SBT Issue 433

SBT

ISSUE 433

FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

SBT TRAVEL RED7: TEAM BUILDING

IDEAS IN SUSSEX

NETWORKING & EVENTS NETWORK MY CLUB BRIGHTON BUSINESS EXPO

FEATURES WHAT IS YOUR SUCCESSION PLAN? ALBION IN THE COMMUNITY

BRIGHTON BORN BUSINESS OWNER MARIA VALENTINE SHARES THE JOURNEY OF HER INTERNATIONAL EVENT AGENCY, FROM HER FIRST BUSINESS PLAN TO LATEST RECRUITMENT PLANS

SERVING THE SUSSEX BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

BRIGHTON RACECOURSE invites you to

THIS CHRISTMAS Themed room arrival glass of prosecco Christmas carvery DJ and disco entertainment Fun Christmas festivities

£39 per person

Call us on 01273 603 580 to book your table or email events@brighton-racecourse.co.uk

SBTWelcome Meet the team

Sam Thomas, Managing Director/ Publisher

Greg Carroll, Partner

Lee Mansfield Partner

James Morrison, Production

Belinda Bennett, Editor/ Head of Social Media

Stephen Lawrence Photographer Snap it Now

Contributors

Welcome to the latest edition of the Sussex Business Times.

It is that time of year when the summer is drawing to a close and our minds start to fully re-focus on business. To help you prepare for the busy autumn months, we have come up with a checklist of some of the things that will help ease you out of the holiday season.

I am delighted to feature Maria Valentine, of Yellow Fish, on this month’s front cover. She shares her incredible story - one that I am certain many of you will find inspiring.

Also in this issue is a feature on local charity Albion in the Community and another look at hard business news from Sussex Chamber.

Rivervale Leasing is at the forefront of new technology that will help businesses ensure drivers and equipment are complaint. I am thrilled to be able to unveil their futuristic, but totally essential, Driver Care app which includes an all-important Fit 2 Drive feature.

I am delighted to be able to launch the Sussex Business Times’ Wine Club - thanks to Hardy Ovaisi, who is already well-known to readers through his restaurant and wine bar Cru. This is your chance to discover the wines that are not just trending but overlooked. I hope you enjoy this long-awaited addition to the magazine.

After introducing Overline to readers, we are truly delighted to discover what this Sussex-based business has to offer. It excels in IT solutions and a wide range of telecommunication products and services, not to mention CCTV.

Adrian Samuel Director and Solicitor - So Legal

Craig Barnett Founder - Wisit

We had a fantastic response to our first Dinner with a Difference, so we are back with another. We also take a suite at Brighton Racecourse and enjoy the MarathonBet Festival of Racing.

There is plenty on offer for those interested in networking. Yet again, we offer a round-up of what has been happening at top groups in Sussex.

As ever, this edition is available to view in print, online and now also in individual stories posted on our website. We are delighted to now offer a better online experience with stories sorted into individual categories - so you never miss a thing.

I hope you enjoy this month’s issue Sam Thomas, Managing Director

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 3

Issue 433

SBT

ISSUE 433

FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

SBT TRAVEL RED7: TEAM BUILDING IDEAS IN SUSSEX

NETWORKING & EVENTS NETWORK MY CLUB BRIGHTON BUSINESS EXPO

FEATURES WHAT IS YOUR SUCCESSION PLAN?

BRIGHTON BORN BUSINESSWOMAN MARIA VALENTINE SHARES THE JOURNEY OF HER INTERNATIONAL EVENT AGENCY, FROM HER FIRST BUSINESS PLAN TO LATEST RECRUITMENT PLANS

SERVING THE SUSSEX BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

Cover 433 Yellow Fish 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 08 10 12 14 16 22 26 31 37 42 44 49 62

Local News

This month’s round-up of stories from local businesses

National News

The stories you need to know about from around the UK

Spending It

We look ahead to autumn and prepared to Get Back to Business after the holiday season

Finance

Top advice from award-winning MHA Carpenter Box

Legal

Latest news from Mayo Wynne Baxter

Charity News

Special feature on Albion in the Community

Pier Recruitment

We hear from specialists Pier Recruitment

Cover Story: Brighton Born and Bred The rise and rise of Yellow Fish

Travel

Ideas for business and pleasure

Lifestyle

Delve into local history, discover new wines and check out our recipe of the month

Restaurant Review

Dinner with a difference

Hotel review Railworks 1

Networking & Events

Catch up with what’s happening at The Boundary Club, Gaydio Business Mixer and more

Made in Sussex

Levels Wine Shop

SBTLocal News The Grand Brighton Half Marathon to Celebrate 30 Years who create the party atmosphere for this great event.”

Organisers are keen to hear from any runners who took part in the early races in the 1990s. Whether you have a story to share from a particular race year, photos of your medal collection, or one of the early race T-shirts, get in touch with the race team at half.marathon@ sussexbeacon.org.uk.

Friday 16th August, 2020 - Drum roll please…The Grand Brighton Half Marathon will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2020, marking a very special race year for the much-loved half marathon. Organisers say they have some exciting plans up their sleeves to mark the big birthday on 23rd February next year, including an anniversary medal and a line up of race ambassadors who will help to celebrate the history of the race.

anniversary race medal, so whether it’s your first Brighton Half or your 30th, this is a year not to be missed!”

The Grand Brighton Half Marathon race is organised by Brighton-based charity The Sussex Beacon, which provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV through both inpatient and outpatient services. The charity helps hundreds of people living with HIV in Sussex and the race is the charity’s largest annual event.

The Grand Brighton Half Marathon’s Race Director, Martin Harrigan, commented: “2020 marks a very special year for the race as we celebrate our 30th birthday. The race has grown enormously over the past three decades as more and more people have taken up running and we’re so proud of the event it has become. We’ll be marking this very special race year with a 30th

The Sussex Beacon Chief Executive, Bill Puddicombe, commented: “The Grand Brighton Half Marathon is a big day for the Sussex Beacon, but also for all the other charities who take part and fundraise on the day. There are so many different ways to get involved – as a runner, as a Relay Team, or as a volunteer helping out on the day. It is the thousands of people that turn up, participate and cheer on the runners

Leading Sussex-based Paxton Opens World-Class HQ After Extensive Refurbishment

Since then, the company has seen rapid growth - profit has increased 25% year on year since 2012 – and has invested heavily, first building Paxton Technology Centre on the site 2017, before starting work on the refurbishment of Paxton House, next door.

Global technology company Paxton has opened a new world-class Technical Support Centre at its head office in Brighton, UK. Proving its commitment to investing in its Brighton home, the company has transformed Paxton House into a state-of-the-art facility for the 200-plus employees who are based there.

Paxton, which designs and manufactures smart security systems and has appeared in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For list for two years running, moved to the site in Home Farm Road in 2004.

6 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

As well as housing its world-class Technical Support Team – winner of the Best Customer Service category in the Brighton & Hove Business Awards 2019 - the new site provides a demonstration facility for customers.

Paxton CEO Adam Stroud said: “We’re so happy to declare our new Paxton House open. We know our Technical Support Team is the number one reason customers choose Paxton again

The race is once again supported by headline sponsor The Grand, the city’s iconic seafront hotel, which is also on the course route.

Runners can choose to run for over 30 partner charities, including local charities The Sussex Beacon and Chestnut Tree House, plus national charities including Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan.

The Grand Brighton Half Marathon has become one of the most popular - and friendliest - races in the UK since its first event in the 1990. The 13.1-mile route takes runners from Brighton’s famous pier through the centre of the city, before heading along the seafront past The Grand hotel.

General entries and charity places for the 30th anniversary race are available now from The Grand Brighton Half Marathon website.

and again. Our new working space encourages teamwork, creativity and support, which will allow the team to provide an even better service.

“Employee wellbeing was at the heart of the design – but we’re also looking forward to welcoming more customers to see what we do here, in terms of products, new technology and innovation.

“We’re doing some really exciting things and leading the industry in many areas having a positive company culture, and an environment we can all take pride in, is integral to that.”

For more details about Paxton, go to: www.Paxton.Info/4228

SBTLocal News asb law advises on sale of Facelift (GB) Ltd to AFI– Uplift Ltd

asb law’s Corporate Finance team have advised the shareholders of Facelift (GB) Ltd (Facelift) in their sale of the company’s entire issued share capital to AFI-Uplift Ltd (AFI), working closely with SRC Corporate Finance to deliver a successful outcome.

Founded in 1986 in Hickstead, West Sussex, Facelift has built an enviable market position in its rental business and its complementary training business. The company reported turnover of £12m for 2018, has a rental fleet of over 700 and prides itself on offering high levels of customer service.

The acquisition takes AFI’s UK fleet to 7,500 units and allows AFI to substantially add scale to its existing business. The acquisition of Facelift will particularly strengthen AFI’s offering in

the self-drive truck and van mounted platform markets.

AFI plans to retain the Facelift brand, with Paul Standing (Facelift Managing Director) set to join the AFI board following the acquisition.

AFI is also pleased to report a good year of trading performance for 2018, with a strong rise in EBITDA despite a challenging year for the industry. For a business founded just over 20 years ago, revenues for the enlarged group will be over £100m.

This was a long-running deal and involved the resolution of some complex property issues including the presale purchase of a minority shareholder’s shares in a separate jurisdiction and the sale of the head office with lease back on completion.

Gordon Leicester, Founder and majority shareholder of Facelift, said of the deal: “We are delighted to have completed the sale of Facelift to AFI. The Facelift

business has been built over 30 years and this deal will see AFI continue to support the business in the next stage of its development”.

asb law’s activity in the deal was led by Partner, Claire Williams and the firm’s Corporate Finance and Property teams worked closely with Rupert Rawcliffe and Ella Young of SRC Corporate Finance to get the deal over the line. Claire stated “The team and I are delighted to have assisted the shareholders of Facelift on its sale to AFI” Rupert Rawcliffe, Founder of SRC Corporate Finance, commented: ‘The team and I at SRC CF are delighted to have assisted the shareholders of Facelift on its sale to AFI. AFI will provide a good home for Facelift, allowing founder Gordon Leicester to retire, leaving the business in good hands. It was a pleasure to work with ASB Law, Lucraft Hodgson & Dawes and Cardens on the sale of this successful national business.’

winner should be someone who demonstrates responsibility for the environment and food hygiene and sources as many local ingredients as possible.”

Sussex Street Food of the Year 2020 finals will be held in Horsham Carfax on Sunday 27 October from 10am until 4pm. Sponsors of this category, Horsham District Foodies supported by Food Rocks, will be organising the competition and wonderful market day, where the public can vote for their favourite to win.

Seeking the best Sussex street food of the year 2020 Having celebrated an exciting record-breaking year in 2019 with over 18,000 public votes and hundreds of entries, the Sussex Food & Drink Awards is now focusing on the year ahead with entries open now for the Sussex Street Food of the Year 2020 category as they must be received by 27 September 2019.

This hugely popular category was introduced to the awards five years ago and the panel of judges will be looking for exciting businesses creating artisan dishes with care and passion, to be eaten in a mobile situation and dedicated to using quality local Sussex ingredients.

Said Hilary Knight, co-director of Natural Partnerships CIC, who run the awards as a not-for-profit scheme to boost the local food and drink industry: “We’re looking for amazing and creative food served from individually styled and attractive mobile units with a clear message about what’s on offer. The

Entrance is free and visitors will be able to enjoy live music, boutique shopping, pop up bars and artisan products, whilst soaking up the fantastic foodie atmosphere as ten of the very best Sussex street food vendors battle it out to see who wins the coveted trophy.

Entries for all other categories in the Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2020 open on 24 September and winners will be revealed and receive their awards on 29 April 2020 at a glittering BAFTA-style awards ceremony hosted by Sally Gunnell OBE and Danny Pike from BBC Sussex, including a spectacular seven-course Sussex produce banquet produced

by Sodexo Prestige at the Amex Stadium.

SUSSEX STREET FOOD OF THE YEAR - Offering great food to be eaten in a mobile situation from an individually styled and attractive unit with a clear message about what’s on offer. Someone who demonstrates responsibility for the environment and food hygiene and sources as many local ingredients as possible. Must attend at least three events in Sussex from April to October 2019.

Go to www.sussexfoodawards.biz now to enter your Sussex Street Food business.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 7

SBTNational News UK exporters ‘treading water’ Many UK exporters are treading water at a time of deep uncertainty, according to the latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with DHL. The survey of 3,400 exporters found nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of manufacturers report exchange rates as a concern to their business, indicating the pressure from sterling volatility.

The results reflect the negative impact that slowing global trade, currency fluctuation and Brexit uncertainty is having, with export sales and orders weakening. In Q2 2019, the balance of manufacturers reporting export sales increased stood at +14, down from +24 in the same quarter last year. In the services sector the corresponding balance fell to +8, from +17.

The balance of exporting manufacturers that have increased orders also fell to +9, down from +21 in the same quarter last year. In services it fell to +5 from +14, indicating that the ongoing uncertainty is hitting orders books and creating difficult trading conditions for many UK exporters.

At the same time, the volume of trade documents issued by Accredited Chambers of Commerce for goods shipments outside the EU fell 2.1 per cent in the second quarter of the year

and stands 3.0 per cent lower than the same quarter in 2018.

The British Chambers of Commerce says: “In the event of no deal, businesses will face an immediate and abrupt change in trading conditions, for which many remain unprepared.

Business has been clear about wanting to avoid a messy and disorderly Brexit but given that no deal remains the default position on October 31st, the new government must urgently ramp up its preparation.

“Business is calling on the new government to ensure the conditions and logistical preparations are in place to protect continuity of trade after the UK’s departure from the EU. Firms that currently trade with the EU will need an EORI number to continue in the event of no deal, yet the number of firms that have registered remains worryingly low. The British Chambers of Commerce is urging the government to automatically register all VAT-registered firms to minimise the disruption and administrative burdens facing traders.

“The Department for International Trade must also make every effort, working with governments in third countries and the EU-27 to grandfather existing EU Free Trade Agreements, which so many firms rely on to be competitive in key markets around the world.”

Hannah Essex, Co -Executive director at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There is real frustration among business communities across the UK at the lack of clarity about trading conditions after the UK leaves the EU, and we’re already seeing the impact of that uncertainty.

“While the majority of firms want the government to avoid a messy and disorderly Brexit, we’re calling on the government to put practicalities first and implement measures to ensure firms are as prepared as possible for the whatever scenario they face. A crucial first step would be to automatically issue all necessary companies with an EORI number to minimise the hoops that firms need to jump through to be ready for day one.

“There are many fundamental outstanding questions relating to the rules and processes of trade in the event of no deal. While the Department for International Trade has been working with third countries to ensure the rollover of existing FTAs, many of these critical arrangements have not yet been formally agreed, and firms can’t plan for the future based on warm words. Maintaining preferential access to countries where the EU has trade agreements is critical to maintaining competitiveness in key markets.”

Business sentiment ‘dire’ says CBI’s lead economist The latest GDP figures show the UK’s economy contracted by 0.2 per cent in the second quarter of this year. Alpesh Paleja, the CBI’s Lead Economist, said while economic activity is ‘concerning’ much of the cause is due to ‘one-off factors’.

“Growth has been pushed down by an unwind of stockpiling and car manufacturers shifting their seasonal shutdowns,” he said.

“Nonetheless, it’s clear from our business surveys that underlying

8 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

momentum remains lukewarm, choked by a combination of slower global growth and Brexit uncertainty.

“As a result, business sentiment is dire.”

Mr Paleja added: “Securing a Brexit

deal before the October 31 deadline is the first step to revving up the economy. The second is re-focusing attention on vital domestic priorities – such as pressing ahead with key infrastructure projects – to boost productivity and growth potential over the longer-term.”

SBTNational News SSE to sell off energy retail business?

Rail fare rise Rail fares are expected to rise in January by 2.8 per cent, in line with the Retail Prices Index, from January.

Many commuters face an annual fare rise of more than £100.

Energy company SSE is in talks over the sale of its energy retail business to the Ovo Group.

If a deal is struck, Ovo will emerge as one of the UK’s biggest energy firms. It was founded just a decade ago.

SSE revealed plans to offload its energy services division in May after more than 500,000 customers switched to a new supplier in just 12 months.

One of the Big Six energy suppliers, SSE indicated it would sell or float

its energy services business by the second half of 2020.

Ovo is recognised as being a leader in new technologies, including smart meters and electric vehicles.

It currently has 1.5 million domestic customers compared to SSE’s 5.8 million. British Gas sits at the top of the supplier chain with 12 million domestic accounts.

SSE’s household supply division was the subject of a proposed merger Npower last year.

Recession fear An “inverted yield curve” could be a signal that the UK and US are heading for a recession, bond market experts warn.

Fears of a possible recession have already seen shares fall sharply in both the US and Europe. At the same time, Germany’s economy dropped into negative growth.

Boris Johnson pledges spending at a rate of £2b per week After a convincing vote into Number 10, new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been quick to splash the cash.

Whereas his predecessor Theresa May always insisted there was ‘no magic money tree’, Mr Johnson has announced spending pledges at a rate of about £2 billion per week.

But before you think austerity is dead and buried, economists warn he could be promising to spend money to win back Tory support, rather than mend economic problems.

So what has Mr Johnson promised to spend money on so far?

No-deal Brexit preparations - £2.1m.

Schools £4.6bn boost per year by 2022-23..

Law and order has been at the forefront of his spending - all part of a nationwide crackdown on crime. First, he pledged to massively increase police numbers at a cost of £1.1bn.

Transport - £3.6bn to towns as well as a commitment to improved transport links between Manchester and Leeds.

He went on to pledge up to £2.5 billion on new prison places.

An additional £100 million has been promised to tackle crime in prisons.

A further £85 million has been pledged to help the Crown Prosecution Service increase its capacity.

Mr Johnson has also pledged to inject an additional £1.8 billion into the National Health Service.

Growth deals in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - £300m.

More spending pledges are likely. Mr Johnson swept to power promising full-fibre broadband “for all” by 2025 and to raise the higher income tax rate to £80,000, as well as raise the point at which people start paying National Insurance.

Businesses were promised an “economic package” to help increase overseas investment.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 9

Back To Business

With the summer drawing to a close, the holiday season is edging towards autumn. Now is the perfect time to draw a line under the frivolous and get back to some serious business. Here are a few ideas geared to motivate and inspire you - while helping to save you time and boost your productivity.

Get Organised Be prepared for anything - from meetings to conferences with this luxury leather A4 conference folder. Made from British calfskin leather, it has compartments for documents, business cards, a pen and notebook.

£222

Serious Smartpad

www.inkerman.co.uk

Portable Power Never miss an important call or email. This Juice 15000 mAh Portable Power Bank delivers 5 full charges for your mobile - from anywhere. You can charge it overnight for complete peace of mind throughout the day.

£39.

99

www.argos.co.uk

Save time with this large smartpad.

It converts handwritten notes into digital files. Use it with Windows, iOS and Android devices. It has Bluetooth connectivity and lets you edit and share files via an app. Great for meetings, conferences and a lot more.

£139.

99

www.currys.co.uk

On the Record This modern Olympus VN-541PC Digital Voice Recorder is perfect for recording ideas, memos and meetings. Easy to use, it has up to 1,570 hours of recording storage with 4GB of built-in memory. www.viking-direct.co.uk

£39.

Keep Track Worried about losing your phone, car keys or something else of value? Locate lost items using your smartphone or tablet with the TILE Pro Bluetooth Tracker. It will help you find a phone even if it is on silent! What’s more, a growing community of other Tile users will help find missing items.

The replaceable battery provides a full year of use with no charging required. Pack of two.

99

£39.

99

www.currys.co.uk

Clean Sweep

Moving Moments Create the workspace you need in an instant with Moving Walls. Modular and multifunctional, this system screams agile workplace and promotes creative collaboration. You can even write on these walls - they include a whiteboard. Easy to shift into position and connect, this innovative workspace idea it suited to a wide range of spaces.

POA

www.moving-walls.com

This cute little thing is the Robot Desk Sweeper. It will clean up crumbs, dust and pencil shavings and add a splash of colour to your desk. Look at the bargain price and think of the time it will save you.

www.ebay.co.uk

£8.

75

Suited and Booted Look the part in this three-piece suit with a super-streamlined fit for a modern silhouette. Made from virgin wool woven with a micro pattern, this sharp suit combines flat-fronted trousers with a three-button waistcoat and a co-ordinating jacket with peak lapels. Mix and match or wear together.

www.hugoboss.com

£645

£65

Crafted for Confidence Doing business is easier if you feel confident and relaxed. This chocolate sharkskin jacket is ideal for a wide range of business activities - from a routine day at the office to a business lunch or networking event. Better still, there are trousers available to match. www.next.co.uk

What is your succession plan?

Finance

business.

Robert Dowling, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at MHA Carpenter Box, offers some tips on preparing for the sale or transfer of your

According to recent research, more than half of UK small businesses are operating without a succession plan.

Recent stats from PWC Global show that family owned businesses around the globe aren’t much more prepared: 43% don’t have a succession plan in place, and only 12% survive to the third generation.

Whatever the size of your business, a succession plan is essential to realising the best value from the hard work you’ve put in building your business.

We have prepared a few tips to help you plan for a low-stress, high-value transition for when it’s time to sell or transfer ownership of your business.

Define your objectives The starting point for any succession is to plan early. Think about your long-term goals, both personally and professionally. Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? What would you like your retirement to look like? Who are the best people to take over if you have to step away from the business suddenly – and how can you best prepare them for the task?

12 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Once you’ve tackled the big picture questions, your next step is to seek planning advice from professionals.

This should involve your accountant, business advisers, lawyers and of course your wealth management advisers – pension and income considerations will be a key part of any deliberations. At the same time, you’ll be able to start coaching your successor and training your employees for a smooth transition when you do leave.

Tips for successful succession planning It takes time to create a useful, well thought out succession plan. So start early – and don’t rush the process.

One of the most important elements of succession planning is clear and timely communication. Keep key stakeholders (business partners, employees, and family members) aware of your plans as early as you can.

Set a reasonable timeline for the creation of your succession plan and try your best stick to it. Review the plan annually along with your business plan, and have contingency plans in place in case any sudden life changes require an unexpected exit, either of you or indeed your successor!

Final tips Although it’s impossible to predict how long it might take for a small business

Robert Dowling

to sell, a good guideline to keep in mind is two to five years. In addition to other professionals you’ll want to consult as you draft your succession plan, you will want to consider the value of the company. And moreover, what you can do to enhance that before the time to sell comes. Much can be done on this area, but it does take time to bed any changes in – it’s certainly not a last minute consideration.

Finally, you will need to consider how much or how little involvement you want in the company in future and this can be negotiated during the sale process.

Our Corporate Finance team provides a full range of advisory services for SME clients. For more information on succession planning for your business, please contact Robert Dowling on 01903 234094.

Having tomorrow’s conversations, today

Our thinking starts with you With our relationship led service, we look to understand the opportunities and challenges faced by your business. Our focus is always on client service, with open and honest relationships.

Switching to MHA Carpenter Box is easier than you think: we make it hassle-free from start to finish. Get in touch today for a free and informal consultation.

Call: 01903 234094 • Email: info@carpenterbox.com

www.carpenterbox.com

Now, for tomorrow

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 13

Legal

Can I rent my flat on Airbnb?

If you have a bit of extra space or a second property, Legal then you might have considered renting it out through Airbnb.

It’s a popular platform to let rooms or whole apartments to those looking for a short term stay.

Homeowners can list their property on the website with photos, house rules and of course - a price. It might seem like a low hassle way of renting your extra space, but if you own a leasehold flat then you could be at risk of breaching your lease.

Can your lease only be used as a private residence?

Iveta Nemcova owned a leasehold flat in Enfield which she frequently let through Airbnb and other rental sites. Neighbours in the block complained to the freehold owner, Fairfield Rents Limited, who then issued court proceedings.

The lease contained several covenants which are commonly found in a residential lease, namely: “(1) Not to use the Demised Premises or permit them to be used for any illegal or immoral purpose or for any purpose whatsoever other than as a private residence.

(2) Not to do or permit to be done any act or thing in or upon the Demised Premises or any part of the Property which may be or grow to be a damage nuisance or annoyance to the Lessor or the Company or any of the occupiers of other flats in the Property or to the occupiers of any neighbouring or adjoining property.”

You might have noticed that the first covenant states that the property was only to be used as a private residence.

Ms Nemcova argued that, as she paid

14 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

bills and rents relating to the property, it was still her main residence even though she let it out for short periods.

Unfortunately for Ms Nemcova, the Court decided that she was indeed breaching the terms of her lease by engaging in these short term rentals.

The Judge ruled that “in order for a property to be used as the occupier’s private residence, there must be a degree of permanence going beyond being there for a weekend or a few nights.”

So, what exactly does ‘a degree of permanence’ mean? Ms Nemcova usually rented the flat for a few days a week, either to holidaymakers or those visiting the city for business. The duration of these lets was deemed to be relevant, and the Judge felt that this type of renting was more akin to booking a hotel room rather than guests taking on the flat as their own short term private residence. The Court stressed that each individual case would depend on the duration of the lets as well as the wording in the residential leases.

Nevertheless, Nemcova v Fairfield Rents Limited has subsequently been dubbed ‘the Airbnb ruling’.

What other clauses might affect you?

“A private residence” is not the only wording that could ground your Airbnb dreams, and other common clauses to look for include: - A clause which prohibits you from causing or permitting a nuisance. If your lease states that you’re not to play loud music or cause a disturbance, then that clause extends to any guests you allow in the property as well. You mustn’t permit any visitors who cause a nuisance and as the leaseholder, you’ll be held responsible if the freeholder brings a claim against you.

- A clause which restricts subletting of the whole or part of the property unless by way of an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement You will want to be sure that the form of agreement your guests enter into does not fall foul of this provision. This wording effectively restricts the duration of lets to a minimum of six months, meaning short term guests could be a problem.

- A clause stating that the property must not be used for business or trade. Arguably, short term lets which generate an income could constitute a business and may be seen as change of use. If you do this without planning permission, you can face a hefty fine so check with your local authority before you start letting.

Disregarding any of the above clauses could not only upset your neighbours, but could also have serious consequences if you end up in breach of your lease terms. As Ms Nemcova found, the freeholder may issue legal proceedings against you and ultimately they could decide to seek forfeiture of your lease. The legal costs can be substantial if litigation ensues and you don’t want to have to pay out because you weren’t aware of your obligations. Not only that, but short term lets could also put you in breach of mortgage conditions.

If you haven’t received consent from your lender where you need to, it could lead to repossession proceedings or a demand for repayment in full.

So before you advertise your property for an Airbnb style let, you should check your lease and its terms carefully. Review any restrictions on use and what consent you might need to obtain, and be sure to seek specialist advice before you start letting.

Rachel Woodbridge - Paralegal Mayo Wynne Baxter

Next time you need legal advice...

let us take the lead Call us on 0800 84 94 101 OFFICES ACROSS SUSSEX

www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 15

Albion in the Community Albion in the Community (AITC) is the official charity Charity of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club and Sussex’s largest provider of football opportunities to people with a disability.

More than 400 people now attend the charity’s 30 regular football sessions, including a growing number of people at the fortnightly club for players with Down’s syndrome.

Upwards of 30 people attend the session, which takes place on alternate Sunday afternoons at the Albion’s American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing; it represents a fantastic opportunity for the players to get active, make new friends and enjoy the playing the sport they love.

The session costs the charity around £3,500 a year to run, and AITC is now looking for seven local businesses to help fund the session by each donating £500 for the coming season. We caught up with Paul Brackley, AITC’s disability manager, to find out more…

Can you tell us a little about the session?

16 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

We run a wide range of sessions for players with a disability, several of which are disability-specific, including our session for players with Down’s syndrome. Our players absolutely love playing football and as well as the regular session, we also try and arrange matches for them – including some which have been held at the Amex Stadium. Our players come from all over Sussex to take part; the youngest is four and the oldest 50. We make sure the session is suitable for players of all ages and our coaches are all FAqualified and experienced in adapted sessions for people with a disability. Its’ easy to take for granted how much it means for people to play football and be part of a team – at AITC we remove the barriers which can prevent people from having that opportunity.

And you’re looking for help to fund the session for the coming season?

That’s right. As a charity much of our work is only possible as a result of the generosity of our supporters and fundraisers. Put simply, the more businesses support our work, the more people we can help. A session like the one we run for players with Down’s syndrome costs around £3,500 a year. We wanted to give as many local

businesses as possible the chance to support our work and so, rather than look for one headline sponsor, we’re trying to sign up seven businesses who are each willing to donate £500.

Presumably that money has a real impact?

Absolutely. Our players really benefit from attending our session – on and off the pitch. Playing regular football is a fantastic way of getting active and benefits their general health; it is also a fantastic way of making friends and having fun. Every business which signs up to our campaign will get the chance to come along to a session and see for themselves the amazing impact their generosity will have on the people we work with.

How can people get involved?

Anyone who would like to find out more about how they can support our session for players with Down’s syndrome should email: fundraising@ albioninthecommunity.org.uk.

We’re also always looking for new players! For more information on this session, or the other sessions we run in Sussex for players with a disability, get in touch by emailing us at: disability@ albioninthecommunity.org.uk.

CAN YOUR BUSINESS SPARE £500 TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME? Charity

++++++++++++++++++ We’re looking to sign up a team of seven businesses to sponsor our football session for local people with Down’s syndrome.

Join the team today. Call: 01273 647257 or email: fundraising@albioninthecommunity.org.uk

Albion in the Community, American Express Community Stadium, Village Way, Brighton BN1 9BL. Tel: 01273 878265.

Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (No. 5122343).

Registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1110978).

Official mediawww.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk partner:

17

Search 7 Scoop Award at BHABAS Award Winning Search Seven talk about why CSR IS their business strategy At the end of July, Search Seven were named as winners of Q&A the CSR excellence awards at the Brighton & Hove Business Awards.

They were also finalists for Best Professional Services and MD and owner Gavin Willis was named as a finalist in the Businessperson of the Year category.

Search Seven were the ONLY company to be up for three awards on the night.

It may come as a surprise that at the start of 2018, they were only a team of three, and had big plans for a year of fundraising to try and hit an ambitious 17k target.

We have featured their #share7 charity campaign a few times before, so this time we wanted to hear a little more about why CSR is such an important

18 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

part of their business strategy and what they have planned next?

Tell us why CSR is important to you?

The agency was built to make a difference. As such, and the inspiration behind the name, we pledge to give back up to 7% of our profits to charity through fundraising each and every year.

We place purpose above profit and spend a lot of time and effort organising and hosting engaging events that brings the community together to have fun and raise much needed funds for some great local charities.

We fully engage the search seven team in our charity events (we are now up to seven) to add that extra meaning in their work too, hence our slogan ‘digital marketing with meaning’.

We have significantly improved our

benefits packages to improve the wellbeing of our team and are always looking at new ways to support the community.

Our events also provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships with clients and partners, and invite prospective clients and partners to get a feel for what Search Seven is about.

This approach has meant that our purpose driven approach, including our charity events, has firmly become an integral part of our business strategy, showing that you can place purpose before profit and be successful.

Are there any other businesses that inspire you to make a difference?

I previously worked at Propellernet and their ethos is people first. They know that by investing a lot of time and energy in the team and making them happy, means they are more aligned to

the business and are more passionate and driven to help the company be successful – by caring about their work and supporting their colleagues. This was a great lesson to see first-hand.

“We place purpose above profit and spend a lot of time and effort organising and hosting engaging events” More recently, Gary Peters and his Love Local Jobs Foundation has really impressed me. With the addition of Jack ‘The Lad’ to the ‘Dare to Dream’ programme, with the aim of encouraging kids in schools to keep dreaming and to not give up, is incredibly inspiring.

Jack talks of his story of coming from a broken home and not doing well at school, both of which I can resonate

with completely, and I would love to be able to collaborate with them on a project to give something back to the kids of Sussex and support the programme in some way.

What does winning the award mean for you and Search Seven?

It means a lot to win the CSR excellence award – The work we are doing as a small company and the impact it is having, is incredible. To be recognised for our efforts is very humbling whilst extremely motivating at the same time. I love organising events and raising money for charity, and it’s become a trait that every new team member must adhere to as well.

Our charity ethos is built into our DNA and something that makes us who we are, and helps us to stand out from the crowd in a crowded marketplace.

What’s next for Search Seven and your CSR efforts?

This year we have had our charity golf day (raising £7,000) and at the end of November we will have our charity quiz night (Thursday 28th November at Tiki), and we are aiming to raise £10,000 in the year.

We also have several team building events we have entered this year, from race events to quizzes and banquets, even the i360 drop – and we are creating an S7 CSR committee (which every s7 team member is a part of) to ensure we keep planning more and more great events the we can either organise or get involved in.

In November 2021, this will mark 10 years for Search Seven, and we are making yet another ambitious fundraising target – this time setting a total target of raising £77,000 over the ten-year period. So please look out for our events in the next few years and it would be great to get more and more people involved.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 19

Rocketing to new heights

Local digital marketing agency rockets to new heights and scoops company of the year award.

RocketMill, the full-service digital marketing agency Awards that puts people first, is the newly crowned Company of the Year

by Brighton & Hove Business Awards 2019.

The win comes in a succession of other achievements, capping a successful chapter as they reach their 10th anniversary. CEO, Sam Garrity attributes this victory to his team, ‘Winning Company of the Year on top of our other awards has rewarded 10 years of hard work for us and our team.

Their behaviour creates the culture and changes it every day. Their talent attracts and retains the clients so this award is certainly for all the people at RocketMill’.

Chief Revenue Officer, Ben Garrity continues, ‘It feels special as it’s not a marketing award. It’s for commercial performance, strategic guidance, employee engagement, and CSR’.

RocketMill also recently placed 12th on The Sunday Times 100 Best Small

20 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Companies to Work For, have been recognised as one of Campaign’s 50 Best Places to Work, and featured as Number 15 in The Drum’s Top 100 Independent Agencies Census.

neglect, optimising their business not just their marketing. These clients are not affected by trends such as inhousing. They want long term, multiple service line, agency partners.’

Offering a full suite of capabilities across technology, data, insight, strategy, creative and media, RocketMill help businesses implement the right technology, derive the right data from it, deliver strategies founded on this insight, and then activate campaigns via their creative and media teams. This model is trusted by some of the UK’s biggest brands and most ambitious SME’s, with retained clients including National Geographic, Dropbox, Kimberly-Clark and Gatwick Airport.

Sam and Ben conclude: ‘To achieve the success our clients need, we’ve always chosen the best people from the get-go.

Some have been with us from the very beginning and we’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of their adventures; seeing the development, marriages, children, promotions. It’s a must and a pleasure for us to look after them.’

While they remain steadfast in retaining clients and talent, they also want to attract new clients and new people but the right ones on both accounts are key. ‘Our clients see us as an extension of their internal team; more of an investment than a cost’, share the Garritys.

‘We cherish the clients the big agencies

‘After all, creating business value starts with creating value for people - true for our team, our clients and their customers’.

Image from left: Bethanie Mardon, Marketing Director.

Sam Garrity, CEO. Neil Barnes, Head of Data Analytics. Category Judge Yvonne Folkes, Stakeholder and Engagement Lead at Gatwick Airport. Bianca May, Client Strategy Director. Ian Flynn, Creative Director. Jack Chape, Deputy Head of Paid Media.

Marc Young, Managing Partner. Rhys Jackson, Chief Technology Innovation Officer.

Meet the Magic Man After meeting Oscar at a recent event, SBT was completely Q&A blown away by his unbelievable magic. Intrigued, we immediately wanted to find out more and introduce him to our readers.

Oscar Wolf takes pride in calling himself a magician. With hundreds of hours under his belt, perfecting techniques and deceptive practices - all to simply to mess with your mind and flip your reality - Oscar has a confident, artistic and stylish flare. He puts a fresh twist on the modern-day conjurer, leaving you questioning if magic is actually real.

He has a strong presence on all social media platforms which has resulted in him being invited to travel and perform his art across Europe.

Oscar performs across the UK - at weddings, club nights, festivals, and exclusive private parties. In fact, there’s not an event that wouldn’t be made more memorable with Oscar’s magic – one that happens to be up-close, personal and right in-front of your eyes.

What sets you apart as a magician?

I feel that people don’t expect me to be a magician. The way I look, talk and act is very different to what some may think a magician would typically be.

What is important to your act?

I want to redefine what a magician and what the art is. Sleight of hand is what I really focus on, and I’ve always tried to stay on the path of impromptu sleights that I can do anywhere at any given time.

What initially drew you to magic?

I’ve always been fascinated with magic - ever since my grandad showed me card tricks when I was young. I’d then watch every David Blaine and Dynamo special on TV and I loved it! I never thought it would be something that I would be able to do and I feel incredibly lucky that I have found the ‘thing’ that I am passionate about and have been able to turn it into my vocation. My hands don’t know what to do if I’m not moving cards or a coin around – it’s addictive!

Does magic ever get boring?

No! There’s so much to learn and to innovate that I know I’ll never get bored.

My mind tells me that if I think I’m good enough then I’m probably wrong, and

that belief is what drives me to get better and better.

What motivates you?

I’ve got to keep everything sharp, practical and beautiful – my aim is to surprise, to bring about that ‘gasp’ – and to bring laughter to my audience.

Oscar, who is only 24 years old, is at the beginning of his career yet he has already performed for the famous, including most recently Amy Hart from Love Island and professional footballers Nacho Monreal, Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk.

He has great ambition and aims to become Brighton’s own well-known ‘magic man’.

We have already booked Oscar for the next SBT event. We urge our readers to do the same. After all, he really will blow your mind!

For more information, contact Oscar: Website: www.oscarwolf.co.uk Instagram: oscarwolf Facebook: Oscar Wolf Magic

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 21

Pier Recruitment Bringing 100% customer service back into the industry

Pier Recruitment are a local agency who have been in Local business now for 7 years. We work with many different businesses across Sussex. Our vision is to ensure we become the Recruitment Partner of choice for our clients.

Our mission is to deliver amazing customer service and aim to make the recruitment experience effective, professional and enjoyable for both the candidate and the client.

We believe recruitment should be simple and streamlined.

Last year we carried out research on what companies find frustrating about

22 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

the service we provide. The length of time spent on the recruitment process was exhausting and candidates not showing up for interviews was demotivating.

80% of our clients said they only carry out a first stage interview or telephone interview to establish if the candidate was articulate and could communicate effectively and then to find out if the person was a good cultural fit for their team.

Many of our clients said that they have so many applications for their jobs, it is often hard to narrow down their search.

This coupled with finding the CV’s often don’t reflect the true skill set of the potential employee, means they feel the need to offer more candidates than they should, an interview.

So, we asked the question, “Would a video interview of the candidate alongside a CV help you to determine who to take through to the face to face stage?”

59% of our clients said they would rather see a video than a CV. Taking what we now know would help support our clients through the recruitment process – our groundbreaking video-engagement system, ‘Pier View’ was born.

Last year we filled 184 permanent vacancies in Sussex

Pier View is enhancing the way we recruit with video images.

opportunity to enhance their chances of getting a face to face interview.

• Clients are not losing good candidates due to the length of the process

Say goodbye to back and forth phone calls and hello to a streamlined and effective hiring process. This will save you time and money to make smart choices throughout your recruitment process.

By eliminating the 1st stage interview, candidates are having to take less time off work to meet with potential new employers and this also speeds up the process for them.

• We have reduced the time to hire by 70%

69% of your candidates said they would rather have a ‘Facetime’ style interview than have to meet with a client in their offices for the 1st stage of the process.

“I used the new video interviewing platform for my recent Sales recruitment through Pier Recruitment. I saw two candidates that I may not have taken forward had I not seen their confidence during the video, but I also turned a candidate down after watching a video saving me an hour of 1st stage interviewing.

The process was quick and easy. I was able to watch the videos on the train home in the evening and enjoyed the video making the candidate real. By the time I got to actually meet the candidates face to face, I really couldn’t choose between them.”

Pier View is a two-way interview tool designed to take the place of a 1st stage interview, significantly reducing the time to hire and therefore reducing the cost for you. The system brings the candidates to life and makes them more than a piece of paper.

This allows the Consultant to ask the Candidate 3-5 pre-set questions about your business and why they are suitable for your role before you invite them to meet you. You will receive this video at the same time as you receive their CV. You can watch these videos on your computer, laptop or mobile device.

Candidates are embracing this new technology too. They see the benefits of the technology and embrace the

Thanks to DPI Photography who took the photos

80% said they would be happy to answer questions about their skills so the company have all the information about them before taking time off work to meet.

Our success has already been established from clients and candidates who have used this service.

•

We have reduced the number of candidates not showing up for interview by 90%. Having completed the video interview, we know the candidates is committed to the process ahead of them.

We have been audited and are 100% GDPR compliant.

Anyone can take advantage of this new system. Contact us on: Info@pierrecruitment.co.uk 01273 874192

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 23

The Art of Communication

In a world where robust communication tools and IT services can mean the difference between success and failure, it is good to know that a Sussex company is leading the field in managed telecommunications.

How many callers to your business won’t call back if they hang Local up while waiting to get through?

Jason Young knows the answer. The managing director of Overline says: “It is 34 per cent - more than a third of potential leads and business.”

So, what is the answer? Helping businesses implement and manage world-class telecommunication systems is a core area of Overline’s continued success. It ensures no lead, order or enquiry is lost because of poorly managed telephone systems.

Among other services, it delivers Advertising On Hold. As well as boosting a client’s corporate image, this innovative service keeps customers

24 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

engaged - yes, while they are waiting and reduces hang-ups. It incorporates lucrative cross-selling, enhances customer loyalty and, importantly, brings brands closer to their target market by imparting important information such as opening times and special offers.

Jason says: “The most important thing about this service is that it is bespoke and developed to ensure it reflects a brand - right down to the tone of voice.

This is very important for consistency in branding.”

IT solutions Overline offers the complete IT Solution, including fire wall security, backup, antivirus software, and on-going IT support and monitoring. It can help you properly look after PCs, laptops and various

other IT Equipment, as well as provide Microsoft Office 365 and much more.

On its IT solutions, Jason says: “We get that delivering communications is all about interconnectivity. That’s why we offer full range of IT Solutions to help you monitor the wellbeing and security of your network and your machines.

“This includes services such as firewall security, anti-virus software, Backup and recovery, on-going IT support and monitoring. Assessing and the expertise to understand and tailor your hardware needs, from PCs and laptops to servers and tablets, and we supply and support the full Office 365 suite.”

Data backup and recovery Data backup and recovery are buzzwords for any modern connected company, but do you know how long it takes your backup to go live? Have

Q&A headsets. They give users the ability to move up to 300 feet away from their phone, promoting physical activity, and multi tasking. They are great for keeping staff more alert and on the ball.”

Noise cancelling headsets cut out background noise and vastly improve the quality of a call - essential for business lines.

Mobile phones for business Overline’s customer support department can help businesses easily switch mobile phone providers. It has access to some of the best business tariffs on the market and works with industry-leading networks to ensure you get the very best deal.

you calculated how much lost revenue your company could face per hour of downtime? What about per day?

Many solutions promote frequent and chunky backups of data but don’t account for how slow it can be to transfer those terabytes back from the cloud into a working environment. Overline’s on-site recovery solution could have you back up and running in minutes, rather than hours or potentially days.

Managed communications Overline is a market leader in delivering communications maintenance and account management.

It also looks after things if you move offices or need help from an on-site engineer.

It understands the importance of continuity and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

That is why it can migrate existing phone systems to new physical locations or help you get the best fit solution if you are looking for a new system.

“We ensure everything is in place when it should be so that no disruption to telecommunications occurs - even during big moves,” says Jason.

Tomorrow’s handsets today More and more busy professionals and executives are looking to Overline for telephone handsets. Its feature-rich range delivers the tools busy people need to manage communications and productivity.

The popular Yealink T48S VoIP/SIP phone includes a seven inch colour

touchscreen. It delivers HD sound quality for a totally clear connection with up to 6 SIP lines. It offers three-way conferencing and can even support Bluetooth devices.

With a whole host of built-in time-saving and business features, this handset has really got you covered.

Overline’s handset range also includes the Yealink T46S for busy managers. As well as boasting a crystal clear display, it offers really simple navigation and 10 multi-function keys. Use them for accounts, BLFS, system functions or straightforward speed dials.

Jason says: “Busy environments demand telecommunication tools that do more than ever before. Our customers are looking for products that streamline the way they work and make communicating not just easier but more effective. They also want information to be instantly available and that is why our handsets are a valued addition to any office or business premises.”

What about headsets?

Overline supplies a range of headsets, including wireless models, designed for modern work environments. As well as aiding productivity, they reduce fatigue and remove some of the physical drawbacks of using handsets.

Frequent use of a traditional phone can cause back pain. Jason says: “Headsets promote healthier working environments.

“They improve the posture and have also been proven to drive up productivity by as much as 43 per cent. That is a huge difference and why more of our customers are switching to wireless

If you are looking for a cost-effective solution for your business, talk to the helpful team at Overline and discover what it can do for you.

CCTV and surveillance systems If you are looking for round the clock peace of mind, Overline offers a range of CCTV and surveillance systems.

As well as improving security, they can reduce insurance premiums and look after your business day and night.

Jason says: “Government statics show that more than 60 per cent of businesses are impacted by crime in one form or another every year. CCTV acts as a deterrent and monitors what is going on in your business. It can even help to weed out false or exaggerated injury or discrimination claims that can lead to costly litigation.

“The way criminals behave is changing and that is why businesses need to change too.

“We deliver surveillance solutions fit for modern workplaces. Overline only supplies industry leading equipment designed to support businesses and reduce risks.”

Whether you need to improve your telecommunications system or give your business better protection against criminal activity, Overline’s got the right solution for your business.

Website: overline.com or Twitter: @OverlineUK Or connect on LinkedIn

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 25

Brighton Born and Bred

When Maria Valentine decided to start her own business, she knew exactly what she wanted to do and where she wanted to do it - she just didn’t have a business plan.

Sixteen years later, she reflects on a Brighton success story and shares some tips on how to stay relevant in an ever-changing business landscape.

Yellow Fish is a Brighton success story. Founded by Cover Feature Brightonian Maria Valentine, the full service marketing and events agency has evolved and thrived with an ethos that centres on Passion, Pride and Personality.

26 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Since its inception in 2003, the business has weathered economic storms and diversified - without ever losing sight of its goal to provide bespoke, relationship-driven services.

It may describe itself as quirky, but Yellow Fish is bang on the money when it comes to meeting clients’ expectations and deadlines. As well as

organising events and ensuring those who attend take away key messages, this is a brand that knows how to help businesses really incentivise and motivate their people. After all, the experience is everything…

A highly talented team looks after the needs of a wide range of clients, including blue chip companies and

household names. They benefit from personalised UK and international event organisation, as well as fully tailored content creation, communications and much more.

In this interview, we meet Yellow Fish’s founder and managing director, Maria, and invite her to share the brand’s story so far.

Sub-divisions of the company are an integral part of its strategic approach to everything and include Y Brighton?

It promotes the city as a destination for fully-tailored corporate events, including conferences, team-building opportunities and staff incentives.

This innovative expansion of Yellow Fish’s core services is designed to showcase what Brighton has to offer big businesses and boost the local economy at the same time.

Sixteen years ago, Maria was working in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. At the time, she worked for a company that had carved out a niche in the pharma market.

Y Creative is also a sub-division of Yellow Fish. It delivers the expertise of an internationally-respected design studio to businesses of all sizes. In particular, it enables Brighton-based companies to benefit from world-class print, multimedia, digital, and display services to bring ideas and concepts to life.

How it all started

“We started getting involved in nonpharma business, including incentive travel programmes and bespoke travel,” she says. “Services were geared towards sales people and customer trips - anything from taking a group to Cape Town to privatising small islands.”

This new strand of the business interested Maria. She saw opportunities that she thought others in the business were missing.

“For me, I thought ‘I could do this differently’,” she says.

“I wanted to have the autonomy to drive that side of the business forward. My idea was for a more client-focussed service that was relationship-driven.”

Her then employers preferred to stay focussed on their traditional pharma business. The only way she could deliver the business and services that really resonated with her was to start her own business.

Almost immediately, she attracted big brands. They included T-Mobile, Visa and Philips. That left her with little choice when it came to setting up a base. She definitely could not work from home.

“I had to have an office and staff from the get go,” she says. “I was dealing with big corporates. Because I needed some cash-flow, I went to the bank.”

That is when the reality of owning her own business really hit home. Maria was asked for a business plan - and didn’t have one.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 27

Cover Feature digital content services, including video - not just to our own clients but to any business.

“Developing the in-house studio was a game changer and transformed Yellow Fish into a full service agency. We no longer just organised and delivered events - we could offer a full service solution and focus on the content and communication as well.”

A lesson learned Like many businesses, Yellow Fish initially fell into the trap of accepting a large proportion of its work from one client. It attracted a lot of business from one major telco brand and a significant amount from two or three other corporates. Maria estimates that well over 80 per cent of her agency’s business was coming from three main clients during 2014/15.

“It was a big learning curve,” she recalls. “I knew my business, but not how to start up one! It started small and, over the years, the business has organically grown. For me, it has never been about growth or expansion, I didn’t want Yellow Fish to become a faceless agency. It is all about personality and being proud of what we do.”

Yellow Fish has excelled across multiple sectors. Its ability to help corporates understand the difference between staff recognition and incentives has been a game changer.

Riding out the economic storm In 2009 Britain’s economy was dealt a massive blow. Recession set in and many businesses went to the wall.

“It was challenging,” Maria admits.

“It made me want to further develop the business. We were very fortunate because, at that time, a key market for us was telecoms. This was a sector that was still developing technology and therefore spending money on rewarding its staff and holding events.”

She witnessed agencies with clients in the automobile and financial sectors collapse.

“They just weren’t viable anymore,” she says. “And that made me focus on the markets I wanted Yellow Fish to be in.

28 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

The more work we did with new clients, the more opportunities I saw. And, as we developed relationships, the trust grew.

“We started offering live production services for conferences, including set designs. Then we moved into messaging.”

This new element to the business meant Yellow Fish could go beyond event organisation and hospitality to help clients get their messages across.

“We asked clients what they wanted to get out of an event and, as a result, started offering content management that focussed on the messages companies wanted people to take away with them.”

In-house design studio Yellow Fish started life outsourcing its client design needs. As the business grew, an opportunity to develop an inhouse design studio came along.

Maria says: “Our clients wanted bespoke brand identity and event concepts. We appointed Matt Sweet as our in house graphic designer and in the beginning, I was worried I wouldn’t have enough work for him. Matt is now Creative Director and his team delivers concepting, content management and

“Business was great,” she said. “It did concern me that so much of our work was coming from one or two clients, but I think, like a lot of businesses, you are so caught up in servicing that you lose sight of the need, or don’t have the capacity, to look for more business.”

In 2016 Yellow Fish suffered a blow when one of their largest clients was bought out and the new company already had its incumbent agency suppliers. The company ‘saw a big drop off’ in business at a time when two other clients got in to financial difficulty and pulled all expenditure on events and hospitality.

“Had we not been tight with cash-flow and finances as well as actively looking for new business opportunities, we could have hit the wall,” Maria admits.

“We had to lose staff and that was really tough. What I learned was that you have to keep constantly re-assessing. You need to look at current trends and stay relevant and never get complacent”.

Maria attributes the company’s success and stamina to pull through the lean times to her team - “If you haven’t got a strong team behind you, you are really in trouble. Never under-value your team and their importance to your future.”

The aptly named ‘Clever Fish’ serving today’s clients have ensured Yellow Fish offers stand-out solutions for brands internationally.

One of the things Maria is currently looking to do for the future is recruit an MD to assist the already talented senior management team in further growth.

Apart from bringing in new ideas, she says, it will put Yellow Fish in a good position to move forward from its current, highly successful standpoint.

“I don’t profess to know it all and business is constantly evolving,” she says. “This isn’t about massive growth; it never has been. It is about staying true to ourselves while developing our services and ensuring we are current in our delivery.”

Bringing a fresh pair of eyes to the table could see the agency further diversify or add more to its current services.

Yellow Fish 2019 Sixteen years after starting her journey, Maria has gone almost full circle.

Yellow Fish has recently won lucrative contracts in the pharma sector.

She says the ‘focus on content’ is what her clients are looking for - as well as the personal service that sets Yellow Fish apart.

“We now have a really good % mix of clients across various sectors and are currently recruiting to service our new wins but with freelance and contract staff to support our core team,” she points out. “This way we don’t incur large overheads when the business need isn’t there”.

Company culture Delivering client-focussed services with passion, pride and personality is ‘the joy of being in Brighton’.

Maria cannot mask her love and enthusiasm for the place she has always called ‘home’.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 29

Cover Feature

She says: “It’s not so stressy in Brighton; I was never a London girl.

Every Tuesday in the summer we have a private yoga class on the beach and there is always a lot of getting out in our local town - whether it is a picnic on Hove Lawns or a pub night. Being relaxed is key to who we are”.

“Yellow Fish people are absolutely professional with incredibly high standards, but we are also a pretty chilled lot. When we are recruiting, we always ask ourselves ‘is this person a Fish?’.

“Having said that, we serve key corporates and what we do has to be bang on. “Our people always go the extra mile.”

“We work to strict deadlines and expectations, but you have to have the ability to switch off. That is why we try to find time to step away from the desk and office.

When Maria started Yellow Fish, her children were aged just eight and ten and her husband was commuting

30 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

weekly to Dublin for work, “it was most definitely not the easiest time of my life” she says.

“I know, as a female, how hard it is to juggle work and family life,” she says.

“It is a massive thing but even more so in this industry with constant deadlines, overseas travel and 18hr days when delivering an event; I couldn’t have done it without a very supportive husband and family around me, I have been very fortunate”.

“I know, as a female, how hard it is to juggle work and family life” Having ‘been there and done it’ Maria understands the demands of the industry on her staff. Many of the original Yellow Fish team now have families of their own which is why providing a flexible environment and regular ‘time out’ sessions is crucial in allowing everyone to re-charge and be the best they can be.

“Family is key and, at the end of the

day, it is about getting the balance right.”

The future Yellow Fish aims to continue to develop its core services as well as support local businesses through Y Brighton? and Y Create.

Find out more about Yellow Fish.

Website: www.yfish.co.uk Telephone: 01273 223500 Twitter: @YFishChat Facebook: www.facebook.com/ YellowFishBrighton LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/ company/yellow-fish Instagram: www.instagram.com/ yellow_fish_brighton/

SBT TRAVEL

TEAM BUILDING IDEAS IN SUSSEX MEET THE TEAM MATTY LAYCOCK

SBT TRAVEL SPONSORED BY BRIGHTON TRAVEL EXPERTS - RED7

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 31

Team Building Ideas In Sussex If you are looking for different ways to organise a team building day out, then we have some great ideas right here on on our door step.

At Red7, we send groups all over the World, but if you’re Travel working with time or budget constraints you don’t need to leave Brighton (or Sussex) for your Team Building! We’ve had a look on our own doorstep, and here are some ideas for team-building and staff engagement across the county.

32 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

If you need some more inspiration or would like to organise some teambuilding of your own, call the Red7 team and they’ll put together some great ideas. 01273 872200.

Independent, award-winning group travel based in North Laine, Brighton,

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”

Red7 have been creating outstanding group travel experiences for over 30 years.

Henry Ford

Travel Phileas Fogg’s World of Adventures

time. So these cocktail masterclasses are not only loads of fun, but also essential skill building tours through the tasty landscape of alcoholic drinks.

And because you’ll almost certainly put on a good buzz in this classroom, most courses include snacks to help you soak up all the…knowledge. Best of all, the skills you learn in this evening or afternoon of laughs will come in handy for years. www.revolution-bars.co.uk/bar/ brighton/

Set within fifteen minutes of Brighton Station, this interactive theatrical experience is great for groups and will have you and your group mentally challenged and laughing along the way.

Each Adventure includes challenges set in stunning themed rooms. With gritty performance from actors, each amazing location was built by the same team that created the film sets for Star Wars, James Bond and Harry Potter.

Once you’ve completed the adventure you can kick back and enjoy a drink and some food in the Reform Bar and Indoor Garden room. www.phileasfoggsworldofadventures. co.uk/

Cocktail Making at Revolutions

Shaken or stirred? Learn the history of mixology with a deft-handed, bottleflipping pro in one of our most popular group activities. You’ll get behind the bar with a seasoned mixologist to learn the tips, tricks, and proportions of the trade. From a crash course in the chemistry of spirits to a hands-on lesson in whipping up specialty drinks, you and your mates will go home with the skills to be true party pleasers at your next cocktail affairs.

Mixing Manhattans, Mojitos, and Mules, you’ll be muddling and shaking your way to a bar-full of laughs in no

www.redsevenleisure.co.uk/groupweekends/cocktail-making/

Sports Day

their teammates, while poking fun and derision at you and yours. But don’t worry, because for sure everyone will become the butt of someone else’s jokes before the day is over and after the competition you’ll all look back and share the crazy moments that had you in stitches.

Old School Sports Days are fun for everyone and a chance to create new memories while reliving the old.

Organise one for your group and you’ll be popular with them all for giving them a great day of laughs and enjoyment and a reminder of how simple life used to be. www.redsevenleisure.co.uk/groupweekends/sports-day/

Escape Rooms

There’s nothing like a little nostalgia for bringing a group together, so this Old School Sports Day that will take you back to those carefree times when you were at primary school is just the thing to ensure that everyone gets talking and has loads of fun at the same time.

Here’s your chance to relive the old times and show that you’ve still got what it takes in a light-hearted sports competition that you’ll all just love.

You’ll be divided into teams and then you’ll be ready for some of the classic competitions that made sports days so much fun. The memories will come flooding back as the announcer calls you forward for the sack race and the skipping race. Will you do better this time than you did back then, or have the years taken their toll? And then there’s the space hopper race where you’ll be bouncing along towards the finishing line with everyone waiting for the moment you fall off. Relays, tugs-of-war and egg and spoon races - they’ll all be there giving you the chance to revisit past glories.

A bit like a cross between The Crystal Maze and a treasure hunt, escape rooms are a whirlwind medley of excitement, tension and thrill that will challenge and excite. You and your team are in it together in victory or defeat! You have 60 minutes to solve a series of connected puzzles that build upon each other and will eventually lead you to your goal. Every puzzle solved is a step towards your goal, and every member of the team can contribute.

Another great way to build a ‘team spirit’ and have some fun, is to support the efforts of local charities and not-forprofit organisations. Giving your team time off to support good causes is a win/win way of integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in your working practices. https://pierpressure.co.uk/

The announcer won’t be slow to point out the disasters though, and nor will your competitors as they encourage

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 33

Travel Tough Mudder!

The ultimate team-building assault course! Tough Mudder grows in popularity year on year, for good reason. It’s a great experience. But, it’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s tough, and it’s muddy! If you’re looking for awesome obstacles and a party vibe, Tough Mudder 5K could be a good alternative (it’s shorter and some of the more difficult obstacles are missing!).

And, if you want to take part for charity, go for it!

So, dress up, bake a cake, have a raffle, bond with your workmates and raise some money for Macmillan.

Red7 recently helped Macmillan ‘take over’ Brighton and Hove - 175 volunteers shaking collecting buckets across the City, raising over £5.5k for charity in just one day. That’s enough money to fund 275 complementary therapy sessions like reflexology or acupuncture for people living with cancer. Rob Reaks, Head of Sales & Marketing at Red7 said, “It was great to be part of this initiative, the team enjoyed being out of the office for a few hours meeting the public, chatting about Macmillan and raising money.

We actually got a little bit competitive to see who could raise the most!”.

Meet the Team…

https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/ 27th September 2019

Paddle Round the Pier

https://toughmudder.co.uk/

Matty Laycock

Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning

When did you join Red7?

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event.

People, businesses, schools and groups all over the UK host their own Coffee Mornings and donations on the day are made to Macmillan. Macmillan raised an incredible £27m in 2018 and this year want to raise even more!

The first ever Coffee Morning happened way back in 1990. It was a rather small affair with a simple idea: guests would gather over coffee and donate the cost of their cuppa to Macmillan in the process. It was so effective, they did it again. And again.

And again. The ‘Coffee Morning’ has raised over £200 million for Macmillan for people living with cancer.

34 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Paddle Round The Pier is Europe’s largest beach festival, and takes place on Hove Lawns every July. PRTP promotes participation in healthy recreation, in particular, by providing or assisting in the provision of facilities for participating in safe amateur watersports and the advancement of education in water safety and lifesaving techniques through organising an annual beach festival.

The charity gives grants to local organisations. Whether it’s manning the gates, shaking buckets or helping in other ways, Paddle round the Pier relies on local businesses to make things happen, and it’s great fun!

January 2016

www.paddleroundthepier.com/ industry-supporters-page/#sponsors

Being part of the Olympic opening ceremony, just the most amazing experience.

What is the best Red7 location you’ve visited?

Reykavik, Iceland - especially the world famous Blue Lagoon, it’s amazing!

What is your absolute favourite Red7 activity?

It’s a knockout, such a great laugh!

What is your top moment of all time and why?

Oasis Empire Print & design

Large format print

Branded clothing

Signage

Promotional items

Exhibitions

Business supplies

Packaging

01903 228878 enquiries@oasisempire.co.uk www.oasisempire.co.uk www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 35

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 36 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

ACCESSORIES BREWERSHOME.CO.UK

SBT LIFESTYLE

HISTORY

PARHAM HOUSE

WINE OF THE MONTH

SPONSORED BY LEVELS BOTTLE SHOP

SBT Wine Club Join today

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

COURTESY OF LEON JONES CATERING LTD

RESTAURANT REVIEW DINNER WITH A DIFFERENCE

HOTEL REVIEW RAILWORKS 1

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 37

PRINTING Full service print solutions - Digital & Lithographic Print - Large Format - Sign & Display

LS-PRINTING.COM

38 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Parham House If, like me until recently, you have not heard of Parham House, I’m glad that I can bring a bit more Elizabethan Sussex your way.

This house is another property listed in Simon History Jenkins’ book “England’s Thousand Best Houses”, with good reason. It’s set in the centre of a historic deer park and has been lovingly restored after decades of neglect.

luck. It was then with the Palmers for some 300 years, so I’d say that was a pretty lucky stone. The extensive collection of antiquities was put together by Mr and Mrs Pearson, with their daughter adding further works.

It is clear that they wanted to ensure that the works collated added to the authenticity of the property and we’re lucky that they did.

Built in 1577 just outside of Storrington, this stunning country house is now in remarkable condition, with expansive rooms offering a glimpse into Elizabethan England. Tapestries, portraits, sculptures and more guide you from room to room with rich stories of prior inhabitants of this beautiful building.

The highlight of any trip is the Long Gallery (the third longest in England), with an important collection of needlework, paintings and furniture. It is within this room that ladies of the house would have exercised (less kettlebells and bikram yoga, more parading serenely in slippers).

Only three families have called it their home since, with it now owned by a charitable trust. The first family - the Palmers,- allowed the 2-yearold Thomas to lay the first stone, a superstition to bring the house good

You’ll know by now that the thing that drives my historical passion is stories and this house has plenty. Our coast is littered with smuggling anecdotes and Parham House allegedly had a part to play, with connections to a notorious gang – “Hawkhurst”. One of the their

bodies was found at the estate with rumours abound that he had fallen out with other gang members. Perhaps he’d quaffed more than his share of spoils.

If you manage to go on one of Sussex’s clement days, finish your visit in the gardens. A walled garden, beautiful borders and iconic pleasure grounds make it worth you pausing here and imagining life. Rumour has it that Elizabeth 1st herself might have sat in that very spot.

By James Dempster - Cobb Digital

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 39

WINE OF THE MONTH Sponsored by Levels Bottle Shop

White Wine Recoleta Pedro Blanco 2018.

Mauricio Lorca. Mendoza, Argentina Price £11.00 We’re sticking with the same winemaker for our white wine choice this month. For a long time, we looked to introduce a really good entry-level white to the range, but we wanted something a bit different, not just another Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay blend, and this didn’t come easy. So, when Mauricio Lorca told us he’d purchased a vineyard in the east of Mendoza planted with old vine Pedro Ximenez, our eyebrows were raised. To be honest, we were expecting something clean, zippy and fresh, but fairly neutral on the nose.

What a pleasant surprise, then, to find a wine offering a delightful flurry of inviting aromatics – lots of juicy-ripe citrus fruit, yes, but also lifted herbaceous notes, dried flowers and summer straw. This lovely little wine is more like an Albariño than a run-of-the-mill Pinot Grigio, with lots to get stuck into, great balance and structure and an excellent finish. Nice one Mauricio!”

Red Wine Recoleta Malbec 2018. Mauricio Lorca.

Mendoza, Argentina Price £11.00 Since his decision to leave behind a promising career in medicine Mauricio Lorca has set about attempting to prove that top quality Malbec’s can be produced in Mendoza without the need for oak ageing. His range is packed full of delicious wines that display a purity of fruit that is not often associated with Argentine Malbec, fully utilising the natural freshness of his grapes, owing to the high altitude at which he cultivates his vines. From his small base in Luján de Cuyo, he runs a no-frills operation based on passion and a serious work ethic that comes across in the quality of his wines. The ‘Recoleta’-named after the cemetery in Buenos Aires in which Eva Peron is buried – is an elegant, easy-drinking style Malbec, full of dark brambly fruit and a soft finish. This is a refreshing, subtle Malbec that really delivers on the palate.

40 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

For this month’s wines we’ve not only chosen two wines from the same country but these are both made by the renowned Argentinian winemaker Mauricio Lorca.

Having turned his back on a lucrative career in medicine, Mauricio took the same intricate precision and scientific knowledge to his true passion….. wine. Mauricio is famous for his fresh, clean, tasty and well balanced wines and these two are testament to his skill, style and passion for wine.

Recipe of the Month

PESTO CRUSTED SALMON FILLET WITH CREAMY COURGETTE LINGUINE Serves - 2 .............................................................

Difficulty level - Easy

This is a lovely easy salmon pasta dish that is good for summer or autumn. All ingredients are easy to get in most supermarkets.

Ingredients • 2 portions of salmon - x 190/220g .............................................................

• Breadcrumbs- x 50g .............................................................

• Basil Pesto - x 50g .............................................................

• Lemon (zest & juice) - x 1 .............................................................

• Dash of olive oil .............................................................

• Cooked Linguine - x 125g .............................................................

• Diced Shallots - x 50g .............................................................

• Garlic Purée - x 2tsp ...........................................................

• White Wine - x 100ml .............................................................

• Double Cream - x 250ml .............................................................

• Grated Parmesan - x 50g .............................................................

• 1 Courgette peeled into ribbons

• 1 Red Chicory or 1/4 Raddichio Lettuce .............................................................

• Spring Onions finely sliced - x 2 ...........................................................

• Chopped Chives - x 2tsp .............................................................

• Small bunch of Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine

Method Firstly to make the pesto crust combine the breadcrumbs, pesto, a pinch of salt & pepper, zest and juice of a lemon.

Depending on how runny the pesto is you may need to add a bit of olive oil until the breadcrumbs can be formed to stick together. Put the crust onto the top of the salmon until it covers the surface area completely. Place salmon onto parchment paper on a tray ready for cooking.

Get all your ingredients for linguine ready before you start cooking the salmon. Once ready put salmon in the oven at 190c and set a timer for 15 mins. After 10 mins start to cook the base of the linguine and put cherry tomatoes in the oven with the salmon.

For the linguine start with the shallots and a bit of oil in a hot but not too hot frying pan.

Add the garlic and fry a bit with the shallots and then add the wine. It should start to boil fairly quickly and then add the cream.

Bring this to the boil and add Parmesan and continue to boil for 1-2 mins it will start to thicken. Now add the Chicory and linguine.

Get the linguine mixed in with sauce and then add courgettes. Again mix in well so its evenly spread in the pan. Last to add is the spring onions, chives and seasoning if desired.

This may take a little longer than the salmon being ready but don’t worry you can just turn the oven off with the salmon just keeping warm inside until you are ready to plate up.

In a large bowl divide the linguine, place salmon on top and cherry tomatoes on top of the salmon. Enjoy!

This month’s recipe is brought to you

by Leon Jones Catering Ltd Leonjonescatering @hotmail.com Facebook leonjonescatering

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 41

Restaurant Review: Dinner with a difference returns in corporate style Restaurant Review

In this month’s restaurant review, we see the return of Brian Lockie and the Dinner with a Difference experience.

Hosted at the amazing Railworks, SBT teamed up with Brian, Top Shelf Wines and Leon Jones, of Leon Jones Catering, for an intimate wine tasting with canapes for 10 guests.

The private dinning space, situated on the ground floor of the property, is fantastic - with its industrial-style décor and fully stocked kitchen. I’s the perfect venue for a variety of events, including corporate workshops, private dining and celebrations.

The evening started around 7pm with some bubbles and the delightful Camel Valley Brut. As always, Brian’s knowledge of each wine is second

42 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

to none. It was a fresh and fruity fizz, perfect for all celebrations, with English hedgerow scents and a touch of honey and apple on the palate. This wine is a critic’s choice in The Mail magazine, 24th March 2018, generating comments such as ‘Commanding flavours, ultrafine bubbles and stunning freshness’.

It is a popular favourite, served in Rick Stein’s world-famous Seafood Restaurant and Nathan Outlaw’s iconic two Michelin Star Restaurants.

After this, Leon served our first canape, gin and beetroot cured salmon croustades along with Parmesan and Black Onion seed shortbreads. These were simply a taste sensation and Brian had paired them with a Don Pedro Albarino, a rare gem from the region of Galicia in Northern Spain. Bright strawyellow in colour with a touch of ripe lemon. Intense and elegant aromas with hints of fresh aromatic herbs and white flowers, as well as nuances of white

stone fruits such as green apples, citric fruits and pears. The palate is rounded and full-bodied with a subtle and gentle saltiness that adds to its vivacious sense of freshness, and an impressive persistence on the finish.

Continuing with the whites, Brian introduced us to Some Young Punks Riesling, informing us that this would divide the room, which it did. This wine is sourced from two sites in the Clare Valley; Mocundunda and Milburn. All of the fruit is whole bunch pressed before fermentation which occurs in a mixture of stainless and neutral oak by a mixture of cultured and indigenous yeast. This is a ripping wine full of diesel and petrol aromas which are only just evident on the palate before giving way to a glorious fruity flavours with an off dry finish and a gentle hint of sweetness.

Brain then paired a Diamarine Provence Rose with Leon’s next canape, Aubergine Involtinis stuffed with Almond

and Sultanas. The wine-making facilities are located close to the vineyards with a total of 19 wineries spread throughout the Provence. Well-known for its expertise in creating excellent Provencal wines, the winery located in Brignoles is the largest in Provence. Pale pink in colour, very expressive on the nose.

With a deliciously tangy experience on the palate with fresh fruit and citrus peel aromas leading to a very elegant finish.

Pair with fish, light salads, as an aperitif or on its own.

Brian and Leon had clearly worked closely to perfectly match the canapes and wine and their knowledge, experience and explanation accompanying was both informative and engaging throughout.

Moving on to the reds and prior to dessert we were then served with Smoked Duck Breast on Fig and Sultana Toast with English Cherry Compote. This was my personal favourite and truly devine. Leon’s presentation and attention to detail of each canape was fantastic, visually creating mouth watering food. This was paired with I Muri Primitivo The bouquet is full of red berry fruit and overtones of a sweet spice. In the glass this wine has a deep ruby red colour with a violet rim. The bouquet is full of red berry fruit and overtones of a sweet spice.

The fruity notes carry through onto the palate, which is full-bodied and has ripe, firm tannins, giving this Primitivo great structure. A great price for a great wine! We also had a Larrivet Haut Brion Bordeaux Very beautiful deep garnetred colour with a complex, charming bouquet featuring roasted and toasty aromas as well as hints of black fruit and vanilla. Elegant, concentrated and powerful, which is well-balanced on the palate. Long aftertaste with remarkably smooth tannin. A great wine with fine ageing potential that will richly reward patience...”

For the grand finale, we had port and chocolate hazelnut crusted truffles - the description alone makes you just want to tuck straight in. Brian had paired this with a real gem, North Star Dessert Wine - the nearest we can get to an ice wine in England. Frozen immediately after picking and crushed while still frozen to preserve the very best of the juice. This wine is from Eglantine Vineyard in Nottinghamshire. North Star is a multi-international awardwinning dessert wine, with a wonderful fruity bouquet, a smooth silky feel in the mouth and a superb, multi-faceted flavour, comprising elements of apricot, mango and marmalade. Judges at competition level particularly comment on the beautiful balance of acidity

and sweetness, which makes this a truly exceptional wine. Makes a great concluding statement to a special meal.

This has now been our second Dinner with a Difference experience. A different type of event this time as we hosted a corporate wine tasting in the fantastic Railworks. Brian was once again fantastic, engaging, entertaining and informative throughout, and combined with Leon’s fantastic canapes it was a truly great evening. One of my guest have already booked the duo for another similar style event and we could not recommend them highly enough.

Whether you are hosting a dinner party at home or a corporate event then get in touch with Dinner with a Difference.

Contact: Top Shelf Wine Service, Brain Lockie, Email: BLMGS@hotmail.com Tel: 07787553262 Bouquet Ltd Bouquet .winesltd@gmail.com 07528550574 Leon Jones Catering ltd, Leon Jones Leonjonescatering@hotmail.com 07718334873

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 43

Hotel Review: Railworks 1 This month Sussex Business Times were Hotel tasked with reviewing one of Beatnik Review Breaks’ venues for our readers.

This property is a perfect venue for the readers of Sussex Business Times, it being the ideal hosting venue for large corporate parties.

sleeping up to five people. The décor is impressively minimalistic and has a trendy feel to it, whilst containing all the useful tools a business client would need. Plenty of storage, day beds, a desk, 40 inch TV and charging ports all add to the comfort and convenience for anyone wishing to combine work and leisure. Each room is en-suite with a double shower and is meticulously clean.

The location is ideal, only 5 minutes’ walk from Brighton station so it is perfect for business stays in Brighton.

The property is a cool conversion of Brighton’s former New England railway maintenance depot. It retains the former railway arches, which are placed directly over the dining space

We all settled in to our respective rooms, increasingly jealous of the chosen few of our party who nabbed the top floor executive suite with a wet room and a four person hot tub.

We were lucky enough to attend with a large group after a corporate event.

Deceptively large, this space consists of seven en-suite bedrooms, each

44 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Perhaps the true unique selling point of this hotel is the massive open plan dining area on the ground floor. The images do not do this space justice. It contains two huge tables and allows for a dining space for up to 34 people.

There is large screen TV which would

allow for presentations or workshops.

The kitchen is an artisan built, solid cedar, chef’s kitchen and is one amazing space. The perfect way to entertain your guests.

“The location is ideal, only 5 minutes’ walk from Brighton station so it is perfect for business stays in Brighton” We were lucky enough to use the space for a private wine tasting event and we were certainly assisted by the facilities at this venue. Enough plates, bowls and most importantly wine glasses for all of us made life significantly easier.

We arranged for a ten person wine tasting event and we used only a fraction of the space available. This venue is very private and it was easy

for our guests to let their hair down and relax in the large living space on the ground floor.

Our evening ran very smoothly and we were able to use the large television for some music afterwards, before retiring to our rooms. The beds were clean and comfortable and everyone reported a very good nights’ sleep.

We catered for ourselves for breakfast and again this was easy due to the large downstairs area and huge tables. Our guests were all thoroughly impressed with the venue.

It was very easy for each of us to then continue to our respective work days, as the venue is right in the heart of Brighton, near to the Lanes and the station and so perfect to continue a working day without travel into the city.

“Whatever your profession, and whatever your theme of evening, they can cater for this and the space means that everyone is comfortable” Our corporate event ran so smoothly at this venue and we will definitely be returning. I would recommend this for a private chef / dining event. The beauty of Beatnik Breaks and their experience so far is that they are also able to arrange all of this for you. They offer the service of you being able to create an event and plan for your choice of private chef to prepare, cook and present your meal in front of you. Whatever your profession, and whatever your theme of evening, they can cater for this and the space means that everyone is comfortable and able to retire to their rooms at any given point. Their website indicates they can

arrange anything from a Mexican street food buffet to a seven course taster menu with a Michelin chef.

The handover of keys was made very easy and therefore check out was a breeze.

Railworks 1 is a truly hidden gem sitting right under our noses in the heart of Brighton. This would be the first place I would go to for a truly private corporate event which can be tailored specifically to your own tastes. Unlike the standard hotels, you can choose your room, the style of evening, your own food and better still your own entertainment. It is a stylish, clean, perfectly maintained boutique hotel with a focus on socialising for networking events.

Tamara Downer Beatnik Breaks Team Availability Enquiries Bookings and Activities +44 (0)7740 512561 www.beatnikbreaks.com

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 45

Groundbreaking Driver Care protects businesses Rivervale pioneers new app to give company directors complete peace of mind. Have you questioned if your drivers are fit to be on the road?

There is some breaking news in the motoring industry Motoring all thanks to Sussexbased Rivervale Cars ltd. Together with a leading Fleet Management Software Company, it has developed the ‘Driver Care’ app that guarantees both drivers and vehicles are fit to be on the road.

Importantly, the app ensures business directors are meeting their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It is designed to reduce liabilities and risks by closing gaps in driver and vehicle checks.

We talked to Vince Pemberton, Chief Operations Officer at Rivervale, to find out more.

46 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Who can Driver Care help?

Driver Care has two sub-sections – ‘Fit 2 Drive’, which is for businesses, and coming soon ‘Drive 4 You’, aimed at private vehicle drivers.

Fit 2 Drive can help any business with company vehicles and even those who pay a vehicle allowance. It is a fully comprehensive software solution that makes it easier to manage day to day risks and problems.

Can you give us an example of how it works?

Yes. For example, an electrical contractor may have 45 vans with drivers who start work from home. They may rarely go into the office and may even end their day back at home. Fit 2

Drive prompts the driver to make the checks that businesses can’t physically carry out remotely.

“Driver Care is designed to ensure a vehicle is checked daily and in more depth weekly. The app directs drivers to carry out simple daily checks, such as on windscreen wipers, lights and tyres.”

Each day, the driver will be asked questions that will ensure they are fit to drive before they start the van. If you are a director of a business, this is important because if you are not taking

Motoring This is all about pro-active servicing, which is really important.

I am aware of a case where a company’s best engineer continued to drive with the engine light on. This resulted in the engine blowing up something that cost his employer £8,000. You don’t know when something like that could happen, a driver could be in the outside lane on a motorway!

Driver Care ensures businesses keep on top of servicing, again reducing liabilities.

What if a driver has a problem? the necessary steps to ensure your staff are fit to do their job it could come back on you and / or your business.

With Fit 2 Drive, a driver has to log into the app and go through a tick box series of questions. For example, they will be asked to agree that they have not consumed alcohol in the last 12 hours and that they have not consumed drugs or medication that could impact their driving. The app also checks that they have the correct driving licence entitlements to drive a particular type of vehicle.

If a driver disagrees with a question, their line manager will be alerted. They will be told not to drive the vehicle until they have spoken to their manager.

At the same time, the app alerts us at Rivervale and we can pick up the baton and ensure a client’s interests are looked after.

In the future, we aim to add telematcis - so a vehicle cannot physically start following a negative response to a question.

How do you check a driver is ‘legal’?

Our driver care app is integrated with the DVLA, allowing us to carry out checks. We operate a traffic light system, so if a driver is disqualified and hasn’t told their employer, or has points on their licence we get a red alert. We also check to ensure a driver is licensed to be behind the wheel of a certain vehicle.

We also carry out checks to ensure those who receive a company vehicle allowance are insured and have the correct insurance.

Vince Pemberton

Other checks include asking the driver to agree they have not been involved in a road traffic collision in the past 24 hours.

This is important because it checks on the welfare of the driver and their ability to drive safely on the road. The app will also check for traffic violations.

What about the vehicles? How does the app look after them?

Driver Care is designed to ensure a vehicle is checked daily and in more depth weekly. The app directs drivers to carry out simple daily checks, such as on windscreen wipers, lights and tyres. A more in-depth check, which includes mileage, is carried out weekly.

Driver Care is there for drivers 24/7.

If they need advice, they only need to press a button on the app. Our call handlers will know who they are and can help whatever situation they are in. It could be something like checking what paperwork is needed for a drive to Europe and having the right equipment in the car, such as safety equipment and a breathalyser.

We have got everything covered. In the event of an accident, for example, Driver Care ensures all the correct information is processed and that nothing is missed. You can even take images and upload them to the app.

Why Driver Care Fit 2 Drive is important Any business that has company vehicles has a legal obligation to ensure they and their drivers are fit to be on the roads. Breaches can lead to hefty penalties and even come back on directors personally. The checks currently not being carried out as routine leave massive gaps that are putting businesses and their directors at risk, not to mention the drivers and other motorists.

Find out more about Driver Care Fit 2 Drive at: vince@rivervale.co.uk Telephone: 01273 433480 Website: www.rivervaleleasing.co.uk

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 47

SBTMotoring News Electric car services partnership Ford and Centrica are set to offer new electric vehicle services in the UK and Ireland as Ford accelerates its electrified vehicle plans in Europe.

Under the planned partnership, Centrica will deliver a dedicated home charging installation service and electrified vehicle tariffs from British Gas and Bord Gáis Energy that will allow Ford customers to benefit from lower energy prices for overnight charging as the new range of Ford electrified vehicles are launched.

Centrica will also make its installation service available to support Ford’s dealership networks across the UK and Ireland.

‘Kiss and fly’ parking among airport charges on the rise

(82 per cent) have put up, or introduced, fees in some way.

The RAC says eight in 10 of the UK’s 22 busiest airports have increased their short-term charges for picking up and dropping off passengers by car since last year.

A total of 16 airports hiked costs for stays beyond the initial periods of pickup parking.

Only Gatwick, Liverpool John Lennon, Bristol and Cardiff airports have kept their prices the same. London Southend has introduced a £3 for 10 minutes pick-up charge while Leeds Bradford is now advertising a £37 fee for 1-24 hours parking after its initial free hour of pickup parking.

Looking at initial drop-off fees – often referred to as ‘kiss and fly charges’ - eight airports (36 per cent) raised these while another eight put up the cost of their initial periods of pick-up parking, and as many as 16 (73 per cent) increased the charges for subsequent periods of pick-up parking. Overall 18

The RAC’s research also looked at pickup parking. Among the eight airports that have increased their initial pickup parking charges for 2019, London Stansted has raised its prices the most with a £2.50p rise to £8 for 30 minutes, making it the joint most expensive airport with London Luton for this type of parking.

RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said: “While flying off on holiday is one of the most exciting times of the year, those dropping off or collecting friends or family are often left wincing at the prices charged by the UK’s busiest airports for the privilege.

“Many airports charge drivers to drop off and pick up to keep the terminal entrances clear of traffic and to discourage long stays in car parks.

Some might also see this as a way to encourage other forms of transport to the airport, but nevertheless these fees are still unwelcome, especially when you consider how little time most people actually spend at the airport.”

Aid organisations test new Land Rover Defender The new Land Rover Defender has been put through its paces under the watchful eye of all-terrain experts from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the latest stage of its global testing programme.

The prototype vehicle visited the IFRC global fleet base in Dubai, ahead of its public debut later this year.

new 4x4 as they wound their way up the tallest mountain in the United Arab Emirates.

Land Rover engineers demonstrated the vehicle’s breadth of capability to their IFRC counterparts both on and off road, before the IFRC fleet experts took to the wheel to test the vehicle for themselves on the region’s desert sand dunes and the twisty tarmac of Jebel Jais highway, experiencing the assured handling and comfort of the

Nick Rogers, Jaguar Land Rover Executive Director of Product Engineering said: “Since 1954 our vehicles have enabled access to remote and vulnerable communities, helping them become more resilient, and we hope the new Defender will maintain this heritage.

48 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

“The dunes of Dubai are the perfect place to confirm that this is the most capable Land Rover ever made. It sits on tyres with an overall diameter of up to 815mm, resulting in a very large contact patch.

“Coupled with our bespoke traction control system, which monitors and adjusts for a large variety of terrains, this makes the new Defender fantastic on sand and incredibly smooth on road as well.”

SBT NETWORKING & EVENTS

BOUNDARY CLUB GAYDIO MIXER NETWORK MY CLUB

SBT NETWORKING & EVENTS IS SPONSORED BY THE NETWORK EXPOSURE GROUP - INSPIRED BY TWO VERY WELL- CONNECTED SUSSEX BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, NETWORK EXPOSURE GROUP IS PASSIONATE ABOUT UTILISING OUR OWN PERSONAL NETWORK AS WELL AS CREATING NEW CONNECTIONS TO HELP GROW YOUR BUSINESS. www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 49

Networking

Great Summer at the Boundary Club After last month’s great review from Chris Mansfield, of Networking Network Exposure Group, we look back at the recent goings on at The Boundary Club.

We have since had two fantastic events.

Wednesday 24th July where we were entertained by none other than ‘Go Compare’ man himself Wynne Evans.

The late afternoon event then led into a fantastic evening of cricket with the T20 Vitality Blast, with the Sharks beating Hampshire by 14 runs.

This month we were back to our regular lunch time slot with the sun shinning and something very different from BBC News presenter John Young, who gave a fantastic, entertaining insight into what it takes and what is involved behind the scenes at the BBC News desk.

John Young

To request information relating to the Boundary Club contact theboundaryclub@sussexcricket.co.uk

Watch highlights of T20 blast

50 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Wynne Evans

Gaydio Brighton Business Mixer

New dates, venues and prices announced Networking

Gaydio Brighton Business Mixer is now held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and will rotate between five central Brighton Venues:

• The Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel • The Old Ship • The Harbour Hotel • The Walrus • Brighton Beach Club

Wednesday 11th September

Wednesday 9th October

Wednesday 13th November

12:00-14:00

10:00-12:00

12:00-14:00

The Old Ship Hotel

Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa

The Walrus (Festive Lunch Edition)

• 2 course lunch with wine • Hot and Cold Drinks

• Held Harbys Bar • 2 course lunch with wine • Hot and Cold Drinks

• Glass of bubbles on arrival • Three course Christmas Lunch • Half a bottle of wine

£35.40

£22.12

£44.90

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 51

Network My Club Partner with the Home of England Rugby Network My Club are delighted to announce a new Networking partnership, this time with the home of England rugby, Twickenham Stadium, which will see the launch of the Twickenham Business Club!

Launching in September 2019, the Business Club will bring together leading businesses and decision makers from the South West London region and afar through monthly networking events hosted at the iconic home of England rugby, Twickenham Stadium, while providing a host of exclusive benefits and opportunities for companies as members.

Bradley Hatchett, Managing Director of Network My Club, said: “We are delighted to team up with Twickenham Stadium, arguably one of the most prestigious and well-known sporting stadiums in the world.

52 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

“The South West London region is rife with flourishing business communities, so teaming up with Twickenham Stadium provides a recognised, accessible and simply world class venue for us to bring together these businesses.

“We can’t wait to start meeting lots of businesses, supporting them as members whilst delivering exclusive membership benefits” “With the Network My Club group covering the South East and London, expanding into the South West London area compliments this thoroughly as we aim to connect businesses not just locally but from outside the area from across our growing network.

“We can’t wait to start meeting lots of businesses, supporting them as

members whilst delivering exclusive membership benefits, all whilst showcasing the enormous potential that association with the venue presents.”

Johanna Byrane, Head of Business Development at Twickenham Stadium added, “We are really looking forward to Network My Club hosting the monthly business club at the stadium. It is a great opportunity for us to welcome local businesses to Twickenham in an informal setting and showcase our amazing facilities that are available on both non-match days and for match day hospitality.”

To register your interest, learn more about the business club (including an early bird joining offer for businesses) and keep up to date regarding the inaugural networking event on Friday 20th September, visit www.networkmyclub.co.uk.

Welcome to New Age Business Networking!

Network My Club uses iconic sporting venues to bring together progressive, forward thinking, professional businesses to form a network in an environment where they can thrive...

Thursday 5th September, 8.00am-10.30am Brighton & Hove Albion FC The Amex Stadium, Brighton Tuesday 10th September, 12.00pm-onwards Match Day Networking Lunch Hampshire Cricket, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton Thursday 12th September, 12.00pm-2.30pm Portsmouth FC Fratton Park, Portsmouth Wednesday 18th September, 12.00pm-2.30pm Reading Football Club Madejski Stadium, Reading Friday 20th September, 12.00pm-2.30pm Inaugural Networking Lunch Twickenham Stadium, London Wednesday 25th September, 12.00pm-onwards Match Day Networking Lunch Surrey Cricket, The Kia Oval, London

Official Business Club Partners:

01903 898025 | www.networkmyclub.co.uk

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 53

A Day at the Races After last month’s cover feature which highlighted what is going on at Brighton Racecourse, the Sussex Business Times decided to have a day at out the races.

Business

I hosted a table of 10 local business people in the fantastic Rrince Regent Suite for the first day of the MarathonBet Festival of Racing.

Each suite has its own dedicated bar area, along with your own tote in order to place your bets.

On arrival, we were welcomed and shown to our table where we ordered some drinks. We took our refreshments

54 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

outside to view the course. The views are quite spectacular.

When watching the racing as you can see the sea and the downs. It makes you realise what an amazing place we are fortunate enough to live and work in. Brighton’s always got to be first past the post for scenery.

We then returned to our table, ready to order our lunch for 1pm and prepare for the first race at 2pm. There were some great choices on the menu, from starters with goats cheese and sundried

tomato tart and parma ham as well as celebration of beetroot and soused mackerel.

For mains, you could choose from four dishes: sirloin of beef, supreme of guineafowl, roasted baby aubergine or fillet of cod loin. For the dessert, we had ample choice. You could pick from peach and Prosecco Semi Frado, summer berry pudding, chocolate mousse and, always a favourite of mine, a selection of English cheeses.

Our waitress was fantastic and

attentive. Throughout the day she was on hand to take our drinks orders and tend to our requirements.

“You can see why the racecourse is such an iconic venue and boasts a variety of different events, not just racing” The food was excellent and my party and I, now feeling full, were ready to have a little flutter. The beauty with being situated in the suite is that you can simply go to the tote, place your bets and walk out onto the stand to watch your race.

Although, you also have the access to be able to go down to the bookies’ trackside and really get amongst everything to place your bets.

As mentioned, the views from the Prince Regent Suite are sublime. As it is situated on the third floor, it provides a truly great view of the Sussex coastline.

with a fully-fledged marketing team to make business events a real success. I could not fault the service we received on our day.

We were fortunate as the weather was quite spectacular. with the sun shinning which of course added to the experience.

Our afternoon could not have gone better. Everyone on the table had the odd winner - which certainly helps and, as days out go, the races are such great fun.

You can see why the racecourse is such an iconic venue and boasts a variety of different events, not just racing. It hosts business expos and concerts, to name a few, and provides an ideal venue to host seminars, awards ceremonies, staff training days and many other corporate events.

From a business perspective, whatever event you are looking to host, the Racecourse will have it covered.

The racecourse has a fantastic array of conference, wedding and other facilities. It has spaces available for every conceivable event. Visiting the MarathonBet Festival of Racing certainly opened my eyes to what is really on offer here.

As well as the sheer amount of space, the racecourse has fabulous restaurants and bespoke catering options - coupled

Being the first day of the festival, the racecourse was packed - which all made for a great atmosphere. But, by being in the suite in between races, you can return to your table, relax, converse and pick your next winner.

There are still a few meetings left and, if you haven’t been for a while, I urge you to get along to a race day - whether you are looking to entertain clients or have a team building day with your staff this is the perfect solution.

Good food, good wine, great service and if you’re lucky you might come away with the odd winner or two.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 55

Business

How To Franchise Your Business Franchising your business can be Business extremely lucrative. It is one of the fastest ways to grow a concept. Suitable for a wide range of sectors, franchising is an exciting way to introduce your brand or idea to a potentially huge audience. KFC, Pizza Hut, Budget Blinds and Interim Healthcare are among the world’s top franchises. Your brand could join them. But, before you start dreaming of early retirement, it is worth knowing that creating a franchise can be complicated.

As a franchise expert with more than 14 years’ experience, I help people just like you avoid the common pitfalls that can finish an idea before it gets off the ground. I have been both a franchisor and franchisee, so I have seen the benefits and challenges from both sides of the coin. This brief guide will explain the main hurdles you will have to overcome to make your franchise a success.

The legalities of starting a franchise In order to start a franchise you will need to ensure your paperwork is in order. As a rule, the minimum you will require is a standard disclosure document. This is actually more complex than it sounds. A typical Franchise Disclosure Document has to explain, in print, the inner workings of your business. Seek professional advice before putting pen to paper. Getting this right will put you on a firm footing for the future.

You will also have to consider the financial side of things. Make sure you have audited financial statements prepared. This is because you won’t be able to legally start a franchise

56 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

without them. Professional help from an experienced accountant is essential.

Franchise systems and training In order to launch a new franchise successfully, you will need to develop robust systems. Consider them the engine room of your enterprise. Develop every aspect of your business so that it can be easily standardised. Replication is what franchising is all about, so standardising everything is pivotal.

The devil is in the detail. Make sure you prepare a comprehensive, clearly documented Operations Manual.

Just like the concept of your business, training must also be standardised. You will need to develop a credible training programme. High-quality training, delivered by qualified professionals, will help you sell your concept to franchisees.

Franchise marketing and quality control Franchising requires two marketing strategies. One will be for your franchisees. A core message, strong product or service branding and compelling calls to action will be needed to drive customers to their businesses. Make it bold but simple enough to be replicated anywhere and everywhere. Think about what your business stands for. What makes it unique? The second marketing strategy will be needed to attract and recruit franchisees – and, of course, generate revenue. What makes your franchise worth investing in?

The key to everything in franchising is quality control. Whatever your franchise is selling, put quality at the heart of it. Develop processes that include checklists, policies and also procedures to ensure your Operations Manual is uniformly enforced.

Learn more about starting a franchise Having the right attitude is the

Mike Monk

cornerstone of success in franchising.

Being focused, positive and flexible is crucial. Expect to face challenges and be prepared to overcome them. If it all sounds a bit daunting, you will be pleased to know there is expert support available to guide you through the franchise process. I offer the Complete Franchise Package. It is designed to help you save time and speed up the franchising process.

It includes, among other things: • A franchise model and blueprint • An analysis of the potential competition in your marketplace • A fully customised franchise website, optimised to increase online visibility.

• It also includes tools to help you make the best use of your analytics • Legal documents • Help to formulate your franchise • Operations Manual • A business plan and financial forecasts • A marketing and recruitment plan

Find out what else my Complete Franchise Package includes. Contact me today on 07885 490266 or email mike@monkmarketing.com

Becoming a Franchisee What you need to look for...

You must make sure you are ready to on a Franchise Business take Business and are prepared for the hard work ahead and are willing to listen to the advice from your Franchisor.

Do your research. You must research the industry you are interested in as well as all the potential Franchise Business’s in that field.

Check them out thoroughly as to how long they have been trading, are they profitable? How many Franchisees do they currently have? Contact 2 or 3 of their Franchisees and ask them how and what it has been like working with that brand.

What territories are available and how is the territory broken down? Is it by Post Code, County or Number of Business’s in that area?

Visit the BFA (British Franchise Association) Exhibitions in London, Birmingham, or Manchester and spend the day talking to various Franchise Brands and bring back as much information as possible.

Speak to your local Chamber of Commerce and get advice from them as they will have people like Mike Monk who can advise you...

Meet with your potential Franchisor at their premises and have a check list of

questions you would like answered...

They will probably ask you to fill in an enquiry form before the meeting so you both have an understanding of each other.

Ask to see financial forecasts and are they achievable in your chosen territory and check this out with some of their franchisees.

How long is the Franchise Agreement to run for, is it 3 years or 5 years and does it renew at the end of the term and under what guidelines? Will they charge a fixed Monthly Management Fee or a % of your monthly sales turnover and if so what %? When renewing your Franchise agreement for a further period of time is there a Franchise renewal fee?

Should the Franchise be van-based, then find out if they supply the van ready for use. Do you have to buy it or lease it for 3 or 5 years and if so what are the costs?

Should the Franchise be retail-based, then does the Franchisor help you in finding the right premises and at favourable terms? Will they Kit out the retail unit in their corporate identity and if so is this an additional cost or is it built into the Franchisee Fee you pay upfront?

How much training do you get and for how long especially in the first year?

Ask your accountant to check the figures with you and help you to draw up a Business Plan and only use a Franchise Solicitor to check through their Franchise Agreement and advise you on

any difficult or contentious points.

Does the Franchisor have a good website and are you listed on it or have access to it and if so how will that work? Do they give you an email address etc?

Are you given Head Office support for Sales & Marketing or Setting Appointments?

What level of support do you get from the Franchisor, are there regular meetings especially in the first year and do they supply all the stationery, brochures and business cards you need?

Ask to see the Operations Manual as this should have everything you need to refer to with regard to how the Franchise works and should be updated every year.

Is this what you are looking for?

Michael Monk, Director Monk Marketing Franchising Ltd Glen Livet Silverdale Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RD Brighton Expo www.B2BExpos.co.uk/brighton Take a look at the Video from Brighton Business Expo https://vimeo. com/314265402 West Sussex Expo www.B2BExpos.co.uk/westsussex Monk Marketing www.monkmarketing.com

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 57

Chamber News

Sussex Chamber of Commerce Business priorities Businesses are looking to the new Chamber Prime Minister to take swift and News tangible steps to inject momentum and confidence into the UK economy. Unless decisive action is taken, we believe the UK economy will remain locked onto a low-growth trajectory.

The Chamber network’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey, the largest and most authoritative private-sector survey of business conditions in the UK, records an economy in stasis following the relentless uncertainty surrounding Brexit and changes in the global economy.

Firms remain deeply frustrated and angry that they do not have clarify on either future training arrangements or the business environment here at home. Many businesses and investors will continue to put off major decisions through the summer and into autumn, hoping for a breakthrough in the Westminster impasse that avoids a messy and disorderly Brexit on the 31st October.

The Sussex Chamber is one of 53 Accredited Chambers in the UK. The British Chamber network, which represents 75,000 firms of all sizes and sectors, employing 6 million people has presented the following proposals to the new Prime Minister.

58 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Brexit And Trade • Avoid a messy and disorderly Brexit • Step up government planning and enable businesses to plan for all scenarios • Automatic registration for key trade simplifications • Ensure continuity of trading conditions with third countries, • Clarify intentions on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Business investment

• A one-year moratorium on all policy measures that increase business costs • Ensure all businesses benefit from rates holidays on new property builds and improvements • Launch a root and brand review of current business rates system

People

“British businesses have proved time and again their resilience and adaptability, but they need support and the right conditions to achieve their full potential.”

Firms want to see concrete and deliverable plans to tackle barriers to growth here at home, boosting the UK’s global reputation as the place to invest and trade. When business thrives, people and communities thrive too. Most importantly, we want the incoming government to go all out to avoid a messy and disorderly Brexit, which would bring pain and disruption to communities and businesses across the UK.

• Protect funding for education and training • Reform apprenticeship funding and standards • Deliver a light-touch, streamlined immigration system that works for business

We call on the new Prime Minister to work together in a true partnership with business. Deep and effective engagement with Chamber business communities, as well as wider business interests will ensure that policymaking has economic growth and wellbeing at its core.

• Reaffirm commitment to major projects • Commit to a clear UK energy strategy • Back industry proposals to eliminate mobile not spots • Funding to clear backlog of local road improvements

Businesses in Sussex, who wish to raise any business concerns, should email: info@ sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Infrastructure

CONNECT WITH THE LARGEST BUSINESS ORGANISATION IN THE SUSSEX GROW

DISCOVER

Open the door to new business

Unearth export prospects

opportunities through our

and global growth with our

networking, business events, forums

International Trade and Export

and support services.

Documentation Services.

DEVELOP

INFLUENCE

GROW Increase your skills and knowledge Events

Have a voice at local and national

to develop a brighter and better Support

levelsDISCOVER through the powerful and

Services

GROW future with our high-quality Sponsorship training

courses.

Networking GROW

Support Services

Export Commerce network.

DISCOVER International

Support Referrals Services

Trade Services Sponsorship

Documentation Services

Forums Events

Support Services DEVELOP

GROW

influential British Chambers of

Events

Networking Sponsorship

Referrals DISCOVER Global Markets

International Trade Services INFLUENCE

Forums

Training Export Global International Referrals Documentation Markets Trade Services Workshops Services Voice Networking DEVELOP Policy Forums Events Training Apprenticeships Global DISCOVER Young Local and National WorkshopsMarkets Chamber Representation SponsorshipDEVELOP Policy INFLUENCE TrainingApprenticeships Export International Documentation Young TradeWorkshops Services Services Chamber Policy

Referrals Networking Forums

Apprenticeships DEVELOP

Global Young Markets Chamber INFLUENCE

Export Documentation Services

INFLUENCE

Voice

Local and National Voice Representation

Local and National Representation

Training Workshops AS A CHAMBER MEMBER YOU'RE WELL CONNECTED Voice Policy

Apprenticeships

WWW.SUSSEXCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE.CO.UK Young Chamber

Local and National

@SussexChamber 01444 259 Representation 259

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 59

SBT

ASK THE

EXPERTS

WE ASK THE EXPERTS TO GIVE YOU THE ANSWERS YOU NEED

EXPERT

Adrian Samuel | Director and Solicitor, So Legal

customer who seems to have some kind of bee in his bonnet) vaults the reception desk and puts the customer in a headlock.

A month later you get a nastily worded letter from a hot shot law firm threatening a claim for big money for the neck injury, cranial bruising and cut lip and broken front teeth of the (now rather less vocal (on account of the injury!)) customer.

I can imagine the reaction might initially be laughter then annoyance a good deal of anger and then fear.

If your receptionist puts your customer in a headlock you could well be liable for that.

Would that surprise you?

Think about it. Your receptionist comes in every day and is a mild-mannered person.

But on this particular day a customer starts causing a rumpus and just won’t shut up.

The receptionist (being bombarded with calls at the same time as having to deal with this

responsible for that? What the…*!$@.

Courts are saying these days that such acts (of employees, owners, directors) which are “sufficiently connected” to the work can render you vicariously liable.

Boom!!!

This is a really interesting area of developing law and you had better watch out…no really.

If the court thinks the connection test is made out and it is “just and reasonable” to make you pay - then pay you will.

The most recent case in which an MD walloped an employee at an “after party” causing him serious brain damage was perhaps circumstantially very unique but a sure sign that the risks are there day in and day out.

• You would be right to be fearful.

• You had better notify your insurers.

• You are probably going to be liable.

What?! A member of staff does something they are not employed to do, something entirely outside what they would do as part of their usual work routine and on top of that they have assaulted someone….and I am

What can you do? Make sure your insurances cover you for such things arising out of the employment relationship…and otherwise.

Delivering an exceptional range of hot and cold hydration solutions | Bottled Water Coolers | Mains Fed Water Coolers | Water Boilers | Water Fountains | Specialty Taps | Accessories

0344 579 3999

edgarswater.co.uk 60 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

enquiries@edgarswater.co.uk

EXPERT

Craig Barnett | Founder, Wisit information, or even your own payroll.

Gulp!

Why should I protect my business from cyber fraud?

If you are using the internet for business, then you are at risk from cyber fraud. This isn’t just a worry for big corporates. If you are an SMB or a freelancer working alone using google docs or a similar cloud-based system, then you too are at risk.

The threat is real and constantly changing so that even the most ‘savvy’ amongst us can be tricked into giving out passwords or unwittingly giving access to finances, data, sensitive client

Whatever size business you are it does not cost the earth to ensure that you are safeguarding your business online.

The most frequent issue that we see is simple –weak or non-existent network security. Keeping your business safe is a crucial task and when it comes to attacking businesses, hackers don’t discriminate! Cybersecurity is something to be proactive about, and I set up my business, Wisit, to make the process simple and easy.

Wisit takes straightforward and costeffective steps to ensure your network and technology devices are safe and secure, especially as online platforms are changing so rapidly alongside the IOT (Internet of Things). We’ve all got gadgets, smart TVs, and connected devices to make our lives easier, but how secure are yours? We all want the latest technology and gizmos, however,

how many of us know how to secure them? With some very sophisticated cyber-attacks specifically aimed at SMBs, Wisit is here to help guide you and protect you from cyber fraud.

The Wisit team has over 20 years’ experience in the IT and Comms world and whether you’re a Wisit client or a member of the team, it’s our job to make sure you’re achieving the best results – if you’re succeeding, then so are we. Our mission is to rock the boat to see how we can help transform your business, whilst giving back to the environment. Every time we bring a new client on board, we will plant a tree or remove a kilogram of plastic from the ocean. We will also plant a tree for every fully managed user.

For more information, please visit www.wisit.co.uk or contact us hello@wisit.co.uk

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 61

Made in Sussex: Levels Wine Shop Brand focus experts.

This month, we launch our eagerly anticipated SBT Wine Club - with more than a little bit of help from one of Sussex’s most respected wine

Hardy Ovaisi is a wine connoisseur with a true passion for not just for wine but food too.

He really does know what tipple goes with what - and will help us shine a light on new, overlooked and standout ‘must buy’ wines.

As well as owning both food and wine businesses in Sussex, Hardy’s expertise is recognised by those in the wine industry. That is why he is also a judge of wines at competition level.

Hardy was introduced to the world food at a young age - thank to his father.

Mr Ovaisi Senior owned a wholesale produce company which Hardy ended up running.

That work involved the sourcing and supplying of high-quality fresh produce.

Customers included businesses large and small involved in catering across Sussex.

62 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

After a decade of working in the food supply sector, Hardy decided to study for a degree in wine.

He undertook those studies at the Centre for Wine Excellence, based at Plumpton College.

His hard work and dedication paid off - he gained a BA Honours Degree in Wine Business. Not only that, he was awarded the prestigious Hakkasan Wine Business Award for being top wine student in the country.

Hardy was the only student to complete WSET training whilst studying at the college at that time.

With his university studies behind him, Hardy was moved to start his own business - Cru wine bar and restaurant.

The business has enjoyed sustained success, going from strength to strength over a period of three years.

Inspired, Hardy has now launched Levels Bottle Shop and Tasting Room.

The business comprises a wine shop, wine bar and wine education centre.

Importantly, Levels Bottle Shop is also a wholesaler of wine to the catering trade.

Having set up Cru in 215, Hardy has

gone on to serve as a judge at the IWSC Wine Awards.

Reflecting on his success at Cru, Hardy says: “What we offer is a quality, seasonal produce-based menu that is ever-changing and an extensive artisan wine list to match.

“Our head chef Nic Oarton has worked with a host of top chefs, including Marcus Wareing, Heston Blumenthal.

He has also won rosette awards.”

Levels Bottle Shop and Tasting Room was founded in December 2018.

“It is a hybrid wine shop and wine bar. We host pre-booked private wine tastings,” said Hardy.

He says he is delighted to team up with SBT to launch the SBT Wine Club.

Sam Thomas, SBT’s Managing Director, said: “Thanks to Hardy’s outstanding expertise, we can now give our readers the opportunity to try and variety handselected wines.”

To Join Or for more information on the new SBT wine club contact Sam@ thebusinessgroup.co.uk

SHARED & EXCLUSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTIES AT THE AMEX STADIUM 2019 BOOK YOUR SPACE NOW Contact the events team to book today: 0 1 2 7 3 8 7 827 2 | E V E N TS@B HAFC.CO.UK |EVENTSATBHAFC.CO.UK

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 63

DECKED OUT CHRISTMAS PARTIES AT BRIGHTON HARBOUR HOTEL With packages starting from ÂŁ30

Our Christmas parties are perfect for a team night out or a gathering of friends, as you enjoy delicious dishes and a great festive atmosphere.

Our private event space can be hired exclusively for your Christmas party. Just ask a member of our team for more information. We have two wonderful private event rooms for you to choose from, both available from the 22nd November 2019.

Quote 'Sussex Business Times' to receive a complimentary arrival drinks reception and an upgrade to a half bottle of wine from a glass of wine per person* Subject to availability & T&C’s apply.

*

64

Call 01273 916425 or email brighton.events@harbourhotels.co.uk to learn more. www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk www.harbourhotels.co.uk/brighton