Business Edge 56 by Distinctive Media Group Ltd

Inside 4 business matters 5 global focus 8 education and skills 10 ask the expert 11 skills and development 16 taking care of business 19 inspirational leaders 26 finance focus 28 training and events 34 new members 38 chamber campaigning the magazine for sussex chamber of commerce members

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August/September 2020

Sussex Chamber of Commerce

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june/july August/September 2019 business 2020 edge business edge

Sussex Chamber of Commerce

Sussex Chamber of Commerce currently represents over 1,000 member businesses. Membership of Sussex Chamber of Commerce offers access to invaluable business advice, money saving benefits, networking opportunities and provides a voice for businesses at a local, regional and national level. Business Edge is delivered free of charge to all Sussex Chamber of Commerce members as well as key business decision makers across the county. It has a circulation of 4,000 copies per issue. Business Edge is a Sussex Chamber of Commerce publication. If you have any stories you would like to tell us about or any comments please drop us an email at enquiries@

sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

SUSSEX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Unit 4, Victoria Business Centre, 43 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill RH15 9LR

PRODUCTION & DESIGN Distinctive Publishing 3rd Floor Tru Knit House, 9-11 Carliol Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6UF Tel: 0191 5805990 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk

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FEATURE EDITOR Helen Compson helen.compson@distinctivegroup.co.uk

Welcome to our Business Edge magazine! Businesses are slowly starting to re-open after a several long months which for many, have been the most challenging time physically, financially and mentally. As Government sets out next steps for employees to return to the workplace, companies will weigh up how they want to work in the future. Many will have seen benefits to productivity, and some will want to keep elements of their new normal. For some, returning to the workplace is contingent on schools reopening and the capacity of public transport. For all, the cost of making premises Covid-secure will be huge. Government must consider what further support they can offer. The national Chamber network has continued to call on Government for details to help businesses plan their futures with certainty and see more people return safely to work. A phased and careful return to work is the only way to protect jobs and livelihoods. However, businesses face further challenges in a few months time, following the end of the transition period and as the UK exits the EU. Companies that currently import and export to the EU will need to take action now and prioritise the appointment of customs intermediaries as customs declarations will be needed. Declarations are estimated to rise from 55 million to 300 million and there will be new rules to comply with as there will be a shift from goods being in free circulation within the EU, to imports being subject to duty and VAT. It is pleasing to see the Government listening to the Chamber network and reintroducing Postponed VAT Accounting, as well as allowing the deferment of duty and VAT on EU imports for at least 6 months from January. Many businesses will appreciate the introduction of bond-free duty deferment accounts, which will provide much needed help to cashflow for businesses and reduce import costs. Furthermore, companies investing in home-grown talent across the UK will still need to fill some roles from overseas. The new immigration points-based system

Ana Christie

Chief Executive Sussex Chamber of Commerce

will mean thousands will bear additional costs and bureaucracy when the skills they need cannot be found or developed locally. Carrying these new costs could be particularly challenging at a time when many businesses face reduced demand and cash flow difficulties as a result of Coronavirus. As the new system is implemented businesses will need help to become sponsors and will need to see immigration applications turned around quickly. The Government must do everything it can to reduce the cumulative cost of employment, including the costs associated with immigration, to help business recover from the pandemic, hire with confidence and seize future opportunities. A key role of Chambers is to bring businesses together, to learn from and support one another, to exchange tips and ideas and of course to do business. Should you wish to run a webinar with the Chamber, please do contact us. We are holding webinars and virtual training courses, showcasing member to member offers and member news stories, to enable businesses to continue to do business - a function which is vital to the region’s economic recovery. Enjoy reading our magazine which is packed full of amazing member stories.

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DISCLAIMER Distinctive Publishing or Business Edge cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and Business Edge.

CONTENTS welcome

inspirational leaders

business matters

taking care of business

20-23

global focus

24-25

finance focus

26-27

business matters

6-7

education and skills

training and events

local chamber news

taking care of business

30-31

new members

34-37

ask the expert

skills and development

taking care of business

16-17

chamber campaigning

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business matters

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

Show time again brings smiles at Ardingly We’re standing, Charlie Burgoyne and I, in the middle of the magnificent 150-acre Ardingly Event Centre showground. Charlie is Chairman of the South of England Agricultural Society, whose home this is, and where the South of England Show, that landmark event in the local countryside calendar, takes place.

Jerry Gosney

Director South of England Event Centre

Charlie turns and smiles. “What a truly remarkable facility this is,” he says. “How good it looks.” He’s right. The grass across the level show ground is tightly mown. Hardstanding roads crisscross the site, giving access to all corners. A variety of covered buildings, some open betraying agricultural roots, some stylish and modern, cater for a variety of exhibitor needs. Over to our left are the grass equine rings and classic all-weather arena, overlooked by the elegant glass and steel Norfolk Pavilion. You can almost hear echoes of applause as a winning clear round is cheered home. Here have been housed many a business conference, company away-day, indoor exhibition; even family parties, wedding receptions galore. Ringing the site are tall oaks and beeches. In the distance, we catch glimpses of the South Downs. This is pure beautiful Sussex at its summer best.

centre’s oldest and most loyal exhibitors, are being set-up, all in accordance with Covid guidelines, while later this month nightly drive-in movies return. “ Like everyone in the events business, we’ve had a tough time,” says Charlie. “We had no option other than cancel this year’s summer show, and that really hurt. And we’ve had to furlough key members of staff.” “But now we’re here, we’re open and we’re ready to help.” I ask him what he means by that. “Look,” he says, “we’re getting a really encouraging level of booking enquiries from organisers planning to respond to pent-up demand for concerts, markets, agricultural and equestrian events – even family gatherings.” “Thing is we know a lot of potential hirers have been hit hard and are under considerable strain,” continues Charlie. “We’re ready to be as flexible as we can on space we provide and the rate we charge on new bookings. “We’re all in this together. We want to play our part in getting the sector back on its feet.”

But it’s not all this that’s lifted Charlie’s spirits. Rather it’s the sight of action taking place all about us. For after miserable weeks and months of lockdown, it’s show time again at Ardingly.

Charlie and I discuss what makes the South of England Event Centre such a good choice. For starters, we agree, it’s easy to get to, just 36 miles from London and 20 miles from Brighton, served by the M25 and M23. Gatwick is close, too. Then there’s onsite parking for up to 6,000 vehicles.

Outside stalls for the two-day International Antiques and Collectors Fair, one of the

Outdoor space is hard to beat for equine events, dog-shows, street markets. And

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Charles Burgoyne, South of England Agricultural Society Chairman to be in the central arena for a concert on a long, starlit summer evening is memory making special. And if it’s somewhere out of town for the top-level business conference or trade exhibition, then the Norfolk Pavilion stands comparison with the best; its smaller, discreet rooms with spectacular Sussex views bringing an added touch to the wedding, the party night, the association annual dinner. “Dinner’” says Charlie, suddenly, “don’t forget our excellent onsite catering provided by Hardings. “And we haven’t talked about staff, I remind him.” “Good point,” he answers. “Its great to be bringing back off furlough team members who give this place top scores for customer service.” So what of the future then? “Well, all of us in this industry face some tough challenges ahead,” he replies, “but demand is coming back. If we work together, help each other, then this dreadful past few months may soon be just a bad memory.”

tel: 01444 259 259

business global matters focus

june/july August/September december/january 2019 business 2018 2020 edge business businessedge edge

Brexit – running to schedule. All aboard! Paul Samrah is Partner and Brexit Impact Specialist at Moore Kingston Smith. Paul Samrah

Partner Moore Kingston Smith

Crucial trade talks with the EU27 under way once more, and the Brexit Express is hurtling down the track to its final stop on Thursday 31 December 2020. No extension to this date now – we are looking at the end of the line. The destination by the end of the year will be a simple binary choice: deal or no deal. Currently, trade between the UK and EU is tariff-free. In the absence of a trade deal, that will all change come 1 January 2021 when the UK will move to WTO rules. Different rates of customs duty on imports into the UK from the EU27 will apply. The bloc’s average WTO tariffs are 11.1% for agricultural goods, 15.7% for animal products and 35.4% for dairy. British car makers will face a 10% tariff on exports (possibly amounting to €5.7 billion a year), causing the average car price to rise by €3,000. WTO “most favoured nation” rules mean that the UK cannot lower its tariffs for any specific country or bloc, ie the EU, without agreeing a trade deal. Importers should negotiate with suppliers sooner rather than later, as tariffs will be based on the full market value of the goods and services. They will be responsible for using the correct

commodity codes, so the correct procedures and controls must be in place to avoid errors and delays at ports. Additionally, they should have a contingency plan that allows time to make the necessary adjustments, train staff and prepare for cash flow interruption. Checks on goods entering the UK will be phased in in three stages up to the summer of 2021, regardless of whether a deal is done or not. From 1 January, there will be checks on controlled substances, such as alcohol and tobacco. Standard goods, such as clothes and electronics, will be subject to basic customs procedures. Businesses will have up to six months to complete customs declarations and pay relevant tariffs. From 1 April, those importing products of animal origin, including meat, milk or egg products, will have to pre-notify officials and provide the relevant health paperwork. By 1 July, all goods will be liable for relevant tariffs and customs declarations as well as full safety and security declarations. From then, there will be an increase in physical checks on livestock, plants and sanitary products at ports and other entry points. New border facilities will be built to process the required checks either at ports or, where there is not enough space, at "inland sites". Note that the proposals only apply to rules on imports, with checks on exports to the EU being determined by Brussels.

Businesses with employees from the EU27, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein should check if they and their families need to apply to the settlement scheme. UK companies with their ‘seat’ in the EU27 – seat being where management takes place and where its decisions are transformed into the day-to-day activities of the company – will lose their current right to freedom of establishment. Instead, each EU27 member state will apply its own rules on recognising UKregistered companies. Limited companies could be treated as partnerships, meaning shareholders lose the benefit of limited liability and become personally liable for the company’s debts. Some might require a cross-border merger into a local limited liability company. Forward-thinking businesses are strategically evaluating their level of readiness for a no trade deal.

Be prepared! Whatever a business’s restructuring needs, we can readily assist. We have developed an analysis tool – BX360 – that provides a detailed breakdown of actions to help businesses prioritise. It covers customs and tariffs, finance and taxation, legal aspects and contracts, and people implications. Explore our Brexit hub for the latest guidance on what to do and how Moore Kingston Smith can help. https://mooreks. co.uk/brexit-hub/

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business matters

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

From survival to growth The British Chambers of Commerce has called for “swift, substantial and immediate action” to bolster the economy, as its Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) - the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth - found that UK economic conditions deteriorated at an unprecedented rate in the second quarter of 2020.

Key findings: Eleven of the 14 key service sector QES indicators fell to their lowest level in the survey’s 31-year history The percentage balance of firms reporting increased domestic and export sales is substantially lower than the worst quarter of the 2008-09 recession Indicators for longer-term business performance have dropped to record lows

Leslie Kimber, CoOwner, The Cooden Beach Hotel

Even a pandemic can’t change the view The Cooden Beach Hotel boasts a unique location quite literally ‘directly on the beach’ with panoramic sea views stretching towards Beachy Head. Proudly reopening its doors after 15 weeks of lockdown it has fresh internal decor and all the excitement of a new business.

marinade. Bag a table on the Beach Terrace for perfect alfresco where your toes can touch the pebbles and your furry friends can come too.

Preparing to open in a Covid safe environment the internal systems and procedures have been given an overhaul to ensure that customer service is top of the menu. The family run hotel of fifteen years has firm standing welcoming new and returning guests to a truly hidden gem.

Business First is a comprehensive service for corporate guests offering a range of facilities for training & conference events and business meetings. Flexible catering options are offered and a preferential room rate for delegates. The hotel is located a few minutes’ walk from Cooden Beach railway station with direct trains to London, Hastings and Brighton and there is also a free carpark.

The Brasserie on the Beach has a spacious modern feel where breakfast is served from 7am through to brunch and an all-day menu with last orders at 9. On a sunny day, the bi-fold doors are opened all around giving that holiday vibe, serving delicious plates of locally caught Fish & Chips, Steaks on hot lava stones, Salads and the ever-popular Chicken Skewer with chef’s secret

As this strange unprecedented becomes the new normal it is time to capture a moment of calm with your favourite tipple from the gin palace or mocktail of the week whilst watching the waves as the world goes by.

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

The results of this bellwether survey of 7,700 firms, employing over 580,000 people across the UK, illustrate the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the UK economy. UK Government has provided almost £200bn of support to the economy, some of it smart and targeted and some of it is case of throwing out measures and seeing what sticks, like ‘eat out to help out’. We now need to move from survival to a growth mindset. Spending on infrastructure projects is often the ‘go to’ measure for Governments trying to pump-prime an economy. The last 4 months have emphasised that a super-fast and stable technology infrastructure is key to future growth. Rapid 5G roll-out is a must, whoever provides the hardware. What Governments here and around the world can’t so easily generate is business and consumer confidence. The confidence for business to think, act and invest beyond immediate survival and the confidence for consumers to venture out and spend. That remains the growth x-factor and just at the moment, unsurprisingly, is more elusive than ever. (The results of the Quarterly Economic Survey can be found: www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk/ policy-representation/quarterly-economicsurvey-results

Rob Clare

Chairman Sussex Chamber of Commerce

tel: 01444 259 259

business matters

june/july August/September december/january 2019 business 2018 2020 edge business businessedge edge

£31m Shoreham flood protection scheme goes from strength-to-strength with another industry accolade A multi-award-winning scheme, delivered by West Sussex-based construction and civil engineering firm Mackley, has received further industry recognition for its ‘positive and transformational contribution to society’. David Knapp

Business Development & Marketing Manager Mackley Construction

The £31 million Shoreham Adur Tidal Walls Scheme has significantly reduced the flood risk for nearly 2,500 residential and commercial properties in Shoreham-by-Sea and East Lancing. Since its completion in February 2019, the scheme has received widespread industry recognition. Most notably, the scheme was crowned Climate Resilience Project of the Year at the British Construction Industry Awards in October 2019. The BCI Awards recognise and reward excellence in project delivery. With a panel of exceptional judges, site visits to all shortlisted projects and rigorous interviews for all shortlisted companies, the awards are the ultimate vindication of project success. The Climate Resilience category recognises excellence from concept, through procurement, design and construction and on to operations and ultimate end user satisfaction. Specifically, it rewards projects that are mitigating the impact of extreme weather and climate change on people, properties and business. And the Shoreham scheme is continuing to pick up accolades. At the RICS Social Impact Awards, South East, on 11 June 2020, it was named winner in the Infrastructure category - rewarding its ‘positive and transformational contribution to society’.

Designed to last for 100 years Prior to works getting underway in 2016, Shoreham had been identified as ‘vulnerable’ - with the previous flood defences along the River Adur reaching the end of their useful life. In response, a scheme to strengthen and improve ﬂood defences on both sides of the river was implemented, led by the Environment Agency in conjunction with Adur District Council, West Sussex County Council and the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. The Environment Agency employed the services of Team Van Oord to carry out

construction, with Mackley as the lead contractor. The project covered the west bank of the river all the way from Shoreham Fort to the airport, and the east bank from Coronation Green to the A27. Different parts of the river required different types of defences, with varying work timetables and installation techniques. Defences constructed as part of the scheme include embankments, rock revetments, flood glass, and property level protection - all of which combined will reduce the likelihood of ﬂooding in any given year. The scheme’s design was sensitive to the particular unique heritage and environment of Shoreham. An archaeological investigation was undertaken in areas of interest and extensive ecological survey work was carried out to protect existing habitats and vulnerable species.

Working with the local community As a company, Mackley is committed to working in partnership with the people who live and work in the areas where it operates. Community outreach was a big part of managing the Shoreham project, and several community walks and public exhibition events were organised Mackley also supported a wide range of local charities and community initiatives.

Over the two-year construction period, close to 400 school children from eight local schools visited the project. The Shoreham Adur Tidal Walls was officially opened in March 2019, with praise from scheme partners. Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said: “This new scheme represents a remarkable feat of engineering which will see Shoreham better protected from flooding over the course of the next century.” “The Environment Agency has worked closely with partners and the local community to build and upgrade seven kilometres of new and existing flood walls, embankments and other defences, bringing greater peace of mind to thousands of homeowners and well over one hundred businesses in the local area.” Cllr Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, said: “The Adur Tidal Walls scheme will have an immeasurable impact on the residents and businesses in Shoreham and Lancing. “It will not only protect our communities from future flooding but it also gives investors certainty, supporting the creation of new homes and workplaces while opening up the riverside to local residents. “I want to thank the Environment Agency and their contractors for the work over the past couple of years.”

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BUS SCC Advert Jul 20 A4 R 4 PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 07/07/2020 12:26 Page 1

education & skills

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

Journey to a new frontier with the University of Chichester Business School Star Trek, the iconic original space series explored the frontiers of space discovering new galaxies, alien friends and foes and planets along the way.

Journey to a

It provides an imaginative analogy with our recent unexpected journey into the unknown world of virtual teaching and working prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lock down instigated by the government.

new frontier

At the University of Chichester we have been readying our spacecraft for some years to launch and explore the new frontier of remote teaching and learning and working virtually. We already had the vital tools by way of platforms with our virtual learning environment Moodle, recording platform Panopto (Chi Player), Skype for TREK, Business,STAR Microsoft TeamsTHE and a ICONIC myriad of ORIGINAL other online sources of learning content and THE SPACE SERIES EXPLORED ideas.

WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICHESTER BUSINESS SCHOOL

FRONTIERS OF SPACE DISCOVERING In terms of skills we had both the capability NEW and expertise to GALAXIES, teach and work ALIEN remotely FRIENDS AND however,FOES navigating entirely from the virtual AND PLANETS ALONG THE WAY.

Our 1:1 tutorials and meetings have created stronger and more honest relationships in the main as more vulnerabilities have surfaced and more kindness and caring has been shown. Star Trek’s Dr McCoy commented on ‘Compassion: that’s the one thing no machine ever had. Maybe it’s the one thing that keeps man ahead of them’ has a resounding truth about it.

flight deck was a first and required some The crew on the flight deck of our Starship Enterprise also known as the steep learning through experience, trial and University of Chichester Business School have honed and developed their error, collaborative working and the crafting It provides an imaginative analogy with our recent unexpected journey skills and adaptability to teaching and working in a virtual world with energy of new meaning to the expressions ‘I can’t into the unknown world of virtual teaching and working prompted by the and adventure. Most of our experimentation has worked and some has not hear you’, ‘you’re breaking up’, ‘we’ve lost x’ COVID-19 pandemic and the lock down instigated by the government. but it has led to more creative problem solving, more dispersed decision and ‘I’m going to leave and come back in’ making andof development solutionsjob which we would not have one thing that keeps man ahead them’ of innovative and different opportunities this can be and non-verbal gestures such as fingers At the University of Chichester we have in been readying our spacecraft for known existed. What appeared initially as a daunting excursion to an has a resounding truth about it. used to benefit our community.* ears and some cutting gestures. years to launch and explore the new frontier of remote teaching and unknown place became an adrenalin shot to unleash the creative and learning andwith working virtually. We already had theThe vital tools way of flight deck entrepreneurial potential of both people andsome technology crewbyon the of our Starship Experimentation virtual coffee We’ve still way as towe gobecame in our journey platforms with ourlectures virtual learning environment Moodle, recording platform ‘pioneers’ofand more recently ‘settlers’. Enterprise also known as‘explorers’, the University mornings, large group and small but that’s the exciting part. What may have Panopto (Chi Player), Skype for Business, Microsoft Teams and a myriad of Chichester Business School have honed live and pre-recorded seminars and guest seemed impossible or too difficult other online sources of learning content and ideas.and developed their skills The Business School has discovered an exciting new teaching and learning is now and adaptability speaker professional conversations on possible andCOVID-19 achievable. Thiswith is the frontier and it likely that in the wake of the pandemic the same to teaching and working in a virtualisworld topics such as Mediation at Work and In terms of skills we had both the capability and expertise to teachand and adventure. for business. Theofneed need Most for many re-skill and consider new sectors work to anddiversify, different innovate, with energy of to our Strategic Employee Development (thanks work remotely however, navigating entirely from the virtual flight deck was job opportunities can be used toat benefit our in community.* look things different ways, deploy new experimentation has worked and somethis has to Marianne Schoenberg, Blue into Green, a first and required some steep learning through experience, trial and error, approaches, manage talent, understand not but it has led to more creative problem and Helen Monk, Crunch Accounting) collaborative working and the crafting of new meaning to the expressions still some way to go in our journey but that’s the exciting part. What solving, more dispersed We’ve decision making have developed our teaching and learning customers and markets are all important ‘I can’t hear you’, ‘you’re breaking up’, ‘we’ve lost x’ and ‘I’m going to may have seemed impossible or too difficult is now possible and achievable. and development of innovative solutions opportunities and skills to better meet the aspects commercial life in the new leave and come back in’ and non-verbal gestures such as fingers in ears This is the same for business. The need to of diversify, innovate, look at things in which we would not have known existed. needs of and ourcutting diverse range of learners. normal.manage talent, understand customers gestures. different ways, deploy new approaches, What appeared initially as a daunting We have adapted to a more personal and and markets are all important aspects of commercial life in the new normal. to an In the Business School, we’ll be relaxed style acceptingwith interruptions from largeexcursion Experimentation virtual coffee mornings, group lectures andunknown place became an adrenalin shot to unleash creative and birds, power andseminars children learners, new employers, small drills, live andanimals pre-recorded andwith guest speaker professional In the the Business School,we’ll beencountering encountering newnew learners, new employers, entrepreneurial potentialnew of organisations both people an alacrity which is what makes usMediation human.at Work conversations on topics such as and Strategic Employee andown working and workingnew with organisations them all to raise their skills with them and technology as we became Development (thanks to Marianne Schoenberg, Blue into Green, and Helen horizons.‘explorers’, We can work with you all too! to raise their own skills horizons. We can Our 1:1 tutorials and meetings have created ‘pioneers’ and more recently ‘settlers’. Monk, Crunch Accounting) have developed our teaching and learning work with you too! stronger and more honest relationships opportunities and skills to better meet the needs of our diverse range of If you wantan to join us on this exciting journey please The Business School has discovered in the main as more vulnerabilities have learners. We have adapted to a more personal and relaxed style accepting If you want to join contact usfrontier on Business-School@chi.ac.uk or us on this exciting new and learning surfaced interruptions and more from kindness and caring birds, power drills, animals and exciting children with an teaching alacrity journey please contact us on findof outthe more at chi.ac.uk/business-services and it is likely that in the wake has beenwhich shown. Star Trek’s Dr McCoy is what makes us human. Business-School@chi.ac.uk or find out COVID-19 pandemic with the need for many commented on ‘Compassion: that’s the one thing no machine ever had. Maybe it’s the to re-skill and consider new sectors of work more at chi.ac.uk/business-services *The Business School offers Postgraduate and Undergraduate Degrees, Degree Apprenticeships and Executive Short Courses

#CHIUNI

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tel: 01444 259 259

local business chamber matters news

june/july August/September december/january 2019 business 2018 2020 edge business businessedge edge

Newhaven receives 15,000 masks from Vietnam Newhaven Chamber’s business relationship with Vietnam continues to flourish with the town receiving 15,000 medical-grade masks from His Excellency Tran Ngoc An last week at the Vietnamese Embassy Julia Johnson Director Fine Marketing.

The masks, sponsored by VietAir, were a gift to health-related businesses and charities in the town. Vietnam has one of the lowest coronavirus infection rates in the world and was one of the first countries to make the wearing of masks mandatory. Mike Shorer, Newhaven Chamber’s President, said: “We’re very grateful to Vietnam and know that the face masks will be a welcome bonus to supplies in Newhaven.”

Newhaven Chamber members are cautiously optimistic about the future of business in the town and one of the Enterprise Zone’s key areas, the Eastside Business Park, has been hugely successful in attracting new companies to the town. Members have been meeting weekly via Zoom, exchanging ideas and supporting each other throughout the crisis. The Coronavirus has affected some local businesses very hard, but in general, companies are upbeat and optimistic. They have taken government support to plan for the unexpected and to ride out the crisis whether their services and products are local, national or international. In the Chamber, we have members who have taken the opportunity, during the lockdown, to forge ahead with factory

moves and manufacturing growth grants to expand their business. Some companies have taken the opportunity to rethink and restructure; others have improved their online presence and are now benefitting as new customers find them and their existing clients return. Newhaven has also been short-listed for the Government’s Future High Streets Fund which will provide additional capital for improvements to the ring-road and exciting new long-term strategies for the town-centre.

Newhaven Chamber Secretary, Cllr Paul Boswell with His Excellency Tran Ngoc An at the Vietnamese Embassy in London. For more information on Newhaven Chamber please visit www.newhavenchamber.co.uk

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ask the expert

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

How to Take Control of Your Electricity Costs I’m often asked by our clients as to why their electricity costs keep rising despite the fall in oil prices, despite the fall in the cost of gas & electricity. Energy & Carbon Management are expert energy consultants and are here to help. Many businesses that renewed back in 2018 and 2019 saw huge increases in costs – some getting hit with a 20-30% increase in some cases. Despite the pandemic causing a crash in prices to levels not seen in some time there any many electricity supply contracts that still see increases. But why?

So, why are energy costs rising? The answer is what we might call ‘nonenergy costs.’ Imagine you have an invoice for £100 – this invoice is divided into two key parts. The first part relates to wholesale costs. This is the traded part which is impacted by a range of factors, such as the financial markets, demand, weather and the like. The second part relates to non-energy costs or non-commodity costs. These are the costs of the transmission and distribution of electricity, Renewables Obligation (RO) and a myriad of other complex terms. Now, if we split your £100 invoice and break down these two key elements, you’ll find that only about 40% of the £100 bill relates to wholesale costs. The remaining £60 or 60% is made up of these non-energy costs.

These costs have been increasing for a few years now and the bad news is they are going to carry on rising. But why you may ask. Well, the answer to this question is that we in the UK have to invest massively into new, low or no carbon-emitting renewable generation, such as solar and wind, whilst at the same time transforming our creaking National Grid from an older centralised distributor into a more intelligent, smarter grid, capable of coping with intermittent sources of energy. After all, it’s not sunny all the time nor windy.

Unavoidable Costs These non-energy costs can’t be negotiated. Set by the industry, they are unavoidable and charged by every kWh you use. It’s highly likely that by the early to middle of the next decade around 70% of your electricity bill will derive from these unavoidable, non-negotiable costs. If we take the industry projections on non-energy costs, plus add a little market volatility into the mix, then we have the perfect storm with increasing electricity costs to your businesses. However, this is on the basis that your energy consumption remains largely the same.

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Julian Zacharias, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Energy & Carbon Management

A Focus on Sustainability With the advent of the Government’s 2050 net zero target, there will be further emphasis on transforming the country into a more sustainable energy user - I would not be at all surprised if eventually legislation follows, targeting commercial business - to reduce carbon emissions through energy efficiency and sustainability.

tel: 01444 259 259

june/july August/September december/january 2019 business 2018 2020 edge business businessedge edge

skills and business development matters

East Sussex College and Sussex Chambers of Commerce announce new training partnership As we enter August 2020, the hibernation of the wider UK economy is drawing to a cautious end. Furlough is winding down for the majority who used the scheme and many of those businesses who closed their doors are now open to customers in some face to face capacity beyond their online offers. Although the long term effects of the pandemic remain unknown, for many it seems that the opportunities and threats expected to emerge over the next 5 years are now accelerating towards us at pace. “Change”, “Digitisation” “Vigilance” and “Control” are the key words of the post Covid risk management process. At East Sussex College we have accelerated our business planning at a previously unheard of pace. Our goal to offer a technology led learning experience is no longer an ambition but a core strand of our offer. Plans to create scale blended online learning solutions that would typically have taken 18 months to be fully embedded were established in less than 2 months. Since March 2020 all of the college’s existing learners have been supported online using virtual classroom environments to deliver lectures, share feedback and promote debate. We have also expanded our offer to support the unemployed, establishing virtual sector based work academies to provide training and support to individuals looking to immediately enter the Health & Social Care Sector, filling roles for the NHS as well as the large number of care homes. It has been our experience that our learners and staff have risen to the challenge and adapted quickly to the new ways of working. It is this new acceptance of change that creates the real opportunity for business in these unprecedented times. Working in close partnership with Sussex Chambers of Commerce, East Sussex College Group have developed a suite of qualifications to support business to change and adapt by developing skills in 4 key areas; Digital Skills, LEAN Management, Equality & Diversity and Mental Health Advocacy in the workplace: Level 2 Certificate in Digital Skills for Work- Become qualified in the use of the latest digital applications used in the workplace including Microsoft Teams, Onefile/Dropbox, Instagram, Linked In etc. understanding best practice and how to use the evolving technology in a GDPR compliant way across your organisation.

Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity- Qualify your staff with an accredited certificate to ensure equality and diversity is embedded in your strategic planning and continuous professional development process.

Level 2 Certificate Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the WorkplaceRaise your employees’ knowledge and awareness of the different types of mental health problems and their prevalence, as well as understanding individuals with these conditions in order to care for and interact with them.

Level 2 Certificate in Lean Organisation Management Techniques- This Certificate is aimed at team leaders and project managers wanting to improve business performance through continuous professional development of employees and their skill set. Learners will develop an understanding of lean organisation techniques in business, develop their knowledge and understanding of business improvement tools and techniques and understand what makes an effective team including how to handle conflict.

Using an intuitive online platform with optional 1:1 support from tutors via video conferencing we are providing a Government funded training package to give your staff the skills and resilience to meet the challenges of recovery. Use the promotional code SUSSEXCHAMBERS1 to access any of these 4 courses free of charge for yourself or your staff while funding is available. To enrol go to escg.theskillsnetwork.com and follow the application process. You will need to complete a short maths and English assessment and be asked some short questions about how the course will benefit you.

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business matters advertorial

june/july2020 2019 August/September august/september december/january 2018 business edge

What’s stopping SMEs from going digital? According to a recent report by The Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) and Xero, not enough UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are adopting digital tools. By rejecting these newer business management systems, SMEs are missing an opportunity to increase their productivity. Because there are so many of them, this missed opportunity is having a negative impact across the whole of the UK economy. And in this new post-Covid19 world, any benefit to the economy, no matter how small, must be encouraged.

Does software make that much of a difference? As the Managing Director of a software company, my answer is of course going to be a resounding YES! But you won’t want to just take my word for it. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) have found a strong correlation between productivity and use of digital technologies. Specifically, they found that companies that used digital tools had more sales per employee than those who didn’t. A clear indicator that properly implemented software can really boost a business’ productivity.

How does software boost productivity? Each system or piece of software is different, but in general, using digital tools makes people more productive by taking over repetitive tasks, streamlining where information is found, reducing the need to re-enter information or formatting, etc. The ERC found, for example, that using a CRM system boosted sales per employee by 18.4%....wow! But businesses in the UK are just not taking advantage of these productivity boosting tools. In the UK only about 12% of business were using more than 6 of the key digital technologies outlined by the EU Digital Density Index…the EU average is around 26%. This means that 88% of businesses are just plain missing out on these productivity boosting systems.

How do we fix this? There isn’t a simple solution to this digital divide. The way I see it, there are three things that have to be done if the UK is going to become a world leader in the adoption of all things digital in their businesses. 1. Improvements to infrastructure If businesses are going to rely on digital tools to get their day-to-day tasks done,

they need to be able to access them. It’s as simple as that. Too many rural businesses are being left behind because of a lack of high speed internet. This means there is a huge need for real, tangible investment from government and internet service providers in improving the UK’s infrastructure. And it is happening…slowly…meaning a slower increase in productivity. 2. Skill Building

This idea that only young people can use digital tools is completely untrue. More than that, it’s damaging to businesses, stopping their adoption of tools that will benefit them. When it comes to adopting new software, there needs to be buy in from SME business owners. They need to be willing to (or better yet enthusiastic to) change the way they do things. I don’t mean completely changing business processes to fit new software, that’s not how business systems should work in my opinion.

We need to improve the digital skills of the people who will be using these tools. I speak to so many businesses every day who worry about implementing a CRM system because of the levels of tech literacy in their business.

But having a clear understand of where a business isn’t being as productive as it could be and going out in search of software that can help. And then having an open mind about what other areas of the business could benefit from it.

Schools are doing their part. More young people are coming out of school with a solid grasp of how computers work and how to use them (and code for them!).

We have to end this trend of avoiding new technologies because a business has “always done things this way”. It’s time to explore new ideas and technologies.

But for those people already in employment, it’s the responsibility of the business and the software provider to help educate them.

Read more about the research behind this article here: www.tenentrepreneurs.org/s/Upgrade.pdf

The training sessions we run with new system users is just the first step. We’ve also got a library of how to articles and regularly post videos to help get our users feeling confident in using the system.

And if you’d like to talk to me or a member of the OpenCRM team about your CRM software can benefit your business, call 01748 473000 or visit us at www.opencrm.co.uk.

Because if they don’t feel confident, they won’t use it. And if they don’t use it, they’ll never get that 18% boost in productivity. 3. A Change in Outlook Too often conversations about technology and software revolve around the idea that they will only be relevant to the younger members of the team. This is in part because of the need for education, but also because of the way people view technology.

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

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

tel: 01444 259 259

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june/july 2019 business August/September 2020 edge business edge

Start Within launches an exciting new partnership with specialist training provider Intqual-pro group Together, the partnership will change the way organisations support employee wellbeing within the workplace, promoting open and inclusive conversations around mental health and self-care. Start Within are proud to share their unique ‘people first’ approach with Intqual-pro, which combines personal interaction with accessible support for all employees. Building on the fantastic success of the wellbeing series recently delivered to Intelligencia apprentices,and following huge employer demand for further wellbeing support in the workplace, both Intqual-pro and Start Within have acted quickly to formally establish this partnership. Working side-by-side and drawing on expertise across multiple sectors, the partnership will provide organisations with the opportunity to demonstrate a major commitment to the happiness of their people. Led by Mike O’Hara as Director of Training, Start Within will operate as a partner of the Intqual-pro group, joining Intelligencia and the Cyber Stars Initiative.

“Mental health and wellbeing has long been a large part of what Intqual-pro has sought to achieve in effective safeguarding. Improving employee wellbeing brings a whole host of other benefits that supports both adults and children. The Start Within approach to wellbeing in the workplace is completely unique and truly people focused, fully fitting with our ethos as a training organisation. Pilots of the Happy People programme have been met with some of the best engagement I have seen across the breadth of our services and at a time where focus on wellbeing is more critical than ever we are absolutely delighted to bring Start Within into the group.” Barry Searle, Director of Training, Intqualpro “I am absolutely thrilled to partner with Intqual-pro and cannot wait to continue our journey together as a team. This group

has delivered specialist training in over 30 countries - it is such an exciting opportunity and I know that Start Within will add a whole new dimension. Raising awareness on mental health and encouraging positive conversations around wellbeing is more important than ever right now, and we bring that passion directly to every organisation we work with.” Mike O’Hara, Director of Training, Start Within

YOU CAN Receive up to £3,000 WHEN YOU HIRE AN APPRENTICE Find out more at chigroup.ac.uk/incentives or call us on 01243 812948 so we can help you find your dream apprentice

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business support

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

Flexibility bug bites UK workers Working from home during the pandemic has made many people reluctant to go back to their workplaces on a full-time basis despite an easing of the UK lockdown rules. Research commissioned by technology provider Okta surveyed 6,000 office workers across the UK. Just 24 per cent of respondents said they wanted to return to the office full-time, and 35 per cent would prefer more flexible working arrangements in the future where they could work from home on a part-time basis. The survey also revealed that 55 per cent had experienced a productivity boost working from home, and 62 per cent said it had given them greater flexibility. But 28 per cent of people who were working from home for the first time said they had not been equipped with the necessary technology and 24 per cent could not access the software they needed at the start of the lockdown.

Permanent homeworking Several major companies have already used employee feedback from the last few months to make fundamental changes to their working arrangements - changes which could outlive the pandemic. Twitter is allowing employees to work from home indefinitely and OpenText is closing half its offices with 15 per cent of its employees now working from home permanently. And Facebook has told most of its people to continue to work from home

until the end of the year – as have realestate company Zillow and insurer Sagicor.

quarter in the retail and education sectors expressed the same confidence.

But there are some aspects of traditional working that many of the people surveyed did miss. Fifty-seven per cent missed faceto-face conversations with colleagues, and around half lost workplace friendships.

Gary Jowett, from Computer & Network Consultants (CNC) in Brighton, said: “The demand for more flexible working could cause a significant shift in the way that British businesses operate and how their employees interact. As long as companies provide the appropriate secure technology and have good policies for managing the work-life balance of their employees, it can only be a win-win situation. This will be a result for many businesses in terms of productivity, reduced carbon footprint and lower property overheads.”

The research also raises concerns over cybersecurity because only a third of respondents were “completely confident” remote working would keep them safe from hackers. The level of concern differed from sector to sector. Workers in the IT sector felt more protected than others while just a

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– IT Hardware & Software

– Disaster Recovery

– Cloud e-Mail Archiving

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We would love to talk to you and offer a Complimentary systems & security check-up with no obligations to use our services.

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www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

tel: 01444 259 259

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june/july 2019 business August/September 2020 edge business edge

Practical Compliance: The Purpose of a Business How a firm articulates and communicates its purpose is increasingly a focus for the FCA as it carries out its supervisory activity. The FCA states: “We define culture as the habitual behaviours and mindsets that characterise an organisation” and “As a regulator, we focus on 4 key drivers which we believe can lead to harm: Purpose Leadership Approach to rewarding and managing people Governance” These principles apply to all businesses, not just financial services.

The Purpose of a Business The purpose of a business has been defined as “an organisation’s meaningful and enduring reason to exist that aligns with long-term financial performance, provides a clear context for daily decision making, and unifies and motivates relevant stakeholders.”

1. A meaningful reason to exist

5. Unifying and challenging stakeholders

This is more than simply selling your service to your clients and customers. It should include the development of employees to help their growth and achievement, and, could include active involvement in the local community for, say, the benefit of disadvantaged groups.

Articulating your business purpose may challenge stakeholders, who may need to change long-held practices. Alternatively, it may bring them together as they strive to achieve a unified purpose.

2. Purpose forms an organisational identity

Putting it into practice

It helps the public perception of the business, or its reputation. Do you want your staff to be proud to work for you? Do you want your customers to be your advocates? How does your business purpose inform your business strategy? 3. Purpose and profits As we have seen above, without profits, the business would cease to exist no matter how laudable the purpose. You need profits to drive the business forward, but these profits could be as a direct result of the purpose of the business.

What are the Characteristics of Purpose?

4. A clear context for decision makers

If we now break the above definitions into five characteristics, we can see how they may apply to your own business.

A carefully articulated purpose will provide key decision makers with clear guidelines regarding the values of the business.

Articulation of the purpose of your business should be the catalyst for building long term value for all stakeholders whether they be the Board, senior managers, staff, customers, or the communities around the area in which your business is based.

How can we help Compliance Matters UK Limited offers cost effective and practical guidance. Contact us on 07768 422 213 or email ian@compliancematters.co.uk to discuss any needs you may have.

Is getting palletised freight to your customers in a cost-effective, timely and reliable way critical to your business? If it is, think RT Page. We’ll ensure your goods are always where they need to be when they need to be there. • Here at RT Page and Sons Ltd we are proud to be working in partnership with THE Pallet Network (TPN) to provide a sector leading palletised goods collection and delivery service. • Our stellar customer service, unrivalled postcode coverage, competitive rates and real-time tracking technology means that you can rest assured knowing that your goods are in the safest possible hands at every stage of their journey. Call us now on 01903 736300 to speak to Naomi, our Pallet Network Manager, and find out how we can service your pallet transport needs – however challenging they might be. Alternatively email naomihorne@rtpage.co.uk for expert advice or further information.

RT Page and Sons Ltd – Modern delivery with traditional values.

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taking care of business

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

Resilience and Flexibility – Celebrating 15 Years of Business While an uncertain and troubling past three months, Warnes Projects have remained resilient yet flexible. We have done all we can to negate the effects of COVID-19 by ensuring everyone within the firm are updated on all issues effecting themselves and the company. Stephen Hobbs MD Warnes Projects

Like so many others, we have moved to remote working. We have continuously checked in with employees and set up several daily meetings per week to not only discuss projects, cost plans and designs but also to catch up and reintroduce the community feeling of the office. This time has been troubling and vague for everyone, but the Warnes team have supported one another and worked closely to ensure a positive mindset and outlook on the current and future climate. Over the past few weeks, small teams have begun face-to-face meetings (socially distanced), to collaborate on Design and Marketing Projects. Desks have been shuffled, new hygiene screens added, and hand sanitisers at the ready alongside several rules to create a safe space for our team. Our work on site has continued but government guidelines, rules and

regulations have been our compass throughout the pandemic, and we have been working very closely with our health and safety advisors to ensure we continually evolve and adapt policies responding to change, From introducing daily temperature checks for all site staff and visitors and mobile handwashing stations to conducting “Tool Box Talks” with all staff and sub-contractors, we are making sure everyone is safe and comfortable while working. Our team has been working on a variety of projects. We have helped create inviting and comfortable outdoor seating areas for our local charity, St Barnabas Hospice, that provides a calm and alternative space for patients’ visitors and families. For the duration of lockdown, major CAT A and CAT A+ plus fit outs in Battersea and Whitechapel in London have continued.

our high level of service and delivery promises. Our team has grown, bringing in a diverse set of skills and forming a close-knit organisation. In 2017, our Small Works division was created to help us service enquiries relating to anything from light-touch refurbishment to general maintenance. Sustainability and recycling have over the years become a core part of the business, we have produced individual recycling reports for each project, which has become a popular resource among clients.

During this time, we are also celebrating our 15-year anniversary. In 2005, Steve Hobbs, Managing Director, started Warnes Projects in the back bedroom of his house. Fast forward to 2020, we have established a reputable position in the fit out and refurbishment industry. We have invested in the right people which has given us the opportunity to grow while maintain

The future of “Business” is discussed frequently at the moment, and although Warnes acknowledge that the Business-asusual terminology will be very different, we are confident we will take “the new normal” head on. Our strong team combined with our loyal client base ensures we will come out the other side as a wiser and more unified group of determined individuals.

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

The success of the company is derived from the open-door nature at Warnes which enables us all to work towards the same vision with passion and determination. We are very proud of our success and achievement of reaching 15 years in business, which has been a comforting thought through a difficult climate.

tel: 01444 259 259

takingbusiness care of business matters

june/july August/September december/january 2019 business 2018 2020 edge business businessedge edge

Re-starting after the lockdown As the business world takes the first tentative steps out of the unprecedented situation of the last few months, there will be many uncertainties and ‘new normals’ that will have to be considered. David England

Risk Management Consultant ATTiS

In the meantime, just re-starting any undertaking will be challenging enough. This may be particularly true of projects that were left in abeyance as the world started to isolate. Construction sites, manufacturing runs, factory set-ups – projects of all types in all situations will have to be re-energised. Your car’s MoT may have been postponed for the time being, but what about all those work inspections, examinations and tests that are required by law? Scaffolding, machinery, pressure vessels, lifting equipment – all of these require regular

examination and those requirements have not gone away. Even water supplies are still subject to legionella testing and any remaining asbestos in your premises still needs to be managed. The last few months of factories, warehouses and construction sites standing idle may have caused any number of issues with erosion, corrosion or degradation and this, along with any statutory inspections must be assessed. Attis have precisely the skills and experience to help with all forms of re-starts, including reviewing any distancing requirements. A combination of engineering, safety, welfare and the management of risk ensures that the right amount of effort is directed to the right risks at the right time. Use these decisions to support the arranging of appropriate testing regimes to keep your staff and premises safe and hopefully help in getting your business back on its feet.

Finding our feet in the new normal Niall Habba, Managing Director, The Telemarketing Company, Brighton-based B2B specialists. 2020 will be remembered as one of the most gruelling and destabilising years for businesses globally; little did we know that Brexit would no longer be the UK’s biggest challenge. It is difficult to find positives, but the COVID-19 has certainly proven the age old adage that adversity breeds opportunity and innovation. So, as we move forward what can businesses take from this experience to build resilience, stay competitive and continue to grow?

Don’t be static In the face of a crisis there is a risk of becoming frozen by fear. Unless you continue to sell and market yourself, competitors will readily step in and grab your market share. Coming out of a crisis, it is natural to be cautious but this isn’t the time to stand still.

Think out of the box Many businesses demonstrated agility, quickly re-targeting their proposition and flexing in the way they delivered their services, some not only surviving but

actively thriving. The ability to innovate and evolve as market conditions change, can create a competitive edge, and a diversified proposition avoids overreliance on any single sector or segment.

Strengthen relationships Whilst forced to socially distance, we were at the same time compelled to work more closely as a means of survival both in our personal and business lives. Reinforcing bonds across stakeholders – employees, managers, suppliers, clients, agencies and partners –builds trust and loyalty that is hard to break when times get tough. Building deep and broad relationships increases resilience and enables you to draw on multiple layers of support when the need arises.

Stay alert No one could have predicted COVID-19 but even aside from Brexit there are few industries in recent years that haven’t experienced some form of disruption whether technological, social, or regulatory. This is unlikely to change any time soon so

it is critical to stay in tune with changes in your market place so you can effectively anticipate and adapt to change. If you are alert to risks, have built agility within your business model and can draw on a solid support network, you will be well placed to weather future storms.

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August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

If you’re not on the first page of Google, you’re missing out on potential customers In today’s digital world, every business needs a website. Equally, every website needs to be ranking on Google search results, if it hopes to see any online traffic. Setting up a website for your company is a simple process, whether you do it yourself or benefit from the experience of a professional website design company like Advance Online. Once you have it set up, the real work begins – getting your site to appear on the first page of Google results.

How do I know if my site is ranking on Google? The simplest way to find out if you’re ranking well is to open up a new window in your web browser. Set the window to private browsing (also known as incognito mode) and search for your site’s relevant keywords. If your website shows up on the first page of results – congratulations!

What is the difference between organic and advertised listings? There’s more than one way to reach the first page of Google search results. The first is the organic method. This is what you have just done. When someone enters your relevant keywords into Google and your details show up – that’s an organic listing. Google compares what its user is looking for to what your website provides (among other things). If there’s a strong match, it brings your site up as an example. There are also advertised links. This tend to be placed at the top and bottom of each search page and are marked with a logo identifying them as paid promotions. Google uses a similar method to decide which company benefits from this advertising space so simply throwing money at it is no guarantee of an improved ranking.

Why is it so important to get on the first page of Google search results? There have been numerous studies about how people search for things online. Whether it’s goods and services, information, or entertainment, an overwhelming majority (between 71% and 92%) never scroll past the first page of Google results. What this means for you as a business is quite simple – if you’re not on the first page of Google, you’re missing out on potential customers. It’s not the case that they are choosing another provider – they literally will not know that your website exists.

How do I get my website on the first page of search results? There are a number of things you can do to get your website ranking on the first page of Google results. Fortunately, here at Advance Online, we have put together an entire article detailing them for you. Click here to check it out.

How often should I check my Google ranking? Google ranking is a fluid process. Every time something changes on your site, or changes in Google’s algorithms, it could affect where you stand in their search results. External factors can even come into play, such as backlinks, online sharing, and so on. As such, it is worth checking your ranking fairly frequently. How often you do so depends on your industry, as well as your physical reach. If you’re the only silversmith in town, for instance, your rankings aren’t likely to fluctuate that much. If, on the other hand, you’re a solicitor working in a major city, you will want to check your ranking at least weekly, perhaps even more often. If you’re running a time-limited promotional campaign, daily checks on your ranking will result in a greater return on investment.

My website isn’t ranking any more If you suddenly find yourself falling off the first page of Google search results, you will want to know why. There are two likely reasons. The first is that your website is poorly produced, offers a bad user experience and – specifically – hosts plagiarised content. While Google often

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

spots this stuff automatically, occasionally it runs manual checks. These can result in a warning from Google and see an instant demotion down its ranks. The other possibility is that Google has had a major algorithm change. Small changes occur all the time and don’t have too much of an impact. Every now and then, the company decides to introduce a more drastic modification, something that really shakes up the whole internet. These changes are introduced to improve quality across the board, often to negate automated website creators and spammers. So how to you start ranking again? Well, in the first instance, you need to overhaul your site. Any official Google warning from a manual check will detail the guidelines you have failed to adhere to. If you’re not in a position to create fresh, effective content from scratch, you should look to a reputable website design or SEO agency to handle the difficult work for you. As for an algorithm change – if you’re managing your site yourself, you will need to familiarise yourself with the new rules and go through your site page-by-page updating your content. If you’re with a reliable SEO company like Advance Online, then we will already be aware of the recent changes and will work with you to adapt and improve your site. For more information about ranking on Google, or to arrange a free consultation about your website, call Malcolm at Advance Online on 0845 625 0225.

tel: 01444 259 259

inspirational leaders

june/july 2019 business August/September 2020 edge business edge

Precision Engineering fuels global demand The origins of the Spellman Group can be traced back to the founding of Spellman Television Company in 1947 in New York by William Spellman to sell high voltage transformers and projection television equipment. Merrill Skeist purchased Spellman in 1968 changing the name to Spellman High Voltage Electronics Corporation to reflect a broad focus on electronic systems requiring high voltage. Englishman Brian Saltwell founded Start Electronics in 1989 to design and manufacture precision high voltage power supplies. His strategy was to start with standard products requiring precision high voltage power and to gradually broaden the product portfolio and grow the engineering team and production capability. While high voltage power is required in a wide variety of niche applications, there are few applications which require a high volume of high voltage power supplies, so this strategy requires a wide range of specialised products. To grow more rapidly Brian looked to partner with a US company that already had a range of designed products that would complement those being developed in the UK. Having previously evaluated Spellman as an acquisition target for his previous company, Brian decided to approach Merrill Skeist regarding forming a partnership. Dennis Bay, Managing Director of Spellman UK, said: “Brian crossed the Atlantic in the early 1990’s to find a partner who would sell his high voltage products in America and whose products he could sell in return in Europe. The combination of a strong engineering base in the US and UK enabled support of product with the added advantage of using each other’s equipment to co-design systems to meet demanding customer applications. He and Merrill Skeist were like two peas in a pod. They shared a customer and innovation focused vision with an entrepreneurial mindset; and Start Spellman High Voltage Electronics, Ltd. was formed.” Dennis Bay, an Electrical Engineer from Long Island, New York joined Spellman in 1992 as European Sales Manager, when Spellman was a regional US high voltage company with sales of around $15M. However, the trans-Atlantic partnership was beginning to change all that. When Brian announced his impending retirement in early 2000, Dr. Loren Skeist, who succeeded his father Merrill as President of the Company, said to Dennis: “You know the people, technology and the territory. If we acquire Brian’s shares, how would you like to live there and manage the integration of Start Spellman and Spellman?” In April 2001 Mr. Saltwell retired, his outstanding shares in the Company were acquired by Spellman High Voltage Electronics Corporation, and Dennis stepped into his new role at the UK headquarters in Pulborough, West Sussex. “They wanted me to come for five years, but my wife insisted we only commit to three, so I did, to avoid divorce court,” he joked. “I always say, I came over in 2001 as an experiment and I’m still experimenting.” The

Dennis Bay Managing Director, Spellman High Voltage Electronics, Ltd. name of the UK business changed again in 2002 to Spellman High Voltage Electronics Limited to complete the integration process into the US Corporation. In 2001, the fiscal year of Brian Saltwell’s retirement, turnover for UK operations was £7M. “In my first year after Brian retired, the revenue went down by £2M due to the market conditions in the world and everybody was nervous the facility was going to close, and the technology would be sucked out to America. A big part of what I had to do was build up the trust between UK staff and Corporate leaders and reassure the local team that Spellman “was in the UK to stay and grow”. Dennis utilised Merrill Skeist’s concept of “homologation” - a customer centric strategy emphasising multi-level communication channels to develop custom solutions, deliver services and adapt business processes that provide our customers with “No Worries”. Describing himself as having “a light touch” as a boss, he thanks the Skeist family for trusting and empowering him to do things his way, which in turn has allowed him to empower others. It is an approach that has certainly paid off. Spellman UK’s fiscal year 2020 finished in March and last month, Dennis and his team signed off the latest accounts – with a

turnover figure of £35M. “I’m very proud of what the team has achieved, and we’ve had a lot of fun in doing it,” he said with a smile. The process of integrating the UK design and manufacturing facility into the Spellman worldwide organization has provided an exciting opportunity to merge resources, products, design, manufacturing, sales and customer support. Accordingly, we continue to build on the benefits of the combined company, to further enhance our ability to meet our customers’ needs. The combining of resources affords us the worldwide resources and advanced capabilities that are required to become a sustainable, world class global enterprise. Today, Spellman High Voltage Electronics, the world’s leading independent supplier of high voltage power supplies with five design centres, six production centres, eight repair centres and more than 2000 employees in Europe, North America and Asia, providers of direct current high voltage power solutions for the medical, industrial and scientific communities, serving diverse applications such as: CT Scanning, Bone Densitometry, Non-Destructive Testing, Analytical X-Ray, Ion Implantation, Scanning Electron Microscopes, Explosive Detection/ Baggage Screening, Telecommunications, Mass Spectrometry, Air Purification and numerous others.

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taking care of business

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

IT recycling that doesn’t cost the earth With many organisations making the transition back to work employers and their staff will be adjusting to encountering the ‘new normal’. Mike Potts

Managing Director S4B

Some companies for whatever reason will have had to stream-line their staff and processes and may now not require the amount of office space or equipment they once had prior to the pandemic. This is a great opportunity for organisations to ditch obsolete IT equipment and old paper records. But how can that be done safely and securely ensuring zero data leaks in line with GDPR amongst other regulations? Here is where an accredited, fully licenced and insured waste carrier, secure shredding specialist and IT destruction company could be invaluable. One of the benefits of using an organisation such as S4B is that you

are dealing with an experienced team who pride themselves on their customer service. One of the unique ways S4B work is they can deliver on site IT destruction at your premises with a mobile shredding unit. The process is audited so the customer can rest assured of what has happened to their equipment through the destruction and recycling process in a secure and transparent manner.

With data breaches a real issue it is important to gain peace of mind by using specialists in document and equipment shredding and recycling as you cannot afford to leave it to chance. Scammers and fraudsters will stop at nothing to gain your valuable personal and business data. So, when looking to get rid of redundant paperwork or IT, consider where it is going and make sure it doesn’t cost the earth or your business.

Standing out from the crowd Purple Cow Office Supplies was born from reading a book by American marketeer Seth Godin – Transform your Business by being remarkable – Standing Out From The Crowd. Ruth Weaver Owner Purple Cow

If you saw a Purple Cow in a field you’d want to tell everyone! In a crowded industry I wanted to set myself apart from competitors. I have been in the office supplies industry for 25 years and a business owner for 20 of them. During this time I have run a very successful business. Since Covid-19 hit, like the majority of businesses, I have witnessed my turnover fall away drastically and decided to change my approach mainly with regards to marketing.

Having already a very successful online presence I turned my attention to driving more traffic to the webstore and brand recognition primarily through social media incorporating Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more importantly LinkedIn. My rationale being that as/when the pandemic eased and businesses started to return to some form of normality the Purple Cow brand would be at the forefront of their minds when it came to ordering future office supplies. The campaigns we ran were not driven towards sales but being informative, imaginative and predominantly fun. Our campaign incorporating lego figures of the team continuing to remain open proved particularly successful and well received. As lockdown eases we at Purple Cow have slowly seen a much welcomed

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increase in activity both from existing clients and new clients who have found us due to our social media campaigns. Purple Cow continues to Stand Out From The Crowd.

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taking care of business

june/july 2019 business August/September 2020 edge business edge

Back to basics At FermionX, we like many other businesses in Sussex and around the UK, had to adapt quickly to the changes and restrictions put in place to help combat the COVID-19 crisis.

Daniel Crothers, Managing Director, FermionX

As a business, we are committed to playing our part in keeping the UK electronics manufacturing industry moving during uncertain times, whether it’s a global recession, Brexit transition (remember Brexit?) or a pandemic. Within a matter of days, all ‘knowns’ were promptly thrown out of the window and we were now making business decisions and adapting our plans, budgets and working hours at a rate we have never had to do before. Most businesses will have a crisis management plan but generally it’s a tick box exercise that you never actually believe will come into effect. The safety of our team was paramount - all employees that could, were asked to work from home with almost immediate effect, new shift patterns were introduced for those essential members of staff remaining on the premises. We also ensured that there was a more structured working day to mitigate any internal risk. As a contract electronic manufacturer, we not only had to adjust our internal processes both in our factory and in the office, we also had to cope with the strain the global restrictions put on our supply chain. So we did what we do best, we adapted. We took things back to basics. FermionX is first and foremost a family run business, we therefore focused on our core values and dug our heels in.

Having been in the industry 30 years, we know that during times of uncertainty our customers and partners just need reassurance that their product will arrive on time and to the same high standard that they have become accustomed to with FermionX. Communication was key, we were in constant dialogue with our suppliers to manage stock levels and delivery times. Then we made sure to communicate any updates with our customers. Not an easy task when we were suddenly operating on a skeleton staff model. Our experience has also taught us that we must remain flexible. Purse-strings will be tightened and alternative solutions may need to be found to help deliver the end product, without compromising on quality. Our strength in supply chain management to date has ensured that through this disruptive period we have had minimal component shortages, further supporting our customer production. We couldn’t be prouder of how our team has adapted to this new style of working. The changes enabled us to continue to meet our customers’ needs and do our bit to ensure continuity in our operations and keep the electronic manufacturing industry running. That’s not to say it’s “business as usual” here at FermionX HQ. We’re now improving

our offering to customers, so we’re able to accommodate socially distanced site visits, virtual tours and remote quality control audits. Budgets have been reforecast, plans have been shortened and made more agile and reactive to see us through to year end. We’re also busy planning ahead for the autumn and winter months to ensure we’re in a strong position in case we see a second wave of the pandemic. We’ve also got to deliver on our Brexit plan and commitments (see, there it is again) in the next quarter. Slowly but surely more staff are returning to the office and there is noticeably less cake around as the team are coming to terms with the lockdown diet (or lack off) and more of the team are making use of our on-site gym. There’s a buzz around the business now that was missed during the height of lockdown. As a close-knit bunch, it was unusual to be so disparate so we’re all looking forward to catching up on news and getting back into the collective swing of things. With a number of our customers and partners now returning from lockdown and new enquiries coming in we’re pleased to see the industry striving to recover lost ground and pick itself back up again.

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taking care of business

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

Chamber Finance Finder Small business funding options simply explained In order to grow, your company is likely to face the need for additional capital, which can be obtained in one of three main ways: equity, debt, or grant. Here we aim to simply explain these options to enable you, as a small business owner, to make better decisions about your company’s financial future.

Equity Finance for SME’s Equity financing involves the sale of your company's shares and giving a portion of the ownership of the company to investors in exchange for funds. The proportion of your company that will be sold depends on how much has been invested in the company, and what that investment is worth at the time of the financing. In the very early stages of business, the most likely route to equity funding is through Angel investment and those investing through the government’s SEIS scheme, whereby the government provides generous tax relief to investors wishing to support new businesses. If your business is a little more established, generally over two years old and you can show some level of success, you may find interest in EIS investors, venture funds, family offices, and tier one investment. The Chamber Finance Finder

team can talk you through the pros and cons of all these options, and more.

Debt Finance for SME’s Debt finance is simply the term used for different ways of borrowing money or taking out loans. It is an arrangement between you and the lender to borrow a capital sum on the condition that it is paid back in full at a later date. Interest is accrued on the debt and paid independently of the capital repayment schedule. Unlike equity, debt does not involve relinquishing any share in ownership or control of your business. In the very early days, there are start-up loans available, and you may consider leasing or hire purchase. Beyond this stage there are numerous financing options available – peer to peer, invoice finance, crowd funding, IP funding, asset finance, and merchant finance, to name a few the most suitable for your business will depend on several factors. The Chamber Finance Finder team can walk you through your options and ensure you are only put forward to the most appropriate providers.

Grants for SME’s Small business grants, CHAMBER although not easy Discover the FINANCE FINDER right fun to grow your ding solution to win, remain one business. of the best sources of funding available to new, developing and established small businesses. The majority of business grants are funded by national, local or European government to; support key growth regions, stimulate technological advance through research and development, support our aging society, promote sustainability and clean growth, improve the future of mobility, and to make the economy (local and national level) more competitive in a specific sector. Overall, these grant schemes generally seek to empower small and medium businesses to grow the economy and, in the process, create jobs. Exclusive Mem ber

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Call Sussex Chamber on 01444 259259 so can then put you in touch with the Chamber Finance Finder team of experts. A free service for all Chamber Members.

Kickstarting talent will benefit young people and their employers The Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs announced in July launched multiple groundbreaking initiatives to encourage businesses to keep investing in their workforces. The Kickstart Scheme is designed to head off the very real prospect of mass unemployment among young people, particularly the 700,000-plus who will leave education this year. Businesses are encouraged to hire as many 16-24-year-old ‘Kickstarters’ as possible for a minimum of 25 hours/week. The government will cover the national minimum wage bill for six months, worth up to £6,500 per individual. Funding for Kickstarters, apprenticeships and traineeships, as well as the £1,000 bonus for bringing back furloughed workers, are all aimed at lowering the risk of hiring. Employers should also consider the longer-term opportunity to reshape workforce skills across the board. Employees have shown their willingness to innovate and adapt to the new conditions – remote working being the most visible example. Having the right skills is a proven multiplier of growth.

As businesses refocus, or even pivot, to remain competitive, they can build on the Chancellor’s support to develop the talent they need.

Linguicity Training profile Linguicity Training understands the opportunity that technology skills bring to your business. A workforce that is confident and innovative with digital tools has a multiplier effect on your growth potential.

Linguicity member-to-member offer:

The ‘Linguicity’ brand highlights the importance of communication to respond to the needs of the employer and individual learners. Building on over 25 years in technology research and training, Linguicity’s intensive short courses ensure your employees gain practical, future-proof skills. Our approach is flexible and tailored to your priorities, from onboarding IT support staff to upskilling team leaders and senior management.

Having the right workforce skills is a multiplier of business growth. Linguicity Training provides tailored short courses that give your employees practical, futureproof technology skills. We are pleased to offer a free skills gap assessment for members of the Sussex Chamber. Not off-the-shelf, our approach is tailored to your priorities, from onboarding IT support staff to upskilling team leaders and management.

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Fi nance Newsro

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more.

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takingbusiness care of business matters

Supporting customers during the COVID-19 pandemic WSM Plastics, based in Lancing, are toolmakers and plastic injection moulding specialists. The company manufactures bespoke plastic components and products for their customers.

Their customer base includes manufacturers of soap and sanitising dispensers, medical components and dosing pumps. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have experienced an increased demand from their customers in the hygiene and medical industry to supply them with essential plastic components for dosing and dispensing equipment. To adapt to the increased demand they decided in March 2020 to change their production pattern. They managed to change within three days from being a company that worked two shifts, five days a week to a company that has a full 24/6 production to support their customers with essential components.

Managing increased production demand As a manufacturer of bespoke customer products and components, WSM Plastics has been working tirelessly since the beginning of the pandemic to meet the increased demand from their customers for essential components for sanitising and dispensing systems. “We are producing many components for our customers in the hygiene industry. The plastic components we produce are used by them to manufacture hand sanitising dispensers, dispensing pumps and soap dispensers.” Martin Jones, Technical Sales Director comments. At the beginning of the UK lockdown government guidelines stated that companies involved in the production of cleaning and hygiene products are classified as key services. This meant that WSM Plastics was able to continue to manufacture components for their

customers. In March 2020 WSM Plastics adapted 80% of their manufacturing facility to focus on the production of sanitising and dispensing systems, whilst still supporting their customers from other sectors with the remaining 20% capacity.

Teamwork and staff training is key

Production output

The company has continuously invested in staff training, giving their workforce the skills to react quickly to changes. Within three working days and commitment from their team, they were able to go from a company that worked two shifts five days/ week to a company that went into full 24/6 production. Their warehouse facilities were converted into new assembly lines. 50% of the customer care team volunteered to work in the warehouse to help dispatch 60 pallets of goods every day, and two team members volunteered and were trained to get their forklift license to help with the work in the warehouse. Martin Jones comments: “Everyone from customer care, sales, design, the tool room and warehouse all have been working extra hours and weekends to fulfil customer orders. It is great to see that everyone is so committed.”

Since the beginning of March 2020 WSM Plastics have produced 12 million components that were sent to customers worldwide from their premises in Lancing. They produced 150,000 fully assembled and working sanitiser dispensers all dispatched in June alone. Additionally, they produced and dispatched 100,000 pump assemblies to their customers in May/June.

As a plastic injection moulding manufacturer it is key to keep all the tools serviced. Their tool room team have also been working additional hours and weekends to keep the 350 tools fully serviced. WSM Plastics is part of a bigger group of companies and they sent some of their mould setters to facilities within the group to help support their transition to have a 24/6 production.

Adapting to challenging times Managing a manufacturing facility during the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging but WSM Plastic managed to increase their production capabilities through teamwork, leadership, flexible processes and commitment of all their employees. The coming months will continue to bring challenges but they will also bring opportunities to optimise work processes, operations and technology.

About WSM Plastics Ltd. WSM Plastics is a professional toolmaker and plastic injection moulding specialist of commodity plastics to high-end engineering polymers. They offer their customers complete solutions from product concept, prototyping, tool making, plastic injection moulding to manufacturing of the final product all under one roof.

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global focus

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

The UK Global Tariff The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) has been released. UKGT will be the UK’s new mostfavoured nation (MFN) tariff regime (replacing the EU’s Common External Tariff) on 1 January 2021. There are exceptions; for example, the goods you are importing: are from a developing country that pays less or no duty because it’s part of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences; are from a country that has a trade agreement with the UK; or have a relief or tariff suspension that’s operated by the UK.

Changes UKGT is broadly in line with EU tariff schedule, though it introduces a number of changes, including: removing tariffs on products which are used in UK production, not made in the UK or are a nuisance tariff of below 2%; rounding tariffs down (to the nearest 2% below 20%, 5% between 20-50%, and 10% for tariffs over 50%) and moving complex agricultural tariffs to a single percentage; and removing the EU’s Meursing table of tariffs to allow the scrapping of thousands of tariff variations on products. UKGT also removes tariffs on £30 billion worth of imports entering UK supply chains.

Continuity The UKGT also provides a level of continuity and protection, maintaining tariffs to a number of UK sectors and industries, including: tariffs on agricultural products such as lamb, beef, and poultry to be maintained; 10% tariff on cars to be maintained; tariffs for the vast majority of ceramic products to be maintained; and maintaining some tariffs which support imports from the world’s poorest countries who have preferential access to the UK market.

Coronavirus Almost all pharmaceuticals and most medical devices (including ventilators) are tariff free in the UKGT. While some products used to fight Coronavirus maintain a tariff, the UK has introduced a temporary zero tariff rate on these products. This relief waives the tariff and VAT for PPE, medical devices, disinfectant and medical supplies from non-EU countries.

Key takeaways The UKGT is estimated to ensure that around 60% of trade will come into the UK tariff free on WTO terms or through existing preferential access from January 2021. Future trade agreements will increase this proportion.

From 1 January 2021, free movement will end and the UK will introduce a pointsbased immigration system. The new system will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally and transform the way in which all migrants come to the UK to work.

The UKGT will provide important leverage in future trade talks with EU, US, New Zealand, Japan and other key trading partners.

Under a points-based immigration system, points are assigned for specific skills, qualifications, salaries and shortage occupations. Visas are then awarded to those who gain enough points.

The UKGT increases the importance of getting a trade deal with the EU to avoid an increase in business costs and a negative impact on the wider economy.

The points-based system will provide simple, effective and flexible arrangements for skilled workers from around the world to come to the UK through an employerled system.

A link to the UK Global Tariff schedule can be found on our website: https:// www.sussexchamberofcommerce. co.uk/UK-Global-Tariffs

This represents a significant change for employers in the UK, who will need to adapt. This guide provides an overview of the new system and sets out the steps employers can take to prepare.

The UK’s Points-Based Immigration System An introduction for employers The Home Office has published an employer’s guide to the new pointsbased immigration system. It provides an overview of the key changes that the new system will bring for businesses, the steps they can take to prepare and signposts to more detailed information.

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For guidance on becoming a Home Office approved sponsor, please refer to the full policy guidance on sponsoring a migrant worker on GOV.UK. The Employer’s Guide can be found on our website: https://www. sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk/ International-Trade/UKs-points-basedimmigration-system

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business global matters focus

june/july August/September december/january 2019 business 2018 2020 edge business businessedge edge

Gatwick Airport As an industry, few have been hit harder by the COVID-19 crisis than the aviation industry. That includes Gatwick - the UK’s second-largest airport, which plays a hugely important role in the local and regional economy. Prior to the pandemic, the airport supported one in 12 jobs across the region and contributed £2.7bn to regional gross domestic product, while also investing in local projects through the Gatwick Foundation Fund and supporting charity partners, which now include SASH – the charity for East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, and all the services provided by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. In what is an incredibly tough time for all involved and connected to aviation, Gatwick already starting on its recovery plan for the future as it works to continue acting as the single biggest driver for the local economy.

Update from Gatwick Airport As with many businesses across the country, Gatwick is having to grapple with a new way of life. The airport’s absolute priority is of course to protect the safety and wellbeing of all staff and passengers, while also ensuring that the business is in a position to recover as quickly as feasible from the COVID-19 crisis. The most recent forecasts suggest that recovery to pre-COVID-19 passenger levels will take between three to four years and the airport is acutely aware of how important this is for the local economy and jobs.

Financial Resilience & Protecting Jobs While the airport has remained open throughout the pandemic, passenger numbers have been at unprecedented low levels and it was against this backdrop that

swift decisions were taken to protect the business as early as March this year. Operations were limited to the South Terminal, flights were restricted to between 1400 and 2200, while 90% of eligible staff were placed on the UK Government’s furlough scheme to help protect jobs, with all staff and the executive team also taking a pay reduction. In addition, a voluntary severance package was offered to staff and temporary contracts were terminated.

Our Operations The North Terminal reopened on 15 June and operating hours were increased as easyJet and other airlines restarted flights, albeit in small numbers. Since the mid-June restart, and in response to the recent easing of quarantine restrictions, Gatwick has seen 13 airlines resume operations, to the point where they can now fly to over 70% of the destinations Gatwick served before the COVID-19 crisis. Airlines including Norwegian, Ryanair, TUI and Turkish Airlines will fly from Gatwick to 41 destinations in 22 countries, including popular short haul summer holiday destinations in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Croatia, Greece and Turkey. Before the end of July, British Airways and Air Transat will also have resumed longhaul routes to the Caribbean and Canada respectively. At the airport itself, a wide range of new health measures have been introduced and Gatwick was the first airport in England to help establish a COVID-19 testing centre in its long-term car park.

Looking Ahead There have been small green shoots of recovery in recent weeks with more airlines restarting flights and travellers to many destinations with low COVID-19 infection rates are now exempted from quarantine when returning to the UK. However, the airport has a long road ahead of it and many challenges still to face. Gatwick will be a different sized and shaped business going forward, however the airport it focussed on doing what it can in this difficult environment to re-establish its role as a positive driver to the regional economy and local prosperity. In time, Gatwick also hopes to resume many of its key infrastructure projects, including sustainable plans to bring the existing Northern Runway into routine use. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Network Rail have continued work on a £150million upgrade of Gatwick Airport railway station. The upgrades will relieve crowding, improve accessibility and reduce delays for international passengers, commuters and leisure travellers across the south east. Finally, the airport has also been encouraging staff who are not working to volunteer in the local community and support the airport’s local charity partners SASH and the Air Ambulance for Kent Surrey and Sussex. Anyone wishing to ask a question on Gatwick and its plans for recovery can do so by contacting community@gatwickairport. com.

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finance focus

August/September june/july2020 2019 business edge

Sybil, Baubles, Innovation and the Tax Man It could be a sketch from Fawlty Towers, but it isn’t! It’s happening right here, right now. There has been a lot of new acronyms flying around these last few months, but with new acronyms come new challenges.

The rapid reaction of Rishi Sunak and HM Treasury and to a certain extent the EU Bureaucrats that oversee the rules on EU State Aid has led to a huge amount of support to business in the form of funding under the banner of EU State Aid. Clearly, we aren’t the only country to be getting involved in supporting our businesses, every country in the EU has been offering some sort of package to their beleaguered businesses. In the UK, both the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS/Sybil) funding and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS/Baubles) are being offered to businesses under the wider remit of EU State Aid permitted by the EU during the pandemic. BBLS can be granted as de minimis aid, but CBILS is a notified State Aid. However, one of the downsides of EU State Aid is that you can only receive one form of it to support an R&D project and this is where it starts to muddy the waters. In those good ole days before Covid, that meant if you received a loan from Innovate to support your R&D project, then you couldn’t claim for the project under the SME scheme, you had to claim under RDEC. For some grants you could claim the unfunded element under the SME scheme and the funded element had to be claimed under RDEC. Now, I haven’t heard of any businesses who have received a grant from Innovate

being turned down for a BBLS or CBILS loan because of State Aid Rules, and I suspect that is because one is supporting the project and the other is supporting the company. But for a start-up, who is prerevenue and pre-seed funding and relying on their own cash it could represent a problem. It could certainly prove to be an issue when it comes to a claim for R&D Tax Relief under the SME Scheme for a start-up who is prerevenue and has little or no cash reserves prior to obtaining funding from CBILS or BBLS and spends some of that money to survive and some of that money to keep innovating. I am sure HMRC will take a pragmatic and holistic view when it comes to reviewing a claim under the SME Scheme for a company that has been in receipt of CBILS and BBLS and won’t be wanting to look at specific cashflows for particular months. If you can demonstrate that you either had or generated sufficient cash outside of these new funding streams to survive, then you should be able to continue claiming under the SME scheme for your R&D project.

funded get completed and part of this was advancing up to 90% money before it was spent. Although application for that funding had a two week window and closed at the end of May, what company’s have done since and whether taking out a CBILS or BBLS Loan will prevent companies from taking on a new grant are going to be interesting. Fortunately there has been the ability to juggle with the de minimis aid limits which have been extended from €200,000 to £711,200 of state aid over the last three years, and as BBLS can be included as de minimis aid, a business that hasn’t taken that much support in the past three years, will probably have opportunities to mitigate the effect on their SME Scheme claim. If you’d like to know more about this or anything to do with preparing a Research and Development Tax Relief claim, get in touch with us directly or arrange a #FindOutInFifteen minutes no obligation phone call at www.calendly.com/simonbulteel

Whether Innovate will have to be forced to claw back grants provided to businesses who have had to also turn to BBLS or CBILS to survive I don’t know, there’s no clear evidence or advice, but they have been offering additional funding for project related costs to businesses that have existing funded projects, with a view to ensuring the projects they have already

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business finance matters focus

june/july August/September december/january 2019 business 2018 2020 edge business businessedge edge

How to retain liquidity and protect you business in uncertain times.

Most businesses will not be immune to a downturn in economic activity or indeed a crisis economy.

"If you have a secure business that has been

PROTECT YOUR CASH FLOW

established with a

It is essential that for businesses to protect cash flow and stay as flexible as possible during the period of uncertainty. Assess how the change in market conditions could affect your business and amend your forecasts accordingly. Pay specific attention to your Debtors. Many businesses will be in the same cycle and whilst it is a good idea to extend your terms of payment with your supplier's, your customers may attempt to do the same. Amending your forecasts are key. The earlier you can identify a possible problem with your future cash flow and devise a strategy to solve it, the easier it is to rectify

sound strategy, provided you retain the key pillars in your business and can manage cash flow through the economic downturn, you will be

PROTECT YOUR CUSTOMER BASE

in a position to take

Your customer base is in many businesses a key pillar for success and is not generated quickly. Consider the implications of any changes you are considering irrespective of whether they are short or medium/long term on this asset. Customers are easy to lose to the competition and not so easy to win back. w�w.spb-bs.cam

PROTECT YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN

advantage of the upturn after the crisis subsides."

A downturn in the economy will have an affect on your supply chain. Any interruption could have an effect on your ability to supply. Where you perceive weakness in the chain find alternatives as a back up. Communicate with your suppliers and work on retaining goodwill even if you need to extend payment terms. Your main suppliers are also key pillars in your business and relationships should be retained if possible.

CONSIDER SCALING BACK ON YOUR GROWTH PLAN

Whilst it is important to have targets for your business you may need to consider scaling back asset purchases and reducing stock levels in view of reduced business activity. Both these decisions will protect cash flow. If your targets and growth plan were created from sound principles and you protect the key pillars of your business you will be in good shape to move forward once there is a return to normal business activity.

RETAINING KEY STAFF

Your staff are another key pillar of your business. It is a natural reaction to look at reducing your cost base in a crisis economy, but try to protect key staff that would take considerable time to replace once normal trading resumes.

We are a team of highly skilled freelance Finance Directors who can • • • share our knowledge on a part time basis to support your business.

m1ke@spb-bs.com

07974202730

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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TAX RELIEF SPECIALISTS

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Call COODEN TAX CONSULTING NOW!

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43 St Leonards Road

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22/02/2016 17:41

training and events

August/September 2020 business edge

Training and Events Diary Customs Declaration E-learning Training The Chamber of Commerce network has partnered with some of the leading industry experts to launch brand new Customs Declarations Training designed to prepare businesses and trade professionals for the future of trade. The way we trade with the EU is about to change, introducing the need for forms and processes not previously required. Up-skilled people are the key to continued training success once the UK leaves the EU.

Course content is based on the following topics: Introduction to Trade

Export and import controls Reliefs Preferences

Business Responsibilities

Customs simplified procedures – explanation of procedures and benefits

The Customs Declarations Training programme delivers flexible, bite-sized e-learning modules, classroom courses, and virtual classroom sessions.

Export process

Grant funding: Visit our website (training) to obtain applications for HMRC training funding.

Classification – determining the use of commodity codes

Course pre-requisites: there are no prerequisites for this course.

Using Customs Procedure Codes – use of appropriate CPCs

Import process Valuation – explanation of the main methods and their application

Assessment: no formal exam will be taken however delegates will get to complete simulated forms to ensure they can complete simple customs declarations correctly. Registering Interest: To register interest please email info@sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Funded & Accredited Virtual Training Working in close partnership with Sussex Chambers of Commerce, East Sussex College Group have developed a suite of qualifications to support business to change and adapt by developing skills in 4 key areas; Digital Skills, LEAN Management, Equality & Diversity and Mental Health Advocacy in the workplace:

Level 2 Certificate in Digital Skills for WorkBecome qualified in the use of the latest digital applications used in the workplace including Microsoft Teams, Onefile/Dropbox, Instagram, Linked In etc. understanding best practice and how to use the evolving technology in a GDPR compliant way across your organisation.

and continuous professional development process.

Level 2 Certificate in Lean Organisation Management TechniquesThis Certificate is aimed at team leaders and project managers wanting to improve business performance through continuous professional development of employees and their skill set. Learners will develop an understanding of lean organisation techniques in business, develop their knowledge and understanding of business improvement tools and techniques and understand what makes and effective team including how to handle conflict.

Level 2 Certificate Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace-

Level 2 Certificate in Equality and DiversityQualify your staff with an accredited certificate to ensure equality and diversity is embedded in your strategic planning

Raise your employees’ knowledge and awareness of the different types of mental health problems and

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their prevalence, as well as understanding individuals with these conditions in order to care for and interact with them.. Using an intuitive online platform with optional 1:1 support from tutors via video conferencing we are providing a Government funded training package to give your staff the skills and resilience to meet the challenges of recovery. Use the promotional code SUSSEXCHAMBERS1 to access any of these 4 courses free of charge for yourself or your staff while funding is available. To enrol go to escg.theskillsnetwork.com and follow the application process. You will need to complete a short maths and English assessment and be asked some short questions about how the course will benefit you. If you would like more information please contact: sussexskillssolutions@escg.ac.uk

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training and events

june/july 2019 business August/September 2020 edge business edge

Scheduled Training Courses All scheduled courses are held at the King’s Church, 33-35 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill RH15 9LR Business Skills

22nd October

Stepping Up to Senior Management

29th October

27th October

Introduction to Supervision and Team Leadership

Train the Trainer

International Trade

Personal Development & Communication Skills

21st September

An Introduction to Export Procedures

2nd September

12th October

A Foundation Course in Importing

Top tips for managing difficult conversations at work

4th September

9th November

Using Documentary Letters of Credit, Drafts & Bills

Building Resilience for Wellbeing and Performance

20th November

Classification of Goods Using Commodity & Tariff Codes (AM)

16th September

Confident & Effective Communication Skills

5th November

Confident & Effective Communication Skills

30th November

Exporting - Understanding the Paperwork

6th November

Building Resilience for Wellbeing and Performance

Management & Leadership Skills

Sales & Customer Service

22nd September

Essentials of Leadership & Team Management 2 Day Course

15th September

Selling Skills for Results

29th September

Introduction to Supervision and Team Leadership

1st October

Great Customer Service

20th October

Managing Change

3rd November

Selling Skills for Results

Events Virtual Events 18th August

UK Border Customs Controls from 1/1/21 - What it means for your business

Liam Smyth, Director of Trade Facilitation at the British Chambers of Commerce

19th August

Finding a way through the ‘Smashed Landscape’: Where are we now?

Angus Cameron – Academic operations Director - Roffey Park

21st August

Maximise Your Membership - Members Only

Various speakers explaining the key benefits of membership

25th August

Redundancy - Your Legal Obligations

Dan Soanes and the team at Sherrards Employment

27th August

Terms and Conditions - Friend or Foe?

Dean Orgill - Partner - Mayo Wynne Baxter.

2nd September

Manufacturing & The Post Lockdown Economy: Liquidity & Finance

Daren Booth - Manufacturing Growth Programme, Darren Hurdle – Kreston Reeves, Gareth Sear - Business Hot House, University of Chichester

18th September

Outlook for the UK Economy

Florence Hubert – Bank of England - Deputy Agent for Central Southern England

29th September

Sussex Chamber AGM & Our Priorities

Adam Marshall Director General, British Chambers of Commerce.

6th October

Construction Forum - The Importance of a Talented and Diverse Workforce

Nick James – Partnerships Director – The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)

16th October

Future Fit - Improving business efficiencies workshop - Session 1

Locate East Sussex & Wealden District Council

20th October

Business Webinar - Effective business planning

Mike Foster – Managing Director – SPB Business Support

22nd October

Future Fit - Improving business efficiencies workshop - Session 2

Locate East Sussex & Wealden District Council

4th November

Future Fit - Improving business efficiencies workshop - Session 3

Locate East Sussex & Wealden District Council

Live Events - Planned 12th November

Construction Forum - Achieving Carbon Net Zero

Amex Stadium, Falmer, Brighton

24th November

Speed Networking with the Neighbours

Crowne Plaza - Gatwick, Crawley

For more information or to see our 2020 Calendar visit our website www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk to book please call us on 01444 259 259.

AS A CHAMBER MEMBER YOU’RE WELL CONNECTED

taking care of business

August/September 2020 business edge

Covid Who? Three positive lockdown stories to brighten up your day Alvin Ittoo

Director, Head of Commercial Acumen Business Law

Let us shine the light of positivity on this understandably tough period that the business community is going through. Unless your business sells PPE or toilet paper, most businesses are affected by the worldwide pandemic and, most likely, not in a good way. However, it is not all doom and gloom and there are some positive stories to share. Alvin Ittoo, a Director and Head of Commercial at Acumen Business Law, shares some of his clients’ lockdown success stories. Everything changed in March 2020. Businesses all over the UK either had to close their doors hoping to reopen again or send their staff home to work from hastily created home office spaces. ‘Discussing the negative impact of Covid-19 on businesses is a well-worn path’, says Alvin, ‘so it is time to focus on the rays of hope and the stories of businesses who have not just survived the lockdown but thrived.’

The day Acumen took on Amazon! Imagine trying to protect your brand by registering a trademark only to get the lawyers of the internet giant Amazon(!) trying to stop you! ‘Registering a trademark to protect parts of a business’ brand is crucially important’, explains Alvin. ‘That’s why we take our clients’ brand protection seriously and ensure they are protected by registering trademarks against their name’. A third party can object to the registration of a trademark if it is similar or identical

to a pre-existing mark, and this is where Amazon come into the story! One of Acumen’s clients, with a great business, found themselves facing Amazon in trademark opposition proceedings which were due to be heard during lockdown. The client applied for a trademark and Amazon asserted an objection, stating that the client’s proposed mark was similar to Amazon’s own pre-existing mark. The parties were unable to resolve the matter informally and so formal trademark opposition proceedings were commenced at the Intellectual Property Office. ‘At Acumen we have dealt with objection proceedings countless times and have a very high success rate of settling them before a hearing. Invariably clients facing these proceedings are concerned with the prospects of success however when facing a behemoth like Amazon there is so much more to consider, most notably the financial impact of facing such a large corporation. After all, Amazon’s pockets are deeper than most businesses’, Ittoo explains.

Alternative Fee Arrangementhelping businesses to fight a just cause In this case, Acumen was able to offer their client an alternative fee arrangement to help fund the case. This involved Acumen taking on part of the costs risk by charging a substantially discounted fee during the case and only being paid its full fee upon reaching a satisfactory outcome for their client. The client has since commented on how this flexibility by Acumen gave the client the confidence to go ahead and fight the case. In the weeks leading up to the hearing, Acumen was able to negotiate a deal with Amazon which allowed their client to obtain its trademark and continue growing its brand in the future.

“Registering a trademark to protect parts of a business’ brand is crucially important’, explains Alvin. ‘That’s why we take our clients’ brand protection seriously and ensure they are protected by registering trademarks against their name”.

What happens if you are a £38m company employing over 350 employees, planning to triple your growth and then a pandemic hits? You go full ahead with your plans, making sure it is done on very strong foundations. International Logistics Group UK (ILG), part of the global Yusen Logistics Group, is a specialist delivery and fulfilment company which was founded as a small delivery business in 1990. As a business ILG has always adapted and improved and this has been key to its growth over the past 30 years. The company now employs 350 people and has a turnover of £38 million and plans to almost triple those figures in the next 5 years. The lockdown presented a unique challenge to ILG due to the sudden increase in online orders which resulted from shops and retail outlets closing. During this period ILG has been able adapt to utilise its wide range of carriers to provide a fast, reliable service to its clients, many of which have faced an unprecedented need for fulfilment and delivery services. One of the secrets of success for ILG was, wait for it, compliance!

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

tel: 01444 259 259

february/march 20192020 August/September business business edgeedge

Key to ILG’s success has been its approach to business which focusses on ensuring compliance with the best codes and practices within the company. During the pandemic this has meant a focus on keeping staff and customers safe as a priority above all else. Alvin Ittoo and his team at Acumen Business Law were honoured to be the lawyers advising on ILG’s legal & compliance structure, working closely with the ILG compliance team. As conformity with all legal standards and codes is at the core of ILG’s business operations, it was important to implement a robust compliance framework which enhanced the already exemplary internal standards and practices of ILG.

The sweet smell of success First Natural Brands Ltd (FNL), industry leaders in essential oils, has built its business over 40 years. FNL now creates and distributes popular aromatherapy brands such as Tisserand® and offers skincare products like Barefoot SOS as part of its portfolio of products. “I met with FNL just prior to lockdown and was impressed by the business” said Alvin.

takingbusiness care of business matters

“What became clear very quickly is that this is not a business to rest on its laurels and as the business grew there was a real focus on protecting that growth and adding value for the future”. That protection has come in the form of an increased focus on refining and improving existing contracts with suppliers and customers as well as policies used internally. In addition, as new opportunities and initiatives at home and abroad have arisen FNL has been proactive in implementing comprehensive terms and conditions. All of this translates to a high level of professionalism and clarity in FNL’s business operations. Acumen has been working closely on all of this with FNL, who subscribed to the popular Legal Director Scheme offered by Acumen. “The Legal Director Scheme is perfect for a business like FNL because it gives them on demand access to legal services and allows the cost of those services to be spread over a year” explained Ittoo. Sanam Shah, Finance Director as FNL, has worked closely with Alvin and his team for over 3 months now and explains that “as we continue to grow it is important to

keep reviewing what we have in place to protect the business and the Legal Director Scheme with Acumen allows us to do that as required. Throughout the lockdown FNL has continued to thrive and enjoy new opportunities, in no small part due to its agility in focussing on the shifting demands of the market for particular products. The business has maintained its success regardless of the pandemic and continues to be at the forefront of the market, adapting to the times and offering high quality products.

So what’s next in the ‘new normal’? The Covid-19 pandemic has no doubt hit a lot of businesses hard but these success stories experience by Acumen Business Law’s clients show that there are some rays of positivity. “These are just a few examples but what all of these businesses have in common, I think, is their tenacity, adaptability, focus on continued improvement and above all else perseverance” said Ittoo “It is really important to keep these things in mind as we brave the new normal”.

AS A CHAMBER MEMBER YOU’RE WELL CONNECTED

advertorial

August/September 2020 business edge

Are you looking for an effective, efficient and fast way to safely reopen after the pandemic caused by Covid-19 East Sussex based company, LED-UK Lighting ltd have introduced a new range of UV-C lights, to combat, not only Covid-19 but all know common germs, viruses and pathogens. UV-C light, A Solution for Disinfecting Dentists Surgery Against Covid-19

can thoroughly disinfect his surgery in under five minutes as opposed to one hour.

As restrictions surrounding Covid-19 are being lifted, dentists are now being allowed to resume operations. However, due to the nature of its operational procedures, special precautions must be taken to prevent cross contamination and infections due to the mist especially during fillings and extractions. Unfortunately, this means an hour’s downtime in between patients as the dentist’s operational room must be thoroughly disinfected.

The OCTA UV-System is used to disinfect surfaces, the air and water. High-energy particles of UV-C rays penetrates the cell membrane of the pathogen whether it is on surfaces or in the air. As a result of the absorption of particles by DNA / RNA cell proteins, their structure is permanently damaged. This process is irreversible, which means that from that moment onward, the pathogen cannot survive or reproduce.

UV-C light has been used to disinfect operating theatres for over 70 years. It is a common method of conducting specialized disinfection mainly in medical facilities and food processing plants. Led-UK Lighting Ltd, in association with EcoLight LED has developed the OCTA UV-System, a robot which uses UV-C light to disinfect medical facilities such as the dentist’s operating room or surgery. The process takes under three minutes. This means that in between patients, a dentist

The process is responsible for the elimination and neutralization of 99.99% of microorganisms, including pathogenic pathogens. UV-C light is part of ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm (specified in PN-90 / E-01005). Covid-19 has changed the way we live, work, and socialize. Businesses need to re-think how they operate and follow the recommended guidelines for the prevention The use of UV-C lighting in your business will save you time, cut down on the use

of harmful chemicals, which is better for the planet, leading to a reduction in their environmental impact and helping businesses achieve their ecological and sustainability goals. But more importantly, it will reassure your customers and staff that they are entering a safe and sterile environment. Information on the full range of UV-C systems and the one mentioned above, including copies of all the certifications and approvals is available from LED-UK Lighting Ltd, 01424 222200, www.led-uk.co.uk or steve@led-uk.co.uk

In Partnership with:

UV-C Light Disinfection Technology Advanced Health Care & Well-being Industry Disinfection Solution Non-contact air and surface disinfection Confidence Speed & Precision

OCTA UV-SYSTEM Robot UV-C

LED-UK Lighting Ltd Tel: 01424 222200 Email: steve@led-uk.co.uk www.led-uk.co.uk

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

tel: 01444 259 259

advertorial

August/September 2020 business edge

Intelligencia Training Engage With GVC Group Specialist intelligence, counter-fraud and risk management apprenticeship training provider Intelligencia Training, have been commissioned by GVC Group to deliver intelligence training to delegates within a number of departments within their business. GVC Group operates in the betting and gaming sector. In the UK, their brands include Ladbrokes, Coral and Gala Bingo. The innovative intelligence analyst apprenticeship standard was developed in conjunction with a consortium of high profile public and private sector organisations to deliver formalised and standardised working practices relating to the way in which organisations gather, utilise and make decisions based upon intelligence and data. Delivering parity in skills with other sectors and organisations that Intelligencia Training engage with including Government agencies, Police forces, local authorities, the banking and insurance sectors, utilities providers as well as other gaming and gambling businesses the programme is utilised to within departments including intelligence, counterfraud, risk, security, loss prevention, antimoney laundering and many others reliant upon intelligence and data. The programme will deliver a number of structured analytical techniques that allow analysts to become more effective, efficient and empowered within their various specialised roles. Working closely with GVC Group’s Apprenticeship Leads, Omari Harry, Stephanie Emmanuelle and a wide range of departmental managers a cohort of delegates was identified who work across various multiple facets within the business. These ranged from anti-money laundering,

responsible betting, security investigators and other analysts who will all be given the opportunity to work closely together during this apprenticeship learning programme. Intelligencia Training’s mixed cohort approach has been delivering strong results within many sectors promoting interorganisation, interdepartmental and interrole sharing of intelligence and analytical processes. Intelligencia Training’s Commercial Director, Nick Atkinson, commented “The opportunity to work with another high profile organisation such as GVC Group is obviously fantastic for us. We have been working with other organisations within this sector as well as those that regulate the industry therefore the ability to share best practice should deliver strong results. From the onset, the support shown from senior management and line managers has been outstanding, they clearly understand the benefits that the intelligence analyst apprenticeship programme can deliver as well as the commitment and support required. It has been a pleasure working with Ladbrokes for a number of months to get us to the point where we have now commenced their learning journey”

GVC Group’s Apprenticeship Lead, Omari Harry, commented “I am excited to be engaged with Intelligencia and Nick Atkinson on what should prove to be an exemplary opportunity to invest in our people. Furthermore, to invest using our apprenticeship levy with ‘meaning and with long lasting effect’ which is an ongoing theme in our wider Talent and Development Department. Looking at the experience and impressive client list Intelligencia holds; moreover, the attitudes of Nick and his team toward excellence in delivery and ‘the detail’ I am filled with confidence that we will see positive change from this. As a company, being able at a minimum, to contribute to an example of great practice in developing people within our sector is always a win for GVC” You can read more about Intelligencia Training and the programmes they deliver at www.intelligenciatraining.com

AS A CHAMBER MEMBER YOU’RE WELL CONNECTED

business new members matters

August/September august/september december/january june/july2020 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.

Amadeus Computer Supplies Ltd

Auditel

Bakerwell Limited

Unit 3, Sheffield Park Business Estate, East Grinstead Road, North Chailey, West Sussex, TN22 3FB

4 Foxhill Village, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4QZ

Brickyard Farm, Town Littleworth Road, Barcombe, East Sussex, BN8 4TD

www.amstat.co.uk

auditel.co.uk

bakerwell.co.uk

01342 837605

01444 635017

01273 030924

Amadeus are and ethical and exciting Office Supplies Company based in East Sussex. We supply at very competitive prices, Office Stationery, Furniture, PPE and much more from our own branded range and recognised manufactures.

Working with the long-standing cost management and procurement firm, Auditel, I help businesses liberate cash for future opportunities. Managing ongoing costs can be complex and time consuming especially made difficult if you do not have the time, expertise or resources to manage those costs; we help with that.

Bakerwell Limited aim to be the ecology consultancy of choice in the South East, recognised for our commitment to providing a clearly communicated, bespoke and innovative approach. Our Directors will guide you through ecological requirements to support your planning application and provide a high quality, biodiverse environment for your project.

We are a family run and proud tax paying British company who always put our customers first.

.CO.UK

Beard Construction

CM Measured Surveys

CoirProducts.co.uk

Stonemasons Court, Cemetery Pales, Brookwood, Guildford, Surrey, GU24 0BL

Menard House, 62 Barnett Road, Brighton East Sussex, BN1 7GH

71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ

www.beardconstruction.co.uk

www.cmmsurveys.uk

www.coirproducts.co.uk

01483 485180

01273 839559

07404 767697

Beard is an award-winning, £160-millionturnover construction company operating across southern England. Established in 1892, the family-owned company has significant expertise building for education, commerce & industry and sports & leisure, including complex projects for public and private sector organisations. Chairman Mark Beard is currently President of the Chartered Institute of Building.

We are a Building Surveying firm specialising in the capture of 3D spatial data. With our cutting edge 3D laser scanning technology we offer our customers a much more rapid, accurate and cost-effective means of measuring sites than traditional surveying methods.

The online store, www.coirproducts.co.uk, provides a range of coir-based products for use in allotments, nurseries, and urban gardens. Suitable for growing a variety of crops, products available on www. coirproducts.co.uk are natural and 100% biodegradable. For orders made via the online store, products are delivered free of charge within mainland UK.

Twitter #CMMSurveys

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

tel: 01444 259 259

business new members matters

june/july August/September august/september december/january 2019 business 2018 2018 2020 edge business business business edge edge edge

Commercial Optimisation Ltd

Edmundson Electrical

FAT Promotions Ltd

6a Lyons Farm Road, Lyons Farm Estate, Slinfold, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 0QP

South East Regional Office, Hanover Place 8 Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1JP

Innovation Centre, Highfield Drive, St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN38 9UH

www.commercialoptimisation.co.uk

www.edmundson-electrical.co.uk

www.fatpromotions.co.uk

07734 083842

07814 284090

01424 858123

We help people get what they want from their business. We do that by helping to implement a complete, proven system with simple, practical tools to help you do 3 things we call vision, traction, healthy. The system is called EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) from the book Traction by Gino Wickman.

The UK’s leading electrical wholesaler employing local people to support local businesses across Sussex and the South East.

Established over nineteen years ago, FAT promotions designs and creates bespoke websites and online software systems to help companies, charities and public sector projects upscale to the next level, with a hard-working website to take work off your desk and attract quality clients, enquiries and sales every single day.

Innovation Fire & Security Ltd Unit 19 Crompton Way, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9QR

Our business is the distribution of branded electrical materials to trade and industry - from small to medium independent electricians to national contractors, factories, facilities management – anywhere that needs electrical products.

Karen Fabrizi Professional Merchant Services

Assuring you of my best attention at all times.

Larkin Engineering Ltd Ghyll Industrial Estate, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 8AW

www.innovationfs.co.uk

40 Busticle Lane, Sompting, West Sussex, BN15 0DJ

01293 277913

cardterminalworthing.co.uk

01435 865120

We offer specialist services in intruder alarm, fire alarm, CCTV, access control and gate automation to both residential and business owners throughout Sussex, Surrey and the Home Counties. Our focus is to offer a customer experience which provides the highest quality of service with minimal impact disruption to our customers.

07825 875961

At Larkin Engineering, we have specialised in supplying structural steel & architectural metalwork to Greater London & the South East since 1992.

Card Industry Professionals is your trusted provider of Card Payment facilities for UK based businesses. With a number of unique benefits, including: No PCI Compliance Fees, No Authorisation Fees, No Minimum Monthly Service Charges, Next-Day Payments. These benefits, coupled with our experienced 24/7 365 customer support teams, more and more business owners are getting advice and guidance from the CIP Sales Professionals every day.

larkinengineering.co.uk

Our team is dedicated to providing our clients with an outstanding and professional service through the design, fabrication & erection process.

Linguicity Training TAILORED COURSES FOR IT & DIGITAL

LED-UK Lighting Ltd

Linguicity Training

MoGio VA (part of Faz Air Ltd)

6, Elm Grove, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 9NW

44 New Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 8BT

59 Cedar Avenue, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 2HU

www.led-uk.co.uk

www.linguicity.co.uk

www.mogiova.com

01424 220000

07981 031954

01273 931555

LED-UK can help your commercial property to switch to LED Lighting

Linguicity Training understands the opportunity that technology skills bring to your business. A workforce that is confident and innovative with digital tools has a multiplier effect on your growth prospects.

Is your workload taking up all of your time? mogio can help!

Save up to 71% on your energy bill, reduce your carbon emissions and get a fast return of investment by upgrading your lighting system to LED. We design, supply and install a bespoke Lighting System tailored to your business.

Building on over 25 years in technology research and training, Linguicity’s short courses ensure your employees gain practical, future-proof skills. Training is tailored to your priorities, whether onboarding IT support staff or upskilling senior management.

Based on the experience, expertise and passion of Monica Rossi, MoGio provides (Bilingual) Virtual Assistant support with a difference. It’s a completely flexible service designed to lighten your workload, whether you are working with major international companies or managing your own smallscale operation

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business new members matters

August/September august/september december/january june/july2020 2019 2018 business edge

Oakridge Technical Solutions

Pangdean Barn

Parasure Limited

16, Reapers Close, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 5TG

Pyecombe, Brighton, East Sussex, BN45 7FJ

41 Blackwell Drive, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2PU

oakridgetechnical.co.uk

www.pangdean.com

www.parasure.co.uk

07766 222747

01273 407006

01903 741390

Oakridge Technical Solutions provides consulting services to manufacturing businesses. We help companies identify product strategy and product development opportunities leading to business growth and success. We can unblock stalled developments and resolve product performance issues, working with your teams and customers to address these issues in the most effective way.

Pangdean Old Barn offers a beautiful setting for weddings and receptions in our lovingly restored 17th century Georgian Barn and garden.

Parasure a locally based manufacturer and supplier to the infection control and healthcare market sector for the last 8 years. We have developed a complete range of organic hand , surface and room disinfectants proven successfully against all enveloped viruses, supplied in the form of individual products, back to work kits.

Penham Excel

Purple Cow Office Supplies

RJM Digital

Ashley House, Siemens Road, Stafford Staffordshire, ST17 4DT

The Oaks Station Road, Crowhurst, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 9DD

1 Commercial Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 7LG

www.penhamexcel.co.uk

www.purplecow.uk.com

rjm.digital

07825 971799

0808 122 9080

0333 303 4624

Penham Excel is a professional certificated provider of High Court and Non-High Court enforcement services, operating throughout England and Wales.

I am the owner of Purple Cow Office Supplies. We are a total solutions company for office stationery, furniture, computer consumables and facilities management. Wea re an independent commercial dealer supplying 20,000 products to businesses, charities, schools & colleges across the UK.

Pay-on-results Digital Marketing. If you are fed up of paying a lot of money upfront to agencies for digital marketing activities but fail to see any results, speak to RJM Digital about your marketing activities with a refreshing pay-on-results model. We will help you grow your digital presence.

Severn Trent Services (Water & Sewerage) Ltd

The Sussex Collaborative

We provide a range of debt recovery services to the public and private sector with market leading collection rates.

Enjoy the flint-walled garden under the boughs of the apple orchard, in the converted Stable for more intimate ceremonies, or in the magnificent Old Barn under a canopy of twinkling lights.

Our team of highly trained and certificated enforcement agents operating nationwide are equipped with the very latest technology.

S. Gerber Ltd 10, Pannell Close, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1DA

113, Rushams Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2NY

beuglereurope.com

2, St John’s Street, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV1 2LX

01342 317363

www.severntrentconnect.com

07713 064198

We supply all over Europe, and beyond, the Beugler Paint Lining & Pinstriping Tools and Accessories, made in the USA since 1934. These products are used for a wide range of paint lining applications, including lining in new tyre manufacturing, all types of vehicle restorations, and various other manufacturing lining requirements. Lines from .4mm to 12.7mm can be painted easily with our products.

07834 450701

A collective of business consultants, with proven expertise for members to utilise whenever they need a helping hand, sounding board for ideas, or to remove growth blockers.

www.sussexcollaborative.co.uk

ST Connect are an Ofwat-regulated wastewater company, operating in England & Wales , We’re able to provide onsite treatment capacity, for developments of a 1000 dwellings or more and commercial dependant on flows and loads at a pace better suited to meeting utility needs on site.

www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

We create value for our clients through providing unbiased advice, hands on support and build trust through the quality of our service delivery.

tel: 01444 259 259

business new members matters

june/july August/September august/september december/january 2019 business 2018 2018 2020 edge business business business edge edge edge

Tickbox Data Systems

Tipton Marketing

True Reflection Coaching

15 - 17 Middle Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AL

Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 7QP

Foresters Copthorne Road, Copthorne, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 3PD

www.tickboxsystems.com 0208 1919923 Stop fiddling around with Excel VLOOKUPS and clunky outdated spreadsheets – it’s time for visual and interactive data dashboards in Power BI, so you can focus and collaborate on your operational management and KPIs. Crucially, we can fix-price this (see website) so you get real ROI. #DataSystems

www.tiptonmarketing.co.uk 07799 140380 Tipton Marketing is a bespoke Marketing and Training Consultancy, founded by Sheryl Tipton FCIM CMktr. Services include Marketing Strategy and Planning, Digital Campaigns, Public Relations, Content Management, and in-house and virtual Training. With an enviable client base Tipton Marketing offers a flexible and competitive service ensuring return on investment.

truereflectioncoaching.com 07585 889426 True Reflection Coaching blends professional coaching with strategic consulting to drive business performance. We help to avoid additional finance and unnecessary recruitment costs. Whether you are looking to grow, change direction, sell or re-build, True Reflection’s expertise in consulting and professional coaching will help you get the result you want

AS A CHAMBER MEMBER YOU’RE WELL CONNECTED

business matters chamber campaigning

August/September august/september december/january june/july2020 2019 2018 business edge

Campaigning for our members needs The British Chambers of Commerce has called for “swift, substantial and immediate action” to bolster the economy, as its Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth - found that UK economic conditions deteriorated at an unprecedented rate in the second quarter of 2020. Key findings: Eleven of the 14 key service setor QES indicators fall to their lowest level in the survey’s 31-year history The percentage balance of firms reporting increased domestic and export sales is now substantially lower than the worst quarter of the 2008-09 recession Indicators for longer-term business performance drop to record lows as BCC sets out measures needed to begin UK’s economic recovery The results of the bellwether survey of 7,700 firms, employing over 580,000 people across the UK, illustrates the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the UK economy in the second quarter of 2020.

Looking ahead Hopes of a swift economic recovery could be dashed, as forward-looking indicators – orders and investment intentions - dropped to record lows for both services firms and manufacturers. Business confidence dropped to its lowest level on record among services firms and declined to its lowest level since Q1 2009 for manufacturers. Cashflow – a key indicator of business’ health – is at its lowest level, with two thirds of respondents reporting worsening cashflow. With the economic impact of coronavirus laid bare in this survey, the leading business group has set out the measures firms need from the Chancellor’s economic statement due in July, including: Supporting jobs through substantial reductions in Employer National Insurance Contributions Supporting cash flow through wider business rate reliefs and extended loan and grant schemes Supporting young people through wage subsidies for apprenticeships and work experience Supporting investment in productivity, people and carbon reduction through major incentives Stimulating demand, e.g. via targeted ‘restart vouchers’ for all UK households or a temporary VAT cut; and Streamlining regulatory processes to make life easier for businesses without compromising safety or the environment.

Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Our latest survey highlights the extraordinary contraction in UK economic activity in the second quarter as the coronavirus closed large parts of the economy. The vast majority of indicators dropped to historic lows, with declines far exceeding those seen at the height of the global financial crisis. “The services sector suffered particularly badly, with consumer-facing firms most acutely exposed to economic headwinds from the pandemic. The manufacturing sector had a dismal three months, with collapsing demand and major disruption to supply chains weighing on the sector. The unprecedented slump in business cashflow is a key concern as it severely hampers business activity and staff retention. “With lockdown restrictions steadily easing, the second quarter is likely to prove to be

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the low point for the UK economy. However, the collapse in forward looking indicators of activity suggests that unless action is taken, the prospect of a swift and sustained recovery may prove too optimistic.” Responding to the findings, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce Dr Adam Marshall said: “Our results demonstrate the need for swift and substantial action. The Government has one chance to jump-start the economy and business confidence over the coming weeks – and they must take it. “Business communities across the UK want to see a clearer, bolder roadmap to recovery that helps them restart, rebuild and renew. The UK cannot meander its way back to success in this era of uncertainty. The only way to re-kindle business and consumer confidence is to demonstrate an absolute and unshakeable focus on boosting the economy over the coming months.”

tel: 01444 259 259

Find your digital voice! Engaging your brand with audiences that matter.

www.be-everywhere.co.uk E: info@be-everywhere.co.uk T: 0191 580 5990

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