Business Edge 70

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

Unit 4, Victoria Business Centre, Burgess Hill RH15 9LR

PRODUCTION & DESIGN

Distinctive Media Group Ltd

3rd Floor Tru Knit House, 9-11 Carliol Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6UF www.distinctivegroup.co.uk

Business Development Manager, Distinctive Media Group Ltd

3rd Floor Tru Knit House, 9-11 Carliol Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6UF Tel: 0191 580 7161 michele.keeler@distinctivegroup.co.uk

Karen Southern karen.southern@distinctivegroup.co.uk E-BOOK www.issuu.com/distinctivepublishing

The county of Sussex is so beautiful, a place I have always been proud to call home. Having grown up in a small Sussex village, the landscape and beauty is one I will always treasure. I only really came to appreciate the charm of Sussex when I moved back from having lived overseas in Asia for several years. I had truly missed the rolling hills, beautiful gardens, and amazing coastline. Since then, I have been determined to enjoy the stunning landscape, by visiting local attractions, going for long walks along the South Downs, as well as buying from and supporting local businesses. This extends to supporting the wider Sussex business community through the activities the Sussex Chamber provides to help businesses become more successful and thrive.

There are opportunities to increase economic growth and to create international competitiveness –this can only be achieved through greater collaboration, by working together and supporting each other.

I am always inspired by all the amazing companies and leaders I have had the privilege of meeting through the Chamber’s activities. Such an amazing county we live in.

Share your business news and stories with Sussex Chamber. Call our membership team today 01444 259259.

Ana Christie Chief Executive, Sussex Chamber of Commerce

Preparing for the changing landscape of research & development tax credit claims

Kus Managing Director Oldland Consulting Limited

In recent years, there has been growing concern of misuse of the schemes, with fraudulent or erroneous claims being filed. A small proportion of such claims have been opportunistic, but of greater concern are maverick claims filed by organised criminals. In response, HMRC have been carrying out enhanced checks of supporting evidence during 2022 and will be implementing some scheme changes from April 2023.

Although elements of the upcoming changes could be perceived as “red tape”, some are linked to widening the definition of qualifiable R&D expenditure. For example, data licenses, cloud services, and data storage costs will now be qualifiable. Which makes sense in terms of the increased use of such services within R&D activities. That said, expenditure on overseas services (i.e., services outside of the UK) will not qualify except in specific circumstances.

Other “red tape” changes linked to the overall process of making a claim include:

Notifying HMRC of making claim before doing so.

Providing supporting evidence in relation to the claim.

Directors signing off content created by agencies or third parties.

Oldland Consulting Limited (OCL) has been supporting businesses, across multiple sectors, to file successful claims for over 14 years. OCL’s approach involves: Keeping fully up to date on changes in the legislation in relation to both UK tax credit schemes.

Working closely with clients to understand their businesses and the R&D activities taking place.

Identifying qualifiable costs and ensuring clients are aware of why costs are eligible or ineligible in relation to their claim.

Suggesting reasonable approaches for calculating time spent on qualifiable R&D.

Co-producing clear and accurate Financial and Technical Reports to underpin claims.

Liaising and aligning with clients’ accountants to ensure resulting claims are correctly represented within tax returns. OCL believes the changes to the UK R&D tax credit schemes will be beneficial to the companies that are entitled to claim. The interventions will also be beneficial to the taxpayer as financial support will be directed to qualifiable businesses not fraudulent claims.

OCL has taken steps in preparation for the changes, having bolstered the strength of its existing team with the recruitment of Melanie Owen FCCA, Tax / Compliance Director. Melanie has been driving actions in relation to compliance and adherence to PCRT guidelines.

If you would like to be better prepared for the changes set for 2023, or for R&D tax relief claims in general - OCL are always happy to discuss and provide support where we can. Please contact Stephen Kus, Managing Director by email at steve@ocl.co.uk or by telephone on +44 (0) 1243 200231. Or you can always visit Stephen at OCL’s office in the beautiful cathedral city of Chichester in West Sussex.

Stephen

The government introduced corporation tax reliefs over twenty years ago to encourage investment in research and development and provide financial support to business undertaking work in this area. The aim of this being to increase scientific and technological innovation within the UK economy. The schemes have seen year on year growth in terms of uptake and were designed to support all companies subject to corporation tax, whether new or existing, large, or small and medium size enterprises.

Sussex businesses join forces to deliver: PSC Global announces SCM partnership with Portal Devices

Worthing-based firm PSC Global is delighted to announce that we’ve joined forces with a local engineering firm, Portal Devices Limited, respected innovators in the field of immersivew technologies, providing specialist display engineering to immersive installations in the attractions market.

Chris Smith Managing Director, PSC Global Matt Roberts Founder, Portal Devices

This type of ‘immersion’ describes the experience of being surrounded by a virtual world: think theme park dark rides and flight simulators. But what role could gaskets possibly play in immersive technologies?

Engineering, reliability and highperformance equipment underpin the effective delivery of immersive experiences. Portal Devices supports some of the biggest names in the industry, household names of attractions we all know and love.

Portal’s founder, Matt Roberts, knew he needed the projector mounts and

structures to be 100% reliable for many years of almost-continuous service. He trusted PSC Global’s gasket expertise could help him achieve the quality and consistency he required.

These projector mounts are hefty mechanical fabrications and cost as much as a new sports car. With such costs, the protection of critical components against dust and vibration is essential and the units need many gaskets to perform perfectly. We are also adding our assembly capabilities to the project, putting the units together against exacting quality assurance requirements to ensure they are fit for purpose.

But, that was just the start of our shared vision. Our supply chain management (SCM) abilities maximise competitive advantage, quality and customer satisfaction. We knew we could help

Portal Devices deliver their products to customers when, where and in the quantities they need to; we would become their partnered production house.

Roberts said ‘We found the perfect solution to fulfil our operational goals - the skilled and capable team at PSC are hugely enjoyable to work with and readily understand the engineering and production controls we need. We’re looking forward to building on this serendipitous partnership’.

PSC Global is ramping up production for this welcomed new partner. Portal Devices demonstrate how our SCM and production skills can provide invaluable capability expansion for companies needing local world-class operations for a world-wide customer base.

Find out more about the power of PSC Global at psc.global

Myth Busting Search Engine Optimisation

Stephen

CEO & Founder Prophecy Marketing

SEO Is Only For Big Companies

SEO is incredibly powerful for smaller companies and can provide them with exceptional online visibility without large investment. For companies focusing on local consumers, SEO is very important as 93% of consumers use search online for local businesses.

Content Quality Is Not That Important For SEO

This might have been partially true in the past, however with sophisticated algorithms and the use of Ai, high quality content is now critical for effective SEO. Search

engines will give better rankings to websites which have engaging, easy to navigate and well written content.

I don’t Need To Do SEO AS My Website Is Already On Page One

When searching for your company’s brand it should be on the very top of the first page of a search engine. However, what about other keywords that your target audience might be

using? On what page is your website coming up for these? If you are not on page one, then there is work to be done.

My Competition Don’t Use SEO Techniques

If your competition is not using SEO, then it is the perfect opportunity to strengthen your position. There are numerous search engine updates each year, many of the updates can change website ranking dramatically. If you are already working towards SEO best practice, then it is likely these updates will have less impact on your website’s position

If you would like to learn more about search engine marketing, simply visit www.prophecy. marketing/free-seo-course to book your attendance in the next class.

www.prophecy.marketing

01273 234 686

hello@prophecy.marketing

As experts in Search Engine Optimisation, we have heard many different myths about search engine marketing and reasons why companies are not making it a focus for their marketing efforts. Here are a few of the myths busted.

C.

The journey for Carbon Neutrality as Sussex Packaging Company breaks the internet

Safe to say our launch was both monumental and unexpected. In essence, our goal was to simplify the online packaging experience with great products, great value and a core drive for sustainability.

Growth and response have been fantastic. We are breaking into top 5 results on Google for key words such as Double Wall Boxes, Un Certified Packaging and many more. Our E-commerce site, Packaging Online, is occupying a space that has been dominated by a few big players, but as ever we aim to break convention in our quest to be better. We strive to bring a fresh hassle-free approach to packaging with over three decades of packaging experience all backed up and the largest manufacturing facilities in the South.

Historically, Challenge has been on a journey to minimise our environmental impact for some time. We endeavor to

reduce waste and recycle everything we can whilst offering a diverse range of sustainable products.

We understand that our operation and the operations of our customers all impact the environment in some way. With this in mind we are ready and committed to our next step on the journey to Net Zero. We have recently partnered with Auditel (a Carbon Footprint & Carbon Reduction Consultants) in order to audit and implement a suitable framework that delivers accountability in reduction of our carbon footprint. Auditels measure and verify approach will give us the meaningful information required to provide our customers with a transparent solution that has sustainability at its core.

At Challenge we are conscious that the market is full of greenwashing, something we want to stay completely detached from. The idea of ticking “green” box for marketing only purposes does not sit well with us, both morally and commercially. British Standards Institution (BSI) The PAS2060 is an auditable standard with a verification process that does what it sets out to do.

It measures and plans for us to reduce our footprint continuously. We believe change is inevitable so why not follow us as we embark on our journey to be “Better”. www.challengepackaging.co.uk

Beautiful Sussex

I was lucky enough to move to Sussex when I was 14 years old and have lived here ever since. During my teenage years I could see the Seven Sisters from my brother’s bedroom window and every week would run across Seaford Head and down to Cuckmere Haven – I did that again a few times this Summer but much more slowly!

I’m spoilt now by living within walking (and sometime running) distance of Devil’s Dyke and, as legend would have it, the burial mounds of the Devil and his wife.

When I first moved to Sussex, I’m pretty sure there weren’t any vineyards. I remember my first pint of Harvey’s though when I was almost 18 - now we have over 50 vineyards and 70 brewers in the County!

Sussex has its County Cricket side of course but I spent more of my adolescent time at the Goldstone Ground (back to the legend of Devil’s Dyke) and for years couldn’t stop reliving ‘and Smith must score’. Now we have a firmly established Premier League team knocking on the door of European competition and the women’s team is in the Women’s Super League. We also have East Grinstead Hockey Club with both the men’s and women’s 1st X1 playing at the pinnacle of hockey in England.

Our County is rich in natural beauty and history, in sporting excellence and has a rich heritage in architecture, in coastal communities, in agriculture, in tourism and hospitality and in the creative arts. On top of that we have the biggest and best Bonfire Night events in the UK. We have 2 Universities and 14 FE Colleges that are part of FE Sussex and most gardens in the County will have a Sussex Trug or two. The list goes on, including the world-renowned Goodwood events including Glorious Goodwood and the Festival of Speed.

Knitting all of these together is our forward looking, resilient, inclusive and passionate business community and I can’t think of a better place to live than good old Sussex by the Sea.

Rob Clare Chairman, Sussex Chamber of Commerce

Why make Lasting Powers of Attorney?

Have you ever considered what may happen if you were no longer able to make decisions for yourself due to an accident or ill health?

Lasting Powers of Attorney allow you (as the donor) to grant another person or people (as Attorneys) a wide range of powers and the ability to make decisions on your behalf. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney. The first is for property and financial affairs and gives your Attorney the authority to deal with decisions such as liaising with your bank, paying bills and selling property. The second type covers health and welfare issues, allowing your Attorney to deal with decisions about your medical care.

There is a misconception that your spouse or ‘next of kin’ would automatically be able to step in to deal with all matters for you. Unfortunately, this is not the case as they do not have a legal right to do so unless you have put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place.

I often say to my clients that a Lasting Power of Attorney is like an insurance policy. You may never need it but if you do, you may heavily rely upon it.

The key factor necessary for putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place is that you have the mental capacity to do so. Sadly, I see many clients who leave it too late. This can be particularly hard on family members leaving them powerless when it comes to simple things like paying a loved one’s bill or managing their care.

Lasting Powers of Attorney can also be invaluable if you have business interests. They can ensure your business suffers minimal disruption as someone can quickly step in and safeguard the business, preventing lost contacts or unpaid wages for example.

Lasting Powers of Attorney will give you peace of mind that you are protected. Spending time now discussing them and putting them in place, could be time very well spent.

Contact Greer: 01403 333 744 or email greer.pratley@lewisdenley.com.

For more information about Lewis Denley visit: www.lewisdenley.com

Greer Pratley Senior Associate, Lewis Denley

Sussex business owner undertakes 24hr podcast for local children’s charity

Sam joined the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity board as their first Parent Trustee in February 2021 following his family’s experience at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital where their twins were born in 2015.

While Sienna was born without any complications, Sam’s son Luca struggled to survive due to a prolapsed cord. Immediately the medical staff rushed to help him, giving him oxygen and ‘cooling mat’ treatment that stopped his brain from swelling.

Despite these interventions, they were given the devastating news that Luca may not survive, and if he did, he would likely face severe brain damage. But thanks to the dedication and care shown by the incredible staff at the unit, Luca slowly built up his strength and the family started to get more positive feedback from the doctors.

Eventually after four weeks they were finally able to take Luca home to meet Sienna and after two years of monitoring and testing, he reached every milestone along with his sister.

It was at this point that Sam decided to do as much as he could to support Rockinghorse Children’s Charity so that other families who find themselves in the

same difficult situation can get all the support they need.

Since 2015 Sam has raised the equivalent of £20,000 for the charity through a range of challenges, events and sponsorships. And during this, the charity’s 55th Anniversary year, Sam decided to set himself the challenge of raising £10,000 through a range of events and challenges, including completing a 24hr podcast.

Sam already hosts the weekly County Business Clubs TALKS podcast, where he speaks to local business people to share their stories and inspire listeners, so Sam decided to use these skills to organise the charity version of the podcast where he would speak to 24 different guests.

Sam said: “My love for podcasts and having these conversations is what led me to take on one of my biggest challenges of the year.

“On 13 October at 12pm in the Plus X Studio in Brighton I began my challenge, on the hour every hour

I interviewed another guest from entrepreneurs and business leaders to professional athletes, Master Chef winners, radio and tv presenters and many more.

“Throughout the 24 hours we also hosted over 60 people to watch two of the

episodes live on stage with Dragons Den winner and founder of the Tiny Box Company Rachel Watkyn and Giles Palmer founder of Brandwatch.

“I had 24 amazing conversations that were streamed live and have so far raised £2500 which takes my total this year to over £7500!”

Amanda Heatherington, Corporate Engagement Manager at Rockinghorse, went along to support Sam during the first few hours of the podcast and said: “It was such a great idea of Sam’s to use his podcast platform as a fundraiser for Rockinghorse. It was fascinating listening to all the different guests he interviewed, despite him losing his voice towards the end!

“Having Sam as such a passionate supporter of Rockinghorse really makes a difference to us. As a small local charity, people like Sam enable us to support thousands of babies, children and their families every year. So, a massive thanks to him for his continued support”

You can donate to Sam’s £10,000 challenge on his Just Giving page, just search ‘Sam Thomas 10k Trustee Challenge.’

And to find out more about Rockinghorse, visit their website at www.rockinghorse.org.uk

Sam Thomas, host of County Business TALKS Podcast, co-founder of County Business Clubs and managing director of Sussex Business Times, completed a 24hr live podcast as part of a £10,000 challenge in support of Rockinghorse.

Premium Brands deserve a Premium Service

Audi, Volvo, Bentley, McLaren and Aston Martin.

Kate Chapman Business Development Manager, Hardwoods Ltd

With the forever changing market, requirements, and government rules it is my job to make sure my customers know what is best for them and their business. Working with individual Directors, opt out drivers and Fleet Managers, I am your dedicated contact for businesses at Harwoods.

I always welcome the opportunity to meet at one of state of the art newly built showrooms across the South of England or if that is not convenient, at a place of work or even a scheduled video ‘Teams’ call

Working with the support of not just our dedicated team here at Harwoods but also the manufactures enable me to offer off site Test Drives, very competitive Finance

quotations, along with all what you would expect from class leading Brands.

Harwoods have been the leading automotive retailer group in the South of England for over 90 years. We remain independent in a market mainly dominated by large PLC’s giving us the opportunity

to adapt to individual requirements for different types of businesses and drivers.

If you have any motoring requirements or just want to say ‘Hi’ it would be a pleasure to meet you.

kate.chapman@harwoods.uk.com www.harwoods.co.uk

Dare to Dream programme inspires over 2,500 local students so far this term

Over the summer months, we put a huge amount of effort into using what we’ve learned as an organisation to tweak our programme content to ensure we’re maximising the delivery of each session.

One of the biggest, and most exciting, changes we made was securing our inspirational Head of Programme Delivery, Jack Hayes on a full-time basis. Anyone who’s ever witnessed Jack in action will fully understand why having him more involved in the day-to-day aspects of the LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C is so important.

We’re all facing a multitude of challenges at the moment and the impact of these challenges is being felt by the young people within the local community. Because of this, and the future concerns they raise, experiences like Dare to Dream couldn’t be more pertinent.

Already this term, we’ve delivered programmes to over 2,500 students in schools across Sussex: a truly remarkable figure and one we’re incredibly proud of.

The success of these programmes would not be possible without the help and support of our fantastic growing network of schools, local businesses and their mentors.

We’ve plenty to look forward to over the coming months, with more school sessions, workplace visits and new collaborations with fantastic organisations making a real impact in the community.

As we said, it’s been an amazing start to the year, but the good news is we’ve only just begun.

Exciting times ahead! www.lovelocaljobs.com

Supporting local businesses with their car requirements is what I do. My name is Kate Chapman, I have proudly worked for the souths leading automotive retailer group ‘Harwoods’ for over 7 years; representing premium brands, Jaguar Land Rover,

We’re over two and a half months into the delivery of our 22/23 Dare to Dream programme, and what an amazing start to the academic year it’s been.

Heritage Live Concert Series

Live music returned to the heart of the Sussex countryside at the South of England Event Centre; over 20,000 thrilled fans enjoyed shows from Rag’n’Bone Man, Boy George & Culture Club and Russell Watson.

The South of England Showground in Ardingly, home to the South of England Event Centre, welcomed thousands of visitors through the gates in July thanks to the star-studded Heritage Live Concert series.

The incredible three-day event (Friday 15th - Sunday 17th July) featured three key concert evenings. Rag‘n’Bone Man put on an electric performance and was supported by Eurovision star Sam Ryder and up and coming alt-pop singer/ songwriter Max White.

Saturday night went back to the 80s thanks to headline act Boy George & Culture Club, plus 80s decades legends; Lulu, Bananarama, Kim Wilde and DJ Fat Tony - who all had guests dancing all night long.

Closing the concert series on Sunday night was tenor Russell Watson. His outstanding

vocal abilities were accompanied by the talented British coloratura soprano Christina Johnston and supported by Mark Kingswood and the NHS Choir –Lewisham & Greenwich, with the music for the evening provided by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

It was the first multi-act concert weekend of its kind here at the South of England Event Centre, with public praise received for the venue’s organisation after attracting (and managing) so many visitors to the beautiful West Sussex village of Ardingly, whilst cementing the venue as favourite on the outdoor events calendar.

Giles Cooper, CEO of GCE Live/Heritage Live said “Across the three nights over 20,000 people enjoyed diverse bills of the very best in live music at the South of England Event Centre.

We at Heritage Live are delighted to have returned live music to such a wonderful venue in Ardingly with such emphatic success. We’d like to thank the great team at the South of England Event Centre and the community for all their support and giving us the warmest of welcomes’.

Hosting the Heritage Live Concert series at the Showground was a huge honour. The promoters are renowned for hosting their outdoor concerts in some of the country’s most beautiful locations, so it was a delight to be able to put Sussex on the map and celebrate the best of British heritage with such a diverse programme of musical entertainment. We are now looking ahead to planning next year’s Heritage Live summer concerts, to bring the buzz of live music to the heart of the Sussex countryside again.

www.heritagelive.net

Konge Hussein Event Manager, South of England Event Centre

Gatwick station upgrade already delivering benefits for passengers

The Gatwick airport station upgrade project is creating more space for passengers, making the journey from the train to the plane easier, improving accessibility and supporting a more reliable train service.

another area of the project, we are now in the final stages of work to reopen platforms 5 and 6 which will have many benefits for passengers, including more space and new lifts and escalators helping them to move between the platform level and the station concourse easier and more quickly. It’s fantastic to reach each milestone and see the new look station taking shape.”

Passengers will enjoy even more space when two platforms reopen in January

A new second concourse will double the space for passengers at the station, while widened platforms, eight new escalators, five new lifts and four new stairways will help passengers get on and off trains much more quickly, improving passenger journeys and helping more trains run on time. The project is on track to complete in summer 2023.

As part of the planned works to widen and create more space for passengers, the accommodation building on the existing station concourse was demolished. A new building has now been built in another part of the station and opened in November.

The new building has design efficiencies that support sustainability and decarbonisation. These include using low carbon concrete, being well insulated, having a good amount of natural light, using LED bulbs which consume significantly less energy than alternatives and installing a hybrid heating and cooling system which will provide energy efficiencies and cost savings.

Improving the passenger journey

To make the passenger journey through the station easier, a number of improvements have recently been made. These include a bank of 12 new customer information screens which provide a much better quality of display and show the next fastest train, platform number, stopping pattern and train operator.

The central gateline is the biggest entrance point to all platforms and supports a safe passenger flow between the station entrance and platforms. It recently reopened following improvement works, including new floor tiles to match the rest of the station concourse, which provide a safe walking surface as well as giving a bright new look to the station concourse. All gates

are wide access making them easier to use for those with luggage or those needing mobility support. They also all have a barcode reader meaning all ticket types are accepted (including Google and Apple Pay), which gives passengers complete freedom to choose how they want to pay for their journey.

With a combined focus on the passenger experience and great collaboration between the Gatwick station project team, GTR and Gatwick airport, Gatwick Airport’s public Wi-Fi has now been extended into the station at concourse level, making it easier for passengers to check their trains and purchase tickets online.

Simon Newland, Project Director, Network Rail said: “The opening of the new staff building is a key milestone in the project following the demolition of the previous building as part of the work to make more space for passengers. It’s been built with sustainability at the heart and will give staff the facilities they need to carry out their jobs in a good working environment. In

Platforms 5 and 6 will reopen in January, have been closed since November 2020 for improvement works to take place. These works include widening platform 6 to give passengers more space, new and improved platform surfacing, new shelters and new escalators and lifts which will transport passengers up to the airport entrance concourse much more quickly.

As a result of widening platform 6, we’ve realigned the track and moved the power supply, communications and signalling systems. We’ve also remodelled track in the Gatwick area to speed up journeys for passengers travelling on the Brighton Main Line. From January, passengers will benefit from a five-minute journey time reduction for two Thameslink Brighton to Bedford services every hour.

Mark Howard, Project Director, Costain said: “Costain’s purpose is to improve people’s lives by creating connected, sustainable infrastructure that enables people and the planet to thrive. The Gatwick station project is a showcase of these important themes, and as we move into the later stages of the project we are delighted that the operational benefits and improvements for the passengers are being realised and delivered.”

The new lift shafts on platforms 5 & 6 and the airport concourse deck are taking shape

The improved central gateline at Gatwick airport station

There

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of practical, emotional, and financial support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need. Our teams of employees and over 3,000 volunteers provide support across 89 branches and 58 service committees throughout the UK, enabling the Armed Forces community to thrive.

SSAFA Sussex are seeking volunteers for a variety of rewarding roles, providing personalised, face-to-face support and specialist services across Sussex. Roles are varied, flexible and very rewarding, giving back to those that have served. All backgrounds and experiences are welcome and a military background is not essential.

Cyber Security Insurance, or Not to Cyber Security Insurance? – That is the Question

Not quite the opening line of Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 1. However, in Shakespeare’s version as Bernardo looks out from the misty battlements, high up on the outer walls of Elsinore castle, he calls out to his fellow soldier, Francisco ‘Who’s there?’ Francisco replies ‘Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself’.

Protecting castles back in the day and protecting modern-day businesses, have a lot more in common than you might first think. A castle with its secure outer wall, protecting the inner sanctum, might use moats, drawbridges, a portcullis, murder holes and arrow loops, all to defend against the enemy trying to lay siege to the castle walls. The attacker would use battering rams, catapults, trebuchets, ladders and ballistae. Sometimes, they would even dig a tunnel underground, and then set off a charge, which would explode and bring the castle walls down. Sound familiar?

The names for defensive measures have changed over the last 1000 years but their role is still the same – to protect

Today, we build slightly different structures to protect our business data. Business information has become the new riches that cyber-criminals will try to climb over your defensive structures, steal from you, or

hold you to ransom. So, instead of pouring boiling oil over the ramparts; we now employ a blend of cyber-security breach detection measures, to protect our business castles.

patch management cyber security certifications network firewalls

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) thin and zero clients malware protection cyber security training access control & admin privilege management secure configuration multifactor authentication

Modern-day cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly connected and international in their nature. So, the defensive measures

needed to protect a business, need to be even more powerful than ever before. Businesses of the future will have to build an impenetrable digital wall of security around their digital assets if they want to remain effective and profitable.

To read the rest of this article please scan this QR-Code.

Business Award Winners

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all those involved!

Best of British Events

It was something I never expected so to go on to win the Regional Award for the South East blew me away!! I still don’t believe the scale of that win has sunk it yest – nor will it for a long time! Fundamentally, I feel very honoured and humbled in equal measure. So many people have supported me over the past two years especially (immediately post Covid) when your events company doesn’t look like it has much of a future. I now appreciate that our ability to lead the way in pivoting led to the success we’ve enjoyed and I have never put my neck on the block in such a way before. The single biggest business

Creative Pod

Award-winning Sussex-based marketing agency, Creative Pod, were pleased to win the ‘Rapid Riser’ award at the inaugural Sussex Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2022 this September.

Members of the chamber met at Buxted Park Hotel on 20th September to celebrate the success of local businesses over the last year, and Creative Pod were over the moon to win ‘Rapid Riser’, awarded for their exceptional levels of growth with a strong plan for sustainable financial performance. Having grown from nine employees in 2020 to now 25, the company has almost tripled in size, as well as actioning internal promotions, dealing with mergers and acquisitions, and working with more businesses than ever.

Since then, Creative Pod went on to be a Regional Winner within this category for the whole of the South East too. This award is another brilliant achievement to add to their accolades after winning the ‘Creative Design and Marketing’ award in March at

the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards, and becoming a Drum Recommended marketing agency this year too.

Matt Turner, CEO of Creative Pod, said: “We’re delighted to have won the Rapid Riser award from the Sussex Chamber of Commerce and to now be a Regional Winner

risk I’ve ever taken was to launch a NEW events business at the height of the pandemic backing the live events market to return. I never bought into the popular philosophy that “face to face is dead and zoom is all we’re ever going to know from now on….” After all, we’re social animals and the market did / continues to “return” to the live space and long may that continue!!

Honoured to win, proud to represent my home County in that respect and a massive thank you to my lieutenants Anne & Stella for all they do to support the overall operation. Don’t believe for one second that any entrepreneur does it all on their own!

too is incredible and a testament to our team. Thank you to the Sussex Chamber for this wonderful accolade!”

If you’re interested in speaking to the team about your marketing or website needs, email matt@creativepod.uk.com for more information.

To win at the Sussex level was quite surreal given the depth of the active Chambers of Commerce within the County.

business award winners

some offer a 30-minute free appointment, we do not consider this offers sufficient time to discuss a client’s specific issues and background.

At the other end of the spectrum, our legal expertise means we are regularly instructed in complex financial divorce cases involving multiple properties, investments, pensions, and businesses, for high-net-worth individuals.

Our reputation for empathy and compassion, means that many cases also involve issues around the safeguarding of children; allegations of physical, sexual, and mental abuse, as well as cases involving people with alcohol/drug dependences, poor mental health, and physical disabilities. What’s more, we have experience in dealing with the planning of families, surrogacy, and co-parenting law, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.

We are delighted to have won the Sussex Chamber of Commerce Equality Trailblazer Award based on our belief that the law must be based on inclusivity, diversity, and equality for all, in terms of those it helps and those who work within it.

Over the past decade, the firm has continuously worked to increase the

diversity and inclusivity of clients, along with supporting those underrepresented in the legal world to forge a career in law.

To help overcome the perception that legal help is prohibitively expensive, Tisshaws offer new clients an initial one-hour meeting for a fixed fee of £50 (incl. VAT) with no obligation. Very few firms offer this. While

Traditionally, the legal world has underrepresented many minorities. To help open a career in family law to more women and those from underrepresented backgrounds, the firm supports those taking non-traditional routes into the legal profession and has supported several staff through their training, one to become a solicitor and another, a Chartered Legal Executive and is now supporting another. www.tisshawssolicitors.co.uk

The organisation’s core values since our beginning in 1905 are that of focus on shared common experiences that ensures all staff are trained to understand the charity’s welcoming and hospitality ethos.

Although care may have adapted to changing needs, we have continued to develop as an organisation, modelling new methods of care from Adult Nursing to Independent living. We are currently developing 27 new assisted living apartments which will be supported by the domiciliary care team.

As an organisation we ensure our staff have the necessary skills to meet care

requirements by attending mandatory training along with a range of specialist subjects. We consider different learning styles and methods to include classroom based sessions, reflective discussion and recently we introduced a new, innovative idea of a roadshow.

Staff, Residents and Relatives also participate in Virtual Dementia Training. The Tour is medically and scientifically proven to be the closest that we can give a person to experience what living with dementia might be like.

Our current training compliance stands at 96% in both our homes. We believe that

staff development and progression is key to providing a positive care approach, meeting our residents’ best interests being at the forefront of what we do.

We very much value staff feedback, so we undertake an annual staff survey in order to gain insight to the benefits we offer along with ensuring we have a pleasant happy living and working environment.

We have now been nominated for a British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Chamber Business Award in the Workforce Developer category.

award winners

LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C proud to be named Community Champions

In a category that featured so many amazing businesses doing such inspiring and important work within the local community, to be recognised and celebrated for the work the LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C does is a fantastic feeling.

Like so many people and businesses, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges and obstacles over the past two years. To say the way our team and network of supporters pulled together to overcome these challenges and deliver the Dare to Dream programme to schools across Sussex has been inspirational is an understatement.

Special thanks have to go to all our amazing partner businesses, volunteer mentors, local authorities, schools and of course, the

incredible students we engage with. The work we do to inspire and raise aspirations for local young people is a privilege to be involved in and without all their support, we simply couldn’t do what we do.

Last year was a phenomenal year and there have been plenty of learnings that we’ve applied to our new series of programmes for the 2022/23 academic year.

Everyone at the LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C is hugely excited to be continuing this journey forward with some exciting collaborations and developments to the programme this year.

Thank you to the Sussex Chamber of Commerce for this lovely moment of recognition! www.lovelocaljobs.com

Saving the Planet on a National Scale!

GreenBlue Urban has come a long way in the last 30 years since its inception in 1992.

to include Off-grid lighting, EV charging and Air quality planters.

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, GreenBlue has hosted events across the UK; celebrating achievements at MMU University in Manchester and Tottenham Hotspur London, also having recently welcomed local MPs to their headquarters in Bodiam, East Sussex.

Both Sally-Ann Hart, MP for Hastings and Rye and Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle were greeted by Dean Bowie and son MD Roy Bowie for a presentation on why GreenBlue exists with a tour of the UK manufacturing facility which is working toward Carbon Net Zero distribution.

Further enhancing the brand, on a local scale, GreenBlue were delighted to be nominated and unexpectedly WIN the Sussex Chamber of Commerce Planet Saver Award! The award recognises organisations with sustainability at the heart of their business.

From his landscape gardening days, CEO Dean Bowie has been at the forefront of enabling the establishment of healthy living trees for all to enjoy.

Working alongside Architects, Landscape Planners, Urban Designers, Local Authorities and Contractors the renowned ArborSystem® brings together

the critical elements of successful tree pit design and simplifies the planning and installation process.

GreenBlue Urban are at the forefront in enabling our towns and cities to adapt to climate change and continue to innovate by incorporating Green, Blue, Smart Space and Air to the brand, with an enhanced offering

As GreenBlue are renowned for using 100% recycled materials, omitting landfill and providing products that enable green and blue infrastructure, specifically mature established trees, providing multiple long-term benefits for now and our future generations.

It is fantastic to receive such an accolade that distinguishes efforts towards mitigating climate change for all – now on to the Nationals!

Discover more www.greenblue.com

We were delighted and incredibly proud to have been named as The Community Champion at the Sussex Chamber of Commerce Awards in September.

7thSense

Founded in 2004 by flight simulation industry veterans, 7thSense invented, develops, and manufactures the Delta Media Server®, Juggler® pixel processor, and Medialon range of hardware and software from its head office in Upper Beeding, Sussex.

Delta Media Server is an audio-visual (AV) software/hardware product designed to serve the highest quality media onto any projected screen size or shape for a compelling attraction or event.

Juggler® is a high-resolution, high frame rate pixel processor that can assemble video inputs from a virtually unlimited number of sources onto a shared canvas and output segments of that canvas to various outputs. The Medialon show control product range manages time-accurate control of audio, video, lighting, and special effects for live shows, themed attractions, museum exhibits, and visitor centres.

7thSense products are used globally in thousands of prestigious installations including world-famous theme park dark rides, Expo 2020 Dubai, Radio City Music Hall (New York), Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (Los Angeles), Museum

of the Future (Dubai), One World Observatory (New York), and Ferrari World (Abu Dhabi).

With additional offices in London London, Michigan, Florida, California and Melbourne, the fast-growing team is able to support all timezones with sales and support requests and uphold their reputation for exceptional service and dependability.

They are technology innovators that work with the biggest names in the theme park and attraction industries worldwide - providing products for creative people to tell their media-based stories with the highest standards of quality, reliability, and support. www.7thsense.one info@7thsense.one 01903 812299

business award winners

Drallim Industries Ltd

Winning the “Problem Solver” category at the awards was a tremendous surprise and an absolute accolade to our staff working in our St Leonards-on-Sea factory.

Our recent story has been complex. It starts with a devastating factory fire in February 2019 with urgent recovery action to re-establish a temporary factory getting

us back in production by early April! That in itself was a miraculous performance but just then came the COVID-19 lockdown. As we are direct suppliers to the MoD and critical infrastructure businesses our work

was essential, and we could not all “work from home”. We closed for just 4 days to adapt controls and procedures and carryon production. Meanwhile we were busy building a new factory under “buddy” rules, moving into our new manufacturing facility in Oct 2020.

Whilst the fire has been a devastating blow, our recovery has been a quite remarkable experience! It has often been frustrating, exhausting and almost overwhelming –but I think many of us have enjoyed the challenge, and the great spirit of team camaraderie, which has continued into our business activities.

Returning to problem-solving; throughout the period we have won new business including a 10-year MoD contract servicing cargo hooks for the UK helicopter fleet solving problems with quality standards, stock control and safety testing. National Grid renewed a nationwide support contract monitoring oil filled power cables. Another major series of orders have come from Hong Kong Electric with a phased delivery of very complex special cable monitoring equipment.

Our customers are the other great heroes for us as they tolerated our delays and stuck with us until showing immense confidence in us all. We have many new project opportunities and as we seek the next wave of specialist equipment problems to solve, we are proud to shout about our award.

Beachfront Events Venue

Brighton i360 is one of Brighton’s most unique beachfront event spaces with sea views and sun terraces. A variety of stunning indoor and outdoor spaces are available to hire for anything from a birthday party to a conference, a product launch to a wedding ceremony.

Brightoni360.co.uk/venue-hire events@brightoni360.co.uk | 01273 448372

Photo credit: Caterham Cars

Photo credit: @brightonweddingphotography

Photo credit: Jack Smith Film

conferencing events

Brighton i360: Beachfront Event Spaces

A unique sky-high viewing pod and flexible beachfront spaces combine at the Brighton i360 to create one stand out venue. Brighton i360 has everything to impress and excite your gathering, from sun terrace receptions to fine dining feasts at 450ft high in the sky.

Imagine throwing a party on the giant glass viewing pod 138 metres high in the sky! Or holding your business meeting with a spectacular sweeping view across Brighton’s beach. Or hosting a reception on our outside Deck with elevated views of the sea and the West Pier as your backdrop. This and so much more is available at Brighton i360. From a private sunset journey for two on the pod to a full building conference takeover, Brighton i360 has the experience and the passion for hosting a huge variety of events.

The Pod

Why plan an extraordinary event at an ordinary venue when you can take anything from a speech to a dinner or a party sky high in the futuristic viewing pod? The pod is available for private hire from only £899 and holds up to 175 people.

Meetings & Conferences

Light-filled beachfront meeting rooms and sky-high wow-factor for corporate events - this unique sea view venue has the whole package, combining fully flexible spaces with the option of private pod hire.

Private Events

Fancy a birthday party around the highest bar on the South Coast or festive feasting overlooking the beach? At one of the most unique venues in Sussex, the sky really is the limit!

Team Building Experiences

If you’re looking for an activity-based event, Brighton i360 has a whole range of options. The Extreme 360 daredevil activities include walking on top of the pod and abseiling out of the pod. More serene experiences include Yoga in the Sky or private drinks tasting events.

Brand Activation & Filming

The beachfront terrace of Brighton i360 is located just metres from the beach and sea, overlooking the iconic West Pier. The beach is a hive of activity and the high footfall along the promenade makes it the perfect location for brand activations, product promotions or a photo shoot.

For more information visit brightoni360.co.uk/venue-hire/ or call 01273 448 372

We

Hiring our Magic Mirror is so much fun………….

Our All New Magic Mirror Supreme is a full length talking, animated Photobooth with the World’s most advanced software.

Our Magic Mirror Supreme is fantastic event entertainment and has a hidden camera inside that takes your fun photos, whilst dressed in our exciting, good quality Props (Optional).

Our Mirror has many additional features too that can be tailored uniquely to enrich the experience for you and your guests.

We want to share this with you and it’s added benefits that can enhance any Event you are planning:

Adding Fabulous Fun at any Party/ Awards evening/charity event and for making memories.

Amazing for Team Building Events

An ice-breaker at any Corporate Event

Brilliant for advertising your business as each print can display your unique company message, company name and logo,

With the colour changing lights, our Mirror is extremely Visual and engaging to attract visitors to your exhibition stand.

Five Star Bespoke Customer Service to provide you with the best possible Letters In Lights Experience.

All our products above can be hired for any Corporate or Private Event.

Contact Alison to discuss further: 07399 738802 / 07966 239486

www.lettersinlights.uk

Brighton i360

Drop 360 at Brighton i360

love to add the extra WOW Factor and the extra FUN to any special Event.

Over 20 years of designing and supplying world-leading leak detection systems

Founded in 2000, Aquilar soon became the number one partner for the world-leading TraceTek leak detection system, formally invented and manufactured by the Raychem Corporation.

Aquilar has created a range of brands including AquiWave, AquiTron, AquiNet and EcoLeak. R&D continues with new products and solutions created to solve customers’ challenges, meeting new and changing standards in the building industry.

Aquilar prides itself on the level of service provided to its clients, offering step-by-step guidance, delivering the most effective solution for each project. A team of dedicated professionals can assist with design support, schematics, technical submittals and quotations through to the delivery of the leak detection system along with product support.

Whilst Aquilar do not install leak detection directly, it does have a number of highly-trained partner installers around the country to ensure all systems are completed and maintained to the clients’ specifications. Based in Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, Aquilar also benefits from ample warehouse space to keep good stock levels, providing off the shelf systems for the largest projects.

Products

Aquilar has over 20 years’ experience in the design and development of leak detection systems into most market areas including data centres, office buildings, banks, schools, hospitals, fuel storage facilities and laboratories. Aquilar have the right solution for all your leak detection needs.

Find out more at www.aquilar.co.uk or call us on 01403 216100

The probiotic urinal blocks were dubbed ‘Toss Blocks’ when they first launched, named as such because users simply toss them into urinals and let them do their work.

25 years later, the Blocks are still industry-leading, manufactured in West Sussex, and sold around the world in countries such as Australia and South Korea.

The environmentally-friendly products offer an alternative to traditional harsh chemicals and cancer-causing carcinogenic ingredients.

Enzyme-based urinal blocks are not only better for humans and the environment, but they are also water-saving and cost-cutting, keeping pipes free from uric acid build-ups and costly plumbing bills.

To mark the anniversary, Bio-Productions will print commemorative labels on the Biological Urinal Blocks reverting to their ‘Original Toss Block’ moniker.

“To most people, probiotics are something you drink for good gut health, but we’ve been using them for two and a half decades to keep urinals clean around the world,” explains Angela Gill, MD. “We were first to do it and proud to still be the best. 25 years and going strong!”

www.bio-productions.com

Aquilar are a distributor and manufacturer of leak detection equipment providing worldleading solutions for detecting water, fuel, chemical and refrigerant gas leaks in critical industrial, commercial and residential environments.

Leading cleaning products manufacturer, Bio Productions, is celebrating 25 years since its market-leading Biological Urinal Blocks first made a splash.

still make a splash after 25 years

Holistic solutions for the office space

Phil Cottrell Director, GCL Building Technologies

Tell us about yourself, current role and career?

I have been working in the structured cabling and electrical installation indus try for 30 years, where I climbed through the ranks from Assistant Engineer to my current role, which oversees operations involving electrical installations and intel ligent building solutions on a national and sometimes international level. I’m deeply interested in technological innovation and how this can empower our lives to make us more efficient, happier workers, with a greater concern for the planet.

office spaces that best serve their tenants through increasing productivity while mini mising energy expenditure – something that is more important than ever given many businesses drive to net zero by 2050.

researching developments and seeking in novations in technology and the ways they can transform businesses. As a company we like to be at the forefront of these de velopments so we can offer them to clients before they’ve had the thought themselves.

What advice would you give to companies looking to modernise their current infrastructure?

This drive to Net Zero by 2050 requires big companies to be more educated and trans parent than ever about their impact on the environment. With SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting) and ESOS (Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme) auditing our energy consumption is now a requirement and at GCL we have the tech nologies to assist businesses to monitor and reduce these numbers.

We’re also facing material shortages and consequently inflated costs, which I believe we can and should mitigate by looking at supply chains and sourcing locally (inshor ing), instead of globally.

To proactively research options to make infrastructure smarter. The innovation is all there, and with the internet and social media all the information is available to any one. What we are missing is the education.

What are your predictions for the future of the industry?

At GCL Building Technologies, our goal is to provide a holistic solution for the office space. We integrate various building sys tems and communications equipment to support both the business’ activities and encourage a move towards smart energy systems for construction, commercial, and property management sectors. The Smart Technology sector is rapidly evolv ing; in a storm of bold ideas, cost and product comparisons, I like to think of GCL as a point of calm, offering a single source of expertise to deliver your smart Intra-Structure services.

Engineers at GCL are constantly undergo ing training in new technologies to reduce the customers need for a multi-supplier, en suring the seamless installation or migration of your system. We offer several services that span smart-building, energy economy, repurposing, and well-building, to create

We recently worked on an office repur posing in Aberdeen, that was condensing from two floors into one to facilitate an element of work-from-home. The space was repurposed to encourage more co-working and collaboration in a holistic environment. The existing lighting in the space utilised 55 Watt fluorescent Lumi naires, which were replaced with a fewer number of 30 Watt LEDs with sensors and smart controls. This amounted to a 40% reduction in energy- which will greatly help with their carbon reporting.

What drives you most about your job?

Innovation - GCL is here to disrupt the norms in our industry. We’re constantly

On a technical level, I can see us waving goodbye to the traditional 13-Amp socket in favour of the ‘USB of everything’. On a broader scale, especially in a post-Covid environment, I think well-building (the marriage of building and well-being) is the way forward. We learned to work with the comforts of home over the pandemic, and now, returning to office spaces, more than ever these need to be environments that foster the feeling of comfort and safety, but without the distractions of home life.

Another prediction - or perhaps more of an aspiration is Energy self-sufficiency and independence that is not a faraway dream for UK residents. By adapting to energy sustainable practices with the help of solar, wind and batteries you store power for whenever you need it. Install ing battery storage reduces your reliance on the electrical grid and decreases the required money you have to give to your energy supplier. With the right infrastruc ture, we’re looking at a world where it might be possible one day to drive a car for next to nothing.

www.gcl.uk.com

Who are GCL and how do you help other businesses turn to Smart Energy?

What current issues does the industry face? What solutions/ technology can keep in order to alleviate these?

Are there any projects GCL has been working on recently that has an example of this?

Diversification & Product Development Key to Business Longevity for Baty

Meeting Industrial Demand

Originally starting out as a gauging manufacturer making dial indicators, Baty diversified into a brand synonymous with optical profile projectors across the world. Now at the forefront of camera-based measurement and accompanying software, Baty leads the way in automating the inspection process for a variety of applications in modern manufacturing.

Baty’s Early Years

Baty International started life in London in 1932 as J.E. Baty & Company Ltd. After establishing a manufacturing facility in South London in the early 40’s, the business began to produce the early designs of a rudimentary optical projector which projected the image of a part onto a wall enabling scales measurements to be taken to calculate the size of the component.

Diversification in Action

After the war, Baty embarked on its own manufacture of dial gauges, when many items which form the current gauging range were designed over an 18-month period. Demand was so high both at home and overseas that the London premises became inadequate, and the company relocated to a new factory in Burgess Hill, Sussex in October 1957.

From 1957 onwards, Baty developed its range of optical projectors to include new and more sophisticated models to meet industrial demand. Baty soon acquired a worldwide reputation for excellence through their innovative product development, and the 1980s saw the business taking another step forward by experimenting with camerabased measurement.

Product Development

The early profile projectors featured Baty’s own manufactured gauges to measure stage movements, providing a basic X and Y measurement capability. Today high-resolution linear encoders are used to track X and Y stage movements and send measurement data to Baty’s in-house developed readout system FT2-E. Measured features are represented digitally on the 22inch touch screen monitor and a fully dimensioned drawing of the measured part can be generated.

Baty Continues to Diversify

As the market for optical profile projectors declined with the advent of camera-based technology, other profile projector manufacturers ceased to be. However, Baty’s profile projector business continues to flourish due to their innovative FT2-E touch screen measuring system.

Early video inspector products combined traditional XY stages with a camera to display the image of the part to be measured on a separate monitor. Video edge detection soon followed with the addition of zoom lens optics, CNC control, and touch trigger probes. Today,

Baty Profile projects and Camera based vision systems are sold all over the world.

Ties to Motorsport

Baty’s ties to motorsport date back to the 1970’s when they were the title sponsors of a F3 racing team, featured on the front cover of UK’s best loved motorsport magazine ‘Autosport’, with former F1 world Champion James Hunt amongst the drivers involved in Baty sponsored race cars.

In later years, Baty were also proud sponsors of British Superbike team Hawk Kawasaki and Buildbase BMW.

Made in Britain

After diversifying into a leading name in non-contact measurement, then owner Geoff Jackson sold the business to Bowers Group in 2010, the Baty brand now completes a range of precision metrology instruments offered by the Group from hand tools to vision systems. Exceptionally proud of its coveted Made in Britain accreditation, Baty products are, to this day, all manufactured in Sussex.

Baty & Burgess Hill

Baty was one of the first companies to move to the newly developed Victoria Industrial Estate which was commissioned and developed on the original boating lake in Burgess Hill, before moving a few hundred yards around the corner to the current location on Victoria Road. In its heyday, Baty was one of the biggest employers in Burgess Hill, and is still a well-known local business employing local people.

www.bowersgroup.co.uk/brand/baty

As Burgess Hill based Baty celebrates it’s 90th year in the precision measurement business, we explore just how important innovative product development and diversification have been to ensure their success.

Geoff Jackson Business & Product Development Director, BatyBowers Group

Baty Gauges

Original Baty Factory

Why disrupted business environments need a new type of leadership

Now is the right time for local businesses to partner with the University of Sussex Business School and bring new skills and ideas to their organisations.

Businesses in the South East of England have faced significant disruption and many are now facing a transformational phase. Getting this right means survival. The Sussex MBA offers a place where managers can rethink their strategy and remodel their agenda.

At the University of Sussex Business School, we believe there are four pillars which are fundamental to providing the leadership needed to manage in today’s disrupted business environment:

Digital work – Developing an understanding of digital work is crucial to operate efficiently in the current shift to digital technologies and virtual work environments.

Innovation – Learn how to shift rapidly and develop new strategies to adapt to current disrupted environments.

Resilience – Both the individual level wellbeing of team members, and the sustainability of business models.

Policy – The ability to lobby and influence policy makers, at local, regional and national levels.

Our place in the south east of england business community

These four pillars are the foundation of the Sussex MBA, which is designed for busy managers and employees that are working full-time. It is our ambition at the University of Sussex Business School to develop strong local partnerships with business associations, corporations and entrepreneurs. The Sussex MBA is a centre of distinction for the development of business talent in Sussex and the South East of England. It is accredited by the Association of MBA’s (AMBA), a trademark of excellence held by only the top 3% of business schools worldwide. We are accredited by EQUIS, the most comprehensive institutional accreditation system for business schools.

The Sussex MBA Partnership Scheme

We have created The Sussex MBA Partnership Scheme to support the local community. Whether you are a local business, a business group or an entrepreneur, we offer you the opportunity to develop a mutually beneficial relationship with the Business School.

The scheme will support your talent development programme and be a major component of your current and future leaders’ training.

You receive substantial savings on MBA fees.

Your key managers get access to local, flexible study options, and the chance to tailor the course around the challenges and needs of your business. They can study part-time over two years, with in-class teaching held on Fridays and Saturdays only, typically three times per month between October and June.

We encourage you to join the MBA advisory board, helping the Business School to shape business education to support the challenges you face.

The Business School will benefit from having alumni in senior management positions with local employers to continually influence business education.

For more information about the MBA visit www.sussexmba.com

To discuss collaboration with the Business School email: Marcus.Atkinson@sussex.ac.uk External Engagement Manager.

It’s time to make wellness a business priority

address the mental and physical toll of a high-pressured life. It includes personalised private sessions and talks with executive coaches and specialists in residence, such as clinical health psychologist Julie Stokes OBE and ex-international rugby star Lee Mears.

The Menopause Retreat is a three-day wellness retreat full of advice and evidencebased information you need to take control of your menopause. It’s designed to help women take control of what can be a very debilitating time in their lives, with specialist input from naturopathic physician Kate Fismer and Stephanie Moore.

The Wim Hof Method Retreat combines specialist techniques with the principles of good gut health to encourage natural healing, both mentally and physically.

Based on decades of scientific study and self-exploration, its methods are proven to boost energy and mood, reduce stress and strengthen the immune system, among other benefits.

When it comes to ‘practicing what it preaches’, Goodwood is firmly committed to offering a comprehensive wellbeing programme for its own team, as Isobel explains.

“Our managers are all trained in mental health awareness, with designated mental health first aiders available on the Estate.

“Discounted private health screenings are also provided to our team, along with weekly fitness classes, workshops on managing stress, sleep and menopause, unlimited access to a 24/7 virtual GP, and much more.

Research by McKinsey in April 2021 revealed that 79% of consumers believe wellness is important and nearly half consider it a top priority. Further research by Ceridian found that 74% of British workers have experienced burnout. For businesses, high staff turnover and low morale is far more damaging and costly than investing in your employees’ welfare.

In the post-pandemic era, health, wellbeing, resilience and self-care have become a real focus, with people increasingly looking for ways to become more resilient and manage stress better. Acclaimed ‘home of speed’, Goodwood, recognises this and has assembled a team of industry-leading experts specialising in resilience, stress management, brain function, performance psychology and nutrition.

Isobel Starbuck, Director of Estate Sales, explains: “Over the last 18-months we’ve seen a significant increase in businesses requesting something more than the stereotypical away-day content. They want to demonstrate to their employees that their health and wellbeing matters, worklife balance matters. They recognise that this investment will not only aid employee

retention, but also the professional performance of the individual and the business as a whole.”

Goodwood’s Directory of Wellbeing experts allows you to pick and choose the content; whether it’s a business mini-retreat, weaving wellbeing sessions into your strategic ‘away days’ or ensuring your employees have the necessary skills and knowledge to support a healthier, smarter and more productive way of working. All sessions take place at The Goodwood Hotel and Health Club with a key focus on gut health; drawing on their organic field-to-fork philosophy and organic farming principles, with sustainably sourced produce of the very highest quality.

The key retreats at Goodwood are spearheaded by The Duchess of Richmond, and include:

The Gut Health Programme is a five-day holistic retreat expertly designed to have a restorative effect on both body and mind. Run by celebrity nutritionist and health guru Stephanie Moore.

The Executive Programme is a lifechanging 5-day retreat designed to

“Goodwood is very conscious that the way we work has a hugely positive impact on our people, so we very much want to lead by example.”

Discover more about Goodwood’s Health and Wellbeing packages at goodwood.com

Isobel Starbuck

Director of Estate Sales, Goodwood

“Goodwood is very conscious that the way we work has a hugely positive impact on our people, so we very much want to lead by example.”

As we face increasing economic turbulence and unprecedented challenges to our collective wellbeing, looking after the health of our teams has never been more important to maintaining a resilient workforce.

Stephanie Moore and Elaine Williams

Credit: Jonathan Wilson

Community Transport Sussex on track to help reduce social isolation & isolation in the county

CTS was formed in 2016 when Crawley Community Transport, Bluebird Community Partnership and Horsham District Community Transport all merged. In 2021, it welcomed Dial A Ride Southern Services to the group. As a group of charities, it covers the Horsham District, Crawley, a large stretch of the Sussex coast and the Mid-Sussex District, which includes Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, and the surrounding villages as well as Worthing and soon a depot will open in Chichester which shows the strategic ambitions of the organisation.

Pre pandemic CTS was delivering 120,000 passenger journeys per year and heading towards those levels again. In the year up to October 2022 there were 4500 active members for whom 118,000 journeys were delivered.

Having evolved from a small service with a handful of minibuses to a nationally recognised award-winning transport provider. It looks set to achieve its overall aim of a wholly integrated community transport network across Sussex.

The services covered by this organisation have become a lifeline for thousands of residents of Sussex as support is given to anyone in the community who struggles to access public transport due to age, sickness, disability, or a lack of accessible transport in their area. Community Transport is so much more than getting people from A to B – it is a way for people to feel connected and engaged.

The organisation has grown exponentially. Turnover has more than doubled and they have managed to deliver more services whilst maintaining the charities sustainability.

Matt Roberts, CEO, has been the powerhouse behind the charity for the last 15 years, pushing it forward to be agile as well

as entrepreneurial in decisions on projects and services to reach and support as many people as possible especially in the rural areas across Sussex. Matt said ‘Our work at CTS is all about connecting people to reduce social isolation and loneliness. Transport is often the forgotten issue when we think about reducing loneliness in society. We take an innovative approach such as our Travel Buddy scheme to alleviate this but everything we do connects people. Time and time again people who use the service tell us how they depend on our services and how it just makes their life better and that is what motivates me and my colleagues to always do our best because we know so many people depend on us’, Synonymous with implementing high standards of delivery and service, CTS has now evolved to become a leading infrastructure organisation for community groups for whom transport is an element of their delivery. In achieving this, it has become a truly collaborative focused organisation at the heart of the county which feeds into planning processes by engaging with parish councils to contributing to local council plans. In October 2022, Arun District Council became the first in West Sussex to engage CTS to deliver a dedicated Community Transport plan for their district.

Through their work with local authorities, NHS and Other VCSO’s during the pandemic, they have now a countywide reach across West Sussex and are able to help many more members of our community.

Bringing together statutory, voluntary sector groups, health care professionals and networks in meaningful working partnerships is a core strength. The ethos of CTS is rooted in collaboration with partners as well as ensuring value for money and reinvestment into the running of its services.

This was evident for example during the Covid pandemic which led to meaningful relationships across the board to help get hundreds of Sussex residents to their local vaccination centre and appointments and services never ceased. They have provided or facilitated more than of 2500 journeys

to vaccine centres, to those who would not otherwise been able to get there

The services span an impressive list including Dial A Ride, special educational need school contracts, excursions, community group hire to volunteer car drivers to Travel Buddy schemes.

Embedded deep in the community in which it operates, CTS has helped many different sectors of our community from assisting refugees and asylum seekers to get about to delivering bikes to Ukrainian refugees. The scope of the work is vast and impressive and means so much to people who without it would be cut off from living a full and engaged life in their local area.

Their mission is to support communities to stay connected with accessible transport for anyone who needs it across Sussex. They use top rated local businesses to provide services ensuring the smooth running of the organisation such as ABCOM IT Solutions. Given the history, achievements, strategic plans, loyalty of service users and level of commitment of staff, volunteers, and trustees, it is on track to not only reach its notable mission but to exceed it.

CTS is also delighted to have received funding from Motability to launch the first electric vehicle car club in Sussex.

This innovative new initiative will see 2 EV’s provided to a rural community where transport links are sparse. CTS will recruit a volunteer coordinator and volunteer drivers around those cars, to help those without transport to get out and about. At all other times when the volunteer drivers are not using the cars, they will be available to the wider community to hire as part of the Local Community Car Club Initiative(LECCI). It is hoped that this will reduce second car use and be a real asset to the community. If this 18-month proof of concept is successful, then more will be rolled out across the county.

For more information contact: www.ctsussex.org.uk Tel 01444 471919 enquiries@ctsussex.org.uk

Community Transport Sussex (CTS) is the leading provider of community transport services in Sussex, working in practical and creative ways to reduce social isolation across the county through the provision of safe, accessible, supported, door-to-door transport for those who have difficulty accessing the mainstream transport network.

Matt Roberts CEO, Community Transport Sussex

Unique Business Christmas Lunch on Board the Bluebell’s Famous Golden Arrow Dining Train

Featuring 1920’s Pullman cars ‘Fingall’ and ‘Christine’ and 1950’s first class Ocean Saloon car ‘Saphire’, this silver service dining train recreates the glamour of travel in a bygone age. Dining trains depart from Sheffield Park station at noon on Thurs 1st, Fri 2nd, Weds 7th, Thurs 8th, Weds 14th, Thurs 15th, Fri 16th, Tues 20th and Weds 21st December. Tickets cost £95 per person (inc. VAT) including travel by steam train and lunch and coffee. Drinks are extra and can be purchased on board. The journey lasts approximately 1 3/4 hours.

More details at www.bluebell-railway.com/ the-golden-arrow-christmas-luncheon or contact bizevents@bluebell-railway.com

3 for 2 on Premier Case Studies

Market your business and help your prospects along the sales funnel with compelling customer success stories.

Premier case studies give you a readyto-go marketing pack including social content, branded pdf for your sales team, bullet-point marketing summary for angles and takeaways for promoting your case study and a 500-word article which can be used for relevant industry or chamber of commerce media.

www.thecontentmaven.co.uk

Free Staff Wellbeing support for Mid Sussex Organisations

We would like to highlight our Free staff wellbeing service across Mid Sussex.

The Wellbeing Service has launched virtual support for Mid Sussex based employees and continues to offer FREE health talks and one-to-one support.

The current services provided are: Health talks - covering topics such as Menopause, Stress & Resilience, Sleep and Breaking Habits. We also have Physical Activity sessions for staff, up to 6 one-to-one sessions around lifestyle and 30 Minute Wellbeing MOTs.

If you would like to book any of the Free staff wellbeing support above, please E-mail Julia.meckael@midsussex.gov.uk or contact me on 07395283602

Up to 15% off wine cases

To celebrate the festive season we are offering exclusive discounts across our mixed and single variety wine cases. Buy a case of 6 and receive 10% discount, buy a case of 12 and you’ll get 15% off. No code needed, simply add the case to your basket and proceed to checkout.

Discount already applied: www.bolneywineestate. com/product-category/english-wine

15% off all drone services

Greyhawk Media is delighted to offer 15% off all drone services to Chamber members.

www.greyhawkmedia.co.uk

Support for Flexible, Hybrid and Remote working environments

We have been working in a flexible, hybrid, remote and international environment for a couple of decades. Contact us for an informal chat and decide on your custom hybrid work strategy. We can impart what we have learned, find out what works for you, help you manage your staff and managers in this challenging environment.

Call Richard on 07831 196534 Website: www.associate-planet.com/blogs.shtml

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.

JLC Group

JLC Group are a multidisciplined UK engineering Company who design, install and maintain specialist systems ranging from bomb blast doors, intelligent access control systems, to Fixed Electrical Ground Power and sales of small electric vehicles. With over 200 years of experience in producing solutions for complex problems, our in-house design and manufacturing capability allows us to create custom products for our clients.

Website: www.jlc-group.co.uk

Telephone: 0800 170 1515 Email: sales@jlc-group.co.uk

Speakers for Schools

Connect young people to the world of work

Speakers for Schools is a social mobility charity that enables young people from a state school background to access vital opportunities to fuel their career ambitions, expand their networks and feel better prepared for the world of work.

Website: www.speakersforschools.org

Telephone: 07425 820234

Email: Ian.cooper@speakersforschools.org or Southeast@speakersforschools.org

Rubix VT

Telecoms. Simplified.

At Rubix VT, we keep things simple. Telecoms doesn’t need to be complex.

We can recommend the best internet connection and a flexible phone system that genuinely helps your business.

Whether you work at home or in the office, whether you make calls using a desk phone, mobile or laptop, we will get you connected. Website: www.rubixvt.com Telephone: 020 3740 492 Email: hello@rubixvt.com

Jlex Networks

Jlex Networks have one mission: To change the way IT support is supplied to businesses. Jlex have extensive experience across the entire IT portfolio, focused on saving you money with the most suitable processes. Our portfolio of services includes, Connectivity solutions, VoIP specialisation, Microsoft 365, IT support, and so much more.”

Website: www.jlex.uk

Telephone: 020 3384 9762

Email: info@jlex.co.uk

Victoria Healthcare Management

Providing friendly independent advice and assistance to individuals and businesses requiring Healthcare Insurance and Employee Benefits support. Delivering complimentary claims assistance and dedicating time to all clients new and old. Offering a helping hand with all aspects of a policy both at time of set up and during the policy year; all with no fee and no obligation.

Website: www.victoriahm.co.uk

Telephone: 01323 301 270 Email: info@victoriahm.co.uk

Hunters Group

Find your perfect home.

We are a collective of award-winning property agents who do, see and say things a little differently. We don’t just specialise in property, we specialise in people too and everything we do revolves around you, our customer.

Website: www.hunters-group.co.uk

Telephone: 01444 254400 Email: info@hunters-group.co.uk

Cloud Voice & Data

Cloud, Voice & Data are a local, multi-award winning, unified communications provider based in Seaford - East Sussex. We specialise in services such as telephony, broadband, mobile, CCTV, and IT services for businesses. We look after clients ranging from SME’s to large enterprise businesses across the UK and even Europe.

Website: www.cloudvoicedata.co.uk Telephone: 01323 407775 Email: simon.corbett@cloudvoicedata.co.uk

Website: www.realtimedc.com Telephone: 01243 855700 Email: info@realtimedc.com

Real Time DC

Sussex Tech Support

At Sussex Tech Support we help small and medium size companies modernise, secure, and manage their business IT Services. We are passionate about helping our customers get the best possible return from their IT investment, removing complexity and using our expertise to keep the cyber criminals at bay.

Website: www.sussex.tech Telephone: 01444 224430 Email: contact@sussex.tech

To assist with streamlining business workflows and enhancing performance, RealTime DC offers innovative software solutions and integrated hardware, such as EPOS systems, CCTV, rugged phones, printers and scanners. Our core business is marked by the Real-Link cloud software solution for security services, FM, and hospitality industries. Since 2008, we have been deploying unique applications helping clients manage assets, eliminate paperwork, monitor staff activity, report incidents and provide proof of presence.

We are the Centre of Excellence

ARUN is the Centre of Excellence for product Sales, marketing, applications, technical and service support for all our desktop OES and handheld analytical solutions within and outside of the UK.

What is OES analysis and what do our spectrometers do?

Within the metallurgical industry, OES stands for optical emissions spectroscopy. This is a quick method for determining the elemental composition of a variety of metals and alloys such as lead or aluminium.

ARUN’s desktop instruments use arc spark technology. Metal samples are analysed through the application of an electric arc or spark. The analytes then emit light and reveal their presence and concentration by distinctive wavelength signatures. In addition to OES, ARUN also provides handheld analysers using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and x-ray florescence (XRF) technology.

Why is this technology important?

Get it wrong and it all goes wrong. The simplest explanation is to use an example of baking a souffle. The end-product requires so many teaspoons of this and cups of that: get it wrong and it collapses.

A manufacturing example would be the foundry who makes connectors for the railroad tracks. Before moulds are poured to make the connectors, it is crucial they have the right portions of steel, lead, etc.. If they get it wrong, it can all end up in train line shutdowns or even worse: human catastrophe.

Why choose ARUN?...Trust.

Our spectrometers are not an “off the shelf” solution. To meet customer need and instrument longevity; each instrument is calibrated to customer specification with an importance on education, training and support. Our mission is to make sure the customer is sold what they need and not what someone else thinks they need, and to ensure that the instrument consistently gives accurate results throughout the product’s lifecycle and beyond.

www.aruntechnology.com

Buckland Managing Director

“Hybrid working won’t work here”

This is the message we have heard recently from some employers in response to employees expressing an interest in a hybrid working arrangement.

“Hybrid Working” is the concept of working flexibly between an office environment or another remote location (such as working from home).

This is a massive mind-set shift for employers – particularly those small and medium sized businesses that have no ‘working from home’ culture historically.

There can however be big benefits for the workforce – and therefore also for the employer in rolling out a hybrid working framework. That is not to say that hybrid working can work for all – depending on the nature of your operation (particularly if you are in industries such as manufacturing, hospitality or construction) there may be limited scope for a hybrid working environment – but even in those scenarios – there may be some roles that may be suitable.

Historically, one of the biggest challenges to the hybrid working concept was the availability and price of technology required to allow employees to work remotely. However, with the cost of technology reducing significantly, the availability of environments like Microsoft 365 and the development of audio/visual communication software such as Teams and Zoom many of those barriers have been removed in a cost-effective manner.

However, just because you can – does that mean you should?

Employers should take care to ensure that employees working remotely are not treated less favourably (or inadvertently overlooked) compared to colleagues in the workplace. A carefully worded Hybrid Working Policy can assist management in ensuring that this new way of working brings the productivity gains and improvements in workforce morale that is intended as the opposite effect can happen if there is a lack of proper process or a failure to meaningfully engage.

One point to take away for employers – can you afford not to have a Hybrid Working environment? In this employee led market, where the entire ‘package’ matters to prospective employees (not just the salary level), do you want to find yourself unable to attract (or retain) the talent that you need in your organisation due to a lack of flexibility?

Speak to us at HR At Work – we are experts in employee relations and human resources. Whether you need your contracts and policies updating, your managers trained or advice on how to deal with performance issues – HR At Work’s team of professionals can help. Give us a call (01737 924703) or drop us an email (info@hratwork.co.uk) today!

Martin

4PL Consultancy - Supply Chain Simplified

If you are in the export or import business, then you would know the importance of expanding your outreach to international locations. Additionally, it is also important to maintain conformity with national and international regulations. One needs exceptional knowledge of international trading and its norms to build a compliant organizational framework.

Need help with your International Trade Compliance? 4PL Consultancy has got your back! We are your one-stop Global Trade Compliance Services provider. With our support, you will get ensured risk reduction and cost control. Our trained experts will look over the complete process and lower the chances of compliance or facing penalties. Moreover, through our compliance services, we will also help you centralize the trade management operations.

4PL Consultancy is a reliable name in the International Trade Compliance Services provider industry. We will help you fill the compliance gaps in your organization’s supply chain and make it infallible. This improves the processing efficiency and in turn boosts the productivity, since all manual tasks are automated through technology.

Also, it makes handling customs regulations, export management, and outbound trade financing easier. With our services, our teams will work on reducing the risk factors that might make an organization incompliant with the trade directives. This will help you save some extra by not paying fines or penalties.

4PL Consultancy’s Global Trade Compliance Services will include support on:

Harmonized System of Tariff Classification

Compliance Audit

AEO and ICP Program

Global and Local Customs Compliance Rules of Origin

Trade Agreements

Tel: +44 330 043 1245

Mob: +44 798 018 1209

4plconsultancy.com

Fowler Clark Ltd

Fowler Clark are Mechanical and Electrical Building Services Consultants based in Sussex and Surrey with over 30 years’ experience in the Construction Industry. We provide professional MEP design and consultancy services in the commercial, residential, industrial and education sectors, working with Clients from concept and pre-planning stages through to construction. Founded by Jon and Jim in 2020, our main objective is to provide a high quality of service to the clients and stakeholders we work with.

Services Offered: MEP Design to RIBA Stages 1 – 4 • On-site inspections from RIBA Stage 4 onwards • Energy Strategies • Feasibility Studies • Peer reviews / validation of designs • MEP condition / dilapidation surveys • New-build and refurbishment designs • Design of services upgrades • Value engineering reviews.

What Value will we bring to your Construction Project? Building Services Engineers are integral to the successful delivery of any constriction project. All too often the building services design is developed towards the end of the detailed design phase, typically once the architectural and structural design has been fixed. Our strategy is to collaborate early with the other design team members, enabling us to address the unique coordination and buildability challenges associated with every project. We help deliver the Client’s vision in terms of functionality and energy consumption, whilst also ensuring the seamless integration of mechanical and electrical systems into the architectural and structural fabric of a building.

How can we help your project meet Energy Targets and Building Regulations?

At Fowler Clark we can undertake energy strategies, dynamic thermal modelling and building services strategy reports to demonstrate compliance with regulatory authorities such as local councils, planning and building control, BREEAM assessors and fire offices. Our design and consultancy service ensures that your construction project adheres to the latest Building Regulations criteria, whilst also keeping cost and efficiency in mind.

Local Support

Fowler Clark are a proud sponsor of Sutton and Epsom Rugby Football Club. We believe that supporting local clubs gives something back to the community and all the amazing volunteers that give up their valuable time.

Please contact us for more information: Email: jim@fowlerclark.com jon@fowlerclark.com

Tel: Jim: 07540 129232 Jon: 07815 908084 www.fowlerclark.com

Nightingale House, 46-48 East Street, Epsom, Surrey, England, KT17 1HQ

Jim Clark Director

Jon Fowler Director

Sunset Boulevard

Principal,

It introduces what parliamentarians call a “sunset clause”, which is a mechanism to establish an end date to legislation. If enacted in its current form, its effect on the British legal system, and indeed life in general, will be momentous. The sunset in question relates to all British laws derived from EU Directives over the past decades. This amounts to approximately 2400 pieces of UK legislation, of which 318 relate to business and employment and 137 relate to health and safety. As currently drafted, the sun will set on all of this legislation on 31 December 2023, without any further Parliamentary debate or any other action being taken by the Government.

The Bill is the brainchild of arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg and was drafted during his time as Business Secretary. Although no longer in the Cabinet, Mr Rees-Mogg remains an influential voice on the backbenches. Moreover, our new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, also voted for Brexit and, during his leadership campaign in the summer of 2022, made it plain that removing EU legislation was also a priority for him.

The Bill enables relevant ministers to retain EU derived legislation until December 2026 if they consider that this is necessary and desirable. Considerable power is put in the hands of ministers who can, if EU based laws are retained, rewrite the rules, without further parliamentary scrutiny of the changes.

What changes might we see in employment law? The Transfer of Undertakings Regulations, known as TUPE, under which employees retain their employment if a business or service is transferred could be substantially modified. Although some Western economies, notably the USA, do not have an equivalent of TUPE, it seems unlikely that this employment protection measure will be abolished completely. However, its effect could be reduced by, for example, introducing a minimum size of transfer to which the regulations will apply, and relaxing consultation requirements. A deeply unpopular and difficult to manage aspect of TUPE is the inability of employers to harmonise contracts of employment after a transfer, and this could change.

Speculation also surrounds the Working Time Regulations. Streamlining measures could include simplifying holiday pay calculations and making it easier to opt out of the 48-hour week. The Agency Workers Regulations are largely unpopular and seen as bureaucratic, so these could go. The Data Protection Act 2018 is based on GDPR, which is also European legislation, but in order to trade with Europe the UK would still need to comply with the principles of GDPR, so substantial change here seems unlikely.

Mr Sunak’s stated intention to remove large tranches of EU derived law from Britain’s statute books predated the worsening UK and world economic situation, and stabilising finances is clearly the immediate priority. On the other hand, a reduction in employment regulation is seen by the government as being good for business.

If ministers can promote Britain as having a more flexible labour market than our European neighbours, this could be a persuasive factor in attracting investment from overseas businesses.

The opposition parties at Westminster have tabled substantial amendments to the Bill. The SNP has proposed to extend the expiration date for EU law to December 2026. Labour tabled amendments aiming to retain key workers’ rights including annual leave and maternity rights.

The debate continues and, with another two years of the Conservative administration before the next general election, the race is on to consolidate Brexit by making real and substantial changes to how Britons live and work in the post-EU area. Interesting months lie ahead.

www.sherrardslaw.com

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill doesn’t sound very exciting, but behind this rather dull title is a Bill of historical significance.

Harry Sherrard

Sherrards Law

Tax relief on energy efficient vehicles

The government has extended the availability of 100% first year allowances from April 2021 to April 2025. This covers the acquisition of zero-emissions vehicles equipment and goods.

unconditional each tranche of cash paid will attract the tax relief upfront outlined above.

Hookway Audit Partner, Menzies

The allowance encompasses: Zero-emission goods vehicles; Equipment for electric vehicle charging points; Gas, biogas, and hydrogen refuelling equipment; Electric cars and cars with zero CO2 emissions; Plant and machinery for gas refuelling stations. The measure is made to encourage the uptake of zero emission vehicles, off the back of the government’s statement that the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned in 2030. With new vehicles having a mandatory requirement of zero emissions from 2035.

This means that transport and logistics companies will be able to benefit from 100% upfront tax relief on the purchase of energy efficient vehicles. This does not impact the company’s AIA (Annual Investment Allowance) limit and it remains available

for allocation against assets which do not attract specific first year allowances.

Businesses who buy energy efficient vans and trucks before 1 April 2023 will qualify for ‘super-deduction’, which allows for a deduction of 130% of the cost of the asset upfront, but the super-deduction will be withdrawn after March 2023.

For vehicles paid for in tranches, if the expenditure does not need to be physically paid more than four months after the date on which the obligation to pay becomes

Where businesses buy fleet vehicles under different lease options, the timing of the tax relief can vary. Under hire purchase arrangements, businesses will gain better upfront tax relief through first year allowances. Compared to assets bought under a finance lease, tax relief is provided as the costs are incurred and so the tax relief is spread over the period of the lease.

In summary, with the recent extension of first year allowances and the preservation of the £1m AIA limit after the recent announcements, there are some substantial tax treatments for energy efficient vehicles.

Andrew Hookway Audit Partner

ahookway@menzies.co.uk

Bring your business processes together, so they are cohesive, consistent and scalable – with application integration at Ballard Chalmers

Ballard Chalmers, part of the Transparity Group, is one of the UK’s leading Microso consultancies specialising in custom so ware. Our integration expertise is in BizTalk Server integration and upgrades, migrating from BizTalk to Azure Integration Services and new custom integrations with Azure Integration Services.

To arrange a free informal technical review and discussion with one of our experts, or for more information Call 01342 410223 or visit www.ballardchalmers.com

Andrew

Training and Events Diary

Members enjoy discounted rates for training

Tailored Training

Sussex Chamber can provide company bespoke training courses which is a fantastic way of designing one of our training courses to suit your business needs. This is a cost effective way of training a group of your employees at the same time, on a date that suits you and at the premises of your choice.

Foundation Award in International Trade

These courses are delivered online and are structured to match the ten British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) courses. Each course

Training Courses

offers one credit towards the BCC Foundation Award in International Trade and candidates attending six or more courses and obtaining six or more credits received the Award.

Note: receive a discount when booking any six of the courses at the same time. The following prices will apply:

£1026.00 + VAT per person (members = 10% discount) £1425.00 + VAT per person (non-members = 5% discount)

Gold & Premier members - You can now use your credit pots to pay for training

Foundation Award in International TradeVirtual Training

1st Dec 9:30- 12:30

Foundation Award in International Trade- Incoterms

6th Dec 9:30- 13:00 Foundation Award in International Trade- Customs Procedures & Documentation

8th Dec 9:00- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade- Export Documentation

13th Dec 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade - Customs Procedures & Documentation

14th Dec 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade - Export Documentation

15th Dec 9:30- 13:00 Foundation Award in International TradeUnderstanding Commodity Codes

10th Jan 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade- Incoterms

11th Jan 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade - Customs Procedures & Documentation

12th Jan 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade - Export Documentation

24th Jan 9:30- 13:00

25th Jan 9:30- 12:30

26th Jan 9:30- 12:30

Foundation Award in International TradeUnderstanding Commodity Codes

Foundation Award in International Trade- Understanding Exporting

Foundation Award in International Trade- Methods of Payment

8th Feb 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade- Documentary Letters of Credit

9th Feb 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade- Agents & Distributors

21st Feb 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade- Preference Rules of Origin

22nd Feb 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade- Inward & Outward Processing

23rd Feb 9:30- 12:30 Foundation Award in International Trade- Incoterms

Management & Leadership Skills - Virtual & Face to Face Training (F2F)

6th Dec 9:30- 16:30 Essentials of Supervision & Team Leadership- 2 Days (F2F)

14th Dec 9:30- 11:30 Train the Trainer - Virtual

22nd Nov 9:30- 16:30 Introduction to Supervision (F2F)

25th Jan 9:30- 16:30 Essentials of Supervision & Team Leadership- 2 Days (F2F)

2nd Feb 9:30- 16:30 Introduction to Supervision (F2F)

Personal Development & Communication SkillsVirtual & Face to Face Training (F2F)

2nd Dec 9:30- 12:30 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence - Virtual

9th Dec 9:30- 11:30 Presenting & Speaking to EngageVirtual

7th Feb 9:30- 12:30

Foundation Award in International Trade- Import Procedures

13th Dec 9:30- 11:30 Confident & Effective Communication - Virtual

17th Jan 9:30- 16:30 Unshakeable Confidence (F2F)

27th Jan 9:30- 16:30 Confident & Effective Communication (F2F)

30th Jan 9:30- 16:30 Presenting & Speaking to Engage (F2F)

8th Feb 9:30- 16:30 Time Management & Personal Effectiveness (F2F)

9th Feb 9:30- 11:30 Confident & Effective Communication - Virtual

Events

Virtual

6th December 12:00 - 14:30

training & events

Sales & Customer Service - Virtual & Face to Face

Training (F2F)

5th Dec 9:30- 16:30 Selling Skills for Results (F2F)

24th Jan 9:30- 11:30 Selling Skills for Results - Virtual

1st Feb 9:30- 16:30 Great Customer Service (F2F)

3rd Feb 9:30- 16:30 Selling Skills for Results (F2F)

Members Christmas Networking Lunch. Call 01444 259259 to book.

Members: £35.00

13th December 11:00 - 12:00 Ignite Your Membership - Virtual FREE

15th December 10:00- 11:30 Grow Your Connections (Christmas Event) - Virtual Members: FREE

10th January 10:00 - 11:30 Grow Your Connections - Virtual Members: FREE 18th January 14:30 - 15:30 Ignite Your Membership - Virtual FREE 19th January 8:00 - 10:30 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - F2F

Members: £15.00, Non-Members: £25.00 24th January 10:00 - 12:00 The Ultimate Sussex Network

Members: FREE, Non-Members: £20.00 19th April 14:00 - 16:00 Speed Networking with the Neighbours: Surrey, Sussex & Hampshire

Members: £25.00, Non-Members: £35.00

All Change Please, All Change!

In the 17 years I have been involved in Research and Development Tax Relief, I have never seen so much change and uncertainty around the schemes. Q4 2022 certainly has thrown a spotlight on the Tax Reliefs like no time before.

At the start of the quarter, we were digesting the findings of the recent HMRC & ONS Statistics for the performance of the schemes and also the ONS comparison of Business Enterprise Research and Development Statistics to the R&D Tax Relief Statistics, that were also published on 29th September. In the past there has always been a significant discrepancy between the two, with the Tax Relief statistics always throwing out a far larger number. However, it was “all change” in the BERD statistics as the ONS looked at their modelling and felt it didn’t really represent the efforts of smaller UK businesses in conducting R&D. They waved their magic wand and all of a sudden, the UK had spent an extra £15 billion on R&D in 2018 and up to £16.1 billion more in 2020. The ONS will use this model when they release their full BERD statistics for 2022 later this month.

Then in November, in the shadow of the disastrous 44 days of Liz Truss’s role as Prime Minister, and the prospect of new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement leading to spending cuts and tax rises, The Times newspaper have written a series of articles shining a light on some of the darker arts of the R&D industry. This has been followed by The House of Lords investigating R&D Tax Relief as part of their wider review of the Finance Bill 2022, where members of the scientific community, the accounting profession and the R&D Tax Relief industry have been called to give evidence.

The problem is clear for all to see, but apparently not HMRC, over the last 5 years there has been a rise in the number of firms that see cold-calling and selling their 100 percent success rates and the notion of free money from HMRC to anyone who will listen.

The changes announced in the 2021 Autumn Statement are already baked into the R&D Tax Relief Scheme and will take effect for accounting periods starting on/ after 1 April 2023.

Some of the changes already coming in may help on the fraud and pushing the boundaries:

notifying HMRC of any external advisor; signing off the R&D Claim by a senior director;

early notification of the intention to claim, which has to be within six months after the year end for a company that hasn’t claimed in the previous three years; all claims will have to be made digitally; the costs will have to be broken down; and an explanation of the R&D will be required

There are other changes coming in that will also affect the value of the claim for accounting periods starting after 1 April 2023:

Subcontractors – only UK based subcontractors will be eligible in claims, so if you are near-shoring or off-shoring your development at the moment, you can still do this, you just won’t be able to include the cost in your R&D claim. Would Re-shoring be a possibility? This is designed to boost the productivity of the UK and to build on the skills already in the country. There are some limited exceptions to this change;

Cloud Computing and Data costs – in an effort to keep the tax relief relevant these essential development costs for tech and bio pharma will be eligible

Pure Mathematics – has previously not been considered a science, but with the rise in algorithms, its now to be included.

Jeremy Hunt’s 2022 Autumn Statement has thrown in some significant additional changes, which clearly are hoped will go some way to reduce the effect of fraud and manipulation, but will have a significant effect on genuine claimants:

Whilst I fully expected the enhancement rate for SMEs to be reduced to 100% which would have meant that a profitable company would obtain tax relief equivalent to 25% of eligible costs, and would have maintained the status quo with the current rate of relief equivalent to 24.7%, he went a step further and reduced it to 86%, which reduces the relief to 21.5% of eligible costs;

He has also greatly reduced the repayable tax credit from 14.5% to 10% this means with the reduction in the enhancement rate to 86%, a loss-making company which might previously have received a 33.35% tax relief, it has been reduced to 18.6%; and

It was also considered that he might merge the 2 schemes (SME and RDEC) into one – whilst he didn’t do this, he did greatly enhance the rate of RDEC to 20% from 13%, which equates to a tax saving of 15% of the eligible spend.

If you’d like to know whether you might be able to claim or need support to cope with the coming changes, why not book a noobligation discovery call with me at www. calendly.com/cooden/discovery-bus-edge

Establishing the Future Urban Landscape

The concept of a circular economy is not new – in fact, the linear economy characterised by taking, make and dispose of has only existed since the industrial revolution in any particularly meaningful way. In previous eras, very little was thrown away, as nearly everything had an alternative use at the end of its life, even if only for compost. Building materials are a case in point; many old buildings are constructed from stone from demolished buildings, and some old timbered properties are held up by old ships timbers.

So why don’t we still do this everywhere? The truth is that it’s far more convenient and sometimes cheaper to manufacture products from virgin material, and nearly always the quality is more consistent.

GreenBlue Urban has always been committed to the circular economy principle – and it is far wider than just product manufacture. A circular economy is a wide economic system that works to challenge global issues such as waste and pollution, but also climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – both air and water. In setting such massive goals, the circular economy needs a huge shift in thinking, by all of us.

In addition to the issues that the circular economy seeks to tackle, as above, it is designed to benefit not only the environment but to bring prosperity to business and to society. It is regenerative by design, meaning that natural resources do not become so quickly depleted, and therefore new industries came to arise, bringing healthy economic growth.

Planting trees is a perfect example of a circular economy, as the tree provides multiple benefits during its life, and can be used to manufacture products when it is cut down. Removal of a plantation tree results in space left for new tree planting, bringing employment to often rural areas. But what about urban trees?

Urban trees also form part of a circular economy – but to maximise the benefits, these need to be properly planted, and grow to maturity. This is the raison d’être of GreenBlue Urban – assisting trees in their struggle to survive in a hostile environment. Whether it is providing soil support by using RootSpace soil cells, guiding tree roots with products from the ReRoot root management range, bringing air and water to the rooting zone with RootRain irrigation and aeration solutions or physically protecting the tree from above ground damage with tree grilles and guards.

The GreenBlue Urban innovative solutions enable trees to grow to their species

potential longevity. All the below-ground products are manufactured from 100% recycled materials and are recyclable up to 5 times once they have finished their life. This is central to the GreenBlue Urban philosophy, as our vision is to bring environmental benefits to communities around the world, and the least possible carbon footprint.

With policy insisting that all developments of more than 150 residential units, buildings over 30m in height or commercial premises over 2500m2, a Circular Economy Statement must be submitted, along with a Whole Life Carbon Assessment as part of the planning process. This aims to reduce waste and pollution, and in time, will help achieve the net-zero carbon commitments. It is suggested that circular economy strategies could deliver emissions reductions that could limit the expected temperature rise by half – an incredible benefit.

Greenblue Urban is the global leading solutions provider in assisting trees in their battle to establish in urban spaces. Established in 1992 with more than 40 years’ experience in the landscaping industry GreenBlue provide exceptional expertise & Solutions in planning, design and the installation of green and blue infrastructure in the hard landscape.

greenblue.com

Crematorium, Horam

A state of the art crematorium set in 25 acres of stunning Sussex countryside

Wealden Weekly

Get all the latest news from around the district with waste collection service dates and planning applications near you. Scan the QR code or subscribe at my.wealden.gov.uk

Wealden Community Lottery

A weekly lottery will launch in 2023 supporting good causes and giving players the chance to win cash prizes

Coming soon – electric vehicle charging points to Wealden owned car parks

EV charging Recyclopedia

Search how you can recycle, reuse, repair or dispose of household items on our website at www.wealden.gov.uk/ recycling-and-waste/recyclopedia

Wealden

A momentous year for Wealden District Council

In addition, Wealden has welcomed hundreds of people who are rebuilding their lives in the district after fleeing from war torn Ukraine; continues to call Southern Water to account over upgrading and updating current sewerage and water infrastructure systems; asked residents and businesses what the council’s priorities should be for the next four years; is set to install electric vehicle charging points at council-owned car parks; allocated thousands of pounds to community groups; is preparing to consult on the Local Plan; and carried out hundreds of hygiene inspections at food premises in towns and parishes.

This year the council has also seen new leader Councillor Ann Newton take the helm as Councillor Bob Standley stepped down after 12 years, during which time he led on the plan for the Knights Farm West Employment Park near Hailsham, continuously lobbied government and senior ministers to reduce the number of homes the council is obliged to provide across the district and delivered major capital projects within Wealden including the Crematorium.

The Crematorium continues to be a success story exceeding targets and growing its reputation as a venue of choice for residents and funeral directors – not just from within the district - with an increasing range of services and business development opportunities.

Work is also progressing on the council’s Community Sports Hub in the south of the district, a new community and health centre at Mayfield, a learner pool for Crowborough and a new leisure centre with health facilities in Hailsham town centre.

Looking forward to 2023, the council will launch its very own Wealden Community Lottery to raise money for good causes within the district and the chance for players to win cash prizes each week.

Residents and businesses can keep up to date with the latest news, waste collection services dates and planning applications in their areas by signing up to Wealden Weekly, the council’s regular e-newsletter, via www.wealden.gov.uk/wealden-weekly

The Sunshine Coast shines with digital

Digital is booming in Eastbourne and the town is becoming well-known for its expertise in the industry. Local initiative Chalk Eastbourne, headed up by the custom software engineering firm Switchplane, hosted the first of their many events for the sector in October.

Software engineer and author Russ Miles, who has worked in Silicon Valley, spoke to over 30 digital and technology professionals at the new coworking space, FOUNDRY, in Eastbourne. He shared his vast experiences in the sector, particularly with mentoring and how to support those coming into the profession.

Switchplane, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023, set up Chalk Eastbourne at the start of the pandemic to help tackle a number of issues faced by fellow businesses in the town: challenges around the perception of Eastbourne, supporting young talent, and recruiting skilled staff. But most importantly the Chalk Eastbourne initiative is bringing businesses together, alongside key players in local government, to bring about change. Coming out the other side of COVID, the future is looking brighter for digital in Eastbourne.

To boost the profile of digital in the seaside town further, Chalk Eastbourne will be coordinating a town-wide summit event, Eastbourne DigiFest, in spring 2023. If you’re looking to do business with those in Eastbourne or relocate to the Sunshine Coast, you’re invited to come and see what the town has to offer. From digital business opportunities and a high calibre of skills available to exciting vacancies and a fantastic work-life

balance, Eastbourne will come together to celebrate digital and showcase the best of the town.

More information will be available in the New Year on chalkeastbourne.com, but if you would like to be involved in having a presence at the events talks, workshops, or exhibition, or would like to sponsor, please get in touch: hello@chalkeastbourne.com.

From supporting our High Streets and economic development to moving forward with a 40 acre employment park to provide jobs for local people, 2022 has been another momentous year for Wealden District Council.

An artist’s impression of Knights Farm West Employment Park

Small business support ramps up in Horsham District

Gary Mortimer-Cook Economic Development Officer, Horsham District Council

The Economic Development team identify localised needs, design and deliver

Horsham District focused programmes, providing skills development and enhanced opportunities to share and learn from the latest best practice. Where external funding permits, this is backed up by small grants within the District and schemes are designed that target gaps in support tying into planned business goals and backing investment that brings added value.

Great emphasis is placed on signposting to national, regional and County based resources wherever most effective. The team also participate in programmes that are delivered collaboratively across the County with partner Councils and stakeholders that extend the scope and effectiveness of the business support offered.

Economic Development’s strategy sees them use all effective channels to share information to business, with the Council’s fortnightly Business Newsletters playing a pivotal role, currently reaching over 1,700 subscribers.

To find out more about Horsham District Council’s support for business visit www. horsham.gov.uk/business where you can learn more about the support provided and sign up for the latest updates via fortnightly newsletter.

Business Training Programme

Horsham District Council’s Economic Development team continues to prioritise skills development to give its small business owners the tools to adapt to change and improve their resilience. An exciting, free to access, bespoke ‘Business Training Programme’ has been created based on the latest feedback on what is needed.

New courses start in January 2023 and will be delivered by a consortium of locally based business experts using a blend of online and in-person formats as appropriate to the topic. All the courses will be simply bookable online via the Council’s business webpages.

West Sussex Business Hub

Building on the success of a previous ‘retail focused’ online learning platform, the ‘West Sussex Business Hub’ has the support of all District’s and Boroughs, with Horsham being no exception. The Council plans to

channel all its own online training and skills development materials through this single resource making it easy for businesses to locate resources, engage in topic feedback and network with peers. Access is free and will include signposting to curated third party content such as Small Business Saturday, Federation of Small Businesses and National Market Traders Federation as well as specific interest topics, such as the Councils’ ‘Plate Up Local’ which can be identified on sign up.

Horsham District Council’s ‘Business Training Programme’ has been projected over the next three years to offer skill and knowledge enhancements in business management and marketing, on running a successful market stall and using local produce more. A summary of courses currently planned is shown here.

Running a market stall

Markets are front and centre, right across Horsham District as channels for all types of businesses to cut their teeth in ‘on-highstreet’ 1-2-1 selling, customer research and public awareness building. With online trading overheads rising, market stalls are once again starting to find more favour as an essential part of the sales and marketing mix. Horsham District Council are working closely with the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) and the individual Market Operators to share best practice, encourage innovation and provide additional

support to new and irregular traders. One exciting outcome will see Horsham host its first NMTF Young Person’s Market in late April 2023, a focus for it’s new year campaign to attract new traders to markets across the District.

Using more local produce

Horsham District Council commissioned a fact-finding seminar ‘Plate Up Local’ in the Summer of 2022 to understand how best to foster getting more local produce and products served on local menus and sold through local stores. As a result, better communication channels are being developed in 2023 alongside more opportunities for businesses to learn about what is available, from whom and how local produce is most effectively sold.

Journey to net zero

Whilst part of the Council’s business management series, this topic track will grow ever more significantly, in the programme as more materials become available to share with local businesses, working in co-operation with all Councils across West Sussex and signposting to nationally generated resources.

If you are a small business based in Horsham District, or are thinking of moving, boost your opportunities and take advantage of the Council’s ‘free to access’ programmes in 2023.

Horsham District Council believe it is essential to help their entrepreneurs and business leaders build-in resilience to their business models, keeping them well informed and enabling opportunities for upskilling.

*Please note up to £12,000 value of support is not transferrable and is not a grant. The actual state aid value of any support will be detailed in advance of any support undertaken and could be up to £12,000. For more information visit rise-innovation.uk/terms-and-conditions.

The RISE programme is receiving up to £603,514 of funding from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 in England. Grant Reference: 04R21P04430.

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Thinkers Challengers