SBT POWERED BY:
ISSUE 450
FREE
SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES
WE SPEAK TO KULJIT MOORE-JUNEJA AHEAD OF NATIONAL FERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK RUNNING FROM THE 1ST TO THE 5TH NOVEMBER 2021
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 1
S E RVI NG TH E SUSSE X BUS I N ES S COM MUN ITY S I NCE 197 5
with
Sam Thomas
The podcast that talks about the highs and the lows of running a business and being an entrepreneur. We hear from Sussex based Business owners about their journeys, discussing the good, the bad and everything in between.
Kaplicky, 19/08/2021
AppleUser121212, Fri
Love the authenticity of this podcast
Inspiring and relevant business podcast
I love a business focussed podcast and this is a great one, so fascinating to hear the stories of how the owners started their businesses. A really authentic discussion as well, it’s so important that the low points of the journey are discussed as well as we all have them.
This podcast is a great listen for any business owner. Lots of wisdom from business people who have been there and got the t-shirt, with a great story to tell along the way. The passion of guests and the superb presenter, Sam Thomas, comes through every step of the way.
Listen on
County Business Clubs Content Hub
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SBTWelcome
W E LCO M E
Welcome to the latest, packed issue of SBT
The last few weeks have been amazing attending some great events, especially the iconic Best of British Brighton at the Grand
with nearly 500 guests at the end of September. I know there were times over the last 18 months we questioned if that would ever happen again. (How great it was that it did)
Ahead of National Fertility Awareness week from 1st November, this month’s cover feature I had the great pleasure in speaking
with the amazing Kuljit Moore-Juneja, owner of Sussex Downs Fertility clinic and discovered fertility is not just about overcoming issues. It is also about offering people choices.
You would have hopefully all seen I have been busy in the podcast studio at Plus X, chatting to some of Sussex’s most well-known
business owners and entrepreneurs about their business journey. Creating some great content for the growing County Business Clubs community. Thank you all for your support with the podcast, especially my amazing sponsors James Johnson, Picture Book Films. As always, this issue is packed with insights, advice, and great content across a variety of sectors, written by the Sussex business community for the Sussex business community.
Thank you all as always for your continued support and I hope you enjoy the issue, Sam Thomas, Managing Director
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Issue 450
Cover 450
Managing Director/Publisher Sam Thomas sam@thebusinessgroup.co.uk 01323 819 012 Production & Design Kim Butler 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. 2020 ©
4 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
05 11 15 21 27 33 39 43 49 53 59 65 71 77 83 87
Monthly News
A round up of news and good news stories from across the County
SBT Finance
What does growth look like for the East Sussex Small Businesses?
SBT Legal
Doubling ground rents – Will the Leasehold Reform Bill help me?
SBT People Management & Recruitment
Multigenerational workplaces and remote working Future proofing: is your business ready for a future that includes everyone?
SBT Cover Feature
We chat to Kuljit Moore-Juneja ahead of National Fertility Awareness Week
SBT Start Ups & Entrepreneurs Why company data is critical? -BIPC
SBT Good Business
Don’t Know what to do? Good – Matthew Bellringer
SBT Sales & Marketing
What is representation & why it matters? Stephanie Prior Blend – A CRM (kind of) - Whitespace
SBT Tech
Silicon Brighton launches initiative to address inequalities in tech
SBT Charity
Rockinghorse round-up Southern Sheeting trek 50km across SAS training ground for charity
SBT Motor News
Driving Laws you didn’t know existed - Rivervale
Chamber News
We hear from Sussex Chamber & Brighton Brighton Chamber
SBT Networking & Events
Network My Club make an exciting return to in-person events Jackie’s Networking Adventures continued...
SBT Sport
Laurence Elphick Asks – A round up of sport from across the County and much more…
SBT Lifestyle
Sussex Spirit Makers scoop Top Award Wine of the Month
SBT Ask the Expert
How to make big things happen even if you’re an idiot – Lee Bridges And Then What? Ask the Expert special - Yaron Engler
SBT MONTHLY NEWS
SBT MONTHLY NEWS SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 5
From L to R: Councillor Stephen Holt, Councillor David Tutt (Council Leader), Caroline Ansell MP, Nick Ansell, Christina Ewbank
Bonners celebrates official launch of new flagship store in Eastbourne
The official opening of Eastbourne’s biggest music store was celebrated in rock n’ roll style with more than 70 guests. Bonners hosted a
Monthly News
VIP launch party
at its new flagship premises at 9
Faraday Close on
Thursday, September 30, with music, food and tours of the store.
Guests included Caroline Ansell, MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon; Councillor David Tutt, the Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council; the Mayor and
Mayoress of Eastbourne; local business
leaders, music teachers and local bands.
6 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Tony White, co-owner of Bonners, said:
ranges across the major brands.”
enjoyed having a look around our new
Bonners has a huge range of guitars
“It was a great turnout and people guitar, piano and keyboard store.
“These premises allow us more space to display the fantastic instruments on sale and allow customers to try before they buy, which is really important.
“Our new facilities have been well
received. They include a guitar and amp testing booth, video suite, an
extended guitar workshop and wider
from brands including Gibson, Fender,
Epiphone, Ibanez, Martin, PRS, Gretsch and more. It also boasts a room full of Martin acoustic guitars.
The Eastbourne store has the largest selection of acoustic pianos, digital
pianos and keyboards south of London with brands including Yamaha, Kawai, Feurich, Roland, Hammond Nord, Casio and Korg.
MON T H LY N E WS
Inside the Bonners guitar workshop
Bonners co-owner Tony White at the microphone
The store’s on-site guitar workshop and
repair centre can handle anything from a
basic re-string to more in-depth electronic repairs and pick-up replacement.
Now in its 45th year of trading,
Bonners was opened in a small shop in Ivy Terrace in Eastbourne town centre by musician Peter Bonner,
who was a resident act at the Kings
Country Club working alongside global artists such as Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield and Tom Jones.
The popularity of Bonners meant more
space was soon needed and it moved to a larger space next door, followed by a
second shop in Grove Road in the 1980s. Over the years, Bonners has gone from
strength to strength with a further move to Langney Road in 2005 to accommodate the ever-expanding business.
Tony had a stint of work-experience at Bonners aged 14 and ‘absolutely
loved it’. This was quickly followed by a Saturday job, when he would often be tasked with promoting pianos in the Arndale Centre, then a full-time
position throughout the 1990s. In
Additionally, Tony has his own YouTube
his business partner Myke Edwards
piano and keyboard instruments on
2000, he took over the company with
channel where he demonstrates new
who had joined Bonners in 1990.
offer, which has attracted a following of
They have since opened two new
Bonners stores in Reigate, Surrey, and
more than 30,000 subscribers.
Bonners, which employs 20 full-time
in Milton Keynes.
staff across its three stores, saw piano
The new out-of-town location for
with parents buying them for at-home
for Bonners.
instrument as a new pastime and for
the Eastbourne store is a perfect fit
Tony said: “At 11,000 sq ft across two-
and guitar sales soar during lockdown children and people taking up the mental health benefits.
storeys, this store is more open and has
Christina Ewbank, Chief Executive
previous town centre site.
of Commerce, said: “Bonners is
“Crucially, here we have 20 parking
stories and I am delighted this well-
getting to us by car is easy or for anyone
to thrive and adapt despite the
a more relaxed atmosphere than our
of Eastbourne & District Chamber
one of Eastbourne’s great success
spaces and excellent road access, so
established business has continued
travelling by train, Hampden Park railway
difficulties posed by Covid-19.
station is just a short walk away.
“I wish the Bonners team well in their
“Both the guitar store and piano and
new Eastbourne home.”
experienced and helpful team, so
Visit online at bonnersmusic.co.uk
keyboard centre are staffed by an
existing and new customers can use
our specialist knowledge to make an
informed decision for their purchase.”
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 7
MO NT H LY N E WS
Midnight scoops GOLD for best Public Sector Campaign Award
Midnight Communications has added yet another gong to its heaving awards cabinet with an award for best Public Sector Campaign at the recent CIPR PRide awards.
The agency was
Monthly News
recognised for the
team’s outstanding
work on behalf of its client, public sector
and civil service membership club, Boundless.
The team developed a creative
integrated campaign to boost awareness of Boundless and its role as a champion for the public sector and civil service through ownership of Public Service Day, supported through PR, film,
research, advertorial, social media and public affairs.
8 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Joint Managing Director Flo Powell
great results on behalf of our clients.”
tough for those working in public service
The CIPR PRide Awards recognise the
and then the Covid pandemic creating
of public relations practitioners across
turn that on its head and celebrate public
are the most prestigious and rigorous
commented: “Life has been incredibly
over the last couple of years with Brexit
outstanding talents and achievements
a perfect storm. Our campaign aimed to
the UK’s regions and nations. They
service in all its glory, charting an increase
awards of their kind.
in appreciation and restoring pride.
“I’m hugely proud that our team took home the gold award for best Public Sector Campaign – it was a tough
category. Our focus is always coming up with fresh ideas and nothing
motivates us more than achieving
For more information, please visit www.midnight.co.uk.
MON T H LY N E WS
Michael Gietzen included in UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2021 The managing director of Identity, the events agency responsible for some of the UKs largest events over the last two years, has been included on LDC Top 50 List. LDC Top 50 Most
Monthly News
Ambitious Business Leaders for 2021,
supported by The
Times, identifies and
celebrates the UK’s most ambitious business leaders behind growing
medium-sized businesses from every
sector and region of the UK economy. The programme, now in its fourth year,
celebrates the inspiring leaders behind some of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing businesses. Identity is
the only events agency to feature in the 2021 list.
Michael was nominated by Identity’s Director of Live Events, Janet Dodd.
Janet said: “I’m pleased that Michael’s ambitious leadership has been
recognised. Since I joined Identity
three years ago I have been inspired by Michael’s desire to make Identity the
UK’s largest events agency. This ability to encourage and motivate others,
combined with his general optimistic
and positive approach to the business
makes him a great business leader and very worthy of the accolade.”
Michael Gietzen said: “I am delighted to be a member of the LDC Top 50.
My ambition for Identity is limitless. As well as delivering world-class events for some of the world’s
largest brands and organisations,
Identity’s team of 200+ talented event professionals blaze an important trail for improvements in sustainability
within our sector. There’s a lot to be proud of at Identity.”
Despite the challenges of the last 18 months, Identity continued to
expand, attracting heavy hitting industry talent
and winning prestigious corporate clients,
including Panasonic, Unilever and RollsRoyce Motor Cars, amongst others.
LDC’s John Garner
added: “The last 18
months have presented challenges that none of
us could have foreseen, but despite everything, it’s fantastic to see
that so many business leaders have achieved remarkable things.
Congratulations to all
those featured and we look forward to seeing
their continued success
and impact, and contribution the broader UK economy.”
Identity has experienced extraordinary
success over the last decade – this year it ranked in 25th place in the Sunday
Times Fast Track 100 companies and
last year received a Queen’s Award for
Enterprise in International Trade. With its
HQ in Sussex and a new office in central London, Identity boasts some of the
sector’s most experienced and highly creative professionals.
Identity’s work has been in continuous demand across the private and public
sectors, making it one of the few
continuous rising stars in the events sector – even amidst the pandemic.
Following the success of its faultless delivery of the G7 Summit in June,
Identity is now in the final stages of
preparations for COP26, taking place in Glasgow in November. The vital climate
talks will be the largest ever gathering of heads of state to take place in the UK. Identity is actively recruiting for
a number of key roles, in various departments including account
management and production. Visit
https://identitygroup.co.uk/careers/ for more information.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 9
MO NT H LY N E WS
Irwin Mitchell Advises Landlink Estates on Forward Funded Deal
Landlike Estates completed £18.6m sale of first phase of Saltbox Business Park, West Sussex to Knight Frank investors. Monthly News
September 27th 2021
Bognor Regis in West Sussex, which
property assets going forward.”
Landlink Estates has
businesses and provide 4,000 jobs.
Landlink Estates was advised by Will
£18.6 million forward
Landlink Estates Ltd is an independent,
Owner/developer
completed on the
has the potential to accommodate 150
funding sale of the first phase of Saltbox
privately owned property development
Landlink Estates was advised by law
managing over 6,500 acres of land and
Business Park to Knight Frank Investors.
company based in West Sussex
firm Irwin Mitchell.
property. It is part of the Langmead
Saltbox Business Park is an industrial/
long-established portfolio of fresh food,
retail/logistics/warehouse park in Bognor Regis, West Sussex situated in 17 acres of land. The first phase of the scheme
Group, a family-owned business with a farming, and property businesses.
Paul Hanson, CEO of LandLink Estates
included 3 plots in which the owner
said: “We have recently expanded our
B2 and B8 to deliver a range of trade,
to step up our work across both the
from 2,500 to 150,000 sq. ft.
land sectors. This deal with Knight
Phase 1 of the Business Park is now
the institutional market and we are
the-art Warburtons distribution facility,
add value to our extensive land and
achieved planning consent for B1 (C), industrial, retail and warehouse units
fully operational and houses a state-ofas well as a new Aldi food store and Starbucks and Greggs drive thrus, all of which are anticipated to open in Q3 2021.
The site benefits from proximity to Gatwick
Airport and the international commercial and ferry
ports at Southampton
and Portsmouth, as well as quick road access to the M27. It falls within
Enterprise Bognor Regis, a
70-hectare commercial and employment development opportunity located on the northern edge of
10 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
management team and are planning
commercial development and strategic Frank Investors is our first step into looking for further opportunities to
Marsh of Marsh & Baxter and CBRE,
and law firm Irwin Mitchell, led by real estate partner Guy Sackett.
Guy Sackett said: “It’s been exciting
to advise Landlink Estates on its first
foray into the institutional market and to help them deliver a great result in what remains a challenging market for commercial development. This
area of West Sussex, with its good
transport links, has been growing in popularity and our client has been
able to take advantage in the growth
in demand for quality warehousing and logistics facilities to secure a good
sale. We hope to continue working with
Landlink Estates as they explore further opportunities to unlock value from their
land and property assets in the region.”
SBT FINANCE
WHAT DOES GROWTH LOOK LIKE FOR EAST SUSSEX SMALL BUSINESSES? BY ALWAYS POSSIBLE
SBT FINANCE SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 11
What does growth look like for East Sussex small businesses in a year like no other? Businesses don’t grow on their own. They need the
Finance
fundamentals: processes,
infrastructure, strategy to grow.
funding and a
is having people with drive, motivation and skills to push the business on.
always possible has been lucky enough to work with a range of incredibly
impressive, resilient businesses across East Sussex through the South East
Even with the best plans in place, growth
Business Boost (SEBB) programme,
sometimes exciting and opening doors;
Development Fund.
plans are at the mercy of external forces: often scary and the unpredictable.
But the most important factor that
determines whether a business will grow
12 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
part-funded by the European Regional
A year into the programme, we’ve seen some amazing examples of drive in the
face of the some of the most challenging
economic conditions ever. It’s fascinating to see both new and established
companies take a long look at their
business goals to work out what kind of
growth is important to them, and chase it. Here’s the stories of three of those businesses.
Shrub Provisions
Shrub Provisions Ltd was founded in September 2020. Their aim is to
supply chefs and restaurants with the highest quality produce from farms in
FI NA NCE
SEBB grant to make the most of
heart of the South Downs National Park.
improve their efficiency.
themselves quickly, with 92% occupancy
better-than-expected trade to date and
Shrub invested in a van, fridge and
Despite COVID-19, they had established in the first 9 months of trading.
racking. This is allowing them to more
Demand for business has been high.
allows them to reduce weekly collection
residents booking UK holidays. They
than double their delivery orders and times by 6 hours. It allowed them to
improve storage capacity & facilities
as well as increase the range of chilled
COVID has caused large spikes in UK wanted to make the most of the positive trading conditions to grow.
products. Leaving them in great shape
From guest surveys, it became clear that
clients re-opened in the summer.
vehicles, and also explore the local area by
to build up their business when their
Tidmas Townsend
a high number prefer to limit their use of
other means, are active and love activities.
Tidmas Townsend is a business
With part funding of £10,000 from a
company is 65 years old and over the
investing in an electric van to offer more
packaging printer & manufacturer. The past 12 years turnover has increased
by 400%, staffed by passionate people,
alive to new opportunities brought on by the rise of e-commerce.
They’d noticed a gap in the market. Demand for short runs (50 – 10k) of
printed large-letter boxes was growing. Such bespoke packaging is highly
popular for sales of e-commerce items,
SEBB grant, Alfriston Wood Cabins are
customer transportation: from pickups, to paddle-boarding excursions and curated
day trips to the best local establishments. Living and working in a national park meant they wanted their business
to grow but only in a way that was
right for their local area: promoting
environmentally low-impact practices throughout their business, proving
Sussex and Kent and to provide full
but hard to get hold of in small quantities.
sourced produce comes from. There is
The company purchased print equipment
If you are an E Sussex SME or sole
links between restaurants and farms are
to create an offer of full colour boxes
look at the SEBB programmes to get
transparency on where the sustainably a concern across the industry that the
part funded by a £10,000 SEBB Grant
not as clear as they should be.
for micro sellers: a customer base
They quickly built up a network of 25
of retail during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID hit their plans hard, with half
Investment in new technology at the
they survived by pivoting to a veg-box
in that can be measured in days while
markets to boost revenues.
operate the equipment.
Shrub decided to use the spring
Alfriston Wood Cabins
investments with the help of a £4700
two self catering woodland cabins in the
farms and 50 restaurants to supply.
turbocharged by the further move online
their client restaurants closing. However,
right time has meant efficiency savings
delivery business and trading at farmers
the business will create 2 new jobs to
2021 period to make their first capital
They opened in July of 2020, offering
growth can be sustainable.
trader with an idea for growth, take a some expert help and funding to make the most of your motivation.
always possible are a strategic
development company led by designers, educators, and business specialists. www.alwayspossible.co.uk South East Business Boost Programme has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund 2014-20. It is a partnership between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Essex County Council, Kent County Council, East Sussex County Council and Thurrock Council.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 13
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For help and advice on your bookkeeping and accounts, please call our friendly team
T – 01403 588639 14 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
E – INFO@SEOFON.CO.UK
W – WWW.SEOFON.CO.UK
SBT
LEGA L
LEGAL
DOUBLING GROUND RENTS – WILL THE LEASEHOLD REFORM BILL HELP ME? BY MAYO WYNNE BAXTER
EMPLOYMENT LAW: EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE MODERN WORKPLACE BY ALEX JONES, 365 EMPLOYMENT LAW
SBT LEGAL SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 15
Doubling Ground Rents – will the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill help me? The topic of
Legal
Leasehold Reform
has been hot in the
press and media for
quite some time now,
whether it is to do with extortionate doubling ground rents, developer’s
charging large sums of money for the owners of leasehold houses to buy
their freehold, or cladding that does not meet fire safety regulations, for
the last two years we seem to have
been gaining some momentum with
16 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
regard to potential reforms; has the Government finally listened?
In 2020 the Law Commission
published three final reports on Leasehold Reform. The reports
addressed buying your freehold or
extending your lease, including the
options to reduce the price payable and exercising the right to manage.
The Law Commission was also tasked with considering how to reinvigorate commonhold tenure, which was
introduced by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.
In January of this year, the Government announced that legislation would be
introduced, in this parliamentary session, tackling some of the areas in which reform has been recommended.
One of the most common questions now posed to the Enfranchisement Team
here at Mayo Wynne Baxter is ‘will the reforms help me, and if so, how?’
LEGA L The proposed reforms can be summarised as follows:
• A right to a new 990-year lease for owners of flats or houses
• The reduction of the ground rent to nil
• The removal of marriage value from the amount payable to the freeholder
• The creation of a simple Government
backed lease extension price calculator
The Government has only, so far,
tackled one of the above four items: ground rents.
Unfortunately, high/onerous/doubling
ground rents are causing a number of issues in the leasehold market. We
are faced with mortgage lenders that
refuse to lend on leasehold properties where the ground rent doubles every
Charlotte Clarke
5, 10 or 15 years throughout the term
of a lease. It is the stance of mortgage lenders that seems to be driving the response from buyers, and in the
market in general. A buyer will not take the risk of purchasing a property that
they cannot get a mortgage for, either now, or at a later date. In addition, even if the ground rent in a lease
doubles less frequently; say every 20,
25 or 33 years, buyers are still reluctant to proceed AND sellers are then faced with the prospect of spending, in
some instances, large sums of money to remove the doubling ground rent.
High yearly ground rents also pose an
additional risk; that is if the ground rent goes over £250 per year (£1000 a year
in London), then the lease is classed as an Assured Shorthold Tenancy and the Landlord has a mandatory ground for possession if you are in arrears.
The ‘ground rent crisis’ has to be tackled,
and the Government has attempted to do so; draft legislation has been published and is currently being considered.
The draft Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill that has been produced
will apply to new long leasehold
further legislation, at a later date, which
to current Leases, or retrospectively.
It is too soon to know if this amendment
residential properties. It will not apply
removes ground rent for all leaseholders.
Long leasehold means a lease of
will be accepted.
rent that a freeholder (Landlord) can
In short, if you already have a high yearly
more than one peppercorn per year.
will not help you. In addition, if you are
from charging administration fees
property, high or doubling ground rents
Freeholders that charge more than a
Bill receives Royal Assent. The draft
to £5000. The draft Bill will apply in
amended. We will have to wait a few
21 years or more. The only ground
charge in a long Lease cannot be for
or doubling ground rent, the draft Bill
The draft Bill also bans freeholders
looking to purchase a new leasehold
for collecting a peppercorn rent.
can be imposed if and until the draft
peppercorn also face being fined up
Bill in its current format could also be
England and Wales.
more months before we know what the
The draft Bill is currently on its 1st reading
final Bill will look like.
with the House of Commons, having
We also still have a long way to go before
of Lords (1st reading, 2nd reading,
impact on existing leaseholders.
reading). There are also five stages to go
Charlotte Clarke
amendments are considered and made (if
Tel: (01273) 477071
completed five stages with the House committee stage, report stage and 3rd
Leasehold Reform has a meaningful
through the House of Commons before
Associate Solicitor
agreed) and the Bill receives Royal Assent.
Email: cclarke@mayowynnebaxter.co.uk
An amendment has been requested to the draft Bill, aiming to ensure
that the Government does introduce
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 17
Employment Law: Equality and diversity in the modern workplace As an employment law specialist for over 20 years, the issue of equality and diversity in the workplace has evolved over time, in terms of both the legal protections afforded to workers, and the cultural shift in attitudes to workplace equality. Whilst those cultural
Legal
attitudes have
evolved, for those
workers who are on
the receiving end of
discriminatory acts, it is often harder
than ever, in practical terms, to enforce the rights they have.
Discrimination and the Law
The rights that workers have in respect of
non-discrimination are under The Equality Act 2010. This piece of legislation, when brought into law, largely combined the
various non-discrimination rights under
legislation such as the Sex Discrimination
18 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Act, Race Relations Act, and Disability Discrimination Act into one piece of legislation. Whilst it updated some
interpretations of rights, based on case
law, it was largely aimed at harmonising
the various rights that had been brought in over the previous 10 or so years.
The Equality Act provides protection from discrimination for workers,
employees and, in some cases, the self-employed, on grounds of nine
“Protected Characteristics”, namely
sex, race, disability, age, religion and belief, sexual orientation, gender
reassignment, marriage/civil partnership and pregnancy/maternity.
For obvious reasons, some of those
protected characteristics apply to all, and some to qualifying workers i.e. disability, maternity, but the simple
position is that workers are protected from discrimination on grounds of
those protected characteristics. That discrimination applies to both direct
discrimination, which cannot be justified in law, and indirect discrimination,
which can only be objectively justified as a defence. The rights relating
to disability also have a duty, on
the employer, to make “reasonable adjustments”, and in respect of
maternity rights, these overlap with
LEGA L
sex discrimination rights, particularly in respect of flexible working. Practical Considerations
I often deal with employers who have had employment tribunal claims
brought against them for alleged acts
of discrimination. This is from both the
perspective of defending those claims, and bringing them for workers. Whilst
some acts of discrimination are aggressive and obvious, many are not, and some of the examples that I see are easily
avoidable. I have specifically seen the
following examples come up regularly: 1)“But we have all of the Policies in place”
Employers often obsess over policies,
particularly relating to non-discrimination. They spend a lot of time putting them
in place, and often train staff on them. This is where the problems start for
them, because they then do not consider actual discrimination in the workplace,
the triggers for it, and when it has taken
hold. I have often seen examples where despite obvious evidence of workplace discrimination, the employer often
refuses to accept it can be occurring,
because they have the policies in place that indicate it is not tolerated. It is
good practice for employers to bring in someone external, even on an annual
basis, to road test their policies through some practical examples.
2) “We have followed the Flexible Working Policy”
Subject to qualifying criteria, employees
have the right to request flexible working through a process set out in law. That process is only the right to request
flexible working, not have it granted. Employers often, as a result of that,
have a silo mentality about a flexible
working request. If an employee requests flexible working, through the process or otherwise, and the reason for that
request is for a protected characteristic, the employer needs to engage with the
reality of that request, and not rely on the process as being one of request
only. I have seen lots of examples where employers refuse a flexible working
request, because the process lets them, without understanding that any such refusal could be discriminatory. This
is particularly prevalent over the issue of employees returning to work part
time after maternity leave, or in respect of reasonable adjustments as a result of disability. I recently represented an employee who had made a flexible
working request, which had been refused
Alex Jones
under the policy, that by it’s refusal was
a failure to make reasonable adjustments due to that employee’s disability, and
therefore discriminatory. Even up to the final hearing, the employer could not
understand how the discrimination had
arisen, when they had complied with the Flexible Working request process.
3) “We treat everyone the same”
The whole purpose of discrimination
legislation, is to even the playing field.
I see a number of employers who have a starting position of treating everyone the same, which then causes indirect discrimination e.g. “we don’t have
flexible working and everyone is treated equally”, or “we don’t need to maintain the lift to the third floor, and everyone is expected to take the stairs.” This
type of positioning is classic indirect discrimination i.e. on the face of it,
everyone is equal, but in practice, it
affects one minority group on grounds
of their protected characteristic. In law,
indirect discrimination can of course be
objectively justified, but employers need to think about that in advance. Enforcement Issues
Whilst the position in law is one of
protection for employees, and a means of resolution for both employer and
employees, the practical reality is more complicated. The Court and Tribunal
system has been brought to it’s knees
by a decade of cuts, and it can be up to
a year before even basic employment rights come before an Employment Tribunal. This is not ideal for either
employees or employers, as the issue
hangs over them for an extended period. With that in mind, parties can often
engage in practical and constructive settlement discussions, but if that is
not possible, the issue is often there for extended periods. Modern Working
The issue of modern working practices, including remote working, was not
necessarily envisaged at the time the
Equality Act came into force. A specific update of the law as regards non-
discrimination is needed, as without
it, Employment Tribunals will interpret obligations differently, and conflicting legal authorities will arise.
The simple position is that employers
who consider discrimination issues in
advance, and how they work in practice, will always be better placed than those who don’t!
Please always take advice on any staff related issues.
By Alex Jones, Managing Director, 365 Employment Law Tel: 01903 863284
ajones@365employmentlaw.co.uk www.365employmentlaw.co.uk
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 19
Selling, buying or starting a business? Call us on 0800 84 94 101 Offices across Sussex
www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk 20 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
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COVER FE ATU RE
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & RECRUITMENT
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORKPLACES AND REMOTE WORKING
BY LOCH ASSOCIATES GROUP
IS YOUR BUSINESS READY FOR A FUTURE THAT INCLUDES EVERYONE?
BY MO KANJILAL, CO-CREATOR OF WATCH THIS SP_CE
SBT PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & RECRUITMENT SPONSORED BY:
A one stop shop for all your employment, commercial law and HR requirements. Our award winning Solicitors, HR Consultants, and Wellbeing experts provide pragmatic solutions for businesses and individuals. From day-to-day HR support tailored to your business, through to legal advice, wellbeing and mental ill health issues, we are here for you. How we can help: Expert employment and commercial law advice HR support and management training Wellbeing services Training and development Negotiation and drafting of Settlement Agreements Dispute resolution Mediation
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 21
Call us now for your free consultation.
www.lochassociates.co.uk
01892 773970
info@lochassociates.co.uk
PEOPL E MAN AGE M E N T & R EC R U ITM E N T
Multigenerational workplaces and remote working
Today’s workforce is a multigenerational one. Teams can include a range of different generations often referred to as baby boomers, Generation X, millennials, and Generation Z. With many of us now
HR
working remotely or in a hybrid way, the
differences between the generations are
becoming increasingly apparent with new challenges being encountered by employers when recruiting and managing a multigenerational
workforce. So how can you manage a multigenerational team effectively ? Generation Types
The multigenerational workforce can consist of -
• Traditionalists: born between 1928 and 1945; climbing the corporate
ladder within the same company for
their entire career, most are retired or work fewer hours.
• Baby Boomers: born between 1946 and 1964 might also be known as
“Workaholics” as they have rejected and redefined traditional norms and values.
• Generation X: born between 1965 and 1979 are independent and sceptical, introduced a true work-life balance.
• Millennials: born between 1980 and 1995 crave new experiences, work
best as a team, and require regular feedback.
• Generation Z: the younger workforce who are born approximately starting in 1996 and are digitally savvy and well-connected.
22 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Recruiting
of simply making training sessions
journey is going through your
important to consider if that will work
One of the first steps in the employee
remote because staff are at home, it’s
recruitment process. It’s important
best for all new starters.
strategies to ensure they suit a
Ideally, you need to have an
inadvertently discriminate against
ability to deal with technology or
to a particular method of contact or
staff, they may have not worked with
Millennials and Generation Z mainly
system previously and showing them
for jobs, while Baby Boomers are
be enough. New starters may also be
phone calls.
tolerance for staff who are not tech
The Equality Act 2010 applies prior
isolated within the remote workplace.
recruitment process. The Act makes it
what is required based on each set of
of age. Employers should ensure they
understanding of the employee’s
and induction processes, ensuring
training, encouraging staff to take a
example of where age discrimination
methods of communication. Having
process is by including a statement that
place each day can help new starters
to keep reviewing your recruitment wider audience and that you do not
understanding about an individual’s
generations who may not have access
work on various platforms. For some
recruitment platform. For example,
a particular type of technology or
engage through social media to look
how it works remotely once may not
more likely to be receptive to emails or
badly affected if colleagues show little savvy, resulting in new starters feeling
to employment and starts with the
For employers, it is vital to consider
unlawful to discriminate on the grounds
circumstances and establish a good
review and consider their recruitment
limitations to provide appropriate
compliance with the Act. A common
team approach and using effective
can take place during the recruitment
a buddy system where check ins take
job applications must have a minimum
get to know new systems better too.
considered for the role. This could
Retaining and Managing Employees
candidates who are obviously less likely
that everyone in your team has
number of years’ experience to be
discriminate indirectly against younger
During employment it may be assumed
to meet that requirement.
been video calling and adjusting to
Induction and on boarding employees
is important to check on everyone’s
technologies with ease although it
With more employees working remotely
capabilities. Stereotypically, Millennials
avoid a one-dimensional approach
new technology quickly, but other
employers need to be careful to
and Generation Z tend to understand
to managing staff inductions. Instead
workers may find this more challenging.
P EOP L E MAN AGEM EN T & R ECR UITM E NT
Different generations may feel
person or use technology effectively
reconsider how they track progress
differently about having the
to recreate this is important. As with
against objectives and targets as well
opportunity to work from home. It’s
any stereotypes it is important not to
as ensure their teams are still working
often considered a benefit if you can
rely on these and employers need to
effectively together.
fit in the school run and pop on the
be cautious not to allow assumptions
washing, however younger employees
about age influence decisions about
At Loch Associates Group we offer
may be cramped into a bedroom
training, progression, or hybrid
training in managing remote workers
balancing a laptop a bed. Giving the
working policies when considering a
as well as diversity and equality
option of office working full time,
multigenerational workforce.
training. This training not only
and not making remote the standard pattern can help address this.
supports your managers in making
Managing remotely
the right decisions and increases their
It is crucial to consider how employees
confidence in dealing with situations
One important element of retention
are engaging their managers when
at work but it also helps to protect the
is building a culture that people
working remotely. Managers may
organisation in being able to avoid or
want to be part of. Ensuring that this
need to be more flexible with their
defend discrimination or other
culture includes learning from others,
management style and consider
Tribunal claims.
at different stages in their careers
how they manage performance in
can be tricky in a predominantly
a remote environment. They may
remote environment so addressing
need to alter their communication
times when people work together in
methods, increase the frequency and
www.lochassociates.co.uk
A one stop shop for all your employment, commercial law and HR requirements. Our award winning Solicitors, HR Consultants, and Wellbeing experts provide pragmatic solutions for businesses and individuals. From day-to-day HR support tailored to your business, through to legal advice, wellbeing and mental ill health issues, we are here for you. How we can help: Expert employment and commercial law advice HR support and management training Wellbeing services Training and development Negotiation and drafting of Settlement Agreements Dispute resolution Mediation Call us now for your free consultation.
www.lochassociates.co.uk
01892 773970
info@lochassociates.co.uk
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 23
PEOPL E MAN AGE M E N T & R EC R U ITM E N T
Future-Proofing: is your business ready for a future that includes everyone? By Mo Kanjilal, Co-Creator of Watch This Sp_ce If you want to create a
HR
future-proof business, then including
different types of
people, perspectives
and ideas in everything you do is critical. Without that, you will lack the different perspectives you need to innovate.
Here’s the thing though, it’s easy to say
that’s what you will do. It’s a bigger task to actually create an inclusive company that looks outwards and engages with everyone.
The Business Case
Research shows that teams that include a diverse range of people output
around 19% more innovation. Diverse teams make decisions quicker with
around half the number of meetings. And you know what? Innovation +
24 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Quick Decision-making = success.
And that success means higher profits, better productivity and happier and more engaged employees.
Yet despite this evidence showing that diverse teams perform better, the majority of companies are still
dominated by homogenous teams of
people from dominant groups. In fact,
recent research shows the gender pay
gap has widened and that more people from ethnic minorities have lost their
jobs during the pandemic. And that’s
just two aspects of the different types of people in society.
When we talk to organisations about the
business case for diversity and inclusion, there’s always lots of nods and looks
of interest. Yet real change in the wider
world is so slow. To make radical and transformative changes takes work,
engagement and tenacity. Maybe that’s why progress is taking a while. People
Transforming the people involved in your business means reaching out to very
different types of people. This is where we see so many organisations talking about diversity and inclusion, but not
really doing much about it. It’s easier to follow the same patterns of recruitment and to hire people you know. It’s easier to network with people who are similar to you. A more complex task is to
radically reimagine the whole process. To create new and inclusive
recruitment processes means change. Obvious right? So why is it that this is
P EOP L E MAN AGEM EN T & R ECR UITM E NT
not what happens in reality? Well, it’s because it’s easier to fall back into the same
patterns. People are busy, and it’s easier to carry on as you
are. But if you want to create a world where people are
included, and you want to reap
all the benefits of diversity, then things have to change.
● Take a critical look at how
you recruit and what needs to change
● Consider how you
communicate about recruitment
● And think radically about new relationships you need to
create and different networks you need to find
The journey of change is
ongoing. You need to look
at what happens during the
recruitment process. Involve
different types of people. And be prepared to challenge yourself
and your team on your decisions. It doesn’t stop at recruitment,
Consider using online collaboration
they join environments where they do
types of people, how are you going to
And definitely have a good think about
where everyone feels they can belong,
will need to think about how you make
for creative ideas. Whether it’s online
enable them to contribute their best.
be environments where people may
the future. Younger people are attracted
progressing people’s careers.
different idea. And those forums are
different people. Not the ones who just
Processes
people are happy to hold all of the ‘air
processes. If you do not radically think
but are they definitely the ones who
people who join will not be able to
be missing out on some incredibly
either. When you have recruited different
tools like Miro or Google Jamboard.
not feel welcome. To create a culture
ensure they feel they can belong? You
whether meetings are the best place
you need to shake things up.
people feel welcome and how you
or face-to-face meetings, they can
That’s also what will attract the talent of
And then how you make decisions about
struggle to tell a group if they have a
to businesses who actually include
often the places where certain types of
talk about it.
And that brings us onto working
time’ and dominate the conversations,
Only by making space for all these
about how you work, then different
have the best ideas? You might
that will survive and thrive in the future.
contribute as fully as you want. They
valuable perspectives.
If this is all sounding daunting and like a
bring new ideas.
For those fantastic business benefits
hello@watchthisspace.uk and we can
So that means considering how
work to do. People are not going to
will not feel they can disagree and
you ask people for their thoughts.
different voices can you create a business
lot of work (which it is!), email
of diverse, inclusive teams, there is
talk you through our Inclusion Framework.
be happy and perform at their best if
www.watchthisspace.co.uk
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 25
ADVISORY / TA X / AU D I T
New look, same great service
Building a Brighter Future An accountant should do a lot more than just report on how your business is doing. They should help you identify opportunities to improve your profit levels and then support you in trying to achieve those improvements. We strive to understand what our clients want to achieve and are then proactive in recommending solutions that add value. We take a collaborative approach with our clients, working with them to provide a valueadded service rather than simple compliance. The focus is always on client service, with open and honest relationships.
Contact us E: info@carpenterbox.com in
www.carpenterbox.com 26 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT COVER FEATURE
WE SPEAK TO KULJIT MOORE-JUNEJA AHEAD OF NATIONAL FERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 27
We speak to Kuljit Moore-Juneja ahead of National Fertility Awareness Week National Fertility Awareness Week runs from November 1 to 5 and aims to shine a light on what support is available for the estimated one in six couples impacted by fertility issues in the UK. In total, 3.5 million
Cover Story
people across the
country are struggling with fertility right now and a campaign is
poised to help signpost them to the right support - no matter what stage they
have reached in their fertility journey. Locally, the Sussex Downs Fertility Clinic, part of the iTrust Fertility group of fertility
clinics, has been providing treatments and
28 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
investigations for three decades. During
that time, it has treated in excess of 7,000 patients and firmly established itself as
a leader in its field. The clinic has above average success rates and has been in
the local area for over 30 years now. The services it provides to both private and
NHS patients have been so successful it
has recently relocated and up-graded to a new purpose-built clinic in Alder Close,
Eastbourne. For patients’ convenience,
it has also satellite consultation services
at a number of other locations in the Sussex area to make services more accessible in the region.
With an above-average success rate and a carefully selected team of 50 clinical and support staff, it is a major Sussex success story.
Formerly located at the Esperance Hospital and now at Alder Close,
Eastbourne, the team is also excited to
COVER STO RY
announce a further clinic in Kent, in a
purpose built centre where local patients will also be able to access NHS and privately funded treatments.
Under the new ownership the centres
have benefited from massive investment in state of the art lab equipment plus
attracting experienced specialists to the
area in order to deliver a comprehensive service to patients.
Official figures reveal that the clinics
achieve success rates of five percent
above the national average across all
age categories. This includes both per
cycle and per embryo transferred as well as pregnancy rates and live births.
Sussex Business Times spoke to the
clinic’s owner, Kuljit Moore-Juneja, and discovered fertility is not just about overcoming issues. It is also about offering people choices.
Kuljit, could you tell our readers about your background in pharmaceuticals and why you moved into fertility? “My background has always been
in healthcare and making a positive
difference to individuals. From an early stage in my career I have always been drawn to management and leadership roles within health service delivery.
During my time in pharmacy I realised I wanted to apply my knowledge to
other areas of healthcare and in order
to make a difference I needed to be in a leadership role – a position with the ability to be involved in the decision making process.
I moved into corporate management
when I was at Boots and then ventured from there into dental care and from
there into the NHS to grow and develop
the fertility services for the largest fertility centre in the UK.
“Fertility came about for two reasons - my own personal experience with fertility
and one of my previous roles in London.
I was with a big NHS trust and they were
struggling with private services and fertility - as well as other specialties. My role was to support the growth and development
of this unit. It was fascinating to see how
little knowledge there was out there about fertility and how much more we could do as a sector to educate and inform
patients. That is where my passion grew
and when I decided that this is what I want to do for myself. I knew I could do it well. That was in 2014.”
The Sussex Downs Fertility Clinic has been established for 30 years. Kuljit
explained: “It was set up by the BMI as part of their Esperance hospital. They set up four or five across the country
at the time. In 2018 BMI had a change of ownership and as part of this new
ownership it was looking at its overall
portfolio of hospitals and the Esperance was one of the hospitals that needed
capital investment. A decision was made to sell the entire hospital site.
“The fertility service was part of this site and BMI decided to sell it too. So I bid
for the contract to buy the services and most importantly to carry on providing these service in the locality.
Our bid was successful. The two other
competitive bidders were bigger in terms of clinics but their aim was to close the service and run it as a satellite to their London clinics. Part of our success
was our commitment to developing and growing the fertility services locally and investing in a new centre and staff.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 29
C OVE R STORY You established the Sussex Downs
Fertility Clinic in 2019, can you tell us about the facilities, what the clinic
offers and the patients you work with? “We offer treatment to anybody who is
eligible, i.e. anybody who fits our criteria for treatment. The reason we have a
criteria is so that we are not setting false expectations. We use evidence-based
practice. Our inclusion criteria is based upon BMI (Body Mass Index) and age
of patients because we know, beyond those limits, there is less chance of a successful outcome for patients.
“We offer treatment to NHS patients those who are entitled in Sussex and
can get the funding. For private patients,
those who want to pursue private funding because they are not entitled to NHS
funding, we also offer a bespoke service. The Sussex Downs Fertility Clinic is providing services that are clearly
in high demand, with 1 in 6 couples
now experiencing fertility difficulties.
Can you tell us more about the facts,
30 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
figures surrounding fertility and the importance for raising awareness? “Declining fertility in England, as with
access this funding. It has opened
up possibilities that were not always available some 20 to 30 years.
almost all developed countries, is a
“Additionally there is more confidence for
choosing to start a family later in life,
Many women decide that they are not
cent decline in sperm count since 1970.
are in a relationship and want to have a
growing issue – in part owing to people
single people. This market is growing.
along with other factors such as a 50 per
going to wait to find ‘the right person’ or
“I think it is lifestyle, stress and choices.
child right now because they are ready.
Fertility services give choices to those
“The treatment we offer is personalised
have a child because I’ve tried naturally
needs are individual and our services
gives people the ability to make informed
requirements. With the regulations
possibly, it wasn’t as accessible previously.
becomes more ‘main stream’, patients
“The NHS funding also helps a lot of
how to start their fertility journey.
Sussex is very fortunate to have the
The process is just much more easily
offers funding up to the age of 39 or
to have more information available to
fertility treatment - if they are eligible.
that it is the correct information. That’s
“I think it is great that people can
Experts’ sessions.
who have thought ‘I am never going to
for our same sex couples too. Everyones’
and it has not worked’. Our fertility service
are built around their needs and their
decisions and to access treatment where,
changing and as the whole area of fertility
people access our fertility service.
are actively looking for the signposts on
NHS funding it has. In Sussex the NHS
understood now. It is always a good thing
40 for couples for up to two rounds of
everyone. However it’s just as important why we have launched the free ‘Ask The
COVE R STO RY
“Then there other factors such as stress, lifestyle, career, finances and so on that often result in people starting families
want to do, don’t wait long - please
speak to your doctor or see an expert.”
later. Fertility is one of those areas in
Fertility treatments are being added to
advances in medicine and science has
tell us about your thoughts on this?
life where technology, research and
given people much more choice and
flexibility to decide: This is right for me
in my life right now therefore why should I have to wait for the stereotypical path when I can make my own path? Our
fertility services enable people to make
those decisions when it is right for them. On raising awareness about fertility
services, Kuljit added: “Firstly, I would
advise everyone to access services as quickly as you decide this is what you want to do. Remember age is always going to be a big factor. No one can avoid that. Biology is what it is, so
anyone who is in their 30s, who hasn’t found ‘the’ person, or doesn’t want
to have a child right now - consider freezing your eggs.
Seek out and use the advice that is available at clinics like us.
In general there is not enough people talking about this option, but freezing
your eggs, freezes time to a certain point and gives you choices. For those who
may be thinking that it is something they
some staff benefits packages, can you
“Recently a number of key employers, such as Natwest and Centrica, have
included the cost of fertility treatments
as part of their wider employee benefits package. This is something that I am passionate about. It gives people
support and choice especially to career minded women who may not have thought about this.
“Fertility checkups and services should
be available as part of a corporate benefit package. Once people are aware of
their ‘fertility status’ then they can make decisions and choices. Of course, from an employer’s perspective offering this
support helps avoid stress, anxiety and promotes well-being as well as raising awareness among employees.
Businesses already offer health checks and eye checks. But what they don’t
routinely offer to women (and men) is
the chance to have the check-up that tells them ‘this is your fertility health
right now and this is what it means for you over the next five to 10 years’.”
Kuljit refers to benefits packages offered to women between certain ages by
big corporates and IT providers in the
United States, and said fertility should be talked about much more.
She said: “I think the UK and Europe are behind in that sense. There is a
huge lack of support for those having
treatment. The number of patients that we see who say ‘I have got to have an
early morning appointment’ or ‘I’ve got to do it after work’ is astounding. How
is this any different to having an eye test or having to see your GP or having a dentist appointment?
“You could quite easily walk into an office and say you are going to be
late tomorrow because you have got an eye test or dental appointment. How many of us can walk into the
office and say they have got a fertility
clinic appointment because they need treatment? There is still a stigma.
“We have to move away from that stigma and make it okay - for both men and
women. For men, (because on the whole treatment is mainly based around the
woman) how many can come to work
and openly say ‘My wife/partner is having fertility treatment and I need time off tomorrow to support her/him’?
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 31
C OVE R STORY
“With Covid, many couples and single people who are going through fertility issues have been isolated from their
next for Kent with additional locations coming soon.”
support network. The mental health
For Kuljit and her dedicated team,
patients. Our clinics offer free counseling
about reducing stress and saving time.
impact is a very real one for fertility
sessions to every patient and the feedback from this has been incredibly positive.” With established clinics now in
bringing services closer to patients is After all, having fertility treatment is
already stressful enough. “Accessibility is important to all patients,” she said.
Bromley and the Sussex Downs
To celebrate its re-location, the clinical
the future plans for growth?
has launched a series of free ‘Ask the
Fertility Clinic in Eastbourne what are
“For the next 12 months our plan is very clear. It is about stabilisation of the two
centres in Eastbourne and Bromley. We will focus on what we do and continue
team at Sussex Downs Fertility Clinic
that works really well. It makes our
service and expertise accessible for both NHS and private patients. It is
something that we will be looking at
32 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
as part of its newly developed iTrust Fertility brand.
The success to date is a testament to how one woman combined her own
experience of fertility and her skills to create a leading fertility services for Sussex and Kent.
who want future choices.
support from leading fertility clinicians.
approach, so that’s why we are offering
“The satellite clinic model is something
well-earned reputation for excellence
fertility to ask questions, get advice and
outcomes, while supporting our patients what happens next.
the Sussex Downs Fertility Clinic has a
Now it offers real hope - not just those
an opportunity for anyone struggling with
Kuljit said: “When it comes to fertility,
through that journey. And then, let’s see
proven record of safe, effective care,
Expert’ sessions. These sessions provide
to do it exceptionally well. Keep up
our success rates and positive patient
With consultant-led services and a
we know there’s no ‘one size fits all’
these ‘Ask the Expert’ sessions. These sessions provide unfettered access
to a wide range of fertility expertise,
resources, services and support and are open to all, NHS or private.”
To book your free place email: marketing@thfg.co.uk
who have fertility issues but to those
Fertility Awareness Week runs from
November 1. It sets out to challenge
perceptions of what both fertility and infertility mean - to make the issue
of fertility a topic everyone can feel empowered to speak out about
For more information visit www. thesussexdownsfertility.com Telephone: 01323 410333
Email: marketing@thfg.co.uk
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SBT START UPS & ENTRPRENEURES SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 33
Contacts, Collaborations and Competitors - Why company data is critical
How to get the business information and contacts you need with the help of BIPC Sussex and why they’re so essential to success. “No man is an island,
New Business Donne, 1623)
entire of itself; every man is a piece of
the continent, a part of the main.” (John
No person is an island, and no business is either. To attempt to strive alone is to
ignore the help, support and experience of other businesses which is, we assure you, readily available.
There are many reasons a start-up
or growing business should gather
information about other companies.
Firstly, if you’re considering investing,
34 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
partnering or simply working with another company, you need to know how reliable and financially stable they are. Who are the directors? Have they previously run
successful companies or is there a trail of short-lived disasters left in their wake?
Learning from the experiences of others is another key reason – start-ups often feel like they’re striving out blindly into
the unknown, but other companies have been there, suffered what you have and
found their feet, so you can take heed of their lessons instead of repeating them.
It’s the old Google adage – whatever you search for, at least one person has been
there before. Established companies will
often field a question or two from a startup on a particular subject, and happily share lessons learned. You can speak to your local chamber for a wealth of companies who will support you.
And on the other end of the scale,
companies that did not stand the test of
time can be looked into as to what led to their closed doors.
Then there’s suppliers and manufacturers. Building a trusted supply chain can feel daunting to a new producer, whether
you’re sourcing local ingredients for a
new baking company, or machine parts
N EW BUS I N E S S
for a creation you’ve just patented. Looking into companies who not only provide the supply/delivery/
manufacturing you need, but are
logistically ideal, financially sound and
share the same ethics as your company can be time consuming and frustrating. And of course, there are those business
customers you need to reach – if it is your company who is a manufacturer, supplier,
deliverer, or perhaps HR, training, research & development and many more who deal B2B, how do you find your customers? How do you get through to new
companies who are your ideal customers, and break into the established chains of long trading companies?
Finally, company data can help you
understand how you are performing in
comparison to your competitors. A better understanding of your competition can help you create effective strategies to improve your competitive advantage. We have the answer to all the above
questions at the BIPC on our companies’ databases that are all free to access. FAME & Kompass Easy Business
These two fantastic online databases – FAME, which focusses on companies
in the UK & Ireland, and Kompass Easy
Business, which is global, will both
analyse a company in detail - Who is
the director? How long have they been
trading? Are they financially secure? - as well as allow you to make company lists
based on your specifications. Looking into
how many companies have been forced to close trading since COVID began? Or how many have started since then? Perhaps how many companies have female
directors? Make detailed contact lists
down to the level of detail of, for instance, companies incorporated in the last 3
years in Brighton, in the fast-food industry, which have more than 10 employees –
and get the contact details of the specific department in that company you need. EMIS
Although primarily focussing on
established and emerging markets and industries, this huge database, which
also has a section dedicated to industry news, also contains global company
Local Data Online
LDO by the Local Data Company, is a very different information source. This database will concentrate on
a local area – Brighton Marina, for
instance – and tell you basics about
the companies therein. Using the map, the locations of the bakers, florists, bars, restaurants are highlighted,
informing you of the companies, the unit sizes and locations, how many
are independents vs franchises and the opening & closing rates. Using
the comparative functions of the site, you can also compare with easy to
reference graphics data on the top 5 coffee chains across the UK, or the
distribution of tea rooms and cafes in the South East.
All of these databases hold thousands of pounds of information and you can access it for free at the BIPC.
information. With a different lilt of intent
Find out more at
focussed on market research and so
or email bipc@brighton-hove.gov.uk
to the previous databases, EMIS is the companies’ function can show
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/bipc
you not only insight into a particular
company and create a company list, but also highlights company news, company comparisons, mergers & acquisitions and equities.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 35
N EW B US I N E S S
How to turn your side hustle into successful careers These entrepreneurs share their secrets.
Owen Findley - OR8DESIGN
New Business
Owen Findley - OR8DESIGN
As searches for
Luke Hodson, Founder of Awesome
Owen Findley - OR8DESIGN
by 138%* year-on-
hustles and small businesses in 2021
10 years ago, says his work has been
‘side-hustle’ grow
year (49.5K searches per month), and
#SmallBusiness gets an incredible
36.1 BILLION views on TikTok, it looks like many budding business hopefuls are looking to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
In the last 12 months, searches for online retailers are up 18%, courier services have experienced an 80% uplift and
home baking businesses rose the fastest at a 157% year-on-year increase**.
Whether you’re looking at selling your
own bakes and cakes or art and makes, Awesome Merchandise has teamed up with three independent small business owners to share advice on how to
market your business, including tips
on merchandising, social media, and building your brand.
36 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Merchandise says: “The rise in side-
has been exciting. It is amazing to see people become creators and utilising
social platforms to elevate their brand in ways that weren’t possible just a few years ago.
“As specialists in branding and printing,
Owen Findley, who founded OR8DESIGN described as a ‘minimalist wanderlust’; he sells prints, pins and patches all
inspired by nature, travel and adventure.
Owen splits his time between working at the charity Carers Leeds and running his design business.
we’ve been lucky enough to support many
Building your business is a gradual
ways to create a brand that will not only
Owen says: “It’s been a gradual process
on their journey in understanding the best unleash the passion behind the concept but also bring forward the identity of the person behind the business.
“Chatting to some of these talented small business owners allows us to
process
getting to this point. It started as just something I did on evenings and
weekends; then when I started making some money from the design work, I
slowly reduced my hours at the day-job.”
share how others can follow in their
Switching up social media content
visual and personal ways.”
market his business, he says: “I tend to
footsteps and market their business in
Interviews with three entrepreneurs on building a brand in 2021
When it comes to using social media to just use Instagram these days. I try to
get a balance with what I post – no one wants to follow an account that is just
N EW BUS I N E S S screaming ‘buy buy buy’ all the time.
past, I’ve also used old test prints and
products, but then also balance that
business cards and flyers.”
I share some posts about prints and
out with behind the scenes stuff (people
misprints and re-purposed those as
seem to enjoy seeing the process
Hattie Clark - Freelance illustrator
studio) and then me and my family just
Leeds can often be found drawing inky
behind screenprinting and shots of the living our lives.”
Meeting likeminded people at events and online
“Doing face-to-face events is a great way to meet people that might not
already know your work. Also interacting with other makers online, sharing their
work, tagging people who are at events
you are doing, all of that can help build a community and hopefully some of their followers will come over to you.”
Designing business cards that help you stand out
“When I’m doing live events, people love to walk away with a business
card, so I always make sure I have a stack to hand. I got Awesome
Merchandise to print mine on a lovely dark brown card, and then I modified them to look like little luggage tags – it’s a bit of extra work cutting the
Freelance illustrator, Hattie Clark is from type, wobbly people and animals in
various oversized accessories. She works with a variety of clients to create bespoke illustrations for branding, merchandise
and editorials. She sells her own designs
and products through a range of national stockists and her own website.
From student to businesswoman Hattie says: “I pursued illustration
straight out of university. In the early days, I was building my business
alongside other jobs. I’ve been working
in illustration full time since 2018. A year ago I moved to the centre of Leeds and into a brilliant shared studio/workspace called Duke Studios! It’s been great for
me as I’m regularly making connections, meeting like-minded people and getting out of the house to be fully creative! It
felt like the biggest change and step up
for my business as it continues to grow.
corners and punching a hole in them,
“It’s not always been my full-time job,
really helps them stand out (picture
I think it took me a little while to find
but people seem to like them and it
but I’m really happy to say it is now.
above). I hate waste and so in the
my feet and have the confidence to
Hattie Clark - Freelance Illustrator
push my career as a full-time illustrator, but I’m not looking back now! I’m
pushing forward and continuing to
build both creatively through the work
I make and behind the scenes with the businesswoman side of things.” Engaging with your audience
Hattie uses a variety of social media
platforms to showcase her work. She
says: “Make the most of free platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
etc… Start building your audience here
and keep them engaged with interesting and regular content. I think (depending on a little on what you want to do)
keeping it personal is always a good idea! Your audience feels connected
when you show lots of yourself in what you do. If they’re invested in you and
what you and your business in the early days, they’ll stay with you.
“It’s a great way to connect with similar small businesses, creatives and seek
inspiration in others doing completely
different things! It is also a really useful tool for finding work and a variety of
opportunities. Quite a few of my jobs and stockists have and continue to come directly through Instagram.”
Connecting beyond social media
“Starting a newsletter is another great
Hattie Clark - Freelance Illustrator
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 37
N EW B US I N E S S
Sophie Kemp - SILK Jewellery
tool to reach new people and keep your current audience interested and up to date with what you’re doing. I find it
useful to share new products, recent pieces of work and let people know
about upcoming events! I try to keep it
playful and visually interesting as I hope to add a bit of fun to email inboxes!
Using stickers to create a brand identity Hattie makes her packaging distinctive with stickers. She says: “What’s not to love?! I use them to brand my prints,
other smaller products and to package
orders. It makes the designs, my name and brand more recognisable.”
Sophie Kemp - SILK jewellery SILK jewellery is a small batch,
sustainable, feminist jewellery brand
based in the founder Sophie Kemp’s
hometown of Whitby. She started SILK
during the pandemic as her music industry life as a production and tour manager had come to a halt, and she wanted to keep moving and adapting with the times.
Establishing a business in the pandemic Sophie says: “SILK is my own version of resilience to the pandemic, and trying to spread that kind of vibe to other women across the UK. I love making all the
38 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Sophie Kemp - SILK Jewellery
decisions, making the jewellery, packing
Final words of advice to hopeful
to customers etc. Don’t get me wrong,
own business
the orders, editing the website, chatting there been a few teary moments so far
just trying to navigate my way through a very competitive industry, but I think its more than worth it.” To TikTok or not?
Despite the popularity of small businesses on TikTok, Sophie says: “I really find that TikTok is super overwhelming for tiny
brands like me. Everyone is expecting to just blow up on TikTok, but really I think
trying new ideas is great. I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about TikTok I have
loyal customers that keep coming back to me, so I spend more time trying to
keep those guys happy than on TikTok at the moment.”
Keeping branding sweet and simple Sophie says: “My branding and
packaging are quite minimal, I use
cards, stickers and jewellery pouches to promote SILK to the world. I use a local
Whitby girl, Georgina Estill, to make and print the cards. She does an incredible job of designing and printing them for
me, and we are currently looking at new ways of improving the packaging I send out to customers”.
entrepreneurs looking to start their
Owen says: “Take it steady. There’s
no need to jump straight in and go fulltime from day one. Having a regular income from my day-job has really
helped me experiment, take time to
find what works and be happy playing more of a long-game.”
Hattie agrees: “Keep going! It’s
definitely a bit of a journey where you continue to learn and develop as you go. If you have an idea and ambition to start your own business, go for it! It may be tricky at times, but keep
moving forward and it can be incredibly rewarding. Within my own work, I love looking back and seeing how far I’ve
come with not only my illustrations and ideas but my ability to organise and grow my own small brand.”
Sophie adds: “Don’t overthink it, stay in your own lane and don’t wait any
longer. JUST GET GOING! Waiting for your brand to be perfect is a waste of
your time, your brand will evolve once its moves.”
SBT
COVER FE ATU RE
GOOD BUSINESS
DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO? GOOD. BY MATTHEW BELLRINGER
SBT GOOD BUSINESS SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 39
GOOD B US I N E S S
Don’t know what to do? Good.
We’ve all been there. Something unexpected has happened. It is time for a meeting. That meeting. The more people talk the more one thing becomes clear; no-one knows what to do. The longer it goes on,
Good Business
the more confused everything gets.
Arguments break out. Frustration boils over.
Eventually, painfully, a course of action gets chosen. The same one as before.
Yet the one thing everyone knows is that “same as before” will not help.
At work - and going all the way back
to school - people expect us to have a ready answer. Not knowing is a failure.
Something to be ashamed of. Something to hide. So we act as if we know what to do. That leads to wasted effort, missed
opportunities and avoidable disasters. It
leads to meetings just like the one above. The problem is that we are not allowed to go off-script. There is a script - an
40 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
expected order - at work. Something
happens, so we do this, and then we get the right outcome. Repeat and
profit. When those things stop lining up, however, we do not know what to do.
This article is about what to do when that happens. A guide for what to do when you do not know what to do. As you
develop this ability you will both explore
opportunities and understand threats that would otherwise be overlooked.
Working with limited knowledge is a
vital professional skill. As you develop
expertise, you are more and more likely to encounter problems that differ from
anything anyone else has seen before.
The increasingly unpredictable operating
environment we now work in is more and more likely to create situations where
no-one knows what to do, whatever their level of expertise.
Does this sound like a scary prospect? It does not have to be. Working at
the edges of what we know is a skill
that can you can learn like any other. Some people find that this kind of
work is something that they have an
innate talent for. Some find that they have been doing it all along without realising it.
You don’t have to start from scratch
Just because we do not know exactly
what to do does not mean we have to
do nothing. Having a framework which
increases the chances of finding better options is an effective way of way of
avoiding the paralysis of indecision or the oblivious same-as before action.
GOOD BUS I N E S S
You can think of it as a set of hints to get things moving smoothly again. 1. Recognising
Noticing that it has happened at all is the most important part of going off-script. The first signs it has
happened are subtle. They can show up in emotions like apathy, anxiety,
frustration and boredom. These might
be directed at yourself, other people, or the situation in general.
The point of recognising is simply that.
To notice that something is up. For most people, that means giving yourself a bit
of time to allow these things to emerge. When we are always rushing from one
thing to another, we never give ourselves the chance to recognise that something does not feel quite right. Prompt questions: - Has something changed?
- Does this feel different to before? - Does something feel “off” here? 2. Exploring
This phase is about allowing yourself
the chance to find different approaches and explanations than the obvious.
It can be as simple as doing nothing
except being with the feeling and the
sensations you are experiencing when
you think of the situation. Many people find it easier to do this exploration in a more active way, though. You
can doodle, free-write, mindmap, or anything else you find helpful.
One thing that can make this step
harder is getting ahead of the situation. Often things need time to work
themselves out before a solution
presents itself. Jumping straight from “things don’t feel right” to “I need to
do something now” will lead to more
of the same outcome as before. If you
find yourself completely stuck, stop. Do something else. Go for a walk, listen to music, make some food. Sometimes
focusing on other things allows inspiration to emerge. Prompt questions: -W hat do I understand about what is happening?
- What don’t I know about the situation? -H ow would someone different see
this? Naming a specific person can work well here.
3. Enacting
This step begins once you have a
sense of what is happening. It is about exploring what, if that is true, you can then do about it. The key here is to
experiment and try things out. You do
not have to be right first time. The nature of working off-script is that you can
never be sure it is going to work. By the time you have figured out enough to be
certain, the opportunity will have passed or the threat will have materialised.
There are two things to check here. First, that whatever you try is safe
enough that if it does not work, you and others will not face significant losses.
You do not want to go all-in on a single
solution to a complex problem. Second, make sure that whatever you do is
intrinsically worthwhile. That covers you against any potential losses. If things
do not work out as expected, but you
had fun and learnt something, it is much harder to call the experience a failure. Ultimately, you want a light, fun way to explore an interesting new path. Even though the situation may be serious,
being playful will the solution allows you the freedom to try new, more effective approaches safely.
Prompt questions: - What would this look like if it were easy? - What is the least I can do to try this out?
- Who is best placed to try this out with? 4. Reflecting
It is easy to overlook this last step.
Looking back feels tough when there are
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 41
GOOD B US I N E S S what you may have been
told. Some stand to lose by
doing things differently, and
others have given up. Those people are unable to help. Instead, find those doing their own off-script work
in related fields. They may not be in your immediate
surroundings, but they will be there somewhere.
Surroundings matter, and doing this kind of work is
not always practical or even safe. If you always need to ask for permission, justify yourself, or you get into
trouble, it is unlikely your
fault. Finding a better place
to do what you do is always an option, and creating that
so many pressing things to attend to. It is only by looking back and integrating
what we have learnt that we can get real benefits from what we now know.
You can do the reflection immediately after you have tried things out or
sometime afterwards. The best approach is often both. Ask yourself and others questions about all aspects of what
happened. Bring the experience towards a conclusion which you can use in the
future. Write this in a document, record a video, draw a diagram or represent
it some other way. You do not have to
share this with anyone, though doing so can be useful.
The reflection process is about tying up loose ends and making sense of what has happened. It is about exploring the implications of what you have
discovered. Now you can move forward with a more solid foundation. Prompt questions: - How did that feel? What felt good, and what felt bad?
- When might this approach be better
42 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
than the conventional one? When might it not?
- What have you learnt from doing this? - What are the implications for me? For others?
The real world
A guide like this looks neat and tidy
on the page. That it is simple does not mean that following it is easy, though. The messy, tangled and ambiguous nature of reality makes it tough to
implement. It is a practice. A cycle.
One that gets better the more you do it, and the more you adapt it to your own needs and your own understanding of the world.
There are no precise answers here. It is less about finding what is “right” than about finding what is “helpful”. Ways
of seeing things which enable positive, meaningful action. Going off-script enables us to write a better script,
rather than repeatedly falling off the edge of the page.
Even though it can be hard, working off-script is not impossible, despite
space is part of the work
itself. Things will not always change
overnight, but they will change. Just
because it has always been this way
does not mean that it always will be. About the author
Matthew Bellringer works with people who think differently to develop novel approaches to deep-rooted,
complex problems. He offers
consultancy and facilitation to
neurodivergent individuals and the organisations who want to benefit from their unique talents.
You can find out more about his work,
watch his liverecord podcast Delightful Dissent, and join the online community
at https://www.divergentpathfinders. com - You can also connect with Matthew on LinkedIn
SBT SALES & MARKETING
WHAT IS REPRESENTATION & WHY IT MATTERS?
BY STEPHANIE PRIOR
BLEND - A CRM (KIND OF) BY WHITESPACE
SBT SALES & MARKETING SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 43
SA L E S & MARK E T I N G
What is representation & why it matters?
Within the last 18 months, we have seen a range of organisations consider ways in which they can enhance representation through people, processes and procedures. However sometimes
Sales & Marketing
it is questionable as to how many
have fully grasped what this actually
entails and how to make changes that support growth, strong leadership
and innovation. Many businesses may struggle to know where to start… What is representation?
According to Google’s dictionary,
‘representation’ is, “the description or
portrayal of someone or something in a
particular way.” Systems of representation are used by people to organise the world through signs, symbols, languages, cultures and characters.
44 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
But for leading Media & Cultural Studies Professor, Stuart Hall,
representation goes a little further. Hall describes representation an event, which takes place when someone
takes information and presents it to you. However depending on who is representing, will provide different
meaning to what is being represented. Therefore, what makes representation meaningful is dependent on how and who is represented.
Representation has always been
of interest to me. As a mixed raced young girl growing up in Sussex
during the nineties, I experienced a
range of challenges due to a lack of
representation. As a result, I would
regularly question my identity and what
this meant to others. Why was there few people like me on TV? Why were Bond Girls never black? Why is Scary Spice
‘scary’? Why is blackness not embraced in commercial beauty and fashion?
These questions were brought on by
narratives that were being presented
(or not being presented) in the media,
at school and other external forces. In many ways a lack of representation in marketing adverts and media spurred me on to promote inclusion and
diversity in a personal and professional level. Although at times it has taken a lot of confidence building and
SAL ES & MARKE TI NG personal development to challenge
commercial ideologies and represent
an alternative, the biggest hurdle I have
experienced when challenging a lack of
representation, is not my own perception of myself, but the perception that
others may hold of me in terms of what I represent or don’t. Thankfully, life has
moved forward in many ways since my
youth, but as we continue to see, there is still much progress to be made.
In 2018, Disney executives behind
Marvel did something that had never been done before. They created a
blockbuster movie that had a black led
contribution to the community they
campaign or stand for. Many others may not have
internal procedures that are reflective of their brand’s
media & marketing.
Accountability is key and this must be
tackled at leadership level to avoid any
future backlash from campaigns.
cast, production and marketing team.
Representation in
most successful movies. Marvel’s
Brighton & Hove
It went on to become one of Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ made millions and
the marketing behind this supported
earnings reaching over a billion dollars. Children and adults bought into this film because it provided a new and
refreshing narrative – leadership and success through a black superhero. Marketing & Representation
In recent years we have seen a range of
corporations take on diversity & inclusion based marketing initiatives to reflect the
organisation’s stance on humanitarian as well as political causes.
We have also seen a shift in marketing and media. Many advertisements now use a variety of models, cultures and
environments to represent their brand’s
identity and values. But not all brands get this right. This issue is likely to be a result of a lack of diversity and understanding on a decision-making level.
Many businesses have used rainbow branded logos and black squares to
promote their organisation’s stance for events such as Pride and campaigns such Black Lives Matter. However if
we review their internal and external
progressions, in many cases, businesses are yet to actually make some form of
the Community promotes itself
as a diverse and
inclusive city. Every year, thousands of
Stephanie Prior
tourists visit the city to take advantage
of a range of offerings, including
Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton West Pier, Pavilion Gardens and more.
Brighton is also hub for entertainment – music concerts, theatre, car shows,
marathons, and not to mention one of the largest and most successful Pride events in Europe. In recent years, Brighton has become a leader in
business technology, with the industry
generating more than a billion pounds. The city additionally attracts diversity and new talent through Brighton &
Sussex University. Both universities bring hundreds of students on a national and international level.
According to the latest government
census recorded in 2011, approximately 15% of residents identified as non-
white. The next census is likely to show that this percentage has increased.
Yet this is not always represented in how the city is marketed, not to mention its
business make up and local leadership.
Whether this has been overlooked or
ignored, there is still much opportunity to represent the city’s cultural offering not just to support its community, but
the businesses that operate within and
around the city, the students who study here and the tourists who visit.
In many ways, representation requires a
top down approach. When leadership is representative of the lived experiences and talent of its community, we
are more likely to encourage trust, innovation and accountability.
Creating meaningful representation
requires us to be open to working with talent that has always been available
but at times overlooked. It also requires more innovative thinking and collective
discussions on how we can use marketing, media and other resources, to better
communicate reflective representation. Stephanie Prior
Business Development & Marketing Manager
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 45
Blend - a CRM (kind of) Ever since I started building for the web I’ve had a bit of an aversion to “off-the-shelf” solutions. That’s not to say that
Sales & Marketing
they’re no good - far from it. The ever
expanding range
of online services
for small businesses is so rich and
varied there is almost too much choice when it comes to making a decision
that is right for you, and if you make
the wrong choice it can be difficult to change. When you’ve been using a
certain system to manage your dayto-day affairs, it can often be more hassle than it’s worth to migrate to
something else so you just live with the inconveniences and workarounds and accept them as part of the process.
46 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
This is partly why I’ve always had a
tendency to build things myself. Our website CMS, Traffic, has been in
existence since I was a freelancer. I originally built it for myself before I
even realised there were open source solutions available like Wordpress
(which was still just a blogging tool). I
don’t believe that it’s pointless to build
something just because there’s already something similar available.
When we started Whitespace we had already been talking about building
some kind of project tracker to keep
on top of our work so I started putting something together, beginning with a
simple client database. This soon led to adding an estimate and invoicing
system, and soon after that a database to keep track of all the domain names
and hosting packages that we manage for clients. We’ve been using this in-house system from day 1 and
we’ve named it “Blend”. The projects
database had been added quite early
on, but due to time constraints I never quite got it “production ready” so we settled for an existing system which we’re still using.
Last year, our friends and collaborators Ticktockrobot expressed an interest in
a similar kind project tracker. They had
SAL ES & MARKE TI NG
that further changes after sign-off can incur additional fees. This was quite
important to them because animation can be very time consuming to alter
so it’s really important that things are checked thoroughly.
The system is working very well for
them and they’ve received really good
feedback from clients. What we like best about this approach is that everything happens on Ticktockrobot’s own
website. They have a login to access
Steve Elford
their projects and there are no other
links to remember - the overall focus is keeping it simple for the client.
“We came to Whitespace, who built and host our current website, with a rather challenging brief. Often
we find clients are unsure as to the process in creating an animation, and often during the production process feedback gets lost in a
string of emails and conversations
that can be hard to track, revise and
review. We wanted to create our own bespoke client portal that would enable the client to review each already used software like Basecamp,
stage of the process and provide
easily became bloated with so many
manner, all in the same place. We
was easy to lose focus and stray from
it was always easy for our clients to
database already in place we saw an
and to the point. Many off-the-shelf
interface and build a front face for
many options and features that end
the two with an API.
functionality of the portal, without
Trello, Monday etc., but found that they
feedback in a clear and concise
“boards” and comment threads that it
wanted it to be part of our website so
the original brief. With the projects
find it. Lastly it needed to be simple
opportunity to use Blend as the “admin”
project management tools have too
clients on their own website, connecting
up clouding and confusing the pure
Ticktockrobot is an animation studio
being used or required.
and their projects, like most design
Steve, Whitespace’s Head of Web,
before final delivery. We built this into
we were trying to achieve. As we
points and gave them the ability to
to use it, we discovered certain
of feedback for each stage. The client
usability. Every time we suggested
tick a box to confirm they understand
out the details before employing
jobs, go through 2 or 3 interim stages
understood immediately what
the client interface with clear sign-off
progressed with the build and started
specify the number of allowed rounds
features were needed to improve the
is able to leave comments but must
these Steve took the time to thrash
it perfectly. The process has been
a challenging yet rewarding and a fun one to work on, largely in part
to Steve’s patience, understanding and forthright attitude in creating
something that has already become the centre point of our production process. We can’t recommend
Whitespace highly enough. The end product works brilliantly and as
intended and is already improving
both client relations and production efficiency for us. Thank you!”
Simon Armstrong, Creative Director, Ticktockrobot
I guess you could call Blend a “CRM” but it’s certainly not as involved as
something like Hubspot or Salesforce. It’s also not an accounts system to
the level that Xero or FreeAgent are
(although it does talk to Xero behind the scenes to keep accountants happy).
It’s a powerful tool for us now; we built it for simplicity but it has a little bit of everything. It’s a bit of a blend.
If you need a more bespoke solution for your own internal processes, please get in touch.
Steve Elford, Director of Web Development at Whitespace
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 47
Digital, design & branding
We are a full service creative agency specialising in design, web and marketing. Founded by three passionate creatives.
whitespace.studio 4 St. Georges Place, Brighton BN1 4GA 01273 258000 / hello@whitespace.studio 48 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT
COVER FE ATU RE
TECH
SILICON BRIGHTON LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS INEQUALITIES IN TECH
A BRAND NEW INITIATIVE, DIVERSE SUSSEX
SBT TECH SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 49
Silicon Brighton launches initiative to address inequalities in Tech Silicon Brighton has been working hand-in-hand with the region’s tech community to support digital success and growth since it was founded in 2019.
Tech
By working with local
of reports there are online to find there
●8 4% of all interview requests go to
learned that many
and hospitable place for everyone.
●3 in 5 women have been discriminated
business leaders they organisations were
keen to proactively
improve their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), but were unsure how to approach this.
Increasingly over the years, there has been a lot of talk about the issues
surrounding DEI in the technology
sector and how to address it. Despite many businesses’ desire to do better,
you only need to look at the multitude
50 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
is still some way to go until it is a fair
Amongst the hundreds of stats available, reports such as Hired’s UK Tech
Workplace Equality Report and further research has highlighted that:
● Women make up only 18% of all UK tech roles
● The vast majority of tech workers
identify as white (66%). Just 3% are black, 17% asian, 2% hispanic and 6% mixed race
men and only 16% to women
against in the workplace because
of their gender and 29% have also experienced sexual harassment
●3 8% of non-white people been
discriminated against because of
their ethnicity, 21% experienced bias
during the interview process and 15% experienced harassment
●A n estimated 54,000 mothers every year are forced to leave their jobs because of mistreatment
●A quarter of LGBTQIA+ people have
TECH
found they are paid up to £14,999 less than a heterosexual colleague
● 71% of neurodiverse people aren’t taken seriously at work
There is often a lot of focus on diversity
at the recruitment stage and while this is a key aspect of the DEI journey, building an inclusive culture that welcomes
different needs and strengths is critical in order to address inequalities.
A lack of diversity and inclusion not only impacts the wellbeing of staff, but society as a whole. It hinders
businesses’ ability to attract and retain people who think differently, innovate and add value to the bottom line.
Job seekers understand the importance of DEI and will overlook companies that fail to demonstrate that people from all
walks of life are included, valued, treated fairly and have a feeling of belonging in their organisation.
Research also shows that diverse businesses are far more resilient
and adaptable to change. People from different backgrounds and lived experiences bring new
perspectives and fresh ideas, enabling
To help organisations create actionable
services with everyone in mind.
of resources packed with advice
In response, Silicon Brighton has
into different categories; Awareness,
organisations to build products and
unveiled a brand new initiative, Diverse Sussex.
Launched in September at a special
change, we have put together a library and guidance. This toolkit is split
Attracting, Selecting, Onboarding, and
Belonging; and is designed to inform their knowledge and practices.
hybrid event - which featured an
No matter where you are in your
winning Global Diversity, Equity &
if you’re a tech business (or have a
- the initiative has been developed
you to sign up. Doing so solidifies your
can improve, but why many fail to
contributes to our shared learning. You
illuminating talk from multi award-
diversity, equity and inclusion journey,
Inclusion Leader, Sheree Atcheson
tech team) in Sussex we encourage
to unearth not only how businesses
organisation’s promise to do better and
implement successful DEI strategies.
will also gain access to growing our
Speaking on the initiative, Co-Founder
toolkit of resources and support.”
Steve Rackley said: “Diverse Sussex
To learn more and become a Diverse
actionable change. Through annual
www.diversesussex.com.
is powered by data and propelled by
Sussex signatory, visit
reports consisting of
anonymised and aggregated data from businesses in the
community, we can pinpoint where challenges and
imbalances lie, where we’re improving, where we’re
lacking, and where we must focus our collective efforts.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 51
Race ready? If you want to compete and win gold, you’ll need an IT strategy that’s in the cloud.
With many people heading back to the office, is your business IT ‘race ready’ so you can properly compete with others in your sector? Or are you getting left behind? Transform your business with smarter and more economical ways of working through digital transformation solutions. This is all your IT in the Microsoft Cloud, apps and all, with no onsite servers in sight to maintain and update. It’s faster for remote working, cheaper, more secure and compliant, scalable, always on the latest technology and billed monthly according to what you use. Talk to us directly.
01444 443200
info@extech.co.uk
extechcloud.com
We can take any business with between 5 and 100 active users of IT, into the full Microsoft Cloud platform.
52 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT CHARITY
ROCKINGHORSE CHILDRENS CHARITY ROUND-UP
WE LOOK AT THE LATEST NEWS
SOUTHERN SHEETING TREK 50K FOR CHARITY ACROSS SAS TRAINING GROUNDS
CHOSEN CHARITY PARTNER:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 53
C HA RI T Y
Rockinghorse round-up John Barnes a smash hit at Best of British Brighton sporting lunch for Rockinghorse Football legend John Barnes was the guest speaker at the Best of British charity sporting lunch at The Grand Hotel in Brighton on Friday 24 September.
With 480 guests in
Charity
attendance, this was
the largest event in aid of Rockinghorse since lock-down measures
were eased and it raised over £31,000 for the well-loved Sussex children’s charity. The Best of British Brighton lunch,
generously sponsored by Rubix VT, had the pleasure of hosting John Barnes, the legendary Liverpool and England
left-winger turned TV football pundit, for the afternoon.
John regaled the guests with tales of
his life and career, including some great stories about his involvement in the
England team at the 1990 World Cup,
the team manager Bobby Robson and his fellow England legend, Gazza.
During the event Ryan Heal, Director of Best of British welcomed guests
and thanked John for being such an
54 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
enjoyable speaker: “It’s so wonderful
Rockinghorse, spoke on behalf of the
venue to support a cause so close to my
along to support us today. It’s so great to
get together and having John here for
hear from the legend that is John Barnes,
to be back with everyone at this great
charity: “Thanks to everyone who came
heart. We’ve really missed being able to
be at another Best of British event and to
the afternoon has really put the cherry
not to mention everyone’s generosity in
on the cake.”
helping raise so much for Rockinghorse.”
The money raised at the event will go
Nick Poyner, Managing Director at Rubix
equipment aimed at supporting poorly
support the event: “Having started Rubix
towards funding a range of projects and
VT, was really pleased to be able to
babies and children throughout Sussex.
VT in September 2020, we’re fortunate
These include resuscitation training
this wonderful charity. I’ve supported
in Chichester, toys to distract children
years, even running a marathon for them,
to be able to sponsor today’s event and
equipment for St Richard’s Hospital
and sponsored Rockinghorse over many
waiting to be treated in the A&E
and will continue to do so in the future.”
Children’s Hospital and a battery pack
Rockinghorse is the official fundraising
Mann Baby Unit, helping to transport
Hospital in Brighton. The charity
maternity ward to the specialist unit.
disadvantaged children in Sussex for
Janella Merritt, Head of Fundraising at
www.rockinghorse.org.uk.
department of the Royal Alexandra
to power a resuscitaire in the Trevor
arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s
premature babies safely from the
has been supporting sick and
over 50 years. To find out more, visit
CHA RITY
Rockinghorse round-up Get your tickets for the Rockinghorse Emerald Ball! Rockinghorse announces the return of their annual fundraising ball, celebrating their 55th year. The charity will be
Charity
hosting its major
fundraising event of
the year at The Grand Hotel in Brighton on
Saturday 19 March 2022. The emeraldthemed Ball will be sponsored by DMH Stallard and co-sponsored by FRP,
Cardens Accountants, and Creative Pod. It’s a welcome return for the ever-popular
event after its cancellation in 2020 and this occasion will be celebrating the well-loved charity’s 55th anniversary, having been
established by Dr Trevor Mann in 1967. Rockinghorse is best-known for its work with the Royal Alexandra Children’s
Hospital and Trevor Mann Baby Unit
in Brighton, but they also support the Special Care Baby Unit in Haywards Heath and many
18 months children’s mental health
being able to hold this event so we
the pandemic with a big increase in
fantastic evening at the Grand Hotel.
health related issues.
“I’d like to thank our headline sponsors
The charity is hoping that there will be a
Ball once again this year, and extend our
to come along to the ball, especially after
Accountants, and Creative Pod for
has been hit particularly hard by
admissions to hospital for mental
can’t wait to welcome everyone to our
DMH Stallard for kindly supporting our
keen interest amongst their supporters
thanks to co-sponsors FRP, Cardens
the lack of special occasions since the
helping to make the event possible.”
to raise a large sum of money to help
Tickets for The Rockinghorse Ball are
throughout Sussex.
of 10. And the charity is offering an early
Rhian Walsh, Finance and Operations
each table booked and paid for before
beginning of 2020. And they are hoping support these much-needed projects
now on sale, priced at £850 for a table
bird offer with a free bottle of bubbly for
Director, said: “Our annual Ball provides
the end of November 2021.
to come together and enjoy an evening
To book your table or for more information,
to raise vital funds. We’ve really missed
enquiries@rockinghorse.org.uk
a wonderful opportunity for supporters
of entertainment, whilst also helping us
call the charity on 01273 330044 or email
other children’s centres and
paediatric services across Sussex.
Next year’s ball will be raising
money for a range of specialist
equipment and
support for children to help manage
their mental health and wellbeing.
During the last
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 55
C HA RI T Y
Rockinghorse round-up Rockinghorse appoints new CEO Rockinghorse Children’s Charity announces the appointment of Donna Holland as their new Chief Executive Officer. Donna takes up her
Charity
role with the well-loved children’s charity after working in the charity sector for the last 20
years, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position.
Her appointment follows on from Ryan Heal, the previous CEO, who stepped down earlier this year after eight successful years at the helm.
Donna joins Rockinghorse from
Concordia where she was Deputy CEO, supporting the charity to expand and
improve their youth programmes across
Sussex. She has previously been Interim
CEO at Brighton-based charity Maternity Worldwide, as well as holding senior
roles with many national youth charities over the past twenty years.
Donna is also currently a Trustee of
Grassroots, the Brighton-based, suicide prevention charity and she has held
trustee roles at several other national and local charities. Her passion has
always been working for charities that support children and young people. Phil Frier, Chair of Trustees for Rockinghorse said: “We are
delighted to welcome Donna to
the Rockinghorse family and we’re really looking forward to working with her. She brings a wealth of
experience in leading charities with a
collaborative, kind and compassionate approach, not to mention a passion 56 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
for supporting children and young people and for the local area of Sussex.
She joins us at a pivotal
time for the charity after a
challenging 18 months, but
we believe that we have made a strong choice in selecting someone with the strategic
vision to lead Rockinghorse
through the next phase of our development.”
And Donna is really looking
forward to a new challenge. She said: “I am delighted
Donna Holland
to be leading Rockinghorse into the next chapter of its
incredible history. I have long
admired the work they do, and it is
a tremendous privilege to have been chosen for this role.
“As someone who lives and works in Sussex, I’ve seen first-hand the
impact the charity has and I’m really
looking forward to continuing the vital
work of Rockinghorse with a team that shows professionalism, warmth and
understanding of the issues faced by
sick and disabled babies, children and teenagers across Sussex.”
Phil added: “Donna is joining an
incredible staff team with a great mix of skills and experience along with a
brilliant team of committed and expert fundraisers and administrators. We believe that with this appointment,
Rockinghorse has the right team to carry out our mission of supporting
the children’s hospital and other local children’s health provision.”
Donna added: “I am very much looking forward to getting to know all the
incredible projects we are currently
fundraising for, and I’m determined
to ensure that every pound raised for
Rockinghorse is spent on making the
maximum impact for sick and disabled babies, children and teenagers across Sussex. I can’t wait to meet everyone and get started!”
Donna starts her role on 1 November. To find out more about Rockinghorse
Children’s Charity, take a look at their
website at www.rockinghorse.org.uk.
CHA RITY
Southern Sheeting trek 50km across SAS training ground for charity
A team from Southern Sheeting raised more than £6,000 for homeless charity Crawley Open House when they took on a gruelling 50km hike across an SAS training ground. The building materials
Charity
supplier signed up for Trekfest 2021 after
seeing the incredible
support Crawley Open
House offers to local people who want to have a place they can call home.
Together they walked across the Brecon Beacons on Saturday 18 September,
opting for either the more challenging
50km route or the shorter 25km route. Tony Hobbs, Managing Director, Southern Sheeting, said: “As a family-run roofing business, putting a roof over people’s
heads is close to our hearts and when we saw the incredible work at Crawley Open House we knew we wanted to help.
“We were so moved by the dedication and compassion of the team of
experienced project workers and
support staff who help residents and
day-centre guests to live independently.
“During our visit we learned homelessness
the highest peak in South Wales.
It really can happen to anyone. We’re so
Joanna Morfield, e-Commerce Manager
can’t thank our supporters enough.”
routes were extremely challenging, and
Southern Sheeting, which is based in
SAS choose to train there!
£5,000 and exceeded this, generating
“There was only a little rain at the start, but
affects some 240,000 people in the UK.
pleased with the total we raised, and we
East Grinstead, set a target of raising
said: “I think we can all agree that both we can definitely understand why the
more than £6,000 in donations.
this cleared up and we were very lucky to
The team included Managing Director
walking. It was a great team building event
have mild weather, which was perfect for
Tony Hobbs, e-Commerce Manager
for us and the atmosphere was brilliant.
McCullough, Contracts Assistant Liam
“There were a lot of sore feet at the end
Joanna Morfield, Team Leader Stephen O’Callaghan, HGV Driver Ben Pellett and
of it, but we’re so proud of the money
Yard Operative Will Clark.
that we raised for such a good cause.”
Trekfest 2021 took place in Brecon
There’s still time to donate to Southern
features rolling countryside and stunning
by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/
Beacons National Park in Wales, which
Sheeting’s fund for Crawley Open House
views. It is also the favourite location
fundraising/southern-sheeting-supplies
Selection process. The routes included
For more information, please visit
for the hill phase of the SAS and SBS
both the Corn Du ridge and Pen y Fan -
www.southernsheeting.co.uk.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 57
C HA RI T Y
Christmas market
Join us for our Care for Veterans’ Christmas Market and support our local artisans.
Charity
Come along to peruse the wonderful stalls,
• Santa’s grotto
maybe something lovely for yourself too!
• Mince pies and cakes
get a few of your Christmas gifts, and
Date: Saturday 27th November 2021
Time: 12pm until 6pm
Where: Care for Veterans, Gifford House, Boundary Road, Worthing
This Christmas, we are very excited to be hosting a wonderful Christmas Market at our facility in Worthing.
• Christmas Market with over 25 amazing independent traders • Mulled wine and beer tent • Hot food
• Christmas gifts and decorations
58 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
• Games and prizes including our Grand Prize Draw • Live entertainment
• Christmas trees and wreaths If you are interested in a stallholder space, please email christine.gillott@careforveterans.org.uk including
information about your business and we will get back to you right away. Stalls are £25 and a beautiful two-tier market stand will be provided upon arrival.
SBT MOTORING NEWS
DRIVING LAWS YOU DIDN’T KNOW EXISTED WITH RIVERVALE LEASING
UPDATE ON GRANTS & SCHEMES FOR EV DRIVERS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE FACTS
SBT MOTORING NEWS SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 59
MOTO RI N G N E WS
Driving laws you didn’t know existed
Driving for many means freedom, fun and an easy way to get from a to b, whether that’s for commuting or pleasure. Motoring News
When we initially
road. You could be going out for dinner
seem like a fun and cute idea, especially
test, it means setting
you need to consider is where you park.
However it can be a big cause for
pass our driving out on the open
road - and a time to
or just fancied a drive - but something
If you’re looking to save money and find
a free parking spot, this is where this law
when they pop their head out the window. distraction when it comes to your driving.
could catch you out.
Rule 57 in the Highway Code states:
limits, don’t drive through a red light,
Rule 248 in the Highway Code states:
other animals are suitably restrained so
many that aren’t as common.
facing against the direction of the traffic
be aware of the driving laws around
us. We all know to stick within speed but what about the other laws? The
We’re going to share with you the driving laws you didn’t know existed and the
ones to be aware of the next time you set foot on your journey. Night time parking
Driving at night can be a lot calmer than during the day with less cars on the
60 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
“You MUST NOT park on a road at night flow unless in a recognised parking
space.” This is because when a car is
parked against that traffic flow, there’s no indication to catch the headlights of an
approaching vehicle, and therefore, your
car may be a potential hazard to the road. Unrestrained pets
Driving along with your pet in tow can
“When in a vehicle make sure dogs or
they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in
cars.” There isn’t a direct penalty for
unrestrained pets, however, the risk is that you could be charged for driving without due care if your pet distracts you - and that’s why it’s important to restrain them properly.
MOTOR I NG N E WS Rule 244 states: “You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.” Honking your horn Driving can be stressful and many Preparing for snow
When winter hits, driving around can be
dangerous and require more preparation before you leave your house. We’ve all
been there when we were in a rush and didn’t have time to remove all the ice
and snow from our car, just enough of it to give visibility to the road. But, did
you know, it is against Rule 229 in the Highway Code.
Rule 229 states: “Before you set off you
drivers around us can be dangerous or block where we’re going, causing inconvenience on the road. If you do need some tips on how to handle the stress we do have a short list of
think about when you’re on your next Mcdonald’s run. Find out more about these driving laws here. Splashing a pedestrian
Driving in rainy conditions isn’t exactly ideal and means we have to be a bit
warier of who is around us, in terms of on the road and on the pavement too. Big puddles can amount when rain is
they pass. However, this isn’t actually
however, that doesn’t mean you should
allowed, and is punishable as it can be
honk the horn to share your road rage. The horn is designed to alert or warn another driver of your presence, not for
legible.” This means, next time there’s a
warn other road users of your presence.
to do just that.
MUST NOT use your horn
You never know when you might have to
•w hen driving in a built-up area
your vehicle is moving and you need to
heavy snowfall, take the time and care
Never sound your horn aggressively. You • while stationary on the road
be prepared for snow to hit these days
between the hours of 11.30 pm and
Maybe the cars we all drive could have
user poses a danger.”
7.00 am except when another road
towards our greener future there are
Paying at a drive through restaurant
environmental factors go... Check out
In the age of digital technology, we use our
Environment.
natural to whip it out instead of your debit
Parking on a pavement
at a drive-through. However, because
especially in busier cities or towns with
running is illegal, you could get a £200 fine
It has been illegal to park on London
pay with it at a drive-through.
fine to pay if this is the case, however, it
Rule 149 states: “You MUST exercise
many options, good and bad, as far as
with your phone
The Best and Worst Vehicles for the
phones as a way of payment, and it’s only
seen as careless driving.
In the Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 3, it states: “If a person drives a
mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place without due care and attention, or without reasonable
consideration for other persons using the road or place, he is guilty of an
offence.” If you’re caught doing this, you could receive 3-9 points on your license and up to a £5000 fine.
There you have it, 7 laws to be wary
of the next time you head on the road.
We’re here to help you keep as safe as possible and if you’d like to contact us
today for any car leasing queries, please get in touch.
card when making payments, including
Finding parking can be a tricky task,
using your mobile phone with the engine
no available parking spots in sight.
and 6 penalty points on your license if you
sign permits it.
your debit card instead is something to
Driving. You might feel very stressed,
number plates are clearly visible and
isn’t illegal elsewhere in Britain, only if a
impractical to stop.” That means, using
of that, with vehicles splashing them as
Rule 112 states: “The horn. Use only while
pavements for over 40 years with a small
genuine emergency when it is unsafe or
blog 10 Ways to Reduce Stress While
MUST ensure that lights are clean and
something to do with that. As we move
driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a
heavy and pedestrians can see the brunt
aggressive purposes.
with the unpredictablilty of the weather...
driving or when supervising a learner
practices that could help you via our
MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows and you
mobile phone, or similar device, when
proper control of your vehicle at all times. You MUST NOT use a hand-held
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 61
MOTO RI N G N E WS
Update on grants & schemes for EV drivers You may well know that the government has been incentivising us drivers to look towards the electric vehicles market for some time now, in order to get us better on track to meet the “Road to Zero” plans to be carbon neutral by 2050.
If you own an off
Motoring News
road car parking
space, you are likely eligible for a grant
of up to £350 off the
cost of installing a charger at home. At Rivervale, we’ve teamed up with Virtus Energy so you can include
the cost of a home charger in your
monthly leasing rental with any of our
qualifying electric / hybrid vehicles.
62 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
You’ll get assistance through the
home charger installed.
will also help you choose the best
But that’s not the only incentive the
OZEV grant application. Virtus Energy placement for your charger, and start the planning process for installation.
government is offering.
Your charger will be set up and ready
Low-emissions grants
lease vehicle. We’ll even plant a tree
chargers you can get money towards.
in partnership with eforests. For more
off the price of a new low-emission EV
for the delivery of your brand new
That’s right, it’s not just the home
in your name with every installation,
The government is offering a discount
information, we’ve put together a
comprehensive guide about getting a
too, through both vehicle dealerships and manufacturers.
MOTOR I NG N E WS What do I have to do?
gross vehicle weight, which can travel
will discount the grant money from the
without producing any emissions
price you pay for the vehicle. EVs can
less than 50g/km. Large vans such
the government is offering a maximum
e-Ducato and the Mercedes Benz
Nothing. The dealer or manufacturer
for a minimum of 96 km (60 miles)
value of the car, and show that in the
and have CO2 emissions reading of
be expensive, but every little helps -
as the Citroen e-Dispatch, the Fiat
grant of £2,500.
e-Sprinter all qualify in this category.
Is my van eligible for the grant or just
Some taxis, trucks and mopeds qualify
The government has identified seven
your plans for any new EV purchase.
which of these are entitled to the grant
Does every car advertised as ‘low-
• Motorcycles
Unfortunately not. The government
• Large vans
eligible for the grant, which you can find
my car?
categories of vehicles, and explained
too, so it’s certainly worth factoring into
• Cars
emissions’ qualify for the grant?
• Mopeds
has set out a list of all models that are
• Small vans
on their webpage.
• Trucks
Cars, which were previously known as
There are different requirements for
that expel CO2 emissions of less than
become familiar with to be sure your
(or 70 miles) without producing any
• Taxis
‘category 1’, are classed as vehicles
every category, which you’ll have to
50g/km, and can travel at least 112km
vehicle is eligible.
emissions at all. That takes many
For a motorbike, for example, the grant
hybrids out of consideration.
will foot 20% of the RRP, to a cap of
Some popular car models which
CO2 emissions and be able to travel a
BMW i3, the Mazda MX-30, the Mini
between charges.
Peugeot e-208 - but the list goes on.
A small van, meanwhile, must be less
Another consideration is that cars
produce less than 50g/km in CO2
cost less than £35,000, at the RRP
minimum of 96km (which is 60 miles)
With the average price of electric
That counts vehicles like the Citroen
eliminate a fair share of the EV models
£1,500 (the motorbike must have zero
are eligible for the grant include the
minimum of 50 km (which is 31 miles)
Electric, the Nissan Leaf and the
than 2,500kg in gross vehicle weight,
eligible for this grant must also
emissions and be able to travel a
(including VAT and delivery fees).
without producing any emissions.
cars coming in at £44,000, this does
e-Berlingo, the Nissan e-NV200 and
you might’ve held in consideration.
others. The grant is capped at 35% of
The grant is good for 35% of the RRP of
the Renault Zoe van, amongst plenty of RRP, capped at a £3,000 limit.
your EV, with a cap at £2,500.
Large vans too can qualify for this
Government plans for an EV-
£6,000 or 35% of the purchase price.
On 28th September, transport
in between 2,500kg and 3,500kg
raft of new measures to help position
grant, which will pay up to a cap of
focussed future
This category is for vehicles weighing
secretary Grant Schapps laid out a
the UK as a leader in the future of transport technologies.
One of these measures was the proposal of more EV charge points around the UK - and making sure that these are designed inclusively, for all drivers.
The proposal suggests “a robust and expansive ChargePoint network that
will allow everyone to make the switch to electric”. With the government’s
commitment to phase out the sale of new ICE (internal combustion engine) cars by 2030, this is a welcome development,
making sure that little is standing in the way of the aspiring EV driver.
It looks like it’s never been easier to go
Green, and with all of the technological
advancements made year on year in EV
technology, EVs are genuinely looking to be the forerunners in terms of function and delivery in the automotive future ahead of us.
In early 2022, the reformed Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) and Electric
Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) will come into place.
Let’s break them both down: Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS)
You have until 31st March 2022, for
installations using the current EVHS scheme.
The last claims for instillations under the current scheme are 30th April 2022 and will be for exceptional reasons only.
The reformed EVHS scheme is designed to accelerate provisions in apartment blocks and rental accommodation. The reforms to the EVHS will be delivered through a new digital
platform for OZEV ChargePoint grants (available in early 2022.)
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 63
MOTO RI N G N E WS For people living in flats and renters: • A maximum of £350 is
available towards the cost of installing a ChargePoint.
• Only 1 application is permitted per person.
• T he applicant must have a qualifying electric vehicle.
• T he property must have dedicated offstreet parking.
• Provided through a new digital platform. For non-resident building owners (including non-resident building owners):
• A maximum of £350 is available towards the cost of installing a ChargePoint.
• A maximum of 200 applications per year per applicant.
• Applicants must have a registered
business or be a public authority. Or, if they are a private entity, you may
be registered with Companies House, have VAT registration, or be a private
registered provider of social housing.
• The property must have associated private parking.
• There is no limit as to how many
ChargePoint sockets can be installed in each property (within the overall number of grants available).
For apartment block owners:
registered provider of social housing. • The property must have private parking. • There is no limit as to how many ChargePoint sockets can be installed in each property (within the overall limit of £30,000 per property). • A minimum of 5 bays must be provisioned with at least one having a working ChargePoint. Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) The scheme is expanding to provide more support for SME’s, small accommodation businesses, and charities. There will be continued support for businesses to install charge points for their staff and fleets using the current WCS digital platform. For small accommodation businesses (like B&B’s and campsites) and charities:
• A maximum of £350 is available per socket towards the cost of installing a ChargePoint. • A maximum of 40 grants are available. • Applicants must be a registered charity or an accommodation business with less than 250 employees. • The accommodation business must be a registered business with Companies House or have VAT registration.
• A maximum of £30,000 funding is
• The site must have off-street parking.
• A maximum of 30 applications per year
For commercially-let property owners:
available per building. per applicant.
• The amount of grant available per application depends on:
• The amount of parking bays
being provisioned with either
a ChargePoint socket (up to £850 available per bay).
• Or the supporting infrastructure for
a ChargePoint to be installed at a later date (up to £500 available per bay).
• Applicants must have a registered
business or be a public authority. Or, if they are a private entity, you may
be registered with Companies House, have VAT registration, or be a private
64 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
• A maximum of £350 is available per
If you’re not sure how charging an electric car works, don’t worry we’ve put together a handy guide about connector types, charging at home, work or on the go. For small and medium-sized businesses: • A maximum of £15,000 is available per building towards the cost of installing charge points. • A maximum of 5 grants are available. • There is no limit as to how many ChargePoint sockets can be installed at each site, but there are only 5 grants available. • Grant amounts depend on how many parking bays are being provisioned. •U p to £850 is available for a bay with a ChargePoint •U p to £500 is available If a bay is provisioned with supporting infrastructure. • Applicants must be a registered business with Companies House or have VAT registration, with less than 250 employees. • The business location must have associated private parking. • A minimum of 5 bays must be provisioned, at least one of which must have a working ChargePoint. • The allocation will be in addition to that available under the current WCS. • This will be provided by a new digital
socket towards the cost of installing a
platform for OZEV ChargePoint
ChargePoint.
grants (available early 2022).
• A maximum of 100 applications per year per applicant. • Applicants must be a registered business or a public authority. If they are a private entity, they may be registered with Companies House, have VAT registration. • The property must be a commercially let unit and have parking associated with it. • Charge points must be installed in private parking spaces that are reserved for staff or fleet use.
If you’d like to learn more about changes to the grants, or need help finding the right EV for you, contact our team on 01273 433480, or request a callback at a time that suits you. www.rivervaleleasing.co.uk
SBT CHAMBER NEWS
HYBRID: SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY
ANNOUNCING A BRAND-NEW EVENT FROM BRIGHTON CHAMBER
CALLING ALL BUSINESSES AND BUSINESS GROUPS TO GET INVOLVED
LET’S HELP SHAPE FUTURE SKILLS NEEDS
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 65
C HA M B E R N E WS
Hybrid: seizing the opportunity Announcing a brand-new event from Brighton Chamber
As the world
Chamber News
steps carefully but
confidently back into three dimensions
post-Covid, one thing
is certain about the next normal – the future will most definitely be hybrid.
To celebrate and mark the dawn of the
new hybrid age, we’re holding a brandnew, carefully curated event on 12 November: Hybrid.
Bringing together leading thinkers and entrepreneurs to share their stories of
never wasting an opportunity, and their vision of the brave, new hybrid world.
They’ll talk about why you should always
Why Hybrid?
we can bring from change, even in a
authenticity and humanity of work
inspired and with a skip in your step.
the next normal, our lives continue to
Meet our first two keynote speakers…
While many of us have missed the and life in-person – as we adjust to be hybrid.
seize an opportunity and the positives
crisis - to leave you feeling connected,
Professor Robin Shattock
Hybrid is our forward-looking event,
Immunologist Professor Robin Shattock
share their stories of the past 18
Ebola and rabies - and has been at the
Founder of Brighton Gin.
since the start of the pandemic.
where three keynote speakers will
has worked on vaccine projects for HIV,
months with our host, Kathy Caton,
centre of a search for a Covid vaccine
66 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Head of Mucosal Infection and
Immunity with the Department of
Infectious Disease at Imperial College, London, he gave a lecture in 2019
talking about the need to prepare for
an inevitable global pandemic, without knowing that it would arrive so soon. At Hybrid, Robin will talk about the extraordinary events of the last 18 months, his aims for what he and
his colleagues will do next, and his aspirations for how we can benefit from the knowledge gained.
CHAM BE R N E WS
Professor Robin Shattock
Sanjay Lobo
Sanjay Lobo
Sanjay has drawn on his wide-ranging
the hybrid age and watch our inspiring
working as an in-house lawyer for
grow his three-year startup to where it
slippers for shoes.
career he didn’t seek out in law, led to a
where he gets his work ethic, learning
Hybrid is open to all – you don’t have
talks, all without having to swap out your
Sanjay Lobo caught the start-up bug
experience across many sectors to
lastminute.com. What started out as a
is today. He’ll be sharing the secrets of
series of senior roles across Europe at
not to fear change, and the power of
to be a member of Brighton Chamber
corporates experiencing rapid change.
being able to influence.
to attend.
Fast forward to 2019, and he came
How can you join Hybrid?
With thanks to our event sponsor,
In the spirit of hybrid, you can join us
Edward Street Quarter. And to our
onHand, a tech platform helping
either in-person and online.
event partner, Ironworks Studios.
need. It was an answer to some of
In-person, we’ll be at Ironworks
Hybrid is a brand-new event from
and some of his own. His father was
nibbles and catching up – and you’ll get
November – in-person at Ironworks
now their CEO.
multi-purpose event and studio space
more and get your ticket here.
across the now award-winning
vulnerable people get the help they society’s most difficult problems –
Studios. There’ll be drinks, networking,
Brighton Chamber, being held on 12
onHand’s first customer, and Sanjay is
to watch our speakers in a unique new
Studios, or online via Zoom. Find out
But in response to the pandemic, Sanjay
in the heart of Brighton.
made a huge change to their business
Online, we’ll be streaming the talks via
route altogether.
can raise a glass of bubbles to celebrate
model, setting the company on a new
Zoom. So, if online is still your thing, you
And for more updates, news and events
from Brighton Chamber, sign up to their mailing list.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 67
C HA M B E R N E WS
Calling ALL Businesses and Business Groups to Get Involved Let’s help shape future skills needs Chamber News
Local Skills
fixes but means that, in the mid to long-
Skills have never been
the narrative and improved prospects
Improvement Plan a more important
topic as we re-open
term, we can plan to see a change in
for Sussex businesses and employers.
our economy and lives in general.
Over the next few months, we will
A range of industries, including
representative groups, to identify the local
work with employers and employer
engineering, manufacturing,
needs and solutions to address them.
hospitality, cultural, land-based, health
There is universal agreement that only
challenges at present – these issues
up approach we will generate a plan
have been exacerbated by Brexit and
and more importantly, some of the
construction, digital, visitor,
and care are reporting acute skills
through a collaborative and joined
are deep rooted and systemic but
that truly recognises the skills needs,
the pandemic.
solutions that colleges, universities
We are committed to ensuring the
to address these.
they need to stimulate growth.
It is also recognised that we need to
Through the Local Skills Improvement
that is already available, and this project
facilitate further collaboration between
Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), local
and business employers.
build on the wealth of existing evidence
This will gather evidence from a wide
that really will make a difference to
businesses of our region have the talent
Plan trailblazer pilot, we hope to
the education and training community
range of employers of all sizes and
across all sectors to develop a clear
and providers will need to implement
build on the intelligence and information will work closely with businesses, Local authorities and local skills groups to
to develop a skills improvement plan
Sussex’s productivity and prosperity.
plan of what skills provision is required
Overall purpose is to:
in the region.
• Build shared understanding around
When the Chamber delivers this
• Extend collaboration between
support, engaging with hundreds of businesses, the county will have an
evidence-based skills audit of a sort
never seen before. It will ensure future skills delivered by education and
training provides actually match what
firms require and deserve in the future. This is unlikely to produce any quick
68 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
skills needs
education and training providers and
employers to meet identified needs in priority sectors
• Deploy innovative and effective ways of reaching employers and collating
futures skills needs in a meaningful way
• Translate needs into an effective tool to support providers adapt their offers
Benefits to Business and Providers:
• Improve productivity and fill skills gaps with locally-grown talent
• Create international competitiveness • Increase economic growth
• Strengthen links between employers and further education and providers
• Place employers at the heart of defining local skills needs
• Improve the skills system will be crucial to building an agile and adaptable workforce
•S upport people to get the skills
our economy needs and give them
opportunities to progress in their careers.
• Make sure people can access training and learning flexibly throughout their lives
• Support growth industries Together we can: • Add value
• Be different
• Challenge the norm
• Provide new insights
• Disrupt the status quo • Be innovative
Business organisations, town chambers,
other business groups and representative bodies are ALL actively encouraged to
involve their business members to ensure we all help shape future skills needs. How to get involved: Book
your place now onto one of our
workshops below or email skills@
sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk There will also be a series of virtual meetings, surveys, polls and other activity for you to get involved.
CHAM BER N E WS Collaboration and joint working
other areas, notably Surrey
statements
and Essex which also fall
“Sussex and Kent Invicta Chambers of Commerce, Coast to Capital
Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Southeast LEP are pleased to
within the two LEP areas.” Ana Christie, CEO of
Sussex Chamber added:
“The Sussex Chamber led
be working collaboratively on the
LSIP will play a key role in
Improvement Plan (LSIP) trailblazers for
needs, therefore helping
development of two Local Skills
articulating employers’ skills
Sussex and for Kent & Medway.
to ensure our region can
The relationship between the Chambers
needed to fill highly skilled
Advisory Panels (SAPs) will be key to
the forefront of technology
representatives bringing a wealth of
key to improving productivity
and a commitment to understanding and
jobs. The LSIP will help
produce talented people
and the LEPs’ employer led Skills
jobs and keep the county at
understanding demand, with business
and innovation. Innovation is
expertise and sector specific experience,
and creating highly skills
tackling skills gaps.
make sure the provision of
Further Education partners from Sussex
future needs of employers.”
colleges and providers are primed to
“The Sussex Chamber of Commerce
emerging challenges.
Providers are pleased to be working
The LSIPs will build on existing data
of work, in support of a countywide
to better understand skills shortages
tackling local skills gaps. Working
Book your place now!
geographies. This joint approach will
involvement, enabling you to be in the
Ana Christie, CEO
Ana Christie
technical training meets the
and Kent are also engaged to ensure
consider approaches to respond to the
and the Sussex Council of Training
in collaboration on this important piece
and research activity from the SAPs
commitment to understanding and
in priority sectors within the LSIP
together, we will support provider
allow us to share lessons learned with
best possible position to consult on,
Date
Time
Virtual/Face-to-face
Wed 27 October
1.30pm to 4.30pm
Face-to-face
Thurs 28 October
9am to 12 pm
Face-to-face
Wed 10 November
1.30pm to 4.30pm
Face-to-face
Thurs 25 November
9am to 12pm
Face-to-face
and consider, the new approaches
developed through the plan. Regular updates will be shared with the
membership to keep you abreast of developments.”
Get involved to help shape future skills needs.
Sussex Chamber of Commerce
Details Workshop – Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne
Workshop – The Hawth Theatre, Crawley, West Sussex
Workshop – Jury’s Inn, Brighton (by the train station), East Sussex
Workshop – Fontwell Park Racecourse, West Sussex
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 69
HEADLINE SPONSOR
GLENN HODDLE FRIDAY 12TH NOVEMBER HILTON METROPOLE, BRIGHTON
JOIN US AT OUR CHARITY EVENT WITH GUEST SPEAKER, GLENN HODDLE. ARRIVAL FROM 12PM WITH THREE-COURSE LUNCH BEING SERVED AT 1PM.
£80 PER PERSON £750 TABLE OF 10 FOR VIP PACKAGES PLEASE CONTACT FOUNDATION@SUSSEXCRICKET.CO.UK IN AID OF SECURE YOUR PLACE BY VISITING WWW.ETICKETING.CO.UK/SUSSEXCRICKET
70 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT NETWORKING & EVENTS
NETWORK MY CLUB MAKE AN EXCITING RETURN TO IN-PERSON EVENTS WITH NETWORK MY CLUB
JACKIE’S NETWORKING ADVENTURES WITH COUNTY BUSINESS CLUBS
SBT NETWORKING & EVENTS SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 71
N ETWORK I N G & E V E N TS
Network My Club launch new inperson and online events schedule
September was a month to remember as it marked Network My Club’s first in person events for 19 months!
Network My Club had
Networking & Events
to adapt their business considerably during the pandemic. As a
business networking
membership organisation, all their events were cancelled and they had to move all of them online.
But September marked the launch of their new events schedule, returning
to in-person events at iconic sporting
venues and combing that with online on innovative online platform, Remo.
They kicked off the month in Sussex at
the Amex Stadium, followed by other inperson events in London at the Kia Oval and The Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
It was a special feeling at the events, which were their first back for 19 months, with
72 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
the mood almost celebratory as people
Bradley Hatchett, Founder and Managing
returned to face to face networking.
Director at Network My Club, added; ““We
And it wasn’t just returning to in-person
particularly at the Amex Stadium, where it
online event themes, which are hosted
from across Sussex in-person again.
The four themes (Motivate, Bring a Mate,
professionals to attend events is increasing
their own bespoke agenda and purpose,
already, we expect the November event to
saw a real demand for last month’s events,
events, but a launch of their new four
was great to be engaging with businesses
on the interactive online platform Remo.
Confidence amongst businesses and
Collaborate and Educate) each have
and based on enquiries and bookings
and take place in Network My Club’s
be just as popular, if not more!”
very own virtual networking lounge.
Want to try out Network My Club?
The Motivate and Educate themes
You’re more than welcome to go along
Former Global Retail Director of Ted Baker
online, before joining and you can find the
Collaborate was with the Watford Chamber
www.networkmyclub.co.uk.
included guest speakers Chris Browne,
to an event or two, in-person and/or
and Sleep Expert, Zena Everett. The
upcoming event schedule at
of Commerce to allow members to expand their networks across borders from the comfort of their home or office.
N ET WOR K I N G & E V E NTS
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 73
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Brighton Expo - Thursday 7th October 7 T H O C TO B E R , 2 0 2 1
Celebrating 10 years
! Networking & Events
of local Business,
the Brighton Expo
returned last week on
Thursday 7th October. Hundreds of local businesses attended
the annual event at Brighton Racecourse. Visitors had the opportunity to openly
network with attendees, whilst exploring the exhibition packed with a variety of local exhibitors showcasing their products and services.
There 78 local businesses exhibiting
74 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
and the buzz and atmosphere in O the the classic pens, notebooks, 7TH C T O B E R ,She 2 0 2had 1 room was incredible.The event was
extremely well organised, Mike Monk
!
and his team did a cracking job. The Expo saw a huge variety in business
being offered and their opportunities between exhibitors as well as hosts. Now one thing my daughter always
says to be when going to an event of this nature is, ‘mum, don’t forget the
freebies please.’ Well...There were so many freebies and the merchandise
standard and offerings have moved on in the last 5 years. Ella, my daughter was not disappointed.
mugs but then also a key ring
containing a poncho, a phone stand
and cleaner in one, chocolate brownie and the list goes on.
Although it was never intended to give
Ella these products to be rated, she did anyway and came up with two winners for Best merchandise 2021…
And the winners were Making your own bath salts from Camile Pierson at Float spa and the Stationary jars from Carol Whitney of the old ship hotel.
N ET WOR K I N G & E V E NTS
Charity golf day - Friday 17th September On Friday 17th
Networking & Events
September, we held
our second #share77k golf day at East
Brighton Golf Club,
which we co-hosted with the amazing
County Business Clubs, and powered by TPG Sports Events.
We were greeted by beautiful sunshine for the entire day and spectacular sea
views, and it was a fantastic day raising over £6,000 towards our #share77k charity campaign.
We had 18 teams battling it out for the coveted S7 Ted’s Trophy, with some superb scores being recorded.
Congratulations to SIA Group for
winning the event, with their team
recording a whopping 98 points, and to Bud Johnson of Rivervale picking
up the best individual score, with an impressive 43 points.
Sadly, no one got a hole in one to take home the 5k cash prize or a golfing
holiday, but I am sure that will happen at
who went round the course fining
one of our events one day!
people for messing up his sand with
Massive thank you to Rockinghorse and
2 and also dishing out bunker fines,
coming along and helping on the day
along on the day.
from Clock Tower Sanctuary for also
We are very lucky to have great
ever so important to use our events
mentions to Me&You, Eagle & Beagle,
people about their challenges and how
supporting this particular event.
Janella and Amanda specifically, for
and saying a few words, and to Mark
bunker fines, to Hazel for manning hole and to Jo from Whitespace for coming
saying a few words on the day too – its
#share77k partners, with special
to give our charities a platform to tell
MCR Media for their superb efforts in
everyone can help.
Another cracking golf day, and next up
On the day we also printed out
for the #share77k campaign is a pool
every single charity. Thanks to our main
Clubs & Metro Bank, supporting our
fantastic support, and to all the 18 hole
we have a final charity raffle before we
amazing raffle prizes – so a big thanks
fingers crossed we can hit our target!
Racing, WPZ, TPG Sports, Wakehurst
For anyone looking for more information
your kind donations.
make a donation – please head to
To our other volunteers on the day, to
justgiving.com/fundraising/share77k
brochures which had information about
tournament hosted by County Business
sponsor Southern Sheeting for their
cause – on November 11th, and then
sponsors. We were spoilt with some
reveal our grand total in November –
to funky hampers, HR Smart, Arena
Place and Fitzrovia Hotel, London – for
on the #share77k campaign or to
our JustGiving page – https://www.
our Lifeguard Jay from Oakwood Lofts,
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 75
N ETWORK I N G & E V E N TS
Better Business Worthing - Thursday 23rd September “It was a super
organised, well communicated event, we had a wonderful
welcome from
Tracie (@Tracie Davey) and her team from the Chamber. The room was light and airy, plenty of space and distance from each of the stands
(hope they continue at the Leisure Centre - it did make a difference).
Alpha was in attendance representing the benefits all things health and
safety - along with representation from Alpha’s sister company @Rescue2 as the event’s medic cover (sponsored by Alpha) who was on hand all day (luckily only a hot tea incident to report) and @FaceFitTestingUK.
It was so great to see ‘real’ people,
after so many months of being virtual - but we were all very sensible! So
good to Mr Sam Thomas in his pink
jacket - looking very smart. So many local businesses from gin to care
services to recycling your coffee cups - something for everyone to benefit
from - we are really looking forward to next year’s event.”
Best of British - Friday 24th September What a superb event this was at the Grand Hotel with 470 guests along with guest speaker, Ex-Liverpool and England footballer, John
Barnes. The food, service and the
Rockinghorse team were fantastic as always. The event raised
over £30,000 for the wonderful
Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. Looking forward to the next one.
Good Business Club - Plus X 30th September This was my first experience of the Good Business Club, limited to 30 spaces it was a lightly structured
networking event. Interestingly I didn’t know anyone at this event which is
unusual. The room was predominantly businesspeople with startup
businesses around a year old. The
structure of the evening gave people the opportunity to talk to everyone
in the room with 3-4 mins a table to
talk about you and your business to
their participants. All in all a very good event for small start-ups.
Jackie’s Networking Adventures Next Month will include Mythbusters with CBC, Brighton’s Big breakfast club and Nyetimber Harvest. 76 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
SBT SPORT
THE MAGIC OF POTTER
SBT SPORT REPORTS ON GRAHAM POTTER
CRAWLEY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
AN INCLUSIVE CLUB FOR THE COMMUNITY
EMMA RADUCANU
BRITAINS NEW SUPERSTAR!
SUSSEX CRICKET – THE FOUNDATION FOR EVERYONE
SBT SPORT CATCH UP WITH CHAIRMAN, JON FILBY
SBT SPORT SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 77
S PORTS
The magic of Potter
A couple of months
Sports
ago, ahead of the new season, SBT
Sport reported that Graham Potter’s
position had potentially looked under
threat after the struggles of last season hovering around the relegation zone and finishing 16th with just 9 wins
from 38 games, despite the style of
football being a marked improvement on seasons past.
Fast forward then to the beginning of
October and the Seagulls are perched much more comfortably at the heady heights of 6th, having won four and
drawn two of their first seven games, just two points off Chelsea at the top
with their only defeat being a 0-2 home defeat to a resurgent Everton.
It is worth noting that last season, the
Albion took twenty-one league games and until the end of January to win four matches.
I know it’s early days, but could the Seagulls realistically be challenging
for Europe come April/May next year!? Now before anyone tells me to cap a
lid on my excitement, let’s look at the evidence your honour.
78 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
Every Brighton fan will tell you that last season, the Seagulls were seriously lacking in the luck department, and yes, they may be using up all their
good fortune owed to them now - a
late winner at Brentford and the very
enjoyable and satisfying 95th minute
equaliser at Palace spring to mind – but tell me watching Brighton now hasn’t
become a more pleasurable experience? Even the compliments uttered by the variety of pundits on BBC and Sky
seems to be expanding every week. The Potter way is becoming noticed.
Is it therefore a case that the players
have simply become more confident and now have more belief in his way? What is clear to see is that the team appears
more composed on the ball and patient
in possession whilst realising the need to spring from defence to attack with more speed of thought. They appear to be
more resilient, even when the opposition are on top and there seems to be a
united determination to work as a unit and not give up.
Individual players, like Leandro Trossard and Joel Veltman have stepped up
and seem revitalised this season, the former being helped no doubt by his
International call up into the Belgium set
up. Adam Lallana is having an increased say in controlling the midfield and then there’s new signing, left back Marco
Cucurella. With his exciting energy and
pace going forward down the left-hand side, he’s become my new favourite
Albion player. In defence, the partnership between Dunk and Duffy is playing like they’ve never been apart, particularly
pleasing given Duffy’s unsuccessful loan spell at Celtic last season seemed to
knock his confidence. Add into the mix the inevitable forthcoming return of the lightning quick Tariq Lamptey on the
right and Albion fans have every reason to be optimistic this season.
When Graham Potter was appointed,
many people questioned Chairman Tony Bloom’s gamble to bring in a manager unproven in the Premiership and with
limited experience. Time will tell of course but for now, Potter has most definitely brought the magic back to the Amex.
S PO RTS
Crawley Rugby Football Club The last time I spoke to Crawley Rugby Football Club they were proud of their ethos to become an inclusive club for the community, so this month I wanted to find out more about why Crawley was voted the Rugby Club of the Year at the Guinness National Rugby Club Awards in 2019. Crawley RFC was
Sports
formed in March
1950 and by the early 1960s they had built
their own Clubhouse
on the site which is now known as the RAM club. The club stayed at
West Green playing fields until 1993 when the clubhouse was sold, and
with support from Crawley Borough
Council, they moved to their current
home, Willoughby Fields in Ifield, where the club has hosted many county and
national sides over the years including the England U19s when Johnny Wilkinson played for them.
with society. As an amateur club,
young people whilst adhering to their
floodlit, eight changing rooms, a well-
relying on members’ subscriptions,
Enjoyment, Discipline & Sportsmanship.
clubhouse and bar, Crawley boasts
club offering coaching to primary and
So, what does the future hold? Crawley
be an inclusive club with the aim of
which has resulted in helping five
develop & modernise the clubhouse
wider community whatever the age,
competing at a reasonable level.
entertainment facilities for its members,
Over the past few years, the club has
partners/sponsors and event attendees.
section with teams at every age from
at the club with a large Halloween and
youth squads, with family co-operation,
senior men’s teams, with the 1st XV
together with a charity weekend where
to develop both their team coaching
the 2019 Sussex Cup, together with a
an exhibition game with over £30,000
the senior playing squads, additionally
and the Crawley Jets Wheelchair rugby
comedy night once a month, regular
policy with openness and support of
team available in the town!
poker and many more events and
core values of Teamwork, Respect,
With four pitches, two of which are
Crawley is run purely by volunteers,
equipped weights room and a modern
and is also a successful community
over 300 members and is proud to
secondary schools within the town,
RFC has a strategic plan in place to
bringing the enjoyment of rugby to the
secondary schools create rugby teams
and to provide catering and party/
gender or capability.
guests, players, families, business
They also possess a thriving Youth
also increased the events being held
They also plan to further enhance their
U7’s through to U18’s as well as three
fireworks display open to the community
collaboration, and inclusion, as well as
playing in the London league who won
ex-international rugby players played in
skills with the depth and strength of
Veteran’s team, a thriving ladies team
raised. The club also holds a successful
enhancing their diversity and inclusion
team, which is the only disabled sports
quiz nights, pool competitions, darts,
the LGBTQ+ community.
games for the community.
Crawley RFC are continually seeking the
Crawley’s strength is very much
want to find out more, visit
Also heavily involved with local charities, the club runs a monthly Sunday social
for people to play games and integrate
about growing and developing their
support of local businesses, so if you www.crawleyrfc.com
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 79
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/emma-raducanu-wins-us-open-leylah-fernandez
Emma Raducanu – Britain’s new superstar!
Last month many of us witnessed the first qualifier in the tennis Open era to win a Grand Slam singles title as 18-year-old Emma Raducanu won the US Open to become the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Virginia Wade 44 years ago at Wimbledon. Emma Raducanu was
Sports
born 13 November 2002 and became
only the fourth British woman to reach a
Grand Slam final in the Open era, and
the youngest British Grand Slam finalist since 1959. After being ranked 336 in the world, she now has a career-high Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)
ranking of world No. 22 and is the current British No. 1. Raducanu was born in
Toronto, raised in Bromley and made her WTA Tour debut in June this year.
At Wimbledon she was entered as
a wild card and managed to reach
80 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
the last sixteen in her first major
tournament. Having beaten two top-50 players at the All England Club, she had to retire from the fourth-round
match with breathing difficulties and
dizziness when trailing 6-4 3-0 against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic. She put this down to the intensity that other players would have been used to
and her body simply wasn’t ready.
Fast forward then as she played more matches leading up to the US Open
- reaching the quarter-finals of an ITF
Tour event in Pennsylvania and the final of a WTA Challenger event in Chicago and then coming through three rounds of qualifying at Flushing Meadows to
build up her strength and stamina.
What about her background then? Her
father, Ian is from Bucharest in Romania while her mother, Renee originates
from Shenyang, China and she and her
family moved to England when she was just two years old. Raducanu started
playing tennis at the age of five but as a child, she was a keen sportswoman participating in various activities,
including basketball, golf, karting,
motocross, skiing, and horse riding. But she wasn’t even a teenager when a decision had to be made about her
future. Motorcross and motorsports were her passion, but as her tennis career
S PO RTS
https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2021-09-11/the-latestteens-raducanu-fernandez-meet-in-us-open-final
progressed, she realised she couldn’t
carry on with her passion and opted for the tennis racket as the way forward. After first grabbing a tennis racket
thirteen years ago, Raducanu went on to join the Bromley Tennis Academy before her potential was spotted by the Lawn
Tennis Association. The governing body took Raducanu under its wing, with the
youngster taking part in camps and trips abroad before progressing through the age groups.
While that support has clearly been
important, her parents’ influence has
undoubtedly also helped as the teenager displays composure on the court as well as appearing to be grounded off it.
“I think that the calmness and the
mental strength definitely comes from my upbringing, I think my parents
have both instilled in me from a very
young age to definitely have a positive attitude on court.”
Unfortunately, her parents were unable
to see any of her matches or her triumph in person because of the then strict
travel restrictions to the United States. While Raducanu holds both British and Canadian citizenship, she also is fluent in English, Romanian and Chinese.
Smiling, chatty, polite and seemingly
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/14/emma-raducanu-to-earn-2point5million-for-us-open-win.html
taking it all in her stride, Raducanu appears very comfortable in the
spotlight, both with fans and in postmatch interviews.
However, there are no guarantees that young players with talent will
continue to be successful. An example is Britain’s Laura Robson who reached the US Open fourth round as an
18-year-old in 2012 before her career
was derailed by injury. But if Raducanu does stay healthy, former Grand Slam champions Martina Navratilova and Virginia Wade predict she will win multiple Grand Slam titles.
“When you see that kind of talent,
that won’t be denied. The only thing
that could deny is her body,” said 18
major singles titles winner Navratilova,
while British legend Wade agrees. “No
question - I’m sure she will win majors… She will be sharing them with a handful who will be dominating the game.”
While Eastbourne’s Johanna Konta has reached two Grand Slam semi-finals in recent years, there is certainly a buzz around the future for Raducanu.
Wade remarked: “girls are very mature
really at 18. She is smart she thinks very
well, and she talks very well... I think she is going to be able to handle it, but there is an awful lot she will have to handle.”
Not least after the announcement that Raducanu was splitting with Andrew
Richardson, a former British tour player who coached her to her US Open
title after he’d replaced Nigel Sears. The latter had guided her through
Wimbledon and had coached former top-five ranked players Ana Ivanovic
and Daniela Hantuchova. With rumours abound about who would step up to
the challenge, including former British
Number One men’s player Andy Murray being mentioned, at the time of writing no decision had been made.
After spending some well-deserved time off with her family, last month,
she picked up her racket again for a
few practice games with the Duchess of Cambridge at the LTA’s National
Tennis Centre, but her focus is now on
preparations for a return to competitive action. The 18-year-old is competing
at the Indian Wells Masters this month, the biggest event left on the calendar this season and will then leave for
Romania to play in the Transylvania
Open. Ultimately though, her sights will be set on the first Slam of 2022, the Australian Open title.
In the meantime, she appears to be
everyone’s favourite to win this year’s Sports Personality of the Year. That would be an incredible end to an absolutely incredible year.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 81
S PORTS
Sussex Cricket – the foundation for everyone
With the end of the domestic cricket season last month, SBT Sport decided it was a good time to catch up with the Chairman of The Sussex Cricket Foundation, Jon Filby to find out more about the role of the Foundation within Sussex’s cricketing community. The Sussex Cricket
Sports
Foundation (SCF) is
the charitable arm of Sussex Cricket and as well as raising
£150,000 each year to run community
projects across the county and to fund
the Academy Ground at Blackstone, the
Foundation is also responsible for running all the recreational cricket across the
county. Their aim is to actively change lives through cricket across the community by using the game and the Sussex Cricket
brand to deliver accessible and enjoyable opportunities that grow the sport, tackle
inequalities, improve health and wellbeing
opportunity to participate in cricket, and
season. Additionally, women’s’ cricket
Day’ during which 270 children and
now over one hundred clubs in Sussex
and enable people to fulfil their potential.
last month saw their ‘Discoverability
is growing exponentially and there are
Investment in women’s cricket and
young adults came from across the
providing junior sections for boys and girls.
undoubtedly seen an increase in
at the 1st Central County Ground.
I asked him how can local
of the aims of the Foundation, there are
programme is targeted at supporting the
the Foundation?
sections, which is more than double the
suffer from loneliness or dementia.
“Local businesses interested in finding out
two years ago. Much of this success
One of the biggest and continuous
opportunities that exist to support cricket
models such as Sussex girls, Freya
but every registered charity across the
at jon.filby@sussexcricket.co.uk and
latter having had a superb season, also
new and varied ideas for people and
businesses to our SCF Annual Gala Lunch
its profile across the Country has
county to participate in cricket activities
numbers and with inclusion at the heart
Added to this, their Sporting Memories
now 54 clubs in Sussex with women’s
older members of the population who
number offered across the county just
businesses get involved to support
more about what we are doing and the
will have been helped because of role
challenges facing not only the Foundation,
in their local community can contact me
Davies and Captain Georgia Adams, the
country is fundraising and presenting
we would be delighted to welcome local
leading the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
businesses to support the Foundation.
with Glenn Hoddle at the Hilton Metropole
an integral part of the Southern Brave
According to Jon, cricket across the
great event and is selling very fast. Tables
recent Hundred competition.
more popular than it is now. He points to
In addition, the SCF have prepared
to grow each year with ten new teams this
Crawley and Brighton and Hove get the
from a further ten teams for the 2022
winners, Southern Vipers and also being team, which reached the final of the
plans to ensure that people in both
82 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
county is booming and has never been
the fact that the men’s League continues season and already having applications
Hotel on Friday 12 November. It will be a of ten are available for £750.”
SBT LIFESTYLE
SUSSEX SPIRIT MAKERS SCOOPS TOP AWARD
& LAUNCHES HANDCRAFTED ARTISAN BRANDY
COUNTY BUSINESS CLUBS WINE OF THE MONTH
WITH BRIGHTON & HOVE WINE CLUB
SBT LIFESTYLE SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 83
L I FEST Y L E
Sussex spirit makers scoops top award & launches handcrafted artisan brandy Small batch Pinot Grape Spirit wins 3***star endorsement Spirit of the Downs, the
Lifestyle
artisan Sussex-based drinks company has
won three stars at the
prestigious Great Taste
Awards and added two more products to its range of premium limited-edition
vintage spirits. In a first ever, Spirit of the
Downs Brandy, handmade in Sussex and
aged with French Oak (barrels) has won a one-star Great Taste Award.
Michael will be travelling to the finals of the Great Taste Awards in Harrogate to
see if Spirit of the Downs has won the top prize of a Golden Fork Award which has
whittled down 14,000 entrants to just 33
finalists. The Golden Fork Awards pits the regions of the Uk as well as international entrants against each other from across
Great Taste food and drink categories, 14
will win a top Golden Fork Award and one will be the Supreme Champion.
Multi-award-winning Spirit of the Downs has been created from grapes grown
by small batch English sparkling wine
producers, in and around the South Downs National Park in Sussex. These premium small batch vintage spirits have been
created by wine specialist Michael Yeoman using traditional production methods with
a combination of both indigenous, wild and champagne yeasts. Each bottle of small batch distilled spirit is unique to a single
vintage and varietal. (Labelled with its own unique limited release number).
Michael Yeoman, Founder, Spirit of the Downs, says: “I have been inspired
84 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
by the quality
of wines being
produced here in the Sussex
and along the
South Coast to
produce a range of fine spirits to
complement the sophistication and quality
coming out of the local area. Spirit of the Downs can be drunk
on its own, over ice, with a good quality tonic as
a long drink or to
sparkling wines, to add complexity and
add complexity to a range of cocktails
depth of flavour.
of the quality that we have been able
Spirit of the Downs will also launch five
that we have worked so closely in the
local vineyards from the 2020 vintage
are extremely excited about the future
Plumpton Estate and Tickerage with
but a new style of drinking vintage
Champagne Mix and Pinot Noir which
(as a cocktail ingredient). I am so proud to produce, and even more proud
new varietals coming out of several
traditional style with local vineyards. We
which include Breaky Bottom Vineyard,
and establishing not only our brand,
varieties of Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay,
spirits in the South of the England.”
will be released in Spring 2022.
Sustainability is a core value of Spirit
For more information about Spirit
English wines is used to produce the
spiritofthedowns.co.uk/shop/
of the Downs where waste from
range of artisan spirits. In a virtuous
cycle waste produced by Spirit of the Downs is used at Trenchmore Farm
as a fertiliser for their award-winning cider. Spirit of the Downs brandies
are also being used by local vineyards as a ‘secret recipe’ dosage for their
of the Downs please visit https://
L I FE STYLE
Spirit of the Downs, Pinot Grape Spirit Great Taste Award Winner 3*** Star, IWSC Bronze medal 2020 RRP: 50cl £30.00 Spirit of the Downs is a sustainable product using pressed grapes
from English sparkling wine production to create a unique craft spirit.
After distillation, the pomace from Spirit of the Downs is used to (feed the cattle and) help fertilise the apple orchard at Trenchmore Farm, near Bolney.
Great Taste Judges: “This is rather exceptional - there’s a beautiful creaminess to this eau de vie. It carries its alcohol so lightly, it’s
positively dangerous. Raisin notes are prominent and give just a
touch of sweetness to this sublime drink. Aromas of dark honey and
raisins on the nose. The playful flavour was surprisingly delicate and
gave a long, satisfying finish. Very sophisticated.” Great Taste Award tasting notes.
Spirit of the Downs, Handcrafted Artisan Sussex Brandy, Chardonnay varietal aged with French Oak, Vintage 2019 Great Taste Award Winner 1*Star rating RRP: 50cl £31.00 Small Batch Distilled using English Sparkling Wine Grapes – Limited
release of 250 bottles of 50ml. This brandy benefits from eight months of aging on the Chardonnay grape and aging with French oak to provide a
“VS” style Sussex brandy. The grapes help create a more intense English brandy with plenty of fruit with flavours of sweet caramel, Crème Brule, Raisins and balanced oak with smokiness and long finish.
Great Taste Judges: “A refined and elegant spirit with a rich limousin oak spiciness. Remarkably smooth with a very slight toast/smoke
character and sweet biscuity note making this a very accessible and
easy drinking brandy with a refined medium dry fruit flavour. Absolutely delicious.” Great Taste Award tasting notes.
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 85
WI N E OF T H E MON TH
County Business Club Wine of the Month October 2021
Court Garden Blanc de Noir Brut 2015
So the South East’s wine makers are beginning to harvest their wines this
month. This year has had its challenges in terms of early frost, mildew due to
dampness and botrytis/rot later in the
season. Most producers are harvesting a couple of weeks later than usual and
some have not harvested because of a poor harvest. I have seen some good
harvests so not all is lost for this year’s producers. For this month we have
chosen a family wine producer called Court Garden.
Background to Court Garden
Run by the charismatic Howard and his son Hugo, Court Garden have a
wide variety of still and sparkling award winning wines and are positioned near Ditchling in East Sussex, just off the
South Downs a couple of miles North
of Ditchling Beacon. The vineyard and winery is set in surroundings down a
long winding road. They have their own vineyards and regularly host events
including weddings, tastings and the occasional opera.
86 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
The wine makers notes for this wine are;
which makes them a good fit for many
Silver lime-leaf green, fine fizz; good
food pairings.
lemon grass accent; lovely delicate style
Background to English Wine and
dosage. Nicely defined mid-palate with
The South East of England and Sussex
yeast autolysis and green fruit with
with good balance between acidity and
Wine of the Month
rich flavour, clean and crisp finish.
in particular are leading the way in
Made using the traditional method of bottle
compete head to head with many
lees adds to the complexity of the flavour,
some local wines and for those special
sparkling wine production and will
fermentation, where long ageing on the
leading Champagnes. Why not try
our Blanc de Noirs pairs wonderfully
occasions such as Christmas.
aperitif. 2015 was a perfect Spring set an
Michael Yeoman,
with food as well as being enjoyed as an
abundance of fruit which developed well
brightonandhovewineclub.co.uk
a Green Harvest. This allowed us to finish
Michael Yeoman owns Brighton and
producing some lovely wine.
a range of Sussex spirits using the
So what is Blanc De Noir?
He specialises in working with small
in July, but a challenging Summer required with ripe fruit, albeit with a smaller crop,
The term Blanc De Noir is used when the wine maker only uses the red
grapes such as Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. The red grapes typically provide more fruit and intensity than Chardonnay
Hove Wine Club and also creates
pomace from English wine production. batch wine producers in and around Sussex and the South Downs.
SBT ASK THE EXPERT
HOW TO MAKE BIG THINGS HAPPEN EVEN IF YOU’RE AN IDIOT
LEE BRIDGES, REFORM FINANCIAL
ASK THE EXPERT SPECIAL
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE PARTNERED WITH YARON ENGLER
SBT ASK THE EXPERT SPONSORED BY:
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 87
AS K T H E E X PE RT
How to make big things happen even if you’re an idiot
“Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.” ― E. James Rohn
There’s a moment in
Ask the Expert
time when your heart starts to beat and
there’s a moment in time when it stops.
I wish I knew what happened on the
other side of those moments but I guess that’s the exciting part. What happens in between, however, is humbling.
After that very first beat, that very first touch of life, your heart will continue to run consistently until you die.
Consistency is life. I often take some
time to think about the grandiose of that concept. It’s overwhelming to say the
88 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
least. One moment you weren’t there
and the next moment you are. And until
that consistency stops being consistent, you continue to be.
Why is this important? Well, because if
you can get the following right then you will have cracked one of the biggest secrets of progress and success.
And yup, I did just gag in my mouth when writing “one of the biggest
secrets of progress and success”. Sounded like one of those all too
common bro-marketing clickbaiters
you see advertising on socials, where
the self-proclaimed ‘guru’ explains how “you too could be your own boss and
make £2,000 an hour in 9 easy steps”, whilst lolling their sleazy butts all the way to the bank…
The difference between what I am telling you and what they are selling you is that my ‘secret’ actually works. It’s just not sexy, quick, or easy…
Without a shadow of a doubt
consistency is second to none when it comes to levelling up. And while paying 3 instalments of £99.99 for
12 ‘nutrition for dummy’s’ E-books, a
ASK T H E E XPE RT behind the scenes interview with (insert name of newest fad diet ‘expert’), and a ‘certified 9-steps to visible
abs’ downloadable video-course can
potentially get you gassed up enough to get started, consistency is the big
boss that will keep you going and get you the actual results.
I will say this once and once only, but I
want you to read it around 20x (I could
write it down 20x but then I’d be wasting time, and I hate wasting time. I never waste… Godamnit!)
If you work towards your goals daily
with focus, resilience, an open mind, and a willingness to be completely
wrong, you will be great within a few
weeks, amazing within a few months, and limitless within a lifetime.
Fact: You are what you repeatedly do. Fact: You can change what you repeatedly do.
Fact: I’m about to drop a Kanye West’sego-sized knowledge-bomb
If you currently have some negative traits that you want to get rid of, or
some positive traits that you want to experience more of, then I have the answer: do stuff that makes you better! Every... single... day.
That’s it. It’s that simple. And spoken like a true prodigy, right?!
Well, the premise is simple. The blood, sweat, and tears not so much.
Wanna’ be fitter? Exercise every day.
Wanna’ get more sales? Hustle every day. Wanna’ bulletproof your mindset? Develop every day.
Wanna’ learn more? Educate yourself every day.
Wanna’ gain confidence? Do all the above every day.
Wanna’ build a house? Lay bricks every day.
The really great news here though is
that idiots like me can reap benefits just from leveraging consistency. Here’s an adequate analogy...
Think of all your goals as houses (your
business, your health, your relationships, your charity etc). You need each house to be complete, and you need them to endure the test of time. To do that you must have strong foundations (your
Lee Bridges
mindset), lay bricks (your consistency), and put on the roof when you’re done (your execution).
Now think of one of your goals, and the
it’s MOT, washing machine breaks, dog/ kid poops on carpet...) the build begins to feel unsustainable.
house that represents it. You can think
You give up.
finished with the roof on and everything,
You now have four sorta’-walls with no
of it as your dream house if you like, fully and built by you. The complexity of the
build resembles the size of the goal you want to achieve. You gas yourself up,
draw up the plans, and are xmas-dayas-a-5-year-old-excited to get started laying those first few bricks.
You wake up on the first day of the
build and jump out of bed. You drive to your new plot and start mixing cement
and laying bricks. Wow! It doesn’t look like a house yet but it’s a start, and it feels good to make some progress, albeit a little.
Your job after the first day of brick laying is an extremely important one: to get
up tomorrow and continue to lay more bricks. Your job the day after is even more important: to get up again and continue to lay bricks.
By the end of the first month your excitement for the project has
dwindled and the reality of life being an unrelenting pain in the butt has started to deplete your morale.
The next few months of the build are
even more important, but with more life crap (bills, other people, backache, the
media, running out of money, car needs
roof. You have lost time and money. You haven’t seen your friends and family
much because you’ve been spending
all your time on the build. And when you
have seen them you’ve been cranky and tired and worn out aka no way to live.
You go back to your mediocre life having ‘tried your best’ and forget about your dream house. Sound worthwhile?! Me thinks not...
So how do you get all your houses
finished? I suggest you keep going no matter what, even if that’s just a little bit more, every day. As long as your
efforts are daily then you will continue to make progress and you will find
ways to navigate the problems that inevitably arise.
Just. Keep. Going. So what unfinished builds do you
currently have? Do they have strong foundations or do you need to do
some work on yourself? Is the build
worth the time and effort? What can you do right now to strengthen your mindset and lay another brick? www.reform-financial.co.uk
www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 89
AS K T H E E X PE RT
Ask The Expert Special
We are delighted to have partnered with Yaron Engler to bring you this Ask the Expert Special.
Earlier this month to recognise mental Ask the health awareness Expert day, Yaron joined our MD Sam Thomas in the podcast studio to record a special episode of the County Business TALKS, Discussing mental and the importance of creating a safe space for Men to “open up”, get vulnerable, and choose to live a more meaningful life. This month Yaron shares his CROP® Method which serves as the foundation of his work with his 1:1 Clients as well as the group work he does with men in the AND THEN WHAT? Programme. The CROP® Method is about nurturing and growing – as well as eliminating those things in your life that are holding you back. The system has been developed and honed over 3 decades and remains an ongoing process of discovery. The CROP® Method works in a cyclic pattern and with every cycle, you experience deeper connections – with yourself and others – as well as a greater sense of purpose. The four parts of the Crop Method are: C - Cleansing & clearing Most of the heavy lifting takes place
90 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
at this stage. Cleansing & Clearing is about taking a deep look at your life and identifying those habits, actions and people that are holding you back. It can be very exhilarating but also very challenging – most of us are holding on to a lot of bullshit! This process is continuous and the sessions with Yaron are very fluid to help you find your own pace and level of intensity. We can look at this as a process of “unlearning” as well as making new discoveries – about your physical and mental wellbeing, your past and present relationships and the way you respond and react to events in your life. R - Reconnecting (with your inner voice) Once you have done the Cleansing & Clearing stage, the truth just bubbles up – irrepressibly – and all the “noise” just washes away. “Knowing” becomes “being” – being present, being honest, being wonderfully alive. Discovering your inner voice can be overwhelming – which is why being with other men undergoing the same experience is so important. But understanding your true values will also create far deeper, more meaningful connections with your partner, friends, family and colleagues. Emotions become a tool for growth instead of a burden, and you’ll start living life on your own terms, learning how to say “no”, while still being open to new challenges and experiences.
O - Observing Observing is about seeing, with clarity, the impact that our actions and inactions create in our lives. As your self-awareness grows, you will start seeing where fear, conflict and confusion typically arise, and learn how to let go of negative behaviours. Working both individually and as a group, this stage may involve meditation, breathing exercises and other practices to guide you into presence. P - Playing Playing is a vital part of the work we’ve undertaken so far and – obviously – it’s a lot of fun. Our aim is for you to spend most of your time in this section playing at the level of your full potential. Of course, there will still be challenges but you will now have the skills and resilience to help you navigate these obstacles – and keep on playing! In our sessions, we’ll use humour and risktaking to help you stretch yourself and push boundaries. You’ll learn how to nurture your creativity, enhance your vision and exercise more control over how you really want to live. For more information about opportunities to work with Yaron visit www.yaronenngler.com
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