Sussex Business Times - Issue 395 2015

SBT SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

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SERVING THE SUSSEX BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

ISSUE 395 FREE

S R U E EPREN

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D E T N WA

ENTR

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SBT Welcome MEET THE TEAM

Lee Mansfield, Managing Director/ Publisher

Simon Skinner, Group Director

Jenny Ardagh, Editor

Lou Dobson, Title Manager

Harriet Weston, Amy Watson, Production Manager Production Designer

Clare Fermor, Operation Director

Mason Ponti, Business Development Manager

Amelia Wellings, Financial Controller

CONTRIBUTORS

Harriet Sergeant, Partner, Sheen Stickland

Arron Hopkinson, Precision Massage

Mike Chapman, Senior Manager Corporate Tax, Knill James

Jill Woolf, Managing Director, Chimera Communications

Jeremy Frost, The Frost Group

Christina Ewbank, ACES Facilitator

Christmas is upon us now, and business is busy in the run up to the new year. Sussex has had a great year in terms of new business, economic growth and potential for the future, and SBT this month looks at some of the most prevalent events and happenings in the lead up to the new year, including the entrepreneur and start up business climate, according to Barclays and how you can market your business easily and cheaply.

With the Summer and Autumn budget, plus the threat of next April creating havoc for many a small business, we speak to Jason Kitcat about his plans as ambassador of micro businesses. Readers can learn of the huge impact that these small businesses have on the local and national economy, and how Jason plans on making their voices heard in the lead up to 2016 and beyond.

Although, arguably its nature is worlds apart from what we consider a ‘business’, charities are becoming more and more business-like as the years go on. With the rise in scandals within charities, such as Kid’s Company this year, and as Christmas is the time for giving, we focus on a perhaps more controversial topic than usual: are we being scammed by charities? SBT provides an insight into the workings of charities, and discusses how your business can choose wisely which charity to invest in (pages 32 – 36). This is the read of the year, so don’t miss out!

As usual, we also cover some of the best events and conferences that have occurred over the past couple of months, including the Leadership that Gets Results conference, and we also speak to the winners of the Brighton and Hove Business Awards to see what the award means to them and what they’ve got in store for the future.

Find chamber news, an exciting new development at Berforts, an interesting Ask the Expert section and all the most important local and national news.

Enjoy your December read and Merry Christmas!

Stephanie Woolven, StephieAnn Design

Matt Turner, Managing Director Creative Pod

Jason Kitcat, Crunch Ambassador

See you in the New Year.

Jenny Ardagh Editor

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 3

SBTContents

Issue 395

SBT

ISSUE 395 FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

Find out more about our interest free finance packages at www.brewershome.co.uk

SERVING THE SUSSEX BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

Cover: Brewers Home www.brewershome.co.uk

Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 007 Group Director: Simon Skinner simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 017 Operations Director: Clare Fermor clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 007 Sales Manager: Mason Ponti mason@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 014 Title Manager: Lou Dobson lou@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 007 Editorial: Jenny Ardagh jenny@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 011 Production Manager: Harriet Weston harriet@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 010 Production Designer: Amy Watson amy@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 018 Subscriptions: Linda Grace linda@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 015 Accounts: Amelia Wellings amelia@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 007 Published by Life Media Group, Unit1, Swan Barn Business Centre, Swan Barn Road, Hailsham, BN27 2BY Printed by Berforts 17 Burgess Road, Ivyhouse Lane Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 4NR 01424 722733 www.berforts.co.uk

All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Sussex Business Times Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of Life Media Group LTD. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Sussex Business Times Magazine assume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from the participation in any offers, competitions or advertisement contained within Sussex Business Times Magazine. All prices featured in Sussex Business Times Magazine are correct at the time of going to press.

Copyright Life Media Group LTD 2015 ©

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News

View the latest local and national business headlines.

Spending it

Make your house feel like home, with interest free finance on key furniture items.

Events

In our October issue, we gave a brief overview of the winners, and the event itself. This month, SBT decided it was about time to hear from the winners themselves.

Money Matters

In his new position as Micro Business Ambassador, Jason Kitcat is sticking up for the UK’s 5 million micro-business owners, giving them a voice to speak up with.

Autumn Statement

SBT gives the run down of the good and the bad of November’s Autumn budget announcements; some more surprising than others.

Marketing

Matt Turner advises on how to market your business on a shoestring budget.

Cover Feature - Brewers Home

A New Year calls for a fresh start at home and in the office.

Here is how Brewers can help you respond to that call.

Charity

SBT investigates what makes a good charity in order to make you, the businessmen and women more aware of occurs on and under the surface.

Tried and Tested in Sussex

SBT steps into the business traveller’s shoes, reviewing a stay at the Gatwick/Crawley Arora Hotel before jet setting off while SBT’s Lee Mansfield takes a client to The Coal Shed in Brighton for a long business lunch.

Chamber News

All the latest news and events from ACES.

Motoring

As we reach the end of the year, he looks back over the highs and lows that come with the job, to consider these; the SBT cars of the year.

Ask the Experts

Local Sussex business experts advise on relevant issues.

Made in Sussex

This month’s home grown hero is StephieAnn Design.

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For top designer paint brands, the finest and widest selection of wallpapers and a great range of furniture, lighting, blinds, shutters and soft furnishings, visit brewershome.co.uk You can also come to our new Eastbourne showroom and discuss your ideas with our experienced advisors.

Online at: brewershome.co.uk • In store at: Brewers, Birch Road, Eastbourne BN21 6PL www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

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SBTLocal News Coffin Mew Launches Dedicated Legal Support Package For Entrepreneurs South Coast law firm, Coffin Mew has announced the launch of a dedicated legal support package for entrepreneurial businesses called Modus: First Call. The service offers small and mediumsized businesses (with a turnover of less than £750,000 a year) a low-cost, high value legal support package with access to an advisory sounding-board and helpline, quality documentation, and exclusive discounted rates for more complex legal support.

Mark O’Halloran, a Partner and Head of Coffin Mew’s Commercial Services team said: “Entrepreneurial businesses need entrepreneurial advisers. The days of clients visiting lawyers in their offices have gone; businesses need advice and support when it suits them, and this is what Modus: First Call provides.”

Close Brothers Asset Management launches free investment and retirement seminars in Horsham Close Brothers Asset Management (CBAM) is launching a set of educational seminars in Horsham to address two of the key challenges people face in managing money – investing and planning for retirement.

One was held on 12th November, and another will be held again on 11th February 2016 at the South Lodge Hotel, where experts from CBAM will be on hand to help people understand the specific issues they face, and how they can tackle them, with seminars examining investing in a low interest rate environment, and how to maximise pensions in the approach to retirement.

Attendees are required to book a place on the seminars with a single telephone call to 0800 028 0208 – and they are invited to bring a friend or professional adviser with them.

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Buxted Park Hotel Supports Apprenticeships In October last year, Gemma Funnell became Buxted Park Hotel’s first Sussex Downs College Front of House / Reception Apprentice, due to finish in November 2015 with a Level 2 Diploma in Front of House / Reception.

Gemma says: “I have really enjoyed the process and have felt fully supported by my Sussex Downs College Assessor, Toby Arbenz. The Front of House apprenticeship has given me a wonderful opportunity to develop further key skills that can be used within the Hospitality Industry, and I know this apprenticeship will support my future career.”

Sarah St Clair Bishop, HR Manager at Buxted Park Hotel has been extremely impressed with the dedication Gemma has shown, announcing that Gemma has won employee of the month once and has been nominated many times: “We see a great future for Gemma,” says Sarah.

Buxted Park Hotel is now looking to employ four more apprentices through Sussex Downs College.

Sussex-Based Capital Compactors Opens New Plant With Backing From Natwest Bognor Regis based Capital Compactors Ltd, one of UK’s largest producers of waste compactors and balers, has opened a new manufacturing plant in Barnsley after securing a £1,292,000 commercial mortgage from NatWest and an additional £375,000 of funding was provided through Lombard, NatWest’s Asset Finance arm.

Director, Alistair Lindsay said: “Through our dedicated Relationship Manager David Greenough, NatWest has worked with us to understand the business dynamics, challenges of the sector and our drive to grow the business.”

David Greenough, Senior Relationship Manager at NatWest said: “The financial backing we’ve been able to provide,

coupled with the strong leadership of Alistair and his fellow director, Joanne Lindsay, should certainly see the business get stronger. Their commitment to the business and their local communities will see benefits realised in Barnsley and West Sussex as well as the UK manufacturing sector as a whole.”

Brighton Business Create Product Launch Buzz in the UK Market Small business, Brighton Chilli Shop, has launched ‘Hot New Products’, collaborating with producers to bring customers new chilli sauces and chocolates, among their already extensive range. As well as visiting the shop at 73 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, customers are engaged through social media – the shop owner’s main marketing tool, and something they’re very proud of.

The shop has also donated half a kg of

chillies to The Real Junk Food Project of Brighton which is part of the Real Junk Food Project in the UK who Intercept food waste destined for land fill and use it to feed people who need it.

Alton Bejko, Owner of Brighton Chilli Shop says: “The launch of our own Brand of Chilli Sauces range reflects our commitment to developing new and exciting products that respond to consumer trends.”

SBTLocal News Sponsorship Opportunities For 50th Brighton Festival Local businesses are being offered a unique opportunity to be part of the largest and most established annual curated multi-arts festival in England, celebrating its 50th year.

As a registered arts charity with just 34% of its operational costs covered by regular public funding, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival needs sponsorship, and so far confirmed sponsors for 2016 include Nutshell Construction and SELITS. Managing Director of Nutshell Construction, Ben Copper said: “We are delighted to be renewing our sponsorship of the Brighton Festival during its 50th anniversary year.

Sponsorship of the event gets us in front of potential customers, it raises our profile by associating our business

with a gilt-edged brand and it makes real business sense – as well as giving us a chance to support the arts and our home town.”

To find out more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kata Gyongyosi on 01273 260 810 or email kata.gyongyosi@brightondome.org

Nine New Appointments At Knill James Rapidly-growing Lewes-based chartered accountancy firm, Knill James has boosted its ranks by making nine new appointments.

Laura Kalnaja has been appointed as Tax Senior in the tax team, James Bird takes on the role of Tax Portfolio Manager, Rebecca Connelly has joined as a Management Accounting and Outsourcing Senior, Jaime Turner has joined as an Audit & Accounts Senior, while Sophie Forster joined the Professional Support Group as an Administrator. Trainees appointed are Laura Vanstone, Alex West and Francis Smith, who will join the Business Services

Group, and Rachel Layton-Henry, who will join the tax team.

Kevin Powell, Senior Partner at Knill James commented: “We are delighted to strengthen our Tax Team further and to make additions to our Business Service Group, Professional Support Group and Audit & Assurance team, appointments which we are confident will add to the service we provide our clients.”

Giggling Squid Sells Minority Stake to BGF for £6.4M Giggling Squid, the popular UK Thai restaurant group, which opened its first restaurant in 2009 in Hove, has announced it’s accelerating its expansion plans following a £6.4m investment from BGF (Business Growth Fund), the UK’s leading provider of growth capital to small and mid-sized businesses.

Giggling Squid, which has a portfolio of 13 sites across the South of England and the Midlands, will use the BGF capital to open more branches of its family of successful restaurants. Giggling Squid

intends to break new ground and enter the London suburbs inside the M25, building on its new site in Esherset to open on Thursday next week.

BGF has taken a significant minority equity stake in the business and has introduced Simon Kossoff, Chairman and former CEO of Carluccio’s, to the company, and Jon Simon, Investor at BGF, also joins the board.

The investment will provide further capital to accelerate the growth plan across the South and nationally. A further

South East Businesses Told ‘Exporting Is Great’

South East companies are to benefit from a unique new five-year campaign that will present real-time export opportunities businesses can apply for instantly, in a move to get 100,000 additional companies exporting by 2020: Exporting is GREAT. For the first time, the campaign will present real-time export opportunities across media outlets and digital channels to businesses that they can apply for immediately. The platform will go live with hundreds of business opportunities, which will be available at www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk.

Around 1000 more will come online each month.

Lord Francis Maude, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, said: “Travelling overseas in my capacity as Minister for Trade, I see first-hand the demand that exists for UK products and services, but many companies don’t realise this demand exists. We are confident that through Exporting is GREAT; by raising awareness of and providing access to these opportunities, together with giving companies the practical advice and guidance they need, we will inspire and support thousands of new companies in the exciting new venture of selling overseas.”

1,000 jobs nationally are expected to be created as a result of the company’s expansion over the next 4 years.

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SBTLocal News Caroline’s Dairy launch their Winter Menu for 2015 Caroline’s Dairy in Sidlesham is delighted to announce the launch of their sumptuous new Winter Menu, developed in addition to their year round collection of award-winning ice cream flavours. Based on their working dairy farm in West Sussex, Caroline’s Dairy is a multi awardwinning company producing luxury handmade ice cream and sorbets.

Available in shops and restaurants between October and March, this new menu draws inspiration from the traditional British countryside and features flavours such as Blackberry Fool, Honey & Whisky Ripple and White Chocolate & Raspberry Fudge, with a revisit from some of the flavour favourites; Sea Buckthorn, Cinnamon, Coffee Espresso, Rum & Raisin and Orange Sorbet.

If you are interested in stocking Caroline’s Dairy Ice Cream please phone 01243 641001 or visitwww. carolinesdairy.co.uk

Brighton Companies Awarded £10,000 At Entrepreneurial Acceler8 Event Taking place half way through the six month programme, the day long Acceler8 event on 10th November provided Chiclets, currently based at the Entrepreneurial Spark Hatchery in Brighton with an opportunity to reflect on how their business has grown during their time with the program, and plan for the coming months.

The entrepreneurs were given the chance to hear from business leaders Daryl Gayler, Regional Director – Sussex and Surrey, Commercial and Private Banking, at NatWest, Andy Parsons, CEO, YELO Architects and guest judge Dan Smyth, Commercial Manager from Brighton radio station Juice 107.2 throughout the evening. Following on from a fantastic few months,

entrepreneur, Melanie Lawson from Bare Biology walked away with £3,000 to help grow her business, after winning the Acceler8 award.

Applications for the February intake are now open for entrepreneurs with a #GoDo attitude and a business idea.

See the SBG website for extra comment: http://www. sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk/

Rsm Survey Names South East Hottest Region For Investment In 2016 The South-East has been named one of the top three areas for overseas investment into the UK property market according to a survey carried out by RSM, revealing that 33% of decision makers in the real-estate sector believed that over half of the investment into UK commercial property will come from overseas investors over the next twelve months.

The South-East was named as the region that the majority of respondents believed would attract the most investment, with just over half saying they

thought the investment would be in residential property, compared to 39% saying commercial property.

Howard Freedman, RSM’s UK head of real estate and construction, said: “There is genuine concern within the property sector that the weight of capital coming into the UK will cause a pressure on values, with the subsequent risk of a ‘bubble’ developing. It is clear there is a scarcity of investment and development opportunities in London, and that this is now forcing investors to look further afield within the UK than in previous years.”

Sea Life Brighton Signs Midnight Communications for 2016 Sea Life Brighton, one of the city’s leading attractions and two-time winner of ‘Best Place to Visit’ at the Brighton and Hove Business Awards 2014 and 2015, has appointed Midnight Communications to manage its PR campaign in 2016.

Midnight’s appointment comes on the back of its management of the successful launch of Jurassic Seas earlier this year, which resulted in record visitor numbers.

Midnight will unveil Sea Life Brighton’s

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new installation in 2016 and deliver a comprehensive media relations campaign throughout the year.

Caraline Brown, Managing Director of Midnight Communications added: “We are all so excited to be working with Sea Life Brighton again! We really feel like an extension of the team at the aquarium and we’re looking forward to delivering great results for them throughout 2016.”

SBTNational News Cuvva, The Uk’s Hourly Insurance Shopping OnFirst Mobile ToCar Top £53bn App, Launches By 2024 UK start-up Cuvva (www.cuvva.co) intends to change the way we think about driving other cars. Launched in October; Cuvva is UK’s first ever short term car insurance app that allows you to get fully covered on any car in the UK for as little as an hour. All you need to do is download the app, get verified and enter the registration number of the car you’re borrowing.

Founder of Cuvva, Freddy Macnamara, said: “The reason we launched Cuvva was to try and improve the current UK car insurance model.

Consumer expectations are that we should be able to get what we want, when we want and all from our personal devices; why should car insurance be any different. Technology has been used to consistently improve most industries

yet the car insurance model remains largely unchanged. What we want to do is enable UK Drivers to get simple, quick, and efficient access to other cars whenever they need them.”

The Cuvva app is available for iPhones operating iOS 8.1 and above and is fully regulated by the FCA.

RSM Warns Only Six Weeks Left To Come Clean Under The Taxman’s ‘Most Attractive’ Disclosure RSM is warning individuals in the South that have tax irregularities that time is running out to come clean to the taxman as the popular Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility (LDF) finally closes on 31 December 2015.

The LDF was introduced

by HMRC in September 2009 to encourage individuals to declare any unpaid taxes connected with overseas bank accounts or structures.

Under the agreement, those coming forward to make a disclosure would

not only be immune from prosecution, but also secure considerably more favourable terms for settling their tax bill than under normal circumstances.

Since the LDF’s introduction six years ago, more than 5,900 disclosures have been made, raising over £1.15 billion. However, in his Budget last March, the Chancellor announced that the final date for those wanting to register under the LDF would be 31 December 2015.

Waitrose Boss Quits Mr Price, who has been with the John Lewis Partnership - which owns Waitrose - for 33 years, at age 55 leaves after 9 years leading the supermarket chain.

During that time, Waitrose has enjoyed many years of rapid growth, but recently, they have felt the impact of the arrival of the German discounters, Aldi and Lidl.

Mr Price warned of turmoil in the sector earlier this year when profits at Waitrose dipped by a quarter.

With the Chairman of John Lewis, Sir Charlie Mayfield, not going anywhere soon, the Head of Waitrose has decided that the grass is likely to be greener elsewhere.

Waitrose number two, Rob Collins, will take over from Mr Price when he leaves next April.

Bank Rejection Up To £392.6 Million From SMEs New analysis from Fleximize, an alternative SME lender, reveals that during the first half of 2015, banks rejected up to £392.6 million worth of credit applications from SMEs in the South East. To help SMEs understand the huge and growing range of funding options open to them, Fleximize has produced the free ‘Ultimate Guide to Business Funding’.

The Guide addresses crowdfunding, pension-led funding, unsecured business loans, revenue-based finance and invoice discounting, and public funding offered on a national, regional, local and specialist basis.

Vegan Business Is Booming Vegan business is booming. That was the message coming out of Westminster last month when The Vegan Society hosted a Parliamentary reception to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Vegan Trademark.

MPs, their researchers and advisers listened as Alpro’s Sue Garfitt detailed the company’s meteoric rise in the non-dairy sector, announcing growth of 28% yearon-year - unprecedented in this economic climate. Garfitt also revealed the next

product they could bring to market: cashew milk.

Christina Rees MP, who sponsored the event, said: “Now is the time to support and invest in vegan business, the growth of which is better for our health and the future of our planet.

The number of vegans in the UK are likely to have at least doubled in the past nine years, and around 12% of British adults now follow a vegan or vegetarian

diet, according to Mintel. Consumer trends also clearly illustrate this growth.

The rate for 2015 is expected to be higher still.

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Spending It

Create Your Space Make your house feel like home, with interest free finance on key furniture items

Lighting

Accessories

LAYER SINGLE LIGHT TABLE LAMP LARGE

DARJEELING TEA TOWEL INDIGO

An unusual single light table lamp with an artichoke shaped base in a lovely distressed cream finish. £150.

Add a vibrant splash of colour to your kitchen with the Darjeeling tea towel from the bright and mighty Mini Moderns. £12.

BUBBLE FLOOR LAMP Metal base in polished chrome finish – 1390mm high. Lampshade: 40cm drum; colour Kallianthi Grasses fabric 120019 – 270mm high. Supplied as a set. Coordinating table lamp available. £330.

MR FOX SET OF 4 ESPRESSO CUPS Brighten up your coffee break with a set of 4 quirky espresso cups featuring the popular Mr Fox motif. £30.

DYNAMO SINGLE SWITCH WALL LIGHT FITTING CHROME

CALAGGIO CUSHIONS - APPLE, TURQUOISE, PEONY

A retro style, high gloss chrome wall light fitting. This product is complete with a toggle switch situated on the wall plate. £83.40.

Treat yourself to a stunning, ornate velvet cushion featuring gathered leaves. Reverse side shows tonal velvet stripes and both sides are trimmed with striped silk. £80.

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Brewers Home, Birch Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6PL. www.brewershome.co.uk

Spending It

MILLER BED PEWTER The Miller bed is perfect for achieving a contemporary and luxury look. The curved shape of the headboard adds to the modern feel and is perfect for creating a stylish focal point in a bedroom space. £969.

WAVE BAR STOOL

Furniture CLEMENT 4+2 CHEST OF DRAWERS OAK & CHARCOAL A six drawer chest of drawers in an charcoal finish and metal cup handles. This beautifully crafted, British made chest of drawers is ideal storage for any style interior. Supplied fully assembled. £480.

A sleek and contemporary wooden bar stool in a beautiful solid American oak sourced from sustainable forests in the USA. This bar stool would be perfect in both a modern and more traditional interior. £100.

CLEMENT 6’ BOOKCASE OAK & TRUFFLE A 6ft bookcase with 3 shelves and 2 drawers in a contemporary truffle finish and metal cup handles. £515.

HOPKINS SOFA AUBERGINE Treat yourself to a luxurious sofa in a beautiful aubergine velvet. The rich, soft fabric makes this sofa irresistibly comfortable and would look gorgeous in either a traditional or contemporary interior. £1,529.

Contact Brewers Home on: Telephone +44 (0)1323 436180 or Email help@brewershome.co.uk

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The Creative Industries Award, Posh Totty Designs

Champions of Brighton and Hove

In our October issue, we gave a brief overview of the winners, and the event itself. This month, SBT decided it was about time to hear from the winners themselves The Brighton and Hove Business Awards were a big Events night for businesses within the city – all wishing to win an award of their own for all their accomplishments over the year. The awards are an essential and ideal way of giving back to the business community, who have worked so hard over the year to bring consumers their specialised services and products, in turn boosting the local economy.

The big winner of the evening was Posh Totty, an 11-year-old jewellery, design and personalised gift company based in Brighton, winning the Creative Industries, Fastest Growing Business and Business of the Year Awards. Managing Director and Founder, Alice Rivers-Cripps was both thrilled and pleasantly surprised by the awards: “We were absolutely delighted just to be nominated for the awards, so to win three categories was totally unexpected and such a huge honour. Winning the Creative Industries Award means a lot to me personally, because Brighton is such a creative

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food, drink and hospitality in the city and community. To be recognised as having surrounding county. Not only do we have that creative spark in the midst of so four festival periods each year, but we many talented people is so rewarding.” host monthly Sussex Wine Bus Tours, She added: “To win Business of the Year run the annual Brighton & Hove Food was a totally unexpected bonus!” and Drink Awards, help administer the Having started from Alice’s sofa in Brighton Restaurant 2004, Posh Totty Designs has come a long way, “We love bringing our Association and help market the gastronomic now employing 40 staff clients down from tourism offering of our and one of the biggest London to embrace region.” jewellery workshops in the coastal life and This award was by the South. Last year, activities, and in no means expected they made a record £2.5 turn, introduce

by Nick: ” There million, and are so far on new business into have been some very track for £3.2 million this year. our local economy” worthy winners in the past who’ve greatly Nick Mosley, the - Michelle contributed to the life Brighton and Hove Food Mainwaring of the city, so to be and Drink Festival’s recognised as someone Managing Director, in that league is an incredible feeling.” won the award for Most Outstanding Organic Roofs Ltd, the one-stop-shop Brightonian. Nick has hugely developed for green roofs, from design advice, the Food and Drink Festival, putting through to waterproofing, installation, Sussex on the world food map and contracting and reactive maintenance, inspiring people with good quality local won the award for Best Environmental food. Nick commented: “Over the Industry Company. Throughout 2015, past few years, we’ve grown from a Organic Roofs has concentrated on one-off annual event into a year round investing for growth, and Lee Evans, organisation showcasing the best of

Sussex Events & Networking

Director of Organic Roofs Ltd, hopes that this award marks the start of an even bigger and better future: “We’re very proud to have won this award, as we hope it will give greater publicity to our efforts to bring affordable, good quality green roofs into the city of Brighton and Hove.”

Lee adds: “Brighton has such a dynamic business community, with so many creative and conscientious people striving to do more with their companies than just chase turnove. The BAHBAs really give an opportunity to showcase not just the winners but the whole range of great work that people have been doing all year.”

Andrew Mosley, General Manager of the Grand Hotel in Brighton, said he felt very honoured to have won the award for MD of the year, commenting: “We’ve enjoyed an amazing 2015 and have seen exceptional business growth, which we believe is down to the fact that we are now independent and are therefore able to react to change and opportunity very quickly. I’m supported by a fantastic team of people who make this happen. We’re looking forward now to 2016 with more investment in the Grand on the immediate horizon, including a further uplift to our restaurant GB1, an exciting refurbishment of our lounge, as well as some bigger projects to follow.”

Vivid Events, who won the award for Professional Services, has undergone a complete brand refresh in the past year, all the while continuing to demonstrate a high level of professional service.

Rachel Hepburn, Company Director, commented: “We’re extremely proud to have been awarded the Professional Services Award and, likewise, to be recognised by the BAHBA. The accolade will really help to confirm our professionalism with not only our clients, but suppliers, employees, industry peers and the business community of Brighton and Hove.”

Julian Caddy, Managing Director of Brighton Fringe, which won the Best Event in the City category told SBT: “To be England’s largest arts festival is one thing, but to be voted by our Business peers and partners as not just the biggest, but the best event is extremely important. It feels a bit like getting the Ballon d’Or - we’re really proud.

“This year was our biggest and best ever, with more than 405,000 attendances at 3,584 performances of

The Best Customer Service, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival

The Professional Services Award, Vivid Event Group

784 events. We have grown audiences by more than 100% in only 4 years: that is unbelievable. Overall, the economic impact of Brighton Fringe is over £12 million – not bad for one month.”

He added: “This is a very special place, which attracts many millions of visitors, but because we are still quite close to London, it might be easy to overlook us.

So these awards help raise the profile of the individuals and organisations in the city that are making a difference, that are helping make us stand out.”

All winners had thanks to give for the running of the event itself - to Kari Brown, Founder of the Brighton and Hove Business Awards, and to Midnight Communications.

MD of the Year - Andrew Mosley, The Grand Brighton

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Leadership That Gets Results

The two-day conference helped leaders become the best they can be and achieve the success that comes with being an expert leader The Leadership that Gets Results Conference, from Review 20th to 21st October at the Grand Hotel Eastbourne, was a two-day conference focussed on helping people to become the best leaders they can be, in order to reap the benefits and become successful within their company. Run by Bespoke Training Eastbourne, owned by Rachel Stone, the event, and indeed Bespoke Training as a whole works on the ethos that absolutely nothing happens in any organisation that is not the direct result of an act of leadership. That’s why leadership is the single most impactful priority that can make the difference between an average organisation and an exceptional one. Expert leaders create outstanding results.

Speakers over the two days included Professor Damian Hughes, Mike Ogilvie, Simon Teague and Claire Carpenter.

Professor Damian Hughes is the author of six best-selling books, including Liquid

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Thinking, Liquid Leadership, How to Profit speech on the second day of the Change Absolutely Anything and How to conference highlighted the importance Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson. In addition, of the seemingly trivial things, such as he is the founder of the LiquidThinker customer service and looking at the Company, which takes the psychological whole picture. Michael is an experienced methods used by Chartered great achievers Accountant by “This was a hugely and shows, in easy training. Although beneficial event, which steps, how you he owns both can adopt them provoked a level of Eastbourne into your own life Chartered thinking that may well and business. His Accountants make the difference presentation on and Business between a successful, The Psychology Of Advisers OBC The booming business, High Performance Accountants, most and a dead end was eye opening of his time is focused and thoroughly on his work as one business venture” engaging, with many of the UK’s leading thought provoking Profit Coaches with and beyond the surface insights into his company, The Profit Team. Michael is the thought processes behind quality a Master Practitioner of neuro-linguistic leadership and successful performance programming, and was a founding within the working environment. He made Director of The Association of Profit complex ideas simple to his audience, Advisers. relating theories to personal and everyday Claire Carpenter is an award-winning human experiences. speaker and speaking coach, as she Michael Ogilvie’s Leadership For demonstrated well with her Powerful

Events & Networking in Sussex

Communication Skills presentation to close the conference. She has had a varied career, during which she has continuously studied the impact that words have in politics and in business.

She took to speaking herself after publishing two children’s books and learnt the techniques that brilliant speakers use to mesmerise their audiences. Putting those techniques into practice led to her scooping first place in the national competition of the Professional Speaking Association 2014.

Rachel also spoke about Transformational Leadership – Making An Impact and in the afternoon gave a wonderfully interactive presentation and learning workshop on Coaching For Performance. She spoke on her experiences of successful leadership skills, and not so successful ones, making it personable and informative. She spoke succinctly and with enthusiasm, presenting her skills as a business and personal coach. Looking back on the conference, Rachel commented: “I am delighted with the feedback from the delegates and the way in which everyone got stuck in and worked hard throughout the event. There was a really buzzing atmosphere throughout. Delegates have been contacting me to say how they are implementing the learning from all the speakers already! This is excellent, as it is far more important what happens after an event like this than what happens during it! I am so grateful to all the guest speakers who did an amazing job of meeting the brief, helping me to share my passion for transformational leadership and developing leaders who are experts at creating results. The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, the film crew ‘Transitional Media’, Avant Photographic, Missing Link, Identity Group’s “The Agency” plus the admin team behind me were all superb support, which ensured the event went without a hitch. I’m looking forward to next year’s conference!”

Overall, this was a hugely beneficial event, which provoked a level of thinking that may well make the difference between a successful, booming business, and a dead end business venture. I certainly came away with much more than I arrived with, and with Rachel’s hard work and dedication to helping others overcome the barriers in their own world of work, I’m sure many others did too. www.bespoketraining eastbourne.com

Michael Ogilvie

Professor Damian Hughes

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 15

Start-Ups

National and Regional Start Up Success Findings from the Barclays and BGF Entrepreneurs Index show the national entrepreneurial scene is looking strong for the UK, and the promise is reflected within South East businesses also – but will this start up strength prevail into further growth?

The UK’s entrepreneurial appetite continues Develop to strengthen. The Barclays and BGF Entrepreneurs Index, a bi-annual series tracking the UK entrepreneurial lifecycle, aims to provide a barometer of entrepreneurial activity in the UK across sectors and regions; to understand the barriers to growth facing today’s entrepreneurial companies; and to assess the extent to which the country’s entrepreneurs are now realising wealth through their businesses. The latest findings deliver good news, not only to the UK as a whole, but to the South East in particular.

The number of active companies in the UK has increased hugely since June 2012, and appears to be accelerating rapidly in growth: between December 2014 and June 2015, the number of active companies grew by 3.86%, from 3,139,630 to 3,260,879 - the biggest percentage increase since the biannual index series began.

There was a record 5.4 million private sector businesses in the UK at the start of 2015, according to the latest data released by the Department for Business Innovation Skills, reflecting an increase of 146,000 since 2014, of which 35,000 are creating employment. Nationwide, the number of company dissolutions was also lower than in the previous six months – the first time this has happened since

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the index began – reversing a three-year trend.

The factors underlying this growth are numerous and varied, guided by economic, social and cultural drivers.

But where the UK once lagged behind other developed economies on metrics, such as the number of people starting new businesses each year, it is certainly moving up the league tables. In the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Index, the UK is ranked as the most entrepreneurial country in Europe, and fourth in the world, compared to 14th position in 2012. In addition, the OECD highlights the UK and Australia as having shown a particularly strong uptick – as compared to its other member countries – in new business creation since the height of the financial crisis in 2008.

Private sector SMEs – those with up to 249 employees – collectively represent the engine for growth in the UK economy.

At the start of 2015, their combined turnover was £1.8 trillion, accounting for 47% of all private sector turnover in the UK, with the remaining 53% coming from large businesses with 250 or more employees. SMEs account for three fifths of the employment in the UK private sector.

Good news for the South East too! The number of new businesses starting up in the South East specifically grew by 7% in the year to March 2015 to reach a total of 377,000, according to the Index.

The boom in the number of businesses echoed what was found on a national

level, with a healthy start-up scene, finding that the South East saw 256 deals resulting in wealth creation of £200,000 or more over the 12 months to the end of June 2015, an increase of 19% on the same period previously.

Robin Reynolds, Regional Director of Barclays Wealth and Investment Management in the South East comments on the report findings: “A large part of the South East’s success is down to the fact it is polycentric – there is not just one centre of activity and prosperity driving economic growth, but many. This is reflected in the impressive performance from the region in the latest Index, with the number of new businesses rising by 7% - testament to what a great place the region is to do business.”

However, the report showed that

Digital Marketing

while the region’s start-up and wealth creation activity has maintained positive momentum, the proportion of highgrowth companies stood at just 19.9% in the year to December 2014: down 1.3% on the previous year. The catch: too few of these businesses are generating high growth. To put this another way, while UK entrepreneurs are successfully getting their ventures off the ground and delivering commercial viability, they are struggling to scale up their businesses at speed – nationally and regionally. Higher volumes of start-ups are important, but what is also needed is an ecosystem of entrepreneurship where success breeds success.

Robin added: “There is clearly an opportunity to replicate the success of the start-up scene at the scale-up stage,

to enable a greater proportion of South East businesses to achieve high growth ambitions. The industry needs to do more to support this segment which is why we are leading the way by offering a unique proposition for high-growth firms, providing access to a range of innovative funding, services and networks for the most ambitious businesses driving economic growth. Barclays is committed to supporting the South East’s highgrowth businesses and their founders throughout their entrepreneurial life-cycle − from start up to IPO.” Marion Bernard, Regional Director, London & South East, BGF also commented: “As long-term equity investors in growing UK companies, we are excited by the size and dynamics of the addressable market in the South

East. It is very promising to see that the region has seen such a positive rise in the number of entrepreneurs starting up their own companies and I’m hoping their confidence will encourage other business leaders to pursue their own entrepreneurial ambitions. These figures match the ambition that we experience regularly as we meet growth-oriented business owners in the South East to explore the ways in which BGF can provide capital and support to achieve their near and long term goals.”

Provided by Barclays Bank PLC

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 17

Micro Businesses

A Micro Mission

Micro businesses are essential to the UK economy, and those 5 million micro-business owners currently helping to boost the economy within the UK need a voice, and that voice needs to be heard Micro businesses make up 96% of all UK businesses – a figure Insight that has contributed to our country’s ranking as the most entrepreneurial country in Europe, and fourth in the world as of 2015.

A micro business, as defined by the government under the EU regulations is a company with 0-9 employees with a turnover of less than 2 million Euros (£1.7 million). They are the smallest businesses in the country, yet are also the most vibrant and big in terms of growth for the economy. There are currently 5 million micro businesses in the UK, with 8.4 million working in the sector, making it the second biggest business

division in the country. There were fears, prior to the autumn statement, that the Small Business Rate Relief scheme, helping thousands of small businesses across the country, could be scrapped by Mr Osborne. Instead, and thankfully, the Government has extended the relief for 12 months to April 2017, helping smaller firms to pay less tax on their premises.

Although this is a boost in the right direction, there is much more to be done.

To get in insight into the issues currently affecting micro businesses across the country, SBT got in touch with Jason Kitcat. Jason has had years of experience both with successful businesses, small and large, and within the council. He has worked for Netmums, set up his own micro business and is a former leader of the Brighton and Hove city council. He has now joined the team of online accountants for freelancers, contractors and small businesses at Crunch as Micro Business Ambassador, using his experience and knowledge to campaign with and for micro businesses.

Jason aims to promote this small, but very large business community, and represent their voices to government.

How does current legislation make it difficult for freelancers and micro enterprises to successfully do business? Why do micro businesses need a voice?

“The rhetoric and implication around some government announcements seems to reinforce a false impression that contractors and freelancers only do what they do to avoid tax – which is absolutely not the case.

We need to get across that micro businesses contribute massively to the growth of the

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Jason Kitcat

economy, and to employment figures which are very positive things! The way the government can help is by getting out of the way of this growth, not perpetuating this stigma with regards to tax avoidance and small companies. We need to change the conversation so that policy-makers accept that not everyone can become the next Google. Collectively small businesses are just as important to the economy as the blockbusters.”

What different problems to larger businesses do micro businesses face?

“The challenges that micro businesses face are mostly to do with resources, and the collective voice, both of which large companies have a huge amount more of.

Tax is also a huge challenge for micro businesses’ cashflow, with the ‘little guys’ often paying proportionately far more than

Micro Businesses

the multinationals who can afford to run complex avoidance schemes.

What impact does IR35 have on small businesses and freelance individuals?

“The IR35 rule was introduced by Gordon Brown in order to prevent ‘disguised employment’, which is tax evasion. However, the legislation is very broad and risks catching out people who are not evading tax, but just going about their business. A lot of small businesses work on a short-term contractual basis, going from job to job as this is the most efficient way of them working and using their skills to their advantage. If the government tighten the laws regarding the IR35, there’s huge concern over creating a lot of harm for the whole micro business community.”

How are you planning to help micro businesses?

“Myself, and the team at Crunch plan to build on our body of knowledge about micro businesses, when meeting with MPs and the Lords to spread the word about key issues. Many people, including some MPs don’t realise how large or how important the micro business community is. We will endeavour to make MPs aware of the implications that tax changes will have on small businesses and generally spread the word. It’s an education process to make micro-businesses heard; if they feel they have a strong voice, they’re more likely to use it and succeed.”

“Overall, I believe businesses should be confident. The UK is leading the way with the proportion of micro businesses, and it’s easy to see why; it’s incredibly easy to start up your own business now and follow your dreams.

Having said that, there is an uncertainty in the air, especially with regards to changes in legislation in April and the EU referendum, so anyone in business should be aware of how those changes might affect them.”

“Overall, I believe businesses should be confident. The UK is leading the way with the proportion of micro businesses, and it’s easy to see why”

I’ve seen reports stating that businesses are far more financially optimistic for 2016 than this time last year, yet others warn that they should still be wary – what are your thoughts?

Should micro businesses perhaps be defined differently to help better policy making?

“We’re not ready for legislation change at this point, but what we are in need of is a longer term debate about what it means to be part of our society when so many of us aren’t in straightforward jobs with a monthly salary. The 8.4 million people working for micro-businesses experience current legislation on tax, employment and pensions which either don’t apply or struggle to cope with the fluctuations of small business. What protection do those people have and what does that mean for our society as a whole?

No one knows what the correct policy framework is for this new world of work, but it needs to be discussed, and that’s our aim.”

SBT thanks Jason Kitcat for answering our questions on this topic and we wish him the best of luck as Micro Business Ambassador at Crunch Accounting.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 19

Money Matters

The Autumn Statement

SBT gives the run down of the good and the bad of November’s Autumn budget announcements; some more surprising than others We were all expecting the worst: £4 trillion of taxpayers’ money Finance spent in ways we disagree with.

Massive cuts were expected from George Osborne’s mouth on 25th November as the government tries to close the gap between what it spends and what income it gets through taxes: the UK’s deficit. The deficit has been on everyone’s lips in the past couple of months, and it was suggested that Osborne would cut £20 billion from services such as police, businesses, science, local government and justice in the next 5 years.

However, we all ate our words as Osborne announced there would be no cuts, borrowing £8 billion less than forecast – making faster progress towards eliminating the deficit (aimed to be eliminated over the next 4 years) and paying down debt whilst sending a wave of relief for some low-income families who were expecting cuts in tax credit payments of up to £1,200 a year. From April 2016, the basic state pension will rise to £119.30 per week: an increase of £3.35. This will be the highest real terms increase to the state pension for 15 years.

Commuters will even benefit from flexible season tickets, and the ability to claim compensation if delayed by more than 15 minutes. Is it all good news though? And how do the changes affect businesses in Sussex?

David Sheppard the Chairman of the Sussex Chamber of Commerce comments: “Although in general most businesses in the country will applaud the spending review it has little new for businesses in the region. As expected there was a heavy emphasis on

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investment in other geographic areas, particularly the North, Wales and the South West.”

In the Summer Budget, it was announced that three million new apprenticeships would be created by 2020, funded by a levy on large employers. The apprenticeship levy will come into effect in April 2017, at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s pay bill. A £15,000 allowance for employers will mean that the levy will only be paid on employers’ pay bills over £3 million. Less than 2% of UK employers will pay the levy.

David commented: “The impact on large businesses of the levy on apprenticeships, could act as a tax on jobs dis-incentivising investment on skills and job development even if partly offset by allowances. At least education funding to 16-19 year olds is to be maintained which businesses hope will help develop work ready skills of our young people.”

The government will protect overall police spending

Money Matters

One of the biggest topics under debate from the Sussex community is the affect that the Autumn Budget decisions will have on landlords and property owners.

From 1 April 2016 people purchasing additional properties such as buy to let properties and second homes will pay an extra 3% in stamp duty. Money raised from tax on people buying their second home will be used to help those struggling to buy their first home. This may sound like a positive change, but Mike Chapman, Senior Manager of Corporate Tax at Knill James Chartered Accountants points out: “Firstly, higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) will be charged on purchases of additional rental property (above ÂŁ40,000) from 1 April 2016 aimed specifically at buy-to-let properties and second homes.

NHS England will receive ÂŁ10 billion more a year in real terms by 2020

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Money Matters

Three million new apprenticeships would be created by 2020

“So, there will be pain on the way into the buy-to-let market through SDLT and a second announcement in the Statement revealed an unwelcome Capital Gains Tax (CGT) surprise on exit. From April 2019, a payment on account of any CGT on the disposal of residential property will be due just 30 days after completion. This compares to the current rules where the settlement of the tax due can be anything up to 21 months after disposal depending when in the fiscal year the sale occurs.

What will the affect be on the south eastern property market? Mike explains: “Clearly landlords who have maximised their borrowings with a view to enjoying capital growth may now seek to restrict their financial exposure by disposing of parts of their property portfolios. Where such properties are standing at a gain, disposal before the CGT acceleration is due will clearly be advisable.”

Andrew Watters, Director at Thomas Eggar LLP also commented: “There is to be a reduced time-frame for filing and payment of SDLT from 30 to 14 days which will be challenging. While the policy has no direct consequence for the amount of tax money collected, in practice more people are likely to miss deadlines and so financial penalties will swell the monies collected.

“Similarly, ‘additional’ property owners will face a harsher time frame when they sell as payment of CGT is due within 30 days of disposal rather than linked to the tax year end. As such, sellers and their advisers will need to be working closely

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on the CGT comp in the process of the sale or risk missing deadlines and facing financial penalties”.

He concludes: “This statement is unlikely to cause too many hearts to go aflutter. It will pull in a bit more tax. It will impose procedural deadlines. And it targets ‘avoidance’ behaviour that few people wish to indulge in. There are some far more meaty proposals

Buy to let properties and second homes will pay an extra 3% in stamp duty

already out for consultation.”

David similarly concluded: “In general the statement was not the doom and gloom statement that many commentators expected. Much of what was said was well known in advance and much of the business issues will be swamped by the complete U-turn on tax credits and the maintenance of police budgets.”

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6 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

A Shoestring Tour of Marketing

After speaking at the SBT sponsored Best4Biz conference, we asked Matt Turner to share his wisdom with readers on how to market your business on a shoestring budget

I’ve met and worked with many different types of companies; Focus from start-up entrepreneurs who like to see a return on every penny spent, to international blue chip corporations who have an extensive budget to spend on their marketing.

Regardless of size, there are many questions that business owners ask when considering marketing their business; is this an investment or just an expense?

How can I invest wisely and maximise my reach? How can I measure which marketing efforts have been effective and which haven’t?

Every time you talk to someone about your business, you are involved in marketing. Every conversation you, and your employees have about your business is a fantastic opportunity to promote its products, services and generate sales.

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Consistently projecting the right voice, targeting the right audience and measuring every activity is so important to effectively market your business.

If you have no plan, you have no direction!

Like any element of your business, creating a strategic plan for your marketing is so important to ensure you’re working towards a goal and are not distracted from what you originally planned to achieve.

Before creating a plan, take the time to analyse your existing customer base and establish what it is they love about your business and where there is room for improvement. What do they need and how do they buy from you? One size does not fit all, so segment your audience into groups with similar needs. This will help you target the right people without wasting money or resources.

Break your plan down into activities,

which you would like to execute each month such as social media, newsletters and a blog post; then add any additional activities such as trade shows, networking, telesales or advertising.

Time these activities around potential customer’s buying cycles to save money and maximise sales. For example, an insurance broker would aim to target a potential customer just before their insurance is due for renewal, as this is the time they are likely to be looking around for alternative brokers.

Establish what your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are and how you will measure the performance of each campaign. For example, a direct mail brochure could have a unique URL and phone number; this will enable you to track the effectiveness of the offline campaign. An online campaign example could be a marketing email sent out to potential customers. Using a platform like Mailchimp to send emails will give you a

Marketing

“Marketing is a longterm investment; it’s important to invest your money wisely but try new things and analyse the effectiveness of each campaign” transparent view of who has opened your email and who has clicked through on a call to action.

Don’t expect a miracle overnight Marketing is a long-term investment; it’s important to invest your money wisely but try new things and analyse the effectiveness of each campaign.

Don’t market to an empty room We have business owners come to us and say they have tried marketing their business through a particular channel with no success. Just because something didn’t work the first time around doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t be successful again. Try instead to tailor the approach and analyse what people did or didn’t like or if you were targeting the right audience. This could conceive completely different results. Don’t give up at the first hurdle, if you found that your audience does not engage with this channel, learn from this and try a different approach.

Marketing that costs nothing but your time There are numerous ways you can market your business for little or no cost; these include some online tools, which can get you started for free. If you have fewer than 2,000 subscribers and send less than 12,000 emails a month, then Mailchimp is a fantastic tool for building, sending emails and tracking their performance. Hootsuite is another free, online tool, which enables you to manage, schedule and measure the return of investment (ROI) of your social media networks. Although the free accounts have limited functionality they’re great for businesses who are on a tight budget.

In addition to this, ask existing clients for referrals; if you don’t ask you won’t get! Spend time networking; wherever you live, there are many local groups and opportunities to expand your business network. Create your own PR and let people know when you have new developments within the business, or if you’ve done something great. Don’t forget to send press releases to local publications who love featuring local business accomplishments.

Walk the road less travelled Don’t be scared to use innovative methods to get your voice heard. If the competition is high, being the company who takes risks and stands out from the crowd could be the difference between winning and losing a sale.

Consistency is everything Whatever marketing activities you choose to execute, ensure they look, feel and sound consistent. Marketing is an ongoing process, not a one-night stand.

For example we see many businesses who have created a social media account, posted frequently for a week

period then never post again. If a potential customer searches for your business on Twitter and sees that you haven’t posted for a month, they could assume that you went out of business. This could result in missed opportunities! Plan ahead of time and ensure that your company is posting content on a regular basis.

Marketing is a long-term investment, and to win tomorrow you need to invest today.

We believe that marketing is such a valuable facet to growing your brand and your business, the more people you reach and are aware of what you do, the more sales you will generate!

Start 2016 off with a bang and talk to us today about how we can help springboard your marketing efforts and grow your business from just 10 hours per month.

Matt Turner, Managing Director of Creative Pod Tel: 01293 817228 Email: info@creativepod.net Visit: creativepod.net

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 25

Money Matters

-

T

Caffyns

One of the leading car dealerships in the South East, Caffyns has established itself as a reliable company with a high quality of service over the past 150 years With 24 branches in 12 locations across the South East, Company Caffyns has grown Profile over the past 150 years to become an established and trusted PLC company offering an extensive range of new cars, used cars and services. Caffyns offers a large stock of approved used cars for sale at 12 locations across Sussex and Kent, including major brands such as used Volkswagen, Skoda, Volvo, Vauxhall and SEAT as well as luxury brands such as used Audi, Jaguar and Land Rover, to name a few. Customers can also search the entire stock and easily find the car they want, sorting by price, tax band, CO2, fuel consumption, make and model.

Caffyns is one of the longest running dealerships in the country, yet it hasn’t lost sight of the founders’ values of personal, friendly service and customer care since 1903 when Mr Harry Caffyn manoeuvred the first car over the threshold at The Colonnade.

Patrick Conway, Regional Director of Caffyns VW & Volvo comments: “I think it is fair to say that the history of Caffyns

has left all the employees with a very real sense of being part of a community where our focus on customer satisfaction is as intrinsic as if with a close friend or neighbour.” He makes it clear that Sussex is the county where it started, which is a fact that runs deep through the ethos of the company, with the centre of its wideranging activities still located at Meads Road, Eastbourne, as well as three other branches in the town: “Our roots in Sussex have allowed us to interact with our neighbours here but also have allowed our reputation to spread as the oldest motor trade company in the UK with a heritage of 150 years.”

As the motor industry has changed throughout its life, so, of course, has Caffyns - a key point to the company’s overriding success, with a turnover of over £150 million. “We have around 800 colleagues, all of whom display the characteristics of a deep commitment to serving our community and customers to the best of their ability. I think this, as a company trait, has been key in our success and governs the way we do business,” says Patrick.

“Businesses throughout Sussex are the experts in their fields, whatever

that happens to be, and we are equally the experts in ours. Our expertise in providing the correct vehicle for your business or employees is matched by our access to and expertise in the various ways of funding that purchase, which means we can tailor a solution to your specific business need and allow you to concentrate your efforts in the areas that will maximise your business’ success.

Also, as a local company with a long history and heritage we are always on hand to help.”

Caffyns offer great deals on new cars, used cars and car servicing to customers across Sussex and Kent, with new car deals as well as various used car deals. Caffyns servicing is not only very affordable and highly regarded, but our service centres are manufacturerapproved, which means your car will be serviced to the highest standard as set by the manufacturers using genuine parts. Please contact your local Caffyns dealerships to find out about the used car offers and promotions available, and what Caffyns can do for you. www.caffyns.co.uk

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Brewers Home

Baby It’s Cold Outside Here are some ideas to make your home into a warm and cheery haven The shorter days and bare trees can only mean one thing: Insight Christmas is upon us. And with the rain lashing down (place your bets for a white Christmas) and bitter winds blowing outside, we like to retreat indoors and take refuge from the cold weather. At this time of year, all the comforts of home are brought to life as we snuggle on the sofa in front of a roaring fire, with the lights twinkling and seasonal aromas filling the air.

Brewers Home, with their headquarters in Eastbourne will be able to provide you with that all-important atmosphere of warmth and luxury, to be enjoyed by yourself and all the family and friends you will be entertaining. From beautiful paints to sofas that invite you to melt into them, Brewers Home have all the ingredients to transform your interior into a Yuletide grotto—a place fit for joyous celebrations and curling up in front of Christmas films.

With a history that stretches right back to Edwardian times, Brewers have earned themselves a reputation for offering the highest quality in all things decorating. In fact, they are the proud holders of The Royal Warrant as supplier of decorating materials to Her Majesty The Queen. And true to their ethos of supporting domestic businesses, all of the furniture they stock is made here in the UK. Unlike the Queen, you mightn’t have the space of the Sandringham Estate this Christmas, but the Heyworth corner sofa goes a long way to accommodating

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all those guests. Available in a variety of configurations and colours, its sleek design can be made to fit beautifully with just about any interior—not to mention how luxurious it is to lounge on. Your visitors are sure to feel like royalty.

And if you have a very large family, you might just need a feature sofa or armchair to seat the overflow. The soft velvet Lytton Sofa, with its sumptuous curves and Harlequin fabric upholstery, is one inviting option that is exclusive to Brewers Home. Or to add a cheerful burst of colour—along with a good shot of style—to your sitting room. The Lauren Sofa, with its sleek contours, will complement your contemporary interior perfectly. Her little sister, the Lauren Chair, is also available to those looking for something a bit smaller.

If the living room is not at the heart of your Christmas, then the dining room surely is.

The festive feast may attract a lot of eager bellies— indeed, the more the merrier—so it is essential to have the flexibility to transform a space that usually sits three or four people into one that can hold a dozen. This is where the Clement extending dining table comes in very handy. With its sliding panels, this sturdy table of West Country origin can easily be expanded or contracted to fit the occasion. And it makes for a

handsome focal point, with its solid oak top and painted base in an ivory finish.

You might like to decorate the tabletop with Scion’s Mr Fox crockery collection to add a fun and quirky touch to your Christmas dining. The set of four egg cups would make for a cheerful start to Christmas day with some boiled eggs and soldiers!

There is also a large collection of designer fabrics to choose from, many of which are exclusive to Brewers Home.

Some have names that will be familiar to residents of Sussex, such as Plumpton and Goodwood, while others are rather more exotically named— Amazilia and Savana, for example. The Brewers Home experts can take the fabric of your choice and, by hand, make curtains or roller blinds tailored to fit your space exactly. They even offer a complementary hanging service, to ensure your curtains or blinds look their best. And although there is an off-the-peg range available to those

“Brewers (and their subsidiary Brewers Home) are able to provide you with that all-important atmosphere of warmth and luxury”

Brewers Home

in more of a hurry, Brewers Home can supply you with the finest quality materials to try your own hand at upholstery or curtain making.

As a finishing touch to your sofas and beds, a few richly-coloured Amazilia velvet cushions are an excellent way of giving your home a sense of opulence.

The Strawberry Thief Crimson Quilted Throw from Morris & Co. makes an excellent Christmassy addition, with its deep reds and elegant floral designs.

And going from the chilly crunch of snow underfoot outside to the soft warmth of a rug indoors gives such deep pleasure and is incredibly welcoming. You would be hard pressed to find a richer and more lustrous alternative to the Hermitage rugs on offer at Brewers Home. They come in Beige, Grey, Mint, Olive Grey, Pale Blue and Pale Pink to complete any room, from hallway to bedroom.

The team of decorating and design gurus at Brewers Home work hard to bring together the best in interior design, carefully and painstakingly creating compositions in which the walls, fabrics and furniture all sing harmoniously and brim with character. And at the heart of the ‘song’, uniting it all, is the idea of a luxuriously comfortable home.

Whichever part of the house you are in, the key to achieving the ideal atmosphere in the depth of winter is lighting. And there are plenty of options at Brewers Home. Their Harlequin long-burning candles, for example, are set in handblown glass cups and give a soft, natural glow accompanied by a fresh and subtle fragrance. Dotted around the house, they can give your home a magical depth.

They also make the perfect gift—hint, hint!

If you are looking for something a little stronger to dispel that midwinter gloom, you may need something from their collection of pendant lights. They come in an array of styles and materials, from polished copper and antique chrome to glamorous fabrics. The Dynamo Single Ceiling Light Pendant, for instance, is great for injecting some contemporary, rustic character into your dining or kitchen area with its modern industrial look. Or an alternative that will also give your space

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Brewers Home

a warm, rusting feel is the Arken 3-Light Wooden Ceiling Pendant, which includes three grey, metal shades held together by a natural wooden frame. This can be teamed with the Arken Single Wall Light to consolidate your room.

With Christmas looming, the staff at Brewers Home are well aware that you will require prompt delivery. In fact, by holding stock of all their products in their Eastbourne warehouse, Brewers Home offer a slick and speedy delivery service all year round. There is a click & collect option, allowing you to collect your orders directly from a Brewers store near you.

And to ease the pressure at this busy— and expensive—time of the year, they even offer 0% financing.

Looking beyond Christmas to the New Year, you might be keen to cast off 2015 and give your home a fresh look. January and February can be dreary months and, just as Brewers Home are able to magically transform your place into a winter wonderland, they can equally well fill it with the light and hope of a new year.

There has been a growing trend for wallpaper, perhaps encouraged by the introduction of ‘paste the wall’ papers that make the job a whole lot easier.

Wallpapers can be used to create single statement walls—easy to change and have some fun with. Or, of course, they can be used on all four walls, impacting on acoustics, especially in a home with wooden floors. Brewers Home offer a vast array of options, including designs

created by renowned designers, such as Matthew Williamson and Emma Bridgewater. With these papers adding a zing of life to your walls, the start of your 2016 will surely be filled with energy and enthusiasm. While the Brewers Home website brings together all the essential elements for constructing a beautiful home environment, WallpaperDirect.com remains the main hub for all of Brewers’ wallpapers, which can be linked through to from BrewersHome.co.uk.

It is worth mentioning at this point

“The showroom has space for free customer parking and there is even an in-store café with free WiFi” that the Brewers Home model, with its Eastbourne warehouse and showroom, is supported by a full e-commerce website.

The site features all of their stock, from candles and cups to paints and pendant lights, and makes it easy for you to order a basket of goods and choose the delivery option that suits you.

Although some of the wallpapers previously mentioned are like artworks in themselves, your freshly decorated walls may need dressing up with some canvases or prints. Brewers Home have the Enchanted Dragonfly framed print which coordinates beautiful with the Enchanted Wings wallpaper. And one of the height charts (the Starship Height chart for little boys and the Woodland Fairies Height chart for little girls perhaps) could make an exciting addition to a child’s bedroom, in order to see how they grow over the year ahead.

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Brewers Home

Further options include the circular Mysical Forest Mirror, with its colourful frame of exotic birds, and their range of clocks, such as the Dino Doodles Clock dotted with dinosaur motifs—one for looking back over our shoulder at the year just gone, and the other for thinking ahead into the year to come.

Whether you are looking to quickly spruce up your home or work place for the Christmas period or are looking for inspiration for the New Year, it is well worth visiting the Brewers Home showroom in Eastbourne to see their products in the flesh and get a real feel for them. Situated close to the heart of Eastbourne, on Birch Road, the showroom has space for free customer parking, with an ideally situated in-store café with free WiFi – the perfect place to mull over those tricky decorating decisions.

www.brewershome.co.uk www.brewers.co.uk

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 31

Howard Lake - Charity Santa Fun Run

A Charitable Cause?

They touch our hearts and reach out to us for our hard-earned money. Some are more than worthy; others are not. How can we decipher which to invest our money in? SBT investigates what makes a good charity in order to make you, the businessmen and women, more aware of what occurs, on and under the surface After the exposure of Kid’s Company this year, many Charity questions have arisen in business people’s minds. The first is simply personal, humane and practical: what happens to all the money I give, and do charities actually help the cause they claim to? The other question relates to the extensive grants that the government give to these charities. Either way, it begs the question: how can we make sure we invest in the right charity?

So what makes a good charity to invest in? Each of us has a cause close to our hearts - one that has affected us

32 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

or our loved ones, or just one that overall seems the best for everyone. There are many charities out there who use this fact almost as leverage: we’ve all been there, walking down the street only to be met with someone in an oversized, colourful t-shirt with a money bucket jingling in their hands, tempting you in.

You know nothing of this charity, or even if it is a legitimate charity, yet you feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility, even guilt, when faced with the choice of putting those coins in that bucket, or walking away. Morally, why wouldn’t you give money? Practically, why would you if you know nothing of where it is going?

This applies to all charitable practices, just as it would apply in business.

As a business, it may seem safer, and also more personally important, to invest in the local community, with a charity that you know, that you trust, and one where you can see the consequences of giving your money to.

The Starr Trust is a local family-run charity based in Hove, Sussex that supports young people aged 10 –18, helping them to fulfil their potential in sports, arts & education. Rob Starr, the Chairman of the Starr Trust, comments: “If a business gives money to a local charity such as ours then they can feel much more a part of the amazing results that they have helped to achieve. A local charity can (and should) also give back to the business; the Starr Trust believes

n Run

Charity

wholeheartedly that giving back to those who support us is so very important; it should be a two way street every time.

Also, supporting the City or Town you live in feels right doesn’t it? Giving something back to your neighbourhood just feels right. I am not sure if supporting a charity in another country would achieve the same thing. However, giving money to a charity in another country can achieve amazing things. Firstly, the money can go so much further if, for instance, it is to a country in the developing world. Also, surely as human beings we cannot help but respond to crises in other countries; charity is, after all, about people and not geography.”

Rockinghorse is a Brighton-based charity that has been supporting children for nearly 50 years. The CEO of Rockinghorse, Ryan Heal, commented on giving locally, and whether it’s more beneficial to Sussex businesses: “As a donor, I think it’s a case of ‘better the devil you know’ when it comes to charity support. Keep it local and you will find you can have a greater connection to the cause you are supporting. That’s how our supporters at Rockinghorse feel as we are a local charity with a focused cause.

And through our delivered projects at The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton, our supporters always see where their money goes and that’s key for us in the current market.”

People often feel that they would rather see exactly where their money goes – something that makes a lot of sense in every walk of life. You wouldn’t spend money on a product that never makes it to your door and still be happy.

However, as Rob Starr points out, giving internationally can provide amazing things, and Ginny Simpson, Operations Director at SafePoint, an international charity that aims to use information to solve basic healthcare problems agrees: “International aid is just as important as giving back to local projects. Evaluating the impact of both is equally essential to ensure that a donation has improved something or someone’s life. An impact on giving, unless you are directly involved with the charity or project you give money to, is very hard to gauge. Therefore, you have to trust results reported by the charity. Government figures show annually that DFID meet their aidspending target of 0.7 per cent of GDP each year - the positive impact of which

we see reported by NGOs on a daily basis.”

Charity Watch UK has argued often that some charities are so large that they should be treated as businesses and, just like any business, money (profits) must be made. The high profits of a charity, and hefty pay that charity owners and managers often gain, is a topic that has been long under discussion. We expect all charities and trustees to ensure that all charitable funds are used according to their charity’s purposes and in the way that the public would expect. As with any business, staff must be paid, but do these large sums of money gained by those high up in the food chain within charities come under this expectation?

It was recently revealed that nine

“It was recently revealed that nine executives at Cancer Research UK earn more than the Prime Minister, including Chief Executive Harpal Kumar, who pockets up to £240,000 a year”

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 33

justify to the charity their worth beyond paid correctly for the work that they do. executives at Cancer Research UK earn their remuneration, then the position is In terms of the worth of someone, that more than the Prime Minister, including correct; if they can’t, then it is not.” is down to the individual and their job Chief Executive Harpal Kumar, who Ginny Simpsons adds a poignant role. Is it worth paying someone a hefty pockets up to £240,000 a year. Peter comment on behalf of SafePoint on the sum if they bring in twice that amount Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, earns a topic of pay within charity: “If morality in donations? I would suggest it most staggering £162,000 per year – £40,000 is confused with frugality, the bigger certainly is. Is it worth paying someone more than his predecessor Andrew picture is being missed. Therefore, you a hefty sum if they save lives? I would Flanagan. Amnesty International’s need to assess what is the size of the suggest it most certainly is. Is it worth Secretary General earns up to £210,000, pie allocated to overheads verses the paying someone a hefty sum if they bring and Tom Wright, Group Chief Executive enormity of the global of Age UK, earns up to problem that is being £190,000 a year. solved.”

To most, this seems Every day you read about another issue With every new case, like a moral outrage: how with either the ethics or mismanagement the threat to the reputation can a charity afford such within a charity. But equally, every day you of charity organisations wages, and if they can, wavers. Suspicion has why is it not going to the read about concerns with corruption in been quickly rising after cause instead? government or in the private sector the Kid’s Company After wondering what scandal, and many other was happening behind misconducts have lead to closed doors, and asking a large distrust in the charitable sector, in half the amount you pay them, or do whether the public was being led astray especially for small businesses who not accomplish what you need them to? or misinformed, Rob responded: “I choose to invest a proportion of their I would suggest it most certainly is not! personally would never want to be paid profit in large international, national or As I have said before, a charity should be for my position in the charity. Would local charities. Scotia Aid Sierra Leone, run like a business in many ways and a I like to see this change for our staff? a £1 million charity, was recently probed business would not pay more for a sales Well, certainly I strive continuously as the after The Sunday Post revealed it to be person than the amount of income they chairman to fund others to match me paying only a fraction of its income to generate, and they would not retain their in what I can put in to the charity, and the impoverished people it claims to chief executive if the business was not if I am successful in this then I would help, revealing that just 13p of every £1 being successful. If the employee can certainly like to see our amazing staff

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Charity

donated goes to the cause, equating to only £137,000 of the £1m. Three of the charity’s bosses paid themselves £313,000 from the charity’s coffers, using shell companies to minimise their tax bill.

Ginny Simpson commented: “Every day you read about another issue with either the ethics or mismanagement within a charity. But equally, every day you read about concerns with corruption in government or in the private sector.

Therefore, it doesn’t matter what industry or sector you are in as open communication is paramount to ensure that we stamp out corruption of any kind and work on solving global problems transparently.”

When asked directly, SafePoint didn’t quote what percentage of the money given goes directly to the cause.

However, online sources indicate an 85% charitable spend. The Starr Trust has always been open with its finances, explaining they believe this openness is the key to a good and trustworthy charity. The trust aims to give as much as possible directly to the cause. But it’s not as easy as it sounds. Rob Starr told us “During the first 6 years of our charity, we gave out 100%. However, that has become unsustainable to us now as we do a lot of fundraising through events and the events can be very costly. What we therefore do is cost our events to include all the costs - staff, food, entertainment etc, and then the net profit from the event can be given out. All the running costs of the Starr Trust remain paid by my business: office space, phones, IT, marketing etc. However, we have written into our constitution that we can use 10% of any funds raised to go towards running costs.”

Rob adds fervently: “My desire and aspiration will always be to give out 100% of what we raise; that is how we started the charity and how I would love to see it.

In truth, if we look at how much we have raised in the 7 years compared to how much we have given out, I would suggest we have given out much more than the 100%.”

Rob defines what he thinks of as a good charity: “A good charity is one which follows its core mission, is willing and happy to open its books and systems to others, is honest with itself as to what it wants to achieve, engages openly with both its supporters and those it supports and, above all, strives to do good.”

As such, he welcomes investigation

within his and every charity: “We certainly welcome both the public and The Charities Commission to look at us and test us. We have been transparent and an open book from day one, and will always be so – we believe to our core that transparency and honesty is key. Would others agree? I guess the honest ones would and the dishonest ones wouldn’t!” says Rob. Without fail, all the charities I have spoken to on the back of this article have noted transparency and trust as the best way of assessing a charity’s ‘dogood’ quality. Ginny at SafePoint said:

“Innovation and transparency, along with creating a change for people and being able to prove you have made that change is very important. So results and evidence of the impact a charity has had are very good ways to assess if a charity is good or trustworthy.”

Despite the growing suspicion, and good reason for it, Ginny added: “Investors shouldn’t be worried, but they need to completely support and believe the cause they invest in. Do research on the charity, meet the Founder or CEO and allow them to take you through, first-hand, what the charity does and the

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Charity

current projects they have running.”

Questioning where the proceeds go within these charities, and even investigating them thoroughly, isn’t a step too far towards paranoia. In fact, these questions – as with all businesses – need to be raised in order to sort the good from the bad. Why would a charity hide something from the public? The obvious answer is, they have something to hide.

This is why I went on this small mission of my own, to gather honest answers from charity owners to bring to SBT readers. Although Ginny herself said: “SafePoint uses investments wisely and has a wealth of knowledge across the whole platform of the global problem of syringe re-use,” I took her own advice and researched Marc Koska, SafePoint CEO. Marc Koska founded SafePoint Trust in November 2006, explaining the reason: “The motivation behind the charity was to create a holistic approach to solve the 9th biggest killer in the world - syringe re-use - and to eliminate the spread of blood-borne diseases through this transmission route. Each year, 17 billion injections are given around the world, more than 7 billion of which are unsafe.

The transmission of hepatitis B and C and HIV are particularly common. In Africa, for example, 20 million medical injections contaminated with blood from HIV patients are administered each year.”

36 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

This is an admirable motivation, and Marc has clearly uncovered a viable solution to an incredibly damaging cause of serious illnesses such as HIV. He managed to change people’s behaviour through public safety campaigns, and their perception of syringe safety, leading one of the largest ever public health campaigns in India, which ended in mandatory use of auto-disable syringes in all governmental and, therefore, also all private hospitals.

I had my own questions to ask Marc,

though, after wondering where SafePoint gets its syringes for charitable purposes?

The answer was, from Marc’s other business venture, Star Syringe: “Marc invented the K1, an AD (Auto Disable) syringe approved by the World Health Organisation, and founded Star Syringe Limited in 1996. This business is a licensing business with 13 manufacturers.

Marc is no longer a director of Star Syringe, but he is still one of the main shareholders,” says Ginny.

She adds: “SafePoint advocates the use of all AD syringes under the WHO ‘Smart’ syringe banner, and doesn’t normally get involved in the supply of syringes, but runs behaviour change and public safety campaigns, and creates global policy change to stop unsafe injection practices.”

This leads to another moral dilemma within this discussion: if charity is business, does it matter that huge profits are made under its name if it’s doing such good work for people in need? Where is the cut-off point between good and bad? Marc Koska and his team are benefiting millions of people, preventing their likely death due to HIV or Hepatitis B and C transmitted through used syringes; he is also arguably gaining a lot himself, as the main shareholder in the company providing the solution. This begs the question: does it matter?

Many national and international charity events are, in their nature, fuelled

by PR. We, as people, are taken in by the media and encouraged to give to a charity more by seeing a famous face or hearing that well-known celebrity advocate the cause. And do they gain in return? Sometimes. Rob Starr commented: “Charities are no different to businesses; certainly their reason for existence may be different, but the running of them is very similar. They are, after all, run by people and it is people and not business (or charities) who are corrupt.”

We must certainly keep this in mind when choosing a charity to invest in.

Although it’s more important to look at the end cause than at the middlemen and - women gaining in between, it’s difficult to overlook when the management of these charities are so directly linked to how our money gets spent. Treating charity as a business is where the answer lies. Perhaps a change needs to be made in the definition of a charity, and indeed in the way they should be run.

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Search and Rescue

Search and Rescue Sussex Search & Rescue (SusSAR) is the primary voluntary resource used by Sussex Police to search for, and rescue, vulnerable missing people, on call 24 hours every day throughout the year, and local business support is vital for it to run As a 100% voluntary organisation, members give their time free of Focus charge and expect nothing in return but satisfaction from a job well done. SusSAR exists to serve the community of Sussex through the goodwill of its members and charitable donations from local businesses and members of the public.

The team can be called out by Sussex Police or by other Search & Rescue Teams in neighbouring counties requesting assistance at any time. They are all highly trained in first aid and searching competencies, but they require assistance in two areas; financial support and fundraising opportunities.

SusSAR receives no government funding and relies solely on its members to raise funds through a variety of means ranging from collections at supermarkets, to providing marshals for events such as marathons and triathlons around Sussex, or representing the unit at public events such as emergency services shows during the summer, as well as donations from members of the public, companies and grants.

How can you help SusSAR with fundraising? The unit is regularly looking for volunteers to join the team as solely non-operational fundraising members who will become an integral part of the team.

Alternatively, you can join as a fully operational team member and join the men and women that dedicate their time to help the people of Sussex that need

them the most when their loved ones go missing. Fully operational membership of SusSAR involves quite a considerable commitment in terms of time, effort and money. Operational team members are also required to fulfil fundraising commitments to continue to help the team remain operational.

The support of local businesses is vital to Sussex Search and Rescue. Support can vary from a one-off grant or contribution, to regular financial donations or the gifting of equipment that will assist the team in their roles.

Additionally, the team is looking for a ‘home’ in the central Sussex area. Ideally this would be somewhere that can hold 40-50 people for indoor meetings, plus a small office area.

For companies looking to boost their CSR activity, SusSAR is the ideal

“The support of local businesses is vital to Sussex Search and Rescue”

38 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

charity to support and the team is more than happy to publically recognise any donation. And discussions are welcome on official partnerships for brands looking to associate themselves on a regular basis with the unit.

Perhaps part of your CSR policy is to encourage employees to give a day supporting a charity. If so, send them to help with a fundraising event. Or you have some services/products that could be of use to the team such as clothing, first aid or technical support, or even a financial donation. And if you have any events SusSAR can help you with, or know of any opportunities for them to fundraise, please get in touch.

If you want to discuss ways of supporting and working with Sussex Search and Rescue, or find out more, please contact Hannah Dickens, Fundraising Officer at fundraising@sussar.org.

To find out more information about Sussex Search and Rescue, visit http://www.sussar.org

Charity

A Great Run For A Great Cause

Guy Mace embarks on an adventure of a lifetime, running the Great Wall Marathon in China next year on behalf of St Wilfrid’s Hospice, and he needs your support!

Guy Mace only started running two years ago. From very early Success on he realised just how beneficial this huge lifestyle change was going be for him in terms of his physical and mental well being. Previous issues of SBT have covered Guy’s background and early progress, and now he’s making leaps and bounds – literally – towards the Great Wall of China Marathon, taking place on 21st May 2016.

The Great Wall Marathon is widely considered to be one of the world’s most challenging marathons, but Guy is motivated and excited about the challenge. When we last spoke to him, Guy had never run a marathon before – something that changed in October when he completed the Beachy Head marathon, which is known as one of the toughest marathons in the UK. In order to prepare for the arduous task ahead, Guy has been doing training runs and fitness sessions with his running club, Run Wednesdays, weekly spin classes and circuit training to help maintain his fitness. His current training has him averaging 15-20 miles a week but this will increase nearer the time. Guy commented: “Beachy Head was hard: the last 6 miles over the Seven Sisters were such a challenge. However, compared to the Great Wall of China, Beachy Head Marathon is more like a small training run.”

In March, Guy will be entering the

Brighton Marathon as part of the training for China too. He says: “For me, a marathon is always going to be tough, I’m not an experienced runner and with a young family and a business to run, getting the training in and the balance right is another challenge”. Despite feeling fit and healthy and having great support through his running club, Guy commented: “It will be 30 degrees in China, and the wall has approximately 20,000 steps and hills which would hurt the very fittest of runners, so it’s certainly going to be memorable.”

Despite the English winter being unable to prepare him for the heat, he is ever the optimist: “I’m really excited about the next six months. Doing the marathon itself will be an amazing opportunity to see the Great Wall of China and fulfill my

“Compared to the Great Wall of China, Beachy Head Marathon is more like a small training run”

aspiration to raise money for this fantastic charity.”

Guy’s mission is admirable to say the least, raising money for St. Wilfrid’s Hospice, which offers amazing support to those living with Cancer also having helped throughout his dad’s battle with pancreatic cancer. In order to take his place in this marathon Guy needs to secure sponsorship for his expenses, to cover the costs of this mammoth fund raising challenge: £1500. Once he books his place, he will then seek to secure further donations for the hospice. Guy is keen to establish a working partnership with any business who would like to offer their support. Guy is very committed to promoting and raising the profile of this event both for his sponsor and the hospice: “The incredible service provided

by St Wilfrid’s hospice is only possible through fundraising and charitable donations, and I implore people to support me on this amazing fundraising adventure so we can support a charity that serves those who need it most in our community.

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Health

Make Time For Health

Arron Hopkinson provides a range of health and fitness tips for business people with a very busy schedule Often when people get busy, unfortunately Health & exercise and good nutrition are the first Wellbeing things that go out the window. However, we have to remember that healthy living is just as important as work. Keeping up with exercise and healthy eating will majorly help with stress and also allow your body to function and perform through those busy work periods. Just remember your health is wealth!

Some useful tips on how to remain active and healthy despite a busy schedule: Use your diary: At the beginning of the week, I’ll look at my diary and figure out where I can fit in exercise, and write it in. The more specific, the better.

For example, don’t just write “work out,” but something like “40 minute run” or “yoga — 1

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hour.” Be sure to write it in a specific time slot, too, not just on that day in general.

Treat exercise like any other concrete appointment or meeting you may have that you can’t skip, this will help to make sure you don’t cancel!

buddy is waiting for them! This also helps to incorporate a social aspect to working out which many individuals enjoy. This will then encourage them to keep up and maintain attendance to the gym or exercise classes.

Work around work: Generally motivation to exercise decreases as the day wears on, so it’s best to try and get your workout complete first thing. When the alarm goes off, I’m just like everyone else, I think, “Do I really have to do this?” However, try to visualise how great you will feel after your workout, and how frustrated you would feel later on if you skipped it. If working out first thing isn’t possible for you either because you really can’t do mornings you have kids to prepare for their day or because you were up too late the night before (sleep is important!) - then pack workout clothes and exercise immediately following work. I know that if most people come home first, it’s likely they won’t make it back out, so try and go straight from work.

Plan your meals: Preparing your lunches, snacks and dinners can really help some individuals. I believe this is where most people fall as they are too busy to cook or grab lunch so they quickly run into a fast food outlet mainly because it is quick, cheap and cheerful! Prep your meals on a Sunday evening so that you have good nutritious meals throughout the week. This is great for your health and also cost efficient.

Get Social: You’re much less likely to cancel a workout if you know someone is expecting to see you. Some people love having workout buddies, because then when the alarm goes off at 6:00 a.m., they know they have no choice but to get up because they’re

If you would like to contact me personally regarding any information you have read in this column or would like any advice then please contact me via email at arron.hopkinson@yahoo.com or via www.precisionmassage.co.uk

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Essential Advice

Cyber Security Crisis The TalkTalk security scandal has had everyone talking about the threat of cyber-attacks. Experts now warn that something more needs to be done on a national and international scale

The Internet brings huge business Cyber opportunities and benefits, but it Essentials also brings risks.

In 2014, 60% of small businesses experienced a cyber breach, and the average cost of the worst breaches were £65,000 to £115,000 – a huge blow for any business.

In October this year, the TalkTalk website fell under a ‘significant and sustained cyber-attack’, leaving bank details and personal information to be accessed by hackers. The phone and broadband provider, which has more than four million customers in the UK, still continues to make headlines, and the fallout has had a drastic effect far beyond those directly impacted.

Hybrid workforce solutions provider Gibbs S3 warns of a shortage in cybersecurity specialist skills, suggesting this as the problem that must be combated if we are to stifle these security breaches.

This shortage is something that will only become more of a problem too. Michael Brown, CEO of Symantec, a global leader in cyber-security, has been quoted as saying that the global demand for cybersecurity professionals is set to grow to six million by 2019 with the shortfall expected to be around 1.5 million, and businesses in the South East will not escape the effect.

The dangers are not limited purely to larger companies either. Recent research from KPMG has found that 70% of SMEs can do significantly more

42 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

to protect sensitive client data. It is a truly worrying statistic, especially considering that the same research found that 94% of enterprise procurement departments considered cyber-security protocols to be a key factor in deciding which suppliers to use. The inability for small firms to provide adequate cyber-security protection is now causing small businesses significant revenue losses, an untenable state of affairs.

Measures introduced by the UK Government, including Cyber Essentials, a new industry supported scheme to help businesses, in particular SMEs, protect themselves against the common cyber threats are highly creditable and should be continued. However, these initiatives are decidedly insufficient when it comes to combating modern Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), which threaten South East businesses. In 2015 alone, Ashley Madison, TalkTalk, and the IRS have all been victims of sophisticated and damaging hacks. How can we learn from these to prevent them from happening again?

Farida Gibbs, CEO and Founder of Gibbs S3 commented: “The range and severity of threats, coupled with the desperate shortage of skilled staff means that the majority of British companies are fighting an increasingly complex war with clearly insufficient resources. This issue is compounded by the fact that standing still is not an option – firms need to be far more proactive in beefing up their digital defences as the

“We’ve now seen CEOs of major companies lose their jobs because of cyber-attacks which should be a serious wake-up call about the consequences”

Essential Advice

hackers who are looking to get in are constantly evolving and mutating their attacks.”

Punam Tiwari, Senior Legal Counsel and Data Protection Specialist at Gibbs S3 said: “We’ve now seen CEOs of major companies lose their jobs because of cyber-attacks, which should be a serious wake-up call about the consequences.

Companies should start from the assumption that their systems have been infiltrated by criminals and operate on that basis, yet many businesses are simply failing to act.

Assuming the threat comes from outside the company is a go-to and the best out of a worst case scenario.

However, not only are insider security breaches also a huge issue, but this assumption can often be worse than the threat itself. Also in October this year, a firm of accountants in Eastbourne received an email purporting to be from a Senior Manager at the firm, asking for £18,900 to be transferred into a specific bank account. Only after this request was followed through with did staff realise it was a cyber-attack, with both the email

address and the account set up solely for the fraud. This has been termed ‘whaling’ fraud.

Katy Worobec, Director of FFA UK, says that businesses need to be alert to this scam and make extra face-toface checks before making payment: “Fraudsters will do all they can to make these scam emails look genuine, so it’s important for businesses to be alert.

While an urgent request from the boss might naturally prompt a swift response, it should in fact be a warning sign of a potential scam. That’s why it’s vital that finance teams carefully check any unusual demands for payment through an alternative method, such as over the phone or face to face, before making the payment.”

Last year, Morrisons was also made acutely aware of the insider cybersecurity threat when their staff’s personal details were leaked by a disgruntled former employee, now leading to more than 2,000 of its current staff suing the supermarket.

Jens Puhle, UK Managing Director of Access Rights Management specialist, comments that commercial organisations need to take data protection and security into their own hands: “The recent spate of high-profile data breaches will have many firms looking outwards, but they must not overlook the level of risk posed by insider threats.

“Many large firms have no idea who can access the data on their systems, and few have proper processes in place for rescinding access when employees no longer need it or leave the organisation. By putting in place strict internal processes to keep access to sensitive data at a minimum, firms can greatly reduce the risk of malicious and accidental insider data breaches.”

The team at Gibbs S3 call for more skills training as the answer to this growing and serious issue: “There needs to be a greater commitment to data protection and cyber-security training across the UK with businesses also carefully assessing and planning how they will bring on cyber-security experts at a moments notice – whether that is for a crisis scenario or not,” says Punam.

The Cyber Essentials documents are free to download for any organisation, and advice on protecting against hackers can be found at: www.cyberstreetwise.com

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 43

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Hotel Review:

The Gatwick Arora SBT steps into the business traveller’s shoes, reviewing a stay at the Gatwick/Crawley Arora Hotel before jet setting off

Arora Hotel Crawley

Address: Southgate Ave, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 6LW Telephone: 01293 530000 Email: Gatwick@arorahotels.com Web: gatwick.arorahotels.com

46 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Travel, whether for business or pleasure, is an aspect of Review our lives which is important to keep as simple as possible: get there quickly and smoothly, without stress and the feeling on arrival is one of contentment.

This is what makes the Arora Hotel a pleasure to stay at. Situated in the heart of Crawley town centre, The Arora Hotel is perfectly placed for pre-travel accommodation – far enough from the airport that you don’t feel stifled by the constant murmur of an aeroplane flying overhead, but close enough to not worry about transit time or cost. The hotel is located among many local business within Manor Royal Business Park, with superb transport between wherever home is and the hotel or to and from the airport: easy access to M23/A23 and M25 motorways, direct access to Crawley Main Line Train Station platform and direct bus transfer to Gatwick

Airport. The Arora Hotel General Manager, Bruno Delrieux commented: “I don’t think the hotel could be in a more ideal location for business travellers.”

Having driven from the East Sussex coast, I parked my car in the hotel car park (a seemingly very safe and secure option for leaving my car over my 10 days away), and headed up to the reception area. This struck me as the height of simplicity and ease, especially compared to the many other times I have rushed and stressed over getting to the airport in the morning.

Stepping into the hotel lobby, you get an immediate sense of the establishment’s four-star grandeur, with shined, bright tiled flooring, the sound of running water from the four story high fountain beside two elegant glass encased lifts. Behind the lifts lies a seating area, a bar and the AA Rosette restaurant, The Grill. I first took a wander around, seeing all the award-winning features, including meeting and conference rooms, training and banqueting facilities, plus

Tried & Tested in Sussex

a Health and Fitness Club, set with gym, sauna and steam room. Bruno Delrieux said: “The hotel is the perfect space to get away from the office for creative thinking, team building or one to one meetings.” He continued: “We have flexible facilities that can cater for two to 270 people. Many of the rooms benefit from natural daylight and all are equipped with the latest technology to ensure the conference or meeting goes smoothly.”

The room I was staying in, on the fourth floor, was minimal, yet had everything one would need for one night prior to international travel, or indeed for a business conference or meeting. It was clean, comfortable and quiet (if I hadn’t known, I would never have guessed it was even close to Gatwick airport, or near a motorway).

After settling into my surroundings, my partner and I headed to The sirloin. Both cuts of beef were exquisite: Grill restaurant, tucked away at the full of taste, juicy and well sized. Not far corner of the hotel’s ground floor. only was it delicious, but also my steak I made sure to meet the Head Chef, was cooked to absolute perfection; I Tony Staples, who immediately offered had said medium rare, and medium canapés, and explained that this was rare was what I got. Having done a few the only restaurant in the area to have restaurant reviews over this past year, an AA Rosette. He continued to explain this was a rare delight. The steaks are that he had been Head Chef at the cut from only British breeds, such as Sofitel Gatwick Hotel, but had moved Aberdeen Angus, South Devon or Herto the Arora to exact the same high eford and are chargrilled to order, which standards there. He was enthused by the food he created, and recommended explains their succulent, fresh flavour.

The restaurant’s the A La Carte menu motto, ‘when dining – whatever my guest “The steaks are cut at the Grill, always and I wanted to save room for deschoose. We tucked from only British sert’ was apparently into a delicious and breeds, such as told to us too late decadent plate of – we were extremely canapés, all beautiAberdeen Angus, full. However, we fully arranged and South Devon or managed to squeeze eye-wateringly well Hereford and are in a vanilla panna presented, before being served bread chargrilled to order” cotta, and a pear and almond crumble – a choice of three – with rich chocolate and deciding on our ice cream. They looked very good, and starters and mains. I chose a starter of tasted very good, however not the best goat’s cheese with caremelised onion course of the three. and a mushroom pot, and my partner The atmosphere in The Grill strikes chose scallops with apple chutney and the perfect balance between profesparsnip. Both looked magnificent, and sional, luxury dining and casual, homely tasted lovely. If we were to criticise, it comfort. The décor is warming and would only be that the parsnip slightly inviting, and in particular, the staff were overpowered the scallop, but they were beautifully cooked – a feat in itself – and impeccable: they were friendly, and thoroughly slick in their service. Bruno delicate. highlighted the huge benefit of havAs we had been informed that one of ing such a successful restaurant in the the stars on the menu were the superb cuts of meat, we both decided on steak: hotel and the area: “Having the only AA Rosette restaurant in town means that I had rib eye, and my partner had

business travellers can be assured of high quality food whether they are staying overnight and want to wind down with a delicious meal, or inspire and refresh delegates attending a conference.” I agree that, especially with this level of efficiency, this would be an ideal venue for a business lunch or dinner, as any guest would be attended to and waited on without fail.

The next morning, after an equally enjoyable breakfast (although still full from the night before), I made my way on the shuttle bus from the hotel to Gatwick North Terminal – an easy and stress-free journey, all organised by the hotel and only costing £3.50 as opposed to the £10 by taxi usually. I left feeling relaxed and looking forward to my long transatlantic flight: a sensation I could certainly get used to with the luxury of such a hotel stay.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 47

Lunch Review:

The Coal Shed

SBT’s Lee Mansfield takes a client to The Coal Shed in Brighton for a long business lunch

The Coal Shed Brighton

Address: 8 Boyce’s St, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AN, Telephone: 01273 322998 Email: info@coalshed-restaurant.co.uk Web: www.coalshed-restaurant.co.uk

48 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Brighton hosts a hugely diverse range of eating Review options, some more appropriate for business meetings and others appropriate for a leisurely lunch with friends or family. The Coal Shed, I believe, meets both worlds in the middle, offering an extremely high level of service akin to a businessperson’s needs, with a menu, atmosphere and price range that would meet most food-lovers’ requirements: mid-range but affordable and very good value.

The décor in The Coal Shed is modern and slick, incorporating an ideal level of colour and lighting to make the customer feel at ease and amply excited by the

environment and subsequent dining atmosphere. My guest and I were sat at a window seat, ideally located so that we could have, what felt like our own private view whilst still feeling included in the bustle of the lunch time period – although I must say, it felt quite quiet when we arrived, but soon picked up.

For starters, we began with a BBQ Jacobs Ladder for me, and Tuna for my guest. The Jacobs Ladder included pork ribs slowly and magnificently cooked in a sticky smoked sauce, and the Tuna came with passion fruit, avocado and cucumber. The ribs were extremely succulent and juicy. I could easily have eaten this as a main course. The meat fell off the bone and left me just full enough but still wanting more.

Upon looking at the menu, it only

Tried and Tested in Sussex

seemed right to splash out on a sharing platter, so we chose the Bone in Prime Rib Sharing Steak. The meat, we were informed, was dry-aged for a minimum of 35 days and cut from the finest Scottish cattle, reared in the north Highlands. This came with our choice of sides: roasted garlic cloves, creamed spinach, fries (or ‘dripping chips’) and garlic mushrooms. Without exaggerating, this meal was absolutely huge, and unfortunately far too much for even both of us to get through. The meat, however, was perfectly cooked at the requested medium rare, and the sides were absolutely delicious, complementing the meat perfectly and at ideal side portion sizes, so that we didn’t over indulge.

This was clearly well thought through, but was simply immense in size.

Not surprisingly, we had no room for sweets. However, we did order a cheese board for the both of us to share, which included a good range of cheeses, all very flavoursome and ideal for finishing the meal off as well as complementing the last drops of our bottle of wine.

The staff were extremely helpful and undeniably knowledgeable about the food on offer: how the meat was cooked, what was included in the dish and the recipe itself, what wine complemented our orders most and, most importantly, how to treat a customer. Being in The Coal Shed for as

long as we were – which ended up being most of the afternoon – we felt welcome and relaxed, and treated well, with respect for our timings and privacy. This is certainly top of my list for restaurants in Brighton, and I would thoroughly recommend it for any occasion - in particular a business lunch or dinner.

Book through info@coalshedrestaurant.co.uk or call on 01273 322 998

“The ribs were extremely succulent, and juicy. I could have easily eaten this as a main course”

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 49

Inspiring The Next Generation of Digital Leaders Christopher Roche, Head of ICT, at Windlesham House Preparatory School, discusses how their pupils are being transformed into digital leaders

This generation will use information and communication Advertorial technology (ICT) throughout their lives and, as a result, it is essential that their school gives them the right skills and training to use it correctly. At Windlesham, we’re always looking for new ways to keep our pupils up to speed with the latest digital platforms and technologies to supplement their learning and this has resulted in a number of exciting new initiatives this year.

Our curriculum focusses on teachers and pupils working together on future proofing our learning technology and this includes asking our pupils to search for digital tools which will help them complete a given exercise most effectively. We’ve found that this is a highly effective way of enhancing our classes by providing an active, collaborative, authentic, exciting and creative way of helping the pupils learn anything from Computer Science,

50 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Digital Literacy, IT and Digital Citizenship.

We’ve also developed a ‘Digital Leadership’ programme designed to help our pupils use ICT with confidence.

Our designated ‘Digital Leaders’ are offered bespoke training and support to help them develop a chosen expertise in anything from the curriculum and are then expected to lead ICT activities at Windlesham from monitoring the use of our resources; testing new ICT resources; setting up digital learning equipment in The Hub for teachers; and, for example, leading lunchtime or After School Clubs.

It’s not only important to have the right curriculum; it is essential that pupils have

the right technology to become digital leaders. For this reason, we’ve recently opened a state-of-the-art facility called ‘The Hub’ - an innovative flexible learning environment which has transformed the quality of our teaching and enables our pupils to practice anything from coding to robotics on a brand new bank of iPads, MacBook’s and computer suites.

Our main challenge in ICT is often ensuring that our pupils are decent ‘Digital Citizens’ who can navigate the internet responsibly (because most children adapt to new technologies well) and we also find that parents are concerned about their children using the internet responsibly.

“we’re always looking for new ways to keep our pupils up to speed with the latest digital platforms and technologies to supplement their learning”

For these reasons, we’ve placed a strong emphasis on being safe online in both our ICT and PSHE (public, social, health and economic) classes to ensure that our pupils are making the right choices and are using technology to enhance their learning throughout their time at Windlesham.

If you’re currently looking at schools for your children and would like to come and see us to learn more about Windlesham, please get in touch via whsadmissions@windlesham.com About Windlesham House Windlesham House School is one of the country’s leading co-educational Preparatory Schools offering world-class day and boarding for school children aged from 4 to 13 years in sixty-five glorious acres of the stunning South Downs in West Sussex. Established in 1837, Windlesham is the first school in the UK to be established as a Preparatory School and in 1967 it became the first, and still remains, a top IAPS (Independent Association of Public Schools) school. www.windlesham.com

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 51

Chamber News

The Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex ACES represents 4,000 members across the County and you are automatically a member of ACES if you are a member of one of the Chambers listed overleaf. This entitles you to share your news stories in these SBT Business pages without charge

Bailey Langford - Deserved Winner of Eastbourne Film Festival Eastbourne College hosted the inaugural Eastbourne Film Festival, sponsored

by Smokescreen Visuals and Media Attention, at The Birley Centre in November. Awards at this formal ‘red carpet’ event were presented by film producer Pippa Cross (Summer in February, Chalet Girl) and Hollywood actor Daniel Fathers (Camp Rock). But the real star of the evening was 19 year old filmmaker Bailey Langford who won best film for his beautiful, elegiac short, The Passing of Now, but was also awarded Best Director and Best Film in the 15-19 age bracket.

Tim Marriott of The Eastbourne Film

Festival says that: “We are all very proud of our winner. Bailey is clearly a massive talent with the motivation and tenacity to forge a career for himself in the film world. Daniel Fathers was particularly impressed and was spotted passing his

agent’s details on to this up and coming young director! But we are proud of the all the finalists, the variety and quality of their work was hugely impressive”.

Daniel Fathers, star of Disney’s hugely popular films, Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2, led the three judges of the inaugural Eastbourne Film Festival Awards.

The Eastbourne Film Festival is a filmmaking competition for young people aged 25 and under, which offered them the opportunity to see their work on a big screen in front of an audience of friends, parents, teachers, filmmaking professionals and other young film enthusiasts.

Westways Vending At Best4Biz 2015 Westways Vending was proud to sponsor this year’s Best4Biz Conference at the East Sussex National Hotel in Uckfield: “It was a great forum for meeting local business people at the B2B exhibition within an exciting conference programme,” said Westways Ian Baker. “We launched an amazing new coffee machine for small businesses at the Conference and have a huge number of leads from the event to follow up.”

Linda Baker’s aim is, “to bring great quality coffee, hot chocolate and tea into the workplace.”

52 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Westways Vending was established in 1999, and is now the premier vending supplier throughout the South East.

Westways is committed to improving the quality of workplace coffee and to offer healthier choices in their snack and drinks range, by using quality ingredients and up to date technology. Only a few years ago, delicious cappuccinos, cereal bars and coconut water were certainly not expected to be available from vending machines but now, at Westways Vending, they are!

Westways is delighted to announce that it has been appointed as a distributor for Keurig, a new concept in office coffee vending in the UK. Well known in America and Canada, the Keurig system is

suitable for small to larger sized settings; and Westways was delighted to launch this product at Best4Biz. Visitors to the Westways stand tasted great coffee and other beverages including Starbucks coffee pods and Belgian hot chocolate, all now available for small and medium sized offices.

Further details of the Keurig system can be found at www. westwaysvending.co.uk alternatively enquiries can be emailed to sales@ westwaysvending.co.uk

Chamber News

Horder Healthcare Win East Sussex Business of the Year Horder Healthcare won the prestigious East Sussex Business of the Year Award at this year’s Best4Biz Conference. This was in recognition of their innovative ways of doing business; using crowd funding to raise funds to bring top quality healthcare to as many people in East Sussex as possible, running a successful lottery to raise funds and developing the popular Horder Healthcare App, designed to make interaction with the company easier and more efficient. It also gives top tips on healthy living and how to maintain mobility before and after musculoskeletal treatments.

Horder Healthcare provide services across East Sussex and into Kent and strive to be the best provider of healthcare services in a therapeutic environment, providing great places to work, practise medicine and receive care. They meet and exceed customer expectations and delight patients while reaching more people and enhancing the quality of their lives.

In preparation for the Best4Biz Conference, the nominees were filmed by the media students of Sussex Downs College to showcase each company and the films were premiered at the Sparkling Sussex dinner at Best4Biz sponsored by Westways Vending and Ridgeview Wine Estate.

All the films can be seen at www. acesalliance.org/best4biz-awardevening All the winners were nominated by their Chamber of Commerce or the FSB and the Highly Commended Winners were: Brooklyn Motors Brooklyn Motors has been a Hyundai retailer and repairer since 1989 which makes it the longest serving Hyundai retailer in Sussex.

Based in Seaford, Brooklyn serves Lewes, Eastbourne, Pevensey, Hailsham, Newhaven, Peacehaven and all surrounding areas for sales service and parts. As a friendly family business you can be sure of a warm welcome whenever you visit.

C J Thorne Civil Engineers Trading for over 70 years, providing civil engineering solutions throughout East and West Sussex, Kent and Surrey, the Company was founded by Charles James Thorne in 1939 and is a third generation family firm undertaking contracts of up to £5 million.

Chairman, Richard Thorne, is naturally proud of the Company’s longevity and heritage, and its ability to change with the times and maintain its reputation for reliability, service and quality expected by its Clients.

detail and quality as key strengths of Clean Cut Gardening Services and their growing reputation is a testament to the quality of both their customer service and quality of work.

Clean Cut Gardening Over the last 10 years Simon Studd’s passion for gardening and business has been extended to eight different franchises across East Sussex. After setting up his own successful business Simon decided to introduce business and marketing coaches and a successful call centre to all his franchisees.

Clients quote amazing attention to

Historic Jewellery Reproductions Established in 1969 by Peter Shorer, acclaimed archaeologist and conservator at the British Museum for over 40 years, Historic Jewellery Reproduction has become the leading retailer of a specialist range of historic artifacts and stunning gold, silver and precious stone-set jewellery which are exact reproductions of the original exquisite pieces.

Dental Barn The Dental Barn creates a relaxed and fear free patient experience in beautiful surroundings, to encourage healthy and happy mouths. If you want a practice that is different, modern and vibrant visit the multi award winning Dental Barn, you won’t want to go anywhere else.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 53

Advert Nov_Layout 1 14/10/2014 12:38 Page 2

Chamber News

in East Sussex

ACES

Source BMX

TR Fastenings - Best Profits for 10 Years

Battle Chamber of Commerce

(A Trifast Company)

www.battlechamber.org.uk

F

ounded in a small rented office at the top of Uckfield High Street in 1973, Mike Timms and Mike Roberts established their business after becoming disenchanted working for a large industrial group in Birmingham that restricted their creativity and individualism.

They focused on sourcing and selling industrial fastenings to light assembly industries in the South East at a time when ex stock deliveries could take as long as three weeks from the larger industry market leaders. Their core values were “look professional, be professional, provide outstanding service, sell on value rather than the cheapest price, maintain dynamic cash management and motivate and take care of your staff”.

Peter’s experience of many years working with antiquities at the British Museum and countless other museums throughout the world, is one of the select few antiquarians allowed to handle and take moulds from these rare and priceless artifacts.

This family business is now run by his grandson, Mike Shorer, the third generation of specialists producing and exporting these amazing reproductions.

However, the DotCom crash in 2001 devastated sales and profits in just a few short months, and the two Midlands factories had to be closed as the focus was intensified into Asia.

A change of senior management in 2007 and the 2008 recession resulted in the near collapse of the Company, with 2008 revenues down to £84m with substantial losses, and in March 2009 the two previous retired CEOs (Malcolm Diamond and Jim Barker) were invited back by the shareholders to rescue the business.

By 2010 profitability started to recover, as did the share price.

In 2011 a major automotive bolt manufacturer was acquired in Malaysia, and in May 2014 a leading domestic appliance

all their employees buy into that ethos.

Everyone engaged by the company is treated in the same way and are part of a big extended family.

Working in the Construction Industry during this past recession has been extremely difficult on occasions but they are still here telling the story, as they say, and offering great service and quality to all their clients

Source BMX H T White Offering the best BMX products at the Specialist wine merchants supplying Malcolm Diamond MBE and Jim Barker best prices along with the best advice wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks to and customer care that only a rider the licensed trade for over 100 years, fasteners HT In 1978, manufacturing of specialist screwstore business in Italy wasSource brought into owned can give, BMX offer was started in Uckfield, with subsequent Group.

White is based in Eastbourne and delivers onlythethe best BMX brands which they factories established in Northampton and TR’s major customer sectors include across East andin West Sussex, Kent and believe in with a passion. the 80’s.

Telford Automotive, Domestic Appliances, Surrey. In the late 80’s, IBM selected TR as their most Striving toand contribute the Electronics Distributorsto – all of which are They areeligible a totally independent component supplier tofamily be trained in community enjoying organic growth. and put back into the BMX zero defect/on time deliveries to a new run company and deliver all their fine scene through and In June 2014, TR building announced the offering best sales, relied on “Just In Time” wines andassembly drinks facility from athat state of the art profits and share sponsoring price for a decade, facilities to ride, localnow riders deliveries straight to their production line.

1,150 staff spread across 17 countries. warehouse on a next day basis.

Successful compliance led to TR being a andwith some of the top BMX pro’s in the Trifast Plc is based in Uckfield and along with sourceenough supplier with which then H T Whitesingle are “BIG to IBM, deliver, business, BMX offers a range of TR’s sales,Source distribution and manufacturing attracted other major telecoms SMALL enough to care!”

As the facilities employs over staff on site. experiences on150bespoke bowls manufacturers to TR. The massive 1990’s surge riding largest local employer, the Company in the electronics sector carried it to a full LSE and

tracks they have created since maintains close links with both the Uckfield listing as a PLC in 1994 named Trifast.

Neva Consultants 2003.

Chamber of Commerce a founder member 2000, sales turnoverrange peaked of the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex Offering aBy comprehensive ofat £120m sales, and by 2001 three component (ACES) and the local Community College. business and personal finance packages Best4Biz Conference sponsors included factories had been established in Singapore, The College is the main annual provider of ‘A’ across all Malaysia makes and andTaiwan, models vehicle, withof sales and Level candidates for TR’s 2 year NVQ Business Westways Vending, East Sussex distribution have facilities in Southernfirst Ireland, Studies Apprenticeship scheme.

Neva Consultants delivered County Council, ACES Alliance of Norway, Sweden, USA, Holland, Hungary and class personal service since 1992.

They Despite uncertainty there is clearly Chambersglobal in East Sussex, Ridgeview China, plus eight around the UK. a feeling amongst TR management and also offer their award winning C-Fleet Wine Estate, Basepoint Business The Company had become global by staff that there are grounds for cautious programme whichits allows clients to Centres, RSE Group Recruitment, based multinational following former UK optimism for the future continuing growth key customers to lower cost economies of their business as sales forQleisure year ended monitor their fleets with ease.

Swindells Accountants, March 2015 are forecast to reach overseas – mainly Asia and Central/ Corporate Events and Team Building, IT £150 million.

Eastern Europe.

Richard Soan Roofing First, UKTI, Sussex Downs College and As a company Richard Soan Roofing has Sussex Chamber of Commerce. very strong old fashion beliefs that quality and customer service is paramount, and www.acesalliance.org

www.acesalliance.org

54 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce 01424 842892 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Crowborough Chamber of Commerce www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Commerce 01323 641144 www.eastbournechamber.co.uk East Sussex County Council 01273 481570 www.eastsussex.gov.uk Federation of Small Businesses 01424 754686 and Regional Office 01323 482018 www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Hailsham Chamber of Commerce 01323 310531 www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Hastings Chamber of Commerce 01424 205500 www.hastingschamber.co.uk Heathfield Chamber of Commerce 01435 865858 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk The Institute of Directors 020 7766 8866 www.iod.com Lewes Chamber of Commerce 07917 382316 www.leweschamber.org.uk Locate East Sussex 0844 4159255 www.locateeastsussex.org.uk Newhaven Chamber of Commerce 0800 107 0709 www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Peacehaven Chamber of Commerce 01273 586222 www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Seaford Chamber of Commerce 0800 881 5331 www.seafordchamber.co.uk South East Local Enterprise Partnership 01245 431469 www.southeastlep.com Uckfield Chamber of Commerce 01825 722607 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Wealden District Council 01323 443322 www.wealden.gov.uk

SBT Ask the Experts is Sponsored by

Expert Advice

With so many horror stories appearing, it is to be expected that clients should question more about those whose services they are engaging with. Evidence now shows that care should be taken regardless of the profession in question!

Various regulators and scheme providers, such as the SRA Experts recently reported that there has been a 101% increase in fake solicitors in the UK, since 2012. There have also been reports regarding Financial Advisers, Cosmetic Surgeons and Accountancy Services, to mention just a few.

These reports and many, many more are hitting the headlines on a weekly basis, making prospective clients nervous, and understandably making them question the service provider.

Surely a business should feel they are reassuring prospective clients with their own website, or regulatory evidence?

Websites are so easy to purchase nowadays and even easier to upload with any information a person wishes to place on them. It is easy for fake company details, accreditations or even regulation information to be on display on a company’s own website.

Regulators do an amazing job and work with those whom they regulate extremely well in many areas, however many prospective clients are unaware of which profession is regulated and by whom, or that some hold a register for public view. Often these registers are very basic and often not updated.

The internet has been fabulous for businesses, but due to the increasing fraud and cyber-crime reports, we are all being encouraged to seek more information and ask more questions prior to engaging any services.

info@checkaprofessional.com

Why should someone who is qualified, who may have been in business for some time, now have to provide transparency to their clients?

It is easy to say, we shouldn’t take things personally and that dreadful things happen, but not in my profession.

Unfortunately dreadful stories are reported frequently and involve many different professions with many different outcomes.

For so many in business, it can take an age to qualify in their chosen profession and to start practicing, so it’s easy to forget how others get to know of your expertise or quality of service, especially if you have been in business for some time and never had to think about having to provide this evidence. In years gone by, it was normal practice for children to follow in their parents’ footsteps, however nowadays many search for themselves, so it is not good to be complacent in business.

If a client is paying money to a business for a service, surely it makes sense for

that business to be interested in what the client actually thinks about them and their service – or is it assumed that they would not keep coming back if they weren’t happy, until one day they don’t!

Will this help me stand out in my profession?

Showing transparency often provides trust and reassurance. It will certainly help you and your business stand out from others in your profession, as it will provide the tools clients need to make an independent and informed choice.

Remember, if you want to help your prospective clients, which in turn will help your business, you must show them you value their feedback and help them feel confident in their choice.

It’s time to help clients stay safe and find quality professional services!

Visit www.Checkaprofessional.com or call for a chat on Freephone: 0800 093 8414.

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 55

Motoring

SBT’s Cars of The Year

Sussex Business Times’ motoring expert, Simon Skinner has been spoiled for choice this year, with a slew of cars pulling up in the car park of SBT Towers each and every week. As we reach the end of the year, he looks back over the highs and lows that come with the job, to consider these; the SBT cars of the year

Renault Twingo TCe 90

It’s been an excellent year for cars and car Motoring enthusiasts alike. So many great motors have come forth over the past 12 months, that it’s been genuinely tough to pick our annual pick of the crop.

Some of these choices will come as a surprise and I know that many of you will disagree with the line up, but trust me, these cars have really stood out from the pack for many and various reasons.

They are superb; they have made me smile, they have been great fun to drive, practical, good looking, economical, luxurious, innovative and head-turning (in varying degrees). So from overall top five, and with each representing a different category, here they are - The Sussex Business Times Cars of The Year 2015.

56 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

5

Renault Twingo TCe 90

The Twingo’s secret is the small turbocharger that lurks beneath the compact boot space and within the 900cc engine. It’s amazingly responsive and as much fun to drive as I ever could have imagined. It’s small, yes, of course it’s small that’s fine. It looks so much like the Fiat 500, you could be forgiven for getting them mixed up, but unlike the Fiat, this car is much less ‘dainty’. It’s sporty aesthetic is clear, with racing lines and graphics (particularly on the model that we had)

indicate an imminent visit to the track.

By far the best sub-1000cc car we’ve seen this year.

• Price: £11,695 • Engine: 0.9-litre 3cyl turbo • Power: 89bhp • Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive • 0-62mph: 10.8 seconds

4

Volvo XC90 D5 Momentum

If the XC90 was a person, it would likely be a 6’ 6” burley hiker with rippling

Motoring

Volvo XC90 D5 Momentum

muscles, a chiselled jaw and two week’s worth of facial hair on its face. On the other hand, it would probably wear a fleece and opt for an early night with a good book.

Volvo has a heritage unlike most other car manufacturers. Quality, safety and in more recent years, refinement and style. The new XC90 is the embodiment of all of these elements and heralds an exciting future for the brand. In many ways, the last car you’ll ever have to buy if you look at the technology: ease of use, comfort and safety. Perhaps the only real alternative to the Range Rover? We think it’s better.

• Price: From £46,250 • Fuel type: diesel • Doors: 5 • Transmission: 4x4 wheel drive,

Automatic with manual mode, 8 speed • 0-60mph: 7.8 seconds • Top speed: 137mph

3

Moss and with the Ghibli, they find themselves punching above their weight in the luxury saloon sector.

This is a car that’s clearly aimed at the executive sector but can’t really be compared with rivals, such as the BMW 5 Series or the Mercedes E Class. This is a car that’s more aligned with the sportier end of the luxury saloon market, so the Mercedes CLS and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé; lower-slung, driver focused executive cars. From where I’m standing, this is a car that represents a big step for Maserati and I think they’ve done themselves proud with this model. It’s a car that will appeal to the young, affluent and discreet client base.

The client that wants phenomenal power and handling, whilst achieving

practicality and style. Maserati is expanding their range in the coming months. We are excited to try the expected company firsts as they roll out from the factory!

“It’s a car that will appeal to a young, affluent and discreet client base.

The client that wants phenomenal power and handling, whilst achieving practicality and style”.

• Maserati Ghibli Diesel: £49,160.00 • Options: £12,685.00 • Total: £61,845.00 • Top Speed: 155 mph • Acceleration: 0-62 mph 6.3 seconds • Cylinders: 6 in a 60V • Displacement: 2,987 cc • CO2 emissions: 158 g/km • PG combined: 47.9 mpg

Maserati Ghibli

The name Maserati in itself, musters images of cool coupés on the Riviera, or perhaps F1 in the age of Fangio &

Maserati Ghibli

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 57

Motoring

2

Volvo V40 D4 Geartronic SE Lux Nav

This really is one hell of a car. The 2.2 diesel engine, producing 190 brake (and every one of them assisted by a faultless 8 speed auto box) is a real triumph - as tested in our April edition.

It really is a thing of luxury; full cream leather interior with a Harmon Kardon sound system built in and an excellent and simple to undersand NAV and hands free interface. It just feels like a quality, premium car from the minute you jump in. I suppose that you’d expect that from a car that carries a price tag a little over £37K but personally, I’d rather drive this than most comparable BMW, Audi or Merc and here’s why. It’s that combination of serious quality, understated refinement and the newly added prestige that sets this car apart. I get the feeling, as someone who enjoys cars and enjoys driving them to test the boundaries, that you’re able to slip under the radar in this car.

• Model as tested, including options/ accessories: £37,220 • Transmission: 8 Speed Automatic • Engine: Four-cylinder turbo charged diesel with start/stop technology • Fuel Type: Diesel • Power: 190 BHP • Rev at max engine torque: 1750 - 2500 rpm

Volvo V40 D4 Geartronic SE Lux Nav

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Jaguar F-Type V6 Coupe

“Open the windows, turn the bloody radio off – it sounds like there’s a firing squad chasing you as the back end dances and skips before throwing you forwards at an incredible rate”

1

Jaguar F-Type V6 Coupe

Of all of the F-Types in the everexpanding range, the V6 Coupe has proved the most impressive so far. Whilst others have an incredible amount of power, they have seemed better suited to the track and simply not practical for every day use, which has to be something of a consideration when reviewing for SBT. This V6 engine from Jaguar is a triumph. Easy to drive

Motoring

and extremely slick, but with just the right side of nutso power to see off any jealous boy racers.

Read extracts from Simon’s review as it appeared in the March edition of Sussex Business Times, below: When I break loose on the South Downs on a quiet Sunday afternoon, I take the opportunity to switch to sports mode and see what the car is really about.

The first blast takes me uphill from the foot of the seafront in Eastbourne, to the tip of Beachy Head on a tight and windy climb, sadly lined with what looks to be a solid stone-wall. No chance to open it up here then. Creep over the very blind junction at the top though, and it’s a very different matter.

The road opens up as I do the same to every fragment of the engine.

The sound that comes from this car is quite unbelievable. Open the windows, turn the bloody radio

off – it sounds like there’s a firing squad chasing you as the back end dances and skips before throwing you forwards at an incredible rate.

It’s one thing accelerating like this – but the corners and straights that loop around this part of the Downs really show you how well this car has been designed. It corners like a dream and even when the back end skips a little too far, there’s plenty of grunt to get you back on track. So it’s a real game of two halves here.

This is a car that, given the individual’s circumstances (and perhaps not in the bright red) could be used as an everyday car. It’s comfortable, sensible even. It’s easy to drive and even has space in the boot for a decent set of golf clubs and an overnight bag. It could be used to commute and even regular motorway drives wouldn’t be too off-putting – I was managing 23-25 per gallon through the week. Switch your psyche

though and you have an animal. Real fun.

Price as tested: (Including options): £73,955 Engine: 3.0 litre V6 Supercharged Petrol 380 PS Cylinders/valves per cylinder: 6/4 Maximum power: EEC PS (kW) - 380 (280) Maximum torque: EEC Nm – 450 Transmission: 8 speed ‘Quickshift’ automatic Acceleration 0-60mph: (0-100km/h) – sec - 4.8 (4.9) Maximum speed: – mph (km/h) - 171 (275) Economy: Urban – mpg (l/100km) - 22.8 (12.4) Extra urban – mpg (l/100km) - 42.2 (6.7) Combined – mpg (l/100km) - 32.1 (8.8) Carbon dioxide emissions: – g/km - 209 See more at: www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

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Printing

Berforts First

Berforts Ltd, the Sussex based printer has just taken delivery of the UK’s first Komori Lithrone A37

Berforts, at their offices in Burgess Road, Hastings, has Advertorial recently become the first UK printing company to become equipped with the four colour offset press, with Komori’s H-UV curing system: a new approach to efficient press operation.

The LA37, maximum sheet size 640 x 940mm, is the right configuration for the company’s core business, both in terms of its sheet size and economical footprint.

With the addition of Komori H-UV curing, which the Berforts management team have been monitoring over the last twelve months, it adds considerably to their high quality four colour printing firepower.

Berforts looked at the other new generation UV drying systems recently introduced to the market, including LED-UV, but the Komori H-UV is already proven around the world to dry almost immediately on all substrates, including typically difficult materials such as uncoated stocks and plastics. The Komori H-UV System is an innovative UV curing system that uses a UV lamp developed with high-sensitivity UV ink.

With just one lamp mounted in the delivery, this system offers high print

60 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

quality and reliability as well as excellent economic and eco-friendly performance.

A single H-UV lamp (one bulb) can cure up to 400% ink coverage plus coating at maximum press speed. This dramatically reduces the amount of energy required for curing compared to either IR or UV. With the company’s commercial print and publishing run lengths being anywhere from 25 copies up to tens of thousands, most of it working around A sizes, they concluded that the compact, energy and environmentally-efficient LA37 makes an ideal mix with their digital output machines and Litho capabilities.

It offers exceptionally fast drying through the H-UV process and Berforts see it also helping out on the longer run and higher pagination commercial jobs coming in to the Hastings plant, where they installed a five colour B2 Komori Enthrone perfector in 2012.

Komori UK’s Director of Sheetfed sales, Steve Turner says: “The Lithrone A37 was initially introduced into the Japanese market, where smaller footprint machines are especially welcome and, as its sheet size also suits the American letter-size impositions and its stock thickness range of 0.04 to 0.6mm covers almost all materials within its target market, it’s attracted several customers in the US and is also starting to make an impact

www.berforts.co.uk

in Europe. A massive volume of UK commercial print is finished to A sizes and requires sheets no larger than SRA1, which the LA37 takes, so now Berforts have taken the lead with the first in the UK, we’d anticipate that more printers in our territory will follow!”

Berforts 17 Burgess Rd, Hastings TN35 4NR 01424 722733.

Berforts Ltd if you’re buying print, please make sure you talk to us

Lithographic printing Sheet-fed digital printing

Please mention the Sussex Business Times magazine when contacting us

B&W digital web printing Print on demand Variable data printing Print finishing Mailing and fulfilment Worldwide distribution

berforts a world of print

ltd

17 Burgess Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4NR. Tel: 01424 722733.

Fax: 01424 721777 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 61 Email: sales@berfort.co.uk · www.berforts.co.uk

SBT

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EXPERT

Harriet Sergeant, Partner at Sheen Stickland Chartered Accountants band the current rate is zero which will increase to 7.5% 2) For higher rate taxpayers where the current effective rate is 25% this will increase to 32.5% 3) For top rate taxpayers where the current effective rate is 30.5% this will increase to 38.1%.

The new tax on dividends announced in this year’s Summer Budget has been the cause of much confusion.

The effect in general terms of the abolition of the tax credit and the introduction of the new tax on dividends from April 2016 will be to increase the rate of tax on the amount of dividends received by 7.5 percentage points.

What does this mean for you?

1) For taxpayers within the basic rate

This is mitigated to some extent by two things: 1) The first £5,000 of dividends received by a person in a tax year will be taxed at 0% regardless of their other income.

2) The abolition of the tax credit means the dividends received will not be grossed up which means that the taxable amount will be less than on the current regime.

The reforms, which were announced in July 2015 to replace the dividend tax credit, will mean that, regardless of income, no body will have to pay tax on the first £5,000 of their dividend income.

This means that a higher or top rate taxpayer with a low level of dividend

EXPERT

When is an appropriate time to close my company?

Closing a solvent company can be a positive step. If shareholders are close to retirement, and have assets they would like to add to their personal estates, or if a family business in which the owners (parents) have retired and the children have no interest in

info@checkaprofessional.com 62 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

continuing to run the business, it would be appropriate to wind up the business.

Other reasons may include, but not limited to; changes in the market, unviable trading, or a restructuring of a group of companies. If your company has more than £25,000 in the bank, then you will need a Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) to unlock the most capital.

Ok, what is an MVL? A Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) is a process by which shareholders of a company are able to liquidate the cash rich company and unlock capital.

An MVL can be used to secure an

income (less than £5,000) will be better off than under the current regime (with a basic rate taxpayer’s position unchanged) but once dividends are at a more significant level then their tax liability will be higher at all levels of other income.

However it remains the case that paying dividends is more beneficial than the payment of salary or bonus (at least on income less than around £150K) but the difference will narrow from April 2016.

It may, in some circumstances, be beneficial to make additional dividend payments prior to April 2016 before the new rules come in but this will only be advantageous to the extent that the recipient remains within their current tax bracket. This may, however, be impractical where a company has numerous shareholders with differing circumstances as some may be better off but for others it may be detrimental.

For more information or advice visit www.sheen-stickland.co.uk

Jeremy Frost, The Frost Group orderly winding up of a company or to close a subsidiary that has outlived its usefulness.

How can an MVL save me tax?

If the company you would like to close is cash rich, and you would like to keep your tax bills low, then an MVL could be the right solution. If the business is solvent, and are able to pay all of your creditors in under 12 months then shareholders can avoid paying the higher rate of 40-50% income tax on dividends and instead, with an MVL pay capital gains tax (CGT) of 10% on the distributed assets plus the cost of the liquidation.

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EXPERT

George Osborne’s announcement in the summer budget of the phasing out of higher-rate tax relief on landlords’ interest payments, from 2017 and fully implemented by 2020, could have major consequences for the residential property market in Sussex.

From 2020 landlords will no longer be able to deduct the cost of their mortgage interest from rental income

EXPERT

Let’s be thankful we’ve made it through to December. Before we get to the seasonal shutdowns, businesses need to have considered effective communication with customers or clients over the festive period.

How do you ensure as stress-free a time as possible over this festive season?

info@checkaprofessional.com

Mike Chapman, Senior Manager Corporate Tax at Knill James Chartered Accountants when calculating tax. Sooner or later landlords are likely to consider strategic changes that could begin a ripple effect.

Here are some of the possible scenarios: • Where landlords have maximised their borrowings with a view to enjoying capital growth, the change to the interest relief rules and a possible rise in bank base rates could lead to an adjustment towards owner occupation.

• Landlords may also seek to restrict their financial exposure by disposing of parts of their property portfolios.

• An alternative will be to increase rents, but with tenants already applying a significant proportion of their income on accommodation costs, full recovery of the increased finance and taxation costs may not be possible.

• Landlords who are currently basic rate

taxpayers should not think that they are immune to the changes which could have the effect of pushing them into higher rates of income tax.

• Many rental property owners may now be considering moving their assets into corporate structures where interest relief restrictions do not apply - but without proper planning there could be more unwelcome tax charges.

All of these actions require careful thought and planning. All landlords considering incorporation, for instance should take advice on whether the nature of their rental activities constitutes a ‘business’ which might permit a tax-free incorporation.

The possible impact of Stamp Duty Land Tax on the transfer of a property into a company should not be ignored, either.

Jill Woolf, Managing Director, Chimera Communications PR and Marketing Consultancy • Publish your opening hours on your website, social media and wherever else is appropriate, well in advance • Ensure you give an emergency contact name and number if appropriate • Remind customers about special offers or seasonal services • Give special offers to existing customers as a thank you for their loyalty • Do seasonal competitions to increase your database for New Year promotions • Offer free delivery before Christmas if appropriate • If you have a small business and giving anything free is difficult, give something extra by way of great service or a very small free gift to make people feel good (like a coffee and mince pie if they’re coming into your shop) – or team up with another company and do something together to share the cost • If you have a food, clothing or other appropriate business, give some left

over products to a local charity • Product returns usually increase after Christmas so make sure your customers and your staff know your policy so everything runs seamlessly • Take on seasonal staff – you might need extra help to cope with the extra business • Make sure you train new staff as well as refreshing the skills of existing ones who might be under pressure if you get really busy • Explain your seasonal offers to your team so everyone is up to speed • Reward your team with a bonus to say thanks for working hard – if times are tough financially, you’ll be amazed how much a kind word, a smile and a few extra hours off can help!

The team at Chimera Communications wishes you all a peaceful, healthy and happy festive season and a prosperous 2016.

0808 901 9042 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 63

Social Networking

SBT

Society Review

Arun Business Partnership Awards 2015

Christmas came early for top companies across Arun when they were honoured at a spectacular awards ceremony by their peers. More than 250 guests gathered to hear business success stories and celebrate just a fraction of the amazing achievements of local companies at the Arun Business Partnership Awards 2015.

Each of the 18 categories are sponsored by local companies and representatives of those businesses form the judging panel – so winning one of these awards was no easy task.

Each of the categories was hotly contested with Regis Removals being awarded the Overall Business of the Year, sponsored by A J S Labels, at the event on Friday, 13th November. This is the second consecutive time the Bognor Regis-based company has won the award.

Councillor Andy Cooper, Chairman of Arun District Council, said: “It is always good to celebrate success, so it was a privilege to attend this annual awards ceremony.

Alison Cooper with Mayor of Littlehampton Marian Ayres

Pink Pub to Paris Group

Photography by Graham Franks ©

Business of the Year up to five Employees Gusto Wines sponsored by Botting and Co

Overall Business of the Year sponsored by AJS Labels won by Regis Removals

64 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Simon Guess and team from L Guess Jewellers

From Clear Computing Barney and Sheila Hall with Ollie Sorrell and Rob Pennicott

Lily and Daria from Syrup Café

Rachel Hawkins of Parker EME

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Made In Sussex

Made In Sussex:

StephieAnn Design

StephieAnne Designs offer an ultra luxurious option for women’s underwear, using the finest silk and evoking a real ‘made in Britain’ feel

I’ve always loved sewing, being creative Brand and most of the time I live in my own Focus imagination! I learnt to sew growing up in West Sussex from my mum and started making my own clothes after receiving a sewing machine for my 16th birthday. I studied Textiles at Chelsea College of Art and Design, learning how to weave, knit, print and embellish with stitching. After graduating in 2013, I started to think about how I could use my textiles and print designs within creative products and the outcome was knickers! I began cutting up knickers and reconstructing them, teaching myself how to sew lingerie from scratch. After I developed my products and perfected the fit I joined The Princes Trust and was assigned a business mentor, Carol, who I see every month. I taught myself how to build a website, and slowly things started to fall into place.

I was inspired to start my business in 2014, after returning from a trip where I came across a small boutique in Florence selling lingerie made from recycled silk scarves. I started creating illustrations for my debut collection using inspiration from British poetry and my love for nature. My handmade collections are all made in the Welsh valley, with every design I create being unique from different sections of print, making them individual to each person.

My debut Spring/Summer collection, ‘Hammer through Daisies’, is inspired by the poem ‘And Death Shall Have No Dominion’ by Dylan Thomas. By trapping delicate flower petals in ice before hammering the frozen exterior to reveal the beautiful flower within, I represent his everlasting love. My drawings and photographs are then digitally printed

66 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

onto silks and my illustrations come to life. The latest collection, Some Magic Rose, follows this theme, reflecting on the darker tones of Thomas’ work. The Autumn/Winter collection launched recently with great success.

Both collections are made from 95% silk, with 5% elastane. The beautiful countryside around me enriches my designs and I love finding inspiration in nature, storytelling and romance.

Alongside these collections, my capsule bridal collection features handembroidered pansies with embellished garters, nighties, camisoles and knickers

adding a ‘something blue’ for a bride’s special day.

The market is growing tremendously, with creative, ‘indie’ and boutique lingerie designers becoming very popular as customers seek made-to-measure styles and creativity. I would love to see StephieAnn stocked in boutiques, creating seasonal collections, staying true to my made-in-Britain ethos.

StephieAnn Design, Sunset, Broadford Bridge Road, West Chiltington, West Sussex, RH20 2LA info@stephieanndesign.co.uk

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 67

68 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk