SBT Issue 436

SBT

ISSUE 436

FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

TOWN AND COUNTRY

PROPERTY SERVICES IN HOVE

SBT hears from Director, Stephen Chipp

ALL IS REVEALED!!!

For this month’s cover feature, we reveal all about our exciting new project for the Sussex business community.

COVID-19

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SBTWelcome Meet the team

Sam Thomas, Managing Director/ Publisher

Greg Carroll, Partner

Welcome to our first edition of Sussex Business Times for 2020.

We put out this issue of SBT amidst unprecedented times with the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a huge amount of uncertainty surrounding us, but we have been moved by the support of the local business community, with people adapting, offering advice and above all friendship to each other in a time of true economic need.

In this issue we have our Covid-19 special feature with thanks to Watson Associates Director Paul Severn, as well as Retail Distribution Services Director David Drake, for their insight, overview and advice for businesses.

Lee Mansfield Partner

Kim Butler, Production

Belinda Bennett, Editor/ Head of Social Media

Stephen Lawrence Photographer Snap it Now

Contributors

Sam Murphy, Managing Director, Mortgage Medics

David Drake, Director, RDS

Paul Severn, Director, Watson Associates

Naturally in this worldwide emergency, the business community has shifted towards an online presence, and as a specific response to the Covid-19 disaster we have decided to make an announcement slightly earlier than planned, with the genuine hope of meeting the current online needs of the business market. We have been working hard on this project and we are delighted to announce our plan to launch County Business Clubs Sussex.

After an amazing 45 years in publishing and serving our local businessmen and women, we are taking Sussex Business Times in new direction.

As you’re all aware, I partnered up with Lee Mansfield to run SBT back in 2018 – the main reason for this being that we shared a vision to launch a new online, localised members club and turn traditional publishing on its head, looking to connect, engage and benefit the local business community in a variety of ways.

County Business Club Sussex will be a fully functioning online platform providing a Content Hub, Community Platform, Crowdfunding Platform, e-Commerce Platform and a Service Platform. You can read all about what we have been working on and what is coming your way in this exciting, packed issue of Sussex Business Times.

Also in this issue, we turn our focus to the value of financial advice with word from IEP Financial, as well as hearing from Mi Efferson – a video producer and Founder of Vlog Academy in Brighton.

We have an interesting guide on Adverse Possession and First Registration from Mayo Wynne Baxter in our Legal section, while our new Property section is sponsored by Town and Country property services. We speak with Director, Stephen Chipp about the company’s background and journey into the Sussex business community.

We also hear from MCR Media, as well as our regular hotel reviews and wine and recipe of the month in our popular Lifestyle section.

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

Finally, a personal thank you from me for your support over the last 2 and half years with Finally, we would like wish all our readers, businesses, friends and families all the best through this turbulent time, stay safe and healthy and we will see you soon.

Sam Thomas, Managing Director

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Issue 436

Cover 436 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 ©

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06 08 12 14 16 18 20 26 28 30 35 40 42 47 62

News

A round-up of business stories from across Sussex

Covid-19 Special

We take a look at some information regarding small bisinesses and the current Covid-19 Pandemic.

Finance

We take a look at the value of financial advice from some leading professionals over at IEP Financial.

Legal

A guide to Adverse Possession and First Registration, by Carrie Elliott at Mayo Wynne Baxter Solicitors.

Digital

Mi Elfverson, Founder of The Vlog Academy based in Brighton, explains to us why we should all get on board with Vlogging!

CBD

What’s all the fuss about CBD, Hemp or Cannabis oil? Michael Yeoman explains all.

Charity

We take a look at three local charities, including VYD, Rockinghorse and Give a Dinner Party, that are doing amazing things in the area.

Property

SBT hears from Director of Town and Country in Hove, Stephen Chipp, who give us some insight into the company’s background.

Q&As

MCR Media goes under the spotlight in our Q&A section.

Cover - County Business Clubs

For this month’s cover feature, we reveal all about our exciting new project for the Sussex business community.

SBT Lifestyle

Cooking at some scrumtious Vegan delights for all to enjoy!

Review

This month I was given the pleasure of reviewing the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey.

Motoring News

A round-up of motoring stories from around the globe.

SBT Networking & Events

Some gteat Network my Club offers as well as a look at an event from So Legal along with Chamber News.

Made in Sussex

We find out more about the company Mortgage Medics based in Hove.

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SBTLocal News Multi award winning Microsoft Gold Partner Extech Cloud makes a strategic appointment about Simon’s impressive track

To date, Extech Cloud has successfully delivered over 100 cloud migrations of this type.

he’s finally joining the team in these

Simon, 46, previously worked for IT

on board. About his appointment,

he had this to say, “We have known record for many years and I’m elated exciting times.”

Extech Cloud took the brave decision to refocus its business model well in advance of the marketplace and is

now positioned as a market leader in

Sussex and beyond. Having developed the Extech Cloud Methodology, the service digitally transforms

organisations by transitioning them to the public cloud, a revolutionary form of cloud computing.

Building on its success over the past five years Extech Cloud is delighted to announce the appointment of

Simon Gregg to the role of Senior IT Consultant. In his new role Simon

will be driving new client acquisition and creating new relationships, contributing to Extech Cloud’s

ambitious growth and acquisition

plans. Simon will have a particular

emphasis on developing engagements across the following sectors: legal,

manufacturing, professional services, logistics and recruitment.

Simon will be working with his new

Extech Cloud’s ability to provide bestin-class public cloud services means it provides clients with four distinct

advantages, over classical cloud or IT services:

•C ost-savings between 20%-50% •R eduction of cybersecurity instances of up to 60%

• 5 2% reduction in employees who

say IT negatively affects their dayto-day work

•M onthly OPEX rather than cashintensive CAPEX

clients to improve where they are now

The proprietary process runs through

with a future-proofed technology road

Extech Cloud to

value clients; continually working with

IT infrastructure to a

Hookway is thrilled to welcome Simon

technology platform.

with technology and providing them

seven different stages, which allows

map. His aim is to develop lifetime

revolutionise its client’s

them in partnership. Director Andrew

modern and innovative

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First for 15 years, Face Media Group and the Rockinghorse Children’s

Charity. In his role with IT First, Simon worked closely with Brighton & Hove

Albion FC as a key partner. He is hugely proud of the relationship and liaison with the club, over many years and

especially, during the build process of the Amex Stadium, he comments:

“Good business relationships are really important, I always aim for long term partnerships.”

Goring-based Simon has known Extech Cloud Director, Andrew

Hookway, for several years and said this about the company: “Extech Cloud has always had a different

offering to its competitors, which has further developed over the last three years. It partners with clients to add

real value, which I find very exciting!”

He went on to say: “It’s a very

welcoming environment, I felt part of the team very quickly. Extech Cloud is very enlightened and has a great

attitude. towards its team and treats clients in the same nurturing way.”

SBTLocal News It’s a hattrick! Brighton technology company is named one of the best places to work for third year running and manufacturing company to make the ranking.

Global technology company based in Brighton, Paxton, have made the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the third year running, ranking at 75.

Adam Stroud, Paxton’s CEO, said: “All of us at Paxton are thrilled to appear in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Companies list for the third year running. A positive company culture is hard to achieve and is a result of a great many things.”

For the third consecutive year, Paxton are the only East Sussex based

Paxton have a high level of employee engagement. Of those who were asked, 88% completed the Sunday Times survey, with one commenting: “Paxton continues to strive for greatness amongst its rivals. The ambition and attention to detail along with putting its staff at the heart of things will ensure the future is really bright.”

Nicola O’Donnell, HR Director, said: “We are so excited to have made the list for the third year running, it’s a great achievement and all relates back to our amazing people. We continually look for feedback to improve and that’s really important for us at Paxton.”

Celebrating its 35th birthday this year, Paxton now have teams in 12 locations across the world. They are committed to investing in the local community, holding regular volunteering and charity days. Four years ago, they launched the Paxton Scholarship, which offers four university students a £10,000 scholarship and three-month paid work placement with Paxton. Paxton are very proud of their Sussex roots and have no intension of relocating, with plans to purchase additional premises over the next five years, to support their ambitious growth plan.

Find out more about working at Paxton visit: www.Paxton.Info/5599Page

MHA Carpenter Box shortlisted for three Gatwick Diamond Business Awards!

Sussex-based chartered accountants MHA Carpenter Box have been named as a finalist in a remarkable three categories of the prestigious 2020 Gatwick Diamond Business Awards.

Now in their twelfth year, the awards celebrate people and businesses who have shown innovation and inspiration in their work and have demonstrated a real commitment to the region; they celebrate the ‘best of the best’ across the Gatwick Diamond.

MHA Carpenter Box has grown from strength-to-strength in recent years and now employs over 170 people at its offices in Worthing, Brighton and Gatwick; in fact, in the last month the firm has moved to new larger premises in Gatwick to meet the growing demand for its services in the area.

MHA Carpenter Box Managing Partner, Alan Edwards, was delighted to hear that the firm has been nominated as a finalist in the Employer of the Year and the Developing People categories of the awards. It has also been shortlisted in the Community Investment Business of the Year category following a very successful year in 2019 where the firm’s Charitable Foundation raised over

£35,000 for local charities in its 10th anniversary year.

Alan commented: “Being shortlisted in no less than three categories of such prestigious awards is a great achievement for MHA Carpenter Box and it highlights the quality of our team members – all of whom like to go that extra mile to help our clients achieve their business goals.”

The firm now has to wait until Thursday 19th March to find out the results at a glittering awards ceremony at the Effingham Park Hotel, Gatwick.

www.carpenterbox.com

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SBTNational News - Covid-19 Special

COVID-19 Update for Businesses Yesterday the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, set out further measures the Government will be implementing in response to the Coronavirus outbreak, in order to minimise the economic impact of the necessary steps the Country will take in the coming weeks and months. A summary of the key policies follow but please also keep in mind the measures that had already been announced in last week’s budget; particularly the ability for businesses to defer debts due to HMRC for PAYE, VAT and Corporation Tax. In many cases this will be the most effective step many businesses will be able to take to preserve cash flow liquidity. You can follow the button link below to find out more on this scheme.

Tax Helpline to Support Businesses Affected by Covid-19 www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

Principal measures announced yesterday Loan funding for SME business The headline policy for SME businesses was to extend the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and underwrite £330 billion in loan guaranties, assisting businesses to access up to £5 million in Government-

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backed loan finance. This scheme will be up and running by the start of next week and aims to provide liquidity to viable businesses which cannot access finance because they have insufficient security to meet lender’s normal requirements. The loans will be interest free for 6 months.

This flagship policy relies on the systems and decision making processes of

banks and as we write it is unclear whether the qualifying criteria or the detail and volume of supporting information required will be relaxed to enable the quick decisions that businesses will require. In the previously announced scheme, the Government only guaranteed 80% of the loan value and this meant that an element of risk remained with the banks tasked with delivering the loans. In our experience

SBTNational News - Covid-19 Special this led to delays and inefficient decision making processes. Further details are expected to be announced soon to provide some clarity, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you need assistance or wish to find out more in the coming days.

Business Rates holidays Expanding the scope of previously announced measures to assist the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in the Budget last week, all businesses in those sectors will now pay no business rates for 2020/21, irrespective of their rateable value.

Cash Grants The grant scheme first announced in the budget last week that delivers cash grants to 700,000 of the smallest businesses in the UK who already pay no or little Business Rates due to Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) has now been extended from £3,000 to £10,000. Those businesses currently eligible for SBRR will now be able to apply for non-repayable cash grants of up to £10,000.

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with rateable values of up to £51,000 will be able to apply for cash grants of up to £25,000. It is unclear at this time whether these grants are in addition to the £10,000 grants mentioned above or simply a specific enhancement to their scope for those sectors.

It is our understanding that these new measures will be delivered by Local Authorities and you may need to apply for them, so our best advice at this stage is to contact your Local Authority.

Off Payroll Workers In an announcement to the House of Commons last night, Chief Secretary to

the Treasury, Steven Barclay, delayed the implementation of the new offpayroll working changes to 2021 as a response to the spread of Covid-19. It is unclear how Industry will adapt to this postponement given the proximity to the original implementation date and in the coming days this will become clearer. We can guide and advise you as the details are communicated so please do contact us if you need any advice or support.

Measures for individuals People in financial difficulty due to the impact of Covid-19 will be offered mortgage payment holidays of at least three months. It is also possible to defer self employed Income Tax liabilities and you can follow the link here to find out how https://www.gov. uk/government/news/tax-helplineto-support-businesses-affected-bycoronavirus-covid-19.

It seems this was the first of what is likely to become a string of further announcements in the coming days to support people’s financial security.

We await further announcements regarding the measures that are being worked up by Government for people who are self employed and those who rent their properties.

Associates is to “Partner” our clients.

This means helping you to navigate both the good times and the uncertain times and our resolve is as strong as ever to deliver meaningful and helpful advice through the coming months. Please do contact us at the office or by email to clarify anything you have read or have questions about and we will do our best to help you.

Further reading The content of this information has been collated from both the statement given by the Chancellor last night – you can read the full statement here https:// www.gov.uk/government/speeches/ chancellor-of-the-exchequer-rishisunak-on-covid19-response and from the recent budget – you can read the summary of measures announced in the budget last week (some of which have already been superseded) here https://assets.publishing.service. gov.uk/government/uploads/system/ uploads/attachment_data/file/872618/ Covid-19_Budget_fact_sheet_ FINAL__1_.pdf

Recovery of SSP Previously announced but worth keeping in mind is that businesses with up to 250 employees can recover SSP paid to staff for up to two weeks of an absence if the absence is as a result of Coronavirus. Please refer to further information on this here https://www. gov.uk/government/publications/ guidance-to-employers-andbusinesses-about-covid-19/covid-19support-for-businesses.

How to contact us

Paul Severn, Director Sponsored by Watson Associates www.watsons.co.uk

One of our core values at Watson

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 9

SBTNational News - Covid-19 Special

The strain of the COVID-19 pandemic As an SME business owner, father of two (9 & 12) and son-inNews law to, two ‘older adults’, one of which with ‘underlying health issues’, I am preparing to feel the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, as much as the next person.

With the Prime Minister and his cabinet advising against all non essential travel and social gatherings (pubs, restaurants and theatres).

With the UK boarder now on lockdown and public transport working to off peak schedules.

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With many businesses postponing non essential face to face meetings and encouraging their employees to work at home, wherever possible, we truly are in unprecedented times.

Search: “GOV.UK COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses” for official government advise.

Of course there is little we can do, other than respect the advice from Public Health England and the various experts that know more than you & I. However it’s almost as important in my view, that we look to minimise the

economic impact on UK business, as much as possible.

On the day that my sons secondary school has decided to implement home schooling with less than 24 hours notice, I was initially surprised to receive an email that same evening, from ASOS CEO Nick Beighton, advising,

“our fulfilment team is making effort to ensure deliveries aren’t affected, so you can keep on shopping without having to worry about not receiving your order. We’ll also keep on inspiring and entertaining you with our content”

SBTNational News - Covid-19 Special Especially given the hundreds of workers, that all work within an enclosed space, in close proximity of one and other, at their Barnsley distribution centre.

However, as ‘home working’ is not an option for warehousing & fulfilment staff (as with many other industries) other than ‘shut down’, the likes of ASOS have little choice but to take it day by day, hour by hour, on the advice of Public Health England.

Upon reflection of the position of ASOS, I believe where possible, business should look to try and implement the same mentality, considering staff & customers wellbeing first and full-most.

Home working is a great example of ‘getting on with it’ and for those that have had the pleasure (or displeasure) of working with me, will know just how distracting it can be, to work amongst others in the office.

We should take this enforced position to rethink the way we work, to embrace remote working, especially given some of the new technologies out there, that help support it.

With the vast majority of us working from cloud based applications, the ‘office’ has now extended to the Costa, the Starbucks or shared space working, the likes of WeWork or Regis (other coffee shops and shared space providers are available).

The commute from the upstairs bathroom, to the downstairs dining room table, will have significantly less CO2 emissions attached.

travel, to go and meet a customer, we have a genuine opportunity to rethink how we do things.

Dare I say it, think of the environmental impact we can influence also, in our new ‘enforced’ way of working?!

Let’s therefore swap the face to face, with video conference meetings.

Let’s save time, money and the environment in unnecessary travel to and from meetings and let’s get business done.

Let’s embrace these otherwise challenging times and get on with business, as best we can.

In the words of Albert Einstein himself,

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”

Rather than hide behind “things are on hold due to the Corona Virus” as an excuse not to do business, how about use this time as the ideal time to review suppliers and company spend.

Without the day to day office distractions, this could be the ideal time, especially given the future financial strain, that this epidemic will bring.

If you get five minutes today, tomorrow or this week, take it to call your highest performing sales person and ask them this simple question..

“How difficult can it be, to source, process and close a profitable, new business opportunity for the business?”

Then ask yourself..

“How difficult is it to review an existing supplier’s service or product, against three other suppliers in the same market space?”

If your supplier is performing to the level that you expect, at the right market price, they’ll have nothing to worry about, right?!

There is more than one way in which you can bring profitability to your business, new business should only form part of that.

So let’s roll our Great British sleeves up, mix with a pinch of modern day working and let’s get business done. COVID-19 will test us no doubt, however we cannot allow it to beat us!

David Drake Director of RDS (Sussex based, Logistics & Courier Experts) david@retaildistributionservices.com www.retaildistributionservices.com

When I think of the thousands of miles my national teams used to travel, to attend team meetings, or the hundreds of miles I might

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FINANCIAL

The value of financial advice Whether you’re looking to invest, buy a financial product Finance or simply plan your spending and saving for the longer term, almost everyone could do with financial advice to some level. While financial advice is ideal for helping you to protect your assets, it’s not just for the wealthy – it can assist you in building assets and making the most of your investments, securing the future for you and your family or business.

A financial adviser will do much more than simply tell you where to put your money; they’ll look at your circumstances as a whole and advise on the best action to take. While some might wonder if this is something that can be established by oneself, realistically, independent financial advisers can find products and choices that you wouldn’t be able to access on your own. In most circumstances, you’ll use a professional because you know they’ll do the job right and the same applies with your finances.

In today’s economic state, if you’re facing decisions where money depends, advice can be invaluable. From setting up company pension schemes, planning for retirement or buying a home, there is a huge amount of trust that goes into making these crucial decisions, and professional advice can be hugely important if you don’t have the concrete knowledge yourself.

With offices in Brighton & Hove and Eastbourne, IEP Financial are independent financial experts with an aim to help each client achieve and maintain financial independence in the

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most efficient and bespoke way possible.

Established in 2013 and with more than 60 combined years of experience from the firm’s Managing Directors alone, IEP Financial has built quite the reputation over the years by providing companies and individual clients with a first class service in financial planning solutions – from pensions and investment to protection and mortgages.

The firm said: “Our Independent Financial Advisers recognise that financial planning and the needs of our clients grow more complex over time and we have developed a range of specialist, added-value solutions that have made us well-known as an IFA that provides both individual and corporate clients with a bespoke service.”

So where do they differ from other IFA firms? IEP have the ability to develop deep client relationships, with each adviser supported by dedicated teams of technical staff. All of the firm’s Financial Advisers are Diploma qualified, as are 80% of their technical support team, allowing them to support clients in the increasingly complex areas of finance that can be quite overwhelming to think about.

With a company culture that prospers on solidarity between staff and advisers that combine technical knowledge with an understanding of different clients’ circumstances and aims, the firm treats every individual case with equal importance.

Another element to the company’s union – and one that we touched upon in our last issue – is their joint desire

to give back to the local community.

IEP takes passion in offering a number of supporting schemes to help local projects and charities – from apprenticeships and internships to sponsorship programmes and fundraising efforts.

Just some of the charities supported

by IEP over the years include that of children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House, Dementia Support and long-established Martlets Hospice – all held in high regard in Sussex. The Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, and Samaritans have also been a focus for the firm, as has The Starr Trust.

IEP’s Chairman, Ian Poysden assists in personally mentoring three people who depend heavily on The Starr Trust.

Alongside regular charity support, IEP works with organisations and individuals, offering free resources on a range of financial topics, as well as running sponsorship programmes with local sports clubs.

As a huge part of their company ethos, IEP already have plans to continue supporting their local community in the most beneficial ways possible throughout 2020 – not only by raising funds and offering professional support, but by building and maintaining strong relationships with Sussex-based organisations.

Ian Poysden

Patrick Spencer

Not only have IEP Financial had a positive influence on the local community; they also boast a plethora of success stories, and much of the firm’s new business comes from referrals and reviews with existing clients.

“I have worked with Ian and the team at IEP Financial for many years now. I really enjoy working with all the advisers at IEP because I can feel confident that their advice is delivered professionally and in a manner than suits each individual client,” said Richard Bates, Consultant Solicitor at Cognitive Law. “It is really

important to me that my clients get the very best out of a referral and IEP Financial has never let me down.”

And while IEP cover all aspects of finance, it’s clear that their unparalleled expertise in pension schemes in particular has not gone unnoticed with their clients. Nicky Calladine, HR Director at Paladone said: “We recently took on the task of finding the right financial partner to guide us through the implementation of the Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme. The benefit of having Patrick on site, presenting pensions information to our staff and

answering queries in simple terms has been invaluable.”

With a high level of experience, bespoke services and an understanding of the different conditions and needs of individual clients and their finances, it’s clear that IEP Financial bring an unmatched financial advice service to Sussex. Further information about IEP Financial can be found via their website. www.iepfinancial.co.uk Telephone: 01273 208813 Email: info@iepfinancial.co.uk

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How can I claim ownership of this land?

A guide to Adverse Possession and First Registration.

By Carrie Elliott, Mayo Wynne Baxter Have you occupied

Legal

a piece of land for so long that you now consider it to be yours? Or

perhaps you believe the land is in your legal ownership, but it has never been registered at Land Registry and you have lost the original deeds? It is possible to claim ownership of land and register the title at Land Registry so long

Adverse Possession means to occupy

the land (i.e. you have fenced it

the intention of treating it as your own.

maintenance such as cutting the

land which may belong to another with Unregistered land is that which is not

currently registered at Land Registry as being under any legal ownership. If you do currently occupy an unregistered

grass and hedges.

• You have not ever paid any rent for the land.

piece of land which you feel is rightfully

It is very important that you have met

as such at Land Registry if you meet at

and for at least the last 12 years

yours, it may be possible to register it least the following criteria:

as certain conditions are met.

• You have possessed the land to the

Adverse Possession of Unregistered Land

• You have shown intention to possess

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in some way). and you carry out

exclusion of any other party, without objection or consent.

the above criteria openly, continuously except in the case of land owned by a public body (e.g. a council) where the period is 30 years.

If you believe you have met the criteria, then the next step is to contact your

LEGAL Once the Statutory Declaration has

First Registration

will use that document to make their

First Registration is the term used

been finalised and sworn, your solicitor application to the Land Registry.

Usually, the Land Registry will then send a surveyor to inspect the land. The Land Registry will consider the application

and then revert to your solicitor with any queries or further requirements.

Notices will usually be sent to the

owners of neighbouring land or anyone else the Land Registry may believe

have rights over the land (i.e. a right of

way) informing them of your claim over it. The owners will be invited to object if they feel they have just cause and

they will be given an expiration date for their objection to be lodged.

when the deeds showing ownership are present, but the land or property has previously remained unregistered at

Land Registry. Once unregistered land

is sold on, it is now compulsory for the

purchaser’s solicitor to register the land or property at Land Registry.

If you are the owner of some unregistered land and hold the deeds, you may like to

register it voluntarily as this will save time and possibly costs if you do ever wish

to sell the land. Land Registry currently offer a reduced fee for voluntary first

registration and you should contact your solicitor if this is of interest to you.

Land Registry will award you with a

What class of title will I be awarded?

this below) and provide you with official

Freehold property is registered at Land

Finally, if the application is successful, “Possessory” title (more information on

title entries documenting your ownership.

Registry under two main classes of title

possible relating to the land including

Adverse Possession – Registered Land

Absolute title means that the owner’s

and as much evidence as you can

In some cases, the land you are claiming

solicitor. Your solicitor will ask you

to provide as much information as

a plan showing the extent of the land provide, including photos showing the boundaries, fencing and any

documentation showing you have

purchased and maintained the fencing and gates. If you believe that you did

once possess the deeds showing your ownership of the land, but they have

been lost, please advise your solicitor of this as this is important detail that

your solicitor will need to include within the application.

Your solicitor will prepare a Statement of Truth or Statutory Declaration that you must swear in the presence of a solicitor. This document will contain

the information evidencing your claim

to ownership and will also contain any

documentary evidence (i.e. photos etc) that you are able to provide.

ownership of may already be registered at Land Registry as belonging to

someone else, but the owner appears to have abandoned the land. The process for applying for possessory title of

registered land is in many ways similar

to applying for title of unregistered land

if 12 years’ continuous possession were accrued before the Land Registration Act 2002 came into force.

Since the Land Registration Act 2002

came into force, a squatter need only be in possession for 10 years, but the new rules now make it much more unlikely

that title will be granted to the squatter.

You should speak to your solicitor

concerning these rules if you feel they may apply to your claim.

– Absolute and Possessory.

title to the property is indisputable and that no-one else can try to claim that

they are the rightful owners. This is of course the best kind of ownership.

Possessory title is given when the

applicant cannot produce evidence of ownership (i.e. no deeds) and is

usually the title awarded to adverse possession applications. After a

period of 12 years, the proprietor of a

possessory title may apply to have the

title upgraded to “absolute” so long as no objections to their ownership have been raised during that time.

If you feel any of the above applies to you and would like some more

information, please call Mayo Wynne Baxter on 01273 477071 and ask to

speak to a member of the Commercial Property team for an informal chat.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 15

Vlogging - not just for teenagers!

Mi Elfverson is a vlog coach, a video producer and the founder of The Vlog Academy based in Brighton.

Together with a team of industry Digital professionals, she supports businesses and organisations in need of video to increase their online visibility.

Mi Elfverson grew up in Sweden, but after spending many years in New York and London, her home is now in Brighton. Well, Hove, actually…

“I’ve been here for 12 years and I love the sea, the Downs and the ease to get into London. The diversity of Brighton with its creative and heartcentred community is fabulous”.

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Courage and luck landed Mi a first job at Swedish Television in Stockholm. They were at the time producing an Ingmar Bergman production, The Best Intentions.

Mi decided to pursue a practical film education to help get into production and accepted a place at Stockholm Film School. She also got a part time job at Westholm’s Casting Agency, the only casting agency in Scandinavia at the time.

Holding auditions for all major production companies in Northern Europe as well as the US, they did the castings for TV and cinema commercials as well as some major blockbusters. When it was time to find the next Bond girl, Westholm’s was the first point of call, and Mi auditioned Izabella

Scorupco, who subsequently got the role as Natalya Simonova in GoldenEye. Further education at New York Film Academy landed her more work with some top ranked companies, filming in Hollywood and managing large production teams for commercials, such as Ericsson, Volvo and Kellogg’s.

“It was exhilarating getting to Los Angeles the first time, checking into a hotel in West Hollywood and visiting the massive special effects studios we were using.”

A few years of hectic work followed with

many early mornings and late nights.

“Film production might seem glamourous to a lot of people, but when you’re in Sweden in the middle of winter and need to shoot a night-scene outdoors in the snow, the glam factor is equal to the temperature; sub-zero. You’ve got to be passionate about it.”

Next stop was London, where she landed a permanent job with a documentary company. The first production was a Channel 5 documentary about Giorgio Armani. She also worked as Gillian Anderson’s (Agent Scully of The X-files) personal assistant for a while.

When Mi got married and had a baby boy, she decided to settle permanently in England and moved to Brighton to get more space and air.

Going back into TV production was not an option with a baby, she needed more flexibility. She had always been a passionate amateur photographer and received her first camera from her father when she was 12 years old. So, for the following years, Mi turned her hand to corporate photography and built a loyal client base in Brighton, working closely with local companies such as Moshimo Sushi, Choc Chick, the Little Swim School and La Belle Beauty Salon in Worthing.

“It was amazing to apply my passion in this new way. Suddenly I didn’t have to work around the clock to get paid, I didn’t need a massive crew, but I still had an income and could pick up my son from school every day.”

But one day a marketing expert called Kevin Daum, introduced her to a very small video camera. She started filming and editing promotional videos for local entrepreneurs. But it was tough on a low budget, and the companies often didn’t even have clarity on their own brand.

“It was at a time when YouTube vlogging had begun to grow. Not many ‘adults’ were using the platform, but it was definitely growing, and I saw this amazing opportunity for small businesses to get out there and be seen at a really low cost.

If I could teach them to film their own videos on their smartphone, they could manage the rest themselves.”

“The Vlog Academy was born.”

Suddenly video was hitting all social media platforms and started taking over the internet.

“Video is such a powerful marketing tool, because it’s multi-layered and communicates on so many levels. You can activate almost all senses with video and make people take action quickly. You can also reach a massive audience, without having to buy prime-time advertising time on TV.” Mi’s clients now range from British Gas

to UEFA, as well as institutes such as the London School of Economics and King’s College.

Google features YouTube videos at the top of a search and social media platforms will push video forward, this is why video is a must have for any business that wants to be found online.

The Vlog Academy is going from strength to strength and is now divided into two departments: Training and Video production. There are also several online training courses to choose from, for those who prefer to learn in their own time.

“I love working with ‘real’ people in front of the camera. It’s very rewarding to see people crack through from feeling quite fearful, to being relaxed in front of the camera. They learn how to talk without a script and speak with an authentic voice, aligned with their passion.”

When she’s not on location filming or giving workshops, Mi has a base at Platf9rm in Hove. She also travels internationally to host courses and to give talks. The next international talk will be at the Women’s Economic Forum in Slovenia in February, after which Mi is hosting her own visibility retreat in March in Morocco.

You can pop in to meet Mi at her monthly “Vlog Lounge” at Platf9rm in Hove to talk about your specific video needs.

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The continued growth of CBD products in the UK What’s all the fuss about CBD, Hemp or Cannabis oil?

So unless you have avoided online and print media for the Cover last few years, you will have heard about stories relating to the potential benefits of taking extracts from the cannabis plant as well as recent changes about the use of medical cannabis in the UK. Many people are calling it the “Green Revolution” because of the global interest in developing the cannabis and hemp sector.

You maybe surprised to know that industrial hemp, cannabis, marijuana and

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“weed” are all the same species of plant, the key differences are down the different strains of plant that deliver different levels of the 400 different compounds including many beneficial terpenes such as Linalool and Lemoneen.

upon aims of the grower. The cannabis plant has a long history and been used since the Ancient Egyptians. It was only made illegal in the UK in 1928 although was prescribed by doctors up until 1971 when it became illegal.

The difference between CBD and THC Generally, the two key components that are focused on within the cannabis or hemp plant are cannabidiol (CBD), which is non psychoactive and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is psychoactive. Some plants are bred to create high levels of CBD and others are bred for high THC levels depending

In the UK, the Home Office place restrictions on all products containing THC, with only Sativex currently licensed in the UK for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The sale of CBD in the UK is also regulated by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Food Standards Agency (FSA). All resellers of CBD are vetted

by the FSA and Trading standards to ensure that all products that are stocked are laboratory tested, have appropriate labelling and less than 0.2% trace of THC. In the UK, industrial hemp is grown to produce a variety of different products which include CBD oils, sprays, balms and vapes. The cannabis plant can also used for producing protein powder, hemp oil and it’s tough structure for creating Hempcrete for building materials.

The world’s focus on cannabis plant Globally, there is much research being undertaken with the cannabis plant, Israel has been working with the cannabis plant since the 1960’s and been prescribing

since the early 1990s for cancer patients and also with pain-related illnesses such as Parkinson’s, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. Because of the high level of regulation in the UK we are now seeing more cannabis imports coming from Israel, Holland and Bulgaria which a shame as the UK is perfect for the growth of industrial hemp and cannabis. We are hopeful that the UK Government will seek to reduce regulation to assist UK farmers growing this new crop.

Thinking of trying CBD as a food supplement?

For anyone looking at purchasing CBD products as a food supplements,

I would recommend doing your own independent research and comparing different products online. There are also lots of facebook groups which offer information and advice on CBD. Always ensure you are buying from a reputable source and see what works for you as there are many different types of CBD products available.

Michael Yeoman has been involved in the CBD market for the last four years is managing director of a Hove based online Cannapro approved CBD business www.ukcbdoil.org.uk His email is Michael.yeoman@ukcbdoil.org.uk

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VYD - Improving lives through football Football has been part of the fabric of our community life for well over a century. It is by nature a social activity that brings us together, whether as players or spectators.

Football has been part of the fabric of our Charity community life for well over a century. It is by nature a social activity that brings us together, whether as players or spectators.

VYD is a Community Interest Company that believes in the power of football to improve people’s lives, especially those who, for whatever reason, need support to reconnect with the community and find support to get back on track.

Many clubs, amateur and professional alike, trace their roots to working men’s clubs or factories, and were a means for getting together to relax and do something to distract from toiling long days in tough environments.

The Crew Club’s Hawks Heroes programme was a 10-week communitybased grassroots project that aimed to get men living in Whitehawk, one of the most socially and economically challenging neighbourhoods in England, back into football to reduce health risks and improve psychological and emotional wellbeing.

Working conditions for most now are luxurious compared with those days, but nevertheless we see all around us the toll modern life can take on people’s mental health, confidence, and overall wellbeing.

An increasing number are struggling.

People finding life tough can withdraw from their social networks, but just as decades ago people came together through football to escape often dull and physically exacting working lives, so today the beautiful game has the power to restore social contact and reconnect with support networks.

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Hawks Heroes Case Study

VYD structured and delivered the 10-week football programme at Crew Club, running two hour sessions every Monday and Wednesday.

What did we do?

Over ten weeks the project delivered: •2 0 x 2-hour football training sessions delivered by VYD’s professional academy coach, Kevin Green •3 friendly matches against Montpelier

Villa U18s team, 2nd team and Veterans.

How did we track change?

Before the first coaching session basic health data was gathered from each participant, including height, weight, information about levels of activity and engagement in risky health behaviours.

A visual analogue scale was used to score participants mood and level of social connection. Each participant undertook a bleep test at the beginning of the first training session.

What did difference did Hawk’s Heroes make?

Of the 23 participants aged between 18 and 46 who registered pre-programme.

•7 4% were overweight or obese – total team weight 168 stone 11 pounds (1072kg) • 78% had a heart age that was older than their age in years • The combined actual age of all participants was 782 years and their combined heart age was 814 years, a difference of 32 years • 40% rated ‘Red’ and 26% rated ‘Amber’ health category

CHARITY • 48% rated their mood 5 or below on a scale of 1-10 (1=very sad and down, 5=in the middle, not happy and not sad, 10=extremely happy)

• 100% rated their level of social connection 7 or above when at the start 52% rated their level of social connection 5 or below

• 52% rated their level of social connection 5 or below on a scale of 1-10 (1=I do not see anyone regularly, 5=I sometimes see people but would like to see them more frequently, 10=I see a lot of my friends and family)

• 100% of participants either Agreed or Strongly Agreed that participating in Hawk’s Heroes made them fitter, stronger, sleep better, cope better with negative emotions, reduce health harming behaviours (such as smoking and drinking) and made them feel less stressed

Programme outcomes Total weight of team 160 stone 13 pounds (1022kg) – total weight loss of 7 stone 10Ibs. • The groups hearts were 8 years younger at the end of the programme than they were at the start • Average 16.5% improvement in beep test scores – the biggest improvement was 55% • 100% rated their mood between 8 or above when at the start 48% rated their mood 5 or below

• 1 participant’s life was saved

‘If it wasn’t for Hawk’s Heroes and me going on it, they wouldn’t have found out I had cancer. I just found out from me starting the course, so it saved my life.’

Hawk’s Heroes footballer

Hawks Heroes was evidence of the power of football to improve lives. The team has continued training and playing

friendlies and look forward to entering a league for the 2020/21 season.

The Crew Club is a dynamic community centre in the heart of Whitehawk providing events, projects, activities and a safe space for young people and adults in Whitehawk. ................................................................

VYD is looking for corporate partners to help fund similar projects to Hawks Heroes in 2020.

If you believe that football has the power to change lives and would like to help us do this, perhaps as part of your charity or CSR initiatives for 2020, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Gary Pleece, founder of VYD at gary@vydcic.org call 07989159984 or visit vydcic.org for more.

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Brie-licious cheese and wine enjoyed at charity event A new addition to the Rockinghorse events calendar, the charity’s Cheese and Wine Evening took place on Thursday 13 February at the Old Ship Hotel in Brighton.

The hotel’s hidden cellar bar and dining Charity room provided the perfect setting for the pre-Valentine’s event.

Guests were treated to a selection of local cheeses, stunning wines and great company.

released late last year. Helen’s knowledge engaged the guests wholeheartedly, guiding them through each pairing one by one. She gave insight into the ingredients used in each blend, the history of the grapes and wines, and how they were all produced which made for a very informative and enjoyable evening.

“Thank you to the Cheese Hut for donating a wonderful selection of cheeses and to ASDA in Brighton Marina for donating the crackers and breads. The Old Ship Hotel made our vision come to life, and for that we are very grateful. Finally, thanks to our guests who helped us raise over £1,300 for our projects in Sussex.

Steeped in history, the Old Ship is the oldest hotel in Brighton. Built in 1559, the cellar rooms and adjoining tunnels are thought to have been used by smugglers bringing goods into England from France.

The evening ended with a Rockinghorse raffle and over £1,300 was raised from the event. The winner took home a food and wine hamper full of Sussex based treats, including a bottle of Bolney Sparkling wine along with two tickets to the show, Funk: A Music Revolution, kindly donated by The Brighton Dome.

“We’ll be hosting another Cheese and Wine event in the upcoming months, so please do keep an eye out for more information.”

Upon arrival, a welcome glass of Bolney sparkling wine greeted the 28 guests in attendance. They gathered around a candle lit oak table in the Cellar Room to listen to Helen Chesshire from The Bolney Wine Estate. Five beautiful Bolney wines were paired up with a great selection of local Sussex cheeses, donated by The Cheese Hut. Guests also had the chance to sample Bolney’s newest addition - a Gin that was

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Stella is Events Fundraising Manager at Rockinghorse, she says: “We’d like to thank everyone involved in making the evening such a success. Thank you to Bolney Wine Estate for donating the wines and of course to Helen for guiding us so enjoyably through the evening.

Rockinghorse is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton and a vital supporter of the neighbouring Trevor Mann Baby Unit. The charity raises funds for life-saving and cutting-edge equipment, services and items to ensure that children and babies are treated in an environment better suited to their needs.

To find out more, visit www.rockinghorse.org.uk.

It’s time to put the fun back into fundraising with Give A Dinner Party in Brighton Charity fundraising platform Give A Charity Dinner Party, which provides Brighton residents with the chance to support good causes and meet new people, will launch in the city in April.

The sophisticated online platform makes it simple to organise and sell tickets for mini charity fundraisers, which could be a dinner party, a picnic, a barbecue or even a cocktail evening.

Give A Dinner Party is appealing for people to sign up as Founding Hosts and organise events, which will enable them to earn a lifetime share of the profits for their chosen charity. With only a limited number of spots available, those interested are encouraged to register their interest at www.giveadinnerparty.com Co-Founder Mark Viegas said: “We chose to launch in Brighton because this city is so special. When you walk

around, you’re greeted with smiles and thoughtfulness. There’s an energy and a passion for sustainability, plus throw in Brighton’s welcoming and energetic party vibe and you have the perfect home for the launch of Give A Dinner Party.

“We designed our concept to bring people together and make a positive difference. If Brighton likes this, we aim to roll the concept out across the UK and beyond. Our mission is to bring a smiling face and a helping hand from Brighton to Timbuktu. As a business we’ve committed 20% of all profits to charity for life via our Founding Host scheme.”

The website will enable hosts to involve their friends and family, but also to invite new people with common interests. Visitors to the website will be able to search for dinner party events to attend and look for people with whom they have something in common, whether that’s scrabble, Mexican food or cycling on the South Downs. Hosts will have the final say on who can come and will be able to ask any prospective guests questions on the platform.

Give A Dinner Party events can take place anywhere – in a home, a restaurant, an office, a pub or a community hall.

Mark set up Give A Dinner Party with his wife Sze Lin after the couple decided to combine their love of helping people with a business. Having set up a vintage Tea Room in their village in Kent, they noticed how many people came in on their own to have a chat.

Mark said: “We realised then that there was a silent epidemic of loneliness. In today’s society people often live far away from their families and childhood friends. It’s a sad fact that it’s easier to get a date than to make new friends!

“Our platform is designed to bring people together and lend a helping hand to the causes that need our help. It’s also accessible to virtually everyone – there’s no need to run a marathon or jump out of a plane at 10,000ft!”

For more information visit: www.giveadinnerparty.com

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Whoopsadaisy

Whoopsadaisy is a Brighton-based charity helping children with physical disabilities become more mobile, confident and independent, and reach their full potential.

At Whoopsadaisy, we always focus on Charity what children can do, rather than what they are unable to do. Our ‘Conductive Education’ approach is not only about physical skills - such as being able to sit up, stand or walk without help - it’s also about self-confidence, being able to communicate, sit at the table with the rest of the family for a meal, or get dressed independently.

The children all have Cerebral Palsy or other motor disorders affecting their posture, co-ordination, balance and mobility. They often need help with eating, drinking, getting dressed and going to the toilet; many of the children also have speech difficulties and rely on communication aids to express themselves.

In Whoopsadaisy’s Under-fives Groups children work hard towards big goals such as learning to crawl, sit unaided, take their first steps or eat and drink by themselves, with every small achievement along the way boosting their confidence. Parents learn how to help their children become more independent at home, and are able to

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share ideas and experiences. By the time they are five, most of the children are independent enough to start school.

To help them meet this new challenge and participate as fully as possible in school life, the charity also provides Holiday Clubs and term-time ‘Saturday School’ sessions. Here, 5 to 12-yearolds can continue learning new skills and building their independence in a safe, friendly and fun environment.

“Our son’s progress is brilliant, and the mobility he has achieved means we no longer have to carry him everywhere. It has been amazing to see him progressing from the rollator, to the tripod sticks and on to taking independent steps.

Without a doubt, he would not have the level of independence he has if he didn’t come to Whoopsadaisy.”

and creative local business community.

Supporting Whoopsadaisy is a special way for companies to feel part of their local communities, motivate their teams and make their customers feel good. Here are a few ways your company can support us: • Choose Whoopsadaisy as your Charity of the Year and get your staff and customers involved • Enable your employees to make regular tax-free donations (Payroll Giving) •H old your own fundraising event such as a golf day, a pub quiz, or a charity dinner • Sign up for challenge events like the Brighton Marathon, Tough Mudder or Race the Sun.

A Whoopsadaisy parent

We are extremely grateful for the time and commitment already given to us by the business community and we want to build on this vital support!

Whoopsadaisy receives no government funding, so we rely on charitable donations and fundraising. We could not help local children with physical disabilities without our generous supporters from Brighton, Hove and across Sussex, including our diverse

To find out more about Whoopsadaisy and how you can help, please contact our Corporate & Community Fundraiser, Caroline Matanle on 01273 554178 caroline@whoopsadaisy.org www.whoopsadaisy.org Reg. Charity no. 1083024

New Managing Director dives into Yellow Fish

Full service marketing and events agency Yellow Fish has announced the appointment of Laura Pace as its new Managing Director.

She joins the Brighton agency from London News brand experience agency Hot Pickle, where she served as business Director, working on brands including Magnum, Dove and Coca Cola.

Pace will help lead the development and strategic direction of Yellow Fish, supporting it with its plans to grow sustainably, while working with the existing senior management team Pace, Managing Director, Yellow Fish, said: “After eight amazing years at Hot Pickle, I’m excited to join the talented team at Yellow Fish and explore the diverse range of projects the agency delivers for its global portfolio of clients.

“As a result of the passion and guidance from Founder and CEO Maria Valentine

over the last 17 years, Yellow Fish has grown into an agency that delivers incredible events and campaigns from its Brighton headquarters. The team‘s passion, expertise and experience shines through everything they do making Yellow Fish a truly unique agency.

“I can’t wait to work in partnership with the founder Maria to continue to deliver excellence for all our clients whilst growing and developing the business into new sectors. I’m excited to bring my consumer expertise into the Yellow Fish tank and continue to deliver innovative events around the world.”

Pace also brings experience in destination marketing, as well as experiential, which will complement and enhance the existing offering at Yellow Fish. She will join the board of directors and gradually take over the responsibility for the day to day running of the agency,

ensuring the team and clients continue to be well supported. Valentine will focus on positioning and collaboration, seeking out new opportunities for the agency.

Valentine, Founder and CEO of Yellow Fish, said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Laura to the Yellow Fish tank as Managing Director and I’m excited for our future journey together in taking the business even further. Laura is a perfect fit - she encapsulates all that we stand for including our passion for the industry, focus on customer relationships, creative approach and a desire to constantly push boundaries in all that we deliver.

“It has always been important to me that Yellow Fish continues to evolve and moves with agility as our clients demand it – bring on the next chapter!”

For more information visit: www.yfish.co.uk

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Town & Country property services in Hove For this month’s property section, SBT hears from Director of Town and Country in Hove, Stephen Chipp, who give us some insight into the company’s background, journey into the Sussex business community and some of the challenges they’ve overcome in their decades of operation.

Formed in 1991 by Andrew MacGregorProperty Boyle, Town and Country has become a well-established letting and property management business, priding itself on excellent customer service in its 30 years of operation. Our company works with local, national and overseas clients, fully managing over 95% of their letting portfolio, as well as acting as a Managing Agent of converted buildings in the Brighton and Hove area, instructed by freeholders and Right to Manage companies.

Despite having three decades of experience under its belt, Town and

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Country’s road to success hasn’t been without challenge or struggle, especially over the past two years. Sadly the company’s Founder, Andrew passed away in September 2017 and current Directors – his wife, Susan and myself – have had to endure the cruel task of not only coming to terms with the death of our husband and friend, but also ensuring that the business did not suffer as a result.

This was made even more difficult when – shortly prior to his death – the bank used by the company informed us that they would be closing their business banking ‘arm’. While this wouldn’t usually be a problem, it’s fair to say that you can never plan for a death and despite knowing for

two years that Andrew was ill, shares had not been transferred over to the remaining Directors – essential for opening new business banking! We as a firm have a huge amount of gratitude for our previous bank for holding an extraordinary meeting to allow us the use of their facilities until the issue was resolved, but also for our clients, who were incredibly sympathetic following Andrew’s death.

Town and Country was also in the midst of a rebranding exercise prior to Andrew’s passing, which he was very excited about, as the firm was originally a franchise operation from the Town and Country Building Society. We felt it was time to update our general branding

PROPERTY Photo by Hert Niks from Pexels

Stephen Chipp

and online presence, and knowing the importance this rebranding was to Andrew, it was fulfilling to know Andrew himself had approved it all.

Town and Country was always a business run by two couples – Andrew and his wife, Susan making up one half of the Management team. The team hold their heads high with the knowledge that Andrew would be incredibly proud of how his wife has coped since his death, and how the business has continued to grow whilst still retaining our core belief that excellent customer service is what separates us from our competition.

I became part of the Town and Country team some 15 years ago, initially working under my wife, Clare, who had joined the company as Lettings Manager. I learned my trade at Leaders, then working as their youngest ever employee at 20 years old. I was promoted while working for Leaders, before moving on to a Senior Negotiator role at Your Move in Brighton. It was at this time that I struck up a friendship with my wife’s boss, Andrew, while out on the golf course, and subsequently was offered the longterm opportunity to work for Town and Country, eventually working my way up to become a Director of the business.

I am currently the Operations Director, overseeing all business at Town and Country. I now have two children with my

wife, Clare, who works for the firm on a part-time basis.

monoxide and smoke alarm requirements, and soon to be electrical testing.

Town and Country’s team is complemented by Jenny, who joined the company as a maternity leave cover as Clare and I enjoyed time off after having our first child. She is now Property Coordinator, holding an exceptional record of only having nine disputes over deposit return since the inception of the legislation back in 2007. This statistic is frankly remarkable, but again comes back to the fact that the company would rather liaise and negotiate with both tenant and landlord to ensure long-term tenancies and fair closure of tenancies.

With all of this in mind, it is vital that landlords choose an agent that is fully aware of the requirements and liabilities, as gone are the days of not having detailed records of all compliance requirements. Town and Country were awarded the Best Letting Agent in Hove Gold award by the British Property Awards in December 2019 – a great way to end the challenging, upsetting and yet rewarding past two years. We now stand even taller as a confident specialist and friendly Managing Agent to help look after all of your property management needs. Rest assured, Town and Country will have you covered!

Naomi is Town and Country’s Lettings Negotiator and, with a background in arts and photography, has a real eye for detail and marketing our clients’ properties. Naomi joined the firm just 18 months ago and has since been a real breath of fresh air for the business.

81 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2BB 01273 771977 www.brightonlettings.co.uk

All Town and Country staff – including the Directors – partake in regular training to keep well-informed on (what appears to be!) the ever-changing legislation that the letting industry in particular is facing. Over the past few years alone, this exhausting list includes changes to deposit legislation, taxation, tenant fees, energy efficiency ratings, right to rent, money laundering, electrical safety, carbon

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Tell us about MCR Media MCR Media creates large and small format printing, Q&A signage and brand merchandising.

Whatever aspects of brand awareness you need we can help with design all the way through to delivery or installation.

MCR Media offers the full range of digital large format graphics, exhibition printing, signage, small format digital and litho printing. Using sustainable materials and processes, we deliver on time and at the most economical price.

How do you differentiate from other print specialists?

I think we score points against other printers by being the best possible account managers in this field in terms of a good personal service at a competitive price. This business has,

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more and more, become not just price and delivery, but we pride ourselves on helping clients to go that extra mile when it comes to service.

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

We work with a broad range of clients from the public sector NHS, County Councils and now have an extensive list of charities with whom we work closely. We also have a few clients in the corporate sector including some household name retailers.

At MCR we are completely set up for POS campaigns, where we have expertise in campaign management. We produce new ideas and use only the best quality and most sustainable materials.

We also save costs with our in house capability for print, finishing, collating and delivery. We are set up for tight

deadlines, which are often required when a campaign goes live.

We cover all the standard products, such as strut cards, wobblers, header boards, hanging banners, posters as well as bespoke items, on which we work closely alongside our clients to produce.

As well as print services what else do you offer?

Having invested heavily in the last 18 months on printing equipment including a brand-new Epson Sure Colour Large Format Press, a Summa plotter and brand-new laminator; we also offer the following services: Installation team: We have an installation team that covers the U.K.on any of our indoor/ outdoor graphics/signage work and vehicle graphics. We now have a designated booth for our vehicle

wrapping, which allows us to work over 20 degrees centigrade, all round the clock.

Design: Our design team are capable of creating the look that will help to make your business stand out from the competition.

From initial concept through to final delivery our team will work closely with you to energise your brand or even help you create a new one.

Merchandising: We produce branded T-shirts, polo shirts, jackets and Hoodie jumpers that can be screenprinted embroidered or hot press transferred. We also do a range of high viz and PPE and have an ever expanding selection of fresh on the market merchandising items from branded pens, mugs, phone chargers, diaries... The list goes on with over 1000 items to choose from, which is updated monthly.

Web2Print: Our web to print portal offers clarity and transparency with an accessible platform to both clients and suppliers. The portal enables your company to order online marketing materials, with the added facility of being able to amend copy

and design yourself, as required. This could be used for printed items such as brochures, posters and leaflets as well as merchandising and clothing/garments.

The major benefits of the portal are: keeping the corporate brand consistent, controlling and monitoring budgets, taking away the worry of running out of stock, an online order approval process, reducing your storage and associated costs; a bespoke hub made for your company, a complete service for all your ordering requirements.

What are the core values of the business?

Integrity, putting others first, positive attitude, organised, reliable and team focused.

With more and more businesses becoming more eco-friendly, can you tell us about your eco-range? Why this is important to you MCR Media?

We have been accredited our ISO 14001, which means we tick the boxes on being a sustainable based company. Sustainability is at the core of MCR, we not only supply and manufacture sustainable print,

we consult and source sustainable materials for each client, therefore reducing their carbon footprint and damage to the environment. We offer a very versatile and reliable service in all these fields from start-ups and SMEs to international brands and wholesalers.

What does the future hold for MCR Media?

The print industry has changed massively over the last 10 years; even in the last five years, there have been big changes, not only in new technology but also client behaviour and needs. We feel the future is bright with the extra services that we now offer and I believe that web to print portals are the future of the way print is being ordered, which we can offer on a high level of service. We can also offer an extensive range of merchandising products and garments. This part of the business is growing on a weekly basis. The team at MCR has a real passion for its services, whether it’s a small one-off job for a client or a multi store campaign, we embrace any job that comes through the door and I feel confident we are in a good place for the future of the company.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 29

The big SBT reveal Cover

For this month’s cover feature, we reveal all about our exciting new project for the Sussex business community.

WHO? Welcome to Sussex’s new business community Sussex Business Times has had amazing and successful 45 years in the publishing industry, serving our local businessmen and women with the best content from the Sussex business community – from stories on finance, property and the legal sector to reviews on some of the county’s best fine dining spots – but now we are taking Sussex Business Times in a new direction.

We are going to create a, multi-product,

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multi-service, media-led business platform for local businesses to grow.

community to cater specifically to the needs of our local businesses.

County Business Clubs will be opening in each county in the UK, providing great opportunities for County Business Club (Sussex) to earn more revenue from the cross pollination of business from other counties.

County Business Clubs is starting in Sussex and will be expanding into neighbouring counties, ensuring that local business news, communities and opportunities are open to all of our members, eventually on a national scale.

Of course, we will continue to deliver the content you love in print, but also now in other interactive formats via our online site and through our partnership with County Business Clubs. Sussex Business Times will continue – albeit an enhanced version – but will now become the publication for County Business Clubs (Sussex), a

We are turning publishing on its head, and from this moment on, we are no longer selling advertising. It is free for Value Added Partners of County Business Clubs membership with top up sponsorship and advertising available at heavily discounted rates in comparison to the market average.

COVER We are looking for the right partners to represent a breadth of industries to make the County Business Club (Sussex) transform and thrive with SBT supporting its content delivery.

WHAT? All great ideas can be drawn with a crayon We will be able to offer funding for new ideas, services to develop those ideas and build a loyal community that drives revenues for everyone. We will be an organisation that can affect local policy and drive consumer sentiment into the minds of businesspeople, government and the public at large.

County Business Clubs with the 50-year reputation of The Sussex Business Times behind it will lead the way in member experience, pivoting from regional business magazine to business Community – a springboard for growth for our members.

The features of the County Business Clubs ecosystem Finance and Investment Platform • Crowdfunding Platform E-Commerce Platform • E-Commerce store

• Advanced targeting services for merchants

•E very product is a deal for members • Discounts at shops, restaurants

Content Platform

at different times, however, there is no one sole “marketplace” for businesses to go to attain the help they need in these areas. The answer to “why?” is right there – because a membership organisation that is a one-stop ecosystem to help businesses thrive, grow and succeed is exactly what the Sussex business community is missing.

•e -Courses

•P R feed for members

•F orums and discussion channels •P olls & Surveys •C ompetitions

•B usiness news

•L ifestyle content

•R eviews:

• Motor

• Hotel

• Restaurant

Member benefits As a valued part of the local community, becoming a member of County Business Clubs (Sussex) would benefit you and your business in many ways…

Business events: Our business events are always varied and tackle topical issues. Presented by leading local and national business experts, they are sure to have a positive effect on your own business fortunes.

•W ebinars and seminars

•S ussex Business Times magazine •R esearch analysis and premium content

•P odcasts and interviews •B logs

Business Services •A dvertising and sponsorship opportunities

Social events: It’s not all work, work, work! Our members will be seen at fantastic events as part of County Business Clubs social calendar. Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and local events at our own members’ venues will make for a great chance to meet like-minded people and take time out from your busy schedules to relax.

•P rofessional services

•M arketing and strategic workshops

WHY? Why create this thing anyway?

What is a service?

“The action of helping or doing work for someone.”

County Business Clubs realises that businesses tend to have similar needs

Online events: We can’t be everywhere at once, so our stateof-the-art webinar software means that members can engage with their audience in a much more professional

Business Services

Community Platform • Events

• Social events

• Educational

• Business festivals

• Business Awards

• Networking

• Value added Partner lunches • Member roster, geo locator and direct chat facility • Community improvement programmes

Business Content Hub

Business Community

E-commerce Platform

Business Funding

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 31

COVER

manner as well as enjoy a greater experience from webinars provided by the other members.

Online platform: We are revamping our existing website to include new proprietary community software offering forums, links to relevant business associates, events, surveys, competitions, online courses built with our members, a marketplace just for our members to buy and sell anything with great discounts, and of course, great premium business content.

Flexible membership options: Whether you are a corporate member or an individual we have seven different ways for you to join so that you can get the best fit membership for you. No lock-ins - come and go as you please.

Members-only marketplace: Our marketplace is there to help our members sell and help our members buy. Highly competitive listing fees and members-only offers being mandatory mean everyone wins - but discounts are only for paid memberships. Using the marketplace should therefore pay for your membership.

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Premium content: Not only do you get up to date, informative content in our publication, Sussex Business Times, but we also will be releasing market research reports and other forms of premium content to keep your business growing.

Sussex Business Times delivered direct to your door, as well as online; not everybody loves a mobile screen to read the news. To make life easy for you we post your copy of Sussex Business Times directly to your door.

Live news feed: With our online platform you have access to your own PR machine, with a live news feed on which you can announce company news, free to all of our members.

Ability to host and sell courses: Work with us and get your thought leadership into the marketplace and make a profit while doing it. We can build courses with your expertise and sell them on the platform.

State of the art webinar technology: Our webinar platform isn’t like anything you have seen, more resembling a news studio than typical webinar. Increase

your engagement with your own online business events and be more engaged with interesting panels, debates and educational webinars covering the latest business issues.

Marketing programmes directly reaching other members: For those members that have opted to hear about events in your industry, we can put together eye catching email campaigns that directly reach them. Highly competitive pricing and marketing expertise mean that we are likely a better option than doing it yourself from home.

Populate your profile and tailor the experience: Let us know how you want to be contacted, of products you want to buy, content you want to receive and any events you want to go to. We are launching a completely interactive platform where you can create your own experience that is relevant specifically to you. You can even vote on what topics you want us to write about. There is no need to waste your time reading anything not relevant to your specific interests with County Business Clubs.

COVER Searchable content library, past issues and webinars: As you can well appreciate, as a business publisher our content library just gets bigger and bigger, but in-depth search functionality means quality content is only a few keystrokes away.

Loyalty programmes: the more use us the more you get: We want you to do well and for us to be an instrumental part of your armoury. We also reward those of you who use our platform and get the most out of it. Every interaction you make with us earns points that translate into monthly rewards and for the most engaged members our coveted invite only VIP membership.

Free trial offer: Want to try us out first?

No problem. Until August 1st 2020 we are giving our premium membership away. No credit card needed - just give us a try and see if the region’s premium business platform is right for you. We will always have a free membership for those that don’t want all the great functions that Premium membership offers.

Great referral programme: Our referral programme is generous enough that it should mean you don’t have to pay anything for your own membership.

By building the County Business Club movement together we are helping everyone individually as well as the local businesses around us all that we all depend on.

HOW? A beginner’s guide to running a business community What happens when you run a community? What can members expect?

Running a community take a lot of knowledge, personal skills, and effort to get right, but we have the abilities for all of the above. Here are the 12 key elements of running a business community…

1. Start insightful conversations: Our community management team knows how to get a conversation going.

Combined with incredibly advanced software, we are able to dissect topics, discuss and vote on what content members want, and even help them get their voices heard though their contributions. There will always be a topical forum, online panel debate or expert led event to get everyone involved in what matters to them, and can help their business grow.

2. Selling comes second: Our key aim is to continue creating and distributing high-quality magazine and online content. The experience comes first.

It may take a year for a free member to become a paid member and that’s ok. We want to stimulate a superengaged community that makes a huge difference to the lives of all our members. The culture of the company is to be completely client centric, not just pay lip service to this like so many membership organisations do.

Lee Mansfield

3. Make customer care a priority: Customer service and keeping our membership happy is in the fabric of our team, which is easy to see in their biographies.

4. Find a common bond: Our content foundation is about representing niche interests. Nothing can be more niche than one’s own business and each person’s ambitions. That being said, there are common themes, ways of working, industries and opinions that affect all businessmen and women.

From the common field of interest, relationships will be formed and great things can happen.

5. Facilitate feeling connected: Community members will have the opportunity to tell us what they want to read, events they want to attend or other aspects of the platform that they want to be a part of. Our

Sam Thomas

Greg Carroll

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 33

COVER forums and events are accessible to all and by getting to know our members personally we really can let them feel they are part of the tribe one of the most common instincts of human nature.

6. Collaborate with readers: Our content calendar software means that Sussex Business Times and our online content will be guided, influenced and even created by our readership. Themes are posted, and topics and suggestions related to that theme can be up-voted or downvoted by our membership for inclusion in our content output. Although we will always have editorial control, we welcome contributions from people who have great ideas to share, AND we reward their input too.

7. Celebrate the super-fans: County Business Club (Sussex) “super-fans� who get involved and contribute, or just use the platform regularly will get special invites to events and upgrades to their memberships. Our corporate partners will also be able to extend great, relevant offers to them. For example, getting fans to trial and feedback on new products and services.

8. Surprise and delight: The analytics function sitting behind our online presence will register who reads what, so we can better address content to their individual needs or create competitions and surveys specifically relevant to each client. By knowing what people want we can delight and surprise them gaining further engagement and recommendations from word of mouth.

9. Encourage and incentivise members to refer guests: Our members will be able to give trial memberships to anyone, which if converted to a paid membership, will reduce the cost of membership for the introducing member. Everybody can gain out of developing the community with us.

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10. Speak with them, not at them: Our community managers will have to have a demonstrable interest in business and the community they are serving to ensure the conversation is interesting for everyone. We will also incentivise members to become forum moderators and to be more involved.

11. Seek their opinion: Surveys are incredibly valuable, useful and even fun for some people. Getting feedback is always a priority for us to improve our business events, content and general running of the CBC (Sussex) community.

12. Face time & events: County Business Club (Sussex) will partner with companies wanting to get our membership to their events as well as create our own events and meet-ups. There will be a huge array of events, most notable will be the County Business Club (Sussex) Summer Festival. As well as Face time, our software enables members to make new connections, meet up and make new friends and business

connections. Communities thrive on face time. And with such a strong emotional common interest, our events will be a great success for everybody, facilitated by our welcoming community management and membership team.

WHEN AND WHERE? May 1st 2020!

County Business Club is starting off in Sussex working with Sussex Business Times to bring the best content possible.

Soon after we are looking to expand to our neighbouring counties of Kent, Surrey and Hampshire in 2020, and most importantly, there are lots of ways to get involved from investing, to different member categories meaning there is something for everyone.

If you are a part of the Sussex business community and would like to get involved or simply find out more information about our brand new, exciting project, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

SBT LIFESTYLE

SBT Wine Club Join today

WINE OF THE MONTH

BY BRIAN LOCKIE BOQUET WINES LTD

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

BY COMMUNITY KITCHEN

SBT HOTEL REVIEW PENNY HILL PARK

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

WINE OF THE MONTH

Sponsored by

La Sastreria Garnacha Red Spain

This delicious hidden gem from the Cariñena region of Spain and sits in the Ebro Valley upon one its vast plains. A lesser known wine region of Spain, rocks and pebbles abound and, fittingly, wines are known locally as el vino de las piedras, or ‘wine of the rocks’. and the region is one of the oldest demarcated appellations in Europe. The majority of vineyards are located at relatively high altitudes, between 400 and 800 meters (1,300-2,600ft). They are scattered along the plains of the Ebro River, extending all the way up to the slopes of the Sierra de Algairén mountain range to the west. You will find intense black cherry colour with layers of violet tones resulting in a wine with a deep attractive appearance.

Complex nose with fragrant ripe red and black fruit abound and on the palate, the wine shows powerful fruit, which is perfectly balanced and mouth-filling Long finish and is a great accompaniment to roast meats and rich salads.

Pouilly Fume White France

Making something of a comeback in popularity, this excellent Pouilly-Fume shows the reason why.

From the right bank of the Loire Valley, this wine is a perfect example of what a Sauvignon Blanc can really achieve. Despite the uses of the word fume, the wines are not necessarily oaked. At maturity, these grapes are coated with a grey bloom, the colour of smoke — which explains why Pouilly winegrowers talk of “white smoke” to describe the type of vine or the wines made from it. “Fumé” also refers to the smoky bouquet, the renowned “gun flint aroma”, bestowed by the terroir vineyards of Pouilly-sur-Loire. Strong Citrus notes harmonise with an underlying minerality which makes for a delicious accompaniment to dishes such as salmon and shell fish and all white meats and fresh salads.

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Purveyors of Fine Wines.

Well, with May on the horizon and the days becoming perceptively longer, we at Bouquet Ltd thought it only right to think about celebrating the later spring and early summer days by turning our attention to some of England’s finest sparkling wine and in deference to the family roots of our esteemed publisher, a fine bottle of Italian red reminds us that some steaks, roasts and casseroles aren’t totally out of our seasonal minds just yet.

Bouquet Ltd are thrilled to be asked to sponsor this month’s “Wine of the Month.” We are suppliers of a wide range of wines from “Popular and Modern” through to “Fine and Rare” to both the trade and private clients. After forming an alliance with Top Shelf Wine Services, we offer tasting experiences from within the comfort of your home to major corporate events, bespoke sourcing of wines upon client’s requests and broking portfolio sales along with help in auction placement for client’s collections.

Contact details for us are: Bouquet Ltd. Bouquet.winesltd@gmail.com, 07528 550574 or 07787 553262

Recipes of the Month

Vegan delights!

Berry Cupcakes Makes 10-12 depending on case size Ingredients

• 140ml soya (or almond) milk • 3 tsp cider vinegar • 140g self-raising flour • 140g caster sugar • ¼ tsp salt • ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda • ¼ tsp baking powder • 5 5ml veg oil (or other flavourless oil)

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract •H andful of frozen mixed

berries (or any berry you like)

Method Preheat the oven to 170 degrees fan and line the muffin tray with baking cases

1. Combine the soya milk and vinegar with a whisk in a small bowl and set aside for about 10 minutes 2. In a large bowl mix the flour, sugar, salt, bicarb, baking powder. Use a whisk to ensure there aren’t any lumps of flour and that all the dry ingredients are well combined

3. Add the soya milk mixture, along with the oil and vanilla into the dry ingredients and quickly mix together using a metal spoon – fold together until just combined – this will take about 10 seconds.

Do not be tempted to over mix as this will cause your finished product to have a dense texture. It is totally ok for the batter to be a bit lumpy – it will work itself out in the oven 4. D ivide the mixture between the cases and poke a few berries into the mix, pushing them down so they are covered in batter.

Tap the muffin tray on the work surface to allow any air bubble to be released – this stops the raising agents working too quickly.

Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until they are lightly golden and a skewer or small sharp knife comes out clean.

Finish the cupcakes with plenty more berry garnish and edible flowers if you wish

Brownie Makes approximately 9 squares (depending on tin size) Ingredients

• 225g vegan dark chocolate • 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds (linseeds)

• 6 tbsp water • 200g caster sugar • 1 15g vegan butter (vitalite block works well) melted

• 2 tsp vanilla extract • 2 tbsp espresso powder • 95g plain flour • 30g cocoa powder • 1tsp baking powder • 1 tsp salt • Sea salt flakes - optional Method Pre heat oven to 180 degrees and line an 8 x 8 inch square baking tin or heatproof dish with baking paper

1. Combine the ground flax and water with a whisk in a small bowl and set aside for about 10 minutes 2. Chop the chocolate and place half into a heatproof bowl and place over a

saucepan of simmering water to melt. Set aside the other half

3. Combine the melted vegan butter with the sugar and whisk for a couple of minutes by hand until it starts to thicken and is smooth. Add the vanilla, espresso powder, flax eggs and melted chocolate and whisk until well combined. Add the remaining chopped chocolate

4. Add the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt and carefully fold into the wet ingredients. Tip into the prepared tin, smooth out, and sprinkle with more sea salt flakes, if you like.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a fork inserted into the brownie comes out clean. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes until cutting Once cooled, cut into equal squares, serve and enjoy!

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Brighton Community Kitchen

There’s always something good cooking at the Community Kitchen in Brighton.

Whether that’s innovative ideas for Charity reducing food waste or a sumptuous Indian feast from one of the South Coast’s top chefs, their team are always using food to make positive changes in people’s lives.

The Kitchen was the idea of Brighton & Hove Food Partnership – a not-forprofit organisation which has 15 years’ experience as a vital hub for information, inspiration and connection around food.

Its vision of a cookery school for all is now proving a reality following a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2018.

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The Kitchen is first and foremost a cookery school – and a varied menu of events sees classes covering a range of cookery traditions and skills, from sushirolling to vegan baking, from fermentation to African cuisine. Sessions are for cooks of all levels and take place in a state-ofthe-art teaching kitchen, centrally located on Queens Road in Brighton. All finish with a sociable sit-down meal at the long, shared dining table.

Then there are the Masterclasses – events which book out super-quickly as some of the best local chefs and food experts share their knowhow.

Many of these top chefs offer their services free, to support the vision

behind the Kitchen. And that’s because the Kitchen is no ordinary cookery school.

“Now I know I can look after myself if anything happens to my family. The course has made me feel so much better knowing that I’m going to be OK. It has given me a sense of peace.”

It is run as a social enterprise – all profits made from classes, events and the hire of the space as a venue go to fund community cooking sessions.

These bring cooking skills and shared meals to people experiencing deprivation, isolation, poor health

Amazing facts!

In the Kitchen’s first year:

3,000 meals eaten

60

volunteers

2,000

hours of time donated

1,200

people attended a cookery class

85

community course sessions

and other life challenges. Community sessions include cookery activities for people with dementia, people with learning difficulties and those living on low incomes. The team works with local primary schools so children can learn about the benefits of healthy, tasty cooking. Their newest course, Kickstart Catering, provides support and advice to unemployed people who are interested in careers in the food industry. These courses makes lasting changes to habits and behaviours which improve lives.

Brighton & Hove Food Partnership has long understood to power of food as an agent for positive change and the Kitchen is helping make that possible

for more and more people. Meanwhile, its other work – helping people and organisations to grow food, buy locally, eat a healthy diet and waste less food – continues. This ranges from campaigning about food poverty and supporting food banks to helping food businesses get together to ‘ditch the plastic’ locally.

If you want to support this work, there are plenty of ways you can get involved – from attending a cookery class to booking a private event at the Kitchen, volunteering or even making a donation.

Find out more or get in touch: www.bhfood.org.uk info@bhfood.org.uk

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Pennyhill Park Hotel

This month I was given the pleasure of reviewing the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey.

It is part of the chain of Exclusive Hotels which includes the Review elegant South Lodge Hotel in Horsham so I was of course expecting big things from my stay.

South Lodge left a wonderful impression so there was of course a lot to live up to. Pennyhill Park, dare I say, had an extra edge on South Lodge, a bold claim which I hope to justify in this review. A night in this hotel is an investment in your well-being. I would struggle to see how anyone could possibly leave without a complete uplift in mood.

My stay was booked for a Sunday and I arrived through rain and wind to the sumptuous large reception. I was immediately greeted politely and had the door held for me as I arrived.

I was impressed by the smaller tables to check in rather than the huge

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intimidating receptions sometimes preferred by large hotels.

My bag was kindly carried and I was shown to, and I was shown into my suite by the helpful staff who could not have been more friendly and approachable.

I was allocated to stay in the Arms Park room, which was breathtakingly traditional in décor but equally as forward-thinking in its facilities. A ‘room’ set over two floors, the views inside and outside the room were spectacular.

The Nespresso coffee machine was put to good use while I looked around.

The super king size bed, separate freestanding bath and walk in-shower looked amazing. Every care seemed to have been taken for guests to enjoy every part of the stay. I put on the luxury bathrobe and headed straight to the spa.

The Spa at Pennyhill is beyond compare to any other I have been. It is as big

as an entirely separate hotel. It hosts a large well-equipped fitness suite, which although I saw I have to confess I did not use! There are no less than 23 relaxing treatment rooms, a nail bar and an entire restaurant within the grounds which amount to 45,000 square foot. There are so many different thermal and sensory experiences, at different temperatures, with different infusions I suspect that you could spend an entire couple of days here and just get lost in the choices available. There are indoor and outdoor pools, all heated to a comfortable level. The outdoor Jacuzzi is quite an experience in the middle of winter.

I headed straight for a treatment with the lovely Natalie who gave me a Deeply Nourishing Gold Facial. This facial is a different level of self-care, where your skin is covered nourished in a layer of gold. The products used contain caviar and pearl, and the experience is

extended with a scalp, hand and foot massage. I was left with glowing skin in the space of one hour which was an instant pick me up. Natalie was amazing and I would definitely make a specific request for her if I am lucky enough to return. She took her time in a pretreatment consultation with a nurturing, friendly approach, and the treatment was truly luxurious. Natalie is a real credit to the hotel.

As it was evening time, I went back to my room, though I was yearning to get in the outdoor pool which was still very much open, even late on a Sunday. I got ready for dinner and headed over to the Brasserie. I cannot fail to mention that a staff member opened, without single exception, every single door for me during my stay. I don’t know if I just had excelent timing, but they did so with a smile and what seemed to be genuine delight that they happened to be there and able to do that. The impeccable service continued during my dinner.

The Brasserie is a more casual restaurant with 2 AA Rosettes but the service was as good as Michelin star. I chose food from The Inka Grill section of the Menu, which included steaks locally sourced by Hatto’s butcher from the nearby Surrey

Farm. I went for the 70z fillet steak, with peppercorn sauce, triple cooked chips and roasted onion gratin. I paired it with a large glass of Malbec and I can honestly say it was mouth-wateringly good. I was served by George who was attentive but was discrret enough to give me some space to just enjoy the food and drink. I had a good book with me and it was a little slice of heaven to enjoy that meal, in that moment. I was truly satisfied with my main course, so much so I skipped dessert and headed straight back to my room.

A long soak in the bath and a deluxe choice of pillows made for one of the best nights sleeps I have had in a long time. I woke early, refreshed and enjoyed a coffee, an indulgent long shower (the side sprays were like a massage on their own!) and then headed down for breakfast. This was a standard hotel type breakfast including a hotel buffet and various pastries and fruits. Again the service was attentive and welcoming at all points.

I was lucky enough to have continued use of the spa for some of the next day and I really made very good use of the time.

I had a long swim in both the indoor and outdoor pools, visited various heat-based

steam and sauna rooms and even had a cold dip in the splash pool. I genuinely did not want to leave and considered delaying work to stay another night. But all good things must come to an end and I dutifully stuck to my schedule.

My overnight stay was certainly the best one of all of the hotels I have visited. The Exclusive chain of hotels are definitely getting it right in providing an elite luxury experience which is unrivalled in my experience so far. The reason I say Pennyhill Hotel has the slight edge on South Lodge? The staff. As I checked out I spoke to the helpful Katrina on reception about my stay. I wanted to extend my thanks in person to her and all the staff who I had dealt with, including each and every one who happily opened all the doors. I get the impression that the staff are happy to be there, hopefully looked after and seemed genuinely invested in ensuring each guest had everything they need.

For me that gave Pennyhill Hotel the full five star rating it deserves. This is a genuine recommendation for a hotel which left me with a true sense of wellbeing, a worthwhile investment which lasted for weeks after my stay. I will most definitely be back.

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SBTMotoring News

Groupe PSA wins Manufacturer of the Year at 2020 AM Awards Groupe PSA has been awarded the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year title at the 2020 Automotive Management Awards ceremony, held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre on February 13th.

The expert-judging panel for the AM Awards commented: “This is a vehicle manufacturer that some observers thought was running out of road a decade ago. It has faced numerous challenged, embraced new thinking, battled to improve efficiency and is now a strong automotive force.”

Beating other large volume manufacturers including Volkswagen and Volvo to the title, Groupe PSA was highly praised by judges for its standing as a leading carmaker and mobility provider.

Alison Jones, Group Managing Director UK and Senior Vice President at Groupe PSA said: “To be recognised as

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Manufacturer of the Year by a title as influential as AM is a proud moment, recognising the efforts of our global team in Groupe PSA, in terms of strategic thinking and driven implementation. 2020 marks an exciting year for our brands globally, particularly with out clear and defined electrification strategy that will see every model in the group portfolio being made available with an electrified powertrain by 2025.”

SBTMotoring News Maserati announces its plans for the development and production of the new electrified range The brand’s first cars to adopt 100% electric solutions.

All new Maserati models will be 100% developed, engineers and built in Italy, and will adopt hybrid and battery electric propulsion systems delivering all the innovation and outstanding performance typical of the brand’s DNA. Maserati’s electrification programme starts this year, and the first hybrid car to be built will be the new Maserati Ghibli.

Production of the new Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio, the brand’s first cars to adopt 100% electric solutions, will commence in 2021. Maserati has decided to build these models at the Mirafiori production hub, with an investment of 800 million euros.

The latest generation of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio, two iconic cars for the brand, have totalled more than 40,000 units sold from 2007 to 2019.

Hyundai Motor gives first glimpse of new i30 Hyundai Motor has revealed the first glimpse of the new i30 ahead of its public world premier at the 2020 Geneva Motor show. It features a host of upgrades including redesigned bumpers and new LED headlamps, bringing a stronger, sharper look and more visual appeal.

In the teaser images showcasing the N Line model, some of the most significant new design features can be seen. The redesigned front bumper and new grille featuring an updated mesh pattern are shown, exposing the wider look and stronger stance of the new i30.

Further design highlights for the new model will be seen when more images are released in the coming weeks. These include a new rear bumper, rear lights and alloy wheel designs in 16, 17 and 18-inch styles. The interior design has also been enhanced, with new digital instrument cluster and a larger 10.25-inch display among other upgrades.

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SBTMotoring News ŠKODA retailers honoured at annual awards ŠKODA UK has announced the winners of its annual Retailer of the Year Awards, with Rainworth ŠKODA taking both first and second place in the top prize.

The prestigious annual awards highlight the hard work and dedication of the ŠKODA network. With 128 retailers across the UK and Northern Ireland and 10 key categories, competition is fierce.

Rainworth ŠKODA proved its excellence with ŠKODA Sheffield not only taking the top spot, but Rainworth ŠKODA Mansfield securing second place; an unmatched record for any retailer in the network. The award is based on excellent performance throughout the year, taking into account various elements including sales, aftersales and customer satisfaction.

Jaguar Land Rover on tour to mark two years of carbon neutral operations Jaguar Land Rover has completed a zero emissions tour of its UK manufacturing and product development facilities to celebrate its operations being certified as carbon neutral for the second consecutive year.

An all-electric Jaguar I-PACE completed a zero emissions tour from Haydon to Halewood, visiting the company’s Whitley headquarters, the home of Land Rover in Solihull, the newly-electrified Castle Bromwich manufacturing facility in Birmingham and the Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton.

To achieve carbon neutral status Jaguar Land Rover has invested in energy-saving projects such as solar panels and LED lighting and in the UK, operating CO2 emissions are down 74% versus 2007 and the energy used to build a vehicle has reduced by 37% since 2007.

44 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Foxhills focused on bright future after 2019 surge The future looks bright for Foxhills Club & Resort after seeing a Venue surge in memberships over the course of 2019 and the upward trend is set to continue with its £25m investment programme.

Memberships at the popular Surrey resort are up by 10 per cent in 2019 and there is further incentive to join the club with new members paying an annual subscription entitled to a free three-month bonus to the end of March 2021.

It’s been a year of significant progress at the club with around £1m already been spent on the launch of four new projects to add to the existing wide range of facilities.

The food and beverage offering has been given a major overhaul as The Fox dining rooms is the refurbished restaurant in the Manor House, which uses locally-sourced ingredients, while The Woodie is a ‘graband-go-style’ food outlet located by the 11 tennis courts on site.

The leisure aspect has certainly not been ignored either with the opening of the Practice Den – a short-game facility which adds to the club’s extensive golf practice facilities – and the Yoga Cabin, which has already gained huge popularity

among the members and guests with a wide range of yoga and pilates classes now available.

With two Championship golf courses, a par-three course, tennis courts, squash courts, an award-winning spa and 70 rooms on site, it has also seen its selection of corporate membership options become increasingly popular among the business community to relax and unwind or nurture new prospects.

Tiered membership options can be tailored to suit the requirements with flexible options to act as incentives for staff or for use in client entertaining, events, corporate away days or training purposes.

Membership Sales Manager, Chris Dowrick said: “There has never been a better time to impress clients, rewind after a hard week or ensure your team can relax in our magnificent surroundings.

“The newly-refurbished manor house creates the perfect environment for meetings from informal chats in our beautiful lounge, to a more formal environment in the beautiful executive board room with stunning views of the country manor. There is also a great opportunity to impress an important client with a delicious meal in The Fox dining rooms.

“But it’s also an ideal venue to escape from stress of work with your corporate membership at Foxhills. Our leisure facilities are going form strength to strength and will continue to improve in the near future.” The new Yoga Cabin is a calm and soothing oasis away from the office, but there is plenty to take your mind away from work if you prefer another activity.

“We know the value of family time after a long week at work and you can combine this with a corporate membership at Foxhills.

There is so much to do for all ages.”

The family facilities will rise to a whole new level in 2021 when the next step of the ambitious project is open for business – The Pavilion.

Facilities in the £7m-project will include a crèche, art studio, soft play and kids den, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a games room, dance, fitness and spin studios and a new restaurant on the same site as the previous building.

For more information, visit foxhills.co.uk or call 01932 704498.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 45

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Gaydio Biz Mix Brunch Edition As partners of Gaydio

Business

Biz Mix we attended February’s event at

the fabulous Old Ship Hotel. The oldest hotel in Brighton

boasts some amazing rooms, and if

you are yet to visit the cellars then it

is a must-see and is quite spectacular if you are looking to host an event.

We were in one of the palatial rooms

for the Gaydio Brunch edition, which timing wise worked really well.

48 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

A majority of events we attend are breakfast or lunch, but this nice, relaxed networking event between 1012pm hosted by the fantastic Rachel Regan, was a refreshing change. It was a really well attended event and due to the timing you didn’t feel that it impacted too much on your day. It certainly got a thumbs up from us, and I am sure would appeal to those not so early risers amongst us.

Gaydio Biz Mix is a monthly event at various venues across Brighton,

sponsored by the amazing Float Spa it really is a must attend event.

The next Brunch edition is on Wednesday 8th April at the Walrus, 10pm-12pm.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 49

Why pay to go networking?

Everyone works in an industry where someone can do it for cheaper – right?

Network My Club Founder & Managing Network Director, Bradley Hatchett, addresses the challenges we face when it comes to our line of work and in particular, business networking events…

Now, it’s quite easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to networking, as there are SO MANY events out there.

Naturally, this means the free or lowcost ‘pay as you go’ events can seem quite tempting. This includes those ‘networking’ events businesses organise purely to entice people to attend so they can sell or promote their latest products/ services – we see you!

But do you consider the quality or the value of what that could bring, like you

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would do with any other purchase?

I.e. when searching for a hotel room, would you go for a £25 hotel room over a £75 one without giving it any thought or doing any research whatsoever?!

Probably not – unless you’re 18-yearold me tasked with booking a holiday to Tenerife for my friends where the brief was ‘cheaper the better’. You can imagine what we ended up in…

My point is – not every networking event is the same. They can vary in so many different ways, including format, audience, venue, organisers…the list is endless.

We’ve been told by people in the past (before they’ve attended, I must add), “Oh you’re not cheap are you!” or “Well that’s quite expensive to attend”. Which is fine, as we value our level of service and quality of events, and certainly don’t

want to be the cheapest or attracting those that are looking for the cheapest.

Those people tend to follow the narrative of; attending every event they can find, giving you a sales pitch, looking around the room or over your shoulder when you’re speaking (if you get the chance to), before giving you their business card and swiftly moving on.

It’s those people that don’t get any business and then make the decision that ‘networking doesn’t work’.

With paid networking, with that element of commitment, this mindset breeds more open-minded and collaborative conversations, with the view to help one another. It is viewed as an investment, both financially and with their time, to network with like-minded people.

“We’ve been really impressed with the promotion and awareness the Network My Club team build for members.

Events are well attended, with attendees of a high calibre from a range of different sectors.”

Briscoe PR

Like many industries, if you do it on the cheap and don’t see results you were hoping for, it’s likely you’ll bemoan the service or method, suggesting that it doesn’t work for you. Using retail as an example, typically when we buy cheap, we buy twice. The same can be said for networking. However, with time, the right strategy, whilst regarding it as an investment, you will find something that works.

Therefore, to highlight (naturally using Network My Club as an example) what you get when you attend a paid for event, you are paying for: Organisation We have a team of 5 full time members of staff that are dedicated to ensuring each event is organised, attended and delivered to our desired high standards.

The success of Network My Club is built on the quality of our events and the level of service to our members, so we’re always seeking and discussing ways to innovation and improve, both internally and externally.

4.9 / 5 Average answer in our post event survey to question; ‘How would you rate the organisation of today’s event?’

(Sent out after every single one of our events since August 2018 – 125+ events and counting)

Quality of Attendees Because of our dedicated team, our focus is to ensure that each business club across the Network My Club group consists of the best quality attendees, both in terms of seniority and decision maker level, as well as the businesses themselves.

Venue There’s a reason we host our events at iconic sporting venues. They are inspiring, versatile and accessible. Each unique in their own right and regularly used as an icebreaker for attendees.

Makes a change from a windowless function or meeting room…

4.8 / 5 Average answer in our post event survey to question; ‘How would you rate the venue?’

Guest Speakers Another dynamic to our events is the regular inclusion of inspirational, motivational and insightful guest speakers. These TED style talks allow our attendees to hear an interesting story and attain some takeaways from

the event to implement in their life or business. Our guest speakers to date have ranged from Olympic athletes, exmilitary, adventurers, entrepreneurs and many others.

Food Included at all of our events is a quality buffet, curated by the venue catering team to showcase some of the best they have to offer. When was the last time you said that the tray of biscuits and coffee really hit the spot? They do say; there’s no such thing as a free lunch!

“First class networking group.

We’ve joined and it has been super impressive. Network My Club have really got it right.

Affordable, high end and super supportive networking. All the people are top drawer and it’s a really relaxed, but professional atmosphere.”

JDE Marketing As I said, not every networking event is the same. So, come along and try one of our events for yourself, we always welcome businesses to try and event or two out before committing to joining.

Find an event you’d like to attend and book online via www.networkmyclub.co.uk.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 51

Seminar sees SO Legal Solicitors team up with Plummer Parsons and Quantuma The Corporate and Commercial team at Legal SO Legal Solicitors continued their series of Commercial Law Seminars in February with an event in conjunction with Brighton-based Plummer Parsons Chartered Accountants and business advisory firm, Quantuma.

The seminar, hosted by Director and Head of Commercial Property at SO Legal, Hamish Smith and held in the Pavilion of Sussex CCC on Thursday 20 February, focussed on the process of debt claims, bad debt prevention and understanding accounts and warning signs.

Adrian Samuel and Michael Mulcare from the SO Legal Litigation team gave the audience some key tactics and

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advice around recovering commercial debts, the difficulties of doing so, alternative dispute resolution techniques and good practice tools for all business owners to adopt.

Elias Paourou, Partner at Quantuma presented a range of ways to help businesses know their clients better as well as helping them invest in robust and managed due diligence processes and procedures; reviewing terms and conditions; adopting stricter processes and a range of alternatives to help businesses manage debt.

Steve Griffen, Partner at Plummer Parsons finished the session off by encouraging businesses to do some research before taking on a client, including using publicly available information, asking for references,

reviewing financial information and asking for a copy of their management information.

“It was another high-energy, well attended session, full of practical tips for anyone that owns or manages a business. We’re delighted to have worked with Elias and Steve on this event,” says Hamish.

He concluded: “A brilliant learning and networking opportunity for business owners, directors and professionals both local to Brighton and Hove and further afield across Sussex, all the presentations are now available on our website or YouTube channel”.

For details of future events in 2020, contact Hamed Ovaisi on 01323 407555 or visit www.solegal.co.uk

Dilapidations - calculating cost and value

By Hemmat Ovaisi, Commercial Property Paralegal, SO Legal Solicitors.

Dilapidations are the repairs which may Legal need to be carried out on a property at the end of a tenancy.

Understanding dilapidations is more important now than ever as commercial leases are following a trend of having a shorter length. A 5-10-year lease with a tenant-only break option is quite standard now, and renewals are becoming less frequent.

of disrepair. Calculating the value of the property in its state of disrepair is essentially calculating the value of the covenanted state of the property less the cost of repair. It is important to calculate these values rather than just a breakdown of the cost of repairing as the open market value of the property is likely to have changed and this method of calculation will more accurately establish what the most likely hypothetical purchaser would do with and to the property.

Consequently, terminal dilapidation claims are increasing in volume. These are “served” by the landlord on the outgoing tenant by way of a schedule usually prepared by a chartered building surveyor, itemising each breach of covenant along with priced remedies.

The total, plus fees and potential rent, rates and insurance losses are included within the amount of damages claimed.

Landlords and tenants will often disagree over the cost of repairs on dilapidations and it is sensible to get early legal advice on their options. Tenants will need to gather evidence prior to the departure of the property should they believe there is a likelihood of dispute over dilapidations.

These may be in the form of a surveyor’s report and/or photographic evidence showing the condition on departure.

The initial total is priced by the surveyor.

However, the potential extent the breaches have on the open-market value is assessed by a chartered valuation surveyor. In order to prepare diminution valuations, the value of the property in its covenanted state must be compared against the property in its actual state

Landlords will need to establish the tenant’s obligations within the repair, decoration, reinstatement and yielding up covenants of the lease. The repair covenant will need to be checked to establish whether the lease is ‘fully repairing’ or limited to a photographic schedule of condition taken at the

commencement of the term. The usual provision that the tenant is to pay the landlord’s legal costs and surveyor’s costs in dealing with dilapidations at the end of the tenancy may also persuade the tenant to resolve the matter swiftly.

For both the landlord and the tenant, it is essential to be well prepared in advance for any potential dilapidation conflicts, where costs can quickly mount up.

For a no-obligation discussion about Dilapidations or any matter relating to your Commercial Lease, contact our Commercial Property team on 01323 407555 (Eastbourne) or 01273 069920 (Brighton & Hove)

Hemmat Ovaisi

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 53

Advantage Business Mentoring Advantage Business Mentoring was Business founded by Mike Monk.

He has mentored a number of small businesses for some time now including training and mentoring franchisees. He felt there was a gap in the marketplace for someone with his many years of experience building and running different types of businesses including taking one from ÂŁ250K to ÂŁ6M in 5 years.

He has owned one of the South East’s leading marketing and promotional merchandise businesses for more than 30 years.

Trusted by those from multiple sectors, he is a confidante and advisor to many successful brands.

In addition to delivering powerful marketing solutions, Mike is an expert networker.

54 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

In fact, his tips on business networking have been used by entrepreneurs across Sussex, London and beyond.

His passion for networking brands has seen him develop his portfolio to include trade shows. He has been the organiser of the Brighton Business Expo for five years. The biggest free B2B event of its kind in Brighton, it is the go-to platform for those looking to launch new brands, source local suppliers and to gain valuable insights from experts in their field.

With a huge circle of connections and his extensive business knowledge, Mike is the go-to person for those looking to take their ideas to the next level.

He is an expert in brand image, effective promotions and franchising.

He works with start-ups and those looking to grow their business. A sought-after advisor on franchising,

FREE one hou r consulta tion to new clients.

Mike understands the often complex and legal processes involved in creating a new franchise. He has started and owned one of his own.

Finding ways to grow your business and finding new routes to market.

Being at the helm of your own enterprise can be daunting. You can feel isolated and, at times, you may struggle to cope with stress. We can help you deal with this.

You are not alone. Even the most successful people in business need a helping hand from time to time. As professional mentors, we provide a calming influence and help you plot a course that will assist you in achieving the results you desire.

For trustworthy, confidential and sound support, contact Mike today.

ADVANTAGE Business Mentoring

Advantage Business Mentoring Services Among our comprehensive range of business mentoring and support services, you will find: Professional mentoring Effective support Networking Strategy planning Performance reviews Risk assessments Help to franchise your business Social media support

Call Mike Monk for a confidential free initial consultation on 01273 286133 M: 07885 490266 mike@advantagebm.co.uk www.advantagebusinessmentoring.co.uk www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 55

Best of Brighton Brighton is an incredibly vibrant city Events and one Brighton Racecourse wants to pay homage to on their first raceday of the year. Themed around the ‘Best of Brighton’ the racecourse is taking key elements from the community we are lucky to be part of. The Season Opener will celebrate all that’s great in Brighton, combining exhilarating racing with music, shopping, great food and so much more!

There will be an indoor market showcasing some of the best businesses in Brighton, which all of our visitors are welcome to wander around in between the races.

There will also be entertainment from the wonderful Kemptown Carnival – and what could be more Brighton than stilt walkers and unicyclists!

Local trade stands will line the walls of our buildings, so you can browse, sample,

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buy or just get more information about amazing products from local vendors.

Businesses such as Komedia and Lucky Voice Karaoke will be showcasing what they have to offer, and will make your day at the races even more fun filled. There will also be the opportunity to sample delicious street food from a variety of stalls.

Kemptown Carnival will be giving racegoers a taste of what’s coming up in their carnival this summer, spreading their infectious joy with a troop of singers, circus acts and so much more! Kids will love the fun that they bring, and with anyone under 18 getting free entry, it’s the perfect Saturday afternoon activity.

As always at Brighton’s race days, there are a series of thrilling flat races where you can place your bets after seeing the horses in the parade ring, and then watch the horses fly towards the finishing post. We have some of the best views over Brighton,

with the sights from the stands offering panoramic views over the city and sea.

The first race will go to post at 4.40pm, and the last of seven races will be at 7.45pm, so coming racing for the Season Opener is a brilliant way to celebrate the longer days. It will a great occasion to get together with friends before heading into town for the evening.

To celebrate the start of the season, when you purchase your tickets on-line we are offering you the chance to buy further tickets at half price for another great days racing at Brighton Racecourse.

Tickets are bound to sell fast for our Season Opener, so book your ticket today to be part of the fun to take part in the ‘Best of Brighton’ fun!

Visit www.brighton-racecourse.co.uk to get your ticket today and to save £7 on gate prices.

S AT U R D AY

18 APRIL 2020 WORKING WITH

BEST OF BRIGHTON BUSINESSES — AND —

VISIT

BRIGHTON-RACECOURSE.CO.UK BRIGHTON RACECOURSE ENCOURAGES RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING. WWW.BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 57

NEWS

Sussex Chamber of Commerce The Budget must address critical skills shortages to “level up” UK growth.

Ana Christie, CEO, Sussex Chamber of Commerce Over half of UK firms attempted to recruit Chamber in the last quarter News of 2019, but almost three quarters have struggled to find the right talent, the largest survey of UK employers has found.

construction and hospitality sectors, with 79% and 77% respectively struggling to recruit. Two thirds (67%) of construction businesses attempted to recruit in Q4, up from 62% in Q3. In both these sectors and others, uncertainty over the UK’s future immigration regime continues to be a concern.

• Labour market remains stable as over half (55%) of UK businesses attempted to recruit in the final quarter of 2019.

• Skills shortages continue to impact growth as 72% of firms reported recruitment difficulties in Q4 2019.

• With greater political stability, one in four (26%) businesses expect to increase their workforce in Q1 2020.

Looking ahead, 26% of UK firms say they plan to increase their workforce in the first quarter of 2020. The construction industry reports the highest proportion of firms looking to grow their headcount (34%).

The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Totaljobs, revealed continued skills shortages in the UK workforce ahead of the government’s first Budget.

While over half of UK firms (55%) were looking to hire, the report revealed that 72% of businesses had difficulty finding the right talent.

The figures illustrate a critical skills deficit across the UK workforce, with shortages most apparent in the

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The report’s findings highlight the need to address critical skills shortages in the upcoming Budget, including commitments to long-term funding for vocational education and for apprenticeships in small and mediumsized businesses, both of which are crucial to the government’s ambition to ‘level up’ opportunities across the UK. The Chamber Network and Totaljobs are also calling on the government to review the Apprenticeship Levy, which hits every firm with a payroll of over £3m, to ensure companies can use the funds to train their staff.

Greater flexibility for employers on how funds can be used towards vital non-

apprenticeship or accredited training could help to make better use of this budget and upskill the UK workforce.

Although it is encouraging that businesses are looking to take on people, the prolonged skills shortages they’re facing are not sustainable as they try to shake off years of political uncertainty and pursue growth.

Training has got to be at the heart of the upcoming Budget if the government wishes to demonstrate that it is serious about ‘levelling up’ opportunity all across the UK. Funding boosts are needed for vocational and technical education, for apprenticeships, and for incentives to help more employers provide high-quality job-related training.

As the UK forms new economic relationships with the EU and partners across the world, businesses also need clarity on who they can recruit. As things stand, businesses don’t know who they can hire, and under what conditions, from New Year’s Day 2021.

That’s unacceptable. The Government needs to act swiftly to deliver a fast, flexible new immigration system that allows firms to access staff at all skill levels, and limits upfront fees, delays and costly red tape.

Tickets:

£25

Networking, Wine Tasting and more…

Networking and wine tasting including champagne. Food will be served from a selection of dishes from the restaurant’s new evening menu.

SAMY’S

48-52, High Street, Town Centre, Shoreham-By-Sea BN43 5DA Come Along for an

2nd April 2020 evening of

Networking, Wine Tasting 6PM - 8PM and more…

Tickets:

£25

For Tickets Please Contact Terrina Barnes on: Terrina@rockinghorse.org.uk or 01273330044

OR Book Tickets on:

https://rockinghorse-business-networking.eventbrite.co.uk www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

59

The Creative Group expands by investing in Sussex-based SEO agency Today, Crawley based business, The News Creative Group (the umbrella company for Creative Pod, ECHO, Square One, The Printshop and most recently Spacelink Commercial Interiors) announced its expansion into the world of search engine optimisation, with the acquisition of Eastbourne based SEO agency, 427 Marketing.

Headed up by Ade Holder, the announcement sees Ade and his

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company 427, joining forces with The Creative Groups portfolio of creative based businesses and its well-known CEO and Patron of Chestnut Tree House, Matt Turner.

Currently, the group consists of; Creative Pod, which is possibly the groups most recognisable brand and is a well-known and awardwinning marketing agency, ECHO, a sponsorship brokerage, Square One, an international market entry specialist and The PrintShop, a dedicated printing solutions specialist, they

collectively sit alongside Creative Pod to form a powerhouse of creativebased solutions.

However, as CEO of The Creative Group, Matt Turner said:

“SEO has become a force to be reckoned with and must be regarded as a core part of any marketing strategy. It takes time and skill but is an extremely powerful tool and

This announcement follows hot on the heels of the announcement of Spacelink Commercial Interiors, recently joining the group and marks 427 as the sixth company to join The Creative Group.

until previously this was a space Creative Pod did not specifically operate within. Ade brings a great skill set to the group and I am excited to see this relationship develop.”

Ade who has over 12 years’ experience and during his tenure has worked both client and agency side managing SEO for over 40 clients. With a straighttalking ethos to SEO, Ade and his small

team aim to advise its clients on SEO in plain English and provide a no-nonsense approach to the advantages this can bring to small businesses.

After collaborating with Ade in 2019 on the SEO for some of Creative Pod’s clients, the benefits of this exciting synergy became clear and has allowed Creative Pod to expand their current offering to its growing client base, whilst providing 427 with a platform to grow.

Ade Holder, MD, and Owner of 427 Marketing said: “Over the past few months, it has been incredibly exciting to get to know the team at The Creative Group and learn from Matt’s experience. Currently, we have a small team based in Eastbourne and this partnership has opened up a number of doors for us.”

To find out more about The Creative Group, please visit: www.thecreative.group

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Made in Sussex: Mortgage Medics Mortgage Medics is one of those Brand businesses that Focus started out at the most improbable of times, economically speaking, but sometimes having it tough at the start forms habits that build the most resilient of structures.

In October 2007 the economic outlook was pretty bleak, as the scale of what became known as the ‘credit crunch’ was starting to become apparent. A few months later would see a run on Northern Rock and its subsequent nationalisation, as well as interest rates plummet and a host of big-names in the UK hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Some such as Halifax/Lloyds and RBS survived, while others such as Bradford & Bingley never recovered.

Whilst this was all going on, Sam Murphy and Jon Bloomfield were setting up Mortgage Medics, an independent mortgage brokerage with a desire to do the right thing and integrity at its core.

“We didn’t think what we were doing was brave or risky at the time” says Sam Murphy. “Jon and I had always

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wanted to do things the right way and give advice that was in our clients’ best interests. It was only as the scale of the credit crunch emerged we realised that wasn’t how most firms were operating – the industry was sick and need of major surgery. As a result, many of those firms aren’t around today and the advice market is a much better place.

Intelligent and firm regulation has been implemented, with the lessons of 2007/8 very much driving a desire to do better.”

Mortgage Medics now has 13 staff working from its locations in Brighton (Ditchling Road), Hove (Portland Road) and Woking, having grown steadily and organically over the last 12 and a half years. They help anyone who needs a mortgage; from first time buyers to portfolio landlords. Their dedication to great service is evident from their page on TrustPilot – where hundreds of 5 star reviews see them currently ranked 2nd out of more than 300 similar firms up and down the country*.

In this time of ever-increasing automation, it seems what many people still value above all else is a personal service. “We offer something the banks just don’t can’t” says Sam. “We search the whole market

and support people from start to finish.

Many of our first time buyer clients tell us we were the only part of the process they actually enjoyed! It’s fascinating though – all the tech in the world can’t beat knowing someone is at the end of the phone (or email) to help if you need them.

Our challenge going forward is to embrace the best tech out there, enhancing our service to make it faster and more efficient but no less personal.”

If you’re thinking of getting on the property ladder this year or have an existing mortgage that’s not been reviewed for a while, perhaps getting in touch with Mortgage Medics should be on your to-do list this week. www.mortgage-medics.com sam@mortgage-medics.com

Mortgage Medics Limited is an appointed representative of The On-Line Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE *Ranked #2 out of 338 as at 25/02/2020 - http:// shorturl.at/AGNW0

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 63

MCR Media Ltd produces digital large format graphics, exhibition printing, signage, vehicle graphics, small format digital and litho printing, branded merchandising using sustainable materials and processes. Whatever aspects of brand awareness you need, we can help with design all the way through to delivery or installation, on time and at the most economical price.

Sustainability is at the core of MCR and we do not only supply and manufacture sustainable print. We also consult and source sustainable materials for our clients, therefore reducing their carbon footprint and damage to the environment.

We offer a very versatile and reliable service in all these fields from start-ups 64 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk and SMEs to international brands and wholesalers.

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