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www.southeastbusiness.com SOUTH EAST BUSINESS Kelsey Media, The Granary, Downs Court Yalding Hill, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL EDITORIAL Editor: Christine Rayner Email: southeastbusiness.ed@kelsey.co.uk ADVERTISEMENT SALES Wendy King 01303 288885 advertising@southeastbusiness.com AD PRODUCTION Studio Manager: Jo Legg jo.legg@kelsey.co.uk Graphic Designer: James Pitchford MANAGEMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Steve Wright CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Phil Weeden MANAGING DIRECTOR: Kevin McCormick FINANCE DIRECTOR: Joyce Parker-Sarioglu PUBLISHER: Jamie McGrorty HR & OPERATIONS MANAGER: Charlotte Whittaker RETAIL DIRECTOR: Steve Brown RENEWALS AND PROJECTS MANAGER: Andy Cotton SENIOR SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING MANAGER: Nick McIntosh SENIOR PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Nicola Pollard PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Georgina Harris PRINT PRODUCTION CONTROLLER: Kelly Orriss DISTRIBUTION Distribution in Great Britain: Marketforce (UK) 2nd Floor, 5 Churchill Place Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU Tel: 020 3787 9001 Distribution in Northern Ireland and the Republic Of Ireland: Newspread Tel: +353 23 886 3850 PRINTING Warners Midlands Plc Kelsey Media 2020 © all rights reserved. Kelsey Media is a trading name of Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with permission in writing from the publishers. Note to contributors: articles submitted for consideration by the editor must be the original work of the author and not previously published.

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F e b ru ary 2020 / M a r ch 2020

CONTENTS NEWS & REPORTS 04 05 06 08 10

In a league of its own.

Free export masterclasses.

Counting screws.

PR Alison retires.

Diggers arrive at £120m redevelopment.

REGULARS 14 Cove r s t o ry

F E AT U R E S 1 8 COMPANY PROFILE: QUBE

Quality, tailored support for the automotive industry.

2 2 GREEN & CLEAN

Every company should be questioning their suppliers about their green credentials.

3 0 TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATION

Business bank urges people to be diligent and take cyber security seriously to protect your online cash.

Community projects receive a welcome helping hand from Jericho Road Solutions.

16 The B o s s

Specialist accountant who enjoyed his army years says there are important lessons that business can learn from service life.

18 InnovAT O RS

Company offers an interactive technology solution to help you to make the right selection for your team every time.

27 36 38 40 42 44

Mone y Le ga l Constru ct i o n Commerci al p ro p ert y Tra in i n g Move r s & s h ak ers

22

LIFESTYLE 46 48

Motoring: Volvo XC60 v Skoda Kamiq Arts & culture.

30

03

News

04

In a league of its own A Sussex live events agency smashed its way into the top 100 fastest growing private companies in Britain in the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list.

Identity, with its HQ at Westham, reported an average annual sales growth of 46% a year over the past three years, putting it firmly on the prestigious league table of the UK’s private companies with the fastest growing sales. Even more impressively, the events company is on track for another record-breaking year – with sales forecast to grow by well over 100% Identity’s MD, Michael Gietzen, 34, who originally qualified as an accountant, took over his father’s exhibition stand company eight years ago and has since transformed it into an international events agency.

Michael Gietzen said: “This is a terrific achievement. Our local team is exceptional. It is their hard work and immense talent, combined with a massive investment in our facilities that has provided us with the in-house ability to deliver every aspect of a show-stopping event for our clients. Needless to say, as one the fastest growing companies in Britain we are always on the look out for new talent to join the team.”

Identity has a team of around 100 people and delivers in excess of 1,000 events a year, working with global blue chip clients such as Google, ITV, Siemens as well as on international summits like the recent NATO summit.

With over 60%of sales coming from international

› Michael Gietzen work, Identity has built its business on very solid foundations. Its HQ in Sussex has in excess of 30,000 square feet of production space plus it has further offices in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.

Most importantly Identity credits its success to its in-house manpower and talent to conceptualize, design, build and deliver every aspect of live events

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

and activations for the largest brands in the world.

Identity now ranks among other well-known names such as Five Guys, BrewDog and Charlotte Tilbury Beauty who all feature in this year’s 100 companies. Directors from the company will now also attend an awards dinner at Richard Branson’s family home in Oxfordshire in May.

News

FREE EXPORT MASTERCLASSES A series of free export masterclasses are being held across the South of England to help ambitious businesses grow internationally.

The full-day masterclasses, organised by the region’s Local Enterprise Partnerships and Growth Hubs, will run between 18 February and 31 March.

They offer expert insights and practical advice to support SMEs of all sizes and with different levels of experience make crucial decisions, leverage opportunities and maximise profits when entering new markets.

Jacinta George, business environment programme lead and board director at Thames Valley Berkshire LEP said: “There is a strong demand across the world for UK goods and services, and many of Berkshire’s businesses are already finding success abroad. These free masterclasses will offer key advice for any business seeking expansion overseas. The support of the Department of

International Trade, and collaboration with our neighbouring LEPs in the South will ensure these masterclasses have a powerful reach and high impact.”

Aimed at SMEs based in Berkshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Surrey, East and West Sussex, these free comprehensive events focus on four critical elements of international trade: • Researching and selecting overseas markets • Export pricing in international markets • Managing overseas agents and distributors • LinkedIn and social media international trade There are only 20 places available for each masterclass.

Book now at go.newable.co.uk/export

Future of City store site A £25 million plan to redevelop the centre of Canterbury has been approved by the city council.

Work will now begin on creating 12 retail outlets and 74 apartments on the site of the former Debenhams store, which closed after Christmas.

Clague Architects have drawn up plans for the site, on behalf of Chaucer Property Development.

Managing partner Karl Elliott commented: “The council has demonstrated that it wants to see Canterbury’s city centre retain its position as Kent’s pre-eminent place to visit, live and do business. It’s a city built on heritage, but it is also eager to look to the future, evolve, and meet the changing needs of retailers, residents and visitors.”

Chief executive of Canterbury Business

Improvement District (BID), Lisa Carlson, welcomed the development, saying the proposals for the “Guildhall Quarter” showed confidence in the future of the city’s retail area.

She added: “There was real concern that the long-term closure of Debenhams and Cotswold stores would have blighted this high-profile part of the city centre.”

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

05

News

Counting screws An innovative, simple to use app which helps carpenters to work out how many structural screws are needed when carrying out a big project, such as a loft conversion, has proven to be a huge success for Kent-based OSC Sales.

My CalcuMate calculates the number of Carpenters Mate Pro Hex selfdrilling structural screws needed for a job while the Multiple Member Spacing tool, included within the app, determines the desired distance between each screw, to ensure they have a joint strength equivalent to using traditional bolts.

It also allows users to save and print calculations in order to show a local building authority.

Since the app, which can be used on a smartphone, PC or tablet was created in 2017, hundreds of people have registered to use it.

Glen Dunn, managing director at OSC Sales who created the app, said: “We are thrilled to see that so many people are using our My CalcuMate tool. The main thing we notice within the industry is that tradespeople are busy juggling several jobs at once. So we wanted to make their lives easier by coming up with a solution to their problems and saving them time.

“Given the dimensions of the job, the app will work out the exact quantity and size of the screws needed for the task and present a certificate recognised as fit for purpose by building inspectors.

A matter of trust

Trust is at the heart of every successful business and relationship. A recent survey suggests institutions have a lot to do if they are to regain the support of those who keep them in power or profit.

The 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer is a must-read. Now in its 20th edition, it measures public trust and the credibility of government, business, NGOs and the media across the world.

Of 28 countries studied, the UK’s general public displayed the second largest trust gap between themselves and the country’s institutions and businesses. A gap only exceeded by their Russian counterparts – which is a shocking indictment.

The question is: why is trust so low?

We could reach for the “Blame Brexit” button, but that’s too simple. Brexit followed years of institutional failure – the banking crash, the MP expenses scandal, media phone hacking, etc – collectively chipping away at institutional trust, even where there is no blame.

The question for business leaders is how can we rebuild and retain trust?

It starts with ethics. Google’s original vision was “Don’t be evil”, later changed to “Do the right thing”, and many question whether Google’s living up to such lofty ambitions.

Facebook’s mission “to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer

together” is more questionable, especially given its links to Cambridge Analytica – but that’s a topic for another article.

It’s clear from the survey that the public has strong concerns and fears for their future.

Worryingly, 83% fear losing their job for a number of factors, including the gig economy, looming recession, lack of training, cheaper foreign competitors, as well as immigrants who work for less, automation, or the threat of their jobs moving to other countries. How a company operates and then communicates with its workforce and wider community is therefore vital to retaining trust and reducing levels of worry.

Some politicians have undermined the integrity of experts. Optimistically, the survey found 80% trusted scientists to “do what was right”, compared with only 51% of CEOs. In contrast, only 42% of government leaders and 32% of the very wealthy were so trusted.

The Edelmann survey signposts how business leaders can gain trust and respond to growing public demand for fairness. Nearly 9 out of 10 (87%) of those surveyed said stakeholders – employees, customers or community – are more important to long-term company success than shareholders.

Ignore this statistic at your peril.

E

The survey showed a massive 92% of employees expect their chief executives to speak up on one or more issue. Are you leading on issues that matter? If you’re not being a voice for your stakeholders, then you’re missing an opportunity to make a difference and rebuild trust.

Trust, more than competence, will always be an important motivation behind our decision to buy, whether it’s tangible at the moment of purchase, for instance a television, or, intangible such as marketing, legal or accountancy services.

One of the biggest trust challenges for business during 2020 is therefore getting the all-important communication right with your employees, customers and communities.

Combine that with competence and it’s a recipe for success.

CONTACT Andrew Metcalf, director, Maxim PR & Marketing Ltd

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

RT COMM E NT

06

E XP

Maxim_PR

News

Top performers In brief An apprentice from Redhill was one of the colleagues honoured at the Hendy Group Awards which also marked 160 years in business.

For the first time the group brought its sales and aftersales award ceremonies together for the Group Awards with more than 1,200 employees entertained in style by host, former rugby player and TV personality Matt Dawson.

Awards were presented to colleagues from across the business which has more than 20 franchises and employs more than 2,000 people in Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Devon.

Those honoured included Alex Galloway who was named apprentice of the year for his work at Hendy Ford in Redhill.

Last year the group sold more than 56,000 vehicles and chief executive Paul Hendy said he was extremely proud of the contribution everyone makes to the success of the company.

“2019 was a real milestone for Hendy with 160 years in business, the acquisition of Westover in Dorset and Wiltshire, the opening of the Dorset Car Store and the launch of the Hendy Foundation,” he said.

“These awards are a chance to reflect on the success of the year and we are delighted to mark this with our first ever Group Awards hosted by former rugby player and TV personality Matt Dawson.”

The key Hall of Fame award was presented to Andy Smith who joined Hendy straight from school 43 years ago.

£150k raised Parker Building Supplies celebrates the new year by announcing it has raised in excess of £150,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Parkers, that has its head office in Polegate and branches throughout Sussex and Kent, has supported the Teenage Cancer Trust for the last decade. Fund-raising initiatives have included golf days, football tournaments, a dedicated fundraising week and even abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower!

Sue McKinney speaking on behalf of Parkers said: “We’re delighted to announce that Parkers, along with Chandlers Building Supplies and Fairalls, will continue to play a significant part in helping the Teenage Cancer Trust make sure no young person faces cancer alone.”

Helen Farquharson of Teenage Cancer Trust said: “Every £30 raised helps fund an hour of specialised nursing support for a young person having treatment for cancer. Support continues to make a difference to people’s lives.”

› Stuart and Katie of Parkers abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower

Sparkling launch

The 2020 Bexley Business Excellence Awards in association with Ocado opened for entries at a special launch event, sponsored

by Orbit, on 5 February.

Councillor Louie French, London Borough of Bexley’s deputy council leader and cabinet member for growth said: “The 2019 Awards were a huge success, with many local businesses and organisations crowning off a successful year of trading with a night of celebration and fun. Entering the 2020 awards is the perfect way for successful local businesses to raise their profile and to grow their networks.”

The Bexley Business Excellence Awards are free to enter and open to all types of enterprise across every business sector in the borough. The entry process is easy, with businesses being able to register online.

Tea and company A Sunday tea party for lonely older people in Canterbury is proving popular.

The monthly parties are being arranged

by Furley Page lawyer Melanie Christodoulou on behalf of Re-engage, formerly known as Contact the Elderly, a charity which encourages older people to get together to socialise, rather than sitting home alone.

Melanie explained why she had launched the group: “It is a sad fact that older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, which can have a dramatic impact on their health and wellbeing.

Re-engage’s vision is a world where no one is ever too old to make friends and enjoy social interaction and the tea parties give people something to look forward to each month.”

Professional Property Services • Valuations

• Landlord and Tenant

• Dispute Resolution

• Automotive

• Building Surveying

• Building Works

Head Office: James Pilcher House, 49/50 Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1BG Telephone: 01474 537733

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

07

News

£2.65M charity fund

Flooring

Community groups in Tonbridge and Malling are invited to apply to a Kent charity for a grant, following the sale of a popular care home.

The High Hilden care home in Tonbridge closed in 2018, blaming high costs of upkeep. The trust which ran it has now given £2.65 million of the sale to the Kent Community Foundation (KCF), which will oversee distribution of the funds within the borough.

Bill Wass, chairman of the High Hilden Fund which ran the home, said: “We knew that when it was sold, it was important that the money was used in a positive way, for the good of the local community. With no experience in grant making, the trustees donated £2.65 million to Kent Community Foundation, which has all the necessary resources,

knowledge and experience to ensure the money goes to support deserving causes within Tonbridge and Malling.”

Chief executive of the KCF, Josephine McCartney, said members were delighted to have been asked to manage the new High Hilden Fund on behalf of the borough and added: “We are looking forward to receiving applications for financial support, from new or existing charities and community groups within the Tonbridge and Malling area.”

The first grant from the fund has been made to the Bridge Trust, which will use the £700,000 donation to create interim housing. Other groups to benefit include Age UK Sevenoaks, the Kenward Trust and Fegans, a children’s counselling service.

PR expert retires in space company invests

08

V4 Wood Flooring has invested in a further 6,000 sq ft of warehousing space at its Woking base as it gears up for further growth.

The new space will allow the company to stock more of its wide range of stylish wood flooring to complement the innovative and ultra-modern ‘V4 World’ design centre which allow the company to showcase its luxury flooring products and wall panels to customers, architects, specifiers and designers in settings that demonstrate how the products can give homes the wow-factor.

V4 has ambitious plans for the future of the company. It plans to open a showroom in Clerkenwell, which is renowned for being the home of trendy design centres, followed by a centre in the north of England, with Manchester an option under consideration.

The new centres will support the dealer network with a wider range of large samples for customers to view and product training facilities, including the fitting of the various floor and wall products.

Chris Vincent, managing director of V4 Wood Flooring, said: “We are committed to our site in Woking and this investment further demonstrates that.

“To add further warehousing space is important as our range of flooring and wall coverings grow and we showcase them in the design centre.”

A former Daily Mail journalist, who has spent 25 years with a leading Kent PR agency, is retiring to spend more time with her growing family.

Alison Hardy, pictured, was Maxim PR’s first employee when the Tunbridge Wells agency was founded

by Philip Jones and Andrew Metcalf in 1995. Since then, she has worked with many companies across the county, including tourist attractions and vineyards.

She said: “I have loved my time in PR, but the time has come to move on to other things. I have seen so many changes in the way we communicate our clients’ messages which has been incredibly exciting.”

Philip paid tribute to Alison’s expertise in helping to get Maxim established and said she would be much missed. He wished her a happy retirement with her husband, children and growing number of grandchildren.

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

› Natalie Stevens of Bright & Beautiful Guildford with her team of professional housekeepers

Swapping culinary skills for a duster

With over nine years of experience in the hospitality sector, Surrey based Natalie Stevens has swapped her life of catering for an eco-friendly professional housekeeping franchise business, Bright & Beautiful®, covering Guildford and its surrounds.

Raised in Surrey, Natalie has taken over the reins of the Guildford franchise, with an existing team of eight professional housekeepers and a quality training supervisor, all of whom have been carefully selected, referenced and DBS checked and work in teams to ensure reliability and client peace of mind.

The business will continue to deliver a bespoke and tailored service that offers cleaning, tidying, laundry and ironing to the highest standards of service and security and only use eco-friendly products and equipment to ensure they protect the health of their clients, their children and the team.

Having spent the last few years juggling work, home and family life, Natalie knew she wanted a career change and a fresh challenge that would give her greater control over her own schedule and workload, whilst being able to transfer her organisational and communication skills into the day to day running of her new business.

Natalie chose to go down the franchising route and made an investment in a sector with a brand which was well-established, growing fast and recession proof. Bright & Beautiful was the perfect fit, particularly as it was part of a larger network of over 65 nationwide franchisees, and the largest franchisor of home service brands, Neighbourly, which she could tap into for advice, guidance and support.

Natalie said: “Having worked in the hotel and catering sector for almost a decade, I was keen to experience a completely different industry and fulfil my lifelong ambition of running my own business. Having researched opportunities to purchase a business, I found the Bright & Beautiful franchise and immediately knew that I wanted to be part of this family and help make a difference to people’s lives.

“Bright & Beautiful not only provides me with the freedom to run my own business, but also with the structures and economies of scale you only experience from being part of a far larger organisation. The brand also has a strong ethical ethos and Code of Values, which I fully resonate with, and will be key to the success and growth of my business. I’m really excited to get stuck in, provide local employment and deliver a premium housekeeping service that’s at the heart of the community.”

09

Disputes -

Conflicts, failure to agree Not all business runs smoothly – disputes inevitably occur. These can be costly, sour long term relationships and impact future profitability.

So it’s important to resolve them as effectively as possible.

Whitehead Monckton’s Dispute Resolution team can provide you with expert advice and strategies to resolve your business disputes. Ranked in Chambers and Legal 500, we have an enviable track record - achieving excellent agreements whilst preserving future relationships.

Take the first important step before the gloves really come off – contact us today on

Tel: 01622 698047 E-mail enquiries@whitehead-monckton.co.uk www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk Whitehead Monckton Limited (no. 08366029), registered in England & Wales. Registered office 5 Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 608279.

SEB 2/19

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

News

Diggers arrive at

£120m redevelopment Work has begun at Edward Street Quarter, the £120m redevelopment of the ex-AMEX House site, owned by property developer First Base in partnership with Patron Capital.

McLaren Construction has been appointed as lead contractor with a target of completion by autumn 2021.

McLaren has begun construction work in earnest this month, pouring the concrete for the foundations and basement floor. Nick Hibberd, executive director, economy, environment and culture at Brighton & Hove City Council and other local stakeholders also got stuck in to help kick off the construction.

With 110,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, 168 new

apartments, 39,000 sq ft of retail, food and beverage and leisure units, the development is the largest of its kind to come to Brighton in over 25 years.

Steve Eccles, project director at First Base, commented: “Starting on site at Edward Street Quarter is a significant milestone as we move forward the delivery of Brighton’s largest speculative office scheme for over two decades.

The growth of the tech, media and creative sectors in Brighton has been frustrated by a lack of suitable workspace, so we anticipate strong demand for the commercial element, which will sit within a vibrant new neighbourhood in the city centre.”

Kevin Cooke, senior partner – Development at Patron Capital, said: “Following significant planning,

› Left to right: S Adams, S Eccles, S Law-Smith, N Hibberd, S Springford, and G Stewart

10

› Nurse Clare Knight serving

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

it’s exciting to see construction work starting for this major scheme. With its exceptional design, attractive city-centre location and mix of uses, we look forward to this being a highly successful development in all senses.”

Premium commercial office space is in high demand in Brighton, as Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Sarah Springford, recently testified: “We know from talking to our members that high-end office space is something this city is currently lacking. Developments like Edward Street Quarter will help Brighton prosper and help our burgeoning creative and tech businesses stay local, growing within what is fast becoming recognised as the UK’s Silicon Beach.”

News It’s safe to say the past decade hasn’t been a smooth ride for SMEs. During the first half of the 2010s, the nation was still busy recovering from the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash, while the last few years have been dominated by Brexit and the economic uncertainty it has brought.

As we enter the new ‘roaring 20s’, many SME owners will be looking to future-proof their business by capitalising on both existing and emerging technologies, and social trends. But what are the key things SME owners need to be focusing on if they want to get ahead of the game? Here, Opus Energy has shared their thoughts on where SMEs need to focus their time and efforts in 2020.

The green revolution Thanks to international legislation such as the Paris Climate Agreement, and the rise of campaigners such as Greta Thunberg, we’ve seen a profound shift in the public consciousness towards sustainability and the importance of practising sustainable behaviour in our day-to-day lives. With the newly elected government pledging to go net zero on emissions by 2050, now more than ever the responsibility to achieve this sits with each of us.

This will become increasingly important for small businesses in the next decade as consumers start to choose what products and services they buy based on a company’s reputation and CSR policy.

Making just a few changes to your office, routines or even your suppliers will ultimately work in your favour.

Reducing your environmental impact and becoming more sustainable will lower your emissions and help to develop your company or business as a brand that is taking a stand for a more sustainable future.

The ‘socially shareable’ business As social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat continue to deepen their hold on our lives, the ways in which we choose to spend our money are rapidly changing. People are increasingly more likely to find out about a product or service through social media, and those who decide to put their money behind it are probably doing so because they’ve seen

What SME s should be

focusing on in 2020 someone in their network posting about it online. For example, more than 40% of digital consumers now use social networks to research new brands or products, and 72% say they trust a company more after it has been recommended by an influencer.

User reviews are here to stay For many small businesses who might be starting out, the available marketing spend is likely to be limited, so it’s important to see customer reviews as a visible outlet for potential customers. User reviews have a massive impact on our buying behaviour – seeing previous feedback from another person about their experience of a product or service makes us more comfortable when making a purchase.

With 92% of people saying they hesitate to make a purchase when there are no reviews, encouraging your customers to leave a review has become an essential part of doing business, and a great way for SMEs to amplify their wares. Customers also appreciate authenticity and a ‘human’ touch, so choosing to respond to feedback where possible can go a long way in strengthening your company brand.

AR and VR are no longer an abstract concept Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming more commonplace within SMEs as tools to enhance the customer experience, as well as design and test new products. AR works by adding a digital layer to devices reading the real world, and is currently being utilised by small companies in a number of innovative ways. For example, retail stores are using AR to let customers try on clothes from home through 3D animation, while gyms may use AR to show customers how they could look in six weeks’ time.

By contrast, virtual reality is a fully immersive technology which allows users to enter into an entirely visualised 3D space. This can be beneficial to small companies, as it makes prototyping more affordable, allowing them to design and test out new products without many of the risks and costs normally involved.

While both AR and VR can seem expensive upfront, the customer experience and revenue can make all the difference.

Remote working is the new norm As a small business, one of the biggest costs you’re likely to incur is your infrastructure and space. After all, office or retail space doesn’t come cheap – but businesses need space to grow. This is one of the main reasons why remote working is on the up, with reports estimating that by 2020, 50% of the UK workforce will be operating remotely, resulting in much smaller workspaces. So, if cash flow is tight, employees can make use of tech and apps that make this possible.

Employee happiness is everything You’d be surprised at how many small business owners still think salary alone is enough to keep their employees happy.

Employee happiness is also crucial from a business perspective. Research from the University of Oxford has found that there is a conclusive link between an employee’s happiness level and their productivity, with happy workers being up to 13% more productive.

Therefore, small companies should think about making changes where possible to ensure the team feels motivated and positive. Enhancing and continuously working on your company’s culture will boost morale and engagement, and crucially, help you retain top employees and attract new hires.

Includes the following:

Hire of one of our purpose built function rooms (2-200 delegates)

The Orchards Events Venue Day Delegate Rate | £28+ VAT* To make a booking please call 01732 523780 or email: events@orchardeastmalling.co.uk *Priced based on a minimum of 15 delegates

All AV Equipment FREE parking for up to 200 cars Tea, coffee and pastries on arrival, mid-morning and mid afternoon tea & coffee, with biscuits A premium working lunch with hot and cold options Apple juice (made on site) and served with lunch Pads & Pens

Everything you need for the perfect event February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

11

News

Council makes further

investment Two prominent office buildings in Kings Hill have been bought in a £23m deal.

Developer Liberty Property Trust has sold 42 Kings Hill Avenue and 1 Kings Hill Avenue to Kent County Council (KCC).

Andrew Blevins, UK managing director of Liberty Property Trust, said: “We are delighted that Kent County Council, our development partner in Kings Hill for over 30 years, has decided to make a further investment in the business park element of this successful new Garden Village.”

Designed by London-based Richard Partington Architects for single or multiple occupancy, 42 Kings Hill Avenue offers some 55,000 sq ft of air conditioned office space over two storeys. 1 Kings Hill Avenue is a single storey air conditioned building with around 44,000 sq ft of space. The two buildings occupy prime locations in this UK exemplar of mixed-use development.

The move builds on KCC’s existing strategy of investing in Kings Hill, near Maidstone in Kent, where it already owns three other office buildings.

Matthew Balfour, KCC deputy cabinet member for corporate and traded services, said: “The two offices are of excellent quality and present a strong investment opportunity for the council. We are looking forward to providing accommodation to local employers for years to come.”

Knight Frank and Altus Group acted for Liberty Property Trust in the sale.

12

› Dr Pantelidis (centre right) with all the students who took part

Eastbourne’s first

pop-up hotel school

The University of Brighton and Eastbourne’s View Hotel have teamed up to offer young people at school the opportunity to learn more about a career in hospitality.

The collaboration has been brought together by Eastbourne Borough Council, working with the View Hotel, University of Brighton, East Sussex College Group, Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce and East Sussex County Council to create new opportunities for local people in the hospitality industry.

The pop-up hotel school concept was developed by Dr Ioannis S Pantelidis who, together with nine final year BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management students, designed training workshops, focusing on hospitality skills in a real life setting and included interactive presentations about a career in hospitality. The event has also been supported by Open Doors, a workplace-based project run by East Sussex County Council.

Training stations were set up in the hotel’s kitchen, meeting rooms and bedroom.

In each station, hospitality management undergraduate students provided a variety of real life training for Seahaven Academy pupils including housekeeping, reception duties, cooking and service, as well as showcasing the history of hospitality management and sharing how a career in hospitality can be exciting and rewarding.

Dr Pantelidis, principal lecturer in the university’s School of Sport and Service Management, said: “University students created each of the real life training stations and provided demonstrations to the Seahaven students and hands on support.

The plan is to now create a case study that can be utilised by more hotels and universities for a variety of real life training opportunities.”

Open4Business Returns Mid Sussex District Council brings back its ‘Open4Business’ event on 26 March 2020 at the South of England Showground, Ardingly from 3.00pm to 6:30pm (7.00pm for networking).

Bookings are now being taken for companies to exhibit or attend as delegates.

The event provides a free networking opportunity where businesses can meet, hear about the latest business trends and discover sources of business support to help them grow in 2020.

Open4Business is free to attend and welcomes all businesses including start-ups, sole traders, SMEs and corporates. As well as the business exhibition, visitors can participate in networking

opportunities including a speed networking session to grow their connections by meeting lots of business people in one go.

An expert business panel session will also take place where visitors can discover how to trade more ethically, develop a social purpose, and consider their impact on the environment.

Sussex Chamber of Commerce, Gatwick Diamond Business, Metrobus, Creative Funding Solutions and the SE Shared Services Procurement team will all join other local and national business organisations and colleges exhibiting their products and services.

There is free parking available at the venue and

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

a free shuttle bus service will be in operation by Metrobus before and after the event.

Councillor Stephen Hillier, Cabinet Member for Economy at Mid Sussex District Council said: “There is always a great buzz in the room at our ‘Open4Business’ events. We are lucky to have a strong and successful business community and by bringing everyone together in this way, we are helping to grow the local economy and showcase local firms.”

If you would like to exhibit or attend the event, please book online: https://open4business2020.eventbrite.co.uk

News

Co-op supports

A regional, independent supermarket has launched a fund to help retailers fight the increase in violent crime.

Southern Co-op’s Safer Neighbourhood Fund will be used to tackle crime from every angle, including causes, prevention, reporting and bringing the culprits to justice.

Southern Co-op’s loss prevention and security officer Gareth Lewis said: “We commit a lot of time and money to protecting our colleagues and customers from violent offenders, but the stark reality is, it’s getting worse. Every retailer is affected and we’ve seen a 69% increase in crime across our estate from 2018-2019.

“Our colleagues deserve to work in a safe environment, free from harm and the fear of harm. We hope this new funding will be a step towards achieving this.”

The Co-op has also supported a mother in her fight against the misuse of drugs.

Janine Milburn’s daughter Georgia died after taking drugs at a festival in 2018.

Since then, Janine, who works at a care home near Chichester, has campaigned for more information to be available on the danger of drugs and has started talking to groups of young people across the area.

Her campaign “Georgia Jones Don’t Go with the Flo” aims to highlight all drugsrelated matters, including helping young people to resist pressure from their peers to take drugs.

Janine’s campaign has come to the attention of funeral co-ordinator for the Co-operative Funeralcare in Leigh Park, Hampshire, Tracy Newman, who applied for a £500 donation from the company’s Love Your Neighbourhood community fund.

Tracy said: “Janine is an incredibly inspiring woman and she is so dedicated to what she is doing. My colleague Rachel Cast supported her with her daughter's funeral and we’ve followed her campaign over the last year. We hope the donation will enable her to continue spreading important information about drugs. If just one life is

community campaigns

saved, then it has been worth it”" Janine said: “I have spent a lot of time talking and waiting and making sure what I offer fits into what schools need to educate their pupils safely. There is a fine line between educating kids and putting ideas into their heads. In the last 18 months I have learnt so much. The more I have delved into it, the more I have realised that the resources are not out there. There are just a handful of people like me.” She added: “MDMA when it is in its purest form can be dangerous but it’s also a drug that gets mixed with other dangerous things. The more people talk about it, the more they can learn.”

13

Medical centre upgrade

Kent’s largest independent hospital is extending its community care, after successfully buying a medical centre in Sevenoaks.

KIMS Hospital CEO Simon James, pictured, said the acquisition would help provide townspeople with “fast access to safe, outstanding and affordable healthcare close to where they live”.

He added: “If patients need further specialist treatment or surgery, there is a direct and straightforward clinical pathway into KIMS Hospital in Maidstone.

This gives patients in West Kent the choice of accessing healthcare within the county as an alternative to having to travel into London.”

The medical centre offers a range of services, including MRI and CT scans, physiotheraphy, gynaecology, cosmetic and plastic surgery. The building is being refurbished by KIMS and is due to re-open this month.

› Simon James

26 MARCH 2020 – 3.00PM TO 6.30PM Norfolk Pavilion, South of England Showground, Selsfield Road, Ardingly, RH17 6TL

Reserve your FREE place at https://open4business2020.eventbrite.co.uk

OPEN4BUSINESS EXPO RETURNS FOR 2020 AND WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US! Networking, insight and inspiration for entrepreneurs, business leaders, managers and policymakers from companies and organisations of all sizes and sectors in Sussex.

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Cover story A liberal, socialist-leaning childhood set Jess Steele on a path guiding communities through the red tape and obstacles thrown up by bureaucracy, helping to achieve a fairer society.

Jess, the daughter of a “liberal journalist” dad and “socialist teacher” mum, was brought up in Eltham, South-East London, the borough where black teenager Stephen Lawrence was murdered in 1993. She remembers the area as “very racist and conformist”, but says in contrast her education in New Cross six miles away was “diverse and very tolerant, encouraging everyone to feel what they did could make a difference in society”.

Jess is proud that she inherited a social conscience from her parents. After school she set off for university in York, to start a degree in biology, intending to take up a career as a marine biologist. However, after just a week on the course, she switched to history, which she loved, but which left her with no clear idea of what she wanted to do when she graduated.

“My dad had produced a photo-book of historic Deptford and while I was still at university he suggested I should write a proper history of the

Business with a

social conscience Community projects receive a welcome helping hand from Jericho Road Solutions – a company inspired by a 1967 Martin Luther King speech area. We set up a publishing company to publish it and then started working in schools, to help children produce their own books.”

The children were encouraged to take part in every step of the publishing process, even visiting book shops to negotiate sales deals. Deptford Forum Publishing has published more than 20 books in total.

Life changed in 2002 when Jess left Deptford

14

ambulance at row) Kingswith Hospital Jess Steel (back the Observer Building team › Air

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

to set up home in Yorkshire with her baby daughter and her present partner – a musician in a Londonbased band. They loved living in the countryside, but felt the distance from the capital and its full cultural life, so moved back south, ending up in Hastings in 2004.

For the next three years, Jess commuted to London to work for an organisation specialising in national and local regeneration projects, before

getting a similar job which she could do from home, giving her time to get involved in the rescue of Hastings Pier.

In 2013, she decided to go her own way and set up Jericho Road Solutions, a name inspired by Martin Luther King’s 1967 speech, which included the words: “On the one hand we are called to play the Good Samaritan on life’s roadside; but that will be only an initial act. One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho road must be transformed, so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life’s highway.”

Jess remembers being moved by King’s passionate view of helping the needy, with his words: “True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial.

It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.” She explains: “I felt passionately that individuals can make a difference in their neighbourhood, that they can change life for the better and the benefit of the community”.

The ethos of Jericho Road is to support communitybased businesses – helping them through the maze

of funding and set-up processes.

Jess sees herself as “a pollinator”, supporting people with ideas and “spreading good practice”.

She says it’s her “sustained impatience” that keeps her focused and motivated.

One of Jericho Road’s roles is to support those left behind by the housing market. It seeks out neglected buildings and enables partnerships to buy them for regeneration. An example is the Observer Building in Hastings, a 1920s property near the seafront, once a newspaper office and print works.

Jess sealed the deal on the property on Valentine’s Day 2019 and work is now underway to create 16 affordable flats, with rents linked to average earnings in the area, capped forever so they go up only with inflation.

“The housing market is pretty much broken, we need to look again at how we can provide quality homes for people who will never get on the ownership ladder,” said Jess.

The derelict Observer Building is a huge challenge for the Jericho Road team. The company is the 14th owner since the offices closed in 1985, but Jess is determined to make it work. Surveyors

identified issues with the concrete which have cost more than £250,000 to repair, before anything could be done. A grant from East Sussex County Council helped, but the rest has to be raised by funding packages and good financial practice.

Jess is proud to relate: “We are not dependant on grants, we aim to stand alone, where possible. We try to be good landlords, inclusive and fair.”

Next to the Observer Building is the nine-storey Rock House, which Jericho Road and partners bought in 2014 and has successfully converted into homes, workspace and a community kitchen.

Phased over five years, the project is still growing organically and gives a good track record for the much bigger challenge next door.

Jess, who has been with her partner for 18 years, is immensely proud of her 20-year-old daughter’s determination to become a psychologist and her ambition to set up a women’s respite centre – continuing her family’s caring attitude to those in need.

With what little spare time Jess has away from her social commitment, she enjoys walking her dog Scuffle and relaxing with family and friends.

15

Jess sees herself as “a pollinator”, supporting people with ideas and “spreading good practice”

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

South East Business interviews Du n c an C oc hrane - Dyet, MH A Maci n t yre H u d so n

THE BOSS 16

As a veteran of the First Gulf War, Duncan Cochrane-Dyet has seen his share of action under fire. Now with several decades of experience within the financial sector under his belt, he can see the benefits of life as both soldier and civilian.

“The army teaches you confidence, leadership and how to act in extreme conditions,” Duncan tells me. “I thoroughly enjoyed my six years in the service, but it was a single person’s life and I needed to move on.” That “moving on” led him into accountancy and a life dedicated to the financial sector.

A few minutes into our conversation, it becomes clear that the army left Duncan with very decided views on people skills – and how they could be incorporated into business.

“I am concerned that there is no comprehensive leadership training for newcomers to business, unlike the army,” he tells me. “We teach our people managing, but not leading and I think business is

From front line

to bottom line

Specialist accountant who enjoyed his army years says there are important lessons that business can learn from service life. the poorer for it.”

Duncan wrote a blog on the issue soon after he joined MHA MacIntyre Hudson (MHA), a national Top 15 firm of accountants, in 2015. It’s still

available on the company website and makes interesting reading.

The piece begins: “It probably goes without saying that the foundation of the success of our

E E E www.macintyrehudson.co.uk

Great Relationships Great Conversations Great Futures

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

kentinfo@mhllp.co.uk Maidstone: 03330 100 221 Canterbury: 03330 100 220

Armed Forces is leadership, at all levels. The army trains its officers at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where leadership is taught formally.

“Odd, then, that we in the business world do not place the same emphasis on leadership as a discrete skill that can be developed and disregard the huge and beneficial impact that effective leadership at all levels can have. There is virtually no formal leadership training, although this is starting to appear as a component in management courses.”

Duncan joined MHA’s Kent team after several years in the financial sector in London – with firms Ernst and Young (EY) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). He looks back with affection on those days, and on lessons learned in how the profession worked.

Now, as a specialist audit and assurance partner with MHA, Duncan divides his time between the firm’s Kent offices in Canterbury and Maidstone and is responsible for a fast-developing team.

“When I started, we had 27 people, now we have more than 100,” he tells me proudly. And it won’t stop there, the company has plans to double the size of its workload in the next five years, so Duncan is going to be busy.

We chat about his management style and he pauses to consider the answer. “This is about empowering people, and allowing them to make mistakes and to learn from them. This is a very complex world and I could not do my job without regular discussions with the team. I operate

very much an open door policy – anyone is welcome to pop into my office at any time, to chat about an issue.”

Life at home is similarly hectic for Duncan, who is married to a GP who is also an assistant director with NHS England.

Their three children are aged 22, 20 and 19

and are all pursuing their career dreams. His elder son is in the education sector, his daughter is in vet’s school and his younger son is embarking on medical studies, following his mother. Despite all these responsibilities, Duncan still finds time to walk the family’s two cocker spaniels and goes to the gym when he can.

17

E E E www.macintyrehudson.co.uk

Great Relationships Great Conversations Great Futures

kentinfo@mhllp.co.uk Maidstone: 03330 100 221 Canterbury: 03330 100 220

South East Business interviews Nick Shaw,10x Psych ol ogy

INNOVATORS Talent management solutions Company offers an interactive technology solution to help you to make the right selection for your team every time.

18

Putting square pegs into square holes should be the aim of every employer embarking on the hiring process. But why leave it to chance, or intuition?

There’s a tech solution that enables clients to select the best candidates for a given role.

Nick Shaw, CEO of 10x Psychology based at Surrey Research Park in Guildford, is proud of the company’s achievements in a relatively short

time. His impressive online profile lists him as a “recognised talent management expert” and when he joined the company in September 2018 he brought with him the experience of many years holding senior leadership roles, having led commercial, operational and consulting teams globally within the “workplace psychology” field.

The company was set up four years ago by

Professor Peter Saville, acknowledged by the British Psychological Society as “exemplary” in the field of “applying science to the workplace and creating the global standard for psychometric tests.” His closeknit (and, naturally, carefully selected) team has since worked hard to nurture this reputation, developing ground-breaking new talent solutions to assist clients along their hiring journey and beyond.

Every hire makes a big difference and we need to get it right first time

› Nick Shaw February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Location:

Guildford, Surrey Nick explained the way 10x Psychology works: “We have created an interactive technology solution that enables leaders to make informed choices over who they hire and then to monitor and make realtime decisions to assist their team’s progress and development.”

10x Psychology’s software is delivered to the client as a virtual dashboard, constantly updated in realtime to provide the latest and most relevant data. This “holistic” approach gives the business an edge in a highly competitive industry and the team is constantly looking at ways to improve results for clients, who are fully supported with just-in-time online training and support as part of their engagement with 10x.

Beyond the employee selection process, 10x Psychology’s solutions can also help clients to discover the behaviours that drive performance in their existing teams, including their strengths and areas requiring development, all supported by tailored insights and training. Nick explained that this new approach to workplace psychology is “scientifically rigorous, technologically inspiring and goes beyond standard psychometrics into areas such as wellbeing, resilience and employee experience.” In simple terms, keeping the team happy, valued, challenged and motivated, as this is good for the employee which therefore leads to improved business performance overall.

As the company’s client base has grown, Nick has watched his team develop from 7 to 23 over the last 18 months, all working collaboratively towards the same aims. And with the company still growing,

Established: 1985

10x Psychology’s software is delivered to the client as a virtual dashboard he anticipates the need to put the 10x Psychology solution into action again soon, to identify and select more staff.

“Of course we use our own tools to find the right people,” he says with a laugh, in answer to my question. “Every hire makes a big difference and we need to get it right first time.”

Nick loves his role as head of a lively and inquisitive team, but assures me: “We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We meet socially, as well as in the office – there are team night outs, quizzes and bowling nights.”

When he’s not immersed in his work-related world, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, 11-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son. He’s a proud season ticket holder for Crystal Palace, along with his father and several other members of his extended family. He loves cricket and although he doesn’t play anymore, he coaches his son’s team and enjoys watching the England team in action.

Key Sectors:

Technology, space, health, engineering, games development

Key Features:

Provider of office space and services to 170 companies ranging from start-ups that can rent a desk in a co-working environment to small companies benefiting from its 85 unit multi-occupancy centre, to organisations with up to 1,000 staff, requiring their own buildings. The Park has an on site business incubator, SETsquared - the global number one university business incubator.

Highlights:

Businesses located on the Park generate over £1 billion of economic activity each year and create 4,000 jobs in Guildford.

A number of Surrey Research Park tenants have won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, created global industry firsts and pioneered major medical breakthroughs.

Further information:

www.surrey-research-park.com

For more information on available properties: 01483 579 693 www.surrey-research-park.com February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

19

Company profile: QUBE

Quality, Tailored support

for the automotive industry Maintaining a local presence in the big world of vehicle manufacturers has kept Qube Automotive at the top of its sector.

Commercial director Liz Walker proudly shares the news that the company earned a place in a national list of top 10 automotive consultancy services for 2019 – an achievement she says will be hard to beat “but we’ll try!”

The company was founded in Maidstone 21 years ago by IT expert Matt Seymour and remains in the town, now operating out of the Turkey Mill business

20

Customer database fields increased from 83% to:

98%

centre. After a few years working in the finance sector, Matt spotted a gap in the market for designing software solutions for the automotive industry and he set up a specialist business to provide a customerfocused service.

Liz explained: “At first, the only clients were Renault and Nissan, then Seamus O’Donnell joined us bringing with him a wealth of automotive knowledge.

Our reputation spread as we expanded our client base across the UK and on mainland Europe. We concentrate on providing an excellent service to our clients, offering automotive consultancy and strategic insight that enables them to improve their business.”

Qube draws on decades of experience in both the automotive and technology sectors. With a wide range of expertise it considers itself a “specialist” business, says Liz – providing vehicle manufactures with what its website describes as “the holistic, accurate and timely information they need to reduce costs and increase revenue”.

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

I confess I’m at a bit of a loss as to what this means in simple terms and commercial director Seamus O’Donnell steps in to explain: “We take data from a number of sources and offer vehicle manufacturers high-quality, bespoke software solutions that are tailored to their individual requirements. Basically, this means monitoring vehicles throughout their life, indicating where and when they are sold, how they are used and what parts they are likely to need.

“Being automotive specialists we are also consultants to the industry, as well as the business reporting systems,” says Liz. She says her colleagues are excited at the potential for “connected cars” – those that use technology to link vehicle performance via the internet.

“It’s the future of the business and we’re delighted to be in at the early stage,” she said. “Our consultancy service offers clients help in understanding how data analysis and reporting can improve their overall business performance.

› Liz Walker

Vehicle database on next Service & MOT dates up from 78% to:

› Matt Seymour

› Seamus O'Donnell

98%

I’ve probably got as far as my simple brain can cope with after all this talk of technology and motoring trends, so I pull the interview to a close by asking both Seamus and Liz what they do in their leisure time.

It transpires that Seamus, who came south from his home patch in the North East of England to take up the job with Qube in 2013, enjoys listening to 80s music in his spare time and is happy to be teased for admitting it.

“It’s my era and I love to immerse myself in it when I’m away from work,” he says.

Liz has a more active life outside the office, enjoying walking in the countryside and skiing. She also acts as chauffeur for her daughter, who is making a name in competitive riding. Her other two children are off her hands, at least for the time being.

“I used to ride, but now I’m more often at the wheel of a horse box, transporting her and her horse across the country,” she says.

21

Trade customer details with smart matching process: T: 0333 241 2945 E: enquiries@qubedata.net www.qubedata.net

99%

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Green & Clean

22

Question green credentials With most councils in the South East declaring climate emergencies every company should be playing their part which includes questioning their suppliers about their green credentials.

Contractors, whether they look after IT systems, lighting, catering, cleaning or pest control, should be able to demonstrate that they are being as ‘green’ as possible.

Thanks to customer demand and the drive by companies like Cleankill to operate responsibly and ethically, the pest control industry is changing and natural pest control and the return to traditional pest control methods like traps is on the rise.

Practically every business needs a pest-prevention contract with a series of planned visits to monitor activity and make sure problems are spotted early.

This gives ‘peace of mind’ to businesses, particularly those involved with food production or retail which

demand the highest standards of hygiene.

With offices in Surrey, Sussex, Bristol and Bucks, Cleankill has won several ‘green’ awards and consideration for the environment continues to be at the heart of the way the company does business.

Cleankill managing director Paul Bates explains: “Whether it’s travelling, office work or in the field, we go above and beyond, to demonstrate our green credentials and we are dedicated to being greener and helping customers reduce their carbon footprints by operating in an environmentally sensitive way. More companies are looking to procure from suppliers with green credentials which is very encouraging.”

All pest control companies should have the approach of Exclusion, Restriction and Destruction (as a last resort). ‘Exclusion’ means looking at where pests are entering a premises and blocking entrance points. ‘Restriction’ means creating unfavourable

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

conditions for pests and ‘destruction’ means the physical elimination of pests. Traditional traps should be used where appropriate for rodents and pesticides used as a last resort.

Cleankill is a corporate member of the Bat Conservation Trust and regularly works with Natural England, the RSPB and beekeepers throughout the country.

Sometimes effective pest control requires a combination of approaches, particularly when it comes to bird control. Nesting pigeons can cause a range of problems and seagulls can cause issues by being aggressive toward people particularly around nesting time. The most natural of bird control methods is using predator birds. It is particularly suitable for places where customers don’t want netting or spikes.

They are also perfect for sports stadia and open-air markets.

Now is the time 77041

miles driven in an average car

2001

1197

days of home electricty usage

incadescent bulbs switched to LED

› Reflect Digital’s impact of 31.51 tonnes of CO to one of the above

2

is equivalent

Offsetting employee’s carbon

footprint

The Kent-based digital marketing agency, Reflect Digital, is going to start offsetting its employee’s carbon footprint in a bid to help tackle climate change.

CEO, Becky Simms, has signed up to OffSet Earth, which allows a business to offset its CO2 output by planting trees, installing solar panels and wind farms and investing in infrastructure for communities all around the planet. Each project has been independently certified by Gold Standard, an environmental integrity body established by WWF and other non-government organisations.

It comes as the naturalist and broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, warns that “the moment of crisis has come” in efforts to tackle climate change and as the news continues to be dominated by the tragic bushfires in Australia.

Becky said: “Offsetting is one of the ways we’re reducing our carbon footprint, and OffSet Earth, is exactly the kind of project we’ve been searching for.

“It invests in projects that remove more greenhouse gases than our own carbon footprints put in. I have been thinking for a long time now how the company can do more to support the environment.

“I heard about Offset Earth at a conference back in November, so as we were planning 2020 budgets it seemed the right time to get signed up, so we planned it into our financial year.

“Realistically I think it will only really start to make a tangible impact if more businesses make this a priority and take a step to tackle the climate crisis.

Becky adds: “The process was super simple to do, you sign up at https://offset.earth/ by selecting your team number and what level of business travel they are doing, which generates you a quote.

“This is shown as a financial figure but also shows you your climate-positive impact if you proceed, so for us, it means 324 trees will be planted each month which equates to 31.5 tonnes of CO2 being removed every month.

“For our team, it means they can feel comfortable in the knowledge that as a business we are offsetting their carbon footprint.

“Meaning any action they take personally or money they wish to donate to climate causes is all climate positive rather than offsetting, they already have that covered.

“Feedback from the team has been really positive that this is a great new benefit we have added, our impact on the climate is not often out of the headlines these days, so it is something we are all concerned about and it’s great to feel that through work we are doing something.

“I would wholeheartedly urge all businesses to start thinking about what they can do to support the climate and how they can minimise and offset their impact.”

to switch

The government’s recent initiative to encourage the UK to move to green motoring will take hold as of 6 April, 2020. The Benefit in Kind company car tax for electric cars will be dropping from 16% to 0%. As of that date having an electric company car for your employees or yourself will offer significant tax savings!

The government is committed to increasing electric vehicle adoption across UK roads in order to meet climate change targets, and ensure cleaner air quality. As an employee or director of a company, you will pay tax on any benefits that you receive from the company. Benefits could include gym memberships, accommodation or in this case company cars.

The ‘fill up’ cost of electric cars is considerably cheaper than petrol or diesel. Further savings can also be made by utilising renewable and sustainable energy such as solar or wind power to charge these vehicles. For fleet vehicles with regular journeys of up to 100 miles per day, they can offer a great reduction in transport costs for the businesses.

Sherene Garvin-Mack, marketing manager for EVision Electric Vehicle Hire, based in Strood, Kent, says: “Now is the time to switch to electric vehicles. The UK charging infrastructure is well underway with a large push from the government, electricity providers and car manufacturers, all aiming to ease consumers EV adoption.”

EVision are holding numerous Masterclasses around the South East to educate individuals and companies about the BiK changes. As well as offering first hand experience to test drive and explore electric car options such as the Tesla Model 3, Jaguar I-Pace and BMW i3.

If you would like to know more about electric vehicles, the new government initiatives and tax changes, as well as have the chance to drive various electric vehicles, head over to www.evrent.co.uk/masterclass

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

23

Green & Clean

Going green I would like to market my company in a way that is less harmful to the environment. Would a focus on digital marketing make my business more environmentally sustainable?

Ask THE EXPERT

Leaving the issue of global emissions from data centers aside when assessing the impact that your marketing materials have on the environment it is easy to assume that digital collateral is more sustainable than printed material.

Certainly, digital marketing offers a range of benefits such as global reach, lower cost and measurability. However, when considering your environmental footprint rather than just swapping direct mail for an e-newsletter consider how you can better use both electronic and print media in a way that meets your business and environmental needs.

If your company mission is to market sustainably then you need to have a long term and consistent plan that is supported by socially responsible brand values. Your marketing strategy is paramount to delivering on your environmental goals. Targeting your marketing campaign to reach an identified audience and demographic will reduce wastage both on and offline. Monitoring and measuring the success of your campaign will provide you with valuable data that can further assist with reducing the volume of output. Integrating your website with your accountancy software can cut down on a high volume of unnecessary paperwork as well as streamlining your customers online experience.

It takes time to build a brand that is synonymous with social responsibility and sustainability. Don’t fall into the trap of using buzzwords or jumping on the bandwagon of social issues to promote your business in the short-term. A well planned out and long-term approach will enable you to build a brand that resonates with your target audience and delivers on environmental promises.

If you would like to find out more about how you can adapt your marketing to be more environmentally sustainable, we are offering a FREE marketing audit until 31 March. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please contact the agency on 01622 687729.

24

Va lid un til 31 Ma rc h2 02 0

M A RK E T ING audit

Adams Creative Group Ltd is a full service marketing agency. Our services include website design, SEO, PPC, email campaigns, photography, video, VFX, 3D graphics, PR and branding. For more information please contact us T: 01622 687729 E: hello@adams.uk.com www.adams.uk.com

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Ask THE EXPERT

Is an Electric

car for me?

I don’t know if an electric car is for me.

How do I find out more about electric cars and the huge tax savings as of 6 April, for myself and my company?

Whether you agree to the idea of owning or driving an electric car or not, the future is changing rapidly, and individuals are opening up to the idea. The widespread adoption of electric cars is more and more noticeable when driving around the UK. It is a well known fact that drivers are more inclined to make the switch to electric due to their sustainability and cheaper running costs.

Along with the increase of electric cars comes a rise in the number of charge points that are available. It is important to note that there are now more public electric car charging stations than petrol stations in the UK. If you are indecisive about whether to go forward and drive electric or whether it will fit in with your lifestyle, your best bet is to hire an electric vehicle for a short period of time. This will give you a real taste as to how it feels to live with an electric car.

General manager for EVision Electric Vehicle Hire, Garry Tinkler says: “Starting out in the world of electric cars can be very overwhelming with all of the terminology and technology. However, once you know the basics you will soon be enthralled into the future of motoring. Here at EVision we aim to educate drivers about electric cars and their benefits, whether this is via our blog, videos or through hosting an event/masterclass.”

EVision’s masterclass aims to educate people about having an electric vehicle including how and where to charge them, the best charge points available for your needs, as well as the costs of owning/renting an EV. The event also provides attendees with the opportunity to experience a range of electric vehicles first hand and test drive them to get a feel for what they are like.

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ELECTRIC VEHICLE HIRE WWW.EVRENT.CO.UK

To book tickets for EVision’s next Masterclass, held at the Mercure Brandshatch hotel in March, visit HIRE ELECTRIC VEHICLE www.evrent.co.uk/masterclass WWW.EVRENT.CO.UK

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February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com South East Business 2019.indd 1

17/01/2019 16:21

Green & Clean

26 › Students welcome the new eco buses. With them are MD for Stagecoach South, Edward Hodgson, and director of estates at the University of Chichester, John Kingdom

‘Green’ buses on campus Eco-friendly double decker buses have been introduced on a university route, as part of a campaign to reduce carbon emissions.

Stagecoach and the University of Chichester unveiled new eco-friendly buses which will carry students between campuses. The buses, which replace vehicles which are almost eight years old, are fitted with technologically advanced Euro6 engines designed to cut pollution between stops.

The buses will run between the university’s two campuses in the week and the Coastliner 700 route from Bognor Regis to Portsmouth at weekends. All include USB charging ports and wi-fi.

University director of estates John Kingdom said: “Environmental sustainability has been adopted into the very heart of our culture – not only in the way students study, but how they travel. Students are more conscious of living sustainable lifestyles than ever before, so we’re delighted that we now operate one of the most environmentally-friendly bus services on the south coast.

“Our students ride the inter-campus buses for free, which helps to reduce the number of cars on our roads and cuts emissions. We’ve had a

successful partnership with Stagecoach for many years, so are really pleased to continue that into the next decade.”

Stagecoach South MD Edward Hodgson said: “We are delighted to make this investment in providing better transport facilities for students at the University of Chichester. The new buses represent a real enhancement in travel experience,

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

with the Euro6 engines which reduce NO x by 80% and particulates by 50%. Looking after the environment is a responsibility we all share and we see this as a positive step forward and a significant contribution towards improving air quality – reducing our environmental impact and hopefully encouraging more customers to switch to the bus and opt for our greener, smarter travel option.”

Money

Funding for transport A new £1.5m European Social Fund call has been issued for projects that are aimed at helping unemployed or inactive residents – including those aged 15-24 – in the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) area who do not have any way of travelling to/from employment or training.

The Wheels to Work and Training programme is designed to help combat the barrier seen in parts of the SELEP area that inhibits residents’ abilities to take up employment or training opportunities due to a lack of direct public transport links. The funding has been issued in response to SELEP’s Skills Strategy, which highlighted the difficulties faced by some of the South East’s residents in travelling to work.

The South East LEP Skills Strategy 2018-2023 outlined the demand for skills in the SELEP area, with around 180,000 people in the patch having no qualifications, while close to 42,000 people are claiming out-of-work benefits. The nature of

initiative the SELEP area, which includes a high number of coastal and rural communities, means that access to training and employment remains limited for some people.

The Wheels to Work and Training programme is seeking support projects such as personalised travel planning and advice for individuals, as well as travel training; practical transport solutions such as bicycle or scooter hire or borrowing for up to six months; and support to purchase rail and bus tickets.

There is also a call for projects that support 15-24 year olds in the SELEP area with additional barriers to the labour market such as ex-offenders, care leavers and those with special educational

needs. The full application deadline for the Wheels to Work and Training programme is the 22 April 2020.

SELEP chair Christian Brodie said: “There is a skills shortage in the South East, so this new call for projects that will help to get inactive or unemployed residents into work and training is a firm step in the right direction to tackle the issue and ensure that everyone is given the same opportunities when it comes to employment.

“The SELEP patch is unique in its composition, with a high number of coastal and rural communities, which creates its own set of problems when it comes to residents having the transport links they need to be able to work.”

To find out more, go to www.southeastlep.com/opportunities/european-social-fund-esf

27

We’re the bridging loan experts.

Have a client who needs funds fast? Think of us.

For decades, we’ve provided more than 59,000* personal and commercial bridging loans worth £5.9bn*. No matter how complex the case, we’ll work fast, apply a flexible, commonsense approach, putting you and your clients first.

Contact your Regional Development Director:

Sam Emery – 0330 057 2961 samantha.emery@togethermoney.com

Any property used as security, including your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it. * Includes unregulated and regulated bridging loan applications over 34 years.

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Money

Three minutes with… Ambitious

Samantha Emery We grabbed Samantha Emery, regional development director for South East England at specialist lender Together, to pose a few quick questions about how people can take advantage of their services.

Do you lend to businesses or just individuals?

"We frequently lend to businesses; many of our clients are landlords, who have found it beneficial to move to a limited company structure in recent years. We also work with SMEs who need to access short-term finance, whether to manage cashflow or take advantage of an opportunity that won't wait. Whether you're a sole trader running a small business from your spare room, or a big business that needs a major cash injection, we'll listen to your needs."

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What types of property will Together secure loans against?

"All sorts! Private residences, rental properties, holiday lets, commercial units, semi-commercial properties, land. We also work with developers on new builds, and investors on properties they're refurbishing – whether to sell or keep as part of their portfolio. We'll always take a look, even if there's something about the property that means other lenders won't."

How much can someone borrow?

"It varies, to be honest. Generally, up to about 70% of what the property is worth. It depends on the equity available, the type of property, how much is being borrowed, income, and the applicant's past credit behaviour – but not their credit score."

Do you lend to self-employed people?

"Yes, provided they have at least 12 months' trading. This is sooner than many lenders – they often stipulate two years; but we know that there's been a huge increase in the number of people classed as self-employed over the last 10 years.

"Our flexible approach means we can also take into account other earnings too – so if you also have a part-time job, or are also claiming a pension, or receive rental income, for instance – we'll take that into account as well. We've compared ourselves to our competitors recently, and we think we have the most flexible income criteria of any specialist lender."

Growth Plans Europa Worldwide Group, an independent logistics operator based in Dartford, has unveiled its ambitious vision for the future.

Since Europa was acquired in 2013 it has seen turnover increase three-fold and its profitability 16-fold. Its managing director Andrew Baxter told staff: “We have set our sights on aiming to hit a turnover of £1 billion through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth.”

Results have seen the company showcase record turnover and profit, the best in the Group’s 50-year history. Europa revealed record turnover (£180m) and profit (£5.2m) in its annual financial results (year-end 31 December 2018). By the end of 2019 this had grown to £205m (with profits of £6m). In addition, the business has doubled its employees and now employs over 950 staff.

The directors shared their vision at Europa’s first all staff conference, where for the first time all employees were invited to attend.

New Community What about newly-incorporated businesses?

Most banks will only lend to a company if they've been trading for at least two years, so that they can look at two years' worth of accounts.

But we are not a bank. We will accept an accountant's reference that projects a business's future income for the purposes of our affordability calculations. So as long as you've been trading for 12 months, we could lend to you.

Any property used as security, including your home, may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.

Sam Emery

Grants

CXK has announced that grants of up to £20k will shortly be available to small and voluntary sector organisations which support unemployed people aged 16+ to find work, or a learning or training opportunity.

The grants are available to organisations working in Kent and Medway, Essex, Thurrock, Southend.

This is the third and final round of funding, at the end of which CXK will have allocated more than £600,000 in total over the course of the past year.

Sarah Mills, assistant director at CXK, said: “The grants are particularly targeted towards organisations that help four key priority groups – the over 50s, individuals with disabilities, people from ethnic minorities and females.”

Applications will open on Monday 24 February, closing Friday 20 March.

The grants have been awarded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) under their Community Grants Scheme via European Social Fund funding (ESF); and are being administered by CXK.

Regional development director, Together T: 0330 057 2961 E: samantha.emery@togethermoney.com www.togethermoney.com

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Full details of the grants and the application process are available at: www.cxk.org/community-grants

Money

Funding for business a banker’s perspective by John Walsham, Kreston Reeves To an outside observer, businesses may look very much alike, perhaps operating in similar sectors and of the same size. But, just like the people they employ, no two businesses will be the same.

When a business is looking for funding to support continued growth, no one-size-fits-all approach will work. Responsible lenders will want to review a wide range of factors including understanding the business model, its vision and goals, sector dynamics, assets held by a business, and the owners’ commitment before making a lending decision.

With this information, funding will typically fall into one of the following options.

Overdraft Overdrafts will be familiar to most businesses and they are, at their most basic, a line of credit agreed for a predetermined period of time. They are flexible and relatively quick to put into place.

Business loan A loan is typically agreed with a specific aim in mind – for example to purchase a property, business assets or research and development.

Repayments are fixed, which helps with budgeting, and can be for terms of up to 25 years. Businesses should review their loan commitments regularly, comparing rates and the options to redraw a loan having made payments over a number of years.

Invoice discounting Invoice discounting enables a business to immediately access up to 90% of the value of an invoice, aiding working capital. The facility will typically grow with the business aiding further expansion.

Pathfinder Business update

Stock financing Some lenders will view a company’s purchase orders as tangible assets and lend against them. The lender will want to track the end-to-end transaction and understand the ‘who you buy from and who you sell to’ question – before agreeing to lend.

Asset finance Machinery and equipment are integral to many businesses but finding the cash to buy them can be challenging. Asset finance options allow a business to obtain the equipment needed to support continued growth via a number of options including leasing, hire purchase, and sale and leaseback.

Other funding routes Bank funding will not always be at the right level or with the right rates, so businesses will often look to other sources of capital.

The most common routes are: • Equity investment – Finding the right investor with complimentary skill sets can accelerate growth. Investors will, however, expect a business owner to give up some of the value of a company, either at the time of investment or in the future.

• Equity crowdfunding – Typically managed via an online platform, equity crowd funding allows a larger group of investors to invest in return for an equity stake.

• Peer to peer – Again, typically managed via an online platform, investors effectively make a loan to a business receiving interest on their investment.

• Acquisition – When buying a business, it is often possible to raise funds against the assets of the acquired business.

• Regional growth funds – Businesses should not overlook the various pots of government funding that are available – Funds tend to seek to stimulate business growth and job creation and will often need match funding.

There are many different funding options for fast growing businesses, all of which will have implications on future activity. It is recommended that businesses take independent advice from their accountant before making a commitment.

John Walsham

Business Development Consultant at Kreston Reeves. John joined Kreston Reeves following a 36-year career with one of the major UK banks. He has worked with businesses of all sizes helping them secure funding.

E: john.walsham@krestonreeves.com www.krestonreeves.com

Our complimentary Pathfinder - Business update provides insight and guidance for business owners, shareholders, directors and financial personnel of businesses and partnerships. To subscribe to this bi-monthly email newsletter, please email marketing@krestonreeves.com For all your business, tax and wealth needs.

Call: +44 (0)330 124 1399 Email: enquiries@krestonreeves.com Visit: www.krestonreeves.com

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

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technology & Communication

Protect your

online cash

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Online banking is, for many of us, a part of our day-to-day lives, but concerns over cyber security and a rise in online scams have left many of us asking just how safe is our hardearned cash?

Latest figures, released as part of the National Crime Survey, have revealed a 15% year-on-year increase in fraud incidents. Bank and credit account fraud accounted for the majority of that rise, rising by 17% from 2.3m to 2.7m offences.

The number of fraud offences referred to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau also rose by 16%, increasing from 638,069 in 2018 to 740,845 in 2019.

So, with online banking giving digital-savvy criminals a new channel to exploit, what can you do to keep your savings safe?

Dave Wickham, head of IT at Redwood Bank – a pioneering Business Bank that was ‘born in the cloud’ and is committed to cyber security – gives his top tips for ensuring your money stays out of reach of online opportunists.

Choose a strong password! This should be different from other passwords you use and not personally identifiable. The guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is to use three random words. Try to incorporate uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols to add complexity.

For more details see: www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/ top-tips-for-staying-secure-online/use-a-strongand-separate-password-for-email Keep your devices up to date with the latest software patches – you will often receive a prompt on your computer, smartphone or tablet to inform you that software or an app is ready to be updated.

Don’t ignore this message. Also ensure your device has Anti-Virus installed and is kept up to date. This can help protect you from nasty websites, emails and software which could attempt to steal your data.

Where available use two-factor authentication (2FA)/Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), including on your personal email accounts where possible. 2FA/MFA requires you to perform an extra check before allowing access to your account, this means even if your

Business Bank urges people to be diligent and take cyber security seriously to protect your online cash password is compromised, your account stays safe.

Be careful what you click on! A very common attempt to gain credentials is to trick you into clicking a link or downloading a program that contains malware. If you aren’t expecting the email or are unsure in any way, then exercise caution.

Consider contacting the sender to ascertain whether it was genuine.

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Access your accounts from a secure network wherever possible. Free and public Wi-Fi networks are often not encrypted and therefore unsecure, which means it’s easier for a hacker to access your device or information. Always ensure the website you are logging in to has “https” at the beginning and has a padlock in the URL to show it’s secure.

Image: dennizn / Shutterstock.com

Heading to the cloud Brighton based technology specialist Curve IT has completed a digital transformation project for fellow Brighton business Partners in Enterprise.

The company, which offers accounting and financial management services across Brighton and the South East, has now fully migrated its key IT platforms to cloud-based services, using Microsoft’s Office 365. It has also begun using a range of cloud-

based productivity and communication applications, including SharePoint, Yammer and Teams to foster greater collaboration and information-sharing.

Collectively, these applications have enabled Partners in Enterprise to build a centralised hub for communications and information storage.

The project also involved replacing an unreliable telephone platform with a new system, to improve call quality and reliability. Curve IT provided full

training on the system, ensuring all Partners in Enterprise’s staff were rapidly brought up to speed.

In practice, this means the accountancy firm’s staff can now access their documents and data from anywhere, and work in teams on the same documents or projects. In turn, this enables more flexible working practices, smarter teamwork and more robust information security protocols, because data is not stored directly on staff devices.

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w: www.iconology.co.uk e: contact@iconology.co.uk t: 01303 813700

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Supporting Businesses since 1998 Manged service provider for Microsoft and Apple environments

•

Cloud Solutions

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Infrastructure Security

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Cloud phone systems

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CCTV solutions

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Internet Service Provider

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Digital Driven Business Join the guest list to receive your invitation to our upcoming seminar series exploring the potential to accelerate your business growth and gain competitive edge through technology

snapwire.co.uk /events February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

technology & Communicatios

Intuitive mobile apps I’m looking for a developer to help me create a mobile app, where should I start?

32

Mobile apps can provide a more intuitive and engaging user experience (UX) than a web browser for those accessing content via mobile devices. Load times are faster and it is easier to navigate to the specific content or function you require when using an application on your phone or tablet than accessing the full site via a laptop or PC. Apps can therefore seem an attractive solution for any business with a web presence who are looking to better serve a mobile audience - most people nowadays!

Firstly though, you need to be clear on exactly why you want a mobile app – rather than jumping on the bandwagon for fear of missing out on the latest thing, or to keep up with your competitors – you need to know who it is for and what you want it to do. You also need to consider if it will need to integrate with other software that you are using,

Ask THE EXPERT

for example your CRM, email marketing software and e-commerce payment processing. Will this be a consumer app, free to download or paid, or an enterprise app for internal use?

Next you will need to decide whether you want your app to be developed for the Apple iOS or the Google operating system Android. You will of course also need to consider budget, expected ROI and timescales, plus who will project manage the development and launch.

When it comes to making an app successful, we

always say that user experience (UX) is everything.

With so many apps fighting for attention, your app needs to do more than look good; it needs to deliver an exceptional user experience.

Once your app has been scoped, designed and built, it is important to maintain a good relationship with your developer and continue to work with them for the long-term to ensure you are getting the right training and ongoing support. So it makes sense to bear this in mind when selecting the right partner in the first place.

As part of our commitment to helping our clients grow their businesses, Snapwire offers an optional ongoing support service package, including an agreed service level agreement (SLA) and access to our in-house mobile app developers and support team.

Kenneth Cox

Founder and CEO, Snapwire Software. Driving business growth and improvement through technological innovation T: 01622 235369 E: info@snapwire.co.uk www.snapwire.co.uk

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

› Left to right: Dr Helen Bowcock OBE, DL, chair of trustees Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex; David Welch, chief executive AAKSS introducing HRH The Princess Royal to Leigh Curtis, executive director of service delivery AAKSS and Professor Richard Lyon MBE. Far right – paramedics and pilots of AAKSS. Inset: HRH The Princess Royal meets members of the AAKSS medical team providing a medical demonstration

New technology and

training facilities Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Redhill Aerodrome to meet the Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (AAKSS) team and view the new technology and training facilities that will allow the AW169 aircraft to operate in weather conditions where it is currently not possible and the crew to deliver more inflight patient care.

Her Royal Highness’ visit coincides with the 30th Anniversary of AAKSS. Founded in 1989, AAKSS serves 4.8 million residents across South East England and is a world leader in the provision of helicopter emergency medical services. It is the only air ambulance service in the UK to fly 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Since its inception it has treated more than 30,000 patients.

AAKSS is renowned for leading in the research and innovation of pre-hospital emergency care. From the introduction of new medical techniques, design of the medical interior helicopter cabin to the introduction of a new operational model the team continuously strives to improve patient outcomes.

David Welch, chief executive of AAKSS said “We are extremely grateful to Her Royal Highness for visiting us today and helping to put the spotlight on our Air Ambulance service. We have a fantastic, highly skilled team who are always looking for new ways to provide even better service and care and over the last 30 years the team here has helped pioneer some very significant advancements in operations and emergency medicine which has provided significant benefits for the patients.

“The very nature of our service means we respond to seriously injured or ill patients who require high levels of specialist care. Often these patients are a considerable distance from a major trauma centre so it is hugely important that when our medical crew arrive at the scene they are equipped to provide the best possible pre-hospital emergency care they can.

“Among our latest innovations we have recently introduced time critical transfer services, as part of this process we commissioned a unique custom-built simulator which replicates the interior of the new AW169 aircraft allowing us to train our team to take full advantage of the new aircraft cabin, including the ability to perform critical interventions and treat patients inflight.

www.southeastbusiness.com

33

technology & Communication

How tomorrow’s technology will transform your business

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With the start of a New Year and a new decade, now is the perfect time to look ahead to new developments in technology that are on the horizon and how they could impact on your business.

Maidstone-based technology specialists Snapwire Software were founded in 2010, and have seen first-hand how the fast-pace of change brought about by the latest digital transformations has given nimble new start-ups the opportunity to launch market-disrupting products and services, as well as enabling larger more established organisations to improve their businesses and gain a competitive edge by harnessing new innovations.

As the company celebrates its tenth year in business, founder Kenneth Cox has been reviewing all that his team has achieved since starting out as a small consultancy working with Blue Chips in FinTech. The company has since grown to work with businesses from over 14 different industries, and is currently working on a number of exciting new projects in the Energy and MedTech sectors.

A University of Kent graduate, Kenneth began his career working with BAE Systems and Accenture, and has now clocked up 20 years experience working at the forefront of bespoke web and software development. He is proud that Snapwire has become a trusted technology partner for a range of futurefocused and digitally-driven companies.

Kenneth says: “A decade is a very long time in technology. Ten years ago, the iPhone 3 was the number one must-have gadget, Google and Microsoft had just entered the field of cloud computing, the growth of big data was still in its

50% 45% 20% Of all sales in the US

of digital advertising revenues

infancy, and the social media revolution was just getting underway.

In 2010 Moore’s Law, the unrelenting exponential biennial increase in computing power was ploughing relentlessly onwards. Back then we were packing 500 million transistors into top-end processor chips, today in 2020, the “Apple A14” processor chip has 15 billion transistors.

While big business thrived on these advances, it was also the decade of innovative start-ups and SMEs which often led the way, (not always from Silicon Valley). As we enter the next decade with the new Tech Giants at the helm – the five largest companies in the world now are Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook – we’ve been thinking about what’s going to be next.

Amazon will soon reach 50% of all sales in the US; Google is on course to achieve over 45% of digital advertising revenues; and 20% of all mobile internet traffic is for Facebook.

Naturally, as technologic advances always have done, there are causes for concern as well as celebrations. What is the future of the big tech

of all mobile internet traffic

giants? How will society adapt to the changing workplace? What will be the next big thing to disrupt the world as we know it?

We anticipate seeing continued growth in machine learning, voice recognition, Augmented Reality, quantum computing, and Blockchain technology throughout the coming decade.

As always we need to keep informed about new innovations, and look for ways to reduce risk and maximise opportunities for clients and stakeholders.

We’re excited about where we and our clients will be in 2030.”

Kenneth Cox

Founder and CEO, Snapwire Software. Driving business growth and improvement through technological innovation T: 01622 235 369 E: info@snapwire.co.uk www.snapwire.co.uk

Share disposal for website

optimisation specialists The Corporate Finance team at asb law has acted for Space Between Group Limited on the disposal of their interest in Discoverable Limited to the Discoverable management team.

Kent-based Space Between Group, which specialises in providing practical and innovative design solutions for website optimisation, is looking forward to the next stage of their journey after successfully exiting from Discoverable, a provider of specialised pay-per-click and search engine optimisation services.

Roddy Barrow of Space Between Group said “It was a pleasure to work

with asb law and we were delighted with their proactive approach and expert guidance throughout the deal. We wish Discoverable the best for the future and look forward to this exciting new chapter for both businesses.”

Charlotte Lane of asb law who led the transaction, said of the sale: “We were delighted to help Space Between Group successfully complete their exit from Discoverable Limited. We have worked with Space Between Group and HR GO plc, its parent company, over many years and we look forward to seeing the relationship continue in the future.”

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

State-of-the-art solar installation

Kent’s largest solar energy system to take advantage of state-of-the-art technology has been unveiled at Berry Gardens’ new head office, packhouse and cold storage facility at Redwall Lane, Linton, near Maidstone.

The 993.85 kW array, developed by Edward Energy and delivered by BeBa Energy UK, benefits from the latest developments in solar, making it the largest optimised system in the county and one of the largest of its kind in the UK. While most solar PV installations group rooftop panels into ‘strings’ of up to 24, a combination of smart hardware and software used at Berry Gardens allows the panels to operate independently. This ensures that one dirty or below-par panel does not affect the performance of the rest of the string.

Calculations carried out by Edward Energy director Shaun Beattie, one of the UK’s leading commercial rooftop solar developers, show that this should give the 3,614-panel system a 6.6% increase in performance. It will generate enough power to run 237 four-bedroomed homes for a year.

“We decided to install an optimised system at Berry Gardens because there are plans to install a modern building monitoring system at the site that will allow the company to make use of the additional data,” said Shaun.

“The installation is also future-proofed, because as energy storage comes on line in the next few years, Berry Gardens will have the right level of historical data to allow it to make efficient use of new battery technology.”

The solar project follows a smaller, 80 kW solar PV system developed for Berry Gardens by Shaun in 2014, and will make a huge difference to the growers’ co-operative’s carbon footprint, taking an estimated 292,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere in a year.

“The fruit industry knows how important it is to be environmentally aware, cut carbon emissions, reduce costs and achieve energy security,” said Shaun.

“Solar PV is ideally suited to fruit growers as their peak energy demand is in the summer, when the system produces the greatest amount of free electricity.

Solar installations also make commercial sense, with the payback period on this scheme less than six-and-a-half years.”

Shaun added: “Planners are also keen to see that applications are sustainable. The solar PV element was a real consideration in the decision to approve this new building.

“It’s also interesting that Berry Gardens is a long-term tenant on the Redwall Lane site, which challenges the perception that it can be difficult for tenants to go down the solar route.”

Duncan Pierce, from project managers Page Surveyors, said: ”We did a lot of work with Edward Energy and BeBa, contractor Civils Ltd and Berry Gardens to forecast the energy usage of the completed building so that the size of the array would maximise the return on investment.”

Your business is unique.

Your designs should be too.

Website YES

YES

NO

Intranet

NO New website

YES

Help: our website is down

NO

NO

YES

NO Updates only

YES

NO

A holding page

YES

NO

YES Quote us

Advice please

NO YES

NO Some copy YES I have a question

YES

YES NO White papers YES

YES

I need a flyer

NO

NO Illustration

YES

We have an exhibition coming up

NO NO Copy YES YES New logo NO

YES

Design

NO

studio@wondesigns.co.uk | 020 3865 5876 wondesigns.co.uk

Legal

Complex sale of In brief minority interest

asb law’s Corporate Finance team has advised Minority Venture Partners (MVP) in the sale of its interest in the Birrell Group, a commercial insurance broker, to Global Risk Partners Retail Holdco Ltd (GRP).

GRP is one of the top independent insurance intermediaries in the UK. Since its launch in 2013, the group has grown rapidly and now controls over £700m premium. The group comprises of a national network of insurance brokers, an underwriting division and are leading Lloyd’s of London brokers.

MVP was set up in 2014 by a team of insurance industry experts who have over 35 years’ experience of successful insurance investment. MVP provides funding for UK insurance brokers who wish to release capital from their business but retain control.

The asb team advised MVP in the sale of its minority interest to GRP. The deal involved complex share structures between multiple parties and required careful negotiation and coordination.

The team was led by Legal Director, Mark Diamond (Corporate Finance) who was supported by Charlotte Lane (Corporate finance) and Lorraine Reynolds (Corporate Finance) in the process.

Speaking of the sale, Mark Diamond said: “MVP continues to be active in the insurance market. Taking or disposing of a minority interest brings its own challenges, but the understanding of MVP that we’ve gained from having acted for them on a number of recent deals, means we were able to navigate the issues and complete the transaction satisfactorily. It was a pleasure working with MVP again and we look forward to helping them with their plans in the future.”

Contract awarded

Following a competitive process Whitehead Monckton are pleased to announce that they have been awarded a contract with Canterbury Christ Church University for the provision of landlord and tenant property legal services.

The contract will involve the provision of specialist property legal services both within the non-contentious and contentious spheres tailored towards their profile as a higher education institution that has Estate in Canterbury, Medway and Tunbridge Wells.

Growth continues Morrisons Solicitors LLP has completed the acquisition of Wheelers Solicitors, one of the largest solicitors practices in the Blackwater Valley area.

This is Morrisons’ second acquisition in 12 months, following the addition of Oxted-based Harrops & Hepburn Solicitors in December 2018.

Wheelers provides expert advice and a highly personalised service to individuals and businesses in Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire and beyond.

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info@flexible-storage.co.uk info@fl exible-storage.co.uk

Legal

Be ready for new tax rules Employers need to be aware of new tax legislation coming into effect in April, says legal expert Jane Crosby.

Jane, from Hart Brown Solicitors in Surrey, says IR 35 is an important piece of tax legislation which will affect how businesses operate. Essentially, it determines who is responsible to pay income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and will allow the government to collect tax from employers where an individual is operating as an employee in all but name.

“IR 35 applies primarily to engagements via an individual’s personal service company,” says Jane. “These are companies set up by self-employed individuals for their services, so they pay less tax. The government believed certain self-employed contractors were exploiting the tax system by terminating their employment to create personal service companies and then returning to the same role in a contracted relationship, therefore benefiting from the tax advantages of a company.”

The issue is whether an individual is contracted to provide services as an employee or as a self-employed individual. If the person is seen as an employee then they have to pay income tax and National Insurance Contributions in the normal way. If on the facts and the contract the individual is self-employed then IR 35 is applicable.

If a self-employed person contracts through a personal service company, then it is currently for the company to decide if the individual is an employee or not. If they are an employee, then the personal service company pays the PAYE The changes come in on 6 April, so what do employers need to do to be ready?

Jane suggests first carrying out a detailed review of how many individuals are affected in the business and reviewing all self-employed contracts. Next, companies

should review their working practices, update contracts and policies – especially if a third party is involved and when recruiting individuals, so that there is full disclosure of their status.

Jane also advises employers to consult a specialist, who will be able to look at a person’s status in the business and advise whether they need to be signed up on a contract of employment before April 2020.

37 On 7 January 2020, the Divorce Separation and Dissolution Bill was finally introduced to the House of Lords after lengthy delays.

Under current legislation, couples whose marriages have broken down, find themselves in a situation where they either have to wait for at least two years from the point of separation to file a petition for divorce, (five years without consent) or they are forced to file a petition citing the other spouse’s unreasonable behaviour or adultery.

Rarely do separated couples wish to remain married for two years from separation, and as a result, the majority of divorcing couples file for divorce by alleging the other spouse’s unreasonable behaviour.’ Once, or rather if, the Bill does receive royal assent and is passed into law, this will dramatically change the way in which a spouse can file for divorce.

Gail Brooks Partner, asb law LLP T: 01622 656519 E: gail.brooks@asb-law.com www.asb-law.com

Time for change #nofaultdivorce What will the changes mean for me?

The bill will replace the requirement on one spouse or another to apportion blame and they can instead simply rely on a statement of irretrievable breakdown. The possibility of contesting the decision to divorce will also be removed. The court will be able to make a conditional order after 20 weeks has passed from the start of proceedings.

These changes, which have been long campaigned for by family lawyers across England and Wales, will bring an end to the ‘blame game’ and thus reduce the level of animosity between separating couples which will pave the way to a more conciliatory approach as they each try to establish what the future holds for them.

While some critics may say that the proposed new law will make it too easy for couples to divorce, this should be balanced with the benefits

which will inevitably follow once the Bill is passed into legislation. Not only will the changes reduce tensions when the couples may have substantial decisions to make regarding the division of matrimonial assets, it will also assist those who have children to focus on how they are going to effectively co-parent and safeguard their children from any risk of harm as a result of parental conflict.

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Construction

Appointed to deliver £9.5m

Innovation Centre

Brand new development

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CALA Homes has now begun construction works at its brand new development on Folly Hill, bringing 96 new homes to Farnham, Surrey.

CALA Homes South Home Counties successfully purchased the site through Catesby Estates earlier this year. The development, which will be known as Folly Heights, will add to an already successful portfolio of CALA developments in Surrey, including Amlets Place in Cranleigh, Sweeters Field in Alfold and Atherton Hill in Farnham, which is located under four miles away from Folly Hill on Gardener's Hill Road.

Once complete the development will offer a wide selection of two, three, four and five bedroom homes, all of which will meet the demands of a range of buyers including commuters, growing families and downsizers. Forty percent of the homes will

be allocated as affordable units to meet local need, including shared ownership and social rented tenures.

In addition to new homes, the site will also include a Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP), which will be accessible to the wider community, and a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), which will provide two kilometres of walking space to the south of the development.

CALA has a great deal of experience in creating attractive new homes and the properties on Folly Hill will be no exception. Surrounded by open countryside and in close proximity to Farnham Park and Farnham town centre, the development will provide the best of both worlds with its thoughtfully-designed homes, green spaces and easy access from Farnham into London by rail in just under one hour.

£9m East Grinstead Contract Energy, services and regeneration specialists, ENGIE, has started work on a £9 million project in East Grinstead.

The development, named Lingfield Lodge, will comprise of 48 contemporary extra care sheltered apartments, complete with associated communal facilities and landscaping, and will be carried out in partnership with Eldon Housing Association in addition to local charitable providers.

Work is set to be completed in January 2021, with the scheme aiming to provide a better standard of affordable housing and facilities for residents and the community, with ENGIE working in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council through Eldon Housing Association.

The site, located in East Grinstead, saw the demolition of the existing apartments to make way for the new modern facilities.

Simon Lacey, regional managing director at ENGIE, said: “It’s great to be involved in a project that will make a real difference to residents’ living standards with brand new apartments and the development of communal areas.”

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Maidstone Borough Council has awarded Rydon the contract for the construction of a new facility aspiring to be the county’s first Academic, Health and Science Centre focused environment.

The Maidstone Innovation Centre is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund 2014-20.

Located on the Kent Medical Campus, part of the North Kent Enterprise Zone, the Innovation Centre will bring together businesses and organisations involved in finding solutions to complex healthcare issues and scientific research and development.

The four storey, 37,000ft2 building – designed by Bond Bryan Architects – will provide high quality flexible office, hot desking and meeting space, conference facilities and business support for small and mediumsized enterprises working in the life science, healthcare and med-tech sectors.

Once complete, the Innovation Centre is expected to support around 270 jobs and will generate a further £120m of additional gross value added to the local economy over the next decade.

Mark Mitchener, managing director of Rydon Construction, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to use our experience to deliver the next phase of the Kent Medical Campus vision, driving further investment to the North Kent Enterprise Zone and beyond. We look forward to working alongside Maidstone Borough Council and Campus partners to deliver the scheme to a high quality, while benefitting the local economy and supply chain.”

Rydon will commence work on the project in early 2020 and the Innovation Centre will be ready to welcome its first tenants by autumn 2021.

Kent Medical Campus is establishing itself as a fully integrated centre of excellence for health, science and education in the South East. It is already home to KIMS Hospital and Cygnet Health Care mental health facility which opened in September 2018.

The 30-acre landscaped business park has permission to develop 98,000m2 (1,000,000 ft2) of flexible and innovative commercial space, including A1, B1, C2 and D1 use classes. Once fully developed, it will provide up to 4,000 jobs.

Construction Kier has begun construction on a state-of-the-art later living community, in Leeds, near Maidstone, Kent, for Inspired Villages, a leading operator and developer of retirement villages established by Legal & General. Ledian Gardens will offer 116 one-and two-bedroom homes for over 65s, with a village centre that includes swimming pool, spa, gym, restaurant and shop.

The seven-acre site was first granted planning permission in January 2014, with Inspired Villages purchasing the site in 2018.

Inspired Villages currently operate six other later living villages in England, but Ledian Gardens is the first the company will have developed from concept to completion. The company, aims to open 50 more similar villages by 2024.

Ledian Gardens will help to address the chronic shortage of age-appropriate housing in the UK, plus the central facilities will form an important meeting point for residents and the local community.

According to statistics, over 65’s account for 18.2% of the local population. By 2030 it’s predicted there will be 125,000 over 65s in the catchment area and nearly 20,000 over 85s, which demonstrates the increasing demand for age-appropriate housing within the area.

Kent based Gallagher Group was appointed in July

Work begins on village inspired

retirement homes 2019 to undertake preparatory site works, building the main access road, preceding the work of main contractor, Kier.

Kier has now begun construction on phase one of the build, which consists of the village centre, plus 66 apartments and assisted-living units, which are scheduled for completion in spring 2021.

The village centre at Ledian Gardens will include a wellness suite, complete with 17-metre swimming pool, gymnasium, restaurant, bistro and bar, plus a village shop.

In a bid to lower carbon emissions and fuel bills, Ledian Gardens will use energy efficient ground source heat pumps to heat radiators and provide hot water.

Jamie Bunce, CEO of Inspired Villages, said: “I am delighted to officially declare the ground broken at Ledian Gardens. Our country’s ageing demographic means there is a growing demand for an offering such as this – beautiful, age-appropriate homes in a safe setting that offer residents access to our incredible facilities, which focus on holistic wellbeing and if required, flexible support options as our residents age.

“Inspired Villages is dedicated to helping promote independent living within our vibrant villages and I’m excited we are one step closer to delivering that in Leeds and helping make senior living the best years of people’s lives.”

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› Left to right: Ian Pateman, Kier project manager; Ben Richardson, Inspired Villages project manager; Mrs Letchford and Mr Massey, future residents; Jamie Bunce, CEO of Inspired Villages; Mr and Mrs Hunsperger, future residents, Mr and Mrs Hoxey future residents; Jamie Vaughan development manager at Inspired Villages; and Joe Shembri, Kier operations nanager February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Commercial Property

We’ll stay

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Sponsors thanked

Following the success of The 2019 Surrey Property Awards last year, the event sponsors enjoyed an informal January get-together with the organisers and nominated charity, at the Guildford office of headline sponsor, Charles Russell Speechlys, in recognition of their contribution.

Celebrating its ten year anniversary in 2019, the success of an event relies on sponsors. The line-up for 2019 included: Headline sponsor, Charles Russell Speechlys and award sponsors Genesis Town Planning, Bramley Blinds, Index Property Information, Searls Land, Wates Developments, Abundant Recruitment and Savills.

In addition to the awards and black tie gala dinner, the event incorporated a silent auction. Over £10,000 was raised and all the auction proceeds went to the nominated charity, Challengers in Guildford.

Heart of the city’s central business district

Lyndean House, a prominent office building in Queen’s Road, has been bought by Brighton & Hove City Council for £5.6m.

The four-storey building, south of the Gloucester Road intersection, offers 16,555 sq ft of grade A office and retail space in the heart of the city’s central business district. Current tenants include communications company 15 Below Ltd, Reason Global Insurance and Sainsbury’s Supermarkets.

The acquisition, handled by Global real estate adviser Knight Frank, is part of the city’s strategic investment programme and reflects a 5% net initial yield.

There is a definite sense of positivity across the business community, which has been manifesting itself in a number of projects, previously on hold during the uncertain times of 2019, now coming to fruition.

There is no better time for the government to show its support for business and recognise that without a vibrant economy, local areas will not flourish. We will be looking to the Budget, in March, to boost confidence and stimulate growth with a package of fiscal measures to alleviate the burden of high up-front costs and boost investment.

The Chancellor must outline how he will make good on election promises of a fundamental

reform of business rates and we also need to see a moratorium on all new up-front costs for businesses for the duration of this Parliament. This is the first opportunity for the new government to demonstrate that it listens to business and is serious about tackling the day-to-day challenges holding firms back.

At least five of the eleven boroughs in Surrey have declared a climate emergency and there is no doubt that businesses are addressing the way they do things to try and reduce their impact on the environment.

Surrey Chambers is part of the Surrey Climate Commission, which is focusing on a collaborative approach to identify how we can all take action to

ER COMM E

make a difference. Over the next few months, we will be sharing ideas and suggestions, so do get involved and join us in this worthy cause. Many businesses are also finding that the changes they are making are also having a positive impact on the bottom line.

CONTACT Louise Punter, chief executive, Surrey Chambers of Commerce

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

NT

2020 vision

B M A CH

One of the UK’s most successful international property consultants has again renewed its office lease at Kings Hill, underlining its intention to remain in Kent.

Gerald Eve, which is based in London and serves clients across the UK, Europe and North America, moved its client accounting division to Kings Hill in 2004 and has just renewed for the third time.

The firm employs more than 500 and boasts 40% of FTSE100 companies as clients. As well as operating a network of UK offices, it has an international alliance of independent real estate advisers covering Europe and US markets.

Head of client accounting Andrew Rudd explained: “When we first moved to Kings Hill we were in a small office with three staff and since then have moved into larger premises where we now have 34 staff and are always looking to recruit.

“From this office we provide services in connection with business rates payments and property management finance. We wanted to remain in Kings Hill because it offers a well-maintained contemporary workplace, with good connections to London and motorway links. It is also convenient for our staff and provides an unparalleled range of on-site retail and leisure amenities.”

As well as attracting new tenants, Kings Hill has an excellent track record of retaining businesses. Caroline Binns of Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust said: “As a large business park with a wide range of office options, we are usually able to help tenants to grow, thus avoiding the upheaval for staff having to relocate.”

Kent County Council has signed a £23 million deal to buy two prominent office buildings at Kings Hill as an investment. The space will be rented to local companies.

@surreychambers

Commercial Property Kent-based, Convert Ltd, a manufacturer of cable looms and harnesses, is celebrating doubling its assembly area from 5,500 sq ft to 11,000 sq ft after investing in additional premises.

Based in Edenbridge, Convert supplies the automotive, transport, marine and scientific sectors, manufacturing cable looms and harnesses for car lights and a range of industrial, medical and marine equipment.

Dave Lord, Convert’s managing director, said: “It’s great to mark the start of a new decade by officially moving into our expanded assembly area.

We’d grown considerably over the past couple of years and needed additional space. Luckily a unit became available next to our existing factory and we’ve spent the past several months converting it to suit our requirements.”

Established in 2006, the company, which boasts a 43-strong highly skilled staff, designs and develops a wide variety of cable looms and

Electrical engineering firm doubles capacity

harnesses, often from early project stage, servicing both low and high-volume requirements.

Convert boasts the latest automatic cable

processing machines including two Artos CR11 and a Komax Gamma 255, which excels at small wire handling.

108,000 sq ft Surrey office Property developer HBD has completed the 108,000 sq ft Surrey office for engineering and project management consultancy, Atkins.

BREEAM Excellent and with an A-rated energy performance certificate, the building meets high standards in sustainability, which is rooted in the design of the building, positioned to maximise solar benefit and natural light throughout.

Atkins will move into Woodcote Grove in January, with its team benefiting from a modern, lightfilled, flexible office space for 1,000 employees, within seven acres of landscaped grounds. The development also comprises a newly constructed 400-space car park to the rear of the building.

Adrian Schofield, head of HBD South East, said: “Woodcote Grove is a fantastic building which will not only prove operationally effective, but which will

41

allow Atkins to provide its employees with a healthy and effective working environment for many years to come.”

Adrian Speller, technical director at Speller Metcalfe, said: “This has been a challenging and

complex project, designed to meet some of the highest standards in construction, both in terms of methodology and sustainability. As main contractor, Speller Metcalfe is delighted to be able to deliver a state-of-the-art building for the Atkins team.”

Commercial Property Services • Sales

• Management

• Lettings

• Insurance

• Finance

• Investment Consultancy

Head Office: James Pilcher House, 49/50 Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1BG Telephone: 01474 537733

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Training & apprenticeships

Hats off to our 1,000 graduates Close to 1,000 students are graduating from the University of Brighton and most will be throwing mortar boards in the air when they receive their awards at the Brighton Centre.

The graduands, ranging in age from 19 to 67, are from around the UK and 50 other countries including USA, Nigeria, Cyprus, China, India, Iraq and Russia.

Professor Debra Humphris, the University’s vice-chancellor, said: “Students can be extremely proud of their achievements – and so too can their families, friends and everyone at the University for the support they have given.

“Our talented graduates embody the vital role that universities play in society and I am certain they will make significant and positive contributions to society and the challenges we face.”

There will be special awards during the Winter

Graduation day: Author and illustrator Cressida Cowell, the second University of Brighton graduate since 2015 to be named Children’s Laureate, will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts for her major contribution to children’s literature and illustration and the promotion of children’s literacy.

Ms Cowell, who studied MA Narrative Illustration at the University, is best known for her How to Train Your Dragon books, which have been adapted into film and television series. She follows Brighton alumnus and honorary graduate Chris Riddell, who held the Children’s Laureate role from 2015 to 2017.

Ms Cowell, a number one bestselling authorillustrator, is an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust, a trustee for World Book Day and a founder patron of the Children’s Media Foundation.

Graduate Emily Brooke MBE will receive an

Honorary Doctor of Engineering for her major contribution to product design and the promotion of entrepreneurship.

Emily is the founder and chairwoman of Beryl (formerly Blaze), a London based technology company with the sole purpose of, ‘Building a better world by getting more people in cities on bikes’. Her first product, the ‘Laserlight’, tackles the greatest barrier to cycling, personal safety, and was Emily’s final year Product Design project at the University of Brighton.

Beryl’s technology has been adopted by the bike share schemes of London, New York, Glasgow and Montreal and Beryl also co-designed the new Santander Cycle for London, providing lights, lasers, GPS, sensors, connectivity and all on-board technology.

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Funds available for apprenticeship training Small and medium sized companies (SMEs) now have direct access to government funding for apprenticeship training from any provider.

As from January, SME’s will be able to reserve funding up to three months ahead of their chosen apprenticeship programme start, through a Digital Apprenticeship Service account.

Prior to these changes, SMEs could only access funding through certain educational partners or through levy transfer from larger organisations. The new funding route makes it possible for companies of any size to work with the University of Brighton as an educational partner.

Viki Faulkner, head of apprenticeships at the University, said: “This is great news for smaller businesses as they will be able to access funding, which we anticipate will cover up to 95% of the cost of the educational elements.”

Levy transfer is still available as an option for SMEs in addition to the new direct route. The University of Brighton delivers a range of apprenticeship programmes in sectors including business and management, construction and the built environment, health and science and teaching.

The university also offers guidance in setting up Digital Apprenticeship Service accounts, reserving funding or seeking a levy transfer arrangement.

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Training & apprenticeships Too many parents are unaware of the range of opportunities apprenticeships can offer according to a new survey by the parent website Mumsnet.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has urged parents to move on from outdated stereotypes when giving their children advice about their future career paths so they are not missing out on the chance to pursue their dream career.

According to the research published today to mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week, over 60% of parents of children aged 13-18 surveyed said they were concerned their child would be stuck ‘making the tea’ if they were to choose an apprenticeship.

Other findings highlighted that more than a third (35%) of parents said they still associate apprenticeships with manual jobs, like plumbing and carpentry, and 45% are unaware they go right up to degree level.

Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts said: “Our research shows that parents are interested in the idea of apprenticeships and don’t dismiss them out of hand, but some of our users are not very confident about explaining the opportunities on offer, and in some cases perhaps haven’t yet fully understood the range of qualifications and the doors they can open with employers.”

48% of parents surveyed said they weren’t worried about the future earning potential of their child should

Look beyond apprenticeship

misconceptions they choose an apprenticeship, but there were still concerns with almost half (45%) saying they didn’t think apprenticeships were valued as highly as a university degree by the UK’s top employers.

The government has transformed apprenticeships, working closely with top employers like BT, BAE Systems and Greene King to create more high-quality apprenticeship opportunities so that apprentices gain the skills they need to secure a great job and that provide industry with the workforce they need now and in the future.

Apprenticeships offer the chance to kick start a well-paid career in a wide range of exciting professions such as cyber security and aerospace engineering with options to train right up to degree level.

There are many positive benefits apprenticeships are bringing to individuals and workplaces across the country. Research has highlighted that: • The vast majority of apprentices agreed that their career prospects had improved since starting their apprenticeship – 85% of Level 2 and 3

AD_127740_Apprenticeships_190x133.qxp_190x133 08/10/2018 09:33 Page 1

apprentices and 83% of higher (Level 4 plus) apprentices.

• On average, completing a Level 2 apprenticeship boosts earnings by 11%, and a level 3 apprenticeship by 16%.

• Apprentices who complete a higher level apprenticeship could earn £150,000 more on average over their lifetime compared to those with Level 3 vocational qualification.

• Of those who completed an apprenticeship, 90% secured a job or went on to further learning, with 88% in sustained employment.

• Employers also report benefits with 86% saying apprentices developed skills relevant to their organisation and 78% reported improved productivity.

To help challenge outdated attitudes, last year the government launched the ‘Fire It Up’ campaign and apprenticeships.gov.uk website. The campaign aims to overhaul the perception of apprenticeships, and to position them as world-class.

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CENTRE FOR HIGHER & DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS University of Kent offer Higher and Degree Apprenticeships • Taking on apprentices is a cost-effective way to upskill your existing workforce, or attract talented people, with up to 100% of training costs fully covered by levy payments or government co-investment.

• Our management apprenticeships are underpinned by a certificate, a foundation degree or a bachelor’s degree in management.

• With flexible start dates (September, January & May), the degree programmes are delivered nationwide via blended learning – a mixture of on-line and face-to-face teaching.

For more information, including details on a fully managed service and other higher & degree apprenticeships contact T: 01634 888467 E: apprenticeships@kent.ac.uk www.kent.ac.uk/apprenticeships February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Movers & SHAKERS independent advisor A University of Brighton tourism expert has joined a team of experts, as independent academic advisor for the research, to underpin the development of Airbnb’s planned registration system for short-term rentals in the UK. Professor Marina Novelli, Professor of Tourism and International Development and Academic Lead for the University’s Responsible Futures Research and Enterprise Agenda, will be coordinating the research process and collaborating with consultants BritainThinks for Airbnb’s registration roadshow consultations.

New President

› Tom Willis

Taking leadership of port

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Newly appointed chief executive Tom Willis has officially taken the leadership of the Shoreham Port team following the departure of Rodney Lunn, who left the Port last year. From transporting post, to people, and now to Port cargo, Tom is highly experienced in the fields of transport and security within complex, regulated environments.

Tom comes from a strong operational and logistics background, having previously worked with Heathrow Airport for eight years to become operations director at the airport, and later on security director, accountable for the protection of 75 million passengers per year. Prior to this, Tom spent 13 years with Royal Mail, joining via their graduate programme and working his way to operations director South East England.

› Professor Marina Novelli

› Elizabeth Buchanan

Regional director welcomed

Appointments support extensive growth

Award-winning virtual agency Get Ahead VA welcomes a new regional director for West Surrey to support companies across the region, from Farnham through to Kingston-upon-Thames.

Marie Peters joins the business with over 15 years’ experience in digital media planning, business operations and project management roles.

After many years of commuting to London, Marie is looking forward to working closer to her hometown of Farnborough to support businesses in the local area.

Chemigraphic, headquartered in Crawley’s prestigious Manor Royal business park, is a provider of Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) to the fast-growth medical technology, defence and power systems sectors. It has announced the arrival of a new chairman of the board, Geraint Anderson, and a new chief financial officer, Kevin Docherty. Both have extensive experience of operating global electronics and manufacturing businesses which will help to accelerate Chemigraphic’s international growth.

These key appointments are the latest developments for the Crawley based business, which received £7m investment from PE fund, NVM, in July this year. The investment will help to support Chemigraphic’s global expansion and drive continued development of its technology and expertise, particularly in the fast-growing med-tech sector.

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

The South of England Agricultural Society has announced that Elizabeth Buchanan CVO LLD FRAgs has been appointed as the charity’s president for 2020.

Former Private Secretary to HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and previously Press Secretary to Lady Thatcher, Miss Buchanan is a non-executive director of DEFRA, an advisor to Waitrose, Saputo Dairy UK and the Chime Group, and sits on the BBC Rural Affairs Committee. Elizabeth also runs her family’s organic beef farm in Nutley, East Sussex which was established in 1976, meaning she is no stranger to both the policy and the practical ends of the agricultural sector.

As the 2020 president, Elizabeth has selected The Prince’s Countryside Fund as the Society’s charity of the year.

› Kevin Docherty

› Geraint Anderson

AWARDS

Platinum Trusted Service Award A Kent-based company that offers construction businesses the facility to search and book thousands of safety training courses nationwide has received Feefo’s new Platinum Trusted Service Award as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in business.

Easybook Training, based in Tunbridge Wells, was established in 2010 by Terry Walsby and Lucy Tier. It works with hundreds of approved training providers nationwide to offer a wide range of courses including First Aid, CITB, IOSH, NEBOSH, CPCS, IPAF and PASMA. Since 2015, the company has been working with Feefo, an independent review platform to show potential new customers “real reviews” and instil confidence when booking courses with them.

For the last three years, Feefo has awarded Easybook Training with it’s Gold Trusted Service prize but last week it received the brands new Platinum Trusted Service Award for customer service.

The Platinum Trusted Service award is given to companies that have achieved the Gold Trusted Service award for three consecutive years.

The Feefo Gold Trusted Service prize is awarded to those who have collected at least 50 Feefo reviews in a year, and have achieved an average score of at least 4.5.

Trio of accreditations

The University of Kent’s School of Psychology has become the first university to achieve accreditation for three of its student programmes from the Association for Business Psychology (ABP), under its 2020 standards.

The ABP champions business psychology and brings together those involved in improving business performance and quality for professionals within the sector. It is recognised for its robust accreditation and revalidation process for educational programmes.

The School of Psychology’s accreditations have been awarded for two undergraduate courses – BSc (Hons) Business Psychology and BSc Business Psychology with a Placement Year (led by Dr Dawn H. Nicholson), which were newly launched in October 2019, and the taught postgraduate programme, MSc Organisational and Business Psychology (led by Dr Hannah Swift). This demonstrates the quality of the University’s programmes, with the accreditation report hailing them as ‘relevant and innovative’ and designed for ‘enhanced graduate and partnership outcomes’.

Valid for five years, the accreditations bring a range of benefits for current and future students such as exclusive content, event presentations and training courses.

Best private tutoring company Explore Learning has been honoured with an EducationInvestor Award for the fifth time. The extra tuition provider, with headquarters in Guildford, has won the accolade of best private tutoring company, over nine other nominees in the category.

The tuition company prides itself on providing a stimulating and vibrant environment for children to learn in with 35,000 children aged 4 to 14 attending centres across the UK each week. This spring, the business achieved its highest ever NPS score of 63 in April 2019 and has an excellent rating on TrustPilot, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to offering the best possible service to members.

Recognised in the awards for the innovation taking place within the business, a partnership with EdPlace has led to the creation of a new bespoke senior curriculum which offers challenging content that’s mapped to all UK school curricula in maths and English. Furthermore, the team’s education experts also created a specific writing-focused element of the senior curriculum designed to develop skills that will support children when approaching written work – both at school and on the Explore Learning ‘Succeed in Secondary’ course.

This month’s mash-up of random thoughts comes to you from Egypt, where I have travelled to focus on how to stop waste and get the most from our team. This is apparently easy to do, if we could only stop all the friendly fire self-harm incidents that seem to permeate how we behave if left unchecked.

The group has been discussing where else we can see obvious signs of self-harm in the world outside of the office. It can be a depressing picture, once you start to look carefully.

Last month saw the 75th anniversary of the rescue of those who suffered so badly at the hands of the Nazi regime in Auschwitz as Europe tore itself apart – a moment which spawned the Churchillian idea of a United Europe to prevent war and bring us closer together. At the same time, we chose to leave the European Union undoubtedly weakening it, ourselves and our relationship with our neighbours.

Love it or hate it, Brexit has been self-inflicted, but also has serious consequences for others. What we desperately need to do now is to stop the self-harm, which manifests itself in the guise of venomous attacks on the Royal Family, the Union and Alistair

Stewart to name but a few.

The underwater sea kelp forests described by some as “the Amazon under the sea” has been eaten up by sea urchins, causing a major issue in the food chain. The reason? The sea otters who fed on the sea urchins have been hunted to extinction by humans for their pelts and meat. Another self-inflicted wound.

We are reeling under the threat of the coronavirus, which reminds us of the potential globally devastating impact of a pandemic. It seems we even created it. With thousands infected and hundreds dead, at the time of writing, it seems just one more example of our self-inflicting mentality.

The obesity crisis, which has spawned the unsustainable diabetes crisis is also mostly, if not entirely, self-inflicted. Nobody is forcing us to stuff our faces with cream cakes and chocolate in everincreasing numbers.

The environmental crisis that is global warming is a direct consequence of decisions we have taken that are causing the earth to get warmer and the Poles to melt. This is all self-inflicted.

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Focus on what’s important

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Yet, all the major challenges faced by human beings as a species require less division, less political grandstanding and more collaboration and very difficult shared decisions if we are to overcome them.

The question for your office or factory to ask is: what you are doing which is in your own direct disinterest? Once you start looking, you’ll be amazed at how much of what you accept as normal is unnecessarily painful.

CONTACT Alex Pratt, chairman of the Institute of Directors, South region

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

45

MOTORING – with Sue Baker

Hunk with a tech brain Glamour model: Volvo XC60

Time to set off on that business trip. First, set the car satnav. So there you are, punching letters on the dashboard screen to spell out your destination, right? Actually no. You’re sitting comfortably indoors, finishing your breakfast and entering the details on to an app on your phone. Press send and hey presto, the destination is remotely delivered to your car parked outside, all ready for you to make a rapid departure.

How cool is that? It’s one of the most intriguing features on the new Volvo XC60, a car that’s stuffed full of chic Scandinavian design and clever high-tech features. It’s not only the satnav that you can pre-set from indoors or somewhere else away from the car. Cold day? Get the heater warming up the cabin before you head outside. Heading into summer? Pre-set the climate control for a comfortably cooled car ahead of a trip.

The XC60 is Volvo’s mid-size SUV, sitting in the Swedish car maker’s range between the smaller XC40 and top-end XC90. It’s a glamorous hunk that is helping to contribute to Volvo’s current success.

Last year was a record one for the company, selling more than 700,000 cars around the world for the first time in its 93-year history, with its sales in the UK up by nearly 12% over the previous year. That bucked the trend of a market downturn, so Volvo is clearly doing something right.

Confident styling, strong performance and good

driver engagement all contribute to the appeal of the XC60, as well as the decent kit levels that come with the car. Standard equipment on all versions includes heated front seats and steering wheel, which are very welcome provisions on a chilly winter day. Each has a choice of three heat levels, although you’d need to be north of the Arctic Circle to need the top one.

The XC60 has been updated for 2020 with revised specification. The range now includes this B4 diesel model with mild hybridisation applied to its two-litre engine. Grippy handling, a calm ride and very decent refinement are all attributes, there’s a 483-litre boot, and economy is around 38 mpg. The 0-62 mph acceleration time is a brisk 8.3 seconds.

Extensive safety kit includes a driver drowsiness warning, to sound an alert if you start flagging at the wheel at the end of a busy working day. The list price is £43,236, and the XC60 range starts from £32,935 on-the-road.

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£32-935£43,236

Photos: Sue Baker

483 litres

124 mph 142 - Top- 151 speed g/km CO2

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

8.3 sec 0-60 mph

38 mpg

Starting from £17,700

Perfect fit for

fun motoring Business savvy: Skoda Kamiq

Compact SUVs are currently big news and in high demand. They have a similar highish driving position and work-life practicality, but with a tighter footprint than their larger cousins. This is one of the newest additions to the pack, the Skoda Kamiq. It’s a slickly-styled and smart-looking addition to the growing ranks of mildly elevated and moderately sized SUV-crossovers, and it competes with the likes of the Volkswagen T-Cross, Seat Arona and Peugeot 2008.

What’s with the name? Kamiq derives from the Inuit people who inhabit northern Canada and Greenland, and the meaning of the word is “something that fits perfectly”. That includes it having a “q” at the end of its name, joining the Karoq and Kodiaq in the Volkswagen range.

Skodas have come such a long way since the days when the cars were the popular butt of a myriad of jokes and the Kamiq is a very decently

10.2 sec 0-62 mph

performing, well-mannered and likeable car as a work vehicle or for family life. At 4.2 metres long it is around half a metre shorter than the XC60, but still manages a respectable 400 litres of boot space, extendable to 1,395 litres with the rear seats folded.

Where the Kamiq scores over some of its main rivals is in cabin quality. Its interior plastic surfaces are pliant, where others, such as the VW T-Cross, are hard to the touch. The Kamiq also has a larger satnav-infotainment screen than some, at a generous 9.2 inches, located atop the upper dash.

It feels sprightly through the gears and rides comfortably. Steering feel is not quite as pert as that of some of its key opponents, but it is likeable to drive and more keenly priced than some of the others, with the Kamiq range starting from £17,700 for a one-litre petrol model. This 1.6 litre TDI diesel in SE L trim is a good bet as a business savvy choice. It does the benchmark 0-62 mph in 10.2 seconds, and has economy in the lower-50s mpg.

400-1,395 litres

Low 50s mpg

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

47

Arts & Culture

Morph’s day out

Golden story time

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Aspiring young writers are invited to submit work for a competition run by Leeds Castle, with the chance to meet TV personality Clare Balding.

The Big Story Writing Challenge has been launched in two categories (children aged five to nine and 10 to 13), with the theme “One Golden Day”. Entries should be no more than 900 words and must include a title.

The competition marks the 500th anniversary of the visit to Leeds Castle by King Henry VIII, who was on his way to France with 5,000 courtiers to take part in a summit with King Francis I, between 7 and 25 June, 1520.

Twenty finalists in the short story competition will be invited to an awards ceremony on 29 May, hosted by Clare Balding.

› Wendy Smith, Eye Candy, 2018

Designer turned artist A former fashion designer who worked for Zandra Rhodes and whose work was on show at this year’s Royal Academy summer show exhibited at the Control Tower Gallery, Kings Hill.

Melanie Berman won several fashion design awards before re-training in fine art at the University for the Creative Arts in Canterbury. Her imagined landscapes are inspired by nature’s biodiversity and the seasons and use various paint processes including scraping, sanding and wiping away to create different textures.

Also on display during January was work by Lynsey Mackenzie, who has just graduated with a first from the Glasgow School of Art. Her paintings

By the time you read this, resolutions would have been made and I am guessing the majority broken. Good on you, if you’re still hanging in there.

We entered 2020 with hopes and aspirations, but the same issues for business still remain and they don’t seem to get resolved. Is it because they are too hard, or are we not willing to change and adapt? Perhaps we don’t know how solve them, maybe we cannot afford to address them, or quite simply we can’t be bothered.

When I say “we”, that’s all of us – business, educators and government.

The same old chestnuts rear their ugly heads, year on year. Issues like skills, productivity and infrastructure – all of which we need to get to grips with if we are to find our own independent way in the new trading environment which

begins in January, 2021.

Take skills. Why do we still have such huge gaps in what businesses require to grow and what is available? Why are our schools, colleges and universities not providing young people with the future needs of industry? We tend to be stuck in a mindset for the present, not looking to train for the future and we cannot keep up with the pace of change. Easier said than done, I know, probably the majority of jobs available in 10 years’ time are not even known yet, so it’s difficult to know what skills will be needed.

Regardless of sector, we do know that the next generation will need excellent digital skills, as we step further into the era of AI. But what about our existing workforce?

Productivity is a huge issue and getting to grips with the digital world can certainly streamline processes and save time. Metaphorically speaking, teaching an old dog new tricks is never going to be easy.

Change has to be led from the top, business

CONTACT Jo James OBE, chief executive, Kent Invicta Chamber

@invictachamber

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

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Time for change

mix sharp geometric lines and softer shapes, depicting light as a dynamic force.

A quirky sculpture made from recycled materials including shopping trolleys, scrap metal and car wheel trims proved popular with visitors to the gallery. Ptolemy Elrington’s work was on show alongside contemporary sculptures by John Brown, based on the human form.

Colourful and thought-provoking paintings by a variety of artists, including Jan Brine, Matt Withey, May Everett, Daniela Rizzi and Wendy Smith completed the show, described by curator June Frickleton of Frickleton Fine Art as providing something for everyone.

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Budding young artists are invited to join an animation expert for a workshop to create TV favourites Shaun the Sheep, Gromit and Morph.

The expert from Aardman Animations will be at Dreamland in Margate over the weekend of 15-16 February to offer guidance to youngsters who sign up for the three one-hour workshops.

Not only will the young visitors be shown how to sculpt their favourite figures from clay, but they can ask questions about animation and watch some of the popular Aardman production films.

Tickets are £13.20 from the Dreamland website.

leaders, CEOs and MDs need to ensure they are at the forefront of this digital revolution. If you don’t know what the possibilities are, how can you implement change?

It’s one thing to get to grips with the possibilities for your business through greater use of technology, but being in a position to maximise it is another matter.

We have made great inroads in broadband and mobile connectivity, but as the pace of business escalates with increased reliance on digital infrastructure and skills, we are being let down in so many cases by prehistoric infrastructure. Let’s hope that during 2020 we can finally start to make inroads into these key issues, before we really start to fall behind our current European counterparts.

Arts & Culture Give your dog a workout and enjoy some beautiful scenery, on a canine trail around the grounds of the Salomons estate in Tunbridge Wells.

Four-footed visitors are welcome to take part in a doggy trail around the 36-acre grounds, following clues to find treats on the Forthglade Doggy Treasure Trail. A map of the parkland is available on arrival.

Dogs are also welcome at overnight accommodation on the estate. For £20 a night they can join their owners at The Cottage, a 17th century former estate keeper’s home, with three double bedrooms and a private courtyard. Humans stay for £495 for Friday and Saturday nights, £385 Sunday to Thursday.

Breakfast in the country house restaurant is included.

Doggy treats in the countryside

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February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

Arts & Culture

Elmers on display › Elmer meets Sarah Pugh, chief executive of the Heart of Kent Hospice and Deon Kloppers, MD of MCM Net

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A herd of elephants is being rounded up to support a fundraising effort for the Heart of Kent Hospice this summer.

Fifty models of the popular children’s book character Elmer the Elephant will be on display through Maidstone town centre between 20 June and 23 August, each one decorated differently by artists and sponsored to pose near certain businesses. At the end of the two-month jumbo trail, the unique models will be auctioned to raise more money for the hospice.

Tonbridge digital marketing company MCM Net, which has been selected as official social media partner for Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent Parade, jumped at the chance to support the event.

Marketing manager at MCM Paige Jones said: “The initiative will not only create a buzz around local attractions, encourage family and friends to spend more time together and get more people outdoors, but will also create a huge amount of awareness and help raise crucial funds for this worthy charity, so that they can continue to offer compassionate care and support for local people with a terminal illness and the families affected.”

MCM Net has worked with the Heart of Kent hospice for years, helping with training and generating interest in fundraising and donations.

The parade is being jointly organised by creative event producers Wild in Art and independent children’s publisher Andersen Press.

for the economy

The business sector wants to encourage recruitment of people from the area, however three-quarters of employers are already struggling to fill job vacancies. Firms are investing more in workplace training, but they continue to need access to migrant workers for the foreseeable future.

We need a fast, flexible and affordable immigration system. It must allow businesses to access migrant workers, at all skill levels, when these cannot be recruited locally. We need a streamlined system, where smaller firms can access pre-authorised migrant workers, without the need for complex sponsorship arrangements.

Any minimum salary requirement must be realistic, affordable and reflect our local economy.

Many sectors need willing and hardworking

people – not just for seasonal work, also for longerterm vacancies.

EU workers are integral to businesses of all sizes and across a wide range of sectors in the Sussex economy, including farms, vineyards and wineries, social care, manufacturing and education. Our research shows that EU workers are employed at all skill levels, from entry level jobs through to technical and senior management roles.

The chamber network has called for a points-based route for skilled workers to enter the UK without a job offer. Businesses should be consulted on how points are awarded, to ensure the economy has the right

skills when they are needed. At a time of critical skills shortages, the government must be clear about its plans and allow businesses ample time to adapt.

Whatever the choice of system, it needs to be flexible enough to support businesses of all sizes, in all sectors and locations. Employers value experience, skills and qualifications – and our exporters need people with languages and cultural awareness.

CONTACT Ana Christie, chief executive, Sussex Chamber of Commerce @sussexchamber

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

THE LAST WORD

Bring on the misfits Rosemary French doesn’t know what Dominic Cumming is trying to achieve Weirdos and misfits? Certainly Dominic Cummings was badly advised and indeed has probably broken discrimination laws in his advert’s content. However, I do see what he is trying to achieve, implying that our civil service is perceived as somewhat dull, uninspired, and lacking originality.

It is unfair of course, because surely not every civil servant falls into this category. Cummings is rather making a comment on the culture that he believes pervades the civil service that prevents the “misfi ts” from rising to the top.

I reckon we should be quite proud of our misfi ts.

After all Shakespeare, Richard Branson, even Steve Jobs fell into that category. People with the grit and determination to succeed, make things happen, make a difference, take risks. Of course, they all made their own way and were not held back by bureaucratic structures.

I then thought of the truly archaic system in France, where civil servants are manufactured for the job. I use “manufactured” because that is truly what happens. First, you attend Sciences Po, the Paris Institute of Political Studies, one of the French “Grandes Ecole”, equivalent to the Russell Group in the UK. Sciences Po was established in 1872 to develop a new class of French civil servants and politicians. If you succeed there you have reached

I reckon we should be quite proud of our misfits

THE LAST

WORD

the first level in the French elite. Then it is good to get a Masters and a PhD, to get you ready to go back to Sciences Po and sit an entry examination for L’Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA) which has a tiny percentage success rate.

To enter the ENA, it is unlikely you will be below 30, and you will not have had time to get a job because your 12 years of education have been paid for by the state. Then for the next two years at the ENA you are actually paid to study. On completion, you have achieved the second level – you are truly the elite, a narrow ruling class drilled to be averse to alternative perspectives, where innovation and risk-taking is avoided and conventional, middle-of-the-road thinking encouraged. The top rank students can join the department of the chancellor, the treasury and the diplomatic service, while others join the various ministries.

All French Presidents and most senior politicians are graduates of the ENA. My French nephew has just passed the entry exam to the ENA and needless to say we have been disagreeing. He tells me there is no elite, no class division in France, because there are no private schools, no monarchy and it is a

secular country. I tell him I see it differently and I suspect that the “gilets jaunes” (yellow vests) are demonstrating for the very reason that the French civil service is an elite governing class, out of touch with the man on the street.

Our civil service is already more egalitarian in its recruitment and if it gets more weirdos and misfi ts, then I for one will be quite happy!

February/March 2020 | www.southeastbusiness.com

51

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