payable R&D Tax Credit.
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Example; a company spending £100,000 on qualifying R&D and losing £100,000 or more will be able to claim a Payable R&D Tax Credit of £33,350 (in cash). The second scheme is designed to benefit UK companies that are conducting research and or development projects with either grant funding or monies received from large companies or organisations. This Sub-Contracted R&D by a large company or organisation scheme allows claimants to amend their tax computation to claim 12p for each qualifying £1 spent. This benefit is known as the R&D Expenditure Credit (aka RDEC), this benefit is an above the line benefit in that it could appear in the company’s accounts as income and it is itself subject to Corporation Tax. Example; a company spending £100,000 on qualifying R&D with grant money, will be able to claim an RDEC of £12,000 that will itself be liable to Corporation Tax at 19%.
It is not unusual for an R&D claim to contain projects related to both schemes. Not all R&D is as easily recognisable “as qualifying R&D” as the work that Dyteqta do is. What we do know is that many
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companies that could be benefitting from R&D Tax Credits or RDEC’s are not benefitting because they have not had the good fortune to have that business consultant knock on their door.
Any UK company that is developing products, process or software needs to seek the advice of a real R&D Tax Specialist. The UK’s R&D tax scheme rules are complex, certainly not always logical, but do deliver an extremely worthwhile benefit to any recipient. As David Oldland often says to his clients, do not try to understand the logic of the scheme rules, they were developed by politicians not business people. A good example is that we can claim for the electricity used in the product development, but we cannot claim for the rent or rates of the building the product development was taking place in. In the past 10 years R&D Tax Specialist Oldland Consulting have produced over 700 R&D claims for 222 companies who have received £30 million of R&D Tax benefits. If you would like to speak to an R&D Tax Specialist, please call Oldland Consulting.
tel: 01444 259 259
february/march april/may december/january 2019 business 2019 2018 business edge business edge edge
innovation business andmatters design
How to create the ‘WOW’ for your next event Nick Turnbull, from leading events production company Indigo Splash, explains how your event’s audience stretches across the internet via social media and it’s time to truly leverage that innovation. Nick Turnbull Managing Director, Indigo Splash Ltd
Having worked in the Events Industry for over 30 years, I have noticed that this is the one thing that successful companies look for when they are planning an event. It comes up over and above everything you might naturally think of such as content, topics, location, presenters. Innovation is the stand out factor in an event. Companies have events to promote their messages externally or to clarify overall corporate thinking within their organisations. In my experience, they often search for the ability to showcase their dynamism and individuality in this process and the most vibrant way to do that is through technical innovation and design. They want their audience to experience ‘WOW’, something different that they will remember and, more importantly, talk about for some time to come. In the age of social media, this is now more vital than ever as the more WOW factor you can bring, the more tweets and posts get sent during and following the event. The power of social media is a big motivator. In order to strive for higher rankings on the social media ladder, many companies are now more prepared to invest
their financial and creative muscle into their event productions. In turn, these larger budgets are driving forward innovation and design once more. Recently the technology available to event technical suppliers has been advancing in leaps and bounds. There are three technologies that I want to single out, they have enabled a big step change in Indigo Splash’s ability to design spectacular events using innovative and evolved technology. Let’s shine a light on ultra-wide LED video walls, LED lighting and laser light source video projection. Ultra-wide LED video walls are used as stage backdrops and extremely large displays. From an audience point of view this is one of the most stunning ways to get your message across. At your average sized event, these can be an impressive 20m wide by 4m tall. When used with creative design and thoughtful content, this technology offers infinitely fluid scenic changes. It’s very easy to create emerging stories across the display, especially with ultra-wide, where you can introduce a concept and fill it out across the display creating an informative moment that delegates will remember. No more standard displays where the next slide often comes all too soon, and previous information is gone. Another emerging technology that brings awe to an event is LED lighting. Like LED video walls, this technology is coming of age and has finally reached a price point and reliability that enables it to compete with and replace older technologies.
Enabled with both stationary and moving fixtures, LED lighting enables a staggering amount of creativity in comparison to the fixed colour lighting of the past. LED lighting fixtures come in many forms ranging from a single point of coloured light to many individually controllable points of light, variously stationary or in motion. Some units also have focusing and zooming abilities. This functionality enables the lighting designer to create mind-blowing canvasses of light in all its glorious forms. Like LED Lighting, video projection has also had a welcome technological rethink. Many manufacturers have now replaced the traditional metal halide projection lamps with a laser light source. These laser light sources run cool and can now be installed at literally any angle, unlike the older units. This opens a new realm of design creativity, allowing once impossible projector placements to get moving images projected on the floor, ceiling and pretty much anywhere. These new technologies and many like them enable Indigo Splash to create event environments that are only limited by imagination. The design elements of many events and live shows are at the cutting edge of innovative technology and without a doubt deliver on their goal of creating awe and inspiring moments that their audiences will walk away with in their minds and in their social media posts.
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finance focus
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Are you ready to Spring into your first R&D Tax Relief Claim? It’s March, congratulations you’ve made it through the Winter, the days are getting longer, whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, it’s not dark when you wake up and dark when you leave the office. March is also one of the busiest times of the year for an R&D Tax Relief Expert because it is the end of the financial year, so many companies choose to align their company year-end with that in mind, so it is often a little hectic making sure those claims for March 2017 year ends have been filed. It also represents the start of exhibition season for us. As last year we’ll be supporting the Net XP exhibitions as lead sponsor, starting with the East Sussex Marketing Expo at East Sussex National on Thursday 21st March, hopefully being three weeks later than last year the weather will be a little kinder to us and they’ll be plenty of business owners to network with. In June, NetXP will be hosting the West Sussex Tech Expo at Butlins in Bognor Regis on 13th June, followed in September by their flagship Mid Sussex Expo at the Ardingly Showground on 19th September. It’s been great working with Sonny Cutting the owner of NetXP and supporting him through the evolution of their conferences for the last two years. Our Director Simon Bulteel will also be speaking at a couple of events that we are
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also exhibiting at as well this year. Firstly, on 1st May at 10.15 he’ll be the opening speaker on the “How To Theatre” at Accountex at Excel London, with his talk on the “A to Z of R&D Tax Relief”. We can let you into a little secret, A if for Anyone. He’ll also be speaking at The Business Show a fortnight later also at Excel London, keep watching our social media to find out where and when. After Accountex and The Business Show, we’ll also be at Let’s Do Business Exhibition at the AMEX Stadium on 13th June, how we are going to be at two Sussex-based exhibitions on the same day, we don’t know, but we’ll find a way. To finish, we thought we’d give you a brief glimpse of the jobs we’re working on right now, that will (hopefully) be finished before the end of the month. These might get you thinking that you were missing out, and if you have a March 2017 year end where you might have performed some R&D it gives you a little time to try and get us involved. We are working with an International software developer who has been developing solutions both for themselves and for their clients, some of their client work is on a fixed fee basis so should be eligible to claim for under the SME scheme, together with their own internal R&D and some of their development work has been subcontracted to them by large and International businesses, which we should be able to claim Research and Development Expenditure Credit for. We’re also trying to finish a claim for a company that specializes in designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke Industrial Dryers and Roasters, predominantly for the food industry. On the subject of the food industry, we’ve also just
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finished a claim for a personalised Nutritionbased app. We’ve also just been up to Maidenhead to talk to a company that is developing solutions for the Audio/Video Industry, they have a very formalized R&D process and are great example of innovation in their field. We are also finishing a claim for a company that specializes in the design and manufacture of electric motorbikes. They’ve also recently been through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership which certainly adds to their claim. We’ll also be working on a claim for a company that designs and installs Building Management Systems. Finally, we’ll be sorting out a claim for a Precision Engineering firm who take their clients designs and find a way to manufacture the end product, often through resolving a number of different technical and scientific challenges. Their R&D lies in determining the manufacturing process. Generally companies like theirs absorb the cost of the R&D and only generate any fees on the units that they are able to sell, this makes them eligible to claim under the most rewarding SME Scheme. That’s just a quick taster of some of the work we’re doing at the moment, it’s amazing the breadth of R&D happening in businesses across Sussex and the SouthEast, oftentimes it is work being performed without the realization of the potential tax benefits available to the business. If you’ve got similar activities happening in your business why not give Simon a call on 01424 225345 or book an appointment at www.calendly.com/Simon-Bulteel to find out in 15 minutes whether you might be able to claim. But remember if you have a March 2017 year end, you better be quick!
tel: 01444 259 259
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
finance focus
Making Tax Digital for VAT Many business owners will be aware of the new HMRC regulations being enforced from April 2019, for Making Tax Digital. Denny Carr FCCA Director, Honey Barrett Chartered Accountants
Unfortunately, there are just as many who have yet to comprehend, how this imposed initiative will affect their business. From 1 April 2019 all VAT registered businesses with taxable turnover above the VAT threshold of £85,000 will be required to: Keep their accounting records digitally in a software product or spreadsheet. Submit their VAT returns to HMRC using a compatible software solution.
How does it affect my business? Reassuringly, there are no changes to the underlying VAT rules, only the submission process. ‘Making Tax Digital’ applies to your business for the first VAT quarter that starts on or after 1 April 2019. A six-month deferral to October 2019 will apply to some businesses which fall into specific categories; these will be directly notified by HMRC.
Is your business ready for MTD? It is required that all eligible businesses use software to submit their VAT returns digitally. Paper records will no longer meet the legal requirements in tax legislation. A business must either use HMRC compatible accounting software, ‘bridging software’ (mainly for spreadsheet users) or appoint an agent to submit returns to HMRC on their behalf.
What are my choices? There are many cloud-based MTD compatible accounting software options available such as Xero, Quickbooks and Sage. These provide many benefits to a business aside from being MTD compliant. For those using Excel spreadsheets, you must use ‘bridging software’ to create the digital link with HMRC.
Will the changes benefit my business? Embracing these digital changes with the right solution to suit your business or organisation has the potential to unlock benefits such as identifying key issues early, reviewing figures on a more regular basis and advance warning of future tax obligations. These allow a business to delve deeper into how it’s performing in real time and allow for effective planning, forecasting and budgeting. It is vital that you discuss all available options with a professional advisor to ensure a proactive approach is taken to address these mandatory changes. For further advice call Denny on 01892 784 321 or visit www.honeybarrett.co.uk
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business matters events
december/january february/march april/may 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.
Breakfasts 29th April
Making Good Decisions in Time of Change
Goodwood Hotel, Chichester
Skills West Sussex
TBC
Lunches 16th May
General Networking 9th April
Grow Your Connections
Barns Gate Manor, Uckfield
1st May
Speed Networking
Uckfield Civic Centre, Uckfield
14th May
Speed Networking with the Neighbours
Old Thorns Manor Hotel, Hampshire
21st May
Maximise Your Membership – Members only
The King’s Centre, Burgess Hill
Non-Members’ Events 9th April
Connect with Sussex Chamber
Sussex Chamber of Commerce, Burgess Hill
14th May
Connect with Sussex Chamber
Sussex Chamber of Commerce, Burgess Hill
Forums – Cyber Security 2nd April
GDPR A Year On
Holiday Inn, Gatwick Airport
Forums – Construction 6th June
Disputes and How to Avoid Them
Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront
Forums – Manufacturing & Engineering 23rd May
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Update on the Manufacturing Industry
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
Welland Medical, Crawley
tel: 01444 259 259
business matters training
february/march april/may december/january 2019 business 2019 2018 business edge business edge 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
Business Skills 14th May
Train the Trainer
22nd May
Presentation Skills
25th June
Negotiation Skills
International Trade 26th April
A Foundation Course in Importing
8th May
Classification of Goods Using Commodity & Tariff Codes
10th May
Becoming an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
13th May
An Introduction to Export Operations
3rd June
Using Documentary Letters of Credit, Drafts & Bills
6th June
Incoterms® Rules 2010
6th June
Inward Processing Relief (IPR)
1st July
Exporting – Understanding the Paperwork
Management & Leadership Skills 1st & 2nd April
Essentials of Supervision & Team Leadership – 2 Day Course
16th April
Getting the Best from your Staff
30th April
Stepping Up to Senior Management
1st May
Introduction to Supervision and Team Leadership
21st June
Stepping Up to Senior Management
27th & 28th June
Essentials of Supervision & Team Leadership – 2 Day Course
Personal Development & Communication Skills 25th April
Understanding Mental Health in the Workplace
Sales and Customer Service
3rd May
Building Resilience for Wellbeing and Performance
8th April
Great Customer Service
9th May
Time Management and Personal Effectiveness
11th April
Selling Skills for Results
21st May
Mental Toughness & Wellbeing in the Workplace
4th June
Great Customer Service
23rd May
Confident & Effective Communication Skills
19th June
Selling Skills for Results
11th June
Building Client Relationships
For more information or to see our 2019 Calander visit our website www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk to book please call us on 01444 259 259.
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business family in business matters
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
Family Values
Still going strong boy! Hawes Building Ltd is showing its pedigree by flourishing 6 years after its conception by Sarra and Bruce Hawes. Having met 27 years ago whilst they worked for one of the largest contractors in the area, Bruce and Sarra have made great headway in the industry and now have a considerable presence with professionals and clients alike. With nearly 70 years building experience between them, they pride themselves by working with integrity on every project. Hawes employs a team of 18 people including 5 apprentices, administration staff, management site staff and a team of directly employed skilled operatives working on projects in Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire. All our staff are DBS checked and have CSCS cards. In the last year we have added an additional stream of Social Housing, we were fortunate to have Mark Chandler join us from BSW with his wealth of knowledge and expertise in that field. The type of projects they have worked on include Healthcare, Education, Public sector commercial, Commercial fitouts, Residential, Renewable energy, Diamond Drilling and Concrete Cutting. Hawes are accredited with CHAS, Constructionline, Builders Profile, The Drilling and Sawing Association, Safecontractor and are members of the National Demolition Training Group. If anyone you know is considering a building project please contact:-
The values of the family are often instrumental in creating a strong sense of identity for family businesses. These values are regularly foundational to running family firms. In a recent survey of family firms, nearly three out of four senior family members reported that there are clearly identifiable family values determining the way the business is managed. Moreover, nine out of ten of these family members say that these values were crucial to the economic success and other achievements (e.g., charitable efforts) of their family businesses. Strong family values can prove extremely productive in business. They can stabilize the structure and dynamics in the family. As such they can substantially influence the way the family business is organized as well as the way both family members working in the firm and those who do not interact with each other around company decisions. With about 65% of those surveyed reporting family harmony is a major concern, clearly defined values can help achieve this objective. Of the senior level family members identifying the importance of the family’s values in managing the company, nearly 90% of them reported that it is very important to transfer these seminal values to the next generation. Moreover, these family members said that family members who do not embrace these values should not be in leadership roles in the family business. The decision-making at most family business is predicated on the values of the family. They are seen as critical to the success and future of these companies.
sarra@hawesbuilding.co.uk Tel: 01323 483085 www.hawesbuilding.co.uk
Fizz on Foot was born out of a love of the South Downs, and an interest in sparkling wine Inspired by a presentation by Mark Driver from the Rathfinny Estate back in 2013! Following a successful career in the printing industry Ian was looking for a new challenge – he’s not one to sit around. Ian thought combining guided walks in the South Downs National Park with a visit to a vineyard for a wine tasting might be a good idea. People loved it! Before long, Ian’s wife Penny was helping with administration, bookkeeping and leading the walks! As the business grew further daughter Sophie was persuaded to assist with developing the social media presence so Fizz on Foot is now a true family business. Fizz on Foot now has a wine club: Pop & Pour that introduces people to wines from different regions, with wine tastings and food and wine pairing dinners. And new for 2019 the company has been appointed by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) as an approved provider to deliver their wine appreciation courses at Level 1 and Level 2. Fizz on Foot was extremely proud to have been nominated for two business awards last year and delighted to be the winner of the Eastbourne Tourism & Leisure Business Award 2018. Looking forward Ian is keen to explore more guided walks in different parts of our beautiful county And, with so many interesting new vineyards springing up close by there is plenty of opportunity to visit and taste our local produce. Fizz on Foot Ltd, The Vinery, 36 Baldwin Avenue, Eastbourne BN21 1UP fizzonfoot.com
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www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
tel: 01444 259 259
family business in business matters
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
VR Sani-Co’s recipe for an exceptional family business. Est. 1994. Ingredients 4 cups of honesty 2 cups of integrity 3 cups of loyalty 3 cups of adaptability 5 spoons of professionalism 2 spoons of experience 4 quarts of commitment 1 barrel of quality
Preparation Take honesty and integrity, mix them thoroughly with commitment. Blend it with professionalism and adaptability. Add loyalty and quality, sprinkle abundantly with passion for customers. Garnish with exceeding expectations and teamwork. Serve daily with generous helpings. Enjoy!
VR Sani-Co Ltd serving over 3500 satisfied customers. Established for 25 years, providing high quality, contract free washroom services and hygiene solutions throughout Kent, Sussex and London. www.vrsani-co.co.uk
Business built on solid foundations
RH & RW Clutton embraces family values
The West family in timber started in the 19th Century.
RH & RW Clutton is an independent property consultancy offering an extensive range of property services in the South East.
Based around the West Sussex/ Hampshire/Surrey area, timber would be felled and cut into beam, posts or plank where they fell. The logs were cut by digging a pit and hand sawing. The resultant production being hauled out of the woods by horse and trailer. Walter Luke West (the grandfather of some of the current directors) and Cecil Owen West (an uncle of current directors) created the foundations of the current business in the early 1900’s. Steam engines provided early power for the bandsaws, and hand wound cranes provided the ability to move logs around the yard. The business moved to Selham on 1986, having purchased a small sawmill there in the 1970’s. This enabled expansion for drying kilns and sheds of over 50000ft2. There are 7 family members working in the business. With a current staff of over 40, that is a good percentage of the team. Nowadays we have extensive Moulding. CNC machines and modern saws to meet the varied requirements of our customers. Most of our work is bespoke, with many restoration projects, HMS Victory, Westminster Abbey and Kensington Palace amongst them. The current business is significantly different to the one Walter Luke created. But one of the ethics that has lasted the test of time is building relationships with our customers, and helping them to find a solution to their timber problems, and repeating this process over the decades with repeat orders.
This includes residential, rural and commercial sales and lettings, property management, land agency, valuations, building surveying and other professional services. We are fortunate to work for many family businesses, family trusts and second, third or even fourth generation of clients as we embrace the family values of loyalty, honesty and dedicated personal service and we are always honoured when clients treat us like one of their family. Since our foundation we have grown from William Clutton starting on his own in Cuckfield in 1743 to a business in 2019 with 3 offices in East Grinstead, Petworth and Guildford and over 30 members of staff. Over our 276 years we have had a number of family members working together, starting with William Clutton, his son, three grandsons and a great grandnephew through more fathers and sons, grandmothers and granddaughters, mothers and daughters and one father-in-law and son-in-law. Now husband and wife team, George and Victoria Back run the business together continuing in the family tradition. But modern family business values means more to us than just working with one’s relations; we also pride ourselves on our family-friendly policies, promoting a healthy work/family life balance and we even allow canine family members to join our staff in the office which creates a more relaxed atmosphere and gets us out walking in the fresh air at lunch time. T: 01342 410122 mail@rhrwclutton.co.uk www.rhrwclutton.com
www.wlwest.co.uk
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innovation & design
february/march april/may 2019 business edge
RT Page and Sons – Better by Design The importance of design for a company operating in the logistics industry is not immediately obvious. However, for Nick Tree, the newly appointed Managing Director of RT Page and Sons, it was an immediate priority. Stuart Barker Operations Manager, RT Page
“I knew when I took over as MD at RT Page and Sons that its extensive history was a strong asset. Our brand and logo needed to project our traditional values and modern delivery. Logo design is a fundamental component of our communication strategy – it needs to tell our staff, partners and customers something about what we value.”
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RT Page and Sons are a family company that was first established in 1946 and have provided logistical services in Sussex for over seven decades. Today they occupy a fiveand-a-half-acre site on the Rudford Industrial Estate near Arundel where they offer an extensive range of storage and transport services.
The design team spent days pouring over photo albums that contained a pictorial history of RT Page dating from its establishment.
Tann Westlake, RT Page’s chosen partner in delivering the re-brand, were given the difficult task of designing a logo and brand that reflected traditional values, acknowledged the company’s history and accentuated modern delivery.
The new logo incorporates the red colour scheme and graphic lines that are synonymous with RT Page and Sons’ history and blended them with the modern outlook and capability that defines the company today.
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
The result is a strikingly confident logo that looks to the future whilst acknowledging the past. Nick acknowledges that, “Sometimes you need to look back in order to move forward. The new logo truly reflects our brand and values - stellar customer service, value for money and reliability. These principles are underpinned with our modern capabilities which are enabled by technology, specialist equipment and highly trained staff.”
tel: 01444 259 259
chamber benefits
february/march april/may 2019 business 2019 business edge edge
In an ideal world we’d all be ‘well beings’ With the pressures of work and life, we’re not always able to be at our best. But how can you determine who is a ‘well being’ and who isn’t? Someone may look like they’re coping with day to day life, but the reality could be far different. At Westfield Health, we believe it’s time for a positive change. Our exclusive partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce and Accredited Chamber Network allows us to work alongside you to help your business improve workplace health and wellbeing. How? We give you the insight to enable you to identify signs of the physical and mental challenges your staff face, use a consultative approach to gain an understanding of your challenges and create a bespoke offering to help you achieve your health and wellbeing objectives, improving overall performance. We’re dedicated to making a healthy difference to the quality of life of our customers and the communities in which they live and work. Through our Charitable Trust, we’ve donated over £15m to the NHS and health and wellbeing related charities throughout the UK. It’s in our DNA to improve people’s quality of life, and through insight-led people strategies we can support you to do it to. We’ve been a partner of the British Chambers of Commerce for over 15 years and are their preferred provider for employee health and wellbeing. Our offering is available to all Members of Accredited Chambers of Commerce, from sole traders upwards.
What’s the benefit? Choosing the right health and wellbeing strategy can be truly transformative. It can empower staff to make informed and sustainable wellbeing choices to enhance their engagement and performance, help you to attract and retain the best staff to stay ahead of the competition, and lower absence rates to increase productivity.
Who we support Businesses, groups and individuals all have their own needs, and our bespoke approach allows us to tailor our services to give everyone the one-to-one treatment they deserve. Our experienced team supports corporate organisations to deliver an effective wellbeing strategy, from consultation and awareness building to implementing change and measuring progress. We work with organisations, groups and trusts to provide health and wellbeing strategies for local communities. We’re proud of our long-standing partnerships with organisations such as the British Chambers of Commerce. Our tailored plans can help to spread the cost of essential everyday healthcare, provide fast access to treatment and assist people who care for family members.
Our partnership with Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing ResearchCentre provides us with a unique understanding of elite athlete health, performance and injury prevention and we bring this insight directly into theworkplace to drive behavioural change and keep your business in front.
Private Health Insurance: Fast, affordable access to private surgery, getting employees back to health and work quickly.
We help you achieve more
Health and Lifestyle Screenings: An overall health assessment designed to give your staff the insight to make informed lifestyle decisions.
As one of the UK’s leading health and wellbeing partners, we have a breadth of expertise and knowledge to help your business. Together, we’ll create positive change using our wide range of health and wellbeing programmes that can be tailored to you: Wellbeing Journey: A tailored programme of coaching supported by our interactive digital wellbeing platform. Health Cash Plans: Money back towards the cost of healthcare and access to valuable health and wellbeing services. Gym Management: Professionally managed on-site gyms, with custom service options – helping educate staff to be more active.
Mental Health First Aid: An internationally recognised course designed to raise awareness of mental health and reduce stigma.
Health Calendar: Engage your people’s interest in their own wellbeing needs with this annual health and wellbeing programme. Wellbeing Workshops: High impact, interactive group coaching designed to encourage your employees to make positive behaviour changes. Start your health and wellbeing journey today and get in touch: W: westfieldhealth.com/chamber T 0345 602 1629 E: businessenquiries@westfieldhealth.com
AS A CHAMBER MEMBER YOU’RE WELL CONNECTED
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business new members matters
august/september december/january february/march april/may 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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Best Business Events
DNA
Finecast Foundry LTD
26 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling Kent ME19 4AE
Iain Stewart Centre, City Place, Gatwick Crawley, West Sussex RH6 0PB
Unit 1, Lineside Way, Lineside Industrial Estate, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 7EH
www.bestbusinessevents.co.uk 01732 758530
www.dna2b.com 0333 335 8585
www.finecast.co.uk 01903 716471
Bibby Financial Services ltd
Enterprise Services Group Ltd
Future Proofing Brands
First Floor, Red Central, 60 High Street Redhill, Surrey RH1 1NY
Enterprise House, Foundry Lane, Horsham West Sussex RH13 5PX
203 Osborne Road, Brighton East Sussex BN1 6LT
www.bibbyfinancialservices.com 0808 3023052
www.enterpriseservices.co.uk 01403 210412
www.alrobertson.co.uk 07949 910019
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
tel: 01444 259 259
business new members matters
february/march april/may august/september december/january 2019 business 2019 2018 2018 business business edge business edge edge edge
Health and Safety Help
Nordell Ltd
Retrofitworks
80 Broadwater Road, Worthing West Sussex BN14 8AW
Unit 4 & 5 Teville Industrials, Dominion Way Worthing, West Sussex BN14 8LU
Block A, Unit 233 Riverside Business Centre London SW18 4UQ
www.healthsafetyhelp.co.uk 01403 210412
www.nordell.co.uk 01903 212751
www.retrofitworks.co.uk 0330 123 1334
HR Dept: Haywards Heath & Crowborough
On Track HR
Sun-X (UK) Ltd
Aviation House, 1-7 Sussex Road Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4DZ
8 Bayliss Crescent, Burgess Hill West Sussex RH15 8UP
Unit G1, Beeding Close Southern Cross Trading Estate, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO22 9TS
www.hrdept.co.uk 01903 716471
www.on-track-hr.co.uk 01444 246938
www.sun-x.co.uk 01243 826441
Lenmark Construction
P J Rushbridge Building Contractors
Supporting Independence Ltd
Antrim House, High Street, Handcross, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6BN
Unit 2 Bellbanks Road, Hailsham East Sussex BN27 2AH
2 Old Stocks, Findon, Brighton BN14 0SA
www.nugentgroup.co.uk 01444 401097
www.rushbridge.co.uk 01323 843100
www.supportingindependence.co.uk 01903 877920
Switchplane Ltd Unit 4 Martello House, 1a Edward Road Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 8AS www.switchplane.com 01323 505980
AS A CHAMBER MEMBER YOU’RE WELL CONNECTED
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business five minutes matters with
august/september december/january february/march april/may 2019 2018 business edge
5 minutes with... Toby Rollestone Director, MacConvilles Surveying
Toby Rollestone is a Director of MacConvilles, an award winning RICS registered Chartered Surveying practice. He has more than 25 years’ experience in Building Surveying working on a wide range of projects for domestic and commercial clients. As an expert on material performance and defect pathology he advises leading insurers, solicitors, large portfolio managers and property owners on how to maintain, repair and refurbish a wide range of property styles and types. Celebrating its 80th Birthday in 2018 MacConvilles Surveying won the Professional Services Award at the Sussex Business Awards and has begun 2019 with two projects being shortlisted for the RICS awards. From their office in Hove, they provide Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, Project Management and design services throughout Sussex, Surrey, Kent and London.
What was your first job and what was the pay packet? Second Chef in a steakhouse. I think it was about £2.30 per hour.
What do you always carry with you to work? A very heavy bag. As a Chartered Surveyor my bag includes, a damp meter, disto, tapes, torches and a variety of tools. I am the modern day inspector gadget.
What is the biggest challenge facing your business? Remaining adaptable. If we look at the last decade alone, technology has moved at a very fast pace. There are so many new innovations and business ideas that have come and gone that its hard for small businesses to know what is good and what isn’t.
If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change to help business? More incentives for training. Training is essential and it doesn’t all come from college or university. Whilst rewarding, training a member of staff is expensive
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and time consuming. We need a better system that makes sense and isn’t dressed up in the Emperor’s new clothes.
What can you see from your office window? The sea. We are very fortunate to be close to the seafront. A walk in the sea air is a great way to clear the head.
If you could do another job what would it be? I would like to learn more about wine, so perhaps a Sommelier. Like so many, I know very little about what I drink and why I like it. I have been to wine tasting events and visited Vineyards where I have become fascinated by what it takes to make a good wine and the influence the location, weather and even your mood can have on what you drink. Failing that perhaps I could be a better Dad.
As a business person, what are your three main qualities? Never say I can’t! Always inquisitive! Love to talk!
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
What was your biggest mistake in business? Probably not defining what I want. We are all told that it’s important to listen to your clients, but it’s equally important to listen to yourself.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? Entrepreneur is an over used word and I don’t think it applies to the majority. If you are starting a business or have an idea, think carefully of how you are going to set it up. The most successful business people don’t actually work in the business they create, they get others to do that for them. Create a plan, review it often, listen to advice, know when to stop.
Who do you admire most in business? They aren’t famous and there isn’t one person. There are many I admire, some for the ideas, some for the way they execute them, some for the ability to remain balanced and approachable.
tel: 01444 259 259
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