Inspire business magazine number 5

WOMEN IN ENTERPRISE Sarah wins jewellery award Page 20

SOMETHING ABOUT MARY Mary Seacole’s charity fundraising ball Page 4

BROUGHT TO BOOK1 Writing a book can benefit your business Page 16

ISSUE FIVE • AUTUMN 2014

IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO INSPIRE YOUR BUSINESS

MAIN FEATURE

Behind the Lines How former soldier Gordon Lines came back from the brink.

Pages 18 & 19

Perils of pensions Tony Byrne’s new column. Page 11

Making an exhibition

Business to business event in October. Page 12 Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

WELCOME to the region’s

newest and best

business magazine Issue One

welcome

Publisher: Community Communications, 12 Alexandra Avenue, Luton Beds, LU3 1HG

Editor: David Tooley inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk

Advertising: Mostaque Koyes mostaque@communitycommunications.co.uk

welcome EXPERIENCES TO FILL MANY LIFETIMES

GORDON LINES, THE SUBJECT OF THIS EDITION’S MAIN FEATURE, COULD FILL SEVERAL LIFETIIMES WITH HIS EXPERIENCES.

Design: Heather Ellis heather@communitycommunications.co.uk

Printed by: Bartham Group www.barthamgroup.com

Disclaimer Any views expressed in Inspire Business Magazine are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.

No part of the magazine should be copied or distributed without the prior consent of the publisher and remains the property of the publisher.

For copies of the magazine for your reception or to receive a top-up supply, email inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk

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A former soldier, Gordon has faced death behind the lines and in business life looked down the barrel of a shaking robber’s gun. You can read his inspirational story in the centre spread of this edition.

But he’s also seen rock bottom. Huge stresses from his professional and personal life led to alcoholism and a nervous breakdown. To top it all, he’s also suffered a heart attack. A trained military medic, he knew what was happening and drove himself home and called the ambulance.

Stress, he believed, may have caused a lump of cholestorol to go spinning through his bloodstream before becoming blocked in his heart.

Like many ex-servicemen Gordon has many skills for business and a fighting spirit to boot.

But like life in the military, he couldn’t do it alone. Gordon has many people to thank in his own family, his patient and caring wife, his GP, staff at Milton Keynes hospital and a charity helping him come to terms with post traumatic stress disorder.

The rest of us, too have others to thank for our success. Nobody does it alone.

Here, at Inspire we appreciate all the people who make it possible. Bartham printers, publisher Mostaque Koyes, designer Heather Ellis, our fabulous readers and growing band of advertisers, the receptionists who take copies and our distributors.

All vital cogs who make it possible for Inspire’s wheel to turn.

Thank you for reading the magazine and being a part of #TeamInspire. Follow us on Twitter @inspirebizmag or email me inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk

In this issue 5

elocity scheme helps V business grow (p5) What if the worst happens?

Be prepared! (p7)

7

Inspiring offers. How to advertise in this magazine (p17) Head of steam for East West Rail (p26)

27

3

Louise’s salon days (p27) News round-up (p34)

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Issue Five

4

feature

Mary’s having a Ball EVENTS ARE VITAL FOR MARY SEACOLE HOUSING ASSOCIATION, NOT JUST FOR RAISING MONEY There are many reasons why high profile events can be good for business, especially if you run a good cause like Mary Seacole Housing Association, writes David Tooley.

It’s not all about the money although of course the Friendly Society, which provides supported accommodation in six premises for young single homeless people aged between 16 and 35, needs a steady income to keep its vital services going around the clock.

Last year’s Mary Seacole Fund Raising Ball was attended by around 400 people from various voluntary agencies, staff and the general public who supported the event.

“Engaging with our supporters is a vital reason for us holding big events”, said charity ball organiser Elaine Cruise. “By giving people a good time, we are helping reinforce their relationship with us.

“Organising the event is a major commitment for us, so there is a cost but it will be worth it... and I am looking forward to the day after when I can relax!”

Previous charity balls have helped to highlighted the plight of young homeless people, some of the reasons why they became homeless, how

Autumn 2014

this made them feel and some of the choices that they made as a result of their dilemma.

Three residents of the association volunteered to participate at a previous event; two of the residents spoke about their real life experiences and one of them sang a very touching song for the audience.

Many commented afterwards on how moved they were by the actual experiences, and how much they had enjoyed the event.

Elaine added: “It is important for us as an organisation to get across the message about why we are here and what we do. Events, attended by our supporters, friends and their guests, is one of the main ways we do that.

“As a charity we help to transform the lives of some of society’s most vulnerable people. That is a message of real hope and we celebrate that with fun and enjoyment.”

This year’s charity ball, at The Auction House, Cresent Road, Luton, on Saturday, November 1, will have a 1920s Gatsby Theme.

MSHA was founded in 1986 by Cllr Desline Stewart MBE, in reaction to the increasing number of homeless young people in Luton. Her work was influenced by the caring model developed by solders during the Crimean War. Tickets for the Charity Ball on Saturday, November 1 at the Auction House, Crescent Road, Luton, are available from Training & Events Manager Elaine Cruise email ecruise.maryseacole@btconnect.com for further details.

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

growth

5

Delivery and courier business picks up Velocity!

National Sameday wins significant aerospace contract creating four new jobs and safeguarding two others

Delivery and courier business National Sameday in Luton has hired four new employees and safeguarded the jobs of two others thanks to a grant awarded

by Velocity Business Support.

National Sameday has been awarded a significant contract to provide bespoke courier services for an aerospace company, requiring additional drivers and support staff to work specifically on the contract, which it won as a result of a grant worth over £7,000 from Velocity.

Velocity, which is free and available to businesses across the South East Midlands, provides grants of up to £10,000 and worked closely with National Sameday to help the firm develop a bespoke IT system in order to tender for the aerospace contract.

Partha Dey is Managing Director of National Sameday, he said: “The grant from Velocity has had a major and immediate impact on the business. This month, we’ve seen a significant breakthrough in the performance of the company and recorded our highest-ever turnover in the 22 years since we started, and we’ve had to recruit four new employees to help us deliver the contract we have just won.

“Not only that, but we’ve also been able to safeguard the jobs of two existing employees, who will now work solely on this new contract, which will operate seven days a week.

“The Velocity grant enabled us to develop and build a brand-new back office system to improve business processes and productivity, which was required in order to tender for the aerospace contract. This new system allowed us to rub shoulders with the’big boys’ in delivery and courier services and we beat off major competition to win this lucrative and significant contract, which we wouldn’t have done without the grant from Velocity.

“We are now in a position to tender for more contracts on this scale which, if successful, will require the recruitment of between eight to ten more drivers.”

National Sameday contacted Velocity via the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, which is delivering Velocity across the county. Partha met with both Justin Richardson from the Chamber and Richard Cooper, Velocity’s Bedfordshire Business Adviser, who guided Partha through the grant application process.

Richard Cooper said: “Very quickly we were able to identify an immediate need for new technology that would help National Sameday tender for this contract. The likes of the larger

delivery companies already have this in-house but National Sameday needed financial support to invest in the development of a new system.

“This is exactly what the Velocity grants are here to do; help businesses like National Sameday win new business or retain existing business, leading to an increase in profit and the creation and safeguarding of jobs.”

To find out more about Velocity’s grants and to book a 1-1 appointment with a Business Adviser, call 0300 01234 35, email enquiries@velocitybusinesssupport.com or visit www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com Velocity is a business support initiative provided free for companies across the South East Midlands and has been made possible thanks to grants worth £1.75 million from the

Government’s Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP).

Velocity has been set up to make it easier for businesses to maximise their growth potential with grants from £1,000 to £10,000 available.

Grant recipients are required to invest some of their own funding in order to receive the grant, at a ratio of 2:1. For example, if a business wishes to apply for a grant of £5,000, it would be required to spend £10,000 of its own money.

Velocity is also providing free help and support via an online portal www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com, one-to-one mentoring and support from locally-based Business Advisers and a programme of events and webinars.

Growth workshops launched A series of 58 free business growth workshops have been launched across the South East Midlands, including in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Aimed at owners and directors of businesses, finance managers, senior members of staff and marketing managers, workshops will focus on a range of topics including new ways to finance your business, smashing your sales targets, and attracting and managing investors, as well as sessions on digital marketing, negotiation and product pipeline planning.

Richard Thompson is one of Velocity’s Business Advisers, he said: “These free workshops are a

Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

valuable addition to the portfolio of services we can offer growing businesses.

“Each workshop has been designed to respond to a challenge or need currently faced by firms trying to grow and we hope these free in-depth sessions will give them the skills and knowledge they need to break through any barriers and take their business to the next level.”

Each workshop is offered completely free of charge and will run from 9am until 12pm.

Demand is expected to be high so early booking is recommended.

For more details on the courses please visit www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com/workshops To book a place on one of the courses, and there is no limit on the number of courses you can attend, please call 0300 01234 35.

Issue Five

6

employment

LETS work together to reduce unemployment A SERIES OF EMPLOYMENT FAIRS IN LUTON HAVE HAD A VERY NOTICEABLE DOWNWARD EFFECT ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. INSPIRE INVESTIGATES An employment, training and skills fair held regularly in Luton has had a noticeable effect on the town’s unemployment rate.

Attended by hundreds of jobseekers and potential employers the LETS Fair is organised to match people with opportunities and pass on skills including interview techniques.

Organiser Mostaque Koyes said local businesses were finding it difficult to employ people with the necessary skills to fill vacancies, including in apprenticeships, despite the unemployment rate in Luton being higher than the national average. Volunteers were also hard to find.

Mr Koyes, who runs the Bartham print company in the town, said: “Our aim through the LETS Fair is to provide opportunities between local employers and job seekers... all under one roof.

“We bring employers to meet potential employees in an informal setting and also give job seekers the chance to learn more about the potential employers and all the job and training opportunities open to them in and around Luton.”

The latest installment of Luton Employment, Training & Skills (LETS) Fair took place in Venue Central, in Chapel Street, on Thursday, September 18.

There have been four of these events so far, with each one attracting more than 1,000 delegates. Some 25% who were on benefits found an opportunity to get them off reliance on the dole.

In number terms, more than 500 people found employment or gained a training place from attending the 2013 events.

Organisations including Luton Borough Council and Jobcentre Plus have been involved in the LETS Fairs.

Mr Koyes, who also organises the annual Luton Community Awards, added: “I know the LETS Fair raises aspirations, inspires people to improve their lives, improves people’s prospects, increases the number of people in learning, reduces worklessness and increases the number of people in paid employment.

“It also reduces the number of people with no qualifications and increases the number of people exploring apprenticeships.

“Our aim is to continue to organise LETS Fairs throughout the year, so we can make a real difference to people living in Luton who need a little bit of support to get back into employment or training.”

There is no charge to employers and job seekers can also attend for free.

The benefits to businesses of being involved include:

• They can meet potential candidates in an informal setting and discuss vacancies.

• Recruitment efforts can be maximised while minimising costs.

• Employers can meet a large pool of potential employees under one roof in a single day.

• Advertising is done for you.

• CVs can be collected or firms can hire on the spot.

• It’s a great opportunity to increase your business,voluntary and public sector contacts.

To discuss exhibition and sponsorship opportunities at future LETS Fairs contact: Mostaque Koyes on 07931 973967 or for more information visit www.letsfair.co.uk

Autumn 2014

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

legal

7

It’s time for a business MOT Owners should take regular stock of their companies to guard against nasty surprises, says Tony Roberts of Pictons The types of issues falling to be considered include: i) Do you have an up-to-date will? ii) Are your personal liabilities and those of the business separate? What will happen if any personal guarantees have been provided in respect of business debts? iii) Will the business be able to function without you? iv) Will a business partner buy out your share in the business or can your spouse or other beneficiary continue to own your stake? v) Are your life insurance policies in place?

Who owns your business and on what basis?

As another all-too-brief British summer fades from memory, many business owners are returning to their business rejuvenated from the holiday season.

For most, the focus will understandably be on growing the bottom line, and the everyday pressures of running successful enterprises can absorb a large proportion of management time and attention.

However, all the value built up in a business can be at risk if the owners do not put their businesses through the equivalent of a regular MOT. They should take stock of their business and whether they are using the law to protect themselves and their assets as far as is practicable.

Part of the analysis, of course, is to evaluate potential threats affecting the business and to try to guard against nasty surprises. Quite often, however, business owners have already identified nagging concerns but have parked them on a ‘to do’ list and postponed taking action until another day. By the time they get around to it, it might be too late.

The particular risks will vary from business to business, but we identify below some of the issues which most will have in common.

What happens if you fall under a bus?

As the old cliché has it, none of us can escape from death and taxes. At a fundamental level, putting in place proper protection for your business is about protecting your family if the worst should happen.

If the arrangements in respect of your business have not been placed on a sound footing, the problems which are left behind can be very thorny.

This deceptively simply question is sometimes harder to answer than people initially expect.

In many cases the circumstances will be very straightforward but consider whether: i) If the business is shared between multiple owners, is it clear who owns what proportion? ii) Is there an agreement in place detailing ownership interests, and if so does it reflect the actual position? Sometimes ex-business partners have left but the documentation has not been updated and there can be scope for disagreement subsequently. On other occasions, one or more shareholders might have injected additional funds into the company in return for extra shares, but the shares were never formally issued. iii) Is it enough to establish who has formal ownership or are there other issues to consider, such as interests which should be held on trust for family members or others? iv) Is there a partnership agreement, shareholders’ agreement or equivalent document to regulate matters such as who is entitled to what proportion of the profits of the business?

Mere verbal understandings can be difficult to enforce at a later stage, especially if the parties should have fallen out in the meantime.

How is your business financed?

You should consider, especially if others are also involved in the ownership or management of the business: i) How will the business be funded? Will external lenders make available sufficient working capital or other debt facilities, or will the owners of the business need to inject further funding? What is the suitable gearing ratio? ii) If the shareholders or partners are to provide funds, how will it be structured eg loans, capital contribution, share subscription etc. iii) What if some, but not all, of the owners wish to make available further funds? Can the interests of those who do not contribute be diluted and what will be the wider ramifications of that?

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iv) Could any existing indebtedness be discharged or refinanced on better terms?

How will you derive value from your business?

Securing a return from your investment should be assessed by reference to the day-to-day running of the business and the ultimate disposal of your ownership interests. Matters to evaluate might include: i) Is there an agreed dividend policy? ii) Is there an agreed split in terms of value extracted by different methods, such as directors’ fees, remuneration or bonuses by way of any employment contract, and distributions to shareholders? iii) How can shares or other ownership interests be sold voluntarily? Must co-owners be given a right of first refusal before any third parties can acquire a stake? iv) Should there be any circumstances in which some owners (eg minority shareholders) could be compelled to sell their interests at the behest of the others, and what criteria would apply?

How is your interest being safeguarded?

Protecting your investment is an ongoing responsibility and will encompass a plethora of issues, such as: i) Does your business have suitable employment contracts in place with key employees, including restrictive covenants to protect the business if they should leave? ii) Does your business review regularly any standard terms and conditions and other contractual documentation upon the basis of which it operates? iii) Are your procurement teams trained periodically on topics such as the anti-bribery regime? iv) Is the scope of the insurance for your business and its key personnel appropriate? v Does the business review its risk management housekeeping from time to time, including factors such as the claims management process and document retention policies?

One size does not fit all Many of the general topics outlined above will be relevant in the case of most businesses, but every business is unique and must adopt a tailored approach with appropriate legal, financial and tax advice. Ultimately the owners of the business carry the responsibility and should set aside time to give their businesses periodic health checks, especially if they have at the back of their minds concerns which tend to be too often postponed until another day.

For further information or advice on any commercial law issue, please contact Pictons on 01582 870870.

Issue Five

8

security

Winter’s on its way!

Get ready for the dark nights - they are coming! That’s the alert from Dyno’s JON SPELLEN who gives some security hints and tips I know, it’s not our favourite subject either, but it is coming close to that time of year when the nights get longer and the burglary rate goes up.

With this in mind we thought it would be good to share some hints and tips to prepare your home or business premises for the dark nights ahead.

These tips have been put together with my team at Dyno who have years of experience securing properties: Security lights - these are a great way to attract attention and scare away any threats to your property

Trees and bushes - if any of your building is covered by bushes, ensure to cut these back, keeping all entrances visible

Gardening tools - put away any garden tools and ladders, let’s not make their job any easier!

Upgrade your locks - installing anti-snap locks and deadbolts to all entry points all work toward making your property as impenetrable as possible

Sash jammers - these fairly cheap products can be fitted to any window or door helping secure them more efficiently

CCTV - this can be a great deterrent against vandalism and theft, with packages to suit all why not call us now?

And last but definitely not least, have a professionally fitted Alarm.

Autumn 2014

The most effective deterrent of all. With over 90% of burglars saying they would avoid a house with an alarm.

But remember, always ensure you utilise all of your security measures. An unset alarm or unlocked door provides burglars the opportunity to invade. Reminders at the door with a checklist can be a great idea.

If you are ready to get your house prepared for the long nights ahead - but not sure where to start, why not call us at Dyno and arrange a Free of charge no-obligation security survey? This will help you plan for all eventualities when it comes to your security and we Always offer Best advice above a sale.

So why not take advantage and call us now on 01582 519910 to book. Alternatively if you have any questions about any of the security measures we have suggested please do not hesitate to contact me on 01582 519910 or email jon@dynoalarm.co.uk Be safe people!

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

legal

9

The middle man.

Help or hindrance?

Martin Blower speaks in favour of brokers when it comes to buying insurance Customers often perceive any middle man as an unnecessary third party that adds cost, causes delays, and possibly makes mistakes. Advertising by insurers to ‘go direct’ has only compounded this feeling.

How can the middle man help consumers?

1. Better prices Using a middle man is not always more expensive. For example, buying insurance through a broker such as A-Plan is often better priced than direct insurance.

How is this possible, you may ask? Ultimately it’s because we can negotiate on your behalf and reduce the risk for the insurer. As a broker we have access to negotiated rates from many different insurers, and our staff are professionally trained to help choose a policy that’s right for you.

This generates better results for insurers and filters through to lower premiums for buyers like you.

‘Cutting out the middle man’ does not always save you money.

If you do have a claim and deal direct with the insurer it is down to you to negotiate with them. At A-Plan we are with you every step of the way. If there is a query or dispute, we are there to act on your behalf and to help put it right. You only need to make one call to us and we will handle the rest for you.

We make sure you get the cover that you need.

So who wins? A-Plan or direct?

Whilst conventional wisdom dictates that the middle man offers little to the discussion and always has his price, in the complex world of insurance things are not so simple.

At A-Plan our business continues to grow because we consistently deliver the advice and service that people want when looking for insurance, and often save them money at the same time. Customer loyalty is a good indication of success, and that s why we are so proud that 9 out of 10 of our clients choose to stay with us at renewal.

“Policy wording

can be complex and confusing

and answering

2. Speed and Ease

Going direct usually means going online, and the experience can be slow and frustrating. The forms are long and often confusing, and the whole process can take a lot longer and be a lot harder than expected.

At A-Plan we speak to you to ensure that nothing is missed, and we are available to advise and reassure you along the way - ensuring you get the right policy as quickly and painlessly as possible.

We do the shopping around so you don’t have to.

questions wrongly could mean you

are not adequately covered”

3. Peace of mind Policy wording and options can be complex and confusing and answering questions wrongly could mean that you are not adequately covered in the event of a claim. We can help you with this. We check through the information that you provide at the start of your policy to ensure that nothing has been missed, that your needs are met and that you are fully covered.

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Issue Five

10

finance

Page kindly sponsored by

Telephone: 01582 608601

Get your cash flow

under control JOHN WRIGHT OF STOTEN GILLAM UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTROLLING CASH FLOW FOR YOUR BUSINESS

• agree the terms in writing • review any documentation from the customer where they try to change the agreed payment terms

• negotiate and agree payment terms with suppliers before accepting the order

• if there is a gap between customer and supplier payment terms, consider whether finance is available to bridge the gap.

• have a standard policy in place to ensure that payment terms cannot be altered without appropriate authorisation

• ensure that you have the right to apply late payment and interest charges on invoices.

As autumn gets underway, business owners sometimes need to reinvigorate their businesses and, in particular, focus attention on their cash flow and credit control procedures.

After you have provided goods or services to a customer ensure that you: • raise invoices promptly • raise invoices accurately to ensure all items are included at the quoted prices • include a reference number for the order and then quote this if any dispute arises • have everything the customer requires on the invoice • have a process for chasing invoices • have a process for dealing with disputes • keep a log of disputes to ascertain whether similar disputes or customers occur • ensure that your invoices are fully compliant with HMRC for VAT purposes.

If payment from a customer is not obtained and the goods or services have been provided, your cash flow is likely to be under pressure. Ensuring that customers pay on time will make managing your business easier.

The first thing you should do is get to know your customers. This should start before you take on a new customer and before you give them any credit.

The bare minimum of what you should know is: • the exact name of the customer and the trading address • their type of business structure, e.g. are they a sole trader, a partnership or a limited company?

• their credit rating.

Remember that not paying your suppliers on time is a bad business habit and it may harm your reputation as well. You should: • ensure you advise your suppliers of any disputes as soon as they occur • pay on time by ensuring that your creditor’s ledger is accurately aged and • keep your suppliers up to date with any issues you have with paying on time.

Before you provide goods or services to any customer, make sure you address the following: • discuss and agree payment terms with the customer before accepting the order

If you are struggling with credit control and cash flow management in these more difficult times, then we would be happy to discuss this further with you. Please contact us at Stoten Gillam for more detailed advice on 01582 608601 or via john.wright@stotengillam.co.uk

Autumn 2014

Some businesses unfortunately go ‘bad’, so you may wish to consider obtaining credit insurance. You may also consider obtaining factoring and financing options.

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

pensions 11

Pension perils ahead Tony Byrne, one of the country’s most highly qualified financial planners tells Inspire how you could lose out from the Government’s pension changes Back in March in his Budget speech the Chancellor George Osborne announced the most radical changes to pensions legislation affecting money purchase pension schemes we have ever heard.

One of his proposals was that anyone with such a pension would be able to Tony Byrne, Chartered and access all of it rather than be limited to Certified Financial Planner author of Wealth Magic, 25% tax free as a lump sum with the rest Financial Planning Director, taken as a taxed income with effect from Wealth And Tax Management April 2015.

Before this announcement there was only one way in which you could do this and that was by using a method known as flexible drawdown but even then it had strict qualifying conditions and few people in practice could ever benefit from it. The new proposals have no such qualifying criteria.

So what is a money purchase pension scheme? Basically it is a pot of money which pays you a pension based on how much you have contributed into it and how well it has performed.

This is totally different to so called occupational final salary schemes which are mainly offered by the public sector and increasingly rarely by large private employers.

So far nothing in the rules has changed. The problem is that the money you withdraw from the remaining 75% gets added to your income for the year and is taxed at your highest rate.

Let’s assume your total retirement income is just £5,000 a year before you access your pot. You are a basic rate taxpayer paying a top rate of 20% Income Tax. You have a money purchase pension fund worth £250,000. You decide to take the whole lot as a lump sum immediately.

Well the first 25% (£62,500) is tax free but the balance of £187,500 is added to your income of £20,000 and taxed at your top rate of Income Tax of up to 45%! That represents a huge tax penalty to the pensioner and a massive benefit to the government. Now it is clear why they have introduced the changes. It’s because it is a significant tax raiser for HM Revenue & Customs.

The other danger is of course that the type of person used in this example could be a big spender who blows all of his pension pot and then becomes a burden on the state. Admittedly only a small proportion of people, the gamblers of society, are likely to do this nonetheless it will inevitably happen.

$ONmT &ALL INTO THE 4AX 4RAP

-AJOR NEW CHANGES TO THE WAY MONEY CAN BE WITHDRAWN FROM PENSIONS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNMENT (OWEVER IF YOU DONmT KNOW WHAT YOUmRE DOING YOU COULD END PAYING A -Ă˜33)6% ONE OFF TAX CHARGE

7ANT TO FIND OUT ALL YOUR OPTIONS 7E ARE CURRENTLY OFFERING &2%% PLACES WORTH | AT OUR 0ENSION 3EMINAR HELD IN OUR OFFICES IN These pensions by contrast pay you a guaranteed pension based on a formula which is calculated based on your number of years of service for your employer and your ‘final salary’. These pensions aren’t affected by the new rules.

Whilst on the one hand it does appear to be very generous of the government to allow complete freedom for individuals to access 100% of their pots, the sting in the tail is that they could potentially end up paying significantly high tax charges on the monies withdrawn from their pensions unwittingly. Why is this so?

Well as before you will continue to be entitled to withdraw up to 25% of your money purchase pension as a tax free lump sum. However, the rest of it will be subject to Income Tax.

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&URZTON ,AKE -ILTON +EYNES AT PM 7EDNESDAY TH /CTOBER 4HIS OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO THE FIRST PEOPLE TO CONTACT US BY TH 3EPTEMBER 4EL %MAIL WEALTH!WEALTHANDTAX CO UK 7EB WWW WEALTHANDTAX CO UK SEMINARS

Issue Five

12

exhibition

Exhibition organisers are on a mission to keep money in their local economy Four business gurus have teamed up and are on a mission to stop wealth and money leaking out of the Milton Keynes economy.

Peter Barnett, Katherine McAdam, Dale Adkins and Darren Thomson are the top team behind the MK Exhibition being held in the city in the autumn. Peter, who set up his sales and marketing company Sales Managed four years ago, said: “Local companies like ours can grow by getting to know each other and working together instead of perhaps buying services from other parts of the country.”

MK Exhibition will be held at MKCC, in Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes, on Friday, October 17. It is set to attract hundreds of visitors to dozens of exhibition stands.

Peter added: “MK Exhibition is our only exhibition and is dedicated to supporting local

Autumn 2014

Championing the MK economy charities and the growth of local economy, we are not running events outside of Milton Keynes.”

Peter, the former business development director of Frosts in Woburn Sands, has been joined in the venture by design guru Katherine McAdam, of Brand Magic Media Ltd, which she set up in 2008.

Dale Adkins, the conferencing manager at the MKCC, has achieved success in promoting the MKCC as the first choice meeting venue for local businesses.

Completing the talented organising team is highly experienced videographer Darren Thomson, of Movey Video Marketing. Darren has produced and trained a large number of students in the craft of creating professional quality video for business, education and local government.

Together they have already organised one successful MK Exhibition and the next one is set to be even better.

Visitors and exhibitors to the 8am to 4pm event can expect lots of business networking, advice workshops, an MK Dragons Den-style event, free advice clinics from local professionals and lots more to be announced.

MKCC is a top-class conference and meetings venue based half a mile from Central Milton Keynes and a mile from the railway station with more than 100 free car parking spaces!

For more information visit: www.mkexhibition.co.uk/ phone 01908 900 908 or email info@mkexhibition.co.uk

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

aerospace 13

Cranfield is taking off A NEW £35M AEROSPACE CENTRE IS TO BE BUILT AT CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY, ENHANCING ITS STATUS AS A HUB FOR THE UK’S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY New jobs and businesses could be created in the region’s aerospace sector with the arrival of a new £35million world-leading research facility opening at Cranfield University in 2016.

The Aerospace Integration Research Centre (AIRC) is to be built at the university with co-investment partners Airbus and Rolls-Royce, following the award of funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

Through the integration of airframes propulsion and other systems and technologies, the centre will research innovative aerospace technologies to enhance performance, emission control and efficiency targets on future aircraft.

Prosperity

It is anticipated that the centre will directly contribute to the competitiveness and prosperity of the aerospace industry and the wider UK economy, safe-guarding existing jobs and creating additional work opportunities within the UK aerospace and academic sectors.

The centre will provide dedicated space and specialist equipment to address future grand challenges which face the aerospace sector.

Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, said: “The investment from Airbus and Rolls-Royce in this collaborative centre will change the design of future aircraft.

“It will reinforce Cranfield’s reputation as a global leader in transformational research, strengthen our strategic relationships with world-renowned businesses and meet the needs of business, government and wider society.”

Iain Gray CBE, the current chief executive of the Technology Strategy Board, has been appointed the Director of Aerospace at Cranfield University, with effect March from 2015.

Iain will lead the extensive aerospace capabilities across the University and their strategic relationships with the world’s major aerospace industrial organisations.

Prior to the Technology Strategy Board, Iain was engineering director and then managing director at Airbus UK during the development of the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger airliner.

Iain Gray said: “The University’s pre-eminent business and government relationships places it in an ideal position to provide academic leadership in collaborative research to develop new products, processes and services for the aerospace sector.

“I’m proud to bring my experience of, and passion for, one of the UK’s most important industrial sectors and to progressing Cranfield’s long heritage in this area.”

Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Cranfield’s Chief Executive and ViceChancellor, said: “Our University has a fundamental role to play in maintaining the UK as a leader in aerospace.

“Iain’s thought leadership will enhance Cranfield’s impact in this important sector.”

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ROOM FOR GROWTH In another part of the university - the Technology Park - two enterprising businesses are expanding into new offices.

Tendering expert Bidwriting.com is moving to a new 675 sq ft office - a 40% increase - within the Cranfield Innovation Centre (CIC), in order to accommodate its growing workload from clients looking to secure key tenders and new opportunities.

At the same time, high technology recruitment firm Vector Recruitment has moved to 75% larger premises in the CIC to cope with demand as companies in the UK’s booming engineering, science and technology sector expand their teams.

New deals at the Cranfield University Technology Park follow a series of major lettings over the last 12 months, including food freshness firm It’s Fresh!, Impetus Automotive and Japanese car-seat manufacturer, Tachi-S. Meanwhile existing tenants SEMLEP, Alere and Comms 365 have all moved to larger offices in the CIC, taking advantage of the CIC’s flexible leases to support their expansion.

Rupert Wood, regional director at St. Modwen which manages Cranfield University Technology Park said that both these moves reflect an overall confidence in the marketplace and the economy: “The fact that these specialist firms are expanding is a clear indication of the improving market in the region and UK as a whole, as companies look to recruit and invest.

“Allowing flexibility for businesses to move offices is fundamental to our offer on the Tech Park, allowing us to accommodate businesses ranging from start-ups to multi-national firms.”

Issue Five

14

sport

We’re football crazy

Photograph by Gareth Owen, official photographer of Luton Town Football Club

RECENT SUCCESSES ON THE FIELD HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF SPORT. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK Recent football success in the triumphant return of Luton Town Football Club to the league and the 4-0 shock cup demoliton of Manchester United by the MK Dons has brought the economic importance of sport to the fore, writes David Tooley.

Tourism chiefs in Milton Keynes estimated that the league cup game, which saw stadium:mk packed out with more than 29,000 spectators, would bring in £2million to the local economy by way of spending in hotels, taxis and restaurants.

Luton Town, known as the Hatters, saw their Kenilworth Road stadium packed out last year as fans shared in the glory of the ending of the club’s five year exile in non-league. This season the club - and the town - should benefit from being back in the big time. According to Sport England, the English economy benefited to the tune of a whopping £20.3billion from sport in the latest figues, going back to 2010.

As a little aside, my local shopkeeper once told me that his small newsagents’ benefited to the tune of £500 in sales when the local children’s football team played at home.

In total, coming in at 1.9% of the total value of the English economy placed sport in the top15 industry sectors in the country. That’s above motor vehicles, telecoms services, legal services, accounting, publishing, advertising and the utilities.

Autumn 2014

Of course, football is only part of the total sport package but a pretty big one locally at that.

Research commissioned by Sport England and carried out by AMION Consulting found an important and resilient sector.

In terms of employment, sport remains a crucial component of the economy. The number of people with sport-related jobs in 2010 is estimated at over 400,000 - that’s 2.3% of all employment in England.

Benefits

But the benefits are much wider than that.

Volunteering in sport, and the health benefits from sport, also have an impact on the economy, says Sport England. The estimated economic value of sport-related volunteering is £2.7 billion.

Then there are the health benefits, estimated at £11.2 billion.

There have also been a number of studies on the economic impact of sport in recent years.

The Cardiff Millennium Stadium and the City of Manchester Stadium both had a positive impact on local property markets, one study found.

Locally, the development of stadium:mk and the associated shopping destination has brought in many visitors.

Other researchers have studied the economic impact of non-elite, mass-participation events such as marathons.

They found such events can raise the profile of a host location and generate tourist income for minimal infrastructure investment.

The growing Milton Keynes Marathon is building a brand as the greenest marathon and attracts runners from across the country.

Sport England has launched a new modelling tool to enable local authorities to show how sport benefits their economy.

The ‘Economic value of sport - local model’ provides each local authority, county sport partnership (CSP) and local enterprise partnership area with estimates on sports’ contribution to the local economy in the form of business output and jobs as well as wider benefits like health. It also includes guidance on how to best use this evidence.

Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: “We know physical inactivity is one of the major causes of ill-health which is entirely preventable.

“This easy to use model will support local areas to understand the positive impact of sport as part of economic regeneration as well as the positive impact on health.

“This reminds us that the true value of sport isn’t just to get people active: it has the potential to save lives.”

The model will also help local partners assess the ‘impact’ of change, showing the effect of increasing or reducing the number of people playing sport, for example if new facilities are built, facilities are closed or more marketing is done to attract those not playing sport regularly.

Councillor Flick Rea of the Local Government Association, said: “Sport plays a huge role in communities and anything which helps local areas derive all the benefits sport can bring is positive.”

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

apprenticeships 15

Why bother with Uni?

A new campaign has been launched to persuade young people to consider apprenticeships instead of academia In a new campaign government and employers have called on young people to ‘Get In. Go Far’ by choosing an apprenticeship.

It coincides with the introduction of 40 new employer-designed apprenticeships in sectors including engineering, hospitality and the legal profession.

These new opportunities will give people the chance to earn whilst they learn on apprenticeships which have been designed by businesses in a variety of sectors.

Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business said: “For too long there has been a divide between university and vocational education which has been damaging for both employers and young people. Placing university degrees and apprenticeships on an equal footing will help to break down barriers and better meet the needs of business.

“Since I became Secretary of State we have expanded apprenticeship numbers greatly, particularly higher apprenticeships.

“The reforms to apprenticeships enable employers to design and deliver apprenticeships that meet their needs, giving young people valuable qualifications and helping them to build successful careers from television production to advanced manufacturing.”

The campaign showcases the variety and quality of apprenticeships on offer. With the strapline ‘Get In. Go Far’, it features real apprentices in varied sectors giving their own thoughts on their experiences.

The apprentices, shown in the adverts taking selfies in their places of work, will appear on TV, posters, digital channels and in print media.

To mark the launch of the campaign, Skills Minister Nick Boles has been visiting apprentices to see for himself the impact the scheme is having on young people.

He took ‘selfies’ with the apprentices at Google which will be pinned to an interactive ‘work selfie’ Pinterest map, plotting the many apprenticeship opportunities across the country.

Mr Boles said: “Through an apprenticeship young people can achieve a degree and work at some of the biggest companies in the country.

“The new campaign features some great success stories which show exactly how far an apprenticeship can take you. I would recommend any young person that isn’t sure what to do next, to look at some of the new and exciting apprenticeship opportunities available to them.”

The new apprenticeships which have been launched are from a broad range of

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industries and include roles such as, a landbased service engineer, senior culinary chef, solicitor, journalist and a dental practise manager.

Throughout the process over 200 employers and training providers were involved in designing the 40 new apprenticeship standards that have been approved.

Skills Employers will be able to ‘grow their own’ talent, ensuring the next generation of professionals have all the practical skills and experience needed to continue the high standards expected in dentistry.

This in turn will also help combat the falling numbers of British technicians, strengthening the dental industry and UK economy.

This forms part of the apprenticeship trailblazer project which was launched in October 2013, the second phase of which was launched during National Apprenticeship Week in March 2014.

A survey with employers found that 96% of businesses which have taken on an apprentice believe their company has benefitted.

For more information on apprenticeships and the apprentices that are being featured in the campaign, visit: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk.

Issue Five

16

marketing

Free marketing

with the wow factor!

AA Abbott, writer and publisher of thrillers After The Interview and Up In Smoke, says you could quickly draft 30 pages of facts and opinions about a subject you know well

In the digital age, it’s never been easier to write and publish a book - but why might you want to? Essentially, because it’s another weapon in your marketing armoury and it can be done at zero or low cost.

But won’t it take ages, I hear you ask? It doesn’t have to. While it takes me six months to write a work of fiction, that’s because I’m making up a thrilling 60,000 word story and I have to research what I don’t know - such as how to murder somebody, or smuggle counterfeit cigarettes, or run a police investigation.

On the other hand, you could quickly draft thirty pages of facts and opinions about a subject you know well. Ask yourself what your customers would find useful. Chances are, they’re busy and prefer it short and sweet.

Autumn 2014

As a small business, publishing a book about your area of expertise - provided it’s well-written, with useful content - will give you instant credibility in your field.

An e-book is a great calling card, emailed in an instant to your customers and targets.

If you ask your clients to share the link or e-book with their friends, you’ll reach out to a wider audience for your products and services.

You can use it to build a mailing list too, by offering a free download if the recipient signs up for your newsletter.

You needn’t even list your e-book for sale, but you’re kissing goodbye to good money if you don’t. It’s straightforward to list an e-book on Amazon, and free. You can use Microsoft Word to produce both the interior pages and cover at zero cost. Amazon allows you to choose any price from 77p, and pays a 35% or 70% royalty. You’ll sell more copies at a low price, but consider charging more; it indicates high value and exclusivity. Imagine how your customers will feel when you email them a free book that’s usually priced at £9.99!

You can also publish a paperback at no or low cost through Amazon’s www.createspace.com division - or pay an upfront fee to use a printer like Milton Keynes outfit LightningSource at www1.ingramspark.com.

Convinced? Switch on your PC, line up friends with an eye for typos to read your draft, and start typing.

By the way, there are lots of helpful tips at www.thecreativepenn.com

if you’re unsure of anything. As ever, it’s all about your customers. Give them great content and value for money, and they’ll repay you with loyalty and referrals.

AA Abbott was brought up in Luton, and has spent decades working for large multinationals, often commuting into London from Leagrave. She writes fiction about office life - with added thrills. Take a look inside her entertaining thrillers at http://aaabbott.co.uk, especially new book, After The Interview have you ever wanted to turn the tables after a bad interview? Stay in touch on Facebook + Twitter @aaabbottstories

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inspiring offer 17

Inspiring offers SCAN YOUR BUSINESS CARD AND GET THOUSANDS OF COPIES FOR JUST £40 You can get some great offers on business cards, including from Bartham Press the printers of Inspire business magazine!

But we have a great offer for you if you have a business card.

How about you scan a copy of your business card and send it to us at inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk We will then print thousands of copies. Not only that, because we distribute to venues across the MK, Luton, Bedford, Aylesbury, Hitchin and Hemel Hempstead area, your business card will be distributed, too.

We also hand out copies of the magazine at business networking events.

With your business card. Now that’s a great offer.

But wait... there’s more... we’re active on social media, too. Follow us on Twitter @inspirebizmag and see how we promote the magazine and the people and businesses who support us. We call it #TeamInspire We’re also online at http://issuu.com/inspirebizmag where we attract hundreds of readers. For an offer like that, with printing and active promotion, you’d expect the cost to be sky high. Well, how does £40+VAT sound? Good eh? Don’t delay, scan your business card and send it to inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk now.

The first to apply, quoting #InspireOffer will get a surprise discount.

Email inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk NOW

Business Innovation Support J== 9;;=KK LG =PH=JLAK= LG ?JGO 9F< AFFGN9L= Contact the team on 01582 743544 or innovationbridge@beds.ac.uk From more info visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/innovationbridge

Mostaque Koyes Senior Account Manager

For more information and to join visit www.fsb.org.uk/bedscambsherts

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Unit A • Park Avenue Industrial Estate Sundon Park Road • Luton • LU3 3BP T: 01582 573471 Ext: 225 M: 07931 973967 E: mostaque@barthamgroup.com

Issue Five

18

Inspiration

From rock

bottom to the top again GORDON LINES TELLS INSPIRE HOW HE FOUND THE STRENGTH TO RECOVER FROM THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR AND ALCOHOLISM Former military covert operative Gordon Lines has had enough traumatic experiences to fill three or four lifetimes - ‘more lives than a cat’ he says smiling - including having a pistol held to his head by a nervous robber, hijack attempts, and a bombing.

Gordon, now the managing director of ISO Enigma Solutions Limited, has been to the brink of suicide and back after serving for 14 years in the military in close protection work and as a covert intelligence operative.

“During my time in the military I began to experience some issues with stress,” said Gordon, who served behind the lines in Northern Ireland and Gulf War 1.

“I served for four years in Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles. After two years there, I was ready to come home but my tour of duty was extended by another two years, but it was not ‘the done thing’ to mention the issue, and therefore, like many others, I said nothing, which compounded the gathering ‘post traumatic’ symptoms.”

His work included going undercover into pubs and clubs to check whether they were safe for military personnel to use.

Autumn 2014

“We were very vulnerable and on high alert 24/7, trying to sleep but not being able to.

“In the Gulf, as we arrived before the main forces, we were ‘not officially there’, this made the job a lot stickier, including avoiding being stopped by chasing civilian police cars!

“When I returned to the UK, my then wife told me I’d changed, I had ‘dead eyes’, and she was frightened of me.

“Today - Even small things like a slamming door, or a child’s scream can put me on edge. If I hear a ‘familiar’ sound - I need to find out what caused it. Busy places like shopping centres, and airports are hard work, memories come flashing back. I still sit with my back to the wall in restaurants, coffee shops and the like.

The stress off the job was relieved by alcohol, and, with an inability to discuss experiences (due to the Official Secrets Act), and a reluctance to talk proved disastrous to both Gordon’s marriages.

“I left the military in 1991 after 14 years and emigrated to South Africa. While in South Africa I began to suffer from severe symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I had been self-medicating with alcohol for years and I was literally near death. I was at rock bottom.”

Gordon, who was born and bred in Fenny Stratford, Bletchley, became the operations manager of a security company in Johannesburg South Africa, managing 500 staff. At one point he was caught in the crossfire of a gun battle between warring gangs in Johannesburg.

“Drinking became the only way to sleep, which wasn’t helped by the drinking culture in South Africa,” he said. His work involved securing a polling station for ex-pats during the 1994 first free and democratic elections, working closely with the International Electoral Committee

(IEC),”It’s fantastic to see South Africa come out of it the other side, I’m very proud to have been a small part of the process” he commented.

In 1992 he had married for a second time and his wife gave birth to “two beautiful girls”; but later events would see them grow apart.

In 1996 he suffered a complete nervous breakdown. “I didn’t listen to the symptoms,” he said. “I had headaches, backaches and it got worse, palpitations, and panic attacks. One day on a drive to work, I started crying inconsolably. I was off work for four or five months.”

“There was desperation, desolation and isolation and I was wondering what it was all about. I was suicidal.”

But Gordon pulled through and he and his wife invested in a Spa supermarket. Things went so well that they paid off a five year loan in 18 months.

“But because the business was cash-driven we had 13 armed robberies in six years,” said Gordon. “The worst was a customer being shot during one of the robberies, one time, an armed

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Inspiration

“After a year of battling with life and wondering what it was all about, I sought help from the NHS. It was the key moment for me, realising that I needed help.

“I had lost my self-esteem and self-respect and everything. I had lost my will to live - but I was too tired to live and too tired to die,” said Gordon.

Inspiration for Gordon came in 2006 - realising that everything he had been doing, in training, in retail, in leadership and the military meant he had amazing skills to offer. Things started falling into place. He established ISO Enigma Solutions, becoming a Limited Company in 2008 robber held a pistol between my eyes, I knew the model of gun and could see the safety was catch off and that he was shaking.

“Strange thoughts go through your mind at moments like that. I thought, he’s going to pistol whip me, ok, but not my teeth, anywhere but not the teeth! He told me to lie on the floor, threatening to shoot a customer if I didn’t stay down... He ran off and after counting to about six I ran after him.”

In 2000 the crime-wave had risen so much that the couple had to hand the keys in to the businesses and the house. At the same time his marriage fell apart and his wife and children left to live in Port Elizabeth.

His wife said: “We are going to live in Port Elizabeth and there is no room for you anymore,” Gordon who had to sleep in his car and then a local pub’s bath - turned to the booze again.

Fortunately he was helped to return to the UK and live in his sister’s caravan but, as he says himself, “I was virtually unemployable, homeless, and broken psychologically, spiritually and physically.

Marvellous “I met my long-term partner, Diane in 2007, she has been - and continues to be - my rock. She has been marvellous and so understanding.”

A charity, specialising in helping ex-military cope and recover from post-traumatic stress disorder called PTSD Resolution and his GP at Shenley Church End joined in ‘Team Gordon’s fight-back’.

Life however was to throw Gordon another curve ball, in the shape of a heart attack in 2008. Having a military medic’s background he realised the early symptoms while at Morrisons supermarket in Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes.

So he drove himself home, left the door open, took his keys out of his pockets and started making phone calls. The upshot is he spent five days at Milton Keynes General Hospital miraculously - there was no lasting damage to his heart from the incident - and he made a full recovery.

Since then, it has been onwards and upwards for Gordon, who has recently been offered and accepted a three day a week permanent contract to act as operations director at a £10m pa

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19

turnover company, leaving him able to carry on his management consultancy business two days a week. He specialises in: executive coaching, management mentoring, he is an expert in food safety and quality management systems, and a qualified trainer / teacher amongst other expertise.

Now aged 53 Gordon’s objective is to be a global name in coaching, mentoring, food safety and hygiene, he says, “I often think of Robert the Bruce, and the spider. It gives me constant inspiration.”

Highly qualified, he’s a beacon for the try-tryand-try again, until you succeed mentality.

“For anyone just starting out in business - it’s vital not to be afraid of failure. It is much better to try and fail than to fail to try at all. Dream big, but take baby steps”.

“Talk to others in business, especially the ‘winners’ and recognise when you have got an issue. Strategise properly and have a plan B, especially in the early days.

“Keep learning, develop listening skills and show respect for all around you - everyone has a lesson in life - especially for you.”

Gordon’s final words at the conclusion of the interview, “I have spent my adult life avoiding publicity or photographs or interviews - and at one stage - avoiding life!

“I agreed to this interview with one aim - to inspire and empower others to take up the gauntlet and run with it, no matter where you are from, your formal education, or any other disability, whether as part of a management team, or as an emerging business leader. The only thing to fear, is fear itself.”

For more information visit PTSD Resolution www.ptsdresolution.org and www.isoenigmasolutions.co.uk

Issue Five

20

in the news

In the news Future of Wolverton Cull of A plan set to have a major impact on the centre of Wolverton is entering its final stages.

The Town Centre Neighbourhood Plan seeks to kick-start the regeneration of Wolverton Town centre through seven policies which are designed to help deliver the redevelopment of the Agora site, support small, independent shops and businesses and conserve historic shopfronts in the town.

The town council has been consulting with the public over the summer. Changes will be made to the plan, which will then be submitted to Milton Keynes Council..

The borough council will then carry out a further six weeks consultation, during which the Examiner plan will be appointed. The Examiner may choose to carry out a hearing which is likely to happen early in 2015. A referendum could be held in May 2015.

Copies of the draft Neighbourhood Plan, Sustainability Appraisal and comments form are online at: http://futurewolverton.org/projects/neighbourhood-plan/

Editor’s choice

Milton Keynes entrepreneur Sarah Jane Wilson has won an Editor’s Choice award for the most innovative collection at International Jewellery London’s sixth competition.

Sarah Jane, pictured, who lives in Milton Keynes, is a member of Women in Enterprise, the local businesswomen’s networking group and has given many of her pieces to charities to help them raise funds. Sarah Jane creates statement stone jewellry by hand, selecting the stones that she has a connection with from their look, feel and touch.

She said: “IJL has represented such a journey for me. In the past 12 months I have accomplished so much. I am over the moon at winning the Editor’s Choice Award in that it recognises the unique and innovative way that I put my jewellery together.

“It is amazing to be recognised in this way by such a prestigious authority.”

Autumn 2014

councils

Businesses in Buckinghamshire are wondering if it would make sense to axe layers of local government in parts of the county.

Business organisation Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) is running a campaign to cut the cost of local government and save between £5m and £25m a year.

Rethink Most businesses responding to a survey expressed the view that the time has come to rethink the current five council, two tier system.

BBF has raised £25,000 from crowd-funding to finance some high-quality, independent research, examining the pros and cons of a variety of different unitary models of local government.

They believe the savings could pay for pothole fixing, superfast broadband, Council Tax rebates and rate relief for businesses.

Visit https://make-a-donation.org/campaign/ cutting-the-cost-of-local-government

For more news turn to pages 34 and 35.

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news 21

Hotels with chips in their folders

BUSINESSES IN THE MILTON KEYNES AREA HAVE EMBARKED ON A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COLLABORATION A competitive spirit has been introduced between hotels in Milton Keynes with a referral scheme with the local super casino.

Guests will receive a bespoke ‘gaming chip’ from their hotel reception which entitles them to a complimentary drink and a £5 free bet at The Casino MK. The Casino MK will record the number of redeemed chips to determine which hotel has reached their target first to win their very own Christmas Party.

Among the first hotels to take advantage of the partnership were The Holiday Inn Milton Keynes, Mercure Milton Keynes Abbey Hill and Novotel Milton Keynes.

Casino group operations director Austin Graham, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for The Casino MK to build strong relationships with local and regional businesses.

“As a leading leisure destination, it’s important for us to work with the business community to encourage those who visit Milton Keynes to get out of their hotel rooms and see what our fantastic city has to offer. We look forward to working with hoteliers to provide customers with the best possible entertainment experience when visiting Milton Keynes.”

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Rob Unson, general manager at Novotel Milton Keynes, who were the first hotel to provide a referral, said: “We’re really excited to be part of The Casino MK’s hotel referral scheme. This is a unique opportunity for us to work closely with the Casino and offer our guests a variety of entertainment options under one roof.”

To find out more about The Casino MK, visit www.thecasinomk.co.uk

The Casino MK opened in September 2013 at the Xscape entertainment complex in Central Milton Keynes. It offers more than 100 slot machines, 30 gaming tables, a large poker room, restaurant, two bars, including large sports screens.

The Casino MK operates 24 -7.

Since opening it has attracted more than 300,000 visitors. The Casino MK is operated by the Aspers Group.

Issue Five

22

trade local

Now go and run the world!

MORE THAN 900 UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE BUSINESS SCHOOL GRADUATES WERE GIVEN A PEP TALK AT THEIR GRADUATION CEREMONIES Hundreds of University of Bedfordshire Business School students were told they have the potential to be leaders of the future at their graduation ceremonies in the summer.

Ceremonies in Bedford and Luton saw more than 3,500 students graduate, more than 900 of them were from the uni’s business school.

Bedfordshire’s summer graduations concluded with the installation of the Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, as the University’s new Chancellor.

Taking place at Putteridge Bury and Luton’s St Mary’s Church, the four Business School ceremonies saw both undergraduates and postgraduates honoured, with the courses recognised ranging from business studies and accounting to marketing communications and public relations.

Alongside the graduates receiving their degrees was guest of honour, Mark Newton,

Autumn 2014

Assistant Chief Constable with British Transport Police, who once studied at Bedfordshire.

Mark said: “I’m delighted to be back here at the University. I’m a proud graduate of this Business School, and to this day I still utilise the skills I developed at Bedfordshire.

Dedication “I recognise that not one of you would have attained your degrees today without sacrifice.

To continue to study when things get difficult requires application and dedication - the qualities we as employers value strongly.

“You have the potential to be influential leaders in the future.”

Further highlights of the ceremonies included the presentation of special prize awards to some of the highest achieving students in the Business School, with Luton resident Adam Mullen scooping the Dean’s Prize for Marketing.

Dr Gordon Mellor, Acting Executive Dean of the Business School, added:”Adam is a man of great talent and modesty.

“What you want in a student is ability, application and enthusiasm.

“When this is combined with a person who can work effectively and supportively with their peers, then you have something special.

Adam has these qualities in abundance.”

Prizes Other Business School prizes included the J E Cule Prize, with winner Nicole Pidgeon completing a full-time Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management while raising a family of four children aged one to six.

Investment The University of Bedfordshire (www.beds.ac.uk) is the largest higher education institution in the county with more than 24,000 students, representing over 100 countries.

Between 2006 and 2013 over £180 million has been invested in new facilities at the university, which contributes approximately £300 million annually to the local economy.

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focus on hemel hempstead 23

Shopping treats AS SHOPPERS EXPECT BETTER QUALITY FROM THEIR RETAIL EXPERIENCES, ONE HERTFORDSHIRE TOWN IS INVESTING HEAVILY IN CREATING THE WOW FACTOR Shopping isn’t just about spending money any more... customers are looking for an experience they can share with their friends.

It’s one of the biggest challenges facing the high street as the internet grows. What do they have that can be described as a wow factor?

In the Hertfordshire town of Hemel Hempstead the local council Dacorum Borough - recognises some of the challenges facing the high street and is giving its shopping areas a makeover.

Under a programme called Evolution, the council is investing in what it calls ‘improvement works’ in the pedestrianised shopping area and Bank Court in Hemel Hempstead town centre next week.

Building contractor Greenford has started to bring life to the new design.

The council has already faced huge criticism for works to ‘improve’ the Old Town areas of Hemel Hempstead, which dragged on for months, with businesses claiming they’d been brought to their knees.

On this new project, the council says work will pause over the Christmas period to minimise disruption to retailers and businesses.

The project is set for completion by autumn 2015.

Councillor Andrew Williams, leader of the council and lead on regeneration issues, said: “These improvements are part of our wider Hemel Evolution regeneration programme to transform the heart of Hemel Hempstead into a place that visitors will want to shop, work, live and enjoy.

“We are working closely with Greenford to minimise disruption to businesses, residents and visitors and complete the improvements as efficiently as possible.

“We are very excited to be starting this ambitious project and look forward working with local residents and businesses and seeing the changes that will take place over the coming year.”

Key features of the new design include an events space, a new interactive water feature, a series of play areas along Marlowes, improved seating and some new paving and landscaping, including trees and planting.

Dacorum Borough Council is investing £30 million in the overall improvements (including £4 million just on Marlowes and Bank Court) to encourage shoppers, support local businesses and attract further investment to the town and wider borough.

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening by going to the website www.dacorum.gov.uk/hemelevolution and by following the Council on facebook.com/dacorum and on Twitter @dacorumBC #HemelEvo

How do you a whole Maximise your reach and your budget. Get the attention of a wider audience and let your message be heard loud and clear.

Inspire Business Magazine and Community Magazine.

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Issue Five

finance

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24

The Borrowers BUSINESSES ARE INCREASINGLY LOOKING TO INVEST TO GROW, FIGURES SUGGEST

Bankers say credit conditions have eased in recent months leading to lower borrowing rates which are feeding through into cheaper lending rates.

At the end of August the Bank of England issued stats on the Funding for Lending Scheme, whereby the government incentivises the banks to lend to businesses on preferential terms.

The British Bankers Association’s executive director of business finance Irene Graham said, “We are starting to see a pickup in borrowing by small and medium sized businesses.

Healthy “It is also encouraging to see that the Funding for Lending Scheme is continuing to be used to help businesses. Companies are also increasing their cash reserves, which suggests that the sector is in a healthy position.

“The majority of businesses who approach their bank for a loan are successful and if they are not there is a process in place that allows them to appeal the decision. We d encourage business owners thinking about borrowing to approach their bank to learn about the range of financing options that are available.” £7.4 billion of new SME borrowing was approved in Q2, 16% more than in the same quarter last year and the highest quarterly amount since 2011.

This increase in borrowing was broadly-based across industry sectors and geographical regions. Demand from medium-sized businesses was notably stronger in Q2, leading to a net expansion in their borrowing.

Figures are also showing SME holdings of cash are continuing to rise strongly.

Deposit levels are up 9% year-on-year and now exceed borrowing by more than £43 billion.

Autumn 2014

Net lending was up slightly overall by £100 million for small and medium-sized businesses.

Gross borrowing by SMEs in the last three months for which figures are available (April - June 2014) rose 28% on the same three months a year earlier to £13.1 billion.

Bank of England data shows that gross lending to SMEs began to rise in April last year and has risen every month since year on year.

And even as new lending rises, businesses are continuing to repay loans. In Q2 2014 SMEs repaid £5.6 billion of existing loans.

Companies are also holding healthy cash reserves. At the end of Q2 SMEs were holding £143.1 billion in cash in bank accounts. This is a rise of 9 per cent on the same quarter in 2013.

Every silver lining has a dark cloud, however and some businesses see the economic climate, regulation and late payment rates as major obstacles.

Alternative The banks also say they are working to increase access to alternative finance providers, recognising that a traditional loan might not be the most funding sensible option.

Partnerships with institutions like the UK Business Angels Association and Community Development Finance Institutions give businesses that are inappropriate for finance from banks the option to be referred to Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs).

The BBA and some of the major banks have launched a pilot referral program for Start Up Loans. As part of this pilot, business start-ups that are inappropriate for bank finance will be given the option of being referred to The Start Up Loans Company.

A new Finance Finder - betterbusinessfinance.co.uk - offers businesses access to 500 finance providers across Britain.

Levels of alternative finance are growing, including invoice discounting and peer-to-peer lending.

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feature 25

Making a difference Unemployment can be a shattering blow.

INSPIRE finds out about one group that holds out a helping hand A Milton Keynes organisation that helps out of work managers and professionals back into employment or into starting their own businesses has had a staggering success rate.

More than 250 people have attended Milton Keynes Executives Action (MKEA) and more than 80% of them have moved into employment or created new businesses.

MKEA can rightly boast that it is one of the premier organisations of its type in the country.

It achieves success by building the confidence and skills of people who have suffered from unemployment.

Redundancy and unemployment is probably the most stressful, frustrating and lonely period anyone will encounter during their career.

MKEA builds confidence and skills by running free formal training as well as what might be described as support sessions, where people can just pop in for a chat.

Training sessions are run on Wednesday evenings and coffee stops on Thursday mornings. Both the training and the drop-in are free to attend and there is no membership costs.

The training sessions operate during term times only and are held in the Milton Keynes College, at Woughton Campus West, off Chaffron Way.

Improving They start at 6.30pm and last for two to three hours. The range of subjects includes improving you CV; well-being and self confidence; social media and job hunting; starting your own business from an interest or hobby; interim management; introduction to networking etc.

Advice On Thursdays the drop in coffee stop is help at Strudwicks Coffee Bar at the MK Christian Centre and a group of members are available to just sit and talk about any subject or perhaps give some advice on issues of the day for the person concerned.

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Besides these two events each week they also provide 1-2-1 advice on CV’s, job search, business plans etc and occasionally have full day sessions on topics such as competancy based interviewing, LinkedIn, etc.

Interview MKEA also arranage for mock interviews to help those how have an interview planned and not been through that process for some time.

A successful but unnamed member of MKEA said: “MKEA demonstrates the necessity for an effective targeted comprehensive job search and then provides the training and expertise to implement it.

I recommend it to all job seaking executives and professionals.”

MKEA services are provided FREE to jobseekers and those facing redundancy, but donations will be gratefully received.

To find out more about MKEA contact John Dale by phoning 0773 645 4327 or emailing dalejohno@aol.com There is also a website at: www.executives-action.co.uk

Issue Five

26

east-west rail

The rail deal Search is on for a railway route between Bedford and Cambridge after study supports economic case for investment The East West Rail project is already set to connect Aylesbury with Milton Keynes and Bedford but a new study says it would make sense to take it further and complete the route to Cambridge.

The East West Rail Consortium claims the delivery of new rail services between key locations could deliver substantial economic benefits and support significant growth.

The report concludes a study by Atkins Consultants and is the first step towards developing an outline business case for the East West Rail ‘Central Section’.

Network Rail, working with the consortium and Department of Transport, will lead the next phase of work to consider and examine the engineering, operational and planning feasibility and cost of several potential route options.

The aim is to establish a scheme with a robust and convincing business case that can be submitted to Government in 2016 to secure inclusion of the scheme, subject to funding availability, in the 2019-24 investment plans for the rail industry.

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inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk Autumn 2014

It has been a long term aim of the East West Rail Consortium to improve rail connections within the region by re-instating the former ’Varsity Line’ between Cambridge and Oxford.

This would provide the rail infrastructure for train services to run from East Anglia to Oxfordshire (and beyond) with connections to all national mainline services to the north, west and south of England.

Bob Menzies, service director for strategy and development at Cambridgeshire County Council, who chairs the East West Rail Central Section Steering Group, said: “Now that the Western Section between Oxford, Bedford and Milton Keynes is going ahead, we are working to develop the business case for the Central Section to complete the missing link.

Benefits “To do this, we need to identify a route that will deliver the greatest benefits to support the case for investment.

“The good news is that this study shows there is significant economic growth potential that could be unlocked through new rail services and that the Government is providing funds for Network Rail to undertake the next vital phase of feasibility work to identify a preferred route.

“The former line between Bedford and Cambridge has been dismantled, the land sold and sections used for other purposes, including housing. This means that we are looking at constructing a brand new stretch of railway.

“Several routes have been considered in the past but until now there has not been clear justification for investment.

“This is why we commissioned Atkins to identify where the greatest economic benefits could be realised through improved transport links. The study considers forecast population growth, employment levels, economic activity and planned growth as well as a review of existing and forecast transport requirements.”

Dr Julian Huppert, MP for Cambridge and vice chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for East West Rail said: “There’s no doubt that we need this railway - linking Norwich and Ipswich through Cambridge to Oxford and Reading has huge benefits; that’s why I’ve pressed for it for years.

“But the route is hard to find, and people have quite rightly been asking which route would be taken, how much it will cost and when it will finally happen - this study helps us to answer those concerns. I am delighted that Network Rail will now take forward the next phase of route design and produce a business case.”

For more information: www.eastwestrail.org.uk/central-section

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Body

my story

BRILLIANT! MUM-OF-THREE LOUISE HAS MOVED INTO A FIXED BASE AFTER BUILDING A MOBILE TANNING BUSINESS A female body building champion is bringing her unique spray tanning offer to a business centre in Newport Pagnell.

Louise Beard, who was placed third in the world at championships in Russia in 2012, specialises in high volume tanning with care and excellence and includes athletes preparing for their shows and photo shoots.

Louise, a separated, single mum of three children, said: “I fell into spray tanning through my personal trainer Karen Marillier, I have built a mobile spray tanning business and now I’m opening a fixed base for Sexi Skin at the I:Centre in Newport Pagnell. The business has grown tremendously during the last six years.”

Louise, a degree educated graduate of the University of Bedfordshire, and Karen run Show Tan, the UK’s first dedicated spray tanning company for fitness models and bodybuilders. Last year she was appointed UK and Ireland spray tanning trainer for USA-based Liquid Sun Rayz.

Europe is also added into the role.

Professional A published author, Louise has rewritten training manuals and teaches two types of courses, salon tanning and competition tanning. Louise counts among her customers, world class professional athletes and promising local athletes who are flying her as their personal tanner to The Netherlands where they intend to compete in bodybuilding couples category and Jessica Ennis’s body double.

Louise said: “A tan is so very important in this competitive arena that it can actually make or break a physique and an athlete’s placing can be seriously affected by having a bad tan. The level of care and service I have to put into my athletes and models has been transferred into my mobile tanning work and now my studio Sexi Skin.”

She counts theatre actors among her clients but says: “My work is mostly centred on every day people needing a tan for a special occasion such as a wedding, night out, weekend away with someone special, pre-holiday tans, hen parties, bridal and anything else in between!”

“For customers a spray tan treatment has the power to lift their spirits, make them feel more confident, feel good and look great!

“I feel am really involved in making them happy, my reward for that is real job satisfaction which makes me happy.”

The Sexi Skin spray tanning studio will give customers the opportunity to get a feel for what it is the client really wants from their tan experience and for Louise to assess their skin type through asking a few simple questions and building that all important rapport.

Each consultation can last up to 45 minutes dependent on client time constraints.

Joe Muscat, owner of Bucks Biz business centres, said: “It’s fantastic to attract world leading business people like Louise to the I:Centre. We hope her association with the I:Centre will be long and profitable.”

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Issue Five

27

28

export

Picture printed with kind permission of the Cabinet office

Currying favour in India TWO BEDFORDSHIRE COMPANIES WERE IN A BRITISH TRADE DELEGATION TO THE SUB-CONTINENT. INSPIRE LOOKS AT THE OPPORTUNTIES Companies from Luton and Bedford were among a 40-strong trade delegation that went across to India at the end of August.

The new Indian government, lead by Prime Minister Narendra Modhi, was elected in May with a clear focus on economic growth.

The British government believes this new administration will open up opportunities for UK companies to do business.

Gravitas Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Ed Davey, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change provided the political gravitas.

Bedford company Blue Bear took part in the three day event to promote business development in the aerospace and advanced engineering sector.

Yoge Patel, Blue Bear’s representative, said: “As a SME, it’s a huge privilege to be asked to attend the VVIP Trade Mission backed by

Autumn 2014

a government delegation and we are very excited to have the opportunity to explore potential relationships within India.

“As a rapidly emerging market, India has enormous potential for our agile unmanned systems in aerospace and maritime, and we look forward to discussing openings in both the civil and military sectors”.

Blue Bear has been trading for 14 years and originates from an R&D company specialising in autonomy, unmanned systems and flight management and control software.

Blue Bear was joined by Luton company Jaltek Systems Limited.

Remarkable Jaltek is an integrated electronic manufacturing and design service provider offering a full turnkey capability in the design, development and manufacturing of complex electronic products, systems and assemblies.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “This (India) is a remarkable country with a young, dynamic and enterprising population.

“Over the last 20 years, it’s grown to become a global economic heavyweight.

India’s people are even more ambitious for the future and Prime Minister Modi has pledged to attract more investment, create jobs, boost trade and pursue greater prosperity.

Milestone “I would like this visit to be a milestone in our drive to forge a new special relationship with India.”

He said British businesses have increased exports to India by 50% making the UK the biggest investor in India of any country in the G20.

As far as trade the other way goes, Mr Clegg said India invests more in Britain than it does in the whole of the European Union combined.

The delegation was organised by UK Trade and Investment(UKTI), the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy.

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young people

29

Just the job STUDENTS HAVE BEEN CRITICISED FOR NOT HAVING WORK-READY SKILLS. ONE COLLEGE IS AIMING TO CHANGE ALL THAT, INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK Bedford College is reinforcing its links with thousands of businesses across Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes by launching a Job Shop for students.

The new scheme will guide students on from the award-winning careers advice given to them at college, towards the real world of work.

Andrew Bridges, Bedford College Job Shop manager, said: “There is a gap between having great qualifications, knowing the sort of career you would like and being able to convince a HR manager or business owner that you are the employee they are looking for.

them with high quality candidates who fit their needs. On top of this our service to businesses will be free.

“Apart from this free service, the other benefit for businesses is that Bedford College’s expert team is best placed to advise businesses if there is any Government funding for work-related training for such employees.

“We have a great talent pool here, incorporating some the most employable

Sustainable “The Job Shop aims to help bridge this gap by supporting employers and students to come together, creating mutually beneficial and sustainable employment opportunities that benefit all parties.

“We will also take the pain and strain of employing people away from the business, working to help potential employers identify what skills and qualifications they require. We will also be advising them on employment options, such as apprenticeships or full-time employees.

“We aim to offer a high quality recruitment service, offering pre-vetting, short listing and interview space for employers, presenting Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

young people in the region; it makes complete sense for the college to match these up with local businesses.”

Andy comes from a background of supporting young people and diverse groups become more employable. He has also successfully built his own businesses in outdoor pursuits and product distribution.

“Students will be helped with CV writing, interview skills and more, so when they present themselves to businesses they stand out,” he said.

Opportunities “There may also be opportunities for employers to test out some of our students through work placements, holiday and part-time employment. That means valuable work experience for our students and gives employers the chance to see what our young people can offer.

“I will be talking to local employers, business groups and College contacts to explain how we can bridge that gap between college and work. Anyone who would like to know more can ring me on 01234 29166 or email abridges@bedford.ac.uk” Bedford College works in close co-operation with Job Centres and other employment agencies and outlets and will continue to do so via the Job Shop.

The Job Shop is based at the Bedford College Cauldwell Street campus and was officially launched over the summer months.

Issue Five

30

technology

Business

satellite Event sets out to look at the commercial opportunities from space technology

Milton Keynes and businesses across the South East Midlands region could benefit from having their own satellite - or at least using their valuable data.

That’s the view of Biztech - the business and technology forum - who together with UCMK will be hosting an MK Innovation Den ‘Ask the Expert’ event in the city on Thursday, October 9.

Fredi Nonyelu, the chairman of Biztech, said: “The Milton Keynes region is known for aiming high - how much higher can we get than our own satellite?

Exciting “It’s not a pipe dream because there is exciting work going on now, today, to use the information to transform every aspect of our everyday lives.”

Fredi added: “There’s a vast array of possible applications, including better GPS and traffic management, pollution control and control of urban development.

“Satellites can also help control disease in trees, which is very important in Milton Keynes, where we enjoy having 22 million of them.

“Flood control, better ploughing and fertiliser use and things like intelligence for the insurance industry and emergency responses are all areas that could benefit greatly by using satellite data.”

The Innovation Den event on October 9 will see two highly regarded expert speakers

Autumn 2014

describe the benefits and opportunities of satellite applications.

Richard Hilton is the Head of Earth Observation at the Satellite Applications Catapult, and Dave Fox, chief executive of Geospatial Insight.

Dave’s company is a great example of how unlocking space data can help the finance sector make better commercial decisions.

Benefit The idea behind Biztech and UCMK’s Innovation Den series of talks is to spread the

message of new technology and how it can benefit people and businesses. The global space sector is forecast to be worth £400 billion by 2030.

The Ask the Expert event will be held from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at University Campus Milton Keynes, at 502 Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes (MK9 3HS), on Thursday, October 9.

Tickets are priced £20 for non Biztech members and £15 for Biztech members.

For details of how to get tickets visit http:// goo.gl/8fascN

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skills 31

Giving a

helping hand New status gives businesses in Luton the chance to apply for certain types of assistance Luton has been approved for Assisted Area Status which means local businesses will be eligible to bid for extra funding and tax breaks to create jobs, invest in new premises or machinery and grow.

opportunity for businesses to make a difference in their area and help to grow the economy,” she said.

Local authority wards in the town that are covered by assisted area status are Biscot, Challney, Crawley, Dallow, High Town, Lewsey, South, Stopsley and Wigmore.

Assisted areas are recognised in European state aid rules as being less economically advantaged places that would benefit from additional support for development.

As a result, financial support from government is permitted to businesses, for new investments. The government’s Department for Business Innovation and Skills points out however that being located in an assisted area does not confer any right to financial assistance; rather, it allows the public sector to provide certain types of assistance if it wishes.

The new assisted area map came into force on 1 July and runs until December 2020.

Luton councillor Sian Timoney, portfolio holder for environment and regeneration, said: “We are very pleased to be included on the new Assisted Area map, which will help our local businesses to grow and create jobs.

Businesses in assisted area wards will benefit immensely and it should boost our local economy.”

She urged businesses to apply for Round 6 of the Regional Growth Fund. “This is a great

Michael Fallon, the former Business Minister in the Coaliion Government said: “Assisted Area status can be a shot in the arm for growth and jobs across the UK. “It makes local businesses eligible to bid for additional funding and support that can help them to create jobs, invest in new premises or machinery, develop and grow.

“We listened carefully to local Photograph by Richard Thomas - From geograph.org.uk groups to identify places where Eligible areas were selected based on a regional aid can have the biggest combination of economic need and economic impact and help to rebalance the economy. opportunity.

Places with the potential for The regeneration of a range of industrial business growth, particularly manufacturing, centres, coastal and urban areas has been have been favoured. given a boost.”

There have been 2 consultations on which Assisted Area status makes businesses areas should qualify, with input from Local eligible to apply for regional aid, which is Enterprise Partnerships and local authorities typically offered as capital investment for ensuring that local intelligence was a key businesses in less prosperous local economies. driver in the process.

Programmes in England that offer regional Further information on state aid in the UK is aid include the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) available at www.gov.uk/state-aid and www. and the Advanced Manufacturing Supply ukassistedareasmap.com Chain Initiative (AMSCI).

Growth

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Issue Three

32

social media

Sexing up

social media CASSIE HICKS HELPED AN 81-YEAR-OLD PROFESSOR HOW TO BLOG A social media guru has used her business skills to help an 81-year-old retired professor how to blog.

Cassie Hicks Kerr runs MMSpark (Modern Marketing Spark) from her home in a south Beds village from where she helps 150 clients across Beds and Hertfordshire reach new customers by using social media.

BUSINESS IS

BOOMING! Make sure you’re part of it.

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Autumn 2014

Cassie said: “Michael Bassey is an education campaigner but he didn’t have a website and didn’t know how to use social media to get his message out.

“Michael happens to be 81 but there are many people, including small businesses, that don’t have a clue about the power of social media.”

Cassie built www.labourneedsapolicyfortodaysprimaryschools.com for Michael at and taught him how to blog over the telephone. Now he’s going from strength to strength.

Prof Bassey is full of praise for Cassie’s work, just like many of her business clients.

Prof Bassey said: “Cassie Hicks Kerr offered ‘out of the blue’ to sex up my website. In the event we set up a new one and she did an excellent job in responding to my ideas. Whether it is sexy I doubt! I am happy to commend her workmanship to others - she does a good job and quickly.”

Cassie added: “The ‘sexing up’ reference is from a friend of mine who told him his site needed to be ‘sexed up’ and referred him to me!

“Michael is a great example of someone who is open to learning new things and is now seeing the benefits. Many small businesses are in the same position in that they just need the tools and knowledge to take advantage of modern marketing.”

For more information on the Modern Marketing Spark visit http://mmspark.com

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tourism 33

Give them the

WOW factor COMPANIES WORKING IN THE VISITOR ECONOMY MUST GIVE PEOPLE MEMORABLE OCCASIONS Businesses working in the visitor economy need to be aware of long term trends shaping their customer base.

That was one of the key messages from a conference in Milton Keynes on July 18.

Held in the Speigeltent venue at the Milton Keynes International Festival, the meeting brought together senior national and local tourism gurus for the launch of a key plan.

The aim was to give businesses involved in the tourism sector the opportunity to find out exactly what the visitor economy entails and why it is so important to the city.

Strategy Destination MK has a 10 year strategy to help businesses capitalise on the growth of visitor numbers projected up to 2023.

The event welcomed speakers and presentations from VisitEngland, SEMLEP, MK Council, Experience Bedfordshire, Canon’s Ashby and IF:MK. Keynote speaker James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland, also officially launched MK’s Destination Management Plan - the 10

year plan for how the visitor economy will be managed throughout the city saying, “It was a sensible yet ambitious plan.”

The very nature of tourism is changing, driven by social upheaval, about 50 delegates heard.

Tom Wells, of South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partership (SEMLEP), told delegates that the post recession visitor was all about value. Even the affluent are looking for a bargain. They are also staying at home for holidays, or would at least consider them.

Almost at odds with that is the development of what is becoming known as the Play Society. In the Play Society people will still spend on leisure activities even if they are cutting back elsewhere.

Driving all this change is an increasing ageing population and changes in family structure. No longer is it true that mum, dad and kids have just grandparents. There is a web of complex relationships, including step parents and grandparents.

But marketers’ concentration on the 18-30 market increasingly ignores grey pound baby boomers who are the driving force decision makers. They are the ones with the money and the resources that younger people don’t possess.

Families are increasingly deciding to go away together for occasions like Christmas and new year.

Also people, driven by the pressure of work to look for shorter breaks, are booking holidays with less than two weeks notice by using tablet devices and mobile phones. And when they go away, they need trophy experiences to post on Facebook, to show their friends they are leading a better life than them.

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The conference was told that giving someone a wow experience, something they can take a picture of and post on social media is vital for successful businesses. That’s a lesson that visitor businesses fail to take notice of at their peril.

Businesses that fail to grasp the importance of these trends will soon find themselves struggling on the margins.

Destination MK has developed a management plan, which includes the possibility of bid being made for Milton Keynes to be the EU Capital of Culture UK in 2023. Such a bid would have to be submitted by 2017 and working up to it, organisers believe, would focus minds on what can be done to improve Milton Keynes as a visitor destination of choice.

Steven Gordon-Wilson, Chief Executive of Destination MK said: “This inaugural event was a fantastic start to what will hopefully be a regular event in the MK business calendar - all of our guest speakers gave an important insight into the visitor economy.”

“James Berresford from VisitEngland spoke very highly of our Destination Management Plan when he launched it, and also helped to put the MK Visitor Economy into a national perspective.

Having Cllr Rob Middleton from MK Council speak was also really beneficial - for me, it’s crucial that we keep the visitor economy high on the agenda, and this event did just that.”

For more information visit: www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk or www.visitengland.com

Issue Five

34

in the news

In the news Housing crackdown Champion Luton Borough Council has teamed up with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Citizens Advice Bureau and Luton Law Centre to tackle problems of poor accommodation in the private rented sector.

The project follows a string of successful prosecutions in which landlords were renting out poor quality and unsafe homes to Luton residents.

They will focus on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) which make up approximately a quarter of households in the private rented sector in Luton.

They’ll be identifying properties being rented out across the town which are damp, cold, dirty, unsecure, too small or don’t have the appropriate number of bathrooms or toilets.

The council’s housing team can then ensure that these properties are brought up to suitable standard and licensed. Legal action will be taken against landlords that don’t comply.

A purge against empty properties is also promised.

Western promise Construction of the Bedford western bypass has overcome a raft of obstacles to begin construction this year.

Bedford Borough Council calls the project ‘crucial’ and has reached agreement with all the principal landowners, it says.

The final section of the bypass will join the A4280 at Bromham with the A6 at Clapham, completing a link from north to south

without the need for traffic to pass through Bedford town centre, reducing congestion in Bedford as well as creating new opportunities for jobs and investment.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: “It is superb news for our road network, for the local economy and for local quality of life that we can now get on and build this road. A completed bypass will reduce congestion in Bedford, cut journey times and help unlock new investment and jobs.”

Constructing Hertfordshire Autumn 2014

chance

Have you got what it takes to be a business champion? Then you should enter the race to be named Bedfordshire Business Champion 2014.

This year’s free-to-enter county awards have been launched with the purpose of finding the one firm or individual entrepreneur who best represents Bedfordshire business brilliance.

Winners of the county champions title could, at the same time, be judged East of England Business Champion.

There will be no need to enter another stage however, as the judging process will be carried out at the same time.

Awards The awards night will be held later this year at the big new Center Parcs Woburn Forest, in Bedfordshire.

There are a total of 14 categories to enter and entrants may go for more than one category up to a total of three.

For more details and to enter visit: www.eofebusinesschampions.co.uk

Hertfordshire County Council is inviting business offering property maintenance, management or construction services to register to receive details of tender opportunities via Supply Hertfordshire at https://supplyhertfordshire.g2b.info/

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in the news

Downloading money Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Committee has recommended an extra £350,000 capital investment to extend the coverage of superfast broadband in the area. With further additional investment from BDUK this funding would be expected to support well over an additional 1,200 premises.

The council says it is on track to expand its coverage from 90 per cent of premises to at least 95 per cent in 2017/18. Superfast broadband is classed as 24Mbps.

Jason Longhurst, director of regeneration and business, said: “This further investment means that we can continue to back our businesses to grow sustainably, especially small and medium enterprises in Central Bedfordshire who can particularly benefit from superfast broadband.”

For more information visit www. centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/broadband

Work experience Hertfordshire County Councl wands businesses to offer young people work experience placements.

The council says work experience is hugely beneficial to students, and for employers it is a tool to allowing staff to develop their management skills, get fresh eyes on a project, and have that all-important extra pair of hands. They may even identify future recruits.

For details email: wex@youthconnexions. org or call 01438 843705.

35

Expo in the Vale A second business to business exhibition is being held in Aylesbury in October.

Wilde Events are delivering the the Aylesbury Business Show, in association with Aylesbury Vale District Council, on Thursday, October 16 at The Gateway.

The exhibition will provide an opportunity for small to medium companies based in Aylesbury Vale to come together for one day, in one place, to encourage businesses to trade locally.

Tracey Aldworth, AVDC director, said: “The hugely successful event last year attended by hundreds of businesses proved that real business can be done in a well structured ‘all day open’ event. Attendees took advantage of being able to do business by attending various activities during the day. We know that businesses want to network with their peer group to grow their business and believe we have created the right environment to do this, with us being close enough if needed.”

For details contact Steph Czaplinska on steph@wildeevents.co.uk or 07540 722981 and say you saw the article in Inspire business magazine.

Entrepreneurial Luton New research has revealed some very encouraging economic statistics in Luton during the first quarter of the year.

A recent report from Duport.co.uk shows there were a record number of new company formations during the three months to March.

Experienced During this period, company registrations rose by 17%, putting the area well ahead of the UK as a whole, which experienced a 12% rise.

There were even more positive figures when it came to net company growth (the number of company formations minus the number of closures).

By the end of the first quarter, net company growth stood at 252, compared to 195 during Q1 of 2013.

In further good news, the report also shows the UK company share of Luton rose over the three months.

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Managing Director of Duport.co.uk, Peter Valaitis said: “A rise in company formation is fantastic news for the economy of Luton and suggests entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the area.”

The Duport Business Confidence Report for Luton provides a range of data to give an insight into the local economy.

More information and statistics can be found at http://www.duport.co.uk/luton.

Issue Five