SBT February 2019 Issue 428

SBT

ISSUE 428

FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

SBT TRAVEL WE LAUNCH OUR NEW TRAVEL SECTION SPONSORED BY TRAVEL EXPERTS RED7

Q&A WITH CARL TURNER SBT LIFESTYLE WE ALSO LAUNCH OUR NEW LIFESTYLE SECTION, SPONSORED BY LEVELS WINE SHOP, WITH WINE OF THE MONTH, RECIEPES, HEALTH, HISTORY, REVEIWS AND MORE

CARL OPENS UP ABOUT DEPRESSION AND WHY HE TOOK PART IN RED JANUARY TO SUPPORT MIND CHARITY

Q&A WITH ROSS EDMONDS OASIS EMPIRE WE INTERVIEW LOCAL BUSINESSMEN ROSS EDMONDS TO FIND OUT ALL ABOUT OASIS EMPIRE

CELEBRATING THEIR FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY WHITESPACE CREATIVE HAS ALREADY MARKED ITSELF OUT AS ONE TO WATCH IN SUSSEX’S HIGHLY-PRIZED CREATIVE MARKET. WE CHAT WITH FOUNDING DIRECTORS MILLY STONE, JAMES MORRISON AND STEVE ELFORD.

SERVING THE SUSSEX BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

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SBTWelcome Meet the team

Sam Thomas, Managing Director/ Publisher

Greg Carroll, Partner

Mark Butcher, Partner

James Morrison, Production

Belinda Bennett, Editor/ Head of Social Media

Stephen Lawrence Photographer Snap it Now

Contributors

Jamie Davies, Director at Orange Beach

Ian Hopping, Cost Management Consultant at Auditel UK

Welcome to our first issue of 2019.

Now that the festivities are well and truly behind us, it’s back to business and Brexit.

There can be no doubt that we are living in uncertain times. Brexit is a challenge few of us imagined when referendum votes were cast in 2016. As the March 29 deadline for exiting the EU approaches, politicians appear to be in deadlock over the way forward. While the UK looks to Brussels for some leeway over the Irish border backstop arrangements, we offer you an overview of what has happened so far in this fluid, fast-paced story.

Our cover story this month features Whitespace Creative, our own magazine designers, who are celebrating a major milestone. In just one year, this Brighton-based creative studio has made great strides and achieved outstanding success. We salute its many achievements with a first anniversary tribute.

I am personally delighted to see Carl Turner, of ViiSana, help to break the stigma of depression. In this issue, he shares his thoughts on the topic and offers invaluable advice to others in business who are experiencing poor mental health. His support for the RED January initiative, led by charity Mind, is an inspiration.

Other features in this issue include an introduction to NetworkU, the unique networking and telemarketing business helping firms generate new leads and build their connections. You will also find a new Travel feature. Red7 explains how employers can use travel to boost morale during the winter months and points to some top destinations.

Packed with local news stories, features, motoring articles and a special Valenine’s Day feature, I am sure you will find plenty to interest you in this issue.

A belated Happy New Year. I wish all our readers a prosperous and healthy 2019.

Annabelle Vaughan, Partner - Head of Court of Protection, WTP and Care & Protection, Coffin Mew

Sam Thomas, Managing Director

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 3

Issue 428

SBT

ISSUE 428

FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

SBT TRAVEL WE LAUNCH OUR NEW TRAVEL SECTION SPONSORED BY TRAVEL EXPERTS RED7

Q&A WITH CARL TURNER SBT LIFESTYLE WE ALSO LAUNCH OUR NEW LIFESTYLE SECTION, SPONSORED BY LEVELS WINE SHOP, WITH WINE OF THE MONTH, RECIEPES, HEALTH, HISTORY, REVEIWS AND MORE.

CARL OPENS UP ABOUT DEPRESSION AND WHY HE TOOK PART IN RED JANUARY TO SUPPORT MIND CHARITY.

Q&A WITH ROSS EDMONDS OASIS EMPIRE WE INTERVIEW LOCAL BUSINESSMEN ROSS EDMONDS TO FIND OUT ALL ABOUT OASIS EMPIRE.

CELEBRATING THEIR FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY WHITESPACE CREATIVE HAS ALREADY MARKED ITSELF OUT AS ONE TO WATCH IN SUSSEX’S HIGHLY-PRIZED CREATIVE MARKET, WE CHAT WITH FOUNDING DIRECTORS MILLY STONE, JAMES MORRISON AND STEVE ELFORD.

SERVING THE SUSSEX BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

Cover 428 : Whitespace Creative Managing Director/Publisher Sam Thomas sam@thebusinessgroup.co.uk 01323 819 012 Production James Morrison Web Designer/Developer Tom Alexander Accounts Clare Fermor accounts@thebusinessgroup.co.uk 01323 819 016 Published by The Business Group Sussex Ltd. Unit 1a Swan Barn Business Centre, Swan Barn Road, Hailsham, BN27 2BY Printed by L&S Printing Limited Hazelwood Close Worthing BN14 8NP 01903 821005 www.ls-printing.com

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 The Business Group Sussex 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 The Business Group Sussex Ltd. 2019 ©

4 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

06 10 14 22 24 32 35 46 50 52 54 60

Local News

First look at designs for the Hippodrome, Brighton and Coffin Mew blazes a trail for diversity and agile working.

Spending It

Love is in the (Sussex) air! Valentine’s Day gift ideas for everyone.

Legal: When Commercial Assets Meet Personal Life

Sarah Balfour, of Irwin Mitchell, explains why businesses should plan ahead to mitigate the effects of problems later on.

Property – How to Sell Your Home

Expert advice from property specialists Nicholas James Sales and Lettings.

Cover Story: The Rise and Rise of Whitespace Studio

After a meteoric year, the Brighton-based creative studio celebrates a major milestone. Whitespace Studio marks its first anniversary with a look back at its achievements.

SBT Travel: How to Beat the Winter Blues

Brighton travel expert Red7 explains how businesses can boost staff moral by booking them a holiday. A guide to holidays for business and pleasure, as well as a mixture of both.

SBT Lifestyle: Sponsored by Levels

Wine of month, recipe of the month, health, reviews, history and more.

Motoring: Top Leasing Advice for Startups

Rivervale Leasing shares tips on how to get the best value for money and have your documentation in order.

Chamber News

Results from the British Chambers of Commerce quarterly survey.

Business: West Sussex Expo

All the latest news about the forthcoming B2B networking event, taking place at Fontwell Park Racecourse on May 2.

Networking – Introducing NetworkU

Discover how Chris Mansfield and a dedicated team are delivering exceptional marketing results with a unique networking and telemarketing service.

Ask the Expert

Local Sussex business experts advise on relevant issues.

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SBTLocal News First look at Hippodrome Brighton designs splendour. We hope to create a theatre that will become a cultural mainstay for the city for decades to come, in an area that is in dire need of regeneration.

“A strategic plan for the refurbishment of theatre is being drawn up including timescales for a phased development programme. Ultimately, our vision is for the Hippodrome to be run as a non-profit entity by professionals who understand where it will sit amongst Brighton’s theatres.”

The owners are in discussion with Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival regarding the renovation, refurbishment and future management of the theatre and have appointed ARUP, a multinational engineering and design company with extensive experience in the arts and culture sector, to conduct a viability study of the theatre and its future potential.

The much-anticipated first design of the planned development of the Hippodrome Brighton has been released by HIPP Investments and LCE Architects.

The historic theatre, which has stood empty and left to ruin since 2007, was acquired by HIPP Investments a year ago after plans to convert it into a cinema fell through.

Aized Sheikh, CEO of HIPP Investments, explains: “The Hippodrome is an iconic building with an incredible past and, if left unchecked, will be lost to future generations who will never be able to appreciate its history and

Making Tax Digital is going ahead. Get prepared with Richard Place Dobson Crawley based accountancy firm Richard Place Dobson (RPD) is hosting two free seminars to help businesses prepare for the government’s new Making Tax Digital (MTD) scheme.

Although the scheme has been

6 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

HIPP Investments will begin the restoration of the original theatre façade and dome as soon as planning has been granted. In the first phase, a steel structure will be built to prop up the existing dome and façade to provide support to the building.

In addition to restoring and refurbishing the theatre, the development plans also include a 74-room hotel with spa as well as 26 apartments.

Two public consultation events will be held in midFebruary, where full details of the plans will be revealed.

Dates and details to be released shortly.

previously deferred, the governmentbacked scheme is set to go ahead and is due to take effect from the 1st of April 2019. The scheme is a fundamental change to the administration of the UK tax system and applies to all VAT registered businesses with a turnover of over £85,000. Businesses, organisations, and individuals will need to change the way they maintain their accounting and tax records and how they interact with HMRC, so, it is essential that all of those affected are prepared.

However, never fear, Richard Place Dobson, is here to help. Hosted by the experts, Sue Chinn, Senior Manager, the sessions will take place on the 13th of February at the RPD offices, with a morning (8:15 am) and

evening session (5:30 pm).

The sessions will take business owners through the key changes and bust any myths that have arisen along the way around MTD. Matt Tyson, Managing Director of Richard Place Dobson, said: “We decided to host these seminars as a means to provide support to the local businesses who will be affected by this change. We’ve had numerous clients come to us with inaccurate information, so we feel it is our duty to bust some of these myths that have cropped up and put everyone on the right track.”

To book your place, please contact nicole@placedobson.co.uk with your preferred choice of session (morning or evening).

SBTLocal News Law firm blazes trail for agile working and diversity

Leading regional law firm Coffin Mew, based across the South Coast and Thames Valley, and recently recognised as a ‘star performer’ for growth in The Lawyer UK 200, has announced a new employee offering, with gender equality and agile working at the heart of its proposition to attract and retain the region’s best talent.

With recent statistics* showing 75 per cent of UK employees favour flexible working, and over 40 per cent of UK workers saying they don’t have enough time for friends and family, the need for employers to recognise that top performance requires a flexible approach has never been greater.

“The way we attract and retain the best has changed,” said Coffin Mew’s HR Director Liz Cheaney. “Coffin Mew wants to challenge the stereotype of law firm working – we already offer a relaxed dress down approach and flexible

Taxing Times

Now is the best time of the year to get your finances in order, recommend tax and wealth management experts MHA Carpenter Box ahead of upcoming seminar.

With the end of the financial year looming, now is the ideal time to review both business and personal finances to make plans for the year ahead. The volatility of the financial markets as a consequence of the uncertainty around Brexit has made it even more difficult to plan for the year ahead, which is why MHA Carpenter Box is holding an Investment and Tax Seminar to help you make the right financial decisions for both your business and your own finances.

The seminar will be held at the exclusive South Lodge Hotel near Horsham where attendees will first hear from Wealth Managers LGT Vestra, who will provide an overview of the current financial landscape and outlook for investors in 2019.

working. But now we are really putting equality and diversity at the forefront of our people strategy by being proudly transparent with our gender pay gap information; implementing new policies to address gender related role stereotypes and antiquated societal expectations of women and men as parents and carers; enhancing the element of choice in our benefits package; and involving our employees in contributing to our innovation strategy.”

The package aligns with Coffin Mew’s new business strategy for growth and vision – best people and innovation, to deliver great results for every client. It centres around a ‘Best People Deal’ containing promises made to employees in return for their productivity, focus on excellence and delivery of great results for every client.

Liz added: “We believe that 70 per cent of the client’s brand experience is determined by our employee’s brand experience, so as a firm committed to putting clients at the centre of all we do, it’s crucial that out employee offering is attractive and credible for our people.

“Our new offering is the result of 12 months of discussion and collaboration with our staff and partners, and is based on four pillars: engagement, Stuart Noakes, Partner and Head of Tax Services at MHA Carpenter Box will then give some useful end of year tax planning tips including a useful tax checklist, a guide to tax relief through investment schemes such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and how careful Inheritance Tax planning can minimise liability when the final curtain falls.

Wealth management strategies for you and your family will also be discussed at the event by Roy Thompson, Partner and Head of MHA Carpenter Box Wealth Management. Roy will outline the different types of investment opportunities available and how to make the most of pensions, ISAs and other investments.

The Sussex-based chartered accountants and chartered tax advisers are looking forward to 2019 after a very successful 2018, which saw a record growth in new clients matched by an increase in headcount at the firm to almost 170.

excellence, productivity and well-being.

It is designed to impact positively on staff well-being and performance, as well as client experience and results and therefore makes perfect business sense!

It’s the whole deal “Best People” expect and forward-thinking firms require.”

Coffin Mew already has an extensive and competitive reward package, including a range of health and wellbeing benefits, but has enhanced and improved that offering to reflect its commitment to developing a truly agile work place and to start to address the gender role stereotypes, which are a significant cause of the gender pay gap.

CEO, Miles Brown said: “We are very proud of our recent accolades and strong growth, being recognised as a ‘Star Performer’ in The Lawyer UK 200 and named as a finalist in the Law Society’s Excellence Awards as ‘Law Firm of the Year (Medium Firm)’. None of this is possible without the commitment and hard work of our talented staff and it is only right we reward that with a leading edge offering for them.”

For more information, please visit www.coffinmew.co.uk * https://realbusiness.co.uk/demandflexible-working-among-uk-employees-rise/

Chris Coopey, Partner and Practice Director at the firm, commented: “We are really looking forward to this event.

It aims to give some useful pointers as to what the markets are up to and how businesses and individuals can make the best of their hard earned wealth despite the political somersaults going on at Westminster. The event has already attracted a great deal of interest and there should be something for everyone.

Attendees will have the opportunity to raise any issues directly with the presenters and to network with other likeminded individuals in the beautiful setting of the South Lodge Hotel.”

The seminar will be held between 8am and 10am on Thursday 21st February and all attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the firm’s Year End Tax Planning Guide.

For more information and to register for the event, please visit www.carpenterbox.com/investmenttax-seminar/

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 7

SBTNational News Crushing Defeat for May’s Brexit Deal

Frustrations over Brexit have reached boiling point with businesses urging the government to ‘stop the clock’.

The Government suffered the biggest Commons defeat in history when Theresa May’s widely-criticised Brexit deal was finally put to the vote. Just 202 MPs voted for the deal.

A staggering 432 voted against. Does this mean the UK is edging closer to a No Deal exit from the EU? A fresh referendum is not off the agenda as more MPs press the Government to put the Brexit issue back to the people.

Meanwhile, some commentators are saying Brexit could be delayed or even cancelled. Sympathetic EU leaders say there is still time to renegotiate while others say Mrs May’s deal is the only deal available.

The leaders of opposing parties have clearly stated No Deal is not an option. But, after ignoring warnings and failing to adopt a cross-party approach to the Brexit dilemma, the Prime Minister now has to convince EU negotiators that more concessions are required to get a deal to pass a future Commons vote.

Mrs May survived a No Confidence vote in the government, tabled by Jeremy Corbyn, but her position is uncertain if she fails to save the UK from crashing out of the European Union without a deal. The DUP, which opposed the defeated deal, rallied to support the Conservatives when it came to the crunch. So too did the Euro sceptics who poured scorn on the deal Mrs May put to the vote.

The backstop agreement for the Northern Ireland border proved one of the biggest problems for the rejected deal.

The failure of Mrs May’s deal to win support means businesses will now have less time to prepare if the UK stays on course and delivers Brexit in the current time-frame. With Brexit just weeks away, the UK is scrambling to get a deal the EU says is not on the table.

8 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

The City suffered a major wobble immediately after the vote, but share prices rose the following morning. Analysts say yields are not currently a cause for concern. Business leaders have stated they are reassured that the Brexit deadline could be extended to ensure the UK is not thrown into chaos by a disorderly exit.

Responding to the meaningful vote, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There are no more words to describe the frustration, impatience, and growing anger amongst business after two and a half years on a high-stakes political roller-coaster ride that shows no sign of stopping.

“Basic questions on real-world operational issues remain unanswered, and firms now find themselves facing the unwelcome prospect of a messy and disorderly exit from the EU on March 29th.

“The overriding priority for both government and Parliament must now be to avoid the clear danger that a ‘no deal’ exit on the 29th of March would pose to businesses and communities across the UK. Every second that ticks by sees more businesses spending money on unwanted changes, activating contingency plans or battening down the hatches and halting investment, as they try to anticipate a future that is no clearer now than it was at the time of the referendum result.”

Dr Marshall added: “Businesses will take a dim view of more shuttle diplomacy and last-minute bargaining, which have so far done nothing to end the political impasse. The government must now urgently set out in concrete terms what it will do to avoid the damage that a messy and disorderly exit on March 29th would cause to businesses, communities, and the UK economy.”

SBTNational News The Clock Is Ticking

Deal or No Deal, the UK is poised to leave the EU on March 29. Is it time to stop the clock and extend the deadline? Many business leaders think it is. They want the Government to take its time and put a new deal to the Commons - one that will win majority support.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly ruled out a second referendum, so where does that leave the UK? The People’s Vote campaign has upped the tempo as Mrs May faces yet another challenge that could end her term at Number 10.

UK Loses £4.5bn in Infrastructure Funding The run-up to Brexit has seen EU lenders put the squeeze on the UK. According to a Lords committee, funds will be needed from central government to support major infrastructure projects. It lost £4.5bn in funding from the EU in just one year.

After Brexit, the UK will no longer have access to the European Investment Bank.

The bank has played a pivotal role in funding for the Crossrail and Manchester tramway extension projects.

In 2016 the bank lent the UK at total of £7bm. Last year it gave the UK just £932m.

Corbyn Keeps Up The Pressure on May

Brexit Uncertainty Mutes House Sales House sales across southern England have been muted as a result of Brexit uncertainty. The Office for National Statistics says the average UK house price was £230,630 in October, falling by 0.1% month-on-month. There has been a general slowdown in UK house price growth since 2016> Experts say the trend has been driven mostly by a slowdown in the south and east of the country. The lowest annual growth last year was in London. Prices fell by 0.7% over the year to November.

Buyers and sellers are reported to be be postponing transactions in the south of England. Analysts say they are waiting until after the UK exits the EU.

Jeremy Corbyn is keeping up the pressure on the Prime Minister to rule out a No Deal Brexit.

While it has been widely reported that Theresa May has offered a cash incentive to get Labour to back Brexit, nothing is certain as the deadline approaches. Following a series of meetings with opposition leaders, Mrs May is little closer to bringing about a deal that will keep everyone happy.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 9

Love is in the (Sussex) Air With Valentine’s Day fast-approaching, here are some great ideas to show you care.

Cupid’s arrow is heading in your direction!

Chocs-Away Who can resist chocolate especially if it is made in West Sussex and is organic? This ‘Box of Indulgence’ includes a 200g bag of delicious baked goods, two beautiful handmade chocolate bars, two fruit and nut boxes and a luxurious box of six truffles of your choice. £24.99 www.cocoaloco.co.uk

Wine and Dine With its revamped menu and stunning waterside location, The Wardroom and Mess Deck at the Old Ship Hotel in Brighton is the perfect place to wine and dine the love of your life on Valentine’s Day. Check out the new à la carte menu. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Say It With Flowers There’s nothing like delicate blooms and the sweet smell of flowers to convey your affections. Check out what fresh, vibrant bouquets are available from Flower City. Pictured is the Wow bouquet. www.flower-city.co.uk

£39.95

Various www.thecairncollection.co.uk

Love Is… Sweet Show the man in your life that he is a real sweetie with this jar of retro sweets. Ideal for the home or office, it will go down a treat. Full colour personalised label featuring three photos.

£14.99 www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

Heart To Heart

£22

This chocolate bouquet features two dozen Belgian heart chocolates. Ideal whether you are planning a night out or in. www.giftrebellion.co.uk

Pop The Question If you are planning to get down on one knee, here’s a fabulous idea for an engagement ring. The vintage diamond solitaire ring features a brilliant cut diamond accentuated by four graduated diamonds on either shoulder. Secure claw and tension setting - and on sale in Brighton!

The Romantic Getaway

£447.50

There’s nothing like a mini break to sweep someone off their feet. Whether you are planning to pop the question or just celebrate a relationship with some ‘us’ time, choose from a huge range of get-away experiences - from theatre trips to city breaks.

www.cavendishjewellers.co.uk From

www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk

£99

Love-ly Brooch This One Button Teapot Bloom Brooch is perfect for the woman who has everything. Bright and bold it will set her apart from the crowd and make her feel special. In a smooth resin design, the brooch creates a fresh and vibrant feel with its cute flowers and stylish teapot. Fastens with a traditional safety pin.

£22 www.johnlewis.com

Go For Gold Inflate your passion with this stunning bouquet of one dozen helium-filled rose gold balloons.

They float straight out of a box, delivering an instant romantic surprise.

www.moonpig.com

£22

Insurance

Is your business protected against flood risk?

Flash flooding, intense storms and extreme weather patterns are all on the rise. Between 2011 and 20171 the UK saw record breaking weather and this is unlikely to change. As such, extreme weather will continue to cost the UK billions2. Andrew Dix, Corporate Client Director at UK insurance broker Gallagher, based in Metro House in Chichester, discusses flood risk and explains how a managed approach to insurance placement and advanced risk management tools can play a prominent role in helping to protect businesses should the worst happen.

Climate change is irrevocably transforming weather Insurance risk and bringing with it increased sea levels and heavier rain than ever before. While the Government is working to improve flood resistance, this doesn’t provide an immediate solution. Businesses still need to take the time to assess their risks and secure appropriate cover where necessary.

During 2015/16, severe flooding led to over 300,000 commercial properties being put at risk. These businesses could have better protected their infrastructure with advance planning.

However, when it comes to putting the right protection in place, there are a number of challenges facing UK businesses: • The different types of flooding, from surface and ground water, through to coastal, river and sewage floods.

• Ensuring a business is equipped to deal with extreme weather events and taking steps to implement a strategy that considers the changing nature of flood events.

• The risk of disruption, including reduced or no access to a premises, restricted turnover, stock damage or extensive repairs.

• Higher premiums and excesses for businesses that have previously been impacted by flooding and therefore may be labelled as high-risk.

12 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

• Finding an affordable market-based solution which correctly reflects the risk.

Despite the challenges, simple steps can help to prepare for the physical effects of flooding and reduce the risk of total loss – and flood cover can be arranged to support even the most difficult of cases.

Gallagher offers a multi-flood solution, which assesses businesses actual exposure to flood and calculates an estimated maximum loss. We offer a full risk management service which includes flood inspection, reporting and surveys.

While you can never truly know the weather, Gallagher has access to leading mapping technologies which can assess the flood risk for your business and help you to avoid a potential flood crisis. This is the first step in assessing your flood risk. These tools include geocoding, national catastrophe analysis, Gallagher flood modelling capability, flood analysis, subsidence hazards, and storm surge recognition. We can perform an indepth analysis on your postcode to highlight your proximity to flood zones, river banks or storm surge points.

Gallagher can use this information not only to offer practical tips to reduce flood risk but also to put you and your business in a better position with a potential insurer. Our risk survey team identify and quantify your exposure to flood and help them increase their flood resistance and exposures. This helps you negotiate the best terms from the insurance market. We can help you

Andrew Dix

build a flood contingency plan to reduce your exposure to flood and speed up your recovery. Not only do these measures reduce risk, they can help you cut your premium or excess too.

For more information about flood peril and the solutions we offer, please get in touch.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK?

For more information contact us: T: 0800 612 3760 E: Andrew_Dix@ajg.com W: www.ajg.com/uk 1

https://environmentagency.blog.gov.

uk/2018/03/28/managing-flood-risk-now-and-intothe-future/ 2

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/

climate-change-global-warming-extreme-weatherflooding-homes-drought-uk-economy-a7964851. html

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Insurance crafted to meet your business needs.

Gallagher provides Insurance Broking and Risk Management services for clients ranging from new start-ups to some of the largest PLC’s.

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©2018 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. | ajginternational.com “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® for 2018. Ethisphere Institute, March 2018.

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www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 13

When commercial assets meet the personal life…

“The majority of people don’t really plan well enough for the future,” said Sarah Balfour, Birmingham Family Law Partner at Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth.

“We deal with financial situations where people haven’t really thought this will happen to them.”

Businesses can be put at risk by far more personal Legal matters, which is why Balfour urges business owners to plan carefully. “Being in a firm like this where we have such a big and wide ranging business team, there is much more of a focus on acting for people with business interests.”

14 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

“It is best to be involved right at the beginning of the story,” said Balfour, “You have to untangle so much, particularly if a couple are in business together or family assets are involved.

For example, an up and coming entrepreneur who is doing really well and the business is flying - they don’t necessarily think that in 15 years’ time they might be sitting down talking about whether their current partner will get a share of the business they have built.”

“Businesses can be put at risk by far more personal matters, which is why Balfour urges business owners to plan carefully.”

Legal manage finances, to think about having the right shareholder agreements for instance. Much of what we do centres around providing a sense of stability and knowledge for clients going through that situation when the relationship does break down.

“In terms of planning, the main thing is getting people to think about prenuptial agreements. As advisors now we must be talking about at least the option of a prenup to all our clients but especially the entrepreneurial ones.

Sarah Balfour

come to an agreement on the division of shares and property owned by the entrepreneur, which took Asos from a £12m company when it floated on AIM in 2001, to a £3bn company today.

Stories like that of the former Asos chief executive are the stuff of nightmares for entrepreneurs and successful businesspeople alike, but it is not often that they think about the situation early enough to mitigate it.

Balfour continued: “As business owners, having to extract that money means implications for the business.

How are they going to get it out of the business? Then it’s getting to the bottom of what the business is worth and other things which are massively disruptive.”

Balfour notes the high profile divorce of Asos founder Nick Robertson, forcing him to sell 1.3m shares through a placing with institutional investors last year to fund his £70m divorce settlement.

The judge was asked to decide how much Robertson’s ex-wife Janine should receive after they failed to

“This is not going to happen to everyone,” said Balfour, “but on a more moderate level that happens to a lot of people, preparation in any event is therefore key.

“Much of what we do centres around providing a sense of stability and knowledge for clients going through that situation when the relationship does break down” “We need to discuss how they want to structure the business; when setting up home with someone, having a cohabitation agreement; how to

“People were sceptical about them in previous years, that they would even have an effect, but the law has moved on massively in the past five years.”

The case of German paper company heiress Katrin Radmacher in 2010 made that clear, after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the Husband should be bound by his prenuptial agreement, giving very strong guidance on how prenups should be viewed.

“It gave people reassurance, and meant that we can be a bit more definite that they will benefit from having a prenup in place,” Balfour said.

Separation and divorce is going to represent a significant change to you and your family, especially if there is a business involved. Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth offer unrivalled guidance and methods to support you whatever the circumstance, help you plan appropriately and make the right decisions at the right time.

Sarah Balfour Family Law Partner

If you need legal advice, contact Sarah Balfour on 0121 214 5451 or by email sarah.balfour@irwinmitchell.com @IMFamilyLaw

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 15

Come and join us for a unique charity fundraiser in aid of Sussex Cancer Fund

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PRICE INCLUDES: Drinks reception Three course medieval banquet Jugs of wine, ale and mead on your table TV’s Sid Sloane - celebrity host Entertainment Live band - Empire Prize for ‘Best Dressed Couple’ Medieval fundraising fun

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Media partners:

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Sponsors

Ethical Agency

Doing good business has been at the core of Creative Blend Charity since it started. But what has giving away over 600 hours of their time, for free, done for their business? And why do they bother? We all know CSR is no longer a nice to have, but there are lots of ways to do it that can really benefit your business. As Creative Blend celebrate their 3rd birthday as a limited company we wanted to share just that.

Why did you choose to give away your time?

We are digital experts, it’s what we know and love. From designing websites to social media and content, it’s the greatest gift we have to give to our fellow businesses. Lots of local charities have big ambitions (and targets) but lack the infrastructure or resources to reach them. When Grant Jennings founded Creative Blend six years ago, he decided to allocate 10 hours each month to support two different local charities every year. Not supporting with cash, no, but helping the chosen charities to improve and grow their website and marketing to help them take-charge, simplify and empower their fundraising long-term.

What challenges and benefits have there been?

It hasn’t always been easy, we’ve

learnt a lot during our time offering support ensuring the values held by our business and those of the charity we’re supporting align is key. Also, by introducing yourself early to all members of the charity helps bring out all levels of help requested, and allows us to plan efficiently.

It’s incredible what you can do with a passionate charity partner in just one year.

The great thing about this structure is the relationships you can form. Since working with Whoopsadaisy Grant was invited to become a trustee to help guide the digital direction of the charity for years to come. We also love being a part of helping charities grow, for example designing the logo and website for Real talk, the new training arm of Grassroots Suicide Prevention.

How does it typically work?

We select two charities each year based on a number of criteria including their digital ambition and structure. We then work out a brief that has enough flexibility to allow us to provide digital support, as well as big objectives to give tangible gains for their business.

This may pull from any one of our 22 services, from Design to email marketing to creating campaign microsites. If resources allow, we have also run training sessions with our charities to equip them to carry on the work long-term. Everything we do is done

in a sustainable way. We don’t want to waste either of our time, we’re efficient, but everything we do has to have a lasting benefit to the charity.

What else do you do that makes you an ethical agency?

We have six rules that we always adhere to as an ethical agency. These affect everything from how we quote work, to transparency in our project management and the recommendations we would make for marketing your business. As well as the way we work we are also constantly looking for other ways to give back. We’ve been running monthly free digital drop-ins for 6 months now. Any local business can book a 30 minute slot to get advice on any digital challenge.

It’s been a fantastic way to meet our business & charity community and give back in a no-pressure environment. #CBsessions are the third Thursday of the month 9-10.30am at Down to Earth Coffee in Hove.

More information CBsessions - www.creative-blend. co.uk/cbsessions/ Charity commitment - www.creativeblend.co.uk/our-charity-commitment/ 600 hours press release - www. givingtimes.co.uk/blog-celebrating-600hours-for-charitable-causes/

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 17

Q&A with:

Carl turner of ViiSana

Carl Turner, of ViiSana, highlights the issue of mental health and its impact for those in business. He is is supporting RED January and raising money for the charity Mind.

In this Q&A, he talks openly about is own experience with depression last year and how he overcame it.

Charity

When you developed depression how did it manifest?

It was thoughts about the workplace and life in general. I never gave mental health the respect I do now - and what it deserves. Business people tend to bury their heads in the sand and just get on with it. They are not prepared to be honest with everyone.I was like that.

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How do people in business with depression often react?

It is hard to tell if a person has depression. They can typically be asked: “How’s business?” They, like I did, may reply “OK”, “Could be better” or “Under worked, over paid” - all the usual cliches. It’s not bad to be honest and just turn around and say “It’s blooming awful” or “Things aren’t great at home” or “Staff are pulling my chain constantly”. Even “I’m short of money.”

“I never gave mental health the respect I do now - and what it deserves. Business people tend to bury their heads in the sand and just get on with it.”

Charity

Should people in business talk about depression?

Yes. Because it’s all the things people are scared to admit that are getting them down. They may struggle to peel themselves out of bed in the morning.

The best thing I’ve found is to talk about it.

The more you bottle it up, the worse it gets.

Who should you talk to if you are suffering from depression?

If I’m honest, it’s important to talk to the right people. You don’t want to blast it to everyone. Finding support really can help. I was scared to let people know I was struggling. Probably more so to people in business What would they think of the guy, the person that was at cricket every other week, who was laughing and joking?

If they knew he was struggling, would they still be his friend? Would they still do business with him? Those are the sort of things that went through my mind. I can honestly say, from that Brighton network, has there isn’t one person I haven’t got a more enhanced respect for. These people were as supportive as the friends who I have known for 20 to 30 years.

Who helped you?

Without naming names, there were people within the Brighton/Sussex business community, from the

Boundary club etc who were just a huge support for me.

People do business with them because they are just great people. It is not just business, it’s friendship. I don’t know how I would have got back on my feet without these guys. That is why this Brighton network works so well.

Why are you supporting Mind?

I don’t know a massive amount about Mind as a charity. I know what they do and that they support people with mental health when they are struggling.

I do know, I powerfully believe in what they are doing as an initiative.

Their ‘It’s OK not to be OK’ campaign is unbelievable. Mind’s 31 days consecutive exercise concept is a way out. I found exercise the way out for me.

How did you overcome depression?

I was put on tablets in the summer when I was having a breakdown or was depressed, whatever you may want to call it. The fact is those tablets turned me into a zombie. They didn’t help me in the slightest.

Going out for a run, playing squash with my pals, taking my kids out - they got the endorphins going. That is where I found my escape. It may not be for everyone. Depression is a chemical imbalance. Some people may need tablets. But exercise is what worked for me.

What is RED January?

RED January encourages people to improve their mental health through exercise. It help people focus by supporting them to participate in an activity every single day. It provides people with a goal and a focus in what is a characteristically tough month.

Importantly, it empowers you to start the year as you mean to go on.

RED January celebrates every achievement and the amazing RED community is there to support you every step of the way.

Money raised as a result of my efforts in January will support Mind’s life-saving services and help more people with depression recover.

About Mind Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. It campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

You can still donate to Carl’s cause: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/redjanuary-2019-a0184323-dc6a-493c8754-f85f2fb8b849

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Q&A with: Ross Edmonds of Oasis Empire

We talk to the Manaing Director of the print, branding and business supplies company tells us about what makes Oasis Empire different.

Oasis Empire is a one-stop shop for everything Interview from printing to promotional merchandise and business supplies. As a growing B2B business, it serves a wide range of sectors and business needs.

It has grown into a major player when it comes to delivering marketing

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materials and much, much more. With a commitment to making the ordering process as simple as possible, Oasis Empire brings essential products and services together in one, convenient place.

Tell us about Oasis EmpireÂ

We talked to Managing Director Ross Edmonds. In this Q&A, he explains what Oasis Empire does, how it serves the business community and what makes it stand out from its competitors.

Based out of our headquarters in Worthing, we are premier printing specialists and are trusted by clients all over the region and beyond. We’re proud to offer a complete package, from the initial idea right through to final delivery.Â

At Oasis Empire, we specialise in commercial litho and digital printing, promotional merchandise and business supplies.

We are obsessive about driving down a customer’s spend, reducing costs and improving efficiency. We help organise and consolidate our customers’ distributed spend by applying our highly sophisticated approach.

There are few, if any, organisations in the UK better placed to help your business manage these costs.

We supply three key elements in all our business projects - Responsiveness, Confidence and Reliability.

How do you differentiate from other Print specialists?

Eurosport and the local charity the Sussex Wildlife Trust, and many more.

As well as print services, what else do you offer?

As a young man, I started off selling office supplies and this is very much with me today. Naturally, when you provide stationery, this links to printing and design, promotional branded products, packaging and furniture.

Very recently, we have won some lucrative contracts with storage for solicitors where we are holding wills. Also, we are providing catering equipment which is a new growth area.

We are becoming one of the big players in the restaurant hospitality trade. These businesses purchase a lot of standard litho digital printing (for example they buy menus and flyers) as well as other items such as promotional print, design work or even business supplies such as till rolls, which are often sourced from different suppliers. Our aim is to consolidate all those areas and to save time for our customers in simplifying their ordering process. The reason why we are different is because there are not many businesses in the UK that can provide all these services with the expertise we have in-house.

What are the core values of the business?

Tell us about some of the clients/ brands you work with

We are proud of our eco range, which we are consistently expanding. It is important to us because are helping our clients meet environmental goals and reduce their carbon footprint. We believe in reducing our impact on the environment too and this range enables us to help others take the initiative.

We work with such a varied range of clients with all the different sides to our business. Therefore, we are not industry specific. Some of our clients include Brighton & Hove Albion, the Gordon Ramsey Group, Paul UK, USwitch,

We are passionate about delivering the best quality products, at the best prices and with a range of ordering options.

As a B2B business, we understand the complexities of the business to business market and have worked hard to ensure we meet exacting demands of buyers.

With more and more businesses becoming more eco friendly, can you tell us about your eco range?

Why this is important to you at Oasis Empire?

Of course, our eco range doesn’t just help businesses to reduce their impact on the environment. It also offers our clients exceptional promotional merchandise. Our range includes everything a business needs for effective marketing - from branded stationery, pens and bags to technology, drinkware, technology and umbrellas.

What does the future hold for Oasis Empire?

Much like most businesses, our future plans have been put on hold due to Brexit. I think it will be business as usual or I hope! Not long to wait now....

We are at 11 employees now, Our growth over the last ten years or so has been steady, At roughly £2 million, we are ideally placed to bring some others and keep growing. Ask me again in six months and I might have some more news for you!!

Find out more about Oasis Empire and discover how you can streamline orders for all your business needs and source exceptional products and services. As well as offer a wide range of services, Oasis Empire prides itself on delivering exception customer care at every stage of the buying journey.

Website: www.oasisempire.co.uk Email: enquiries@oasisempire.co.uk Telephone: 01903 228 875 Follow Oasis Empire on Twitter @OasisEmpire

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 21

Nicholas James Sales & Lettings Property

For many people, the thought of moving home, albeit exciting can be a daunting prospect.

Our advice is to have good people in your corner! In most cases good friends or family members will be part of your advisory team, however a good local mortgage advisor and of course estate agent are crucial.

Not only in securing a buyer for the highest price possible but advising on how to negotiate on your purchase and helping to make big decisions along the way.

Here are just some of our top tips to add value to your home and to set your property apart from the competition.

1. Spare Room. Think about your target audience and present the room in such a way to appeal to your most likely buyer.

Guest bedroom? Office? Play Room?

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2. Curb Appeal. First impressions are crucial. You want your buyers feeling positive as they walk through the front, almost willing the property to be right for them. Spend some time tidying the front garden and adding a fresh coat of paint to the front door.

3. Communal Hallways. If you live in a top floor apartment, we do not suggest redecorating the entire hallway at your own expense. However, ensuring the entrance hall is clean and tidy is important and why not add a picture frame, plants and welcome mat. Similar to curb appeal, a sale can be either won or lost before opening the front door.

4. Mirrors. You do not have to spend a fortune to increase value. Carefully positioned mirrors to reflect light and create a sense of space can make a real difference.

5. Kitchen. Widely considered the most important room in the property. If you decide to spend some money, the

kitchen is likely to be the room to invest in. If the room allows, adding a seating area is advisable.

Of course every property is different and we take pride in advising each client about how to increase the value of their home prior to marketing. We wish you the best of luck if you are looking to move in 2019 and we hope to hear from you soon. Â

Contact Nicholas James Sales & Lettings on 01273 917915 or email hello@nicholasjamesproperty.co.uk www.nicholasjamesproperty.co.uk

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www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 23

Whitespace a year of success Celebrating your first anniversary is always special and for Brighton-based creative agency Whitespace it’s an opportunity to look back on a year of remarkable success.

The company, founded by three Cover passionate creatives who have an Feature interesting backstory, specialises in design, web and marketing – helping brands, businesses and individuals achieve their goals.

We asked founding directors Milly Stone, James Morrison and Steve Elford to share one case study from each of their four key sectors: education, publishing, professional services and recruitment.

Already it has marked itself out as one to watch in Sussex’s highly-prized creative market, working with some big-name clients to transform the look and feel of their websites and branding.

But the story behind the business, and the hurdles its founders have had to overcome, will resonate with many local entrepreneurs, too...

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The results, printed on the following pages, are spectacular.

So, how did you all meet and what prompted you to start the business?

“We worked together as heads of department in the same company before forming Whitespace. Steve and James also previously worked for years on web and app projects, while Milly was James’ client collaborating on various successful design and marketing projects.

“All of us share the same core values, creative approach and a love of good

Steve Elford, Milly Stone and James Morrison

design. We each have our individual specialisms and strengths. We recognised we could build something together that we could be proud of and haven’t looked back!

“We were thrown together initially after cutbacks at our previous company, but we have always worked well together so it didn’t take much to make the decision to start this new venture.”

One year in, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about starting a new business and making it work?

“Learning to be disciplined with our working hours and establishing a work life balance which would be sustainable rather than lead to inevitable burn out.

We plan to be around for a long time and so it’s important to understand the need to form a solid foundation for the future.

“Also, to be realistic in our pricing and our timescales. It’s very easy to agree to everything for fear of disappointing

clients, but it’s worse to let them down or to work through the night to meet an unrealistic deadline.”

What’s been the biggest high for you so far?

“Winning the OX Magazine contract.

That project shifted us into another gear mentally and gave us the confidence we needed in our abilities and approach.

Especially as we had won a pitch for a client in Oxford despite being up against an Oxford-based agency! It was a real compliment to be chosen for the quality of our work over the convenience of a local company.”

Conversely, what has been the biggest low you have experienced?

“It was January 2018. We had just started out, so nerves were running high and each of us was working remotely on laptops. That meant co-ordination and planning were a much greater challenge. Our calendar was full of meetings, so we were constantly on the move whilst working, taking calls and

replying to emails.

“Behind the scenes we were also setting up all the necessary procedures and infrastructure of our business - oh and trying to design and launch our own website too!

“Going two months without pay at the start of the year isn’t easy, either. We hit the ground running with existing clients but had zero capital to start up.

“Things have gone well but you always want to exceed expectations with your design work and strive for the best creative result possible.”

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Collaborator Simon Armstrong from Ticktockrobot with the Whitespace team

Having survived 2018 and done so well, what is your goal for 2019?

“First of all we want to take on another developer. But, also, to continue to improve our service and build on the success of our first year.

“Things have gone well but you always want to exceed expectations with your design work and strive for the best creative result possible.

“The plan is to enter some industry awards, too, and to launch version 2 of our CMS. This has been a pet project for years. We have 30 or 40 sites running on it now. The bulk of the underlying code is being re-written and we’re giving it a major facelift.”

What’s the best bit of advice you could give to a new business start-up?

“Understand the value of your offering and don’t undersell yourself, that’s a lesson we certainly learned quickly.

“Good communication with colleagues and clients is key. Have a plan. Have your business mechanics in place before you start if possible.

“Understand, too, that decisions and processes put in place in the early stages will form the foundations of your business so it’s important to set things up carefully and make sure they are sustainable going forward.

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“On top of that, stay positive and beware of imposter syndrome. It’s easy to convince yourself that you’re not up to scratch - you are!”

What would you say most surprised you in the first year of operation?

“How difficult the three of us working remotely from each other would be. And then, just how busy we got! Our main fear was not earning enough to pay ourselves, but the biggest challenge turned out to be getting through all the work!”

What was the best decision the business has made so far?

“Sitting in the Jolly Butchers pub for a pint and making the decision to move into the Foundry Street office. We could have easily worked from home, but it soon became evident that we needed to spend more time under the same roof.

It has set us up well for 2019 and helps us work seamlessly with friends and collaborators.”

PUBLISHING OX Magazine

The task: To transform the website of OX Magazine, a luxury lifestyle magazine for Oxfordshire, so that it matched and reflected the beautiful lay-out and design of its print publication.

The brief: OX Magazine wanted its website to be responsive and

searchable to provide a better user experience, incorporating social feeds.

And, of course, it needed to look great.

How Whitespace found a solution: Having designed several magazines, we understood the challenges of translating print articles into web articles. We knew the backend needed to be just as well considered and easy to use as the front.

So, we designed and developed a bespoke ‘Quick publishing’ engine into the CMS. This broke down the article upload procedure into six easy steps and offered a range of templates which could be chosen to suit the content. It also offered auto image scaling to save time as well as drag-and-drop content upload modules.

End Product: Article-driven.

Fully-searchable. A digital version of the magazine rather than traditional page turn PDFs. Responsive layout, optimised for mobile experience. A full-screen homepage slideshow banner was introduced to showcase cover stories. Context-aware imagery (images which trigger at certain points of the content) were introduced.

“As a digital publisher, it is extremely important to showcase our great content on a functional, engaging and ground-breaking system such as the CMS built by Whitespace. We are extremely proud and happy with our new site” Robert Forisky - Digital Media Manager Fyne Associates Ltd

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Mayo Wynne Baxter

The task: To work with a large firm of solicitors to simplify its website, improve mobile experience and maximise SEO. The brief: A better mobile experience for the firm’s website to accommodate modern smart phones. Searchable with a fresh design and a new facility for online payment.

How Whitespace found a solution: Utilising clean and uncluttered design, and reducing unnecessary page banners and decoration, we were able to simplify the navigation structure.

Clear call-to-action points were added on every page. A fixed header ensures that top navigation and contact options are always visible. A full-screen looping video banner, displaying sweeping drone footage of the south coast was introduced to catch the eye and emphasise geographical area covered.

A centralised site-wide search smart search on the homepage encourages users to engage and move easily around the site.

End Product: A strong emphasis on simplified navigation and streamlined content with a powerful site-wide search facility. The user interface is built on top of a series of well-thought-out wireframes to ensure a seamless user experience.

“The team at Whitespace are great to work with. We are really pleased with our new site, the navigation and look is just what we wanted and as a result enquiries are up! Everything we asked for they could do and it was really helpful to have their expertise on things that we didn’t even know we needed. We enjoy working with Whitespace and would recommend them to anyone.”

Lorna Gietzen -Marketing Executive

RECRUITMENT Future Resume

The task: Innovative new business Future Resume is an in-depth vocational tool which looks at where a candidate’s potential lies and what their talents are – making CVs a thing of the past. Having been commissioned

right at the early branding stage of this web project, the challenge was to take creative control of brand development through to site launch.

The brief: Logo. Brand. Website with a payment system. User sign up and login system. User Dashboard How Whitespace found a solution: Being involved from the very beginning allowed us the freedom to utilise our full range of services and to control the creative direction from start to launch.

Strong copywriting, unique visuals and a clean user interface were key. Vibrant orange and blue colour palettes were used to express optimism, trust and friendliness. We were particularly proud of the animated explainer video which provided a more distinct, personal feel and helped frame the brand.

End Product: The end result is a cohesive brand incorporated into a stunning web build and supported with a creative explainer animation courtesy of our talented partner ticktockrobot.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 27

“We shortlisted three companies and chose Whitespace as Steve and James shared our values & vision. The design & build exceeded our expectations. I would have no hesitation in recommending them.

We couldn’t have chosen a better company to evolve our thinking into a truly great site. Thanks guys for all your help.”

Tim Richards - CEO Future Resume

EDUCATION

Brighton University/Clean Growth The task: Clean Growth UK will be a partnership with Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Portsmouth with a mission to help businesses transform innovative ideas to tackle climate change into commercialised products and services.

A chance for creative design to help set the tone for the partnership and attract investors.

The brief: Logo. Brand development.

Website with user sign up.

How Whitespace found a solution: The first step was to design a logo that would stand out. The logomark which replaces the letter ‘w’ in the world growth symbolises a successful

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business profit/success line, while the partnership’s core usp’s are also represented. The overall shape has an organic curve to represent green credentials. Colours were very important as they had a huge impact on the final tone the logo projected.

End Product: A logo and brand pack to be proud of and a website currently in development.

“Working with James and Steve has been a pleasure. Their work has been of a very high standard and they interpreted our brief for a new website build really well.

They’ve advised and guided us, but also included us in the design process and we’re very happy with the results. Communication with the team has been great too - vital when you’re in the thick of a project!”

Robb Cunningham - Project and Communications manager

Contact us hello@whitespace.studio 01273 01273 258000 www.whitespace.studio

Milly Stone

Managing Director - Co-founder Background: With more than 14 years of business management experience, focusing primarily on business marketing, Milly has a wealth of knowledge in both b2b and b2c.

Something you didn’t know about her: Milly is a qualified make-up artist!

James Morrison

Creative Director - Co-founder Background: James has worked in the design industry for over 20 years, with experience of a wide range of projects.

For the last 10 years he has been heavily involved in web design.

Something you didn’t know about him: James is a black-belt in judo!

Steve Elford

Director of Web Development Co-founder Background: Steve built his first website in 1999 out of necessity and has not stopped since. He built the Traffic CMS from the ground up and is currently developing Whitespace’s own CRM and project management system.

Something you didn’t know about him: Steve started off as an illustrator!

SNAPITNOW Stephen D Lawrence Photography Corporate Photos • Company Portraits • Conferences

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www.snapitnow.co.uk stephen.lawrence@snapitnow.co.uk 07976 504 832 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 29

Cover Feature

Partnership supports Gatwick growth but urges ‘vital’ economic contribution Business

There is support for Gatwick Airport expansion proposals but there is a catch.

The Coastal West Sussex Partnership is the latest local organisation to announce its backing for Gatwick Airport’s masterplan. Despite this support, the partnership has called for a greater contribution from Gatwick Airport to the local economy.

The partnership, which brings together senior figures from the public and private sector to collaborate on economic issues, has long supported the airport’s ambitions.

In 2015, it gave its support to Gatwick Airport’s proposals to develop a second runway at the airport, citing the economic and employment benefits that expansion would bring to the area.

However, board members agreed that the airport – the second largest in

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the UK – could take further action to support the coastal economy.

Infrastructure, skills, business development and the visitor economy topped the list of board member’s concerns. Four years on, the partnership’s position remains clear.

Coastal West Sussex Partnership Chairman Henry Powell, said: “We support the plan, but it is vital that Gatwick significantly contributes to road and rail infrastructure and invests in recruiting and training the next generation of staff from coastal areas in West Sussex.”

“Investment and improvements in infrastructure are needed to support expansion and increased traffic flow to the airport. We would like to see Gatwick Airport championing action on roads such as the A24 and A27. We would also like to see the much-needed work on the airport’s railway station completed.

“Residents of the coastal West Sussex region could stand to benefit from employment opportunities at Gatwick Airport – but an innovative approach to reducing travel-to-work costs and time should be taken into account.”

“Strengthening supply chains with local businesses is relevant with or without expansion.

“We also urge Gatwick Airport to use local labour, to forge stronger links with local colleges and to look outside the Gatwick Diamond area to the coastal towns on its doorstep.”

Gatwick Airport’s masterplan has received a flurry of support from businesses and organisations in Sussex in the run-up to the close of its public consultation at 5pm on Thursday 10 January. The plan outlines the airport’s growth across three scenarios involving the uses of its runways.

For more information, please visit https://coastalwestsussex.org.uk.

SBT TRAVEL

WINTER BLUES?

HELP YOUR STAFF BEAT THE WINTER BLUES

TOP HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS 5 TO TRY IN 2019

SBT TRAVEL SPONSORED BY BRIGHTON TRAVEL EXPERTS RED7

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 31

How to beat the Winter Blues

How can you help your staff beat the Winter Blues? Simple, says Ian Lucas.

The founder of Brighton travel experts Red7 suggests... Book them a holiday!

Nothing beats a really great holiday, does it? Think about the Travel last time you had a really fantastic trip.

That incredible hotel overlooking a soft sandy beach, the fabulous Greek island villa where you BBQ-ed by the pool; nights spent sampling local specialities in tiny tavernas and dancing on tables in bars and where the days were spent relaxing by an infinity pool enjoying an ice cold beer.

Not so great, then, is the long grey Great British winter, where staff morale unsurprisingly - hits rock bottom. Cold mornings, dark evenings, Norovirus,

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colds and flu and months before there’s a warm ray of sunshine in sight. You’d think we’d be desperate to book our next great escape but consider this: a third of Brits didn’t use all their annual leave in according to 2017 research by British Airways, and 16 per cent said they didn’t because they felt guilty.

It’s time to ditch that guilt. Because at Red7, it’s always holiday season.

We’ve spent 32 years perfecting creative, inspired and hassle-free group travel and events and, trust me, at our North Laine HQ we can always feel the sun on the back of our necks.

Whether we’re arranging a mini-break to Marbella for a fabulous Hen or Stag do or Big Birthday, orchestrating a

small company’s horizon-broadening week away to Dubai, arranging a teambuilding weekend in the Italian Alps or planning special incentive travel to reward high performing staff, we know the power and magic of a great big (or little) trip.

Whether you’re in the Manchester or Miami, the cliché is true. Travel broadens the mind, gladdens the soul and offers new perspectives on business and life. Spending on great global experiences is so much more rewarding than any material thing you can buy. Travel, whether it’s for business, pleasure or a mixture of both (some call it ‘Bleisure’), is simply life affirming. So grab your passport, pick a

Travel

place and book those tickets. Here are some travel-inspired tips to help boost your staff morale through the dreary winter months.

Amazing Away Days We’re all spending longer and longer at the office: in fact Britons have the longest working week in Europe and the boundaries between work and play are ever more blurred. As a business owner, use this to your advantage: you know your team is everything to your business, so make your team-building terrific. Ditch that dull ‘Away Day’ building bridges made out of spaghetti in a windowless conference room; instead, take your team to a fabulous villa in Ibiza or Marbella and strategize in the sun. It might sound like a more expensive option, but booked well in advance you’ll get the best deals and choice on both flights and group accommodation. After a few days away in a refreshing new destination, your team will return completely motivated and ready to go.

There are so many fantastic destinations to try and the Red7 product team works long and hard finding the best new spots for teams to enjoy. For a wellness-oriented group

getaway, head for fantastic Obonjan Island off the western coast of Croatia where you can do yoga from sunrise to sundown, listen to inspiring lectures and accomodation is in luxury bell tents. Or head out further to Dubai - the ultimate in modern cities. Here, the hotels are huge, eating and entertainment possibilities endless and where the temperature has only two settings: hot and hotter. You might even consider New York: planned in good time, you can easily do the Big Apple in a long weekend.

Offer Incentive Travel Every wise company owner knows that keeping your staff vibe high will result in business growth. At Red7 we know this is true, and we practice what we preach using ‘Incentive’ or ‘Reward Travel’ to send high-performing and long-serving staff members away on fabulous trips. Last year, we sent my Personal Assistant Sadie Ball to holiday on Sri Lanka’s coastal paradise, Bentota and Sales Manager Viki Baines had a fantastic two week holiday to Ocho Rios, Jamaica - both rewards for their hard work, loyalty and dedication. In 2017, to celebrate the Red7 brand turning 21 I took the entire 42 strong staff out to Marbella for an

all-expenses-paid holiday, where we celebrated for three days. The staff loved every moment with the media reporting that I was “Britain’s Best Boss.”

Help Staff Save for Holidays Over 30 percent of workers say perks and benefits are at the top of their list when considering accepting a new job and these days, competition to retain good staff is tough. So if you’re an SME and you want to offer your employees an extra special perk in their package, then consider setting up a Red7 Staff Holiday and Travel Club . Our new subscription scheme for SMEs allows staff to save towards their holidays whilst they are employed by you, additionally accruing a 5 percent bonus. So if a staff member sets up a subscription to save £200 a month, they’ll actually receive £231 to spend and we’ll organise their holiday for them, hassle free. Red7 offers holidays to suit all budgets from great value to super luxe and our service is the best around. With busy and stressful lives, we owe it to ourselves to have some proper down time. In my mind, we should always make it our job to make time for a holiday.

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Hot Destinations 5 to try in 2019

Liverpool

Barcelona

Albufeira, Portugal

Fashionable and trendy, this buzzing north-west hub has come a long way since the Beatles were formed here in 1960. With fabulous shopping, the city boasts a raft of great luxe apartments perfect for group accommodation and hotels including the opulent 30 St James Street - a Titanic themed hotel in what was once White Star Line’s headquarters. With a rocking nightlife, great restaurants and plenty of teambuilding activities to try (including Range Rover off-roading) the city is also deceptively close - only a 2 hr 30 train ride from London.

Cosmopolitan and cool, Barcelona, on Spain’s Catalan coast, is almost the perfect city, with culture, history, sports and a stunning nightlife in equal measure. Explore the city’s Gothic architecture, shop til you drop, chill out at the ultra luxe Purobeach club and hotel and enjoy stunning views of the Barcelona skyline. As well as fantastic beaches and watersports there’s plenty here for sports’ lovers too: try a tour of the home of FC Barcelona or go racing at the Circuit de BarcelonaCatalunya.

With fantastic weather and all-yearround sun, this lively Portuguese resort often offers great value for group trips making it perfect for a budget conscious sunshine break. Alongside the cobbled streets of its picturesque old town, Albufeira’s famous strip buzzes with bars and clubs when the sun goes down. During the day there are great golf courses to play and golden beaches and watersports to enjoy as well as watersports from Jet skiing to Big Game fishing to one of the Algarve’s biggest and best waterparks.

Split and Hvar, Croatia

Marbella

Ibiza

If it’s good enough for the cast of Made in Chelsea, it’s good enough for us. The Dalmatian coast is fast become the new French Riviera and Hvar - a tranquil island with crystal clear waters, fantastic beaches and lavender-covered hills is Croatia’s answer to St Tropez with glamourous hotels, bars and restaurants and yachts bobbing on its azure blue sea.

With its golden beaches, VIP beach clubs and all-year round sun, Marbella is Spain at its most glamourous. The Champagne and fun flows freely, but Marbella is so much more - sitting at a crossroads between old and new Spain.

Life is just better in Ibiza, as any traveller to this stunning island knows and it’s not all about clubbing cliche here anymore (although there are plenty of clubbing to be enjoyed!). With yoga retreats set among its pine-clad hills, VIP beach clubs, and watersports to enjoy on its sparkling clear blue waters, this island boasts some of the best sandy coves around.

Split, on mainland Dalmatia is a city with an easy-going small town vibe and a Mediterranean ambiance.

Although becoming increasingly trendy, prices here are still great value. Don’t miss the ancient Roman fortress and Emperor’s palace that sits alongside a modern palm-edged waterfront and stunning beaches. The seafood, is obviously, not to be missed.

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The whitewashed houses and pretty cobbled streets of its Old Town contrast with the blingy Puerto Banus and nearby Malaga is fast becoming a foodie heaven.

Add in the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop, some of the best clubs in Europe and one of the world’s best microclimates you’ll soon fall in love with Life on Marbs.

For more travel inspiration head to www.redsevenleisure.co.uk Talk to our Travel Experts on 01273 872200 / Follow us on Facebook @redsevenleisure Instagram @red7leisure Twitter @red7leisure

SBT LIFESTYLE

WINE OF THE MONTH

SPONSORED BY LEVELS BOTTLE SHOP

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

COURTESY OF CHEF KANTHI

HISTORY

PETWORTH HOUSE

HEALTH

LEWIS HATCHETT THE SPORT YOGI

RESTAURANT REVIEW THE CLEVELAND ARMS

HOTEL REVIEW

DRAKES HOTEL

SPONSORED BY LEVELS WINE SHOP AND TASTING ROOMS EASTBOURNE’S PREMIER WINE SHOP AND TASTING ROOM. WE HAVE A UNIQUE AND VARIED RANGE OF WINES, BEER AND SPIRITS FROM ACROSS THE UK AND THE WORLD www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 35

WINE OF THE MONTH Sponsored by Levels Bottle Shop We are Levels Bottle shop, Eastbourne’s premier wine shop and tasting room.

White Wine Domaine Botti, Saint-Veran, 2016, Burgundy, France £17.50 Simply put, pound for pound, this might be the best white Burgundy we’ve ever come across. Domaine Botti have owned these vines for over 80 years allowing them to make wine with great concentration and flavour at a great price. Beautifully balanced acidity and structure, with all the elegance and complexity you expect from the famous Burgundian vineyards. Wonderfully smooth with flavours of pear and white peach.

Red Wine Angulo Innocenti, Nonni Malbec 2016, Mendoza, Argentina £14.00 There is a reason why Argentine Malbec is one of the most talked about wines of the moment; and it lies within this bottle. Full bodied, smooth, packed with ripe dark fruit and a touch of toasty oak. This wine is named after the greatgrandfathers of the family at Angulo Innocenti but there is nothing old fashioned about the wine! Equally great with a juicy piece of steak or a night in front of the fire!

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We’re located on Compton Street, behind the Grand Hotel.

We invite you to come along and use our state-of-the-art wine tasting machine where you’ll be able to sample some of the world’s finest wines, for a fraction of the price. We have a unique and varied range of wines, beer and spirits from across the UK and the world alongside great, locally roasted coffee.

We serve platters of cheese and charcuterie to accompany the wines with a menu that changes weekly.

Recipe of the Month

KERALAN PACCHA MACKEREL with Mango and Chilli Salsa I chose to share this recipe because the first time I tried it was on my chef-led tours to Kerala and I was completely amazed by the quite unusual combination of fresh herbs like mint and coriander, spices and fish.

It worked really well. So, every time I make this fish or share the recipe it takes me back to my Spice Circuit tour memories in Kerala.

This is a very easy, quick and healthy dish to prepare at home with very few ingredients.

Serves - 4 .............................................................

Spice level - 1 .............................................................

Difficulty level - Easy

Ingredients

Mango Chilli Salsa

Whole Mackerel - 4 (125gm each) Fresh Coriander - 1 bunch Fresh Mint leaves - 1 bunch Ginger - 50gm Garlic - 6 cloves Green Chillies - 4 Salt - to taste Lime Juice - 50ml Coconut Oil - 50ml

Ripe Mango - chop 1/2 of it into small dices and add 2tbsp of mango puree if mango is not ripe enough.

Method Clean, cut and score each side of the mackerel about 4 times. Blend all the ingredients above into a thick paste and rub it into the fish on both sides. Bake them in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees for 6 minutes. Serve with mango chilli salsa spooned over it and some fresh coriander as garnish.

Shallots - 50gm - chopped Red Chilli - 1- Fine chop Coriander Leaves - 2 stalks - chop Salt - to taste

Chop all the ingredients and add to the mango pulp. Spoon it over mackerel or serve it on side.

This month’s recipe is brought to you by Kanthi Kiran Thamma, Head chef of Easy Tiger and The Spice Circuit

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Interview

The Potting Room Sanderson

Gatsby Albany Opulence

Salvia DESIGNERS GUILD

Blue’s Blue PAINT LIBRARY

Fable Linwood

Mister David LITTLE GREENE

GREAT CHOICE, BR ANDS & ALWAYS GREAT SERVICE & ADVICE

Just visit brewers.co.uk to find your local store 38FOR www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk FURNITURE & GORGEOUS 38 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

ACCESSORIES BREWERSHOME.CO.UK

Potty for Petworth House

There are many reasons that I’m proud to call West Sussex home, but being close to Petworth House is definitely near the top. This National Trust attraction has something for everyone, truly.

With almost 1,000 years of history (and one family History owner – the Percys), more than a day is needed to fully enjoy Petworth House. From the tranquil deer park to a historically vital art collection, there is more than enough to keep the whole family entertained.

The grounds represent one of “Capability” Brown’s masterpiece landscapes, where (in the 18th Century) he created a truly stunning, and quintessentially British, roaming garden to explore. Over 700 fallow deer now live here, which adds a beautifully relaxing aspect to this already stunning walk. It’s not hard to see why Turner was so inspired. The landscape gives the impression of naturality, where in fact nothing could be further from the truth as an initial formal garden was stripped away to create a lake framed by signature Brown hills.

Once at the house, there are two buildings to explore, the beautiful house and a smaller, stand-alone servants’ quarters. The 17th Century building contains stunning state rooms which house over 300 paintings. Here you can enjoy signature works from Van Dyck, Turner, Reynolds and Gainsborough.

One of my favourite pieces is a globe that dates to the reign of Elizabeth I. I like to imagine the most successful monarch of our history peering at the globe, sending Raleigh off to the New World.

In contrast to this, the servants’ quarters offer an atmospheric insight into life for the less fortunate. I would recommend visiting this part after the grandeur of the house as the stark combination is made even more apparent. This building would have accommodated 40 live-in servants and they certainly wouldn’t have had time to enjoy the extensive art collection.

The kitchen was built slightly after the quarters, but again, it is an integral part to any visit. It is very easy to imagine

yourself a servant, busying yourself with the families requests in the beautifully restored kitchen. According to the tour guide, this kitchen produced 100 meals a day in peak entertaining. That’s a lot of cooking.

So, a classic Capability Brown landscape, an artwork collection comprising some of Europe’s most important artists and a lovingly restored servants’ quarters that give an insight into life in the 19th century all in one location. We’re a lucky bunch.

By James Dempster - Cobb Digital

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Lewis Hatchett The Sport Yogi

New online platform is here!

So this month’s article I will be a little self-indulgent Health and use this time to announce the exciting news of the launch of my new online platform. But before you turn the page in fear of yet another business promoting its services, you may want to sit tight and hear how my platform can help improve the physical and mental health of both you and your employees.

It is well-known that the workplace is a stressful place for our health, combined with all the micro stress doses we get from our technological devices,

environment, food and more. All These factors combined mean we are living in a highly stressed world. Recent studies have shown that 44% of work-related illness was due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety and accounts for 57% of work days lost.

Businesses are now going to have to come to terms with the fact that this must be addressed and companies such as Apple and Google are setting a high bar catering to the health and wellbeing of their employees in this new age of business. Most businesses are taking action in their own way to help reduce the amount of sick days that are surmounting within the world. With the statistics that I have just mentioned, a simpler way of viewing it; more sick days = less productivity in business = less results. So my question would be, what are you doing within your business to promote wellbeing?

Stress doesn’t necessarily manifest itself in the psychological. Stress can cause tension in our bodies which in

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turn can lead to tension in the mind. The majority of people would rather move their bodies than be told to sit, breath and meditate for 10 minutes.

I believe we are talking a lot about mental health and raising its awareness which I think is great. However, talking about it and not putting into place a plan or practical solution is like breaking a leg and discussing it in hope of it healing.

When we think about living a healthy lifestyle, we give practical solutions such as exercising and eating in order to improve our physical health. But what about practical solutions for combatting psychological stress at the same time?

One well-known solution to stress is yoga and I took up yoga as an athlete, but when I saw what the results were doing for me, I later trained as a yoga teacher adding to my personal training qualification and professional sport background. I started yoga by wanting physical benefits but soon discovered

Health the mental benefits as I became aware of how much tension I was holding in my body.

“Using my professional sport background combined with yoga principles as a yoga teacher I have created a platform designed to help you improve your physical and psychological health” Because I didn’t want to join a yoga class, I chose to do it at home online. But when I researched online classes they were more about ‘setting intentions’ and ‘opening the heart’, which I wasn’t that into. I wanted practical solutions, removing the fluffy side of yoga, that I could do in my own time or add into my exercise regime, which I found was limited!

Therefore, using my professional sport background combined with yoga principles as a yoga teacher I have created a platform, www.thesportyogi. com, designed to help you improve your physical and psychological health.

By making simple to follow videos to improve flexibility, strength and focus as well as reducing stress, injury and pain.

For less than the price of a single yoga class per month, users are able to log on to a variety of classes ranging in lengths that target the areas of the body that you want to work on with new videos being added regularly. As well as physical classes there are simple to follow breathing techniques and meditations to give practical uses for everyday life.

How this platform will work for you and your business.

Why not look after the health and wellbeing of your employees? You don’t have to have the space to organise physical classes or workshops. You

don’t have to put it into the working day. Your employees don’t have to do it while at their places of work.

Using my platform, users will be able to access classes in their own time and in your own place. Allowing employees to get home and watch a class designed to leave more flexible, stronger or relaxed before they’ve even put the dinner on or even after they’ve tucked the kids in.

I’ll be offering readers of the Sussex Business Times the chance to receive a discount of 30% by using ‘SBT30’ at the checkout.

A more bespoke pricing package is available for businesses to implement as a part of their health and wellbeing program. Please contact hello@ thesportyogi.com for further details

This section is SBT’s way of looking after the businesses of Sussex.

To help promote healthier workplaces across the county.

Meditation of the month

Nutritional advice

Stretch of the month

WALKING MEDITATION

DARK CHOCOLATE

RECLINED HAMSTRING STRETCH

Sometimes we think meditation has to be standing or sitting still, but this isn’t true. Next time you are out walking whether it’s in a busy town or even out in the countryside. Take a moment to feel your feet in your shoes or the connection of your foot to the ground.

Notice the force going from the heel to toe and then onto the next foot. Do this for as long as you can. If your mind begins to wander then acknowledge it and begin the process again.

Yes that’s right, Chocolate. But before you dive into the chocolate isle. Dark Chocolate to be specific (ideally 85% and above) has been shown to have high levels of antioxidants and a great brain food. Note that this is not an excuse to eat an entire bar! Just a couple of squares is all!

Hook a strap/ towel or t-shirt around the base of your foot. Lying on your back extend the leg with the strap overhead, hold onto the strap gently rather than pulling the strap in hard.

Hold the stretch for 1 minute or more before switching to the other side.

Bend the knee if needed.

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Restaurant Review:

The Cleveland Arms Our restaurant review this month Lunch has concentrated on what we all crave Review in these winter month’s – long, easy Sunday lunches with family and friends. With a slight to change to this months working lunch feature and realising the importance of down time and quality family time, we decided to go to The Cleveland Arms, it being recently refurbished and boasting an open fire and a sumptuous selection of food and wine. Overlooking Blakers Park in the Preston Park area of Brighton, the pub is impressive on arrival with a gorgeous fresh grey and white painted exterior which adds a touch of contemporary to the traditional pub image. Set in the heart of the residential community in fiveways, the Clevland Arms had a real sense of community appeal.

With four in our party, two adults and

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two children, we booked in advance and spent a bit of time with the children in the conveniently placed Blaker’s Park opposite the pub to work up an appetite for our Sunday lunch. On entering the pub, the circular layout feels wide and airy. The new landlords have made the effort to ensure that every type of customer is catered for.

There are small little romantic tables for couples, large areas for groups and a toy corner which allows the children somewhere to explore safely. There is a large open fire which is most welcome in the winter months, and the restaurant area is towards the back around the bar in a bright, warm conservatory.

The landlords clearly demonstrate a penchant for attention to detail, coat hooks surround the outside walls and bar, and the fresh flowers on every table left a feeling of a cared for, safe environment. A large screen on the wall near the bar no doubt allows for live screen events, and the pub hosts quiz nights, live music, and charity events

regularly. They even clear the decks for some yoga mornings which is an innovative idea and really suits this bright, friendly pub.

“The new landlords have made the effort to ensure that every type of customer is catered for.”

We were seated quickly and the laid back, friendly landlord Jamie talked us through the options for drinks.

The pub has a fantastically wide selection of Sussex beers and wines and competes easily with the central Brighton pubs for choice. The food menu is impressive and I daresay caters for everyone. We chose a selection of small dishes to share for starters and were not disappointed. My personal favourite was the sweet and spicy bbq glazed pork ribs with toasted sesame seeds, which were mouth-watering and moreish, perfectly cooked and served

seasonal vegetables. It is hard to recollect another pub in Brighton who gets Sunday lunch so spot on. The children were more than satisfied with their food which is an accolade in itself.

We struggled on to share a dessert of sticky toffee pudding with rum and raisin ice cream which was absolutely delicious and tasted home-made. Our only regret was not ordering one each!

hot. The roasted tomato and pancetta king prawns with warm bread, and then orange and thyme roasted warm beetroot salad with goat’s cheese mousse made for a perfect starter to our meal. A rich red wine was chosen to go with our main course which encompassed roasts all round. The

beef and lamb roasts we chose could not have been more welcome on the cold sunny day. The meat was cooked perfectly which is hard to get right, but the chef most certainly nailed it for us. The portions were perfect sizes, with fat, light Yorkshire puddings and potatoes, all served with a delicious

The pub has been renovated recently following a change of landlords and we as a group would thoroughly recommend it. Close enough to Preston Park but also directly opposite Blaker’s Park, it makes for a perfect destination family venue. Certainly the food and drink are immense. The friendly staff and owners are a welcome addition to the area and I hope remain for some time.

We will most certainly be returning as soon as we can.

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Hotel Review: Drakes Hotel In so far as Boutique hotels go in Brighton, Hotel Drakes Hotel is definitely up top Review with one of the best reputations in the area. I was delighted to be invited to complete a review with them on behalf of our readers, with a brief to seek out whether this hotel would also be a suitable venue for business meetings or events, rather than the indulgent weekends away apparently enjoyed there by many.

The hotel itself is in a fantastic location, right on the seafront and in the heart of Kemptown, perfect for appointments in town but also to relax on the way back with a beach walk. Set in two Georgian town houses, the hotel is impressive in its form, and its décor is opulent and elegant, encouraging a real homely feel with a touch of extravagance.

I was taken aback immediately with the friendliness of the staff upon entry, who made me feel comfortable and immediately at ease. The service

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of all of the staff, I later learned, is impeccable, so I should not have been surprised to experience the modest knack of the bar staff in starting an easy going chat, yet knowing when to silently retreat to let me get on with some work. This is a true skill which, in my travels, not all service staff quite grasp. I enjoyed a drink in the quiet bar and made a mental note to return when I needed an hour to write in a warm, hassle free environment.

I was shown to my room, which sadly, was not a sea view room, but I cannot say I was too disappointed as it was simply divine. From the colours to the bed linen, the bathroom to the toiletries, there was clear thought allocated to their clients’ every whim. I was welcomed with some chocolates and then a name-dropping list of all who had stayed there. From Kylie to Cate Blanchett, and various other big names, their tastes are faultless and it certainly helps with the overall atmosphere of being treated to lavishness. The rooms are available to look at online, but feature all the

usual modern expectations such as Wi-Fi and a clear, fuss free desk to sit down and work. The sumptuous bed linen and velvet prints were tempting to dive into straightaway but I decided to stick to the work in hand and check out the deep bath before dinner. White Company toiletries are packaged in a personal take-home bag, a lovely touch, and the bathroom itself was clean and bright.

“The food here makes it a destination venue and distinguishes it from other local boutique hotels.”

The true appeal of this hotel may well lie in the perfection of the downstairs restaurant. It is absolutely no wonder that Chef Andy has managed to secure the place of the Drakes Restaurant in the Good Food Guide 2019 for the 10th consecutive year. The food here makes it a destination venue and distinguishes it from other local boutique hotels. Again dining alone, I was made to feel immediately welcome

rich red made the entire experience mouth-wateringly tasty and I will most certainly be returning. Following a cosy, comfortable night’s sleep in the huge bed, the breakfast was more of the same. It felt like a micro-holiday rather than a working break as the breakfast was again delicious in the bright, airy restaurant, with fresh flowers and excellent coffee.

“Facing the sea, it is a most perfect venue for a small meeting in a luxury, but not mouth wateringly expensive business room.” and relaxed by my charming waiter Mark. If you could teach an ability to make people feel at home, they should conduct training at Drakes because without single exception all of the staff have that talent. I watched as Mark greeted guest after guest individually, respectfully but with an adeptness to conduct the “business,” taking orders and making recommendations etc, without it feeling like the transaction it truly is. Quite remarkable.

The food was immense. Simple touches such as making sure the butter was the precise temperature, leaving me to eat without interruption and ensuring I always had a full glass were very welcome. There is always a hesitation in making professional recommendations of restaurants as it perhaps a feeling, but I sense we can

be slightly judged if our colleagues do not have the same experience.

However, I would not hesitate in bringing business colleagues here. In fact it would be a pleasure to take them as I am confident that I would be congratulated on such a marvellous recommendation!

I had the scallops with pea and mint puree and pancetta crisps to start and they were fresh and cooked to perfection. The flavours did everything you would want in a starter, leaving me hungry for more. I chose the beef fillet for the main course and again this was perfectly cooked to order.

The wasabi mash was unusually delicious, and the seasonal vegetables and chateaubriand sauce made for an overwhelmingly delicious meal.

Mark’s recommendation for a Chilean

Finally I had the pleasure of meeting the hospitable Carla who attentively carved time out of her day to show me to the meeting room so that I could report back to our readers. The meeting room is suited for up to 12 delegates in boardroom style or 18 delegates in theatre style and has the obvious Wi-Fi, comfortable chairs and screens you would expect to see in a modern hotel. The rates are online and they can accommodate breakfast meeting including coffee, tea and pastries, as well as all day facilities available for those longer business days. Facing the sea, it is a most perfect venue for a small meeting in a luxury, but not mouth wateringly expensive business room which exhibits class and professionalism. I have no doubt the staff would look after every need if my stay was any indication of service.

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Car leasing advice for startup businesses Are startup businesses still on the rise in 2019, and do you think having a nice business car makes a good impression on your clients? Here you can find out more about car leasing, including what documentation you may need to provide when applying for a lease as a new start business. We have also included a checklist about top leasing tips for new start companies in order to help you get the best value for money.

The usual definition of small and medium sized enterprises Motoring (SMEs) is any business with less than 250 employees.

There were 5.7 million SMEs in the UK in 2018, which was over 99% of all businesses.

There were around 3.4 million sole proprietorships and 1.9 million actively trading limited companies.

companies, just over half are employers and just under a half are one-man band businesses.

Out of the actively trading limited

For example, if your business is in the

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A lot of people think about starting their own business for multiple reasons – maybe they want to pursue a personal passion, be their own boss and work more flexible hours. However, once their business is finally up and running, there are many things they will need to take into account.

B2B (business to business) sector and you want to create the right impressions with clients, then it’s always beneficial to have a new car to turn up to meetings in. A vehicle, when used for business, should reflect the image and brand of your company. In that sense, if your vehicle matches the intended customer perception of your brand, then ultimately it can make a positive impact.

Starting a new business comes with many expenses, so purchasing a new

“More and more people are now turning to leasing as a cost-effective route to a new vehicle. At Rivervale, we are always keen to ensure that we offer impartial advice to private individuals and businesses alike. We endeavour to assist all of our customers to make the right choices and to provide them with an experience that surpasses their expectations” Why car leasing may be an option for your startup company?

Car leasing is a bit like renting a car, only for a longer committed period.

For example – contracts usually last for a period between 2 and 4 years, and leasing is only available on brand-new cars. Yes, lovely and shiny brand-new cars.

Another great perk of car leasing is that it can be more cost effective and more hassle free than purchasing a car, as you can incorporate benefits such as maintenance and servicing costs into a single monthly rental. car may hardly be feasible to say the least. This is where the car leasing could be a potential option to consider.

A lease contract usually involves an upfront initial rental followed by regular monthly rentals over the duration of

the lease. At the end of the contract (usually 24, 36 or 48 months although other options are available), the car would generally go back to the leasing company.

What to do before applying for a lease…

For many new startup companies, getting credit lines in place can be extremely difficult, due to the fact that there is a lack of trading history for your new company. Finance companies will be looking at risk and affordability when they consider your credit application.

There are a few things you will need to have prepared before moving forward with your application. One of those things will be to have the right documentation available when you’re applying for a lease, this will improve your chances of being approved by the finance company. Some of the criteria they may require could include: • An opening balance sheet for the new business • Proof of trading (for example, invoices or management accounts) • If you are a limited company, then you should be prepared to offer a personal director’s guarantee • The leasing company may require a larger initial rental of 9 x monthly rentals • The leasing company may request a different payment profile to the one you requested.

• The leasing company may restrict the value of the car to an upper limit of, say, £25,000

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• A business plan • Previous trading history and industry experience • 3 months bank statements • Proof of ID and address for directors.

For example, copy of driving license, passport and utility bills.

It is important to note that there are penalties for early termination of the lease with most leasing contracts, so you need to be sure that you can afford all the monthly rentals until your contract expires. Since most startups fear the uncertainty of their future and whether they can become profitable, it is important to make sure you are leasing a car that you believe you can comfortably afford. Also, the vehicles need to be returned to the leasing company at the end of contract in a condition based around the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear Guide. Any damage or reconditioning required not considered fair wear and tear will be charged to you, along with any excess mileage charges should you exceed your previously agreed annual contracted mileage. Please also remember that leasing is a NON-OWNERSHIP scheme, where you will never own the vehicle.

Choose the lease you want There are various different products available to fund your new vehicle ranging from contract hire, finance lease, lease purchase, contract purchase, hire purchase etc. It is important that you spend some time to

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see which scheme is best for you. If you need any advice, why not call one of the Rivervale Leasing Account Managers for a chat!

More and more people are now turning to leasing as a cost-effective route to a new vehicle. At Rivervale, we are always keen to ensure that we offer impartial advice to private individuals and businesses alike. We endeavour to assist all of our customers to make the right choices and to provide them with an experience that surpasses their expectations.

Top leasing tips for new companies Research, research, research!

•

Search online and educate yourself on how exactly business leasing works, the benefits and disadvantages, and what options are available to you.

•

As business car leasing applications can be quite confusing for someone who is new to leasing, then we advise you to speak to an expert in this area, that way you find out what you need to know and avoid any complications.

Think about your budget and the cost that comes with leasing …

As a new business, you will always be mindful about what you choose to invest in and how much it will it cost.

There are many additional costs you will need to consider when applying for a lease, such as:

• • • • •

Fully Comprehensive Insurance Servicing, Maintenance and Tyres Potential Excess Mileage Costs Potential Fair Wear and Tear Charges Company Car Tax

It is also important to consider how long you will need the car for. We recommend that new businesses go for a more affordable lease over a shorterterm period as possible, let’s say 2 years, as opposed to going for a more expensive lease over a longer period.

This way your business will have been in operation for a credible amount of time, meaning you can re-evaluate where your company is at and you can lease for a longer period and a more expensive vehicle second time around.

Examples of affordable business cars for businesses: • • • • • • •

BMW 4 series Mercedes E-Class Mercedes C-Class Audi A4 Saloon Audi A8 Saloon SEAT Ibiza Hatchback Volkswagen Golf hatchback

If you need any further information regarding car leasing and how it works our dedicated Account Managers are happy to help.

For more information, contact us on 01273 433 480 or email us on info@rivervale.co.uk

SBTMotoring News Audi Expands Q Range Audi’s popular Q range is set to see the addition of the Q4. Available from late 2019, it will cost you £33,000 to own one. Based on the Q3, the car has gone into production and is set to rival both the BMW X4 and Mercedes GLC Coupé.

If you liked the TT Off-road concept shown at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, this is for you. A range of engine sizes are likely to be available. It has also been reported that the Q4 range could include a plug-in hybrid.

Hybrid and Full EV Cars for 2019 There are plenty who say 2018 was the year the SUV came of age. It is still a front runner in the popularity stakes. But, with a range of new hybrid and full EV models in the pipeline, 2019 is shaping up to be something altogether different.

New Initiative for Ford and Volkswagen

New electric cars, including the Porsche Taycan and MINI EV, are hot topics. So too is the Mercedes EQC. They are the cars that will spearhead sales into the next decade. Hotly anticipated is the hybrid version of the Ford Mustang.

Two of the biggest names in the motoring business have agreed to join forces when it comes to the development of vans and pickup trucks. The alliance between Ford and Volkswagen has been agreed to reduce costs.

The Audi e-Tron is a newcomer and priced around £70,805. Audi’s first all-electric car, it has been widely compared to the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X. It boasts up to 402bhp and a claimed range of 248 miles. The e-Tron is capable of 0-62 mph in under six seconds and can hit 124 mph.

Both companies say they may extend their co-operation to advance technology for electric and selfdriving cars.

Sales from the partnership will begin in 2022. It is anticipated that the initiative will see profits from the following year.

Ford boss Jim Hackett told the BBC: “Over time, this alliance will help both companies create value and meet the needs of our customers and society.”

Both Ford and Volkswagen have been quick to point out that the initiative is not a merger.

Here’s our top picks for 2019:

Audi says up 30 per cent of the e-Tron’s total range is accounted for by energy recuperation.

The driver can select the severity of this recuperation using the steering-wheel mounted paddles, and the system then recaptures kinetic energy to give extra range.

We like the charging system. With 150kW charging port, the e-Tron can recover 80 per cent of its charge in less than half an hour.

BMW 3 Series on sale from March with a price tag of £33,610. The most technologically advanced version yet, this seventh generation model includes a switch to BMW’s CLAR platform. This is important because it allows the next generation of powertrains to be fitted– including a more efficient plug-in hybrid.

Choose from a single petrol or one of two diesel models. Each is 2.0 litres with power ranging from 187bhp to 263bhp.

From next year the fuel-sipping 330e PHEV will be available. It promises 37 miles of electric range and sub-40g/km of CO2. Two six-cylinder M Performance models will be available from the end of the year. A luxury M3 is scheduled to join the ranks in 2020.

Jaguar Land Rover: Good and Bad News As Jaguar Land Rover prepares to shed 4,500 jobs, it is also poised to launch the all-new Land Rover Defender. The iconic off-roader will be unveiled later this year as the company works on moving towards electrification. Watch this space for updates.

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Big squeeze on firms from recruitment, prices and cash flow The British Chambers of Commerce’s Chamber quarterly economic survey – the UK’s News largest private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth – finds that the UK economy ended 2018 stuck in a weak holding pattern, with stagnating levels of growth and business confidence as a result of heightened Brexit uncertainty and other economic pressures.

having on a stalling economy as growth in domestic sales and orders reduced, recruitment difficulties stand near record highs and price pressures persist.

Key findings:

The findings highlight the extent to which labour shortages have risen in the UK as four-fifths (81%) of manufacturers that tried to recruit report difficulties in finding the right staff – the joint highest level since the survey began in 1989. In the services sector, the level (70%) hovers close to the record high recorded in the previous quarter (72%).

• Percentage of services firms reporting an increase in domestic sales and orders drops to two year low • Recruitment difficulties in manufacturing joint highest on record, services sector recruitment difficulties hover near record-high • Price pressures rise further for businesses, particularly manufacturers The results of the survey of 6,000 firms – employing over one million people across the UK – underline the impact that the current levels of uncertainty are

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In the services sector, a key driver of UK economic growth, the percentage of firms reporting an increase in domestic sales and orders weakened to their lowest level in two years. Domestic activity among UK manufacturers also moderated in the quarter.

See image ref domestic sales

See image ref recruitment difficulties

The survey results indicate an increase in price pressures facing firms. The percentage of manufacturers expecting

to raise prices is at its highest in a year and is almost three times higher than its pre-EU referendum average.

Cashflow continues to be a concern for both sectors, with the balance of firms reporting improved cash flow remaining weak.

See image ref prices

The Chamber network is calling on all political parties to find a way forward and ensure that the UK does not face a messy and disorderly exit from the EU. Avoiding a chaotic Brexit would bolster business confidence and investment and give businesses some much-need clarity on trading conditions in the nearterm.

Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Our latest survey suggests that UK economic conditions were worryingly subdued in the final quarter of 2018, with a number of key indicators continuing to weaken under the weight of persistent Brexit uncertainty and rising cost pressures.

Chamber News

“Domestic activity in the dominant services sector weakened for the second successive quarter, with consumer-facing firms particularly downbeat amid subdued household spending levels and tightening cashflow. The manufacturing sector had an underwhelming three months, with significant cost pressures and moderating global demand weighing on activity in the sector.

“The marked increase in cost pressures for businesses in the quarter suggests that inflation will be higher over the near term, with the continued weakness in sterling maintaining the upward trend on the cost of imported raw materials. However, with our results also showing that price pressures from wage settlements remain relatively muted, there continues to be sufficient

scope to keep interest rates on hold in 2019, particularly given the significant economic and political turbulence.”

Responding to the results, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The UK economy is in stasis. While it’s not contracting, it’s not growing robustly either. Throughout much of 2018, UK businesses were subjected to a barrage of political noise and drama, so it’s no surprise to see firms report muted domestic demand and investment. In this new year, the government must demonstrate that it is ready to act to turbo-charge business confidence.

“With little clarity on the trading conditions, companies are

understandably holding back on spending and making big decisions about their futures. The government’s absolute priority now must be to provide clarity on conditions in the near term and avoid a messy and disorderly Brexit. Business communities won’t forgive politicians who allow this to happen, by default or otherwise.

“Brexit is hoovering up all of government’s attention and resources, but it’s far from the only cause of uncertainty. Given the magnitude of the recruitment difficulties faced by firms across the UK, business concerns about the government’s recent blueprint for future immigration rules must be taken seriously – and companies must be able to access skills at all levels without heavy costs or bureaucracy.”

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Big Interest in 2019 B2B Business Expo Latest news on West Sussex Business Expo, May 2.

Interest in this year’s West Sussex Expo is exceeding all Business expectations. With stand prices starting from just £395, the district’s biggest one-day B2B networking event is both affordable and fast-approaching.

Exhibitors have been able to benefit from £100 off standard stand prices.

The offer ran until January 31. Better still, members of Chichester Chamber, Sussex Chamber of Commerce and Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce can claim £100 discount for stands in the expo’s Chamber Zone. This offer is good through to February 10.

Mike Monk, who is once again organising the event, says: “The response has been tremendous. Last year’s show was successful but this year’s is already shaping up to be a record-breaker.

“One of the great things this year is the stand upgrades we now have available.

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Exhibitors can choose Silver or Gold packages to help them make the very most of the event.”

West Sussex Business Expo is taking place at Fontwell Park Racecourse on May 2. Around 400 businesses are expected to attend. Benefits include one-to-one business clinics, free business advice, speed networking, and quality seminars and workshops.

Taking place from 10am to 3pm, it is considered the go-to event for ambitious businesses wanting to grow their connections - and sales.

Mike says: “I would encourage anyone in business who is thinking of exhibiting at the event to contact me now. They can check out our expo floor plan and choose a stand that is exactly right for them.

“This show really does help local businesses grow their connections and generate quality leads. It is the perfect platform for a business to showcase what they do face-to-face with potential customers.”

Online registrations for free visitor passes will open soon. Full details will be available on the West Sussex Expo website and its social media platforms.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Businesses can gain exposure through sponsoring the expo’s Networking Café, Exhibitor Lunch, Show Bag, Seminar Theatre and more.

Brighton Business Expo, taking place at Brighton Racecourse on October 3, will this year boast a start-up village something that is exciting new brands.

The village is being sponsored by NatWest. It aims to showcase local talent and introduce established businesses to new ideas and services.

To book at stand at either business expo or to find out more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Mike on 01273 286133. Twitter @ WestSussexExpo and @BrightonExpo

Don’t miss West Sussex’s largest business networking event!

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Introducing NetworkU the bespoke networking and telemarketing specialists If you want to network your business, there is Networking a new way to build your connections and garner high-quality leads. Businesses in Sussex are discovering NetworkU. Covering the whole of the South East and London, it delivers a range of personalised marketing packages to businesses of all sizes. Services include professional networking and targeted telemarketing campaigns.

Chris Mansfield, who is well-known across the South East, is one of NetworkU’s Creators of Networking Opportunities. He networks on clients’ behalf every day of the week. He explains: “We have brought together a hugely well-connected team to provide a service that no-one else is offering. What’s more, we provide our services confidently because of our connections.”

54 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Becky Sharp is one of NetworkU’s founders. She says: “Networking is a great way to connect your business to the right people and raise brand awareness. That is why more and more companies consider networking an important part of their marketing strategy. It is as important as referrals.

“We launched NetworkU to represent brands at networking events and provide bespoke telemarketing services, including after-sales.”

Based in West Sussex, NetworkU creates made-to-measure marketing strategies that are designed to meet brands’ ambitions and defined goals. All services are available on either a shortterm basis or at a fixed monthly rate.

Packages include: Networking and telemarketing campaign; networking only campaign; and telemarketing only campaign.

Clients include Whitebox UK Limited, RLS Recruitment Solutions, DankoSec Security Systems, Black Rose Entertainment, Sussex Chamber of Commerce and Gaydio.

Becky says: “We attend a widerange of regular networking events, including ones staged in Brighton, Hove, Chichester, Haywards Heath, Eastbourne, East Grimstead, Crawley, London, Portsmouth and Shoreham.

This means we can represent our clients across a wide area and get their message across to the right people.

“One of our core services is helping clients to develop meaningful networking strategies.”

“NetworkU saves businesses time and money. It represents brands at a range of events”

SBT Networking

Sussex networking expert and businessman Mike Monk is a member of the NetworkU team. He says: “NetworkU saves businesses time and money. It represents brands at a range of events, from networking groups and business lunches to product launches, trade shows and expos, not to mention corporate events.”

“Telemarketing is a powerful driver of growth. That is why more and more businesses in Sussex are outsourcing campaigns to experts.”

Telemarketing is a powerful driver of growth. That is why more and more businesses in Sussex are outsourcing campaigns to experts. NetworkU delivers fully personalised telemarketing campaigns. It help clients build their marketing from scratch.

“This is such a great marketing tool for any business,”says Becky. “It can be used to promote a business, event, product or service, as well as promotional material. Our clients use it to follow up leads, drive sales and raise awareness about who they are and what they do.

“All our telemarketing packages include an initial consultation and the development of a fully customised

campaign. They also provide customer feedback, after-sales and lead generation. We recommend ambitious businesses of all sizes consider the benefits of telemarketing. Combined with networking, it is a potent driver when it comes to raising awareness about products and services. It also generate quality leads that really push up sales.”

Who are NetworkU? NetworkU is led by industry experts who know how to build carefully curated connections. Passionate about face-to-face marketing, NetworkU is dedicated to helping business grow through networking. Using highlynetworked marketing professionals, it connects businesses to the right people at the right time. The team includes: Becky Sharp, who heads up the telemarketing department, and Chris Mansfield and Mike Monk, both Creators of Networking Opportunities.

Benefits of using NetworkU include low-risk and high gain. NetworkU reduces the amount of time business owners spend out of the office, aiding productivity and business development, and also cuts hiring costs.

DankoSec Security Systems says it started using NetworkU’s services after deciding not to fill a vacant sales administrator role. In a testimonial, the company said of NetworkU’s team: “They have supported our business and

generated some excellent new leads, which have resulted in meetings and increased orders. I couldn’t be happier to be working with NetworkU and would highly recommend them to any business looking to increase sales.”

RLS Recruitment Solutions says it has seen an upturn in business since partnering with NetworkU. Managing Director Ross Stretton said in a testimonial: “It has resulted in more vacancies being taken on and more placements being made. Partnering with NetworkU has also shortened our sales cycle as the majority of our leads are now warm leads with less hesitation to do business. This is due to NetworkU’s expertise in discussing our USPs with their huge and trusted network they have. In addition, we have reduced our overall bottom line cost of onboarding new clients by over 75%.”

Find out more Information about NetworkU packages can be found on the company’s website www.networku.co.uk

To discuss your business’s needs, call 07966 763 767 or email sales@networku.co.uk Connect with NetworkU on LinkedIn. Follow NetworkU on Twitter - @Network__U

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 55

Where you should be networking in 2019...

Visit a Network My Club event near you to see how it can work for your business...

Thursday 7th March, 8.30am-10.30am Brighton & Hove Albion FC The Amex Stadium, Brighton Friday 8th March, 12.30pm-2.30pm Hampshire Cricket The Ageas Bowl, Southampton Thursday 14th March, 8.30am-10.30am Goodwood Estate, Chichester Thursday 21st March, 8.30am-10.30am Portsmouth FC Fratton Park, Portsmouth Thursday 28th March, 12.30pm-2.30pm Surrey County Cricket Club The Kia Oval, London

Our groups are open to businesses from all sectors and for those looking to expand their network with businesses in various industries, of all sizes.

Tweet @NetworkMyClub with a picture of this page to receive 2 places for the price of 1 to your desired event!

01903 898025 | www.networkmyclub.co.uk

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Network My Club

“I’ve found the business club to be an excellent way to meet like-minded professionals and those are often in senior positions.”

- Engage Healthcare

“Network My Club make you feel very welcome and allow you the time to actually network!

They take a keen interest in your business and try to help any way they can, which I find very refreshing.”

- Best Vehicle Leasing

“The structure Network My Club have created really is the future of networking.”

- Detect Fire & Security “In today’s fast-paced business environment, I was struck by the time and care the Network My Club team dedicated to getting to know our business and objectives.” - Hero IT Support

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 57

Networking in Sussex

Celebrating 150 years in style

Maggie and Brian Reeve hosted a party for family and friends and business associates at the Grand Hotel Brighton to celebrate 150 years of their Brighton company T. Reeve & Son Ltd.

Maggie and Brian Reeve

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Images courtesy of Graham Franks Photography

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SBT

ASK THE

EXPERTS

WE ASK THE EXPERTS TO GIVE YOU THE ANSWERS YOU NEED

EXPERT

What happens if an employee loses mental capacity?

Accident, illness and injury can have a devastating impact on an employee and their family, and the resulting difficulties can be exacerbated if the individual also loses the mental capacity to make decisions for them self.

In some cases, your employee may

EXPERT

Jamie is a business growth funding specialist and formed Orange Beach in 2015 helping businesses raise capital for growth, expansion, mergers and acquisitions. Jamie previously worked as a corporate finance manager for a top 100 firm of Chartered Accountants in London.

60 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Annabelle Vaughan | Partner - Head of Court of Protection, WTP and Care & Protection, Coffin Mew have a lasting power of attorney (LPA), which permits their appointed attorneys to make decisions on your employee’s behalf. However, the reality is that most people of working age don’t have an LPA in place.

There is no automatic right for nextof kin to have access to sole bank accounts belonging to a person who has capacity and in many cases there may be a delay whilst appropriate arrangements are made. This can cause hardship if household bills are paid from your employee’s salary that you pay into their bank. You may be approached to make alternative arrangements.

This puts you in a potentially difficult decision as you are under no obligation to pay a third party your employee’s salary or sick pay and could be liable to your employee if there is a future objection to this arrangement. If you

want to do something practical for your employee’s dependents, then offering a legal consultation may be a helpful and practical gesture.

Remember that if the illness or accident was related to work you will need to take advice from your own legal advisors and/or insurers before discussing any arrangements with your employee’s family.

There are ways you can help protect your employees and their families in the event of the loss of mental capacity.

Assisting with lifetime planning such lasting powers of attorney can be a popular employment benefit which can give you the reassurance that your employee can be looked after in the event they can no longer make decisions.

Jamie Davies | Director - Orange Beach Do I need debt funding or equity funding to grow my business?

your business in return for a cash investment.

Really the answer to this is do you want to give away some of your company in return for a cash investment? If you are looking to raise money for your business and you are already generating revenue then debt would certainly be the preferred option. If you speak to your bank they may be able to offer you a loan subject to your business turnover and if your request is denied for any reason then there are many alternative affordable solutions on the market.

Is Crowdfunding a good way to raise investment?

If you are looking for more than just investment for your business then an equity investment may be better option for you. This option is certainly attractive as you do not have to make capital and interest repayments but you will be ‘selling’ a proportion of

Crowdfunding has had a bit of a rough time of it lately as the market has been flooded with various platforms and opportunities. Crowdfunding is still a very popular route for equity investment but I would only suggest using these platforms once you have already secured some investment. It is very difficult to raise 100% funding so only go to these platforms once you have at least 30%-50% committed already. There are various tax incentive structures for new businesses that are also worth looking at for example Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes (SEIS).

EXPERT

How do I combat rising costs?

Left unchecked overheads such as phones, fuel, fleet, electricity, gas, print and office supplies can fast erode profits. Before you can even start to manage and reduce these costs, you need to understand your business’ requirements and know where you are now. The good news is that there are usually quite considerable savings to be made if you know what you’re doing.

Know What You Need Your aim is to buy, rather than be sold to by the supplier. To do this you need to benchmark your current costs and

Ian Hopping | Cost Management Consultant at Auditel UK identify exactly what you require and in what quantity.

• What is the current annual cost?

• Which suppliers are you currently using and what services are they providing?

• Is there redundancy and overlap between services?

• Are you satisfied that your current suppliers are meeting your requirements in full?

• What contracts do you currently have in place and how long are you committed to them? Don’t forget the small print as contract terms and conditions in many of these areas can be particularly onerous

Understand the market The greater your knowledge the better equipped you will be to obtain the best results. The key is to remember that whichever suppliers you talk to and however good a working relationship you may already have with them, they want to sell you their products. They may attempt to make a business case for their products based on over-inflated

cost savings or over-promised service levels.

Once you’re satisfied with your market knowledge and the suppliers chosen, carry out a competitive tender against an exact specification with an exact usage.

Measure Success Measure the success of the project.

Auditing the results on an ongoing basis will not only prove the success of the project and prevent prices creeping back up, but also allows you to monitor changes in usage and keep abreast of your future needs. Following these principles will almost certainly guarantee savings, which will go straight on to the bottom line.

Over the past 20 years Auditel has worked with more than 5,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors and we can say with some certainty that a strategic cost management process can deliver improved margins and help companies gain a competitive advantage.

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Made in Sussex

Made in Sussex: Spirit of the Downs This month’s Made in Sussex is about the Spirit of the Downs Brand which is a premium Focus 40% ABV spirit which was launched in Brighton just in time for Christmas. The Spirit is the first release from the outstanding 2018 vintage English wine growing season which surpassed all expectations. It has been distilled using the red Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes grown on the South Downs. The pomace or pressed grapes are by-product from the production of award winning English sparkling wine grapes at Breaky Bottom vineyard near Rodmell, East Sussex.

The Spirit has been crafted using traditional Artisan production techniques using a mixture of local wild and Champagne yeasts to produce a uniquely soft fine quality spirit. The combination of classic English chalk terroir (similar to that of Champagne) and experienced wine making has resulted in a crafted spirit which has the fruity essence of English Sparkling Wine with a long warming finish.

Spirit of the Downs is a collaboration between fine English Winemaker Angus Mackie and Brighton Entrepreneur Michael Yeoman. The Spirit of the Downs was initially launched as a limited edition batch of 100 x 500ml bottle to celebrate the launch of the spirit in time for Christmas.

We interviewed Michael Yeoman about his new creation, to understand how it all started; So, what is Spirit of the Downs?

Well firstly, it isn’t a gin or vodka, it sits on its own really between the two of them. In France it is often referred to as an Eau De Vie or “Water of life” which is a delicate spirit that holds the essence of the fruit that it is made from. It’s perfect for those people who want to try something new and refreshing on the spirits side.

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How did the Spirit of the Downs come about?

The ideal of creating Spirit came to us during the wine harvest of Autumn 2017.

I have been selling small batch English wine for several years now and help out at Breaky Bottom vineyard with the harvest and bottling. I saw that the grapes were pressed gently to preserve the quality of the juice which meant that there was a lot of juice still remaining in the grapes, that would otherwise be dried as compost.

After visiting the wine regions of Italy, I realised that the grapes could be refermented and asked Peter Hall the owner if he would mind if I took some of the pomace to make a “Grappa” type spirit. I had a conversation with Angus Mackie one of the head wine makers and we decided to do a trial run last year which was a great success. We did a commercial spirit run for 2018, in it’s first full distillation it came out a lot more fragrant and lighter than we expected which was great.

What does the Spirit taste like and how would you recommend serving it?

The Spirit is only distilled with one run unlike other spirits or vodkas that are sometimes distilled several times.

Distilling the once has kept the essence of the grapes. When served on it’s own, the sweet fragrance of the grapes comes through on the nose, we then have a slight sweet caramel or toffee note on the palate which has good body and continues with a long finish.

The Spirit can be drunk on it’s own over ice, with a Vermouth to make a classic Martini or combine with a good quality tonic such as Folkington’s (also from Sussex) in a similar way to vodka.

How has the new Spirit been received from retail customers and trade?

The feedback so far has been excellent with many people liking the opportunity to try an alternative to the many Gin’s that are now on the market. Many of the bottles of the Spirit were bought as presents for Christmas or as collector’s items. Lot’s of people have commented

Angus and Michael

on the fragrant nose and the slight sweet taste of the spirit, also that it really warms you up when drank on its own.

Hotel Du Vin in Ship Street, Brighton have a great cocktail bar and loved the spirit.

They were our first customer and bought twelve of the 1st Edition bottles to create their own range of local cocktails. Anton, Head Bar Manager at Hotel Du Vin is a great fan and will gladly make you a refreshing cocktail based on your tastes should you wish to try the spirit out and about in Brighton.

We have had some great comments from drinks industry professional Myles Cunliffe from Mixology Group who trains the next generation of cocktail makers. He loves our new creation and paired it with the new citrus Yuzu tonic from Fentimans.

What are your future plans for the business?

We still have a limited amount of the individually numbered and signed 100 x 50cl 1st Edition Spirit of the Downs for £29.99 available for sale. We will have the official launch of Spirit of the Downs in time for the start spring in March. We are selling both retail to individuals and to trade clients. At the same time will also be launching an exclusive high quality Spirit/Grappa for the spirit connoisseurs as well as launching a new Sussex Brandy, so exciting times ahead.

For further details of the Spirit or future plans please contact Michael Yeoman via michael@spiritofthedowns. co.uk or by telephoning freephone 08000157255.

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