Business Focus 169

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The judges have been busy looking at all the entries received for the 12 categories in the Havering Business Awards 2015.

The entries will be narrowed down to a maximum of three in each category with the winners announced, and receiving their award, at a gala ceremony on Friday 16 October.

Categories are 1 Golden Anniversary Award for Achievement 2 Havering Business of the Year 3 Growing Business of the Year 4 Innovation Award 5 New Business of the Year 6 Apprentice of the Year 7 Customer Care 8 Best Small Business 9 Environmental Business of the Year 10 Business Person of the Year 11 Best Family Business of the Year 12 Staff Training and Development

www.havering.gov.uk/living | AUTUMN 2015 | 31

Get your tickets for a great night out Imagine the opportunities for great networking when you have 320 of the Borough’s leading business people in one room, set to celebrate at a prestigious venue with first class after dinner entertainment.

Tickets for the Havering Business Awards 2015 gala presentation evening, on Friday 16 October at the CEME Conference Centre, Marsh Way, Rainham, are selling fast.

Hosting the evening will be impressionist and comedian Francine Lewis, whose Britain’s Got Talent finalist clips went viral, becoming the most viewed clips from the show.

She is renowned for her mimics of Sharon Osbourne, Cheryl Cole, Kim Kardashian and Alan ‘Chatty Man’ Carr, which will make this a thoroughly enjoyable night out.

Tickets, which include a threecourse dinner, pre-dinner drinks and wine with the meal, cost £80 plus VAT each or £750 plus VAT for a table of 10.

Book your tickets booking@havering.gov.uk

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32 | AUTUMN 2015 | living IN HAVERING

Accountants you can count on “Accountants need personality as well as technical expertise,” says Mac Robertson, Managing Partner at the Hornchurch offices of Haines Watts and just a few minutes in his company shows you he practises what he preaches.

Mac was the country’s youngest qualified chartered accountant when he started his career with KPMG in London before setting up his own practice in partnership with fellow Coopers Company and Coburn School student Ian Milroy in 2000.

People first Mac continued: “It’s the people that make our business a success.

“Out of the 28 staff we have at this office, eight of them are trainees.

I believe that we should be encouraging young people to gain professional qualifications.”

Daniel Rose (pictured left), joined Haines Watts four years ago, and said: “Since completing my professional qualification, I have taken on a permanent position. It’s a lot of responsibility, but I’m happy to work here as the people are really friendly.”

Christie Little, (pictured left), who

Red Nose Day is just one of the charity events run each year

began at Haines Watts as a trainee, said: “I have one of the recently qualified accountants as a mentor and already have my own client list of nine companies.

“There’s a lot of support available from colleagues as well as the opportunity to take on responsibility too, which is great.”

Community involvement Mac added: “We’re a local firm employing local people so we get involved in our community.

“All of our staff get involved in events such as Red Nose Day, and we also hold dress down days for different charities throughout the year.

“In short Haines Watts gives a high standard of professional service for our clients, a good working environment for our staff and a commitment to our local community.”

More information www.hwca.com

Coopers House, the Haines Watts offices in Hornchurch

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www.havering.gov.uk/living | AUTUMN 2015 | 33

Practical advice for better business Havering entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow their own business can now get practical advice, tailored to suit their individual needs at no cost thanks to Enterprise for London, which has more than 100 years collective experience of successfully helping businesses grow.

The three partners in Enterprise for London are Enterprise First, NBV and NWES. Enterprise for London Area Manager, Richard Salmon, said: “We have two contracts running in Havering, which are funded by central Government, and will be using the Havering Skills Academy in Romford High Street as our base to deliver free advice.

Crucial support “Initially our advisor we will be there one day a week and to make an appointment entrepreneurs need to ring 0207 101 0696 “The support is available for up to 24 months as we know that is the crucial time to get the foundations in place for a successful business.

Courses “We will also be running courses and seminars in the autumn to bring together local business people.

“Our aim is to increase the marketing and financial management skills of Havering’s entrepreneurs to help them develop, create more local jobs and support the local economy.”

Business Awards Enterprise for London is also sponsoring the Golden Anniversary Award for Achievement at the Havering Business Awards 2015.

Richard added: “We chose to sponsor this award because it is for businesses that have succeeded over at least the last 10 years, making a positive contribution to the economy, and such a long and successful future is what we want for the start-up businesses we are helping.

Support “We are also working with Havering Council to identify what business support already exists in the Borough so we can then see what else is needed and how we can help provide it.”

More information www.EnterpriseforLondon.com

One to one tailored advice is available

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34 | AUTUMN 2015 | living IN HAVERING

Business news to your inbox More than 6,700 subscribers receive Havering Council’s monthly Business Briefing email update, which includes details of forthcoming events, awards, changes in legislation and how to access funding to boost their business.

If you and your staff are not getting a copy, log onto the website below and choose Business Briefing from the list.

Don’t miss out, sign up today.

More information www.havering.gov.uk/Havering-Updates

Networking group meetings Networking is a proven way to build good relations with other businesses, which can lead to referrals and new contracts.

There are a number of networking groups in Havering including those listed below.

4N This networking group meets on alternate Thursdays at The Liberty Bell, Mercury Gardens, Romford RM1 3EN from 8am until 10am. www.4networking.biz/Events

BNI Valour chapter This networking group meets each Tuesday morning at YMCA, Roneo Corner, Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 OPH. www.bni.eu/chapter.php?chapter=2200

ebn (Effective Business Networking) The Upminster and Hornchurch group meets at Manor Hotel, Berwick Pond Road, Rainham RM13 9EL from 8am until 10am on alternate Tuesdays. www.effectivebusinessnetwork.co.uk

Forum of Private Business This group meets on the second Friday of each month at YMCA, Roneo Corner, Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 OPH, from 7.30am.

gerrygoldner.fpb@gmail.com

Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) and Essex FSB

Diary Dates Leader’s Business Network Events 5.30pm, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford RM1 3BD ■■ ■■

Thursday 1 October Thursday 10 December

Women in Business (WIB) 5.30pm, Havering College, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch RM11 2LL ■■ ■■

Wednesday 9 September Wednesday 11 November

Booking and more information www.havering.gov.uk/businessevents

These are joint networking events on the first Friday of each month from 7.30am until 9am. www.haveringbusiness.org.uk

NELE (Networking in East London and Essex) This group meets at The Railway Hotel, Station Lane, Hornchurch RM12 6SB, from 12.30pm until 2.30pm. Dates available on website. www.networking-in-east-london-andessex.co.uk